Leh, Apr 25: The Government of India will extend support to initiatives that promote cultural heritage, social welfare and spiritual development in Ladakh, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said during his visit to the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre earlier this week.
The Minister made the remarks after reviewing the Centre’s ongoing activities and being apprised of its proposed Buddha Park project, for which a formal memorandum seeking central assistance was submitted. He indicated that the government would provide all possible support for the project and similar initiatives aimed at strengthening cultural infrastructure in the region.
Shekhawat, who was received by Bhikkhu Sanghasena, was briefed on a range of programmes run by the institution, including educational outreach for underprivileged children, healthcare services, care facilities for the elderly and visually impaired, and spiritual education through nunneries and meditation practices.
Emphasising the importance of such grassroots interventions, the Minister noted that organisations working in the cultural and social sectors play a vital role in preserving traditions while contributing to community welfare. He added that the Centre’s activities align with the broader policy thrust on promoting tourism linked to heritage and spirituality.
The proposed Buddha Park, being developed within the campus, was highlighted as a project with the potential to attract both domestic and international visitors. Bhikkhu Sanghasena underscored its role in enhancing Ladakh’s profile as a destination for spiritual tourism.
Accompanied by Tashi Gyaltson Khachu, the Minister later toured the Devachan campus and visited the Yoga and Meditation Centre, where he took note of the facilities and the environment maintained by the institution.
The visit concluded with the Minister being presented a traditional khatak and a memento by the Centre’s authorities. Bhikkhu Sanghasena expressed appreciation for the Minister’s visit at short notice, while Shekhawat conveyed his intention to return for a more detailed engagement with the Centre’s initiatives.
