'Promotion of anti-AIDS plans must'

Bishnu Gopal Shrestha, a national soccer player and boxer of the past is now active in different sectors. A dynamic personality with much will power, Shrestha now heads Nepal Motion Picture Association (NMPA) and six other organisations. Currently, he is planning to involve himself in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Last week he talked to Bishnu Gautam of The Rising Nepal on different issues. Some excerpts:

How were you involved in sports?

I was greatly interested in social works from my student life in Hetauda. I wanted to be a person who could do something for the society, the nation and its people. And I concentrated my interest in sports so that I could contribute to the nation. I was in the national soccer team for eight years and participated in various national and international meets within and outside the country. I also became the Light Welter Weight boxing champion. Later, His Majesty late King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev appointed me the treasurer of the National Sports Council in 1977. I worked there for 11 years. I was the chairman of ceremony committee during the first SAF Games in 1987. I also led a number of international sports organisations. I am now the vice- president of Asian Boxing Council.

A soccer player, boxing champion and an official of Sports Council, you now head NMPA. How was it possible for you to switch roles to Nepalese films?

I got involved in films upon my friends’ advice. We formed Om Trinetra Production, a film production company. I was the chairperson of the company that made Chino and Ranko. Later I became the chairperson of Nepal Film Producers’ Committee in 2054 and now I am the President of NMPA.

What did you do for the promotion of Nepalese film?

I first initiated the tradition of Motion Picture Awards in Nepal. We aimed at promoting Nepalese film, art and culture, honouring artistes and making inroads in the international market, through these Awards. However, we have stopped the tradition for various reasons. In fact, the artistes for whose welfare we had introduced the programmes failed to understand its importance and created unnecessary controversies over the awards.

Why is the film industry not doing well at present?

The increasing activities of Maoists and the low quality of films are the main causes behind the fall in the film market. Unhealthy competition among the Nepalese films is also responsible. In the past, Nepalese films had to compete with Indian films and they could do good business. But now most of the halls do not screen Indian films. How can Nepalese films make a good business when five different films are screened in the five different halls at the same time in a city?

What are your views about the current reconstitution of the Film Development Board?

The formation of the Board is balanced and good. All the personalities appointed in the Board are capable, but they need to work without any prejudice.

You were the chief coordinator of the programmes during the last World AIDS Day. Are you willing to get involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the days to come?

Certainly. On the request of Health Minister Sharat Singh Bhandari, I became the Coordinator of the World AIDS day programmes. The programmes happened to be very effective. International communities appreciated the programmes. Now I realise whether the ultimate goal of my life will be to promote the anti-AIDS programmes.

What are the most effective programmes to control HIV/AIDS in Nepal?

I think we should give top priority to awareness generating programmes. We should launch awareness generating campaign throughout the Kingdom at the same time. Sector wise or area-wise awareness programmes, which we have been launching till now cannot give effective results. Therefore, we need to launch awareness programmes in all five development regions at the same time. We can launch such programmes through street dramas, radio and television programmes. Such awareness programmes help the people understand the causes and consequences of AIDS and change their attitudes and behaviours. Also a quarterly review of such programmes is highly essential. Follow-up programmes can be done by mobilising the local students. If a million students are mobilised and each student watches four houses once every three months, we can cover four million houses. Except in 17 districts, we can easily conduct follow-up programmes with the help of the local students.

Indeed, our investment in HIV/AIDS controlling programmes is haphazard. Different organisations have been launching similar programmes. They lack coordination. There are a number of organisations active in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the country. HIV/ AIDS and STD Centre and other INGOs are working to control HIV/AIDS in the country. But they are in confusion and are failing to achieve their goals.

Likewise, HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign-2002 introduced recently under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is functioning well. People have expected much from the Campaign. However, the working pace of the Campaign seems to be very slow.

If we bring all the organizations working in the field of HIV/AIDS and their programmes in a single channel, the results will surely be more effective. Also we do not have to beg for international assistance to conduct any anti-AIDS awareness campaign in the country. However, we should bring all the programmes related to HIV/AIDS under one umbrella as soon as possible. And it must be done during the tenure of the present Health Minister.

Construction of road halted in far west

By Our Correspondent

Mahendranagar, Apr. 24: Road projects in the far-western region have come to a virtual halt due to Maoist terrorists who have been wreaking havoc on development infrastructure.

Work on the two roads linking the headquarters of remote hill districts of Bajhang and Bajura has stopped following the Maoists' attacks on the project offices.

The terrorists had destroyed road division offices in Anakholi, Khodpe Sunkoda and Jhota Site in Bajhang and burnt the documents three weeks ago, according to the Bjhang-Khodpe Road Division.

Ninety per cent of work related with cutting away the hills into roads is still to be done. Bridges have not been built at all.

The terrorists burnt a dozer, a tripper, two theodolites and three motor-bikes belonging to the road office.

The two-year projects will now take four years to complete, technicians said.

While tenders for pipes and culverts have still to be opened, no agreement has been reached on the tenders for Bitthad-Bugal road due to the Maoist terrorists.

The road division office, which has now relocated to Dhangadi, has sought eight million rupees in compensation to repair the damaged buildings and equipment.

Pokhara residents defy bandh, life normal

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Apr. 24: Fed up with the too frequent shutdown calls, the residents of Pokhara have defied terrorists’ call for closure this time.

The tourist city remained unaffected on the first day of the five-day closure by the terrorists. The shops opened early and the public vehicles appeared on the roads as usual.

Life in Pokhara was normal on Tuesday. Many tourists arrived by air with various airlines.

The majority of government schools and a few private schools remained open. The college exams went on undisturbed.

Prithvichowk’s Purna Shrestha asked, "Will the Maoists who demand that we close our shops pay the rent?"

Another businessman said, "Bandh is not good for the country. The national economy needs to be consolidated whichever party is in power. But why do all the parties call for bandh?"

Tourism entrepreneur Narayan Sharma said, "We all should get united to make the bandhs ineffective."

The former president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Ananda Raj Mulmi lauded the spontaneous participation of people to foil the bandh. "This is how the citizens can contribute to resolving the problems facing the nation."

"It is laudable that the people have come forth to make the shutdown ineffective, but it is sad the political parties have failed to play an effective role," said Lekhnath Municipality’s mayor Shaligram Sharma.

Army officer Prakash Bahadur Basnet said the closure would not be successful in absence of people’s support. "It’s only that we have to ensure security."

He said the terrorists’ strategy to use ordinary people as the shield would lead them to destruction.

Your Day Today

25 April, 2002

Aries (21 Mar-20 April): There are many opportunities today. Appreciable help from others. Financial position will be good. Your favourite colour is white.

Taurus (21 Apr-20 May): Good time to start a new project and work. Family help can be expected. Financial position will be good. Today’s lucky number is 12.

Gemini (21 May-20 June): Health will be good. Family life will give tension. Good day for your career and business. Interest in spiritual work.

Cancer (21 Jun-20 July): There is a strong possibility of creating new opportunity in life. Family environment will help you. Personal conflicts will be resolved.

Leo (21 July-22 Aug): Family life will give mental tension. Social and political approaches will become better. Today is a lucky day.

Virgo (23 Aug-22 Sept): Appreciable help from someone. Social and political status will become better. Progress in income. Confidence and precaution will be essential.

Libra (23 Sept-22 Oct): Today is a lucky day for you. Political situation will be in favour for you. Health will be fine. Your favourite colour is red.

Scorpio (23 Oct-21 Nov): Social help can be expected. Beware of your enemies. Family expenses will give mental tension. Risky work not advised.

Sagittarius (22 Nov-20 Dec): Family environment will give tension. Confidence and precaution will be necessary. Be careful in financial matters.

Capricorn (21 Dec-20 Jan): Family help can be expected. Financial position will be good. Progress in intellectual work. Popularity will go up. Your favourite colour is pink.

Aquarius (21 Jan-19 Feb): Social status and popularity will go up. Be careful about your career. Family environment will give tension. Do not do any risky work.

Pisces (20 Feb-20 Mar): Family environment will not be so good. Appreciable help from someone. Good income from business. Today’s lucky number is 25.

By Acharya Shree Dhruv