Nepal gets India-sponsored school buildings

The relation between India and Nepal is not dominated by geographical or economic compulsions but by the history. Truly speaking, only a few nations throughout the world can specify such a bond that has been going though centuries and in this context, the dominating religion, Hinduism, has been playing the foremost role. In accordance with a long-standing treaty, Indian and Nepalese citizens may travel to each others’ countries without a passport or visa. Nepalese citizens may work in India without legal restriction.

Economy of Nepal has never been sound and only in 2005 its gross domestic product (GDP) was estimated at just over US$39 billion (adjusted to Purchasing Power Parity), making it the 83rd-largest economy in the world. For all these reasons India, from time to time, has played the role of greatest benefactor. Well, credit goes to India that has been maintaining the same role in spite of burgeoning crises at home.

In recent times, India’s this role became evident once again when its ambassador to Nepal Rakesh Sood handed over two newly-constructed school buildings worth Rs 1.96 crore to the local communities in the landlocked country. It is worthwhile to mention that the school buildings for Sri Amar Singh Model Higher Secondary School in Pokhara and Nilkantha Campus in Dhading Besi district west of Kathmandu were built with Rs 1.96 crore grant provided by government of India under its educational infrastructure upgradation programme.

Nilkantha Campus happens to be among prime educational institutions in Dhading district. It was established as the first community college in the district in 2000 and has 2,100 students at present. On the other hand, Sri Amar Singh Model Higher Secondary School of Pokhara was established in 1957 and is recognized as a model school in western Nepal. It has been learnt that the recently built library building with the help of India will cater to the needs of over 2,000 students of the school.