The Indian government has initiated numerous projects under the Buddhist Development Plan to promote Buddhism across several states. Smriti Irani, Minister of Minority Affairs and Women & Child Development, inaugurated 38 projects with an estimated cost of Rs. 225 crore. These projects, sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram, are aimed at development in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Ladakh.
Additionally, Rs. 30 crore in financial aid was announced to strengthen the Centre for Advance Studies in Buddhist Studies at the University of Delhi. It will focus on academic collaboration, research, language preservation, transcript translation, and skill enhancement for the Buddhist community.
The government’s commitment to minority development, particularly in Buddhist communities in border regions, is evident in the Buddhist Development Plan. This initiative aims to modernise theological education, offer modern and vocational courses, and enhance professional skills in areas like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Ladakh.
The Buddhist Development Plan integrates ongoing schemes like PMJVK, PM-Vikas, scholarships, and programmes administered by NMDFC and other ministries. Awareness campaigns will ensure the accessibility of these schemes to Buddhist communities. Irani stressed collaboration among institutions like the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS) and the Centre for Advance Studies in Buddhist Studies to preserve cultural heritage and provide modern education.
