PM opens Jamal-Teendhara road

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KATHMANDU, Jan 1 : Prime Minister Sher Bahadhur Deuba today inaugurated the Jamal-Teendhara portion of a city road, which was completed recently.

The road was widened by the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) at the total cost of 11.2 million rupees which was opened for public use from today. Speaking with the journalists, Department Chief of KMC Public Construction Jyoti Bhusan Pradhan said, " Total work will be finished in ten days which includes the completion of the footpath, reconstruction of houses and walls."

According to Pradhan, the main purpose of road extension was to manage the congested traffic flow. So the extended road covers a distance of about 280 metres in length and 14 metres in breadth which was previously just 7 metres in 2 lanes.

Kanchhi sweeps to earn bread but knows nothing about SAARC

By Seema A. Adhikari

KATHMANDU, Jan. 1 :With repaired and cleaned surroundings and freshly painted thoroughfares, this capital city has a new look now, thanks to the upcoming SAARC Summit to be held here from Friday.

But, not everyone is aware about this regional jamboree. Take for example Kanchhi Tamang, a 56-year-old sweeper from Koteshwor who was busy sweeping the roads at Teku. She is totally unaware what SAARC is all about. She is only worried about earning the bread and butter for her family. "I have been working from dawn to dusk to earn bread," says Kanchhi.

Unaware of the upcoming event, Kanchhi is just doing her chores to make the capital city beautiful. "I don’t know anything but I was told to finish this work as soon as possible," she said.

Kanchhi is happy enough to bag this extra work, as this would give her an extra income, bringing a little happiness in her life. But the Summit’s basic target of alleviating poverty in the region has not reached this sweeper, and she is not bothered about it too.

Almost all those working day and night to beautify this city for the Summit express their innocence about the regional gathering but are more worried about completing their task on time.

Janaki Karki, 34, of Ramechhap, is busy picking up weeds from the ground of Birendra International Convention Centre where the Summit will be held. Janaki works eight hours a day and receives Rs. 110 that makes her more happy than when SAARC days were not around.

Hari Chhetri of Kavre said, "We were told to finish our work on time for SAARC." When asked about the upcoming Summit, he simply answered, "SAARC is a very big festival, it comes in every 14-years of time." He made this comment after he heard from one of his friends that the SAARC Summit 14 years ago too followed the similar hush-and-rush.

The people living below poverty line is considerably high in the South Asia region which embraces one fifth portion of the world population of six billion. According to the United Nations’ Development Programme (UNDP), out of the total population in the world, 80 per cent of them live in developing countries while 20 per cent live in developed countries.

The Seventh SAARC summit had earlier expressed its full commitment in pursuing appropriate measures for people’s mobilisation, agriculture and human resources development to alleviate poverty by the end of 2002. But even as regional grouping is set to hold the 11th Summit, the issue of poverty alleviation in the region still remains on the papers only.

Speaker urges HR bodies to prevail upon Maoists

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KATHMANDU, Jan 1 :Speaker of the House of Representatives Taranath Ranabhat Tuesday called on human rights organisations and leaders of the Afro-Asian Solidarity groups to ask the Maoist "terrorists" to immediately shun their terrorist activities.

Speaking at a programme organised by Afro-Asian Peoples’ Solidarity Organisation of Nepal (AAPSO), Speaker Ranabhat said the government was preparing to isolate the terrorists to bring them to the right path. After that they would be trained to become responsible citizens of the country.

Reacting to the impending danger of war between India and Pakistan raised by experts, he said, "There is no meaning citing dangers perpetrated by India and Pakistan after terrorist attacks in the Indian Parliament when we have a serious threat from terrorists in our own land."

"Maoist terrorists have gravely disreputed the country and demoralised every Nepali in the eyes of the international communities. Seldom had this country, whose citizens are known for their tolerant let-live attitude have seen such a violence and bloodshed in the country," he said indicating that the army is compelled to fight to the finish to save national sovereignty.

"Maoists must now choose between destroying themselves or surrendering before the government and apologise for their terrible mistake of attacking the very root of Nepal’s integrity and sovereignty battering the image of the country," Ranabhat said.

K.P. Sharma Oli, a leading figure of the main opposition party, CPN-UML, who is also the President of AAPSO Nepal said Nepal’s reputation of being the birthplace of peace apostle - Lord Buddha is overshadowed by Prachanda and Babu Ram Bhattarai.

He criticised the Maoists for violating talks and resuming bloodshed despite compassionate efforts from the government to provide a safe passage for their grievances through dialogue. However, he also said that applying emergency to obstruct the individual from exercising his right and curtail press freedom would be highly improper.