By Our Correspondent, Lumbini, Feb. 9: Nepal-China Friendship Society, Lumbini, several individuals and organisations held a prayer programme at Maya Devi Temple, Lumbini.

On the occasion of the full moon day on Sunday, they held prayers for the wellbeing of the Chinese people suffering from novel corona virus and wished for the fast recovery from the virus infection. Likewise, they also condoled the death of those who died of virus infection and prayed for their eternal peace.

China is currently facing the outbreak of novel coronavirus in many of its cities and towns. Several Chinese people and a few other nationals have died while many Chinese people have currently been undergoing treatment for the contagion.

Speaking at the prayer programme, Hridaya Ratna Bajracharya, vice chancellor of Lumbini University, expressed his condolence over the demise of several Chinese people owing to the deadly virus. He prayed for the eternal peace of the dead ones and early recovery of those who were now undergoing treatment.

Bajracharya hoped that the Chinese government would bring the epidemic outbreak under control soon, because the country is well equipped to deal with any eventuality. He expressed his university's solidarity with the Chinese in this 'grim hour.'

Nepal-China Friendship Society, Lumbini Chairman Narayan Prasad Sapkota said that the society had prayed for the eternal peace of those who died of the virus and wished for early recovery of the ailing Chinese and other people.

The people and the government of China are capable to contain the virus, Sapkota said and added that other nations should take a cue from China regarding the latter's efforts in tackling any challenges. The city of Wuhan built special hospitals in a week's time, which reflected the Chinese authority's seriousness in tackling the disease.

Referring to the strong bond between Nepal and China, Sapkota said that under the able guidance of the Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Chinese government would be successful in defeating not only the epidemic of novel coronavirus, but all kinds of challenges facing the northern neighbour.

He also expressed his association's solidarity with China and the Chinese people during 'this very challenging time.'

Saroj Bhattarai of Lumbini Development Trust said that he would pray for China and its people and added that the Trust would be ready to extend support to the Chinese people at this grim hour.

The second abbot of China's Zhong Huo Buddhist Monastery at Lumbini, Shi Zhung Yong, said that he, along with many Buddhist gurus at Lumbini, had prayed for China and its people who had been facing a difficult time due to the outbreak of novel coronavirus. He prayed for the early recovery of the Chinese and others who have been undergoing treatment in China and elsewhere.