India launched an innovative battlefield tourism initiative called “Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan” on January 15, 2025, coinciding with the 77th Army Day. The programme, spearheaded by the Indian Army in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, aims to transform 77 historically significant military sites into tourist destinations. Here are all of the other important details that you would need to know about this particular app launched by the government of India.
Bharat Ranbhoomi App Launched By The Indian Government
According to an article that was recently published by The Free Press Journal or the FPJ, the initiative emerges from a complex backdrop of border tensions. Among them is the 2020 Galwan Valley conflict with China that resulted in 20 Indian soldiers’ deaths.
The 2017 Doklam standoff involving India, Bhutan and China was also noteworthy. These incidents have heightened interest in India’s border regions. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh noted a substantial 30 per cent increase in tourist visits to frontier areas like Ladakh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh over the past four years.
The programme will feature a comprehensive website offering virtual tours, historical context and travel logistics, including permit arrangements for these previously restricted areas. Many sites are situated along contested borders with China and Pakistan, encompassing locations from the 1962 Indo-China war and the 1971 Battle of Longewala.
What Is Battlefield Tourism, The Trend The App Is About
As the name suggests, Battlefield Tourism is just visiting old battlegrounds for tourism. Under the Incredible India campaign, these destinations will showcase India’s military heritage through existing war memorials and museums. They will provide visitors with authentic narratives of historical conflicts.
Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi has outlined a four-pronged approach to border area development, focusing on infrastructure, communication, tourism and education. The initiative aims to boost socio-economic growth in these remote regions through increased connectivity and tourism opportunities.
This transformation of strategic locations into tourist attractions represents a significant shift in India’s approach to border area management, balancing security considerations with tourism development while preserving the historical significance of these battlefields.
Would you want to visit a battlefield? Do you think such instances glamourise and glorify the project of war instead of critiquing it for being the violent endeavour that it is? Let us know in the comments section below!
Cover Image Credits: Canva Pro Images (For Representational Purposes Only)
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