Foot & mouth disease affects animals in Sindhulimadhi

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT

Sindhulimadhi, Aug. 17: Hundreds of domestic animals have been affected due to the foot and mouth disease, which has spread in about a dozen of Village Development Committees (VDCs) and Kamalamai Municipality of the district for the last two weeks.

Farmers say that more than two dozens of buffaloes, cows and oxen have died from the disease until now. Many other cattle are in a critical position, as the disease has not been brought under control.

The disease has spread mainly to the villages such as Danda Gurase, Tandi, Harsahi, and Dudhauli.

Shankar Khatiwada, a farmer of Tandi VDC, says that his two oxen and a buffalo have already died from the disease.

"My two other oxen and a cow are also in a critical situation. They may die any time," Bhandari says.

Despite the vaccination campaign launched by the district veterinary office, the disease has not been controlled as yet, farmers say.

According to the office, it has vaccinated about 5,000 sick animals against the disease so far.

Koilidevi Award to Bimala Rai

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Aug. 17: The Koilidevi Sangitik Kosh has decided to honour Bimala Rai with the Koilidevi Sangitik Award 2057 for her contributions for the promotion of Nepali language through music.

Rai is the first person to receive the award.

The award is given away on the 7th Bhadra (August 23 this year) every year.

In another report added, on the occasion of the first annual ceremony of its office bearers, Rotary Club, Damauli, Tanahun, honored six personalities for their contribution to the social service sector recently.

Those honored were Bhim Bahadur Adhikari and Bhoj Raj Khanal, Mrs. Kalpana Gauli Singh, Mrs. Goma Neupane, Mrs. Khimisara Ale and Mrs. Usha Chhetri Poudel. Adhikari and Khanal have made contributions in the social sector of the district even by staying outside the district. Similarly, Mrs. Singh, Mrs. Neupane and Mrs. Poudel contributed to women’s education.

Speaking on the occasion, former Minister of State Amar Raj Kaini commended the club for working for the social development of the district since last year.

At the function, Kirpalal Shrestha, former President of Pokhara Rotary Club, was presented gifts. Shrestha had played a vital role for the establishment of Rotary Club in Damauli.

Ramchandra Pokhrel, President of the club, handed over the responsibility to the newly elected President Suraj Kumar Subba.

The Chief District Officer (CDO), Baikuntha Nath Neupane and Shiv Kumar Singh, secretary of the club, shed light on various activities conducted by the club.

Within one year of its establishment, the Rotary District 3290 has secured first position by involving in the natural calamity rescue operations. Similarly, it has occupied second position for its active participation in the launching of the polio innoculation programme and women literacy programme.

Rotary International recognized the club on June 30, 2000 alone.

Meanwhile RSS adds: The Nepal Motion Pictures Association (NMPA) has decided to honour 45 artistes with the Nepal Motion Picture Award-2058 on the occasion of its 38th anniversary on August 30.

At a press conference held here recently, NMPA president Bishnu Gopal Shrestha said that the Nepalese film artistes making significant contributions to development Nepalese art and culture through the medium of motion pictures as well as those personalities involved in the film industry will be honoured with the Nepal Motion Picture Award-2058 in order to further encourage them.

The award winners will be chosen from the 45 Nepalese feature films being produced and screened from Baisakh, 2057 to Saun, 2058 B.S. on the basis of audience and website polls, and the recommendation of the concerned institution.

Likewise, the highest honours of "Mahendra Chalchitra Sadhana Sanmaan," "Ulekhaniya Yogdaan Sanmaan" and "Bisesh Yogdaan Sanmaan" will also be given to deserving Nepalese film artistes on the occasion.

‘Order of The Rising Sun’ to be awarded to Verma

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Aug. 17: Ram Krishna Verma, President of Kathmandu Japanese Language Institute and former Vice President of the Nepal-Japan Friendship and Cultural Association, will receive a Japanese honour "Order of The Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette" on August 20, next week, a press statement from the Japanese Embassy stated here today.

Japanese Ambassador to Nepal Mitsuaki Kojima will hand over Verma the decoration the Japanese Government had decided to confer upon him earlier this year.

"In Japan, the ‘Order of The Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette’ is conferred upon citizens of the nation and foreign nationals in recognition of their valuable contribution to the promotion of the economy, industry, science, and culture of Japan," the press statement said. "His Majesty the Emperor of Japan has conferred the above-mentioned Order on Mr. Verma in recognition of his important role in the promotion of cultural exchange between Nepal and Japan.

For many years, Verma, according to the Japanese Embassy here, has devoted his life in disseminating Japanese Language education in Nepal. "In 1965, he pioneered the establishment of the first Japanese Language school in Kathmandu as its founding member. Since then, many Japanese Language schools have been opened in Nepal."

"The number of Nepali people who study the Japanese language has been steadily increasing over the years. The significant number of Nepalis who speak Japanese have greatly contributed to promoting person-to-person exchanges in many fields, including tourism, culture and business expanding the friendship and mutual understanding between Nepal and Japan in many ways."

Verma, according to the press statement, has made continued efforts to strengthen Japan-Nepal relations, not only as a promoter of the Japanese Language but also, until recently, as Public Service Officer in Government Ministries and Departments, and as an active member of the Friendship Society.