The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu on Thursday celebrated the 68th Republic Day of India organising various events. Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae inaugurated a special function on the embassy premises, reading out a message of Indian President Pranab Mukherjee to commemorate the day.

Envoy Rae and Deputy Chief of Mission Vinay Kumar unveiled a coffee table book on the visit of President Mukherjee to Nepal last year.

Rae later felicitated widows and relatives of the deceased soldiers of the Indian Army, giving them cheques and blankets. The embassy also donated books to 60 educational institutions across Nepal.

On the occasion, India gifted 20 ambulances and four buses to hospitals and schools. The embassy hosted a reception where top political leaders, diplomats, senior Nepal government officials, security officials and members of the business community were among the invitees.