Unique school where Nepal Bhasa reigns supreme

By Tejasuee Rajbhandari

KATHMANDU, Feb 28: Jigu de jita yo jigu bhaya jita ya (I love my country and my language). The day for the students of Jagat Sunder Bwonekuthi begins with this song which expresses love for their motherland and their mother tongue. That is Nepal Bhasa, which is also known as Newari.

It is the language of the indigenous people of the Kathmandu Valley, which, in ancient times was famous as the real Nepal. Time has changed and so has the Newari language. Nepali communities living in the Valley and such towns as Charikot and Dhulikhel, east of the Valley continue to communicate in this Tibeto-Burman language to date.

Jagat Sunder Bwonekhuti, situated in the western ridge of the core city of Kathmandu, is arguably the only school of its kind in the country, which has Nepal Bhasha as the language in the syllabi. Not only this, all conversation and teaching in the school is done in this language.

Though not a very big step towards preserving the language, this step can be taken as an example of love for their mother tongue. However, the school has also accommodated students from other communities like Magar, Lama, Tamang and Brahmins.

However, discrimination on linguistic lines is highly prevalent in the country despite Article-2 of International Human Rights Instruments- Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The article states that ‘Every one is entitled to all rights and freedoms set forth in this declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other, natural or social origin, property, birth or other status’.

Many languages like Chintang, Kochi, and Raute have less than hundred speakers, says the book Bhasik Saman Adhikarko Prashna ra Sambhidan Samshodhan, published by Nepal Bhasha Action Committee.

Talking to The Kathmandu Post, Malla K Sunder, president of Newars National Forum and co-ordinator of Nepal Bhasha Action Committee opined that local language should be used as the official language of that particular area.

He further said that the amendment of the Constitution could only provide the right to the language.

Article 24, Section-2 of Universal Declaration of Linguistic Rights says ‘all language communities have the right to decide to what extent their language is to be present as a vehicular language and as an object of study at all levels of education within their territory and for pre-school, primary, secondary, technical and vocational, university, and adult education.

At Jagat Sunder Bwonekuthi, a small school with not more than 300 students, all the subjects are taught in the Nepal Bhasha.

"Jagat Sunder, the founder of this school believed that it is easier to gain knowledge if studied in the mother language. It won’t be an error to get influenced by the Japanese culture and their love for their mother tongue", said Shanti Manandhar, vice-principal of the school.

If not a very big step toward preserving the Nepal Bhasha, at least it can be taken as an example of love for the mother tongue, where the total number of Nepal Bhasa speakers has reduced to 66 per cent.

However, the condition of Nepal Bhasa is not very depressing when compared to most of the other languages. Moreover, the interesting fact about the school is that there are students from other communities also. Even children of Lama, Magar, Tamang, Brahmin, and Chowdhary communities are studying in this school.

Jeena, a girl from Chow-dhary community, stu-dying in seventh standard finds Nepal Bhasha very easy to understand. Jeena who has been studying in the same school from nursery, however, does not know her mother tongue.

Anil Lama of standard seven, who too has been studying from nursery, also finds the language very interesting. Apart from Nepal Bhasha, he also knows Nepali and Lama languages.

Responding to this Malla K Sunder said that these children prove that Nepal still has allowed space for all community languages to blossom.

Free and fair trial of Mainali sought in Japan

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Feb 28: The Human Rights Organisation of Nepal (HURON) has appealed to the Chief Justice of Japan for a free and fair trail of Govinda Mainali, a Nepali citizen facing criminal charges in Japan.

The appeal was written to the Japanese Ambassador by Sudip Pathak, president of HURON today stating that human rights activists in Nepal hope that Mainali has a fair trial despite many issues that have arisen. Pathak also wrote that he hoped that the Ambassador would forward the memorandum to the Chief Justice of Japan.

This comes after Indra Prasad Mainali, the brother of Govinda Mainali, who has served seven years in a prison in Japan accused of the murder and rape of a Japanese woman, wrote to the Supreme Court, which is hearing Govinda’s appeal, to acquit his younger brother.

The 36-year-old Govinda was acquitted by the Tokyo District Court but later lost an appeal in the high court. Now, his brother says Govinda was gainfully employed and not in urgent need of money, as claimed by police who convicted him of robbing the 39-year-old woman of ¥ 40,000 and strangling her.

Indra went to Japan a few weeks ago to lobby with the court appeal. Therefore, in its statement HURON believes that the justice system in Japan will not be prejudiced with the colour, case, creed and religion of the person in trial.

Magazine launched

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Feb 28: A magazine named Today’s Youth was released amidst a function, a statement from the youth organisation of Budhanilkantha, stated here today.

The magazine was released by David Ward, the Charge d’Affaires of the British Embassy in Kathmandu.

The students of Budhanilkantha organised a cultural programme and performed patriotic and contemporary songs at the function.

Santosh Shah, the publisher, principal NP Sharma and director of the British Council were among the participants at the function held at the school premises, the release said.

Indian Embassy awards scholarships

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Feb 28: To mark the 50 years of economic cooperation between Nepal and India, assistance in human resource development has been expanded to include studies in Nepal also. A new scholarship scheme called ‘Golden jubilee scholarship scheme’, is being implemented from academic year 2002-03.

The scheme, according to a press statement from the Embassy of India, will provide scholarships to science-related subjects. Under this scheme, the first 50 scholarships were awarded today to selected Nepali students for undergraduate courses in Nepal.

Ten scholarships are being awarded in MBBS/BDS, 10 for BE/B Tech courses, and thirty for BSc and other disciplines. Selection has been on the basis of academic results and performance in an interview conducted by the Embassy.

Similarly, 25 of the scholarships are reserved for candidates from educationally disadvantaged districts. Over the years, Nepal-India cooperation has made major contribution to human resources developments in Nepal.

A total of 150 scholarships/seats are provided every year by the government of India through the Embassy in Kathmandu to Nepali nationals for undergoing various courses at the PhD, Master’s and Bachelor’s levels in India, reads the statement.

New method of bladder stone removal!

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Feb 28: Removing stones in the gall bladder or kidney without an operation? Sounds impossible but this is exactly what a physician has claimed with the help of a new medicine that he claims to have invented.

Dr Ganesh Bahadur Raut, an Ayurvedic doctor claims to have cured nearly four thousand patients with his medicine.

Speaking at an interaction programme yesterday Raut said, "The government needs to show interest in the production of this medicine".

The medicine developed from Himalayan medicinal herbs is claimed to cure patients without the need to go for an operation.

Other speakers present at the programme were Madhusudan Poudel, chairman of the Department of Industry and Dr Rhishi Ram Koirala, both of whom stressed the need for Raut to patent his medicine.

Outstanding students awarded

Post Report

KATHMANDU,Feb 28: The Mona Bajracharya Memorial Trust (MBMT) awarded Roja Singh, a tenth grader, with this year’s Mona Bajracharya Award amidst a function held here yesterday.

The award carries a trophy, a certificate and a cash amount of Rs 1,000. The award is given away annually to an outstanding student of the school in the memory of late Mona, who died in the tragic ferry mishap off the Cebu island in the Philippines three years ago.

Giving away the award, Singharaj Bajracharya, father of late Mona Bajracharya, who is also the founder of the trust said, "My daughter Mona completed her schooling from St. Mary’s and Budhanilkantha School and exhibited her exemplary talent."

Speaking at the function, Bajracharya said he has a plan to establish a medical college and develop its branches in all the 75 districts across the country. Students will be offered pre-medical and pre-dental courses in the college.

"We are implementing the programme from this year and selected students will get scholarships to study in Cebu Doctors College (CDC). The scholarship has been jointly sponsored by the Trust and CDC," he said. At the function,various awards were also distributed to Pushpanjali Bhatta,Mona Aditya, Anny Adhikari, Pooja Simkhada and Jennisha Shrestha for their outstanding performance in their respective fields.

Media's role in AIDS awareness vital

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Feb 28: Separate communication strategy and framework is vital to generate awareness through mass media about the Nepal HIV/AIDS Strategy: IEC (Information, Education and Communication).

At a meeting organised to highlight the IEC and mass media in operationalisation of the Nepal HIV/AIDS strategy, representatives from various organisations highlighted the need to create a supportive environment for behavioural changes among vulnerable groups and young people by increasing understanding among decision-makers at all levels and communities.

According to Ramesh Chandra Neupane, director of National Health Education, Information and Communication Centre (NHEICC), the recent need is for every programme to be focused on the target group, which should start from each Village Development Committee.

"The recent need is in district areas than in central parts, so the easiest way is through print and electronic media, or through health workers and other communicative methods," said Neupane.

Almost the entire programme concentrates on methods to reduce the occurrence of new infections among the vulnerable groups and young people. Also the programme should focus on treatment, care, support and increasing understanding among the civil society.

Representatives from NHEICC, National Centre for AIDS and STD Control (NCASC), Family Health International (FHI), Thomson Nepal, Population Services International (PSI) and UNICEF also participated at the function.

Women should fight for rights: ANWA

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Feb 28: On the occasion of the 52nd year of the establishment of All Nepal Women’s Association (ANWA) and 93rd International Working Women’s Day, ANWA organised a debate competition at Nepal Law Campus in the capital today.

"Women are ruled by society, laws and traditions which are ‘male-oriented’, said ANWA member Bidya Bhandari.

Earlier such programmes were held in a small circle through the efforts of ordinary women, but this time even educated women have participated and spoken about the existing situations prevalent in our society, she added.

Women have dominated various sectors of society and from the past they have been involved in various social events, even in wars like Nalapani, voiced Meena Kafle, an ANWA member.

"Presently, there is no guarantee for women’s security. Even working women and older women are not safe", opined district secretary of ANWA, Bidya Neupane.

Incidentally, ANWA was among the first to raise issues pertaining to women.

Most speakers agreed that even in the 21st century, women were still reeling under slavery and not treated equally as their counterparts.

Standing Committee member of Communist Party of Nepal -Unified Marxist -Leninist, CPN-UML, Amrit Kumar Bohora stressed that women should also aggressively involve themselves in politics as well as make effective use of their rights.

Five family members beaten up for practising ‘witchcraft’

Post Report

BIRATNAGAR, Feb 28: Five members of a family, residing in Duhabi of Sunsari district, were mercilessly beaten up last Saturday by a group of villagers, who accused them of practising witchcraft, which allegedly led to the death of a youth last April.

The attack on them was led by the deceased’s father Kadamlal Urawa.

Two of the members who were seriously injured due to the beating were taken to Kathmandu for treatment. Among the two seriously injured are 50-year-old Rajkumari, wife of Gopilal Urawa, and his daughter Angshu Urawa. Other members who were injured and are undergoing treatment at the nearby town of Itahari are Gopilal, his daughter Deshiya and son Satyanarayan. The family along with others have been residing on an unclaimed land, it is learnt.

Though five days have passed since the incident occurred the culprits are yet to be caught. A written complaint has been lodged at Duhabi area police wherein the victim’s side has mentioned about being thrashed ruthlessly by the assailants on the charge of practising witchcraft. This attack which took place in the night was carried out by Kadamlal after a gap of almost 11 months. It is learnt that not only this family but 11 other people were also assaulted by Kadamlal. Eight other families have moved out from that place fearing attacks on them.

The local politicians there have not paid any attention to this matter, dismissing it to be related to a feud over the unclaimed land. The outgoing VDC chairman speaking to The Kathmandu Post however, says that these allegations of the victims being witches are nothing but a ruse to evict the entire family from the disputed piece of land.

Maoists brutally kill colleague guilty of misconduct

Post Report

SYANGJA, Feb 28: A group of Maoists brutally murdered a colleague of theirs on Wednesday after accusing him of indulging in activities that went against the will and directives of the party.

The slain Maoist, Dhan Bahadur Bishwakarma, a resident of Swarek in Syangja was mercilessly killed in Manakamana VDC. Bishwakarma incurred the wrath of his own party for threatening the public and extorting money from them even after the declaration of cease-fire. It is learnt that he was abducted from his house by a group of fellow comrades on Saturday.

Bishwakarma was charged with extorting millions of rupees making use of his identity as a Maoist, thereby going against the decision and directives of the party after the declaration of truce.

According to information received, Bishwakarma who had gone semi-underground after splitting away from his own group, had unscrupulously been defying the decision and the directives of his own party. Earlier he had received warnings from his group but did not refrain from his unwarranted activities for which he was handed out the death sentence.

It is learnt that Bishwakarma was taken to the nearby of Jeevan Jyoti Secondary School situated in Manakamana VDC where he was killed mercilessly after breaking his hands and feet. A local there said that he succumbed to his injuries.

His relatives performed the last rites after they were informed of his death by the Maoist group.

Bishwakarma was an organised member of the UML, who was expelled from the party after being charged with being involved in anti-party activities.

Leprosy patients on rise in far-western region

Post Report

DIPAYAL, Feb 28: Despite the government’s efforts to create awareness among people that leprosy is a curable disease, the disease is still a taboo in the far-western region of Nepal. A total of 11,029 new leprosy patients were detected in the region this year, according to concerned sources.

Since the leprosy patients are ill-treated in the region, they fear to expose the disease until it ruins their body parts, according to health workers.

The superstition that leprosy is the punishment imposed by God as a result of evil deeds in the past lives of the victim is deeply rooted in the society. Thus, the leprosy patients lead a humiliating life, according to Dr. Bhoj Raj Bhatta, the Regional Health Director.

A stark example of this is Bandori Sen of Doti district, a mother, a leprosy patient who had to stay in a cave near her house for a whole day as it was her daughter’s marriage. It was considered inauspicious to perform marriage in the presence of a leprosy patient, thus the mother was sent to a cave, as narrated by Dr. Bhatta.

Leprosy patients are isolated from family members and are treated as untouchables, according to local health workers.

"Because the patients tend to hide their disease for fear of facing social unacceptance, around 30 per cent of the patients develop physical deformity," said Ishwori Datta Bhatta, the Regional Leprosy Co-ordinator. "A total of 24 new leprosy patients were detected in Doti this year."

Gold-Quest agents to be prosecuted

Post Report

POKHARA, Feb 28: The Kaski District Police Office has taken into custody two persons who indulged in the Gold-Quest deal banned by the government. Those arrested are Bipin Batas and Jagat Bhandari. Police made the arrest following cases filed against them and they will be prosecuted for forgery, said Ramesh Sekhar Bajracharya, the Superintendent of Police.

"Locals have filed cases against others associated Gold-Quest and the search for them is on," said Bajracharya.

Humla hydro-project in limbo

Post Report

SIMIKOT, Feb 28; The construction works of Hildum Micro Hydro-Project (HMHP) in remote Humla district has come to a halt due to budget constraints. It was proposed to be completed by the fiscal year 2002/03 but the construction works of nearly 150 million rupees hydro-project seems to extend considerably for a longer period due to paucity of funds, according to sources.

The government has been allocating a meagre sum for the 500-kilo watt HMHP project contributing to its further delay.

"We completed more than the stipulated works on the project. However, we have not received full payment for our works," said a representative of R.R. Enterprises, the company undertaking the construction works.

The project, which was started in 1997/98, came to a halt several times due to budget freeze.

Humla residents enjoy the least electric facility. The district has a total of 500 Kilo Watt electric power most of which are generated from solar power.

Landslide-hit Khotang school to get new lease of life

By Shahiman Rai

KHOTANG, Feb 28: The school building that was reduced to rubble in the landslide is all set to be constructed once again. The new structure for the school is to be constructed with aid from Khotang Sewa Samaj Kathmandu, it is learnt.

About seven months back landslide had swept the building of the Renuka Lower Secondary School situated in Dipsung VDC, about 13 miles north of the district headquarters. After the Khotang Sewa Samaj provided the first instalment of its committed donation amount of Rs 200,000, construction of the new structure of the school is underway.

The landslide of July 13, which had caused havoc in this part destroying the physical infrastructure as well as the materials inside and around the Renuka Lower Secondary, has hindered the education of the children.

These children are being provided education inside the Dipsung VDC building and the unlucky among them are studying in the open ground, where temporary classes have been created by using tent cloth these days, said chairman of the school management committee, Chudamani Bhattarai to The Kathmandu Post.

For the reconstruction of the school building, the Khotang Sewa Samaj has decided to invest Rs 400,000, and Rs 200,000 has already been provided by this organisation for the construction work, informed general secretary Dev Bikram Rai.

For this school, Khotang Sewa Samaj of Hong Kong had purchased three ropanis of land, at a price of Rs 50,000. This sum had been collected by the donation from the Nepalis working in Hong Kong and provided to the school’s fund by Shyamshwor Rai.

Rai said that the new structure will have a total length of 119 feet and a width of 98 feet, while the number rooms to be constructed are seven at the moment.

Micro hydro project starts supplying power in Myagdi

Post Report

MYAGDI, Feb 28: Marang river Micro Hydro-electrical Project has started production of 30 kilowatt of electricity from Wednesday.

The power production from this hydro-project is expected to benefit 272 house-holds in remote Marang of this district. The water from the Marang river near this village had been channeled in through the 605-long canal system to harness electrical power which now provides lightening to all the houses in Marang VDC from ward1 to 7.

According to chief engineer at district branch of Rural Energy Development Programme in Myagdi, Abhimanyu KC, the project investment cost stands at Rs 4.3 million approximately. Of this total budget, a grant amount of Rs 2.1 million has been accrued from the district branch energy office. Similarly, Rs 425,000 from local VDC, Rs 186,453 from District Development Committee (DDC), and labour contribution from the general populace there worth Rs one million approximately helped contribute for the success of this electricity production project.

Likewise, Minister Narayan Singh Pun had decided to provide helicopter for the transportation of generator to the extent of Rs 2,30,000.

The Micro Hydro Project in these remote villages of the Myagdi district has proved to be very beneficial, it is learnt. The District Energy Branch has so far completed seven Micro Hydro projects producing a total of 194 kilowatts of electricity till date, harnessing the various rivers found in this district. It is learnt that production of this electricity has illuminated about 1685 houses in that region. Another hydro-electrical project of five kilowatt capacity at Shishneri river in Okharbot is under construction. Beside this method of lighting however, 51 houses have been availing of power facility made possible by two peltric-sets of five kilowatt capacity.

According to the Energy Branch, at many of the remote rural localities to which the Electricity Board has not been able to provide its service, these Micro Hydro electrical projects have proved very beneficial. In some houses in the very remote part, solar generated energy is in use, while bio-gas plants have also been used in some houses to produce energy for lighting and cooking purposes.

Vehicular movement a threat to Begnas lake

Post Report

BEGNASTAL, Feb 28: Locals have demanded the authorities concerned to impose a ban on the entry of vehicles in the Begnas lake area, stating that the vehicles plying on the dams of Begnas lake in Pokhara valley have posed a serious threat to the lake.

The lake is situated in Lekhnath municipality and stretches to an area of 373 hectares, provides a spectacular view of Mt. Machhapuchhre and Mt. Annapurna.

The vehicles of tourists, picnic goers and locals on the other side of the lake plying on its dam built 14 years ago has proved detrimental to the lake. The dam is thus getting weaker and is being weighed down, claimed locals.

"The authority to stop vehicular movement on the dam rests with the District Irrigation Office(DIO). However, our repeated pleas to the DIO to stop vehicular movements on the dam have gone in vain," said Ramesh Adhikari, the Chairman of Begnas Youth Club.

Two guards employed by the DIO for the protection of the lake are running inns in the lake area, alleged Adhikari.

Hullabaloo by those coming for picnics has adverse impacts on the fish in the Begnas Fish Investigation Centre (BFIC), said Suresh Kumar Wagle, a senior scientist at BFIC.

"The 13 ropanis of land belonging to the lake is lying wasted, if it is handed over to us, we could have transformed it into a beautiful garden," said Harikiran Ojha, an official at Lekhanath municipality.

Teachers go without salary for 18 months

Post Report

KHOTANG, Feb 28: Three teachers of Surya Secondary School, situated in Sungdel VDC in the northern part of this district have not received their salaries since 18 months. They were appointed to their posts from the VDC provision, it is learnt.

After this school had been upgraded into secondary from the lower secondary level, it had to be conducted with private resources. The former Sungdel VDC chairman, Rana Bahadur Rai says that these teachers were appointed due to the requirement of the school, but immediately after the completion of tenure of the local body, the government slashed down the budget that had been provided all this while. This gave rise to a shortage of funds meant to be provided to these teachers by way of salary.

Last year after the government cut down the budget by upto 50 per cent, the school had not been able to provide these teachers their share of salary. To impart certain standard of education to the secondary level, qualified teachers were required. But since District Education Office (DEO) failed to send qualified teachers to this school, teachers had to be appointed from private sources, informed headmaster of the school Narendra Rai to The Kathmandu Post.

It is learnt that this school had appointed these teachers agreeing to pay a monthly salary of Rs 3,500 to a teacher at the primary level, and Rs 4,200 per month to each of the two teachers at the lower secondary level. According to the above scale, a sum of Rs 70,000 for Jamuna Rai is yet to be paid while Rs 84,000 is due in favour of Devkumar and Lokendra Rai. Jamuna Rai laments that it has become difficult for her to decide whether to leave or continue, and since she has been fondly acquainted with this school, she claims she still remains there. She said that depriving them of salary has taken off all the vigour and zeal to teach.

It is learnt that these teachers were appointed to this school in 1999. Though these teachers had been given assurance from VDC secretary, Homnath Khanal, that they will receive their salaries by second week of February, yet nothing has happened so far, they lament.

Outstanding workers felicitated

BIRATNAGAR, Feb 28(RSS)- A felicitation and interaction programme was organised jointly by the Rastrabadi Milan Kendra central office Kathmandu and the District Working Committee Morang on the occasion of the 53rd auspicious birthday of Her Majesty the Queen.

Convenor of the inspection team for Mechi and Koshi Jagadish Khadka on the occasion felicitated the then member of Rastriya Panchayat Laxmiraj Bhakta Nepali and social worker Pralhad Raya Agrawal. Khadka also felicitated Mina Devi Shrestha of Rani Mills Area.

Speaking on the occasion Khadka said the inspection team is committed and active for a corruption free society to give services to the helpless people.

Team member Mohammed Arif called for programmes in the collective interest of the nation, king and the people.

Social worker Laxmi Raj Bhakta Nepali called for successful talks.

Commuters risk lives

RAMECHHAP, Feb 28 (PR)- The dilapidated state of Khurkot suspension bridge connecting Ramechhap and Sindhuli districts is proving a great risk to the passengers. The 18-year-old bridge needs repair as its wooden planks have decayed and most of them have fallen off. Thus a commuter has to risk his life while crossing this fragile bridge, according to locals. "Since the bridge is very fragile with wide openings on the pathway, there are chances that one may fall into the Koshi river," said Bishuman Majhi, a local. "The DDC is serious about the repair of the bridge, and has frequently requested the Suspension Bridge Division for the bridge repair works. However, the DDC has turned a deaf ear to the requests," said Uddhav Prasad Timilsina.

Farmers deprived of irrigation facilities

DANG, Feb 28 (PR)- Around twenty thousand farmers of Jogiya, Kalapani and Majhmeriya area will be deprived of irrigation facilities after the completion of Praganna Irrigation Project under construction in Dang district, claimed the victims. Deepak Gyawali, the Minister for Water Resources met the victims after an inspection of the canal under construction today. The victims presented a memorandum apprising the minister of their woes.

Timbu Pokhari attracting tourists

PANCHTHAR, Feb 28 (RSS)- Timbu Pokhari, which lies in the northern part of Panchthar district bordering Sikkim of India has been successful in attracting internal as well as foreign tourists. The pond, which lies about 70 kilometres away from district headquarters Phidim, is covered with ice for eight months and pilgrims wait until September to visit. Even a coin can be clearly seen at the bottom of the pond and birds remove any leaf dropped in the pond. Dozens of other ponds nearby are Ganesh Pokhari, Hodhipokhari, Saraswoti, Mayur, Shiva Neer, Dudhkunda, Surya Kunda. The pond attracts a large number of pilgrims on Nagpanchami day each year. The place can be reached in three days walk from Phidim. Although the area around the pond is rich with rare herbs, the pond is facing pollution, say the locals, and a waiting hall has been built there, informed FNJ Panchthar ex-president Prem Ojha.