Millions of S Asian children start school ‘unprepared’

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KATHMANDU, Nov 1 - Millions of children in South Asia start school unprepared; there is also increasingly heavy workload for women and children in the region, Caroline Arnold, Southeast Asia and Asia Pacific Regional Early Childhood Advisor said here Saturday.

Speaking during the inauguration of a three-day seminar organised by the Seto Gurans National Child Development Services, on the occasion of its Silver Jubilee, Arnold said that in the absence of Early Childhood Development (ECD) programme, more than half school-aged children in South Asia drop out from school as they join unprepared.

"It is a terrible waste for the children," she said.

However, she said that Nepal has made tremendous progress in the ECD in the recent years.

Citing a study, she said that with the launch of the ECD programme, the number of children repeating the same grade has dropped from 40 percent in 2000 to 5.5 percent in 2003.

On the occasion, Chitra Lekha Yadav, deputy speaker of the House of Representatives appreciated the commendable services of Seto Gurans in the last 24 years.

However, she said that unless the government makes a huge investment on children’s holistic development, the country would continue to have a bleak future.

"It is necessary that the state invests on children to make them productive and informed citizens," she said while appreciating Seto Gurans for dedicating itself to the ECD programme in 46 districts.

Agatha Thapa, director of the Seto Gurans and Kunti Rana, training coordinator of the organization also spoke on the occasion.

Sindhu - Tatopani festival begins

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KATHMANDU, Nov 1 - The Sindhu-Tatopani festival began here on Friday with the slogan "Lets go to Sindhu-Tatopani and help tourism promotion".

The festival organised by the District Development Committee(DDC), Sindhupalchowk with support from Nepal Tourism Board targets to bring in around 300,000 domestic and foreign tourists.

Local businessmen and industrialists have also provided co-operation in organising of the festival.

Rajparishad member Dundup Lama inaugurated the festival organised with the objective of preserving and promoting historical, cultural and religious heritage of the Tatopani region.

Dhime pageantry and local dances and songs of Lama, Sherpa communities were presented at the inaugural function.

Time to improve oldest Ayurvedic Hospital

By Chiranjibi Poudel/RSS

KATHMANDU, Nov 1 - At a time when there is the attraction towards Ayurvedic treatment around the world, there is the need to develop the oldest Ayurved Hospital, Nardevi as a centre of excellence in Ayurved treatment in the country.

The hospital, established in 1974 BS with four beds, has 100 bed at present. However, the hospital has not been able to provide specialized services and other basic services effectively due to lack of infrastructure development, budget and Ayurved doctors.

‘’We can develop the hospital as a centre of excellent and even attract the foreigners, however there is the need to develop basic infrastructure, expand the beds and need skilled doctors,’’ Dr Krishna Raj Parajuli, acting director of the hospital said.

The number of patients coming to the Ayurved hospital has been increasing every year but the infrastructure has not been developed accordingly therefore it is very difficult to work in accordance with our objective, Dr Parajuli said.

The number of OPD patients visiting the hospital was 88,549 and in door patient 523 in the fiscal year 2001/2002. The number of patients increased drastically and reached over 112,000 and about 1,000 respectively during the 2002/2003.

The hospital has been providing general health services, surgical, pediatrics, gaenocology, acupuncture and various other diseases. The hospital is considered to be the best in the treatment of jaundice.

There is enough herbs needed for the production of Ayurvedic medicines in Nepal and many people are being attracted towards this treatment, however the government has not paid enough attention for the development of Ayurved.

‘’We can provide specialised services in some diseases including piles and others and can treat without surgical operation therefore there is the need for the development of infrastructure, expansion of the beds and other necessary development in the hospital, Dr Parajuli said.

We can develop the hospital as a centre of excellence and even attract the foreigners at a time when there is increasing attraction towards the Ayurvedic treatment, he said. The government should provide the basic necessities for that, he said.

There are 91 employees including the doctors in the hospital and the Finance Ministry has not permitted to make arrangement of skilled doctors needed for the hospital without increasing the budget, it is learnt. This has also created difficulties in providing effective health services to the patients, who come from every nook and corner of the country.

The hospital needs to expand to make the arrangement of at least three feet distance between the beds in accordance with the World Health Organisation(WHO) standard.

"We can develop the hospital as an Ayurvedic treatment centre and attract even foreigners by providing them excellent treatment", Dr Parajuli said. "There is the possibility of developing it as a model hospital in the treatment of Ayurved, if these basic requirements are met", the director added.

At a time when the Ayurvedic medicine is getting popularity and people are attracted towards Ayurvedic treatment, there is the need to pay attention for the development of the oldest Ayurved hospital of Nepal.

Focus on basic health services to backward communities

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KATHMANDU, Nov 1 - Health Minister Kamal Thapa returned home today after participating in the macro economic and health strategy meeting organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) from 29 to 30 October in Geneva.

Talking briefly to the reporters at the VIP bay of the Tribhuvan International Airport today, he said discussion was held to carry out basic health services to the backward communities, consolidate delivery system, focus on health services in macro economic system and initiate efforts to increase internal and external investment in health services.

Thapa said Nepal stressed on the cooperation of the World Health Organisation for capacity enhancement in the local level and effective monitoring system in Nepal during the meeting.

Minister Thapa informed Health, Planning and Finance Ministers of 40 countries and representatives of the donor countries and the organisations participated in the two meeting held at the WHO headquarters Geneva.

Health Minister Thapa had left for Geneva to attend the meeting on Monday.

All religions espouse peace, non-violence

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KATHMANDU, Nov 1 - Religious preachers today concluded that the end line of every religion is love, truth, peace and non- violence.

People from different religions congregated at the Rastriya Sabha Ghriha and highlighted the importance of their religion. The programme was organised by the Satya Sai Co-ordination Committee, Kathmandu-3.

Chairman of the Raj Parisad Standing Committee Parsu Narayan Chaudhary opined that there was a need of goodwill among the people to maintain the integrity of this multi-lingual, multi- religious and multi-cultural country.

Stressing the importance of Hindu religion, professor Shiva Gopal Risal said the religion believed in goodwill for others. "There is no place for egoism in the Hindu religion. Everyone is regarded equal. It is the people who have built up the barriers among themselves," Risal said.

Other speakers at the programme were Agatha Thapa, Mohammad Nijamuddin, Hardayal Singh, Dr. Narottom Upadhaya, and Former minister Mahesh Acharya among others.

Maoists continue extortion spree

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KATHMANDU, Nov 1 - Besides lives being lost, several incidents of abduction, bombings, arrests and intimidation have been reported from several parts of the country.

Reports from Butwal say that vehicle entrepreneurs parking their vehicles in Chhapiya, Lumbini and Saljhandi areas at night are becoming anxious, as Maoists have been demanding the vehicles for short time use. “Since the Maoists have been demanding our vehicles it seems that they are planning a major attack somewhere around,” said a vehicle entrepreneur requesting anonymity.

A report from Dadeldhura, states that a police team from the District Police Office (DPO) arrested four Maoist activists while they were delivering letters demanding donations in Bagbazaar. Police arrested two persons who were dining at a small hotel in Bagbazaar after delivering letter to another hotel. The same police team also arrested another person and Arjun Bista, from the latter’s house in the bazaar as per information provided by those arrested.

Police also arrested Prakash Bahadur Sawand, the Chairman of the Dadeldhura Chamber of Commerce and Industries for interrogation in connection with donation terror by the Maoists, according to a source.

Reports from Gorkha say that Maoists set free Rudra Raj Pandey, the Mayor of the Prithvi Narayan Municipality, the headquarters of Gorkha district. The Mayor who had been abducted yesterday evening was freed on the condition that he resigns from the post. “The Maoists prepared two copies of resignation letters and kept one with them while the other was handed to me. They have threatened dire consequences in case of my failure to tender my resignation,” said Pandey.

Reports filed from Dhading say that vehicles abstained from the highways and roads along Dhading, Nuwakot and Rasuwa districts today as part of the two-day strike in those districts called by the Maoists. The strike was called to protest the death of Yogesh Gurung, a student of Mahendra Secondary School alleged to have been killed by security personnel on October 20.

Reports from Ramechhap state that Maoist rebels destroyed a suspension bridge across the Sunkoshi River that joins Sindhuli and Ramechhap.

As per reports from Nawalparasi, a group of Maoist rebels hurled a pressure cooker bomb at the ancestral home of Dr. Keshar Jang Rayamajhi, the ex-Chairman of the Raj Sabha Standing Committee yesterday night. The house suffered partial damage in the blast.

Reports from Dailekh say that the whereabouts of Dhan Bahadur Adhikari, an RPP activist abducted by Maoists some three weeks ago is still unknown. The Maoists had abducted Adhikari, also an ex-VDC Chairman from Dhungil bazaar at Jhapra VDC-4 while on his way to the district headquarters.

Our reporter from Panchthar, writes that the Kirant National Front, a Maoist affiliated party has said in a press release that the security personnel have abducted Gyanu Aangdembe, a party activist. The release has demanded the release of the abducted and also appealed to the concerned bodies for her safety.

Meanwhile, according to reports from Doti the Doti chapter of Nepal Red Cross Society visited Sharada Higher Secondary School in Mudhvara VDC of the district that witnessed a bloody clash between security personnel and Maoists and handed over relief materials to victimised families.

Tourism shows signs of revival in ACAP region

By Devendra Bhattrai and Dinesh Regmi

MYAGDI, Nov 1 - The policy change announcement of the Maoists has kindled a ray of hope among the tourism entrepreneurs in the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP). As against their aggressive policy until a few days ago, they have now turned friendly to tourism entrepreneurs and tourists have started arriving in large numbers to the region, according to sources,

After the Tihar festival, Maoist activists painted the walls of villages in Ghorepani of Myagdi district with statements such as ‘All tourists are welcome in the village.’ Even trekkers along the route feel relieved from tension of the insurgency, according to them.

Earlier the trekkers travelling along Birethanti, Ghandruk, Tadapani, Ghorepani and Bhurung route were troubled by the forcible donation collections by the Maoists. There was also the danger of being caught in possible crossfire as security personnel were also active in the region.

Maoists had been collecting Rs. 1,000 per head from tourists in the ACAP region in the past. A clash involving the Maoists and security personnel in Ghandruk region last month had left a negative impression among the trekkers.

The ACAP region, devoid of Maoist and security activities is again showing signs of a revival of tourism, according to concerned sources.

“While this route attracted around 500 tourists a day in the peak season in the past years, barely 200 have arrived so far this year. However, tourism activity appears to be encouraging,” observed Dambar Bahadur Pun, Chairman of the Ghorepani Lodge Management Committee (GLMC).

Dominated by Puns, an ethnic Magar community, Ghorepani area alone boasts of 26 lodges as against around two dozen lodges in Ghandruk, dominated by Gurungs, another ethnic community.

“Our only desire is that this region be declared an insurgency free zone,” demanded Shankar Bahadur Gurung, a hotel entrepreneur of Ghandruk.

Most of the trekkers travelling in the ACAP region head for Pun hill at an elevation of 3, 210 metres which provides a panoramic view of some 15 mountains and sun rise viewing.

Jeep services resume along Baglung-Bartibang route

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BAGLUNG, Nov 1 - Jeeps have started to ply on the 28 Km long Baglung-Bartibang rural road constructed with financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB. Though jeep services had been carried on this route for the past two years sporadically the service has become more frequent now.

The smooth conduction of jeep services is expected to benefit people of 15 Village Development Committees (VDCs). It is learnt that the Asian Development Bank had initially set target for the construction of 110-Km section of this road, but has assisted in the construction of only 28-Km of the road. About 50 jeeps have been plying along this road at present. The road runs from Ghodabandhe Dhurisaj to the district headquarters. If this road could have been extended 10 Km more, then Galkot region too could have benefited from the transportation facility along this route. It is learnt however, that the remaining road construction work is not expected to resume until another decision by ADB.

A management committee has been formed for the conduction of these jeeps along this route. The fare for this route has been fixed through an all party meeting held at the District Administration Office (DAO). According to the chairman of this committee, Shashi Shrestha, the fare has been fixed at Rs. 120 for a trip upto Ghodabandhe Dhurisaj in Bihu VDC.

Since 1996 the road construction project under the Rural Development Programme of the Local Development Ministry in this region had got underway. According to the agreement, ADB had decided to provide financial assistance of about Rs. 481.6 million approximately for the completion of this road project. However, the bank had restrained from providing this fund from 2001 stating irregularities as the reason. As a result the 28 Km long road could not be completed fully.

According to chairman Shrestha, the smooth flow of vehicles along this road is not possible due to the creation of pot-holes and fissures at various places along this route. According to a jeep driver, the smooth flow has been disturbed due to some locals cutting canals across this road to take water to their farms.

During the rainy seasons, vehicular movement along this road is forced to come to a halt at times. Jeep services along this route, which was in, disarray all this while had resumed only from mid September.

As regard the irregularities seen during this road construction which led to discontinuation of construction on the remaining section of this road, the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) office at the district has just completed its investigation. According to Prem Narayan Sharma chief of the project, and the Chief District Officer the CIAA is soon going to make public the report of this investigation.

Fake astrologers arrested

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BUTWAL, Nov 1 - Police today arrested two fake Indian astrologers on charges of cheating gullible locals of hundred of thousands of rupees. The astrologers were arrested from separate hotels. However, the leader of the astrologers is absconding with the collected cash and valuables, according to concerned sources.

Acting on a complaint filed by the victims, police arrested Gayananda Pukar Jaisi and Bayakar Gajanan after raids on Parajuli Hotel and Royal Hotel of Arghakhanchi district, according to Maya Kumar Shah, the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).

The arrested have confessed before the police that their leader, named Hedhar Shah Baba is absconding with cash and valuables worth Rs.600,000.

The team of fake astrologers had been cheating people stating that they could settle issues such as family disputes, foreign tour aspirations, love marriage and divorce cases.

Aruna Shrestha, 30 of Butwal municipality-5, Shushila Kunwar of Karaiya VDC-3, together with a dozen victims of Butwal had lodged a complaint against the fraudulent astrologers with the police.

The leader of the fake astrologers is reported to have headed towards Palpa district and police are on the look out for according to sources.

Maoists involved in deforestation of community forests

by Bedprakash Timilsinha

NEPALGUNJ, Nov 1 - It is learnt that Maoist leaders and workers have been actively involved in deforestation of many community forests in the east-western part of Bhaisablay in Achham.

Padamraj Adhikary alias Basanta, a local Maoist leader, in charge of Area -7, Binayak, and Nardev Adhikary alias Pardeshi, an area member there, taking authority in their hands have started issuing permission to cut down trees on payment of just Rs. 100 as charge.

According to information provided by Dhan Saud, the treasurer of Salsain Community Forest Consumer Group, who has been living in the district headquarters Mangalsen being displaced from Salsain, the Maoists have indulged in felling of trees mostly from the forest region in the east-western part of Bhaisablay.

Saal, Utis, and pine trees, are some of the commercial trees that are being cut down in large numbers from 14 community forests under the Binayak ranger-post of the 47 community forests under its jurisdiction at present.

Sameer Bhagat, the ranger of Binayak ranger-post who has been living at the district headquarters of this district due to security reason, also verified the news of trees being cut by the Maoists area leaders.

Further clarifying on this, even Dambare Bhul a Maoist worker of Jamunaha in Banke district, before leaving for India today afternoon conceded, that felling of trees with the participation of their local leaders Basanta and Pardeshi have been conducted in the Binayak ranger-post.

Rickshaw a reliable means of transportation

RSS

BIRATNAGAR, Nov 1 - Rickshaw has become a very reliable and efficient means of transportation for people living in Biratnagar Sub-metropolis as well as those coming to the sub-metropolis for various reasons.

Available at any time to go anywhere in the sub-metropolis, rickshaw is used by people of all levels of the society.

Ability of rickshaws to be driven into small lanes as well as rough roads has contributed to the increasing popularity of the three-wheeler in this part of the eastern region.

Rickshaws have also been the only alternative for travellers in the city, which has very few taxis and is without any city bus.

Around 6,000 rickshaws run through the sub-metropolis area every day. Apart from the rickshaws from within the sub-metropolis, some rickshaws come here for service from neighbouring Sunsari district as well.

However, only around 20,100 rickshaws have been registered at the Biratnagar Sub-metropolis, says Bharat Acharya of the sub-metropolis.

Some 3,671 rickshaw drivers have acquired license from the Traffic Police Office and among them 633 are said to be Indian citizens.

Anyone coming with a photocopy of Nepali citizenship, voter identity card, recommendation from the concerned VDC and with a photocopy of ration cards in case of Indian citizens can get the rickshaw driving license, says police Inspector Ganesh Bikram Shaha.

Traffic police keep record of Nepali and Indian rickshaw drivers and also provide knowledge of traffic rules and regulations which is said to have made them adhere to the traffic rules.

Commenting on the public complaint of charging of excessive fares by the rickshaw drivers, Inspector Shaha said passengers are requested to ask the drivers for the fare rate list and if denied report to traffic office immediately.

Rickshaw fare and regulations was decided last year by a joint meeting of representatives of the sub-metropolis, District Administration Office, District Police Office, District Traffic Police Office, Consumers Forum, Rickshaw Drivers Union and rickshaw owners.

However, very few rickshaw drivers have been found to follow the rules and regulations. Rickshaw drivers have been asked to wear their identity cards but very few do so.

Absence of system rickshaw stands in the city is also making rickshaw driving and parking very irregular, say the passengers.

Majority of the rickshaw drivers don’t own the rickshaw and they have to pay a daily stipend of Rs. 20 to 40 to the owner. However, a rickshaw is likely to earn Rs. 150 to 200 daily.

The only woman rickshaw driver in the city has been provided with a rickshaw free of cost by the Birat Janajagaran Abhiyan.

Used by all from children to the elderly and from poor to the rich, rickshaw is by all means the most popular means of transportation in the sub-metropolis which should be well managed, developed and expanded, says the locals.