Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c16.s1.t6.7

v2.c16.s1.t6.7

After nearly half a century, the Memorial Hall was in urgent need of repair. In 2000, China and India included it into the plan for mutual cultural exchange. At the end of 2003, Indian government granted Rupees 30 million for interior furnishing and landscaping of the building. In 2005, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reiterated the renovation of Xuanzang Memorial Hall as a programme of mutual cultural exchange. It was decided that relevant work should be finished in 2006, the year for India-China Friendship. On Chinese side, State Administration for Religious Affairs would take charge of the matter, while India would set up a construction and maintenance committee for Xuanzang Memorial Hall. The main buildings of the Memorial Hall covers an area of 4.5 hectare and at the request of the construction and maintenance committee, Indian government granted the neighbouring 27-hectare lake to the Memorial Hall free of cost. Thus, its total area is more than 30 hectare. Besides, Indian government assigned 47.5 hectare in the neighbourhood of the Memorial Hall to Nalanda International University. Thanks to experts, scholars, artists, engineers, Buddhist and businessmen in both countries, repair and renovation of Xuanzang Memorial Hall was accomplished on time at the end of 2006.