India has a new Tourism Minister. In a Cabinet shuffle, K J Alphons has been inducted as Tourism Minister, replacing Mahesh Sharma.

Alphons is a retired bureaucrat, who served his Kerala State and the Delhi Development Authority with distinction.

He feels that India has much to offer, with its rich civilization, and what is required is good infrastructure at the tourist destinations.

In Kerala, Alphons is credited with developing the Kumarakom district as a tourist attraction.