Revive Institute of Baudh Darshan at Tabo monastery, Centre urged
The Himachal Pradesh Government has urged the Centre to revive the pending Rs 107 crore Indian Institute of Baudh Darshan (IIBD) at Tabo monastery in Lahaul Spiti.
The Rs 107-crore project was conceptualised in 2012 with the objective of conserving and promoting Buddhist literature, philosophy, art and culture. The Himachal government had earmarked 20 acres of land for the institute in 2019 while the funding for setting up the IIBD was to be provided by the Union Ministry of Culture and Tourism. However, later the Centre expressed its unwillingness to provide funds for the project.
Conceptualised in 2012
- The Rs 107-crore project was conceptualised in 2012 with the objective of conserving and promoting Buddhist literature, philosophy, art and culture.
- The hopes of the institute taking shape have arisen after the meeting of Chief Minister with Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat last month. Shekhawat had assured Sukhu that Centre will provide funds for institute.
- The CM said that the institute will help in revival of ancient Buddhist traditions and create jobs.
The hopes of the institute taking shape have emanated from the meeting of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had with Union Minister for Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at New Delhi on October 24. Shekhawat had assured Sukhu that Centre will provide the funds for the institute.
The Chief Minister, in a letter written to Union Minister for Culture, has urged him to revive the project as it in the interest of the state and the tribal district of Lahaul Spiti. “Tabo in Spiti is not only home to the 1000 year old Buddhist monastery, known as Ajanta of the Himalayas but is also a key strategic area that borders Tibet. So an exception may be made in this regard,” he urged.
The Chief Minister has also stressed the need to create employment avenues in the border areas with China so that the villagers living there do not migrate from there. “The Government of India is stressing development of the Northern borders under Vibrant Village programme and Spiti shares a border with Tibet so there is urgent need to make the area vibrant and valued by way of such projects which will help herald economic prosperity,” he said.
The Himachal government had earmarked 20 acres of land at Poh village in Spiti after seeking the necessary clearances under the Forest Conservation Act in 2019. He added that the institute will help in revival of ancient Buddhist traditions and create jobs. An estimate of Rs 107 crore has been prepared by the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (Chogalmasar) Leh as desired by the Government of India. This has been sent to the Centre for approval, he added.
The Centre in 2022 had declined to provide funds for the project. The Chief Minister, in a letter dated May 9, 2023, had also urged the Union Ministry of Culture and Tourism to provide funds for the project as the Himachal government had completed all the formalities. However, the Centre in response to his letter had expressed its decision to drop the project.
The Chief Minister has pointed out that the setting up of the institute at Tabo will not only help in conservation and revival of ancient Buddhist traditions but will go a long way in giving a boost to tourism and the local economy. It will also help in creating the much-needed jobs.
