Chandigarh, March 12- Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal today took a historic step towards promoting tourism in the state by laying the foundation stone of Adventure Tourism Centre at Damdama village in Gurugram district and flagging off the two-day Haryana Aero Sports Carnival.

This Adventure Tourism Centre will be developed on about 19 acres of land, for development of which Haryana Tourism Department has coordinated with Aero Club of India. The Chief Minister conveyed his warm greetings and best wishes for the function organized by Haryana Tourism and Aero Club of India and said that infrastructure would be created for various adventure activities in this adventure tourism centre to be started in Damdama village, situated in the lap of Aravalli in which camping sites, air strip for paramotors, aero sports activities, cafeteria and other activities will be included.

He said that adventure instills in a person the courage to face the risks, as well as to face the challenges in the person, which develops confidence, determination and leadership ability within the person. He also said that both the roads leading to Bhondsi and Sohna connecting this Adventure Tourism Centre of Damdama will be widened and strengthened so that tourists can reach here easily. Apart from this, with the aim of promoting tourism on Damdama Lake, arrangements will be made to excavate this lake and keep water in it throughout the year.

The Chief Minister said that continuous efforts are being made by the State Government to promote tourism.  Recently, adventure sports were also started in Tikkartal of Morni.  Damdama lake falling in Gurugram district is in Aravalli region and with the advent of adventure sports here, tourists from not only Haryana and Delhi but also from country and abroad will come here, due to which village Damdama will emerge on the tourism map of the world.  This will give employment to Damdama and people around here and the area will witness economic prosperity.

Sh  Manohar Lal revealed that he is also interested in sports and wherever he gets a chance to attend sports events, he does not miss it. He said that we 'Catch them Young' means that from childhood we prepare children for sports.  Haryana is the land of sports and the youth and sportspersons here have passion for sports. In Tokyo Olympics too, three out of seven medals were won by sportspersons from Haryana and even in the Paralympics, six out of 19 medals were won by Haryana sportspersons.

He said that Haryana Government has a plan to open 1000 nurseries in the state to motivate the children to play from the very beginning. These nurseries would be established in the sports departments in government and private schools so that the children become physically and mentally strong.

Referring to the demands put forth by the villagers of Damdama village, the Chief Minister said that the Gram Panchayat has also demanded a sports nursery.

He announced to upgrade the Government Secondary School in village Damdama to a senior secondary school upon fulfilling of the norms and to get its four walls and rooms constructed.

Necessary guidelines will be given to the officials of the Education Department for this.  The Chief Minister presented a cash prize of Rs. 2,100 to the students of Government Primary School Damdama who performed a prayer song.

The Chief Minister also released the Brochure of Centre for Adventure Tourism, Damdama on the occasion.  As a tribute to Late singer Lata Mangeshkar, the Chief Minister was presented a painting.  During this, the Chief Minister also visited the exhibition put up at the venue and himself also enjoyed remote parasailing and gliding.  He honoured Professor of History in Government College, Faridabad, Dr. Supriya Dhanda with the Outstanding Women Achievers Award given by the Department of Women and Child Development.

Earlier, MLA Sohna, Sh. Sanjay Singh welcomed the Chief Minister and other guests on their arrival at Damdama village and said that the foundation stone for the establishment of this Adventure Tourism Centre was laid on the same day the Chief Minister visited the Taj Hotel near here.  On the same day he had made up his mind that the rejuvenation of this area can be done only through tourism.  He also said that the Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal always thinks about the measures for the welfare of the people and the policies of public welfare implemented by him in Haryana are being followed all over the country.  He said that the Chief Minister with his foresight has brought the benefits of government schemes to the doorsteps of the common man.

In his welcome address, Principal Secretary, Tourism Department, Sh. MD Sinha said that the advent of adventure tourism is the brainchild of the Chief Minister.  He said that this Damdama centre will be built on about 19 acres.  Sh. Sinha said that when the Chief Minister ordered to set up Adventure Tourism Centre here, we approached the Aero Club of India, which is running since 1910.  Along with this, Sh. Sinha also said that Tourism Department will open many such centres in the state.

On this occasion, Sohna MLA, Sh. Sanjay Singh, BJP District President, Ms. Gargi Kakkar, Chief Minister's Security Advisor, Sh. Anil Rao, Managing Director, Sh. Amarjit Mann, Divisional Commissioner Sh. Rajiv Ranjan, Deputy Commissioner, Sh. Nishant Kumar Yadav, Police Commissioner, Sh. Kalarama Chandran accompanied the Chief Minister.