Kathmandu, Dec 15: The Government of Japan has decorated Nepali Congress (NC) senior leader and former Speaker of the House of Representatives (HoR) Ram Chandra Poudel with the ‘Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun’.

Japanese Ambassador to Nepal Kikuta Yutaka handed over the decoration, which was announced on 29 April 2020, to leader Poudel amidst a special function in Kathmandu on Thursday.

“Poudel received the decoration on April 29, 2020, in recognition of his contributions towards strengthening the relationship between Japan and Nepal and promoting the interchange of members of parliaments of both countries. Due to Covid-19 pandemic, the ceremony was unfortunately postponed, but has successfully completed today,” the Embassy of Japan stated by issuing a press statement.

The decoration being provided to the world’s outstanding personalities was announced for NC senior leader Poudel and founder of Microsoft Bill Gates.

Poudel contributed to the activation of contacts between parliamentarians of the two countries and established the Japan-Nepal Friendship Parliamentarian League in 1999 when he was the Speaker. He was the first Chairman of the League from the beginning until 2017.

The Embassy said that Poudel also actively involved in the promotion of bilateral relations by receiving many VIPs from Japan such as Prince Akihito and Princess Michiko, Prime Minister MORI Yoshiro, State Minister for Foreign Affairs KIUCHI Minoru, and others.

“Japanese Decorations are conferred upon foreigners twice a year, on 29th April and 3rd November, concurrently with the conferment of decorations and medals to Japanese nationals. The Order of the Rising Sun is bestowed upon individuals of merit, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the nation or public. This is also conferred upon foreign nationals who have made notable contributions to the promotion of relations between Japan and other countries in areas such as politics and diplomacy, research and education, medicine and social welfare, economy and industry, and culture and sports,” according to the statement.

After receiving the decoration, senior leader Poudel expressed gratitude towards the Emperor of Japan, Japanese government and citizens of Japan and expressed the confidence that this move will further deepen our bilateral relations in future. Saying that Japan has been supporting for Nepal’s development efforts, agriculture, disaster management, technology, strengthening of democracy and other sectors, Poudel hoped for continued support in the days to come.

Also speaking at the event, Minister for Communications and Information Technology Gyanendra Bahadur Karki thanked the government of Japan for decorating senior leader Poudel and said that this would contribute to deepen Nepal-Japan relations further in future.

Likewise, Minister Karki expressed gratitude to the government of Japan for providing continuous support to Nepal’s social, economic and infrastructure development.

Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Dilendra Prasad Badu, NC leader, MPs, former ministers, and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.(RSS)