Guterres visiting Lumbini, raising hopes for tourism promotion

LUMBINI, Oct 31: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who is currently on a four-day official visit to Nepal, is scheduled to visit Lumbini on Tuesday.

The people of Lumbini are eagerly anticipating his visit and are prepared to offer him a warm welcome. This visit is expected to play a significant role in promoting Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, and his message of world peace, as well as promoting tourism in the region.

According to the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT), the UN Secretary-General is expected to arrive in Lumbini at around 9:00 am on Tuesday. The LDT has already upgraded the route that Guterres will take for his visit. 

The preparations for welcoming the UN Secretary-General to Lumbini have reached their final stages, as said by LDT Vice- Chair Dr  Lharkyal Lama. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' is also expected to be present in Lumbini to greet the UN Secretary-General.

The LDT, along with local security agencies, the local administration, and local governments, are all coordinating their efforts to make the UN Secretary-General's visit a success and a memorable.
During his visit to Lumbini, Guterres is scheduled to spend one and a half hours in the area. He will participate in a special puja at the Mayadevi Temple and address a program near the Ashoka Pillar.

Hospitality entrepreneur Govinda Gyawali expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming visit of the UN Secretary-General to the town, with hopes that it will serve to spread the message of Gautam Buddha globally and boost Lumbini's tourism industry.

Rupandehi's Chief District Officer Ganesh Aryal said security arrangements in the town especially from Gautam Buddha International Airport to Lumbini have been strengthened on the eve of the visit by the UN Secretary-General. Overall, the security measures throughout the district and the areas where he will be visiting reaching have been improved, he added.