[caption id="attachment_1288" align="alignleft" width="300"]Consul General of Italy, Damiano Grancovigh, honours tourism entrepreneur Nima Nuru sherpa (left) with the "Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy" award in Kathmandu, on Tuesday, August 9, 2016. Photo: Rajan Pokhrel Consul General of Italy, Damiano Grancovigh, honours tourism entrepreneur Nima Nuru sherpa (left) with the "Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy" award in Kathmandu, on Tuesday, August 9, 2016. Photo: Rajan Pokhrel[/caption] During a press meet held at Hotel Radisson on Tuesday tourism entrepreneur NimaNuru Sherpa became the first Nepali to receive one of the highest honours from the government of Italy. During the same program the Italian government officially appointed PratimaPande as the Honorary Consul General in the presence of Mr.DamianoFrancovigh, Italian Consul General in Kolkata. Mr. Damiano Francovigh conferred the award ofthe Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy award (“cavalieredell'ordinedellastellad'italia”), signed by the Italian President, to NimaNuru Sherpa contributions in promoting friendly relations and cooperation between Italy and Nepal.This honor, which qualifies as a second civilian honor of the state , represents a special certificate in favour of all those who, Italians abroad or foreigners, have acquired special merits in the promotion of friendly relations and cooperation between Italy and other countries and in the promotion of ties with Italy. After receiving consent from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Italian Government informed that Sherpa was chosen for the award as such honour was intended for the promotion of volunteering as well as philanthropic activities. “Sherpa has also made a significant contribution to the Italian Republic in the preservation and promotion of country’s prestige,” the Consul General said. Nima Nuru Sherpa, proprietor Managing Director and team leader of Cho-Oyu Trekking, not only has as extensive experience of over 20 years in the tourism industry but is equally active in promoting the tourism sector no Nepal in particular and that of the South Asian region in general. He has served as the Vice President of the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) and Vice President of Nepal Mountaineering Association. Nima has a highly dedicated commitment to promote responsible tourism by providing top quality service through his organization. Nima has considerable experience in catering to the needs of foreigner nationals from different parts of the globe as well, and is himself widely traveled. Cho – Oyu host groups from throughout Europe, North and South America as well as South and Southeast Asia. Nimathanked Mme Pratim aPande, Mr.DamianoFrancovigh, the Italian as well as the Nepali government for this prestigious award and opportunity. He said that it was a very proud moment for him and his family who had also attended the program. Nimais a person who is genuinely concerned about helping underprivileged people and has been endeavouring to fulfil his social responsibility through “Friends of Nepal”, a non profit, non governmental organization which raises charity from visitors and other donors for essential infrastructure development such as hospital buildings, schools, orphanages and other projects that directly benefit the poor, especially in those regions where he operates his treks. During the program he talked about the construction of the Shree Himalaya Primary School in Namche, the Panchakanya Higher Secondary School in Shydul, Dhading and the Highway Community Hospital in Malekhu and the on going support he and the Italian government provided in all the three projects as well as granting scholarships to some 26 poor students in Kathmandu. He said he will continue supporting such social causes and give back something to the people of this community as well as those outside his community. The event also talked about the Consul general office which has been established in Heritage Plaza office Complex, 3rdfloor ,Kamaladi, Kathmandu. The office will be assisting Italian nationals residing here and will also help Italian tourists visiting Nepal. The Consul General office will also help to promote bilateral, cultural, trade and tourism between Nepal and Italy. The opening hour of this office will be form Monday to Friday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm for Italian citizens and Monday- Tuesday from 10:00am -12:00pm for Nepali citizens.