Peace will ensure faster economic growth: Dalai Lama

Vijayawada: The spiritual leader of the Tibetan Buddhists, the Dalai Lama, on Thursday said the economy would flourish where there is peace.

“This is my second visit to Amaravati and I am happy to be here,” he said, recalling his trip in 2006 to attend the Buddhist conclave, the Kalachakra.
He was in the city to participate in the National Women’s Parliament here.

“Making Amaravati, the capital of new Andhra Pradesh, is a welcome move and I wish it develops well on all fronts. This heritage city has undergone a lot of change over the years,” said the Dalai Lama, who is on a two-day visit to the state. The Air India flight from Delhi to Vijayawada, in which the Dalai Lama travelled, was delayed due to fog at Gannavaram airport.

AP Speaker Kodela Siva Prasada Rao, ministers Palle Raghunatha Reddy and D. Umamaheswara Rao, Vijayawada police commissioner Gautam Sawang and received the Dalai Lama at the airport.

On Friday, the Dalai Lama will attend the inaugural session of the National Women’s Parliament, being organised by the AP Legislative Assembly at Pavitra Sangamam on the outskirts of Vijayawada.

The Buddhist spiritual guru later visited the historic Amaravati village and conducted religious rituals. He also inspected the Dhyana Buddha project, which is being developed by the state government.