LEH, October 13 — Under the aegis of Operation Sadbhavana, community members from remote villages of Ladakh are nearing the completion of their 13-day National Integration Tour, which commenced on October 3. The delegation, comprising elderly men and women from frontier communities, has been visiting the Buddhist Circuit, including Bodh Gaya, Vaishali, Kushinagar, and Varanasi, to experience India’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage firsthand. The programme aims to foster a deeper sense of national unity and connect Ladakh’s remote communities with the larger narrative of the country.
During the initial days in Bodh Gaya, participants visited the revered Mahabodhi Tree, where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment, and engaged with the Commandant of the Officers Training Academy in Gaya. The team also explored the 80-Foot Buddha Statue, the White Buddha Statue, and the Mahakala Caves, where Lord Buddha is believed to have practiced intense meditation. Officials noted that these experiences offered not only cultural insights but also spiritual reflection.
The tour has also included visits to historic Nalanda University, Rajgir’s White Shanti Stupa, the Gridhrakuta Temple, Vaishali, and the sacred sites of Sarnath. Over the course of the journey, participants have immersed themselves in India’s philosophical and spiritual traditions, making the tour a journey of self-discovery, growth, and enlightenment. Organisers said the programme strengthens the bond between Ladakh’s frontier communities and the wider cultural fabric of the nation. | The Dispatch Staff
