Plea to withdraw bandh- call

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KATHMANDU, Dec 27 : The Sopal (Gurung) Society, Kathmandu issuing a statement condemned the Bagmati and Narayani bandh (closure) on 29th and 30th of December as their annual festival Losar will be directly affected. The widely celebrated festival of the Gurungs falls on December 30, which the Gurung community, living in Kathmandu, are celebrating in the Birendra International Convention Centre (BICC), the statement added.

Similarly, the Meeting Centre for Nationalists also appealed to the concerned organisers to take back their strike call for 29th and 30th of December in Bagmati and Narayani zones and on 3rd December in Mechi zone, today.

The centre issuing a statement said that these kinds of strike and work stoppage will have a negative impact on the country and the general people. It has further stated that people have crossed their limit of tolerating such meaningless strikes.

Epic on late king

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KATHMANDU, Dec 27 : Amidst the programme organised to remember late King Birendra, the Literature Academy for Local Development released an epic "Swarastraka Birendra" written by Narayan ‘Godare’ today.

On the occasion, Khem Raj Nepal, secretary at the Ministry of Local Development was also welcomed by the Academy.

Releasing the book, Swami Prapannacharya, member of Raj Parishad Standing Committee said, "One must do something worthy to lead a successful life and writing an epic has indeed made him unforgettable."

Various litterateurs recited their poems on the occasion. Famous humour poet Chatyang Master also presented his few poems at the programme, which was greatly appreciated by the audience.

Other than the aforementioned epic, the writer has also published various writings like Matri- collection of poems, Gajadi Bhangi, Devghat- collection of stories, Shab Yatra Jaari Chha, Siddhicharan Ek ra Anek, and Anaha Ka Udhgharhari, and various other collections of stories and poems.

Cultural awareness key to end discrimination

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KATHMANDU, Dec 27 : With the population of over twenty million people in the country, almost four million constitutes the Dalit population. They are discriminated in every sphere of life and this can be done away with only through cultural awareness. This was stated during an interaction programme on the " Need of Cultural Awareness for the Enhancement of the Oppressed Community" organised by the Cultural Movement for Equality today.

Speaking at the programme, Puskar Khati, general secretary of the organisation said that cultural awareness can play a vital role in uplifting the Dalits and the underprivileged. In his concept paper, he has underlined that oppressed communities are divided into ‘pani chalne’ and ‘pani nachalne’ castes. This discrimination in the caste system cannot be eradicated through laws alone but depends on the mindset of a person.

He further said that the best example could be seen in the HIV/ AIDS messages where television and radio play a vital role. He also pointed out the various reasons for the Dalits to be underprivileged.

Taking part in the programme, Bijaya Sainju of CONCERN said that the concept paper contains neither statistical information nor concrete data. However, he agreed that cultural awareness can play a major role in bringing about change in the oppressed community. He further adds that the paper could have added international conventions on the rights of the oppressed.

"Even in the field of media, Dalits are found to be discriminated," said one of the participants who has been working in the field of media while another participant said that the discrimination against the Dalits have been taking place ever since the Rana rule.

Book seller’s arrest denounced

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KATHMANDU, Dec 27 : The Progressive Cultural Association, Nepal has denounced the arrest of Krishna Prasad Pokharel, owner of the World Nepali Books and Stationary, issuing a press release here today.

The association claimed that the government seized progressive books from the shop which were being sold there ever since the Panchayat rule. The release further said that such acts are attacks on the fundamental rights of the people achieved following the people’s movement of 1990. The association also alleged that the government had been discouraging progressive groups.

X-mas festival getting popular

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KATHMANDU, Dec 27 : The Christmas festival is becoming popular among various people across the world although it is considered mainly to be the festival of the Christians. This becomes evident when one watches the people in Japan, known to be the country of Buddhists, celebrating Christmas.

According to a statement released here, in Japan, months before Christmas, people were preparing for Christmas and organising special programmes for the celebration.

Every public place and street was occupied with decorated Christmas trees and Christmas carols were heard everywhere. It seemed as if every city and shop were to compete in the celebration.

People of various age groups were seen in front of card-and-gift shops waiting to buy cards and gifts for their friends and families. The cake shop was the busiest one during Christmas.

There are different views on the popularity, the Christmas festival has gained in the recent years. Some say that it is an imitation of Western culture, while some view it as the extreme form of anomaly.

There are people who say that celebrating Christmas is a fashion while other say that it is the devotion toward the Holy Christ. But whatever view the people may hold, Christmas celebration is becoming very popular.

Christmas is not just a festival of one naton, people or religion. Jesus was born in Israel, but the Christmas tree was originated from Germany. Likewise, Santa Claus as evident was believed to be the citizen of Turkey.

Thus Christmas has gained a global popularity as it is percolated through various cultures, communities and countries.

Racket busted, stolen goods seized

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KATHMANDU, Dec 27 : The Valley Crime Investigation Branch (VCIB) has busted a racket that was involved in the robbery and theft cases at various places of the Kathmandu Valley since the past one year, as admitted by the culprits themselves. Further investigation is underway.

These culprits were nabbed by the police patrol headed by the inspectors duo, Poshraj Pokhrel, and Ganga Panth. Among the arrested were Ram Bahadur Gurung, a worker at Himalayan Sakulam and Craft Industry, along with pashmina threads worth Rs. 1.7m, and Shankar Thapa residing in Kathmandu Municipality-5 along with 26 tolas of gold. These culprits were nabbed from different parts of the Valley, like, Chabahil, Lalitpur, Balkhu, and Gongabu yesterday.

Similarly, the police also recovered the stolen idol of Mahabir worth around Rs. 10m from Prem Babu Patel, and Satrughan Prasad Upadhyay, both believed to be residents of Parsa.

Book on ancient city released

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KATHMANDU, Dec 27 : The book entitled ‘The Brick and the Bull,’ an anthology of the ancient city of Handigaun, was released amidst a function here today at Handigaun an ancient city in the Kathmandu Valley. Authored by Sudarshan Raj Tiwari, the book was published by the Himal Association.

The anthology includes the people, places, bricks and temples of the historical and oldest city. And as most of the inhabitants of Handigaun are farmers, the book was also released by eighty-four years old farmer Bibek Singh Prajapati.

Addressing the programme Tiwari, professionally an architect and former dean at the Institute of Engineering and a Ph.D. holder in Nepali culture said that Handigaun is a place where age-old remains of the Kirat, the Licchavi and the Malla periods are discovered. "The most interesting part of the city is its jatras (processions). The various temples of gods and goddesses and the stupas situated in different parts of the city tell that whoever comes to this place was always welcome," said Tiwari.

"As I was born and brought up in this place I have also included my memories in the book. In other words, this is a collection of memories or sayings of people," he added.

Earlier prior to the function writer Tiwari led a tour of around forty people to the historical places of Handigaun, starting from the ancient place Gahana Khojne Pokhari in Tangal to various other ancient places.

During the tour the writer also shed light on the places where civilization originated before the advent of Licchavi period. And also the tour travelled to the highest and lowest points, religious sites, platforms, temples and oldest routes of the ancient city of Handigaun.

Two dead in separate incidents

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KATHMANDU, Dec 27 : A 21- year-old Dev Bahadur Chhetri met with a fatal accident yesterday when the motorbike he was riding collided with the motorbike being driven by another local Suresh Chand in Bharatpur. Chhetri died instantly on the spot while Chand is being treated in Bharatpur Hospital. The case is reportedly under police investigation.

Similarly, a woman, Phul Maya Tamang who hails from Kavrepalanchok, was found dead hanging in a tree. She was residing at a rented house of one Bashudev Thapa at Mahadevsthan. The case is reportedly under police investigation.

ACAP to come up with bio-diversity programmes in Mustang

By Kulchandra Neupane

POKHARA, Dec 27 : Annapurna Conservation Area Development Project (ACAP) is going to carry out its action plans and procedures from this year for Tourist Management, bio-diversity, and protection of culture, on the upper region of Mustang, which is rich in bio-diversity. This would also assist in Mustang’s financial and social development.

For this development, the project is expected to include seven Village Development Committees and 31 localities. ACAP would conduct research on 100 places, after the completion of which it will implement the action plan. For this research work, the ACAP has already activated about 12 technical persons who have been involved with this project for two years.

The ACAP is expected to present the upper Mustang as the "Data Bank". The officer of the Geographical Information System under this project, Nawaraj Chapagain says that the research is in the final stage now. He adds that 90 percent of the research work has been completed, and in five or six months time the working plans will be implemented based on this completed data.

The research is conducted on various sectors including social milieu, bio-diversity, culture, religion, education, occupation, health, drinking-water facilities, agriculture, and numerous other fields. The results and findings of this research will be summed-up and encoded in the "Data Bank" after its completion. It is learnt that about 100 maps will be prepared while the integration and encoding of data are already underway.

From the research that is being conducted by the project in previous years, new animals such as "Kiyang" and "Dhowa" were discovered from the upper Mustang region and have been recorded. Similarly, about three months ago a new species of bird called " Nayan Ling" had been recorded. In order to introduce and enlist the bountiful flora and fauna, and the varied enchanting spots of the mountainous region at an international level, such a Data Bank is being created, says Chapagain. This working plan of this project will be paying special attention to the bio-diversity research, tourism promotion, and the local culture.

This programme is being conducted with a financial assistance of Rs. 50 million from the American Foundation and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and around Rs. 10 million is expected to be provided by the project on its own. In the research carried out on the upper Mustang last year, 200 species of plants were recorded, out of the 7000 species of plants found in Nepal. The research of Annapurna Conservation Area Project alone has incorporated 1226 species of plants into its list. It is learnt that this year’s research on bio-diversity is still underway. All those plants discovered by the research were herbs of medicinal values, and these plants are being used in traditional Tibetan medicine, reiterates Chapagain. He adds, " These herbs are valuable for Ayurvedic medicines as well."

Similarly, in the upper Mustang region, 28 mammals, 96 birds, 2 reptiles, 2 amphibians were recorded. A research which also deals with financial, social, and cultural aspects, is expected to assist planers too, since the government employees and the planners do not have a first hand knowledge of the existing situation there. It was learnt that 40,000 foreign trekkers venture into this region under the Annapurna round trekking, and among them about 1000 go upto Lomangthang and Thorang Cross in upper Mustang with the government’s permission.

The project director, Gurung says, " if natural resources and various specialty of this region can be made known internationally, it can no doubt assist in tourism promotion."

In the mountainous district of upper Mustang, which constitutes 1,168 households with a populace of 6,000, various income-generation programmes and training have been conducted to raise the economic and social status of the people living there through community formation. After the formulation of the action-plan, necessary work will be done in a planned manner to uplift the living standard of the locals there.

Nine rebels killed in ‘encounters’

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KATHMANDU, Dec 27 : The Defence Ministry today said that nine Maoist rebels were killed during the latest incidents of encounter in various parts of the country.

The Ministry said that they were killed in Sankhuwasabha, Bardiya, Achham, Kailali, Kanchanpur and Dailekh districts. However, the Ministry did not mention when and where they were killed.

In its press statement, the Ministry said that the security forces conducting search operations recovered food grains, appliances to detonate electric landmine, devices to be used in time bomb, explosives, telephone sets and logistical supports in Dolakha and Kavre districts on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, a report from Sankhuwasabha stated that Maoist rebels abducted two government employees from remote northern part of the district a few days ago. The abducted have been identified as forest guard Govinda Giri and Ganeshman Adhikari, teacher of Rajarani primary school, Hedangna.

Our reporter in Panchthar said that the rebels forced 14 people of two families out of their homes in Prangbung Village Development Committee (VDC). The family members of Bij Bahadur Thamsuhang, Nepali Congress Chairman of the VDC, and of Hom Prasad Swar, teacher of a local primary school, in Nawami Danda VDC. Victims of both the families said that the rebels also looted their cash and movable property on Tuesday and Thursday.

Meanwhile, a report from Butwal said that family members of Hari Prasad Damase have appealed to the Maoists for immediate release of the latter from captivity. Employed at the District Drinking Water Office in Arghakhanchi, junior officer Damase was abducted by the rebels from his house at Dhikura VDC in Arghakhanchi last week. His whereabouts is still unknown, said a press statement issued by his wife.

In yet another report from Nuwakot, Maoist rebels set a historical palace, known as Palace of Helen Shah, on fire, early on Friday.

Built during the tenure of Prithvi Narayan Shah, founder of the Kingdom of Nepal, the palace was later sold to Narendra Pradhan and Kedar Shrestha of Sitapaila, Kathmandu, a few months ago. Caretakers of the palace said that the rebels also made off with five tolas of gold and Rs 9,000 in cash from the palace. Police said that the old palace has been reduced to cinders.

Water problem obstructs Diktel from winning municipality status

By Shahi Man Rai

KHOTANG, Dec 27 : Diktel, the headquarters of Khotang, which is heading for urbanisation faces acute water shortage in lack of an efficient water supply management system. This comes as an utter impediment to Diktel that aspires to be a municipality.

In want of proper management and maintenance system, the pipes supplying water to Diktel have broken in several parts. Much of the water is wasted along the way with the water demand of its residents unfulfilled. There are two water projects supplying water to Diktel bazaar, according to sources.

"Due to a budget crunch, we are unable to repair the drinking water projects in Diktel bazaar," said Ananta Narayan Joshi, the Chairman of Diktel Bazaar Drinking Water Consumers’ Committee (DBDWCC).

The British government had constructed the Diktel Drinking Water Project (DWP) in 1974 with Bhalukhola stream as its source while HMG Drinking Water Office constructed another drinking water project from local Rambha stream being its source in 1985.

However, both the water projects are unable to meet the needs, since the consumers failed to clear the water charges, according to the chairman at the concerned consumers’ committee.

"Some houses have two water main tap connections. However, my house does not have a single tap for the past 15 years," said Sabitri Rai, a local.

"The consumers comprising the civilians and the government offices do not clear the dues. The little money raised is only enough to pay the staffs of the water projects," said Gajur Man Rai, the chairman of Rambhakhola Drinking Water Committee.

Locals allege the local bodies for their failure to ensure drinking water facility to the bazaar.

"The bazaar area is vast and the government allocated amount received by the VDC is insufficient for the reconstructing the drinking water projects," said Narayan Prasad Joshi, the outgoing VDC Chairman.

If water from Chhepe rivulet in the neighbouring Nerpa VDC is drawn in addition to the existing two projects water demand of the expanding bazaar can be fulfilled, according to locals.

IMM set to open in May, next year

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POKHARA, Dec 27 : After six years of construction works, preparations are on to set open the International Mountaineering Museum (IMM), in the scenic city of Pokhara in May 29, 2003.

Its opening date coincides with the day on which Tenzing Norgey Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary conquered Mt. Everest in the recorded history of human civilisation in 1952. However, IMM aspiring to be the largest of its kind in the world is yet to feature any items relating to Sherpa and Hillary on their glorious adventure.

However, there have been rigorous efforts to collect some items used by Sherpa and Hillary. Though the items relating to the first Everest conquerors are missing, IMM has arranged almost all other items that will make it the world study and research centre on mountaineering and mountain activities, informed a concerned source.

IMM has the tools and dresses used by Babu Chhiri Sherpa, Kazi Sherpa and Appa Sherpa, who have set records of scaling the Everest for various reasons.

"IMM is working hard to collect the belongings of Sherpa and Hillary. It shall have the replica of their signatures to the least," said Nabin Ghimire, the IMM Project Manager.

Sherpa has installed his belongings used during the Everest climb in his own museum established in Darjeeling (India) while Hillary is learnt to have handed over those items to various pursuing organisations.

Things to display in the IMM chronicle include utensils, clothes, maps and other equipment used in mountaineering by various mountaineers since the last 50 years.

Besides, it also features typical Nepali dresses in hilly regions, pictures of various mountain ranges, pictures on the lifestyles on Nepali and global mountains and sundry items pertaining to mountains and mountaineering.

"IMM will serve as another identity of this Himalayan Kingdom as the Everest does. It will draw large number of tourists," said Ghimire adding that 90 per cent of the construction works on IMM is complete. According to Ghimire, IMM has been drawing 30 to 40 tourists a day, which he expects to rise manifold after its completion.

80 million rupees is the estimated cost to give IMM a final touch, 70 million rupees have already been spent on IMM, according to concerned sources.

2 killed, 30 injured in separate road accidents

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BANKE, Dec 27 : Two persons were killed and 30 others injured in three separate road accidents on the busy East-West Highway in Banke, Dang and Mahottari districts on Friday, according to reports. Police said that two accidents occurred in the morning due to poor visibility caused by foggy weather.

A man who was approximately 55 years old died instantly and seven others sustained injuries when a passenger bus on its way to Nepalgunj from Birgunj happened to hit a tree on the roadside at Satbariya, Dang.

Likewise, at least 11 people were injured when another passenger bus from Kathmandu to Doti’s Silgadi met with an accident at Mahadevpuri in Banke district. Police said that all the injured people were rushed to the Kohalpur-based Teaching Hospital for treatment. Police said the accidents occurred due to poor visibility, caused by foggy weather condition.

Meanwhile, our reporter in Mahottari said that one person died while 12 others sustained injuries after a passenger bus from Kathmandu to Dharan met with an accident at Khayarmara on the East-West Highway. Police said that Mangal Pandit, 40, of Pattarghatta VDC-4 died while undergoing treatment in Janakpur.

Mahottari District Police said that the bus fell about 15 feet off the road after one of the front tyres suddenly burst when on high speed. The seriously injured passengers were rushed to the zonal hospital in Janakpur for treatment.

Bad weather affects air services, lives in Terai

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KATHMANDU, Dec 27 : Flights to the capital and other destinations from major towns and cities of Terai were affected today due to inimical weather conditions. Cold wind sweeping in on many parts of the region has severe impact on locals, according to reports.

Due to a thick fog covering the airport, throughout the day, no flights operated from Bhadrapur Airport of Jhapa. Three domestic flights operate from the airport each day.

"Around 80 passengers were left stranded due flights being halted," said Surendra Ranjeetkar, the proprietor of a travel agency in Bhadrapur.

A report from Nepalgunj states that, all the air services except for one from Nepalgunj Airport came to a standstill due to bad weather today.

Thick fog surrounding the airport rendered poor visibility. However, as the weather cleared up, Sangrila Air operated Nepalgunj-Simikot-Surkhet flight in the late afternoon, according to a source at Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) .

A similar report from Biratnagar states that bad weather impaired air services to and from the sub-metropolitan city. "Of the eight flights a day, only four flights operated from the Biratnagar Airport," said a source at Biratnagar CAA office.