SHIMLA: Amidst the Sonam Wangchuk's climate fast, the Modi government has given a new Push for Himalayan States wooing its Buddhist Community at the feg end of its NDA regime-II ahead of coming Lok Sabha elections.
Union Minister of Minority Affairs and Women & Child Development, Smt. Smriti Irani, on March 10 inaugurated 38 projects worth Rs. 225 crore under the Buddhist Development Plan under virtual mode.
These projects are sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram, spanning across Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and the Union Territory of Ladakh.
Emphasizing the government's commitment to holistic development and cultural preservation, Smt. Smriti Irani announced a financial aid of Rs. 30 crores for the Center for Advanced Studies in Buddhist Studies at the University of Delhi.
She saud this initiative aims at academic collaboration, research promotion, language preservation, transcript translation, and skill enhancement for the Buddhist population.
Aligned with the vision of 'Viksit Bharat,' the Minister called for collaboration among institutes like the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies and the Center for Advanced Studies in Buddhist Studies to ensure integrated development
"It will focus on the conservation of Buddhist heritage and modern education provision", she said.
She performed the task in the presence of Chief Minister Prem Sing Tamang of Sikkim, Union Minister of Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State of Minority Affairs John Barla, along with various state ministers and lawmakers. But none from Congress ruled Himachal.
In Himachal Buddhist population is concentrated in Lahaul-Spiti parts of Kinnaur and fall under Mandi Lok Sabha constituency presently represented by Pratibha Singh, Congress President, wife of Late Virbhadra Singh, six-time CM of Himachal Pradesh.
The Buddhist Development Plan (BDP) underscores the government's "Whole of Government" approach, she said.
This plan is particularly targeting the Buddhist communities in remote border areas along China and Pakistan and Myanmar.
This initiative aims to secularize theological education, provide modern education, and offer professional/vocational courses to the youth in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Ladakh.
The government is converging ongoing schemes such as PMJVK, PM-Vikas, scholarships, and programs administered by NMDFC and other ministries.
BDP ensures comprehensive support for the Buddhist communities.
Awareness campaigns will further ensure accessibility to these schemes and programs, promoting development in these regions.
Amidst these initiatives, Ladakh's renowned innovator and activist, Sonam Wangchuk, has embarked on a 21-day Climate Fast unto death in Leh for the ladt fuve days.
Wangchuk's protest seeks legislative assembly and Schedule 6 status to safeguard Ladakh's culture and delicate ecology, adding urgency to the region's developmental efforts.
Will the Centre woo the Buddhists of the region? Wangchuk fast has been ignored by the mainstream media and the Centre but he has cautioned the Centre on the Chinese motive of deploying Gorkha troops along the border to counter Indian counterparts.
These developments are being debated by the Himalayan people including the Buddhists.
Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim were hit hard by the natural calamities in 2023 and how the people will respond to Centre's calls will be reflected in the Lok Sabha elections 2024.
