Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Leh this morning to attend the closing ceremony of the birth centenary celebration of the 19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche
Kushak Bakula Rinpoche was born in Matho on May 21, 1917 and died in 2003, he was scholar of the Mahayana school of Buddhism and was head priest of the Spituk Gompa.
Kushak Bakula Rinpoche became a minister in the state government after getting elected as the member of legislative assembly of Jammu and Kashmir in 1951. He was also elected as Member of Parliament from Ladakh for two consecutive terms – 1967 and 1971. In 1989, he was appointed as India’s ambassador to Mongolia which made him the first and only Monk diplomat in the world.
PM Modi is on a day-long visit to Jammu and Kashmir – a first after the Centre announced suspension of operations against terror groups during the holy month of Ramzan.
After arriving at the Leh airport, PM Modi stopped on the streets of Leh and met people who came to welcome him. “I thank the wonderful people of Leh for the warm welcome. I am delighted to be here,” the prime minister tweeted.
While addressing the people of Leh, PM Modi said, “Jammu & Kashmir is going to get development projects worth Rs. 25,000 crore. These projects will have a positive impact on the people of the state. There is great scope for agricultural growth across the state of Jammu & Kashmir. This state can play a key role when it comes to helping further holistic healthcare.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also laid the foundation stone for the Rs 6,800-crore all weather Zojila tunnel project, spanning over 14 km. It will be the country’s longest road tunnel and Asia’s longest bi-directional tunnel, which will reduce travel time to just 15 minutes from the present three and a half hours. The tunnel is expected to be completed in 2026.
Later in the day, Prime Minister will dedicate the 330 MW Kishanganga Hydropower Station to the Nation, at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar. He will also lay the Foundation Stone of the Srinagar Ring Road.
PM Modi will also visit General Zorawar Singh Auditorium in Jammu, where he will lay the Foundation Stone of the Pakul Dul Power Project, and the Jammu Ring Road. He will also inaugurate the Tarakote Marg and Material Ropeway of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. The Tarakote Marg will facilitate pilgrims visiting the shrine.
The Ring Roads in Srinagar and Jammu are aimed at reducing traffic congestion at these cities and making road travel safer, faster, more convenient and more environment friendly.
The Prime Minister will also attend the Convocation of the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Jammu.
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