KATHMANDU: South Asia Foundation (SAF) and SAF Nepal Chapter in partnership with Lumbini Development Trust (LDT), announced the launch of a state-of-the-art Son-et-Lumière — a light and sound project on the life of Gautam Buddha — in Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, on May 5, 2023.
The project was launched through the inauguration of the seminar on Son-et-Lumiere on the life of Gautam Buddha by Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Civil Aviation Sudan Kirati, in the presence of the chief guest former prime minister Madhav Kumar Nepal.
In addition to the launch of the project, a dedicated website www.lumbininepal.org was also released. The seminar was followed by various scholars' presentations on May 6. Former chief Archaeologist Basant Bidari, Lumbini Development Trust and other well-known scholars made presentations. Dr Saw-Htut-Sandar and Dr Nilima Chawhan emphasized the importance of Buddha’s messages to mankind.
The Son-et-Lumière project is a collaborative effort between the SAF, SAF-N, and LDT, with a shared goal of promoting Lumbini as a cultural and ancient heritage site. The SAF believes that Gautam Buddha is the South Asian Face of global peace and human integrity and his teachings have strong relevance today more than ever before. This project will offer an immersive experience to visitors, allowing them to witness the life and teachings of Gautam Buddha in a unique and interactive way. The project will cover the magnificent journey of prince Siddhartha from his birth in Lumbini, to his transformation to Buddha. The project will also cover his Mahaparinirvan in Kushinagar, showcasing the teachings of Gautam Buddha to visitors through spectacular world-class light and sound effects. Noted Indian filmmaker Shyam Benegal is designing the Son-et-Lumière project. It will be the first ever in Nepal and one of its kind in the world.
Sunil Sakya, while welcoming the guests to the seminar, mentioned that the Son-et-Lumiere project was conceptualised by the people of Lumbini and that it will be the first of its kind in Nepal. He sought everyone's support for the project and emphasized the revenue-generating potential of the project for Nepal.
LDT Vice Chairperson Metteyya Sakyaputta spoke of the need for the project so as to increase the number of visitors in Lumbini in the future. To sustain visitors for a longer duration and disseminate the message of Buddha during their stay, Metteya believes that the Son-et-Lumiere project can be instrumental in providing meaningful engagement and increasing tourist stays. He emphasized the importance of a well-written script for the project, which will be developed through collaboration with experts and artists. Metteya appreciated the SAF for its endeavour to promote Lumbini's cultural heritage.
Padma Jyoti, Chairman of Jyoti Group, introduced the theme and expressed his pleasure in celebrating 'Buddha Jayanti' with the launch of the Son-et-Lumiere project. He highlighted the significance of Nepal being home to the birthplace of Buddha and the potential benefits for tourism, Nepal's global positioning, scholars, and global peace. Jyoti emphasized the importance of local support and participation, and he pledged his support for the project. He called for public-private partnerships involving government, local bodies, and business entities to ensure timely completion of the project. Jyoti's remarks underscored the need for collaboration and the potential benefits for Nepal's development.
During the event, former PM Nepal expressed his enthusiasm for Son-et-Lumière, emphasizing its potential to spur social and economic development in the region. Nepal also called for similar projects to be expanded to other cultural areas of Nepal. He suggested making movies based on the life of Gautam Buddha and urged the South Asia Foundation-Nepal to host a conference on the topic. Nepal's comments highlight the project's potential to drive growth in Lumbini and promote cultural tourism in Nepal.
Likewise, Tourism Minister Kirati, hailed the light and sound project as a multidimensional approach to uplift the region, transforming it into a prominent tourist destination. He emphasized the importance of preserving historical knowledge for future generations, noting how Son-et-Lumière will communicate Buddha's messages to the audience. Minister Kirati stressed the need for completing the project in time to maximise its benefits for people. He expressed his vision for Lumbini to become a hub of religious and traditional diplomacy on the global stage.
Chabilal Bishwakarma, a member of the House of Representatives (HoR), emphasized the significance of Lumbini's social and cultural development. Bishwakarma, who has been advocating for tourism and other developmental activities in Lumbini, expressed his hope that the upcoming son-et-lumiere project will mark a new chapter in the promotion of the region.
Former Nepali Ambassador to India, Deep Kumar Upadhyay, at present the Vice Chairperson of SAF-Nepal, provided details on LDT's upcoming light and sound project. Upadhyay noted the project's synchronisation with important Buddhist sites and the use of digital and audio technology. He also referred to Gautam Buddha as the Asian face of global peace and wished the foundation success in creating a world-class attraction. Upadhyay emphasized the significance of public-private partnerships and called on the Jyoti Group to lead the project's success.
In addition to the remarks by the speakers, participants at the event suggested that the Son-et-Lumiere project should include a script written in both local and English languages. They also proposed incorporating a theme of Buddha's message that includes mutual feelings of equity and equality, as well as showcasing a gender perspective. The participants stressed the need to expedite the project.
The project's successful completion will benefit Nepal's global positioning, scholars, and global peace. Public-private partnerships involving government, local bodies, and business entities will ensure the completion of the project in time and promote Nepal's development. The launch of the project witnessed the beginning of a new initiative in this region which will position Lumbini on the global map and will also promote tourism in Nepal and particularly Lumbini.
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LDT Vice Chairperson Metteyya Sakyaputta spoke of the need for the project so as to increase the number of visitors in Lumbini in the future. To sustain visitors for a longer duration and disseminate the message of Buddha during their stay, Metteya believes that the Son-et-Lumiere project can be instrumental in providing meaningful engagement and increasing tourist stays. He emphasized the importance of a well-written script for the project, which will be developed through collaboration with experts and artists. Metteya appreciated the SAF for its endeavour to promote Lumbini's cultural heritage.
Padma Jyoti, Chairman of Jyoti Group, introduced the theme and expressed his pleasure in celebrating 'Buddha Jayanti' with the launch of the Son-et-Lumiere project. He highlighted the significance of Nepal being home to the birthplace of Buddha and the potential benefits for tourism, Nepal's global positioning, scholars, and global peace. Jyoti emphasized the importance of local support and participation, and he pledged his support for the project. He called for public-private partnerships involving government, local bodies, and business entities to ensure timely completion of the project. Jyoti's remarks underscored the need for collaboration and the potential benefits for Nepal's development.
During the event, former PM Nepal expressed his enthusiasm for Son-et-Lumière, emphasizing its potential to spur social and economic development in the region. Nepal also called for similar projects to be expanded to other cultural areas of Nepal. He suggested making movies based on the life of Gautam Buddha and urged the South Asia Foundation-Nepal to host a conference on the topic. Nepal's comments highlight the project's potential to drive growth in Lumbini and promote cultural tourism in Nepal.
Likewise, Tourism Minister Kirati, hailed the light and sound project as a multidimensional approach to uplift the region, transforming it into a prominent tourist destination. He emphasized the importance of preserving historical knowledge for future generations, noting how Son-et-Lumière will communicate Buddha's messages to the audience. Minister Kirati stressed the need for completing the project in time to maximise its benefits for people. He expressed his vision for Lumbini to become a hub of religious and traditional diplomacy on the global stage.
Chabilal Bishwakarma, a member of the House of Representatives (HoR), emphasized the significance of Lumbini's social and cultural development. Bishwakarma, who has been advocating for tourism and other developmental activities in Lumbini, expressed his hope that the upcoming son-et-lumiere project will mark a new chapter in the promotion of the region.
Former Nepali Ambassador to India, Deep Kumar Upadhyay, at present the Vice Chairperson of SAF-Nepal, provided details on LDT's upcoming light and sound project. Upadhyay noted the project's synchronisation with important Buddhist sites and the use of digital and audio technology. He also referred to Gautam Buddha as the Asian face of global peace and wished the foundation success in creating a world-class attraction. Upadhyay emphasized the significance of public-private partnerships and called on the Jyoti Group to lead the project's success.
In addition to the remarks by the speakers, participants at the event suggested that the Son-et-Lumiere project should include a script written in both local and English languages. They also proposed incorporating a theme of Buddha's message that includes mutual feelings of equity and equality, as well as showcasing a gender perspective. The participants stressed the need to expedite the project.
The project's successful completion will benefit Nepal's global positioning, scholars, and global peace. Public-private partnerships involving government, local bodies, and business entities will ensure the completion of the project in time and promote Nepal's development. The launch of the project witnessed the beginning of a new initiative in this region which will position Lumbini on the global map and will also promote tourism in Nepal and particularly Lumbini.
READ ALSO:
Published Date: May 14, 2023, 12:00 am
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