Legendary Indian batter Sachin Tendulkar has urged the citizens to explore the Indian coastlines and islands for vacations. He recalled spending his 50th birthday in Sindhudurg and shared a video and a picture from his birthday celebrations.
He was full of admiration for the beauty of the location and praised the coastal town for its 'gorgeous locations' as well as 'wonderful hospitality'.
"250 days since we rang in my 50th birthday in Sindhudurg! The coastal town offered everything we wanted, and more. Gorgeous locations combined with wonderful hospitality left us with a treasure trove of memories. India is blessed with beautiful coastlines and pristine islands. With our “Atithi Devo Bhava” philosophy, we have so much to explore, so many memories waiting to be created. #ExploreIndianIslands," Sachin posted on X.
Notably, Sachin Tendulkar’s post has come amidst a heated controversy involving Maldives. Recently, the Indian PM Narendra Modi visited the Lakshadweep archipelago. He showcased the beauty of Indian islands and beaches.
This led to a minister of the Maldives government posting a controversial post accusing India of targeting the nation and asserting that India faces challenges in competing with the Maldives in beach tourism.
Since the controversy erupted, many Indians on social media have claimed that they have canceled their planned holidays in Maldives.
Not only Sachin Tendulkar, but several other cricketers like Suresh Raina, Irfan Pathan, and Aakash Chopra also shared their views on the Maldives government’s recent ‘India Out’ strategy in their manifesto.
Raina expressed hurt on seeing hateful and racist comments towards Indians from prominent public figures in the Maldives and urged Indian citizens to explore local beaches and vacation spots instead.
He posted: “I saw remarks from prominent public figures in the Maldives, expressing hateful and racist comments directed towards Indians. It's disheartening to witness such negativity, especially considering that India contributes significantly to their economy, crisis management, and so many other aspects.
Having visited the Maldives multiple times and always expressing admiration for the destination's beauty, I believe it's crucial to prioritize our self-respect. In light of recent events, let's unite and choose to #ExploreIndianIslands, supporting our own vibrant tourism industry. It's time to celebrate and appreciate the rich experiences that our own India has to offer.”
Aakash Chopra said: “‘India Out’ was a part of the manifesto. Maldives voted for it. Now, it’s up to us, Indians, to choose wisely. I know that my family will. Jai Hind.”
Irfan Pathan, on the other hand, stated: “Having traveled the world since I was 15, every new country I visit reinforces my belief in the exceptional service offered by Indian hotels and tourism. While respecting each country's culture, it's disheartening to hear negative remarks about my homeland's extraordinary hospitality.”
