Iranian Vice President in Mumbai

The Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Chairman of the Iranian Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization paid a visit to Mumbai on 2^nd May 2008.

Besides different Meetings with Honorable Governor of Maharashtra and heads of Indian giant companies, he participated in two seminars. First one was a gathering of Parsis and Zoroastrians Community in Mumbai and the second one was a seminar with the theme "the ways of expansion of tourism interactions between Iran and India".

Iran is the founder of Human civilization

The Chairman of the Iranian Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism organization participated in a function organized by the Zoroastrians of Mumbai and said: Iran is the founder of human civilization.

In this meeting which organized by the indo Iran friendship society (IIFS) with the presence of more than 300 Zoroastrian and Parsis , the director and the chairman of the IIFS , the Ambassador of Islamic Republic of Iran In India,  Iran’s Consul General in Mumbai, the chairman of the world Zoroastrian cultural foundation and some of the dignified Zoroastrian delivered the speeches and review the means of increasing interaction of the big community of  India as Zoroastrians with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Vice President and the Chairman of the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization (ICHTO) Mr Mashaee said:

"I hail from the land of light, science and intelligent A land which respected wisdom.

I hail from a land that has nurtured human who have a cleansed a land to whom the humanity is indebted because it’s the founder of the human civilization.

In our land which is adorned with variety of thoughts beliefs and pure and radiant aspiration the colors exemplify one another.

All colors are enchanting but the green, white and red are epitomes of all beauties. In this very mysterious land i.e., India, these colors are more significant. The history vividly displays the closer links and cooperation of several thousand years and the corners tone of heritage that has emerged of the events between Iran and India as the similar significant colors have depicted this intimacy and friendship and this interaction is not an incidental  unplanned divine event…"

The function continued with the presentation of gifts by the various Zoroastrians groups and organizations to welcome the Vice President.

One Parsi construction company exhibited the film of one of its projects highlighting the assimilation of the Perspolis model being constructed at a site in Mumbai and submitted its report.

 “Guarantee of profits of Indian companies investing in Iran Tourism.”

The Chairman of the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts & Tourism Organization said: "We welcome investments of foreign companies in tourism and investment In Iran and wealth of these companies are guaranteed.

A conference on development of tourism between Iran and Indian was organized in Mumbai by the Consulate of General of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Mumbai in collaboration with Trans Asian chamber of commerce and Industries during the Cultural Week of Iran in India.

H.E. Mr. Esfandyar Rahim Mashaee said in this function: "We welcome investment by foreign companies in the tourism industry and guarantee their investments in Iran, their capital & the profits of such companies."

He emphasized on more interactions between Iranian and Indian tourism companies and said: "Development of tourism in the world leads to development of interest and relation between countries and arrival of tourists is the sign of security and stability of a country."

            While forecasting 20 million tourists for Iran based on Iran’s20 year Vision Document he said: "Tourism and sightseeing industry is one of  Iran's fulcrums and can ensure a big economic and social resource beside oil."

Mr. Mashaee head of ICHTO citing the realities of Iran and propagandas against Iran clarified: "Despite the propagandas, tourism industry in Iran has had a good growth."

While declaring Iran as one of the ten large historical countries as far as historical traces are concerned , Mr Mashaee said: "There are more than one million historical traces in Iran. Each one unique by itself."

At the beginning of conference, the ex-director of Thomas Cook company called upon the authorities in Iran to enhance publicities for depicting and introducing sightseeing and tourism attracting of Iran, better facilities for tourists travel in Iran, easy visa procedure, increase of flights between the two countries and tour package with low costs.

The Ambassador  of Islamic Republic of Iran in India also welcomed development of tourism as a tool for increasing interaction between the two  countries and ensured more flights and easy visa formalities.

The chairman of Raj travel Company was the next speaker and while underlying the importance of tourism in Iran said even if %1 Indians could travel it would translate into more than 11 million tourists.

He claimed that demand for tourism has seen big growth considering India’s incredible achievement in the industrial and economic spheres. He also cited Iran to be good destination considering tourists interest and variety for New Year recreation places.

Mr Khole Vice Chairman of the Mumbai University (one of the biggest Universities In India) was the other speaker at the function and he elaborated on the cultural interaction of India and Iran and its long perpetuity.

The function continued with the questions and answers session and toward the end of programme Mr. Yousef Khan (Dilip Kumar the famous Muslim film actor) honored the gathering and bestowed his respects to the nation and big culture of Iran.