Buddhist University to become medium of service to humanity: Chief minister

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BHOPAL, India -- Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that Sanchi Buddhist and Indic Studies University will pave way for world peace by becoming a medium of serving humanity. Chouhan was discussing issues of university's studies, teaching and research with members of the university's advisory committee here on Wednesday.

Chouhan, committee members Gese Semten, Dr Siddheshwar Rameshwar Bhatt, Prof Shrikant Kondapalli, Prof Jiyo Liang, Dr Lokesh Chandra, Prof Mithila Prasad Tripathi, Prof Krishna Bihari Pandey and Nirmala Sharma and principal secretary culture Basant Pratap Singh were present at the meeting.

Chouhan said that dimension of Sanchi Buddhist and Indic Studies University should be such that the institution is able to give new vision and direction for welfare of human beings. He said that scholars from all over the world should be consulted for this. The conclusions drawn from their brainstorming will be implemented by the state government. There will be no paucity of funds for this work.

He said that university's academic session should be started with studies and teaching of Buddhist and Indian philosophies. He said that human values are declining in the indiscriminate race for development. Only Indian philosophy can give a new direction towards prevention of human values' decline.

It was informed during discussions that outlines have been drawn to start teaching work of the university from next academic session. A meeting to this effect will be held in February where decisions about syllabus and teaching activities will be taken.

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Japanese minister visits Shrawasti, assures support

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BAHRAICH, India -- In a bid to explore opportunities of development of Buddhist tourist places in Uttar Pradesh, the Japanese finance minister Navkaju Takemoto along with the speaker of UP assembly Mata Prasad Pandey and state minister Balram Singh Yadav visited the International Buddhist places in Shrawasti. The delegation also visited Jetwan Vihar, Denmahamkol and the huts of Maheta.

During the Saturday visit, the Japanese minister Takemoto told media persons that Japan not only has economic relations with India, but it also has the historical and cultural ties for centuries and the Japanese government would extend every possible assistance to India for the improvement of roads and electricity at Buddhist tourist places.

The Japanese minister added that his visit to India is to explore the opportunities of these developments. On this occasion Mata Prasad Pandey said that action plan for the development of Buddhist tourist places of UP including Shrawasti is being prepared and very shortly the developmental schemes of roads and electricity would get underway at Buddhist places with the assistance of Japan.

The state minister Balram Singh Yadav said that schemes are being made to convert the Buddhist tourist places of Uttar Pradesh into an eco-tourism circuit.

The Japanese minister said that a medical college-cum-hospital would be constructed on the land of Lord Buddha. He said a medical college would be built at Kapilvastu and Shrawasti. The Japanese minister also said that his country makes every possible effort for the development of Buddhist places.

He said that he is feeling himself blessed to have visited the land of Lord Buddha. The Japanese minister said that Uttar Pradesh is just double in size from Japan, but it is far behind as far as electricity and development is concerned and his government wants to set up a power plant in UP and co-operate in development.

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