Youth shows true love transcends all barriers by marrying AIDS infected

By Pratap Bista

HETAUDA, Feb 19 : True love transcends all barriers. This was demonstrated by a young man here. Even the knowledge that the girl had contracted the deadly AIDS virus, did not deter the youth from tying the matrimonial knot with the lady. In love for the past five years, the couple made a vow to start life afresh and stay together till death do them apart. Nothing has been able to shake their relation so far, save for the material problem of finding some stable income to keep body and soul together.

The couple have no intention of rearing a child of their own. Bonded by a strong commitment to help each other for life, they moved out of their parental homes and have since been living together in a separate house of their own. Twenty-five-year-old Sukre Lama and Chakkalimaya Bal, residents of Basamadi VDC-5 were happily married in 1998 despite staunch opposition from village representatives and the boy’s family, who pointed to them that their relationship could be ruinous not just for them but for society in general.

Armed with the financial assistance they received from various organisations, the couple built a single-storey house of their own, but now their only problem is to earn some money. All this while they have been making the best use of the skills they are good at to earn the bread they desperately need.

Sukre does some carpentry works which he had learnt some time ago, while Chakkalimaya assists him by doing some tailoring, in which she is qualified. It has been very difficult for this couple to manage with this meagre amount they earn, since Chakkali needs medicine everyday, and it has become quite tough for them even to acquire the basic commodities of everyday use.

In an unwavering tone both say, " The money that we got from various organisations was just enough to somehow build this small house. We don’t have even a small plot of land from which we could generate something. Our skill has not been a boon too. She says that she does not have many customers as earlier, while her spouse is of the same view that it is difficult to sustain oneself regularly through carpentry, since it is like depending on the rain water for farming.

After six years of unfettered work in a brothel in Mumbai, Chakkali had no option but to return back to her home in Nepal in 1997, after she tested HIV positive. The ever smiling Chakkalimaya who is of short stature and Sukre, also from the same village, fell in love, and after around six months entered into matrimony.

However, Sukre was well aware of the fact that she was infected with the AIDS virus even before he fell in love with her, as she had divulged everything to him. Not only he knew that she had contracted this fatal virus which has no medicinal cure till date, but also it had become an open book to the locals in their village as well. This life-threatening disease however, could not lessen the attraction that had so pulled him six years back, and that platonic love displayed in the beginning of their relationship is still alive even after all these years.

This exemplary feat of the twosome, who have proved that nothing can come in the way of true love is being narrated all over the village and the couple is being invited to grace seminars organised in different parts of the country, taking them as an inspirational example for society by various social organisations.

Not only this, it is learnt that documentaries of their heroic saga are being taped and sent to foreign countries as well. The couple contends, "The men and women who have AIDS should learn from us," adding, "Neither virus nor anything in this world can strain the bond of human love."

Lama says he remembers that Chakkalimaya has this dreadful virus only at the time of sexual contact with her. They do not want any baby from this relation since they do not intend on taking the risk of producing an infected child, and feel that it is meaningless for them to go on testing their blood. In a melancholic voice they express that if they could get busy with some income generating occupation, they would have been completely relieved from the traumatic thoughts of AIDS that would emanate from time to time while staying idle.

Sukre says that when they have nothing to keep them engrossed, the thought of this disease would sometimes strike their mind. Inspired by this couple, some of the youths even went ahead and married other similarly infected young women, but their bond could not last even a year. These young women, who had dreamt of starting new lives like Chakkalimaya are now at their parent’s home, devastated by the separation. Their dreams could not be converted into reality like that of Chakkalimaya and Sukre.

IFR introduced at Simara airport

Post Report

SIMARA, Feb 19 : Simara airport has become the fifth airport in the country to operate flights based on the Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). This system was introduced today on the 53rd National Democracy Day. Earlier, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) had implemented the IFR in Tribhuvan International Airport, Biratnagar, Bhairahawa and Nepalgunj airports.

Issuing a press statement here today, Dewananda Upadhyaya, CAAN manager in Simara airport, however, said that the IFR-based flights would be operated here only during the day for the time being until the lights and other required instruments are added.

Director General of CAAN, Upendra Prasad Dhital, was present at the airport while Deputy-Director General Rajesh Raj Dali was aboard the first flight of the Royal Nepal Airline operated on IFR basis. Upadhyaya said IFR-operated flights are more reliable and regular even during bad weather conditions than the ones operated on Visual Flight Rules.

Cheap technology used in cataract surgery

DHARAN, Feb 19(RSS)- The eye department of the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan has so far carried out more than 50 surgery for cataract using the cheap and efficient technology, the small incisor contract surgery or SIS.

Under the technology, lens is transplanted into the eye and a patient undergoing the surgery can return home immediately after the surgery, it is stated.

The cost for the surgery is just Rs. 500 and is quick and efficient and does not have any post-surgery complaints, says chief of the department Dr Binita Singh.

Poetry competition organised

RSS

BHADRAPUR, Feb 19 : CDO Tikaram Aryal presented prizes to the winners of the poetry competition on "Democracy and my country" organised by Devkota Smriti Sadan to mark the National Democracy Day here yesterday.

In the competition, Lekhnath Koirala, Anjana Neupane and Raju Baral came out first, second and third respectively while Ram Prasad Pokhrel bagged the consolation prize.

Also taking part in the programme but not in the competition were poets Tikaram Aryal, Chudamani Regmi, Amrit Lal Shrestha, Hira Prakash, Dilli Prasad Bhattarai, Narendra Gautan and Kushhari Banjara.

Speaking on the occasion CDO Aryal said in democracy one should get the opportunity of putting forth one’s feelings and views before the society independently.

Hot spring bath at Singa Tatopani a hot favourite

By Ghanashyam Khadka

MYAGDI, Feb 19 : Singa Tatopani, a noted hot spring in Myagdi district now wears a festive look these days. Located in the west of Myagdi river, people in hundreds visit the site each day to take a warm dip in the spring. People believe that a dip in the hot spring rids them of many diseases.

The spring draws people from various parts of the country as well as from foreign countries. The best season for a spring dip is between December and late May.

Mostly people suffering from gastric, bone and joint problems, cardiac problems and skin diseases visit the site, which has also developed into a recreational area.

"Troubled by gastric, I have been visiting it for the past three years. My trips here have brought a great relief," said Jaya Prasad Subedi, 48, from Lekhfant of Parbat district.

As is the practice here, people offer prayers and puja to the statue of Jalabhagabati or the Goddess of water near the spring before taking their dips.

"The number of people visiting the spring has boomed following the cease-fire," said Chayandra Shrestha, a guard of the spring.

Around 150 people can take a dip in the spring at a time. People usually wrap themselves with a blanket after taking a dip until they sweat profusely. People believe that the sweating cures them of their diseases, according to Shrestha.

The Spring Management Committee (SMC) has arranged different timings for males and females for taking dips. Each person is charged Rs 25 and the money goes to SMC for the better management of the spring, according to Man Prasad Rokka, a SMC member.

The water in the spring ranges between 45 degree Celsius to 65 degree Celsius. Besides, Singa Tatopani, the district also has other hot springs including Narachyang, Ratopani, Mahavir and Dagnam.

Govt reneges on promises made to families of killed security personnel

By Pradip Miyango

DHARAN, Feb 19 : Family members of security personnel killed in the insurgency are distraught by the government’s apathy. Even since the insurgency claimed their bread winners, these family members are living in a miserable condition. The government is shying away from its responsibility of fulfilling the promises made to the bereaved families, alleged the victimised family sources.

Ever since the Maoist rebels killed her husband 15 months ago, Manju Bhandari, a resident of Baraha Kshetra area in Sunsari district is left to foster her four children single-handedly. Though the government had promised various relief packages in aid of her family right after the incident, they have yet to receive any of them, laments poor Bhandari. Her husband, Deepak Bhandari was killed in an encounter with the rebels.

Though the government promised a provision of higher education to her children, she has received no helps till date and now she is struggling to manage her children’s schooling.

"I have no land for cultivation nor any other source of income. The government which gave its words earlier is now indifferent to our plight," said a sad Manju.

The family does not own a house and lives in a rented apartment at zero point of Dharan-13. Her children are studying at Dipendra Police Residential Secondary School (DPRSS) and to add to her sorrow, the school too has not waved the fees for her children.

Kamala Adhikari, widow of another police head constable in Okhaldhunga too is facing a similar fate. Nayan Bahadur Khatri was killed in an encounter 19 months ago, barely four months before his retirement.

After the death of her husband, Adhikari is solely responsible to look after three children. Though the government promised her various types of help, they has not materialised and her burden have not yet eased and she feels neglected.

Her children are also studying at DPRSS in Dharan. A total of nine children of six police personnel killed in the insurgency are now studying in this school.

"Despite a cabinet decision to provide free education to two children of a police personnel killed in the insurgency in 2002, the school has been levying fees from the students," said a school source.

Birat Campus condoles student’s death in mishap

RSS

BIRATNAGAR, Feb 19 : The Birat Campus (School of Sciences and Technology) has in a statement here yesterday expressed profound sorrow over the demise of Archana Shah, a student of standard 11 in the campus who died after being hit by an Indian registered truck at Bargachhi chowk on February 14.

Praying for eternal peace to the departed soul, the campus has also extended heartfelt sympathies to the members of the bereaved family.

Stating that the incident took place due to reckless driving, the campus has also demanded stern action against the guilty and compensation to the family of the victim.

Meanwhile, students of the campus have submitted a memorandum at the District Administration Office, Morang urging the authorities concerned to take necessary measures to avoid such accident in the future.

Farmers’ training organised

RSS

PANAUTI, Feb 19 : A three-day training on ‘Farmer to farmer technology hand-over programme’ and ‘Integrated management in vegetable cultivation’ organised by District Agriculture Office, Kavre concluded here yesterday.

Some 100 farmers of 4 Community Vegetable Farmers’ Schools in the district had participated in the training.

Inter-school painting competition held

ITAHARI, Feb 19 (PR) - The Koshi zone level inter-school painting competition organised on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of SOS Balgram Itahari concluded here yesterday. In the competition, Anjali Shree of Dipo Secondary School, Dharan, Nagendra Limbu of Siddhartha Sishu Sadan, Dharan and Bikrant Rai of Bijayapur Higher Secondary School bagged special prizes. In the lower secondary school level, Padam Memorial, Dharan, Marigold, Dharam, Araniko Secondary School, Dharan, SOS Itahari, Holy Garden, Dharan were declared the best. In the secondary school level, Pashupati Secondary School, Urlabari, Inaruwa Model Secondary School and Modern Preparatory Secondary School were declared the best. Altogether 77 artist students from 27 different schools in Koshi zone had taken part in the competition. Story-writer Dev Kumari Thapa gave away prizes and certificates to the winners.

Four die in accident

RAJBIRAJ, Feb 19(RSS)- Four persons have died in a collision of passenger bus with a tractor. A passenger bus ( Me 1 Kha 1424) and a tractor (Sa 1 Ta 837) plying in the same direction had collided each other at Kharchuhiya Chowk of Saptari district on Mahendra Highway yesterday morning. Among the deceased are Pabitra Shah, 27, Birendra Prasad Shah, 27, Lakshman Mandal, 11 and Gyan Dev Shah of Saptari district, Kalkahi VDC. According to District Police Office, tractor driver Ram Chandra Yadav has been arrested whereas the bus driver is at large.

Man hurt in quarrel

DHARAN, Feb 19(RSS)- Biplab Rai of local Buddha Chowk has been seriously wounded in a quarrel. Rai has been badly injured on the head and his right hand has been cut. According to the police, the attackers are at large.The wounded Rai is undergoing treatment in local BP Koirala Institute of Medical Science.

38 children, women affected by measles

BIRATNAGAR, Feb 19(RSS)- Some 38 children and about a dozen women have been affected by the measles epidemic spread in Bhogateni VDC, some 65 km north from Biratnagar, for about a week. A health team with necessary medicines has been sent to the site from Biratnagar immediately after receiving the information.

Family planning on rise in Baglung

By Binod Tripathee

BAGLUNG, Feb 19 : Women in the western part of Baglung district, are getting drawn to family planning of late. Challenging the conservative belief, women in this district are found adopting the permanent measure of family planning after the birth of two children, irrespective of gender.

This is in sharp contrast to the traditional belief that the parents without a son go to hell after death. It is due to this belief that many people, still in remote parts of the country give birth to many children until they have a son.

Even illiterate women in this district are after family planning. Media awareness on family planning coupled with the belief, ‘a small family a happy family’ is behind the family planning drive, according to sources.

Devi Sharma, 29 of Binamare VDC travelled to the district headquarters for permanent measure of family planning. "I am highly inspired by the slogan ‘Two children, the gift of the God’ often aired by radio. So, I came for family planning," said Sharma, the mother of two daughters.

Even Mina Gaire, 30 of Malma, a remote VDC also underwent permanent measure of family planning. "It will be my great fortune if I can foster my children well. I do not long for more," said Gaire. "It’s high time that every woman ponder over her family’s economic status before giving birth to a new one."

Women in the district are positive about family planning, according to Mahendradhwaj Adhikari, an official at District Health Office (DHO). Women are slowly overcoming the superstitious concept that an operation for family planning results in many physical abnormalities.

"The 2002 statistics shows the number of women turning for permanent measure of family planning to be higher than that of men," said Mukunda Sharma, an official at the district hospital. "Number of people approaching for family planning increased by 31 per cent, last year."

"Any measure of family planning is free of side effects," said Dr Tarun Poudel, the doctor at the hospital.