Indian ambassador Ranjit Rae hoisted the National Flag and read out the address of the President of India delivered to the nation on August 14, 2015 which stressed among other things India’s support for peace, stability and development in its neighborhood.

On the occasion of the 69th Independence Day of India, forty ambulances and eight buses were gifted by Indian Government to various hospitals, non-profit charitable organization and educational institutions from different districts of Nepal.

According a press release issued by Indian Embassy, the Ambassador Rae presented thirty nine ambulances and eight buses to recipient organizations from thirty three districts At a public function held in the Embassy premises in Kathmandu to mark India’s Independence Day on August 15, 2015.

The remaining one ambulance was gifted by Consulate General of India, Birgunj to   Primary Health Centre, Chhatiwan Makhawanpur, which is under its consular jurisdiction. During the function, Ambassador also presented books to 45 Libraries, educational and training institutions located in different regions of Nepal, including the remote districts.

Since 1994, Government of India has gifted 502 ambulances to various organizations across 73 districts in Nepal. This has helped in bringing healthcare services to the doorstep of thousands of people who do not have access to healthcare services, India has also so far gifted 98 buses to various educational and welfare institutions across 25 districts in Nepal, making access to education easier for thousands of students.

Gifting of ambulances and buses is a part of the larger India-Nepal Development partnership with an overall outlay of over NRs.75 billion. The cooperation consists of over 500 large and small projects in the sectors of health, education and infrastructure development which reflects the commitment of the government and the people of India to work together with the people of Nepal in their stride towards peace and development. These projects stand as a symbol of the deep friendship between the two countries.

In addition to the above, on the occasion of India’s Independence Day 2015, Ambassador felicitated 20 Bhu Pus, widows and Next of Kins of deceased soldiers of Indian Armed Forces, by distributing cheques worth NRs 25.3 million and a blanket each from Defense Attaché Welfare Fund of the Mission