A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed on August 13, 2007 by the Embassy of India, Kathmandu with District Development Committee, Kathmandu and Nepal Charkha Pracharak Gandhi-Tulsi Smarak Mahaguthi at Gothatar VDC, Kathmandu for providing grant assistance of NRs. 30 million for construction of new building of the women’s hostel for the Mahaguthi.
Nepal Charkha Pracharak Gandhi-Tulasi Smarak Mahaguthi is a non-profit organization espousing and promoting the Gandhian ideals in Nepal through a variety of social services, particularly in the rural areas. Established in 1927 by Mahatma Gandhi’s disciple, Shri Tulsi Meher on the principles of non-violence, self-reliance and dignity of labour, the Mahaguthi is functioning for protection and upliftment of the socially and economically disadvantaged, particularly the destitute women, through a variety of activities, including by providing vocational training for self employment. The women’s hostel building for vocational trainees at the Mahaguthi’s Gothatar centre is presently inadequate and in a dilapidated condition. The new hostel building being constructed with the Indian assistance will be able to accommodate 100 women trainees. The Mahaguthi’s main vocational training centre was also constructed with the assistance of Government of India in 1968.
Under the MOU, the project will be implemented by DDC Kathmandu, while oversight committee consisting of representatives from the Mahaguthi, DDC and Samaj Kalyan Parishad of GON will be constituted to ensure community participation in overseeing the project for its effective and timely implementation.
This is among ten development projects undertaken with the assistance of Government of India in Kathmandu in recent years and overall, is part of more than 230 large and small projects currently being implemented under the India-Nepal Economic Cooperation Programme in the sectors of education, health, community development and infrastructure covering all the districts of Nepal with an outlay of over NRs.21 billions.
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