Lumbini Development Trust to provide $50000 Peace Award

Kathmandu, May 9 (UNI) The Lumbini Development Trust has announced to bestow Peace Award worth 50,000 dollars to an international personality contributing in the area of peace and developing Lumbini as a fountain of peace.

''The trust has started consultation with Norway-based Nobel Peace Organisation'' said Dr Keshar Man Shakya, vice-president of the trust.

The trust had already established a reserve fund of Rs 10 million three years ago and has been adding Rs one million every year since then, he added.

''The trust believes that the Peace Award will be the second prestigious award after Nobel Peace award,'' Dr Shakya was quoted as saying in local media.

''Awarding prestigious peace award from the land of Gautam Buddha's birth place will prove to be a novel idea to popularise the country and Lumbini,'' Dr Shakya told The Himalayan Times.

Lumbini-based Buddhist monk and the writer of 'Nepal-Peace Is At hand', Thay Huyen Dieu lauded political leaders' conciliatory approach and urged all to continue the sprit of understanding, forgiveness and dialogue.

''Reconciliation is Nepali philosophy, if you continue to hold it, your country can be a good example of peace,'' he said.

UNI XC RJ NS1230