Madan Koirala, Local Development Officer, Ilam District and   Bhogendra Dahal, Principal of Shree Saptamai Gurukul Sanskrit Vidyashram Secondary School and  Gyanveer Singh, Second Secretary in the Embassy of India,  signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) for construction of the school and hostel building. With the total financial assistance of NRs 39.97 million by the Indian government under its Small Development Program Scheme as part of India–Nepal Economic Cooperation Program.

 According a press release issued by Indian Embassy,  Saptamai Gurukul Sanskrit Vidhyashram Secondary School, established in 2009 as a primary school has been subsequently upgraded as a Secondary level school in 2014. The school has been providing quality education and is the only school in Ilam where Sanskrit, Vedic rituals, English language are included in its curriculum. The school has residential facilities as well and many young students coming from other parts of Nepal were staying in dilapidated school building. The new school and hostel building would provide much needed classroom and safe residential area for the students thus creating an improved environment for learning in the area.

“The District Development Committee would prepare a work schedule, invite tenders for the construction of the project in 15 months and get the project completed in time. The school management committee, Ilam district Education Officer would monitor the project and regularly submit the progress report to the Embassy of India, Kathmandu which shall release the funds accordingly,”the agreement said.  Hitherto, 01 other project has been completed and 03 other projects in Ilam District are under implementation with the Government of India’s financial assistance worth NRs 118.30 million. Additionally, the Government of India has, in the past, provided 3 ambulances, recognizing the need of the people of Ilam. Apart from this the Government of India has also extended financial assistance of approx. NRs 501.53 million towards renovation, restoration, upgradation of various sites of religious, educational, cultural and historical importance in Nepal in financial year 2015-2016.

The India-Nepal Economic Cooperation Program has an outlay of over NRs 76 billion with more than 533 large and small development projects completed or being implemented in almost all the districts of Nepal. These development projects, mainly in the sectors of education, health and infrastructure development, have been undertaken in response to local needs and in partnership with the Government of Nepal to support socio-economic development of Nepal.