Foundation stone laid for Shree Janata Belaka Secondary School's new building in Udayapur

KATHMANDU, Dec 14: Foundation stone for a school to be built with the Indian assistance in Udayapur was laid amidst a special ceremony on Wednesday.

Dr. Narayan Khadka, Member of Parliament and former Minister alongside Prasanna Shrivastava, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India, Kathmandu, laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Shree Janata Belaka Secondary School's new building on Wednesday. This crucial initiative is being undertaken with financial assistance from the Government of India, amounting to Rs. 37.9 million, as part of the 'Nepal-India Development Cooperation.

The groundbreaking ceremony, attended by public representatives, government officials, social workers, school management representatives, teachers, parents, and students, marks a significant step towards enhancing educational infrastructure in Belaka Municipality, Udayapur District.

Under the 'Nepal-India Development Cooperation,' the Government of India grant will be utilized for the construction of a triple-storied school building, equipped with necessary classrooms and other essential infrastructure facilities. The project falls under the High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) category, previously known as Small Development Projects, as per the agreement between the Government of India and the Government of Nepal. Belaka Municipality, Udayapur, is overseeing the project's implementation.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Khadka expressed appreciation for the consistent developmental support provided by the Government of India, emphasizing its positive impact on uplifting the people of Nepal in priority sectors.

Prasanna Shrivastava, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India, Kathmandu, highlighted the project's importance within the robust development partnership between India and Nepal. He acknowledged the significant progress made in recent years across various priority sectors, reaffirming the Government of India's commitment to furthering this development partnership based on Nepal's priorities.

Upon completion of the school building construction, Shree Janata Belaka Secondary School is poised to offer improved education facilities, contributing to the overall development of education in the area.

Since 2003, India has undertaken over 550 HICDPs in Nepal across various sectors, completing 488 projects. Koshi Province, including Udayapur, has seen 84 projects, with the Government of India also gifting 974 ambulances and 234 school buses to hospitals, health posts, and educational institutions in Nepal. This initiative aligns with India's commitment to supporting the developmental needs of Nepal, fostering mutual benefit between the two nations.