On the occasion of the 62nd Independence Day of India on 15 August 2008, thirty ambulances, eight buses and a large numbers of educational books and other material worth about NR 3 crore were presented by Government of India to various hospitals, non-profit charitable organizations and educational and cultural organizations from different parts of Nepal.

At a public function held in the Embassy premises in Kathmandu to mark the Independence Day on 15 August 2008, Ambassador of India to Nepal Shri Rakesh Sood presented twenty-four ambulances and five buses to recipient organisations from 27 districts, while six ambulances and three buses were gifted by Consul General of India at Birgunj, Shri T. Ashok to organisations from Bara, Mahottari, Makwanpur, Parsa, Rautahat and Sarlahi districts.

Since 1994, Government of India has provided over 200 ambulances to various organizations across 62 districts in Nepal. This has helped in bringing healthcare services to the doorsteps of thousands of people who do not have access to healthcare services especially in remote areas, by connecting them with the nearest district hospitals/ health centres. Based on the feedback available with the Embassy, over 22,000 patients have been served since June 2005 by ambulances presented by Government of India.

Government of India has also so far gifted over 30 buses to various educational and welfare institutions across 18 districts in Nepal, giving easier access to schools for hundreds of students, as well as helping a number of welfare organisations in providing services to disadvantaged groups.

During the Independence Day function, Ambassador Sood also presented books and educational material worth over NRs. 12 lakh to 20 educational and cultural organizations located in different regions of Nepal, including some remote districts such as Syang (Mustang), Syangja, Parbat, Dailekh, Arghakhanchi, Dadeldhura and Taplejung.

Through such initiatives, which are part of the on-going economic cooperation programme between India and Nepal, having an outlay of over NRs. 23 billions with more than 290 large and small projects reaching out to all the districts of Nepal, Government of India remains committed to constantly strengthening development cooperation with Nepal in the critical areas of education, health, community development and infrastructure.

Before handing over the gifts to the recipients, Ambassador Sood unfurled the National Flag of India and read out the message of the President of India with which she addressed the nation on the eve of the Independence Day. The function organised in the Embassy was attended by more than 1,500 people from various walks of life.