Kathmandu, November 7:

Counsellor of the Embassy of India Pranay Verma laid the foundation stones for a Dharmashala and a building of Jana Shanti Secondary School, to be built in Muktinath and Kagbeni of Mustang district with an Indian assistance of Rs 30 million and Rs 6 million respectively, the Indian embassy in Kathmandu said in a press release.

“In order to encourage greater inflow of pilgrims and tourists, the need for a good quality and affordable Dharmashala for the visitors has been long felt by the local authorities,” it said.

According to the statement, the Dharmashala will have 56 beds with separate space for office, reception, meditation hall, kitchen, cafeteria, dining hall and a guard-house.

Conveying the message from the ambassador of India, counsellor Verma expressed hope that various development projects currently being implemented with Indian assistance will help the people of Nepal in their stride towards peace and prosperity, the statement said.