KATHMANDU, March 31: Ambassador of India to Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri has praised Rishi Dhamala, president of Reporters’ Club Nepal, as a wonder and fantastic reporter.

Speaking at a special function organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal on its 21^st anniversary, at Rastriya Sabha Griha, Exhibition Road on Sunday, Ambassador Puri congratulated the club and extended best wishes. He also lauded Dhamala for his effort and success.

“I want to congratulate the club and wish you Rishi all the best in your fantastic endeavor. You have certainly created that platform in Nepal which allows for free, fair and possibly aggressive debate, and coming face to face with those who question you and ask you a different perspective,” he said.

“Dhamala is a wonderful and fantastic reporter, and a great voice,” he added.

Indian Ambassador Puri denies holding talks with ex-King Gyanendra

KATHMANDU, March 20: Ambassador of India to Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri has denied the reports that he held secret meeting with former King Gyanendra Shah.

The Rajdhani Daily on Wednesday reported that Puri and Shah held a secret talk in Janakpur on Saturday. It further said that Puri and Shah, during their 45 minute long conversation, talked about Shah’s forthcoming visit to India.

According to Rajhdhani, the cabinet has asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for details about the Puri-Shah meeting stating that ambassadors needed permission from Ministry before meeting any high ranking officials.

Talking briefly to Reporters’ Club Nepal President Rishi Dhamala, Ambassador Puri refused the reports adding that he has never seen or met the ex-King face to face.

“I have never seen or met the ex-King Shah face to face during my two years stay in Nepal. I have not held any meeting with Shah in Janakpur or anywhere,” he clarified.

Shah had reached in Janakpurdham, headquarter of Dhanusha district for a three-day pilgrimage on March 14.

A mass of people loyal to monarchy had welcomed Shah changing slogans for reinstatement of hindu kingdom, according to reports.

KATHMANDU, March 13: The Embassy of India, Kathmandu has announced 200 Golden Jubilee Scholarships to meritorious Nepali students for continuing their studies in various undergraduate courses at various Universities and Colleges in Nepal for the academic year 2018-2019.

This year, the scholarships recipients cover 36 undergraduate courses (e.g., MBBS, BDS, BE, BSc, BBA, B Com, etc.) and come from 50 districts of Nepal. These include about 45% girls and 8% differently-abled students, the Embassy stated in a press release today.

Mr Khaga Raj Baral, Secretary Education of Nepal, as Chief Guest on the Golden Jubilee Scholarship Day celebration today at the Hotel Hyatt Regency, Kathmandu, presented the certificate of merit to 200 students. Ambassador of India to Nepal, Manjeev Singh Puri congratulated the students and advised them to achieve personal and professional fulfillment, which will contribute towards Nepal’s socio-economic development and will further deepen and strengthen India-Nepal relations.

In 2002, the Government of India started the prestigious Golden Jubilee Scholarship Scheme to mark the completion of 50 years of India-Nepal Economic Cooperation. At the inception of this scheme, 50 meritorious Nepali students were awarded the scholarship. In the year 2007, the numbers of scholarships were increased to 100. Since the year 2012, the numbers of scholarships have been doubled to 200.

Under this scholarship scheme, an MBBS/BDS student receives NRs. 4000/- per month for five years, a BE student receives NRs. 4000/- per month for four years, and a student studying in other under-graduate courses receives NRs. 3000/- per month for three years. So far more than 2350 Nepali students have been awarded the Golden Jubilee Scholarships from across 77 districts of Nepal.

The Government of India provides a total of about 3000 scholarships in Medical, Science, Veterinary Sciences, Pharmacology, Dental science, Agriculture, Engineering, Arts, Commerce, Science, Computer Science, Nursing and many other disciplines to study in Universities and Colleges in Nepal and in India. These Scholarships are part of India’s efforts to support human resources development in Nepal for the overall socio-economic development of Nepal and Nepali people. RSS

KATHMANDU, Jan 31: A tribute was paid to Mahatma Gandhi on his 71^st death anniversary in Kathmandu on Wednesday. The function was organized by the Embassy of India and Dilli Raman Kalyani Regmi Memorial Development Board, where an interaction on ‘Mahatma Gandhi: Peace, Non-Violence and Humanity” was held.

The speakers, on the occasion, highlighted the importance of Gandhian principles of peace, non-violence, inclusive society and environment protection in today’s world.

Ambassador of India to Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri said that Gandhi was far ahead of his time.

“The relevance of Gandhiji then and now for India, Nepal and other countries of the world is same,” said Puri.

Also addressing the program, Chief Guest and Chancellor of Nepal Academy, Dr Ganga Prasad Upreti said that Gandhiji was born in India but he was a globally recognized personality.

“Mahatma Gandhi’s commitment towards truth, non-violence and humanity is very important in human history to establish permanent peace in the world,” he said.

On the occasion, Indian Envoy Puri and Dr Upretti also released a bilingual version of a book on Gandhiji, written by Nepal’s Kavi Shiromani Lekhnath Paudyal.

The book is published by Mahamana Malaviya Mission Nepal. A small exhibition of books on Mahatma Gandhi and photos of Gandhiji’s life was also organized. A large number of people from different walks of life including former ministers, diplomats, academicians and students attended the event.

KATHMANDU, Jan 25: Ambassador of India to Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri said that the relation between Nepal and India at the people-to-people is the best in the world.

Speaking at a special interaction program organized by Reporters’ Club Nepal on the eve of the 70^th Republic Day of India on Friday, Indian Envoy Puri argued that the people-to-people link is the core of India-Nepal bilateral relation. He added that the people-to-people contact between the two countries is very strong and underlined the need to strengthen it by enhancing economic development and mutual cooperation.

“We have enjoyed a positive bilateral relation since the ancient period. We share a relation of roti and beti. There may be only a handful of people who have not watched Bollywood movies. In the recent days, cricket has added another positive dimension in our bilateral ties. Many Nepali people have been fans of Indian television series—which shows the closeness between the Indian and Nepali people,” he said.

“Enhancing the economic partnership and development will help boost the ties at people-to-people level. The Birgunj Integrated Check Post (ICP), inaugurated in April last year, has enhanced the trade and relation between the people of both sides. ICPs at three more points at India-Nepal border viz. Biratnagar, Bhairahawa and Nepalgunj are being constructed. I believe this will help boost the contact between the people,” he added, “India-Nepal bus service has also been highly effective.”

On the occasion, Indian Envoy Puri informed that India is organizing a grand cultural festival in Nepal in February/March this year.

“There will be dance, music and academic exchanges. Various famous Indian artists will be attending the festival. There will be Kathakali, Mridangam and Bhangra. It will be a grand festival. The details of the festival will be unveiled in a few days. I hope the Nepali people will be very excited to participate in the festival,” he said.

KATHMANDU, June 20: The Art of Living has been organizing yoga camp in various parts of the valley on the eve of the World Yoga Day, which falls on June 21.

On Wednesday, Indian ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri also participated in this campaign.

KATHMANDU, May 15: Ambassador of India to Nepal, Manjeev Singh Puri, Tuesday handed over a cheque of NRs. 180.74 million to Dr. Sanjay Sharma, Secretary, Ministry of Energy, Irrigation and Water Resources, in the presence of Minister  Barsha Man Pun.

The amount is towards India’s contribution for river training and construction of embankments along Lalbakeya, Bagmati and Kamla rivers in Nepal, the Embassy of India stated in a press release.

The river training and embankment works in the Lalbakeya, Bagmati and Kamla rivers in Nepal aimed at flood control and water resources management, which benefit several million people inhabiting in the watershed of these rivers in India and Nepal.

With the NRs. 180.74 million, the Government of India has so far given 13 installments since 2008 to Nepal for the river training and embankment works totaling to over NRs. 4.68 billion.

India remains committed to continue working closely with Nepal for further cooperation in the field of river training, flood control and water resources management in these and other rivers, reads the press release.

ILAM, Jan 14: Ambassador of India to Nepal, Manjeev Singh Puri has said that he would take initiatives for setting up an immigration office at east Pashupatinagar of Ilam.

The Indian ambassador, who arrived in Pashupatinagar on Saturday in connection with observing the eastern border point, said he would take initiatives to that end by taking the demand of the locals for keeping an immigration office at Pashupatinagar to the central authorities of his country. The locals have been demanding setting up an immigration office for years.

Talking to people’s representatives of the Suryodaya Municipality, including the mayor Rana Bahadur Rai, ambassador Puri gave assurances that he would also take initiations for the promotion of the Nepal-India trade through this border transit point.

“We are looking at the physical infrastructures at the border region of the two countries. I will make efforts to facilitate the citizens and trade in both sides of the border here,” Ambassador Puri said.

Puri, who arrived in Ilam after inspecting the Kakadbhitta transit point in Jhapa, made an onsite tour of the Customs Office and the border areas.

Local people’s representatives and business community put forth demands before the Indian ambassador regarding the customs, expansion of and upgrading the border road up to Pashupatinagar and opening aquarantine and immigration office at the earliest. RSS