Members of the 4th Dhamma Yatra Pay A Courtesy Visit To CM Shri Bhupendra Patel

MOU Signed Between Gujarat Tourism Limited and Thailand’s Bodh Gaya Vijayalaya-980 Institute, in the Presence of Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel

Delegation Impressed by Visiting the Monastery and Prerna School in Vadnagar, Hometown of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi

Thailand’s Influencers and YouTubers Will Visit Gujarat to Strengthen Cultural-Historical Heritage

Gandhinagar : A delegation from the 4th Dhammayatra met Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar during their ongoing visit to India. The Mekong-Ganga Dhamma Yatra, which began in Bangkok, Thailand, is visiting India from December 2 to 10.

The Yatra has been organized to let the people of Thailand convey their gratitude to India for the gift of Buddhism and to thank the Government of India, especially Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, for sending the holy relics of Lord Buddha and his two chief disciples, ‘Arahant Sariputta’ and ‘Moggallana’, to Thailand. During the journey, the delegation visited important sites in Gujarat along the Buddhist circuit, including Vadnagar, Dev Ni Mori, and Vadodara. In Vadnagar, the hometown of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, they visited the Monastery and Prerna School before meeting Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar. Dr Supachai Viraphuchong, head of the delegation, informed the Chief Minister that the Yatra aims to deepen the cultural and spiritual ties between the Mekong and Ganga civilisations. It also aims to promote the teachings of Buddhism globally, raise awareness about the environment, and foster peace.

Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, reflecting the Buddhist principles of peace, harmony, and goodwill, invited the delegation to offer a group peace prayer during their meeting. The CM also reminisced about the International Buddhist Conference organized by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in 2009, during his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat, which was attended by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Shri Bhupendra Patel encouraged influencers and YouTubers from Thailand to visit Gujarat in large numbers to foster ‘People to People Connect,’ helping the people of India and Gujarat gain a deeper understanding of the region’s rich Buddhist heritage. In the presence of the Chief Minister, an MOU was signed between Gujarat Tourism Corporation and Bodhgaya Vijayalaya-980 Institute. The agreement focuses on mutual cooperation for the conservation, promotion, and development of both tangible and intangible Buddhist heritage in Gujarat, along with global promotion of the state’s Buddhist circuit sites.

Shri M. K. Das, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister, Smt. Avantika Singh, Secretary to the Chief Minister, Dr. Rajender Kumar, Tourism Secretary, and Smt. Chhakchhuak, MD of Tourism Development Corporation, were in attendance.

Source: Information Department, Gujarat