Prachanda wants Indian involvement in Lumbini project

The ambitious project to transform Lumbini, Lord Buddha's birthplace in Nepal, to a 'Mecca for Buddhists' has resurfaced again with signing of a MoU between a Hong Kong-based NGO and a committee constituted by Nepal government. Utpal Parashar reports.

Updated on: Nov 10, 2012, 02:23:50 IST

Hindustan Times | By Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu

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After getting sidelined following controversy, the ambitious project to transform Lumbini, Lord Buddha's birthplace in Nepal, to a 'Mecca for Buddhists' has resurfaced again with signing of a MoU between a Hong Kong-based NGO and a committee constituted by Nepal government.

The agreement was signed by chairman of Nepal's ruling Maoist party and head of Lumbini Development National Directive Committee (LDNDC) Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda and Xiao Wunan, executive vice chairman of Asia Pacific Exchange and Cooperation (APEC) Foundation.

Though details of the agreement signed on Wednesday have not been revealed, reports say APEC aims to bring in investment worth US $3 to 5 billion to develop infrastructure in the UN world heritage site located close to the Indian border.

"Nepal, China and India should come together and form a strategic partnership through this Lumbini project for peace, stability and development in the region and Asia," Prachanda said.

He also mentioned discussions with top Chinese and Indian leaders on the project but didn't give any information on how Indian government or companies could get involved.

Both Prachanda and Xiao claimed that the project enjoys support of UN and Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

The fresh development has again raised questions as some members of LDNDC were kept in the dark about the agreement and no minister or senior government official was present at the event.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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