Kathmandu : On the occasion of the 66th Republic Day of India, the Indian embassy in Kathmandu Monday gifted 20 ambulances and four buses to various hospitals, non-profit charitable organisations and educational institutions in 19 districts of Nepal.
In addition to this, Indian Ambassador Ranjit Rae also presented books to 75 libraries, educational and training institutions located in different parts of Nepal. He also distributed cheques and blankets to the widows/dependents of ex-servicemen and disabled ex-servicemen who served in the Gorkha Regiment of the Indian Army.
According to the Indian embassy in Kathmandu, since 1994, the Indian government has gifted 462 ambulances to various organisations across 73 districts in Nepal. This has helped in bringing healthcare services to the doorstep of thousands of people who do not have access to healthcare.
India has also so far gifted 90 buses to various educational and welfare institutions across 25 districts in Nepal, making access to education easier for thousands of students.
Gifting of ambulances and buses is a part of the larger India-Nepal Development Partnership with an overall outlay of over Nepalese Rs.75 billion (over $761 million).
The cooperation consists of over 500 large and small projects in the sectors of health, education and infrastructure development which reflects the commitment of the government and the people of India to work together with the people of Nepal in their stride towards peace and development, according to the embassy. These projects stand as a symbol of the deep friendship between the two countries.
At a public function held in the embassy premises in Kathmandu to mark the Republic Day, Ambassador Rae Monday hoisted the national flag and read out the address of President Pranab Mukherjee, delivered to the nation on the eve of the Republic Day, stressing among other things India’s support for peace, stability and development in its neighbourhood.