PM Dahal describes Mukherjee as one of supreme leaders of Asia

Kathmandu / Nov 3: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has described President of India, Pranab Mukharjee, as the supreme leader of Asia.

Addressing a special convocation ceremony organised here today by the Kathmandu University (KU) to confer the Honorary D Litt title to the visiting President of India, the Prime Minister praised his role in taking India towards the path of development.

He said the political persona and ideologies espoused by Mukherjee, who carries a high political image, would be inspirational for us to pursue a meaningful life.

The KU decided to honour President Mukherjee with the honorary D Litt Degree in recognition of his contribution to the international relations, public administration and successful politics. The 81 -year-old Head-of-the-State of the southern neighbour arrived here Wednesday on a three-day state visit.

“Nepal and India share cultural, religious and social similarities and the bilateral ties have been further broadened by the state visit by the President of India,” the Prime Minister said.

Congratulating Mukherjee, one time journalist, banker, economist and a successful politician for his assumption of the highest State post of India, the Prime Minister expressed his hope that India would continue to get a ‘successful statesmanship’ during his tenure.

This is the third time that the KU has conferred the honorary D Litt Degree to a high profile dignitary since its establishment 25 years ago. The Indian President is preceded by Nepal’s noted culture expert Satyamohan Joshi and politician from his home country, Dr Karan Singh.

President Mukherjee has already been honoured with the Honorary Degree by the Dhaka University (Bangladesh) in 2013, Kolkata University in 2013, the Russian Diplomatic Academy in 2015, Brussels State University in 2015, Jordan University in 2015 and Hebrew University (Israel) the same year.

After receiving the degree, President Mukherjee said the honour has inspired him to be more dedicated to the cause of humanitarian service.

Addressing the KU students as hope and future leaders of the country, he called on them to try to seek their meaningful public life by exploring new research and education.

Explorations for new researches and knowledge prompted the commencement of an industrial development era in the world, he said, expressing his hope that the KU students would be able to do so.

University Vice Chancellor Dr Ramkantha Makaju Shrestha underscored the need of redefining education for its improvement and of linking the higher education to community and skills.

The KU established in 2048 BS is the first privately run university in the country. So far 900 students from India have graduated from the KU.

Indian President shows willingness to help rebuild Pashupatinath Ghat

President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, has expressed India’s willingness to assist in the reconstruction of the Ghats in the Pashupatinath Temple premises.

“The Pashupatinath Temple is as a common site of reverence for the people of Nepal and India,” the visiting President of the southern neighbor, who visited the Temple on the second day of his state visit this morning to perform the special pooja, wrote on the Visitors Book kept there by Pashupati Area Development Trust.

He wrote he was so happy for getting an opportunity to revisit the temple. “The Pashupatinath Temple is a site of cultural, religious and historic importance.” President Mukherjee wrote in the Visitors Book. He said he was delighted to be here for the special worship at the Pashupatinath Temple.

The government of India is happy for getting an opportunity to assist in the implementation of Dharmashala Project in the Pashupatinath, he states in the Visitors’ Book.

He has also wished success in the protection and promotion of the unique Pashupatinath area. The Indian President expressed happiness that the Bagmati river has become cleaner than what it was when he visited the place seven years back.

The Brahmin batuks of Nepal Ved Vidyashram welcomed the visiting Indian President in the Pashupatinath temple precinct, chanting the Vedic hymns, said Dr Govinda Tandon, Member Secretary of PADT.

“After the special pooja, President Mukherjee asked about the extent of damage caused by the earthquake in the Pashupatinath temple complex; he has also shown special interest in the preservation of the Aryaghat area,” Member Secretary Tandon added.

President Mukherjee had made offerings of money kept in envelope at all the temples and shrines he visited in the Pashupatinath temple complex.

The PADT presented to President Mukherjee wooden statues of Nrityanath and Natraj and a three feet tall temple as souvenir.

India committed to support Nepal’s progress: Indian President

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee has expressed the commitment on behalf of India to support as much as possible the continued progress and development of Nepal.

Addressing a civic felicitation organised in his honour by Kathmandu Municipal Corporation (KMC) here this evening, President Mukherjee said India would support Nepal’s development priorities and the post-quake reconstruction. He expressed the confidence that the grant assistance announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Nepal would be useful for the development-constructions works in the country.

Expressing satisfaction over the fruitful relations between India and Nepal, President Mukherjee emphasized on the need to implement the new constitution in Nepal with the support of all aspects of the Nepali society. It will then pave the way for Nepal’s development, he added.

Economic progress, political stability and peace in Nepal is what India wishes to see, and would always support to that end.

Recalling the contributions of the leaders of Nepal to the movement spearheaded by his country leaders to liberate India from British colonial rule, President Mukherjee said India has accorded high respect to their dedication.

India has attached utmost importance to the historical and traditional relations with Nepal and the prime objective of this visit is to further deepen and consolidate the relations by promoting mutual understanding between the two nations.

The India-Nepal relations are good and improved not only at government level but also at the people-to-people level, he added. “Kathmandu is not only the political capital but also a spiritual centre. Thousands of Indians come here to offer worships at Pashupatinath and Muktinath. Nepali revellers also go to pilgrim sites such as Kashi and Biswonath of India. This visit is my pilgrimage as well”, the President noted.

Expressing happiness for receiving warm respect from Kathmandu denizens, he thanked for offering him the civic reception.

On the occasion, Chief Executive of Kathmandu Metropolis Rudra Singh Tamang handed over a symbolic key of Kathmandu Metropolis to President Mukherjee.

Following the hand over, Chief Executive Tamang expressed the confidence that the visit by President Mukherjee would add a new dimension to the age-old and close relations between Nepal and India, and also contribute to promoting the social, economic and cultural proximity, and the multi-dimensional relations at the citizens level.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Foreign Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat, Minister for Federal Affairs and Local Development Hitraj Pandey, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Jeevan Bahadur Shahai and other distinguished personalities were present on the occasion.

Also present were Indian State Minister for Defense Subhas Bhamre and Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae.

At the end of the function, President Mukherjee signed on the visitor’ book of Kathmandu Metropolis while Chief Executive Tamang presented a wooden replica of an artistic door of Kathmandu valley and the statue of Manjushree goddess as token of love from Kathmandu. RSS