Pemba’s Everest record challenged

Controversies have arisen on Pemba Dorje Sherpa record set on May 21 by ascending the Mt Everest in 8 hours and 10 minutes. 

Lakpa Gelu Sherpa whose earlier record of 12 hours and 45 minutes was broken by Pemba has claimed that Pemba’s record cannot be verified. Organizing a press conference Thursday, Lakpa said there is  no proof that Pemba climbed the peak faster. 

“It was simply not possible to reach the summit in 8 hours and 10 minutes as the wind was very severe on that day. He took more time to descend than to climb and nobody saw him reach the summit, “ he said, insisting that these facts were enough to prove Pemba wrong. 

Lakpa has filed a complaint at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation demanding that Pemba’s record be declared invalid. He also made it known that he, with support of over half a dozen other mountaineers, has requested the Nepal Mountaineering Association to launch an inquiry over the matter. nepalnews.com mbk June 3 04 

Related News
- Pemba sets new record at Everest

NC-D calls on parties to end agitations

The Nepali Congress (Democratic) Thursday called on the five political parties to end their protests against ‘regression’ and asked them to join the Deuba government. 

In a statement issued following a meeting of the central committee this morning, the NC-D argued the five parties should withdraw their protests on grounds that an elected government that was ousted forcefully has been restored. Dubbing Deuba’s appointment as an achievement of the anti-‘regression’ movement, the NC–D asked the parties to help form an all-party government. 

NC-D spokesperson Hom Nath Dahal informed reporters  that discussions on how other parties could be included in the government were held. He made it known that no concrete decision has been taken at the meeting. “The next central committee meet after two days will take crucial decisions,” he said.Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba assumed office today.

Talking to the media at his office, Deuba said peace and timely elections were his immediate priorities.  “My effort will be to gain support from other political parties in restoring peace in the country and hold general elections within 2061BS,” he said. 
nepalnews.com mbk June 3 04 

Related News
- Deuba’s appointment as PM draws mixed reactions

Late King Birendra’s death anniversary observed in UK

The Yeti Nepali Association UK observed the third death anniversary of late King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya and other royal family members who were killed on June 1, 2001, a press released issued by the Yeti Nepali Association said Wednesday.

According to the release, a large number of UK based Nepalis paid their respect to the departed souls at a function held in London.

Nepal’s Envoy to the UK, Prabal Shumsher Rana, among others, paid tributes to their late Majesties, the release added. 
nepalnews.com pd June 03 04

Related News
- Late King Birendra’s death anniversary observed

Tourist arrivals up

The number of tourist arriving by air in May 2004 reached 22,278, an
increase of 22% from the same period last year, according to the Nepal Tourism Board.

Compared to April 2004, Indian tourist arrivals grew by 2% while arrivals from other countries were up by 48%. The major market figures given were: Japan up 24% USA up 35%, UK up 41%, France up 56% and Germany up 75%. The number of arrivals from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Israel has also increased.

For the first time, tourists from Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand have been included in the country-wise analysis. Previously, these four countries were in the "others" category but as they now account for a 5% of all arrivals, they have been grouped into a separate category.

There was a substantial increase in the number of tourists from Austria, Italy, Holland Spain and China.

Compared to May 1999, the year in which the highest number of tourists visited Nepal, the figures for May 2004 are still down by 42%. nepalnews.com dr June 03 04

Related News
- 60% increase in tourist arrivals by air: March 2004

Deuba sworn in

King Gyanendra Thursday administered the oath of office to Sher Bahadur Deuba. This is Deuba's third time as the prime minister.

Crown Prince Paras, Speaker Taranath Ranabhat and Chief Justice Govinda Bahadur Shrestha were present on the occasion. The reinstatement comes 20 months after the King's abrupt dismissal of the Deuba government on grounds of "incompetence".

Deuba said his appointment was the reinstatement of a democratically elected prime minister. He added that he is committed to hold elections within 2061 BS, maintain peace in the country through dialogue and initiate economic reforms in the country.

Only the Rastriya Prajatantra Party and his own Nepali Congress (Democratic) party have welcomed Deuba's appointment.

There has been no official statement from the five agitating parties. Nepali Congress and UML will give official statements after the meetings of their respective central committees. However, individual members of the CPN-UML have extended a guarded congratulation to Deuba. nepalnews.com pd June 03 04

Related News
- Deuba new PM

SLC results likely next week

The results of the SLC exams will be probably be announced on the second week of June, according to an official at the Office of the Controller of the Examination. He added that the results might get delayed by several days due to political unrest.

The School Leaving Certificate (SLC) is the high school graduation exam for Nepali students. About 317,000 students filled the forms to sit for the exam but around 20 percent of them had failed the district level sent-ups and so weren't allowed to give it.

The day when the results are published is hectic for the students as the results are only published in the state-owned Gorkhapatara. To reduce burden on the paper, for the past several years, the results have been published on the official websites: www.moe.gov.np, www.doe.gov.np and www.gorkhapatra.org.np 

From this year, the students can obtain their results by simply dialing
160022.

Meanwhile, according to a television channel broadcast on Wednesday morning the SLC results have already published on the official sites. Believing this report, students assembled at Gorkhapatra Corporation demanding to see their results. Police had to resort to lathi charges to disperse them.

According to the Ministry of Education and Sports, most of the results have been uploaded to websites but cannot be accessed by the the public yet. nepalnews.com pd June 03 04

Eleven Maoists held in Patna

The Indian Police have arrested at least 11 Maoists including central
leaders in the Indian state of Bihar on Wednesday night according to morning reports on Kathmandu based radio stations.

The Maoists were captured during a raid carried out by the city police who said they had recovered ammunition, money and Maoist literature from the safe house.

Earlier, a report in Indiatimes said the paramilitary SSB (Sashastra Sena Bal) had been mobilised to clamp down Maoist activity on Indian soil.

The clampdown comes after intelligence reports claimed that the insurgents are using India as a hideout. The report added that the SSB are to be deployed along the 114 km long Nepal-Bihar border in Kishanganj district and that other security groups will be deployed as well. nepalnews.com pd June 03 04

Panel to mark King's birthday formed

A 1,058-member celebration committee to celebrate King Gyanendra's 58th birthday was formed on Wednesday. The birthday falls on July 6 and the committee plans weeklong celebrations.

Former prime minister, Kriti Nidhi Bista is to chair the committee, with
Thakur Prasad Mainali as the co-chairman. The members of the committee elected Surendra Bir Malakar as the general secretary of the celebration committee. A 39-member management committee was also formed. nepalnews.com pd June 03 04

Thapa greets Deuba

Surya Bahadur Thapa, the outgoing premier, has extended his congratulations to Sher Bahadur Deuba who assumed prime ministership on Wednesday morning. Thapa wished Deuba success during his term as a prime minister. nepalnews.com pd June 03 04

Related News
- Deuba new PM

Deuba’s appointment as PM draws mixed reactions

Political parties have given mixed reactions over the appointment of Sher Bahadur Deuba as the prime minister.

The Nepali Congress expressed surprise over the appointment and insisted that it was "continuation of regression."

"The appointment is completely against the aspiration of the people and the spirit of the agitation," NC president Girija Prasad Koriala was quoted in media reports as saying. "The King's decision is as surprising as it is undemocratic." He added that a split in the five-party alliance was unlikely.

Expressing a more guarded view, the CPN-UML has said the party would support Deuba if he convinces them that the appointment is restoration of the government that was ousted in October 4, 2002. The party had declared this even before Deuba's appointment.

Talking to Nepalnews, UML central committee member, Subash Nemwang said, "We are studying the new development closely. Our formal statement will come only after meetings of the standing committee and the central committee." Nemwang added that until then the party would participate in the anti-'regression' protests.

The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has welcomed Deuba's appointment. "We have already congratulated him. The King's decision to appoint him is wise as it will end the deadlock created by the five-party-alliance," said Roshan Karki, RPP's spokesperson, to Nepalnews.

The view of People's Front Nepal was similar to the one of Nepali Congress. "There is no fundamental difference in the process of appointment of Lokendra Bahadur, Surya Bahadur and Sher Bahadur," said party chairman Amik Sherchan. In his opinion, the appointment would fuel the anti-'regression' movement.

Meanwhile, Deuba met Koirala on Wednesday evening and asked him for support. NC sources informed that Koirala congratulated Deuba but gave no assurances. He said that he would make his stand clear only after a meeting of NC's central working committee. nepalnews.com mbk/pd June 02 04

Related News
- Five-party protests continue; NC-D celebrates ‘victory’
- Deuba for all-party govt, says 'regression' is over