Kathmandu. The Embassy of India, Kathmandu celebrated India’s 80th Independence Day with the participation of the Indian community and friends of India in Nepal.

The ceremony began with the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ on Saturday.

Ambassador of India to Nepal hoisted the national flag of India and played the national anthem. President of India’s address to the nation on the eve of India’s 80th Independence Day was also telecast on the occasion.

On the occasion, the Indian Ambassador felicitated the wives and next of kin of 11 deceased Indian Armed Forces personnel.

They handed over a cheque of AGIF (Army Group Insurance Fund) worth a total of Rs 82 million.

The winners of various competitions organized by the Embassy on the occasion of the 80

th Independence Day were also felicitated. On the occasion, winners of painting competition based on the theme of ‘Developed India’, Developed India Race and Inter-School Quiz Competition were felicitated. On the occasion, prizes were also given to the winners of the special edition of the quiz competition ‘Bharat Ko Janiye’.

The Embassy also announced to provide book grants to 22 libraries and educational institutions in seven provinces of Nepal.

According to the Embassy, the initiative has been initiated with the objective of expanding access to educational resources.

Members of the Indian community in Nepal, friends of India, Embassy officials and their families enthusiastically participated in the Independence Day celebrations. On the occasion, students and teachers of Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre at the Embassy presented various cultural performances and patriotic songs.