Buddhist nun and renowned singer Ani Choying Drolma has been appointed Vice-Chair of the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT), filling a key leadership position that had remained vacant for a prolonged period. According to Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadak Raj Paudel ‘Ganess’, the Cabinet meeting held on October 16 decided to appoint Ani Choying Drolma to the position based on a proposal from the ministry.
Five-Year Tenure Under Lumbini Development Trust Act
Ani Choying Drolma has been appointed in accordance with Section 8, Sub-section (1), Clause (b) of the Lumbini Development Trust Act, 2042 BS. Her tenure as Vice-Chair will be five years. The Lumbini Development Trust Office-Bearers Regulations, 2058 BS, also designate the Vice-Chair as the chief administrative officer of the Trust.
The appointment therefore gives Drolma both a leadership and administrative role in the organization responsible for the development and management of Lumbini. The Vice-Chair position had remained vacant for a considerable period. Her appointment is expected to provide fresh momentum to the Trust’s development, management and administrative activities.
From Buddhist Nun to Internationally Recognized Singer
Born in Kathmandu in 1970, Ani Choying Drolma entered Nagi Gompa in Shivapuri at the age of 13. She studied Buddhist mantras and religious music under the guidance of renowned Buddhist master Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. She later gained international recognition through her music and became widely known as the “Singing Nun.” Through contemporary musical performances, she has introduced Buddhist hymns and mantras to audiences around the world.
Beyond music, Ani Choying Drolma has also been actively involved in education, healthcare and humanitarian initiatives. She established the Nuns’ Welfare Foundation and Arya Tara School to support the education and health of Buddhist nuns. She also established the Aarogya Foundation in memory of her mother, supporting treatment for kidney patients.
Her social initiatives have extended to children’s healthcare, women’s empowerment and assistance to people affected by disasters. Her autobiography, Singing for Freedom, has been translated into several languages. She has also received national and international recognition for her contribution to music, social service and humanitarian causes.
Lumbini Trust Responsible for Buddhist Heritage
The Lumbini Development Trust was established by the Government of Nepal in 1985 to conserve, develop and promote Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautama Buddha. The Trust has been working on the development and management of the Lumbini area based on the Lumbini Master Plan prepared in 1978.
Its responsibilities extend beyond the Lumbini Sacred Garden to other important archaeological and historical sites associated with Buddha, including Tilaurakot, Devdaha and Ramagrama. As Lumbini is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s most important Buddhist pilgrimage destinations, the Trust plays a central role in developing the area as an international Buddhist pilgrimage and cultural center. Drolma’s appointment comes at a time when Nepal is seeking to strengthen Lumbini’s international profile, improve destination management and further promote Buddhist heritage and pilgrimage tourism.
