E-Paper
Big plans for Buddha birth anniversary
MAJOR BUDDHIST countries across the globe will be part of the 2550th birth anniversary celebrations of Lord Buddha. The initiative has been undertaken by State Tourism Department to boost the tourism industry.
MAJOR BUDDHIST countries across the globe will be part of the 2550th birth anniversary celebrations of Lord Buddha. The initiative has been undertaken by State Tourism Department to boost the tourism industry.
Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malayasia and Hong Kong, along with London, Berlin and Dubai, will all be centres of the anniversary celebrations. Road shows, cultural programmes, seminars, debates, rallies, exhibitions, fairs and rituals are scheduled to be held which is an attempt by the Tourism Department to convey new dimensions to the historical event.
“Major events in these countries will be road shows in which artistes will tour the cities in a bus. They will enact and depict the Jatak tales and distribute CDs based on the life of Buddha. Besides, idols of Buddha, folders and picture postcards will be distributed to devotees. Video CDs will also be screened during the road shows,” said RK Yadav, regional tourist officer here.
The celebrations will take place for the entire year till May 2007. “Programmes will be conducted in Hong Kong from September 12 to 15, in London from November 6 to 9 and in January in Korea, Japan, Singapore and Malayasia. In March 2007, road show will be conducted at Berlin while the programme at Dubai will be held in May 2007,” said Yadav.
“Uttar Pradesh being the region of important spots associated with the life of Buddha, it was necessary for us to make people aware of it globally about its significance which is the major objective behind the event,” said Yadav.
The celebrations have already started from May 13 at Sarnath where seminars and cultural events were held. The department is planning to concentrate primarily at seven important spots, namely Kushinagar, Shravasti, Kapilvastu, Kaushambi, Sankisa and Sarnath. According to Yadav, State Government has already sanctioned Rs 3.5 crore for the purpose and funds will be released accordingly for future events in other countries.
Road shows will also be held at cities in Uttar Pradesh and other cities such as Bangalore, Hyderabad and Mumbai. The department will also organise programmes during Lucknow Mahotsav in December, and Bagpat Mahotsav, Taj Mahotsav and Ramayan Mela in February 2007.
“Locally, the road show will be organised here in August and Sepetember. A major event will be held in Kaushambi in February 2007 in which puja, rally, deepotsav, cultural event, seminar and painting exhibition will be organised,” said Yadav.
