Union Minister Smriti Irani virtually inaugurated the commencement of 38 projects under the Buddhist Development Plan, a part of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram. With an estimated cost of Rs. 225 crore, these projects span across Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and the Union Territory of Ladakh.
In line with the Government’s commitment to ‘विरासत के साथ विकास’ and ‘विरासत का संवर्धन’, Minister Smriti Irani announced a financial aid of Rs. 30 crores for bolstering the Centre for Advanced Studies in Buddhist Studies at the University of Delhi. This initiative aims at academic collaboration, research promotion, language preservation, transcript translation, and skill enhancement for the Buddhist populace.
Advocating for integrated development, Minister Smriti Irani stressed collaboration among institutions like the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies and the Centre for Advanced Studies in Buddhist Studies at the University of Delhi. This holistic approach aims to preserve Buddhist cultural heritage while imparting modern education.
The event, graced by dignitaries including Chief Minister Prem Sing Tamang of Sikkim, Union Minister of Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju, and Minister of State of Minority Affairs John Barla, underscores the Government’s commitment to minority development. The Buddhist Development Plan targets border areas in the five states and Union Territory, aiming to secularize theological education and provide modern, vocational, and skill development courses to the youth.
This initiative falls under the Government’s “Whole of Government” approach, converging various schemes and programs to ensure the holistic development of Buddhist communities. It includes awareness campaigns to facilitate access to relevant schemes and programs for the welfare of the Buddhist population.
