News and Pics from Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network—Mumbai (RD/CN)
 
Mumbai, Oct 15: A three-day conference on ‘Transposing images: History and tourism in the Konkan—an aid to socio-economic development’, organized by the department of history of Mumbai University, began on Monday October 13, at Marshall Hall, Jawaharlal Nehru library, Vidyanagari.
 
The inaugural session was presided over by vice-chancellor Dr Vijay Khole. Dr Bhushan Gagrani of the state tourism, was the chief guest on the occasion. Head of department of history Dr Ruby Maloni, in her inaugural address, said that the Konkan region is in the ambit of developmental interests, some of which are vested.

The Konkan region of the state has tremendous tourist potential which is unexplored. Development of tourism will also provide a means of livelihood and improve the overall socio-economic status of the region, she opined. Connectivity afforded by the railway network and efficient road transport is increasing the tourist potential of the Konkan region. Maritime environs and the cultural heritage of the sea forts dotting the coastline continue to attract scholars as well as tourists, said Dr maloni.
 
On the first day, the conference was addressed by eminent personalities from different fields. They included Prof J V Naik, former head of department of history, Mumbai University, Dr A P Jamkhedkar, former director of state archaeology and museum, Dr Dulari Qureshi, director and professor, department of tourism administration, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, Marathwada University, Aurangabad, Commodore Sankaran Mampully, College of Naval Warfare, Veena Patil, chairperson and MD, Kesari Tours, and Alan Twedie, CEO of Mumbai Festival.
 
The conference will deal with various aspects of the Konkan such as maritime trade and traditions, past linked to present, aspects of tourist potential, sites of historic value, communities, migration, and contemporary trends.