February 1, 2017, Lumbini: Minister for Federal Affairs and Local Development Hon. Hita Raj Pande visited Lumbini today. He was accompanied by Joint Secretary Reshmiraj Pandey of the same ministry and personal secretary Jagannath Khanal. Lumbini Development Trust (LDT), Lumbini Cultural Municipality (LCM), Lumbini Buddhist University (LBU) and security bodies jointly welcomed him in Lumbini. The delegates were briefed about the history, archaeology and spirituality of Lumbini by LDT Information Chief Hari D. Rai. The minister paid homage to the sacred birthplace of the Lord Buddha. 

The minister Pandey also visited Lumbini Buddhist University where the Registrar Tilak Acharya and Dean Bhadra Ratna Bajjracharya briefed him about the present status and future plan of the University. 

The minister opined that Lumbini is an outstanding pilgrimage centre embodying a huge tourism potential to prosper Nepal. Its enormous prospective has not been fully tap yet and the LDT should direct all possible efforts in this direction, he said. The minister said, "Lumbini Buddhist University has bigger scope by its name itself among domestic as well as international students admiring for higher Buddhist studies. But the LBU has to develop its curriculum and programs so as to meet international standard to attract foreign students." He also expressed his concern and commitment to provide funds necessary for land acquisition of the university.

Yam Bahadur Kunwar, the Executive Officer of Lumbini Cultural Municipality presented him a token of love and thanked for visiting Lumbini from behalf of the municipality.