Indian govt.'s Support for Nepal's Heritage

Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Chiri Babu Maharjan, and Ambassador of India to Nepal, Shri Naveen Srivastava, jointly inaugurated the new building of Shree Napichandra Mahavihar, Lalitpur, on Monday.

The building of Napichandra Mahavihar, which was damaged during the Gorkha earthquake, was built at a cost of around Rs 35 million under Indian government's post-earthquake reconstruction Grant to the cultural heritage sector in Nepal.

The project has been implemented by Central Level Project Implementation Unit (CLPIU – Building & Housing) DUDBC, Government of Nepal.

On the occasion, Mayor Maharjan thanked the Government of India for its support to Lalitpur as well as Nepal in general in terms of asset-creation.

He said the support of the Indian government in Nepal's reconstruction and renovation of Gorkha Earthquake damaged heritages was incomparable.

Similarly, the Indian Ambassador highlighted the various aspects of the robust ongoing development co-operation between India and Nepal and mentioned that it is a significant aspect of India-Nepal bilateral partnership.

"India and Nepal have historic cultural similarities and heritage to preserve for our future generations. Therefore, it is our common endeavor to restore these heritage sites. India has been working with Nepal for restoration of cultural heritage projects in the past too. It’s a reflection of our common culture which is the strength of our friendly relationship", mentioned the Ambassador.

In line with this approach, the Government of India has committed to take up conservation of 28 cultural heritage sites across seven districts of Nepal. Beside these, under post-earthquake reconstruction grant, Government of India has also supported reconstruction of 50,000 private houses of Gorkha and Nuwakot districts, reconstruction of 71 educational institutions across eight districts and reconstruction of 132 health facilities across 10 districts of Nepal, reads a press release issued by the Indian Embassy in Nepal.

This project is a reflection of India’s development partnership with Nepal and complements efforts of the Government of Nepal in post-earthquake reconstruction projects in Nepal.

President of Lalitpur Development Society, Buddhiraj Bajracharya, representatives of local community, representatives of INTACH the PMC for the project, officials from the Government of Nepal and the Embassy of India, Kathmandu were also present in the event.