The Texas Legislature has officially declared March 13 as ‘Nepali Lumbini Advocacy Day’, recognizing the contributions of the Nepalese American community in Texas and highlighting the historical and cultural significance of Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha.  

The resolution was introduced by Suleman Lalani, one of the first Muslim and South Asian lawmakers in the Texas Legislature. It was approved during a legislative session on the same day, according to Nepal’s state-owned news agency, RSS.  

The declaration was made in the presence of mayors from five municipalities in Nepal’s Lumbini Circuit, who were visiting the United States at the time. The resolution emphasizes Lumbini’s global significance as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major spiritual destination for people of the Buddhist faith.  

According to RSS, the initiative to pass the resolution was led by Netra Pandey, Vice-President of the Non-Resident Nepali Association, America, and civic leader Prabhat Dixit.

(With inputs from RSS)