Kathmandu, Oct. 24 -- This year, the United Nations is marking its 80th anniversary and it is being celebrated with special events across the world to commemorate its establishment on 24 October 1945.

It has also been 75 years since the first UN adviser, the Swiss geologist Toni Hagen, was sent to Nepal to explore development opportunities. In 1950, there were no roads and Hagen walked on foot across the length and breadth of Nepal's mountains, valleys and plains.

This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Nepal, and much of Hagen's work laid the basis for the UN's involvement in education, health, and connectivity in Nepal's future development.

Despite frequent changes in government a...