Bengaluru:
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has apologised to the Karnataka government for using a faulty map of India to advertise a travel fair scheduled to be held in Bengaluru in September. The map had appeared in Malaysia and when it came to the attention of the opposition BJP in the state, they made a point of attacking the Congress government on the issue.
"It is a very serious offence and state government says it is not our fault, it is the fault of some agency. The fault maybe from whichever side. It is a very serious offence. Government should take in all seriousness and government should immediately lodge a complaint against that agency and withdraw this, get this advertisement withdrawn. This is a slur on the unity and integrity of India and state government should not by its silence, by its omission should not become a party to this crime," said BJP's Suresh Kumar.
State Tourism Minister RV Deshpande had distanced the state government from the controversial ad in question and had taken the matter up with PATA.
"We have told them it is very unfortunate that a misrepresented map has been put and they have been told to correct it immediately. They have been told to contact embassy or MEA and take a correct map. I also feel sorry for all these things though it is not our mistake - it should not happen. PATA should also apologise for this. I feel the government of Karnataka, tourism ministry has absolutely no role in this," he said.
The PATA apology said, "On behalf of PATA, I would like to apologise for the inclusion of the wrong map image used in one of our advertisements... The map was used in good faith to indicate where the state of Karnataka is in relation to the country of India for those who may not be familiar with the country... and not to be taken as an actual map of your great and hospitable country... However, upon learning of the issue we took immediate steps to rectify and have the artwork replaced... we will be sure that in the future any images used will be what is provided or approved by your department."
"It is a very serious offence and state government says it is not our fault, it is the fault of some agency. The fault maybe from whichever side. It is a very serious offence. Government should take in all seriousness and government should immediately lodge a complaint against that agency and withdraw this, get this advertisement withdrawn. This is a slur on the unity and integrity of India and state government should not by its silence, by its omission should not become a party to this crime," said BJP's Suresh Kumar.
State Tourism Minister RV Deshpande had distanced the state government from the controversial ad in question and had taken the matter up with PATA.
"We have told them it is very unfortunate that a misrepresented map has been put and they have been told to correct it immediately. They have been told to contact embassy or MEA and take a correct map. I also feel sorry for all these things though it is not our mistake - it should not happen. PATA should also apologise for this. I feel the government of Karnataka, tourism ministry has absolutely no role in this," he said.
The PATA apology said, "On behalf of PATA, I would like to apologise for the inclusion of the wrong map image used in one of our advertisements... The map was used in good faith to indicate where the state of Karnataka is in relation to the country of India for those who may not be familiar with the country... and not to be taken as an actual map of your great and hospitable country... However, upon learning of the issue we took immediate steps to rectify and have the artwork replaced... we will be sure that in the future any images used will be what is provided or approved by your department."
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