2,618 Nepali students get admission in US this year

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Nov. 19: A total of 2,618 Nepalese students have enrolled in various campuses and universities of the United States for the year 2000/ 2001, according to American Universities Admission Programme (AUAP).

In 1997, there were only 1,214 Nepalese students in the US. The AUAP has cited the improved economic and academic status of the country for the rising enrollment in the US from the Himalayan Kingdom.

About 5,47,684 student across the world have enrolled in the US for the year 2000/01 with the Asian Region representing the highest 55 per cent followed by Europe 15 per cent, Latin America 12 per cent, Middle East 7 per cent, Africa 6 per cent, and North America 6 per cent, informed the AUAP.

The AUAP with its 45 Directors of Admissions across the world, has helped foreign students to enter American universities since 1995.

Foreign students poured $11 billion dollars into the US economy in tuition fees, living expenses, and related costs during the academic year 2000/2001.

Decline in sales of Nepali caps made by inmates

Birgunj, Nov. 19 (RSS): There has been a slackness in the sale of Nepali caps produced by the inmates of Birgunj Jail during the festive season this year.

According to chief of the Birgunj Jail Damaru Niraula, of the total 300 handlooms in the jail, only 50 handlooms are in operation at present.

The inmates have been complaining about the slackness in the sales of goods produced by them.

The decline in the sales of Nepali caps produced by the inmates has been attributed to the availability of low quality caps at cheap prices in the local market.

At present the 4,000 caps produced by the inmates are lying in stock.

The Bhutanese refugees in Jhapa district have been producing low priced Nepali caps by importing raw thread at lower prices.

Even though the caps produced by the Bhutanese refugees are not good in quality, the customers are attracted by these caps because they are much cheaper than the caps produced by the local inmates.

Inmate Rajendra claims that the quality of caps produced by the inmates are better in quality and more attractive than the caps produced by the Bhutanese refugees. The customers will start remembering us after four or five months, he adds.

Policeman killed in dispute over purchase of bus

Siraha, Nov. 19 (RSS):  A policeman was killed on the spot and five persons injured when policemen from the Thadi police post who had gone to settle a dispute between two sides at Bhagawanpur Chowk of local Bhagawanpur village development committee (VDC), Siraha district around 12:30 last night, it is learnt from the district police office, Lahan.

According to reports, the dispute was between Rajendra Prasad Yadav of local Bhagawanpur VDC and his cousin Dinesh Prasad Yadav over the purchase of buses with the registration numbers Na. 2 Kha.6739 and Sa.1 Kha.265.

In this connection, a discussion was held at local Sinuriaya to find a solution to the dispute. But some persons supporting Rajendra Yadav seized Sushil Kumar Yadav's motorbike at Bhagawanpur Chowk while both sides were returning after settling the dispute.

The seizure of the motorbike by persons supporting Rajendra Yadav triggered a fresh dispute between the two sides. At this point, Sushil Yadav contacted the Thadi police post over the incident.

Soon after that, a police team comprising five policemen was immediately dispatched to the place under the command of assistant sub-inspector Ashok Kumar Jha.

All of a sudden a person called Ram Shankar Yadav opened fire at the police while they were trying to calm down the two sides. During the shoot-out policeman Yam Bahadur Basnet succumbed on the spot to splinter-fire injury to the face.

Police had fired 36 rounds in self-defence after Ram Shankar Yadav suddenly opened fire at them, according to the district police office.

Police have arrested seven persons including Inaruwa VDC vice-chairman Dharma Dev Yadav in this connection.

They also seized a 12-bore shotgun from those arrested, it is learnt. Those arrested have been sent to the district police office, Siraha, for necessary action.

Maoists should drop issue of Constituent Assembly: Acharya

Biratnagar, Nov. 19 (RSS): Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives and Nepali Congress central member Mahesh Acharya has said that the need of the day is to stop violence, murder and terrorism while acknowledging the people as the supreme power.

Speaking during a press meet organised by the Nepal Press Union Morang branch here today, Minister Acharya said that no one can alter the fundamental elements of the constitution.

The Minister wondered whether the Maoists have really abandoned their demand for a republican state or have just deferred it and asked why they are raising the bogey of a Constituent assembly if they have only deferred their demand.

He said these utterances of the Maoists are self-contradictory and were clearly not going to be supportive of the talks or facilitate the talks process.

Expressing concern over the continuation of violent activities by the Maoists such as murders, terrorism and extortion, he said it is a positive development that violence has stopped but incidents of the use of force have not stopped.

Minister Acharya, who is also a member of the government-Maoist talks team, said it is also a positive sign that people who have taken up arms and a party that is involved in killings and violence has now come into the peace process.

It is the wish of the people that peace be restored soon and we are working accordingly, he pointed out adding, it is not as if talks would conclude quickly because of the wishes of one side only.

For the talks to conclude quickly, it is necessary for both sides to reconcile themselves mutually, he made it clear.

Pointing out that the Maoists should not raise the issue of a Constituent Assembly and this should be the basis for talks following the abandonment of their demand for a republic, he said these issues have been raised during the third phase of dialogue in order to arrest Maoist activities.

He said there was a possibility that the fourth round of talks with the Maoists would be held within the last week of this month, adding that both sides have agreed to the talks and the responsibility of fixing the dates lies with the Prime Minister.

The government takes positively the Nepali Congress and other political parties cautioning it regarding its position during the talks with the Maoists, Minister Acharya said.

From the chair, Nepal Press Union Morang branch president Hem Raj Regmi demanded that the government protect the people from violence, murder and terrorism and ensure the safety of life and property.

Third round talks had focus on issue: Nepal

Kathmandu, Nov. 19 (RSS):  The CPN-UML Valley Coordination Committee, Kathmandu organised a reception to exchange greetings and best wishes on the occasion of the Nepal Sambat New Year 1122.

CPN-UML central leaders, district level leaders and workers of various other political parties, Human Rights activists, intellectuals and journalists among others attended the function.

A video show on the activities of the CPN-UML Valley Coordination Committee, a cultural programme and music were some of the highlights of the function.

Highlighting the objective of the function, Coordination Committee secretary and ex-MP Krishna Gopal Shrestha said the function was meant to provide a forum at which grassroots level people and various political party workers could meet and interact.

Talking to reporters, CPN-UML general seceretary Madhav Kumar Nepal said he feels that the third round of government-Maoists talks were held with great sincerity and that this round actually marks the beginning of peace talks in the real sense.

No need of constituent Assembly

The fourth round of talks should centre around the "people's agenda" in keeping with the burning issues before the people, their wishes and the need of the day, he observed.

He also described the 22-point programme pushed by his party as instrumental in both identifying and resolving the problems.

Replying to a question, CPN-UML general secretary Nepal said "we are dissappionted by and fed up with the government's performance". The government should prove itself by preparing to resolve the Maoist problem and amend the Constitution, he added.

He said since the present Constitution was not given as a gift from somebody but drafted by the powers representing the people's movement and the people's representatives, no one could scrap it.

Why is there a need for a Constituent Assembly when the Maoists have abandoned their demand for a Republic, he asked.

The CPN-UML general secretary said although an agreement was reached with Prachanda, the president of the CPN-Maoist, to end mutual acrimony, to abstain from attacking each other, to be able to work freely according to one's beliefs and ideology and to work together in the interest of the people and the country, this was not being followed by the Maoist side.

This shows that either the CPN-Maoist cadres are not following the orders of their leaders or the party is playing a dual role.

Efforts are under way for reaching a consensus among the opposition parties for taking the country out of crisis, he said and disclosed that the unification talks with the CPN-ML would start soon.

In reply to another query, the leader of the main opposition party said that the ultimate solution to the Maoist problem is the Maoists should themselves be pragmatic, they should come to a realisation of the reality and we should all make efforts to make them pragmatic.

Facilitator of the government-Maoist talks Padma Ratna Tuladhar said that since the Maoists have raised the issue of Constituent Assembly, the government should call another all-party meeting to discuss the issue.

He also quoted the Prime Minister as having told him that another all-party meeting would be called next week.

Mr Tuladhar said the third round of talks has not been inconclusive, discussions and dialogue were under way and talks were being held through contacts.

Fourth round talks will be decisive, stresses: Deuba

Kavrepalanchowk, Nov. 19 (RSS):  Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba inaugurated the world peace "Koti Hom Mahayagya" organised by the local Chandeshwori Temple roof repair committee at Chandeshwori, Banepa today.

In his inaugural speech, Prime Minister Deuba said the government is committed to protecting the country from terror.

He also urged the Maoists to sound the bugle of peace in deference to the desire of the majority of the people.

As Nepal is also known as a country of 330 million gods and goddesses, His Majesty's Government will provide every possible support for the rennovation of Chandeshwori Temple with a view to preserving Hinduism and the interests of the peace-loving people, he said.

Also today, Prime Minister Deuba addressed a gathering of party workers organised by the NC district working committee.

On the occasion, he said preparations are being made for the fourth round of Government-Maoist talks, which is likely to be decisive in resolving the Maoist problem.

Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare Rajendra Kharel urged the Maoists to move along the path of peace and said that this is the time for one and all to join hands in development works as wished by the people.

MPs Shiva Bahadur Deuja and Shiva Prasad Humagain described Nepal's cultural heritage as unparalleled and called on all to unite for preserving Hinduism.

This is the first time the Chandeshwori Temple is being rennovated after King Jagat Jyoti Malla first did so during the Malla period.

The world peace Koti Hom Mahayagya is the first Mahayagya of this kind organised (this time) in Kavrepalanchowk with the objective of gold-plating and repairing the temple roof.

The committee which aims to complete the repair and gold-plating of the roof at a cost of about Rs. 14.5 million has already collected Rs. 7.2 million, Rs. 5.2 million of it provided by the government. The rest is expected to be collected as donations during the Koti Hom.

The pagoda-style Chandeshwor Temple was built by Malla King Ananda Dev after he established the "Sat Shahar" or seven cities in Banepa.

The 15-day Koti Hom will be performed with the active participation of a total of 175 Brahmins.

At the function, Prime Minister Deuba also released "Banepa Bhajan Sangraha" or a collection of religious hymns written by Rambhakta Shrestha.

On the occasion, DSP Jaya Bahadur Chand on behalf of the district police office handed over to the Prime Minister a purse of Rs. 61,411 donated for the rennovation of the temple.

At the outset of the Koti Hom a huge procession of women from Bakutole carrying 1,008 auspicious Kalash or water filled jars moved towards the temple.

A host of speaker including mayor of Banepa Dr Surendra Bahadur Bade Shrestha expressed their views at the function presided over by the temple rennovation committee chairman Surya Chandra Bade Shrestha.

Koirala calls for wider political unity

Biratnagar, Nov. 19 (RSS): NC president and ex-prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala has said that at a time when people's faith in all the political parties is diminishing a wider democratic unity has become a must for preserving the norms and values of multi-party democracy.

NC president Koirala said this while inaugurating the NC eastern regional coordination committee office and the party's Koshi zonal level discussion programme at a function organised by the NC Morang district committee today.

It is essential for all political parties to come under a single umbrella of unity and consensus to enhance Nepal's image at the international level, he opined.

Just as the people's revolution of 2007 B.S. had liberated the King and the people from the clutches of the Rana regime, the Nepali Congress intends to launch a liberation campaign so as to rid the crown and the people of the Maoist problem, he said.

NC discussion programme

He claimed that this campaign helps strengthen the NC government, iron out the uneasiness emerging during the government-Maoist talks and expose the unclear policy of the Maoists who are under the control of external forces.

Describing the Nepalese people as the bedrock of the Nepali Congress, he said no one can shake the party. Country-wide party workers' gatherings are being planned to provide the right direction to party workers under the existing difficult circumstances, he said.

Stressing the need for a wider unity in the party, NC president Koirala said while he is working vigorously for wider democratic unity, he is seeing a lack of unity within his own party. Which is why it is imperative on the part of party colleagues to help him cope with this uneasy situation.

Stating that the Nepali Congress is a party that has already been established as an institution, he said the Nepali Congress wants to see all democratic parties continue to exist.

While I am striving to strengthen the Prime Minister, the latter is hesitating to accept my offer, he said, adding as the party has given full authority to him the Prime Minister can work confidently.

Stating that the constitution cannot be wrested away at gun point, he accused the Maoists of being remote controlled and said that those who have no principles and ideas have nowhere to go.

Wishing success for the government-Maoist talks and in the fulfilment of people's aspirations, he described the Maoists as terrorists.

On the occasion, NC general secretary Sushil Koirala said that the NC has been putting forth its clear views to the people to enliven the party by removing the weaknesses, shortcomings, distortions, aberrations, corruption and the wrong activities that had taken place and were seen during the last eleven years.

Stating that the kind of support the party was extending was not received by previous governments, he said that there would be no compromise with anyone on constitutional monarchy, multi-party democracy and the constitution.

Even today, the Maoists are threatening, intimidating and kidnapping people and resorting to robbery and murder, he said adding that the government was showing goodwill to the Maoists but they do not budge and this is not good.

Joint general secretary of the Nepali Congress Govinda Raj Joshi said that a republic in the country at present was not possible and definite understanding should be reached through dialogue as early as possible to get rid of the uncertain situation in the country.

No one can change the present constitution, and there is no provision of Constituent Assembly in this constitution, he said adding that democracy should be consolidated under the provisions enshrined in the present constitution.

Stating that the party had given a mandate to the government to hold a dialogue with the Maoists without any conditions, he said that the Maoists should shun violence, murder and terror.

NC central member and Minister for Water Resources Bijaya Kumar Gachchhedar said that the top leaders should be liberal and free from narrow-mindedness for the sake of unity in the party and weaknesses and shortcomings in the party should be rectified.

Stating that there is no option to deal with the Maoists other than through a peaceful method, Minister Gachchhedar said that resolving this national issue depended upon the unity of the party.

Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives Mahesh Acharya said that the NC government, protecting the constitution and democracy, was making efforts for peace even when the Maoists have not agreed to the basic and sacrosanct provisions of the constitution.

Pointing out the need for the Maoists to present their views with clarity, Minister Acharya said that the Maoists should make the people the decision makers and the people should exert pressure to resolve the issue.

Minister for Education and Sports Amod Prasad Upadhyaya said that the gathering of the activists would prove to be a milestone in ensuring the future of the NC and making the cadres disciplined and well-organised but the party should speak with one voice.

Minister of State for Information and Communications Hari Narayan Chaudhari pointed out the need for one and all in the party to give up animosity and rifts.

NC central member and spokesman Arjun Narsingh KC said that the country was passing through a critical stage, people were tired of fear, violence and murder and none should be allowed to resort to violence, murder and terror on the pretext of dialogue.

NC treasurer Mahanta Thakur said that killing innocent people would not fulfil the objectives of anyone.

NC central member and head of the central organisation department of the party Krishna Prasad Sitaula said that the need of the day was to maintain unity and discipline in the party, make it dynamic, resolve the existing problems of the country through dialogue, pursued a scientific approach for voter identity cards and free the people from the Maoist problem.

National Assembly member and president of Morang district committee of the Nepali Congress Ashok Koirala said that the role of this kind of programme was important for nation building and promotion and consolidation of democracy.

At the programme, NC central members Gopal Raj Pahadi, Purna Kumar Sharma, Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, and Bal Bahadur Rai also pointed out the need to get rid of violence, murder and terror in the country and as the country was moving towards disintegration, attention should be paid to this aspect.

Coordinator of the NC eastern region coordination committee and central member Kul Bahadur Gurung, speaking from the chair, said that everybody should bear his responsibility sincerely.

President of NC Bhojpur district committee Nanda Mani Rai also expressed his views on the occasion.

'Demand for Constituent Assembly meaningless'

Itahari, Nov. 19 (RSS):  Nepali Congress central member and Minister for Water Resources Bijaya Kumar Gachchhedar has said the Maoists' demand for a Constituent Assembly after retracting from their earlier stance in favour of a republican state which they were pursuing by means of various activities like violence, terrorism and abductions, is a meaningless issue.

Minister Gachchhedar, who is also a member of the government-Maoist talks team, made this remark while inaugurating the Nepal Jaycees area 'A' regional convention at Inaruwa today.

He alleged that although Maoist leader Prachanda called upon his party cadres to end all hostile activities at the start of the government-Maoist talks, sporadic incidents of abductions and violence are being repeated, pointing out the need for sincerity on the part of the Maoists to reach an understanding during the talks.

The government has already implemented most of the points of understanding it had reached during the talks, he stressed.

It would be only a day-dream if any one thinks of reaping political success through violent means in a peaceful country like Nepal, Minister Gachchhedar said, adding that talks was only the ultimate means for political success. He also disclosed that the next round of government-Maoist talks will be held soon.

The minister noted that the democratic constitution of Nepal, which is the product of a lot of sacrifices by the Nepalese people, has provided equal opportunity for advancement to all, stressing that the solution to all the problems confronting the nation can be sought within the framework of the constitution itself.

If the Maoists really want to advance their political objective, they should go to the people. This is what all the democrats want, he further said.

At the programme, national president of Nepal Jaycees Pragya Raj Rajbhandari emphasised the need for transparency in all aspects of governance.

Former national president of Nepal Jaycees Phul Kumar Lalban, chairman of the Sunsari district development committee Arbinda Prasad Mehata, chief district officer Ram Prasad Khatiwada, Inaruwa mayor Khem Raj Pokharel, Himal Thapa and others also expressed their views on the occasion.

The programme was presided over by president of the Inaruwa Jaycees Ananda Shrestha.

Govt encourages private sector for hydropower: Wagle

Kathmandu, Nov. 19 (RSS): Minister for Physical Planning and Works Chiranjibi Wagle has said that hydropower is a major input for Nepal’s economic development as well as a major potential item for export.

Minister Wagle said this while addressing the ministerial conference on infrastructure held in Seoul, Korea organised by UN-ESCAP from 16 - 17 November 2001.

Stating that the government will encourage the private sector as much as possible for the development of hydro electricity for both domestic consumption as well as export, he said however, public sector may have to continue investing in hydropower for some time to come because of its high multiplier effect on income and positive impact on social development.

To promote and strengthen private sector participation, an enabling environment is being set up through the enactment of an appropriate legal and regulatory framework and establishment of appropriate decentralised institutions with delineation of appropriate roles and responsibilities and through devolution of authorities, he said.

Meet on infrastructure

Road and airport construction and telecommunications services have also been opened to the private sector to attract more domestic as well as foreign investment and to improve on the service delivery, he said.

During the decade of the nineties through these economic reforms real GDP grew by an average of 4.8 per cent and non agricultural sector grew at a higher rate of 6.5 per cent, he said adding the manufacturing sector growth rate increased from 6.6 per cent to almost ten percent.

Development of the physical infrastructure has also been observed to be significant during the decade, Minister Wagle said, adding the length of roads and the total supply of electricity increased each by more than hundred percent.

Similarly, significant improvement has been seen in the development of communications and other infrastructure development, he further said.

Stating that transport is considered the most important amongst the various physical infrastructures, he said road denity in Nepal is less than 93 km per 1,000 sq km which is among the lowest in the world.

He also said that a new initiative of sub regional cooperation has been undertaken with the formation of South Asia Quardrangle Group (SAQG) by the four countries, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal for the common benefit of the sub region.

In line with the need for globalisations and integration of services in the transport sector, the group has identified that transport sector as one of the five identified areas of common approach of development in the overall economic development of the sub region, he added.

There has to be an increase in the official development assistance to the least developed countries to enable them for infrastructural development and hence attaining a high and sustainable growth, alleviating poverty and reducing regional imbalances significantly, he noted.

The country must effectively mobilised its own human and natural resources and use these efficiently to achieve sustained growth, he observed.

However, because of the resource constraint and structural problems, external cooperation in the form of trade, investment, debt relief and official development assistance is a crucial element mainly in capital realisation, attainment of high economic growth and the alleviation of poverty, he said.