UK-Based Businessman Uttam Nepal Donates NPR 10 Million to Flood Victims

London: UK-based Nepali businessman and philanthropist Uttam Nepal has donated NPR 10 million to support people affected by flooding in the Bhotekoshi region of Nepal.

Nepal handed over a cheque for NPR 10 million to Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal on Monday. During the meeting, he also shared that his daughter, Sushma Nepal, had raised more than NPR 4.2 million through a GoFundMe campaign. He said the funds had been used to support flood victims in the affected areas.

During the meeting, Foreign Minister Khanal said the government was actively working to establish the necessary legal framework to implement Non-Resident Nepali (NRN) citizenship within the current fiscal year.

Khanal made the remarks during a meeting with a delegation led by Dr Upendra Mahato, founding president of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), which visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.

The minister said work was underway to establish the legal foundation required to implement NRN citizenship. He also urged the Nepali diaspora to raise international awareness about the challenges faced by developing countries such as Nepal due to climate change.

Khanal praised the solidarity, support and humanitarian assistance demonstrated by the Nepali diaspora following the disaster in the Bhotekoshi–Trishuli region. He said assistance received during disasters plays a vital role in providing relief to affected communities.

During the meeting, former NRNA president Kul Acharya and UK-based businessman and philanthropist Uttam Nepal also handed over two sets of DNA kits to the Government of Nepal.

The kits are expected to be put into use through either the Central Forensic Science Laboratory of Nepal Police or the National Forensic Science Laboratory in Khumaltar.

Nepal, director of London-based Yumi International Limited, expressed his happiness at being able to support the Government of Nepal during a difficult time.

At the programme, Member of Parliament Bidhushi Rana praised the philanthropic spirit and humanitarian contributions of Nepalis living abroad. She said Nepal needed the support of Nepalis scattered across the world during times of disaster.