Kathmandu, November 17

The Embassy of India, in collaboration with the Indian Culture Centre, organised a joint celebration of Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Day and Maulana Azad Day here today.

Education Secretary Madhu Prasad Regmi was the chief guest at the event that was attended by dignitaries, senior bureaucrats from Nepal government, ITEC alumni of Indian educational institutions, media and prominent Nepali and Indian citizens.

The first batch of 12 ITEC participants went to India in the year 2000.  Over the years, the number of seats allocated to Nepal under ITEC programme has increased to 250 in 2016.  Candidates from Nepal government as well as from private and public sectors have been trained under ITEC programme in reputed institutions in India in the field of computers, engineering, journalism, banking, legislation, power, remote sensing, manpower research, education, empowerment of  women, hydrology, law enforcement, business planning and promotion, accounts and finance, etcetera.  From 2000 till date, around 1,250 participants from Nepal have benefited from attending mid-career short-term professional training courses in India.

ITEC is about cooperation and partnership for mutual benefit. It is response-oriented and it addresses the needs of developing countries.  India has always been willing to share its skills and experience with fellow developing countries, as per a media release issued by the Embassy of India in Nepal.

The event marked the 129th birth anniversary of the first education minister of independent India and founder of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad.  He was posthumously awarded with India’s highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna, in 1992.

ITEC was launched in 1964 as a bilateral programme of assistance of the Indian government. The ITEC programme, fully funded by the government of India, has evolved and grown over the years.