Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug. 9: As part of its ongoing activities to promote informed and responsible tourism, the Tourism Department organized a Public Lecture on Heritage Tourism today in the Conference Hall of the Directorate of Disaster Management. The session featured noted historian and author Dr. Rashida Iqbal, who delivered a powerful presentation on “Echoes of the Past, Colonial Footprints: Cellular Jail and the Freedom Struggle – A Living Memory”.
Tracing the rich and poignant history of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Dr. Iqbal engaged the audience with valuable insights and thoughtfully addressed their queries. Sharing her perspective on heritage tourism, she observed that the Islands’ history is not only fascinating but also deeply moving, as it reminds us of the immense sacrifices made for India’s freedom. In these far-flung islands, countless freedom fighters endured unimaginable hardships first in the penal settlement and later within the Cellular Jail. They were remarkable in their deeds, but even greater in their endurance and suffering. She urged that it is now our solemn duty to honour their vision and contribute towards building the great nation they dreamt of.
Interacting with tourism stakeholders, including tour and travel operators and aspiring tourist guides, Dr. Iqbal advised them to exercise utmost care when engaging with visitors. She stressed that it is far better to politely decline a query than to provide a distorted account of history, as heritage must be preserved in its truth. She cautioned that misinformation, could harm the Islands’ image as a heritage tourism destination.
The Tourism Department reaffirmed its commitment to organising more such knowledge-sharing sessions for frontline tourism workers including tour operators, cab drivers, and hoteliers to enhance visitor experience and uphold the integrity of the Islands’ historical legacy.