Hanuwantia: An idea that clicked

Bhopal. Sometimes an innovative idea strikes our mind and if executed properly goes to do wonders. Developing Hanuwantia in Khandwa district as a water sports complex is one such idea.

Last year, during my Singapore tour I happened to visit the famous Santosa Island there. Immediately I thought of developing such a wonderful tourist spot in Madhya Pradesh. Hanuwantia, an island that emerged in the backwaters of Indira Sagar dam, flashed across my mind for this. On return from the visit, I shared this idea with the officials of Tourism Department, who are always in search for such innovative ideas, leapt at it. They went all out and excelled themselves in efficiency to make a good job of it within a very short span of time.

Last year, we organized the first 10-day Jal Mahotsava (Water Festival). Enthused by the response of the tourists and adrenaline jockeys we decided to extend to one month the duration of the second Jal Mahotsava slated to get off on December, 15. The popularity of this exceptionally beautiful place has increased beyond expectation. Over one lakh tourists enjoyed water tourism from February to November this year. A good number of tourists enjoyed stay in the log huts set up in the Hanuwantia Water Sports Complex. In addition to these well facilitated log huts, a number of other facilities like Meeting Hall, Cafeteria, Food Plaza, Boat Club etc have been provided there.

The second Jal Mahotsava is sure to evoke greater response from the tourists who will be able to enjoy different adventure activities on not only water but also on the land and the sky. These include water sports, island camping, adventure activism- hot air ballooning, para sailing, para motors, star gazing, water skiing, jet skiing, water jorbing, Burma bridge, artificial climbing to name a few.

Besides, there will be a unique world of craft from where to take back home wonderful memorabilia. There will be air of festivities with colourful cultural programmes. And the food stalls serving variety of mouth watering food items will be added delight for the foodies.

Buoyed by the success of Hanuwantia experiment, now a Sailani Tapu is being developed near Omkareshwar. Tourist facilities are also being provided at Gandhi Sagar Dam in Mandsaur district.

What can be a better destination to enjoy year end with family than Hanuwantia Water Sports Complex situated in the picturesque environs of Satpura.

I am reminded of a famous couplet by noted Urdu poet Nazir Akbarabadi-

Sair Kar Dunia Ki Ghafil Zindagani Phir Kahan

Zindagi Gar Kuchh Rahi To Ye Jawani Phir Kahan

-One should undertake jaunts as life is slipping fast

Even if one is allowed to live more there will be no youth again.

Then why wait! Let us get ready for an experience of a lifetime on the vast expanse of azure waters of Narmada with near and dear ones at Hanuwantia, a picture-postcard village that beggars all descriptions. It would be a wonderful jaunt- I can vouch for that.