May 9: Coca-Cola celebrated its 132nd anniversary on Tuesday, May 8. The history of the globally renowned drink began on May 8, 1886, when the curiosity of a pharmacist in Atlanta, Dr John S Pemberton, led him to create a distinctive tasting soft drink, Coca-Cola.

Issuing a press statement, Coca-Cola said that the beverage which conquered the hearts of millions worldwide has been refreshing people across the globe since its first production.

According to the company, Dr Pemberton's partner and bookkeeper, Frank M Robinson, is credited for naming the beverage 'Coca-Cola' as well as designing the trademark, distinct script, still used today.

Though Dr Pemberton created the drink, it was Asa G Candler, who grew the business, spreading it across the USA. Now, the company claimed that it operates in more than 200 countries. Coca-Cola was introduced in Nepal in 1979 and has two plants in the country in Balaju and Bharatpur.

"For Coca-Cola in Nepal, sustainability is at the heart of the business," reads the statemetn, adding, "The system in Nepal is also committed to creating lasting positive impact on the communities they proudly serve, actively leveraging partnerships with communities, government agencies and non-profits, through a “golden triangle” approach for partnerships. The company has a number of initiatives focused on water replenishment, improving water efficiency, supporting WASH programs in public schools, a focused effort on recycling PET bottles, and also empowering women."

Puneet Varshney, Managing Director of Bottlers Nepal Limited said, “On this special occasion of The Coca-Cola Company’s 132nd birthday, we are celebrating our people, our consumers and rejoicing their affection towards our brand.  Nepal has loved us for over 4 decades now and it gives me immense pleasure to be celebrating this moment of happiness by creating value for the community we serve in. We would like to especially thank our customers who are an invaluable part of our journey in Nepal."

In addition to the ongoing programs and sustainability commitments, marking 132 years of the company’s existence this week, Bottlers Nepal Limited (authorized bottler of the Coca-Cola Company) is collaborating with RAP 3 CONNECT (IMC Worldwide) - a program conceived in 1999 through Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Nepal and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland acting through the Department of International Development (“DFID”) - by providing its existing basket to sell RAP's products through its vibrant network of women micro-entrepreneurs in six districts in the Mid and Far-West of Nepal.

The collaboration seeks to deliver training to 400 'Hamri Didis' in two groups, first in Nepalgunj on May 9 and then in Dhangadhi on May 16.

"Moreover, it is planning to provide the Hamri Didi's of RAP 3 CONNECT with 5by20 training. 5by20 is The Coca-Cola Company's global commitment to enable the economic empowerment of 5 million women entrepreneurs across the company's value chain by 2020," the statement further said.