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KATHMANDU: Yoga Guru Swami Ram Dev today said that Gautam Buddha is
the pride of Nepal.
Talking to media persons, Swami Ram Dev said, “There is no doubt that
Buddha was born Nepal. Now he is a universal character.” Opposing the
rumour about Buddha’s birth place being India, he said, “Any enlightened
person is a dignity and pride of a nation,” adding, “I will campaign
for Nepal if anyone says that Buddha was born in India,” he added.
Swami Ram Dev arrived here in Kathmandu today from India for the Yog
Vigyan Shivir-2010 being held at Tundikhel through March 27 to April 1.
About 30,000 people are taking part in the camp being held from
tomorrow.
The Swami said that India is a true friend of Nepal as both countries
are linked by similar culture, spiritualism and social structure. “Nepal
and India are equal brothers and both are independent and sovereign
countries. The cultural relationship between the two countries is
similar to the present age of democracy since the period of Lord Rama in
India.”
He, however, said that China is not a better friend of Nepal as it does
not have open border for Nepal and does not provide jobs for Nepalese.
“If China is true friend of Nepal, it should show kindness by employing
Nepalis in China by opening its border,” he said.
Answering a query on monarchy, the Swami said that democracy is a better
political system for the development of a society than monarchy.
“However, if democracy does not become stronger, it will turn into
mobocracy,” he said.
On religion he said, secularism is a concept of honouring all religion
equally conspiracies are being hatched against it here.
According to him, the concept is being taken negatively here. This is
breaking the society dangerously. Until society and government are
united, institutionalised and cultured, neither democracy will be
stronger nor the nation. “Yoga helps make it possible,” he said.
Expressing condolence over the demise of Girija Prasad Koirala, Swami
said, “Koirala, who was friendly, experienced and mature leader,
contributed a lot to democracy and nation.”
Further on democracy and corruption he said, if society becomes aware,
democracy will be strengthened and corruption will subside. The number
of political parties in Nepal should be downsized to five. There are 25
political parties in the country. “Honest leaders should be elected,” he
said, adding that he will set up a political party in India.
Saying that Nepali people are simple, friendly and spiritual he informed
that he will set up three Patanjali Yoga Peeths in Mandikhatar,
Dhulikhel and Syangja within a year. He said, “I condemn the culture of
killing and sacrifice of animal in religion here in Nepal. Non violence,
love and peace are the spirit of religion, he added.
Likewise for the prosperity of Nepal he suggested that Nepal needs to
tap on its immense natural resources.