Bhubaneswar: When the 14th Dalai Lama, the highest spiritual leader and head of Tibetan Buddhism, lauds an administrator for their rich contribution to the faith, it signifies a legacy that transcends ordinary public service. The incumbent Dalai Lama, who served as the resident spiritual and temporal leader of Tibet before 1959 and subsequently established the Tibetan government in exile in Dharamshala, holds a revered position worldwide as a symbol of peace and spiritual preservation.
For such an eminent global figure to praise ace administrator, Shri Sanjay Kumar Singh highlights the profound, deeply emotional, and transformative impact of the bureaucrat’s work. This high recognition sets the stage for understanding a man who is not just an administrator by profession, but a Buddhist by heart, dedicated to preserving the sacred roots of the faith.
The spiritual landscape of Buddhism is shaped not just by the monks who meditate in its monasteries, but also by the visionary administrators who work tirelessly behind the scenes to preserve its sacred heritage. Among such rare administrative leaders, Shri Sanjay Kumar Singh stands out as a devotee by heart whose contribution to the Buddhist world remains exemplary. His tenure as the District Magistrate and Collector of Gaya is still spoken of with immense reverence, serving as a shining testament to how administrative willpower can safeguard ancient faith.
Dr. Mahasweta Maharathi, the Secretary of the Mahabodhi Society, frequently invokes the legacy of this dedicated Gaya Collector when discussing the protection of holy shrines. During his time in Gaya, Shri Sanjay Kumar Singh displayed a profound emotional and spiritual commitment to the Mahabodhi Mahavihar. His determination was central to the conservation and protection of both the sacred Maha Bodhi Tree, under which Prince Siddhartha attained supreme enlightenment, and the holy Mahabodhi temple itself. For millions of pilgrims worldwide, these are not merely historical structures but the very heart of their spiritual universe. By securing and preserving this holy site, he earned a permanent place in the hearts of the global Buddhist community.
Shri Sanjay Kumar Singh’s vision for transforming Odisha into a premier international destination for spiritual tourism relies heavily on elevating local heritage through global standards. As the Principal Secretary of the Works Department and Chairman of the Odisha Bridge and Construction Corporation Limited (OBCC), he has spearheaded a major initiative to rebuild the state’s historical Buddhist Circuit, directly addressing the fact that Odisha’s immense potential has historically been underrepresented on the global stage.
Refusing to compromise on the aesthetic and structural quality of this sacred transformation, Shri Singh has successfully attracted a lineup of elite global and domestic architectural consortiums to design comprehensive master plans for the historic precincts of Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri, Udayagiri, Langudi, and Dhauli.
Among the high-profile international firms roped in under his guidance is the renowned Japanese firm Kengo Kuma and Associates, partnering with domestic firm Aadharshila Designs. Led by the internationally revered architect Kengo Kuma—who designed the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Stadium—the firm specializes in seamlessly weaving natural elements into modern structures, a philosophy that deeply mirrors Buddhist mindfulness and serenity.
Additionally, Shri Singh’s initiative brought in a formidable joint venture consisting of Tractebel Engineering and RSP Architects Planners and Engineers from Singapore. These are the creative minds celebrated for monumental Asian projects like Singapore’s Jewel Changi Airport, demonstrating the precise capability needed to manage mass spiritual tourism without disturbing the peace of the sacred spaces. The project has also engaged global giants like the Australia-based PTW, famously known for designing the iconic Beijing Olympics Watercube and delivering substantial cultural revitalizations across the Asia-Pacific region.
By bringing these international visionaries to the table alongside top Indian powerhouses—such as HCP Design, the firm behind New Delhi’s Central Vista and Varanasi’s Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor—Shri Sanjay Kumar Singh ensures that Odisha’s ancient monastic clusters are structurally preserved. Under his leadership, this meticulous assembly of world-class design pioneers is weaving top-tier modern facilities with historic sanctity, creating a cohesive, international journey of peace and contemplation that honors the profound legacy of Buddhism.