Bhatti reiterates support for Buddha Vanam initiative and Ambedkarite ideals

Hyderabad: Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka on Wednesday reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to the Buddha Vanam initiative and said the administration continued to draw guidance from the philosophies of Gautama Buddha and B.R. Ambedkar.

Addressing Buddhist monks from Thailand and India at Ambedkar Smriti Vanam near Necklace Road, he said the teachings of Buddha and Ambedkar offered practical responses to social challenges. He added that the government aligned its policies with those principles. Therefore, he said, the administration treated them as a framework for governance.

Labour Minister Vivek Venkataswamy, Buddha Vanam Project Officer on Special Duty Mallepalli Laxmaiah, and former Chief Secretary Kaki Madhav Rao attended the programme. Meanwhile, the monks continued their padayatra to promote world peace.

Government reiterates push for Buddha Vanam initiative

Bhatti said the government prioritised the Buddha Vanam initiative and allocated funds for its expansion. He also appointed Mallepalli Laxmaiah as OSD to coordinate related government activities. Consequently, officials began monitoring the project more closely.

He described Buddha Vanam near Nagarjuna Sagar as a key spiritual and tourism centre. The government developed the site with facilities for monks and visitors. In addition, he said the environment encouraged reflection and calm.

The Deputy Chief Minister said 70 Buddhist monks from Thailand and 30 Indian monks began their foot march on February 2 from Kalaburagi in Karnataka. Since then, they have continued the march across scheduled locations. The padayatra will conclude on March 1 at Buddha Vanam in Nagarjuna Sagar.