The Embassy of India in Kathmandu on Saturday celebrated the 25th anniversary of the establishment of BP Koirala India-Nepal Foundation, showcasing the historical and cultural bond shared by the two countries.

Apart from exhibiting some of BPKF’s art and craft workshops, researches and publications at the Rastriya Sabha Griha in Kathmandu, the foundation’s anniversary was commemorated with musical, theatrical and dance performance by some of the renowned groups—Music Association of Nepal, Sur Sudha, Gurukul Sangeet Academy, Aesthetic Dance Studio, Theatre Village and Sadhana Kala Kendra.

BPKF, established in December 1991, was instituted by the two governments through a Memorandum of Understanding signed during the visit of Late Girija Prasad Koirala, the then prime minister of Nepal, to India. The establishment of BPKF, based on the vision of BP Koirala, considered the symbol of Nepali renaissance, was a unique endeavour to set-up a platform for fostering ties between the people of the two countries.

Congratulating the foundation on completing 25 years, House Speaker Onasari Gharti, chief guest of the event, stated that the relation between the two countries was deepening due to the foundation. She expressed her gratitude to India for showing respect to Nepal, its people, its languages and cultures.

Over the past 25 years, the foundation has endeavoured to promote cultural linkages between India and Nepal by fostering literature, art, intellectual discourse and a host of multi-dimensional aspects pertaining to culture and livelihood of people of both the countries.

The foundation functions through its two secretariats co-located at Embassy of India in Kathmandu and Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi. The BPKF has not just served as a culture organisation but also has attempted to touch issues crucial to the people.

Numerous projects led by the foundation through its Kathmandu Secretariat have touched the lives of men, women, students, children and the elderly across the country.

Also speaking on the occasion, Indian Ambassador Ranjit Rae expressed happiness at the activities successfully undertaken by the BPKF over the years.

Describing the foundation a pillar of friendship between the two countries, Rae said: “It gives me immense pleasure to see the progress made by the foundation in the Nepali society through its various works.”

Among the numerous activities organised under its ambit, some of the notable projects include the preservation and conservation of Basket skills of Tharu women, training in Gujarat for dairy farmers of Nawalparasi, training for about 900 women in Pokhara on leadership skills and radio journalism, sponsoring research on status and prospects of religious tourism between India and Nepal as well as collaborative research between academicians of Nepal and India.

Through a series of programmes under the ‘Culture Nagri’ banner, BPKH has reached Jomson, Biratnagar and Pokhara in an attempt to garner recognition for the local cultural aspects of these regions.

Three MoUs were signed during the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Nepal in November 2014, whereby sister city relation was established between Kathmandu and Banaras, Lumbini and Bodhgaya and Janakpur and Ayodhya.

Celebrating the sister city tie-up, a Ramayan Circuit art workshop was organised in Janakpur where Indian and Nepali artists participated.

(All photos: Shaligram Tiwari)