Recognizing the Holy Shrine of Lumbini as a source of eternal inspiration for the promotion of world peace, and endorsing the proposal to develop Lumbini as a World Peace City, the Second World Buddhist Summit concluded Thursday adopting a ten-point declaration. It also called for resolution of the ongoing conflict in Nepal by adhering to the Buddhist peace vision. The declaration has proposed to the government to translate into action this "unique and right" vision to create a World Peace City of Lumbini around the Sacred Area, exemplifying Lord Buddha's teachings. Requesting the government to make clear commitments with time-bound action plans for implementing the Lumbini Master Plan, it called for declaring the Sacred Garden of Lumbini as the Five Precept Zone and incorporating peace education in the curriculum of educational institutions at all levels and forums. It also has urged that the decisions of the summit be gazetted; and that future summits be organized in Lumbini every four years.

Another important point in the declaration is the need to promote and develop other holy sites of Buddhism namely Kapilvastu, Devdaha and Ramgram evenly to attract international and domestic visitors. The draft declaration was adopted at a session chaired by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, also the chairman of the Main Organizing Committee of the summit. Other proposals in the declaration include extension of Gautam Buddha Airport in Bhairahawa into an international airport; and also immediate implementation of resolutions of the UN and other regional organizations, that remain unimplemented. In his concluding address, PM Deuba pledged substantially increased budget for the development of Lumbini by way of implementation of the master plan from the next fiscal year. The international community representing over two dozen nations, has promised to be partners in all promotional activities aimed at the implementation of the declaration. Meanwhile, talking to journalists, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Dip Kumar Upadhyaya said a meeting with Indian officials on December 10 would sort out technical snags in operating flights from Bhairahawa Airport to India's religious cities.

OTHER NEWS

• King inaugurates Summit: King Gyanendra inaugurated the Second World Buddhist Summit here Wednesday amid a gathering of hundreds of Nepalis and foreign dignitaries. Dec 1 is the day when the Ashoka Pillar was discovered in 1896, establishing unequivocally that Buddha was born in Lumbini, Nepal. Around 134 foreigners from 26 countries, including ministers, Buddhist monks, spiritual leaders, and ambassadors from 15 countries, were present at the inaugural ceremony, as were over 400 Nepali participants and several hundred commoners. Congratulatory messages for the summit were sent in by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and leaders of 12 nations, including from presidents of India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, and the Bhutanese and Cambodian kings. Annan, in his message, said abiding by Buddha's message of peace and compassion was essential for the right "direction and fate of humankind".
  
  
• Tourist arrivals decline 17pc: The total number of tourists' arrival to Nepal decreased by 17 percent for the month of the November as compared to the same month of 2003. A total of 24,095 tourists visited Nepal during the month of November. According to the figure provided by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), arrivals from both India and the third countries both decreased by 17 percent each for the month of November. Compared to previous months, Indian market showed a softening in decline trend in November as the decline in arrivals fell from 31 percent for the month of October to the 17 percent for the month of November.
  
  
• NATO, PATA unveil Lumbani brochure: Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) and Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Nepal Chapter recently introduced a brochure on Lumbini to help promote the area in the international market. Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba unveiled the brochure during the inaugural ceremony of the Second World Buddhist Summit organized in Lumbini. According to a press release issued here, a gilded Buddha-image peers down upon the Lumbini Garden complex on the cover of the brochure.
  
  
• Child mine layers concern UNICEF: The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Monday expressed grave concern over the use of children by Maoists rebels to lay ambushes and explosive devices on roads and highways. Dr Suomi Sakai, chief of UNICEF in Nepal, has expressed serious concern regarding this issue, a statement released here by the UNICEF said. Reacting to media reports that children were increasingly forced by Maoists to lay explosive ambushes on roads and highways, Dr Sakai said, "It is hard to think of a more terrifying ordeal for children." She said that she is also concerned at reports that students and teachers in Rolpa are being forced by Maoists to dig trenches in school premises. "They are at risk of being shot if discovered. And should they survive and return home, they carry the risk of being called rebels and taken away," she said. Dr Sakai was equally alarmed at hearing continuous reports that security forces had sexually abused vulnerable girls and women in villages.
  
  
• Cosmic Air commences operation to New Delhi: As part of its expansion plan on the international routes, Cosmic Air has commenced its operation to New Delhi from December 1, 2004. According to a statement issued here today, it flied to New Delhi, using its newly acquired Fokker 100 jet airliner with 78 passengers. "Launching services to Dhaka and New Delhi has opened up new avenues of opportunity for tourism, trade and commerce between Nepal and its neighbors," states the statement. Cosmic Air, a subsidiary of SOI Group also claims that its flight to New Delhi will be popular with the consumers due to its affordable fares and comfortable flights. It is also planning to launch service on new international routes. "We are permitted to fly to Bangkok and other Indian destinations, including Mumbai, Bangalore, Bodhgaya, Lucknow, and Varanasi. We will operate flights to these sectors soon," states the release.
  
  

By Hari Shrestha, Resident Representative in Kathmandu