| Prem Dhoj, Karna Das steal scenes at Hits FM Music Award |
| Kalikot toll rises to 60 |
| Strike update: Life disrupted, bandh 'peaceful' |
| Their Majesties felicitated in Dolpa |
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Full text of HM's message to nation on Democracy Day Beloved
countrymen, It is well known that, for some time now, the national aspiration for an accelerated pace in the country's development process, making the people happy through a prudent exercise of multiparty democracy as well as a corruption-free and pro-people form of governance, has been seriously obstructed. There is a broad consensus in the country that the democratic process can function smoothly only with the restoration of peace and security, bringing to an end the menace of terrorism that the nation has had to face. Peace and security are, therefore, our national priority and the Nepalese people's prime desire. We believe that multiparty democracy can be consolidated only if a value system that has the highest regard for the people and is guided by their aspirations. It is now time for all those who have faith in democracy and consider terrorism enemy of peace, democracy and humanity to unite in realising the national goal of making multiparty democracy meaningful through politics that is inspired by the people, dedicated to people and dependant on the people. May this historic day inspire all to work towards the creation of an environment wherein, with the maintenance of peace and security, the governance of the country can be handed over to elected representatives by holding general elections at the earliest in accordance with the people's wishes. May
Lord Pashupatinath bless us all!! (This is an unofficial translation by Rastriya Samachar Samiti) nepalnews.com mr Feb 19 04 HM's message: Unite for meaningful democracy In his message to the nation on the occasion of 54th National Democracy Day, His Majesty the King has called upon all "to unite for making multiparty democracy meaningful through people-oriented politics." "Multiparty democracy can be made meaningful through politics inspired by the people, dedicated to the people and dependant on the people," the King said. "We believe that multiparty democracy can be consolidated only if a value system that has the highest regard for the people and is guided be their high aspirations," he said. The King, at the same time, underlined the need to tackle "terrorism" so that democracy can function smoothly. "Peace and security are our national priority and the Nepalese people's prime desire," he said. In the message, the King showed his respect towards His late Majesty King Tribhuvan. He said King Tribhuvan was the "architect of democracy" in Nepal. "We pay our homage to our august grandfather His Majesty late King Tribhuvan, the architect of democracy in Nepal, and all the brave martyrs who laid down their lives for the cause of democracy," he said. nepalnews.com mr Feb 19 04 Today is National Democracy Day (Falgun 7, 2060 BS). Late King Tribhuvan Jayanti and the 54th National Democracy Day is being observed throughout the Kingdom for three days starting today (Thursday). His Majesty King Gyanendra has delivered a message marking the National Democracy Day. Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa and other dignitaries are also scheduled to pay tributes to the martyrs at Shahid Gate this morning. Thereafter, the PM and members of the main celebration committee will attend the special function at the Royal Nepali Army (RNA) pavilion this noon. PM Thapa is the chairman of the Democracy Day Main Celebration Committee. The RNA organised special program at the Tundhikhel Wednesday and has more in the schedule for Thursday, according to an official. Each 7th of Falgun (as per the Nepali calendar) is remembered as the National Democracy Day. On this very day, the 104-year-long oligarchic rule by the Rana family had come to an end, and the power was handed over to the people and the King. nepalnews.com mr Feb 19 04 Prem Dhoj, Karna Das steal scenes at Hits FM Music Award "Evergreen" Prem Dhoj and "sentimental" Karna Das were the "scene stealers" of the 7th Close Up Hits FM Music Award 2060 held on Wednesday. Prem Dhoj received "Lifetime Achievement Award" while Das won awards in two categories. Prem Dhoj (Pradhan) was honoured in recognition to his decade-long contribution to the promotion of Nepali music and culture. "I am very happy," jubilant Prem Dhoj told Nepalnews after the function held at Birendra International Convention Centre was over. "I have received many awards in my life," he said. "But, this is the first time that I have been honoured with a lifetime achievement award." The two categories in which Karna Das received awards were "Best male vocal performance" and "Record of the year." His voice was adjudged best in the song "Timro mero". Likewise, Das's album "Thula thula mahal hoina" was named the best record of the year. Das dedicated all his wins to his mother, who was also present at the show. Heartthrob Nima Rumba won the "Best pop vocal performance (male)" for his song "Preeti basyo", whereas another famous singer Nalina Chitrakar grabbed the same award in female category for her song "Pani-pani." "Best performance by a group or duo with vocals" went to Mongolian Hearts for the song "Timilai dekhera." Singer Raju Lama and his friends received the award from the organisers. Sapana Shree took away the "Best female vocal performance" for her song "Sagar baru" while "Best vocal collaboration" was for the "Sotang" couple. Uday and Manila Sotang received the award for their duet "Timi bina". Another heartthrob Nabin K. Bhattarai won the award in "Best album of the year" category for his album "Nabin". With this award, he received his sixth Hits FM Music Award in the past seven years. Shital and Shuvani, daughters of Shila Bahadur and Kunti Moktan, were announced the "Best new artists" of the year. A song "One day at a time" sung in English by "Robin n Looza" was awarded the "Best song in a foreign language" whereas "Folk record of the year" and "Folk album of the year" went to Prakash Acharya and Tulsi Parajuli respectively. Acharya received the award for his song "Tyo pari banma" while Parajuli was awarded for his album "Jhal-jhali aankhai ma." "Best lyrics of the year" went to National Poet Madhav Prasad Ghimire for his song "Sarangi ta". In the same manner, "Best song originally recorded for a motion picture soundtrack" was given away to Sambhujit Baskota for his song "Bagaicha maa" recorded for feature film "Sukha dukha." The categories of nominations in the Hits FM Music Award will be made 19 from next year, the organisers said. At present, there are 15 categories. nepalnews.com mr Feb 18 04 Related
News Manjeet Shrestha's explosive bowling spree Wednesday enabled Nepal to stun South Africa by one wicket in the ongoing Under-19 Youth World Cup Cricket in Bangladesh. Shrestha spearheaded Nepal's bowling attack with
a four wicket haul Shrestha then bowled another opener Andrew Brich without giving up any more runs. He then trapped third batsmen Jaco Booysen lbw after he scored 3 runs. Thereafter, Shrestha snatched two more wickets of Vaughan Van Jaarsyeld and Godfrey Stevens. Jaarsyeld was out for a duck facing just five balls while Stevens scored 29 runs before he was caught by Dipesh off Shrestha. Teammates Paras Khadka, Shakti Gauchan and Lakpa Lama supported Shrestha well as they grabbed two wickets each. For South Africa, the last order batsman Keegan Africa scored an unbeaten 52 runs off just 62 balls but that was not enough to compensate early losses. In reply Nepal achieved the meager 157 runs target losing 9 wickets off 49.4 overs. However, Nepal also made a pathetic start as the opener Kanishka Chaugain returned to the pavilion scoreless. He was caught and bowled by Alexander. Nepal faced another blow when Monik Shrestha was trapped lbw by Alexander after he scored just 11 runs. But, the skipper Shakti Gauchan rescued Nepal with his unbeaten 52 runs. Sharad Veswakar supported Gauchan well scoring 27 runs before September bowled him while Yashwant Subedi was caught by the wicket keeper off Brich after he scored 11 runs. Nepal has next fixture with Uganda on Thursday. nepalnews.com rs Feb 18 Related
News A bomb went off this afternoon at the premises of the Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation (RNAC) at Near New Road.
Eyewitnesses said the bomb went off at around 2.15 with a thundering noise. Although no human casualty has been reported, few window screens of the four-storey building were smashed and a motorcycle parked inside the compound got destroyed. The explosion occurred minutes after the military parade held at nearby Tundikhel. Police sources told Nepalnews that it was an act of the Maoists. Security has been beefed up around New Road and surrounding areas. nepalnews.com mbk Feb 18 04 Related
News Crown Prince observes Maha Shivratri festivities Crown Prince Paras graced the festivities organized on the occasion of the Maha Shivratri and Military Day at Tundikhel Wednesday afternoon. Princess Himani was also present on the occasion. Military parades, games and acrobatics were demonstrated during the program. The Crown Prince distributed awards to outstanding performers in which players of foreign diplomatic missions had also participated. Prime Minsiter Surya Bahadur Thapa, speaker Tara Nath Ranabhat, ministers, high-ranking government officials, heads of security bodies and foreign delegates were present at the ceremony while thousands of bemused spectators watched the festivities from roadsides. nepalnews.com mbk Feb 18 04 Related
News NOC, petroleum dealers sit for talks again The second round of talks between the government-owned Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) and Petroleum Dealers' Association got underway on Wednesday morning, sources said. The first round of talks held on Tuesday ended inconclusively, as the two sides could not sort out their differences, the sources added. The petroleum dealers on Monday announced an indefinite strike to protest a decision by the NOC that disallows them to sell kerosene from the same petrol pump that supplies petrol and diesel. "The government does not want to address either consumers' or entrepreneurs' problems," Rajdhani dainik quoted Dhurba Shrestha, Coordinator of the Association in Bagmati zone, as saying. NOC, on the other hand, says its decision to ban sales of kerosene from the same outlets aims at stopping adulteration and is in favour of the consumers. nepalnews.com pd Feb 18 04 Related
News Construction of Melamchi project comes to grinding halt Construction works of the Melamchi Drinking Water Project came to a grinding halt from Tuesday following pressure from the Maoists, reports Wednesday said. The Maoists are learnt to have been demanding hefty amount of donation from the contractors and has also resented the presence of Royal Nepalese Army for the security of the project. The government had stationed the army last year at the request of the Asian Development Bank, the principle financer of the mega project. At present, project such as restoration of the 18-km access road from Melamchi to Timbu and the construction of a bridge at Chanaute were in progress. Confronted with the Maoist warning leading to the blockage, contractors have dismissed most of the laborers and managers and consultants of the project, too, have left the site, reports said. nepalnews.com mbk Feb 18 04 Three suspected Maoists killed in Chitwan Security forces shot and killed three persons at Jugedi section of the Narayangarh-Munglin highway in Chitwan district on Wednesday morning. Forces shot them dead at around 5 o’clock in the morning when they were extorting money from passengers and drivers at the highway. According to reports, security forces had opened fire at them as they tried to run away. The dead have been identified as Biraj Gurung, Sunil Gurung and Tilke Praja. Two of the injured have been admitted to hospital. In the meantime, reports citing information from local eyewitnesses said none of the dead were Maoists. They were collecting money only for fun, which is a common practice during Shivratri festival, reports added. The incident left Munglin and surrounding areas tense throughout the day. Meanwhile, one Maoist militant was killed in Gedatar area in Rautahat district in an encounter with security personnel. Reports from Sindhupalchowk said the Maoists today killed a person at Balefi Bazaar, Sindhupalchowk. The victim named Sun Bahadur Tamang was shot to death at 6am this morning. Tamang who was earlier associated with the Maoist outfit was living a normal life after quitting the rebellion. Meanwhile, reports from Dhading said vehicular movement in Malekhu-Dhading Besi was obstructed until Wednesday morning, as the Maoists had laid tree trunks on the roads to make the strike on Tuesday "successful". nepalnews.com mbk/mr Feb 18 04 Related
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