Lack of budget mars completion of irrigation projects

By Motilal Poudel

SURKHET, Feb 12 : Although the cease-fire announcement between the government and the Maoists has created a positive environment for contractors and technicians to go to villages to execute irrigation projects, these projects are unlikely to be completed on time. The reason being that the budget approved by the government has yet to be released. Many irrigation projects initiated in the mid-western region have been suspended due to insecurity and lack of budget.

Bishwobhar Chaudhary, chief of mid-western Irrigation Development Division Office, said that those projects have remained incomplete because the approved budget for this fiscal year has not been released yet.

"Contractors are in touch with us and are ready to initiate the work but the projects are yet to be approved," Chaudhary said. Under the Nepal Sector Irrigation Project only one project in Dailekh has been initiated so far. Duration of the World Bank-funded projects was extended for one more year keeping in mind the growing Maoist insurgency and lack of explosives at the sites.

Government forces had imposed a ban on using explosives in the mid-western region fearing that the rebel fighters might seize them for guerrilla warfare purposes.

Those projects were scheduled to be completed during the last fiscal year. Work on the 16 irrigation projects have not started, although seven months of this fiscal year have already passed. Nine out of the total 25 irrigation projects were scrapped, citing mainly insecurity and unavailability of explosives in the region.

Those projects were scrapped after the contractors and technicians could not go to the site of construction. Sources said that only Rs 130 million was spent out of a total Rs 330 million allocated for these projects.

Buddhist site of Tilaurakot remains dilapidated

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KAPILVASTU, Feb 12 : Buddhist pilgrims and archaeologists have expressed shock over the dilapidated condition of Tilaurakot, the ancient capital of King Suddodhan, father of Lord Buddha.

The Tilaurakot area, where Lord Buddha spent the first 29 years of his life, before finally renouncing mundane life, used to be the seat of King Suddodhan. Now it wears a barren look. It has been six years since the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) included the Tilaurakot area into its plan of action, but no action has so far been initiated for its archaeological preservation.

Whenever a visitor comes here, he is disappointed on seeing the area in such a neglected state. "I had never imagined that such an important place is also left in ruins," said Jung Shah of Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, who came here for the second time after a gap of four years. He expressed sadness over the utter negligence of the site by the authorities concerned.

Twenty-five years have passed since Japanese architect Professor Kenzo Tange prepared a master plan for the overall development of Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, and its surrounding areas, which are equally significant from Buddhist and archaeological point of view. The Tilaurakot palace premises stretches about 1,700 feet from north to south and about 1,300 feet from east to west. There are three remnants – western gate, site of the main palace and eastern gate from where Lord Buddha fled the palace on a horse (known as Mahabhinishkraman) – within the palace square. Relics of the palace are seen strewn all over the ground and the site is now being used as a grazing field.

When asked about the role of local bodies for its preservation, Ramesh Sharma, erstwhile chairman of Kapilvastu District Development Committee, said that local people have to be mobilised to protect the ancient history, relics and culture.

Around 60 killed during conflict in Dolakha

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DOLAKHA, Feb 12 : Around five dozen people were killed and government property equivalent to Rs 630 million was damaged as a result of the Maoist insurgency in the district, according to a report released by human rights organisations.

Report said that the rebels basically targeted public properties like government facilities, office buildings of Village Development Committees, banks, powerhouses and transmission lines, communication towers, public schools, roads and bridges and vehicles. The private property destroyed by the rebels during the conflict is not included in the report prepared jointly by various human rights organisations. The organisations claimed that property worth around one billion rupees had been damaged during the conflict that stretches for seven years.

The report said that a total of 63 people lost their lives – 41 killed by security personnel and 22 killed by the rebel Maoists - during the conflict. 42 children lost either their father or mother while rebels abducted 19 civilians.

Khukuri: Weapon of choice for most soldiers

By Shyam Bhatta

DEHARADUN, Feb 12 : Khukuri, the weapon, which sends shivers down the spine of any challenger, is no longer popular among Gurkha soldiers alone. In fact more and more soldiers in the Indian armed forces are wielding this weapon.

The growing popularity is being attributed to the weapon’s usefulness in dealing with internal disturbances, terrorism and in close combat. This comes from Indian army sources, who have conceded that "it comes handy indeed."

The popularity of khukuri is not restricted to the Indian sub-continent. It has impressed concerned people in the United Kingdom as well. A telling example of the fact that khukuri comes handy in ground war, was amply demonstrated during the Falkland War which the UK fought against Argentina.

Claims emanating from defence analysts suggest that if there was anything which did the trick for the British forces, it was the khukuri wielded by the British Gurkhas. Apart from the Gurkha soldiers in the Indian army, khukuri is increasingly becoming popular among Indian soldiers hailing from Kumaun and Assam Rifles. An increasing number of these soldiers carry the khukuri, along with their modern weapons. It can be seen tucked away in the belt.

Raj Bahadur Gurung, who was decorated with Bir Chakra proudly said, "I beheaded nearly 21 Pakistani soldiers with it during the Indo-Pak war of 1971. I had launched an attack on a large group on my own."

Pradip Thapa, who saw action during Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka, Operation Parakram in Kashmir and Operation Vijay in Kargil said, "Enemies dreaded khukuri more than they dreaded a rifle. Even captured Kashmiri militants used to open their mouths, only after they were threatened with a khukuri".

Not only this. The state government came under intense pressure to include khukuri dance as part of the India’s Republic Day celebrations on January 26. It was the children of the Gurkha soldiers attending local schools, who volunteered for the purpose. Expectedly enough, the dance was highly appreciated by one and all for its show of valour.

However, the show would not have been possible had not Narayan Dutt Tiwari, Chief Minister of Uttaranchal intervened. Although the administrative machinery had rejected the idea of allowing the dance, it was Tiwari who gave the go ahead saying "it is a part of the local tradition and should be allowed." Local newspaper Amar Ujala had highlighted the news.

"Prior to this, khukuri dance was restricted to cultural functions, organised by Gurkha Rifles. However, it is also true that miniature khukuris used to be handed out as mementos and tokens of appreciation during functions in the city," C B Thapa, Chairman of Gorkhali Sudhar Sabha said.

Meanwhile, the weapon is being taken as a sensitive item, since it is associated with the Gurkhas. Any act of insult perpetrated against it, is viewed as an insult on the members of the Gurkha community.

Deharadun is considered as a khukuri town. There are more than half-a-dozen khukuri making units spread around Akele, Dakara and Gadi Cant. Pati Prasad, who is involved in turning out khukuris since the last 47 years says, "There was a time when only members of the Gurkha regiment came around for them. But times have changed and now even soldiers from other regiments go for it." The outcome is a massive rise in sales.

The word is soldiers stationed in Kashmir and eastern states of India prefer the weapon when it comes to taking part in commando operations. They have appreciated the weapon for its efficacy in close encounters. However, it has been found most suitable in conditions where the temperature is freezing and the barrel of the gun refuses to work. In fact, khukuri was found extremely useful in Siachen sector.

Red Cross Society to rehabilitate flood victims

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JAGATPUR, Feb 12 : Armed with the motive of rehabilitating the flood-ravaged residents of Jagatpur, Nepal Red Cross Society has started construction of three-roomed buildings from this week.

The flood victims, who all this while have been living under the open sky or taking refuge under other people’s roofs, still will need to wait for another two and half months, it is learnt. The flooding of the Rapti river last July, had displaced 225 households in Jagatpur.

After the floods rendered many homeless, Red Cross came up with the scheme of house construction to rehabilitate 40 families, who had lost everything in the calamity, including their houses and lands. It is learnt that the flooding of the Rapti river, which had spread its tentacles in many directions, had brought destruction to 10,000 bighas of arable land, robbing of its rich fertile soil. Nine feet tall sand had accumulated over the 2,000 bighas of land existing there.

Similarly, 27 families who had lost their homes to the flood, are being rehabilitated with the help of an organisation named Anugraha, 57 families by Caritas, through the help of Rusek, and the remaining flood victim families will be rehabilitated by King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation.

According to Keshav Neupane, secretary of Rapti River Control and Embankment Consumers Committee, for the 40 families displaced from the Ghailaghari region of Jagatpur, construction work of 40 houses each with three rooms, has begun on one bigha and four dhur of land, which lies about two km north of Ghailaghari.

Moreover, Red Cross has been providing 20 kg of rice grains, four kg of dal and other essential items to each of the 67 affected families since October.

According to Rishi Shilwal, co-ordinator of Red Cross Society Rehabilitation Programme, they are rehabilitating 225 flood-afflicted families from seven districts. It is expected to cost around Rs 98,000 for construction of each house, he said. He added that besides the 40 families in Chitwan, Red Cross will be rehabilitating 40 more in Makwanpur, 16 in Siraha, 35 in Dhanusha, 47 in Mahottari, and 12 families in Taplejung,. Due to the absence of representatives at the local bodies in this region, delay in purchasing and carrying out the necessary procedures, there has however been a little delay in rehabilitating these flood victims.

A 50-year-old resident of Ghailaghari, Masina Magar, who lost her house and six katthas of land to this flood is optimistic that Red Cross will rehabilitate her and her coming days will be better to some extent. She further adds that if she is provided with this shelter, she can provide for her food requirements by taking up some labour work.

However, it seems that the casualties brought about by this flood, which has damaged much infrastructure and destroyed arable land and embankments, cannot be set right merely by the efforts of a few organisations. Despite only about four months remaining for the monsoons to arrive, the construction of the embankment, to stop the flow of water into the village, is going on at a slow pace. Local residents have also expressed their anguish over the government’s silence over the damaged infrastructures, saying that the government is least bothered about their plight.

Though a sum of Rs. 3.7 million has been apportioned for the construction of the embankment over the Rapti river at Ghailaghari region, Rs 6,00,000 from Caritas, Rs 3,00,000 from Jagatpur Consumers Committee, Rs 2,00,000 from Forest Wood sale Community, and Rs 3,00,000 from Buffer Zone Management have only been collected so far, informed Lilaraj Bhusal, chairman of the Embankment Construction Consumer Committee.

14-year-old’s battle on despite four brain surgeries

By Sudha Shrestha

KATHMANDU, Feb 12 : For 14-year-old Babita Thapa, the success of the fourth operation on her brain was like experiencing a re-birth. The young girl was diagnosed as suffering from hydrocephalus, a brain disorder. When the disease strikes her, her brain gets filled with fluid (cerebro spinal fluid) that makes her unconscious paralysing her entire body.

She was always close to the jaws of death each time she went through critical operations. By some stroke of luck or through timely attention, she survived all the operations. These were performed by a four-member team of neurosurgeons, under the guidance of the country’s renowned neurologist and the current Health Minister, Dr Upendra Devkota.

For doctors and staff at VEDFON (Vicki Education and Development Foundation), her survival has come as God’s gift, although her life is still uncertain. According to the doctors she is still vulnerable to brain attack any moment.

She went through her first operation in February 21, last year, her second operation on August 2, the third on September 9 and the latest one on December 12, 2002.

Blind in both eyes, Babita despite her multiple disabilities, is always full of joy whenever visitors drop by at her house. Although abnormal in manner, she would express her happiness by feeling their hands, asking for biscuits and uttering few incomprehensible words.

A caretaker is at her service round the clock at the shelter home, to ensure that she does not fall and hurt her head.

According to the neurosurgeons, Babita’s case is not a rare case. There are many children with similar cases, who are brought to the National Neurosurgical Referral Centre at the Bir Hospital.

Last year alone, 145 hydrocephalus cases were reported, out of which 100 were children.

According to Dr Gopal Sharma, one of the neurosurgeons who performed the surgery on her, the disease has got a high complications rate, although technically the surgery is not hard to perform.

"Being a brain disease, it is very sensitive surgery. If the patient does not get timely service, the chance of survival is very dim," he says.

But even if they survive, the patients tend to develop, on average 50 per cent of complications in the brain, within five years, according to him.

Congenital hydrocephalus is more common in children than in adults. One in every 2,000 persons suffer from hydrocephalus in the world. According to the doctors, other factors such as infection, tumour and head injury also develop the disease.

The doctors are concerned that many children in the remote areas are still deprived of services, which might have led to their death.

"Although the operation is not expensive, many parents from remote areas are still unable to afford the operation for joining the tubes from spine to their brain to take out the fluid," says Dr Pawan Kumar, another neurosurgeon who also performed the surgery on Babita.

"We have many Babitas here, who really need support and care like her. Despite our budgetary constraints at the department, we are providing free service to the deprived ones," he says.

Babita’s fate would have been sealed had she not found the shelter home. Five years ago, a woman left her with a vegetable retailer, possibly her mother to take care of the child for a few minutes. When she did not turn up after some time, the shopkeeper handed over the baby to the police.

The police took the baby to a children’s organisation. Upon its refusal, she was abandoned at the temple. Being mentally retarded and blind, she was subjected to sexual abuses. Finally Caroline Baker, programme officer of UNICEF approached the foundation for her shelter.

Today, a happy Babita goes to pre-primary section at the foundation, where she attends classes to take lessons on exercises for the disabled.

‘US should pay for any misadventure’

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KATHMANDU, Feb 12 : "America will fail in what it is trying to do", said Jon Song Myong Ambassador of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea today. He said that his nation would retaliate against any US attacks, adding the best solution would be to opt for a peace dialogue.

Myong was speaking to journalists on the prevailing tensions between America and North Korea at an interaction programme organised to mark the 61st birthday of Kim Jong Il, Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s Army today.

He said that N Korea has no intention of producing nuclear weapons. He said N Korea had to re-open their nuclear plants because America has not followed the Agreed Framework Treaty 1994, which was signed by the two countries. According to the treaty, N Korea would shut down its nuclear reactors if foreign countries provided it with aid.

The ambassador denied that N Korea is producing nuclear weapons, even though it has withdrawn from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. He further expressed frustration with the US for refusing to negotiate a non-aggression treaty to settle the crisis.

"A solution can be reached but America does not want to," he said. He further claimed that America was trying to destroy N Korea. "There are two solutions to this crisis— peace or war," said Myong. "We are ready for both." Although N Korea is open to talking with America and vice-versa, no meeting has been arranged.

Meanwhile, at the programme organised by National Press Club, Myong said that the current cease-fire between the government and the Maoists is a positive step towards peace. "I pray that peace will be restored in Nepal," he said.

Similarly, Rabindra Khanal, Assistant Minister for Education and Sports said that he hoped Nepal and N Korea would be able to maintain their friendly relations in the future. He also extended his greetings to Kim Jong Il, who is also an honorary member of the National Press Club.

Cassette album released

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KATHMANDU, Feb 12 : A new album Sambeg of Shuva Mukarung was released here today by senior musician Amber Gurung. Releasing the album, Amber Gurung said the lyrics of any songs are as beautiful as ornaments even without adorning it with music. On the occasion, Gurung also expressed his wishes to compose the music for singers of the new generation.

This album is the second creation of Mukarung and he has been composing songs for the past one decade.

Speaking at the function, poet Manjul informed that the album is successful in attracting many hearts expressing love and affection, the ingredients necessary for livelihood.

The album, presented by Jhankar Cassettes, comprises eight modern Nepali songs, sung by various artistes like Rajesh Payal Rai, Deep Shrestha, Udaya Sotang, Roshan Gurung, Ashok Mukarung, and Thule Rai.

Various musicians like Norbu Tshering, Shantiram Rai, Narayan Oli, Divya Khaling, Nhyu Bajracharya, Sachin Singh, Ganesh Parajuli, and Natikaji have composed the music for the album.

Prakash Sayami, film director, Shrawan Mukarung, lyricist, and musicians like Narayan Oli, Paras Mukarung and Bulu Mukarung were also present on the occasion.