PM: Nepal-China ties based on mutual trust China Temple opened in Lumbini

Lumbini, May 27 (RSS): Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala inaugurated the China Temple and a statue of Lord Buddha constructed by the Chinese Buddhist Association and the Government of the People’s Republic of China at the birthplace of the Buddha, amid a function here today.

The China Temple constructed at a cost of about Rs 270 million in the Chinese Pagoda Style covers an area of 25,600 square meters.

China’s Buddhist Guru The Panchen Lama had expressed a wish to construct the temple when he visited Nepal in l986, and construction work on the project started in l996.

The foundation stone for the temple was laid during the centennial celebrations of the discovery of the Ashoka Pillar in December l996.

The six meter high Buddha at the temple is said to be the tallest in Lumbini.

The Government of Myanmar has already built a Vihar at the Lumbini complex and Vihars and monasteries are also being constructed by Sri Lanka, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, France and Germany, it is stated.

The China Temple was inaugurated jointly by the Prime Minister, chairman of the Raj Sabha Standing Committee Dr Keshar Jung Rayamajhi, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Tarini Datta Chataut, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Ram Krishna Tamrakar, Visiting Chinese State Councilor Ismail Aymat, the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal and Buddhist Gurus.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Koirala said the construction of the China Temple and Statue of Lord Buddha by the Government of the People’s Republic of China is a friendly gesture and manifestation of the goodwill of the Chinese people towards the people of Nepal and another firm brick in Sino-Nepal relations. This gift of the government of the People’s Republic of China will leave a never-to-be forgotten imprint on the memory of the Nepalese people, he added.

Pointing out that the people of Nepal fondly remember Chinese scholars such as Tseng Tsai, Fa Hien and Hiouen Tsan who had visited the historic sites related to Lord Buddha centuries ago, Mr Koirala said cultural relations between Nepal and China have also been enriched by the contributions of Nepalese scholar Bhadrabahu and artist Arniko, and there have been regular exchanges of political missions between the two countries since long ago. All these activities had further cemented the friendly relations between the two countries.

Appreciating the construction of the China Temple and the statue of Lord Buddha at the Lumbini complex, he said we expect continued cooperation from friendly countries around the world for speedy implementation of the master plan for the development of that complex.

He also observed that the monastic zone in the complex, where the contributions of the world community are located, has been the centre piece of the Lumbini area depicting international peace, friendship, understanding and universal brotherhood.

Prime Minister Koirala also made it clear that the policy of His Majesty’s Government is not to allow any anti-Chinese activity on Nepalese soil.

He said Nepal-China ties have been consolidated not only by social, cultural and religious factors, but have also contributed to Nepal’s economic development including areas like health and hydro-electricity. He expressed confidence that the ties would become still stronger and more profound.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Tarini Datta Chatauta said the construction of the temple will further the friendly ties subsisting between the two countries.

His Majesty’s Government is committed to implementing the Lumbini declaration adopted by the Buddhist summit held at Lumbini and determined to transform Lumbini into a centre for world peace.

State Councilor of People’s Republic of China Ismail Aymat noted that the temple was built in the original style of the Chinese Buddhist Pagoda and relations between Nepal and China have been flourishing from strength to strength in religion and in other fields on the basis of mutual equality.

Chinese ambassador Zeng Xuyong noted that the temple built for the first time outside China by the Chinese government and the Chinese Buddhist association would contribute to deepen the ties between the two countries.

The vice chairman of the Chinese Buddhist Association and other monks highlighted the relations subsisting between the two countries.

PM, leaders hail role of AI

Kathmandu, May 28 (RSS): Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has, in a message on the occasion of the 39th founding day of Amnesty International, appreciated the solidarity the organization expressed with Nepal’s efforts for restoration of democracy and the contribution it has made in building public opinion at international level in favour of human rights.

In his message, Prime Minister Koirala wished for further success of Amnesty International and hoped that it would continue to work actively in human rights sector.

Ex-prime Minister and MP Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, in a similar message, said that amnesty international has supported tens of thousands of people always struggling for freedom and has inspired millions others to remain aware of their rights.

The former prime minister recalled with gratitude the contribution of the Amnesty International to releasing him during his ten-year long confinement.

RPP president and former prime minister Surya Bahadur Thapa, in his message, noted that the Amnesty International has significantly contributed to safeguarding and promoting human rights, adding that in today’s context it is necessary to safeguard democracy and human rights.

Former Prime Minister Kirtinidhi Bista observed that the role of Amnesty International is highly significant in ensuring human rights situation in the world. Meanwhile, Amnesty International enters its 39th year of its founding day today.

Working independently and impartially since its inception for the cause of human rights throughout the world, the international organisation was honoured with the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize in 1977, the United Nations human rights prize in 1978 and various other regional and national awards.

Working in some special issues of human rights, the organisation has played a remarkable role in guiding the world towards independence.

Amnesty International (AI) has passed a period of nearly four decades specially for the release of prisoners of conscience, abolition of torture and dealth penalty, fair trail of political prisoners and in the search of missing persons.

Besides this, the organisation has also been making special contribution at the international level towards publicizing human rights education, resolving refugee problems, equal rights between man and woman, child rights, labour rights, and has been making notable contribution in the field of human rights in Nepal.

In statement issued here today, Amnesty International Nepal chapter has said that the annoucement of the formation of the Human Rights Commission on the eve of A.I. founding day should not be taken as a coincidence but accepted as an important achievement of the human rights movement.

A.I. Nepal chapter has also expressed gratitude to His Majesty’s Government for the formation of the Human Rights Commission.

Referring to the movement launched for the cause of human rights and demcoracy, the statement also mentions the international campaign launched by Amnesty International for the release of popular leader B. P. Koirala and global campaign run for accepting former prime minister Krishna Prasad Koirala as the prisoner of the year in 1969.

Stating that activities being carried out in the name of the Maoist will only encourage the culture of violence, the statement says that Amnesty International is working to end it.

SAARC meet on ENT ends

Kathmandu, May 27 (RSS): The second SAARC ENT (ear, nose throat) conference which had begun with the slogan "ENT service at the doorstep of the people" concluded here today.

Some 500 experts from the SAARC countries and 100 more from Britain, Usa, France, Sweden, Belgium, Israel, Hong Kong, Holland, United Arab Emirates, Italy, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, Spain and Turkey participated in the four-day conference organised by the society of otolaryngologists of Nepal.

About 150 scientific working papers were presented at the conference while some 50 national and international experts in the field gave talks.

According to Dr. Hari Bhattarai, general secretary of the organising committee, a very complex surgery of the ear and nose using endoscope technology was carried out during the conference. This surgery has been considered as a model of high technology by doctors from SAARC countries.

The conference organised with an objective of exchanging views among the participants and informing about new technology was successful in achieving its target and is expected to make a positive contribution to treatment of ear, nose and throat diseases in Nepal.

Some 21 pharmaceutical companies from the SAARC region exhibited their products and machinery during the conference which also decided to request the respective government to put a ban on advertisement of tobacco products in all types of communication media and make effort to make ent services easily available.

It was also decided at the conference to hold the third SAARC ENT conference in Pakistan.

Deafness is the said to be the highest number of disabledness in Nepal. A nationwide survey conducted in 1991 showed that about 2.7 million people in Nepal suffer from deafness.

Consumption of tobacco products causes cancer of the tongue, mouth and throat and the higher number of cancer cases is said to be in SAARC countries India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal.

Nepal has only 37 ENT specialists and ent medical services is not easily available in various parts of the country due to lack of necessary equipment.

The ratio of ENT specialists in Nepal is one for about 600,000 people while outside the valley the ratio is one for 2,500,000.

Parliament heads towards maturity

Kathmandu, May 27 (RSS): The 18th parliamentary session shows that Nepal’s political parties are attaining maturity in terms of resolving national problems including development and construction works from the parliament while upholding democratic norms and values at the same time.

In the ongoing session which began one month earlier than in the previous years so that the budget could get through on time allowing development and construction work to gain momentum, discussions and agreement among the political parties and absence of any big disputes in the parliament is favourable for the growth of parliamentary democracy.

The ruling and opposition parties are found to have expressed their opinions more patiently than before about the national problems and those associated with their own constituencies. Though zero hour and special hour have not been allocated as such, MPs are drawing the government’s attention to the need of solving major problems facing the country.

Serious controversies and pandemonium that marked the previous parliamentary sessions have not been repeated this time. Rather, the ruling and opposition parties have one voice in several issues.

Both the ruling and opposition MPs have raised the same voice in matters of corruption and peace and security.

Though the rumours are flying about the low presence of the ministers and MPs at parliament, it may be because of the fact that they are trying to get more budget allocated for their constituencies.

This week, the parliament focussed its attention on the government’s policy and programme. The sessions normally begin on scheduled time and end before 8 p.m.

A total of 129 MPs of the ruling and opposition parties at the House of Representatives and 47 of the National Assembly totalling 176 have already taken part in discussions on the working paper.

The main opposition party had presented the 56-point amendment proposal at the House of Representatives and the 57-point at the National Assembly to the 23-point working paper, while the RPP, Nepal Sadbhawana Party, Rastriya Janamorcha and Samyukta Janmorcha had presented the amendment proposals at the Lower House, and the CPN-ML at the Upper House.

Unlike the previous years, the brief working paper does not have any popular slogans, real situation of the country has been reflected, priority has been given to maintaining peace and security, and emphasis has been laid on ensuring transparent administration, building a new democratic Nepal, alleviating poverty, modernizing the judiciary and ensuring free and fair elections, attaining high economic growth rate, eradicating the Kamaiya system, developing industries and water resources and increasing foreign investment.

The government’s policy document has also focussed on education and information technology, conservation of bio-diversity, commitment to the UN charter and foreign policy and other various issues including the issue of Bhutanese refugees, say the ruling party MPs.

The opposition parties have complained that the working paper devoid of any concrete programmes is nothing more than an eyewash, the spirit of the Ninth Plan has not been accommodated in the document, achievements of the talks being held with the opposition parties have not been reflected and there is no clear view on resolving the Maoist problem.

In a two-hour long statement, leader of the main opposition party Madhav Kumar Nepal commented that experiences of the past ten years of democracy have not been included in the present working to resolve various problems facing the country.

Sushil Koirala of the Nepali Congress said in the past ten years of post-democracy era, the ruling and opposition parties have become more mature.

The nearly two and a half hour long statement by Lilamani Pokherel of the Samyukta Janamorcha became a much-talked about issue in parliament.

Bhattarai stresses health education

Kathmandu, May 27 (RSS): Ex-prime minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai inaugurated the first biennial dental conference, a scientific meeting of the National Dental Hospital and a dental trade exhibition amid a function here today.

Deliberations on research and innovative technology in dental care will be held at the 2-day conference organised in Nepal for the first time by the private sector.

On the occasion, ex-prime minister Bhattarai underlined the need for imparting knowledge about health at the school level in view of the lack of adequate consciouseness among the general public due to poverty and ignorance.

Minister of State for Health Tirtha Ram Dangol, speaking from the chair, said that if quality health services are provided within the country that will definitely help stem the draining out of the national exchequer

He also expressed conviction that the conference would be helpful for adopting scientific treatment methodologies in Dental Care in Nepal.

Resident representative of WHO Dr. Claus Wagner spoke of the need for concerted effort for facing the challenges that arise in dental care with advancements in science and technology.

During the inaugural function, a host of speakers including chairman of the hospital Dr. K.K. Pradhan, executive director Dr. Sushil Koirala and Dr. Shambhu Man Singh threw light on the activities of the hospital over the past three years and on the objectives of the conference.

‘No standard education despite increase of varsities’

Kathmandu, May 27 (RSS): Taking time from the chairman of the National Assembly Dr. Mohammad Mohsin at today’s meeting of the National Assembly, Ram Chandra Bhattarai of the CPN-UML said that no standard education has been provided despite the increase in the number of universities and added that the Prithvi Narayan Campus should not be amalgamated in the Pokhara University.

Kashinath Adhikari of the CPN-UML demanded that the Minister for Foreign Affairs provide proper information on the talks and progress made regarding the Bhutanese refugees in the ninth joint ministerial meeting held in Thimpu, Bhutan.

Devendra Ghimire of the same party said the government should exempt loans of the bonded labourers in order to end the Kamaiya system which remains as a residue of the slavery system and added that the system should be brought to an end.

Bir Bahadur Singh of the same party said the government has no information on the murders and cases of missing persons since the people’s war of the Maoists began and demanded information on the condition of kidnapped former assistant Minister Reg Bahadur Subedi and his son.

MP Mohan Raj Sharma Chapagain said there is a news of six Maoists being killed in the fighting between Maoists and the police in Kailali district and questioned that whether there were deaths only on one side. He demanded that the incidents of killings of any Nepali without any reason should be stopped.

Arvinda Kumar Thakur of the Nepali Congress said the municipalities in the country are in dire strait, there is a possibility of epidemics spreading and of the number of tourists decreasing and drew the attention of the government towards it.

Lal Bahadur Biswokarma of the CPN-UML said most of the VDCs in Kanchanpur district faced epidemics last year and there is a possibility of the same repeating and demanded that medicines be sent in time.

Bijul Kumar Biswokarma of the Nepali Congress said the recently formed human rights commission has representation from the women and the Terai communities but there is no representation from the nationalities and the Dalits and demanded their representation.

Bachaspati Devkota of the CPN-UML drew the attention of the government towards the lack of arrangement for the victims of last year’s flooding in Laprak of Gorkha district which was rendered unfit for inhabitation.

Omkar prasad shrestha of the Nepali Congress, quoting the minister for commerce and supplies of saying that Nepal will be a member of the WTO by the year 2001 after returning from WTO meeting in Geneva, said a clear position of the government should come in the parliament whether it is right or not for a country like Nepal to become the member of the organisation.

Jiwan Prem Shrestha of the same party said every one should welcome the right decision of guaranteeing human rights in the country by forming the human rights commission.

Likewise, MPs finished their comments on the government policies and programmes outlined in the royal address at the National Assembly today.

Taking part in today’s discussion on the government working paper, Surendra Prasad Pandey of CPN-UML said the working paper is silent about attaining the goals of the ninth plan, ensuring free and fair elections and nliberating the Kamaiyas.

Whip of the Nepali Congress Dil Bahadur Gharti stressed the need for discussions, consensus and similar approach among all political parties for the resolution of the problems facing the country. The government policies and programmes are aimed at enabling the people live without any fear, resolving the problems of corruption and poverty and gearing up the country’s development process, he added.

National Assembly chairman Dr Mohammad Mohsin then announced that all MPs finished their comments on the government policies and programmes.

Dr. Mohsin also set may 29 as the date for the Prime Minister to furnish replies to questions raised in course of the discussions on the government policies and programmes.

The National Assembly next meets at 2:00 p.m. on may 29.

Warm welcome to Lakpa, Pema

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, May 27: With big banners embossed with congratulatory messages and throngs of excited people, the domestic section of Tribhuvan International Airport looked like a ground for grand public celebration. People stood in a long queue to welcome back two Nepalese ladies who conquered the world’s highest peak Mt. Sagarmatha and made mountaineering records for themselves.

Lakpa Sherpa, 26, reached the Roof of the World on May 18 at 6:30 a.m. to become the second Nepalese woman to scale the 8,848 meter height and the first one to descend down safely. Nepal’s first woman Mt. Sagarmatha summiteer Pasang Lhamu Sherpa succumbed to the harsh and unpredictable mountain weather on her way down about six years back.

"The other mountains looked small, clouds were under my feet and for the first time I saw lightening streaking beneath my feet. At that time I was convinced that I had reached the roof of the world," said the proud conqueror. "I and my Sherpa companions were dog tired, but the excitement of achieving something grand ran high," she added.

Lakpa Sherpa led the Nepal’s first all-women mountaineering expedition, Nepalese Women Millennium Everest Expedition. However, rest of her team-mates, Mingma Yangzi Sherpa, Dawa Yangzi Sherpa, Dolma Sherpa and Kesang Dikki Sherpa could not make it to the top. "Leaving the team-mates behind was a painful decision but I did not lose my heart," she said. Lakpa plans a second summit to Mt. Sagarmatha from the North Ridge sometime in future.

Born and brought up in Sankhuwasabha district, she comes from a family of mountaineers; her elder brother Chhiring Sherpa is a four time Mt. Sagarmatha (Everest) summiteer and her two cousins perished in the Himalayas in two different accidents.

A day later than Lakpa, Pema Dolma Sherpa, 30, surveyed the world as far as her eyes could see from the highest pinnacle of the world. On May 19 at 9:20 a.m. Pema Dolma became the first Nepalese woman to assault the world’s tallest summit from the North Face from the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Pema Dolma, who hails from Namche VDC of Solukhumbu district, summitted Mt. Sagarmatha as a member of the Swiss Everest Expedition Spring 2000.

Since its first assault in May 1953 by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary, 874 individuals have already scaled Mt. Sagarmatha. Out of the total, 82 successful climbers are women.

Less noticeable arrival for today was that of Temba Chhiri Sherpa. The 14-year old seventh grader attempted to become the youngest climber atop Mt. Sagarmatha. However he had to abandon his bid due to exhaustion and frostbite. In his endeavour to make a new world record on Mt. Sagarmatha, Temba Chhiri suffered from acute frostbite in four fingers of his right hand and two fingers on the left. Talking to The Rising Nepal he said that he might have to amputate his ailing fingers. However, the challenges poised by the mountain seem to have failed to "frostbite" his determination. "I still have time for second attempt, if I find a suitable sponsor I will attempt to scale the mountain in the coming Autumn season," said the school boy, who was accompanied by his brother and father, both professional mountaineers, to the bid. He reached upto Hillary Step, approximately 8,800 meters, only 48 meters short from the summit.

Temba Chhiri was trying to break a record set by another Nepalese climber Shambhu Tamang in 1973 when he climbed Mt. Sagarmatha at the age of 17 to become the youngest conqueror of the mountain.

‘Take up Press raised issues seriously’

Kathmandu, May 27 (RSS): Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has said that the government, political parties and the civic society should take seriously any healthy criticism from the press.

Prime Minister Koirala, who was speaking at a meeting with central committee office bearers of Nepal Press Union (NPU) at the Prime Minister’s residence today, asked journalists to understand that healthy competition in journalism sector is crucial for consolidation of democracy and said that if this happened the anti-democratic elements will easily be weakened.

Violence, killings and other terrorist activities are always against the interest of the country and the people, he said, adding the pro-democracy journalists have an important role to play in making the people conscious about this.

Stating that responsible political parties should unite to rid the country of violence and terror, he said journalists, in their turn, should help build an environment in which leaders of all political parties will unite for the cause of the nation and the people.

His Majesty’s Government is positive towards the legitimate demands of the npu, he said, adding he is aware of the matter concerning telephone facility to journalists and allotment of land in the media village for construction of the NPU building.

Describing the B. P. Koirala journalism award instituted by NPU as a milestone in promoting Nepali journalism, Prime Minister Koirala pledged financial assistance for setting up a revolving fund for the award.

The delegation led by NPU central president Kulchandra Wagle included union treasurer Surya Nepal, central member Bitu K.C., Ravi Kiran Koirala and Sharada Poudel.

Meanwhile, NPU central action committee convenor Murari Kumar Sharma and members Tarun Poudel and Shital Koirala presented a memorandum on the NPU’s 15-point demand to the Prime Minister today.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister said that the government is sensitive to the demands.

He also assured the NPU of gradual fulfilment of the demands.

Workshop on rule of law

Pokhara, May 27 (RSS): The two-day workshop on the rule of law and legal practitioners organised by International Commission of Jurists (I.C.J.) Nepal Chapter got underway here today.

Sixteen legal practitioners of the western region are taking part in the workshop.

Supreme Court Justice Kedarnath Upadhyaya, inaugurating the workshop, said that the main responsibility of the legislature, judiciary and the executive and the agencies under them is to ensure the rule of law.

Stating that the judges, legal practitioners and the journalists are the pillars of the rule of law, Mr Upadhyaya said that all concerned should be duty bound to make the people have faith in the law.

Another Supreme Court Justice Krishna Jung Rayamajhi said that rule of law is not possible without an independent judiciary.

Mr Rayamajhi said that the judges and the legal practitioners have an equal responsibility in dispensing speedy justice.

Senior advocate Ganesh Raj Sharma pointed out the need for the lawyers to take any risk to ensure faith in law and the courts and protect its interests. Special attention should be given to good conduct, he added.

From the chair, president of I.C.J. Nepal Chapter and senior advocate Madhu Prasad Sharma said that taking into consideration the fact that the government is spending millions of rupees on foreign lawyers, the judges and the legal practitioners should make their studies extensive and prove their efficiency to the government.

Chapter vice-president motikaji sthapit also expressed his views on the occasion.

‘Lumbini deserves international airport’

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, May 27: The Society of Lumbini organised an interaction programme on "Lumbini and International Airport" here this afternoon.

At the function former minister and NC lawmaker Duryodhan Singh Tharu, who represents Rupandehi constituency No.1 at the Lower House said that such interaction programmes were vital in realising the needs and the possibilities of the districts and help further make policies and programmes for the government.

"Lumbini is one of the most suitable places for the international airport which the country is in dire need since the Tribhuvan International Airport has been comparatively very small and lacked technical facilities," Tharu said.

Highlighting Lumbini area as one of the emerging tourist destinations, former member secretary of the Lumbini Development Fund, Bimal Kumar Sharma said that the place was very much suitable for the international airport. "The development of Lumbini area would not only help develop the particular place but the country as a whole since it is the birth place of Lord Buddha and that many Buddhists from around the world may visit the holy place."

Agreeing to what MP Tharu had said, director of personal department of the Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation Krishna Bahadur Poudel added, "Not only RNAC but almost all the International flight careers have been facing a great problem from TIA and that the trend of cancelling the flights to and from Kathmandu is increasing. If an international airport is made in an open place like Lumbini that could be very good for the country.

Dr. Hari Bahadur Karki chaired the function.The meeting nominated Dr. Thapa as the coordinator of the Society. The Society is scheduled to meet the Prime Minister to apprise him of the viability of Lumbini area as a suitable place for an international airport.

Campaign for clean Bagmati

Kathmandu, May 27 (RSS): On the occasion of World Environment Day-2000, Leaders Nepal and Nepal Medical College jointly organised an environmental walk in the Pashupati area today with the slogan "Save Bagmati and make mothers happy."

The walk began from Gaushala Chowk and went through Pashupatinath Gate, Kumari Gal and converted into an environmental mass meeting at Guheswori.

Nepal Medical College Students, environmental activists of Leaders Nepal, school students and Red Cross members, students of Indian institute cerebrum and local public participated in the programme.

Addressing the gathering Dr. S. K. Pahadi of Nepal Medical College said as it has already become very late to save Bagmati river, cleaning programmes should be carried out with participation of the local people.

General secretary of Leaders Nepal Amod Pokherel, the representative of cerebrum, Jorpati VDC chairman Gopal Baral and other speakers also expressed their views on the occasion.