Laying foundation stone for Mangalmaya Higher Secondary School building in Lakhanpur of Jhapa, Sood said, "Nepal and India has cultural and historical relation,'' adding, "People of the two countries are near to each other through hearts.''

The school building will be constructed with the Indian assistance of Rs 36 million within the next 15 months. The Indian government had already assisted more than Rs 90 million for developmental works of Jhapa district alone. "Additional 280 million has been allocated for the district," Sood said.

Meanwhile, Chief District Officer Narendra Dahal expressed gratitude to the Indian government for development of the district., Sood also inspected the dam site of the Kankai River. He had laid foundation stones of two other school buildings here yesterday.