Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadak Raj (Ganess) Poudel has unveiled a statue of Lord Gautama Buddha at the Embassy of Nepal in London as part of an initiative to promote Nepal’s Buddhist heritage and strengthen the country’s global cultural identity. The statue was unveiled during a special ‘Nepal Evening’ programme organised at the Nepalese Embassy. Member of the House of Representatives of Nepal, Manish Jha, was also present at the event.
Buddha Statue to Strengthen Nepal’s Cultural Identity
The installation of the Buddha statue at the Nepalese Embassy in London is being viewed as an important initiative to reinforce Nepal’s identity as the birthplace of Lord Gautama Buddha and promote its rich Buddhist heritage internationally. Addressing the programme, Minister Poudel described Lord Buddha as Nepal’s global ambassador of peace and compassion. He appreciated the initiative and emphasised the importance of promoting Buddha’s universal message of peace, compassion and harmony among the international community. Acting Ambassador of Nepal to the United Kingdom, Bipin Duwadi, also praised the initiative led by the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), recognising its contribution to promoting Nepal’s Buddhist heritage and cultural identity on the global stage.
NRNA Launches Global Buddha Statue Campaign
The Buddha statue was installed through the initiative of the NRNA International Coordination Council (ICC) in collaboration with NRNA National Coordination Council UK (NCC UK) and the Buddha Foundation UK. The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) provided support for transporting the statue from Nepal to the United Kingdom. The initiative represents a collaborative effort among NRNA, tourism institutions, diplomatic missions and Nepali communities to promote Nepal’s Buddhist heritage internationally.
Som Nath Sapkota, spokesperson of NRNA ICC and chair of its Tourism Promotion Committee, led and coordinated the project. According to Sapkota, the statue installed at the Nepalese Embassy in London is the first statue under NRNA’s global initiative. The Association is now advancing preparations to install additional Buddha statues at Nepalese embassies and diplomatic missions in different countries. Following the London installation, preparations are underway to install a Buddha statue at the Embassy of Nepal in Portugal. Similar initiatives are being explored at other Nepalese diplomatic missions based on their respective requirements and priorities.
Target to Install 10 Buddha Statues Worldwide
NRNA is mobilising its internal resources and coordinating with sculptors, ICC office-bearers and National Coordination Councils (NCCs) to expand the campaign. Through the collective participation of NRNA leaders, NCCs, partner organisations and the wider Nepali diaspora, the Association has set a target of installing 10 Buddha statues at Nepalese diplomatic missions worldwide. As part of a related initiative, NRNA is also planning to install an additional 6.2-inch metal Buddha statue at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion in Australia, in collaboration with NRNA Australia.
Promoting Lumbini and Spiritual Tourism
The broader objective of the campaign is to promote Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Gautama Buddha, as an internationally recognised Buddhist pilgrimage destination and a major centre for spiritual tourism and cultural exchange. NRNA is working in collaboration with the Nepal Tourism Board and local governments along the Buddhist Circuit to promote Nepal’s Buddhist heritage and strengthen the country’s spiritual tourism potential. The initiative is also expected to contribute to Nepal’s cultural diplomacy by using the global network of the Nepali diaspora to increase international awareness of Nepal’s Buddhist heritage and pilgrimage destinations.
Nepal Evening Strengthens UK Tourism Partnerships
The Buddha statue unveiling was held alongside the ‘Nepal Evening’ programme, which also served as a platform to strengthen tourism partnerships and business relations between Nepal and the United Kingdom. Organised in collaboration with the Nepal Tourism Board, the programme brought together British tour operators, tourism professionals, Nepali tourism entrepreneurs and members of the Nepali diaspora for discussions on bilateral tourism cooperation and future business opportunities.
Destination presentations and promotional materials showcased Nepal’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, adventure tourism, spiritual tourism and diverse tourism destinations. The event also featured cultural performances highlighting Nepal’s traditional arts, culture and heritage. A total of 32 tourism entrepreneurs and representatives from Nepal, along with tourism-sector representatives from the United Kingdom and members of the Nepali diaspora, participated in the programme. The event provided an opportunity to showcase Nepal’s tourism potential while exploring avenues for expanding tourism businesses, professional networks and long-term cooperation between Nepal and the UK.
NRNA Mobilises Global Nepali Network
With a global network spanning more than 90 countries, NRNA has been playing an important role in connecting Nepal with international travel markets, cultural institutions, investors, and business communities. Through its International Coordination Council, National Coordination Councils and thematic committees, the Association has continued to promote Nepal’s travel, culture, heritage, investment opportunities and international partnerships. The Buddha statue campaign represents an effort to mobilise this global network to strengthen Nepal’s cultural diplomacy and international identity.
The unveiling of the Buddha statue at the Nepalese Embassy in London marks an important milestone in promoting Nepal’s Buddhist heritage and strengthening cultural and diplomatic connections. The initiative reflects the collective commitment of NRNA ICC, NRNA NCC UK, Buddha Foundation UK, NTB, Nepalese diplomatic missions and Nepali communities worldwide to share Lord Buddha’s universal message of peace, compassion and harmony with the global community.
