His
Holiness the Dalai Lama’s visit boosts business in Gangtok[Monday, 27 December 2010, 10:00 a.m.]

His Holiness the Dalai Lama pose for a photograph with teachers and students at Buddhist cultural school at Salugara on the outskirts of Siliguri on 24 December 2010. His Holiness advocates the 21st century as ‘ Century of Dialogue’ to eradicate differences and also stated that the youth would shape the 21st century while speaking to journalists on his final day visit in Salugara, India’s West Bengal state after teachings to followers in Sikkim and Kalimpong/Photo credit: Getty Images

DHARAMSHALA: His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s eight-day visit to
India’s northeastern state of Sikkim gave a major fillip to the trade
and business sector in the capital Gangtok, Asian News International
reported.”His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s visit has boosted our
tourism because so many people have come to Gangtok. They went to
Tashiding, they went to Pelling, the number of tourists, which I have
seen many religious tourists have come, disciples, there are devotees,”
said Lukendra Rasaily, the president of the Travel Agent Association of
Sikkim (TAAS) was quoted as saying by ANI.Visitors from across
the world thronged Gangtok to delivered by His Holiness the Dalai Lama
at the invitation of the state government.The sale of items,
which are an important part of Buddhist rituals, are in great demand.Tour
operators said the visit has definitely brought a good amount of people
in the region, leading to good market sales.Shopkeepers are an
elated lot, as His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s visit has given them an
opportunity to increase their sales. Tseten Norbu Bhutia, a resident,
said it is not only trade that has earned a boost but also one’s
spiritual quest. “It’s not only a big boost for the local economy but
it’s a big boost for the spiritual seekers as well,” Bhutia said.Over
30,000 devotees attended the sermon delivered by His Holiness the Dalai
Lama out of which many were foreign tourists, Buddhist monks from
across the country and abroad.His Holiness also visited the
Tibetan settlement in Ravangla in Sikkim, and Kalimpong and Salugara in
West Bengal.