India is in the world market with the brand name 'Incredible India.' South Korea is an important primary market for India. India Tourism, Tokyo, has launched several promotional campaigns in South Korea. Aggressive marketing is being carried out to promote destination India through electronic media such as travel and leisure channels, subway advertisements in Seoul and Busan, and LED display advertisements in Seoul. The South Korean brands such as LG, Samsung, are household names in India. And India is attracting a lot of South Korean investments. Similarly, many Korean want to discover India and walk with Buddha to have spiritual satisfaction by touring places of Buddhist importance as India is the 'Land of Buddha.' Now, many Korean travelers visit Ayurveda and Yoga centers in India to sooth and pamper 'Body, Mind and Soul.' India is fast earning a global reputation as a health and healing destination. The country's contribution in healthcare as well as the well-being of humanity has been well recognized, which directly resulted in the rapid growth of medical tourism to India. The Ayurveda means 'science of the life' which provides permanent cures to illness, based on 5,000 years old ancient medicine derived from herbs and roots that provide natural cures. Similarly one can be fit always to face the challenges of the life and work environment through regular Yoga practice. Yoga is now a way of life worldwide. All this amplifies India's reputation as a wellness destination. India's star is shining brightly in all fields, such as its robust economy with a large consumer market, advanced science and technology with a huge reservoir of skilled personnel, and carving a niche in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals - to name but a few. A powerhouse of knowledge India has now became the world's second largest reservoir of trained manpower - with 290 universities, 1,500 research institutes and more than 10,000 centers of higher learning. These institutions produce more than 2 million graduates 300,000 non- engineering post-graduates more than 200,000 engineers and over 10,000 Ph.Ds every year. India tops the availability of qualified engineers, thus adding to the knowledge pool. An IT destination India is fast emerging as a leading IT destination because of its expertise in information technology with addition of qualified technologist to the knowledge pool of the country. As per the latest data available in 2005 India accounted for more than 80 percent of outsourcing software development as well as BPO business from all over the world especially from the United States and Europe. India has emerged as the major suppliers of software and information technology goods and services. Although the growth remains strong in the main IT service and product sector the fastest growing segment is IT services and business process outsourcing, which includes call centers billing and payment services and technical and customer support. IT with beauty Taking advantage of India's emergence as an IT destination, India Tourism, Tokyo launched a promotional campaign popularly known as IT with beauty. The campaign combined India strength and IT prowess with beautiful places and picturesque locals of India. India's Miss Universe and Miss World who held center stage for many years have became India's brand Ambassadors to enhance the country's image. India tourism, Tokyo also packaged IT tours in collaboration with IT companies in India which have started giving project management and IT related training to staff companies abroad along with providing visits to tourist attractions during their stay. These IT tours are increasingly becoming popular in Japan, Taiwan and Korea. Fascinating India India has now become a favorite destination for individual travelers according to the Lonely Planet travel guide, which lists the countries for recommended travel experience. India ranks second in the list of 10 countries. Similarly, India increasingly becoming a magnet for adventure vacations in 2004 India moves to 5th position from 36th in 2003 according to Chicago based I- Explore Agency. Some of Asia's unique products came from India such as: The most romantic meals on the floating market in Dal Lake Kashmir, India. The best beaches you can find, beach No. 5 and No.7 Havalok Island in Andaman & Nicobal Islands in India. The best place to indulge while serving the planet - The Green Hotel in Mysore, India The best urban oasis - Lodhi Garden, New Delhi, India - according to Time Magazine. Mahamastakabhisheka The event of a lifetime unfolds at Mahamastakabhisheka, one of the most important religious events, and one that occurs only once in every 12 years, took place last month! The grand event, the head anointing ceremony of Lord Bahubali who stands serenely atop a hill in Shravanabelagola in Hassan District in Karnataka State, South India, was held from February 8-19, 2006. An ancient town overlooked by two rocky hills, Chandragiri and Indragiri, Shravanabelagola draws over 30 lakh devotees from across the world who throng to the place to seek solace at the feet of the colossal monolith of Lord Gomateshwara, a perfect testimony of compassion, serenity, sacrifice and grace. The devotees include believers not just from the Jain community, but cutting through barriers of caste, creed, and religion. During the 10-hour ceremony, priests climb the 618 steps leading to the 57 foot monolith, the largest in the world, and empty hundreds of pots of tender coconut, sugarcane juice, milk, rice flour, turmeric paste, kashaya (a herbal concoction), shrigandra (sandal paste), chandana (colored sandal paste), ashtagandha (eight varieties of sandal paste), saffron, gold and silver flowers, and precious stones. A spectacular finale to this splendid ceremony is a shower of flowers from a helicopter. India World Heritage Tour India has 28 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. India Tourism, Tokyo offers 13 World Heritage sites in a 10-day tour called India World Heritage Tour starting from New Delhi and ending in Mumbai. It is a journey of mind and soul It is a journey of the five senses It is a journey of self-discovery It is a journey of self-fulfillment This article was contributed by the Regional Director, India Tourism, Tokyoed.