Global Friends of Tilganga on Saturday handed over a cheque of Rs 40 million to Pilachhen Reconstruction and Tourism Promotion Project.
Suhrid Ghimire, Chairperson of Tilganga Institute of Opthalmology, handed over the cheque to Ramesh Maharjan, chairman of Maya Foundation, the promoter of the project, amid a special function in Pilachhen, Lalitpur.
The reconstruction project blends cultural preservation and tourism promotion of the old Newar settlement of Pilachhen whose 82 of 110 houses sustained severe damages when the 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the country on April 25, 2015.
Addressing the function, Maharjan said that the people of Pilachhen had a dream of developing their settlement as a core traditional settlement for the preservation of Newari tradition and culture and promotion of tourism and that Tilganga's contribution has greatly helped realize this dream. According to him, the success of the project can create a model to emulate for other settlements of historical, cultural value.
A total of 84 houses are being rebuilt incorporating traditional Newari design and modern engineering to create quake-resilient structures. Each house is designed to include a homestay facility for tourists as income-generation and sustainability program.
Handing over the cheque, Chairperson Ghimire said that Tilganga felt extremely happy to be supporting the "pride project that combines cultural preservation and lifestyle".
Following the April 25 earthquake, Global Friends of Tilganga had launched a fund-raising campaign, especially earmarked to support this project.
Noted eye surgeon and Executive Director of Tilgaga Institute of Opthalmology Dr Sanduk Ruit, members of Friends of Tilganga and locals were present on the occasion.
