KATHMANDU, Nov. 23: Chairman of the Council of Royal Representatives, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Paras Bir Bikram Shah Dev, on the occasion of the 80th auspicious birth anniversary of Bhagawan Shree Satya Sai Baba, unveiled a statue of Lord Gautam Buddha, the apostle of peace installed at the premises of the Satya Sai Centre, Naxal, amidst a function today.

HRH the Crown Prince also inaugurated the new building of the Satya Sai Health Service Centre on the occasion.

The Buddha statue, which has been constructed in special way by installing four pillars representing the religions, is 21 feet tall. It has been constructed by sculptor Askar Lama.

The Satya Sai Health Service Centre, established with the objective of providing health services to the deprived section of society, which has been so far rendering general health services would from now also provide dental, ophthalmic and cervical tests, health laboratory, X-ray, ultrasound services also.

So far 23,000 patients have benefited from the health services from the Centre while 12,000 persons have received the physiotherapy service.

HRH the Crown Prince on the occasion observed with keen interest the Bhajan Griha at the ‘Chaitanya Jyoti Bhavan’ at the Centre and the newly inaugurated building of the Satya Sai Health Service Centre. HRH the Crown Prince also acquired information about the health services run by the Centre and on the free education provided to children.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince also offered worship to Bhagawan Hariharnarayan at the Centre premises.

HRH the Crown Prince on the occasion presented a Letter of Appreciation to former Chairman of the Centre Kamal Singh Karki who provided significant contribution for construction of the new building of the Satya Sai Health Service Centre.

HRH the Crown Prince granted collective audience to the Buddhist religious teachers present on the occasion.

Earlier, upon arrival at the Centre HRH the Crown Prince was accorded welcome by Panchakanyas, Buddhist religious teachers and office-bearers of the Centre.

Addressing the function, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Buddhi Raj Bajracharya said that the institution of monarchy has always sided with the people in their hour of grief and happiness, and played an inspiring role for the nation. Noting that the Nepali people have demonstrated an unique example of religious tolerance and mutual goodwill, Minister Bajracharya said that the Buddha’s precepts have become even more relevant in the present situation of conflict and tension.

Acting Chairman of the Satya Sai Centre Dharma Raj Kunwar called upon all to emulate the Satya Sai Baba’s proclamation- ‘Serve the humanity through love and service’.

He added that it is the responsibility of one and all to abide by the state laws and play an active role in the nation’s progress. Programme coordinator Narendra Bahadur Shrestha provided information on the activities of the Centre. He said that the Centre was going to celebrate the 80th birthday of the Satya Sai Baba throughout the week by carrying out service-oriented works. The Centre, established in 2029 B.S. at Harihar Narayan ground as per the wish of the Satya Sai Baba, has expanded to 134 places throughout the Kingdom.