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PM G.P. Koirala attends Dashain tea reception hosted by UML general secretary M.K. Nepal |
IN HIS FIRST PUBLIC STATEMENT after the April movement forced him to give up power, King Gyanendra has backed the ongoing peace process terming it as the country's need. Issuing a customary Dashain message on the day of Bada Dashain on October 2, he said that the "success of the ongoing efforts to guarantee security to the people by making the peace process successful," is, indeed, "the need of the nation and the desire of the Nepalese people." In the message addressed to the countrymen, King Gyanendra said that "the glorious history of Nepalese people can continue only with the common resolve of all Nepalese" and added that it can ensure the "beautiful future" of Nepal . King Gyanendra, in his message, has expressed well wishes on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami to all Nepalese people living inside and outside the country and all Hindus for "happy, peace and prosperity." The King further stated, "We pray to Goddess Navadurga to inspire us all to move ahead in the spirit of national unity and reconciliation during this difficult period of history."
PRIME MINISTER GIRIJA PRASAD KOIRALA, in his Dashain message, has said everybody should cooperate in making the ongoing peace process successful for the sake of nation's interest. Issuing the message from his hometown in Biratnagar, PM Koirala said, "A historic duty is upon our shoulders and if we can carry out this duty well, we can help build a beautiful and peaceful Nepal ." In his Dashain greetings, PM Koirala has also appealed to the leaders and workers of Nepali Congress (Democratic) for unity. "Let us not waste our energy by remaining (as separate parties)," he said. Koirala added
that the Nepali Congress party will welcome and respect all their colleagues from NC (Democratic). Earlier, addressing business community and workers in Biratnagar, Koirala said that if the peace process in Nepal becomes successful, that will provide an example to the whole world. "Though Nepal is a small country and is not known widely, we can be an example to the whole world and also to the terrorist groups - that any problem can be resolved peacefully through negotiations," Koirala said. This year PM Koirala stayed in Biratnagar for Dashain festival and returned to the capital only on October 3. He did not visit the royal palace to receive tika from King Gyanendra this year. This is the first time that a prime minister did not receive Dashain tika from the King. None of the ministers received tika from the King. Few former ministers of the royal cabinet and government officials went to the palace to receive tika. Meanwhile, army chief Rukmangad Katawal received tika from the King. The army had, however, stated that it is not compulsory for its officers to visit the royal palace to receive tika.
THE NEPAL ELECTRICITY AUTHORITY (NEA) will withdraw the existing load shedding for one month from (October 18). The officials at the state-owned power monopoly said that since the water reservoir at Kulekhani hydro project has been adequately filled during this monsoon and since the repair works of turbines of Kali Gandaki project have been completed, they are in a position now to call off the weekly load shedding. At present, the NEA has been imposing two and a half hour of load shedding every week. Authorities say that this season, the water level at Indrasarovar in Kulekhani has reached to the level of 1525 meters – five meters more than in the past years. However, NEA managing director Arjun Kumar Karki has said that load shedding would be resumed from the month of Mangsir (mid November).
THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY has announced to shut down all business across the country on coming Monday (October 16) to protest against the continued indifferences and excesses by the government and the Maoists. A meeting of National Agitation Committee formed by the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) on Monday decided to go for symbolic shut down in order to press their five-points demand that include providing peace and security; ending extortion; and resolving labor and trade union disputes. The demand was made by recently held national convention of business community in Birgunj. The same convention had formed the agitation committee headed by FNCCI president Chandi Raj Dhakal.
AFTER FOUR YEARS, THE RENOVATION PROJECT of Garden of Dreams is finally complete. The renovated Garden of Dreams at Kaiser Mahal in the heart of Kathmandu has formally opened from October 8. The renovation project was carried out by Eco Himal with the support of Austrian government. The renovated garden was inaugurated by New Delhi-based Austrian ambassador to Nepal Ms Jutta Stefan-Bastl. The Garden was constructed by Kaiser Sumsher Rana during Rana regime. He constructed it in a European style following his visit to Europe . For years, the garden had gradually been deteriorating due to lack of care and renovation. Four years ago, Eco Himal took up the responsibility of renovating the garden. The team of architects who had renovated Patan Museum were assigned the responsibility of renovating this garden – which is located at a stone’s throw away from royal palace. The project was completed at the cost of $100,000. Between October 8 and 21, various cultural events have been planned for the Gala Opening of the Garden.
IN A TRAGIC INCIDENT, THREE KIDS were killed when bomb exploded at a rice mill in Basauti Village Development Committee in Kailali district. Nirajan Chaudhary, 2, Rabina Chaudhary, 9, and Parshuram Chaudhary, 12 were killed when the bomb, apparently left behind near the rice mill of a local village resident Chhetra Bahadur Chaudhary, exploded suddenly. The kids were playing in the area when the explosion occurred, reports say. Five other persons were also injured by the same explosion. It is not clear who had planted the bomb there or how it exploded. The incident site is located some 40 km east of Dhangadhi.
THE NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION (NHRC) has expressed concern over increasing abduction and looting spree by Maoist cadres at different parts of the country. In a statement issued last week, the Commission has stated that ten persons were abducted from Kotabada VDC of Kalikot district on the day of Tika. Of them, two persons - Ganesh Bista and Karna Bahadur Bista - are still in the Maoist captivity. Likewise, the Maoists also abducted Balibhadra Rana, a former mayor of Tribhuwannagar municipality of Dang district. Rana was elected mayor during the controversial February 8, 2005 municipal elections held by erstwhile royal regime. Rana who was living in Kathmandu had gone to his hometown on the occasion of Dashain festival.
