Kathmandu. Former President of Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Kul Acharya and UK-based businessman and social worker Uttam Nepal have handed over two sets of state-of-the-art DNA kits to the Government of Nepal. The kit has been provided to the government to assist in the identification of people who lost their lives in floods and disasters.
In a program held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, Acharya and Nepal handed over two complete sets of QIAGEN Tissue Analyzer-3 system required for DNA testing and sample processing to Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal. These devices are prepared to be put into operation through the Central Forensic Science Laboratory of the police or the National Forensic Science Laboratory at Khumaltar.
In the program, Acharya said that after the devastating floods that occurred in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and other districts on August 26, non-resident Nepalis around the world donated millions of dollars to help the victims. Mentioning that it is his duty to help Nepal in times of crisis, he said that handing over the DNA kit is also an example of service to the motherland.
He also thanked National Independent Party MP Vidushi Rana for coordinating with the relevant agencies while informing about the need for DNA kits in Nepal. Uttam Nepal, director of UK-based Yumi International Limited, expressed his happiness that he was able to support the Nepalese government during the calamity.
On behalf of his family, Nepal has also handed over one crore rupees to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund.
Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal thanked Acharya and Nepal for their support and said that after the disaster in Bhotekoshi-Trishuli area, it was a big challenge to identify the bodies of the deceased, but getting the state-of-the-art DNA kit was an important achievement.
He praised the cooperation and goodwill shown by the non-resident Nepali community during the disaster and urged the non-resident Nepali community to make the international community aware of the challenges faced by developing countries like Nepal due to climate change.
In the program, Parliamentarian Vidushi Rana praised the charitable spirit shown by Nepalis living abroad and said that Nepal, which is in a disaster, needs the help of Nepalis from all over the world.