KATHMANDU: Lalitpur Metropolitan City Mayor Chiri Babu Maharjan and Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava jointly inaugurated the new building of Shree Napichandra Mahavihar in Lalitpur, on Monday.
The building of Napichandra Mahavihar, which was damaged during the 2015 earthquake, was built at a cost of around Rs 35 million under the Indian government's post-earthquake reconstruction grant to the cultural heritage sector in Nepal.
The project has been implemented by the Central Level Project Implementation Unit (CLPIU – Building and Housing) DUDBC, Government of Nepal.
On the occasion, Mayor Maharjan thanked the Government of India for its support to Nepal in terms of asset creation. He said the support of the Indian government in Nepal's reconstruction and renovation of heritage was incomparable.
Similarly, the Indian Ambassador highlighted various aspects of the robust ongoing development cooperation between India and Nepal and mentioned that it is a significant aspect of India-Nepal bilateral partnership.
"India and Nepal have historic cultural similarities and heritage to preserve for our future generations. Therefore, it is our common endeavour to restore these heritage sites. India has been working with Nepal for the restoration of cultural heritage projects in the past too. It’s a reflection of our common culture which is the strength of our friendly relationship," mentioned the Ambassador.
In line with this approach, the Government of India is committed to taking up the conservation of 28 cultural heritage sites across seven districts of Nepal. Besides these, under post earthquake reconstruction grant, the Government of India has also supported the reconstruction of 50,000 private houses in Gorkha and Nuwakot districts, 71 educational institutions across eight districts and 132 health facilities across 10 districts in Nepal, reads a press release issued by the Indian Embassy in Nepal.
This project is a reflection of India’s development partnership with Nepal and complements the efforts of the Government of Nepal in post-earthquake reconstruction projects in Nepal.
President of Lalitpur Development Society, Buddhiraj Bajracharya, representatives of the local community, representatives of INTACH the PMC for the project, officials from the Government of Nepal and the Embassy of India, Kathmandu were also present at the event.
