Modi to be awarded honorary doctorate in Lumbini

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is coming to Lumbini, will be conferred the honorary doctorate degree.

Modi is coming to Lumbini on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti on 16 May.

Lumbini Buddhist University is preparing to honor him with an honorary doctorate. Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba will also participate in the program.

According to Lumbini Development Fund officials, both the prime ministers have a program to light lamps at the Mayadevi temple.

Modi will land at Kushinagar International Airport and arrive in Lumbini. He is scheduled to arrive in Lumbini by helicopter from Kushinagar.

Construction of four helipads has also started for Modi, who is about to participate in the 2566th Buddha Jayanti.

India is planning to build a German stupa in North Bihar through the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC).

It is targeted to be completed within three years at a cost of INR 1 billion. Modi and Deuba are also planning to lay the foundation stone jointly.

Prime Minister Deuba and Modi will also hold brief talks in Lumbini.

The Government of Nepal has intensified preparations for the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Lumbini. On the occasion of Buddha Jayanti, Modi will participate in special worship and meditation to be organized in Lumbini.

Modi will spend an hour and a half in worship at the Mayadevi temple. The Indian Prime Minister will light the island at the Ashoka Pillar and rest on a Bodhi tree south of the Pushkarani pond.

Kathmandu is not on the agenda of Modi's visit. Modi's one-day visit, which is set to take place on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti, is being formalized, officials said.

According to similar sources, discussions are underway between the Government of Nepal and the Government of India on the issue of retaining the chairmanship of Lumbini Buddhist University on behalf of India.

Discussions are underway at the diplomatic level on the issue of appointing the president of Lumbini Buddhist University with the help of the Indian government. However, the decision has not been made yet, 'the source said.