The world’s longest river cruise MV Ganga Vilas will be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi tomorrow, January 13, in Varanasi. In the coming 50 days, this luxury cruise will not only bring to the world India’s potential for cruise tourism for India but will also showcase India’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and spiritual splendor.
Ministry of Culture will organise a grand curtain raiser cultural program ‘Sur Sarita – Symphony of Ganga’ on the eve of the launch of the world’s longest river cruise today in Varanasi. As per reports, the tourists from Switzerland who will embark on their journey on Ganga Vilas tomorrow became witnesses of the grand Ganga Aarti yesterday evening at Ganga Ghat and will visit Sarnath today. Renowned singer Shankar Mahadevan will lead a grand concert being organsied at the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor today evening.
During the concert, other dignitaries including tourists traveling on Ganga Vilas Cruise will get acquainted with the importance of Mother Ganga and their responsibilities towards her, along with enjoying the Sur Taranginis.
Ganga Vilas Cruise will cross Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Bangladesh, and Assam in a journey of 51 days. Keeping this in mind, songs have been chosen from different states, and folk musicians from Assam, Bihar, and Bengal will join Shankar Mahadevan to pay homage to the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra. The show, of about an hour, will end with Shankar Mahadevan’s rendition of ‘Kartavya Ganga’ which promises the river goddess that every Indian will always take care of her.