AHMEDABAD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Zen Garden and Kaizen Academy at the Ahmedabad Management Association (AMA) via a video-conference on Sunday.
The PM said that these facilities will be the symbols of the growing friendship and co-operation between the people and governments of India and Japan.
Mod said that during these trying times of the pandemic, the Indo-Japan friendship, under the leadership of Japan Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, has become even more important for global stability and prosperity.
Current challenges demand that the friendship and partnership be further strengthened, the PM said.
He praised the Indo-Japan Friendship Association, Gujarat, for infusing the ties with new energy.
Pointing to the similarities between ‘Zen’ and the Indian concept of ‘Dhyan’, the PM dwelt on the two cultures’ emphasis on inner peace as well as on progress and growth in everyday life.
“Indians will find the glimpse of the same peace, poise, and simplicity in this Zen Garden which they have experienced in yoga through the ages,” the PM said.
He said that kaizen entails not just ‘improvement’ but ‘continuous improvement’.
Outlining his vision for making Gujarat a “Mini Japan”, the PM said that he was satisfied to see the confidence that Japan has reposed in Gujarat and in the power of its people.
“About 135 Japanese companies operate in Gujarat, in sectors including automobile, banking, construction, and pharma.
These companies are also imparting skills to the youth of Gujarat,” he said.
Tax guru Mukesh Patel, who has been instrumental in the creation of the Zen Garden and the Kaizen Academy, said that the facilities represent the growing friendship between India and Japan.
He said that over the years, more than 1,000 trainees who learnt Japanese at the AMA have been posted in Japanese companies operating in Gujarat and other parts of India.
Others who spoke during the inauguration included Toshido Ido, the governor of Hyogo; deputy CM Nitin Patel; ambassador of Japan to India Satoshi Suzuki; and Indian ambassador to Japan Sanjay Kumar Verma.