Tourism minister claims India is 'one of the safest countries'

"India is one of the safest countries in the world," claimed Union minister of tourism, KJ Alphons Kannanthanam, when asked what steps the ministry had taken to ensure the safety of international female travellers. Kannanthanam was launching a 20-day-long tourism festival, Paryatan Parv.

"Most of the stories (of violence against foreigners) are exaggerated. Look at what happened in the US, 59 people have been gunned down. There have been terror attacks across Europe; these things happen. India is a safe country," insisted the minister. "We need to have that belief among our own selves first."

While launching the festival, Kannanthanam announced that under the Paryatan Parv, the ministry will conduct excursions, hold competitions of video and photo stories on social media, quizzes, essays, debates, apart from painting competitions. He said, "We want to attract tourists to India ahead of this season, and also want to ask fellow Indians to travel across their own country."

He added that in their efforts, the ministry of tourism will also rope in several other ministries, including the ministries of culture, information, etc to make a concerted effort in making this process a success. He added that the ministry will also pay special attention to Jammu and Kashmir and in the Northeast. "The Northeast is an incredible place and it is a pity that very few Indians have visited these places. One can go anywhere in Mizoram, or to Shillong and you'll see that if three people gather there, they break into a song," said the minister.