BUTWAL: The visit of United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to Lumbini will be graced by the presence of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda.’
Guterres, who arrived in Nepal on Saturday night at the invitation of Prime Minister Dahal, is scheduled to arrive in Lumbini on Tuesday morning.
The Lumbini Development Fund (LDF) is leaving no stone unturned in preparing for the visit of Secretary-General Guterres. The security committee, chaired by LDF Vice Chairman Dr. Lharkyal Lama (Khenpo Chhime), has been meticulously discussing the necessary security arrangements.
Dr. Lama emphasized that the visit of the Secretary-General presents a unique opportunity to promote Buddha and Lumbini on a global scale. He also highlighted the potential for the United Nations to contribute to the future development of Lumbini.
Itinerary
LDF has strived its best to make Secretary-General Guterres’ visit historic.
Secretary-General Guterres will receive a warm welcome from Lumbini Development Fund Chairman and Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Sudan Kirati, Chief Minister of Lumbini Province Dilli Chaudhary, Dr. Lharkyal Lama, and other high-ranking government officials.
Secretary-General Guterres is expected to land at Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa at 8:35 am on Tuesday and will then proceed to Lumbini by helicopter, arriving at 8:50 am. From the helipad, Guterres will be transported by vehicle to Shanti Deep through gate number four.
According to sources within LDF, the UN Secretary-General will be greeted by viharas in Lumbini, Buddhist spiritual leaders, local women’s groups from the Lumbini cultural municipality, including monks and nuns, as well as various ethnic communities, including the Tharu community and local hoteliers. They will line the route leading from Mayadevi temple to Shanti Deep.
Following Guterres’ inspection of the Mayadevi Temple, Buddha’s Birth Memorial, Pushpa Karni Pond, and Ashoka Pillars, a brief reception under a Peepal tree is planned.
After spending an hour and a half in Lumbini, the Secretary-General is set to return to Kathmandu at 10:30 am.
Nepal Army has been entrusted with ensuring security for the visit.
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