Search Buddhist Channel
China's tourist can't visit Bihar
TIMES NEWS NETWORK, April 25, 2006
PATNA, India -- Citizens of China would be disappointed to know that a Boeing-747 aircraft cannot land in Patna. According to China's ambassador to India Sun Yuxi, quite a few rich Chinese would like to visit Bihar's Buddhist spots provided they are able to bring in a big plane at least up to Patna.
<< Bihar, home to the holy Maha Bodhi temple located in Bodh Gaya, where the Buddha gained supreme Enlightenment
Yuxi, who was in Bihar, met state tourism minister Nand Kishore Yadav on Monday evening and inquired about the facilities at the Patna airport.
Yuxi said, "Several Chinese leaders, businessmen and well-to-do people would like to visit your state, Bihar, but they won't have much time to spend commuting on roads. Is is possible to land a big plane, something like a Boeing-747, in Patna?"
Yadav asked his staff to find out and was soon told it was not possible. The length of runway at the Patna airport is about 6,770 feet whereas a Boeing-747 would need at least 8,000 feet of runway to land and take off.
Nevertheless Yuxi spoke of better cooperation between the two countries which would increase the tourist flow from China to Bihar.
However, he expressed his disappointment over the lack of adequate infrastructural facilities, specially in Gaya and Nalanda. "People are very friendly and Bihar is a very nice place. But the roads need to be better," Yuxi said. Yadav nodded.
The Chinese envoy said his team is currently engaged in preparing a documentary that would be shown back home to give prospective tourists a better idea of Bihar.
He sought the help of Yadav to allow the filming of some rare statues in the Patna Museum.Yuxi hinted at the possibility of attracting Chinese investment in Bihar.
Although he did not speak in detail, he gave a feeler that "China and India could come together to improve infrastructure in Bihar and accelerate development".
He was shown a documentary film on the Buddha Circuit which also traced Buddhist links between the two countries.
While Yuxi presented Yadav a glass plate with China's traditional symbol of the dragon, Yadav in return gifted him a Buddha statue and a Madhubani scarf.
Later speaking to reporters, Yadav said, "There was no direct mention of any investment. We have spoken about better cooperation and the possibility of increasing the flow of tourists from China."
As of now, few tourists from China visit the Buddhist spots in Bihar. Among foreign tourists, those from Japan and Thailand top the list.
Buddhist AI Chat Bot NORBU!
(Neural Omniscient Robotic-Being for Buddhist Understanding)
For Malaysians
who wants to donate in MYR, please use the following account:Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
Note: Please indicate your name in the payment slip. Thank you.
Dear Friends in the Dharma,
We seek your generous support to help us train NORBU, the word's first Buddhist AI Chat Bot.
Here are some ways you can contribute to this noble cause:
One-time Donation or Loan: A single contribution, regardless of its size, will go a long way in helping us reach our goal and make the Buddhist LLM a beacon of wisdom for all.
How will your donation / loan be used? Download the NORBU White Paper for details.
For Malaysians
who wants to donate in MYR, please use the following account:Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
Note: Please indicate your purpose of payment (loan or donation) in the payment slip. Thank you.
Once payment is banked in, please send the payment slip via email to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv. Your donation/loan will be published and publicly acknowledged on the Buddhist Channel.
Spread the Word: Share this initiative with your friends, family and fellow Dharma enthusiasts. Join "Friends of Norbu" at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/norbuchatbot. Together, we can build a stronger community and create a positive impact on a global scale.
Volunteer: If you possess expertise in AI, natural language processing, Dharma knowledge in terms of Buddhist sutras in various languages or related fields, and wish to lend your skills, please contact us. Your knowledge and passion could be invaluable to our project's success.
Your support is part of a collective effort to preserve and disseminate the profound teachings of Buddhism. By contributing to the NORBU, you become a "virtual Bodhisattva" to make Buddhist wisdom more accessible to seekers worldwide.
Thank you for helping to make NORBU a wise and compassionate Buddhist Chatbot!
May you be blessed with inner peace and wisdom,
With deepest gratitude,
Kooi F. Lim
On behalf of The Buddhist Channel Team
Note: To date, we have received the following contributions for NORBU:
US$ 75 from Gary Gach (Loan)
US$ 50 from Chong Sim Keong
MYR 300 from Wilson Tee
MYR 500 from Lim Yan Pok
MYR 50 from Oon Yeoh
MYR 200 from Ooi Poh Tin
MYR 300 from Lai Swee Pin
MYR 100 from Ong Hooi Sian
MYR 1,000 from Fam Sin Nin
MYR 500 from Oh teik Bin
MYR 300 from Yeoh Ai Guat
MYR 300 from Yong Lily
MYR 50 from Bandar Utama Buddhist Society
MYR 1,000 from Chiam Swee Ann
MYR 1,000 from Lye Veei Chiew
MYR 1,000 from Por Yong Tong
MYR 80 from Lee Wai Yee
MYR 500 from Pek Chee Hen
MYR 300 from Hor Tuck Loon
MYR 1,000 from Wise Payments Malaysia Sdn Bhd
MYR 200 from Teo Yen Hua
MYR 500 from Ng Wee Keat
MYR 10,000 from Chang Quai Hung, Jackie (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from K. C. Lim & Agnes (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from Juin & Jooky Tan (Loan)
MYR 100 from Poh Boon Fong (on behalf of SXI Buddhist Students Society)
MYR 10,000 from Fam Shan-Shan (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from John Fam (Loan)
MYR 500 from Phang Cheng Kar
MYR 100 from Lee Suat Yee
MYR 500 from Teo Chwee Hoon (on behalf of Lai Siow Kee)
MYR 200 from Mak Yuen Chau
We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.
If you have any enquiries, please write to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv