KATHMANDU, March 19: Prince Harry is coming to Nepal on a five-days visit on Saturday.
During his Nepal visit from March 19-23, Prince Harry will engage in various activities including observation of earthquake recovery work.
He will also interact with Gurkha families, enjoy rafting, watch sunrise over the Himalayas, and visit heritage sites and national parks.
The prince is arriving in Nepal on an official visit on behalf of Her Majesty’s Government to support British interests in the region and highlight the broad and deep relationship between the UK and Nepal, read a statement issued by the British Embassy in Kathmandu. His visit is taking place as 2016 marks the bicentenary of bilateral relations between the two countries.
The statement said he has a huge amount of admiration for the resilience of the people of the country, particularly in response to the earthquakes last year and that during the visit he will learn how the country has been recovering over the last 12 months.
Prince Harry will be introduced to the home of the Brigade of Gurkhas, saluting the extraordinary bravery and commitment that Gurkhas have shown in the last 200 years.
Besides various other activities, he is also scheduled to call on President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, among other top officials.
Immediately after arriving in Kathmandu he will attend the activities focused on the effects of the two devastating earthquakes which struck Nepal in April and May 2015.
In Patan Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Prince Harry will view damage to the ancient royal palace and surrounding temples, read the statement. He will also observe the ongoing work to restore cultural monuments through traditional craft skills such as wood-carving and gilding.
Prince Harry will then visit the nearby Golden Temple, from where the local response to the April 2015 earthquake was co-ordinated.
Likewise, he will then travel to Bhaktapur where he will visit a pre-positioning site for emergency supplies, a temporary camp for families displaced by the 2015 earthquakes.
On March 21, he will travel to Bardia National Park which, together with neighbouring Banke National Park, forms the largest tiger conservation area in Asia.
During his visit, Prince Harry will have an opportunity to experience rafting on the Khauraha River and view tiger camera traps in the jungle, travel Pokhara area, where he will take part in a trek in the foothills of the Himalayas.
“Prior to beginning the trek, Prince Harry will meet two Gurkha families whose homes were badly damaged by last year’s earthquakes,” it said. “The trek will end in a remote hamlet in the hills where Prince Harry will enjoy a cultural show organised by local people before, watching the sun set over the Himalayas. He will spend the rest of the evening at a Gurkha homestay, where he will stay overnight.”
He will meet serving Gurkhas, veterans and their families.
Since 1815 Gurkha soldiers have fought alongside British forces in every major conflict, gaining a reputation for bravery and loyalty. During the two World Wars there were over 40,000 Gurkha casualties, while 13 Victoria Crosses have been awarded to Nepali Gurkha soldiers. Prince Harry served with the 1st Battalion of The Royal Gurkha Rifles during his tour of Afghanistan in 2007-8, memorably observing: “When you know you’re with the Gurkhas, there’s no safer place to be.”
He will watch the sunrise over the Himalayas On March 22.
Source: http://myrepublica.com/feature-article/story/38981/prince-harry-arriving-nepal-on-five-day-visit-tomorrow.html
