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Varanasi nominated as the first-ever SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital at the 2022 SCO Summit

September 16, 2022

The city of Varanasi has been nominated as the first-ever SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital during the period 2022-2023 at the 22nd Meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of State in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on September 16, 2022. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had participated in the Summit. 2. The nomination of Varanasi as the first ever SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital will promote tourism, cultural and humanitarian exchanges between India and the SCO member Countries. It also underlines India’s ancient civilizational links with Member States of SCO, especially the Central Asian Republics. 3. Under the framework of this major cultural outreach program, a number of events will be hosted in Varanasi during 2022-23, for which guests will be invited to participate from SCO Member States. These events are expected to attract Indologists, scholars, authors, musicians and artists, photo journalists, travel bloggers and other invited guests. 4. The regulations for nomination of the SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital were adopted at the Dushanbe SCO Summit in 2021 with an objective of promoting cooperation between the SCO Member States in the field of culture and tourism. Samarkand September 16, 2022

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Varanasi nominated as the first-ever SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital at the 2022 SCO Summit

1. The city of Varanasi has been nominated as the first-ever SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital during the period 2022-2023 at the 22nd Meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of State in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on September 16, 2022. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had participated in the Summit. 2. The nomination of Varanasi as the first ever SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital will promote tourism, cultural and humanitarian exchanges between India and the SCO member Countries. It also underlines India’s ancient civilizational links with Member States of SCO, especially the Central Asian Republics. 3. Under the framework of this major cultural outreach program, a number of events will be hosted in Varanasi during 2022-23, for which guests will be invited to participate from SCO Member States. These events are expected to attract Indologists, scholars, authors, musicians and artists, photo journalists, travel bloggers and other invited guests. 4. The regulations for nomination of the SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital were adopted at the Dushanbe SCO Summit in 2021 with an objective of promoting cooperation between the SCO Member States in the field of culture and tourism. Samarkand September 16, 2022

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Varanasi declared as first-ever SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital for 2022-2023 at Samarkand Summit

Updated Sep 17, 2022, 07:03 IST

Ganga aarti in Varanasi (File image)

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Explained: Why Varanasi Was Named The First Cultural And Tourism Capital Of The SCO

Varanasi is known to be one of the oldest living cities in the world. the city has been declared the first cultural and tourism capital of the shanghai cooperation organisation (sco) for 2022-23..

“Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together,” wrote Mark Twain, the English author.

Varanasi (or Benaras or Kashi) is known to be one of the oldest living cities in the world. The city was declared the first Cultural and Tourism Capital of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) for 2022-23.

As per the reports, the organisation plans to start a rotating mechanism, in which they will rotate the title of Cultural and Tourism Capital among different states.

The title will help in promoting the cultural values of the city and add to values- economic, social, and more.

What is the history of Varanasi?

The origin of the city has multiple theories. Varanasi has been a centre of learning and civilization for about 3,000 years. Varanasi is home to knowledge, philosophy, culture, devotion, and arts and crafts for ages.

Also known as Benaras or Kashi, Varanasi has been a significant pilgrimage place for Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism as well. Further, Vaishnavism and Shaivism have harmoniously co-existed in Benaras. Kashi’s culture is surrounded by the river Ganga.

It is widely believed by Hindus that death on the land of Kashi leads to the attainment of salvation and freedom from the cycle of birth and re-birth.

Sarnath is in the same city where Buddha preached his first sermon after enlightenment. Kashi is also believed to be the birthplace of Parsvanath, the 23rd Jain Tirthankar.

According to varanasi.nic.in , Ayurveda originated in the land and is said to be the basis of modern medical sciences such as Plastic surgery, Cataract and Calculus operations. Maharshi Patanjali, the founder of Yoga, was also affiliated with the city.

What is the culture and heritage of Varanasi?

Varanasi has a rich and original variety of paintings, sculptor styles and folk art. The city has produced master craftsmen and earned a reputation for its sarees, handicrafts, textiles, toys, ornaments, metalwork, clay and woodwork, and leaf and fibre crafts. Also popular for its trade and commerce, especially for the finest silks and gold and silver brocades, since the early days.

Varanasi has its own ' Gharanas ' (style of music) in classical Indian music and has produced some of the most well-known musicians, philosophers, poets, and writers in Indian history such as Kabir, Munshi Premchand, Jaishankar Prasad, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Bismillah Khan etc.

According to the Department of Culture, Varanasi, Kashi has “monumental ghats and discover the most ancient seat of education in India World the famous scholars and their `Shastrarthas’, the great scholars, universities, college, schools, Madarsas and Pathshalas and Guru Shishya traditions, the epics, famous literary works, languages and dialects, journalistic traditions- newspapers and magazine, and famous libraries.”

Kashi has its own dialect. The land has cultural pluralistic, linguistic and ethnic groups. The city is popular for its rich stock of folk Music and drama (esp. Ramlila) and rich tradition of Akharas, games and sports.

Dasaswamedh Ghat, Dhamek Stupa, Ganga aarti, Banaras Hindu University, Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Ramnagar Fort among several others, make a significant part of Varanasi’s culture.

What is the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)?

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a permanent intergovernmental international organization. The organisation aims to maintain peace, security and stability in Eurasia.

Formally came into force in 2003 by signing the SCO charter, the SCO is a political, economic and military organization with 8 present member countries Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan and Iran. India and Pakistan became members in 2017.

Before the creation of SCO, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan were members of the Shanghai Five.

The objective of the organisation is to strengthen mutual trust and neighbourliness among the member states, promotion of trade & economy, research & technology and culture and enhance ties in education, energy, transport, tourism, environmental protection, etc.

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Varanasi declared as first ever SCO tourist and cultural capital

The Indian delegation at the SCO summit in this historic Uzbek city of Samarkand was led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Friday endorsed the holy city of Varanasi as the first ever tourist and cultural capital of the grouping for the year 2022-23.

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said this at a media briefing.

Also read: 'Will support India for presidency next year': Xi Jinping at SCO Summit

Uzbekistan handed over the rotating presidency of the grouping to India for the year 2022-23.

"Prime Minister Modi thanked all the member states for endorsing Varanasi as the first ever SCO tourist and cultural capital during the upcoming year 2022-23," Kwatra said.

"This is a befitting recognition of the historic city and opens the door for greater cultural and people-to-people ties between India and the region," he said.

The foreign secretary said several events would be organised by the Uttar Pradesh government in collaboration with the Centre to celebrate this recognition of Varanasi.

Also read: SCO members agree to work on unified list of terrorists, says foreign secretary

Kwatra said the SCO also decided to set up a special working group on start-ups and innovation at India's initiative. India would be its permanent chair, he said.

The summit also decided to give permanent membership of SCO to Belarus and Iran.

The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Over the years, it has emerged as one of the largest trans-regional international organisations. India and Pakistan became its permanent members in 2017.

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Varanasi declared as first ever sco tourist and cultural capital.

The Indian delegation at the SCO summit in this historic Uzbek city of Samarkand was led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Uzbekistan handed over the rotating presidency of the grouping to India for the year 2022-23. The foreign secretary said several events would be organised by the Uttar Pradesh government in collaboration with the Centre to celebrate this recognition of Varanasi.

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Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi nominated as first SCO tourism, cultural capital

Uttar pradesh's varanasi has been nominated as the first-ever shanghai cooperation organisation (sco) tourism and cultural capital..

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Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi has been nominated as the first-ever Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) tourism and cultural capital during 2022-2023.

The nomination was announced at the 22nd meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State in Samarkand of Uzbekistan on Saturday. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

ALSO READ | Want to transform India into manufacturing hub, says PM Modi at SCO summit

The nomination of Varanasi as the first ever SCO tourism and cultural capital will promote tourism, cultural and humanitarian exchange between India and the SCO member countries. It also underlines India’s ancient civilizational links with the member states of SCO, especially the Central Asian republics.

Under the framework of this major cultural outreach programme, a number of events will be hosted in Varanasi during 2022-23, for which guests will be invited to participate from the SCO member states. These events are expected to attract Indologists, scholars, authors, musicians and artists, photojournalists, travel bloggers, and other invited guests. Published By: Nandini Singh Published On: Sep 17, 2022 --- ENDS ---

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Qingdao designated as tourism, cultural capital of SCO

Qingdao in East China's Shandong province has been designated as the tourism and cultural capital of the SCO for 2024 to 2025. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Qingdao in East China's Shandong province was designated as the tourism and cultural capital of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) for 2024 to 2025, aiming to tap into the tourism cooperation potential within the region and further strengthening cultural cooperation, according to the Astana Declaration issued by leaders of the SCO member states on July 4.

Tourism and culture are important areas of cooperation within the SCO framework. As a fertile ground for diverse civilizations, SCO countries possess nearly 150 world natural and historical cultural heritage sites and account for over 40 percent of the global population, providing infinite possibilities for the development of the cultural tourism industry.

Qingdao, taking up the important responsibility of developing the SCO demonstration zone, now has 15 friendship cities in 12 SCO countries. In recent years, Qingdao has vigorously strengthened cultural and tourism exchanges with SCO members, signing the "SCO National Tourism City Cooperation Mechanism Initiative" with 11 cities and regions in seven SCO countries, such as Moscow, Russia, and Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

The SCO demonstration zone plays an important role in deepening international cooperation among SCO countries. Since its inception, the zone has actively leveraged its public goods attributes to promote deeper and more substantial cooperation in commercial, travel, and cultural exchanges among SCO countries.

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What is the SCO, which recently held a tourism ministers’ conference in Varanasi

The shanghai cooperation organization is an intergovernmental organisation currently comprising eight member states – china, india, kazakhstan, kyrgyzstan, pakistan, russia, tajikistan and uzbekistan..

India mooted an action plan to mark 2023 as the year of tourism development in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)  region at the tourism ministers’ conference in Varanasi on Friday (March 17). “India has assumed the SCO chairship for 2023.

Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy chaired the meeting, physically attended by Lu Ying Chuan, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism from China; Yerzhan Yerkinbayev, Vice-Minister of Culture and Sports, Kazakhstan; Samat Bekturovich Shatmanov, Deputy Minister of Culture, Kyrgyzstan; and Azamov Ulugbek Axmatovich, First Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism, Uzbekistan.

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Vladimir Evgenyvich Ilyichev, Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Russia; Muminzod Kamoliddin, Chairman of the Tourism Development Committee, Tajikistan; and Aun Chaudhry, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Tourism and Sports, Pakistan, attended virtually.

The SCO is an intergovernmental organisation founded on June 15, 2001 in Shanghai, China. It was established as a multilateral association to ensure security and maintain stability across the vast Eurasian region, join forces to counteract emerging challenges and threats, and enhance trade, as well as cultural and humanitarian cooperation.

Which countries are part of the SCO?

The SCO currently comprises eight “Member States” (China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan) with four “Observer States” (Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia) interested in full membership. Both India and Pakistan became full members of the SCO in 2017. The process of granting Iran “Member State” status was started in 2021 and is likely to be completed this year.

Apart from these states, SCO also has many “Dialogue Partners” including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Turkey. In 2021, it was announced that Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt will also soon be given “Dialogue Partner” status, which was granted in 2022. Multiple other Gulf states including the UAE and Bahrain are also vying for “Dialogue Partner” status.

What does the SCO do?

The SCO was founded with the primary aim to address security-related concerns, with addressing regional terrorism, ethnic separatism and religious extremism top in its list of priorities. In 2004, at the SCO Summit held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) was established. Through RATS, SCO members share crucial intelligence, know-how, legal expertise as well as allow for extradition of terrorists. According to The Diplomat , as of 2017, 600 would-be terror attacks had been nullified and more than 500 terrorists extradited using RATS.

While leaders of respective SCO countries have repeatedly stated that the SCO is not a military alliance, through its history, there have also been multiple instances of military cooperation with Member States holding joint military exercises and ‘war games’.

Apart from this, the SCO promotes cooperation in the fields of economics and culture, with the aim of promoting regional development as a part of a holistic approach towards tackling security issues. To that end, it has signed various treaties to promote trade and cultural exchanges within members. The recently held conference was one instance of cultural cooperation.

The SCO has also forged close and crucial relationships with both individual nation states and international organisations. It has been an observer in the United Nations General Assembly since 2005 and in 2010, the UN and SCO Secretariats signed a Joint Declaration on Cooperation. Over the years, the SCO has worked with various UN organisations to address various pressing global issues.

What was the conference in Varanasi about?

The recent conference was aimed at improving tourism. At the end of the meeting, a joint action plan for implementing the agreement between the Member States on cooperation in the tourism sector was finalised and approved. It comprises promotion of the SCO tourism brand, promotion of the cultural heritage of member states; sharing of information and digital technologies in tourism; and promotion of mutual cooperation in medical and health tourism.

The member countries will also undertake various activities jointly, such as SCO tourism exhibition, SCO Food Festival, webinars and seminars on tourism, conference and expert sessions on promotion of tourism in the region.

The meeting also adopted the Action Plan for ‘Year of Tourism Development in the SCO Space in 2023’. The document identifies a list of activities and events to promote and showcase tourism products of SCO member states. Notably, Varanasi has been declared as the first tourism and cultural capital of SCO.

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Varanasi nominated as first SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital

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The city of Varanasi has been nominated as the first-ever SCO Tourist and Cultural Capital for the period 2022-2023, at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Samarkand on September 16.

Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said at a media interaction about the summit, that the befitting recognition of the historic city of Varanasi opens the door for great culture and people-to-people ties between India and the region. "PM Modi thanked all the members states of the SCO for endorsing Varanasi (Kashi) as the first-ever SCO tourist and cultural capital during the upcoming year 2022-23," Kwatra said.

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Varanasi nominated as first SCO tourism and cultural capital

Varanasi city has been nominated as the first cultural and tourism capital at the 22nd meeting of the sco council in samarkand. read below to know the significance and objective of the program. .

At the 22nd meeting of the SCO council in Samarkand on September 16, 2022, Varanasi city has been nominated as the first cultural and tourism capital during 2022-2023. The nomination of Varanasi as SCO tourism and cultural capital was announced at the meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State in Samarkand. PM Modi also attended the meeting. 

Kashi: The first-ever SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital https://t.co/gZ1VNVtdhs pic.twitter.com/OiGhgeWxgn — Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) September 16, 2022

Varanasi as SCO tourism and cultural capital: Why is it significant?

Varanasi as the sco tourism and cultural capital: objective.

At the Dushanbe SCO Summit in 2021, the regulations for nominating SCO tourism and capital were adopted with an objective to promote cooperation between the SCO member states in the field of culture and tourism. 

Various events will also be organized under the framework of a major cultural outreach program in Varanasi during 2022-23. A number of guests will also be invited to participate from the SCO Member States. 

What is the significance of Varanasi?

• Varanasi is also known as Banaras or Kashi and is one of the oldest living cities in the world.
• The city’s prominence in Hindu mythology is virtually unrevealed.
• The land of Varanasi(Banaras) has been an important and ultimate pilgrimage spot for Hindus for ages. 
• Ganga in Varanasi is believed to possess the power of washing away the sins of mortals.
• Varanasi has also been a great place of learning for ages. 

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