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A statue of Brahmayani, which was stolen a few days ago, has been found lying at the local Tribeni Ghat in Dhulikhel, reports said Friday. The statue found at Sukwaltol ward no 5 of the municipality, has been handed over to the concerned authorities, the reports said. nepalnews.com mr Dec 12 Court upholds Constitutional Council's recommendation In a ruling on Thursday, the Supreme Court said the decision of Constitutional Council to recommend three names for a single post of chief election commissioner has not flouted constitutional provisions. Responding to a plea, a single member bench of the court comprising Justice Gopal Prasad Khatri said, the Constitution itself has delegated authority to the Council to take decisions to recommend individuals for new appointments. Controversy arose when the Council allegedly followed the constitutional monarch's advice to review its earlier decision. The Council earlier recommended Bhoj Raj Pokhrel for the post of chief election commissioner. It later on recommended three names for the same post following the King's advice, according to broadsheet reports. Keshav Raj Rajbhandari has already been appointed to the post. He was one of the three individuals recommended by the Council. nepalnews.com mr Dec 12 Nepal signs UN anti-corruption pact Nepal has signed the anti-corruption convention approved by the General Assembly of the United Nations, RSS said. Chief Commissioner of the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) Surya Nath Upadhyay signed the convention on behalf of Nepal at the conference organised by the United Nations in Merida City of Mexico, the national news agency said. Addressing the signing ceremony, Chief Commissioner Upadhyay said corruption control in Nepal has been an important agenda of the state in recent years. Upadhyay said His Majesty's Government has taken active measures for reform of governance and issued an action plan on corruption control. At the conference participated in by 120 state representatives, 45 countries including Nepal signed the convention on the very first day. The convention incorporates, among other things, ways to prevent corruption, arrangement concerning criminalisation of corruption, promotion of international cooperation for corruption eradication, repatriation of corrupt assets from another country and other cooperation and exchanges, the news agency said. nepalnews.com mr Dec 12 A two-day Mountain Exhibition got underway Thursday as crown price Paras Bir Bikram Shahdev inaugurated it amid a function at Birendra International Convention Center in Kathmandu on the occasion of International Mountain Day. The exhibition is first in its kind in Nepal. Various materials showing natural as well as biological and cultural diversities in the hills and agro products have been kept in display. Crown Prince Paras awarded cash prize of 2 lakh rupees to King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation for its excellent contribution in nature and wildlife conservation and promotion of cultural heritages in the mountainous regions. Likewise, Achyut Rajbhandari, Birendra Shah and Ek Raj Sharma were handed out prizes Rs.25000 cash prizes for their role in conservation of nature. The United Nations had in 2002 announced December 11 as the International Mountain Day. nepalnews.com mk Dec 11 Four Maoists were shot dead in different encounters with the security forces on Wednesday and Thursday, security sources said. Three Maoists, including a local commander Anup, were killed in Rupandehi. Three soldiers, including an officer, were injured in the incident. Likewise, a woman Maoist, named Arpana was killed in Sarlahi Thursday, the security sources said. nepalnews.com mr Dec 11 "Namaskar hai Namaskar!!" A feeble figure, almost being dragged by two aides, wishes all with a big smile when he enters a hall at Nepal Bar Association Wednesday afternoon.
"Cooool!!" The old man says as if he has seen a "devil" at the dais! "Me-me-me," Keshar Jung Rayamajhi, former chairman of Raj Parishad takes hiccups. Visibly, Rayamajhi, a communist-turned-"pancha" (way back in 1960s) is unbalanced with the immediate comment Kishunji passes on him. "Well, yeah, I am here," now the "royalist" manages to reply the "democratic", anyhow. He-he-he!! The whole hall laughs at Rayamajhi, who happens to be the first "prey" of Kishunji's good sense of humour he is renowned for. Ailing Kishunji, who cannot walk on his own, was there to celebrate the International Human Rights Day and to be felicitated by a human rights agency for his contribution to the nation. "No one came from Nepali Congress," the Master of Ceremony (MoC) complains during his speech. "I am here ni!" Lo!! Kishunji, who is said to have quit the Congress, roars! The MoC forgets what he has to speak. He looks awkward. (Please go on counting, the MoC is the second victim of Kishunji!) Is it a compulsion that whenever there is Kishunji, everything should go "hanky-panky"!? (Madhav Nepal, chief guest of the function, moves ahead to light two candles but there is no matchbox!) Finally they honour Kishunji offering him a warm shawl. His comment: Aha! Jaadoma dosalla paiyo!! (Good! it's winter and I got shawl!). Along
with him, they also felicitate a leftist leader Mohan Chandra Adhikari, who
spent years in jail in the Panchayat era. "Once, Adhikari was known as
Nelson Mandela of Nepal," the MoC says. "Ram Bahadur & Shyam Bahadurs" come, speak and go, then comes the turn of Kishunji. He cannot stand; the mike is shifted to his place. He coughs. "Today's felicitation is 50 percent correct," Kishunji begins; all are bemused. "You honoured Adhikari, it's right. You honoured me, it's wrong!" "He-he-he, anyway it's good to be honoured. Let's hope, I will be felicitated time and again!" "I
wish myself, I will be as vigorous as I am today!!" What? What he said? He said "Prajatantra purna prapti hos." (Let's hope complete democracy will prevail again). He makes people laugh, sticks to the comic style, but talks serious! During his brief hi-hellos with the journalists also, he expressed worry over the deteriorating situation of the country, but still, in the same self-styled way! He spent over two hours there. Before his departure, he said, "Khub bhasan gariyo aaja!! He-he-he" (I gave a lengthy speech today!) Can one see "something" beyond his smiling and cheerful appearance? Yes! Obviously! Kishunji "cares" the nation! If it is so, what about GP Koirala and others!!?? Well....this writer has no comment. He-he-he!! nepalnews.com Manoj Rijal December 10, 2003 Deuba Congress launches own protests Demanding the reinstatement of pre-October 4, 2002 government, former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba Wednesday began the fourth phase of "anti-regressive" movement, fixing posters at New Road gate, reports said. Deuba, who is also the President of Nepali Congress (Democratic), said, their party would be organising separate protest programs against the royal move of October 4. The posters and banners hung at New Road gate demand the restoration of Deuba's government, which the King ousted on October 4, 2002, the reports said. "Vacate Singha Durbar" is another slogan the posters said. "We have plans to fix such posters in Patan Dhoka on Thursday and Bhaktapur on Friday," said Homnath Dahal, NC (D) spokesman. NC (D) could not join the five parties' alliance against "regression" as the Nepali Congress led by GP Koirala strongly opposed NC (D)'s inclusion to their alliance. nepalnews.com mr Dec 11 One soldier dies while defusing explosives A soldier died on the spot and one more was seriously injured while diffusing explosives laid by the Maoists in Jamune VDC, Tanahu recently, reports said Thursday. The dead has been identified as "hawaldar" Ram Kumar Pandey, 34. The injured soldier was "jamadar" Indra Bahadur Bhatta, 40. Bhatta has been airlifted to Kathmandu for treatment, the reports said. nepalnews.com mr Dec 11 Maoist attack on regional police office fails Maoists
Wednesday evening attacked and attempted to get hold of regional police
office in Bhairahawa, but failed, Nepal Samacharpatra said Thursday. Thimi municipality signs tripartite agreement A tripartite agreement has been reached here between Madhyapur Thimi Municipality, the GTZ/UDLE and Local User's Committee in order to run 41 different projects in the municipality area, reports said Thursday. The total cost for running the 41 projects related to the historical and cultural shrines, temples and courtyards, among others, is expected to cost Rs. 11.716 million, of which the GTZ/UDLE would be providing Rs. 5.65 million, the reports said. nepalnews.com mr Dec 11 Paswan bags Dr. Ambedkar Award Five Nepalis including Vice Chairman of the National Assembly, Ramprit Paswan, have bagged this year's Dr. Ambedkar Awards for their contribution to the upliftment of Dalits in Nepal, RSS and other reports said Thursday. The Indian Dalit Literature Academy has decided to present the Dr. Ambedkar International Award to Paswan on the recommendation of Nepal-India Dalit Friendship Association, the news agency said. Similarly, Om Prakash Bishwokarma of Rupandehi has received the Dr. Ambedkar Excellence Award while Ram Sharan Darnal of Kathmandu has bagged the Dr. Ambedkar Award, the agency said. Likewise, Dik Bahadur Bishwokarma of Rupandehi has been given the Dr. Ambedkar Special Service Award and Moti Lal Nepali of Kathmandu the Dr. Ambedkar Kalashree Award. Sambhu Hajara Paswan of Parsa, Desh Bahadur Sarki of Bhojpur, Narayan Nepal and Prakash Chandra Pariyar of Kathmandu, Dobate Bishwokarma and Mohan Bishwokarma of Tanahu and Parshuram B. Pokhrel of Kaski are recipients of Dr. Ambedkar Fellowships, the agency said. nepalnews.com mr Dec 11 Nepali Currency Wednesday appreciated by 23 paisa against the US dollar, felling from Rs 74.58 to Rs. 74.35, reports said Thursday. The appreciation was mainly due to the sliding exchange rate value of the dollar in the international market, the Kathmandu Post said, quoting experts. The appreciation is also due to the excess dollar holding by the domestic commercial banks and plunging demand for the US legal tender, the experts said. Decline in the demand for the greenback has caused huge inflow of dollar in the Indian market due to which the Indian rupee has slipped in recent months, the daily said. "Since Nepali rupee maintains a fixed exchange rate with the Indian currency, any fluctuation in the Indian rupee directly affects the Nepali currency." nepalnews.com mr Dec 11 Diplomat's job to promote ties, not to interfere: Russian envoy Russian Ambassador to Nepal Valery V. Nazarov said Wednesday diplomatic missions in Nepal should focus on making the bilateral relations closer, rather than interfering in the internal affairs of Nepal, RSS said. Najarov said this while talking briefly to journalists at the sideline of a talk program on "Human Rights for Development and Peace" organised jointly by the Nepal Council of World Affairs and the Russian Culture Centre. "Our job is to promote bilateral ties and not to speak in the internal problem of Nepal," Najarov said. The ambassador said the present conflict-ridden problems of Nepal are its internal matters. The envoy further said his country has approached Nepal to sign a few pacts including the extradition treaty owing to the growing threat of global terrorism. "Russia is ready to sign bilateral Consular Convention and the treaty of Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) with Nepal," the Himalayan Times quoted the envoy, as saying. "Officials have nearly concluded the deliberation of new cultural agreement between the two countries," he said. "It will be signed soon." According to the envoy, Nepal is not the only country with which Russia wants to sign such treaties. nepalnews.com mr Dec 11 The ancient idol of Brahmayini in Panauti, about 40 km to the east of Kathmandu, has been stolen for the second time, the Rising Nepal said Thursday. The idol was lifted Tuesday evening after curfew was over, the daily quoted police, as saying. The idol was reinstated seven years ago after having been stolen, the daily said. "In last one year, idols of the Indreshor temple and Bisweshor temple, recommended for World Heritage site, have also been lifted." There has been a sudden spurt in idol lifting after the police post situated near the Indreshor temple was merged with the area police station, Banepa, the daily said. "Locals have been demanding that the police post be reinstated." The newspaper has not mentioned how ancient Brahmayini idol was. nepalnews.com mr Dec 11 UN considering NHRC's consolidation: Kahane The United Nations here in Nepal is actively discussing with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and with the international donors to initiate Capacity Building program for the NHRC, UN Resident Coordinator Matthew Kahane said Wednesday. Addressing a function organized to mark the International Human Rights Day on Wednesday, December 10, Kahane said the UN system here in Nepal is ready to extend necessary support needed to protect human rights. "I can assure you of the support of the UN system to fulfill your duties and your efforts," Kahane said. "UNDP has also been supporting the development, under the leadership of the Government, of a National Human Rights Action Plan which, when completed, will provide a crucial framework for a human rights-based approach to all aspects of governance." The UN Chief in Nepal expressed his worry over the increasing incidents of disappearances. He said, "Disappearance is a crime, which continues, an ongoing crime, which makes family and friends suffer until the situation of the victim is clarified." "It is also a practice which makes those responsible for the 'disappearances' complicit, it is a refusal to be honest with one's citizens, one's fellow-citizens." According to him, the degrees of respect for the human rights of all Nepalis, whatever their social position, gender, religion or ethnicity, will "determine the nature of the future Nepal". "It may be thought that human rights only apply in peacetime," he said. "It is the firm belief of the member states of the United Nations that the protection and promotion of human rights are a permanent issue and are particularly important at times of crisis." nepalnews.com mr Dec 10 |
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