A New Chapter in Nepal–Russia Friendship: Nepal–Russia Youth Club Launched in Kathmandu
Dragon Media Correspondent
As Nepal and Russia mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the Nepal–Russia Youth Club was formally inaugurated at the Russian House in Kathmandu on Tuesday.
Established with the aim of connecting the long-standing friendship between the two countries with a new generation, the Club seeks to bring together Nepali youth interested in science, technology, education, culture, innovation, entrepreneurship and professional development.
The Nepal–Russia Youth Club is envisioned as an open and dynamic platform where young people can develop their own ideas and projects, connect with peers and institutions sharing similar interests, exchange experience and build new avenues of cooperation. The Club also plans to place particular emphasis on exploring and promoting the rich cultural and intellectual heritage of both Nepal and Russia.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by former minister and President of the Nepal–Russia Science and Technology Society Ganesh Shah; Vice-President of Mitra Kunj and General Secretary of the Nepal–Russia Literature Society Ram Bindu Shrestha; General Secretary of the Nepal–Russia Friendship and Cultural Association Swaraj Shakya; President of the Nepal–Russia Youth Club Shashwat Guragain; and the Club’s Patron Samrat Gauchan, among others.
Addressing the ceremony, Director of the Russian House in Kathmandu Anastasia Khokhlova said the establishment of the Nepal–Russia Youth Club on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations had opened a new and promising chapter in the history of friendship between the two countries.
She said the Russian House remained open to Nepali youth and their initiatives, providing a space where young people could develop their skills, advance projects beneficial to Nepal and build connections with Russia, Eurasia and the wider international community.
Khokhlova said young people were encouraged to bring forward ideas in areas ranging from fashion and agricultural technology to music, dance and other fields. She added that the Russian House was prepared to support them from the initial stages, including where they lacked experience, needed connections with universities or required assistance in identifying grant opportunities.
She stressed that the objective was not to confine young people to preparing plans and submitting formal reports, but to help them pursue areas they genuinely care about and transform their ideas into practical initiatives.
According to Khokhlova, the Russian House also provides young people with information about scholarship opportunities for bachelor’s and master’s programmes at Russian universities, participation in international youth festivals, specialised conferences and other international events for journalists, bloggers, researchers and professional communities.
She said the Russian House aims to serve not only as a place where young people gain knowledge, but also as a platform where they can identify partners, develop their own projects and transform individual initiatives into sustainable programmes of cooperation.
Distinguished guests attending the ceremony congratulated the Club on its establishment and expressed their readiness to support its activities, share experience and contribute to expanding youth, educational, scientific, technological and cultural cooperation between Nepal and Russia.
As Nepal and Russia commemorate seven decades of diplomatic relations, the establishment of the Nepal–Russia Youth Club is being viewed not only as a celebration of past achievements, but also as an effort to pass the legacy of bilateral friendship to a new generation.
By connecting the creativity, energy and fresh ideas of Nepali youth with bilateral cooperation, the Club is expected to develop into an effective platform for friendship, knowledge, innovation and international engagement in the years ahead.
