Not for Fun : Bicycle, the easiest of transportation seems to have proliferated even in the rural areas.

Dom community bearing brunt of social segregation

Rajbiraj, Mar 20 (RSS):Dom community gathering programme ad hoc committee, Federation of the Non-Governmental Organisations and Sarswati Community Development Forum of Saptari jointly organised a gathering of the community here Saturday.

Various speakers at the programme said that the local bodies should be serious on liberating the oppressed, exploited, and downtrodden classes from the evils of social discrimination and untouchability and the oppressed classes should also improve their conduct.

As Dom community is bearing the brunt of social segregation and their social, economic and political condition is also quite backward, the interaction programme has been oranised to launch campaign to raise people's awareness the uplift of the community, constitute its an organisation, eliminate the prevailing out-moded customs and unite the oppressed classes to sensitise against untouchability.

The population of Dom community in the district is 1,700.

On the occasion, a memorandum was submitted to the Chief District Officer, demanding creation of environment for the entry of the Dom community in the temples to offer prayers and worship like any other community as enshrined in the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal, 1990.

Action should be taken against persons involved in illegal activities such as beating up, imposing fine or giving physical punishment to the Dalits  as a result of the practice of untouchability. The memorandum also seeks legal action against those practising untouchability in public places and hurting the self-respect of the oppressed.

Superintendent of Police Sanandan Prasad Kurmi, president of the Federation of Non-Governmental Organisations of Saptari district, Baidya Nath Jha, Sushil Sewa of the Nepali Congress, Manohar Pokharel of the CPN-UML, advocate Narayan Prasad Sah, Govinda Bika and Baldev Ram also expressed their views at the programme chaired by Dayawati Marik (Dom) of Daulatpur VDC.

Social backwardnes, poverty responsible for high infant mortality

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Mar 20: Rajparishad Standing Committee Chairman Dr Keshar Jung Rayamajhi said that poor economic condition and social backwardness are mainly responsible for the high infant mortality rate (IMR) in the country. "Without sustainable development approach  and beter nutrition provision, we can not decrease IMR in the country" he added.

Dr Raymajhi made this remark recently in the 10th Congrees of Nepal Paediatric Society on "Integrated Approach to the Child Care in the Next Millennium" here.

Dr. Raymajhi further said that although there has been tremendous developments in the realm of medical science, from both qualitative and quantitative perspective around the world, child and women mortality rate have not been reduced as expected.

“Child mortality rate is the indicator of social and economic status of women in the country”, he said.

Dr Raymajhi stressed on uplifting the socio-economic status of the people for better child health care service in the new millennium. He also called upon the medical professionals to devote themselves in research works and apply the findings in their respective fields.

Dr Raymajhi also pointed out the need of  co-operation from all concerned to achieve the goal envisaged by the Society.

President of the Society Dr. Achyutmani Acharya said that an increased rate in infant mortality is matter of concern for all. Dr. H. K. Baskota and Dr. Kulesh Thapa also expressed their views at the programme participated in by representatives from WHO, UNICEF, UN and India, Japan and Thailand.

Meanwhile RSS report from Kapilbastu, a local non-governmental organisation called "Public Awareness for Development" organised a day-long training on child rights and hygiene at the Sri Gautam Buddha Primary School in Tilaurakot VDC recently.

On the occasion, the participants were imparted knowledge on Children's Health and hygiene, prevention of diseases, the international convention on child rights, the Child Rights Act-2048 B.S. and other subjects related to the seminar topic.

Sixty-three children attended the training.

Nationwide short story writing contest organised

Hetauda, Mar 20 (RSS): The "Pranayan" literary magazine, a quarterly published from here organised a nationwide open short story writing contest on the occasion of its first anniversary.

Sama Thapa of Kailali came out first, Chhatra Chhitiz of Jhapa second and Nimesh Likhit of Sarlahi third in the national level story writing contest.

Senior litterateur Nirmohi Byas gave away prizes and certificates to those coming out first, second and third in the competition.

On the occasion, senior lyricist Bhim Birag, litterateurs Padam Raj Lamichhane and Miss Pramila Bidari were felicitated on behalf of the "Pranayan" literary quarterly magazine.

At the programme presided over by the president of the Pranayan group, Makwanpur, Mr. Rishi K.B., Mayor of Hetauda Dormani Pokharel, senior lyricist Bhim Birag, litterateur Sagrib Acharya, Ghanshyam Neupane, Madhav Kafle, Shital Giri and Kumar Timilsina expressed their views.

In all fifteen short stories of the participants were selected for the contest, it is learnt from the organising committee.

In Kapilbastu, the Kapilbastu Literary Society has selected Dr. Bishnu Raj Atreya for this year's "Bhikshu" award.

The award, set up in memory of the late Bhawani Bhikshu, a reknowned prose and fiction writer, is given every two years to literary personalities.

Dr.    Atreya   has   been   selected   for    the   award   this   year in recognition of his outstanding contribution   to   the   promotion of    Nepali   and   Sanskrit   language by publishing important books in both languages and his special contribution for the uplift of Sanskrit.

The award carries a purse of Rs 5,000 and a copper plaque. The decision to this effect was taken at the meeting of the Kapilbastu literary society presided over by society president Hari Raj Sharma on Sunday.

Modnath Prashrit and Kulmani Devkota are the other recipients of the award.

The award will be presented to Dr. Atreya on the occasion of the Bhawani Bhikshu Memorial Day in May.

Bicyle tour for peace, brotherhood

Rajbiraj, Mar 20 (RSS):   Govinda Prasad Saha "Ajad" of Rajbiraj Municipality, Ward No. 4 who set out on an All-Nepal Bicycle Tour on February 29 with the message" The 21st Century- a century of art and peace" reached here Sunday after starting his tour from Ilam.

Mr. Azad said he reached here after completing the first leg of his journey which took him to Ilam, Birtamod, Damak, Itahari and Dharan also. He said he organised an exhibition of his paintings in Ilam and Dharan.

The youth was given a hearty welcome by the Rajbiraj Jaycees when he arrived here on completion of the first leg of the six-month tour.

Saha says he intends to wrap up the tour in Kathmandu after reaching Tanakpur of Mahendranagar. He intends to complete the tour in six months.

Saha says he went on the tour to promote brotherhood and fraternity among the Nepalese with the message of conservation and promotion of art and culture.

Koirala meets congress MPs

Kathmandu, Mar. 20 (RSS): President of the Nepali Congress (nc) and newly elected nc parliamentary party leader Girija Prasad Koirala today met with party mps.

On the occasion, party president Koirala called upon the mps to work giving priority to ending violence, maintaining law and order and preventing corruption, according to Nepali Congress party spokesman Narahari Acharya.

Stating that his objective was not just to become Prime Minister, Mr Koirala expressed his determination to move ahead with a national outlook and deal with national issues. 

According to spokesman Acharya, party president Koirala gave directives to the mps to unite to fulfil the commitments made and assurances given to the people during the elections.

Stating that all mps should not aspire to become ministers, he directed them to work with a national outlook in line with the policy of the party to face issues and challenges, according to the spokesman.

Khadka thanks officials, urges to work fearlessly

Kathmandu, Mar. 20 (RSS): Home Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka, speaking at a farewell programme organised at the Home Ministry today, said that he had played an active role in eradicating corruption, smuggling and commission mongering during his tenure.

A task force is involved in presenting suggestions for forming an armed police service to make the home administration more capable of providing good services, the process of amending the concerned act to make provision for “Chhetrapal” in the development regions is underway, and the task force under the convenorship of the home secretary is working for forming a seperate home administration group and specialisation of the Department of Immigration, Mr Khadka said, assuring that he would extend active cooperation to materialise these matters.

Urging the civil servants present to fearlessly analyse  and evaluate the works carried out during his tenure and to present a report to him as soon as possible, Mr Khadka said that it would be very useful for him.

The principles of chain of command advocated by him while taking over the  the post of Home Minister should be followed, he said, adding that leadership of any organisation should be provided by a single person for uits success.

The Home Minister directed all the units of the home administration  to work honestly to check corruption.

He urged the civil servants not to execute the orders of the political leaders which are motivated by selfish interests and against existing laws, and to present their views clearly.

The Home Minister also expressed gratitude for the cooperation extended to him by everyone involved in the home administration.

Home secretary Padma Prasad Pokherel said that progress had been made in providing a clean administration to the people during the Home Minister’s tenure.

The senior officials of the Home Ministry, Inspector General of Police Achyut Krishna Kharel and the heads of various departments under the Ministry were present on the occasion.