Film artistes call to end violence

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KATHMANDU, March 1  : Nepali film actors want to avoid a repeat of the horrifying years of bloodshed and trauma in the country. They are starving for the return of peace even as the government-Maoists talks are set to kick-off.

"We do not want bloodshed, we want peace and love all over the country," a group of actors, singers, film directors and producers echoed the same concern during an interaction with journalists here today.

"First of all I am going to admit that the film artistes are hopeful of the turn of events though they have suffered like every one else due to the conflict," said Karishma Manandhar, a popular Kollywood actress.

However, the popular actress said it might take several years for the scars caused by the wound to disappear completely. She was referring to the colossal losses of lives and properties during the seven-year-old Maoist war.

Asked if she had any message to Maoist leader Prachanda, she said, "whoever he might have been, if he is truly a Nepali, he should keep his hand on his chest and remind himself that Nepal remains so long as Nepalis are alive."

"At this moment," she said, "they must leave aside their vested interests and strive for peace."

There has been a mounting gloom in the film industry with the Maoist war. Now with the declaration of cease-fire since the last one-month, they are limping back to normalcy, according to Udhav Poudel, film producer.

"Nepali films have suffered mounting losses from the conflict and audiences have declined dramatically," he said.

"People didn’t go to cinema halls. They felt insecure and were financially crippled. But now over 90 per cent of film halls have re-opened with the declaration of cease-fire," he said.

Lead satirist and comedian Santosh Pant said, "whoever tries to disrupt the talks would be caught by the throat and dealt with severely."

"We want peace at all circumstances, no matter how hard the political parties pull each other’s legs," he added amidst laughter.

"We see glimpses of what is coming, and are pretty much sure that the government-Maoist talks lead to the restoration of peace in our country," said popular vocalist Ram Krishna Dhakal. "Dr Babu Ram and Prachanda must listen to our voice for peace. I hope he would listen to Karishma."

Feeling a bit nervous at the bullet-like questions thrown on her, actress Jal Shah said she personally felt great relief at the declaration of cease-fire.

Yadav Kharel, film producer and director struck a more cautious note saying: "I think there’s a good reason to be hopeful but also to worry - there’s only a comma in the war, which is yet to be turned into a full-stop."

We really don’t want to see violence anymore, he said, making incessant criticisms of the political parties and holding them responsible for the Maoist conflict.

Musician Alok Shree, who hails from the same village of Dr Babu Ram Bhattarai in Gorkha, said, "with the Maoist violence, no music has been played. Even if they are played, there is no charm and meaning to it."

Basundhara Bhusal, actor-comedian said that many Nepali women had their ‘sindoors’ wiped out from their forehead.

Community security issues discussed

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KATHMANDU, March 1 : Community security has been a topic of concern for every one in the society. Responding to the need, Pragya, a public foundation organised a symposium on Community Security yesterday.

Speaking about the involvement of children in the community security, Anand Aditya of Pragya said, "The training can be meaningful only when the effects of training can last long" adding "investing in children means investing in future".

At the same time, he emphasised on civic education and said that civic knowledge, attitude and skills can be utilised for community security.

Former major Karna Bahadur Thapa said that one should know how to defend oneself followed by family, institution and community. Thapa has done PhD in community security.

The main object of the programme was to sensitise the public about the various components of civil security. Pragya is working to identify various dimensions of the problems and measures needed for securing safety. Pragya also exhibited various components for security like seismic security, electronic security, fire security and smoke detector.

Live concert held

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KATHMANDU, March 1 : Ritesh Criss today presented SAVE NEPAL- the most wanted live concert at Birendra International Convention Centre organised by EAA (Elvis Gurung, Asha Rai and Avishek Agrawal). Various well-known artistes and bands performed their hit songs during the show.

Beginning with Promad Nirwan’s patriotic song Maya Garchu Nepal lai, the concert to warmed up thousands of audience packed inside the hall. But these audience were really at their feet when GP (Girish and Pranil) come up with this year’s hit song Ma yasto chu ma tyasto chu.

Similarly, popular artistes like Nima Rumba, Dipesh Kishore Bhattarai, Raju Lama, Suman Shrestha, Anil Singh, Prem Lama, Chanda Gurung, Sohan Manandhar, Dr. Pilots, Sunil Bardewa, Nabin K Bhattarai, Angels, Srijan, Sanjeev Singh, Sugam Pokhrel, and Karma Band also performed at the function.

Though the programme began around two hours late, the concert was successful to entertain the enthusiastic audience, who had waited for a long hour just to watch their favourite artistes perform.

Many of valley bridges in state of neglect

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KATHMANDU, March 1 : Be ware ! Are you driving or walking on the bridges over the rivers, rivulets and streams of the Kathmandu Valley ? Be careful! You may risk your life.

About 60 bridges constructed over the Bagmati and Bishnumati rivers, Tukucha, Manohara, Sanglekhola and other streams in the Kathmandu Valley are in a hazardous state due to various reasons.

These bridges are in a risky state and there can be accident any time.

"A total of 12 bridges including most of the bridges of the Chakrapath, Bagmati bridge over Minbhavan- Tinkune is in critical condition", said senior engineer of the Department of Road Keshav Prasad Wagle.

The oldest bridge constructed 95 years ago over Guheshwori - Bagmati is in trenchant condition. The bridge has not been repaired so far.

"The bridge can last for 75 years if proper maintenance and repair work is done properly", said senior engineer Wagle who has done research on the bridges of Nepal.

There is no reliable statistics of the vehicles moving in the bridges of the Kathmandu Valley.

More than 10,000 vehicles move on the Thapathali bridge joining Kathmandu-Lalitpur, according to a survey of the Japanese government.

The government allocates negligible amount of money for the maintenance and repair of the bridges.

The government allocates Rs. 450 million and about five percent of the budget is used for the maintenance of the bridges, according to the Department of Road.

"Proper attention including the geographical condition and pressure of the vehicle was not paid while preparing the map of the bridges in those days, therefore there is the need to remove those bridges in the present context", said bridge engineer Shiva Luintel.

Most of these 60 bridges of the valley were designed by foreign engineers and constructed with the support of foreign aid.

"The foreigners could not properly understand the situation in the context of Nepal therefore the bridges are in such a situation during a short span of time.

Local engineers should be mobilised for the construction of the bridges and there should be an effective bridge management system", engineer Luintel said.

The modern bridge construction system started in 1960 B.S. and so far 1225 bridges have been constructed throughout the country.

About 80 percent bridges are 32 to 40 year- old and 20 percent bridges are out of order, it is stated.

"About 25 bridges on the Prithvi, Mahendra, Pokhara-Baglung Highways are in dilapidated condition and accident may occur any time", Wagle said.

There is the need of about 2,000 bridges in the 16,000 kilometres road in the country and due to the lack of budget only about 15 bridges can be constructed every year, according to the Department of Road.

Engineer Wagle stressed the need to be careful while crossing the bridges and increase the budget for the construction of bridges in the country.

Gala music festival enthrals listeners

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KATHMANDU, March 1 : On the second day of Ninth Mahashivaratri World Music Festival-2003 various musical groups and bands performed hit songs at the Bhrikuti Mandap ground here today.

Every year on Mahashivaratri, Namaste Cultural Studio (NCS) organises the World Music Festival. With the slogan ‘Peace and equality: the voice of all music’, the festival is also scheduled to be held in Pokhara on March 7-8.

Highlighting about the programme Anand Gurung, member of NCS said, "The main aim of this festival is to gather all forms of music in one place."

According to Gurung, typical folk music, modern pop, rock and classical music are the main attractions of the concert that will be performed in both cities. Japanese musical group Akita’s Band and Indian group Rusty Nail also performed at the function.

The funds raised from the concert will be used to help release the album of senior singer Khem Bahadur Gandharba, and a portion of the funds will also be used to contribute for the building of late Arun Thapa Chowk, which will be built jointly by Pokhareli Sangeet Kala Karmi and Sangeet Kala Premi group, in the memory of late singer Arun Thapa.

Maoist order puts VDC secretaries in fix

By Binod Tripathee

BAGLUNG, March 1 : VDC secretaries who were heading for their respective VDCs on hope of resuming their duties after the truce declaration, have now returned to the district headquarters following Maoist order. The Maoists ordered the secretaries not to perform government duties in their area even during the truce situation, according to sources.

While those who approached their VDCs returned to the district headquarters following the Maoist order, others planning to be back have now postponed their programmes.

"Soni Kumar, Maoist leader in the area ordered me to return. I could not risk my life and came back," said Dhundi Raj Lamichhane, secretary of Kushmishera VDC who is currently residing at the district headquarters.

The government directives to VDC secretaries to return to their fields for discharging their duties has put them into trouble. "We are caught in the cross fire between the government order and the Maoist diktat," said the secretaries at district headquarters.

The government should create a favourable environment for them to return to their VDCs, according to the victimised secretaries.

Since the commencement of the insurgency, the Maoists have destroyed 58 VDC offices in the district. Discharging their duties in the absence of documents is very difficult, they point out.

Meanwhile, our reporter from Khotang informed that the Maoists in the district are holding various campaigns and programmes. As informed by Dweep, district secretary of CPN-Maoist party over telephone, it has already conducted campaigns like ‘Public Mobilisation’ and Militia-Public mobilisation’ in rural parts of the district.

The Maoists also built a platform Chautaro, at Bijayakharka of the district on the occasion of the party’s Martyrs’ Day.

No deal between king, Maoists: Tuladhar

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NARAYANGADH, March 1 ; The proposed talks between the king and Maoists is a result of the latter’s stand on the same for a long time and involves no foul play, said Padma Ratna Tuladhar, a human rights activist. He made the remark at an interaction programme held by the Youth Journalist Group here today.

"There has been no secret agreements and consensus between the king and the Maoists," said Tuladhar, while clarifying that the Maoists had not dropped the demand for a republic but had postponed the issue.

"The issue of republic will surface in constituent assembly," said Tuladhar.

He also stated that the truce situation was created at the initiation of Narayan Singh Pun, Minister for Physical Planning and Work, who took the initiation on his own without the knowledge of the cabinet.

The upcoming talks should focus on issues concerning labourers, farmers and ordinary people and Maoists should hold discussions on these issues, suggested Tuladhar.

Tuladhar suggested that the government should include in the talk group a member who understands the communist ideology. The members in the talk team should represent women, Dalits and ethnic groups, he added. "Though truce is established, there has been a war of words which spells the need for a mediator," stressed Tuladhar.

Nepali crusaders strive for world peace

By Kamal Panthi

BUTWAL, March 1 ; Three Nepalis on a World Peace Tour to carry the message of peace reached Butwal yesterday night.

This world peace tour campaign began from the premises of Pashupatinath temple on February 9 with an aim of propounding, spreading and declaring the ideas and views of the Science of Peace. The campaign called Sanatan Peace Campaign and initiated by Sanatan Chintan Samaj, a religious and social organisation, is being participated by the trio of, 40-year-old Thakur Prasad Panth of Chitwan, 41-year-old Magaj Panthi of Lamjung and 35-year-old Buddhi Prasad Paudel of Syangja.

Speaking to the media gathered here, Panth contended, " We are on a crusade to show and explain the matters that Democracy and the Marxists failed to show to the people." The trio also expressed their view on how they have imbibed the definite mechanism and are on their way with a positive view of making this campaign a success.

These peace crusaders are optimistic of meeting the travel expenses by the money they get from selling the copies of two books written by them. These two books, published in English are The Marxism Non-scientific Theory (Analysis-1) priced at Rs 150 and The Grade Sanatanism Theory of Everything market price fixed at Rs 200 per copy. In just a day books upto 400 have been sold.

Panth who previously spent eight years of his life in Germany reiterates that he had been inspired to take up a World tour while in Germany. He is very optimistic that the peace talks between the Government and the Maoists would bring permanent peace.

These three peace campaigners who have set a target of completing this World tour in a time span of three years will be travelling to India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Fiji, Philippines, Japan, Bali, South Korea and China in the first phase of their tour which is expected to be over in a year’s time. After this Asian tour they intend to return back to Nepal, stay for a while and then continue their World tour.

Ex-Kamaiya children serve as bonded labourers

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KAILALI, March 1 : More than 55 per cent of the ex-Kamaiyas are either serving as bonded or wage labourers, thanks to the failure of initiatives for a successful rehabilitation of the ex-Kamaiyas.

Children of these ex-Kamaiyas are found working in various hotels, industries and houses in Dhangadi, district headquarters and in other cities of the country, states a study report by a NGO.

Though, 40.95 per cent of the ex-Kamaya children stay with their parents, only 10 per cent of them so far have access to primary level education.

The NGO had carried out its study at the Kamaiya camps at Josipur, Janakinagar and Bhajani Pathariya Geta VDCs.

The study report revealed that the children aged nine and above are engaged in labour work and most of them are employed in risk prone works.

Most of the ex-Kamaiya children are working as bonded labourers but their exact number is yet to be traced out, according to the report.

"Abject poverty and unsuccessful rehabilitation have forced the ex-Kamaiya children to hard labour," said Mahabir Chaudhari, associated with BES, an NGO working with the ex-Kamaiyas.

Freed Kamaiyas still in chains as labour goes unpaid

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DANG, March 1 : Around 500 freed Kamaiyas find themselves in a fix as they continue their struggle to win their bread. This follows their failure receive the pledged share of rice-grains that were to be provided to them by way of wages for their contribution to the road construction project in Dang district. The construction work was undertaken under the Rural Community Infrastructure Development Programme.

Even after a lapse of 15 days since the completion of the road, it has become very difficult for them to manage their lodging and food as a result of this. It is learnt that these Kamaiya labourers have been making the rounds of Infrastructure Development Office everyday but in vain as their promised wages have not arrived till date. It is not known when the rice-grains would reach them.

The chief engineer at Rural Community Infrastructure Development Office, Birendra KC admits that they have not been able to provide the rice-grain as wage to these Kamaiya labourers digging the road despite sending several reminders to the centre for dispatching their wages.

For the construction of 23 kms of rural roads across VDC-9 of Dang, 300 metric tonnes of rice-grain had been allocated to be distributed to these Kamaiyas working at this section of the road. It is learnt that only 100 metric tonnes of rice-grain have been dispatched to this office to be distributed among these labourers.

Of this road, already 15 kms of road length has been completed through labour assistance of these Kamaiyas, but work on the remaining eight kms however has come to a halt due to delay in supply of their share of rice-grain.

Though Rs 3.2 million had been allocated for flood control at the rivers in three VDCs under the Infrastructure Development Programme of the Ministry for Local Development, this work has failed to start as yet due to non-dispatch of budget, states the office concerned.

Altogether 1500 labourers are involved in the road digging work including 929 Kamaiyas at various parts such as Lalmatia, Sonpur, Shishania, Gangaparaspur, Gathawa, Manpur, Halwar, Pawan Nagar and around the municipality region of Tribhuvan-nagar.

Since around 500 Kamaiyas working on the sections of the road at Halwar, Lalmatia, Gangaparaspur and Pawan Nagar have not received their wages, the remainder of the work to be completed in other parts is likely to suffer as well. Even the employees of the concerned office lament that they do not intend to go for field observation pointing to the situation brought about by this crisis.

Mahashivaratri celebrated with great fervour all over the country

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KATHMANDU, March 1 : Reports coming in here from various districts of the country state that Shivaratri, one of the greatest Hindu festivals was celebrated with great fanfare.

Reports from Sindhuli said that devotees in thousands thronged at Babadham, located near Langur rivulet in Jarayotar VDC of Sindhuli district. The temple is a noted pilgrimage where Shiva devotees from around the country and as far as India assemble during the festival.

"The number of devotees soared up this year due to effect of truce situation," said Badri Thapa Magar, priest at the temple. Lord Shiva appeared in Thapa’s dream 12 years ago and asked him to build a temple for him. Thapa visited the site and found some stone statues of Lord Shiva and soon the place became a popular pilgrimage, according to Thapa.

Devotees coming here have deep rooted belief that the Lord has been fulfilling their wishes ever since they started visiting the temple. Meanwhile, the students of the local schools carried bricks to renovate the famous temple of Shiddha Baba, near the district headquarters, Sindhulimadhi.

Hundreds of students climbed atop a hill carrying bricks for the renovation of around 3,00-year-old temple. The local Leo Club is soon to start renovation works of the temple.

Reports from Narayangardh and Janakpur stated that Brahmakumari Raj Yog Sewa Kendra held peace rallies to mark the Shivaratri festival.

A peace rally, accompanied by a cultural tableau that started from Kyampachaur circumbulated the Narayangardh bazaar and converted to a peace meeting at the same place.

Addressing the meeting, Dr. Swami Ramananda Giri said that Shivaratri is the day for getting victory over darkness.

In a similar programme in Janakpur, a peace rally accompanied by musical band circumbulated the bazaar area.

According to reports from Palpa, hundreds of devotees thronged the holy site of Pravash area today. The site bears great religious and historic importance as it finds mentions in Padma Puran and also in Mahabharat.