National 8 (Spotlight Weekly)

Fortifying Friendship

Nepal-Britain Society's annual general meeting endorses new programs

By A CORRESSPONDENT

Nepal counts the United Kingdom as one of its closest friends, which has supported the country in times of difficulty and peace. The friendly relations between Nepal and United Kingdom are almost two centuries old, and the two countries have always stood together for the cause of world peace.

The relations between Nepal and United Kingdom are strong both at the governments' and peoples' levels. After the visit of Rana prime minister Jung Bahadur Rana to Britain nearly 150 years ago, a string of visits have been exchanged at various levels.

The cordiality and sturdiness of this relationship was reflected at a gathering of four dozen people at the British Embassy Hall. Although it was the annual general meeting of the Nepal-Britain Society, speakers and participants expressed the need and discussed ways of strengthening the relations.

"The United Kingdom wants to see Nepal as a peaceful and prosperous state. We will continue to support Nepal to overcome its present difficult time," said Andrew Mitchell, former deputy head of the mission of the British Embassy, who left the country after a three-and-half-year tenure. " I cannot forget my stay in Nepal and I will continue to support the country."

Although few Nepalese remember the contributions made by Brian Houghton Hodgson, the first British resident at the court of Nepal, Mitchell quoted some of his observations made about 150 years ago to show the diplomatic life in Nepal then. Hodgson's remarks were relevant at a time when Nepal is passing through the kind of stability he recorded.

In the last two years, Nepal has witnessed one of the darkest periods in its history, including the tragic death of royal family members, Maoist assaults on Royal Nepalese Army barracks and the imposition of state of emergency. The United Kingdom has backed Nepal's effort to bring normalcy in the country.

Whether in the case of getting membership at the United Nations or in times of national crisis like today's or on developing infrastructures, the United Kingdom's support for Nepal has been immense. "The bond of friendship between Nepal and Britain has always remained strong, and our Society, from its very inception in 1964, has been instrumental in strengthening this friendship," said Pratima Pande, president of Nepal-Britain Society.

"As of date, our membership stands at a grand total of 320. We are doing our best to increase the membership," said Pande in her welcome address.

Nepal-Britain Society remains a pioneer organization in enhancing people-to-people contacts and organizes various programs. "During the year 2001, we organized a number of talk programs including travel diary, tiger conservation and cultural heritage of Kathmandu valley," said Pande.

The meeting also approved the statement of accounts submitted by the treasurer, Robin Bradshaw, who presented a deficit budget. Despite its long presence in Nepal, the society was legally registered a few months ago. "Nepal Britain Society is now formally registered," informed Kapil P. Lohani, concluding the annual meeting.

At a time when the country needs the support of countries like United Kingdom to come out of its crisis, institutions like the Nepal-Britain Society have shown that they have a very important role to play.