Puducherry is fast emerging as the most preferred Tourist destination in the country. In order to promote tourism , Government of Puducherry is focusing on promoting large scale projects through public private partnership.

AIR Correspondent reports, projects like Oceanarium, Trade and Convention Centers, Multiplex Complexes, Science City, Five Star Resort Hotels and Theme parks are being contemplated.

The state Tourism Minister Mr. Rajavelu during his recent visit to Malaysia and Singapore, addressed tour operators and dwelt on the tourism potential in the Union Territory. Road shows were also held to attract Indian diaspora in these countries. Puducherry, a former French colony, will soon join hands with Malacca, former Portuguese settlement in Malaysia, to share and exchange expertise and ideas to promote tourism. 

The center has also sanctioned 120 Crore Rupees for undertaking projects like Beach Tourism at Veerampattinum and Manapet and heritage spots in Puducherry and Villianur. The Union Territory offers capital subsidy of 1 Crore Rupees to Star Category Hotels and tourism related projects besides exemption from luxury tax. 
With the commercial Flight services set to start operation from Puducherry Airport within few months, the Union Territory will definitely be the most favoured tourist destination in the Country.

 The year-long country-wide celebration to mark the Centenary of Indian Cinema, was inaugurated at Puducherry today. The Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, while inaugurating the three day festival, asked the film industry to produce more films which entertain people and also have good social themes. He also stressed that all films produced in the country should be preserved at the National Film Archives. Mr. Rangasamy announced that a Film Institute will be opened in Puducherry soon.

Renowned Tamil Film Director, Mr. Bharathiraaja, Chief Secretary, Mrs. M.Sathyavathy and the Director of Film Festivals, Shri R.K. Jain also participated in the inaugural function. Many landmark Indian films are being screened during the festival. A colourful exhibition showcasing the photographs, posters of classical films, prominent film production companies and premier cinema halls in the country, is being mounted at the venue. The event is jointly organized by the Directorate of Film Festivals and National Film Archive of India under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Department of Information and Publicity, Govt. of Puducherry.AIR Correspondent reports that Puducherry is the first state capital to host film festival as part of the centenary celebrations of Indian cinema.

In Puducherry, the opposition AIADMK has demanded scrapping of the state government’s regional reservation policy for admission of students to professional colleges alleging that it is unconstitutional. 

The party Secretary, Mr. A.Anbalagan who led a five member delegation submitted a memorandum to Lt. Governor Iqbal Singh today. Later speaking to newsmen Mr. Anbalagan said regional reservation is causing disharmony among students and also between regions of the Union Territory.

AIR Correspondent reports that students in Puducherry have launched protests against implementation of 18 per cent quota under regional reservation for students of Karaikal region and also four and three per cent for students of Mahe and Yanam regions.

The Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has indicated that the centre will soon launch a unified National Health Mission to ensure all round development of the country’s health care system. Delivering the convocation address of the Jawarharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research in Puducherry today, he said the successful implementation of the National Rural Health Mission in the last seven years has yielded results as health indicators have improved at primary and secondary levels.

Stating that much more needs to be done as there is a large unfinished agenda of providing affordable healthcare for all, the Prime Minister said the centre has decided to continue the National Rural Health Mission for the next five years. He said a new National Urban Health Mission will be launched shortly in order to focus on the health challenges in towns and cities.

Referring to deteriorating standards in Medical Education, the Prime Minister said there is a need to take a serious look at the curriculum for medical education so that doctors are trained to look at health in a holistic manner that goes beyond a narrow clinical and technology-driven approach.

Dr Manmohan Singh said the centre would extend all support to the Union territory to develop Puducherry as a hub for higher and professional Education. He also urged the Puducherry government to explore the possibility of developing eco-friendly tourism.

Union Health Minister Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister of State in PMO Mr V.Narayansamy, Lt Governor Iqbal Singh, Chief Minister Mr N.Rangaswamy attendedthe function.

Union Minister for Health Mr Gulam Nabi Azad in his address said that the government had taken a number of steps to increase the availability of health care professionals in the country. He said the centre has accorded sanction to 66 New medical colleges in the last 3 years.

The Minister said the government will turn its focus on the emerging challenge of non communicable diseases which has not been addressed so far.

On his arrival from Chennai, Dr Singh will inaugurate the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institute for South Asian Regional Co-operation for peace at the Pondicherry University.

The Prime Minister will also deliver the convocation address of Jawarharlal Nehru Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) tomorrow.

He will also inaugurate the 426 bed women and children hospital, academic block and the newly built hostel complex built at a cost of 342 crore rupees.

Security has been beefed up in entire Puducherry town, following Prime Minister’s visit.