India should be closely involved in developing Lumbini: Dr Karan Singh
The controversy surrounding a China-backed multi-billion dollar plan to develop Lumbini, Buddha's birthplace in Nepal, took a new turn Tuesday with a senior Congress leader stating India should also be involved in any project associated with the site.
The controversy surrounding a China-backed multi-billion dollar plan to develop Lumbini, Buddha's birthplace in Nepal, took a new turn Tuesday with a senior Congress leader stating India should also be involved in any project associated with the site.
HT Image
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
Dr. Karan Singh, who's on a Nepal visit, said on Tuesday that after Nepal, its southern neighbour, should have more stake in anything related with developing the place very close to the India border.
"Buddha was born in India, but he attained enlightenment, delivered his first sermon and died in India. After Nepal, it should be India who's closely involved in developing Lumbini," the President of Indian Council for Cultural Relations told journalists here.
When informed about a Hong Kong-based NGO's proposal to invest US $3 billion in Lumbini, Singh said that India should be more aware and active and take more interest on what's happening in that area.
"I will discuss this issue with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh after getting back to India. Both countries can jointly develop a Buddhist circuit involving all important places in Buddha's life," he said.
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
{{^usCountry}}
Since Lumbini is very close to the Indo-Nepal border, strategic experts in India have warned that long-term Chinese presence in the area in the garb of developing the site should be of concern to New Delhi.
{{/usCountry}}
{{#usCountry}}
Since Lumbini is very close to the Indo-Nepal border, strategic experts in India have warned that long-term Chinese presence in the area in the garb of developing the site should be of concern to New Delhi.
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.
Get the latest headlines from US news and global updates from Pakistan, Nepal, UK, Bangladesh, Russia and US Iran war Live, get all the latest headlines in one place on Hindustan Times.
Get the latest headlines from US news and global updates from Pakistan, Nepal, UK, Bangladesh, Russia and US Iran war Live, get all the latest headlines in one place on Hindustan Times.
