Secretary, Department of Tourism - Mrs. Chandana Khan

Ever since the evolution of mankind, the world has produced many great people. It is still producing such people with uncommon excellence. Life is not a bed of roses even to them, but they make themselves distinct by walking on a thorny barrow lands to extend a helping hand to others.

Their troubles are often obscured by the fame they get. This eminence is a rare characteristic of certain people alone. It is always interesting to know what actually makes them so special.

Chandana Khan is one such personality. She is an I.A.S. officer presently the Secretary Department of Tourism. She is known for her iron will and astute administration. She can make impossible, possible. She is double faceted dynamite, an artist on one hand and an administrator on the other. She is a rare combination of sensibility and seriousness, tender and tough she is stubborn in taking decisions as an administrator yet sensitive and childlike as a human being. She has a creative artistic temperament and has created an aesthetic world around her. She has a unique way of expressing herself in colours.

Though she was born in Bengal, her identity is more profound in Andhra Pradesh. She has been staying on this Telugu land for 19 years now serving Telugu people in various ways and forms. A few minutes with her is worthwhile.

Click here to see Chandana Khan Profile.

HS: What are the objectives of Government towards the development of A.P.Tourism?

CK: Tourism is like an unquenchable thirst. There will always be something more to do for its development. Our present aim is to develop the capital (Hyderabad), especially the places of some historical prominence. There are many pilgrim places, which can be turned into famous pilgrimage centres. There are also some Buddist centres, which can be brought into prominence, including Nagarjuna Sagar. We want to provide basic emetics like lodging, boarding and transportation, for the tourists. We would like to bring about some changes in coastal areas in order to make them tourist centres.

HS: What new programmes are being undertaken to achieve your goals?

CK: First of all certain objectives are to be defined to implement our programmes. We have short term as well as long term plans for that our plans should match the time limit. I hope this new millennium promises better future to this department.

HS: Could you explain what short term and long term plans?

CK: To see that this law enforced by Tourism Department is being followed to protect and preserve the buildings and movements of historical and archaeological importance to create a congenial atmosphere to the tourists, to organise fetes and festivals like Deccan Utsav, Visakha Utsav, Muthyala Ganga Utsav, Rayalaseema food festival etc., Most importantly to proceed basic amenities to tourists. These all come under short-term plans. Where as Human Resource development, providing lodging and boarding facilities near National & State high ways through joint tourism development programmers. Attracting international tourists to Hyderabad is our priority for treat the existing conditions are to be improved especially the travel facilities for tourists. We wish to make tourism a source of self-employment.

HS: What do you exactly mean by self-employment?

CK: To encourage and attract private sector there by getting financial supports.

HS: What places are under consideration for tourism development?

CK: The historical places in and around twin cities, Warangal and Nagarjuna Sagar. Buildings and Monuments of rare architecture. Northern Coastal places, Visakha patnam, Araku Valley, Burra Curves. Tirupathi and surrounding places. For this purpose two committees are formed by the board. One consists of 8 members which is formed by the board and the other consists of 9 members which is formed by the board under the guidance of Chief Minister. In addition to their district level committees are formed to look after tourism development at that level. The decisions taken by the above mentioned committee is equal to Governments directives.

HS: How far is your department responsible for protection and preservation of historical and archaeological structures?

CK: That responsibility lies entirely with the archaeological department. We allocate certain amount every year to that department.

HS: How do you mobilise the funds for your department?

CK: Our main concentration is on private sector. We try to attract and motivate them to make their investments in our department.

HS: Heard that you are concentrating only on the development of twin cities and the special buses are laid to select areas?

CK: No its not correct. We have improved the other tourist places as well.

HS: What happened to the Disney land type projects?

CK: They are at the developing stage.

HS: What are the various measures taken to develop twin cities?

CK: Our plan is to develop places like, Necklace road, Buddha purnima project and the old monuments and building which depict the Nizam Culture as major tourist cultures. We also plan to set up amusement park, botanical gardens and good hotels.

HS: I believe, you are a great artist?

CK: Thank you, I am an artist indeed but not sure about the adjective you've used. Art is immortal. I've done many wall paintings.

HS: Where do you get time from, for your hobby?

CK: My hobby gives me great relaxation. I've been used to spending at least half an hour a day, from my childhood. It gives me immense pleasure.

HS: Have you ever organised any show?

CK: Only twice, once in Hyderabad and once in Calcutta.

HS: The "Khan" in your name suggests that you are an Muslim?

CK: No. I am a Hindu. Khan is traditionally passed on to me from my grandfather. It was a title given to him during Moguls time. That name remained even after my marriage.

HS: What are your experiences in Telugu land as a Bengali?

CK: Well, I almost forgot that I am a Bengali. As I've been staying here for the last 19 years I almost feel like a Telugu.

HS: Have you faced any problems from your subordinates for being a lady boss?

CK: It doesn't make any difference as long as you are in your seat. Moreover I never had any problems with my colleagues.

HS: Is there any particular instance in your career that gave you immense joy?

CK: There is nothing that I specially remember. I always try to achieve something and I always feel great when I achieved them.

HS: Do you have any personal interest in Tourism Department?

CK: They seems that art and life are closely related. As an artist, I have appreciation for history and culture. These historical movements and places inspire me a lot. So I enjoy my role in this department. I feel great to make people know about all these things.

Chandana Khan Profile

Mrs. Chandana Khan was born in 1954 in Bangladesh in the Khan family. The Khan family had moved to Calcutta in respect of her father's job. Her schooling was done in Calcutta and she had received National Scholarship from West Bengal Government in Higher Secondary. She had passed out B.A. with a 1st class. She had completed her M.A (English) and MPhil (English) with 1st class from Calcutta University. She came off with flying colours in the Civil Services Examination in 1978 after which she never had to look back. Later she married an I.A.S. officer Ajit Panji and had a son. During her tenure as Secretary for social welfare department. She had adopted a girl child. When she was a district collector during 1992-93. She did her postgraduate degree in gender development from university of East Asia of U.K.

Mrs. Chandana Khan is not only a good at academics but also equally good at creative arts. She is a good painter and a writer. She had a formal training in painting for 7 years and became a creative artist. She has organised her shows twice so far once in Calcutta and once in Hyderabad. Recently she has published a book, in her mother tongue Bengali, titled "The Lighthouse". Which is a collection of 12 short stories. She tried to give an incite in to the people's minds through her stories, on various human and social aspects.

A great painter, writer and able administrator Mrs.Chandana Khan is a real source of inspiration far one and all.