Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik laid foundation stones for 98 projects worth Rs 14 crore and inaugurated 129 welfare projects worth Rs 67 at Chandragiri near Jerango of Gajapati district. Patnaik also unveiled a statue of 8thCentury Buddhist sage Guru Padmasambhava on the occasion. “The State Government will continue to promote Buddhist tourism in Odisha,” said Patnaik.
Hundreds of Tibetans from many different countries like USA, Europe, Russia, Nepal and from different parts of India gathered during the unveiling of the statue of Guru Padmasambhava who is revered as the second Buddha having founded the Vajrayana Buddhism in Tibet in the 8th century. Some scholars believe the Guru was born in Odisha. His life and teachings shaped the spiritual landscape of the Himalayan region and its people forever.
Hundreds of BJD supporters of Gajapati district were present. Among others, BJD Rajya Sabha MP Achyuta Samanta, Mohana MLA Basanti Mallick, Special Development Council Chairman Antarjami Gomango, former Minister Pradip Panigrahi, former Union Minister Chandrashekar Sahu and many Tibetan international leaders were present on the stage.