Role Of Youth

PRIME Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba called upon the youth to play an active and effective role in protecting the sconstitution and constitutional monarchy and strengthening multi-party democracy in the country. Addressing the inaugural ceremony of second national convention of Tarun Dal, youth organ of Nepali Congress, in Hetauda the other day, Prime Minister Deuba said that the country is currently facing several social, economic and political challenges and the youth needed to play an important role in overcoming these challenges and the lead the nation towards peace, prosperity and development. Prime Minister Deuba is quite right in saying that all people and political forces that believe in multi-party democracy, the present constitution and constitutional monarchy must work together to safeguard the achievements of the 1990 popular movement as some elements are trying to sabotage and weaken democracy and constitutional monarchy. There is no alternative to democracy and constitutional monarchy in the country. The Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal also has made these provisions unchangeable. As said by Prime Minister Deuba, multi-party political system and constitutional monarchy cannot be changed at the whim of a handful of people. The Constitution represents the desire and will of people. People are in favour of democracy, constitutional monarchy, rule of law and people’s fundamental human rights, which the constitution has fully guaranteed. The present government, which is duly elected by the people, has taken the oath to protect them. Thus, the Prime Minister has made it clear that these constitutional provisions cannot be scrapped just because some elements resort to violence. The government is firm to strengthen democracy and institutionalize people’s rights. As said by Prime Minister Deuba, youths are the most important and powerful force in the country on whose shoulders lie the responsibility of safeguarding democracy and accelerating the pace of economic and social development and creating a just society. Tarun Dal’s role has always been very positive and laudable for the cause of the nation, democracy and people. Nepal’s youths are always in the forefront in the struggle for democracy and human rights. Now Nepalese youth in general and Tarun Dal in particular once more needs to show its strength and commitment to safeguarding people’s rights and achievement of the Popular Movement.

Rara Festival-2001

THE District Development Committee and the Rara Festival organising committee, according to a news item carried by this daily the other day, are all set to jointly organise the "Rara Festival-2001" in Mugu district from October 12 to 14. The festival is being organised to publicise the natural scenery of Mugu district and the famous Rara Lake at home and abroad so as to draw more tourists to these areas. Tourism, over the decades, has become the foremost foreign exchange spinner for the national exchequer. More importantly, the tourism sector is helping the people living in and around tourist destinations by way of generating employment opportunities. This, in turn, is not only assisting the local people in upgrading their low socio-economic status but also in building or improving tourist-related infrastructure in their areas. However, there are still numerous tourist destinations in the nation that are devoid of any such development. One main reason for this is that few tourists ever visit such destinations. Mugu district in general and Rara Lake is particular is a case in point.

Rara Lake is verily one of the numerous nature-endowed jewels of the nation. Located in Mugu district, Rara Lake’s waters are not only pristine clear, but the lush, green forests surrounding this lake are equally enchanting. The whole scenery is such that it will remain embedded forever in the minds of the viewers. It may be recalled that to protect the pristine environment of the lake and its surroundings, it was declared a national park. Yet, this virtual jewel has remained hidden from the eyes and minds of the tourists. This, in turn, is forfeiting the local people from their share of the tourism-generated money to upgrade their low living standard as well as carry out tourist-related infrastructure development. One possible reason for this could be the lack of publicity on the part of the concerned tourist authorities, be they in the public or private sector. Another could be the absence of any tourism-related infrastructure and amenities in that area. Hence, if the tourist potentials of Mugu district are to be fully harnessed for the benefits of the local people, then it behoves upon all those related to the tourism sector to not only publicise it at home and abroad but also assist the people there to build the much-needed tourism-specific infrastructure to entice visitors to that area and spot.