International Peace Fair in Lumbini from tomorrow

By Our Correspondent,Rupandehi, Apr. 4: For the first time, an International Peace Fair is being held in Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, on April 5 and 6. 

Organising a press conference on Tuesday, Mani Lamichhame of Nepal Tourism Board, informed that a conference would be organised on the first day on April 5 and the International Peace Marathon would be organised on April 6. 

Nepal Tourism Board, Embassy of China in Nepal, Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) and Provincial Sports Council Lumbini Lumbini are the organisers of the festival while Nepal Overseas Chinese Association (NOCA), Lumbini-Based Zhong Hua Monastery and Lumbini Hotel Association are co-organisers. 

Likewise, Lumbini Buddhist University, Yunnan Mountaineering and Outdoor Sports Association, Lumbini Provincial Tourism Development Council and Green Road are supporting the event.

Lamichhane said that the programme was meant to promote tourism and economic prosperity through the publicity of Lumbini. 

Lumbini International Peace Marathon, Lumbini International Meditation Day and Lumbini Peace Concert will be the three major events of the festival. 

In the men's category, there will be a marathon of more than 42 kilometres and in the women's category, there will be a half marathon race of 21 kilometres.

There will also be a 5-kilometer road race and a 3-km walkathon for school students. 

It is estimated that Rs. 2 million will be spent to organise the festival and the competitions. 

Lumbini Peace Concert will be held at Lumbini Square. 

World-renowned singer Ani Choying Dolma, renowned Chinese singer Ulan Tuya and traditional singers and musicians will perform at the event. Sanu Raja Shakya, Member Secretary of the Lumbini Development Trust, said that special sports programme is being organised in Lumbini on the occasion of World Sports Day since the past. 

He said that this time the programme is being organised to promote tourism by linking spiritual and cultural programmes with sports activities.

Speaking at the programme, Jeevan Ram Shrestha, President of Nepal Olympic Committee, said that Lumbini started celebrating the Olympic Day since 2022. 

Lumbini has been identified as a centre of peace according to its name, he said.

Member Secretary of Province Sports Development Council, Lumbini, Jaya Prakash Bhattarai, said that Lumbini is the source of world peace.

On the occasion, Wang Jing of the Embassy of China, talked about the timeless relations between Nepal and China and said that during the identification of Lumbini,  travellers from China had identified the birthplace of Buddha and the Ashoka Pillar.