With reduced number of teaching programs from His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala, the local business community laments of it hurting their business. The community representatives have also reported about the problem to the office of the chief minister of the state.

While most of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s teachings during the winter season being held in Bodhgaya consecutively for the past couple of years, the members of the Dharamsala Hotel and Restaurant Association claim that it has significantly reduced religious tourism there

“With the Dalai Lama shifting most of his teaching sessions to Bodhgaya in Bihar, people associated with the tourism industry in the region are crying hoarse. Members of the Dharamsala Hotel and Restaurant Association alleged that the spiritual and religious tourism associated with the Dalai Lama had reduced, hitting the industry hard.” report the Tribune on Thursday.

Sanjeev Gandhi, General Secretary of the association is also reported to have said that earlier the Dalai Lama used to carry out a lot of teaching sessions and religious activities in Dharamsala. This used to provide business to the local hotels and other stakeholders of the industry throughout the year. However, now, at least for winters, the entire activity of the Dalai Lama gets shifted to Bodhgaya.

The association has also blamed the state government has not being able to utilize the full potential of the benefit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s presence in the state.

The Chief Minister of the state Jai Ram Thakur on several occasions have expressed his gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s presence in Dharamsala that turned the place into a world tourism destination. The Chief Minister has also assured the association to raise the issue with the Central Tibetan Administration and the His Holiness the Dalai Lama

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