“In these times of global uncertainty, the teachings of Lord Buddha can guide us,” he remarked, adding, “The principle of moderation is more relevant now than ever. Buddha’s teachings, though simple, encourage us to rise above our differences and foster a universal bond of loving kindness.”

At the Commemoration of International Day of Vesak 2025, co-hosted by Thailand and Sri Lanka, the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council chamber echoed with the chants of monks and nuns in ochre and white, invoking Buddha’s blessings for world peace.

In a video message, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated, “Buddha’s teachings of compassion, tolerance, and selfless service align deeply with the values of the United Nations. Amidst significant global challenges, we must let these timeless principles guide our path forward.”

Harish highlighted India as the birthplace of Buddhism, noting, “Vesak allows us to celebrate our shared Buddhist heritage and reaffirm the cultural and civilizational ties that connect our region.”

He referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visits to Buddhist sites in Thailand and Sri Lanka, which underscored this shared heritage. In Thailand, PM Modi visited Wat Pho temple with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, paying homage to the Reclining Buddha and offering ‘Sanghadana’ to senior monks. In Sri Lanka, he prayed at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi temple in Anuradhapura alongside President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, recognizing the temple’s significance to India’s civilizational ties with Sri Lanka. This temple features a tree grown from a cutting of the bo tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment.

On Thursday, India’s UN Mission will host a meeting titled ‘Teachings of Gautama Buddha – A Path to Internal and Global Peace.’

In Lucknow, five passengers tragically perished when a private sleeper bus traveling from Begusarai in Bihar to Delhi caught fire on Kisan Path in the Mohanlalganj area. Several others were injured in the blaze. Reports indicate that despite the fire, the bus continued moving for about a kilometer before stopping. The drivers and conductors fled the scene immediately. Passengers were rescued by police and locals, who broke the bus’s windows to help them escape.

Fire brigade units arrived and managed to extinguish the flames within approximately thirty minutes. Sadly, the bodies of the five victims were found completely burned inside the bus.

Preliminary reports suggest there were around 80 passengers on board, including two children, two women, and one man. The accident occurred around 5 a.m., when most were asleep. A short circuit is believed to have caused the fire. The deceased have been identified as Lakhi Devi (55), Soni (26), Devraj (3), Sakshi Kumari (2), and an unidentified male.

In a separate incident in Balrampur, five family members were killed when their SUV collided head-on with a truck on NH 730 near Chakwa Chowki. They were returning from a wedding in Shravasti at the time of the crash. Additionally, six others sustained injuries in this accident.