Introduction of B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS)

B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS) was established on January 18, 1993 and subsequently upgraded as an Autonomous Health Sciences University on October 28, 1998 with a mandate to work towards developing socially responsible and competent health work force, providing health care and engaging in health research. The Institute is located in Eastern Nepal & it has extended its continued health services through teaching district concept to Primary Health Care Centers, District Hospitals and Zonal Hosptals in six districts of the region.

This Institute is envisaged as one of the finest examples of Indo-Nepal Co-operation. The Health Ministers of the two countries signed the Indo-Nepal agreement for establishment of BPKIHS on the auspicious day of Mahashivaratri (March 10, 1994).

This University is aptly named after Bisheshwar Prasad Koirala, Nepal's visionary leader in social upliftment, firm believer of National Reconciliation and National Integration. Situated in Dharan in the hilly slopes sprawled over an area of about 700 acres, the University has a clean pollution free environment, and water supply and electricity supply round the clock. The Institute is fully committed to its social responsibility and accountability. Candidates from disadvantaged groups are given opportunities for admission in most of the academic programmes. While selecting candidates for post graduate studies, the Institute has given due recognition to those medical officers who have worked in the primary health centers and district hospitals. The Institute has adopted innovative approaches of community-based training of students and services to the local people through the concept of Teaching District. Under this concept students of various programmes visit and/or are posted in the health institutions under faculty supervision where on one hand they get opportunity to learn in the community set-up and on the other hand the local health institutions get qualified health work-force regularly to provide the quality services to the people. The Institute has given special attention for upliftment rural women from the marginalized communities of the teaching district. Social health insurance scheme is another example of its social responsibility under which local families are getting comprehensive health insurance from its teaching hospital

BPKIHS has a vision of a self-governing, self-reliant International Health Sciences University attracting students and teachers from all over the world to its constantly innovative educational programme. BPKIHS has also been envisioned by the Napali Parliament as a centre of national importance to produce skilled manpower in health sector to meet the country's need and also to function as a Centre of Excellence in the field of Tropical and Infectious Diseases.

about Tourism

Dharan is a tourist destination in its own right. Communication is mainly in Nepali and English. People who are English speakers should have no problem comprehending many signs and road maps in Nepal.
Beyond Bhedetar lies the eastern hilly district such as Dhankuta, Bhojpur,Phidim, Terathum. Dharan serves as a gateway to some of the remote tourist attractions like Kumbhakarna Himal, Kanchenjunga, Makalu Barun National Park, Arun Valley, Tinjure-Milke (Rhododendron Protection Area), Gupha Lake, Hyatrung Fall, and Sabha Pokhari. They are quite further and therefore require extended day trips.
To the south of Dharan is the city of Biratnagar and connecting towns, all within an hours drive. The towns of Tararah and Itahari are popular with the local population of Dharan.
Dharan, with its diverse population has numerous centers of worship i.e. temples, churches and a mosque. Bijaypur hill is of a particular significance, as it has several temples of importance, such as Dantakali temple, Pindeshwar temple, Budha Subbha temple and Panch Kanya. These temples are of historical and archaeological importance in as much as religious. These temples are centers for rituals, fares and events.
Different ethnic groups host their traditional cultural festivities all year around. The Dhan naach and Chyabrum naach of Limbus, Lakhe naach and Gai jatra of Newars, Sakela Sili naach of Rai people, Selo of Tamangs, Rodighar of Gurungs, Baalan and Sangini of Brahmin and Chhetris, all add to the cultural tradition of Dharan.
Other potential tourism prospects include:

• White water rafting in Kosi river, starting from Chatara to Koshi Barrage.
• Paragliding from surrounding hills and Bhedetar for the dare-devils.
• Development of Panchakanya, a Natural Park into a mini zoo.
• Protection and development of flora and fauna of Chaarkose forest.
• Cable car at Dharan-Bishnupaduka-Baraha Kshetra.
• Better advertisement of Babadham fair.
• Construction of an airport in Dharan.

Some measures taken by the Municipality of Dharan to promote tourism:

• Emphasis on the development infrastructures of the city.
• Support development and management of Pindeshwar Babadham fair, Baraha Kshetra fair and Bishnupaduka fair to promote religious tourism.

• Budhasubba Football Tournaments coordinated by the municipality every year.
• Annual publication of a brochure and city information of Dharan.
• Publication and distribution of postcards and photographs of Dharan and Bhedetar.
• Promote Dharan festivals. E.g. Dharan Mahotsav.
• Dharan Clock Tower.
• Development of the Saptarangi Park (Park of Seven Colours) and Panchakanya Natural Park.
• Financial and other assistance to the development of a privately run Yalambar Park.

about dharan

Dharan started as a small trading settlements. Over the last couple of decades, the population of Dharan has increased and diversified to include people from various ethnicities like Limbu, Rai, Gurung, Newar, Brahmins, Chhetris etc.

The modern Dharan's foundation was laid in 1902 A.D. by prime minister Chandra Samsher. He established a small village at the foot of Bijayapur hillock and named it Chandranagar (now Purano Bajar). The purpose was to supply timber to East India Company, who in 1890s had expanded its North Eastern territory and was laying railway tracks. The first government official to be appointed in this small village of Chandranagar was Subba Ratna Prasad. A settlement grew steadily over the course of time. This growing settlement was named Juddha Nagar (now Naya Bazaar) after Prime minister Juddha Samsher. It was declared a municipal town in 1960.