Kathmandu, May 2:

Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Ram Chandra Poudel today said the nation is waiting for good wishes from Buddhist communities for a prosperous future.

“Nepal needs good wishes from you, the followers of the Buddha, to make the peace process complete and meaningful,” he said, while addressing a religious programme organised to mark the 2551st Buddha Jayanti at Swayambhu.

He said peace is possible in Nepal if all sectors work with a good planning and patience “as we know we can do it.”

Matthew Kahane, the resident representative of the UNDP, said, “This is one of the most auspicious days in the history of mankind. We should make use of the teachings of Buddha in the country’s present condition.” Japanese ambassador Tustumo Hiraoka said peace cannot be had with ease if people do not follow the path to enlightenment.

Sri Lankan envoy Surmith Nakandala said that following the teachings of the Buddha is not difficult if one believes in peace and emancipation of humans. “The Buddha was the first person who talked about social democracy, pluralism and sustainable development 2,500 years ago,” Nakandala said. A message from PM Girija Prasad Koirala was also read out in the programme, which he could not attend.