[Kathmandu] India has given 35 ambulances and 66 school buses as gifts to various associations working in the field of health and education in different districts of Nepal. Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava handed over the keys of the ambulance and school bus in the presence of Finance Minister Varshman Pun.

Mayors and chairpersons of municipalities and rural municipalities of various districts, representatives of various beneficiary organizations, political representatives, Nepalese government officials and social workers were present in the ceremony. Out of a total of one hundred and one vehicles that were handed over as a gift on Sunday, two ambulances were handed over by representatives of Dootawas to the earthquake-affected districts of Jajarkot and Rukum (West) in the presence of district officials and local residents.

Keeping Nepal's health and education sector as a top priority, the Government of India has been providing ambulances and school buses as gifts to various beneficiary organizations in different parts of Nepal on the occasion of India's Independence Day and Republic Day for three decades.

He informed that this program is a part of strong development partnership between India and Nepal. He also mentioned that this program, which is geographically spread across Nepal, has made people's lives easier and helped bring tangible progress in Nepal's development journey.

Finance Minister Barshman Pun appreciated the various development related projects being run in Nepal with the help of the Indian government and said that it will continue to strengthen the people-to-people contact and bilateral relations between the two countries. He also said that such important programs will be very beneficial for the Nepalese people. Since 1994, the Government of India has provided 1009 ambulances and 300 school buses as gifts throughout Nepal, including today.

According to the Embassy, this support is part of the ongoing support provided by the Government of India to Nepal to strengthen Nepal's efforts to strengthen health and education facilities and to facilitate easy physical access to such services.