Dhangadhi, 16 Magh.

In celebration of the golden jubilee of Birendra Vidya Mandir Secondary School in Tikapur, a state-of-the-art library, including an electronic library (e-library), is set to be established. The initiative is being led by the Tikapur Sarokar Samuha, which has been actively involved in social and humanitarian projects in the region for the past few years.

The need for a well-equipped library was emphasized by stakeholders and experts to enhance the school’s academic standards. In a statement, the Tikapur Sarokar Samuha expressed confidence that modernizing the library would foster a culture of reading, expand students’ knowledge, and connect them to the broader world. The group has already secured the necessary support for this project.

Under the leadership of Hikmat Thapa, the patron of the Tikapur Sarokar Samuha, the library will be established at Birendra Vidya Mandir. The facility will include hundreds of essential books, more than 10,000 e-books, computers with supporting software and other equipment, as well as comfortable seating and study tables.

The Nepal Library Foundation will provide technical support for the library’s establishment, with funding coordinated by the Tikapur Sarokar Samuha. In a statement, the group’s secretary, Navaraj Bhattarai, expressed gratitude to all donors and organizations contributing to this historic initiative. Financial contributions for the first phase of the project include USD 5,000 (approximately NPR 680,000) from Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia and the Ruparelia Foundation in Uganda, NPR 400,000 from Min Bahadur Rawal, and NPR 100,000 from the Gagan Foundation, Tikapur.

The Tikapur Sarokar Samuha has extended its appreciation to all individuals and organizations working tirelessly to bring this vision to life, including the school's trustees, principal, and teachers, as well as Nepal’s Honorary Consul to Uganda, Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, former chairman of the Tikapur Development Committee, Min Bahadur Rawal, and the group’s patron, Hikmat Thapa, chairman Prashant Aryal, member Vikas Rawal, along with other members, well-wishers, and donors. Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, the project’s largest donor, serves as Nepal’s Honorary Consul to Uganda and is also the chairman of Uganda’s largest industrial and commercial conglomerate, the Ruparelia Group.

Another key donor, Min Bahadur Rawal, is recognized as one of the leading figures behind the establishment of Tikapur Municipality and Birendra Vidya Mandir. He is known for his expertise in social development, strategic planning, and management.

The Gagan Foundation, another contributor, is a social organization established in memory of the late writer and social activist Gagan Singh Thapa. Thapa authored nine literary works, including Karnali Ko Cheuchau, Purkhako Chitthi, and Astachal Ko Dhoka Bata.