Modi govt to host Buddha Poornima Diwas

The Narendra Modi government will host an international Buddhist function on the occasion of ‘Buddha Poornima’ on May 4 where a special prayer will be offered to express solidarity with the people of quake-hit Nepal, the birth place of the religion’s founder.

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, the only Buddhist minister in the Modi government, said the government function is being organised considering the fact that India is the birth place of Buddhism and the whole world look into the country as the spiritual centre of the religion.

“The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) with full support of Ministry of Culture is hosting a historic ‘International Buddha Poornima Diwas Celebration 2015’ on May 4 at Talkatora stadium in New Delhi,” he said at a press conference here.

Rijiju said, on the occasion, the Prime Minister, who will grace the function as chief guest, will lead the nation in prayers and express solidarity with the people of Nepal, the birth place of Buddha, and all those affected in India and Tibetan Autonomous Region.