New Delhi

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Tuesday assumed charge as Union Minister of Culture and said the ministry has worked under the leadership of the Prime Minister in the last 10 years and a new identity and image of India has been created all over the world.

Shekhawat, who also assumed charge as Union Tourism Minister, said that voters have put their stamp of approval on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's determination to make India a developed country.

"The voters have given Narendra Modi the privileged opportunity of becoming the Prime Minister of the country for the third time. Culture Ministry has worked under the leadership of the Prime Minister in the last 10 years and a new identity and image of India has been created all over the world through various levels and various dimensions. I have had the privileged opportunity to take this work forward."

He said the Culture Ministry and Tourism Ministry will work with dedication to realise the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Shekhawat expressed gratitude to PM Modi for giving him an opportunity to preserve, protect, and promote "Bharateeyata" in the country and the world.

He said in transitioning from India to Bharat, under the leadership of PM Modi "we have been taking giant steps in shedding our colonial cloak and reinstating our glorious cultural heritage".

Shekhawat stated that the country's growing soft power is in its rich cultural fabric and its myriad manifestations in the form of art, music, dance, textiles among others.

"Let's work together to strengthen it in this Amrit kaal and make culture a strong thread to weave Viksit Bharat," he said.

Shekhawat, a three-time Lok Sabha MP, was the Jal Shakti Minister in the previous BJP-led NDA government and worked for the implementation of the flagship Jal Jeevan Mission term.

Shekhawat also took charge as Union Minister of Tourism here today. Tourism SecretaryV Vidyavathi,along with other senior officials of the ministry, welcomed him.

He was briefed by senior officials of the Ministry of Tourism about the schemes and initiatives of the ministry.

Shekhawat expressed his gratitude that he has been given this responsibility of globally showcasing Bharat and inviting the world to our country.  "As PM Narendra Modi has emphasized through his various visits and words about our tourism potential, we will work towards enhancing the same, highlighting our various natural and cultural heritage sites from Kashmir to Kanyakumari," he said.

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In the allocation of portfolios on Tuesday to the members of the council of ministers, Shekhawat was given charge of the Tourism and Culture ministries.