Communications policy forward looking: Gupta

By Our Correspondent

Biratnagar, Apr. 21: Minister for Information and Communications Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta has described the government’s policy on communications as forward looking.

"Both the print and electronic media are witnessing rapid progress and improvement with the launch of radio magazine, wave tech and e-magazine," Gupta said. "I gave permission to five new television channels only this week."

Launching a new weekly, Rastriya Nepal Times, in Biratnagar, Gupta said that journalism is the means of generating awareness, and it can change the structure and the thinking of the society. "That’s why the media should be fair, impartial and fearless,"

Gupta said, "If media is used for personal gains or to slander others people will question its credibility," said Gupta.

Although the just concluded session of parliament passed several bills for good governance and corruption control, the media failed to stir up substantive and meaningful discussions, he said.

Gupta said a bill on the right to information has been registered in the parliament and it would be passed in the coming session.

Referring to his recent expulsion from the party membership, Gupta said he had started his political life and journalistic career from Biratnagar.

He made some acrimonious remarks on the failed opportunities for the country’s second biggest city to lead in the political, economic and social fronts. "What has Biratnagar given to the country," he asked? "Let alone those with differing views, Biratnagar has failed to accommodate even those who agree."

Gupta said: "I have never felt wounded by the bullet Biratnagar fired at me."

Vice-chairman of Press Chautari Nepal, Yagya Prasad Sharma said journalism may have flourished in Biratnagar, but not journals.

Coordinator of the Regional Information Resource Centre, Biratnagar, Toya Gautam said publishing a newspaper is not a big deal, what is needed is professionalism.

The programme was chaired by publisher of Rastriya Nepal Times Indra Neelam Ghadewa.

Three dead, 50 injured in bus accidents

Janakpurdham, Apr. 21 (RSS): Three persons died and 50 sustained injuries in various road accidents in Dhanusha district today.

Kamal Kumar Kafley, 23, of Mahendranagar Sakhuva of Dhanusha, his mother and a person from Sunsari district with the surname Khatiwada died on the spot when a Janakpur bound passenger bus (Na. 1. Kha. 9863) from Birgunj overturned. It was overtaking a truck at a place 1 km south of Mahendranagar, it is learnt from the police.

One of the injured has been taken by ambulance to Dharan for treatment.

Likewise, six persons sustained injuries when a Janakpur bound bus (Na. 1. Kha. 7762) from Siraha skidded off the road near Bhimsthan after the driver lost control.

Likewise, three persons sustained injuries when two persons on a motorbike (Ja. 1. Kha. 5216) knocked down another person at Bharatpur VDC along the Mahendra Highway.

Understanding reached to foil bandh

Butwal, Apr. 21 (RSS): An all-party meeting here today has agreed to make the so-called Nepal bandh general strike called by the Maoist terrorists ineffective and completely foil the attempt.

Calling on the general public to also join hands to foil the bandh and end the climate of fear, the meeting decided that all will keep their industries, businesses, means of transport and shops open during the so-called bandh.

At the meeting, chairman of the House of Representatives Environment Conservation Committee Surya Prasad Pradhan said that the so-called bandh should be resisted by all sectors as it will have adverse impact on the economy.

Chief District Officer Sthaneshwar Devkota, mayor Bhoj Prasad Shrestha, representatives of various political parties, industrialists, businessmen, journalists and people from a cross section of society underlined the need to put up a strong and united resistance against the bandh.

The all-party meeting was organized by the Rupandehi district administration office.

In Dhangadhi, understanding has been reached to run industries and businesses, keep schools open and operate all transport services regularly during the days of the country-wide strike also.

This understanding has been reached at an all party meeting convened at the district administration office, Kailali, CDO Gopal Man Shrestha said.

On the occasion, CDO Shrestha, who presided over the meeting, said that necessary security arrangements have also been made.

Meanwhile, in Nawalparasi, A meeting held under the chairmanship of chief district officer Madhav Raj Sharma has decided to organize a massive peace rally at Parasi Bazaar on April 23. It also decided to run all the institutions, industries, businesses and vehicles in the district in order to make the so-called five day Nepal Bandh program called by the CPN-Maoists ineffective.

CDO Sharma informed the meeting that His Majesty’s Government would provide compensation for the damages caused to vehicles run during the Nepal Bandh. Security personnel have been ordered to shoot anyone involved in vandalism, he said.

Durga Prasad Chaudhary said that the Maoists should be identified and force them to face.

Superintendent of police Sanandan Kurmi said that the so-called Nepal Bandh programme would have no effect in the district if the political parties extended the necessary cooperation.

The meeting was attended by the representatives of the political parties, the industrialists and businessmen, transport entrepreneurs and the heads of the district offices.

Photographs of Chinese heritage on show

Bhaktapur, Apr. 21 (RSS): A three-day exhibition of world heritage photographs of the People’s Republic of China jointly organised by Bhaktapur Municipality, Chinese Embassy and Nepal-China Friendship Society began here yesterday.

Speaking on the occasion, president of the Nepal Workers and Peasants Party and MP Narayan Man Bijukchhe stressed the need to safeguard and promote our ancient art and culture which identifies us.

Referring to the cordial relations existing between Nepal and China since a very long time, counsellor at the Chinese Embassy Zhang Tiegen said that such programmes would further contribute to enhancing relations and cooperation at the government as well as people to people level.

Mayor of Bhaktapur Municipality Prem Suwal said that the exhibition had been organised with the objective of further imporoving and consolidating relations between Nepal and China and the Nepalese people and Chinese people.

On the occasion, general secretary of the Nepal-China friendship society Rambabu Tiwari, former mayor of Bhaktapur Municipality and chairman of ward No. 17 Gyan Bahadur Nyaichai, member of the education and culture committee Nuchheman Suwal and others also expressed their views.