Kathmandu, Mar. 15: Minister for Education, Science and Technology and Pro-Chancellor of Tribhuvan University Devendra Poudel and Indian Ambassador to Nepal Vinay Mohan Kwatra jointly laid the foundation stone of a new state-of-the-art building of Tribhuvan University Central Library today.

The library building damaged by the 2015 earthquake is being re-constructed with the financial grant of the Government of India. The building being constructed at a total cost of Rs. 361.16 million will ensure a 24-hour study facility for readers and researchers as well as a separate computer lab for e-library facility, hall for seminar-workshop, exhibition room, etc. An agreement has been reached to complete the construction of the building within 15 months.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Poudel said that the country should lead the prosperity and development by building efficient and quality human resources. He mentioned that the Government of India has been providing significant assistance in building educational infrastructure for the development of the country.

On the occasion, Indian Ambassador to Nepal Kwatra described the library as an important place for organizing social life, exchanging ideas and philosophies, conducting the latest discoveries and research, expressing happiness that the Indian government was able to assist in the construction of Gandhi Bhawan, Zakir Hussain Park and TU Central Library on the university campus.

Prof Dr. Shivlal Bhusal of Tribhuvan University said that the Government of India, which has been supporting the TU Central Library since its inception, has strengthened the relationship by providing financial assistance for the construction of a state-of-the-art library building.