India and Nepal Sign MoUs for Five Key Projects in Education and Health

India and Nepal have taken another step forward in their strong bilateral partnership by signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for five new High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs). These projects will be implemented in the sectors of education and health across four districts in Nepal. Supported by the Government of India, these HICDPs aim to

I chose to write on this topic because it reflects how neighbouring countries can work together to support grassroots development. At a time when global headlines are often filled with conflict, the India-Nepal collaboration stands as a positive example of how diplomacy can be turned into real benefits for ordinary people. This topic is also important because it highlights how small, focused projects – like building a school or upgrading a hospital ward – can make a big difference in people’s lives. For anyone interested in foreign policy, development work, or the future of South Asia, these MoUs are a strong reminder that quiet cooperation matters.

What Are HICDPs and Why Do They Matter?

High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) are part of India’s long-standing development partnership with Nepal. These projects focus on key areas such as education, health, sanitation, and community infrastructure. What makes them different is their scale and focus – they are small to medium in size but are targeted at real, day-to-day needs of local communities.

Under HICDPs, India has already supported over 550 projects in Nepal, and nearly 480 of them have been completed. The funding usually comes in the form of grant assistance, and the projects are implemented in coordination with local bodies in Nepal.

The five MoUs signed recently fall under the same programme and are expected to bring immediate benefits to local people, especially students, teachers, and patients in under-served areas.

Details of the Five MoUs Signed

Here is a quick overview of the five projects that were formalised through MoUs on July 9, 2025:

Shree Janata Secondary School, Taplejung District
- Construction of a new school building
- Will benefit hundreds of students in a remote area
Health Post at Duhun Rural Municipality, Darchula District
- Upgradation of health services for better rural healthcare access
Shree Mahendra Higher Secondary School, Achham District
- Support for infrastructure development and classroom expansion
Community Health Unit at Badimalika Municipality, Bajura District
- Focused on maternal and child healthcare improvement
Shree Saraswati Secondary School, Doti District
- Improvement of school building and learning facilities

All five projects are expected to be completed with Indian financial assistance totalling around NPR 180 million (INR 11.25 crore).

A Deepening People-Centric Partnership

India’s development partnership with Nepal is deeply rooted in the concept of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas – and this shows in how these projects are designed. They are not just about diplomacy or soft power; they are about real, tangible help that improves daily life in Nepal’s rural regions.

This recent agreement also builds trust between the two governments and reflects India’s commitment to being a reliable development partner. Importantly, the projects were selected based on local needs – meaning the people in those communities will actually use and benefit from the services.

Local Ownership and Long-Term Impact

One of the key reasons why HICDPs have worked well in Nepal is because they are implemented with the communities, not just for them. Local governments and school or hospital management teams play an active role in planning and monitoring the work. This builds a sense of ownership, which is critical for the long-term success of any public infrastructure.

For example, in past projects, schools that received support from HICDPs were able to introduce computer labs, expand girl-friendly toilets, and improve classroom ventilation – all changes that directly impacted student outcomes.

Education and Employment Can Transform Society: Dinesh Gundu Rao Highlights the Way Forward

During a recent public address in Mangaluru, Karnataka’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao stressed that education and employment are two powerful tools that can shape the future of any society. He pointed out that when people are educated and have meaningful jobs, they can rise above social divisions, poverty, and other long-standing issues. His statement came while addressing students and faculty at a function organised at Srinivas University, where he also touched on the importance of knowledge-driven growth.

I felt the need to write about this because it’s rare to hear such a strong political focus on the link between education, employment and overall societal transformation. We often hear about schemes, budgets and infrastructure, but rarely is the bigger picture discussed—how these two sectors can change the life of a common person. This topic matters to all of us, especially the youth, who are navigating a fast-changing job market while also dealing with rising academic pressure. By writing about this, I hope more people start thinking seriously about how education is not just about degrees, and employment is not just about money—it’s about dignity, stability and progress.

Why Education and Employment Matter Together

Education and employment are often treated as separate issues, but in reality, they go hand-in-hand. Education gives people the ability to think, create and contribute. Employment gives them the opportunity to apply what they know, support their families, and be part of the economy. According to Dinesh Gundu Rao, these two pillars must be developed together if we want a fairer and more productive society.

He stressed that:

Lack of access to education pushes people into poverty.
Unemployment leads to frustration, crime, and brain drain.
A society that fails to create job-ready youth will always remain unequal.

This is why investing in schools, colleges, and job-oriented courses is not just a policy decision—it’s a moral responsibility.

Government’s Role in Creating Equal Opportunities

During the event, Rao mentioned that governments should focus not only on building schools and colleges but also on ensuring the quality of education. He said students from rural areas often struggle because they don’t have the same access to English-medium teaching or computer labs as those in urban areas. This kind of inequality reflects in the job market too, where rural youth get fewer chances.

He also pointed out that:

Many graduates remain unemployed or underemployed because they are not industry-ready.
There is a big gap between what is taught in classrooms and what the job market demands.
Career counselling and vocational training should start at the school level.

According to him, if we want to see real change, we need long-term thinking and serious government commitment—not just one-time policies or election promises.

Importance of Social Harmony for Progress

One of the key messages Rao delivered was about unity. He said education should be a tool to unite people and not divide them. The minister raised concern about how communalism and polarisation are slowly taking attention away from important issues like job creation and educational reform.

He added that:

When youth are unemployed, they are more vulnerable to divisive ideologies.
Education can help people develop critical thinking and tolerance.
A strong education and employment ecosystem reduces dependence on populist politics.

He urged young people to stay informed, ask questions, and focus on real-life issues rather than distractions.