Home

Back to Index

Private tour operators in Buddhist circuit proposed

     New Delhi: A plan is being drawn up to make the country as the most important destination on Buddhist tourist's itinerary with public-private partnership. According to Tourism Minister Ambika Sonia, the blueprint entails linking and developing important places connected with Buddhism in India with public-private partnership.

     "We are trying that all of the countries in South-East Asia along with the foreign believers in Buddhism and everybody in India who believes in Buddhism or who can be a believer in peace and understanding...fraternity world religion, brotherhood - to go to Arunachal Pradesh, to go to Sikkim, to go to Himachal Pradesh, Andhra, Orissa. These are all states with very strong Buddhist traditions and heritage. So it is our public-private partnership which has to really make this whole endeavour of making India a hub of the Buddhist traveller, a success," said Soni in her address at the inauguration of a conference on "Positioning India as a hub for Buddhist Tourism" here on Thursday. Soni said, there would be several functions to commemorate the 2550th year of) at Bodh Gaya and other places. The ceremony is slated to be held from February 6 to 8, and will be attended by the Dalai Lama and 20 other dignitaries from the Buddhist organizations across the globe. "We have moved buildings from around the Mahabodhi Temple. We have created (Separate commercial zones away from the site) for people who are running shops. The one next to the Mahabodhi Temple had film music and all kind of noise going on. We are persuading them to move these to new hubs, so that the whole environment...and the Bihar Government has given the additional power...to create this feeling of peace, quiet, tranquility," said Soni.

     Soni said the travel industry in India should also pitch in to make Buddhist Circuit a pilgrimage circuit for Buddhist devotees from across the globe. She said the government would remove infrastructure bottlenecks at places of importance for Buddhists and is closely working with State Governments and the Japanese government in this regard. There are several important Buddhist religious places in India - Bodh Gaya in Bihar were Lord Buddha attained salvation, Saranath in Uttar Pradesh, where Buddha proclaimed the law of faith, Kushinagar, where Lord Buddha breathed his last, Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh, an ancient seat of Buddhist learning and place of pilgrimage and several monasteries in Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
-Jan 26,  2007

Leading Indian News Papers

Overseas Tourist
Offices

Tourist offices
in India

Helpline