Press Release – Rajasthan Forum’s Request for a Dedicated Tourism Desk
On 30 June 2026, Sundeep Bhutoria, founder of the Rajasthan Forum, attended a courtesy meeting with Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari at the ITC Sonar hotel in Kolkata. During the meeting, Bhutoria presented the Deputy Chief Minister with Bengal’s traditional kantha dupatta and a handwritten copy of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s Gitanjali, symbolising cultural goodwill between West Bengal and Rajasthan.
Bhutoria briefed Ms. Kumari on the Rajasthan Forum’s cultural, literary and social initiatives and outlined upcoming programmes. He specifically requested that the Rajasthan Tourism Department assign a full‑time tourism officer to the Rajasthan Information Centre in Kolkata. The proposed officer would address the “large volume of queries” from West Bengal tourists planning visits to Rajasthan, a function previously handled by a dedicated official.
Emphasising Jaipur’s status, Bhutoria noted that the city ranks among India’s top three tourist destinations and that a “significant number” of those tourists originate from West Bengal. He argued that a permanent tourism desk would streamline support for these visitors and enhance the overall travel experience.
The Rajasthan Forum expressed its full support for the Rajasthan Tourism Department’s efforts to strengthen tourism ties between the two states. The Forum, founded by Bhutoria and currently headed by Pandit Vishwamohan Bhatt, aims to preserve Rajasthan’s folk art, cultural heritage and literary traditions while promoting them nationally and internationally through events, discussions and collaborations.
Key Participants: Sundeep Bhutoria (Founder, Rajasthan Forum), Diya Kumari (Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan), Pandit Vishwamohan Bhatt (Head, Rajasthan Forum).
Location & Date: ITC Sonar, Kolkata; 30 June 2026.
Requested Action: Placement of a full‑time tourism department official at the Rajasthan Information Centre, Kolkata, to handle West Bengal tourist enquiries.
Strategic Rationale: Leverage Jaipur’s top‑three tourist‑city ranking and the substantial West Bengal visitor share to boost inter‑state tourism and cultural exchange.
Organisational Background: Rajasthan Forum is a platform dedicated to celebrating and promoting Rajasthan’s cultural, literary and artistic heritage, conducting literary discussions, cultural events and collaborative initiatives across India.