She conceptualized it, sanctioned the funds, but never came to see it, was the general refrain of business leaders on Tourism Minister Ambika Soni's absence.
NEW YORK: She conceptualized it, sanctioned the funds for it, but never came to see it, was the general refrain of business leaders on Tourism Minister Ambika Soni's absence at the 'Incredible India@60' week here.
"We will miss her here," said Sunil Mittal, President of the Confederation of Indian Industry, which along with the Tourism Ministry is organising the event to promote India as a brand.
"She spontaneously accepted the idea when it was presented to her and it would not have been possible without her," the event's steering committee Chairman Nandan Nilekani said, while delivering the vote of thanks at a dinner reception hosted by Finance Minister P Chidambaram for the diaspora.
Session after session at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, speakers thanked the minister for making such an event possible while missing her presence.
While the 'Incredible India' slogan was coined during her predecessor Renuka Chaudhary's tenure, Soni is credited with taking the campaign forward and increasing India's visibility at larger forums.
Soni apparently cancelled her visit after she was unable to clear the air about the confusion caused by the Archaeological Survey of India's affidavit denying the existence of Hindu god Lord Ram.
She could not meet the Prime Minister last week as he was recuperating from a surgery. Soni instead deputed the Tourism Secretary to represent the ministry at the event, billed as the largest ever awareness campaign on India.
The Ministry of Tourism and CII have put in 5 million dollar each for this programme, advertisements for which could be found in every conceivable corner of this city.
While the Tourism Ministry leased space for street banners, wrap around bus posters and hoarding across Nasdaq and Reuters buildings at Times Square, dubbed as the crossroads of the world, the CII has sponsored 265 street banners across Manhattan, 200 near Grant Central, 125 panel on MTA Super King Buses and 150 phone kiosk panels.
Besides, the organisers have also advertised through digital signage at Port Authority.
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