KATHMANDU, Dec 14: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Jiwan Bahadur Shahi, on Tuesday evening left for Melbourne, Australia to take part in the Grand Nepal Festival. 

The Non Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) is organizing the festival from December 14 to 21. Minister Shahi is scheduled to inaugurate the Grand Nepal Festival today. 

The Minister's entourage includes Tourism Ministry's Joint Secretary, Dhanshyam Upadhyaya, and Nepal Students Union President, Nainsingh Mahar. 

The Minister said the festival being held with an aim to promote Nepal's culture and tourism could play an important role in promoting the country's tourism. 

"It is a matter of great pride that a festival is being held in Australia on Nepal, which is rich in terms of cultural heritage. This is a great achievement for us," Minister Shahi's Press Advisor, Sunil Sapkota, quoted the Minister as saying. RSS 

 
• tourism minister
 
• jiwan bahadur shahi
 
• australia