Date:26/06/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/06/26/stories/2009062651030900.htm

Opinion - News Analysis

Rebuilding of Buddha statue begins in Bamiyan

The work for the reconstruction of one of the two giant Buddhas, destroyed in Taliban regime, has begun in Afghanistan’s central Bamiyan province, Director of Cultural Department of the province Najibullah Ahrar said on Thursday.

“After about one year’s feasibility studies, the work for the restructuring of smaller Buddha formally commenced with the support of Agha Khan Foundation on Tuesday,” he told Xinhua.

Ahrar added that a German company was carrying out the reconstruction process.

Taliban fanatic militants had dynamited the world’s cultural heritage, the 53-metre and 35-metre giant Buddhas, in March 2001. Rebuilding both the statues requires $100 million.

— Xinhua