Dharmshala

By Bijender Sharma

DHARMSHALA 26 Febuary 2008---State Government would extend all possible help including financial assistance to the Tangyud Gompa Buddhist Society, Kaza of Lahaul and Spiti district for organizing Kalchakra scheduled to be held during month of June, 2008. The assurance was given by Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister to the delegation of the society headed by its Chairman Dr. Ram Lal Markandey, MLA Lahaul-Spiti which called on him at Dharamsala today. Chief Minister said that tribal districs of the State were dominant by Buddhist population and had old monasteries which were centres of attraction to the tourists from all over the world. He said that such shrines were sanctified religious shrines revered by devotees from all walks of life. He said that Government was implementing Buddhist Circuit Programme to create amenities besides the restoration and maintenance of prominent monasteries to facilitate the tourists. Prof. Dhumal said that people of the State were honoured to have His Holiness The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Buddhists residing at Dharamsala with his Government in exile. He said that it had been the privileged moment for the Buddhists to listen the sermons of their leader during the Kalachakra ceremonies. He said that His Holiness, The Dalai Lama would deliver sermons during the Kalchakra at Kaza and large number of devotees were likely to attend the sermons. Chief Minister said that adequate arrangements would be made for boarding and lodging of the devotees so that they could listen to the sermons of His Holiness and get blessed. He said that the construction work of the venue had already been started by the society and the State Government would also extend all possible assistance for its completion in time. Prof. Dhumal said that proper sanitation was required to be maintained at the Sub Divisional Headquarters of Spiti besides making best traffic, parking medical and essential commodities available to the devotees. He said that efforts would be made to fly helicopter services from Kaza-Delhi-Dharamsala and Shimla etc. to facilitate high paying tourists. Dr. Ram Lal Markandey, Chairman of the Organising Committee apprised the Chief Minister of the proposed Kalchakra arrangements and urged for his patronage. He also urged Chief Minister to extend administrative assistance in maintenance of law and order during the function. Shri C. Bodh Sakya and other prominent people of the area accompanied the delegation.

Dharmshala---Dr. C.S. Pruthi Cardiologist of BCC Heart Care Hospital Jalandhar today presented a cheque of Rs. 51000 to Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal Chief Minister for Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Chief Minister expressed thanks to Dr. Pruthi for his goodwill gesture for the noble cause of service towards humanity. He said that the contributions being received under Chief Minister’s Relief Fund are being utilized for providing medical and other various kinds of relief to the most deserving and needy people. Dr. Pruthi submitted a proposal to Prof. Dhumal to set up a multi-super specialty hospital in Kangra district. Prof. Dhumal assured him that State Government will extend all possible assistance for the proposed hospital.