Patna: Vishwa Shanti Stupa in Rajgir symbolises the spiritual friendship between India and Japan and their shared commitment to world peace, rural development and information and public relations minister Shravan Kumar said on Sunday.Addressing the 57th foundation day of the stupa, Kumar said Japanese Buddhist monk Fuji Guruji had conceived the monument to spread the message of peace and non-violence across the world. He believed love was the answer to war, compassion to hatred and non-violence to violence.Kumar said the stupa was not merely a monument but a centre for spreading peace and urged people to preserve the heritage for future generations.He said religious and cultural sites associated with different faiths had received attention for development and beautification under former chief minister Nitish Kumar. Better roads, transport and tourism facilities had improved amenities for visitors.Attractions such as the glass bridge, zoo safari, Buddha statue at Ghora Katora Lake and modern ropeway to the stupa had strengthened Rajgir’s identity on the international tourism map, he said.Tourism minister Kedar Prasad Gupta attended the event as chief guest. Buddhist monks and devotees from India and abroad were also present.
