Rescued children from factory seek justice

By Suvecha Pant

KATHMANDU, Jan 30 : On his way to school, 14 years old Bijay Giri of Jhapa found a wallet lying on the street. The wallet contained Rs 10,000, the amount of money he had ever seen in his life. Then he bought a bus ticket to Kathmandu.

On reaching the buspark in Kathmandu, Giri found that all his money had been lost. Penniless and merely a child, he was quickly coxed by the words of ‘Kishan Dai’ who approached him as he stepped out of the bus.

Giri was promised employment along with food and shelter. Alone in the big city of Kathmandu, he obediently followed Kishan Dai to the Jaya Banglamukhi Wool Factory in Boudha.

However, Kishan Dai’s promise proved simply to be a trick. Giri soon found himself in an atmosphere that is horrible for any human being let alone a child.

"We were constantly beaten and never allowed to go outside the factory," recalls sixteen years old Binod Budhathoki. "We had to work more than 18 hours a day and often we were not fed enough."

Giri and Budhathoki were amongst the 14 children rescued by CWIN (Child Workers in Nepal) from the Wool Factory on January 11 where they were made to work illegally under severe conditions.

"The brokers used to lock us all up in a room during the night," he said. Budhathoki said they were sometimes even washed with their own urine if they disobeyed their masters.

There were two brokers who looked after 14 children. The children range from the age of 12 to 17 with three less than 14 years old, five over 16 years old and six of fifteen years old.

"Nine of us tried to run away and reached Bhaktapur but they found out and brought us back," said Budhathoki. "We were severely beaten and locked up in the room for sixteen hours."

That was when CWIN officials came and rescued these children. Those days of misery behind, now these children seek justice.

And this time they are not alone. With the support of CWIN and Centre to Assist and Protect Child Rights in Nepal (CAPCRN), a case was filed at the Kathmandu District Court on Wednesday against the Jaya Banglamukhi Wool Factory, Boudha.

The case has been filed against the Wool Factory for employing children in violation of the law against child labour under Sections 7 and 8 of the Juvenille Act 1990. The law requires permission of the parents before employing the children.

"This is the first time a case has been filed as per the ILO Convention at the District Court," said Bharat Adhikari, officer, CWIN Helpline. "Previously, 16 was considered to be the age that a child could work. However, the International Labour Organisation Convention, which Nepal has ratified, states it to be 18."

"We are trying to press the court to recognise that these children were employed illegally and therefore to give appropriate punishment," said Adhikari.

Similarly, four children namely Dipak Rai, Chij Bahadur Gurung, Ghanshyam Karki and Binod Budhathoki have filed an application at the District Police Office (Children and Women Section) at Kalimati against Krishna Bahadur Karki alleging him of indulging in flesh trade.

However, according to officials at CWIN, the broker Krishna Bahadur Karki who brings children to garment factories for money ranging from Rs 200 to Rs 400 has not yet been detected.

Meanwhile, the children residing at the CWIN are awaiting justice. Some plan to join training courses provided by CWIN, others want to study while some others just want to go home.

Whatever is their plan for the future, but at the moment, they all share a common desire to punish the culprits - Kishan‘Dai and the owners of the garment factory Krishna Bahadur Thapa, Tek Bahadur Khadka and Min Bahadur Khadka and to get their hard- earned money.

The 14 children rescued from the wool factory include Nabaraj Regmi and Durga Prasad Bhandari of Gorkha, Chij Bahadur Gurung and Bharat Shrestha of Lamjung, Prakash Pant of Nuwakot, Bhupal Karki of Khotang, Bijaya Giri of Jhapa and Sanu Chaudhary of Udayapur, Rajesh Hamal of Sarlahi, Tika Bahadur Khapangi of Sindhuli, Jivan Thapa of Tanahu, Ghanashyam Karki of Okhaldhunga, Binod Budhathoki of Morang and Dipak Rai of Sankhuwashabha.

Nation observes Martyrs’ Week

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Jan 30 : Martyrs’ Week was organised by the Kathmandu Metropolitan City from Magh 10 to Magh 16.

Various programmes were organised by the 501-member celebration committee under veteran freedom fighter Ramhari Sharma to pay tributes to the country’s renowned martyrs, like Sukra Raj Shastri, Dharmabhakta, Dasharathchand and Gangalal who sacrificed their lives against the 104-year- autocratic rule of the Rana rulers.

During the last day of the week-long celebration, Renu Shrestha, daughter of Dhramabhakta, Usha Shrestha, daughter of Chiniya Kaji and Hasina Shrestha, wife of Ganga Lal were felicitated by Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand.

To coincide with Martyrs’ Day, the Hatemalo Samaj organised a function to honour seven martyrs of Okhaldhunga during its sixth general assembly.

Okhaldhunga has been known for producing many renowned personalities including martyrs for the country.

Lilanath Dahal, Capt. Yagya Bahadur Thapa, Thagi Raj Dhakal, Peshal Kumar Pokharel, Gokarna Karki, Peshal Dahal and Khagendra Dahal were killed in a bomb blast in connection with their involvement in political activities.

Paying tribute to the young martyrs, Chakra Bastola, former minister and central member of the Nepali Congress dwelt on the present situation of the country and said that the proposed cease-fire between the government and the Maoist rebels generate hopes for normalization of the situation, though peace is still difficult to achieve.

"The proposed cease-fire has only given us a ray of hope. We still have a bumpy road ahead. The royal move of October 14 has almost created a constitutional crisis. Nepali Congress believes that reactivating the constitution through reinstatement of parliament is necessary to resolve the present crisis," he observed.

Speaking on the occasion, Bal Bahadur Rai, a former minister, lauded the activities of the Hatemalo Samaj for eliminating social ills in local communities.

Another speaker, Sudip Pathak expressed the hope of a positive outcome of the peace talks between the Maoists and the government after the proposed cease-fire.

Change in attitude key to Dalits’ upliftment

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Jan 30 : The caste-based discrimination is the main reason for the big gap between the Dalit communities and the rest of the Nepali society, states the report brought out by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on "Discrimination, Dalits and Labour Rights."

Dalits’ representation in the Lower House of Parliament is negligible. Hardly any Dalits find employment at the government civil service. Dalits are absent at the Supreme Court, Human Rights Commission and National Commission of Women. Only very few Dalits hold administrative positions at the Tribhuwan University.

"A change in attitude of Nepali people is needed," said Padam Singh Vishwokarma, chairman of National Dalit Commission. Despite legislation outlawing the practice, he reinforced that education is the key in the upliftment of the Dalit community.

According to the statement, discrimination is a serious human and labour rights issue and has negative impact on societies. It states that Dalits should be ensured of equal access to job opportunity, that they are not forced into voluntary work, that they are not confined to menial tasks and that they get equal pay for work of equal value.

Children take part in story writing contest

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KATHMANDU, Jan 30 : Kundan Adhikari, from Prisoners Assistance Mission (PAM), gazes at the pictures one by one as he ambles along, not without a little naughtiness.

He is one, among the more than sixty eager children gathered at the Kanti Children’s Hospital to view the art exhibition, "Mountains Forever" and take part in the story writing contest.

After having moved through the 48 paintings with story titles, Adhikari finally selects "The Magic Mountain". It is a colourful picture of three clowns and mountains.

Other children, from Shelter for Street Children (ROKPA), Prisoners' Assistance Mission (PAM), People in Need (PIN- Nepal), Kanti Children’s Hospital and Choriharu, are also busy stalking their preferred pictures. They too had to choose a picture on which to write a story.

The story writing contest finally begins.

Adhikari, a class six student starts writing an imaginary story based on the picture he has just viewed. He has an hour within which time he must complete his story and he is busy scribbling away - in English.

The other children are equally involved in their writing. Some write in Nepali and some in English.

Evaluated on the basis of originality, style, story, characterization and presentation, the ‘completed works’ of the children were awarded prizes. The judges comprised well-known figures in the literary field, namely, Tulsi Devas, Dwarika Shrestha and Toya Gurung.

Sanjeevani Yonzon, a volunteer from Spiny Babbler said that the prizes consisted of children’s books and certificates to boost the morale of the participants, all "children at risk".

"We have selected these organisations, working for children in need, but are facing difficult conditions," she said.

Param Meyangbo, the artist of the book "Mountains Forever", who also does freelance writing, is the art director at Spiny Babbler. She said that the book was a collection of essays from twenty nations. Para Limbu, who edited the book and Meyangbo had organised the event.

Apart from the story writing contest, the play Muna Madan was also performed for the benefit of the children.

Chinese envoy assures continued support to Nepal

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KATHMANDU, Jan 30 : China’s Ambassador Wu Chong Yong has assured that China would extend its consistent support and help to Nepal’s overall development, irrespective of whatever changes that happen in the international and regional arena.

Ambassador Yong addressing a function organised in the capital on Wednesday by the Araniko Society to mark the Chinese New Year, widely known as the spring festival, further hoped for the strengthened relationship between the two countries in the year 2003.

Stating that deteriorating security situation has drawn the attention from the whole world, Ambassador Yong said, "As a friendly neighbour, China hopes Nepal could resume peace and stability as soon as possible. The way out of the unrest in the country is to form the broadest unity at the earliest."

Speaking on the occasion, Anup Bhattarai, the president of the society informed that the society was preparing to affix a statue of Manjushree in the temple being constructed in the Wu Thai Mountain. "The temple construction would be completed by next June," he added.

Established some 20 years ago, the society had last year installed a statue of Araniko in White Pagoda complex in Beijing. The statue of Araniko is the only non-Chinese statue in entire China. This Nepali association of the graduates undergone study in Chinese Universities has been playing an important role in strengthening bilateral friendship between the two countries.

Musical scholarship plan for children

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KATHMANDU, Jan 30 : Just two weeks after the success of the talent show of handicapped organised for the scholarship of handicapped children, Manjushree Sangeet Mahavidyalaya (MSM) has teamed up with Sur Sudha (Bijay Baidhya) to provide another musical scholarship plan for children aged 8 to 18.

The project, which will start on the auspicious day of Saraswati Puja, will include 70 students in seven different fields of music.

Speaking at the press conference today, Mukund Joshi, superintendent of MSM said, "The first preference would definitely be the children with weak financial condition and children from backward classes, however, this does not mean that the children with less or no talent would get preference over talented ones".

The project would provide free training in various fields of music like vocals, sitar, tabla, keyboard, flute, guitar and dance training.

Bijay Baidhya, famous sitar player and one who convoked the finance for the project apprised that the total estimated budget is US $ 6000 for this pilot project, which would go on for a year.

However, the management has only US $3000 in hand at present which was donated by a French citizen, Eric Leost to Bijay Baidhya. The management plans to collect the balance by organising concerts and teaching local musical instrument to tourists in Thamel.

The amount given by Leost was raised by selling ‘Iffik’, a soft toy, with bag-pipe in its hand, the traditional instrument of Brittany, Leost’s place of origin. Baidhya opined that Iffik was not just a toy but a French cultural ambassador to Nepal.

He also informed that Iffik is going back with ‘Daura Suruwal’, the national dress of Nepal.

He further informed that classes would start from February 6 for which applications would be accepted till the fourth of the same month. The application should be accompanied by recommendation letter along with bonafide certificate.

Any one who is interested to participate can send their applications through email to bijayasursudha@hotmail.com.

IGP Shrestha’s death condoled

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KATHMANDU, Jan 30 : The Nepal Ex-Police Association organised a condolence programme in the memory of late Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Armed Police Force (APF), Krishna Mohan Shrestha, his wife, president of APF Family Women’s Association, Nudup Shrestha and bodyguard APF Sub-Inspector, Surya Bahadur Regmi.

A statement issued by APF office, said that the programme organised was participated by various high-ranking officials of the police, APF and other governmental organisations.

Speaking at the programme, IGP of Police Shyam Bhakta Thapa said that late Shrestha had given a lot to the nation and that as long as the association exists, his contributions would remain unforgotten.

"Late Shrestha had given his best in bringing security to the nation," said IGP Thapa.

Similarly, Acting IGP of APF Sahabir Thapa said that late Shrestha was the guardian of the association.

"His aims, plans and dreams must be fulfilled," said Thapa. He further added that Shrestha’s good deeds would remain with the nation forever.

Other speakers on the occasion were former chief election commissioner Surya Prasad Shrestha, National Investigation Department’s former chief Haribabu Chaudhary and Nepal Ex-Police Association president former-IGP D.B. Lama.

Those present at the programme felt the loss of a talented individual who provided great contributions to the society. The deceased were shot dead by suspected Maoists on Sunday while on a morning walk in the Ring Road area.

People in mid-west overjoyed at cease-fire

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SURKHET, Jan 30 : People of the Maoist-affected districts in the mid-western region have been overjoyed at the cease-fire announcement by the government and Maoist outfits.

Everyone was seen tuning in the radio and they were talking to one another about the cease-fire announcement. It spread like a wildfire no sooner the state-run radio announced the cease-fire on its late night bulletin.

"The cease-fire is a great relief for us," said an elderly man in Birendranagar who said he was tired of hearing about daily encounters between the two forces.

Speaking at a programme to commemorate the Martyrs’ Day here, speakers said that the cease-fire announcement has rekindled the hope of living peacefully even in the rural areas. They said that people of different walks of life should extend their co-operation to make the peace talks a success.

Speaking on the occasion chief judge of Appellate Court, Madhav Raj Thapa, said that it would be a true tribute to the martyrs if we were able to restore peace and end the ongoing violence dogging the country. The programme was organised by Martyr Memorial Library, Birendranagar.

Meanwhile, a report from Salyan said that the people, who were bearing the brunt of the seven-year old Maoist insurgency, have expressed their happiness over the mutual cease-fire announcement to pave ways for peace talks.

The people who were taking refuge in the district headquarters after being displaced due to the insurgency said that they could now go to their homes and lead normal lives. "We will go to home and live with our families. It is the happiest moment in the last seven years," said a man who had been taking refuge in the district headquarters for a couple of years. But the people stressed that both the sides should be serious and feel urgency of the peace talks.

The mid-western region has been affected the worst due to the seven-year old ‘People’s War’. The largest number of people, including Maoists, security personnel and civilians, were killed in this region, which has also been crippled by a ban on the import of foodstuffs since the state of emergency last year. In addition, thousands of people have also fled to safer areas of the country and to India fearing for their lives from both sides and due to food scarcity.

Martyrs’ Day observed

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SALYAN, Jan 30 : Martyrs' Day was observed inside the premises of the District Development Committee in Salyan today, in order to revere and respect the four Martyrs who laid down their lives for the nation to emancipate the country from the autocracy rule of the Ranas. Even a week long programme was carried out in the memory of these martyrs.

This function was chaired by the Local Development Officer (LDO), Bishnu K.C., while the assistant Chief District Officer (CDO), Mohan Akela, was the chief guest at the function.

Expressing their views at the ceremony were, Durga Rawat of Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Dhirendra Bahadur Shrestha the outgoing vice-president of CPN-UML at the district level, and the district level president of Nepali Congress, Dilli Raj Regmi. They opined that for the sustenance of democracy there is a need of continuous efforts from the people to follow the path shown by these martyrs presently too.

Speaking at the function, the assistant CDO Akela, briefly shed light on the unselfish contribution of the martyrs in bringing about democracy, and how they shall always be remembered and remain immortal.

A minute’s silence was observed during the ceremony, in the memory of the martyrs.

SLC send-up exams postponed in Siraha

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LAHAN, Jan 30 : The School Leaving Certificate (SLC) send-up or pre-qualification exams that were conducted in 46 government schools of Siraha district are going to be re-conducted from February 7 after the question papers had been leaked out prior to the start of the exams.

According to the information provided by the secretary of the Education Committee who is also the chairman of the Nepal Education Board, Gangaram Yadav, that it was learnt that the question paper of the science exam, which was to be held on Wednesday, had been flashed out before the exam. The scheduled exams have been cancelled. All the other exam papers have also been postponed upon suspicion that they had been leaked out as well.

More than 20 schools in Siraha district had been conducting the science exams as the information about the cancellation did not reach them in time.

The maths exam, which had been conducted on Tuesday, has not been cancelled however, even though the information officer had said that this question paper had been leaked out prior to the exam date. Similarly, a teacher in Lahan informed that the question paper for the English exams that was held on January 28 had also been leaked out one day prior to the exam date.

Jairamghat-Diktel road construction to resume

By Shahiman Rai

KHOTANG, Jan 30 : Construction of the Jairamghat-Diktel motor-road, initiated 10 years ago and stalled in July last year, is to resume with additional financial aid from the Department For International Development (DFID), a British government agency.

The construction of the section of the road under Upper Sagarmatha Agricultural Road Programme, had been undertaken with funding by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The programme was stuck when the investor withdrew from the responsibility of providing the finances. Following the request of the local people, DFID has agreed to assist in the resumption of the construction of that section of the road, though the amount to be allocated has not been divulged, said Shyam Gurung, co-ordinator of the Rural Approach Programme.

It is learnt that the Rural Approach Programme has been allocated a sum of Rs. 370 million, but the investment for the Jairamghat-Diktel section is not clarified, said Gurung.

According to the District Development Committee (DDC), the road section from Jairamghat of Okhaldhunga to Diktel covers a distance of 82 Km, of which 19 km remains uncompleted since work was stopped last year.

Once completed, Katari Bazar of Udayapur and Diktel is expected to be accessible by vehicles. Though it has been decided that construction would resume, the actual investment required is still unclear, said Bishwanath Uprety, the Local Development Officer (LDO), talking to The Kathmandu Post correspondent.

According to the co-ordinator of the Rural Approach Programme, Shyam Gurung, construction work of the Jairamghat-Diktel motorable road will be completed within six months, and that previous contracting company, ETECO, has been given the responsibility of completing this road. He added that though six districts had applied to get this additional budget, Khotang was given the priority.

Poultry farmers may not suffer losses

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RATNANAGAR, Jan 30 : Farmers involved in poultry productions henceforth are not to suffer greater losses due to the problems caused by fowl diseases.

Poultry farmers had been bearing losses due to undiagnosed diseases during the past years despite the investment of greater amounts.

A special laboratory for the diagnosis of fowl diseases has been established in Bharatpur for the first time in Nepal, which is expected to relieve the farmers from their problems caused by diseases.

The 14-room laboratory was constructed at a cost of Rs 3.4 million provided by His Majesty’s Government.

The laboratory is facilitated with various equipments necessary for the bacterial culture, blood test, collection of microscope serum and post-mortem of animals, Dr Pitamber Kuswaha of District Livestock Services Office said.

Instruments worth Rs 800,000 will be added by the end of next month, he added.

According to him, the additional instruments will be used in the immunological, anti-body and other viral tests.

Some 131.2 million broilers, a species of poultry farmed for meat, are produced annually in the country, out of which about 87 percent are produced in Chitwan alone.