Budget draws mixed reactions from carpet entrepreneurs

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, July 16: In its reaction to the budget-2001/02, the Central Carpet Industries Association (CCIA) welcomed the provisions made in the budget for the development of the export-oriented industry in the country.

The measures can provide relief to the industry and commerce sector if we can strengthen their implementation aspect and make them more result-oriented, the CCIA stated in a press release issued today.

The carpet entrepreneurs’ association welcomed the proposed reforms in the industrial sector and the announcement of observing the Export Year-2003.

Lauding the plan on rehabilitation of sick industries and industrial effluent treatment, CCIA also hailed the provision to accord a higher priority to the promotion of the domestic products.

The plans to avoid the bottlenecks involved in the duty drawback refund and construct the export promotion zone (EPZ) near dry ports are also welcome steps, it stated.

However, the press release, stated that the budget could not bring forth concrete, specific programmes to address the problem of falling carpet exports.

"The slump brought down the export to 2.2 million square metres of carpet last year (2000/01) while our export had been equivalent to 3.3 million sq. mt. in 1993/94," the press release stated.

In light of the reluctance of commercial banks in investment in the ailing businesses, deteriorating law and order situation, and the weak implementation aspect, CCIA sees reforms in the investment environment highly challenging.

It also expressed its resentment over the 1 per cent import tax and 1 per cent special tax on the net income.

"Despite the CCIA’s demand to waive 0.5 per cent income tax on the net earning from exports, the budget has instead raised it to 0.75 per cent," the press release stated. "An annual 1,000 rupees tax has been imposed on the small and cottage industries, which are not required to keep accounts."

"The imposition of taxes in different names and forms including income tax, service tax, security tax and special tax will raise the export price and badly hit the competitiveness of Nepalese carpets" it added.

The CCIA also expressed its concern over the impact of the slump in the carpet industry—an export oriented industry providing plenty of jobs to rural population, and a source of foreign currency.

Army continue to cordon Rolpa

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, July 16: Security forces are continuing their cordon around the area in Rolpa, where the Maoists are hiding with the abducted the policemen, to free the kidnapped policemen and to recover the weapons looted by them.

The Home Ministry said today that if the Maoists did not take up seriously the demand of handing over the kidnapped police personnel and surrendering the weapons looted, the security forces are ready to take up new positions and to move in a new way.

A press statement of the Ministry said that there are no incidences from the side of the security forces, but they are remaining alert and even strengthening their positions to fulfil their objective of freeing the police personnel and retrieve the weapons.

According to the press statement, the security forces are also keeping a close watch and monitoring the activities and movement of the Maoists.

The Home Ministry has even warned that if the Maoists did not heed to the demand, the security forces would be forced to move ahead by narrowing down the cordon.

Songmen, Silpakar want to become doctors in future

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, July 16: First it was disbelief, then excitement, thrill and exhilaration. This is how the toppers of this year’s School Leaving Certificate (SLC) examinations reacted to the news.

Swochhanda Songmen of Bidur Boarding School, Jhapa topped the SLC examination of 2057 B. S. among the boys securing 714 marks out of 800 while Ramila Silpakar of Everest Boarding School, Bhaktapur stood first among the girls scoring 686 marks out of 800.

A total of 213,807 students took the examinations from both the regular and exempted groups had taken the examinations.

This is the first SLC batch that had taken the examinations under a new curriculum and revised examination system.

Both the SLC toppers were euphoric on their success and plan to pursue higher studies in science.

"I want to be a doctor or a nuclear scientist," said Songmen, who is presently studying at the St. Xaviers’ College on provisional. Ms. Silpalkar is also studying at St. Xaviers’ College with taking up biology.

Songmen was born in Falgun 27, 2042 B.S. to as the youngest son of Agamsingh Songmen and mother Urmila Songmen.

He had thought that he would secure good marks but had not expected that he would come at the top. He said he used to study for five hours daily.

Meanwhile, Songmen’s success this year had broken the tradition of the dominance of the boarding schools of Kathmandu.

Songmen likes table tennis and chess in games and he prefers writing essays. He said he likes the essays of Laxmi Prasad Devkota. He said the changed curricula and the new examination system are praiseworthy.

"Education should be practical, useful and as per the interests of the students," the SLC topper said. However, he expressed concern about the declining standard of education.

Meanwhile, Silpakar was born on Magh 29, 2042 B.S. at Tekhapukhu of Bhaktapur as second daughter to Rajaram Silpakar and Rupa Silpakar. He had studied at Bal Vidhya Mandir up to class 7 and then she got enrolled in Everest Boarding School. She also used to study for 5 or 6 hours daily, but during the examinations she had studied for almost 15 hours a day. She said the result was like a dream to her.

"Education is an exchange of knowledge between the teachers and the students," says Silpakar. She says for the success of any student factors like the students efforts, encouragement from the parents, teachers and an appropriate atmosphere, both at the home and school, are necessary. "I got all these things during my school days."

Headmaster of the Everest Boarding School Bhakta Rajbhandari said that the school has decided to give her a prize of Rs. 25,000 on her success and the school would also help her in her higher education.

Ramila’s interest lies in painting, dance and literature as a hobby

Chiropractic, best cure for lumbago

BY RITU RAJ SUBEDI

Kathmandu, July 16: Are you getting old? One of the commonest problems when one reaches thirty, forty or above is backache and pain on the neck. The reasons may be varied: dislocation of vertebral column from its natural position or compression of nerves by the bones or imbalance between backbone and ribs. Doctor may advise surgery as the only option. But in many major cases, you need not go for surgery.

Chiropractic could be a cure for such problems. Like naturopathy, it heals without surgery or other expensive medication. There are many successful stories with chiropractic, the second largest health system after allopathy in the world, curing such problems.

His late Majesty Dipendra Bir Birkram Shah had a backache problem and parachuting was not the thing for him. Doctors had even suggested His late Majesty for a reconstructing surgery in England.

But His late Majesty did not undergo surgery. "His late Majesty was cured of the ailment through the chiropractic," said Dr. Janardan Subedi, Director of Nepal Programme and Faculty and Student of Palmer College of Chiropractic, Davenport, Iowa, USA.

Dr. Subedi, who is also an Associate Professor of Clinical Sociology at the Miami University, annually visits Nepal with a team of about forty chiropractors from America.

Till now his team has come here five times and provided free health service to nearly fifty thousand Nepalese people. They have organised the health camp in various places in the country including Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Banepa, Panchkhal and Dhulikhel. The treatment is free of cost.

Dr. Subedi said, "Our treatment is free for everybody."

Recently, Dr. Subedi completed a two-month long chiropractic session in Nepal. He also plans to come to Nepal next year with a team of chiropractors.

He informed that chiropractic has given miraculous results in about two thousand cases.

"A man, who was unable to speak due to typhoid, started to speak after the chiropractic treatment," Dr. Subedi remembered.

He said that a baby, who could not suckle the breast, could do so after this form of treatment.

According to Dr. Subedi, almost all the members of the Royal Family including, Their Majesties King and Queen have also undergone the chiropractic treatment.

CPN-UML leader Jhalanath Khanal, who was suffering from the pain in the bone of his neck and back, has a very positive experience of this system of treatment.

"Now I feel relief in the neck," said Khanal. "Although it was new for me, I was highly impressed," he recalled.

Radhakrishna Mainali of CPN-ML has also a similar experience.

Mainali has been suffering backache for twelve years. "I have a bit of relief now with just one session with chiropractic," he said, adding, "If I go five or more times, I hope I will be cured."

It can cure this type of malady if it has just started, he added.

It is true that chiropractic provides relief to many who suffer from pain in the neck, back and pressed nerves. There is, in fact, a special treatment regime that has to be followed.

At the beginning of the chiropractic treatment session, the patient is made to lie on his stomach. There is a special bedstead for the purpose. The doctor presses on the back of the patient with a ruler and pinpoints the painful area or spot. Afterwards, the chiropractor locates the problem area and applies other means of treatment.

The whole philosophy that the chiropractic care has is that if the spine in the human body leaves its original position and exerts pressure on the nerves then various health problems arise while the people in general believe that the body heals itself.

USA is the only country where Chiropractic is available and this practice is taught in 12 colleges of the US. There are also 35,000 chiropractors working in this field.

Dr. Subedi, who has made important contribution to improve the health status of the Nepalese people, is committed to develop this care system in Nepal, which has no chiropractor at all. "I have a dream to set up Chiropractic College in Nepal."

According to him, he has made available scholarship for one Nepali doctor for chiropractic training in the Palmer College. Chiropractic training is a four-year course.

"This health system can significantly contribute to the Nepalese who have poor access to health service in the country," he noted.

If this system can be ensured to be scientifically effective, it will prove to be a boon for the Nepalese, echoed Khanal.

Mainali, former health minister, noted that this health system that offers on the spot treatment, is highly beneficial for Nepal where about 30 per cent people suffer from backaches. "The chiropractic treatment is not only effective, but also it is available at a nominal price."

A total of 31 pairs of nerves originate from various points of the vertical structure of the spinal column and spread to all organs, glands, muscles and cells of the body. This explains that the pressure on the nerves leads to pain in the leg and arm.

Chiropractic care is successful in treating among others swelling of the uvula, tumours in the throat and the painful fissures between the fingers of the foot.

It is known that if some nerve in the neck is pinched or pressed then pain may be felt at some point in the arm or it could lead to loss of sensation to some extent. If the nerve of the lower backbone pains, it may affect the leg also. Pressed nerve in the lower spine results in sciatica, a condition in which the feet pains and makes any movement difficult. Chiropractic doctors refer to such a condition as sublucsession. The bones of the spine are not dislocated but in the right position.

Hos chiropractic was developed?

There is an interesting story about the inception of development of the chiropractic that was propounded by Dr. David Daniel Palmer. Once Harry Lillard, the janitor of Dr Palmer was working in stooping position. Suddenly, he felt something fall in his body that turned him deaf. It surprised Dr. Palmer. He examined him and found that his vertebra column was dislocated. Then he relocated it, which enabled Lillard regain, his hearing.

This knowledge spurred Dr. Palmer to devote his time and energy to the study of spinal displacement and he developed it as chiropractic care, a new thought of school in the health delivery system from 1895 A D. The Palmer College of Chiropractic, Davenport, was established in his memory and for the propagation of chiropractic care.

Certificates given away

Kathmandu, July 16 (RSS): General secretary of the Nepal Mountaineering Association Bhoomilal Lama gave away certificates to the trainees completing the four weeklong English language trekking guide training organised by Kathmandu Environmental Education Project at a function here Sunday.

During the training programme, the trainees were familarised with various aspects of safeguarding bio-diversity, management of lodges, hygiene and cleanliness, first aid treatment and alertness to be maintained at high altitudes.

Population increases in Mahotari

Mahottari, July 16 (RSS): The population of Mahottari district has increased by 110,525 to 550,671 under the National Census-2058 B.S.

At present there are 287,678 men and 263,593 women in Mahottari district, according to census officer Dinesh Bhattarai.

Likewise, there are 78,845 households and 94,772 families in the district.

Jaleswore municipality has a population of 22,263 people.

Inauguration

Kathmandu, July 16 (RSS): FNCCI president Pradip Kumar Shrestha, inaugurating the women entrepreneur development department at the FNCCI secretariat yesterday, said that FNCCI would extend cooperation in promoting the market for goods produced by the women entrepreneurs.

Expressing happiness over the cooperation being extended by FNCCI to women entrepreneurs, Member of the National Assembly Mrs Yankila Sherpa expressed confidence that FNCCI would continue to provide such assistance in the days ahead.

Folk song contest concludes in Jhapa

Kakarbhitta, July 16 (RSS): Senior folk singer Udija Rai presented the "Best artistes" award to three emerging talents of the district in the field of music on the occasion of the third anniversary of the Sahitya Chautari (Literary Forum), Jhapa and the 188th birth anniversary of pioneer poet Bhanubhakta Acharya here on Sunday.

Those awarded are Sumitra Bangdel for the best lyricist, Yubaraj Rijal for being the best artist and a blind child Jetha Murmu for the best vocal.

Similarly, the Rajbanshi Cultural Troupe from Garamani came out first, the Chyabung (Limbu) artistes' team from Khudunabari second and the Tamang Sherpa team from Damak third in the folk songs contest organised on the occasion.

Academician Daan Khaling, linguist Chudamani Regmi, chief patron of the Sahitya Chautari Devi Bhakta Shrestha and its vice-president Shekhar Dhakal expressed their views at the programme presided over by president of the Sahitya Chautari Shiva Shankar Thapa.

Elocution contest held

Kathmandu, July 16 (RSS): Elisha Shrestha of Gems High School, Sanepa came out first, Pooja Shrestha of the Little Angels Higher Secondary School, Hattiban second and Sanjaya Acharya of the C.P.S. School, Godavari third in the Inter-Lower Secondary School level English elocution contest organised by the Children's Paradise Boarding High School, Lalitpur on the occasion of the 55th auspicious birthday of His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev.

Similarly, Arma Joshi of the Little Angels' School of Hattiban, Prakash Bhandari of the Shikhar Boarding School of Jawalakhel and Prashila Karmacharya of the Everest English School of Bhaktapur came out first, second and third respectively in the 7th grade elocution contest.

Likewise, Samana Bhatta of the Gems High School of Sanepa came out first, Prani Manandhar of Gems High School of Sanepa second and Pallavi Gupta Sharma of the Little Angels School of Hattiban and Ram Prasad Lamichhane of the C.P.S School of Godavari third in the 8th grade elocution contest.

Altogether 30 students from 10 schools in Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur took part in the elocution contest.

Landslide on Arniko Road

Chautara, July 16 (RSS): Transport services came to a standstill on the Arniko Highway as a result of landslide triggered by torrential rains along the 8.4-kilometres portion of the highway at Jure of Ramche VDC on Sunday morning.

Efforts to clear the debris have been hampered by continuous mudslide at the place, according to Chief District Officer Madhav Prasad Ojha.

Meanwhile, the area remains cut-off with the rest of the country after the Maoist insurgents damaged the communications tower at Banepa last week.

'Work honestly to make people feel secured'

Kathmandu, July 16 (RSS): Minister for Foreign Affairs, Agriculture and Home Chakra Prasad Bastola has said that we have to bring about changes in our thinking and working style in order to encounter the problems being faced by the country.

Initiating his work at the Ministry of Home today, Minister Bastola said that the Ministry of Home plays a vital role in providing the people a sense of peace and security, mobilising all the units linked with internal security for maintenance of law and order in the country and feeding the people with the overall concerns of His Majesty’s Government.

The Home Minister said that all the units of the Ministry should remain committed and work actively in facing the challenges of the law and order situation in the country.

On the occasion Home Secretary Srikant Regmi said that the guidlines provided by the minister would serve as the basis for carrying out works.

Mr Regmi said that the administrative machinery would remain committed to carrying out result-oreinted works in accodance with the directives provided by the minister.

'Check population growth'

Lalitpur, July 16 (RSS): Former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has expressed the view that it will be difficult to provide adequate health, education and employment facilities if we are not able to control the rapid growth of population taking place in the country.

Former prime minister Deuba, inaugurating a national seminar on "Adolescents and Youths in Nepal" organised by the Population Concerns Society Nepal on the occasion of the World Population Day-2001 here today, said the increasing population of the young men and women has also created problems in the country.

Today's youths have been caught up in the vicious shadows of modernisation and they are oriented towards murder and violence and drug addiction, he said, pointing out the need for an overall change in the present education system.

Mr Deuba said it is necessary to improve upon our family values and traditions and provide children moral education at the family and school in order to guide them on a virtuous path.

Deputy Speaker Mrs Chitralekha Yadav described the youths as being agents of change in society and said it is high time we think of the types of youths we need to train and groom in order to face the challenges of the 21st century.

Attention should be given while formulating the policies and new laws so that the youths are represented well in these programmes for the greater well-being of the country, she stressed.

Former minister of state and society president Bhakta Bahadur Balayar warned that neglecting the vast chunk of the youth population of the country would have negative repercussions in the urban and rural areas.

UNFPA representative J.B. Musoke said poverty, environmental problems, illiteracy, the problem of HIV/AIDS, etc. are some of the factors responsible for the population rise in Nepal.

He disclosed that the youth comprise 30 per cent of the total national population at present and this will be 65 per cent in 25 years from now.

Vice-president of the society Asta Laxmi Shakya, MP, said the 1994 World Population Conference in Cairo has reaffirmed the strong inter-relationship between population and environment and urged the government to put into practice the population policies and programmes adopted by the Cairo Conference.

The government should give attention to population management rather than population control and family welfare instead of family planning, she pointed out.

Another vice-president of the Population Concerns Society Narendra Bahadur Bam, MP, expressed the view that His Majesty's Government should consider population as the main focus of its development endeavours and focus its programmes on improving the living standards of the people.

He said a sound linkage should be established between population and development programmes, formulate appropriate policies and programmes with a focus on the population of the youth as the rapid growth in the population of youth would entail a far-reaching impact on the country's development process.

The MP also spoke on the need of providing reproductive health education to the adolescents and introducing sex education in school curriculum.

NICCI opposes vehicle import policy

Kathmandu, July 16 (RSS): Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce and Industry has drawn the attention of His Majesty's Government that Indian vehicles imported into the country were not given the same facilities provided to vehicles imported from other countries like Japan and Republic of Korea.

Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce and Industry has demanded immediate resolution of the problem.

In a press release, Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce and Industry has stated that cars manufactured by foreign companies including those of Japan and Republic of Korea were being allowed to be imported into Nepal on the basis of the certificate issued by the factories themselves whereas according to existing laws the foreign and domestic manufacturers are themselves required to certify that their vehicles conform to euro-1 and euro-2 standards within the parametres of the environmental laws of the Kingdom of Nepal.

But, in the case of Indian-manufactured vehicles imported into Nepal, the certificate issued by the Indian manufacturers is not recognised in accordance with existing law and this has had a negative impact on the import of Indian vehicles, the press release states.

This discriminatory policy goes against the trade treaty signed between Nepal and India in 1996 and 1991 as well as clause 3 of the same treaty, the press release further states.

'FNCCI working to promote industry, trade'

Kathmandu, July 16 (RSS): President of the Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Pradip Kumar Shrestha has said that the FNCCI has been working to protect the interests of industrialists and businessmen and promote industry and trade in the country.

The FNCCI president made this remark at a press conference hosted here today to speak of the achievements of the FNCCI Executive Committee during the past two years.

He also said that during the period under review, tasks were performed such as making Nepal an attractive place for investment and generating employment opportunities by boosting business.

Stating that memoranda of understanding concerning bilateral cooperation were signed with nine foreign organisations, he said prospects for bilateral economic cooperation had been expanded during visits to Nepal by the president of Mongolia, the Prime Ministers of Japan and China, the Foreign Ministers of the U.K., Norway and India and the Deputy Prime Minister of China. Construction of an international exhibition building was in progress, he added.

FNCCI first vice-president Ravi Bhakta Shrestha, former president Ananda Lal Mulmi and another vice-president Rajendra Kumar Khetan also expressed their views on the occasion.

The elections to the FNCCI executive committee will be held tomorrow. The committee has 550 members including 85 district and municipal chambers of commerce and industry, 50 sectoral associations, nine Bi-national Chambers of Commerce and Industry and 400 associate members.

Meanwhile, Nepal Chamber of Commerce has stated that provisions such as building of infrastructure for export promotion, observing 2003 as the year of export promotion, preparing of infrastructural bases with private sector participation for the rehabilitation of sick industries, intention of reviewing of the policy concerning industries, hydropower and export promotion for investment promotion, streamlining information technology in the priority areas and developing it as a core area for export and employment, and introducing a destination Nepal programme for two years from 2002 have come as positive ideas in the budget for Fiscal Year 2001-02.

Expressing its reaction to the budget, the chamber has stated that introduction of export duty from 0.5 to 5 per cent on the main goods exported to India and increasing it to 10 times as compared to the previous year will result in a fall in the competitive capacity of such industries and the export to India will be adversely affected and finally the trade deficit will increase. It may be recalled that as a result of the positive impact of the trade treaty with India, there had been steady growth of exports to India, it has stated.

Stating that while providing facility to the export sector, exemption has been provided to only pashmina and there has been no exemption to the silk required in the same proportion, the chamber has said that there is no meaning without providing exemption to silk also as required by the industry.

Two trade unions to be merged

Kathmandu, July 16 (RSS): Officials of the task force formed to build a single federation by merging the Nepal Trade Union Congress and the general federation of Nepal Trade Unions met here today.

The meeting agreed to build a common machinery for intensifying the process of unification of trade unions and organise national meets every year on social security for workers.

Former army chiefs welcome army mobilisation

Kathmandu, July 16 (RSS): Former chiefs of the army staff of the Royal Nepal Army have welcomed the mobilisation of the army in Rolpa for the safe release of abducted policemen and recovery of their weapons from the Maoists.

They were also of the view that the chief responsibilty of the army is to protect the nation and as the Royal Nepal Army is a part of His Majesty's Government the government can mobilise the army in order to safeguard the country.

Speaking at a face-to-face prgoramme on "situation arisen following mobilisation of army in Rolpa" organised by Reporters' Club Nepal here today, former chief of the army staff Guna Shumsher JB Rana described the wrong publicity stunt of the Maoists as "very mean" and expressed the view that the publicity material of the Maoists which hurt the morality of the country should not receive any place in the communications media.

Expressing the confidence that the army mobilised in Rolpa to assist the local administration would fulfill its responsibility without any bloodshed, Mr Rana said that the government should be clear over what the Maoists are, terrorists or a political force, and should accordingly order the army to fulfill a specific responsibility.

Another ex-chief of the army staff Gadul Shumsher JB Rana also expressed the view that the disciplined Royal Nepal Army would fulfill its responsibility with minimum damage and also urged the Maoists to lay down arms and join the mainstream of national politics.

Likewise, another former chief of the army staff Sachchit Shumsher JB Rana said the army will act responsibility as per the direction of the government and welcoming of the mobilisation of the army by all political parties in parliament is the need of the day.

Former Lieutenant General Krishna Narayan Singh Thapa emphasised the need for the Maoists to come to the negotiating table.

Club president Rishi Dhamala presided.

Report presented

Kathmandu, July 16 (RSS): The one-member investigation committee constituted under the chairmanship of Supreme Court Justice Krishnajung Rayamajhi presented its report at the Judicial Council Secretariat today.

The committee was constituted in order to investigate and present a report on the conduct unbecoming of his post by the then District Judge of Lalitpur District Court Gopal Prasad Guragain. Mr Guragain is presently on secondment to the Supreme Court.

The committee had been given a maximum time period of one month.

His Majesty felicitates

Kathmandu, July 17 (RSS): His Majesty the King has extended felicitations to President Saddam Husayn of the Republic of Iraq on the occasion of the Republic Day of Iraq.

In a message, His Majesty has also expressed best wishes for the president's personal health and happiness and for the progress and prosperity of the People of Iraq.

Deal Maoists' issue thru talks stresses Nepal

Birgunj, July 16 (RSS): CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal has said that the Maoist issue should be dealt with immediately through dialogue.

Speaking at a programme organised by the CPN-UML Parsa district committee here today, he said that the birth of the Maoist problem in the country was due to corruption, unemployment and unrest.

On the occasion, he welcomed various persons joining the CPN-UML by offering them 'Tika'.

Kedar Neupanay, Mahendra Raya, Urmila Aryal and central member Chiranjivi Acharya were also present on the occasion.

Joshi hints review of IT policy

Kirtipur, July 16 (RSS): Minister for Information and Communications Shivaraj Joshi inaugurated a 35-day training on "Library and Information Science Level-3" organised by the T.U. Central Library here today.

The training has been organised under the democratic education and library development project run by the Nepal-Finland Society with financial cooperation from the embassy of Finland. It aims to prepare skilled manpower for middle-level library management.

Altogether 32 persons including 20 teachers from different schools in Palpa and Kavrepalanchowk districts and 12 representing various organisations are taking part in the training.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Information and Communications Shiva Raj Joshi said homework is being carried out to review the information policy towards making it more effective and timely.

He also gave assurances that library-related matters would be included in the forthcoming amended information policy and lauded the assistance being received from the government of Finland.

Chief of the T.U. Central Library Krishnamani Bhandari, Training Coordinator Rudra Prasad Dulal, president of the Nepal-Finland Society Ram Thapaliya and other speakers also expressed their views at the programme chaired by dean of the T.U. Department of Humanities Prof. Dr. Triratna Manandhar.

Similarly, Minister Joshi has said those who want to see democracy fail have made assaults on the Nepali Congress from different corners.

Mr Joshi, who was speaking at a training in news writing and a programme on promoting the skills of Nepal Tarun Dal workers organised by the Nepal Tarun Dal here today, spoke of the need to disseminate news on violence, murder and terrorism in such a way that it will not be against the interests of society.

Stating that there has been a lot of progress in the field of communication, he remarked that all organs of security have been mobilised for the security of life and property.

Tarun Dal president Bal Krishna Khand spoke of the need for media persons to write in favour of democracy, development and nationalism, while general secretary Dr Raja Ram Karki said that publicity is very essential to spread one's ideals and thoughts.

Various others including NC Lalitpur district president Sagar Shamsher Rana and member of the Nepal Tarun Dal Rajendra Gopal also expressed their views on the occasion.

A total of 20 persons from 19 districts are taking part in the training.

Giri opens regional seminar

Nepalgunj, July 16 (RSS): Assistant Minister for Land Reform and Management Janak Raj Giri has said that civic society, NGOs and intellectuals should work in a coordinated manner in areas where HMG cannot pay proper attention on account of limited means and resources.

Assistant Minister Giri was inaugurating a two-day regional workshop concerning identification of child labourers, Kamaiya and street children living under extremely hazardous conditions in the mid and far Western Regions, formulation of a future plan and the role to be played by various agencies. The workshop was organised by the Integrated Rural Development Services Nepal (IRDSB/Nepal) under the aegis of Save the Children, Norway.

Mr. Giri noted that the workshop arrived at specific findings concerning the development of children and encourage the participants to work in those fields.

CDO Bal Krishna Prasai, Madhu Chalise of plan international and a host of other speakers also expressed their views at the programme chaired by IRDSB/Nepal chairman Dan Bahadur Shahi.

Attending the seminar are 45 persons from Surkhet, Kailali, Kanchanpur, Bardiya and Banke districts.

Tributes paid to Their late Majesties

Kathmandu, July 16 (RSS): On the occasion of the 45th day since the death of His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, Her Majesty Queen Aishwarya and other members of the Royal Family, the Nepal-Japan Friendship and Cultural Association organised a tribute function here today.

On the occasion, heartfelt tributes were paid to Their late Majesties.

At the function, Foreign Minister Chakra Prasad Bastola said the contribution of His late Majesty to the promotion of constitutional monarchy is still fresh in the people's mind, adding that the tragic Royal Palace incident has shocked the Nepali people.

The charge d'affaires of the Embassy of Japan, Association President Dr. Yadav Prasad Pant and vice chairmen Dr. Durga Prasad Bhandari and Ram Krishna Verma also spoke on the occasion.

22,761 landless squatters get land

Kathmandu, July 16 (RSS): The Landless Squatters Problem Resolution Commission has provided land to 22,761 landless squatters and unplanned settlers in 33 districts by the end of the month of Ashadh (mid-July).

The Commission provided land free of cost to landless squatter families while revenue of Rs. 16,183,000 was raised by selling land to the unplanned settlers, it was stated by the commission at a press conference held here today.

Plots of land were to be distributed to about 70,000 landless squatters and unplanned settlers and revenue of about Rs. 550 million raised by Mid-July 2001, it is stated in a press release circulated on the occasion.

District committees of the Landless Squatters Problems Resolution Commission had been constituted in 66 districts of the Kingdom. The landless squatters cannot sell the land provided by the commission for fifteen years and the unplanned settlers for ten years, according to provisions made in this regard.

On the occasion, central chairman of the Commission Tej Prasad Sitaula emphasised the need for the democratic government to provide continuity to this kind of socialist programme introduced with the objective of making proper arrangements for rehabilitation, and to support poverty alleviation.

HMG had constituted the commission for three years and its extended term ended on 15 July, 2001.

Another vice-chairman of the Commission Basanta Gurung said that about 500,000 landless squatters had been identified in the country at present and pointed out the need to provide continuity to the commission for some more time to complete the rest of the task.

Netra Jyoti Award given away

Kathmandu, July 16 (RSS): Health Minister Ram Krishna Tamrakar presented the Netra Jyoti Special Service Prize-2001 to Dr. Ramesh Bahadur Pradhan at a programme organised here today.

The prize awarded every year by Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh carries a certificate, a logo and a purse of Rs. 50,000.

Minister Tamrakar also presented the Netra Jyoti best volunteer award and the Netra Jyoti Service Prize to Yam Bahadur Amatya and Bimal Poudyal respectively. Both the prizes carry a purse of Rs. 25,000 each, a certificate and logo.

Inaugurating the function held on the occasion of the eighth central convention of Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh, Minister Tamrakar said health and education are areas of priority for the balanced development of the country, and the government in spite of its limited resources is committed to providing easy and efficient health services to the general public.

He also pointed out the need for ophthalmologists to generate public awareness in order to prevent eye disease.

Member-secretary of the Social Welfare Council Dr. Tika Pokharel pointed out the need for all social service organisations to work together under one roof in order to make the workings of such organisations practical and result-oriented.

World Health Organisation (WHO) representative Prof. Dr. Ananda Mohan Das, Director General of Department of Health Services B.D. Chataut, Dr. Mohan Man Sainju and other speakers also expressed their views at the programme chaired by president of Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh Dr. Ram Prasad Pokharel.

Some 151 persons representing 23 districts are taking part in the three-day convention.

'Deuda song heart-thrub of West Nepal

Kathmandu, July 16 (RSS): Minister for Information and Communications Shiva Raj Joshi gave away the Janakavi Keshari Dharma Raj - Savitri Thapa Deuda Song Award to renowned singer Nanda Krishna Joshi amid a function here today.

The Award instituted by Janakabi Keshari Dharma - Savitri Thapa trust carries a purse of Rs 25,000 and a scroll.

The award has been conferred on Mr Joshi for his contributions in popularising the popular Deuda Song of the Mid and Western Regions all over the country.

On the occasion, chief guest Minister Joshi referred to the widespread propagation of Nepali folk songs by popular poet Dharma Raj Thapa and singer Joshi and their contributions in the promotion of Nepali culture in their own ways.

He also laid emphasis on publicising Deuda songs abroad also.

On the same occasion, Minister Joshi released the book "Basanti-Basanta" based on the auspicious marriage of His Majesty King Birendra and Her Majesty Queen Aishwarya and authored by Dharma Raj Thapa.

Trust president Madan Raj Thapa, Dr. Chet Bahadur Kuwar, Dr. Durga Prasad Bhandari, Dr. Chudamani Bandhu, Dr. Durga Prasad Aryal, Prof. Dr. Jaya Raj Panta and Vishnu Prasad Dhital said that the government should protect folk culture.

Inventor Yugeswor Karki chaired the programme.

The trust set up in 2052 has already given the award to Govinda Bahadur, Bhairav Bahadur Thapa, Kumar Busnet and Gyanu Rana.

Khanal pleads Maoists to give up violence

Kathmandu, July 16 (RSS): CPN (UML)'s Jhalanath Khanal has called on the Maoists to come to the mainstream of national politics in a peaceful way by giving up violent and terrorist activities.

Talking to RSS today, Mr Khanal said if the government wants to hold talks in a responsible way for resolving the problem, the Maoists also should be honestly prepared for holding such talks.

Speaking of the need of a common perspective to look at the issue among all the political parties of the country, the CPN (UML) leader noted that such common perspective may lead to national consensus among these parties for resolving the problem.

The government should adopt a broad vision and followers of multi-party democracy cannot hold talks compromising the gains of the 1990 movement, he said adding, the government should be prepared to hold talks with the Maoists if their proposals are aimed at further expanding people's rights.

Noting that both the Maoists and the government should make clear their objectives for talks, Mr Khanal observed that talks cannot be held with the Maoists if their aim is to weaken democracy.

The UML leader made it clear that it is a responsibility of the government to secure the release of policemen abducted from Holery Police Post, adding that both the government and the Maoists should be serious to ensure that no casualties take place there.

Mr Khanal also spoke of the need to safeguard nationality, promote democracy and establish social justice for which the government should focus its attention on its programmes.

Earthquake in capital

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, July 16: A mild earthquake was felt in Kathmandu at 9.50 PM today. The epicentre and magnitude of the quake and the damage it caused were unknown by mid-night.

Meanwhile, AFP reports that the earthquake also shook New Delhi, the India capital city around 9:35 PM (Indian time).