Baglung women community bags Bandevi award

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KATHMANDU, March 16: Sajini Women Community Forest Users Group, Baglung, has been selected for this year’s Bandevi award instituted by Nepal foresters association.

The award given every year to the community forest users group making outstanding contributions in the conservation of forest carries a purse of Rs 5 thousand and a citation. Minister for forest and soil conservation Badri Narayan Basnet, inaugurating the tenth annual meeting of the association and presenting the award here yesterday, said that as the community and leasehold forests have been effective in the protection of forest in the hilly areas, homework was being carried out to extend the programme in the districts of the plains.

Pointing out the need to adopt new scientific policy in forest management in the present context when scanty or excessive rainfall was taking place and soil erosion was on the increase, he called upon the foresters to provide suggestions in this regard.

On the occasion, minister Basnet gave away certificates and prizes to the members of the association.

Secretary at the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation Chandi Prasad Shrestha and association president Dr. Keshar Man Bajracharya also expressed their views at the programme.

Activities mark World Rotaract Week

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KATHMANDU, March 16: Several social service activities were organised in Kathmandu during the past week, to observe the World Rotaract Week, according to a press release issued here today. The activities were coordinated by Rotaract Club of Pashupati-Kathmandu, sponsored by Rotary Club of Pashupati-Kathmandu, a partner organisation of Rotary International.

The week-long celebrations included events like distributing food and clothes to beggars of Swayambhunath area, distributing fruit-juice and medicines to the children of Kanti Children Hospital’s Oncology Ward. Similarly, badminton and volleyball tournaments were organised in the Dasharath stadium among the Rotaract clubs around the country. The event was closed today by holding a blood donation programme, states the release.

The World Rotaract Week is organised every year such that 13th of March falls in the middle of the week. This year’s celebration was organised under the chairmanship of Pranita Joshi of the Rotaract Club of Pashupati-Kathmandu. Rotaractors Anangam Timalsina and Nabin Shrestha were the coordinators of the weeklong programme, states the release.

Rotary International is a global movement started in 1905 in the United States, with a motto ‘Service above Self’. At present, there is thousands of Rotary clubs around the world with millions of membership. The Rotaract is a sister-organisation of Rotary International with similar membership strength. In Nepal, there are 42 Rotary clubs at the moment and 20 Rotaract clubs around the country.

Holi losing traditional colour every passing year

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KATHAMNDU, March 16: A group of boys were having a ball throwing lolas (water-filled balloons) on every passers-by and aiming all the vehicles that passed by them. Hardly anyone could escape from these colourful lolas, which symbolises the upcoming Hindu festival of Holi, which this year falls tomorrow.

Tomorrow the Kathmanduites are celebrating the festival of colours that heralds the arrival of spring. Instead of the fun and frolic for which the festival was popular, Holi, it seems, is known for all the wrong reasons.

When asked about the festival, Suresh Rijal, an enthusiastic lola thrower at Kalankisthan chowk said, "Throwing lolas is the most interesting part of the festival," adding, "We know that the lolas hurts
but without this the festival will be very uninteresting."

Apart from lolas, youngsters were also seen throwing coloured water on passers-by, despite the government against indulging in such acts.

A government notice has stated that action would be taken against those forcefully spraying dirty water, coloured powder and blasting water-filled (lolas) balloons on passers-by and pedestrians.

The notice issued by the Home Ministry yesterday has strongly warned those found violating the government notice.

"I could found no one following the government rule," laments Aparna Shrestha, a school student. "This morning a group of boys blasted lolas at me and I had no choice but to run away from the spot."

Along with Shrestha, many girls were victims of these enthusiastic Holi players. They were either found escaping from these boys or were found changing routes wherever these enthusiasts were waiting for their prey.

When asked about this year’s holi scenario, Kuber Singh Rana, Superintendent of Police (SP) at District Police Office Hanumandhoka said that lola enthusiasts have decreased extensively. "This year we arrested only four boys forcefully blasting balloons on passers-by from various patrolling areas."

"Compared to last year, this year their numbers are very few," said Rana. "They will be charged under the relevant laws and punished accordingly."

Apart from these misbehaviours attached with the festival, Holi has its own historical and religious importance, which is generally celebrated by smearing colours on one another in a friendly spirit. Every year Holi is celebrated in the middle of the bright fortnight during the month of Falgun (March).

Hari Ram Joshi, a renowned cultural expert describes Holi as a festival to celebrate good harvests and for the fertility of the land.

According to legend, an arrogant king Hiranyakashyap wanted to kill his son Pralhad, who had a great devotion to Lord Vishnu.

He made several abortive attempts to kill his son. Finally, the king’s sister Holika who is said to be immune to burning sits with the boy in a huge fire. However, the prince Pralhad emerges unscathed, while she burns to death. This festival is said to have come into being on the death of this legendary demon Holika.

The festival Holi commemorates this event from mythology, and huge bonfires are burnt on the eve of Holi as its symbolic representation.

Every year the festival commences when a huge ceremonial pole, traditionally trimmed with many multicoloured cotton strips (locally known as cheer) is duly erected at Basantpur Durbar Square in front of the temple of Kumari, the living goddess.

This ritualistic pole represents a legendary Kadam tree, the favourite of Lord Krishna. According to legend, it is on this tree that Lord Krishna hung the clothes of Gopinis (girl friends) when they were bathing naked in the river Jamuna.

And this festivity continues all the day long until the cheer is finally lowered in the late afternoon of Fagu Poornima (tomorrow) which marks the end of Holi celebrations.

Pokharel receives Sarwanam award

KATHMANDU, March 16 (PR) - The Sarwanam award of the year has gone to noted stage actor Sunil Pokharel, it was announced on Sunday. Pokharel, who is into stage acting and production since the past 25 years, has been awarded in view of his immense contribution to stage. He has so far directed and acted in about 34 stage productions, a press release issued by Sarwanam, an alternative theatre group stated. The award dates back to the year 1981.

Noted folk singer Gandharva felicitated

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KATHMANDU, March 16 : Aankha Kholau Paropakar Sanstha today celebrated its first anniversary by felicitating the famous folk singer Jhalak Man Gandharva.

The chief guest at the function, Gandharva inaugurated the programme in the traditional way by lighting a lamp.

Dol Prasad Aryal, chairman of Aankha Kholau Paropakar Sanstha felicitated Gandharva by giving him the letter of appreciation and covering him with dosalla.

Kedar Timilsina, chairman of District Council of Leo Club also felicitated Gandharva on the occasion.

Receiving the honour, Gandharva expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all his fans and the organisers.

This social organisation has provided self-employment to more than 500 women and this has also been a home to six orphans.

Speaking at the occasion, Dol Prasad Aryal said that the organisation would continue working for the benefit of the society by helping the orphans and organising programmes for women.

At the same time he also informed about their plan to construct a water tank for providing drinking water for 100 families of remote place of Dhading

On the occasion, handicrafts of self-employed women of the sanstha were also exhibited along with the cultural programme show.

Probe initiated on mass destruction of drugs

By Rabindra Uprety

MAHOTTARI, March 16 : The District Administration Office (DAO) has initiated probe into a case concerning the mass destruction of drugs by the district hospital a few days ago. Disposition of the drugs worth hundreds of thousands of rupees, used for curing the child related diseases involved irregularities, according to sources.

There have been allegations from some of the hospital sources and locals that the mass deposition of drugs by the hospital was an act of sheer negligence on part of the hospital.

It has formed a probe committee headed by Pawan Subedi, an Administrative Officer and the committee has started its works, according to DAO.

Kantipur daily, the sister publication of The Kathmandu Post had carried a story on the mass destruction of various types of drugs by the hospital which said that the hospital act was not justifiable.

"The probe team has demanded written justification from the hospital on the case," said Bimal Prasad Dhakal, the Chief District Officer (CDO).

The probe team demanded explanation from the hospital as the report it furnished on an inquiry earlier was dissatisfactory, according to DAO sources.

Since a report was prepared prior to the disposal of drugs, there is no need of a probe into the case, said the hospital source.

However, the report that the hospital prepared involves irregularity. While the bodies other than the hospital, had to be consulted in the preparation of the report, it was prepared with the involvement of only the hospital personnel, according to DAO sources.

The report was prepared the next day after the event, just to cover the irregularity involved, revealed a hospital source requesting anonymity.

Family robbed after being fed narcotic-laced sweets

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BHADRAPUR, March 16 : Three Indian looters looted a family running a jewellery shop in Bhadrapur bazaar of Jhapa district, after feeding the family members with narcotic mixed laddu, a type of sweet, yesterday night.

Of the three Indian nationals involved in the incident, one named Narayan Karmakar also known as Birbal was employed at the shop. However the identity of the other two is still unknown, according to police.

That evening, Narayan Karmakar with his two friends had distributed laddus to all the family members declaring the engagement of his daughter with a man from a noble family. Each member was given eight laddus. After consuming the laddus, all the family members including Bhola Prasad Sonar, 45, the family head fell unconscious including the Indian national Karmakar.

The two looters who had arrived in the house as guests, took the chance and looted all the cash and valuables from the house including the jewellery worn by the family members.

The unconscious family members were admitted to the hospital today morning, only after their neighbours came to know of the incident. Karmakar is also receiving treatment at the same hospital. Loss in the incident is yet to be assessed, police said.

Three Maoists released

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SARLAHI, March 16 : The Janakpur Appellate Court released today three people detained on charges of their association with Maoists under the writ order of habeas corpus.

Those released from 11 months of detention include Aiman Singh Tamang and Ait Singh Syangbo, both from Khayermara VDC, Mahottari and Mukunda Pulami from Hajariya VDC, Sarlahi.

Sarlahi Chief District Officer Ratnaraj Pandey said that they were released after immediately receiving an official letter from the court. After being released from the detention, Aiman Tamang said he was not associated with the Maoist organisation but admitted providing them with food and shelter, as he lived in the Maoist-affected village.

Meanwhile, a report from Bara said that the District Court today ordered the release of Prema Paswan, Central Committee member of Maoist affiliated, All Nepal Women’s Association-Revolutionary on bail. She was arrested about seven months ago on charges of her association with terrorist activities.

Freedom fighter passes away

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KAVRE, March 16: Shri Ram Karmacharya, one of the freedom fighters during the popular mass movement in 1951, from Kavre district passed way at the Bir Hospital in the capital city today. He was 71 years old. Karmachrya was admitted to the Army Hospital after a bike hit him on March 10.

He was moved to the Bir Hospital on Friday evening. Karmacharya was also the NC chairman of Panauti Town Development Committee. Senior leaders of NC including Girija Prasad Koirala paid their last tributes to the mortal remains of Karmarchrya draping the body with the party flag.