Artists seek NAFA's autonomy

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KATHMANDU, Aug. 29: A delegation of the Nepal Association of Fine Arts (NAFA) action committee led by its convenor and president of the Nepal Kalakar Samaj Kiran Manandhar met with vice-chancellor of the Royal Nepal Academy (RNA) and presented a memorandum for maintaining autonomy of NAFA.

NAFA which was formed in 2022 B.S. under the chairmanship of the then Crown Prince, His late Majesty King Birendra is being run under the RNA since 2034 B.S. as wished by His late Majesty for effective protection. The delegation requested that no steps be taken by RNA as it is heard that NAFA cannot use its own seal and has to use the RNA seal and that the assets of NAFA is being incorporated in the main budget of RNA.

Scientists demand 1% of budget for S & T

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Aug. 29: Scientists on Thursday held a face to face interaction with their Minister on what could be done by the science and technology sector to fight the poverty facing the nation.
Discussing on the proposal presented by Royal Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (RONAST) scientists demanded that this sector be made a government priority and strengthened. The science and technology sector should get at least 1 per cent of the total budget for its development, which would translate to Rs. 1 billion annually. This sector currently receives about 120 million. Countries that place high priority to S&T spend as much as 3 per cent of their total budget.
Minister of State for Science and Technology Bhakta Bahadur Balayar not only listened to the scientists' opinions with patience, but actively participated throughout the discussion. "I am here to listen to genuine voices, and my next task will be to convince the Prime Minister to address these problems," said Balayar who is admired for his down to earth attitude.

The RONAST proposal suggests reviewing the IT policy, institutional development, establishment of new labs, manpower training, research and development, maintaining standard in science education, utilisation of natural resources, introduction of suitable agro and bio-technology and promotion of indigenous technology. Scientists' see a link between strengthened scientific capability with poverty alleviation.

The RONAST paper also suggests the application of S and T for environmental protection, coordination between concerned institutions and building international collaboration for advanced studies, research and training.

Balayar, who is Pro-Chancellor of RONAST, said it was high time ways to apply science and technology was identified in the battle against poverty. On this front, two things that need to be urgently dealt with are providing employment to people and increasing agro productivity, he added.
Balayar expressed his dissatisfaction with the planners who see Nepal's problems through a foreign spectacle, many of whom have been trained abroad. We've failed to tap our abundant local resources and have turned into an importer of agricultural produce, he said. Citing an example, he said the country imported bananas worth 1 billion rupees from India every year.

While development of agriculture is essential for attaining self-sufficiency, exploitation of hydropower is necessary to get out of the clutches of poverty, the scientists pointed out.

Pointing at the lack of scientific manpower within the country, thescientists lamented that talented people were leaving the country in search of better opportunities. "If a conducive environment prevailed for the scientists within the country, the problem of brain drain would stop.

Scientists criticised the growing dependence on agriculture imports, which amounted to Rs. 23 billion last year. "When milk powder is imported to receive kickbacks, how can you expect the dairy to develop?" they said.

"We are at critical juncture as the country is mired in terrorism, insecurity and poverty. Therefore, scientists should come up with ideas on what short-term measures could be taken to address this problem," Balayar said.

RONAST vice-chancellor Dr. Dayananda Bajracharya said science policy of the government should take into account both short and long term development of the sector.

Relief materials handed over

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KATHMANDU, Aug. 29: The Department of Cottage and Small Industries has handed over goods produced by the trainees under sewing and hosiery training programmes launched by the central office, it's projects as well as offices in 27 districts under the fiscal year 2050/51 to 2056/57 to the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) here Wednesday.

Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Purna Bahadur Khadka today handed over 60,000 pieces of clothes worth about Rs. 4.4 million to the chairman of the Nepal Red Cross Society Ramesh Sharma for distribution to the victims of natural calamities in the country.

Speaking on the occasion Minister Khadka said that His Majesty's Government had been providing relief assistance to the flood and landslidevictims through its various units.

Khadka expressed confidence that Nepal Red Cross Society would speedily carry out the work providing relief assistance to the victims of natural calamities in the country.

NRCS chairman Sharma said that 40districts in the terai and eight districts in the hilly areas had been badly affected by natural calamities this year.

Lauding exemplary work being carried out by the Department of Cottage and Small Industries (DCSI), Sharma gave assurances that the relief assistance would be utilised properly.

DOE to organise workshop on disabled

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KATHMANDU, Aug. 29: The Department of Education is going to organise a national workshop seminar from September 5 in Kathmandu with the objective of raising public awareness on the UN standard rules for the equalisation of opportunities for people with disabilities.

At the workshop, which will last for two days, discussions will be held on eliminating obstacles that might crop up in the implementation of the UN's standard rules on equal opportunities for the disabled people through the Disabled Protection Act, Education Act, the education regulation and the special education policy.

Chief rapporteur of the United Nations Bengt Lindquvest will take special part in the workshop seminar in which ministries connected with the National Planning Commission (NPC) and international/national NGOs will also present working papers.

The UN general assembly had approved the UN standard rules concerning equalisation of opportunities for the people with disability in 1993 at the special initiative of UN rapporteur Bengt. Nepal has also expressed its commitment to the UN standard rules.

Director General of the Department of Education Chuman Singh Basnet, giving out the information at a press conference Wednesday, said that His Majesty's Government has been providing various kinds of training and education to disabled students of 46 districts through the special education programme.

Trainees win IT scholarships

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Aug 29: Two trainees among the 100 who underwent a training programme "Bill Gates with Buddha's Vision" have won scholarships for a four-year Bachelor of Engineering programme in Information Technology. The NepTech (Nepal College of Technology) scholarships are worth Rs. 365,000 each. The winners - Ravi Khadka and Namita Pradhan who were nominated as Mr. and Ms. IT Whiz Kid - also won a computer each.

The 100 trainees were selected from 200 applications received by NepTech. The free of cost programme was held with the prime objective of making the students, just fresh out of 10+2 colleges, capable of coping with real life challenges.

During the training, experts from different walks of life shared their experiences on topics like inter-personal communications, public speaking, mass media, table manners and etiquette, spiritual quotient, moral values, the Internet, e-mail, VSAT, MS Office and LAN fundamentals.

On Saturday, certificates and letters of appreciation were distributed to the trainees and resource persons by chairman of the college, Dr. Trailokya Nath Uprety.