Dr Tadatoshi Akiba of Hiroshima and Tomihisa Taue of Nagasaki are set to arrive in Kathmandu on May 15 to receive the award jointly conferred on them by the government in recognition of their significant contributions to peace and non-violence. [break]
Secretary at the Ministry of Culture Moda Raj Dotel said the ministry had extended separate invitations to them to take part in the award felicitation ceremony on May 17 on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti. "They have confirmed their visit accepting our invitation," he said.
The mayors will stay in Lumbini for two days before flying back to Kathmandu on May 18. President Dr Ram Baran Yadav is scheduled to confer the award comprising a gold medal, certificate of award and a cash prize of US $50,000 ($25,000 each) on two mayors amidst a special function to be held in Lumbini, the birth place of Gautam Buddha.
A cabinet meeting held on January 13 had decided to confer the award jointly on them upon the recommendation of Gautam Buddha International Peace Award Management and Selection Committee. The five-member Selection Committee is chaired by former UN Assistant Secretary General Kul Chandra Gautam.
The two mayors have led the "Mayors for Peace" movement involving more than 4,000 municipalities in the world, including two-third of all Japanese municipalities. They have been ardent advocates of nuclear non-proliferation, reduction of military expenditure and disarmament. Hiroshima and Nagasaki were completely destroyed by atom bombs during the World War II.
The cabinet meeting had also decided to posthumously honor former UN Secretary General U Thant for his contribution in making the birthplace of Lord Budhha known to the world and highlighting the importance of Buddha´s teachings for international peace and understanding.
Secretary Dotel said they had invited U Thant´s daughter Daw Aye Aye Thant to receive the honor. "However, she has expressed her inability to come to Nepal due to her pre-scheduled program," he said.
The award instituted by Nepal government in the year 2010 is given every five years to recognize and honor individuals and institutions around the world that have made significant contribution to peace and non-violence through the messages of Lord Buddha.
Officials at the ministry said then minister for culture Dr Minendra Rijal had extended invitation to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to attend the function. "Though Secretary General Ban said he is eager to visit Nepal within this year, he has not fixed the date for visit. We have requested him to try his best to visit Nepal on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti," said a senior official at the ministry.
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