Context:
- India hosted “Bodhi Parva: BIMSTEC Festival of Buddhist Heritage” during 8 – 10 December 2017 at the India Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi as part of celebrations of 20th Anniversary of BIMSTEC. Dignitaries from all BIMSTEC Member States are expected to attend the event.
- The Festival would have diverse components including an exhibition ofinternational and Indian Buddhist art and architecture, discourses by eminent scholars and practitioners of Buddhism, guided meditation and chanting by Buddhist monks and choir, screening of film on Buddhism, dance and music performances. quiz show based on Buddhism and BIMSTEC and a food trail.
- Organizing of the Festival is in keeping with the call of BIMSTEC Leaders to work collectively towards making BIMSTEC stronger, more effective, and result oriented at the BIMSTEC Leaders’ Retreat hosted by India in Goa in October 2016. Bodhi Parva is an opportunity to re-emphasize and celebrate the strong Buddhist cultural heritage shared by all Member States. Further details of the festival may be accessed at www.bodhiparva.comer 2016. Bodhi Parva is an opportunity to re-emphasize and celebrate the strong Buddhist cultural heritage shared by all Member States.
About BIMSTEC:
- BIMSTEC is international organisation comprising of India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan. BIMSTEC has a deep connect with Buddhism, which originated in South Asia and then travelled and rooted itself in South East Asia. Buddhism constitutes a bridge between South and South-East Asia.
Source:PIB