MOT to sanction Rs 99.97cr by year end for Buddhist Circuit in UP

Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism & Culture has said that for Uttar Pradesh, the ministry is on the verge of sanctioning an amount of Rs.99.97 crore this year for infrastructure development of Buddhist Circuit covering Saravasti, Kapilvastu, Kushinagar. Outlining the ministry’s investment in tourism infrastructure for development of Buddhist Circuit under its Swadesh Darshan scheme, Sharma stated that an amount of Rs. 132.17 crore have been sanctioned till date. Delivering his opening remarks during the International Buddhist Conclave-2016 in Sarnath, UP, Sharma said, “India is the seat of spiritual tourism and that Government of India & Government of Uttar Pradesh are committed to develop the Buddhist Circuits. Sarnath will be made the hub of Buddhist Tourism in India and efforts will be made to bring in air, rail and road connections from Sarnath to various Buddhist sites in India.” Among those attending the opening ceremony were UP Tourism Minister Om Prakash, Tourism Secretary Vinod Zutshi, Navneet Sehgal, Principal Secretary, UP Tourism and Commissioner Varanasi, H.E. Assoc. Professor Chavanee Tongroach, Vice Minister of Tourism & Sports, Govt. of the Kingdom of Thailand, Macio Favilla, Executive Director, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and Mayor of Varanasi amongst others attended the opening session of the conclave.
Zutshi said that this is the first time when the International Buddhist Conclave is being organized in the premises of Sarnath. He further added that India is prepared for developing a transborder Buddhist Circuit across ASEAN & 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 Buddhist including the Sangha in supporting India’s vision to develop Buddhist Circuits and awaken the world of Buddha’s India.
The day concluded with B2B meetings, a platform for interaction of Indian Tour Operators with the foreign Tour Operators and delegates attending the International Buddhist Conclave-2016. More than 240 international delegates from 39 countries are attending this Conclave this year. The delegates will later travel to Nalanda, Rajgir and Bodhgaya to experience the Buddhist heritage in Bihar.