NEW DELHI, Mar 21: Shushil Gyewali, Chief Executive Officer, National Reconstruction Authority, and Naveen Kumar, Head of News, Media and Cultural Arm of the Embassy of India in Nepal, jointly inaugurated four newly rebuilt schools in Nuwakot (Shree Kalika, Shree Pimaltar, Shree Panchalinge, and Shree Saraswoti Secondary Schools). The schools were established with the aid of Government of India reconstruction grant.
The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu stated, “schools were rebuilt at a cost of NRs. 167 million, in line with the Government of Nepal’s earthquake-resilient reconstruction requirements. The current 1800 students would benefit from the newly handed over campuses, which will have a better learning atmosphere. The schools are part of a total of 71 educational institutes being established across eight districts with grant of US$ 50 million from India for education reconstruction. Gorkha, Nuwakot, Sindhupalchowk, Ramechhap, Dolakha, Kavrepalanchowk, Dhading, and Kathmandu are the eight districts that will benefit. Eight schools have been completed so far, with a total of 62 schools under construction.”
Naveen Kumar, who spoke at the event, said education was the best investment for the country’s and people’s future. Since 2003, India has established hundreds of educational campuses, supplementing Nepal’s efforts in this region. He also urged Nepali students to take advantage of the government of India’s over 3000 scholarships to contribute to their country’s growth and to become the best ambassadors for the other country in order to improve the India-Nepal relationship.
India has also pledged a $200 million rehabilitation grant (for projects in the housing, health, and cultural heritage sectors). Nearly 47,000 houses have already been built under the owner-driven model in Gorkha and Nuwakot districts, with work on the remaining houses currently underway. Under the Indian reconstruction grant, 147 health buildings and 28 cultural heritage sites were restored or retrofitted in 11 districts of Nepal affected by the 2015 earthquake. The Nepalese Red Cross and the Embassy have been collaborating together to complete the reconstruction projects as early as possible.
(Venkatesh Iyer)