It was gladdening to witness the signing of MoU between Varanasi & Kyoto.Its yet another instance of furthering India-Japan cooperation. Both of us are very optimistic about scripting a new chapter in the strong bond between India & Japan,which will benef It was gladdening to witness the signing of MoU between Varanasi & Kyoto.Its yet another instance of furthering India-Japan cooperation. Both of us are very optimistic about scripting a new chapter in the strong bond between India & Japan,which will benef One is the holiest city for millions of Hindus across the world, while the other - with its 2,000 temples and heritage - has been the ancient Capital of Japan. And Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to bring the two ancient cities - Kashi and Kyoto - together: so, on Saturday he launched his five-day tour of Japan beginning with the city of ten-thousand shrines in the land of rising sun. Overseeing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the first day of his tour, the prime minister ensured that Kashi, on the banks of river Ganges, finds a partner in Kyoto, as Indias holy city moves ahead on the path of revival to become the smart heritage city - Modis fascinating dream to turn his parliamentary constituency into a modern 21st-century city, yet retaining its rich tradition and cultural heritage. Heritage Beginning his Japan tour with Kyoto as the first stop is high on symbolism, but it clearly indicated the prime ministers firm intent to do everything possible to give the much-needed boost to Kashi. And so, Kyoto comes to Kashi, with all its expertise to conserve heritage, upgrade infrastructure and cooperate in the fields of art and culture. Its a bond which, hopefully, will get stronger with time, as has been the case with PM Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe. Like Kashi, Kyotos history is spectacular, embellished with heritage. With over 2,000 temples, which include 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto temples, Kyoto has a special place for Buddhist pilgrims. No wonder, PM Modi decided to visit not one but two temples here. He will not only be visiting the Toji Temple, as was decided earlier, but he will also visit the Kinkakuji Temple - also called the Golden Pavilion or Rokuonji temple. He will also be the guest of honour at a lunch hosted by the Kyoto Buddhist Association. Kyoto is the ancient Capital of Japan. Toji is the oldest temple. The chief priest of the temple Kobo Taishi got several Buddhist texts, including the Lotus Sutra to Japan signifying a strong India connect, Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa, Indias ambassador to Japan, told Mail Today hours before signing the MoU on Kashi-Kyoto Smart Heritage city programme. The agreement provides for cooperation in heritage conservation, city modernization and cooperation in the fields of art, culture and education, Syed Akbaruddin, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, said. Under this agreement Kyoto and Kashi will prepare a detailed roadmap for making Kashi a smart city, retaining its rich culture, tradition and heritage. The prime minister and his team will dive deep to understand how Kyoto is a perfect blend of tradition and modern city. A one-hour-long presentation will be made by the Mayor of Kyoto prefecture Daisaku Kadokawa. After that the Governor of Kyoto Keiji Yamada will also call on the prime minister to further discuss how lessons drawn from Kyoto can be implemented in Kashi. Prime Minister Modi may be representing Kashi (Varanasi) in Parliament but his smart city project is not limited to linking Kyoto and Kashi. India is seeking Japanese investment in creation of 100 smart cities across the country. The tone for the PM visit was set by PM Abe who flew into Kyoto to receive PM Modi. Traditions In the elegant setting of the Imperial Guest House in Kyoto the two prime ministers sat down at a traditional dining table for over one-and-a-half hours for an exceptionally warm and friendly conversation over a traditional Japanese meal, Akbaruddin said. At the dinner, PM Modi emphasised the ancient cultural and religious links between India and Japan which are not known widely. They (PM Modi and PM Abe) felt that the commencement of PM Modis trip in Kyoto, the old Capital city and an important centre of Buddhism, highlighted this important spiritual foundation of India-Japan relations, he added. PM Abe reciprocated PM Modis gesture, saying the relations were important for Japan and the region. He hoped under PM Modis leadership Indias economic transformation would gather strong momentum. An economically resurgent India would be of great strategic importance to the region and the world, and an inspiration for democratic forces around the world, PM Abe was quoted as saying. During the dinner at the Imperial Guest House, PM Modi presented PM Abe two of his favourite books - the Shrimad Bhagwat Gita and a specially commissioned and printed book Swami Vivekananda and Japan -- Excerpts from the Life of Swami Vivekananda, and Vivekananda in Japan by Swami Medhasnanad. PM Abe is also to host a special Japanese Tea Ceremony for PM Modi as a mark of respect and personal affection for the prime minister. Apart from symbolism, the PM Modi is also scheduled to visit the stem cell research centre of the Kyoto University and interact with researchers to understand the cutting edge research and development in the field of medicine. The real engagement begins when PM Modi will be officially welcomed by PM Abe, and will meet Emperor Akihito. In Tokyo the PM Modi will seek investment for energy and infrastructure projects and hope to make significant progress in the field of defence ties and strategic partnership.
Posted on: Sun, 31 Aug 2014 06:34:26 +0000