With international exposure, decades of tourism experience and a new role in grassroots governance, Prem Raina is working to position Tattapani as a major tourism destination in Himachal Pradesh.
Munish Sood
MANDI: Prem Raina, the newly elected pradhan of Tattapani Gram Panchayat in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district, is seeking to bring a new perspective to local governance by combining his entrepreneurial experience, international exposure and understanding of tourism development.
His vision is to position Tattapani as a major tourism destination, with improved infrastructure, better visitor facilities and greater economic opportunities for local residents.
Raina began his entrepreneurial journey in 1992 with a small soft-drink vending outlet catering to visitors along the banks of the Sutlej. His interest in tourism led him to pursue training in food and beverages at the Institute of Hotel Management, Kufri, and adventure tourism through the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Department.
His professional journey subsequently took him to Italy, where he established an Ayurvedic Panchakarma and beauty centre near Milan. After gaining international exposure, he returned to Tattapani and expanded his tourism-related activities, including hospitality facilities and adventure activities such as rafting.
The construction of the Kol Dam reservoir transformed the local landscape and affected businesses along the Sutlej. Raina rebuilt his enterprise at a new location, demonstrating the perseverance required to sustain a business through major changes.
His transition from entrepreneurship to grassroots politics marks a new chapter. As pradhan, he is seeking to draw greater administrative attention to Tattapani’s development needs and tourism potential.
Located along the Sutlej, Tattapani is known for its natural hot-water springs, religious significance and scenic surroundings. The destination offers opportunities to develop wellness, religious, leisure and adventure tourism. However, realising this potential requires coordinated planning, improved public amenities, better connectivity and sustainable management of natural resources.
A significant development came on October 23, 2026, when Revenue, Horticulture, Tribal Development and Public Grievances Redressal Minister Jagat Singh Negi inspected proposed sites for a modern hot-water bathing facility and a community building at Tattapani. The Public Works Department was directed to prepare drawings and cost estimates for the first phase within one month, while the community building is planned for the second phase.
The inspection also covered proposed footpath construction, repairs to the police check post and concerns over silt accumulation in the Kol Dam reservoir. Mandi Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan and other officials participated in the discussions, with Raina also present in his capacity as panchayat pradhan.
The proposed facilities could strengthen Tattapani’s tourism appeal, provided the projects are implemented in a timely manner and supported by effective coordination among departments.
Raina’s broader ambition is to develop Tattapani as a recognised tourism hub that generates employment, supports local businesses and creates opportunities for youth. His experience in hospitality and tourism provides a practical foundation for this vision.
The challenge ahead will be to translate ambition into measurable results through transparent governance, community participation and sustainable development. Tattapani’s future will depend not only on attracting more visitors but also on ensuring that tourism creates lasting economic benefits for the local community.
