Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, has been proclaimed as the land of shared faith and peace by the Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Badri Pandey. He made this declaration while addressing the main ceremony of the 2569th Buddha Jayanti and Lumbini Day 2082 on Monday.
Lumbini: The Birth Place of Gautam Buddha
During his speech, Minister Pandey highlighted that Lord Buddha is the eternal light of humanity, whose teachings of compassion, wisdom, and harmony continue to inspire the path of righteousness and global peace. “The birth place of Gautam Buddha is a symbol of shared reverence, and the message of Buddha is for the welfare of all living beings,” he said.
The Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to establishing Lumbini as a global center for spiritual study, reflection, and contemplation. He also emphasized the reactivation of the International Committee for the broader interest of Lumbini.
Minister Pandey further stated that beyond religious or cultural differences, the birth place of Gautam buddha stands as a sacred platform to promote global peace and the welfare of all humanity. “Every step we take for Lumbini must be cautious and respectful to preserve its sanctity and legacy for generations to come,” he added.
On the issue of airport operations, the Minister mentioned that the government is serious about ensuring full operation of Bhairahawa and Pokhara international airports. While implementation plans have been prepared, he acknowledged some existing challenges in execution. He assured that an inter-ministerial meeting led by the Prime Minister would be held on Jestha 7 to resolve the remaining issues.
