Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
A grand four-storey International Meditation Centre will be constructed near Sharnapur by the Dhammayan Educational and Charitable Trust. The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled to be held on Sunday (April 19). Deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde will attend as the chief guest, while MP Shrikant Shinde will be the welcome committee chairperson, informed the chief organiser Ven Bhikkhu M. Dhammajothy Thero during a press conference on Thursday.
The event will be presided over by state’s social justice minister Sanjay Shirsat. Several dignitaries from India and abroad are expected to attend, including Bhutan’s Home Minister, Arunachal Pradesh deputy chief minister, Sri Lankan MP, union Minister Ramdas Athawale, Minister Jaykumar Rawal, and Buddhist Mahasabha president Bhimrao Ambedkar.
The ceremony will also receive blessings from Bhadant Dhammasavak Mahasthavir (Mulawa) and Bhadant Dr Maitipe Wimalasara Mahasthavir (Sri Lanka). Other prominent attendees include minister Atul Save, mayor Sameer Rajurkar, deputy mayor Rajendra Janjal, MLAs Anuradha Chavan, Arjun Khotkar, Pradeep Jaiswal, and former ministers Rajkumar Badole and Jayant Patil.
For the convenience of attendees, Smart City buses will operate every 30 minutes from the Railway Station, Central Bus Stand, and Cidco Bus Stand between 8 am and 7 pm. The press conference was attended by Bhadant Principal Dr. Khemadhammo Mahasthavir, Bodhiratna Thero, Vijay Anand, Gurubodhi, Dr. Sanjay Pawar, Anilkumar Baste, Sanjay Dongre, C P Patil, Praful Dhope, and Vijay Salve.
Programme Schedule
The event will begin at 9 am with the hoisting of the Dhamma flag, followed by a collective Dhamma meditation session and Paritrana chanting at 9.30 am. At 12.30 pm, food donation will be provided by Bhikkhu Sangha. The main inauguration and groundbreaking ceremony will take place at 2.30 pm. The programme will be held at Gut No. 92, near Appawadi, Sharnapur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.