MARKING HIS first official go to to the birthplace of the Buddha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday marked Buddha Purnima by laying the muse stone of a middle for Buddhist tradition and heritage in Nepal’s Lumbini — the primary such facility to be arrange by India there.
Modi later mentioned the 2 nations of “Buddha’s birth and enlightenment together have an obligation to work for the entire humanity” — and mentioned that relations between India and Nepal are “as ancient as the ocean and as stable as the Himalayas”.
“The rising and strengthening friendship between India and Nepal will work for the good thing about the whole humanity amid the type of world state of affairs that’s rising as we speak. The devotion to Lord Buddha binds us collectively, and makes us members of 1 household,” Modi said, referring to Nepal and India as “the nations of Buddha’s delivery and enlightenment”.
“The vitality of the place, the place Lord Buddha was born, offers a special feeling. I used to be joyful to see that the Mahabodhi sapling I had gifted in 2014 for this place, is now rising right into a tree,” Modi mentioned. He was referring to his first go to overseas after turning into prime minister when he had gifted a sapling introduced from Bodh Gaya.
The Prime Minister was addressing a gathering after the muse stone-laying ceremony of the India International Center for Buddhist Culture and Heritage. It is the primary heart to be established by India in Lumbini, the place a number of of the world’s main nations, together with the US and China, have facilities devoted to Buddhism.
Reiterating a Ramayana reference he had made throughout his earlier go to, Modi referred to India-Nepal ties and mentioned Lord Ram was incomplete with out Sita. “The teachings of the Buddha had universal relevance which, assisted by technology, would enrich the world,” he mentioned.
Sharing the dais with Modi, Deuba endorsed the proposal to construct a Buddhist circuit, linking Sarnath, Bodhgaya, Kushinagar and Lumbini. “The construction of the circuit, apart from binding the two countries culturally, will promote tourism,” Deuba mentioned whereas thanking Modi for India’s assist in post-earthquake reconstruction and growth.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the Indian heart shall be a ‘NetZero’ compliant advanced by way of vitality, water and waste dealing with, which is able to home prayer halls, meditation facilities, library, exhibition corridor, cafeteria, workplaces and different facilities.
On Monday, Modi was accompanied in the course of the day-long go to, which included a stopover on the seventh-century Maya Devi temple, by Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his spouse Arzu Rana Deuba. The two leaders additionally held a gathering to debate the “full range of bilateral relations”.
The two sides additionally signed six MoUs, together with a Dr Ambedkar Chair for Buddhist Studies in Lumbini Buddhist University; ICCR Chairs of Indian Studies in Tribhuvan University and Kathmandu University; and, a joint grasp’s diploma program between IIT-Madras and Kathmandu University.
There was additionally an MoU between Sutlej Jala Vidyut Nigam, a Himachal authorities subsidiary, and Nepal Electricity Authority for a 695 MW Arun-4 energy venture below which Nepal will obtain 152 MW of free electrical energy below a sharing association.
“Today’s meeting with PM @SherBDeuba was excellent. We discussed the full range of relations between India and Nepal. Key MoUs were signed which will diversify and deepen cooperation,” Modi tweeted.
“PM @narendramodi holds bilateral talks with PM @SherBDeuba in Lumbini. Opportunity to strengthen ongoing cooperation and develop new areas in our multifaceted partnership,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted in the beginning of the assembly.
This is Modi’s fifth go to to Nepal after turning into Prime Minister. Monday’s basis ceremony was carried out by monks belonging to a few main Buddhist traditions — Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana. The two prime ministers additionally unveiled a mannequin of the centre.
At the Maya Devi temple, the 2 leaders paid their respects on the marker stone contained in the premises, which is alleged to pinpoint the delivery spot of the Buddha. They additionally attended the puja carried out in accordance with Buddhist rituals and lit lamps close to the Ashoka Pillar adjoining to the temple.
Deuba additionally hosted a luncheon in honor of Modi. “Today’s visit has provided further momentum to the multifaceted partnership between the two countries and advanced cooperation in key areas, particularly in education, culture, energy and people to people exchanges,” the MEA mentioned.
“Thank you, Shree @narendramodi Jee, for visiting Lumbini on #BuddhaPurnima today. I believe your special pilgrimage to the Birthplace of Lord Buddha has further strengthened our friendship and cultural ties,” Deuba tweeted.
(With Divya A in New Delhi)
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
