Talks succeed or fail on how Maoists behave: Gupta

Bhadrapur, Sept. 27 (RSS): Minister for Information and Communications Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta has said that as the government has already put forth its views clearly during the talks with the Maoists, it is now looking forward to a positive response from the Maoist side.

Minister Gupta, who is also spokesman of the government, was speaking at a meet the press programme organised by the Jhapa branch of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), at Chandragadhi, Jhapa today.

The government is of the view that success or failure of the third round of talks hinges on how responsibly the Maoists behave and think, he said.

As the present government talks team has been formed by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba himself, the idea of a sister organisation of the Maoists that Maoists should talk directly with the Prime Minister is not appropriate, he said, adding it is the government decision that the talks team is entirely responsible for everything regarding peace talks.

Stating that whatever initiatives India has taken within its territory for internal security purposes are its internal affair, Minister Gupta said there is no reason why we should be sad or happy about such initiatives.

He also informed the press that as promised by the Prime Minister in Parliament His Majesty’s Government is about to complete necessary homework for the formation of a national women’s commission and a commission for the downtrodden, ethnic groups and indigenous people in consultation with political parties represented in Parliament.

Making it clear that the government has done everything possible very sincerely for making the talks with the Maoists successful, he said the Maoists have, however, failed to fulfill the commitments they had made prior to the talks and they are lacking honesty and transparency in their approach.

In a bid to build an environment congenial for peace talks, the government has already withdrawn legal cases against Maoists workers, released those in detention on public offense charges and made public the whereabouts those said to have been disappeared, the information and communications minister said.

In reply to a question, he described as very irresponsible the utterances by the Maoist talks team convenor and members about the Royal Palace and Singha Durbar.

The government has already decided to support and cooperate in the anti-terrorism campaign launched at the initiative of the U.S., he further said.

On the occasion, FNJ president Ram Nath Baskota demanded government assistance for completion of the FNJ Jhapa branch office building under construction, among other things.

‘Arsenic contamination likely threat’

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Sep 27: Although arsenic contamination of ground water is not as serious in Nepal as in Bangladesh and India, but experts have pointed out the possibility of arsenic being present in some ground waters in Nepal.

The National Arsenic Steering Committee (NASC) has been working on this issue for the last 18 months. A one-day seminar on arsenic problem in ground water in Nepal was held today.

And reports presented at the seminar pointed out that contamination of ground water, with arsenic could be an emerging issue in Nepal, especially in the Terai.

Out of the country’s total population of 23 million, 47 per cent of the people live in the 20 districts in Terai and about 90 per cent of these people use ground water for drinking and other purposes. And it is estimated that each of these districts in Terai has about 10,000 shallow tube wells. In the country as a whole there are about 200,000 tube wells providing drinking water for about 9.7 million people.

Already it was reported at the seminar that 28,000 children in Nepal are suffering from arsenic problem in water.

The field testing of arsenic in ground water in Nepal, four out of 92 samples in Jhapa exceeded 0.01 milligram per litre, seven out of 90 samples exceeded 0.01 mg per litre and one sample recorded close to 0.05 mg per litre in Morang. Similarly, in Sunsari 11 out of 86 samples exceeded 0.01 mg per litre and one sample was close to 0.05 mg per litre. In Rautahat 27 out of 89 samples exceeded 0.01 mg per litre and eight samples recorded to 0.05 mg per litre of arsenic level in Rautahat. In Rautahat, it was reported that most of the tube wells indicating high content of arsenic are being located in the flood plain of the Bagmati River.

Reports said that about 20 per cent of the 1.9 million population in Nepal may be exposed to arsenic contamination under WHO’s guideline of 10 microgramme per litre. But based on the guideline adopted by India and Pakistan it is 4 per cent or 390,000 people may be using water with arsenic exceeding 50 microgramme per litre.

Meanwhile, arsenic occurance in Kathmandu Valley has been found as insignificant, but a study has cautioned that with a large population of the valley using groundwater, the geological history of the Valley could be a possible precursor for the occurrence of arsenic in the groundwater in some locations.

Arsenic is natural part of the earth’s crust in some parts of the world and may be found in water, which as flowed through arsenic-rich rocks.

Arsenic is also found in insecticides, pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, rhodenticides, wood-preservatives and in some dyestuffs. According to reports, arsenic is also produced in making silicon microchips, galvanizing and lead-plating.

Arsenic is very toxic even at very low concentration with a long-term exposure limit. It might take 2 to 20 years to develop the symptoms. The major source of arsenic ingestion is drinking water and if ingested faster than it can be excreted arsenic dose accumulate in the hair, nail, skin and bones, a report said.

The most common symptoms of chronic arsenic exposure are hyperpigmentation depigmentation, keratosis (thickening and roughness of the palms and soles), redness of conjuctiva, inflammation of respiratory tract and cardio-vascular disorders and even skin cancer.

The seminar is held in the chairmanship of secretary of MPPW Dinesh Chandra Pyakureal and the program chaired by other secretary of HMG, MPP and W including all the participant.

At the seminar Director General of the Department of Health Dr. B.D Chataut said 40 per cent of people in Bangladesh are affected by arsenic because of the high concentration of arsenic in ground water.

Director general of HMG/DWSS Dhurba Bahadur Shrestha said Nepal National Arsenic Steering Committee (NNASC) is formed in the correlation with WHO, Red-cross, SEJ and other government and non-government committees. The problem of arsenic in Nepal is not so serious but from newspaper and the other media rare case are found. Therefore we have to apply precautions and aware of it.

Although the cases of arsenic poisoning is negligible in Nepal at present, but we must remain cautious, said joint secretary of MPPW Sohan Sundar Shrestha.

In addition chief guest of the seminar, member of NPC Dr. Jagdish Chandra Pokharel said technical aspects in purifying drinking water should be changed, tube valve wells must be dug more than 40 meters deep, and awareness should be created.

At the seminar, an Interim Arsenic Policy Preparation Report of the Nepal National Arsenic Steering Committee was presented. Similarly, Roshan Lall Chitrakar, Senior Divisional Engineer, Department of Water Supply and Sewerage and Bharat Mani Jnawali, Senior Geologist, Department of Mines and Geology also presented their papers.

Awards given
Various programmes mark Tourism Day

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Sept. 27: The 22nd World Tourism Day was observed with the theme "Tourism: A tool for peace and dialogue among civilizations" throughout the Kingdom today.

The main objective of celebrating the day is to generate massive awareness among the people from various walks of life about the importance of tourism, which is the mainstay of Nepal’s economy, and promote it in and outside the country.

As part of celebrating the day, winners of Travel Writer of the Year 2001 Award and Secondary and Higher Secondary School level essay competitions were awarded with certificates and cash prizes amidst a function at the Tourist Service Center.

Instituted by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), a private-public partnership formed for the development and promotion of the country’s tourism industry, Travel Writer of the Year 2001 Award was offered to eight different travel writers for their contributions to the promotion of tourism. NTB started to honour travel writers in order to encourage them to write on tourism since last year.

Ballav Mani Dahal and Navin Singh Khadka of The Rising Nepal won awards in the categories of ‘Special Write-up on Tourism in Nepal and Conservation/Eco-tourism respectively.

Likewise, other journalists receiving the awards include Thomas E. King, Bhimsen Sapkota, Surendra Phyual, Bhuwani Neupane, Debendra Nepal and Neeraj Nepali.

Similarly, Krishna Prasad Pokhrel, Rupshikha Shrestha and Manju Dahal, who emerged first, second and third respectively in a nationwide high school level essay competition, were distributed prizes and certificates. Students Pratista Manandhar, Richa Tripathi, Binod Prasad Koirala, Diksha Sharma and Purba Sherpa were given away consolation prizes for their participation in the essay competition.

In the higher secondary school level essay competition, Bisheshwar Prasad Acharya, Smita Rawal and Rabin Nepal secured first, second and third positions respectively. They were also given away prizes and certificates. Among the higher secondary school level students, Hari Prasad Adhikari, Manu Gurung, Lekhnath Poudel, Surya Prasad Rimal, Subodh Pandey and Rameshwar Karki received consolation prizes.

Distributing the awards, prizes and certificates, Shyam Bahadur Pandey, Vice-Chairman of NTB and veteran tourism entrepreneur, expressed the view that tourism has been the most potential industry of Nepal.

"We can reap benefits from tourism by promoting our nature and culture. We have to make tremendous efforts for the development and promotion of this viable industry," said Pandey, who was also the chief guest at the function.

He further said that the travel writers, who have played an important role for the promotion of tourism industry, have to be effortful for protecting the tourism industry, which has been suffering problems one by one.

He was of the opinion that despite political activities in Nepal, tourists have yet to be affected by them.

He feared that the recent terrorist attacks on America could adversely affect Nepal’s tourism industry.

"In such a situation, people from all sectors have to work together to save the tourism industry," he said.

He urged the government to introduce compulsory paid holidays for the employees so as to give a boost the domestic tourism.

Addressing the ceremony on behalf of judges, Dipendra Purush Dhakal, founder chairman of NTB and former Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, said that the tourism industry has been facing various setbacks at the national as well as international level.

Citing the incidents of terrorist attack on America, Dhakal said that the terrorism has adversely affected the tourism industry. He also said that after the terrorist attacks, bookings have started to be cancelled.

"Time has come for the travel writers to present positive aspects in their write-ups to help save the ailing tourism industry of Nepal," he urged.

On the occasion, Pradeep Raj Pandey, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NTB, offered a token of appreciation to Surendra Shakya for his significant cooperation for briefing about Nepal to a team of senior Japanese journalists who were invited to Nepal recently.

Subash Nirola, Director- Tourism Products & Resources Development of NTB, delivered the welcome speech, whereas Kanchan Joshy, NTB’s Corporate Director, extended a vote of thanks.

On the occasion of the World Tourism Day, NTB also organised the National Folk Dance and Music Festival at the Royal Nepal Academy Hall this evening.

Meanwhile, Nepal Association of Travel Agents (NATA) organised an on-the-spot essay writing competition in about 20 high schools of Kathmandu Valley today to make the students aware of tourism heritage and its importance in the national economy.

The title of the essay competition was—Tourism: A tool for peace and dialogue among civilizations.

According to NATA, three best essays received from each of the participating schools will be finally evaluated by the association and excellent contributions will be awarded attractive prizes and souvenirs during the annual general meeting of the association. All the participants will also be offered certificates.

Various private sector companies also organised different programmes to mark the World Tourism Day today. Yeti Airlines conducted a blood donation programme here today. A total of 83 participants affiliated with travel agencies, mountain air, employees of TAAN, Yeti Airlines and Prime College donated blood.

The airline had sponsored the expedition of the youngest climber of Mt. Everest—Temba Chhiri Sherpa—in spring this year.

Book released
Leaders like late Singh very few, says Deuba

Kathmandu, Sept. 27 (RSS): Nepali Congress leader and former Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai released the second part of the "Mero Kathaka Panaharu", an autobiography of the late supreme leader Ganeshman Singh, at a function here today.

Mr Bhattarai also laid the foundation stone for a Ganeshman Singh Memorial Building at the function organised by the study and communication center for Ganeshman Singh and democratic movement and the Aayam Publications Pvt. Ltd.

The first part of the six-volume book edited by senior journalist Mathwar Singh Basnet has already been published and the remaining four volumes will be published gradually.

The former Prime Minister Bhattarai has authored the foreword of the book. Memoirs of the late leader are being published in the vernacular Punarjagaran weekly. Similarly, the memorial building whose foundation stone was laid today on the occasion of the fourth memorial day of the late leader in Min Bhawan will be four storey and will cover an area of 5,476 sq feet.

In the four-storey building, which will be built in a phased manner in original Nepali style, there will be a press for the Punarjagaran Weekly, office and a computer based library on the democratic fighters including Supremo Ganesh Man Singh.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, addressing the function on the occasion, said that even the world has witnessed the birth of very few leaders like the late Singh who never became disappointed and always fought enthusiastically and his life will remain inspirational for future generations who have faith in democracy.

Nepali Congress is fortunate to have the leaders like Ganesh Man Singh not only for restoration of democracy but also for its consolidation, he added.

Former Prime Minister Bhattarai observed Nepalese people will continue to benefit from the honesty, bravery and charity of the late Singh for hundreds of years to come, adding that he had influenced everyone from the King to the general public.

Noting that if we are not able to use democracy this is our weakness and nobody can say there is no democracy in Nepal, the NC leader noted that our greatest success lies in safeguarding both Constitutional Monarchy and democracy.

Historian Dr Tulasiram Vaidya commented on the historical aspects of the book on the occasion.

Literatteur Dr Bashudev Tripathy shed light on the literary aspects, while editor of the book Basnet spoke about the book.

The function was chaired by centre vice chairman Dr Tulasi Bhattarai.

‘Lead talks to successful conclusion’

Nepalgunj, Sept. 27 (RSS): An all-party meeting here yesterday urged both the government and the Maoists to take necessary initiatives so as to lead the peace talks towards a successful conclusion as soon as possible.

With reference to information from the people of Sonbarsha in Gangapur VDC and Raniyapur VDC that the Maoists have repeatedly threatened to raid those VDCs, the meeting held under the chairmanship of Banke DDC chairman Om Prakash Jung Rana urged the Maoists to not terrorize the villagers and give rise to an untoward situation.

The meeting also requested the government to protect the people’s inherent right to live in peace and to make necessary security arrangements in the district so as to pre-empt any clashes between the local people and the Maoists.

It strongly condemned such activities as looting, vandalism, intimidation and extortion which have terrorized the people and demanded that the government bring to justice the perpetrators of such activities.

The meeting lauded the initiative taken spontaneously and unitedly by the rural people, especially the people of Sonbarsha and Raniyapur, to protect themselves and their villages from violent attack, and called for cooperation from one and all in such initiatives from the local people.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, RPP, Nepal Sadbhavana Party and CPN-ML.

Nepal in anti-terror campaign: Dr. Mahat

Kathmandu, Sept. 27 (RSS): Finance Minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat has said that in the present context of the entire world standing against terrorism Nepal has involved itself in the anti-terrorism campaign.

Minister Mahat, who was speaking at an interaction programme organised by Reporters Club Nepal here today, said that Nepal has already expressed its commitment to various international treaties and accords against terrorism.

Stating that His Majesty’s Government has initiated dialogue with the Maoists to rid the country of terror he said the Maoists have, however, not been able to reciprocate the government’s good will, rather they are making the peace process all the more complex by putting forth new conditions one after another.

Describing the recent terrorist attacks in the U.S. as the biggest crime against humanity, the Finance Minister said Nepal should remain alert as its economy also cannot remain unaffected by the economic depression the world is going to experience following the terrorist attack.

Ex-Ambassador to the U.S. Jaya Raj Acharya was of the view that by utilizing the present world opinion against terrorism Nepal should play an important role from its side to discourage terrorist activity.

Basudev Dhungana, also an ex-Ambassador to the U.S., said that in view of the present global scenario Nepal should find a solution to the Maoist problem as soon as possible for internal security.

Ex-Ambassadors to the U.S. Dr Mohan Man Sainju and Kul Shekhar Sharma stressed the need for Nepal to support any initiative against terrorism and lauded Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba’s commitment to the anti-terrorism campaign.

First 3 foreign visitors welcomed at TIA

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Sept. 27: As part of observing the World Tourism Day, officials at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and representatives of various tourism-related associations and agencies welcomed the first, second and third foreign visitors at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) today.

Ms. April Lander, a US national, Mr. Alistair Mc Ewan, an Irishman, and Ms. Tracey Smith, a US national, who arrived at TIA at 8 A. M. today from Paro (Bhutan) by Druk Air, were the first, second and third visitors visiting the country respectively. They were accorded with warm welcome and profound respect at the airport. Pancha Kanyas decorated them with floral bouquets.

They were also offered with gifts by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Tourist Service Association, Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN) and Chefs Association of Nepal.

Similarly, Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) provided one night’s complementary accommodation to Ms. Lander at Hyatt Regency, Mr. Mc Edwin at Hotel Yak & Yeti and Ms. Smith at Radisson Hotel. Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal (REBAN) offered foods to them.

According to a press release issued by HAN here today, the guests were accorded respect at the airport by Amar Man Shakya, chairman of HAN Airport Counter and Immigration Committee, Madhav Om Shrestha, HAN Executive Director, Aman Bhandari from Hyatt Regency, Navaneet Nagpal from Hotel Yak & Yeti and Tilak Sapkota from Hotel Radisson.

Meanwhile, complementary accommodations and foods were offered to visitors who first reached various destinations across the Kingdom today on the occasion of World Tourism Day.

In Pokhara, foreign visitors were accorded warm welcome. Tourism entrepreneurs were seen at the airport to receive the guests at the airport during the whole day today.

Among foreign visitors, a French national—Moynet Daniel—was the first to land at Pokhara airport today from a flight of Cosmic Air.

Daniel said that Nepal is one most favorite destination for him. "I will never forget the respect accorded to me by the people of Pokhara.

The travel trade associations offered complementary accommodations, foods and other services to foreign visitors today.

Nepal wins travel award

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Sept. 27: Nepal has been voted 2nd in the top country category out of the 180 countries in the Wanderlust Travel Awards 2001. The award is based on a survey carried out by Wanderlust publications, a UK based prestigious travel magazine, in which nearly 1600 Wanderlust readers made their responses.

The survey was based on travels from January 2000 and the respondents had visited 180 countries, 557 cities, travelled with 342 airlines and used over 500 tour operators.

"Nepal has been a traveller’s favourite for a long time and still fascinate the visitors" comments the September 2001 issue of the Wanderlust magazine. In the readers’ survey, Nepal scored 96.1 per cent while New Zealand, that has been placed in the first position achieved 97.1 per cent.