Dear colleagues,

We are delighted to inform you that the celebrations of World Tourism Day organized by the Tourist Guides Federation of South India went off very successfully at all the South Indian destinations as planned – Mamallapuram, Kochi, Somnathpur and Hyderabad.

Our Regional Director, Mr. Shoeb Samad, graced the occasion and inaugurated the “Free guiding program” at Mamallapuram. Our Guides gave detailed explanations about the World Heritage Monuments to our Regional Director and to many other tourists who had visited here today.

Many of our colleagues participated in the event which took place at shore temple and explained the various highlights of the Mamallapuram monuments. The whole program was covered and telecast by the press, particularly by Doordarshan, our national broadcaster.

Our Regional Director had a very lengthy discussion and spent almost 3 hours with all of us. He has promised to initiate various welfare measures for the Regional Level Approved Guides and conduct language courses. He was very positive and had expressed his desire to meet all of us very soon to discuss various issues including matters related to our Identity cards.

We are extremely happy to inform you all that our colleague, Srinu from Hyderabad, has won the Best Guide Award instituted by the Andhra Pradesh State Tourism Department and the Government of Andhra Pradesh has presented the award to him at a formal function of World Tourism Day held at Hyderabad.

At this juncture, we take the opportunity to thank our Regional Director for inaugurating our “World Tourism Day celebrations” and participating in the Guided Tour at the shore temple. We also thank Mrs Sathybhama Badrinath, Superintendent Archaeologist (Chennai) and Mr. Vasudevan, Conservation Assistant (Mamallapuram) for extending their support and cooperation.

We also thank all our friends and well-wishers M/s Radisson Temple bay, Mamalla Motel and Kala Kirti for all their sustenance and cooperation extended to all of us.

‘‘Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune.’’

—JIM ROHN