Binay Kumar and Amano Masami in Bodhgaya on Tuesday. Picture by Suman

A restaurateur and an engineer in Japan have decided to start a technical institute and solar panel plant in Bodhgaya, a move that would give several youths employment opportunities.

Binay Kumar, the restaurateur, is based in Japan for the past 23 years but he is originally from Bodhgaya, around 120km south of Patna. On Tuesday, he and engineer Amano Masami announced the plan to set up the solar power plant. The application for registration of a company was also submitted on Tuesday.

Binay claimed he was among the 200 Indians who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he went to Japan for his five-day trip in late August. Modi’s “Make in India” appeal moved Binay to the solar idea.

He told The Telegraph: “Amano Masami, an engineer in Japan, and I have planned to set up the school and solar panel plant in Bodhgaya. It would require an investment of around Rs 50 crore. I have been living in Japan’s Hamamatsu city for the past 23 years. I have a restaurant business and have good connections with entrepreneurs there. I am the president of the Indian Japanese Association Cultural Association. We are looking for sponsors and some entrepreneurs in Japan have already shown interest in the project.

“Initially, we plan to train local youths in operation of the solar panel production plant. For this we would establish a practical technology education and training school in Bodhgaya. Not only would the project bring quality solar panel products here, but it would also create employment opportunity for the youths. The project would require around 10-12 cottahs. A deadline of June 2015 has been fixed to start the school. I request the state government to extend support too,” he added.

Masami said: “I have worked for leading electronic companies in Japan for more than 30 years. When I came in contact with Binay and heard of his plan, I decided to support him. In the first phase, we would make small solar panels that can be used to recharge cellphones, laptops and portable batteries. These would also be able to operate 600l refrigerator, 42-inch LCD television, LED lamps and fans. The raw material for manufacturing the products would be imported from Taiwan. The products would be a little costly than those already available in the market, but then our goods would be more durable.”