Ayurved education highlighted

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KATHMANDU, Feb 22 : Participants of a seminar organised by the Nepal Ayurved Doctors’ Association expressed concerns over the government’s lack of interest in the development of ayurved in Nepal at a seminar on ‘Need of the Day: Ayurved Education and Herbs’.

They said Nepal has a reserve of rare herbs, but no emphasis has been given for its timely development and called for generation of skilled manpower.

Ex-minister Modnath Prashrit said despite ayurved being our main therapy, it has been made an alternative therapy by the government.

Inaugurating the seminar, dean of the T.U. Institute of Medicine Prof. Dr. Ramesh Kant Adhikari said the concept of Institute of Ayurved will help in its development.

President of the Nepal Ayurved Therapy Council Prof. Dr. Lokendra Nath Singh said the government should make its policies clear.

Ayurved doctors Ram Briksha Saha, Chandra Raj Sapkota, Narendra Nath Tiwari, and Rhishiram Koirala presented working papers.

The seminar was organised in connection with the Third National Conference to be held here from February 24.

Road intersection project completes

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KATHMANDU, Feb 22 : Minister for Physical Planning and Works Narayan Singh Pun and Japanese Ambassador, Zenji Kaminaga jointly inaugurated improvement works at the Keshar Mahal intersections today amidst a function organised to mark the completion of Nepal-Japan cooperation project for the improvement of intersections in Kathmandu city .

Improvement works at Keshar Mahal intersection is the last tenth road intersection in the city carried out under the project with the financial and technical support of Japan International Cooperation Agency ( JICA).

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony which also marked the completion and handover of the project to His Majesty’s Government, Japanese Ambassador Kaminaga said the implementation of the project would minimise the problems of traffic conditions in the city and would help in getting rid of traffic congestion, accidents, health hazards and air pollution to some extent.

"However, there is still much to be done", said the ambassador while referring to questions relating to change in driving habits of the drivers and pedestrians after the introduction of new traffic light system, implementation of traffic rules and regulations by traffic policemen and strict implementation of penalty mechanism for traffic violators.

While calling on HMG to provide necessary inputs for effective utilisation of project after its handover, he strongly emphasised the need to change people’s attitude through software support like public awareness programmes, efficient operation and maintenance of physical facilities "to make the project truly successful".

In his keynote speech, Minister Pun appreciated the consistent Japanese support in improving traffic situation in the country and described the improvement works as "yet another milestone" between the Governments of Nepal and Japan.

He said the policy of HMG for the transport sector is to minimize total transportation costs. Making the flow of traffic smoother, safe walking for pedestrians, efficient drainage and improvement of road intersections will certainly assist the governmental policy in a big way,’ he further added.

The Minister, meanwhile, also assured the Japanese side of maintaining the system by the all parties concerned with the help of new technologies introduced during the implementation of the project.

He also hoped for the continued Japanese support to improve other road sections and transport-related infrastructure to make travel smoother, faster and accident free.

On the occasion, the roles of other stakeholders, Kathmandu Metropolitan City Council and the Traffic Police were also appreciated for effectively carrying out beautification at road lanes and road safety awareness programme by the latter.

The improvement works at ten major accident-prone intersections in the capital city was carried out in December, 2001 after the JICA report on these intersections, in order to reduce accidents and increase traffic capacity. The Project for Improvement of Intersections have already completed its works at intersections at Maitighar, Kalimati, Koteshwor Tinkune, Padmodaya, Kesharmahal, Koteshwor Ring Road, Naya Baneshwor, Singha Durbar, Ram Shah Path, Kalanki Chowk

The project cost is Rs 620 million, and is financed by JICA. The project consists of traffic signals and street lights, pavement improvement at intersection area, reconstruction of walkway, drainage, flag post, hand rail and so on for the improvement of traffic signs, motorcycle stop lane, road marking and programme to create soft component programmes regarding traffic safety campaigns, training and so forth.

According to a source at the Department of Roads, Kathmandu Maintenance Division, they are expected to take over the follow-up task including maintenance of the system.

Cine directors’ society formed

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KATHMANDU, Feb 22 : For the first time in Nepal’s cinematic history, a society has been formed for film directors. The society will represent around 50 directors in the country.

At the first general meeting of the Nepal Cinema Directors’ Society (NCDS) today, these movie-makers gathered to mark an era in history.

"The society will help directors to become united," said renowned film director Tulsi Ghimire. "The seniors will be able to help the juniors, boosting the quality of the films made."

Ghimire also added that it was a hard job for directors as they shouldered all the responsibilities in the making of films.

Similarly, senior director Prakash Thapa said that it was necessary for Nepali directors to identify their weaknesses. "This newly formed society will help us to acknowledge each others’ weaknesses and work for betterment."

He also said that the forum will also be a place for healthy competition. NCDS plans to bring all directors under its umbrella with monthly meetings, regular seminars and interaction programmes.

Other speakers on the occasion were directors Laxminath Sharma, Naresh Poudel and Gopal Ji Nepali who expressed their happiness over the formation of NCDS.

Role of anaesthesia in clinical services stressed

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KATHMANDU, Feb 22 : A two-day ninth National Congress of the Society of Anaesthesiologists of Nepal (SAN) and fifth SACA Satellite Meeting, with the theme ‘Anaesthesia in Nepal – Past, Present and Future,’ began at a function here today.

Inaugurating the ceremony, Dr Upendra Devkota, Minister for Health said that anaesthesia plays a central role in clinical services. "Apart from operating rooms, the role of anaesthesia is rapidly expanding in other areas of medical science like emergency room services and critical care units," he said.

Focusing on the expanded health services in other parts of the country, Minister Devkota said, "In the past few decades, anaesthetic services have made significant strides in other parts of the country. And this congress will provide ways to deal with the challenges that come in the future."

Addressing the function, chairperson of SAN Dr Jyotsana Maskey said that the surgery these days has become modern, painless and compassionate because of developments in anaesthesia.

Highlighting on the congress, Maskey said, "We are optimistic that the lessons learnt in the past and practised in the present will go a long way in the future to alleviate the pain and suffering of the ailing humanity through such exercises with the anaesthetic fraternity."

In modern medical science, surgery and anaesthesia are intricately related with each other and one cannot be separated from the other. And with the help of development in anaesthesiology, the field of surgery has been scaling new heights.

On the occasion, Minister Devkota honoured Dr Pushpa Das Shrestha and Hema Singh for their long time contribution in the field of anaesthesiology.

There are about 80 anaesthesiology specialists in Nepal, of whom only 20 are working outside the Kathmandu valley.

Focus on development of sports in schools

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KATHMANDU, Feb 22 : On the occasion of the 28th Education Day, Minister for Education and Sports Devi Prasad Ojha inaugurated the school-level national boys’ and girls’ volleyball and athletics competition organised by the Ministry of Education and Sports at Dasharath Stadium today.

On the occasion, Minister Ojha said that the Birendra Shield sports competition held at the district level have played an important role in the development of sports at schools.

He said the Ministry of Education and Sports has been organising such sports events since the last year with the objective of promoting sports from the school level onwards and developing the sports infrastructure.

Assistant Minister for Education and Sports Rabindra Khanal, member-secretary of the National Sports Council Kishor Bahadur Singh and joint-secretary at the Youth and Sports Development Division and convenor of the Sports Sub-committee Janardan Sharma Poudel shed light on the sports programme.

Radheshyam Kawa and Suresh Mudbhari from the Central Development Region and Suresh Kewat from Western Development Region came out first, second and third respectively in the 1500 metres boys’ race.

Similarly, Netra Jung Sen and Ram Prasad Tharu of the Mid-Western Development Region and Raj Kumar Timilsina from the Central Development Region came out first, second and third respectively in the boys’ 400 metres race.

Likewise, Jagdish Chaudhari from the West Development Region, Yukesh Parajuli from the Central Development Region and Ananta Raj Manandhar from the Mid-Western Development Region came out first, second and third respectively in the boys’ 100 metre dash.

Sharma Chaudhari and Tikaram Rai from the Central Development Region and Santa Kumar Chaudhari from the Western Development Region stood first, second and third respectively in the boys’ high jump event while Subhash Jung Shahi from the Mid-Western Development Region and Thakur Kumar and Gorakh KC from the Western Development Region came out first, second and third respectively in the triple jump event.

Similarly, Chhaya Khatri from Mid-Western Development Region and Maya Chaudhari and Pabitra Lamichhane from the Western Development Region came out first, second and third respectively in the girls’ 1500 metre race.

Savitri Nepali from the Central Development Region, Tika Chaudhari from the Mid-Western Development Region and Mamata KC from the Central Development Region stood first, second and third respectively in the girls’ 400 metres race.

Likewise, Saraswati Chand and Maya Poudel from the Mid-Western Development Region, and Roma Panjiyar from the Western Development Region came out first, second and third respectively in the girls’ 100-metre dash.

Hema Shrestha from the Central Development Region, Tika Chaudhari from the Mid-Western Development Region and Ram Kumari Chaudhari from the Eastern Development Region came out first, second and third respectively in the girls’ high jump.

Maoist victims in Kalikot wary of truce

By Tularam Pandey

MANMA, (Kalikot), Feb 22 : Though the security situation has fairly improved in Manma, headquarters of remote far-western Kalikot district, the families displaced by the insurgency from around the district are still wary of returning to their homes. Around 200 displaced families taking refuge in Manma are facing worst times since they do not dare to return and the government too has cut aid after truce declaration, according to sources.

Though the victims of insurgency who fled to various cities of the country and that of India have not made it to the district, there has been gradual increase in the number of villagers visiting Manma, according to Madhav Prasad Pokhrel, Chief District Officer (CDO).

"While just four to five villagers a day came here during insurgency, the number of villagers visiting Manma has multiplied to around 100," said Pokhrel.

Visiting Manma had been a Herculian task for villagers due to restrictions on movement imposed by the Maoist rebels and harassment from the security personnel earlier, according to Pokhrel.

Now, the dusk to dawn curfew imposed in Manma has fallen loose and even the CDO and other government officers are enjoying the delights of extended distance in morning walks. While their morning walk was limited only within Manma, now they freely stroll on Manma outskirts, according to a government official.

However, the district populace complain that they still face problems visiting Manma, due to lack of transportation. The Maoists destroyed bridges across the Tila and Karnali river depriving many from transportation, sources said.

"Following the Maoist destruction of Rangil suspension bridge across the Karnali river, the three-hour trip to Manma now takes two days," said Jaya Krishna Budha of Raku VDC-7. "Though the Maoists have not obstructed movements, children and old people cannot visit Manma now."

The Maoist victims taking refuge in Manma express doubt on the cease-fire declared by both the sides and demand that the parties holding dialogues announce a code of conduct soon, to be applied on both the sides which would pave way for their safe return to their homes.

"Since the dialogue has not been transparent, we cannot risk our lives returning home," said Durga Bahadur Shahi, Chairman of Maoist Victims Organisation.

Ratna Malla of Paurawa VDC was killed during a similar truce last time. The rebels called Ratna Malla, the then Chhapre VDC Chairman back to his home and killed him brutally last time. So, we are not convinced of the truce even this time, said a local.

However, Padam Bahadur Malla, teacher of a primary school of Serawada is thinking of sending his children back home. "It is quite difficult to feed my family members here. I shall send my children back home. Perhaps they (Maoists) won’t target children this time," said Malla.

The Maoist victims in Manma are in a pathetic situation after the government stopped relief aids. "The local administration is unable to help the victimised families here as we have received no aid from the centre following the truce," said CDO Pokhrel.

Locals suffer as VDC offices wear empty look

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KHOTANG, Feb 22 : Majority of the offices of Village Development Committee (VDC) have not resumed their work even after 25 days after the declaration of cease-fire between the government and the Maoists. It is learnt that due to the secretaries not returning back to their respective villages to take up the charge, these VDCs offices have failed to provide their service to the locals here.

These VDC offices have direct link with the people in the villages and their not resuming work has hampered important tasks like recommendation for citizenship, registration of birth and death, shifting location, various cases to be settled, formulation of plans etc.

The Local Development Officer (LDO), Bishwanath Uprety says since the Maoists had destroyed a majority of the VDC buildings including most of the important documents by setting fire, these secretaries found it difficult to function from dilapidated buildings.

Before the cease-fire, the Maoists had forced about 56 VDCs to close down, and of these 17 non-functional VDCs had been destroyed by setting them ablaze. And they had also set fire to the documents inside the 40 VDC buildings. It is learnt that of the 76 VDCs only 20 remain open occasionally.

The work co-ordinator of Khotang VDC, Durga Bahadur Rai informed that only the VDCs around the region, 24 miles away from the district headquarters, have been providing their service to the locals there. The chairs, tables and other furniture lacking in these VDC buildings have also greatly added to the inconveniences faced by these offices, it is learnt.

How can the secretaries carry out their work, Uprety questions? When the secretaries used to return to their VDCs after obtaining the salary, the Maoists would force them to make donation. Since these government employees are threatened by the political parties and barricaded from executing their work, they had no option but to remain in the district headquarters, he says. After the local bodies were shorn of representatives of the people, development works suffered, it is learnt.

Most of the VDCs lying farther away in proximity from the district headquarters had come under Maoist activity in one way or the other. Because of the intensifying activities of the Maoists in these villages, the secretaries used to be called to the District Development Office at the district headquarters to collect their allowances.

Some of the VDC secretaries have also been involved in setting fire to the documents appearing it to be the work of Maoists to cover up their wrong and illegal works, while some secretaries and the chairmen had been indulged in misappropriation of the development budget, reveals Uprety. The VDC officers have been found spending more on postal and drinking water to not much avail. Thought the government has been providing grant assistance of Rs 500,000, it has not been properly utilised for the benefit of the people, clarifies Uprety.

The DDC has not been able to send the obtained development budget to the villages. Even the old-aged people in these VDCs have not been receiving their old-age allowances without much difficulties, it is learnt.

Since the Maoists had made donation compulsory to the employees, those employees without any proper source of income were forced to move out from these villages. Demand has been made as to the government facilitating out conducive environment for the VDC secretaries to return back to their respective villages. The Local Development Officer, Uprety says that since everybody is aware of the problems faced by these secretaries, they cannot forcefully be sent back to the villages to resume work.

Future of 58 primary schools in dark

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MANTHALI, Feb 22 : Fifty-eight primary schools in Rammechhap are on verge of closure after the government stopped providing them with grants.

There are around 10,000 students in these schools which received permission to function with private resources, but the future now seems bleak due to the government’s refusal to extend financial aid.

Previously the government had been providing the salary of the teachers involved with these schools in the form of allowance. But now the allowance amount has failed to reach them, it is learnt.

According to the officer at District Education Office branch, Hemanta Budhathoki, due to this, a situation has arisen whereby the expenditure of these schools now has to be met by the Management Committee, and through aid from the guardians. Since there is a provision where the school cannot charge any fee from the students, while on the other hand, there is no fund to provide the allowance money to the teachers involved, the officers of the Management Committee are in a dilemma as how to conduct the education at these schools.

Some of the schools have also made an attempt to give continuity to these schools, however, by asking for donation from the guardians. But they are still in a quandary as to how long they can go on with this small sum of donation money.

In Ramecchap, there are 410 primary schools functioning till date including 352 run by the government. There are 44,000 students studying at the primary level.

Danger of inundation real as monsoons close in

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MOHATTARI, Feb 22 : Though the monsoons are gradually nearing, nothing has been done so far to control the rivers which are expected to inundate vast areas in this district. The flooding from the various rivers has proved to be an insurmountable problem of this district.

If no preventive measures are taken now, flooding can impose a formidable challenge in the coming years, say the technicians. It is learnt that around 4,00,000 people from 50 VDCs in Mohattari come under its influence every year. If no long-term solution is sought this problem can prove to be more insurmountable in the coming years.

The flooding from the Ratu, Madaha, Jungaha, and Bighi rivers had caused damages amounting to around Rs 50 million last monsoon, and those displaced from these devastating floods are still taking refuge under the tents.

Ways to control the Ratu river, that every year floods the northern region of Kishannagar including the district headquarters Jaleshwor, and 20 villages nearby, has been limited to mere talks till date. A flood victim from Sundarpur, Deban Shah laments,"The government which carries out aerial observation and the leaders from various opposition parties do not show up until after the next calamity occurs".

A technician at District Irrigation Office, points out that due to the flood victims not showing much interest after the onset of Dasain festival to pressurise the concerned bodies to do something about the situation, the problem still persists.

And this problem is aggravated further by the rampant destruction of forest cover at Chura region as well as encroachment of the river area.

The joining of Ankushi and Jungaha rivers with the Ratu river has been adding to the extent of destruction, and there is the greater possibility of the Bighi river joining the other two in the coming years, hinting at even graver disasters to come.

Since the above two rivers have already cut into one square kilometre of land mass near the Badiabanchaur village, the possibility cannot be denied as to the district headquarters Jaleshwor along with 20 villages in the vicinity coming under their perilous effect, said the engineer at the district Irrigation office, Binod Paudel. Paudel also expressed fears over the damage being inflicted on the Bighi irrigation master plan, caused due to the cutting of these rivers westward.

Likewise, Chief District Officer, Bimal Prasad laments that they have been sending letters to the concerned bodies as well as to various donor agencies apprising them of the immediate help needed, but all they get is assurance without any action.

The District Development Committee (DDC) which represents 96 VDCs including a Municipality has failed to include the flooding problem into its 16 listed agenda of works, which gives rise to some suspicion.

The river control work which all this while was under the responsibility of District Irrigation office has been shifted after a government decision to Department of Water-induced Disaster control from this current fiscal year.

Since this office is responsible for controlling the water-induced disasters due to rivers is situated at Janakpur, the possibility of lesser involvement in its execution cannot be denied. Even the chairman of the Rural Community Development Service Council, Ramadhar Kapar is not very optimistic of the help this office would be able to provide. This council had greatly contributed last year in the control of the flooding from the Bighi river. It is learnt that flooding from this river would disrupt the transportation at the Jaleshwor-Janakpur Highway.

Talk programme focuses on political unity

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TULSIPUR, Feb 22 ; President of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (Rastrabadi) Rajeshwor Devkota has called on the political parties to make the peace durable in the country. Devkota speaking at a talk programme organized by the Dang branch of his party on ‘responsibility of nationalists in making the talks successful’ .On the occasion, Devkota said the people should be alert on those trying to make the talks unsuccessful.

At the function presided over by senior member of the party’s Dang branch Meghraj Regmi, various other speakers including Janak Prasad Dhungana of RPP organisation department, ex-member of Dang Dev Bahadur K.C., intellectual Toyanath Dhital, FNJ central councillor Karna Dhital, journalist Anil Yogi, Goma Giri and Rabin Neupane also expressed their views.

Devkota in a press meet organised by the party said the talks will be held even if Nepali Congress and CPN-UML did not participate. He said there will be no role for foreign mediators and that internal talks have been held in connection with the formulation of the code of conduct.

One hurt in freak incident

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SINDHULI, Feb 22 : One person was seriously hurt when a machine gun carried by a security personnel went off accidentally near Sindhulimadi barrack here today. The injured was identified as Shantosh Karki, a resident at Besare of Rani Churi VDC-5.

The incident occurred when security personnel were frisking passengers from a bus, in front of the barrack at Sindhulimadi, headquarters of Sindhuli district.

While the frisking was on, a bullet from the machine gun carried by the frisking security personnel suddenly pierced through Karki’s left thigh. The army rushed the injured to Janakpur hospital after preliminary treatment at Sindhuli hospital.

Compensation recommended for Kahule victim families

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NUWAKOT, Feb 22 : The local administration has recommended the Ministry of Home to compensate the families of five innocent youth killed by security personnel who mistook them as Maoist rebels in Kahule VDC of Nuwakot district three months ago, according to sources.

A meeting of Compensation Committee (CC) headed by Ganesh Prasad Dhakal, Chief District Officer (CDO) had reached a decision to this effect on Friday. The compensation amount recommended has not been divulged. However, a member attending the CC meeting hinted that each family has been recommended to be compensated with Rs100,000.

CC does not enjoy the authority to fix compensation amounts in such cases. CC can do so once it is directed by the Ministry of Home, said CDO Dhakal. As to the existing practice, the Minstry of Home has been compensating the family of a security personnel killed by the Maoists with Rs 750,000 and that of a civilian with Rs100,000.

However, Madan Prasad Acharya, secretary at the Ministry of Home at a programme had earlier announced the compensation of Rs 750,000 to each family of the innocent boys killed in the incident.

Even the family members of the deceased youth have been demanding the compensation amount equivalent to the sum being provided to the bereaved family of a security personnel.

"Had the Maoists been behind the killings, we would accept whatever compensation amount was granted. Now, that the security personnel have admitted to killings, we must be compensated as a member of a bereaved security family," said Kale Tamang, brother of Pariman Tamang, one of the deceased youth.

Meanwhile, the CC has recommended the Ministry of Home to compensate the owner of a truck with Rs150,000. The truck had met with an accident while it was being used by security personnel last month.