Apiculture top priority, says Wagle

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KATHMANDU, Aug. 27: Minister for Physical Planning and Works Chiranjivi Wagle who is also holding the portfolio of the Prime Minister has said that as there is feasibility of apiculture in almost all the part of the country, the government will accord top priority to it with national outlook.

Giving away certificates here today to the participants of the instructors' training programme organised by Gandaki Bee Concern, Wagle said that as apiculture costs less and gives significant returns within a comparatively short period compared to other vocations, it would be developed as an income generating vocation.

Minister Wagle noted that beekeeping would prove fruitful in resolving the unemployment problem and raising productivity.

National Planning Commission member Dr. Minendra Rijal, presiding over the programme, said that in a predominantly agricultural country like Nepal, poverty alleviation would be supported to a great extent if there is modernisation in agriculture, appropriate technology is developed and this vocation is developed further.

National Director of the Small Enterprises Development Programme under the United Nations Development Programme, Laxman Pun said that there was abundant demand for Nepalese honey in the overseas market but lack of clarity in policy has created difficulties in this aspect.

Executive Director of Gandaki Bee Concern Dev Bahadur Gurung and Director General of the Department of Agriculture Bhairav Raj Kaini also expressed their views on beekeeping on the occasion.

Reproductive health campaign gains good results

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Aug. 27: The Reproductive Health Initiative (RHI) launched in Nepal three years ago has gained excellent achievements in awareness building among the population of reproductive age.

Encouraged by the results, which was made public at a seminar here today, the funding INGOs indicated that they would provide support to carry on with the second phase of the drive.

The European Commission and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) are supporting the reproductive health campaign. They have built a partnership with five local NGOs.

The first phase of the RHI was launched in February 1999 to give sexual and reproductive health information to young people and to promote gender equity. The first phase of the programme ends in December this year.

"The success has resulted in the inclusion of Nepal in the proposal for the next phase of the RHI," said J. Bill Musoke, UNFPA Representative to Nepal at the dissemination seminar.

The evaluation made by the European Commission not only recommended that Nepal be included in the proposal for the next phase, but was pleased with the results of the RHI in Nepal, said Wilma H. Goppel, technical coordinator at EC/UNFPA RHI project based in Brussels.

Studies showed that awareness level in the people of reproductive age group about RH improved substantially since the RHI drive started in Nepal. "The increase in knowledge resulted in a noticeable change in attitude and practices among the target population," said Shiva Hari Maharjan of Environmental Health and Development Advisory Group.

Though the first phase of the RHI is yet to end, negotiations have been initiated for the second phase, which will centre on improving sexual and reproductive health of adolescents and youths. "I am hopeful Nepal will be included in the next phase," said Dr. Giap Dang, member of the EC delegation to Nepal.

Nepal, India talks on S&T tomorrow

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KATHMANDU, Aug. 27: Secretary level talks between Nepal and India for enhancing cooperation in the field of Science and Technology will be held in Kathmandu on August 29 and 30.

Secretary at the Ministry of Science and Technology Mahesh Man Shrestha and Secretary at the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Government of India Professor V. S. Rammurti will represent their respective governments at the meeting.

Discussions on the draft of the programmes prepared for enhancing cooperation in the field of Science and Technology will be held during the talks, the Ministry of Science and Technology has stated.

A five-member Indian delegation led by Secretary at the Ministry of Science and Technology Professor V . S. Rammurti is scheduled to arrive here tomorrow to take part in the talks.

The talks is being held in line with the agreement on promoting cooperation in Science and Technology at the Ministerial level meeting held during the official visit of the Prime Minister to India in March, 2002.

After the talks, final shape will be given to the draft and then the secretaries of both the countries are scheduled to sign the cooperation programmes for promotion of Science and Technology on August 30.

Three terrorists killed in Chitwan

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Aug 27: Security forces killed at least three terrorists in their latest security operations conducted in Chitwan district on Monday, a Defence Ministry statement said today.

Three terrorists-so-called revolutionary district committee member Ishwori Prasad Khanal, alias Pratik, Hari Bahadur Sedhai and Hari Subedi- were shot dead in encounters in Ranka of Chitwan.

Weapons, socket bombs and explosives were recovered from the site.

In Rejana of Surkhet district on Monday, the forces seized 10 muskets, one airgun, some medicines, microphones, combat dresses and logistical materials.

Security personnel set up temporary health camps and provided health services and medicines free of cost to 158 locals in Gorkha on Monday, the Ministry stated.

Govt does not want to hold polls by imposing emergency: Kandel

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SINDHUPALCHOWK, Aug. 27: Minister of State for Home Devendra Raj Kandel has said that the government has no objection to giving continuity to emergency if the need for the same is realised by all the people in order to safeguard their lives and properties by strengthening law and order.

He made this remark while talking to journalists at Barabise of Sindhupalchowk yesterday and added that the security bodies are ready to provide security if the state of emergency is needed by all.

There is a decision by the supreme court about whether or not election can be held in emergency and that there are instances of elections held during emergency in neighbouring countries, he said, adding that the government does not want to hold elections by imposing emergency.

He said the emergency can be either continued or ended as per the situation of the country and the demand of the people, but the security bodies are ready to hold elections with or without the imposition.

Kandel said Maoist terrorists should show the courage to look at their strength by contesting the elections by going to the people after laying down arms but it is not possible if they want to come to power with the help of weapons, adding that they should lay down arms first and then only there can be a question of talks.

In answer to another query he said he feels it a threatening statement by the former prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala that he will boycott the elections if he did not get the four-star party flag and the election symbol of tree, and added that his party Nepali Congress will contest the election whether or not it gets the flag and symbol.

In Chautara, Minister of State for Home Affairs Devendra Raj Kandel said the country has been hit hard by the Maoist terrorism on one side and natural calamities like floods and landslides on the other.

Speaking at the relief distribution programme organised in Chautara of Sindhupalchowk, Kandel said the government is committed to guaranteeing law and order and holding free and fair elections.
Minister of State for Health Mohan Bahadur Basnet said the country is suffering huge losses as a result of natural calamities.

The two Ministers of State distributed cash, cereals and clothing to the family and relatives of the landslide victims.

They also distributed relief materials in Tatopani and Barhabise VDCs.

Eight people died, another eight injured and 47 people from nine VDCs were displaced due to landslides in the district.

In Kathmandu, relief materials collected by Nepal Tarun Dal (NTD) in aid of flood and landslide victims were handed over to Minister for Physical Planning and Works Chiranjibi Wagle, who is also looking after the portfolios held by the Prime Minister, at a function here today.

The relief materials meant for distribution for the victims through the Prime Minister's Relief Fund include clothing, foodstuffs and kitchen ware.

Likewise, Nepal Tarun Dal chairman Bal Krishna Khan handed over a cheque for Rs. 147,499/- to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund.

On the occasion, Minister Wagle expressed appreciation for NTD's generous assistance to the flood and landslide victims.

Broadcasting Association of Nepal instituted

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POKHARA, Aug 27: A gathering of FM Radio operators and entrepreneurs throughout the Kingdom organised here Monday has instituted a 'Broadcasting Association of Nepal' under the convenorship of Annapurna FM Pokhara director Shiva Lal Malla to consider the FM entrepreneurs' welbeing, listeners' interests and advertisers' convenience.

Others in the committee are Dr Nanda Shrestha of Himchuli FM Pokhara, Pritam Man Buddhachaarya of Pokhara FM Pokhara and Devi Kshetri of Machhapuchre FM Pokhara as deputy convenor, secretary and treasurer respectively.

Likewise, Gopal Guragai of Saptakoshi FM Itahari, Sahan Pradhan of Sinarji FM Chitwan, Samir Nepal of Manakamana FM Hetauda, Yam Prasad Pande of Madan Pokhara community Radio Palpa and Mahindra Shrestra of Butwal FM Butwal are the members.

The gathering also constituted a 4-member advisory committee comprising Lekh Bahadur Gurung of Himchuli FM, Viswo Palikhe of Aanapurna FM, Sher Bahadur Gurung of Himchuli FM and Subarna Bajracharya of Pokhara FM.