India Lays Foundation Stone for Hostel and Canteen Block at Shree Dibya Deep Secondary School in Mustang
Mustang – The foundation stone for the construction of a new hostel building and canteen block at Shree Dibya Deep Secondary School in Lomanthang Rural Municipality, Mustang District, was laid in a ceremony attended by senior officials and community representatives. Shri Prasanna Shrivastava, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India in Kathmandu, and Mr. Tasi Nharbu Gurung, Chairman of Lomanthang Rural Municipality, jointly laid the foundation stone, marking another milestone in India-Nepal development cooperation.
The event witnessed the presence of political leaders, local government officials, school faculty, students, and parents. The enthusiastic participation from the local community reflected the significance of this development for the region.
The project is being constructed with financial assistance from the Government of India at an estimated cost of NPR 37.60 million. It falls under the broader framework of ‘Nepal-India Development Cooperation’ and is categorized as a High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP). The infrastructure will be built through the implementation support of Lomanthang Rural Municipality.
The planned facility includes a hostel building equipped with toilets, bathrooms, a kitchen block with a dining hall, rest rooms, and other essential amenities. Once completed, this infrastructure will significantly improve the living and learning conditions for students from remote areas who attend Shree Dibya Deep Secondary School — the only high school in Upper Mustang.
The school serves children from both Lomanthang and Loghekar Damodar Kunda Rural Municipalities. With this expansion, the institution aims to provide a better educational environment supported by experienced and committed teachers. The new infrastructure is expected to enhance student retention and academic outcomes, particularly benefiting children from underprivileged and geographically isolated communities.
Speaking at the ceremony, Shri Prasanna Shrivastava expressed satisfaction over the progress of the India-Nepal development partnership and reiterated India’s continued support for Nepal’s socio-economic development. He emphasized that such community-focused projects are central to India’s neighborhood-first policy and demonstrate India’s commitment to meeting the priorities of the Nepali people.
Chairman Mr. Tasi Nharbu Gurung, along with other local representatives and stakeholders, expressed deep gratitude towards the Government of India for its continuous developmental assistance. They acknowledged that the construction of this facility would go a long way in strengthening the educational ecosystem in Mustang, one of Nepal’s most remote districts.
Since 2003, the Government of India has implemented 573 HICDPs across Nepal in key sectors such as education, health, roads and bridges, drinking water, agriculture, culture, electrification, and social welfare. Of these, 59 projects have been implemented in Gandaki Province alone, including 17 in Mustang District.
In addition to infrastructure projects, India has also gifted 1009 ambulances and 300 school buses to various institutions throughout Nepal. In Gandaki Province, 119 ambulances and 40 school buses have been provided, including 11 ambulances and 5 school buses distributed within Mustang District. These efforts are making a measurable impact by improving access to education and healthcare services in remote areas.
As part of his Mustang visit, Shri Shrivastava also inspected the ongoing construction of a dormitory building at the Lowo Nyiphug Namdrol Norbuling Monastic School in Lomanthang. This project, too, is being supported by India under the HICDP framework, with a financial outlay of NPR 41.40 million.
The foundation stone laying ceremony not only highlighted India’s ongoing contributions to Nepal’s infrastructure development but also reinforced the strong and enduring partnership between the two nations. Through such collaborative efforts, both countries continue to work together toward inclusive growth, particularly in Nepal’s rural and high-altitude regions.
