UN associated with Lumbini’s development: PM
Kathmandu/Bhairahawa, Oct. 31
The Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio
Guterres, on Tuesday reached Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, and wished
for world peace to end the conflicts that are happening around the globe.
After visiting the Mayadevi temple here, he also called for ending
the conflict in the Middle East and other regions. According to him, Buddha's
philosophy of Panchsheela and the mission of the United Nations are compatible.
"Peace and humanity are indispensable issues, humanity
should not be allowed to die," he said, "Buddha's message,
Panchsheel's principles and the mission of the United Nations are similar. Let’s
all learn from this source of peace, go around Lumbini."
Stating that he is very happy to come to Lumbini, Guterres expressed
concerns over the effects of climate change. He stressed the need for
collective action to prevent the effects of climate change.
The UN Secretary-General lit the lamp at the Shanti Deep,
reached the Mayadevi Temple and visited the temple and planted a tree there. He
walked from Shanti Deep to Mayadevi temple.
He also participated in the reception of the Lumbini
Development Fund. According to Sanuraja Shakya, Member Secretary of the LDF,
Guterres was welcomed by Lumbini viharas, Buddhist gurus, local mothers' groups
of Lumbini Cultural Municipality, monks and nuns, members of Tharu community
and other ethnic groups.
Likewise, Secretary-General Guterres signed the visitor's
book. It is expected that the Secretary General's visit to Lumbini will further
spread the message of peace from Lumbini and Gautama Buddha around the world
and will help in the promotion of tourism in the Lumbini area.
Secretary General Guterres, who visited Lumbini for the
first time, was welcomed by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda,
Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Sudan Kiranti, Lumbini Chief
Minister Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary, State Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil
Aviation Sushila Sripali, Lumbini Development Fund Vice President, Lharkyal
Lama and others.
Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Prachanda said that
the visit of the Secretary General bears a special significance.
"It is not only a continuum of successive visits by the
Secretaries General of the United Nations. Rather it represents your thoughtful
step in consolidating the symbiotic relationship that exists between the core
values of peace, harmony and understanding that this sacred place stands for
and the Charter of the United Nations that seeks to protect and promote the
same values globally," he said.
PM Prachanda recalled that the United Nations has long been
associated with the development of Lumbini.
“It started with the UNDP- UNDP-commissioned master plan by
Japanese architect Kenzo Tange in 1972. Since then, the UN has been playing an
important role in developing Lumbini into a major center of pilgrimage and
tourism, promoting peace and harmony. In 1997, the United Nations declared
Lumbini a World Heritage Site, recognising its historical and cultural
significance on the global stage,” the PM said.
Prime Minister Prachanda also said that Nepali people have
demonstrated exemplary resilience in pursuit of peace. The home-grown,
nationally owned and led peace process has successfully transitioned the
country to a state of stability and peace, he said.
"As a leader who has led the decisive struggle for
change and transformation of the country and as one of the key players who
successfully led the process to transform armed conflict into a peace process,
I understand the value of peace and the cost of conflict," he said.
"We believe that our peace process could be a good
example for countries and societies facing similar situations. We will be more
than happy to contribute to building a global knowledgebase of conflict
management by sharing our experiences of uniquely successful peace process,"
he further said.
He informed the visiting Secretary General that Nepal is engaged
in concluding the remaining task of the peace process- the transitional justice
system. "Our ultimate aim is to ensure lasting peace and harmony in the
country. This objective will continue guiding our all efforts towards
completing this task. We count on the international community’s goodwill and
understanding in this regard," he stated.
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