Dr. Mahesh Sharma, the culture minister inaugurated the three days 'Bodhi Parva: BIMSTEC Festival of Buddhist Heritage' in New Delhi on December 08, 2017.
'Bodhi Parva' has entwined various threads of the Buddhist heritage into a beautiful melange including an exhibition of international 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 and a food trail.
These will help in building an awareness of BIMSTEC's rich and common heritage.
The regional organization comprising seven Member States around the Bay of Bengal that brings together about one - fifth of the world population and a combined GDP of over US $ 2.8 trillion,
BIMSTEC has a crucial role in development of the region.
BIMSTEC leaders have imparted fresh momentum to the organization at the Leaders' Retreat hosted by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in Goa in October 2016.
India sees BIMSTEC as a natural platform to fulfil its key foreign policy priorities of 'Neighbourhood First' and 'Act East'.
A number of initiatives have been taken to promote cooperation in BIMSTEC under the focus areas of security, transport and communication, environment and disaster management, tourism, traditional medicine and people-to-people exchanges.
Several others are in the pipeline. Events such as 'Bodhi Parva' would also help immensely in promoting 'Brand BIMSTEC'.
India is hosting the "Bodhi Parva: BIMSTEC Festival of Buddhist Heritage" from 8 to 10 December as part of celebrations of 20th anniversary of BIMSTEC.
