Minister Budha and Indian Ambassador Srivastava inaugurate Shree Jestha Varna Mahabihar in Lalitpur

Kathmandu: Minister Dhan Bahadur Budha, Minister of Urban Development, Government of Nepal, and Naveen Srivastava, Ambassador of India to Nepal have jointly inaugurated the new building of Shree Jestha Varna Mahabihar, Lalitpur built under GoI’s post-earthquake reconstruction grant in the cultural heritage sector in Nepal.

Buddhiraj Bajracharya, President of Lalitpur Development Society, representatives of the local community, representatives of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), the PMC for the project, officials from the Government of Nepal, and the Embassy of India, Kathmandu were also present at the event.

The project was taken up under the post-earthquake reconstruction grant in the cultural heritage sector in Nepal. The Jestha Varna Mahavihar, which got damaged during the 2015 Gorkha earthquake, has now been reconstructed with the Government of India’s Grant assistance at a tendered cost of NPR 13.78 cr.

The project has been implemented by the Central Level Project Implementation Unit (CLPIU–Building & Housing), DUDBC, Government of Nepal. Minister, in his remarks, appreciated the support of the Government of India for post-earthquake reconstruction as well as efforts towards the economic development of Nepal.

Ambassador, in his remarks, highlighted the various aspects of the robust ongoing development cooperation between the two countries and mentioned that it is a significant aspect of the India-Nepal bilateral partnership. India and Nepal have historic cultural similarities and heritage to preserve for future generations.

Therefore, the restoration of cultural heritage projects is a shared endeavor. It’s a reflection of the common culture which is one of the strengths of the friendly relationship that the two countries share.

The government of India has committed to take up the conservation of 28 cultural heritage sites across 7 districts of Nepal. Besides these, under the post-earthquake reconstruction grant, the Government of India has also supported the reconstruction of 50000 private houses in Gorkha and Nuwakot districts, the reconstruction of 71 educational institutions across 8 districts, and the reconstruction of 132 health facilities across 10 districts of Nepal.

This project is a reflection of India’s development partnership with Nepal and complements the efforts of the Government of Nepal in post-earthquake reconstruction.