Rt. Hon’ble Prime Minister Mr. K P Sharma Olivisited Bhujin the Kutch district of Gujarat, India today to observe and study the post-earthquake reconstruction and rehabilitationprogrammes. Bhuj was one of the townshugely affected by the massive 2001 earthquakes in Gujarat and is now one of the best examplesof post-earthquake rebuilding success. During the visit, the Prime Minister was accompanied by Hon’ble Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Kamal Thapa, Hon’ble Finance Minister Mr. BishnuPaudel, Hon’ble Home Minister Mr. Shakti BahadurBasnet, Ambassador of Nepal to India Mr. Deep Kumar Upadhyay, CEO of the National Reconstruction Authority Mr. SushilGyawali, Members of Parliament and officials of the Government of Nepal. On the Indian side, Ministers of Gujarat State Government, members of Gujarat Legislative Assembly, former CEO of Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority, Ambassador of Nepal to India and officials of Gujarat State Government received the Prime Minister in Gujarat and accompanied him during the visit.
Presentation was made for the Prime Minister and the Nepalese delegation about extent of damage by the 2001 earthquake, efforts made for recovery, reconstruction and relocation and how the towns and villages were built back better successfully through joint efforts of government,NGOs and private sector. The Prime Minister observed the reconstruction site of Bhuj and Mundra relocation site. Rt. Hon’ble Prime Minister, addressing the local public in Bhuj and Mundra relocation site, appreciated the strength, resilience and determination of the people of Bhujand Gujarat, which led to the successful reconstruction campaign. The Prime Minister stated that Gujarat has provideda useful lesson and source of confidenceas Nepal starts the implementation of reconstruction programmes. The Prime Minister also highlighted the close, friendly and cooperative relations between Nepal and India both at the levels of governments and peoples.
People of Kutch lined up along the motorway to greet the Prime Minister and the Nepalese delegationwaving the national flags of Nepal and India.
Governor of Gujarat Mr. O P Kohli hosted lunch in honour of the Prime Minister this afternoon.
Rt. Hon’ble Prime Minister arrived in Mumbai, the financial capital of India, in the evening today. The Governor of Maharashtra Mr. C V Rao hosted Banquet in honour of the Rt. Hon Prime Minister. He is scheduled to visit the industrial site and interact with business community in Mumbai tomorrow afternoon. The Prime Minister and his delegation will return to Kathmandu later tomorrow.
Embassy of Nepal,
New Delhi,
February 23, 2016