New Year's message
NC striving to alleviate poverty, says Koirala

Kathmandu, Apr. 15 (RSS): Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has expressed confidence that democratic practices which we have been doing for the last 11 years will get further support in the days to come in the direction of strengthening mutual cordiality and brotherly relations existing in our society.

In a message on the occasion of New Year 2058, Mr Koirala said the present Nepali Congress government is making efforts to remove poverty and backwardness while at the same time freeing the country from the cycle of violence. He also wished that the New Year would inspire us all to become mutually supportive.

In a similar message, Speaker Taranath Ranabhat remarked that instability, confusion and disturbances widespread in the country have not only made the life and property of the people insecure but also have weakened multi-party democracy and the constitution attained through people's movement.

Calling on the people to live up to the liberal human feeling of "live and let live", the Speaker wished the New Year would prove to be a year of peace, prosperity and goodwill for all.

Main opposition party leader Madhav Kumar Nepal noted that every individual who is holding a responsible position should think on how the New Year 2058 can be made prosperous.

Stating that radical reforms in political, cultural, economic and social spheres are a need of the day, Mr Nepal stressed that we cannot turn backward and we cannot go through the status quo, either.

He also spoke of the need to expand people's rights to move along the direction shown by the Constitution of the Kingdom-1990.

Rastriya Prajatantra Party president and former prime minister Surya Bahadur Thapa noted that we all should become more responsible to the nation, the people and democracy at a time when we have entered the 12th year of democracy.

Observing that we can hand over a modern and prosperous Nepal to the future generations only if we can move on the basis of larger national consensus, Mr Thapa spoke of the need for all political parties and forces to forge a broad-based national unity.

Similarly, CPN (United) general secretary Bishnu Bahadur Manandhar wished that the new year would succeed in presenting left democratic forces as an alternative force for the protection of the restored multi-party democracy and people's rights.

Pokhara should offer quality service to visitors: Meet

Pokhara, Apr. 15 (RSS): A large number of foreign as well as domestic tourists visit Pokhara every year enchanted by its natural beauty, ideal geographical location, rich biodiversity and cultural heritage.

This view was expressed at an interaction programme held under the aegis of the Regional Hotel Association, Pokhara here recently.

Intellectuals and representatives of Nepal Tourism Board, Tourism Training Centre, Tourism Office, Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Trekking Agents' Association of Nepal (TAAN), Nepal Association of Travel Agents, Pokhara Hotel Entrepreneurs' Committee, Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal (REBAN) and the Taxi Operators' Committee attended the programme.

The participants said that although tourists visited Pokhara mainly for the four reasons cited above, the minimum level of infrastructure support for the service, security and facilities for tourists was lacking in these sectors.

They also stressed the need for committed efforts towards providing effective and quality services to the tourists.

The participants emphasised the need for increasing the facilities in order to promote domestic tourism in the country.

They also pointed out the need for amending some of the clauses in the tourism acts and regulations.

The high level of trekking charge taken from foreign tourists in the Annapurna Conservation Area also came under attack from the tourism entrepreneurs.

They even questioned the rationale of a non-government organization raising such high fee (Rs 2,000 per person) from tourists.

The participants were of the view that the trekking fee charged by a conservation area should be less than that charged by the national parks, His Majesty's Government should give attention to reclaiming the 125 ropani land required for conservation of the Phewa Lake since it would entail only Rs 150 million for the reclamation of that land for this purpose, and that provisions should be made for providing the "peak permit" to foreign tourists from Pokhara itself for travel to the western Himalayas.

They called for running micro bus services in Pokhara and the funneling of two per cent of the income generated from tourism service charge from Pokhara town in its infrastructure development.

Stressing the need to develop Pokhara into a destination of sports tourism, they called on His Majesty's Government to take strict action against protest programmes like transport strike (Chakka Jam), Nepal Bandhs and other forms of strikes.

It was disclosed at the programme that there has been a 23 per cent growth in the number of flights operated to and from Pokhara by various airlines companies in the year 2000. A total of 19,500 flights were operated to/from Pokhara in 1999.

In view of the increasing flights to or from Pokhara, the participants pointed out the need for construction of an international airport in Pokhara.

It may be recalled that 3,400 ropani land has already been acquired for this purpose.

Addressing the programme, Minister of State for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Mahadev Gurung emphasized the need for local people's enthusiasm, interest commitment and active participation in the development of tourism in their areas.

Chairman of the Regional Hotel Association Sundar Kumar Shrestha presided over the programme.

Nepal Tarun Dal protests UML's plan

Kathmandu, Apr. 15 (RSS): Nepal Tarun Dal central office has protested against the CPN-UML's plan to forcibly prevent Nepali Congress president and Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala from entering Singha Durbar.

In a press release issued here today, Tarun Dal has said that the CPN-UML's plan is against the democratic norms and constitutional process.

Irresponsible activities like this carried out by the CPN-UML, which has been mandated by the people to play the role of a responsible opposition, will only serve as a booster for anti-democratic forces, the Dal said.

It has also warned that if such unconstitutional activities against democracy and the Nepali Congress are not stopped, the Tarun Dal activists and students will not shy away from demonstrating their revolutionary strength.

Tarun Dal is ever ready to face up to any challenges and make any sacrifices whatsoever for the protection of nationalism, democracy, socialism and the dignity of the Nepali Congress, the Dal said, appealing to all Tarun Dal workers to remain alert so as to protect the dignity and prestige of the Nepali Congress and the Party President.

New Year's receptions in China

Kathmandu, Apr. 15 (RSS): Mr Rajeswar Acharya, Royal Nepalese Ambassador to the People's Republic of China, speaking at a New Year eve reception organised by the Nepalese students in Beijing the other day, wished all Nepalese residing in China good health, prosperity and happiness.

Highlighting the importance of the New Year-2058 B.S., Mr Acharya hoped that the new year would bring peace and prosperity to all Nepalese.

On the occasion the Nepalese students presented a cultural programme.

Similarly, Royal Nepalese consul general Shankar Prasad Pandey hosted a dinner in honour of Chairman of the People's Government of Tibet Autonomous Region of China Lekchok at the Royal Nepalese Consulate General in Lhasa on Saturday.

On the occasion, chairman Lekchok spoke of the traditional cordial relations between Nepal and China and expressed the view that such activities would contribute to further strengthening and deepening the relations.

He said that the People's Government of Tibet Autonomous Region was positive on reducing the trade deficit of Nepal.

Stressing the need for all to be effortful towards the promotion of trade between Nepal and Tibet Autonomous Region and for the success of the trade fair to be held in Lhasa in coming August, Mr Lekchok said that inclusion of new and quality Nepalese products in the trade fair would help in expanding trade between the two countries.

Royal Nepalese Consul General Pandey said there is a lot of possibilities for promotion of trade between Nepal and Tibet Autonomous Region.

The high ranking officials of the local foreign affairs office were also present on the occasion.

Daughters perform last rites

Charikot (Dolakha), Apr. 15 (RSS):   Devaki Karki and Chandika Karki, two sisters from Bhimeshwar Municipality-6, created history in this highly-traditional society by performing the last rites of their departed mother.

It is the male members, usually the sons, in the family who are traditionally assigned to perform the last rites of their departed relatives in the Hindu religion. But it was different in the case of Devaki Karki and Chandika Karki.

With no brothers to perform the rites, the two sisters were left with no other option than to volunteer themselves for the rituals at the death of their 65 years old mother Kashi Rupa Karki.

They followed all the rituals done by the male mourners in performing the last rites of their mother.

Like the male counterparts, they shaved their heads and performed all the rituals of the 13-day long mourning period.

Besides, the girls carried the dead body of their mother to the cremation grounds. Normally women do not carry dead bodies as per Hindu tradition.

213,807 students sitting for SLC exams

Kathmandu, Apr. 15 (RSS): The School Leaving Certificate (SLC) examinations of 2057 B.S. began today.

According to the examinations control office, a total of 213,807 students--160,923 in regular group and 52,884 in exempted group-- will sit for the examinations. Out of the students 90,000 are girls.

The examinations for regular students are being held on the basis of new and old curriculum, while the examinations for exempted students are based on old curriculum only.

Each region will have separate question papers for compulsory subjects. In the case of English and mathematics papers two different sets of questions have been set for every region. Besides theoretical examinations students have to appear in oral test for English paper and practical test for computer science paper this time.

S.L.C. examinations coordination committees have been formed in all 75 districts to make the examinations free, fair and dignified.

A total of 816 superintendents, 1,636 assistant superintendents, 10,301 invigilators, 1000 oral test monitors, 8,160 security personnel and 3,862 other supporting staff have been mobilised in 816 examination centres across the country.

In Gulmi, two students sitting for the S.L.C. examinations at Resunga centre today have been expelled for resorting to unfair means in the examinations.

According to superintendent Keshar Bahadur Thapa, those expelled are exempted candidate Bhesha Raj Panthi with serial number 1460092J of Mahendra Higher Secondary School and regular candidate Hari Bahadur Karki with serial number 2460020R of Gwagha Secondary School.

In Rauthat, one hundred and two students sitting for S.L.C. examinations were expelled from various examination centres today for resorting to unfair means in the examinations.

The Office of the Controller of Examinations has been recommended cancellation of the examination for the Nepali paper held today, it is learnt from the district education office.

The number of regular students appearing for the examinations in the 11 centres of the district is 1,200.

In Nepalgunj, altogether 1,793 students from Banke district are appearing in the School Leaving Certificate (SLC) examinations which commenced from today.

Out of the 1,793 students sitting for the SLC exams, 1202 are in the regular group while 591 candidates are in the exempted group of both the new and old syllabus.

The examination is being conducted at eight examination centres in the district.

Thirty-eight years old Prem Lal Chaudhari, who is taking the SLC in the regular group from the Narayan Secondary School examination centre, is the eldest student in the district.

Eight superintendents, 16 deputy superintendents and 90 invigilators have been deputed on duty to conduct the examination in a fair and dignified maner.

Two candidates, one from the regular group and the other from the exempted group, are also appearing in the SLC examination.

Solve Maoist problem through talks: Nepal

Sundrawati (Dolakha), Apr. 15 (RSS): CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal inaugurated the new building of Kalika Secondary School Sundrawati today.

Speaking on the occasion, Nepal said the building constructed as a symbol of friendship between Nepal and Japan will be instrumental in providing education to children.

The CPN-UML leader spoke of the need to resolve the Maoist problem through talks, adding that army mobilization is not a solution to the problem.

Hideki Murasi of Japan mentioned that though his country did not have anything except human resources, it could develop itself sufficiently.

Nepal also honored 103-year old Nanda Kumar Shahi Thakuri, social worker Madhav Prasad Shivakoti and Murasi felicitated them by wrapping shawls around them and presented letters of honor to those who contributed to school building.

The building was constructed at a cost of Rs 1.6890 million.

Various other speakers including VDC vice chairman Krishna Prasad Oli had spoken at the function chaired by VDC chairman and Khadga Sedai.

In Kathmandu, CPN (United) and CPN-UML representatives met here today to discuss the Maoist problem.

According to CPN-United, they discussed various aspects of the Maoist problem, its causes and possible solution.

Deputy general secretary Ganesh Shaha, Hemanta B.C., Prakash Adhikari and Sunil Manandhar of CPN-United and standing committee member Jhalanath Khanal, Shankar Pokhrel and Prakash Jwala of CPN-UML took part in the meeting.

In Nepal Sadbhavana Party president and National Assembly member Gajendra Narayan Singh speaking at programme organised on the occasion of the 11th founding day of the party here today, said that his party is always against any kind of discrimination and injustice against any castes and communities.

Stating that what the Maoists are doing today is only for them not for the country and the people, he said as the people are totally fed up with violence and killings it has become imperative for the Maoists to move ahead with its movement in a peaceful manner.

A host of other speakers also expressed ther views at the programme chaired by party district president Chhotkain Yadav.