On the occasion of Buddha Jayanti, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Lumbini in Nepal with the intention of deepening ties between the two neighbouring nations. In his address on Monday, he said that even Lord Ram is incomplete without Nepal.
Emphasising the close ties between India and Nepal, he added that the people of Nepal are as happy as Indians when a grand Lord Ram temple is built in India.
"In Janakpur, I had said that 'Our Ram is also incomplete without Nepal'. I know that today, when a grand temple of Lord Shri Ram is built in India, the people of Nepal are equally happy," PM Modi said.
PM @narendramodi addresses Buddh Jayanti event in Lumbini, says 'even Lord Ram is incomplete without Nepal'. Listen in. #ITVideo #BuddhaPurnima pic.twitter.com/NJLErM53O6
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) May 16, 2022
Janakpur in Nepal is considered to be the birthplace of Hindu goddess Sita, Lord Ram's wife.
TOP POINTS FROM PM MODI'S ADDRESS
Speaking in Nepal's Lumbini, PM Modi said, "From Sarnath, Bodh Gaya and Kushinagar in India to Lumbini in Nepal, these holy places are a symbol of our common heritage and shared values. We have to develop this heritage together and enrich it further."
PM Modi added that the town where he was born, Vadnagar in Gujarat, was also a great centre of Buddhist learning centuries ago. "Even today, ancient remains are found there and conservation work is underway," he said.
On Nepal, he said, "Nepal is the country of many holy pilgrimages, temples and monasteries of the world. Nepal is the country that preserves the ancient civilization and culture of the world."
On India-Nepal ties, he said, "The growing and strengthening friendship between India and Nepal will work for the benefit of entire humanity amid the kind of global situation that is emerging today. The devotion to Lord Buddha binds us together, makes us members of one family."
PM MODI'S NEPAL VISIT
- During PM Modi's visit to Nepal, India and Nepal signed a number of agreements, including cooperation among the higher education institutions of the two countries and the state power authorities. After PM Modi's visit, Nepal PM Sher Bahadur Deuba said, "I believe your special pilgrimage to the Birthplace of Lord Buddha has further strengthened our friendship and cultural ties."
- PM Modi offered prayers at Maya Devi temple in Nepal's Lumbini.
PM Shri @narendramodi offers prayers at the Mayadevi Temple in Lumbini, Nepal.
— BJP (@BJP4India) May 16, 2022
https://t.co/xPIly5js1a
- PM Modi laid the foundation stone of India International Centre for Buddhist Culture in Lumbini.
PM Shri @narendramodi participates in Shilanyas ceremony of India International Centre for Buddhist Culture in Lumbini. https://t.co/dMOnkIHFqX
— BJP (@BJP4India) May 16, 2022