Thriving tuition centres due to poor govt institutes

By Seema A Adhikari

KATHMANDU, Jan 27: With the quality of education imparted in schools and colleges leaving much to be desired, students are flocking to the mushrooming private coaching centres that are waiting to cash in on plight of the hapless students.

Robin Bhandari, 21, a student at Ratna Rajya Laxmi Campus spends hours in a coaching institute as only means to prepare for his forth-coming University exams rather than in his college. "A tuition is a must for a student to secure good marks," Bhandari says.

Bhandari, a second year student of journalism, joined Student Education Academy – a tuition centre – recently to pull through his examination and to excel in his academics. "Campus politics is the main cause behind the classes being disturbed in the government campuses," he further said.

He is one of the several students who have been attending both the tuition centre and the college.

Bijaya Gurung, a student at Law Campus, also goes for the tuition classes at one of the coaching centres. "Since our teachers are not regular in the college we are compelled to go for tuition," he says.

More than 400 tuition centres have come up in the capital in the recent years but many are still to be registered to the Company Registrar Office.

Though most of these centres have hardly any breathing space with small and congested rooms, students still tend to go for them. In a single lane at Bagbazar and Putalisadak, hundreds of these institutes offer classes on computer, Information Technology, mathematics, TOFEL and IELTS for the students.

The government officials admit that the state-run campuses are not providing quality education to the students. "There should be regular class in education institutions to stop the growing tuition culture. The tuition centre should set up minimum criteria for the tuition center if the civil society feels it necessary to check them," says Yuba Raj Pandey, Spokesperson at the Ministry of Sports and Education.

Pandey also says that the government should at least try to give quality education to the students in the colleges to improve the poor education system in Nepal. "It should also check out if the education centers are open for good intention," Pandey adds.

Experts too have the same opinion. Tirtha Khaniya, renowned academic, says that the education system of Nepal has failed to deliver quality education. "The students are compelled to take up the coaching classes due to irregular classes and closure of the colleges on various occasions," he further says.

"Many of the tuition centers are run by those teachers who have their role in setting up of the examination questions papers."

He said in those centers the teachers make the students "drill" with the question papers than teaching them. "That actually works for the examination because there is the highest possibility that the questions they deal in the centers are the ones that they have to face in the examination hall," he added.

Nepathya to rock audience in Kathmandu

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Jan 27: Nepathya, a first Nepali musical band to perform in the foreign land is all set to hit the capital once again with the solo musical concert on Tuesday.

The band, which has been able to win the hearts of music lovers across the country with, numbers like Chekyo Chekyo, Himal Chuchure and Resham is going to stage a concert on Tuesday which coincides with Martyrs’ day. The band will start the programme by paying a musical tribute to the Martyrs’ of the nation.

Along with the Nepathya version of few very popular Rastriya Geets, a whole collection of the best of Nepathya songs will be presented, which includes all the popular numbers, according to the press release issued here today.

Nepathya has so far released five albums, namely Nepathya, Himal Chuchure, Min Pachas ma, Sringar and Resham, said the release.

The band has already performed in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Shillong, UK and is scheduled to perform in Europe, the release adds.

Bir Hospital to increse emergency beds

RSS

KATHMANDU, Jan. 27: In view of the increasing pressure of patients at the emergency ward of Bir Hospital, a 25-bed emergency ward is being run there at present, an increase of 13 beds.

According to the director of the hospital and senior consultant Surgeon Dr Manohar Lal Shrestha, the increase was effected in view of the pressure of approximately 70,000 patients coming to the emergency ward annually and the ward has also opened a separate two-bed ICU.

The ward has emergency specialist manpower on standby 24 hours a day.

Dr. Shrestha also said that all procedures have been completed for the kidney transplants to be carried out by the hospital shortly.

Preparations are complete for pre-transplant tissue match and post-transplant cyclo sporing stamition tests within the country for kidney transplant cases.

All the equipment has been installed and transplants will be started in a few weeks with the help of doctors from All India Medical Institute as the necessary regulations have already been finalised following passage of the bill on organ transplant.

At present, there is a queue of 54 patients at Bir Hospital for kidney transplants and 28 kidney patients undergo dialysis at the hospital every day.

The cost of a transplant, which is more than Rs. 1,000,000 if carried out in India, will be drastically reduced to Rs. 200,000, but post transplant patients will have to take medication worth Rs.10,000 to 15,000 a month for one or two years, said Dr. Shrestha.

Meanwhile, open heart surgery and by-pass surgery will resume in two months or so once a separate cardio thorasic operation theater is built. These operations used to be conducted at the neuro operation theater.

To a query about the damaged new CT Scan, Dr. Shrestha said the machine was brought after some two months at Birgunj customs and operated for some time following repairs costing Rs 40,000. It has been out of order for some weeks.

Such machines are handed over usually after operating for 60 days, and as this one gave off an unusual sound at low voltage after only 48 days of running it was closed down.

A new machine will be brought if this one does not operate properly.

The hospital is also to start post-graduate courses in a few months and agreement for the same has been reached with the finance and education ministries and the NPC. A proposal has also been submitted at the health ministry.

More than 600 doctors from Russia, Bangladesh, India and China pass the internship examinations at the hospital annually and training is also imparted to frcs doctors.

The hospital is mulling over providing services from nine to five.

Deliberations are under way to bring the facilities up to par with other teaching hospitals and the working hours will be 9:00 - 5:00 from next month, he said.

Locals seek conservation of Janabaha

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Jan 27: After being painted by traditional artists or the Chitrakars, as a part of annual order, he idol of Aryabalokiteshwor was placed on its abode Monday morning with special pooja.

This is part of the preparation work being done for the annual chariot procession taking place after two months.

An interaction progreamme on the cultural heritage associated with the ancient pagoda temple of Aryabalokiteshor, commonly known as Janaba-dyo was held today at the temple premises.

The seniormost member of the clans associated with the Janaba-dyo, Thakali Siddhi Bajra Bajracharya said that the Lord came to Nepal thousands of years ahead of Lord Buddha.

"He look around the world, saw sorrow everywhere and drowned himself by universal compassion. He vowed he would not sit down until he would not succeed in wiping away all the sorrows of the people," he said, quoting ancient religious books.

Raja Shakya, a local related to the caretakers’ clan, said there are lots of legends associated with the origin and fame of Aryabalokiteshwor but no such strong evidences so far have been found to assert the exact date of the construction of the temple and the surrounding vicinity.

"We have so many stories about it but we do not know how old the temple is and what the original form of the temple was."

He said historical evidences have been omitted and there is no single organisation to take care about the archaeological artifacts, inscriptions and the traditional architecture of the temple area.

"This is also the time for us to realize that we, the locals, have not done enough to preserve the temple and its premises", he said.

Swayambhu Raj Shakya, another clan member, said the members have to observe tight routined life for months during the religious shower and repainting of the deity.

" During this period, the Buddhist priest performs all the social rituals practised among the Newar men and women. Thus the idol of Aryabalokiteshwor is closely associated with the local people," he said.

Chairman of Nepal Heritage Society (NHS) Ukesh Raj Bhuju said the locals as well as the organisations working in the field of conservation of cultural heritage should work together to preserve the thousands of years old tradition and to give it continuity in the modern world when people have little time to think about the heritage.

The interaction programme was organised by Nepal Heritage Society, in association with Machchhindra Bhajan Khala, Sri Karunamaya Sarba Sangh and Machchhindra Club.

‘With Maoists back in hideouts, social vices are up’

Hailing from Panichhap of Salang VDC –2, Dhading district, 23-year-old Hom Bahadur Shrestha works day-and-night for his livelihood. But Hom Bahadur has no complaints with his profession. The only thing that bugs him is the prevailing state of emergency which has thrown in some difficulties in his work. Hom Bahadur talked to Tilak Pokharel of The Kathmandu Post, recently when he was carrying a 50-kg sack of rice grains from Benighat to Darbung Phant of Gorkha district.

Away from the bustling capital, during the two-and-half hours’ company along the harrowing trails, Hom Bahadur talked about his lifestyle, situation of his village and a lot of other things. Excerpts:

TKP: How come you are in this profession?

Hom Bahadur: I thought if all my forefathers could live a happy life with this profession, why couldn’t I. They also did not attend school but were happy with the traditional agriculture and by carrying local shopkeepers’ loads in free time. It was always like that. Till now I am happy with it.

Did you ever think of going to school?

When I was a small child, the teachers of the neighbouring school used to call me to attend the school but I refrained from doing so because I had no good clothes to wear. I have no regrets about being illiterate but at times when I am in the cities, I face problems. I am sure I can run my life despite being illiterate.

How much do you earn from this?

They (shopkeepers) give Rs 100 for one round of load. It is good enough to sustain life.

Who else are there at your home?

There are my old parents who cannot go to the field to work. I have three brothers among whom the eldest is a contractor in Kathmandu, middle brother is working along with me at home and the youngest is learning driving in Kathmandu. Maybe the youngest is working as a helper (khalasi) at present. All the three sisters have already been married off.

What has been the impact of Maoists and the state of emergency on your village?

When the peace talks were underway, the Maoist cadres were rampant in the village. They constantly used to organise rallies and call mass meetings. To be frank, they had wiped out many social vices such as liquor production, gambling and other crimes. But these days with the Maoists going back to their earlier hideouts, the social vices have again cropped up. The drunkards have again started to rule over their family and the alleys ruthlessly.

Has the state of emergency become a barrier to your profession?

Definitely yes. Before the emergency was imposed I worked in Kathmandu for a few weeks. Because I did not have a citizenship certificate or any other identity, I was forced to come back to the village. Also here, we are advised to be on high alert both by the security men and the Maoists. A few months ago, I had earned almost Rs. 2,100 in a month’s time in Kathmandu. When in financial crisis, I again want to do the same but cannot do it because I am advised not to leave my village without proper identity.

One day, I was heading towards home via Darbung Phant and I for the first time met an army man who told me in a rude manner not to go further and sent me back to Darbung Phant. But till now neither the security men nor the Maoists have caused damage to me and my family.

Why don’t you have a citizenship certificate even at this age?

I have heard that photographs are essential for making the certificate. Last year, I thought of making it but due to lack of money for the photo and other expenses to stay in the district headquarters, I could not do it. But my parents have said they will send me to Dhadingbeshi (the headquarters) this year, so I plan to make the certificate this year.

What about your marriage?

Last year, there came a proposal. But since I had not earned enough money to live a decent life I rejected it. There is constant pressure from the family and I think I will marry soon.

ADB built cold-store house unused over decades

By Kulchandra Neupane

POKHARA, Jan 27: The Agriculture Development Bank (ADB) has invited private investors for the construction of a cold-store house with the capacity of 3,000 metric tonnes after the old one with the capacity of 500 metric tonnes remained unused for more than two decades.

"The contractor didn’t complete the construction of the old cold-store house. Now, the technology installed in the old one is obsolete and its capacity cannot meet local demand," said Karna Bahadur Basyal, branch manager of the bank. "We are looking for private investments in the new cold-store house,"

The old cold-store house was constructed at the cost of Rs. 2.5 million from the loan assistant of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) about 25 years ago. Basyal said that the bank has already spent more than Rs. 7.5 million but it never functioned. The bank has wasting Rs. 6,000 a month to pay the bills for electricity, water supply and its maintenance.

The contractor left without completing the work of the house owing to a dispute with the bank. About 15 per cent of the work had yet to be finished. "It is the reason that the cold-store house could not be operated from the very beginning," said Basyal.

For the last two years, the bank has been seeking private parties for its operation. But all the proposals put forth by the parties were rejected because of low quotation of amount for its operation.

The Kaski Industry and Commerce Association, a district-level umbrella organisation of businessmen, had also tried to operate the cold-store house under its management but the bank officials could not agree with the amount purposed by the Association, said Basant Udas, president of the Association.

A committee studying the possibility of its operation last year advised to auction the obsolete equipment to replace them with modern ones. The bank published a tender for the auction of the equipment in August last year but no tender was approved, Basyal said.

The well-equipped cold-store house in Pokhara can help improve economic condition of the farmers of Parbat, Baglung, Mustang, Lamjung, Tanahun, Kaski and Syangja districts. A large amount of fruit and vegetables grown in the districts go into waste in the absence of a cold-store house in the region, officials said.

Road construction to take three decades 

By Kashi Ram Dangi

LIBANG, Jan 27: The construction of 80-kilometer long Ghorahi - Chunwang road could take another 3 decade for completion due to the lack of budget, sources from Mid Western Department of Road said.

The road started a decade ago is intended to link the remote villages of Rolpa to Dang and Rukum.According to the department, the road is being built with the money allotted in the yearly budget since 1991. The road is also enlisted in the national planning but has not received the separate budget for construction.

"We have not planned about its completion. It may take 30 more years to complete," says Chet Narayan Yadav, the acting chief of the department. The construction work has been halted soon after the emergency declared.

Only 30 kilometer Ghorahi - Holeri segment is completed and is in operation. Survey of the nineteen kilometers among the remaining 50 kilometer Holeri - Chunwang segment has been carried out and initial works of 13.7 kilometer was undergoing before the halt, according to Yadav.

Department along with the local representatives of the region tried for the allotment of budget to the construction but did not carried any fruit,says Yadav.

Muslim pilgrims anguished due to Increased airfare

By Yagya Bikram Shahi

NEPALGUNJ, Jan 27: Nepalese Muslims making pilgrimage to Mecca-Madina in Saudi Arabia are annoyed over the price hike in the air service en route to the pilgrimage.

The pilgrims making a six week long journey to the religious sites feel cheated over the government’s charge in the air fare that is more by thirty percent as compared to that of the last year, complain the pilgrims.

"While the air fare to other destination has not been changed so much I wonder why the fare for a religious tour is soaring up," said Liyakat Ali Raain, a resident at Jayaspur-6 of Banke district.

The pilgrims are infuriated when they were asked to deposit additional sum of Rs.12, 000 per head to the earlier deposited sum of Rs.73, 000. The journey was managed with Rs. 50,000 last year. "How far is it a right act to ask the pligrims to deposit an additional sum of Rs. 12,000 giving the ultimatum of just four days and to withdraw the money in case of failure?" lamented an infuriated pilgrim, Mohomud Raja at Jayaspur-6 of the district.

The sufferers complain that the Central Haz Committee, constituted by the government eight months ago to manage the journey, has not given any convincing reasons behind the price hike of the journey .

While contacted to Balkrishna Adhikari, the Chief District Officer (CDO) of Banke district, he confessed of not having any concrete information behind the case of price hike in the airfare.

The District Administration Office in Banke has stated that around 35 pilgrims have applied in the office for the journey and most of them have already deposited the additional sum. Around 200 Nepalese Muslims from the various districts in the Terai belt of the country visit Mecca-Madina annually.