Minister calls for protection of religious heritage

Dr Ramesh says Manikyala Stupa is on target of land mafia

Zulfiqar Baig June 23, 2023

Buddhist stupa near Shingardar village. PHOTO: FAZAL KHALIQ/EXPRESS

ISLAMABAD:

Minister of State Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani has said that the historical and ancient heritage in the country is an example of its own, but unfortunately, like other minority places in the country, Manikyala Stupa, a great symbol of the Gandhara period, is also on the target of the land mafia owing to which the future of the ancient heritage has become bleak.

Talking to The Express Tribune, the state minister said: “We have to take effective measures to protect this heritage.”

Ambassador of Kenya Nyambura Kamau was also present during the visit to the historic Manikyala Stupa near Rawat under the auspices of the Prime Minister's Task Force on Gandhara Tourism.

Dr Vankwani explained that the visit to Manikyala Stupa, the holiest place in Buddhism, was part of the weekly visits to promote Gandhara tourism. “We have been active in the promotion of religious tourism in Pakistan for several years,” he said.

The minister said he believed that to highlight the positive image of the country in the eyes of the international community and for economic stability, religious tourism, especially at the diplomatic level, the influx of Buddhist tourists from friendly countries such as Nepal, China, Korea, Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Indonesia and Malaysia is inevitable.

“When I was entrusted with the responsibilities of the Prime Minister's Task Force on Gandhara Tourism as the Chairman and Minister of State, I decided to start a weekly series of visits to the archaeological sites of the Gandhara civilisation, especially the Buddhist holy places, across the country,” he said and added that Wednesday was attributed to Gautama Buddha.

Buddhists believe that Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment in his birth as a prince at the Manikyala Stupa. When he saw a lioness and her seven cubs starving with hunger, he offered his sacrifice to save the lives of the speechless animals.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 23^rd, 2023.