Karnataka: Barack Obama, Dalai Lama to visit Mandya in December

The sugarcane producing district of Mandya, which is almost 100 km from Bengaluru, will host former US president Barack Obama and Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama this year in December. The world leaders will lay the foundation stone of the International Yoga and Meditation center that is being built by US surgeon general Dr. Vivek Murthy’s family in their hometown Hallegere.

Murthy’s father Dr. Laxmi Narasimha Murthy, and officials from the Bhutayi Trust met chief minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday, along with Mandya District in charge Minister Cheluvarayaswamy. The delegation asked the CM to provide necessary infrastructure for the visit, like a helipad, road, drains, electricity, drinking water etc. in Hallegere.

Dr. Laxmi Narasimha Murthy, who has inherited 13 acres of land in the area, is developing the centre at cost of about Rs 80 crore from Bhutayi Trust.


The CM expressed his approval for the project, lauding the foundation for the work they had done. “We will provide all necessary support. I will soon call a meeting of the officials and discuss the related issues,” he said.