Indian aid for Dharmashala and school

India has committed to provide assistance of Rs 36 million to build Dharmashala at Muktinath temple and a school at Kagbeni in Mustang district.

According to a statement by the embassy of India, two separate MoU were signed on Friday with DDC, Mustang and Muktinath Development Committee for providing grant assistance of Rs 30 million for construction of a Dharmashala at Muktinath; and with DDC Mustang and Shree Jana Shanti Secondary School, Kagbeni for providing grant assistance of Rs 6 million for construction of school's new library building and provision of books and furniture.

"Considered as one of Nepal's most sacred religious shrines, Muktinath Temple located in ward number 1 of Muktinath VDC in district Mustang is a symbol of age old cultural bonds between India and Nepal, and of significant importance for followers of many religions, including Hinduism and Buddhism. Pilgrims visiting the temple provide an important base for the VDC's local economy. In order to encourage greater inflow of pilgrims and tourists, the need for a good quality and affordable Dharmashala for the visitors has been long felt by the local authorities. The new infrastructure to be constructed with the Indian assistance will be managed by the Muktinath Development Committee and have a capacity of 56 beds with separate space for office, reception, meditation hall, kitchen, cafeteria, dining hall, a guard-house and furniture," states the release.

The release adds that these are among five developmental projects undertaken by the government of India in Mustang district and overall, form part of more than 265 large and small projects currently being implemented under the India-Nepal Economic Cooperation Program in the sectors of education, health, community development and infrastructure covering all the districts of Nepal with an outlay of over Rs. 21 billions. nepalnews.com sd Oct 26 07