Chavan sanctions Rs 300 crore to preserve Buddha’s heritage in state

President Pratibha Patil and Chief Minister Ashok Chavan announced on Sunday that the government will try to preserve the heritage and teachings of Gautam Buddha.

Chavan said the government has made an allocation of Rs 300 crore to protect and maintain ancient scriptures and historically important sculptures of Buddha in Ajanta and Ellora caves in central Maharashtra.

They were attending an inauguration ceremony of the Buddha Dhamma Conference at Kamgar grounds in Parel.

Chavan said the state will dedicate a memorial to the Father of the Constitution, Babasaheb Ambedkar, at Chaityabhoomi in Shivaji Park. “We want a TV channel dedicated to our mission,” said Bhadant Rahul Bodhi Mahathero, leader of Bhikku Sangha, an organisation that propagates Buddha’s teachings.

First Published: Apr 19, 2010 00:34 IST