Int’l meet on alternative medicines begins

Kathmandu, Feb. 25 (RSS): The fifth international conference on alternative medicines and non-formal education began here today under the aegis of Lama Gangchen World Foundation with "The Role of Spirituality in Society: Health, Education, Environment, and Ethics" as its theme

About 120 persons from 22 countries including Argentina, USA, Chili, Brazil, England, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Malaysia, Spain, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Russia, India and Nepal are attending the conference.

Declaring the conference open, Minister for Health Ramkrishna Tamrakar said that the service-oriented non-governmental organisations providing medical service and raising spiritual awareness among the backward classes should enhance their effectiveness and translate their endeavour into reality.

He said that spiritual education was is essential to make those in low income brackets and those leading a hard life physically and mentally healthy.

Minister Tamrakar also lauded the Foundation’s contribution to health care.

From the chair, founder of the Foundation professor T.Y.S. Lama Gangchen said that despite limited means and resources, the foundation has been providing free health services to the people.

Sir Anton Jayasuriya of Sri Lanka and production manager of the 94 FM Radio Station Hari Sharan Lamichhane shed light on the importance of spiritual education.

Chand lays foundation stone of temple

Bhaktapur, Feb. 25 (RSS): Former prime minister and leader of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Lokendra Bahadur Chand laid the foundation stone for the construction of a Ram Mandir (temple) to be constructed at ward No 15 and 16 Lauhakilthali of Madhyapur Thimi municipality on Wednesday.

Addressing the function, Chand said the construction of the temple will be instrumental in leading the society to the right direction.

Also speaking on the occasion were mayor of Madhyapur Thimi municipality Murari Prasad Acharya and secretary of the temple construction and protection committee Balram Paudel.

At the programme presided over by committee chairman Bhakta Bahadur Budhathoki, 1008 Swami Hariharananda Paramhansa Saraswoti was also present.

Likewise, in Kathmandu, leader of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) and former prime minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand released an anthology of poems "Nepali Mutuko Ragatka Thopa-Thopa (every drop of blood from Nepalese heart)" by poet Gopal Koirala at a function here today.

Litterateur Krishna Murari Sharma "Chatyang Master" and Bishnu Prabhat presented a critical review of the anthology.

The programme was organised by the National Concerns Society.

Joshi for dev of film industry

Kathmandu, Feb. 25 (RSS): Minister for Information and Communications Shiva Raj Joshi has said that the Nepali film industry has generated revenue and employment and made considerable contribution to the promotion of language, literature and culture of the country.

Inaugurating the special general meeting of the Nepal Motion Pictures Producers Association here today, Minister Joshi said that arrangement would be made for further development of film industry through the National Film Development Corporation and necessary policy, rules and schemes would be formulated soon in this regard.

Minister of State for Information and Communications Puskar Nath Ojha said that it has been possible for the Nepali films sector to develop into an industry since the restoration of democracy and the government is committed to making the National Film Development Board an autonomous entity.

President of Nepal Motion Picture Producers Association and senior artist Nir Shah spoke of the need for a film training centre in the country.

President of National Film Development Board Yadav Kharel said that the Nepali film industry is about to usher in the golden age and about 21 new projects are in the pipeline.

Association general secretary Ashok Sharma, senior members Shailesh Acharya and Gopaljee Nepali and a host of other speakers stressed the need to make the film development board an autonomous body and give priority and protection to the film industry.

Contributions of late Kansakar highlighted

Kathmandu, Feb. 25 (RSS): The Paropakar Sanstha organised a condolence meeting marking 21st day after the death of veteran social worker Dayabir Kansakar here today.

At the meeting, Rajparishad Standing Committee chairman Dr Kesarjung Rayamajhi, Minister of State for Women, Children and Social Welfare Mrs Kamala Pant and various other individuals extended heartfelt tributes to the late Kansakar.

Speaking at the programme, Dr Rayamajhi said the selfless service provided by Kansakar will always be remembered by the Nepalese society.

Minister of State Mrs Panta said shed light on the contribution made by Mr Kansakar in education, health and other sectors of human service and also announced that the government will institute an annual award after his name.

The award will carry a purse of Rs. 25,000/.

NC central member Bimalendra Nidhi, ex-minister and communist leader Padma Ratna Tuladhar, Hitkar Bir Kansakar, the elder son of Mr Kansakar, president of Nepal Red Cross Society Ramesh Kumar Sharma and other speakers also expressed their views at the programme chaired by chairman of the institution Prayagraj Singh Suwal.

Homework on to rehabilitate freed Kamaiyas

Nepalgunj, Feb. 25 (RSS): On completion of the identification of freed Kamaiya in Banke district the Freed Kamaiya Identification and Rehabilitation Committee, Banke is now doing necessary homework for their rehabilitation.

Member-secretary of the committee and land reforms officer of the district Shankar Prasad Aryal said that the committee has decided to provide five katthas of land each to 29 ex-Kamaiya families staying at the makeshift camps at Raniyapur VDC of the district.

Committee member and chairman of Landless Settlers Problems Resolution Committee, Banke Bishnu Prasad Sharma told RSS that although the decision to provide land to the freed Kamaiya was taken on the basis of an all-party consensus a tendency among some NGOs to drag out the Kamaiya issue and politicisation of the issue have come in the way of implementing the decision.

Land has already been identified for distribution to the ex-Kamaiya, he said, adding some 1000 bighas of unregistered land has been found in 28 VDCs of the district. However, with landless settlers utilizing the land it has been difficult for the committee to distribute the land to the ex-Kamaiya. The local administration should take firm stand on this issue, he further said.

Despite the concerned office bearers’ claim that a tendency among some NGOs to drag the Kamaiya issue out and politicisation of the issue has been an obstacle to distribution of land, homeless Kamaiya in the camps are totally ignorant of such matters.

Durgapati Tharu, who is staying in a makeshift camp at Raniyapur says we immediately need a shelter of our own; if the government is not in a position to provide 10 katthas of land, a little bit less than that is also acceptable to us.

Sunnani Tharu, also a freed Kamaiya told RSS that her family is ready to accept land in any area within the district, while another freed Kamaiya Saraju Prasad Tharu wondered why the government is delaying their rehabilitation.

Chief district officer Balkrishna Prasai stresses the need for a political consensus to ensure administrative cooperation in rehabilitating the freed bonded labourers.

According to the district land reforms office, 186 freed bonded labourers are homeless, 874 have homes but not land, 21 have up to two katthas of land, and 261 have more than two katthas of land.

Excavation at Kichakbadh area from next year

Bhadrapur, Feb. 25 (RSS): The department of Archaeology is to start archaeological excavation next year at Kichakbadh- the site of the historical, achaeological and religious importance in Jhapa district.

According to the department, regional museum, Dhanakuta, the history of Kichakbadh dates back to the Mahabhatara period. In the Birat section of the epic, one can find copious mention of Kichakbadh as a place where the mighty Bhimsen slew the formidable demon Kichak, according to Tulsiram Mishra, a priest at a temple at Kichakbadh.

Located about ten kilometres south-east of Chandragadhi, the Jhapa district headquarters, Kichakbadh area has long since been declared a protected area by the department.

However, the place is being paid little attention and as result, a diversion of Deuniya river breached its banks, threatening to inundate the historic site.

Stretching over ten bighas of land, the site is flanked by Deuniya and Mechi river upto their confluence and even to this day, one can see ruins of some ancient masonry at the site.

Kichakbadh has caught limelight even since the history department of Mechi multiple campus carried our excavation there long back. At present there stands a pond believed to have formed as a result of a heavy blow struck by Bhimsen.

On its upper part lies some ruins of brick structures of 11th or 12th centuries. Most of the ruins seem to be buried underground, suggesting that it was once a huge fort or palace. But this could be confirmed only after an excavation, says lecturer Chintamani Dahal of Mechi Multiple Campus.

A temple of Lord Shiva and his consort Satya Devi have been built there. Every year, Hindu devotees pay homage at the temple at the end of Swasthanibrat and attend fair held here in the months of Poush and Magh.