By Tenzin Tsetan
DHARAMSHALA, Dec. 19: A delegation of Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) led by Prime Minister Lobsang Sangay met with Saurabh Garg, Joint Secretary, Indian Finance Ministry last week to seek the ministry’s help in tackling the cash crunch during the Kalachakra in the wake of demonetization. Also accompanying the PM was his former minister and now the representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in New Delhi, Dongchung Ngodup.
The Tibetan PM requested the Indian Finance Ministry for “provision of adequate cash availability by installing ATM machines at Kalachakra venues and enable sufficient foreign currency exchange for devotees coming from different countries.”
The Tibetan government’s official website stated, “Dr Surabh assured the Sikyong of help and assured that the Finance ministry and reserve Bank of India (RBI) will do their part to endure a successful organizing of the Kalachakra.”
The chief minister of Bihar, Shri Nitish Kumar, will personally visit Bodh Gaya on Dec. 23 to inspect and offer assistance with the preparations, added the report.
Since the demonization drive in India, ‘cash crunch’ suffered across the nation has led to difficulties and distress among the common people. With acute shortage of cash there are lots of anxieties to be expected of 200,000 or more devotees who are expected to attend the Kalachakra teachings.
The assurance from the Indian govt. in tackling such hurdles post demonetization at the one of the biggest Buddhist congregation comes as a huge relief to those who are coming from all over the world.
The organizing committee of the Kalachakra 2017 has also made options available for cashless donations and offerings at the event through cheque payment, bank transfers, credit or debit card transactions etc. “ The committee urges everyone to strictly abide by the legal compliance regulation of the host country while making donations,” stated the committee.
According to the report, the Dalai Lama will be arriving at Bodh Gaya on December 28. The 34th Kalachakra, ‘Wheel of teachings’ initiation by His Holiness will begin on January 03 onwards and the main teachings will take place from Jan 04-13, 2017.
