Lumbini mesmerizes UN Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon

On his two day visit to Nepal, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited Lumbini-the sacred birthplace of Lord Buddha, one of the most popular site for tourists in general and global Buddhist community in particular on November 1, 2008. Hon'ble Minister for Culture & State Restructuring and Chairman of Lumbini Development Trust Mr. Gopal Kiranty and executive committee members welcome to the Secretary-General and entourage. Former UN Secretary General U Thant who visited Lumbini 1967 initiated the Lumbini Restoration project and the Lumbini Master Plan(LMP) is the result of his untiring effort.

After his short trip to holy shrine, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon writes in the visitor's book of Lumbini Development Trust," I am awestruck by the beauty and profound significance of this sacred site, the birthplace of Lord Buddha.

I am moved by the life journey of Prince who left behind all comfortable circumstances to comfort the hard realities of life, late becoming founder of one of the largest religions.

As Secretary General of the United Nations, I sincerely hope that the life, philosophy and the teaching of Lord Buddha will guide us to promote peace, harmony and reconciliation among people of different religions, belief, culture and creed."

UN Secretary General Ban also inspected various monuments, monasteries and other places of archeological importance, including the Mayadevi Temple, the Ashoka Pillar and Sacred Pond during the visit. Hon'ble Gopal Kiranty handover 2 points memorandum and token of love to the Secretary-General and  Dr. Keshab Man Shakya Vice Chairman of LDT, briefed and present power point about LMP, which was designed by world, renewed Japanese Architect late Prof. Kenzo Tange in 1978, and about the UN assistance so far for its development.

Of the five UN General Secretaries who have visited Nepal, U.Thant in 1967, Kurt Waldeim in 1979, Javier Prezde Cuellar in 1989 and Ban is the fourth one to visit the birthplace of Buddha. Lumbini is a major pilgrimage site for more than 350 million Buddhists spreading all over the world. Recently conducted survey shows that the segment of pilgrimage visitors to Nepal has increased considerably over the last few years and, Lumbini is expected to attract a large number of Buddhist pilgrimage tourists in near future. Last year 71,053 (except Nepali & Indian) from 84 countries visited Lumbini. This year, 65062 tourists have already visited Lumbini from 86 countries till October. To achieve substantial growth in tourism industry through new programmes, the Government has also declared 2011 as "Nepal Tourism Year" to revolutionize the tourism sector. Since peace and stability has already been established in Nepal, New Nepal is embracing all kind of social, economical and political agendas to keep country's economic prosperity on the track focusing particularly on tourism.

Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha, UNESCO World Heritage Site presently has been better exposed to the global people. The number of tourists has increased in Lumbini in the year 2007. The tourist arrival data of the Information Centre, Lumbini Development Trust shows that the tourists have been increased by 43.26 % in this year. The total number of tourists' was 49595 in 2006. It has increases to 71053 in 2007 except Nepalese and Indian Nationals. Tourists and pilgrims from 85 countries have visited Lumbini this year. The tentative data shows approx: 400000 tourists from Nepal and India visited Lumbini in 2007. The main reasons for inspiring growth in 2007 in tourists arrivals in Lumbini is because of peace process, political stability, the rapid development of Lumbini master plan project components and promotional activities of Lumbini.

 Sri-Lankan pilgrims topped the highest number of visitors to Lumbini in the year 2007, counting 30375. Visitors from Thailand, South Korea, Myanmar, Japan and China are 12880, 5219, 3641, 2681 and 2175 respectively. Visitors from new 9 countries like Macedonia, Peru, Laos, Guatemala, Brunei, Bosnia etc. has also visited Lumbini in the year 2007. There is a great charm of religious and spiritual tourism in the recent days.

Chinese delegation in Lumbini
25 September, 2007

A high -level Chinese delegation led by the Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Mr. Wang Zhongyu, visits the Sacred Birthplace of Lord Buddha on September 25, 2007.

The Member of Parliament Hon'ble Gobinda Bahadur Shah and ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Nepal H.E. Zheng Xianglin accompanied during the visit. The Vice-Chairman of Lumbini Development Trust Dr. Keshab Man Shakya, Treasurar Mr. Majhilal Tharu Thanet, Member Secretary Mr. Ramlal Shrestha, Chief District Officer, Rupandehi, Mr. Dhruba Wagle, Superintendent of Police Mr. Rabi Raj Shrestha, Superintendent of Armed Police Force Mr. Bamshi Dahal, Chairman of Siddharthanagar Chamber of Commerce & Industry Mr. Krishna Prasad Sharma and Chief of Gautam Buddha Airport Mr. Chendreshor Pandey welcome to the delegation at Gautam Buddha Airport Siddharthanagar, Bhairahwa meanwhile National and International Monks/ Nun's,  Staffs of the Lumbini Development Trust welcome at the Mayadevi Complex. Welcoming to the delegation Dr.Keshab Man Shakya said that Nepal and China have a long and very good relationship from the time immemorial. He further added the contributions of Nepalese princess Bhrikuti and renowned artist Araniko were milestones at building relations between the two countries. Mr. Krishna Prasad Dhakal explained the Master plan and highlighted present situations of development. The delegation paid homage to the sacred birthplace of Lord Buddha and visits Chinese Monastery.

28th World Tourism Day celebrated
27 September, 2007

Speaker of Sri-Lanka His Excellency W. J. M. Lokubandara and high-level officials paid visit to holy birthplace of the lord Buddha Lumbini on 15 August, 2007.  The Rt. Hon'ble Speaker of Parliament Mr. Subash Nembang cordially invites to visit Nepal.  HE Speaker was accompanied by His Excellency Sumith Nakandala, Sri-Lankan Ambassador to Nepal and personal secretaries and representative of Parliament Secretariat, Nepal

Honorable Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and Chairman of Lumbini Development Trust Mr. Prithvi Subba Gurung visited to the sacred birth place of Lord Buddha Lumbini on 5 - 6 August, 2007. Newly appointed Vice-Chairman of Lumbini Development Trust Dr. Keshab Man Shakya accompanied the Minister. The employees of the trust hearty welcomed the team. The team had a discussion and interaction with staff and officials of the trust regarding present activities of LDT.  The team with schedule of formal and informal meetings stationed at Lumbini. The Trust warmly received Hon'ble Mr. Madhav Kumar Nepal, General Secretary of CPN UML as VIP guest. General Secretary Nepal gave directions to the staffs and Minister speaking at the welcome program. Minister Gurung described about the potential of Lumbini to boost whole economy of the nation. He added that the Ministry is lobbying various national and international parties for development of Lumbini and expressed his hope that Lumbini would get speedy development in leadership of Dr. Shakya. Vice Chairman Dr. Shakya expressed his vision making analysis of stakeholders of Lumbini. Project Manager Mr. Krishna Prasad Dhakal briefed about the master plan of Lumbini and current development activity of trust and Mr. Hari Dhoj Rai, an information official threw light on tourist travel trend in years. Mr. Ramlal Shrestha, the Member Secretary of the Trust, had conducted the program.
  
The Minister and Vice Chairman inspected present development activities and gave necessary instruction to the staffs. The staffs have been highly motivated by the visit of General Secretary Mr. Nepal and the Minister.  The visit has circulated new and fresh inspiration among the staff.