New Delhi: In a significant step to promote awareness of India’s military history and border regions, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the “Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan” initiative on January 15, marking the 77th Army Day. The program aims to highlight 77 key military engagement locations, including areas involved in past border conflicts, as part of a new form of “battlefield tourism.”
Among the prominent locations featured in the initiative is Galwan, the river valley in Ladakh that was the site of intense clashes between Indian and Chinese forces in June 2020, resulting in the death of 20 Indian soldiers. The Galwan incident followed the 2017 Doklam standoff, a tense military face-off involving India, China, and Bhutan. These locations, along with 75 other strategic spots along India’s borders, will now be accessible to tourists under the “Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan” program, allowing visitors to learn about India’s history of valour and sacrifice.
The initiative is backed by an extensive website that provides detailed information on each of the 77 locations, including their historical significance, travel arrangements, and the necessary permits required for visiting. The site also features virtual tours and engaging content, giving individuals a chance to explore these battlefields and border regions from afar.
Addressing the media, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh noted the rise in tourist arrivals to border areas, with Ladakh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh seeing a remarkable 30 percent increase in visitors over the past four years. He attributed this growth to improved infrastructure and growing public interest in exploring India’s military heritage and border regions.
