Govt for boosting weather forecast capacity: Chaudhary

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Mar. 23: Minister for Science and Technology Surendra Prasad Chaudhary today said that the knowledge of meteorology and hydrology plays a very crucial role in the development of Nepal’s abundant water resources, agriculture, industry tourism and infrastructure such as roads, airports, human settlements and urban amenities.

Minister Chaudhary expressed the view, while addressing a function organised by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) on the occasion of the 51st World Meteorological Day today.

The World Meteorological Day is observed throughout the world on March 23. This year it was marked with the slogan "Volunteers for Weather, Climate and Water."

He further said that Nepal is highly appreciative of the World Meteorological Organisation’s role in coordinating the voluntary collaboration of its member countries on a global scale.

He also said that the government is committed to enhance Nepal’s weather information capability for the promotion of tourism, civil aviation and elevate the socio-economic status of the farmers.

"We are also trying to provide more accurate and extensive hydrological data to our clients for the development of the country’s vast water resources potential," he said.

Poshan Nath Nepal, Secretary at the Ministry of Science and Technology, said that the commemoration of the World Meteorological Day has renewed the government’s dedication and enthusiasm to develop the country’s scientific and technological capabilities to the fullest potential for the upliftment of the citizens from the shackles of underdevelopment and poverty.

Nepal, who chaired the function, said the establishment of Nepal Association of Hydrologists and Meteorologists (NAHM) is really a voluntary leap in the country for the cause of weather, climate and water.

Delivering his welcome speech, Adarhsa Prasad Pokhrel, Director General at the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM), said that the ability of human beings to understand climatic patterns and trends together with their lasting impacts on the quantity and quality of water resources would be crucial for the survival and security of the human race in harmony with environment and the ecosystem.

Pokhrel also said that it is encouraging that the Nepalese hydrologists and meteorologists have realised the necessity to work together for the benefit of Nepal and the world community.

He was of the opinion that the World Meteorological Day serves as a reminder for all to renew our pledge as a member of the WMO family to dedicate and devote the country’s scientific and technological skills for a better understanding of the dynamic phenomena of climate and water for the benefit and security of all the living beings in the planet.

On the occasion, Minister Chaudhary felicitated Ram Prasad Nepal, former Director General at the DHM, and Prof. Suresh Raj Chalise for their significant contributions to the field of hydrology and meteorology in the country.

Dr. H. G. Jones, Representative of International Commission for Snow and Ice (ICSI), Dr. G. Campbell, Representative of ICIMOD, L. A. Mandalia, Representative of UNESCO, and Prof. Dr. B. P. Upadhyay, also spoke about the importance of hydrological and meteorological development.

Dr. Madan Bahadur Basnyat announced the establishment of Nepal Association of Hydrologists and Meteorologists.

Bhairav Jha, Deputy Director General of the DHM, extended the vote of thanks to the participants.

Follow law of land to oust PM: Singh

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Mar. 23: Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP) today urged all the other opposition political parties, including the main opposition UML, to create an environment to smoothly run the Parliament to address the problems of the people and the country.

Addressing a press conference here today, Gajendra Narayan Singh, Chairman of NSP and lawmaker, said that the opposition parties need to seek ‘constitutional’ ways to oust the Prime Minister. Singh also said that NSP is also not satisfied with the performance of the government.

Singh said that the main opposition leader has also to think of running the Parliament for the benefit of the nation and the people.

"The Parlaiment is the only place to seek solutions to the national problems. Creating obstructions in the Parliament is not the proper way to remove the Prime Minister," he said.

He further said that since his party is in favour of providing peace and security to the people, it is not against the Armed Police Force Ordinace. "We will extend support to the government for passing the ordinance if the government makes amendments in it."

He, however, said that NSP is against the Ordinance related to the setting up of regional administration office and the appointment of the regional administrators.

He said that his party has been boycotting the parliamentary session only to show its disagreement over the two ordinances issued by the government.

Hridayesh Tripathy, General Secretary of NSP and MP, said that some provisions in the Armed Police Force Ordinance and the Regional Administration Ordinance are contradictory to the spirit of the Constitution.

"If the existing provisions are not amended, police force, regional and district administrators are likely to become oppressive," Tripathi said.

A press release issued by the party said the Rath Ekata Yatra conducted in the Terai districts from Mechi to Mahakali zones proved to be instrumental in creating harmony among the people of the Terai.

NSP has also formed a five-member "Kamaiya Problem Study Committee" under the convenorship of Durga Prasad Chaudhari to identify the problems of the Kamaiyas.

Experts review Nepal-India ties

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Mar. 23: Politicians and foreign affairs experts today stressed on the review of the 1950 Treaty to give Nepal-India relations a new dimension in the changed regional and global context. They said that the relations between the two countries should be based on the ground realities of these neighbours.

"Nepal and India have been enjoying close social and cultural ties for a long time," said Narahari Acharya, Central Working Committee member of the Nepali Congress at a discussion programme on Nepal-India Relations in the Twenty-first Century organised by the Political Science Association of Nepal (POLSAN) in co-operation with B.P. Koirala Nepal-India Foundation here this morning. "They should however review the 1950 Treaty to reorient the bilateral relations to meet the challenges of the 21st century."

Acharya said that the relations between the two neighbours should not harm either of the nations if they cannot serve both. He said Nepal should not feel inferior just because of her size, nor should India act superior because it is big in size.

"Nepal-India relations has been a victim of the clash of perceptions," former Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa said. He opined that India was still unable to free itself from the Himalayan Frontier policy, which he said clashed with Nepal’s notion of independence. "We won’t be able to establish harmonious relations until we can overcome these clash of perceptions between the two countries."

"As close neighbours we should take seriously the security concerns of each other," said Thapa and called for the review of the 1950 Treaty to address this issue. Thapa however blamed the NC government of lacking seriousness about the review of the Treaty.

Professor Mohan Prasad Lohani said that the open border had been the cause of many irritants and added that the two countries should set up a mechanism to regulate the open border between the two nations. Lohani said India – as a bigger nation – has to take initiative to address the ‘fear psychosis’ that could dampened the relations between the two neighbours.

Former Foreign Minister Shailendra Kumar Upadhyaya said that the two nations had to overcome the atmosphere of mistrust to enhance their relations.

Bhim Rawal of CPN-UML said India need not be suspicious if Nepal wanted to base her relations with the southern neighbour on its national interest. "India should understand that to uphold our national interest is not to be involved in anti Indian campaign." Rawal said that Nepal had to discard the defeatist approach in her relations with India.

Similarly, Arjun Narsingh K.C. of the Nepali Congress said the Nepal-India relations should be based on realistic approach. Stressing on national consensus, KC said Nepal should think of how it can benefit from economic and scientific developments in India.

Nepal Shadbhavana Party’s lawmaker Rajendra Mahato also said the relations between Nepal and India has to be based on ground realities. "The ties between these countries should keep the intimate relations between the people across the border at its centre."

Economists Dr. Guna Nidhi Sharma and Dr. Vinod Karmacharya stressed on an in-depth analysis of the 1996 Trade and Transit Treaty to synchronise the economic ties between the two countries.

Earlier, Indian Ambassador to Nepal Dev Mukharjee said the proximity between Nepal and India has given rise to some issues which, he said, would fall into their places with the development of a broad consensus between the two countries. "The relations between the two countries should serve the interest of both the neighbours."

Others who also spoke at the programme were Prof. Panna Kaji Amatya, Head of the Central Department of Politics Science of Tribhuvan University and Dr. Narayan Khadka.

Former vice chairman of the National Planning Commission Dr. Mohan Man Sainju and POLSAN President T. N. Jaiswal chaired the two separate sessions of the discussion programme.

Torture victim gets Rs 10,000 as compensation

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Mar. 23: The Saptari District Court has issued an order to provide a compensation of Rs. 10,000 after the court pronounced the severe physical punishment meted out to an underage child by police while in custody as an act of torture. This is the highest amount given as compensation by the court against physical torture in the country.

The decision was made by the District Judge Tej Bahadur K.C. on Wednesday.

According to the Centre for Victims of Torture (CVICT), 14-year-old Dipak Raut from Rajbiraj Municipality ward No. 5 was arrested for stealing and was severely tortured by Superintendent of Police Rundan Prasad Kurmi and Police Sub-Inspector Gopal Giri last year. CVICT had filed a writ petition at the district court against the torture demanding compensation. The Centre had also arranged legal assistance to the victim.

Indian band enthralls audience in capital

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Mar 23: Passion on stage comes alive with the performance of Junoon live at the Birendra International Convention Hall. The decade old group which has made its way into the hearts of all those who love music across South Asia has now reached world wide with the runaway successes of their concerts in the West. Junoon has become one love that music lovers share across South Asia, be it Pakistan or India or now Nepal! Recognised for their achievements towards peace and for their achievements in culture UNESCO presented the band

Popularly identified with the number ‘Sayonee" and " Yaar bina", the group has a special charm as the traces of a heady mix of our exotic South Asian culture can be found in their music ranging from Suphism to Sindhi-Punjabi folk music and Qawwali.

Junoon is here to sweep Kathmanduites off their feet, thanks to the Infinity International, an events management and public relations firm dedicated to organising bringing quality entertainment that transcends boundaries to Kathmandu. The firm certainly has demonstrated its social conscience as it has pledged rupees one lakh from the Junoon concert to go to the cardiac care at the ICU ward of Kanti Children’s Hospital.

KOICA Alumni formed

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Mar 23: The ad hoc committee of KOICA Alumni Association of Nepal (KAAN) has been formed recently, on the 10th anniversary of Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), with Shyam Bahadur Shrestha as the president.

Sovita Shrestha, Kapil Prasad Sharma and Sita Bhandari are the vice president, general secretary and treasurer respectively. The other members are Ananda Ratna Sthapit, Badri Nath Ghimire, Prabhakar Khadka, Prakash Bhattarai and Bishnu Prasad Nepal.

The Association has the purpose of sharing ideas and knowledge in the fields of education and socio-cultural activities to promote understanding and friendship between the people of Nepal and Korea.

Sri Lanka’s Vidhya Lankar to Bhikshu Kumar Kashyap

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Mar. 23: Federation of All Nepal Monk Association has decided to honour Tripitkacharya Bhikshu Kumar Kashyap Mahasthavir, decorated with Vidhya Lankar Padmabhusan by Sri Lanka’s Vidhya Lankar, amidst a function at Vishwa Shanti Vihar on April 14 this year. Similarly, Dhammacharia Bhikshu Gyanpurnik Mahasthavir, recipient of title Agga Mahasddhambhajyotik Dhaja from the Myanmar government, is also to be honoured at the same function.

Born in Palpa, the 73-year-old Bhikshu Kumar Kashyap Mahasthavir was exiled by the then Rana Regime about 56 years ago. After having been exiled, he had completed "Tripikacharya" from Sri Lanka. He is the past president of the Association and is the resident monk at Anandakuti Vihar.