Prime Minister addresses International Buddha Poornima Diwas 2015
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, said that the Lord Buddha's timeless message of love and compassion could help rid the world of the problems of war and violence. He was addressing at the International Buddh Poornima Diwas Celebration, here today. The event was organized by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) with full support of Union Ministry of Culture and Union Home Ministry. The Minister of State for Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation, Dr. Mahesh Sharma, the Minister of State for Home Affairs and Chairman, Celebration Organizing Committee, Shri Kiren Rijiju and the Ven. Lama Lobzang, Secretary General, International Buddhist Confederation have also participated. The Prime Minister in his remarks said that the whole world had acknowledged that the 21st century would be Asia's century, and added that Buddha's teachings would be the inspiration and guiding spirit for Asia, as it showed the world the path to relief from problems of conflict and hatred.
In his welcome address, the Minister of State for Home Affairs and the Celebration Chairman of Organizing Committee, Shri Kiren Rijiju said that Buddha's path is the right way for humanity and the message from Buddha is relevant even today. Shri Rijiju has said that the Government is taking all necessary steps to identify and develop Buddha places and other historical places of importance in the country. The Government will organize the Buddha Poornima Diwas Celebration function every year, he added.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of State for Culture (Independent Charge), Tourism (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation, Dr Mahesh Sharma said that Budha is the messenger of peace and compassion and it is because of the path shown by him, the entire world is now looking towards India to spread the message of love, peace and compassion. Saluting the efforts of Prime Minister, Dr Mahesh Sharma said that under his able leadership, the Indian culture is being highlighted the world over as never before. We will try to fulfill Prime Minister's dream that the youth of the country should first appreciate the culture of the country and take it to other parts of the world, he added. He further explained that India is symbolized by its warm culture, spirituality and hospitality. It should be our endeavour to spread this culture everywhere via the medium of tourism and on wings of civil aviation, he added.
The Ven. Lama Lobzang, Secretary General, International Buddhist Confederation has thanked the Government for taking a lead in organizing this function.
Union Ministers, Members of Parliament, Ambassadors, Eminent Scholars, Buddhist Monks and Nuns from India and various other countries have participated in the function. Large numbers of followers of Buddha Dharma from all over India have attended the event.
