Three-day International Buddhist Conclave begins in Bhubaneswar ,Odisha

13 Feb, Bhubaneswar, (odibizinfo)
The 3rd International Conference on Buddhist Heritage of Odisha began in capital city- Bhubaneswar Friday.

The three day event, which was inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, witnessed the congregation of Buddhist scholars, historians , travel operators and monks from across the world particularly from Japan and Sri Lanka.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister Patnaik highlighted the preservation of the rare Buddhist heritage sites – Lalitgiri, Udayagiri and Ratnagiri in the state and stressed the need for undertaking vigorous promotional campaign in the Tourism market of the world particularly in the Cental Asia and South East Asian countries .
He called upon the Tour Operastors and Travel Agencies to come forward to market the monumental remains of the Buddhist sites of Odisha.
Stating that the Buddhist sites not only speaks about the religion , but spreads the message of peace and brotherhood , decency and discipline , love and compassion, Patnaik said ,” let the world know this historical truth” .
Addrsssing the conference, Tourism and Culture Minister Asok Chandra Panda , Amar Prasad Satapathy and Tourism and Culture Commissioner-cum Secretary , Dr.Aravind Kumar Padhee and India Association of Tour Operators President , Subhas Goyal said that there is a need for direct connectivity with the heritage sites .
The three day conclave would dwell upon the tourism potential of Buddhist sites in Odisha .An action plan to popularize the Buddist sites would be drawn during the summit, said Tourism Minister Panda.
There will be exclusive business –to-business session for tour operators to attract tourists and field visits to the Diamond Triangle –Rtnagiri, Lalitgiri and Udayaagiri, he said.