Japan's interest in Panditpur's development

LUMBINI, Oct 02:A group of Japanese Buddhist enthusiasts has shown interest in the development Panditpur, an archeological and historical site in Nawalparasi's Ramgram Municipality-18 (Bardghat-Sustapaschim).

A group led by Buddhist Federation consultant and former Asian Development Bank general director Noritada Morita visited Panditpur and expressed interest in the city's overall development.

Morita, the team leader, stated that he want to collaborate with the municipality to defend Panditpur. In a meeting with Dhanpat Yadav, the chairman of Ramgram Municipality in Panditpur, he stated that he wishes to offer a budget through the municipality for the construction of a Buddhist Vihara and other structures in Panditpur, and he requested the required assistance.

At the same time, Mayor Yadav stated that the municipality is working to maintain and promote Buddhist places such as Ramgram Stupa and Panditpur, which now has the sole complete Buddha statue, and that Japanese citizens' interest is appreciated. He stated that the town is willing to engage with the Japanese because the municipality has already established the Ramgram Development Fund and has begun conservation efforts.

Panditpur is recognized as the Koliya Republic's capital. Although it is stated that Gautam Buddha's shrine located in Panditpur rather than Devdah, the site is becoming lost due to a lack of appropriate investigation. Because the Lumbini Development Trust ignored the issue, the town has finally taken the initiative by establishing the Ramgram Development Fund for the conservation of Buddha Sthal.