NC row over: Chataut

Mahendranagar, Oct. 30 (RSS): Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Tarini Dutta Chataut has said that the forthcoming general convention of the Nepali Cognress (NC) will be held in a free, fair and democratic manner.

Speaking to RSS representative at his home town in Mahendranagar of Kanchanpur district today, Minister Chataut said that the problem of squabble within the party has been resolved.

Stating that the controversy over the new generation and the older generation within the party was useless, he said that time and circumstances would decide as to which the generation the ability would be handed over to.

In response to a query, Minister Chataut said as the Maoist problem is a political issue, it will be resolved through dialogue.

He said that the recent talks between the Deputy Prime Minister and a Maoist representative was the first successful steps taken by the government on the basis of national consensus.

Stating that the understanding between the two NC leaders on reshuffling the cabinet and reconstituting the NC Central Committee would be implemented by the time and circumstances, he made it clear that Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala would implement the provisions of the understanding through his conscience.

Only NC leader Shailaja Acharya has officially announced her candidacy for the party president at the forthcoming general convention, Minister Chataut said, adding that anyone can fight election in a democratic system, and anyone is free to file candidacy for the party president.

Chhath fest begins today

Butwal, Oct. 30 (RSS): Chhath, the great festival of Tarai areas, starts on the fourth day of the new moon tomorrow. This festival is regarded as a spiritual practice from the standpoint of the tradition of solar worship.

Pure human sentiment towards spiritual and inner peace is the main characteristic of this festival which conspicuously lack animal sacrifice.

This festival inspires one towards the path of truth, non-violence and to show sympathy for all living beings. The devout believe that even birds, let alone thieves, won’t take flowers, papaya and sweets, if left untouched during the festival.

During the festival the sun is worshipped both when it rises and when it sets.

Festival last for four days, and the first day is known as ‘Arwa Arwain’ or ‘Nahan Khan.’ One observing this festival avoids such items as fish, meat, garlic, onion, millet and lentil and goes fasting after performing ablution.

The second day that fall on the fifth day of new moon is called ‘Kharana.’ On this day, one purifies the floor of one’s home by sprinkling Gangajal (holy water) and sketching various colourful pattern on the ground with Aruwa rice boiled in water. After a day-long fasting, one offers ‘Khir’ (rice and sugar boiled in milk) to the moon at night and take part of it as ‘Prasad.’

A sweet made of rice and wheat flour is used as the main food on the third day of the festival.

Tihar festival marked

Kathmandu, Oct. 30 (RSS): Sisters throughout the kingdom offered "Tika" to brothers Sunday wishing them happiness, long life and prosperity on the occasion of Bhai Tika.

On this last day of the Tihar festival, brothers who have sisters are seated at a specially anointed place around which a trail of mustard oil is drawn. The sister then offers the brothers Tika and garlands of "Dubo"and "Makhamali" flowers which, it is believed, never withers.

The occasion commemorates a legendary event in which a sister won a boon from "Yama", the deity of death, that her brother would not die until the mustard oil dried up and the garland of "Dubo" and "Makhamali" fades away.

After placing colorful ‘Tika’ on the foreheads of their brothers, sisters offer them a treat consisting mainly of varieties of sweets, meats, walnut, chestnut, spices and ‘Sel’, a special kind of sweatmeat cooked in oil.

Brothers also offer their sisters ‘Tika’ in return, wish them happiness and good luck, and give them presents.

The Bhai Tika tradition is so strong in Nepalese society that even those who have no brother or sisters of their own receive ‘Tika’ from others whom they regard as brothers and sisters.

All day the streets were bustling with cheerful women in their best attire carrying sweets and ritual material to the home of their brothers.

Those who have no brothers and sisters as well as people in general also visited the temple in the centre of local rani pokhari and offered worship.

The temple was open to the public only on this day.

Similarly, the festival of oxen or "Goru Tihar" was celebrated throughout the country.

On the occasion of the Goru Tihar, Hindus worship oxen and solemnize the Govardhan Puja ritual by making special offerings to a specially created "Kunda" or a lamp made of cowdung which is considered sacred in Hindu tradition.

Govardhan Puja is celebrated in commemoration of the legendary Hindu tale in which Lord Krishna provides shelter to all the cowherds and cattle in Gokul, a legendary kingdom of herders, from heavy rains, according to ancient Hindu scriputers.

Lord Krishna held up the Govardhan mountain and provided shelter to the herders from the drench perpetuated by the wrath of Indra, the god of rain.

On this day, the people of the Yadav community in Terai organise special festival feasts and share it among their relatives.

Similarly, the Newar Community people of Kathmanu valley today observe what is called "Mha Puja" Festival.

According to time-honoured tradition Mha Puja is a ritual of worshipping one’s own-body during which people anoint their bodies with mustard oil and offer delecacies.

The Mha Puja is organised according the ‘Asta Mandal’ of the ritual octagon with rice flour which is then decorated with flowers and puffed paddy.

Today also marks the beginning of the new yer of Nepal Sambat 1121.

Likewise, the third day of Yama Panchak was observed as "Gai Tihar" by worshipping cows throughout the kingdom.

Hindus worship cow expecting better life.

In the rural areas, the people perform worships at cow sheds and decorate the tails of cows with colourful streamers and festoons.

Cheese production in Rasuwa suffers jolt

Rasuwa, Oct. 30 (RSS): Consumers are reported to be facing inconvenience due to the lack of proper marketing facility for ‘Yak’, the cheese produced at Chandanbari in Rasuwa district.

Consumers have to go to Chandanbari to get tasty cheese of their choice at fixed price and for this purpose, one has to leave all other works for the day.

The Chandanbari Cheese Product Centre, located five hours walks from the district headquarters of Dhunche, has been regularly producing cheese since it was set up seven years ago. Its establishment helped the local farmers to sell their milk to the centre and thus increase their income.

At the outset, the centre manned by only 8 person used to produce 4,000 kilograms of cheese and 1300 kilograms of butter, whereas at present it has boosted its cheese production to 18,500 and that of butter to 6,000 kilograms a year.

The cheese which remains surplus after marketing at Chandanbari will be carried to Dhunche and from there to Kathmandu for general consumption.

With the quality of its products greatly increased, the centre is now able to earn Rs. 6.5 million annually.

According to chief of the centre, Rinji Sherpa, 868 farmers have domesticated 116 Yak cows which yield 180,000 litres of milk a year. This brings them a total earning of Rs. 2.8 million, which means a per capita earning of Rs. 542,000.

The centre produces cheese from April till October as the district comes under snow fall after October. Therefore, November-to-March is a lean period from the standpoint of milk supply to the centre.

It take Rs. 156 worth of milk to produce a kilo of cheese. If VAT is to be added, a kilo of cheese costs Rs. 275.

The centre has distributed two buckets and one milk can to each of its milk suppliers in view of the milk transportation problem. The Agricultural Development Bank, branch office manager Tilak Nath Acharya says it has provided Rs. 656,000 as loans to 22 Yak farmers, particularly those in the lower income bracket, on the recommendation of the centre.

Social worker Dawa Phinjo Tamang, senior, says Yak farming has been greatly helpful to poor farmers and as their milk is bought by the centre it has come as great relief to them.

In the beginning, farmers used to feel somewhat uneasy; but with their economic condition quite good, they have now been greatly encouraged by Yak farming.

The farmers are also provided with advance loans and awarded prizes as an incentive.

According to a rough estimate, the Yak farmers supplying milk to the centre has cattle worth Rs. 13.7 million.

Tsering Sherpa, a Yak farmer, says, "I have 42 Yaks and supplies daily 70 litres of milk to the centre, which brings in daily Rs. 1092. It is my chief sources of income."

Jute mills dependent on imported inputs

Biratnagar, Oct. 30 (RSS): Jute industries in Morang district have to fall back upon imported raw fibres due to the paucity of its domestic production.

These industries import flax from the same neighbouring countries, namely India and Bangladesh, where they export their jute products.

A total of nine such industries in this district is currently providing employment to some 20,000 Nepalese in addition to some high-skilled-job labourers.

The industries currently in operation with the investment totalling about 1 billion include Arihant Multi Fibres, Biratnagar Jute Mills, Raghupati Jute Industries, Baba Jute, Nikki Twin Mills, Pathivara Jute, Guheswari Twin Mill and Nepal Jute Mills.

Thei import figures at over 1.65 billion a year. Jute fibres are being grown on about 4,200 hectares of land in eastern part of Nepal including Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Saptari, Siraha and Udayapur.

The annual production of this region is estimated to have reached 4,814.5 metric tonnes whereas a minimum of 60,000 metric tonnes is required to run the industry as a whole in a smooth manner.

Local farmers are of the opinion that a production slump of jute fibres has been attributed to poor incentives available for the local jute farmers and their inability to get due return for their products.

Arihanta Multi Fibres, the largest jute industries of the district produces 40 metric tonnes of jute a day.

The industry run with a capital investment to the tune of Rs. 4.5 billion employs 3,500 persons.

Due to the shortage of jute fibres, the industry with 60 metric tonnes daily production capacity could not regain its full potential, chairman of Nepal Jute Industry Association and manager of the factory Raj Kumar Golchha said.

According to him, jute products are being replaced gradually by the plastic products, which are said to have an adverse impact not only on environment but also on the public health.

Lack of a clear concept of the government is another obstacle to the efficient functioning of the industry.

Ragupati Jute Mills, the oldest among the jute industries of the district, which has a paid-up capital of Rs. 180,668,000, is now able to provide employment opportunities to some 2,000 persons after its hand over to private sector whereas it could absorb only 1,500 manpower.

At present, the industry pays Rs. 3.6 million for monthly wages to its labourers.

However, the government-owned Biratnagar Jute Mills has been forced to close down due to labour trouble.

According to the aggrieved labourers, they have been resorting to strike from time to time to get their wages paid up.

Mohan Ghimire associated with the management team at the Raghupati Jute Mills says Nepalese jute industries are in serious trouble due to stiff competition at the market on the one hand.

On the other hand, it is facing high production cost as its finished products are exported to the same countries which are sources of its raw materials.of raw fibres