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The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu in collaboration with the Lalitpur Metropolitan Municipality City organized a tree plantation program to celebrate World Environment Day on Wednesday.

Minister for Forest and Environment Nawal Kishor Sah Sudi, Lalitpur Metropolitan City Mayor Chribabu Maharjan and Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava participated in the tree plantation program near Chardham Temple, Sankata Bridge, Ward No 1, Lalitpur, Nepal.

Several political representatives, government officials, social workers and environment enthusiasts participated in the event, highlighting the shared commitment for the protection and preservation of the environment. 

The Ambassador of India to Nepal, in his address, highlighted that the special event had been organized especially on the occasion of the World Environment Day to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the environment and to encourage individual and collective efforts to safeguard it for future generations, reads a statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu today.

The Minister for Forest and Environment, and the Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City, in their remarks, emphasized the importance of cooperation and partnerships in protecting the planet for future generations.

150 trees were planted by the participants during the event.

The Embassy of India in Nepal organized a number of events in Lumbini on Wednesday in collaboration with the Lumbini Development Trust and the Lumbini Buddhist University to celebrate Buddha Jayanti.

The events commenced with an academic symposium on “Buddha Dharma and Global Peace” at the Lumbini Buddhist University.

Eminent Buddhist scholars from India and Nepal participated in the symposium and shared their insights on the relevance of Lord Buddha’s teachings in the modern world. The scholars also highlighted the unparalleled and rich Buddhist linkages between India and Nepal, reads a statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal graced the special event as the Chief Guest. The center-piece of this special event to celebrate Buddha Jayanti in Lumbini was a painting exhibition and cultural evening that took place close to the Prince Siddhartha Statue, Sacred Garden at Lumbini Sanskritik Municipality.

The painting exhibition on ‘Lord Buddha and his teachings’, inaugurated by Prime Minister Dahal, curated paintings made by students from schools in Kathmandu and Lumbini.  These paintings depicted various aspects of Lord Buddha's life and teachings.

The cultural evening, held on the eve of the Vaisakha Buddha Poornima, included vibrant performances showcasing the shared Buddhist heritage and traditions of India and Nepal.

It began with traditional chanting by Buddhist monks from the Hinayana and Mahayana traditions, organized by the Lumbini Development Trust. Other performances included a dance-recital entitled ‘Shweta Mukti- the Feminine Glory of Nirvana’ by Kavita Dwivedi and her dance troupe from India; a poignant rendition of Bhajans and Dhamma songs by celebrated Indian vocalist, Dr Subhadra Desai; and a soulful medley of Buddhist songs by the renowned Nepali music group ‘Sur Sudha’ led by Surendra Shrestha, according to the statement.

In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Naveen Srivastava underlined that India and Nepal’s shared Buddhist legacy and heritage is a bond that has connected the people of both the countries for centuries. The holy-lands of Lumbini in Nepal and Bodhgaya, Sarnath, and Kushinagar in India are the cradles from which the universal teachings of Lord Buddha spread to other parts of the world. Ambassador also emphasized India’s commitment to continuing to strengthen this shared legacy in present times for the welfare of the people of India and Nepal.

During the program, Prime Minister Dahal appreciated the Embassy of India and all the artists for the beautiful painting exhibition and the lively cultural program.

The PM said that culture occupies a special place in India and Nepal's bilateral relationship and such events strengthen the bond of friendship and harmony between our two countries. He said that such events are not just a source of pride but also a treasure trove of wisdom. He underscored that Nepal and India share an age-old, multi-dimensional relationship buttressed by cross-sectoral cooperation, the statement further reads.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nepal Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of Nepal, Hit Bahadur Tamang, Chief Minister of Lumbini Province Jokh Bahadur Mahara, and several senior provincial leaders also graced the event along with the Vice Chairman and senior office-bearers of the Lumbini Development Trust.

The event was also widely attended by representatives from various Buddhist sects and monasteries in India and Nepal as well as by the general public.

Ambassador Srivastava presented an intricate Thangka painting from Sikkim, India to Prime Minister Dahal on the occasion.

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu celebrated the 22nd Golden Jubilee Scholarship Day on Friday, with about 200 students taking part in the celebrations.

India’s Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, awarded the Ambassador’s Golden Jubilee Scholarship Roll of Honour to the first batch of nine meritorious Golden Jubilee Scholarship scholars, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu informed through a press release.

In his address, Srivastava congratulated the awardees of the 22nd batch of the Golden Jubilee Scholarship Scheme and the meritorious students of the first edition of the Ambassador’s Roll of Honour while exhorting them to shine in their respective fields.

Highlighting the ‘special ties’ between India and Nepal, Ambassador Srivastava stated that it is guided by the PM’s Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas,’ the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu stated in its official release.

The envoy also underlined the opportunities that are to be created for the youth by engaging and collaborating in the startup ecosystem and incubation centres in India, while also encouraging students to seek sectors to collaborate with. He also underscored the growing collaboration between New Delhi and Kathmandu in the sphere of education, adding that it was empowering the youth.

BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences Vice Chancellor Gyanendra Giri, Lumbini Buddhist University Vice Chancellor Subarna Lal Bajracharya, Kathmandu University Vice Chancellor Bhola Thapa, Agricultural and Forestry University Vice Chancellor Punya Prasad Regmi, Purbanchal University Vice Chancellor Sailesh Mani Pokhrel, Rajarshi Janak University Amar Prasad Yadav also attended the event.

Deans, registrars, principals of eminent schools and senior officials from the Nepal government also attended the programme. The Golden Jubilee Scholarship was established in 2002 to mark the completion of 50 years of India-Nepal economic cooperation, according to the press release. 

Taking to X, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu shared glimpses of the celebration of 22nd Golden Jubilee Scholarship Day.

A post on the official X handle of The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu read, “@IndiainNepal celebrated 22nd Golden Jubilee Scholarship Day today, attended by Vice Chancellors, Deans, Registrars of prominent Universities in #Nepal , senior officials & School Principals. Around students enthusiastically participated in the programme.”

“Bharatnatyam & Nepali folk dance performance by the students of @ICCR_Nepal enthralled the audience.enthralled the audience,” read another post from the same handle.

Over the years, the number of scholarship awardees has increased 4 times to 200. Under this scholarship scheme, an MBBS/BDS student receives Nepali Rupees (NRs) 4000 per month for five years, a BE student receives NRs 4000 per month for four years, and a student studying in other undergraduate courses like BA, BEd, B Pharmacy, BSc Agriculture, BBA, BBM and BBS receives NRs 3000 per month for three years, according to the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu press release.

More than 3300 Nepali students from all the 77 districts of Nepal have benefitted from this scholarship scheme. The current batch of scholarship awardees are from 76 districts of Nepal, with 32 per cent being girls. Five specially-abled students have also been selected this year under the Golden Jubilee Scholarship Scheme, according to the press release. 

The Union government provides around 1600 scholarships in medicine, engineering, dental science, management, Ayurveda arts, commerce, science, nursing, Ayurveda, dance, theatre, performing arts and many other disciplines, both in the undergraduate and graduate streams, to study in universities in Nepal and in India.

Since 2001, 38,000 Nepalese students have been direct beneficiaries of the Indian government’s scholarships.

India and Nepal are close and friendly neighbours and have a long-standing partnership in the field of education and capacity building, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated earlier.

According to the press release, the scholarships and capacity building programmes form an integral part of India’s effort to partner in the human resource development of Nepal for its overall socio-economic benefit of the region. (ANI)

The Kathmandu-based Indian Embassy in coordination with Maiti Nepal celebrated International Women’s Day in the premises of Maiti Nepal on Wednesday.

With the slogan “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress” and “Inspire Inclusion”, the program was organized to honor and appreciate the contribution of the women, reads a statement issued by the Indian Embassy.

Asta Laxmi Shakya, the first Chief Minister of Nepal, was present in the program as a chief guest.

Along with Anuradha Koirala, the founder of Maiti Nepal, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Indian Embassy Prasanna Srivastava also took part in the event.

Leaders of various political parties, representatives of social organizations and students of Maiti Nepal among others were present on the occasion.

Speaking in the program, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Indian Embassy Srivastava lauded the tireless efforts made by Maiti Nepal for the welfare of the women.

Mentioning that the Indian government in 2017 honored Koirala with the prestigious ‘Padma Shri’ award, he said that the Indian government has also appreciated the efforts made by her in this sector, according to the statement.

Highlighting the importance of special relations between India and Nepal, Chief Guest Asta Laxmi Shakya stressed on the need for collective efforts for the empowerment of women.

Addressing the program, Anuradha Koraiala informed about the initiatives being taken by Maiti Nepal. She also thanked the Indian Embassy for the continuous support.

In the program, Shakya and Srivastava honored Menuka Paudel and Ratna Kumari Sunuwar for their inspirational achievements.

Paudel of Kathmandu had become successful in collecting appreciation in Nepal and India through Indian Idol, singing reality show, 2023.

Similarly, Sunuwar, who came to limelight after passing grade 12 at the age of 80, proved that there is no age limit in studies.

On the occasion, the Indian Embassy presented books as gifts to the students of Maiti Nepal.

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu celebrated the 75^th Republic Day of India on Friday.

At a program organized at Kathmandu-based Indian Embassy, Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava inaugurated the programme by hoisting the national flag of India.

On the occasion, he extended best wishes to the members of the Indian diaspora in Nepal. A video clip of the address to the nation by Indian President Droupadi Murmu was also screened. 

In the video message, the Indian President talked about the achievements gained by India in different sectors since the last Independence Day, including the G20 Summit chaired by India, and the Chandrayaan-3 mission.

Similarly, the Indian envoy distributed Rs 50.7 million and blankets to wives of deceased army and their close relatives, and honored them. 

Reiterating his commitment to support Ex-Indian Gurkha soldiers, he unveiled a magazine Ex-2024 which comprises the welfare efforts undertaken by the Indian government for the Ex-Indian Gurkha soldiers residing in Nepal.

The Indian Embassy also on the occasion gifted books worth Rs 1.9 million to 30 different organizations.