'Empower women for development'

Biratnagar, Apr. 20 (RSS):A workshop on "Women in Politics: Problems and Necessities" was held here Friday under the aegis of South Asia Partnership (SAP), Nepal.

The workshop aimed at stirring up a debate on the need for increasing women's involvement in decisive level in the local as well as national politics and on the problems thereon.

On that occasion, ex-minister of state and MP Kamala Panta emphasised on the need to provide reservation to 33 per cent of female population in the decision making level until they reached in a position to compete with their male counterparts.

Terming the formulation of laws pertaining to domestic violence, equal rights on parental property and control on girls trafficking and formation of national women commission as milestones on the way to empowering women she noted that there remained its implementation to the letter.

Morang DDC president Khadga Bahadur Basnet called for freeing the society from the conservative mindset and feudalism in order to empower women

Executive director of SAP Nepal Dr. Rohit Kumar Nepal, from the chair, said the status of women could not be improved unless and until they were involved in policy making level.

A host of speakers including Nepal Women Association, Morang district vice-chairwoman Shanta Rijal called on civil society not to look down women just on the basis of their physical strength.

Suggestions made during the discussions were presented at the conclusion of the second session chaired by general secretary of Women Development Association, Biratnagar Tara Sharma.

The workshop was participated in by some 90 women activists, social workers, law practitioners.

Henna tattoos: Godsend for squeamish

Among the women from Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Maldives, Mehandhi has been popular since long. The visual arts of painting into the skin is not only taken as a fashion but also considered it as a part of Asian culture. Women feel Saubhagyabati (lucky) when they apply this visual art in their skin.

Though it is an old tradition, nowadays it’s become the latest fashion trend to hit the market. It hints of far-off places, comes in a variety of eye-catching designs, looks great with a blouse, and is sure to make you the talk of the town. The only catch: it fades away after weeks.

Again, that’s the beauty of henna painting. For all those who ever want a tattoo without the long-term commitment henna painting fashion has attracted more women-folk especially the young ladies.

Making the long journey through Africa, Middle East and India and to the Himalayan Kingdom Nepal, it has also reached to the Far East nations. The ancient body-beautification technique is an easy way to get a fantastic body design, without the pain or the permanence of a tattoo.

Nepalese and Indians named the art "mehandhi." It is known as "mendhi" in Morocco. Though, the visual art was introduced to the Far East nations through the long journey from Africa, the art of beautification is also known as "menthe" by the Korean, Filipinos, Indonesian and other neighbouring people. It entails applying a natural skin dye to various parts of the body to create a decorative design.

The art’s portal into the country is Henna Design. But henna painting is hardly new. It is as old as some of the world’s oldest civilisations. Its exact origin is uncertain, but most experts surmise that the cosmetic use of henna began in either Northern Africa or India some 4,000 to 6,000 years ago.

Thanks to its appealing cosmetic properties and its rich cultural background, the art has gradually spread all over the world. Mendhi has become popular in the United States, thanks to pop idol Madonna, who got hennaed for her "Ray of Light" music video.

The henna plant was originally cultivated in Egypt. Archaeologists have discovered traces of henna on the hair and nails of mummies dating back to 1200 B.C.

The use of henna is widespread today. Besides being employed as a skin dye, it is also used to strengthen hair and cool sunburn rashes. This last application is directly related to the plant’s medicinal value as a body coolant, which explains its widespread use in hot, semi-arid regions.

Ancient Indian paintings contain characters with hennaed body parts, and the plant is believed to have been brought from as Far East as China at that time.

Mixed with other ingredients, the plant was used to dye the manes and hooves of horses and to colour wool, silk and animal skins as well as men’s beards. Vietnamese women once used the plant to lacquer their teeth black. But the graceful, paisley designs now associated with "mehandhi" can be traced back to Indian royalty.

Vendors of mendhi can still be found in droves outside of the Taj Mahal in India, where long ago married women, who then painted the brides with henna before the wedding day, instructed the wives of famous Shahs in the carnal arts.

It is said that Indian men became instantly aroused upon viewing their future bride covered in henna- the belief being that the more complex and comprehensive the design, the more instruction the bride had received on the intricacies of lovemaking.

The henna artists also hid the tiny initials of the bridegroom somewhere on the bride’s hennaed body. The groom faced the inviting prospect of finding the initials on his wife’s body when the newlyweds reached the bridal chamber.

Each culture that uses henna has ascribed a different meaning to it. In general, the plant is considered a lucky charm, used to guard against harmful spirits and genies. The adolescents of certain North African tribes dip their hands in henna to mark their passage into adulthood.

Paintings for wedding were the most common use of henna among ancient cultures, which is primarily why the art is associated with love. It is said that the darker the henna, the deeper the love of the bride and groom. A dark henna application is tantamount to a long and happy marriage.

The paint is made by drying the henna plant and crushing its leaves into a powder, which is then mixed with water, oil and lemon juice depending on the women’s choice.

It is then applied to the skin with a small cone-shaped squeeze tube (or other applicator) in varying degrees of design complexity. As the paint dries, it dyes the skin anywhere from an orange to a burgundy red depending on the person’s skin type and how long the henna is allowed to soak into the skin.

The remaining paint then dries and flakes off, and the customer is left with a tattoo-like design that lasts from two to four weeks.

Mehandhi application can be complemented with shiny plastic beads called bindi, making the wearer a glowing source of beauty.

Meanwhile, Eitoku Sugimori a well-known face from Fukuoka of Japan is going to exhibit his art installation works at the hall of Nepal Association of Fine Arts (NAFA) in Naxal from today--Sunday.

The works created in Nepal two days ago through the use of iron can be viewed for the several days during the week.

"My works are spreading the messages of harmony, unity and conservation", says artist Eitoku.

INF Pokhara marks golden jubilee

By Our Correspondent

Pokhara, Apr. 20: Dedicated to humanity, the International Nepal Fellowship (I. N. F.), Pokhara, marked its golden jubilee here yesterday.

The organisation has extended its support and cooperation to many hospitals, including the Regional Hospital at Pokhara. It has worked in the areas such as community healthcare, public awareness, non-formal education, agriculture, veterinary service, drinking water and many other social services.

Under its programme, more than 84,000 patients have received services. Apart from this, it has helped rehabilitate the leprosy and TB patients.

At the function, more than 200 foreign as well as Nepali volunteers were honoured for their contribution in the social service sector through I. N. F.

Compex results announced

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Apr. 20: The Embassy of India yesterday announced the results of the Common Entrance Examinations (COMPEX) 2002 held on April 13.

According to the Indian Embassy, the examinations were conducted for admissions in MBBS, Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Pharmacy, Veterinary Science and Agriculture Science for self-finance and scholarships provided by the Government of India to Nepalese students.

The Embassy said 829 students had appeared in the entrance examinations for MBBS, 412 for B. E., 218 for B. V. Sc., 208 for B.Sc. (Agriculture) and 91 for B. Pharmacy. The seats likely to be available to Nepalese students for the academic year 2002-03 include 8 for MBBS, 50 for B. E. and 5 for B. V. Sc., B. Sc. (Agriculture) and B. Pharmacy each.

The results are available on the Indian Embassy website: www.south-asia.com/Embassy-India.

Cardiac patients need not go abroad for treatment

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, April 20:Chakra Prasad Tulachan was the first person to undergo coronary by-pass surgery in Nepal. He is leading a normal life today. Another patient D.B. Basnet had angioplasty- the first in Nepal.

The case of Suni Shrestha, 28, is still inspiring. She was 7-month pregnant when she was operated for a twisted nerve of her heart and it was completely successful. Eleven days ago she gave birth to a healthy child.

They are among 350 persons, who have undergone successful surgery at the Norvic-Escorts Health Care and Research Centre.

All of them said the establishment of a specialised hospital for cardiac treatment within the country has been a great assistance and relief. The operations were done by specialists from the Escorts Centre of India assisted by Nepalese doctors.

Many of them still cautious about their way of living and have changed their food habits completely. Many patients remain careful, sometimes too careful, about what they eat. But doctors say a too rigid food habit may not be necessary.

Norvic organised a food festival on Friday to show the patients what is good for heart and what patients, who have undergone cardiac surgeries, can eat. At the heart-smart-food festival, as it was called, patients and other invitees actually tasted the recipe. The recipe was prepared by Norvic staff.

Most Nepalese food, except for highly spicy, fatty and sweets, can be eaten by heart patients, heart specialists at the programme said.

Speaking at the food festival, Chairman and Managing Director of Norvic Basanta Chaudhary said that in three years since its establishment, Norvic has come up as an international standard hospital with super speciality cardiac facilities. "Norvic has now has facilities for most complex cardiac ailments," he said.

At the programme Dr. Bharat Rawat, senior consultant cardiologist read out the message of Dr. Naresh Trehan, Executive Director, Escorts Heart Institute, and India.

General Manager of Nepal Television Durga Nath Sharma said that being a heart patient, he has maintained a very disciplined life. Regular exercise, avoidance of stress and tension, and control over diet are the best for healthy hearts, he said.

Norvic is part of the Chaudhary Group’s US$ 100 million project. It is now a 50-bed facility with specialised facilities in cardiology, neurology and other fields of general medicine. The tie up with Escorts has given it added incentives for providing specialist services.

Chaudhary said the Centre was completely service oriented. By 2005 Norvic aims to expand to a 100-bed hospital with fully equipped facilities in cardiology and several other fields of medicine.

Some of the patients said that after being operated at Norvic they feel hale and hearty now. The treatment at the Norvic saved a lot of money.