Princess Anne inspects Baglung Hospital

Baglung, Nov. 25 (RSS):Her Royal Highness Princess Anne of the United Kingdom inspected various service wards at the hospital at the headquarters of Baglung district today.

A maternity home was constructed at the hospital under the safe motherhood program which has been under implementation in Baglung district since 2054 Bikram year under the safe motherhood project of the UK. Equipment for surgery has also been made available under the program.

HRH Princess Anne also observed the maternity home.

HRH the Princess was briefed on the activities of the hospital and the maternity home by Dr Tarun Poudel and by Indira Rai of the Safe Motherhood Project.

HRH the Princess also acquired information about the Safe Motherhood Project from the chairmen of Kusmi and Tityog VDCs in Baglung and Machuwa VDC in Parvat where the program was first implemented.

HRH the Princess also acquired information about the district health consolidation program under implementation in Baglung.

Upon arrival at Baglung Hospital, HRH the Princess was welcomed by DDC chairman Lila Bahadur Thapamagar, CDO Ratna Raj Pandey, district health chief Tarun Poudel, mayor of Baglung Municipality Rishiram Sharma, Nepal Red Cross Baglung chairman Bishwanath Regmi, members of the Baglung Hospital cooperation committee and hospital staff.

Also today, HRH Princess Anne acquired information from 12 out of the 51 disabled students of Baglung district studying under the education program for disabled children run by Save the Children UK in Baglung.

Save the Children UK Western Regional Office Program Manager Anil Raghubanshi briefed HRH the Princess about the program.

Also present on the occasion was British Ambassador Ronald Nash.

HRH Princess Anne is chairman of Save the Children UK.

Meanwhile Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, Princess Royal of the United Kingdom inspected today the community forest run under the Nepal-UK Community Forest Development Project at ward No-1 of Nagliwang VDC of Parbat district.

HRH Princess Anne, on the occasion, held discussion on community forest development with office-bearers of the community forest development committee and groups under it.

The Nepal-UK Community Forest Development Project has currently covered Parbat, Baglung and Myagdi districts of Dhawlagiri Zone.

Also today, HRH Princess Anne inspected the works carried out for poverty alleviation with the loan provided by the fund of Nangliwang Community Forest User Group.

HRH Princess Anne also made an on site inspection of the vegetable farming run with British assistance at pharse of Nangliwang VDC, and talked to the farmers.

Earlier in Her Royal Highness Princess Anne of the United Kingdom was given a hearty welcome by Speaker Taranath Ranabhat at Pokhara Airport when she arrived here this morning in connection with participation in various programs in Baglung and Parvat districts.

Also present at the airport to welcome Her Royal Highness were MP Shukra Raj Sharma, Kaski DDC chairman Punya Prasad Poudel, mayor of Pokhara Sub Municipal Corporation Krishna Thapa and the CDO.

After Manakamana, Chitwan Co-E Group eyes Swargadwari

By K. P. Sharma

Kurintar, Nov. 25:- After making the cable car service in Manakamana a success story it seems Chitwan Co-E Group, the sole operator of country's first cable car --Manakamana Cable Car--is gearing up to introduce one more cable car service at Swargadwari, a pilgrimage in Pyuthan district in the western Nepal. The cable car service of Manakamana Darshan (P) Ltd. (MDL) on Thursday entered its third year of operation.

Before the introduction of the cable car people wanting to visit the pilgrimage site, situated atop Manakamana hill, had to walk uphill for about three hours. Now it takes only 10 minutes to reach the place by cable car. The Manakamana Cable Car service has been installed with the technical assistance from the world-famous Austrian Cable Car Company Doppelmayr.

"We are encouraged by the response of people to our service and are trying to establish one more cable car service at Swargadwari. Presently, we are doing the feasibility study for our project there," said Rajesh Babu Shrestha, Managing Director of Chitawan Co-E Group. The MDL has collected Rs. 200 million from its service so far.

Shrestha, meanwhile, says that if proposals are feasible they are even willing to invest in India also. "If Indian investors can come to Nepal why can't we invest in India," he adds.

It is said millions of people from India flock to Swargadwari every year. If the cable car service is established, the operator can reap more benefit than what MDL is getting from the Kurintar-Manakamana route presently. The 2.8-km long Kurintar-Manakamana cable car route is Asia's longest route.

During the two years of operation the MDL carried nearly 800,000 people to and from the famous pilgrimage situated at the height of 1,302 metres above sea level.

The MDL charges Rs. 250 plus Rs. 36 as local development, tourism development and VAT charge from a passenger in a two-way ticket and Rs. 200 for a one-way ticket.

According to D. N. Kayastha, station manager of the MDL, 31 cable cars of 6-passenger capacity can carry nearly 5,000 passengers a day. Three other cargo cars carry the goods. According to Kayastha, the carriages have been mainly carrying goats and fruits the pilgrims bring for worshipping the Goddess. The MDL charges Rs. 114, including all taxes, for a goat.

The 2.8-km-long cable car service to Manakamana has been a boon for the local people of Manakamana also. The MDL has fixed the ticket charge of Rs. 125 for the local people of both the VDCs wanting to come down to Cheres or go to Manakamana. The MDL has so far distributed some 2,000 cards to the local people of both the VDCs. According to Kayastha, some 2,000 local people are yet to get the cards.

For the facility of the people willing to visit Manakamana the MDL has constructed a resort with 18 rooms.

The MDL also plans to construct an international standard resort near the Manakamana temple itself.

Meanwhile, officials at Manakamana Namuna VDC have been blaming the MDL for violating the agreement signed between them while operating the service. Chairman of the Manakamana Namuna VDC Ram Kumar Joshi said that the MDL had promised to provide employment opportunities to the local youths, plant trees around the area, build roads and decrease the amount of the fare for both the passengers and local people.

"While starting the construction work they had said that they would charge only Rs. 100 but they fixed Rs. 250 (plus VAT and other tax) per passenger," Joshi said.

Their main demands are to provide rupees twelve hundred thousand a year to the VDC and provide emergency service to them. Presently, the MDL has been operating its service for seven hours a day -- from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"When there are more passengers they run the cars till it is 9 p.m. But when we ask for emergency service if anyone gets sick they say they can't run the cars when it gets dark", Joshi said adding, "What is the benefit of the service for us when we can't get the emergency service?"

The VDC officials and local people are expected to meet the owner of the MDL with a 13-point demand anytime soon. "If our demands are not fulfilled within 15 days' time we will force them to lockup the service," Joshi said.

However, MD Shrestha says that the MDL has already given them Rs. 500,000 under local development tax and are continuing their contribution through various other means.

Art show begins

BY STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Nov. 25: A weeklong exquisite painting exhibition of the artists from Eugene City and an artist from Kathmandu started at Kathmandu's Siddhartha Art Gallery, Baber Mahal from today.

The exhibition, which comprises of more than 50 art works by three artists of Eugene City Leigh Files, Carol Fourtner and Lavonne Tarbox and Sarita Dangol from Kathmandu, tries to explore nature, its harmony and different moods of women beings.

"Our creations are about women and nature showing their diversity, calmness and beauty," said Leigh Files of Eugene who has been leading the exhibition. "The exhibition of our landscapes and mixed media in Nepal is also aimed at strengthening the existing relationship even at the individual level and is expected to bring the people of two cities closer."

Sarita Dangol, an emerging and promising young artist of Nepal, also supports Files and says that these types of joint exhibitions can help understand the thoughts, cultures and ways of life being lived in different parts of the globe. "Our approach of the presentation are different yet they are all beautiful and impressive," she added.

"This art display is more to provide opportunity to exchange ideas and develop friendship with individuals having different cultural background," said Keshab Sthapit, Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

Mayor Sthapit was inaugurating the exhibition which is being celebrated as part of the 25th years of friendship between Kathamndu and Eugene Sister City.

A cultural program, which comprised of different ethnic dances of the Kingdom of Nepal, was followed by the exhibition. The artistes had performed widely famous cultural dances like Jhanger, Maitiajima dance, Shello, Bhairabkali, Dhimay and Sherbu.

Two Necon Avros face close shave at TIA

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Nov. 25: Two Necon Avros had a close shave at the Tribhuvan International Airport today. The wing tip of a Necon Avro, 9N-AEH, on a mountain fight brushed against the left wing tip of another aircraft, 9N-ADE of the same airline while it was being taxied out of the parking lot resulting in some damage to both the aircraft.

According to a press release of the Necon Air, the ADE sustained only a minor damage and it continued its flights after some repair, but the other aircraft is still undergoing repair works and will be fit to fly soon.

'China aided 26 projects completed'

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT

Dharan (Sunsari), Nov. 25: Twenty six projects under the financial and technical assistance of the Chinese Government have been completed in the country so far. These projects include six road projects, construction of industries, hydropower projects, establishment of a cancer hospital and programmes related to the development of sports.

This was disclosed by the Chinese ambassador to Nepal Zeng Xuyoung, while talking to the pressmen in Dharan today.

Speaking at a programme organised by the Nepal-China Friendship Committee in Dharan, Ambassador Young said the Chinese government has been assisting Nepal since the last 45 years areas the Chinese government would continue its assistance to Nepal in the days to come.

The Chinese ambassador also informed that the preparation of a pilot plan to enhance the technical capacity of the Nepal Television has already been completed and the Chinese government will soon start the works for the plan.

He also said discussions have been going on about three or four big projects which will be positive impact on the economic development of Nepal.

Answering a query on whether the trade relations between Nepal and China have suffered because of the lack of trading points, the Ambassador said despite geographical constraints the trade relations between the two countries have not decreased.

He however said talks have been going on between the two countries to open up more trading points apart from Khasa, which has been the main trading route between the two countries. Ambassador Young also said the establishment of sisterly relations between Lalitpur and Hanyo cities is the symbol of growing ties in the cultural front.

The Chinese ambassador said he is glad that Dharan is establishing itself as the centre for tourism, health and education in eastern Nepal and the Chinese embassy in Nepal is ready to help the development efforts of the whole region.

At the programme, Mayor of Dharan, Manoj Kumar Myangbo apprised the Chinese ambassador about the city's development programmes on educational, health and tourism sectors.

Workshop for TV producers to focus quality broadcasting

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Nov 25: The first Asian UNESCO/INPUT Workshop for television producers and directors began here today to exchange views on professional concerns and stimulate discussions on programmes with critical emphasis on socially responsible broadcasting.

The four-day workshop is hosted by Himal Association, a Lalitpur based NGO involved in the spread of information in Nepal and the region.

"Development and Communication are inter-related and in the case of Nepal it has been felt that using the blended form of both the emerging and traditional communication technology could make a difference to the lives of the people," National Planning Commission Chairman, Rameshananda Baidya told the inaugural function of the workshop.

The challenge faced at the moment is how the modern and traditional forms of communication technology can be integrated to address poverty, he said.

He said the government launched the Nepal Television with the objective of reducing poverty through the broadcasting of programmes related with different social and economic aspects.

Dr. Baidya said the NTV had increased its viewership from two thousand individuals in 1985 to 2.5 million in the year 2000 and covered 44 per cent of Nepal's population and 35 per cent of land area.

He said the viewership would increase after the NTV starts satellite broadcasting in the near future.

"Television vision programmes should depict the cultural diversity of the nation in order to tap a greater number of viewers," Dr. Baidya said.

Kanak Mani Dixit of the Himal Association said documentary film in South Asia is too new and rare.

He said the power of audio-visual media seems to have been practically wasted in the region and its objective of bringing change in the attitude of the people still remains to be fulfilled.

Dixit said there was a dearth of screening facilities for documentary films in Nepal. He said the workshop would aim towards improving the quality of documentary films in the South Asian region.

Gaetan Lapointe of the International Public Television (INPUT) said major objective of INPUT was to promote democratic values and express the plurality of social and cultural diversity.

"Our main aim is to promote television in the interest of the people," he said.

UNESCO Representative Y. Kitamura said UNESCO had been since its inception pursuing its goal to protect cultural diversity in different parts of the world.

The workshop is being attended by television professionals whose programmes were selected by a Selection Committee of International Public Television (INPUT), which met in Rotterdam in October 2000. Productions from Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Laos, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam will be screened analysed and discussed by television professionals.

Since 1994, UNESCO and INPUT have been co-organising regional workshops in order to expand the INPUT approach (which is based on self-learning) to other regions of the world.

This cooperation started in Moscow in January 1995 with the organisation of a workshop for Eastern European and Central Asian programme makers. Today, UNESCO/INPUT workshops take place on an annual basis in the Russian Federation as well as in Burkina Faso and Mali (for African professionals) and in Panama for the Latin American region.

The workshop being launched for the first time in Asia has been placed under the umbrella of UNESCO's Programme for Creative Television launched this year in partnership with the International Public Television (INPUT) and has the support of the Danish International Development Co-operation Agency (DANIDA).

Govt, Maoists urged to negotiate for peace

Kathmandu, Nov. 25 (RSS): CPN-UML politburo member and MP Yubaraj Gyawali has said that since murder and violence do not help bring about social changes, both the Maoists and the government should come to the negotiating table at all costs and the option of amending the constitution also should not be ruled out, if need be.

Mr Gyawali was speaking at an interaction on "talks between government and Maoists: responsibility and commitment" organised by the Patriotic Democratic Front Nepal here today.

RPP's Kamal Thapa said there is no alternative for the Maoists except coming to the negotiating table and added that but there should be a consensus among all political parties about the Maoist issue.

Convenor of the front and CPN-ML central member CP Mainali wondered why the government is dilly-dallying at a time when the Maoists themselves are calling for talks.

CPN-ML politburo member Siddhilal Singh, politburo member of CPN-Marxist Loknarayan Subedi and senior member of the front Dr Ballav Mani Dahal also spoke at the function chaired by CPN-ML central member Devi Prasad Ojha.

Meanwhile in Butwal member of the CPN-UML standing committee Jhalnath Khanal, while inaugurating the first Rapti and Lumbini zonal convention of the General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT), called for an end to the existing inequality regarding the rights and interests of the working class.

Central member of the CPN- UML and MP Pradip Gyawali said there is a need to launch a movement for ending slavery as it still exists in Kapilbastu of Lumbini zone.

Another CPN- UML central member and Lumbini zonal incharge Bishnu Poudel said immediate initiatives should be taken to uplift the socio-economic conditions of the Kamaiyas.

Butwal Municipality mayor Bhoj Prasad Shrestha said the workers should also take the social responsibility for the success of a welfare campaign.

General secretary of GEFONT Bishnu Rimal said the rights of the workers are safeguarded only through hard struggles.

At the function presided over by the president of GEFONT, Lumbini zone, Kamal Gautam, various other speakers including western regional coordinator of the federation Chandramani Jangali and CPN-UML Gulmi district secretary Kamal Shrestha also expressed their views.

Anomalies cripple every sector: Sushil

Nepalgunj, Nov. 25 (RSS): Nepali Congress General Secretary Sushil Koirala said anomalies and aberrations have crippled every sector and institution in the country due to a lack of good management.

Inaugurating a two-day office management training organised by Nepal Civil Servants Association, central office here today, Mr Koirala pointed out the need for efficient management in the government, political parties and other organisations in order to wipe out corruption, indiscipline, poverty, unemployment and illiteracy from the country.

Good management helps maintain democratic system, he added.

Banke DDC chairman Omjung Rana expressed the view that training will help enhance working ability and efficiency.

Association president Chandra Prasad Timilsina presided.

Altogether 30 persons including presidents and secretaries of the association's district unit in the mid and far-western region are taking part in the training.