The Skal International India National Congress 2025 concluded at the Sahara Star Hotel in Mumbai on September 14, 2025.

The three-day event welcomed a record-breaking participation of more than 200 delegates, from India and abroad, all paying full congress fees to be part of this milestone gathering, said a Skal release.

Distinguished personalities including Maneka Gandhi, Shashi Tharoor, Pooja Bedi, Subhash Gha, Zayed Khani and many more lit up the moments, lending prestige, and inspiration to the occasion.

At the heart of the congress, the Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the fiscal year 2024–2025 was held on Day 1, preceded by the national board meeting.

President Sanjeev Mehra and treasurer Monik Dharamshi presented transparent reports on finances and activities. Delegates appreciated the clarity of leadership, as the roadmap for Vision 2025–2030 that was shared, laying out strategies to strengthen Skal’s footprint in India and deepen global engagement.

“This congress is not just about numbers; it is about values, vision, and vitality. We are proud to host Skålleagues from across India and abroad to Mumbai, to celebrate the true spirit of friendship, collaboration, and business networking that Skal stands for,” said Mukesh Batra, president, Skal International Mumbai South, the host club.

For the first time, Skal International India national board launched the Skal International Indian Excellence Awards 2025, designed to recognise outstanding contributions from clubs, individuals, and Friends of Skål. The awards celebrated the achievements in club performance, membership growth, innovation, sustainability, and community impact.

The award for best performing Indian Skal Club of the Year 2025 was won by Skal International Chennai; Best active Indian Skal Club of the Year 2025 was won by Skal International Goa; Fastest growing Indian Skal Club of the Year 2025 by Skal International Bangalore; Best Indian Skål Club Event of the Year 2025 was jointly presented to Skal International Kolkata and Skal International Jammu & Kashmir; Best Indian Skal Club CSR of the Year 2025 award went to Skal International Coimbatore; Recognition as a reckoning force to Skal International Kochi; Recognition for outstanding young Skal engagement to Raja Gopal Iyer, Skal International Trivandrum; Indian Skalleague of the Year 2025 to Kamleshwaran P.S., Skal International Chennai; and Recognition for global outreach to N.S.N. Mohan, deputy vice president and director of Region 10, Skal International.

“The Excellence Awards are not merely trophies; they are a tribute to dedication, creativity, and the unwavering spirit of Skålleagues who are driving this movement forward. Our board’s vision for 2025–2030 is rooted in collective growth: more clubs, stronger retention, deeper engagement, and a unified Indian presence on the world stage,” said Sanjeev Mehra, president, Skal International India. “

Calling for a more nuanced and diversified promotional strategy, Dr Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament, has urged India’s tourism sector to move beyond the singular “Incredible India” campaign and adopt a more segmented approach to marketing the country’s vast and varied offerings. He emphasised the need to highlight niche sectors such as wildlife, beaches, heritage, and culture, arguing that a one-size-fits-all campaign is insufficient to reflect India’s diversity. “One ‘Incredible India’ campaign is not enough,” Tharoor said. “We need to showcase the many different aspects of India that exist within our borders.”

Speaking at the Skål India National Congress 2025 in Mumbai, he also pointed to the glaring absence of Chinese tourists in the country, despite their growing presence in global tourism. “The Chinese are travelling across the world except India. Let’s bring some Chinese money into our country,” he remarked.

Adding a touch of humour to his address, Tharoor quipped, “Perhaps we could even attract some British tourists for a colonial heritage tour—though there aren’t many monuments left; they took more than they left.”

His remarks added both insight and levity to a serious discussion on revitalising Indian tourism, offering clear and actionable ideas to industry leaders and policymakers alike.

Tharoor also called for urgent structural reforms in the tourism sector, highlighting the need to enhance women’s safety and strengthen hospitality infrastructure across the board. “Our nation carries the perception that India is not safe for women. We must change this image. It’s time for action. Increasing the presence of women police officers in tourist areas would be a step in the right direction,” he stated.

He emphasised tourism’s role as a key driver of economic growth, citing its potential to create employment and generate significant revenue. “We have a lot to do. Tourism is a vital sector—it generates jobs and enhances government income. Infrastructure development must be prioritised.”

Pointing to gaps in the current hospitality ecosystem, he added, “We either have high-end five-star hotels or substandard facilities—there’s virtually nothing in the middle. We need to build a lot more to fill this gap.”

Tharoor’s address reflected a mix of strategic insight and wit, resonating with tourism professionals, investors, and policymakers seeking to position India as a more attractive and accessible global destination.

The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated the new interim terminal building at Purnia Airport. Purnia is among Bihar’s one of the most crucial towns in the Seemanchal region. The facility has a record time of less than five months and it is now all about opening doors to growth, tourism, and opportunity in a new region.The inauguration was part of projects worth over INR 40,000 crore launched across Bihar. These include new trains, road and rail upgrades, housing initiatives, and community development programs. At the inauguration, PM Modi mentioned how important Seemanchal’s progress is a vision of a “Viksit Bihar” and, ultimately, a “Viksit Bharat.” He also talked about the government’s commitment to ensuring every family has a proper home under the PM Awas Yojana, with 40,000 families in Bihar receiving houses under the scheme. The message was clear: development in this region is not just about infrastructure but also about dignity and better living.As far as travellers are concerned, the prime highlight is that Purnia will now find itself on India’s aviation map. There are commercial flights already taking off from the new terminal which is a huge achievement. This means easier access to Seemanchal for both business visitors and tourists.For a traveller, this new terminal shows smoother journeys and a modern point of arrival in Purnia. The facility’s timely construction also shows an urgency to improve Bihar’s connectivity on an urgent level. The surrounding projects add to this transformation. The doubling of railway lines between Bhagalpur, Dumka, and Rampurhat, as well as plans for a high-speed rail corridor connecting Mokama and Munger to Buxar and Bhagalpur, promise faster and more reliable transport in the years to come.

The developments go beyond transport too. A major river link project between Kosi and Mechi aims to support irrigation and reduce the impact of floods, which will eventually make rural tourism in the area more accessible.

For those planning a trip, the improved connectivity puts Purnia within easier reach. The region has long remained off mainstream travel itineraries, but with flights now operational, visitors can explore Seemanchal’s blend of rural landscapes, cultural diversity, and developing infrastructure. Whether you’re arriving for work or leisure, the experience of landing in Purnia has already changed — you step into a terminal that represents progress and possibility.The successful story of Purnia’s new airport terminal is about more than bricks and mortar. It is about linking a once-distant corner of Bihar to the wider world and inviting travellers to look at the region with fresh look.