KATHMANDU, Nov 2: The air was filled with joy and excitement when visiting Indian President Pranab Mukherjee reached Indian embassy in Kathmandu today to attend a welcome reception organized in his honor.
The crowd was excited more when Rastrakabi Madhav Prasad Ghimire advanced towards the dais where Mukherjee was sitting.
When Ghimire reached out to him, President Mukherjee with lots of happiness and excitement over his face reacted with words 'Kabi ji how are you?'
With visibly exciting and jolly face, the 90-year-old poet lifted himself up to the dais with the support of a walking stick, responded, "I am fine, your Excellency."
"I feel very satisfied to have met the Indian President," said Ghimire after shaking hands with President Mukherjee.
Ghimire had reached the Indian embassy at 12:00 noon to attend the welcome reception.
Bestowed with the Rastrakabi title, poet Ghimire has immense contribution to the field of language and literature in the country with a number of hit songs like 'Gauchha Geet Nepali Jyotiko Pankha Uchali.'
The ceremony started after and concluded before playing national anthems of both Nepal and India.
Nepal's Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun sat alongside Indian President Mukherjee. Indian ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae also attended the program.
President Mukherjee reached the Indian embassy to attend the reception after a one-hour formal meeting with President Bidya Devi Bhandari at the latter's residence in Shital Niwas.
Indian President Mukherjee is on a three-day state visit to Nepal at the invitation of President Bhandari.
Mukherjee's Nepal visit will take Nepal-Indian relations to new height
Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister, Sher Bahadur Deuba, called on Indian President Mukherjee today.
Talking briefly to Indian media persons after the meeting, NC President Deuba expressed the belief that Indian President Mukherjee's Nepal visit would take the Nepal-India relations to a new height.
Saying that Nepal and India have been enjoying the relation since centuries and such visit would further strengthen the relations, he said, "Nepal is currently involved in constitution implementation."
Similarly, NC General Secretary Dr Shashanka Koirala, leader Dr Shekhar Koirala and ministers in the government also paid a courtesy call on President Mukherjee.
Former Prime Minister, Lokendra Bahadur Chand, the then Chairman of the Council of Ministers Khilraj Regmi, CPN (UML) Vice-Chairmen Bamdev Gautam and Bhim Rawal, former Speaker Subas Nembang, Deputy Prime Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara and CPN (Maoist Centre), leader Top Bahadur Rayamajhi also called on the Indian President.
Likewise, Chairman of the Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party Chairman Mahantha Thakur, Chairman of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (Democratic), Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Pashupati Murarka, Vice-President Bhawani Rana and Chairman of the Confederation of Nepalese Industry, Hari Bhakta Sharma also called on President Mukherjee. RSS
Rastrakabi Ghimire to bring epic on his birth centenary
