KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 29
Anurag Srivastava, Joint-secretary (North), Ministry of External Affairs of India, jointly inaugurated six newly reconstructed schools in Kavre, with Gokul Prasad Baskota, member of Parliament (Kavre-2) and Ganga Bahadur Tamang, Member of Parliament (Kavre-1) and Dhurba Prasad Sharma, executive member, National Reconstruction Authority today.
According to the Embassy of India, the six schools were built under the reconstruction grant assistance of Government of India at a total cost of Rs 197 million. The event was attended by officials from Embassy of India in Kathmandu, representatives from Central Level Project Implementation Unit (Education), District Level Project Implementation Unit (Kavre), Banepa Municipality, Panauti Municipality and other stakeholders.
These six reconstructed schools included Shree Ajad Secondary School (Banepa), Shree Bhagwati Secondary School (Panchkhal), Shree Ajad Secondary School (Panchkhal), Shree Dughdeshwar Secondary School (Panchkhal), Shree Sharada Secondary School (Panauti) and Shree Khandadevi Secondary School (Chauri Deurali). They were built according to earthquake-resilient reconstruction norms of Government of Nepal. They are expected to provide better learning environment to more than 2,000 students.
The schools are part of Government of India's commitment to reconstruct educational institutions across eight districts affected by the earthquake under grant assistance of US $ 50 million.
The eight beneficiary districts are Gorkha, Nuwakot, Sindhupalchowk, Ramechhap, Dolakha, Kavre, Dhading and Kathmandu. Till date, construction of 14 schools has been completed and construction of 56 schools is ongoing.
Srivastava highlighted that these six schools were excellent examples of courage and capacity of Nepali people to build back better, and that India was honoured to be a promising development partner of Nepal. India, as a close friend and neighbour has stood shoulder to shoulder with the people of Nepal in its efforts in reconstruction.
A ground breaking ceremony of Khopasi Primary Health Care Centre in Panauti Municipality, Kavre, was also held today. This health post is one of the 132 health posts being reconstructed under Government of India's grant assistance of USD 50 million in the health sector. The PHCC is being reconstructed at a cost of Rs 75 million. It will provide emergency, maternal and child healthcare and other medical services for around 15,000 people in Kavre.
According to the embassy, India has committed reconstruction grant-in aid up to US $250 million for reconstruction projects in housing, education, health and cultural heritage.
A version of this article appears in the print on September 30 2021, of The Himalayan Times.
