Kathmandu, August 15:

The Nepal-India Friendship Association(NIFA) organised a reception on the occasion of the 59th Independence Day of India today. Giving his best wishes on the occasion, the acting president of the NC (D), Gopalman Shrestha, wished for long-lasting ties between Nepal and India. A former deputy prime minister, Ram Chandra Poudel, said it is urgent to follow the ideals of Gandhi and Nehru to resolve the problems facing South Asia. Another former deputy prime minister, Bharatmohan Adhikari, said Nepal has been benefiting from the overall development of India. Stating that India has developed from liberalisation, the Indian ambassador to Nepal, Shiv Shanker Mukherjee, said he is active to strengthen Nepal-India relations. He also donated four school buses to schools based in the Kathmandu Valley amid a ceremony held at the Indian Embassy today, the Indian Embassy said. Books were also donated to 20 academic institutions and libraries. At a separate ceremony in Birgunj, the Consul General of India presented two buses to two local schools.