On the occasion of the 61st Republic Day of India on January 26, 2010, twenty one ambulances and six buses were gifted by Government of India to various hospitals, non-profit charitable organizations and educational institutions from twenty one districts in Nepal.

At a public function held in the Embassy premises in Kathmandu to mark the Republic Day on January 26, 2010, Ambassador of India, Shri Rakesh Sood hoisted the national flag and read out the Address of the President of India, delivered to the nation on 25th January, which stressed amongst other things India's commitment to democratic principles and to work for peace and stability, and its desire to empower the poor and the disadvantaged for inclusive growth.

The Ambassador presented sixteen ambulances and six buses to recipient organizations from 17 districts. The remaining five ambulances were gifted by Consul General of India at Birgunj, Shri T. Ashok to organizations coming under the consular jurisdiction of Consulate General of India, Birgunj. During the function, Ambassador also presented books to 25 educational and training institutions located in different regions of Nepal, including some remote districts.

 Since 1994 Government of India has gifted 262 ambulances to various organizations across 67 districts in Nepal. This has helped in bringing healthcare services to the doorsteps of thousands of people who do not have access to healthcare services especially in remote areas, by connecting them with the nearest district hospitals/health centres. Based on the feedback available with the Embassy, over 50,000 patients have been served by these ambulances gifted by Government of India. Government of India has also so far gifted 50 buses to various educational and welfare institutions across 22 districts in Nepal, giving easier access to schools for hundreds of students, as well as helping a number of welfare organizations in providing services to disadvantaged groups.

Gifting of these ambulances and buses is a part of the larger India-Nepal economic cooperation programme that the Government of India has with Nepal with an overall outlay of over NRs 3450 crores. Under the programme, there are over 365 large and small projects in the sectors of health, education and infrastructure development which reflect the commitment of the Government and the people of India to work with the people of Nepal in their stride towards peace and development. These projects stand as a symbol of deep friendship that characterizes the relationship between the two countries.

Earlier on the eve of the 61st Republic Day, Indian Embassy organized a musical event on January 25, 2010 in Kathmandu where sufi singer, Ustad Sufi Bawra enthralled the audience with his music. The mix of sufi song including that of Bulle Shah and Amir Khusro were well received and appreciated by the audience. Ustad Bawra learnt Hindustani classical music at Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, New Delhi and has rendered several performances in India and Afghanistan.