The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu on Friday celebrated the 79th Independence Day of India.

On the occasion, Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava honoured the widows and next of kin of deceased Indian Armed Forces personnel by handing over Army Group Insurance Fund cheques worth Rs64 million.

The embassy also announced a book grant for 39 educational institutions and libraries in seven provinces and 21 districts of Nepal. The initiative aims to improve students’ access to educational resources in remote areas.

The celebrations featured cultural performances of patriotic songs by students from the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre of the Embassy and Kendriya Vidyalaya, Kathmandu.