The Japanese have planned an exclusive mini-Japan township in Dholera Special Investment Region followed by South Korean, who too mooted a similar township along with a high-tech industrial complex in Gujarat Vittal Innovation City, ensuring a strong presence of both these nationalities in the coming days in Gujarat.
For both these Buddhism dominant countries, fast emerging as business partners of Vibrant Gujarat and millions of Buddhists across the world, there’s good news from M S University. The varsity is ready with a plan to set up the first ever Centre for Buddhism Studies, Heritage and Culture in Gujarat.
The centre, which will house the relic casket containing Lord Buddha’s ashes that drew global attention during the International Seminar for Buddhism at MSU, will be one-of-its-kind. It will reflect Indian heritage values and Buddhist architectural features like in a monastery and house a heritage documentation wing, an amphitheatre, indoor and outdoor museums, research laboratory.
In three months’ time since chief minister Narendra Modi had mooted the centre when Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama had arrived to attend the seminar, MSU has prepared an outline for setting up the centre in the campus. Department of archaeology and ancient history is working on giving final touches to the plan. Vice-chancellor Ramesh Goyal is expected to submit a final draft of the proposal to state government to get green signal.
“We received overwhelming response from the people during the seminar. It was evident that there is a need to establish an interdisciplinary research for Buddhist studies. This centre will cater to the needs and expectation of students, researchers, public and tourists,” Goyal said.
“It will promote and facilitate research and education in Buddhist studies and assist in cultural resource management of Buddhist sites and other cultural heritage sites associated with the state. It will be learning centre for locals, nationals as well as internationals,” Goyal added.
To keep the buzz alive, both — indoor and outdoor museums — will have regular events, regular exhibitions, workshops, conferences, lecturers, discourses, performances and school extension activities.
“A tentative plan for design of the campus along with broad outline of the activities has been prepared. We would need to fine tune it and then will be sending it to state government soon for their approval,” Goyal said.
Partners in Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, the Japanese have planned a marine ship building park in south of Dahej, where a 12 km stretch has been identified and shown interest in shipbuilding at Pipavav port. South Korea, too, is looking closely at Gujarat as a manufacturing base.
Source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
