KATHMANDU, May 10: Mayor of Patan Municipality, Gauri Singh Rawal, and First Secretary at the Embassy of India, Kathmandu, Avinash Kumar Singh, jointly laid the foundation stone for the construction of Shree Bhimeshwar Secondary School Building in Patan Municipality-4, Baitadi District, Nepal.

According to a press statement issued by the Embassy of India, the building is being constructed with the Government of India’s financial assistance at the tendered cost of Rs 31.05 million under 'Nepal-India Development Cooperation'. Political representatives, government officials, social workers, representatives of the school management, teachers, parents, and students were also present on this occasion.

The Government of India grant under 'Nepal-India Development Cooperation' is being utilized for the construction of double-storied school buildings Block-A and Block-C with other facilities for this school. The project is undertaken as a High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP), under an Agreement between the Government of India and the Government of Nepal. This project is being implemented through Patan Municipality, Baitadi. The project is an important example of the robust development partnership between India and Nepal.

The Mayor of Patan Municipality, in his remarks, appreciated the continued developmental support of the Government of India in the upliftment of the people of Nepal in priority sectors.

Since 2003, the Government of India has undertaken over 551 HICDPs in Nepal in various sectors and has completed 490 projects. Among these, 40 projects are in Sudurpashchim Province in various sectors, including 2 projects in Baitadi. In addition to these, the Government of India has gifted 1009 ambulances and 300 school buses to various hospitals, health posts, and educational institutions in Nepal on the occasion of Independence Day and Republic Day of India. Among these, 68 ambulances and 29 school buses have been gifted in Sudurpashchim Province, including 5 ambulances provided in Baitadi District.