Rare philanthropic gesture by Mahato

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda,' Sunday, laid foundation stone of Phul Kumari Hospital in Siraha district – which is being built by the financial assistance of Dr. Upendra Mahato, president of Non Resident Nepalese Association (NRNA).

The 25-bed hospital is being built at the cost of Rs 70 million - a rare philanthropic gesture in which a Nepali has come out with generous support to help his own countrymen.

PM Dahal also inaugurated Phul Kumari school built with Mahato's assistance.

He helped build hospital and school in memory of his late mother Phul Kumari.

Addressing the function in Siraha, PM asked the NRN community to come forth in building a new Nepal. "I hope Mahato and the institution he leads will carry out similar development efforts in different parts of the country," said PM Dahal.

Speaking at the function, Mahato said that he is committed to work for the sake of his village and his country.

Meanwhile, at the function in Siraha, PM Dahal said that the government will work within legal limits in dealing with the issue of returning of seized properties in the district.

A few weeks ago then Land Reforms Minister and Maoist leader Matrika Yadav had chased away the policemen who had freed the captured land from landless people. Yadav even accused his cabinet colleague Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bamdev Gautam of siding with feudal by forcing the landless to give up the land.

Later, Yadav resigned from the cabinet after his party asked him to apologise over the incident. nepalnews.com sd Oct 12 08