Apart from supporting Nepal in its post earthquake rebuilding process, the Indian Government is also helping the country improve its educational and community infrastructure.
India recently signed two Memorandums of Understanding promising an assistance of over 90 million Nepali Rupees (NR) for construction of classrooms in a higher secondary school, and community centres in Nepal’s villages.
Twenty-five Community Buildings will be constructed in 24 villages of Sarlahi District through financial assistance of NR 49.98 million while an assistance of NR 43.72 million will be given for construction of more classrooms in the higher secondary school in Rautahat District as per MoUs signed recently.
The projects are being funded by the Government of India under Small Development Programme Scheme as part of India-Nepal Economic Cooperation Programme.
According to information from the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, Sarlahi district consists of 24 villages, all located in remote areas. More than 20 per cent of people living in these villages are Dalit and due to lack of Community Buildings people are not able to celebrate festivals, cultural programmes and other ceremonies together. Officials said the Community Building in each village will help these people improve their social conditions and have a better social life. “The new infrastructure will provide much-needed space and would create an improved environment for socio-economic development,” the embassy official said.
Already seven other infrastructure development projects have been completed in this district with Indian Government’s assistance worth NR 103 million. Besides, eight other projects at a cost of NR 244 million is moving towards completion. “Additionally, India has, in the past, provided 23 ambulances, and one bus to various organisations from Sarlahi, recognising the needs of the people of Nepal. The GOI has continually worked to help Government of Nepal in its endeavour towards socio-economic development,” the official said.
The Shree Higher Secondary School in Pathara, Budharam, was established in 1957 and is providing education to students from seven villages with a population of about 60,000 students. Though the school has a potential to enrol about 4,000 more students, the shortage of infrastructure has forced students to move to cities for education. The new infrastructure will provide additional classrooms and other infrastructure to accommodate more students, embassy officials said.
Apart from this, Government of India has also extended financial assistance of about NRs 501.53 million towards renovation, restoration, upgradation of various sites of religious, educational, cultural and historical importance in Nepal in financial year 2015-2016.
The India-Nepal Economic Cooperation Programme has an outlay of over NRs 76 billion with more than 529 large and small development projects completed or being implemented in almost all the districts of Nepal. These development projects, mainly in the sectors of education, health and infrastructure development, are being undertaken in response to local needs and in partnership with the Government of Nepal. Recently, India gifted 2000 bicycles to poor dalit girls of different schools in Banke, Siraha, Dhanusha and Sarlahi District.