Enforcement of child laws sought

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KATHMANDU,Nov 19- Ten years have passed since Nepal signed the Convention on the Rights of Children(CRC) in 1990, yet the outcome is not satisfactory, said the representatives from several institutions participating in the discussion held at Social Welfare Council,Lainchaur.

"Many have expressed commitment to fight for the rights of the children but it has remained only in the papers", said Bhubaneshwari Satyal, member of the Central Child Welfare Committee (CCWC) in a discussion program co-ordinated by the Child NGO Federation Nepal(CNFN) to mark the International Child’s Right Day today.

Sharad Sharma, President of the Child Development Forum and member of the CCWC said, though there are about three hundred NGOs and INGOs working for the rights of children, the weakness in the implementation of policies has hampered in the process to reach the desired goal. He also informed that the number of children suffering from malnutrition has,in the last 10 years, gone up by six percent. But, he went on to add that there has been some achievements in the overall children’s health and education scenario.

Upendra Keshari Neupane, the President of the CNFN said concrete steps can be taken in the forthcoming five years if the scattered govt.organisations, NGOs and INGOs come together. They also expressed that media could play an important role in highlighting the children related issues.

At an another function held today, Mayor of the Kathmandu Metropolis Keshav Sthapit inaugurated a two day "Bal Mela" organised on the occasion of International Child’s Right Day by Lumanti , an NGO working for the upliftment of the landless people.

Mayor Sthapit also released a book entitled "Sangalo", a collection of writings by the children of the landless community.

SLC toppers honoured

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KATHMANDU, Nov 19 - The "Tuborg Excellence Award" was given to 16 students who excelled in this year’s SLC examinations at a programme held at the Birendra International Convention Centre today. Chairman of Rajparishad Standing Committee Dr. Keshar Jung Rayamajhi gave away the medals, certificates, bouquets and the cash prize to the 16 intelligent students.

Addressing the function Rayamajhi, who himself is an former education minister, said," I am very pleased to learn that the industry and the business sector are working and contributing towards the betterment and appreciation of the social sector. He also congratulated the students, their parents and their teachers for the success.

Sumnima Singh, from Siddhartha Vanasthali Institute, Balaju, has topped the SLC examinations securing 647 marks in total. Singh has also studied in Westend school in Australia and GEMS school in Sanepa. " I owe my sucess to my father, my family and teachers" Sumnima said. She plans to use the cash prize of Rs 50,000 for publishing the book she has written.

Out of the 16 students, 7 are from Siddhartha Vanasthali Institute, Balaju, 1 from Bhanubhakta School, Panipokhari, 4 from Galaxy School, Gyaneshwar, 1 from New Horizon School, Butwal, 1 from St. Joseph’s Awasiya School, Biratnagar, 1 from The Old Capital School, Gorkha and 1 from Anand Bhumi School, Maitidevi.

The ceremony was attended by students, teachers, parents and guests. The "Tuborg Excellence Award" was established by the Gorkha Brewery Pvt.Ltd of Khetan Group.

Call to exploit biotechnology

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KATHMANDU, Nov 19 - Though the field of biotechnology is a new concept to Nepal; it should, in near future, find a way to exploit the advancing technology in order to catch up with the rest of the world, a scientist on biotechnology said here today.

Professor Uttam Lal Rajbhandari who is currently conducting researches and teaching at the Massachussets Institute of Technology (MIT) and is in Nepal for a two-week visit under the Tokten programme of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said that if Nepal does not care to catch up with biotech, "it can be forever left behind in the dark".

"The question is not if Nepal will be able to afford the technology," said Rajbhandari. "The question is, can Nepal afford to miss biotechnology. Nepal should look for collaboration and find ways which would suit best for its interest."

According to Rajbhandari, a lot needs to be done before Nepal can actually start researches on the field. "The research needs sophisticated tools and laboratory and certain group of people trained to cope up with a required technical level before they can carry out any research. This can cost a lot," said Rajbhandari.

Rajbhandari said that the government could set up the infrastructure, which he believes is only a question of priorities. According to him, the national planners could plan strategies for scientific development in the country by involving the scientists.

Prof. Rajbhandari said that he met a lot of students who are interested and excited about biotechnology during his lectures at the Tribhuvan University. "But people need incentive for all the work and the cause," he added.

Rajbhandari, who left Nepal some 48 years back and has been living in the United States for last 38 years, is delighted with the on-going developments but sad at the same time. "The incredibly fertile and rich land of the valley is being randomly used but it is a sad fact development cannot stop," said Rajbhandari.

He believes that his return to Nepal is not going to help Nepal. "I do not contribute to the country by just coming back," said Rajbhandari. "There is nothing here from where I can carry on with my work. I believe in setting up an example."