World Tourism Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm and a vibrant cultured programme organised on theme "Tourism and Peace" by the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Ranchi associated with the Department of Tourism, Government of Jharkhand at Audrey House, Ranchi.

The event was graced by the chief guest, Secretary Tourism, Sh. Manoj Kumar and other delegates included Ms. Anjali Yadav, Director Tourism, Mr. Rajeev Kumar, Deputy Director of Tourism, Mr. Gautam Mishra, So and Dr. Bhupesh Kumar, Principal, IHM Ranchi.

The program commenced with Lamp lighting by dignitaries and a unique presentation of Ganesh Vandana by the students of IHM Ranchi. The event showcased the rich tribal traditions of the state थ्रोउघ् captivating dance and music performances by various tribal communities, such as Nagpuri and Oraon Kudukh dances.

Subsequently, a panel discussion on "Sustainable Resources, Authenticity, and the Role of Indigenous ingredients of Jharkhand" highlighted the need to showcase Jharkhand's unique cuisine globally, emphasizing the importance of indigenous materials and the respect and preservation of local resources. The panel included prominent chefs such as Dr. Chef Parvinder Singh Bali, Dr. Chef Saurabh Sharma, Chef Ashish Bhasin, Chef Gautam Chaudhary, and Chef Nitin Shinde. Chef Bali expressed that a dish acts as a state’s identity and emphasized the superiority of Jharkhand's ingredients in terms of health. Chef Bhasin expressed the importance of promoting local cuisine internationally and the necessity of reviving lost dishes with patience and support. Chef Shinde advocated for incorporating local dishes into restaurant operations, while Chef Saurabh discussed the use of root vegetables like Madua, Khukadi and Kudrum and local millets "Madua" to elevate Jharkhand’s culinary offerings. Chef Bali told that people should adopt the authentic plating of Jharkhandi cuisine.

Following this, the Chief Guest inaugurated the Tourist Trade Registration Portal, Launched Adventure Tourism Safety Guidelines, released the book "Beyond the Forest," and unveiled the research journal "Palash: A Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Service Management" published by IHM Ranchi.

The event included engaging activites such as cultural performances and Various competitions were held to celebrate World Tourism Day, including a painting competition, quiz competition, photography competition, and chef competition which attracted significant participation from students and youth. In the painting competition, Anshu Sharma secured first place, followed by Rishika and Manya. In the quiz competition, Aarb Singh came in first, Atharv Kumar and Shuvajeet took second place, and Ameya Devarshi placed third. In the chef competition, which evaluated authenticity, presentation, plating, and correct use of ingredients, Tushar Prem and Satyam Kumar were awarded first place, followed by Jia Ranjan and Manisha Kujur in second, and MD Abdul and Amit Kumar in third. Consolation prizes were given to Anisha Kerketta and Ankit Kumar. Media influencers who play a vital role in promotion and development of tourism and showcased its umlimited possibilities to the world were also honored.

Secretary of Tourism Mr. Manoj Kumar congratulated everyone on World Tourism Day and addressed the importance of tourism activities in the state.

Director tourism, Ms. Anjali Yadav commended the initiative for promoting the State's unique cultural and culinary heritage. Also, she said that Jharkhand's diverse tribal communities are A treausre trove of traditions and Art. It's our responsibility to preserve and promote the legacy.

Dr. Bhupesh Kumar, Principal, IHM Ranchi congratulated everyone on World Tourism Day, urging them to understand the significance of tourism and its social, cultural, and economic impacts, and to contribute towards making it safe and sustainable. He emphasized that this year's theme, "Tourism and Sustainability," requires us to preserve our resources for future generations while protecting natural sites, cultural heritage, and local communities.

Following this, IHM Ranchi invited renowned chefs from across the country, including Vijay Kumar Shahi, Nishant Chaube, Adit Grover, Simran Singh Thapar, and Sandeep Pandey, for a "Live cooking show" featuring local dishes made from traditional ingredients.

During the event, various speakers including Ms. Debika Mandal, Assistant Manager of Jharkhand Tourism, Dr. Sudarsha Yadav, Professor of Mass Communication at Central University of Jharkhand, Dr. Manisha Oraon, Co-founder of The Open Field Farms and Camp Tribe Jharkhand, and Dr. Bhupesh Kumar presented their ideas on "Tourism Development and Related Areas."

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Alok Aswal, Head of IHM Ranchi.