Full text of Foreign Secretary's remarks at virtual inauguration of Tare Gomba Monastery

Posted on: 27 November 2020

H.E. Mr. Yadav Prasad Koirala, Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Government of Nepal,

H.E. Mr. Vinay Mohan Kwatra, Ambassador of India to Nepal

Representatives of Tashop (Tare) Gompa and people of Shree Kharka village [TBC]

It is my privilege to formally inaugurate the project to restore the Tashop (Tare) Gompa at Shree Kharka village in the Manang district.

I wanted to visit the Gompa myself but could not do so due to lack of time.

I am happy that India could play a part in restoring this ancient monastery.

This is a good example of India-Nepal development and cultural cooperation.

Buddhism is an important thread that binds India and Nepal.

The monastery is in the high Himalayas near the famous Tilicho Lake, and was established more than 500 years ago.

This project will help preserve the rich Buddhist heritage of this Himalayan region.

We hope it will also fulfill the local community’s wish to see the monastery bustle once again with religious and cultural life.

The friendship between India and Nepal is built on the civilizational and cultural links between the people of our two countries.

Indians consider Nepal as daivabhoomi, and many Indians visit Nepal every year for pilgrimage.

We consider it our sacred duty to protect our common heritage and pass it on to our future generations.

We are assisting in preserving and restoring many places of religious and cultural heritage in Nepal.

Many important heritage sites were damaged by the 2015 earthquake.

We are happy to assist Nepal rebuild them to their past glory, using modern technology.

Such projects are underway at 28 sites across 9 districts of Nepal.

These include 15 monasteries as well as iconic sites at Lalitpur and Bhaktapur.

In the past, our projects have included the Pashupati Temple Complex, Gangasagar and Dhanushasagar in Janakpur and the Lumbini Museum.

I would like to assure my friends in Nepal that we will continue to support you in whatever you need.

I thank the people of Manang for this opportunity to be part of the restoration of the monastery. I wish you all success and prosperity.

Thank you!