Indian ambassador Ranjit Rae, inaugurated the newly constructed campus building for Shree Mahendra Ratna Multiple Campus and Eye Health Care Camp organized by Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh (NNJS) with Govt. of India grant assistance as part of the India-Nepal Economic Cooperation Program.

Established in 1960, Mahendra Ratna Multiple Campus, is an important centre for higher education in Ilam District. In order to upgrade the physical infrastructure of the campus, Government of India has provided grant assistance of NRs. 36.2 million for construction of three storied campus building and supply of furniture. The new infrastructure will help in the creation of better facilities for over 2400 students, about 60% of whom are girls, in the pursuit of their study programs in keeping with their educational needs and towards raising enrolment in the campus. 

Underlining the importance of strengthening of educational infrastructure for Nepal’s overall development, Ambassador of India, in his address, expressed the hope that the various educational projects being executed or completed under the Nepal – India Economic Cooperation Program will help the people of Nepal in their quest towards peace and prosperity.

In addition to this project, the work is ongoing on three projects with Indian assistance of NRs. 82.1 million in Ilam District. Three ambulances have also been provided to health organizations for use in the district.

The Ambassador also inaugurated the eye camp organized by Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh in District Health Hospital. The Ambassador highlighted that since 2001, Government of India has been providing assistance to NNJS for eye care program in Nepal through country-wide free of cost eye-camps organized as part of the India-Nepal Economic Cooperation Program. Under the program over one lakh people have so far been cured of cataract and trachoma and optical devices have been distributed to over 37,000 school going children. India is providing assistance of NRs. 33.9 million to NNJS for conducting 15,000 cataract surgeries through mobile screening camps to be organized by various districts of Nepal.

Recognizing the importance of accelerating growth in Nepal, India remains committed to rendering all possible assistance in that direction. The India – Nepal Economic Program has an outlay of over NRs. 65 billion with more than 475 large and small development projects completed or currently being implemented in almost all the districts of Nepal. These development projects mainly in the sectors of education, health and infrastructure development have been undertaken in response to local needs, and in partnership with the Government of Nepal.