3rd International Buddhist conference in Bhubaneswar
The 3rd International Buddhist Conference to be held in Bhubaneswar from 13th to 15th February will be organised by the Department of Tourism and this will help to propagate on Buddhist heritage of the state in international level. Besides, tourism promotion will be another objective, said Sri Ashok Chandra Panda, Minister Tourism & Culture here. Sri Panda was briefing media on the international conference and said let the world know this truth on Buddhist heritage sites and the history added to these places.
Sri Panda said that Chief Minister Sri Naveen Pattnaik will inaugurate the conference. The programme has been divided into three sessions on 1st day i.e interaction and presentations on Buddhist Sites of India and Odisha, tourism potentials of our Buddhist sites, Case Studies and Market modules will be discussed and an action plan will be prepared. The second day will be field visit to Lalitgiri, Udayagiri and Ratnagiri –The Dimond Triangle to see the Buddhist remains that speak volumes about the great cultural background and carry forward the message of cultural integrity. There will be an exclusive B2B session for the Tour Operators on 3rd day which will help the Tour operators to bring tourists. Prof. H. P. Gangnegi, Department of Buddhist Studies, Delhi University, Prof. S. Kulasrestha, Director, IITTM, Gwalior, Subash Goyal, President, IATO are some of the personalities attending the conference.
On 13th evening at 6 P.M there will be a cultural programme at Rabindra Mandap.The cultural programme consisting of release of Audio CD ‘Deha Videha’ –the songs of Buddhist lore of medieval Buddhist monks, rendered by renowned singer Mrs Sasmita Das and written by eminent Haraprasad Das.
The performance of Sri Lankan cultural Troup will be followed. An exclusive Photo Exhibition on the Buddhist Heritage of Odisha will be organized by Odishan Institute of Maritime and South East Asian Studies (OIMSEAS) in the conference venue to highlight the recent discoveries and the glimpses of Buddhist Heritage.
Dr. Aravind Kumar Padhee, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Culture, Sri U. K Pati, Deputy Director, Tourism, Dr. Sunil Patnaik, Coordinator of the conference and other officials were present during the briefing.