Team Siliconindia

• India, Nepal sign MoUs for 5 high-impact education & health projects under Rs 390 million grant
• Projects include new school buildings in Dhanusha, Parsa, Achham, Bara & a 5-bed hospital in Manang
• India has completed 496 out of 579 community development projects in Nepal since 2003 under HICDP

India and Nepal deepened their long-standing development partnership with a sign-off of memorandums of understanding to initiate five high-impact community development projects in education and health in Nepal. This was announced by a joint press release issued by India's Embassy in Kathmandu and Nepal's Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration. Supported by a grant of Rs 390 million (approximately NRS 390 million), the program focuses on improving social infrastructure, especially in disadvantaged provinces.

The five projects consist of the development of school buildings in strategic areas like Madhesh and Sudurpashchim provinces. In particular, the activities include the construction of Shree Jan Shakti Secondary School in Bateshwor 3 (Dhanusha), Shree Mahobani Padam Secondary School in Pokhariya Municipality (Parsa), and Shree Basuki Secondary School in Mellekh Rural Municipality (Achham). Other initiatives will be on education enrichment by constructing a school building, hostel, and library at Benga Sah Secondary School in Prasauni Rural Municipality 2 (Bara).

In the health sector, five bed hospital building will be built in Nashon Rural Municipality 5 (Manang) with the goal of enhancing access to basic medical services, particularly in hard-to-reach or mountainous districts.

Ever since it initiated its High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP) programme in 2003, India has funded 579 such projects in Nepal. Till date, 496 projects have been completed covering health, education, sanitation, drinking water, connectivity and public utilities in all seven provinces, the balance are in progress. These new initiatives confirm the bilateral resolve to grassroots development, reaffirming India's ongoing commitment to capacitating communities by strengthening infrastructure in key areas.

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The MoUs were inked by Indian Embassy officials in Kathmandu, Nepal's federal government, and executive bodies appointed by provincial and local governments. The partnership is expected to facilitate project implementation, with new or renovated education and healthcare centers in Dhanusha, Parsa, Achham, Bara, and Manang benefiting communities.

India and Nepal have long-standing relationships, and efforts such as this consolidate multi-sectoral engagement. Through its grant assistance schemes, India remains an important actor supporting Nepal's development goals and promoting inclusive growth and welfare across the Himalayan country.