The 77th Republic Day of India was commemorated at the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu with the presence of the Indian community and well-wishers in Nepal. Republic Day marks the enforcement of the Indian Constitution on January 26, 1950. The event began with the hoisting of the national flag by the Charge d’Affaires of the Indian Embassy, Rakesh Pandey.
Charge d’Affaires Pandey honored the widows and next of kin of deceased Indian Armed Forces personnel by presenting Army Group Insurance Fund (AGIF) cheques worth NPR 7.2 crore. The celebration included a video showcasing President Droupadi Murmu’s address to the nation on the eve of the 77th Republic Day. Additionally, a video highlighting the progress in India–Nepal relations over the past year was screened.
The event featured lively dance and musical performances by students and teachers from the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre of the Embassy, alongside Nepali artists. Attendees included members of the Indian community, friends of India in Nepal, Embassy officials, and their families. A day before Republic Day, a special publication was released by the Embassy, emphasizing bilateral cooperation between India and Nepal.
The publication highlighted India’s contributions to Nepal through High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) since 2003. Under this scheme, 591 projects have been initiated, with 506 completed and 85 ongoing, amounting to NPR 15.37 billion. India has also supported Nepal in electoral processes since 2008, providing vehicles and necessary materials. As Nepal gears up for parliamentary polls on March 5, India plans to gift 650 vehicles, with over 60 already handed over.
The Indian Embassy has undertaken initiatives to strengthen people-to-people relations, including the launch of the India–Nepal Startup Partnership Network (IN-SPAN). Last year, 24 Nepali startups were selected to participate in an eight-week incubation program at IIT Madras’s ‘Pravartak’. These startups span various sectors like AI, cybersecurity, space, ed-tech, and more. The IN-SPAN program aims to foster collaborations between the youth of both countries.
