PM calls on public to fund Dharahara reconstruction

Council of ministers to donate one month’s salary

KATHMANDU, Feb 16 : The government has finally decided to reconstruct the historic Dharahara tower, with funds collected from the general public.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Tuesday appealed to the general public to contribute financially for the restoration of the landmark monument, which collapsed in the April 25 earthquake, killing over 30 people.

“We have decided to restore the monument through our own domestic resources rather than seek any foreign aid as the tower is directly associated with our country’s history and identity. So, I appeal to all Nepalis at home and abroad to contribute funds for its restoration,” said Prime Minister Oli amid a function organized by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation on the tower premises. At the function, the slogan “I will rebuild my Dharahara myself” was launched for mobilizing the general public to contribute to the reconstruction.
Oli said the government decided to reconstruct the monument through public contributions as that would not only result in the reconstruction starting immediately but also create a sense of ownership among the people.
“It is not that foreigners have not shown interest in restoring the tower, but we believe that some significant landmark monuments and structures like Dharahara which are directly associated with our history and culture should be built with our own money. In view of this, we have decided to go to the public for the reconstruction funds,” said Prime Minister Oli.
He also announced that he was contributing his one month’s salary for the reconstruction. He has directed the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) to establish a common bank account into which people can make their contributions as they wish.
Officials at NRA and the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation said the government will issue a notice to inform the general public how they can contribute money for the restoration of the monument.
The tower will be restored to its original form, but using modern technology, it is learnt.
Meanwhile, a cabinet meeting held at Singha Durbar has decided to adopt “I will rebuild my Dharahara myself”as a resolution and appealed to all Nepalis to contribute financially for the reconstruction work.
Similarly, the meeting also decided to donate one month’s salary of the entire council of ministers to the ‘I will rebuild my Dharahara fund’, informed Minister for Information and Communications Sher Dhan Rai, who is also spokesperson of the government.
He said that the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and the Department of Archeology have been directed to come up with a detailed action plan within a month for the reconstruction .
After the origional 250-foot Dharahara collapsed in the 1934 earthquake, the government had reconstructed a 203-foot tower. But this also collapsed in the earthquake last April.