Gorkhapatra harbinger of national unity: PM
Koirala addresses centennial celebration function

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, May 6:The open reality that the Gorkhapatra daily sowed the seeds of democracy in the country and gave way to linguistic unification calls for the need to preserve its identity and make it more competitive, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala said.

"We should initiate discussions at all levels to decide which course the oldest vernacular daily should take in the days ahead," Koirala told the function organised to celebrate the centennial celebrations of the Gorkhapatra daily.

He said that the present day context of Nepal and the context hundred years back is totally different, but the person who thought about publishing the Gorkhapatra was a thorough democrat.

The daily over the past hundred years has contributed significantly to unite the nation by creating the atmosphere for reconciliation and social harmony, Koirala said.

He referred to the indirect control over the media by the business tycoons and said steps must be taken not to allow the same with the state’s historical newspaper.

Koirala said that it was up to the employees of Gorkhapatra to decide how they could develop sustainability.

"The government is ready to help in every way provided that the Gorkhapatra employees come up with a concrete proposal," he said.

Koirala honoured ten former Editor-in-Chiefs of the daily and presented shawls to them. Those honoured were Tek Bahadur Khatri, Bharat Dutta Koirala, Gokul Pokharel, Ram Chandra Neupane, Bal Mukunda Dev Pandey, Shree Prasad Gautam, Krishna Bhakta Shrestha, Tara Baral, Shiva Adhikari and Shyam Sundar Sainju.

Minister for Information and Communications Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta said that the Gorkhapatra is a valuable asset of Nepalese journalism.

He said that the daily in its hundred years of ups and downs had rendered its services to bring about political, social and religious awareness in the country.

Now it is up to the employees to formulate a plan regarding the future course to be taken by the Gorkhapatra and ensure that it continues to thrive under its founding principles, Gupta said.

"The Nepali Congress will not do anything that would put the fate of the employees of the Gorkhaptra at stake," he said.

He said if it is felt that the privatisation of Gorkhapatra will help to consolidate its position then the government will not hesitate to go ahead with the privatisation process.

Secretary at the Ministry of Information and Communications, Shree Ram Poudel said that the Gorkhapatra had stood out as an eminent holding in the South Asian region as a whole.

"The role played by Gorkhapatra in the line of generating political, economic and social awareness is as clear as the brightness of the sun," Poudel said.

He said that the daily must maintain its image by removing all the shortcomings of the past.

Chairman of the Gorkhapatra Corporation Prem Nidhi Gewali said that the completion of 100 years by the Gorkhaptra Daily is an important page in the history of Nepal. He said that plan was afoot to bring colour printing machine in order to make the daily more competitive.

Acting General Manager of the Gorkhapatra Corporation, Benu Prasad Prasai said that the multi-dimensional role played by Gorkhapatra as an authentic path shower is unforgettable in the page of history.

He said that the Gorkhaptra is the only newspaper that reaches the nooks and corners of the country and it has been prioritising the principle of social service rather than going for profits only.

Prasai said that efforts were being made to make the daily more competitive by making relevant changes.

Acting Editor-in-Chief of the Gorkhapatra Daily, Ramesh Tiwari said that the occasion of the daily’s entry into its hundred years, is unforgettable in the context that there are very few newspapers in South Asia that have completed hundred years.

Tiwari said the daily had served as a source of gaining awareness for the Nepalese people and had been a factor of inspiration in the development process.

He said that the trumpeting of history alone would not secure the future of the Gorkhapatra. It is important that the government comes up with a clear vision regarding the future course to be taken by the daily, Tiwari said.

He said that the daily must be taken ahead keeping in view the interest of the readers living in the 22st century.

General Secretary of the Gorkhapatra Employees Union (2052), Basanta Prakash Upadhyaya said that the services rendered by the daily must be assessed thoroughly and steps should be taken to construct a new building and purchase a colour printing machine.

He said that the repeated change in the management had been a set back for identifying the lapses inside the Gorkhapatra Corporation and rectifying them on time.

President of the Nepal Journalist Federation Gorkhapatra Sub Committee Puskar Mathema delivered the vote of thanks in today’s programme.

Govt committed to curb violence: DPM

Pokhara, May 6 (RSS): nc central member and Deputy Prime Minister Ramchandra Poudel has said that Nepal Tarun Dal, youth wing of Nepali Congress, has been working as a revolutionary and socialist force.

Inaugurating the first district convention of the dal’s district working committee here today, Deputy Prime Minister Poudel said even long time after the restoration of democracy, we have not been able to meet the aspirations of the people due to various anomalies and aberrations.

The present government is resolved to control corruption and put an end to violence and terrorism, he added.

The government is also making serious efforts to provide a clean and healthy administration and help the people get out of the existing despondency, he said.

MP Shukra Raj Sharma said individualistic attitude and self aggrandizement are detrimental to democracy, while mp Mahadev Gurung said the change of government was essential to fulfil the promises made by the party during the election.

MP Prakash Bahadur Gurung said the time has come for the party to assess whether it has been able to keep the promises it has made to the people.

MPs Shankar Pandey, Dilliraj Sharma and Tanka Kandel highlighted the role of youth in the preservation of democracy and the country’s development.

A host of other speakers also expressed their views at the function chaired by Tarun Dal Kaski district president Diwas Man Pradhananga.

Some 143 representatives are attending the two-day convention.

Poudel calls for unity among NC functionaries

Syangja, May 6 (RSS): Deputy Prime Minister Ram Chandra Poudel has pointed out the need for unity, reconciliation and understanding in the Nepali Congress in order to achieve the goal based on the principle and policy of the party.

Addressing a gathering of party workers at Syangja Bazaar today, Mr. Poudel said the socialism is aimed at abolishing hero worshipping and working for the socio-economic and political upliftment of the backward and suppressed people.

MPs Gopalman Shrestha, Sukraraj Sharma and Dilliraj Sharma also expressed their views at the function chaired by nc Syangja District Working Committee chairman mp Shanker Pandey.

Also today, laying the foundation stone for a statue of popular leader B.P. Koirala to be installed at Ward No-1 of Putali Bazaar, Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Poudel described the late leader as a hero who guided the nation towards modernization and democratization, and made the people sovereign.

B.P. Thought Academy, Syangja president Khagendraraj Regmi presided.

In Pokhara, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Development Ram Chandra Poudel inaugurated the centenary function of the Sanskrit Secondary School at Bhimkalipatan in Pokhara Sub-metropolis, today.

On the occasion, dpm Poudel felicitated the headmaster and assistant teachers at the school, Tanka Nath Parajuli, Shukadev Baral and Rajaram Regmi respectively by wrapping shawls around them and presenting letters of honour.

Mr. Poudel also announced a financial assistance of Rs. 100,000 from the Ministry of Local Development and Rs. 10,000 on his own behalf for the establishment of a revolving fund at the school.

On the occasion dpm Poudel asked those studying Sanskrit not to think themselves inferior.

A man without civilisation cannot live a peaceful life, he said, adding that every one has the responsibility of preserving the school.

At the function mps Shukraraj Sharma, Shankar Pandey, Tanka Sharma Kandel, Dilliraj Sharma, Prakash Bahadur Gurung and Mahadev Gurung also expressed their views.

At the function presided over by the chairman of the school management committee Keshav Raj Parajuli, various other speakers including headmaster Taranath Pakhe, former students Hemraj Regmi, Khagendra Raj Regmi and Damodar Banstola also expressed their views.

Kamaiyas complain of injustice, exploitation

Dhangadhi, May 6 (RSS): Nineteen bonded labourers (Kamaiyas) of Geta VDC, Kailali have jointly filed a complaint against their landlord and ex-minister of state Shivaraj Pant at Geta VDC office demanding entitlement to their wages as per the minimum wage rates fixed by His Majesty’s Government.

According to the Kamaiyas, they do not get any benefits or wages except 15 quintals of paddy a year, and they are compelled to work more than eight hours a day as ordered by the landlord. The 15 quintals of paddy is given only to the Kamaiya man and wife, not their dependents, they said.

After the Kamaiyas, who are living in huts in public land near the landlord’s land, started demanding minimum wage, the landlord is reported to have threatened them with physical torture and eviction from the public land. For the fear of possible torture and eviction, the bonded labourers filed the complaint seeking security and their rights, it is said.

A procession of Kamaiyas that originated from the Geta eye hospital premises under the leadership of Backward Society Education (base) on the occasion of the International May Day went to the Geta VDC office to file the complaint.

When contacted for comment, landlord Pant said he has been providing 15 quintals of paddy a year to each of the Kamaiyas and has also provided small piece of land to live in. In addition to this, he added, he has been providing money and paddy when burrowed by the Kamaiyas and making them work as per the Kamaiya system. As for his threats he said he does not have the right to evict the Kamaiyas from the public land.

Even after working for the landlord for 25 to 30 years, the Kamaiyas are supposed to pay back money ranging from Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 65,000 and 47 quintals of paddy to the landlord, according to base central member Yagya Raj Chaudhari.

Despite a constitutional provision which has proscribed bonded labour system, the system still exists in various Terai districts including Banke, Bardiya, Kailali, Kanchanpur and Dang.

Assistance for mentally retarded children

Kathmandu, May 6 (RSS): The second vice chairman of the United Nations Women Organisation and chairman of the Welfare Committee Miralu Shariff handed over to the general secretary of the organisation Ganesh Bhakta Shrestha a cheque for Rs. 117,000 for procuring educational materials and improving the mentally retarded children’s’ house and the Community Development Centre run under the Nepal Children’s Organisation (nco).

According to the nco, a sum of Rs 67,000 is received from the organisation for increasing the capacity of the mentally retarded children’s house at Panchkhal, Kavrepalanchowk by improving it.

Established last year, the children’s house has currently 19 children-eight of them mentally retarded.

Similarly, the organisation has also provided a financial grant of Rs 50,000 for improving the classrooms and procuring educational materials for the backward class children studying at the Community Development Centre, Thencho run under the nco. The centre has now 60 children from poor and helpless families.

The Bal Mandir has been receiving the service of volunteer Mrs. Lupita Farera from the organisation for the last three years.

The nco has been working for orphans and backward children in all 75 districts of the kingdom for the past 35 years through its district working committees.

Joshi for improved education

Kathmandu, May 6 (RSS): Home Minister Govinda Raj Joshi speaking at the 46th anniversary function of Madan Smarak Secondary School, Lalitpur today said timely improvement in the education sector is the need of the day.

Since the country’s development is not possible without the development of education sector, it is a common responsibility of all to help build an environment in which society benefits from the investment made by the government in education, he said.

At the function, Home Minister Joshi felicitated chairman of the school managing committee Kamal Mani Dixit and principal of the school Guma Sharma by wrapping shawls around them.

He also presented letters of commendation to those making significant contribution to the school and the students who secured first division in last year’s S.L.C. examinations. Likewise, he gave away prizes to the students winning various sports competitions organised by the school.

The minister also presented prizes to students of the school Anju Shrestha, Manida Shaha, Rupa Maharjan, Shanta Sapkota, Susmita Thapa and Samigya Shakya who had earned various medals for the country in the Eighth saf Games.

At the function presided over by managing committee chairman Dixit, district education officer Bal Bahadur Pariyar said despite the big investment made by the government in education sector the outcome is not satisfactory.

Library plays role in spreading knowledge

Bhaktapur, May 6 (RSS): General Secretary of the cpn- uml and leader of the main opposition party Madhav Kumar Nepal inaugurated the Sathi Shailung Janahit Library established at Lohakilthali, ward no 16 of Madhyapur Thimi Municipality, here today.

The library which is established with the assistance of the Sathi Foundation Japan, at the initiative of Shailung Foundation Nepal and Janahit Samaj Nepal will be developed into a national library, the organisers said.

Speaking on the occasion, General Secretary Nepal said as the present age is that of knowledge and information, the library will play an important role in spreading knowledge.

Ex-prime minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand said establishment of the library has filled the void of library in Thimi.

Minister Counselor of the Japanese Embassy Koichi Yotsuya said the establishment of the library will simultaneously carry out social works and educate the local people.

President of the Sathi Foundation Japan Soichi Khasigoma said the foundation will continue to cooperate with the library.

Former Nepalese Ambassador to Japan and president of the Shailung Foundation Bishnu Hari Nepal informed that reference materials will also be kept at the library for intellectuals and students.

Also speaking on the occasion were ex-minister Jagannath Acharya, cdo Dhruba Raj Wagle, principal of the Om Gyan Mandir School Khadga Katuwal and coordinator of the library Toyanath Pandey.

The function was presided over by president of Janahit Samaj Bishnu Prasad Nepal.

According to president of the Samaj Mr. Nepal, the library has now four dailies, eight weeklies and 16 monthlies and the Sathi Foundation Japan has contributed 300 reference books for children.

Human power harnessed for electrification

Kathmandu, May 6 (RSS): The majority of the unelectrified population in Nepal does not have access to electricity.

However, human power is universally available and is quite applicable if only a small wattage is required.

Several groups have come up with schemes for incorporating pedal generators in rural electrification projects for remote areas of Nepal.

One such group is the Nepal light project led by professor Irvine-Halliday of the University of Calgary and engineering students of the center for energy studies at the Institute of Engineering in Kathmandu, according to Nathan Eagle, a mechanical engineering graduate from Stanford University, usa, who is spending a l0 month Fulbright grant working on an assortment of appropriate technology issues.

Professor Irvine-Halliday’s generator is designed specifically for white leds and battery charging.

Using the system be designed, 20 minutes of extremely minimal pedaling gives 3-4 hours of light to a household (using 6 white leds).

In a report to the usef Nepal bulletin, Eaglel said he has started putting his own prototype using locally available parts. Bicycle dynamos imported from India and China are available in Kathmandu.

Connected to a multimeter, he was able to verify that they put out about 12v ac and 6 watts of power. Installing 10 in parallel on a used 12-speed bicycle should generate over 50w, enough to power a black and white tv as well as adequate white led lighting.

However, much of the potential users of these systems (especially the women) are already overburdened with manual labour. A more elegant, although location specific, solution would be to leverage the work already exerted in existing daily labour.

An example could be a simple dynamo hooked onto a hand-grinder, Eagle points out.