Satish Sharma inaugurates photo
exhibition on Ambaran "Buddhist Citadel" in New Delhi
Reiterates government's commitment to
promote Akhnoor on tourist map of India
NEW DELHI, APRIL
02: Minister for FCS&CA, Transport, Youth Services and Sports, Information
Technology, Science and Technology, ARI and Trainings, Satish Sharma, today
inaugurated 40 day long photo exhibition on Ambaran "The historical
Buddhist Citadel" at Ajanta Hall of National Museum in New Delhi.
The exhibition was
jointly organised by the National Museum of India and Centre for Himalayan
Asian Studies and Engagement (CHASE) New Delhi. The photographs have been
clicked by veteran photographer Vijay Kranti and his son Akshat Kranti.
While speaking on
the occasion, the Minister remembered the efforts of his father late Madan Lal
Sharma, who was also Member Parliament, in preserving his historic site which
has religious significance to Buddhists.
Satish Sharma said
that the photographers of this exhibition acknowledge years of dedicated
efforts of former MP late Madan Lal Sharma and his efforts at putting Ambaran
and Akhnoor on the national map of Buddhist tourism.
The Minister said
that the site is known for its terracotta figures that included Buddha heads of
various sizes and ornately dressed male and female statues, with clearly seen
influences of the Graeco-Buddhist and Gandhara schools of art.
The Minister, while
sharing the message of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, asserted that the
government has placed special emphasis on promoting the rich cultural heritage
of J&K and it's tourism.
Satish Sharma said
that Akhnoor is blessed with five extraordinary cultural historical natural and
technological specialities which are the Buddhist Monastic site of Ambaran, the
Akhnoor fort, the Jia Pota Ghat, Chenab river and peaceful facet at Akhnoor. It
is government 's commitment to promote and place Akhnoor on the tourist map of
India, he added.
Satish Sharma also
informed that similar kind of photo exhibitions will also be held in Jammu and
Srinagar after the conclusion of this exhibition.
The Minister
concluded that this exhibition is a photographic tribute to the archeologists
of India and people of Akhnoor.
Pertinent to
mention that, Ambaran is one of the latest historical findings of Archeological
Survey of India and the oldest Buddhist site found so far in Jammu, Kashmir and
Ladakh which is situated at the bank of chenab river. The highest spritual
leader and head of Tibetan Buddhism,14th
Dalai Lama had visited this ancient site in November 2012.