Some children inaugurated the new toilet complex at the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC) near the meditation and prayer hall. The complex was opened for the public use in the presence of Swami Chidanand Saraswati, co-founder of Global Interfaith WASH Alliance (GIWA) and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, president of the Divine Shakti Foundation. Among others present were some army officers, Buddhist monks, Muslim leaders and environmentalists.
Addressing the people, Chidanand Saraswati said, "Meditation and sanitation go hand in hand. We felt during our last visit the need of a toilet complex here. The land was acquired and the ceremonial rituals were performed during the Swachh ladakh, Swachh Bharat campaign.
It has come up now with the technical support of UNICEF.”
Interestingly, the toilet was inaugurated by some children and lamas associated with MIMC, said Sadhvi Bhagawati. The children also pledged to keep the toilets clean and said they were happy to have the much-needed sanitation facilities.
Ven Bhikkhu Sanghasena, founder of Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre, Imam Umer Ilyasi, president of the All India Imam Organisation, Dr Vandana Shiva, founder of Navdanya, Sulekha Kumbhare, member Minority Commission, Nagpur and Maj Gen Yash Mor, general officer commanding, leh Sub Area were among the eminent dignitaries were also present on the occasion.