India provides Nepal Rs 58,340,000 for Museum

Kathmandu, May 28: The Indian government has provided a sum of about Rs 5.8 crore for the Institute of forestry museum and Library-cum-Documentation Centre built at Hetauda, Makwanpur in Nepal.

India ambassador Shiv Shankar Mukherjee yesterday inaugurated the Museum and Library-cum-Documentation Centre at Hetauda in the presence of the representatives of local Government and community leaders at a public gathering, the Indian embassy said here today.

The museum and library-cum-documentation centre, built with a grant of Rs 5,83,40,000 from the Indian government, will provide better and valuable research materials and books to the students and researchers, the embassy said in a press release.

The support from the Government of India since the establishment of Institute of Forestry itself in 1950s with Indian assistance, followed by grant of Rs 4.16 crores in 1989 for building and Rs 1.69 crores for museum exhibits, has been consistent and ongoing in establishing and upgrading the institute in areas of environmental sciences.

It has added expertise, lustre and dynamism in the field of forestry programme in Nepal.

This project is yet another example of economic cooperation between the two countries as part of the ongoing implementation of 137 projects by the Government of India in the education, health and infrastructure sectors in 61 districts of Nepal with an outlay of Rs 1800 crores, the embassy stated.

India's commitment in strengthening and diversifying bilateral relations with Nepal through economic cooperation is steadfast and will further strengthen and diversify the prosperity and development of its people, the embassy added.

Meanwhile, Mr Mukherjee handed over college text books and scientific instruments for Hari Khetan Multiple Campus, Birgunj and medical books for Narayani Sub-Regional Hospital, Birgunj yesterday at a function organized by the Consulate General of India in Birgunj.

The gift of educational books and scientific equipment worth Rs 10,86,686 is a project under the India-Nepal Economic Cooperation Programme and is part of India's continued cooperation with Nepal for development of its education infrastructure.

In education alone, 60 schools in 29 districts have or are coming under the programme with cutting-edge polytechnic and specialized study institutes in the offing, the embassy said.

A total of 1000 scholarships are also offered annually to increase the pool of technically qualified manpower in Nepal.

As a close and friendly neighbour, India remains committed to be an active partner, through the economic cooperation programme in Nepal's prosperity and development, the embassy said in press release.

UNI