Nepal - India trade talks
Talks progress, but both sides 'stick to their points'

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Nov 3: The third round of talks on Nepal -India Trade Treaty at joint secretary level began here in the capital today. Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Industries, Commerce and Supplies Purushottam Ojha is representing the Nepalese negotiation team while S. Ramasundaram, joint secretary of Commerce Ministry is leading the India team.

The first round of talks between two countries today remained very positive, said one of the members of the Nepalese negotiating team. According to him they (Indian side) have shown some degree of leniency towards the renewal of the treaty in its original form. The second part of the talks this afternoon was also positive he said.

Bhanu Acharya Secretary at the Ministry of Industries, Commerce and Supplies expressed hope that the talks would go in a positive direction.

Emerging after the talks, some members of the Nepalese team expressed satisfaction over the talks.

However, a highly placed source at the Ministry said that the both sides stuck to their points during the talks. Nothing will happen this time, he said.

The talks will continue tomorrow, according to the Ministry.

Meanwhile, RSS adds The commerce treaty signed between the two countries in 1996 has to be renewed by December 5. Two secretary level meeting and one joint secretary level meeting has already been held earlier without any headway and therefore present one is considered to be important.

If all goes well , Kanchenjunga area will have cable car service

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Nov. 3: If all goes as expected Kanchenjunga Cable Car (KCC)Pvt. Ltd. will operate a three-kilometer long cable car in the Kanchenjunga area ( Kaflepati to Pathibhara) within two years. Perhaps the longest cable car in the region would be able to attract both foreign and domestic tourists at large. According to Chhewang Tenzing, managing director of the KCC, the cost of the entire project will be around 30-35 million rupees and the Nepalese will make investment. On top of that KCC has given priority to use local resources and employment to local people.

The KCC has already carried out the physical studies and the process of technical lay out will begin next month, Tenzing informed reporters at a press meet here today.

The operation of the cable car will help boost economy in Taplejung and the people in Ilam will also be directly benefited. At the initiation of tourism entrepreneurs Kanchenjunga festival is held on Mangshir 12 (November 24), Tenzing said.

Kanchenjunga area, which is spread in the area of about 1600 Sqare kilometer, comprises mount Kanchenjung (8586 Mt.) the third tallest mountain in the world.

Tenzing while talking to reporters underlined the need of government's initiatives to prop up tourism industry.

Subash Niroula of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) spoke about the role of private sector in tourism. He also stressed the need for developing code of conduct to minimize pollution.

According to a press release, the KCC and Yeti Airlines have made an agreement for the period of one year to operate air service to Kaphlepati, according to which the Yeti Airlines is operating its services from tomorrow.

INT'L SYMPOSIUM
Remedies for high altitude sickness discussed

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Nov. 3: Medical doctors from different countries of the world shared their experiences and views on various aspects of mountain medicine and how to address high altitude sickness here today.

They said that raising awareness about the use of mountain medicine among trekkers, climbers, porters and pilgrims and conducting studies and researches on it could play an important role in saving people's lives from the high altitude sickness and other problems faced in the mountain region.

They expressed the views while addressing on the second day of a two-day International Symposium on Mountain Medicine organized by Society Internal Medicine of Nepal (SIMON) and Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA), in collaboration with Medcom Union Internationale Des Associations D'Alpinisme (UIAA).

Supported by the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), the symposium, which was first of its kind held in Nepal, was attended by around 60 participants from 10 different countries across the world. A number of senior doctors associated with mountain medicine made their presentations at the symposium.

Talking to The Rising Nepal about the objective of the symposium, Dr. Buddha Basnyat, the newly elected Vice-President of UIAA, said that it was aimed at raising awareness about the need of studying mountain medicine among the practicing doctors.

"Its another objective is to adopt certain guidelines for those visiting the mountain region as we want to ensure safety in the high altitude areas by avoiding high altitude sickness and other related problems as recommended by UIAA," said Dr. Basnyat, who is also the medical director of HRA.

He further said that the international meet was fruitful, as it was able to create awareness among the doctors and medical students.

At the symposium papers on different aspect of mountain medicine such as on-the-site treatment of hypothermia, prevention of acute mountain sickness, high altitude physiology, medical experiences from Everest in 1996, epidemiological study of acute mountain sickness and high-altitude cerebral edema and respiratory health, indoor and outdoor pollution in residents at low and high altitude in Nepal were presented.

Mithila art has its roots in social life

BY JESHICA BARAL

Janakpur, Nov. 3: Mithila Art, the art of Mithila or Janakpur which once encompassed much of India's Northern Bihar is now one of the most traditional arts of Nepal. Believed to have been in existence since the time of King Janak of Mithila, this art is known to bring back Janakpur's past glories to life through its vivid and colourful paintings. Traditionally done on the mud walls of the houses by the Maithili women this art generally includes religious images from stories of Hindu mythology.

This unusual work of art, which requires one to understand the cultural background of Mithila, is most loved for its impermanent beauty. Traditionally done on the floors and the walls the colours tend to wash away easily with the monsoon rain or when the house is cleaned with the cow dung. The Maithili women then repaint the walls of their home with fresh ideas and thoughts.

Though it originated as paintings on the mud walls, Mithila Art now embraces various form of art like embroidery, basket work, painting, mirror work, patch work, pottery and jute work all of which depict the images of Mithila one way or the other which is why it is also referred to as The Living Art of Janakpur.

Mithila Art, which developed as paintings from the ethnic group called Kayasta holds a significant meaning and is painted according to the requirement of the occasion. Various religious groups paint specific pictures on different occasions and believe that the very same pictures were painted even thousands of years ago.

Kohbar is an example of such specific painting done on the wedding ceremony. It is a must that the bride knows how to paint Kohbar among the Kayastas.

Kohbar being a common example of the Mithila painting which demonstrates the Hindu rituals on a wedding, other pieces of Mithila art are just as clear in the depiction of the culture and the ways of life in Mithila.

This art is so closely attached to the culture and the ways of life in Mithila that Ajit Kumar Sah, founder of Janakpur Art and Craft says, "One has to know the traditional ways of Mithila to learn this art."

"Many have tried to copy the Mithila art but it is never the same as done by Maithili women," he adds.

According to Sah there has been no support what-so-ever from the government in the promotion of Mithila Art but there are however 10-11 firms involved in this artwork.

Sah who has been involved with the Mithila art work for the past 10 years says that the market of this art work within Nepal is not as good as it should have been.

"What's more there is no market at all of Mithila Art in Mithila itself," says Sah and reasons that it may be so due to the high cost of these art works which require tireless efforts.

"We export our art work mainly to Japan and few other countries as well as some of the hotels in Kathmandu but each work needs elaborate explanation of its traditional background. But from my experience over the past years Mithila art has gained lots of market in the foreign countries," Sah elaborates indicating the Christmas decoration done in Maithili way ready to be exported to Japan.

Mithila Art may have left a lasting impression on the foreigners but many of the Nepalese themselves are unfamiliar with this artwork.

"It just appears as a series of meaningless patterns to me. I never gave it a second thought or considered it an art work," says Kabita Koirala, a resident of Janakpur.

Keeping in mind the increasing demand of Mithila art from the foreign countries as mentioned by Ajit Sah, Mithila Art just might be one of the major ways to make not only Nepal but also its rich cultural heritage known to the world. Not only this as it is the women who generally uphold the domestic culture and are the ones more closely attached to this art work, Mithila art might just be the thing to unveil the talent of the village women and even be the means of self employment among them.

Spreading the message of peace
Koirala opens world's biggest peace pagoda in Lumbini

Butwal, Nov. 3 (RSS): Former prime minister and Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala inaugurated the "World Peace Stupa", the biggest stupa in the world, in Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, today.

The pagoda built by the Japan-based Nippozan Myohoji in the Nawagram area as part of the Lumbini master plan is 41.5 meters high. the land was provided by the Lumbini Development Trust.

A total of 900 metric tonnes of cement and 411 metric tonnes of torsteel iron have been used in constructing the pagoda.

The Japanese Buddhist Organisation has already constructed 73 peace pagodas in eight countries of the world since 1954 to materialise the dreams of Japanese Buddhist holy man Nichidatsu Fuji.

Fuji who spent four years in total in Banepa, Lalitpur, Tansen, Lumbini and Pokhara had died 18 years ago at the age of 100.

The world peace pagoda has been constructed with the objective of spreading the peace message across the world.

Fifty-five such world peace pagodas have been built in Japan, six in India, four in Sri Lanka, two in the United Kingdom, two in the United States and one each in Australia and Italy so far.

On the occasion, Mr Koirala said the pagoda would stand forever as a monument of love, peace and friendship not only between the people of Japan and Nepal but also among all the people in the world.

Stating that extremists may murder innocent people, or destroy statues such as the Bamiyan Buddha in Afghanistan, but the noble path is imperishable, Mr Koirala remarked that the idea of disarmament and search for a peaceful society based on mutual trust, love, equality, freedom and justice emanate from teachings of Lord Buddha.

The ideals of nationalism, democracy and socialism upheld by the NC are based on the three main teachings of Lord Buddha Buddha, Dharma and Sangh, he said, adding that ours is the indestructible path that leads to the eternal spiritual values of humanity.

Although we are passing through a difficult period of uncertainty today, marked by violence and a specter of global terrorism, it is just a phase, and that we will overcome all obstacles in our progress towards peace and freedom, he further said.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and chairman of the Lumbini Development Trust Bal Bahadur KC said the world peace pagoda stands not only as a symbol of peace and friendship between Nepal and Japan, but also as a symbol of peace and love among the peoples of the world.

Chief monk of Japan G. Yoshida expressed the hope that the world peace would help guide the humanity for world peace.

World peace pagoda London council chairman Helington and Mokato Moshi of Nipponzan also spoke on the occasion.

'No compromise on quality of education'

Kalaiya, Nov. 3 (RSS):Minister without portfolio Rishikesh Gautam has Expressed His Majesty’s Government’s commitment to improving the quality of education in the country.

Minister Gautam expressed the commitment while inaugurating a two-day Narayani zonal level seminar jointly organised by Nepal Teachers’ Association and Nepal National Teachers’ Organisation here on Friday.

In this connection the government has started the process of verifying the teachers’ educational qualification certificates, he said, adding so far 8,000 teachers have resigned fearing that action might be taken against them.

He wondered why the teachers who are dedicated in the teaching profession should hesitate when it comes to obtaining teachers’ license and stressed on the proper utilisation of the money provided to all schools under the basic education project for repair and maintenance of the school buildings.

Nepal National Teachers’ Organisation Central vice-president Madhav Prasad Marhattha remarked that the seventh education bill was against the interests and welfare of the teachers.

Central vice-president of Nepal Teachers’ Association Madhuri Katuwal called on all the teahers to protest the bill that is demoralising to the teachers.

At the seminar presided over by Nepal Teachers’ Association Bara district president Jagat Narayan Thakur, Nepal National Teachers’ Organisation Bara district president Bharat Saha and Nepal Teachers’ Council Bara district president Sachidananda Tiwari pointed out the need for the teachers to unite for protection of their rights.

Some 50 teachers representing Nepal Teachers’ Association and Nepal National Teachers’ Organisation from Bara, Parsa, Rautahat, Chitwan and Makawanpur districts of Narayani zone are taking part in the seminar.

Also yesterday, addressing a programme organised by the Bara District Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Minister Gautam said industrial development is a must for national development.

At the programme presided over by Bara District Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Gajananda Agrawal, Rishi Upadhyaya and Shiva Nath Sharma disclosed that out of the 1,700 industries registered in the district, only 450 were operating.

The Minister also went to the office of Nepal Tarun Dal Bara district unit yesterday and met with the Tarun Dal office-bearers. On the occasion, he issued various directives to the Tarun Dal functionaries.

Journalism trainings begins in Pokhara, Dolkha

Pokhara, Nov. 3 (RSS): Assistant Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Prakash Bahadur Gurung inaugurated a national-level community radio journalism training that started from today at the Pokhara Engineering College in collaboration with the community radio support centre and Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) Kaski unit.

Altogether 12 journalists are taking part in the two week long training.

In his inaugural address, Assistant Minister Gurung said following the restoration of democracy in the country, the fourth estate has witnessed remarkable strides.

The F.M. radio stations being run by the private sector have a catalytic role to play for bringing about advancement in every segment of the society, he observed.

Chairman of Nepal Press Institute Gokul Pokharel remarked that the radio channels are gradually moving towards a process of democratisation.

Mayor of Lekhanath municipality Shaligram Poudel opined that the community can become a reliable base for carrying out development activities.

Kaski CDO Tika Ram Aryal and journalist Narayan Karki also spoke on the usefulness of the training at the inaugural function presided over by FNJ Kaski district chairman Krishna Prasad Bastola.

Assistant Minister Gurung organised a function to exchange compliments to one anther on the occasion of Bijaya Dashami and Dipawali on Friday.

On the occasion, Mr. Gurung called on the peoples' representatives and civil servants to opt for resolving the burning issues of the country.

Meanwhile, Central president of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists Suresh Acharya inaugurated a week-long journalism training organised under the joint aegis of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) Dolakha branch and the regional media resources centre, Biratnagar, here today.

Expressing his resentment towards His Majesty’s Government for not introducing the rights to information bill in the recently concluded 20th Parliament session, FNJ president Acharya said that the bill will be introduced in the form of a private bill.

He said although Nepal’s journalists were adhering to the word and spirit of the constitution of the Kingdom while carryinmg out their duties, His Majesty’s Government was not receprocating in the same vein.

Mr Acharya also alleged that publishing houses were exploiting the working journalists because the government has failed to enforce the related laws strictly.

The government should provide facilities to the journalists because democracy will be strengthened only with the development of professionalism in journalism, he said, pointing out that the government should pay atention to this factor keeping in mind the important role of journalism in the institutionalisation of democracy.

Convenor of the regional media resources centre, Biratnagar, Mr Toya Gautam disclosed that the media resource centre has started journalism training in various district of the eastern region for the qualitative development of journalism.

At the programme presided over FNJ Dolakha unit president Devdas Shrestha, FNJ Dolakha district adviser Balkrishna Sharma and branch central councillor Chiranjibi Maskey threw light on the role and objective of journalism.

Twenty-two persons including seven women are taking part in the training.

World Condom Day
'Educate people about contraceptive'

Kathmandu, Nov. 3 (RSS): The condom day was observed in various districts across the kingdom today by organising awareness rallies and other programmes.

The slogan of the condom day this year is "let us all understand the importance of the condom and use it taking it as our responsibility."

The participants of the rally carried placards with various awareness slogans written on them, and also distributed pamphlets and booklets highlighting the importance of the male contraceptive device.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Health Mohan Bahadur Basnet today inaugurated a function held under the joint auspices of Nepal Red Cross Society, Bhaktapur district and governmental and non-governmental organisations to mark condom day.

In his inaugural address, Mr. Basnet said that it is the need of the hour that the people should be familiarised with the usefulness of the condom to control the alarming rate of the population growth and save them from contracting the fatal disease like HIV/AIDS.

HIV/AIDS and the growth of population has caused disorder in the social pattern throughout the world, he added.

Advisor of USAID Panch Kumari Manandhar noted that the use of condom is the best way to steer clear of the hazards of HIV/AIDS.

On the occasion, various programmes including street drama designed to foster awareness about the condom were also performed.

Also today, a rally that consisted of representatives from various social organisations, school children and cultural tableaux went around the town. the rally was initiated by Bhaktapur CDO Prem Narayan Adhikari.

Nepalgunj: A rally was organized at the initiative of the condom day co-ordination committee, Banke, in Nepalgunj today to mark the condom day.

The rally which started from the premises of Nepal Red Cross Society Banke district office went through different parts of the town and concluded at the open ground near the bus park.

Office-bearers and employees of Nepal Red Cross Society, Banke, the Family Planning Association of Nepal, Banke, Nepal STDS and AIDS Research Centre (N-SARC), social awareness for education foundation, Nepalgunj, seep Nepal, the Banke women’s economic self-reliance association and the general welfare foundation, volunteers and social workers took part in the rally.

After the conclusion of the rally, the artists of the general welfare foundation presented a street play with the message-condom helps protect from AIDS.

Similarly, to mark the condom day, N-SARC Nepalgunj has started a week long training on HIV/AIDS for health workers and representatives of different social institutions and organisations.

Biratnagar: The youth for community development efforts, a Biratnagar-based non-governmental organization, organised a public awareness rally and condom-distribution programme.

The rally which started from the local Mahendrachowk concluded at the Traffic Chowk after making a round of the bus park.

At the programme, representative of Nepal Contraceptive Retail Service Limited Lav Poudel, national social upliftment centre executive director Dilli Sitaula and director of Nepal environment and social centre Din Dayal Rijal spoke on the need to create public awareness on the use of condom to prevent AIDS and STDS.

The programme was presided over by youths for community development efforts president Umesh Bhandari.

Mahottari: Nepal Red Cross Society, Mahottari, organised a colloquium on promoting the use of condom to mark the condom day today.

Speaking on the occasion, chief of the district public health office Pawan Thakur expressed the view that condom use was vital for safe sex.

Administrative officer Mahesh Parajuli said that awareness on the use of condom should reach down to the most backward and illiterate section of the society.

Nepal Sadbhavana Party district president Kedarnath Pathak stressed on promoting condom use.

Coordinator of the district AIDS control programme Bijaya Gupta, Shambhu Mandal, Dipu Saha, Badri Narayan Barma and Bikash Singh also expressed their views at the programme presided over by s Nepal Red Cross Society Mahottari district president Mahendra Prasad Singh.