PM Modi says Kushinagar international airport will boost connectivity and tourism
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While participating in the Abhidhamma Day at the Mahaparinirvana Temple in Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar, Modi planted a Bodhi tree sapling
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that Kushinagar international airport will boost connectivity and tourism.
The inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the Kushinagar International Airport is an important landmark connecting the Buddhist- pilgrimage, holy sites for Buddhists around the world.
At the event, Modi said ''the airport won't just be a mode of air connectivity. Be it farmers, animal keepers, shopkeepers, workers, local industrialists-it'll benefit all. It'll create an ecosystem of business. Tourism will get maximum benefit, it'll generate employment for youth.''
Also Read | Namal Rajapaksa, 100+ Lankan Buddhist clergy at inauguration of Kushinagar international airport
He also highlighted that more than 900 new routes have been sanctioned under the Udaan scheme in the last few years, out of which more than 350 have also been introduced.
The ancient city of Kushinagar is the final resting place of Gautama Buddha, where he attained Mahaparinirvana after his death. It is among the most important pilgrim spots for Buddhists since ancient times.
Tomorrow is a special day for our infrastructure and civil aviation sector. The Kushinagar International Airport will be inaugurated, with the inaugural flight landing from Colombo, whose passengers include a group of respected monks. This airport will benefit UP and Bihar. pic.twitter.com/ZPraanod1o
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 19, 2021
While participating in the Abhidhamma Day at the Mahaparinirvana Temple in Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar, Modi planted a Bodhi tree sapling.
Eminent monks from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, South Korea, Nepal, Bhutan, Cambodia, and ambassadors of various countries were present at the event.
Wonderful development, it'll give opportunity for Buddhist nations to come conveniently to most sacred place where Lord Buddha entered into parinirvana. It'll make Buddhist Circuit tourism convenient: Maj Gen Vetsop Namgyel,Bhutan's Ambassador to India on Kushinagar Int'l Airport pic.twitter.com/yN49uvkNHV
— ANI (@ANI) October 20, 2021
Pointing out the similarities between Cambodia and, the country's ambassador Ung Sean said, ''In Cambodia, Buddism is the religion of our State. 85-89% of Cambodian people practice Buddhism.''
Ananda Prasad Sharma, Minister Counsel of Nepal said ''Opening of Kushinagar International Airport is very encouraging, especially for Buddhist devotees, to visit Kushinagar and Lumbini in Nepal too. It'll facilitate international travellers & Buddhist devotees to visit Buddhist pilgrimage sites.''
According to Moe Kyaw Aung, Myanmar's ambassador to India, ''It'll greatly help pilgrims from Myanmar to visit Kushinagar as majority of our people are Buddhists. It's a very imp Buddhist Circuit site. Now they can directly come to Kushinagar. It'll bring convenience.''