PTI, Oct 5, 2016
Varanasi, India -- The International Buddhist Conclave-2016 aimed to showcase
Buddhist heritage and pilgrimage sites in the country, opened its sessions in
Sarnath today, the heartland of Buddhist pilgrimage.
 The opening session was addressed by Union
minister of state for culture Mahesh Sharma
and Uttar Pradesh Tourism Minister Om
Prakash Singh.
"India is the seat of Spiritual Tourism and
Government of India and Government of
Uttar Pradesh are committed to develop the
Buddhist Circuits," Sharma said.
"Sarnath will be made the hub of Buddhist to
tourism in India and efforts will be made to bring in air, rail and road connections
from Sarnath to various Buddhist sites in India," he said.
He said for an amount of Rs 132.17 crore have been sanctioned by Tourism
Ministry till date for development of Buddhist circuit in India under its 'Swadesh
Darshan Scheme'.He also said that for Uttar Pradesh, the Ministry of Tourism is in the verge of
sanctioning an amount of Rs 99.97 crore this year for infrastructure development
of Buddhist circuit covering Saravasti, Kapilvastu and Kushinagar.
Welcoming the delegates and participants, Tourism Secretary Vinod Zutshi said,
this is the first time the International Buddhist Conclave is organised in Sarnath.
He said India is prepared for developing a trans-border Buddhist Circuit across
ASEAN and SAARC countries to enhance movement of Buddhist pilgrims in the
region from remaining parts of the world.
The whole day session included panel discussions on 'India -- The Land of
Buddha' with an objective to showcase India as Buddhist destination and
"Creating Buddhayana Sangha" for the worldwide community of Buddhists.
The function also witnessed B2B meetings, a platform for interaction of Indian
Tour Operators with the foreign Tour Operators and delegates attending the event.
More than 240 international delegates from 39 countries are attending the
conclave this year. The delegates will also travel to Nalanda, Rajgir and Bodhgaya
to experience the Buddhist heritage in Bihar.
With a view to showcase and project the Buddhist heritage and pilgrim sites of
India, Tourism Ministry is organising the '5th International Buddhist Conclave'
from October 2 to 6 in association with state governments of Uttar Pradesh and
Bihar. |
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