China on Lumbini Recovery Project: Let it go ahead
Yuba Nath Lamsal
Buddhism is a vital link between Nepal and China and an important basis for
bilateral relations both at official as well as popular levels. The
relations between Nepal and China have existed from ancient time. Different
personalities and people at different interval of time have played crucial
and constructive role in nurturing and enriching the goodwill, bond of
friendship and cooperation in varied fields between these two neighbors. The
recurring and sustained exchanges of visits between leaders, scholars,
religious personalities, businessmen and people of different vocations
including artists and craftsmen have further deepened the bond of friendship
between Nepal and China.
Buddhism has served as a strongest thread to tie the people of two countries
together right from the ancient time to the present era. A man who was born
on the soil of Nepal over 2600 years ago attained highest form of spiritual
enlightenment or Boddisattwa through his constant meditation, research and
hard work to ultimately become Buddha and to be revered all over the world
as an apostle of peace and non-violence. Originated from Nepal, Buddhism is
preached and practiced by, perhaps, the largest number of people in the
world. Now Buddhism is the mainstream religion in many countries like China,
Japan, Korea, Thailand, Myanmar and Sri Lanka and it is one of the main
religions in many countries like Nepal and India.
Lumbini, situated in southern plain of Nepal, is the birth place of Lord
Buddha. Like Mecca for Muslims and Jerusalem for Christians, Lumbini is the
important pilgrimage for Buddhists all over the world. Lumbini has not only
a pilgrimage for Buddhist believers but also an international archeological
site, which has been designated by the United Nations Educational, Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) as a world heritage site. However, the place which is
so important archeologically, religiously and culturally, is in the desolate
state. Despite efforts from the government of Nepal and several
international organizations including the United Nations, Lumbini is in the
state of neglect which is a matter of great worry for all Nepalese people as
well the Buddhist believers in the world.
Nepalese are proud because of several world renowned natural, cultural and
religious sites. Lumbini is one of them. If Lumbini was developed properly
and marketed, Nepal's tourism industry could bounce. It would not only help
Nepal economically but Nepal could also be taken as a country of global
strategic importance.
Recently, a new praiseworthy initiative has been taken to develop Lumbini as
an international pilgrimage and spiritual center. The initiative has come
from non-governmental sector. The Asia and Pacific Exchange and Cooperation
(APEC), a non-governmental organization with representation from various
countries, has come up with a proposal for the development of Lumbini as a
Buddhist satellite city and also an international Buddhist religious and
cultural hub.
The APEC is a non-governmental organization, which has already declared that
it would collect three billion dollars and invest in for the development
Lumbini, including construction of an international airport, railway track,
international convention center, communication center, broad band internet
facilities, hospitals, conference halls, schools and a university. For this
it has already signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations
Industrial Development Organization. As an NGO, the APEC has planned to
collect the proposed amount through private sector. This was revealed from
the members of APEC delegation that recently visited Nepal for the
inspection of the site-Lumbini.
Some people including media both in Nepal and India have raised alarms and
tried to create controversy on the project suspecting the involvement of
Chinese government in the area close to border with India. However, the
government of China has nothing to do with the project which is entirely
funded by private sector and is to be implemented by people who are
interested to develop the birth place of Lord Buddha. Vice president of APEC
Jaio Yuan, who led the inspection team, told the media persons in Kathmandu
recently that the government of China has no investment and involvement in
the project.
The development of Lumbini had been raised for a long time. But nothing
concrete was done in the past. U Thant, then secretary general of the United
Nations and also a devout Buddhist, visited this sacred site in 1967 and
virtually cried to see the neglected state of Lumbini. U Thant then drew
international attention to Lumbini and called for contribution for the
development of this site. Hard pressed Nepal government decided to develop
Lumbini as a special zone and to turn it into an international tourist
destination as well as religious place. The government of Nepal hired a
Japanese architect Kenzo Tange to draw a master plan for Lumbini development
in 1972. Tange completed the design of ' Lumbini Mater Plan' and handed over
it to Nepal Government. Despite commitment expressed by the Nepal Government
to develop Lumbini as per the Master Plan, the work so far has been in
snail's pace. As a result, Lumbini still continues to be in a desolate
state.
Now the APEC has come up with intention, fund and plan for the development
of Lumbini, Which has definitely revived optimism. The Lumbini development
work began almost 40 years ago during the tenure of a Buddhist UN secretary
general U Thant. It may a mere coincidence but the concrete work for total
transformation of Lumbini into a pure international Buddhist site has taken
place at the time of another devout Buddhist UN secretary general-Ban-
ki-Moon, who hails from South Korea. Like, U Thant, Ban, too, has especial
interest for the development of Lumbini.
The APEC project on Lumbini, if it at all kicks off, would have its
multi-dimensional impact on Nepal. It would be definitely an international
Buddhist center and also an international tourist hub. By taking up this
project and expressing commitment to collect three billion US dollars for
the project, the APEC has been able to win the heart of millions of
Buddhists both in Nepal and outside. This project would be constructed in
way that would keep all historical, archeological, religious and spiritual
aspects intact, which would help creating a tourist and spiritual place at
par with international excellence. As it plans to construct, an
international airport, convention center and other international level's
infrastructure, it would help Nepal's tourism industry.
Despite rhetoric of Nepal Government to construct a second international
airport outside the Kathmandu Valley, it has so far not materialized.
However, the APEC project aims at constructing an international airport in
Lumbini which would help Nepal's development, to a large degree. More than
that, the project is in Nepal's strategic and economic interest. Firstly,
the project would foil the ill-intentioned propaganda of our southern
neighbor which claims time and often that Lord Buddha was born in India.
New Delhi has deliberately trying to misinform the word with the objective
of brining more tourists to India. Although the world knows well that Lord
Buddha was born in Nepal and India's claim is just rubbish, the new project
would further counter India's propaganda machine. Secondly, the project is
important for Nepal from strategic point of view as well. In addition to
this, Nepal would be on global spotlight as a must visit country in the
world. This would further boost Nepal's tourism industry which would have
far-reaching impact on Nepal's overall economy.
India is now instigating some media and people in Nepal against this
project. With instruction and help from our southern neighbor, a section of
our media fraternity, too, is creating unnecessary controversy. India is
always trying to scuttle international investment in Nepal-be it in
religious, hydro-power or other development activities. It would be
worthwhile to mention a fact how India scuttles international development
cooperation and investment in Nepal. A few decades ago, when the government
of China and Nepal agreed to construct bridges along the western section of
the East-West Highway, India objected it and finally got it cancelled. As a
result, it took more than three decades to construct 22 bridges. Similarly,
when World Bank was about to invest in Nepal for the construction of 402
megawatt Arun III project, India pulled the wire from behind which led to
cancellation of the World Bank's assistance. Had the Arun II not obstructed,
Nepal would not have been reeling under severe load-shedding as it is facing
today. It should also be mentioned that India had vehemently opposed the
construction of Kodari Highway that was built with assistance from China.
This is evident of the fact that India always tries to obstruct Nepal's
development and any international assistance. This is because New Delhi
wants Nepal to remain a backward country so that it would be safe and easier
to control and intervene in the affairs of Nepal. The attitude of India
about the Lumbini project can be likened to the popular Nepali adage: '
'Monkey neither builds its own house nor does it let others do it'.
Moreover, the intention of China and Chinese people about Lumbini and other
development assistance and cooperation to Nepal should not be suspected. The
Chinese assistance has always been selfless and purely motivated by its
desire to help development of Nepal. So far as Lumbini is concerned, Chinese
regard Lumbini as the sacred place and they would never play politics over
Lumbini. Chinese scholars like Fi'xian and Xuan-zhang and Buddabarta had
visited Lumbini and written about it on their travel accounts even in the
ancient time, which helped popularize Lumbini among the Chinese people. This
is an example of how Chinese have been deeply interested about Lumbini and
want to develop it. Fi'xian and Xuan-Zhang had long ago been felt upset to
see Lumbini in a deserted condition. After the demise of Lord Buddha,
Taulihawa kingdom was attacked and all Shakyas were massacred. Since all
people fled either to the
south or the north, Tilaurakot, capital of Taulihawa kingdom, and Lumbini
were deserted.
The Lumbini project which is being taken up by APEC is, perhaps, the largest
project ever initiated in the non-governmental sector. Indian media have
already started spitting venom against this project and some Nepali media,
too, are echoing the same voice. Media people have raised with prominence
the hush-hush approach of APEC with regard to Lumbini project. In the
absence of transparency and publicity, there had been some apprehension and
confusion in Nepal about the project. Now it is clear that the project is
being funded solely for Nepal's benefit and it would be the duty of Nepali
patriotic people not to sway by the disinformation and propaganda of India
and India-funded media here in Nepal but to extend meaningful help to
implement and complete the project. The project aims at changing the face of
Lumbini and creating an international spiritual center. But one thing the
APEC and the Government of Nepal need to take into account is the fact that
they should ensure greater transparency on the activities of the project so
that there would not be any kind of apprehension, misunderstanding and
misconception.
Buddhism is a vital link between Nepal and China and an important basis for
bilateral relations both at official as well as popular levels. The
relations between Nepal and China have existed from ancient time. Different
personalities and people at different interval of time have played crucial
and constructive role in nurturing and enriching the goodwill, bond of
friendship and cooperation in varied fields between these two neighbors. The
recurring and sustained exchanges of visits between leaders, scholars,
religious personalities, businessmen and people of different vocations
including artists and craftsmen have further deepened the bond of friendship
between Nepal and China.
Buddhism has served as a strongest thread to tie the people of two countries
together right from the ancient time to the present era. A man who was born
on the soil of Nepal over 2600 years ago attained highest form of spiritual
enlightenment or Boddisattwa through his constant meditation, research and
hard work to ultimately become Buddha and to be revered all over the world
as an apostle of peace and non-violence. Originated from Nepal, Buddhism is
preached and practiced by, perhaps, the largest number of people in the
world. Now Buddhism is the mainstream religion in many countries like China,
Japan, Korea, Thailand, Myanmar and Sri Lanka and it is one of the main
religions in many countries like Nepal and India.
Lumbini, situated in southern plain of Nepal, is the birth place of Lord
Buddha. Like Mecca for Muslims and Jerusalem for Christians, Lumbini is the
important pilgrimage for Buddhists all over the world. Lumbini has not only
a pilgrimage for Buddhist believers but also an international archeological
site, which has been designated by the United Nations Educational, Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) as a world heritage site. However, the place which is
so important archeologically, religiously and culturally, is in the desolate
state. Despite efforts from the government of Nepal and several
international organizations including the United Nations, Lumbini is in the
state of neglect which is a matter of great worry for all Nepalese people as
well the Buddhist believers in the world.
Nepalese are proud because of several world renowned natural, cultural and
religious sites. Lumbini is one of them. If Lumbini was developed properly
and marketed, Nepal's tourism industry could bounce. It would not only help
Nepal economically but Nepal could also be taken as a country of global
strategic importance.
Recently, a new praiseworthy initiative has been taken to develop Lumbini as
an international pilgrimage and spiritual center. The initiative has come
from non-governmental sector. The Asia and Pacific Exchange and Cooperation
(APEC), a non-governmental organization with representation from various
countries, has come up with a proposal for the development of Lumbini as a
Buddhist satellite city and also an international Buddhist religious and
cultural hub.
The APEC is a non-governmental organization, which has already declared that
it would collect three billion dollars and invest in for the development
Lumbini, including construction of an international airport, railway track,
international convention center, communication center, broad band internet
facilities, hospitals, conference halls, schools and a university. For this
it has already signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations
Industrial Development Organization. As an NGO, the APEC has planned to
collect the proposed amount through private sector. This was revealed from
the members of APEC delegation that recently visited Nepal for the
inspection of the site-Lumbini.
Some people including media both in Nepal and India have raised alarms and
tried to create controversy on the project suspecting the involvement of
Chinese government in the area close to border with India. However, the
government of China has nothing to do with the project which is entirely
funded by private sector and is to be implemented by people who are
interested to develop the birth place of Lord Buddha. Vice president of APEC
Jaio Yuan, who led the inspection team, told the media persons in Kathmandu
recently that the government of China has no investment and involvement in
the project.
The development of Lumbini had been raised for a long time. But nothing
concrete was done in the past. U Thant, then secretary general of the United
Nations and also a devout Buddhist, visited this sacred site in 1967 and
virtually cried to see the neglected state of Lumbini. U Thant then drew
international attention to Lumbini and called for contribution for the
development of this site. Hard pressed Nepal government decided to develop
Lumbini as a special zone and to turn it into an international tourist
destination as well as religious place. The government of Nepal hired a
Japanese architect Kenzo Tange to draw a master plan for Lumbini development
in 1972. Tange completed the design of ' Lumbini Mater Plan' and handed over
it to Nepal Government. Despite commitment expressed by the Nepal Government
to develop Lumbini as per the Master Plan, the work so far has been in
snail's pace. As a result, Lumbini still continues to be in a desolate
state.
Now the APEC has come up with intention, fund and plan for the development
of Lumbini, Which has definitely revived optimism. The Lumbini development
work began almost 40 years ago during the tenure of a Buddhist UN secretary
general U Thant. It may a mere coincidence but the concrete work for total
transformation of Lumbini into a pure international Buddhist site has taken
place at the time of another devout Buddhist UN secretary general-Ban-
ki-Moon, who hails from South Korea. Like, U Thant, Ban, too, has especial
interest for the development of Lumbini.
The APEC project on Lumbini, if it at all kicks off, would have its
multi-dimensional impact on Nepal. It would be definitely an international
Buddhist center and also an international tourist hub. By taking up this
project and expressing commitment to collect three billion US dollars for
the project, the APEC has been able to win the heart of millions of
Buddhists both in Nepal and outside. This project would be constructed in
way that would keep all historical, archeological, religious and spiritual
aspects intact, which would help creating a tourist and spiritual place at
par with international excellence. As it plans to construct, an
international airport, convention center and other international level's
infrastructure, it would help Nepal's tourism industry.
Despite rhetoric of Nepal Government to construct a second international
airport outside the Kathmandu Valley, it has so far not materialized.
However, the APEC project aims at constructing an international airport in
Lumbini which would help Nepal's development, to a large degree. More than
that, the project is in Nepal's strategic and economic interest. Firstly,
the project would foil the ill-intentioned propaganda of our southern
neighbor which claims time and often that Lord Buddha was born in India.
New Delhi has deliberately trying to misinform the word with the objective
of brining more tourists to India. Although the world knows well that Lord
Buddha was born in Nepal and India's claim is just rubbish, the new project
would further counter India's propaganda machine. Secondly, the project is
important for Nepal from strategic point of view as well. In addition to
this, Nepal would be on global spotlight as a must visit country in the
world. This would further boost Nepal's tourism industry which would have
far-reaching impact on Nepal's overall economy.
India is now instigating some media and people in Nepal against this
project. With instruction and help from our southern neighbor, a section of
our media fraternity, too, is creating unnecessary controversy. India is
always trying to scuttle international investment in Nepal-be it in
religious, hydro-power or other development activities. It would be
worthwhile to mention a fact how India scuttles international development
cooperation and investment in Nepal. A few decades ago, when the government
of China and Nepal agreed to construct bridges along the western section of
the East-West Highway, India objected it and finally got it cancelled. As a
result, it took more than three decades to construct 22 bridges. Similarly,
when World Bank was about to invest in Nepal for the construction of 402
megawatt Arun III project, India pulled the wire from behind which led to
cancellation of the World Bank's assistance. Had the Arun II not obstructed,
Nepal would not have been reeling under severe load-shedding as it is facing
today. It should also be mentioned that India had vehemently opposed the
construction of Kodari Highway that was built with assistance from China.
This is evident of the fact that India always tries to obstruct Nepal's
development and any international assistance. This is because New Delhi
wants Nepal to remain a backward country so that it would be safe and easier
to control and intervene in the affairs of Nepal. The attitude of India
about the Lumbini project can be likened to the popular Nepali adage: '
'Monkey neither builds its own house nor does it let others do it'.
Moreover, the intention of China and Chinese people about Lumbini and other
development assistance and cooperation to Nepal should not be suspected. The
Chinese assistance has always been selfless and purely motivated by its
desire to help development of Nepal. So far as Lumbini is concerned, Chinese
regard Lumbini as the sacred place and they would never play politics over
Lumbini. Chinese scholars like Fi'xian and Xuan-zhang and Buddabarta had
visited Lumbini and written about it on their travel accounts even in the
ancient time, which helped popularize Lumbini among the Chinese people. This
is an example of how Chinese have been deeply interested about Lumbini and
want to develop it. Fi'xian and Xuan-Zhang had long ago been felt upset to
see Lumbini in a deserted condition. After the demise of Lord Buddha,
Taulihawa kingdom was attacked and all Shakyas were massacred. Since all
people fled either to the
south or the north, Tilaurakot, capital of Taulihawa kingdom, and Lumbini
were deserted.
The Lumbini project which is being taken up by APEC is, perhaps, the largest
project ever initiated in the non-governmental sector. Indian media have
already started spitting venom against this project and some Nepali media,
too, are echoing the same voice. Media people have raised with prominence
the hush-hush approach of APEC with regard to Lumbini project. In the
absence of transparency and publicity, there had been some apprehension and
confusion in Nepal about the project. Now it is clear that the project is
being funded solely for Nepal's benefit and it would be the duty of Nepali
patriotic people not to sway by the disinformation and propaganda of India
and India-funded media here in Nepal but to extend meaningful help to
implement and complete the project. The project aims at changing the face of
Lumbini and creating an international spiritual center. But one thing the
APEC and the Government of Nepal need to take into account is the fact that
they should ensure greater transparency on the activities of the project so
that there would not be any kind of apprehension, misunderstanding and
misconception.
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