National 10 (Spotlight Weekly)

Strengthening Friendship

For 38 years, the organization has been working tirelessly to foster bilateral ties

By A CORRESSPONDENT

The United Kingdom is one of Nepal's oldest friends and has always stood behind the cause of the Nepalese people. The relations between the two countries are centuries old, which their monarchies have played a major part in strengthening. At the people-to-people level, too, relations are excellent.

Whether though the British Gurkhas or through friendship societies, the Nepalese people are familiar with the importance of friendly relations between the two countries. From time to time, exchange of visits by members of royal families and high-level government officials have helped to strengthen mutual appreciation.
Geographically, the two countries are far apart. But they have maintained strong ties and demonstrated deep understanding of each other's values. The average Nepalese has high regard and respect for the British monarchy. In recent years, various programs have been organized at different levels to highlight the importance of the friendship between the two countries. Whenever Nepal has faced a major crisis, Britain has always come with a helping hand.

The Nepal Britain Society (NBS) is among those organizations that have actively participated in enhancing friendship at the people's level by organizing a host of diverse activities. The NBS dedicated its annual society dinner to mark the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Accession of Throne by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Since its inception in 1964, the society has been organizing various programs, and one of the most exciting events has been its annual society dinner. This year, more than 200 people from different walks of life attended this year's dinner. The ambassadors of Britain, United States, Pakistan and Sri Lanka were among the guests.

NBS president Pratima Pande, welcoming the guests, shed light on various activities of the society. She also presented a cheque for Rs. 25,000 to Dr. Mark McDonald, resident doctor of Anandaban Leprosy Hospital at Lele, Lalitpur to partially support their activities in rehabilitating leprosy patients.

The NBS executive committee decided to donate some amount from the proceeds of the annual dinner to the hospital after visiting the facility in February 2002. NBS general secretary Kapil P. Lohani informed the guests about various door and raffle prizes and about their sponsors.

The NBS organized a talk program on "Information Technology and Budget System" on May 9, 2002 at the British Embassy Hall. Tulasi Neupane, economist and life member of the NBS, was the main speaker. He highlighted various aspects of budgeting process of His Majesty's Government and the application of information technology to make the process swift and reliable. More than 30 people attended the program.

The NBS is going to hold its annual general meeting at the end of June. Programs for the rest of the year will also be announced during the meeting. The programs, like those in the past, can be expected to further promote the friendly relations between the two countries.