Punjab: On the eve of World Tourism Day, the Ministry of Tourism announced the winners of the Best Tourism Village Competition of the year 2024. Hansali village of the district is the only village in the state to be declared the best tourism village among 36 villages across the country. The Best Tourism Village Competition, launched for the first time in the year 2023, was organized to promote tourism in the ‘Soul of India’ (villages of India). Its objective was to identify and recognize villages that have preserved and promoted cultural and natural assets through community-based values and commitment to sustainability. It is noteworthy that a total of 991 applications were received from 30 states and union territories in this year’s competition of the Best Tourism Village Competition in India, out of which 36 villages were declared winners in 8 categories. The then Deputy Commissioner Parneet Shergill has played an important role in enhancing the tourism potential of Hansali village by taking personal interest in preserving its cultural identity.