Measures against food crisis sought

By a Post Reporter

HETAUDA, Feb 16 - Chairmen and vice-chairmen of 10 remote VDCs of Makwanpur district jointly demanded that the 8th District Council of Makwanpur initiate long-term measures to grapple with the problem of hunger in these VDCs.

They have informed the District Council that the abiding problem of food insufficiency and hunger must be tackled permanently in 10 VDCs where the bulk of the residents belong to the most backward Praja and Tamang communities.

The VDCs included Khairang, Kankada, Kalikatar, Dandakharka, Gogane, Agra, Sarikhet, Bharta and Raksirang. In some of these VDCs, family food production is not even sufficient for three months. Scarcely 5 percent of families who live in these VDCs collect food sufficient for the whole year.

The DDC president Rameswor Rana said the DDC is in the process of preparing a workplan for the long-term development of these areas. He informed that the "food for work programme" will also be implemented there. The DDC is emphasising that NGOs and INGOs based in the district should work in these areas.

There are about 600 NGOs in Makwanpur district but none of them have been working in these areas.

Meet on Nepal-Japan friendship

By a Post Reporter

AMARGADHI (Dadeldhura), Feb 16 - A one-day symposium titled "Nepal-Japan Friendship for 21st Century" was organised here Monday under the auspices of Dadeldhura District Education Office.

District Education Officer Ramhari Das Shrestha explained that the symposium’s main objective was to discuss how Nepalis who have studied in Japan can use their skills to enhance Nepal’s education system.

The symposium was attended by Under Secretary of the Ministry of Education, representatives of various educational institutions, political workers, representatives of JICA and other educators.

Traders doubt govt’s dry port commitment

By a Post Reporter

BIRTAMOD, Feb 16 - Individuals associated with the industry and commerce sector are doubtful about the government’s commitment to construct a dry port at Kakarbhitta, the eastern gateway to Nepal.

Minister for Commerce Ram Krishna Tamrakar, at a programme organised about 6 months ago by Mechi Industry and Commerce Association Dhulabari, made the commitment to construct the dry port at Kakarbhitta. However, little has been accomplished since then.

The local business community was encouraged by the Minister’s commitment, but their enthusiasm has gradually dampened, President of the Association Panna Lal Jain said.

Pointing out that even preliminary works for the dry port construction have not been initiated, he wondered why there was such a delay in the construction of the port.

President of Jhapa Commerce Association Parsu Ram Agrawal said Nepals’ foreign trade will continue to suffer as long as the construction of the dry port is stalled.

Mayor of Mechi municipality Rabin Koirala explained that the project required cooperation from India and cited this as a possible obstacle for the project.

He said trade with Bhutan, India and Bangladesh would flourish with Nepal, particularly with eastern areas as a result of the construction of the port.

The dry port will be located at the exit point of Kakarbhitta-Phulbari-Banglaband Transit Route which has been in operation for the last two years.

Library set up By a Post Reporter

PARBAT, Feb 16 - A library has been established at Kusma, headquarters of Parbat district.

According to management committee chairman of the library Shanti Narayan Shrestha, the Gupteswor Multipurpose Library has been formally registered with District Administration Office.

Currently the library is temporarily being run in a building owned by local Bal Mandir. It will be formally instituted following the construction of its own building, secretary Bhola Nath Sharma said.

Chairman Shrestha informed that "Sagun", a bi-monthly library publication will be published. A seven-member library management committee has been formed to oversee library operations.

Govt's inaction flayed

By a Post Reporter

KATHMANDU, Feb 16 - A meeting of Press Chautari held here today has demanded that the government immediately take legal action against the miscreants who attempted to murder journalist Gagan Bista.

Bista of Gulmi district in the western hills was attacked in May last year. Subsequently, a petition seeking legal action against the culprits had been filed at Gulmi district court. But the government withdrew the same on February 7, said a press release issued by Press Chautari Thursday.

"The government has not only failed to provide financial assistance for the treatment of Bista," the release said, and condemned the government for abruptly deciding to withdraw the petition. "The government has ridiculed the principles of a rule of law by doing so."

The miscreants had chopped off Bista’s both hands. "His right hand is still not well despite five medical operations," the release said. "Doctors say the hand needs to be operated once again."

ICIMOD director general honoured

By a Post Reporter

KATHMANDU, Feb 16 - The Ecological Society of Nepal (ECOS) today felicitated Egbert Penlinck, Director General of International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in recognition of his contribution towards the field of ecology in Nepal.

Penlinck’s association with Nepal began in early 1970s, when he started as Technical Advisor for Forest Management here. Since then, according to Penlinck, he has spent one third of his career here. He stated the priorities of villagers have changed from that time, from acquiring food to better education.

On the occasion, geologist and well wisher of Nepal, Toni Hagan, who has spent half a century here said that the ecology of Nepal has improved over the past few decades. "Nepal looks greener and there are less land slides," he said. He said the contribution of Penlinck is to be noted.

Dr Jagadish Chandra Pokhrel, member of the Planning Commission said Penlinck’s contribution reaches beyond Nepal to the entire region.

Rupy's camping to Nagarkot

By a Post Reporter

KATHMANDU, Feb 16 - Children of classes 4-8 of Rupy’s International School experienced a camping expedition to Nagarkot from Feb 4-6. The expedition was aimed to encourage observation and develop independence in the school children, according to a press release issued today by the Rupy’s International School.

"This expedition will encourage the school children to observe the environment and also develop the spirit of independence in them," said the principal of the school Shanta Sharan.

Doms fight discrimination

By Bijay Prasad Mishra

LAHAN, Feb 16 - "We ought to walk on the street in such a way that our shadows do not fall on anyone," says Kailu Marik (Dom).

Dom is considered an untouchable caste inhabiting the Terai belt. High class people here believe that a Dom should not touch anyone. They should wear the clothes wrapped around corpses and thrown away. They should take home only the left over food from feasts held in the villages.

Dashain Mirak Dom who lives near Chhinnamasta temple in Chhinnamasta VDC-1 in Saptari district says, "My house is near the temple, but I cannot even enter the temple premises let alone think of entering the temple itself".

"I am greatly interested in worshipping in the temple, but if I express my desire to enter the temple my house will be destroyed and I will be driven out," Dashain said.

The largest number of depressed class members, around 80 thousand, live in Saptari district. Doms are considered the worst slighted among this class.

Saraswoti Community Development Forum of Terhouta called a gathering of 21 Doms at Birendra Bazaar in Saptari district on Sunday to discuss the affliction of the group. The organisers of the forum sought to inform the caste about constitutional provisions regarding the fundamental rights of Nepali citizens including the right not to be discriminated against on the grounds of caste or class.

At the gathering an ad hoc committee was set up to organise a gathering of Doms drawn from the whole district of Saptari on March 17 at Rajbiraj. The Doms resolved not to wear clothes wrapped around corpses, not to carry home leftover foodstuff from feasts, not to throw away dead dogs, not to build swine sheds, to pay attention to cleanliness at home and send their children to school.

According to chairman of the district gathering organisation committee Kisan Marik, they also decided to give up excessive drinking.

"We should also be allowed to enter the temples and shrines. To obtain this right, there is a need to start an agitation constituting a strong organisation and rallying behind this organisation," he added.

With the objective of gaining access to the temple of Chhinnamasta as per their constitutional rights, they have set about organising themselves.

Bhimphedi bazar under threat

By a Post Reporter

HETAUDA, Feb 16 - The oldest school of Makwanpur district, Mahendra secondary school and the entire Bhimphedi bazaar area are being threatened by Bhimphedi rivulet.

The school was established in 2004 BS at a dharmashala built by Rana Prime Minister Chandra Shumsher. "Bhim Aadhar" was renamed as Mahendra secondary school in 2019 BS. There were no other schools in those days and students from all over the district used to come to stay at the school’s hostel. Currently, there are about 500 students and about two dozens teachers in the school.

The entire area behind the school has been washed away by the rivulet. Some protective measures were taken immediately after the floods of 2050 BS. Following this effort, no other protective works have been carried out to protect the school and Bhimphedi bazaar.

Fashion show in Birgunj

By a Post Reporter

BIRGUNJ, Feb 16 - A grand fashion show was held Friday in the industrial city of Birgunj.

The first fashion show in the city’s history, the gala was a unique treat for the city’s 200 thousand residents including chief guest Mayor Bimal Shrivastav.

Presented by N. Mad of Kathmandu, the "Style 2000 Winter Collection Fashion Show" was held in Birgunj’s city hall.

Besides about two dozen Kathmandu models who showcased a special line of leather goods and dhaka clothes, other forms of entertainment were also presented.

Nepali Michael Jackson performed dance routines while pop singer Dhiraj Rai tickled the hearts in of audience members who showed their appreciation by chanting "once more" and dancing on top of their seats. The singer was compelled to return to the stage three times.

A Snow-white competition organised for small children about a week ago and this fashion show indicate that Birgunj is beginning to succumb to the draw of modernization.