Pipalbot: Nepal Japan Relation

Ambassador of Japan to Nepal Tsutomu Hiraoka and Secretary of the Ministry of Finance Vidyadhar Mallik on Friday signed and exchanged notes on behalf of their respective governments.

Issuing a press release today, the Japanese embassy stated that the Non-Project Grant Aid (NPGA) will be extended for the purpose of contributing to the efforts of the Government of Nepal for socio-economic development and poverty alleviation, especially that in the rural areas, as well as to support its efforts for the consolidation of democracy and the realization of permanent peace in the country. 

According to the press release, the Non-Project Grant Aid will come in the form of foreign currency support in order to secure payment of essential imports required for the key development activities, such as development of rural areas and also for peace building and the consolidation of democracy.

Besides, the Government of Nepal will have to deposit a specified amount of money separately, in Nepalese currency, into a bank as a counterpart-fund of the NPGA after the utilization of this grant.

The currency that is deposited under the NPGA counterpart-fund is to be effectively utilized in health, education, local development and economy, reconstruction, rehabilitation and development of rural areas, disaster management, drinking water and sanitation, agriculture, and local governance and peace building with prior consultation between the two Governments.

"The Government of Japan expresses its firm belief that the assistance extended today will directly benefit Nepal and its people," the statement quoting the Japanese envoy read.

In the Japanese Fiscal Years 2002, 2003 and 2004, the Government of Japan had extended a total of three billion and three hundred million yen (¥3,300,000,000) as grant assistance for similar Non-Project Grant Aid to Nepal.

(Source: http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=94600)

Nepal is celebrating after the historic peace accord between the government and rebel Maoists that ends 11 years of civil war. Different programs were held across the country including rallies. Friday’s programme in the capital Kathmandu was a continuation of the celebrations, but it had significant value.

A gigantic drum, dubbed the world peace drum, was beaten to send peace messages across the world. Thousands of spectators enjoyed the beating with the hope that peace will prevail in this land forever.

In a press conference held some five months ago in Kathmandu, he claimed that he will break his own record by making another super large drum.

The drum was made with financial support of various Japanese and Nepali non-governmental organizations such as Akafujidaikp (Japan), Private School Association (Nepal), Rotary Club of Kasthamandap (Nepal) and Folk Nepal.

A cultural programme by Nepalese and Japanese artists was also held at Dashrath stadium in celebration. Students of various schools also took part in celebration. Addressing the function, the deputy prime minister of Nepal, K.P. Oli said that the combination of peace loving Japanese and Nepalese, who are set to start their journey together in a peaceful environment, will be fruitful and it will send right message to whole world.

At the end of function, artists from Japan beat that gigantic drum in such a melodious way that all the spectators were hypnotized. I took a closer look at the drummers; they were beating the drums as well as dancing. There were male, female and teenage drummers.

(Source: Umesh Shrestha (Salokya) 
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