Kyoto-Varanasi Partner City Agreement
Shortly after arriving in Kyoto, Japan for a 5-day bilateral meeting with Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Abe announced the Kyoto-Varanasi Partner City Agreement. The text of the agreement was signed in the presence of the leaders of both nations by Mayor of Kyoto Daisaku Kadokawa and Ambassador of India to Japan Smt. Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa.[1][2]
As Varanasi forms a part of Prime Minister Modi's Lok Sabha constituency, "the prime minister ensured that Kashi, on the banks of river Ganges, finds a partner in Kyoto, as India's holy city moves ahead on the path of revival to become the 'smart heritage city' - Modi's fascinating dream to turn his parliamentary constituency into a modern 21st-century city, yet retaining its rich tradition and cultural heritage."[2]
On December 3, 2014, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) of the Government of India's Ministry of Urban Development announced the formation of an 11-member steering committee to facilitate, in line with Prime Minister Modi's directives, the modernization of water management, sewage management, waste management and urban transportation, "drawing upon Japanese expertise and technologies." The committee will also promote the "application of Japanese practices, techniques and management for conservation of rich heritage of Varanasi" and foster "exchanges between Kyoto University and Banares Hindu University, as well as religious organisations."[3]
References
- ↑ Som, Vishnu (30 August 2014). "To Rejuvenate Indian Cities, PM Modi Takes First Step With Japan". NDTV.com.
- 1 2 Sawant, Gaurav C. (30 August 2014). "Start of a beautiful friendship? NaMo strikes a chord with Abe over ancient cities as he arrives in Japan for history-making visit". The Daily Mail. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
- ↑ "Steering Committee set up to take forward Kyoto-Varanasi Partner City Agreement". Press Information Bureau Government of India. 3 December 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2015.