Five noted scientists honoured

Lalitpur, Dec. 5 (RSS): Royal Nepal Academy for Science and Technology (RONAST) presented letters of appreciation to five senior scientists at a function held here today to mark its 19th anniversary.

The recipients of the letters of appreciation are Prof. Saraswati Prasad Rimal and Prof. Uma Prasad Shrestha in the field of basic science and Dr. Thir Bahadur Singh and Dr. Pushakar Raj Satyal in the field of technical science and Prof. Durga Devi Basnet from among female scientists.

A purse of Rs. 10,000 was also presented to each of the scientists honoured today.

Similarly, letters of appreciation were also presented to Dr. Bharat Basyal, Shishir Raj Kolakshapati and Raghu Shrestha, all employees of RONAST for their invaluable contribution to the institution.

On that occasion, vice chancellor of RONAST Prof. Dr. Dayananda Bajracharya noted that the scientists and the employees associated with the RONAST have been honoured since last three years in accordance with the objective of the academy to reward the personalities who had made remarkable contribution to bring about advancement in the field of science and technology.

Wisner calls on PM Deuba

Kathmandu, Dec. 5 (RSS): Vice chairman of the American International Group and Ambassador (retired) Frank G. Wisner called on Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba at Singha Durbar today.

Matters of mutual interest were discussed during the meeting.

French envoy calls on KC

Kathmandu, Dec. 5 (RSS): French Ambassador Claude Ambrosini called on Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Bal Bahadur K.C. at the latter's office today.

Matters concerning cultural exchange and tourism promotion were discussed on the occasion.

Nomination

Kathmandu, Dec. 5 (RSS): As per a Nov. 29 cabinet decision, His Majesty's Government has nominated Dr Chiranjibi Nepal (Rupandehi) and Prem Bahadur Gurung (Syangja) as labour experts on the central labour advisory committee for a term of two years, according to the Ministry of Labour and Transport Management.

Foundation stone laid

Kavrepalanchowk, Dec. 5 (RSS): Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare Rajendra Kharel laid the foundation stone for a building of Kathmandu-Helambu transport services committee at Banepa today.

On the occasion, Kharel said the Maoist terrorists had started attacking every sector of the country from all sides thereby necessitating a state of emergency.

Deputy mayor of Banepa Kanchan Chandra Bade Shrestha, president of Nepal National Transport Entrepreneurs Federation Yogendra Nath Karmacharya and president of Arniko Transport Service Committee Ramesh Vaidya also expressed their views.

President of Kathmandu-Helambu transport services committee Narendra Raj Shrestha presided.

Thapaliya to receive HR Award

Kathmandu, Dec. 5 (RSS): The Human Rights Organisation of Nepal (HURON) has decided to give the Human Rights Award every two years from this year to a Nepalese national making a significant contribution to the protection, promotion and exercise of human rights.

The award will be given on the occasion of International Human Rights Day.

Meanwhile, HURON has decided to present this year's award to Nutan Thapaliya, on Dec. 10.

This was announced by HURON president Sudip Pathak at a press conference here today.

According to a press release distributed on the occasion, HURON has stressed the need for the Maoists to immediately give up violence and move ahead on the basis of mutual understanding.

The organisation is saddened by the way the Maoists abandoned the ongoing dialogue and attacked security agencies and the general public, it is stated.

All party meet held in Dolakha

Charikot (Dolkha), Dec. 5 (RSS): An all-party meeting was held at the initiative of the CPN-UML district committee here today to take stock of the situation in the district following the declaration of a State of Emergency and come up with a concrete policy.

The meeting agreed to monitor developments following the declaration of emergency, make sure that civil rights are not violated, remain alert against possible incidents and avert any untoward incident, build an environment for providing security to those Maoists who leave their party and surrender, and give continuity to all-party meetings.

The meeting was attended by CPN-UML district secretary Ananda Prasad Pokharel and member Shiva Prasad Bhandari, NC general committee member Uddhav Raj Kafle, CPN-ML district secretary Basanta Raj Karki, RPP district vice president Devendra Narayan Pradhan and town committee president Nabin Lama.

Six mountaineering teams granted permission

Kathmandu, Dec. 5 (RSS): Six mountaineering teams from five countries have been granted permission to carry out expeditions on five different mountain peaks during the winter season from December 1 to February 15.

According to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, three teams from Japan, one each from the United Kingdom and France and one joint team of Nepal and the Republic of Korea have received permission to climb. Two teams have permission for scaling 6,812 m high Ama Dablam, and one team each for 6,779 m high Mt. Kangtega, 8516 m high Mt. Lhotse, 7,216m high Himlung Himal and 6,891 meter high Gurkool Ri.

Killing denounced

Kathmandu, Dec. 5 (RSS): MP Shankar Prasad Panday, member of the House of Representatives from Syangja district has published a press statement here today denouncing the killing of Vishnu Bahadur Chand, a teacher, by the Maoists.

He has offered tributes to the late Chand and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

Eye camps benefit people

Kathmandu, Dec. 5 (RSS): Eight hundred and seventy eye patients were provided general check-up services and 174 others underwent operation for correction of cataract at a free eye camp set up at Tupche of Nuwakot district by the Tilganga Eye Centre recently.

Ten health workers of the Tilganga Eye Centre including Dr Suman Thapa of the Tilganga Eye Hospital rendered their services at the four-day eye camp.

The NAAF Quuensland, Australia, had provided the necessary intra-ocular lenses and medicines necessary for the eye camp, it is learnt from the Tilganga Eye Centre.

It is also learnt that the centre is conducting day-long eye check-up camps at various 13 places of Dhanusha, Mahottari and Sarlahi districts from December 11-14 in association with the Janaki Eye Hospital, Janakpur.