To mark PM Modi’s 75th birthday, Maharashtra announces NaMo Gardens, tourism skill programme

Calling the initiative a “gift from Maharashtra on the Prime Minister’s birthday,” Shinde added that divisional-level competitions will be held once the gardens are developed. Civic bodies securing the top three positions in each division will receive additional development funds of ₹5 crore, ₹3 crore and ₹1 crore, respectively.

On the tourism front, Tourism Minister Shambhuraj Desai announced the NaMo Tourism Skill Programme, under which 7,500 local youths will be trained in hospitality and tour guiding. Hospitality training will be conducted in partnership with the Swami Samarth Maharashtra Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, and the tour guide training will be offered under the guidance of the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management, Gwalior.

Trainees will receive certificates, identity cards and official licences from the Directorate of Tourism, enabling them to seek employment in the sector.

In addition, NaMo Tourism Information and Facilitation Centres will be set up in the first phase at world heritage sites such as Raigad, Pratapgad, Shivneri, and Salher forts, as well as Meghdoot Bungalow in Mumbai.

The Maharashtra Government plans to expand the initiative to 75 tourist destinations across the state. These centres will include facilities for children, senior citizens and the differently abled, along with digital platforms, multilingual support, and AI-based services.

Tourism Minister Desai said the initiative aims to strengthen the local economy while attracting global tourists. “NaMo Tourism will be inclusive, accessible and designed for women, children and senior citizens, in line with the Prime Minister’s vision,” he added.