Indigenous communities for their share in peace talks

Post Report

KATHMANDU, April 26 : As the countdown begins for the belated peace talks set to start from tomorrow, the indigenous communities in the country have become univocal, seeking their major share in the agenda in the imminent peace talks.

In their bid to put forth a collective position on the issue, the representatives of various indigenous organisations came together here today for the All-Indigenous/Ethnic Groups Conference, organised by the youth wing of the Nepal Tamang Dhedung Federation.

All the representatives pressed hard that their demands for a secular state, federal governance system and political representation of ethnic groups at the decision-making level be included in the agenda.

"The Maoists must incorporate our issues in their framework of agenda, namely round-table conference, constituent assembly and interim government, if they are really serious about resolving the political crisis in the country. After all, we have the same goal to reach", they said in a united voice, and warned of dire consequences in case the Maoists failed to show their wisdom.

"If our issues are sidelined, the nation will have to pay an excessively heavy price. The failure will lead to another bloody revolution," they warned.

Dissatisfaction among the ethnic communities have been brewing for long, particularly after the restoration of multiparty democratic set-up, which they argued have largely excluded them from the mainstream politics including administration and bureaucracy.

Speaking on the occasion, Parashu Ram Tamang, ex-chairman of Nepal Tamang Dhedung Federation and leader of the movement stressed the need for empowering the indigenous communities through autonomous regional governments and demanded the future Upper House be replaced by ‘House of Nationalities’.

Their other demands include imparting education in the mother tongue in schools, recognition and preservation of the languages and culture of the indigenous communities, provision of reservation for women of ethnic communities and setting up of a separate unit in National Planning Commission to deal on issues concerning the development of their community.

The indigenous women have been the worst victims of social ills like trafficking, child labour etc. Of a total of two hundred thousand women trafficked to other countries, indigenous women alone account for 90 per cent.

Mr and Miss Bhaktapur 2060 constest held

Post Report

KATHMANDU, April 26 : Sumitra Karmacharya was declared Miss Bhaktapur 2060, while Jivan K.C. bagged Mr. Bhaktapur title in the ‘Mr. and Miss. Bhaktapur –2060’ organised by B. N. Bade.

Twenty-four contestants had taken part in the show today where, Shekhar Kayastha, Purna Shrestha, Sanjiv Pradhan, Bikas Ranjitkar and Jiwan K.C. were the best of the 14 males. Among the 10 female contestants, Sumitra Karmacharya, Shanti Ghoju, Ramita Shrestha, Rabita Sinkemana and Sharmila Pariyar were adjudged the top five.

Shekhar Kayastha and Shanti Ghoju were declared photogenic. Ram Krishna Duwal won the best physique title, while Sharmila Pariyar won the best figure title among the females.

Purna Shrestha and Rabita Sinkemana were declared 2nd runners-up, while Sanjiv Pradhan and Ramita Shrestha won the 1st runners-up title in their respective categories. An extra award, for ‘Miss Shanti Amala Beautiful Hair’, was won by Ramita Shrestha.

Renowned singers, including Nalina Chitrakar and Suman Shrestha sang some of their popular numbers. A dance and caricature item by Mahadev Tripathi were some of the attractions of the event.

Bipana Thapa,actress, Kala Subba, model, Jayan Subba, choreographer, Arbin Rauniyar ,dress designer, Ashok Manandhar, dress designer, Ratan Joshi, chairman of Miss Nepal, Mahesh Shrestha, gym instructor and Krishna Bhattarai, journalist, were the judges of the event.

FNJ seeks journo’s whereabouts

KATHMANDU, April 26 (PR) - Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), an umbrella organisation of Nepalese professional journalists, has demanded that the Maoists make public the whereabouts of radio-journalist Dhan Bahadur Rokaya.

Maoists had abducted Rokaya, newsreader in Kham language at Radio Nepal Surkhet Branch, last year while he was returning from office, according to a release from the FNJ.

A meeting of the FNJ central committee today decided to honour Panna Lal Gupta, a Nepalgunj-based pioneer journalist, by conferring on him the title of "Embodiment of Press Freedom", on the occasion of Press Freedom Day on March 3, the statement added.

The meeting, which discussed the draft of a ‘press code of conduct’, also presented suggestions concerning the welfare and professional responsibility of working journalists, to the Nepal Press Council, the release stated.

A musical evening with Prakash Shrestha

Post Report

KATHMANDU, April 26 : It was the first ever solo concert of celebrated singer Prakash Shrestha in the 25 years of his remarkably successful singing career. The spacious auditorium at the Birendra International Convention Centre was bustling with music lovers.

Beginning with the nationalistic song ‘Banchnu Nai Chha Yadi Bhane’, written by G. Shah, the concert saw Shrestha sing around twenty songs, accompanied by professional musicians. Credited with highly successful songs like ‘Timi Lali Gurans Phule Jasti’, ‘Phewa Talko Aaganma Lai Lai’, ‘Badnamai Garyau Timile’, and ‘Kanchhi Hai Kanchhi’, Shrestha’s success in both modern songs and film songs is nothing but natural.

"He is one of the few singers in Nepal with a wide range of notes," said famous comedian Hari Bansh Acharya. Acharya, along with his inseparable co-artiste Madan Krishna Shrestha accompanied Shrestha in many of his international musical tours, that took them to almost half of the globe.

"He used to carry a pile of audio cassettes containing his songs during the tours, and would return back empty handed," said Acharya. This shows that Shrestha is popular among Nepali music buffs around the globe.

Actor Shri Krishna Shrestha and actress Jal Shah danced on the stage while Shrestha sang the duet song ‘Musukkai Hansi’ with Sapna Shree. Similarly, the mere prelude of the song ‘Saphal Timro Yo Jindagi Lai’ produced deafening applause from the audience, not to mention their incredible response while the song was performed.

Shrestha also performed the song ‘Mero Jasto Jindagi Ko’, the music of which was given by another towering name in Nepali modern music, Deep Shrestha. Prakash Shrestha, during all these years, has performed in accompaniment of various big names of Nepali music sector like Gopal Yonjan, Shambhu Jeet Banskota and Shakti Ballav.

The concert was telecast live in the Nepal Television. The proceeds of the concert are to go to the Youth Initiative Resource Centre. From a lucky draw, an audience was awarded a free ticket for Kathmandu-Dubai-Kathmandu.

Personalities felicitated

Post Report

KATHMANDU, April 26 : Religious leader and member of Raj Parishad Standing Committee, Swami Prapannacharya, today felicitated various personalities from different social sectors, with Letters of Appreciation and doshalla, at a function organised by Our Nepal Yogi Naraharinath Trust (ONYNT).

On the occasion, Professor Ramchandra Poudyal, historian Gyanmani Nepal, Gopal Prajapati, social worker Hari Prasad Poudyal, Pitadhis Shree 1008 Atmananda Giri and Prabhudashi Hajuri (a religious personality) were honoured. All awarded personalities highlighted the importance of the preservation of culture to maintain the identity of the country.

Speaking at the programme Gopal Prajapati, said that he would always continue to spread awareness for safeguarding culture.

Swami Prapannacharya requested every sector to contribute towards the preservation of Nepali culture.

Need for consolidating democracy stressed

Post Report

KATHMANDU, April 26 : Experts focused on the measures on how to consolidate democracy and its institutions here today.

Speaking at a talk programme, organised by Foundation for Parliamentary Studies and Development (FPSD), Dr Lok Raj Baral, professor at Tribhuvan University, said that the future of democracy is bright, as the political parties have lately faced the ever worse consequences of the last 12 years’ of democratic exercise. "It is a great opportunity as well as a tough challenge for all political parties to give a new beginning to the democratic system here."

Stressing the need for constituent assembly, Dr Baral urged that the political parties should get prepared for a progressive way out to the current crisis.

Thomas Carothers, a US scholar speaking on the occasion, said that the political parties are the most unpopular group here because of which democracy ‘failed’.

He highlighted rampant corruption, lack of vision among political leaders, relentless politicisation of social institutions and lust for power among the leaders as the causes of the current transitional phase of the country.

"De-politicisation and rebuilding trust among people are the tough challenges that lie ahead for the political leaders, to bail the country out of this transition," Carothers added.

He also informed that European Union and America extend strong support to monarchy because of sheer frustration in political parties for the past 12 years.

He underlined the inter-party conflicts and lack of leadership as serious reasons for the deterioration of the democratic system in Nepal.

Speaking on the same lines, Dr Prakash Chandra Lohani, vice-president of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party said that the democratic system could be revived and given the best turn after the transition period.

He suggested that the people should think of a different model of democracy, which is based on Nepal’s geo-political situation.

Similarly, Laxman Aryal, former justice in the Supreme Court claimed that the democratic system has not failed. He said that democracy in the initial stage marked positive changes in the country. "However, the leaders later could not address the public expectations."

He urged that the system should never be made a scapegoat for such crisis.

NEA to approach Govtwith its demands

Post Report

KATHMANDU, April 26 : The Nepal Engineers’ Association (NEA), the umbrella organisation of Nepali engineers, is approaching the government this week with a 24-point-demands recommended by its recently held 8th National Convention for their immediate implementation while formulating policies.

The demands, released here today, amidst a press meeting, are related to rural development, research and development, resource and investment, industry and export, urban development, administration and legal and other miscellaneous issues concerning engineering profession.

On the rural development front, NEA has laid emphasis on the development of rural infrastructure in a well-planned manner through community participation, with priority to rural electrification.

Likewise, the demands have also drawn the attention for the introduction of low-cost arsenic removal system in the Terai and to provide support for the development of renewable energy.

Urging the government to invest in engineering education and information technology in rural area, engineers have demanded the government for technical auditing at public work places.

Besides, infrastructure of the East-West Highway should be started immediately for the development of industries and promote exports, the list of demands said, adding community-based water supply schemes should be given priority, instead of mega- projects as "dictated by donors".

NEA has urged the government to assign the first place to community-based irrigation systems and carry out development initiatives in an environment-friendly way.

" The government should establish a high-level engineering commission to create a think-tank in the field of development of the country and enforce the Nepal Engineering Council Act immediately," NEA demanded.

Meanwhile, NEA today signed an agreement of bilateral co-operation with the Japanese Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE). According to the agreement, NEA and JSCE will exchange training opportunity, expertise and development in the field of engineering. NEA has links with a number of engineering associations across the world.

First dental hospital in Bhaktapur

BHAKTAPUR, April 26 (PR) - Former mayor of Bhaktapur Municipality, Madan Krishna Shrestha, inaugurated Bhaktapur’s first dental hospital in Madhyapur Thimi amidst a function here today.

Operated by the Oral Care Nepal, the Araniko Dental Hospital aims at raising awareness about the diseases related to mouth and teeth in the community, according to organisers. "The hospital has been established with a view to generating awareness in the urban and sub-urban communities of Bhaktapur and Kathmandu to reduce the complications related to mouth and teeth," said Dr. Kranti Prajapati, the director of the hospital.

Currently, various dental-related services including general check-up, scaling/polishing, filling/restoration, amalgam fillings, minor oral surgery, artificial dental replacement, crowning, teeth position correction, pedodontics treatment, among others, are available at the hospital. The organisers said the services will be extended in due course of time.

Speaking at the inaugural function, president of the hospital Dr. Ritesh Shrestha said the hospital will make it easier for the Bhaktapur dwellers to have access to dental services. Altogether 15 people received treatment on the first day of the beginning of the hospital.

Collective efforts vital for peace

Post Report

KATHMANDU, April 26 : Anuradha Koirala, Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare said that every sector should contribute to the restoration of peace in the country.

"The situation of the country is still not completely settled, we have to pray for peace, which is the last weapon to eliminate the sound of bombs and guns," she said.

She was speaking at the closing ceremony of Jaycees Week organised by the Kathmandu Lady Jaycees (KLJ) to mark its 25th anniversary here today.

As in previous years, KLJ celebrated Jaycees Week with various programmes like a peace rally, training on malnutrition, free health check-up for 80 people and free eye camp for 90 people. Other activities included distribution of clothes, food, stationery and cash to children and youth – between the ages of 5 to 17 years, either staying in jail or orphans.

The last day of the programme was a talk programme on female professionalism.

Sapana Tuladhar, president of KLJ said that due to the Nepal bandh they could not conduct the second day’s programme of blood donation.

UML forms movement panel

Post Report

KATHMANDU, April 26 : The third central committee meeting of the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML) held here today decided that the party would not go beyond the decision taken by its Seventh General Convention in Janakpur.

A press statement issued by the party office said that the party still keeps all the alternatives open to resolve the current political stalemate.

"The party has to keep all the alternatives open to preserve the achievements of the 1990 People’s Movement. It will take suitable decision on appropriate time, the statement added.

The meeting also formed a 19-member central people’s movement committee. The committee comprises Bharat Mohan Adhikari, Asta Laxmi Shakya, Urbadatta Panta, Krishna Gopal Shrestha, Pradip Gyawali, Bhim Acharya, Bhim Rawal, Yubaraj Karki, Rajendra Pandey, Ram Chandra Jha.

Similarly, Bidhya Bhandari, Bishnu Rimal, Surendra Pande, Urmila Aryal, Tul Bahadur Gurung, Subash Chandra Nemwang, Gokarna Bista, Purushottam Poudel and Prakash Jwala are also included in the committee. The meeting will continue tomorrow.

Minister accuses students of indulging in mob politics

Post Report

KATHMANDU, April 26 : Minister for Land Reform, Forest and Soil Conservation Badri Narayan Basnet accused the students of provoking mob politics against the spirit of democracy.

He was speaking at the function organised by the Organisation for Community, the Child and Environment Development Community to mark its third anniversary.

Referring to the recent anti-social activities of the students, the Minister charged them of jeopardising democracy and misusing freedom.

" The political parties should cooperate with us in materialising and restoring peace in the country," said Minister Basnet.

On the occasion, Sannani Shrestha, a disabled girlchild from the Dhading district was given cash money for buying a wheel chair and the OCCED youth club, Nijgadh, Bara was provided Rs 15,000 for successfully handling the Women Empowerment Programme. A computer was also handed over to Shanti Niketan Secondary School for computer education in the school.

OCCED has been contributing in social service sector in different parts of the country which include forming youth clubs and conducting mobile health camps.

Smuggled timber, Marijuana confiscated; six arrested

Post Report

BARA, April 26 : The Bara police has nabbed a timber smuggler along with 150 quintals of timber which was being smuggled away illegally on Friday.

The police team that was patrolling the Umjan-4 of Bara region under the leadership of Sub-inspector of Police of District Police Office Bara had taken under their control the smuggled timbers along with the 35-year-old culprit, a resident of Gunjbhawanipur-9, Jamal Barish.

Of the confiscated timber, large numbers were in sesame and teak. The timber along with the culprit have been handed over to the District Forest Office for necessary action, informed the Inspector at the District Police Office of Bara, Krishna Bahadur Gurung.

Similarly in another incident as reported from Bara by our reporter, five other people have been arrested while smuggling away half a quintal of contraband Marijuana to India. This Marijuana had been brought from Gaduwan of Makwanpur and had been confiscated while being smuggled through the road in Bara.

The patrol team that had gone under the Inspector of Police of Bara, Krishna Bahadur Gurung, was successful in rounding this Marijuana gangster along with their contraband possession at Parshona-9 of Bodhban on Saturday morning around 3 with the help of members of Protection Committee of this locality.

The police had confiscated 49 kilograms of processed Marijuana packed in sacks and rucksack bags as well as three bicycles. Among the five culprits busted red-handed were, 23-year-old resident of Shrinagar Bairiya-7 Ram Ekbal Prasad Yadav, 24-year-old resident of ward-5 Ram Awatar Prasad Yadav, 28-year-old resident of ward-6 Bigu Shah, 24-year-old resident of Ratanpuri-3 Krishnaram Thing, and 28-year-old resident of Jumarbana-7 Fulbahadur Syangtan.

Chemists flourish at the cost of public health

By Sahiman Rai

KHOTANG, April 26 : A majority of chemist shops in Khotang district are playing spoil sport with the consumer’s health as they failed to meet legal criteria set by the government. Even the District Administration Office (DAO) has failed to take actions against the errant chemists.

The chemists said that they could not abide by the government laws as the laws often get revised of which they are ignorant.

No surveillance on the legality of the chemist shops have been conducted as of yet, according to Keshar Bahadur KC, the Chief at the DAO.

Of the 11 chemist shops in Diktel, the headquarters of Khotang, only three shops are found fulfilling the basic criteria to run the shop. Bir Bahadur Dahal, one of the errant chemists failed to produce his valid documents on his business despite asked three times to produce his documents, according to Khus Narayan Sainju, the Chairman of Khotang Chambers of Commerce and Industries.

"Each time we demanded his license, Dahal keeps on saying that it is in Biratnagar," said Sainju.

Beside, Diktel, Buipa bazaar has seven illegal chemist shops. Such shops also sell medicines in weekly fair market that occur in places like Chisapani, Simpani, Chhitapokhari, Halesi bazaar, Akhaule bazaar, Aiselukharka bazaar and Baksila.

"The incapable and irresponsible chemists selling drugs are doing great injustice to the consumers," said Dr. Guna Raj Lohani.

The locals have blamed the DAO of being indifferent towards their health by shying away from its duty to bring the errant chemists to book.

‘Political parties acting irresponsibly’

Post Report

DANG, April 26 : Chairman of the Raj Parishad Standing Committee, Parashu Narayan Chaudhary has alleged the political parties of acting irresponsibly so as to destabilize the ongoing peace process in the country.

Inaugurating the fifth annual general meeting of Dang Industry and Commerce Association at Ghorahi, Chaudhary also urged the political parties to involve in establishing peace by accepting their past wrong doings .

He was critical of the political parties for championing the "so-called idea of republic" in the country. There would be no Nepal and Nepalis in case the country becomes republican .

Defending the October 4 royal move, Chaudhari said that political paryties were responsible for forcing the king to take the step not entitled even in the Constitution.

Kal-azar gradually under control

RSS

JANAKPURDHAM, April 26 : Kal-azar is gradually being brought under control in Dhanusha district which is known to be affected by it the most.

One of the 155 patients inflicted by it in 2058 died while none of the 154 patients inflicted by it in 2059 died, it is learnt from the district public health office.

As HMG has been provided drugs for the treatment of kalazaar free of cost and the poor people, the fatality is stated to be the least.

The district public health office has been spreading awareness on kal-azar through posters and leaflets and the public at large go to the health-post or the hospital immediately on seeing its symptoms, says chief of the office Indra Prasad Yadav.

Disinfectants are sprayed in the rural areas of the district two times a year to control kal-azar and malaria, adds Yadav.

Kal-azar is caused by the biting of a kind of mosquito known as sandfly. Fever for a long time, stomach swelling, body turning black and anaemia are its symptoms.

Twelve persons between the age of 5 to 60 years are undergoing treatment for kal-azar at Janakpur Zonal Hospital at present, it is learnt.

Future of students at stake

Post Report

BAGLUNG, April 26 : The future of thousands of students is pushed into darkness due to the Maoists threats to close down private schools operating in Baglung district. The Moaist issued a press release this week warning private schools not to operate schools taking undue opportunity of the truce, according to soruces.

The Maoists have been accusing the private schools of extorting money form guardians.

Entire private schools in the districts were closed after the Maoist rebels stormed 16 such schools, destroying their infrstructure, last year.

Some private schools in the district headquarters, Baglung have been operating under police and army protection, a press release has warned of dire consquences that is likely to fall on such schools anytime. The release strongly warned the immediate closure of the schools.

The warning has vexed the guardians and the school principals as well. Since they have already paid the admission fees and bought text books for their wards, guardians are anxious over their future.

"Sudden closure of the private schools without any consideration is detrimental to the future of the students," said Mahesh Chandra Pradhan, the principal of Amrit Adarsha Boarding School in the headquarters.

Around 20,000 students study in private schools. Closure of such schools mean extra pressure to the government schools which is certain to degrade the quality of education, according to Pradhan.

Arrival of monsoons worries locals

Post Report

PARBAT, April 26 ; With monsoon approaching, residents of Seti-Beni Bazaar near the foothills of Shaligram of Parbat and Pidikhola of Syangja are worried of flooding by the swollen Kaligandaki River.

With the completion of Kaligandaki-A, one of the biggest Hydro-electrical projects in Nepal, the Kaligandaki River has been transformed into huge mass of water. The threat that excess water, brought in by the rains may flood the immediate vicinity during the monsoon has become a point of concern for the many people living close to the project.

"The threat of floods and landslides due to an increase in the water level, which could also submerge this Bazaar has been a haunting experience for people living around this project," said Ashok Singh Pandey, headmaster of the Shaligram secondary school. Seti-Beni Bazaar is just few metres above the water level, while the embankment is around six kilometres below at Mirmi.

When the project was registered in 1996, it was explicitly stated, through letters of agreements, that Seti-Beni Bazaar would not be affected in any way.

"The project had pledged to construct embankments along the banks of the river, but since there are no signs of any work on this, it has worried the locals, informed the former chairman of the Shaligram VDC, Tula Kanta Sunwar. Sunwar had pressed the project authorities that it should start the construction of the embankment as soon as possible.

Over 100 houses of the Bazaar are at risk. The locals had even put forward their demand to Prime Minister, Girija Prasad Koirala, the Ministry of Water and Resource, Parliamentarians and various other bodies to work out a solution.

Due to the assurances provided by the project earlier, that they would not do anything that would endanger Seti-Beni Bazaar, the locals had not objected to any construction work.

However, now that the hydro-electric project is complete and the project authorities have not done anything to lower the risk of flooding that could devastate the Bazaar anytime during the monsoon, the locals living around this region have become troubled, said Tribikram Hyunju, secretary of the Regional Development Committee. Hyunju had put forward a demand for the construction of an embankment from Golaichi to Kamerodaha, and in Kaliban.

It is learnt that project has also failed in its commitment to construct public toilets, bathing spots and a road link to Sila.

Seti-Beni Bazaar is considered to be the business centre of Parbat, Syangja, and Gulmi.