Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Jeevan Ram Shrestha, attended a special program in Ottawa, Canada on October 2. The program was jointly organized by the Embassy of Nepal and the Nepalese Canadian Association of Ottawa (NCAO) on the occasion of Bada Dashain.
According to the Embassy of Nepal, Ottawa, Canada, speaking on the occasion, Minister Shrestha highlighted the policy of the Government of Nepal for the economic development and prosperity of the country. As tourism is the backbone of the Nepali economy, the government has attached top priority to its growth, he said.
Informing that the Government of Nepal has decided to mark the decade from 2023 to 2033 as the Visit Nepal Decade so as to revive the tourism sector, he stressed the need for support from Non-resident Nepalis in making the campaign a success. He also urged each Non-resident Nepali to send at least one tourist to Nepal.
Appreciating the role played by the Nepali diaspora in enhancing the dignity of Nepal and Nepalis abroad, he called on them to support Nepal’s socio-economic development endeavors through their knowledge, skills, technology, and capital.
Addressing the event, the Ambassador of Nepal to Canada, Bhrigu Dhungana expressed his best wishes to all Nepalis living in Canada for happiness, peace, good health, and prosperity on the auspicious occasion of Bada Dashain and other imminent festivals. He said that the Embassy of Nepal would always support the Non-resident Nepali Association (NRNA), Nepali organizations and diaspora members in their efforts to promote the Nepali language, literature, art and culture.
Minister Shrestha and Ambassador Dhungana also unveiled the 41st issue of NCAO magazine ‘Ottawa Chautari’. In the event attended by a large number of guests, various artists performed Nepali drama, dances, music, and songs.
Earlier, Minister Shrestha participated in an interaction program with Nepali community members at the Ambassador’s official residence. They had a productive discussion on many issues of contemporary significance.
The Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation is in Canada leading the Nepali delegation to the 41st session of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Assembly being held at the ICAO headquarters in Montreal from September 27 to October 7, 2022.