NC Democratic to take out peace rallies

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KATHMANDU, Dec. 16: The Nepali Congress (Democratic) is to take out peace rallies with the slogan "Free the country from murder, violence and terrorism" in Jhapa, Janakpur, Birgunj, Rupandehi, Nepalgunj, Pokhara, Chitwan, Kanchanpur and Bhaktapur on Push 16, the day in 2033 Bikram year when the late B.P. Koirala and Ganesh Man Singh gave up the politics of arms and self-exile and returned to the country. The party has called upon industrialists, traders, teachers, students, guardians and civic society to take part in the rallies.

NSP to fight against anomalies

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SARLAHI, Dec. 16: General secretary of the Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP) Rajendra Mahato has said that the party has been continuously striving for the rights and interests of the 12.5 million people of the Terai and the inclusion by His Majesty the King of NSP acting president Badri Prasad Mandal in the present government was a result of the party's honesty.

Addressing the party activists of Sarlahi and Rautahat districts at Malangawa today, general secretary Mahato pointed out the need for them to maintain the good image of the party and raise their voice against corruption. NSP Sarlahi district president Ram Naresh Raya presided over the programme.

Delegation meets PM

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KATHMANDU, Dec. l6: A l9 member delegation led by Nepal Campus Teachers Association Khagendra Prasad Bhattarai met with Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand today and presented an l8 point memorandum on behalf of the joint struggle committee.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister gave assurances that he would get the units concerned to discuss what can be done to resolve the problems of college teachers.

Helmets must for pillion passengers from next month

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Dec. 16: The Valley Traffic Police today said pillion passengers must compulsorily wear helmets from January 1, 2003.

While investigating road accidents, we have found that most of the casualties involve those who do not wear a helmet or fasten a seat belt, the police said. "We are, therefore, making helmets for riders on the back of motorcycles mandatory."Presently, only the driver of a motorcycle must wear a helmet.
In the next two months, front seat passengers of light vehicles will also need to fasten their safety belts. Once this regulation is implemented, passengers taking the front seats of other vehicles as well will have to use the seat belts.

Bench-bar cooperation stressed

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KATHMANDU, Dec. 16: The Supreme Court organised a welcome programme for newly appointed Chief Justice Kedarnath Upadhyaya and bid farewell to outgoing Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyaya here today.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Justice Upadhyaya said judicial work execution is not possible without the joint working of legal practitioners and the judiciary.

Chairperson of Nepal Bar Association Sindhunath Pyakurel said considering the present situation of the country when there is no legislature and local bodies and questions are being raised over the judicial administration, the judiciary should work towards maintaining human rights and guaranteeing social justice.

Outgoing Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyaya, Attorney General Prem Bahadur Bista, Supreme Court Bar Association president Komal Prakash Ghimire and other speakers also expressed their views at the programme chaired by Supreme Court justice Govinda Bahadur Shrestha.

UML reviews awareness campaign

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KATHMANDU, Dec. l6: A meeting of the CPN-UML standing committee held under the chairmanship of party general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal reviewed the pubic awareness campaign launched a month ago and concluded that the campaign was very effective.

The meeting stated that government media coverage of programmes organised on behalf of the party and in particular public meeting programmes was very ineffective and it deplored this.

The meeting expressed deep concern about the fire that took place at Myanglung, headquarters of Terhathum district recently and the damage caused by it.

The meeting directed the party committees concerned and in particular the people's level organisations and liaison forums in Koshi zone to help those affected by the fire.

The meeting likewise decided to call a meeting of the central committee on December l9 to discuss the current issues in the country, it is stated.

Children stress use of art to reduce HIV stigma

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KATHMANDU, Dec. 16: Children and young people here today called for an effective and innovative use of media like theatre, TV spots, comic books etc., better access to relevant information, their involvement in influencing policymakers and other playmakers like faith-based organisations, civil society, NGOs and working towards reducing stigma and discrimination against young people with HIV\AIDS.

Through the country presentations, they identified poverty as the root cause of the spread of HIV\AIDS in South Asian countries. In most of these countries girls and women are the most affected and vulnerable, subjected to discrimination, violence and abuse. They also stressed the need for involvement of young and older men in programmes to reduce spread of HIV\AIDS.

Children and young people from the South Asia region and resource persons from Fiji, Kenya, Macedonia and Malawi were exchanging views and discussing ways to address the epidemic through creative presentations of songs, drama and audio visuals. It was the second day of the four-day South Asian Regional Youth Forum on HIV\AIDS that began here on Sunday.

"There is a lot of social stigma and taboo on acknowledging and talking about HIV\AIDS and very little care and support available for HIV positive people. As a result, official reported figures of HIV positive and AIDS infected people are much less than the real picture", said the children and young people. They also talked about lack of proper youth friendly information and support services on HIV\AIDS and stressed the need for more focus on adolescent issues in the mass and alternative media. Young people suggested the need for sex education in school curricula and for peers, parents and teachers to take the initiative to talk about sex with the children.

Over the next two days, children and young people will strategise how they and adults can move forward on these areas. Their recommentations will be presented before senior political and government leaders from the region who are coming together in Kathmandu in February, 2003 for a South Asia High Level Conference on HIV\AIDS. The young people would like to see their meaningful participation in development and implementation of HIV\AIDS programmes and policies that affect them.

The meeting is being facilitated by a team of three young people and one adult and is being participated by 48 children and young people representing Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in South Asia and from Fiji, Macedonia, Malawi and Kenya. The meeting is co-organised by UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia and South and Central Asia Regional Office of Save the Children.

'Govt effortful to resolve problems of construction sector'

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KATHMANDU, Dec. l6: Minister for Physical Planning and Construction Narayan Singh Pun has said that His Majesty's Government is effortful toward resolving the problems facing construction entrepreneurs.

He was speaking at a reception hosted in honour of ministers concerned with industry, commerce and construction organised by the Federation of Nepalese Construction Entrepreneurs here today.

Pointing out that various political parties are now calling for restoration of parliament, formation of an all party government etc., as per their own interests, he said one could not understand how these demands square with the good of the people or the country, adding that the interests of political party leaders cannot be above that of the country and people.

He said the government is fully committed to meeting the five point directive granted by His Majesty the King.

Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Mahesh Lal Pradhan said morality and good discretion are the main virtues of an individual and without improvement in these areas development in no area can be up to expectations.

He said the government is prepared to host a business workshop to thrash out the problems faced by business and industry.

Assistant Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Ravi Bhakta Shrestha said His Majesty's Government is committed to restoring peace and security and holding elections as soon as possible.
On the occasion various suggestions were presented including prompt payment for construction work, amendment of the administrative regulations, removal of the discretionary powers of office chiefs while awarding contacts, etc.

Those presenting the suggestions were FNCCI acting chairman Binod Bahadur Shrestha, third vice chairman Chandiraj Dhakal, Nepal Chamber of Commerce chairman Rajesh Kazi Shrestha, Nepal Federation of Construction Entrepreneurs chairman Sakuntalal Hirachan, out going chairman Jit Chiring Lama and others.

King Mahendra's statue unveiled

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KATHMANDU, Dec. 16: A bust of His late Majesty King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah was unveiled again at Kalimatichowk of Kathmandu Metropolitan City ward No. 13 today to mark the 82nd birth anniversary of His late Majesty and Rastriya Astitwabodh Diwas.

The bust sculpted in 2043 Bikram year was damaged in an explosion on 19 Ashoj, 2059.

As per information given out on the occasion by convenor of the Newa Unity Council Pranaya Pasa, the urban development and building construction and maintenance division had carried out the construction of the pedestal and the council had met the cost of Rs 80 thousand for installing the bust.

After unveiling the bust, Assistant Minister Asarfi Shah, chief executive officer of the Metropolitan City Shiva Bhakta Sharma and members of the national unity council garlanded it.

Tourism industry revival necessary

By Prerana Khatri

The slump seen in the Nepalese tourism industry in recent times is being looked at with grave concern not only by tourism entrepreneurs but also by the government and every other sector. There are various reasons for such a situation. Both internal as well as external factors are responsible for this. In fact, the global tourist movement has suffered and it is not only Nepal.

Since the mid-1970s, tourism in Nepal saw a gradual increase in tourist arrivals. Though most the tourists arriving then were on shoestring budget so the country could not earn much foreign exchange. The scene, however, changed in the 1990s when strategies were changed and more tourism packages were unveiled. The number of hotels and restaurants made an upward swing both in quality and delivery of services.

The lack of infrastructure in places hampered the development of the tourism industry to the fullest possible extent. it somewhat seemed to be working on ad hoc basis with the private sector doing most of the promotion and publicity efforts. The formation of the Nepal Tourism Board made a difference since its formation. It has done some good for the tourism sector through it promotion drives and participation in tourism related programmes abroad.

The past two years have been rather tough for the hospitality industry with the decline in the number of visitors. Strikes, bandhs and the insurgency problems have also a role in many visitors intending to come to Nepal cancel their plan. But internal factors alone are not responsible for the reduction in tourist inflow. Globally, there are many hot spots which has also affected the movement of tourists. The recent example is of Indonesia where many Australian tourists were killed in bomb blasts. Though nothing of this sort has happened in Nepal, yet the tourists are apprehensive.

The past governments were aware of the critical situation of the tourism industry and so came up with various measures to boost it. The opening up of 103 peaks for mountaineering expeditions on 12 December, 2001 and further 13 peaks on 16 September, 2002 was creating more options for mountaineers. Now the total number of peaks open for mountaineering has reached 276. The move was significant because a significant number of visitors are interested in mountain tourism as Nepal boasts of eight of the highest peaks in the world. The attraction still exists.

As a further bid to attract mountaineers, mountaineering is now allowed throughout the year as opposed to its being seasonal previously.

Though tourist inflow has decreased by something over 50 per cent of last year's arrival, the mountaineering expedition teams that have been given permission for the autumn season is encouraging.

It is not only mountains that are the attraction, the unique art, architecture, custom, culture and lifestyle of the people are also equally enchanting for the visitors. It is a matter of tapping the potentials that is in abundance. Together with attracting more visitors from abroad, strategies must also be made to boost domestic tourism as can be seen in countries like USA or Japan.

Pokhara: Campaign for domestic visitors

By Bishnu Budhathoki

Pokhara, a magnificent valley nestled on the lap of lovely Annapurna Himalayan range, boasts of its enchanting natural beauty.

Pokhara valley is not only a natural paradise surrounded by beautiful green hills, glistening snowy mountains and blue lakes of which there six prominent ones but also famous for its religious and cultural significance.

Situated in the western development region, Pokhara, Manakamana and Jomsom are preferred and popular tourist destinations but there are various reasons why tourism has suffered lately.

Realising the national and international security conditions and its impact, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Tourism Ministry has focused its attention on the promotion of domestic tourism that could rescue the moribund tourism industry.

Jaun Hai Pokhara or 'Let's go to Pokhara' has been brought forth as a domestic tourism campaign concept by the tourism entrepreneurs of Pokhara. The tourism promotional programmes in Pokhara, organised by the NTB, began from October, 2002 and will last until September 2003. The event has been categorised in three phases.

The main objectives of the programme are to make Pokhara a reputed domestic tourism destination. It aims at preserving and promoting Pokhara, Jomsom, Manakamana and surrounding historical, religious and tourist areas. It will help to preserve and promote art and culture through relevant activities with the joint effort of the government and local entrepreneurs.

Pokhara, Jomsom and Manakamana have been chosen for the promotional campaign due to their unique attractions.

Various feasts, festivals and fairs are being organised during the first phase that started from October this year and will continue up to January 2, 2003 and has been referred to as Festive Pokhara.
In the second phase, which spans from February to May is dubbed as the Spring's Pokhara and includes Destination Nepal Losar Festival 2003, Mahashivaratri, Holy Purnima, Chaite Dashain and also the celebration of the New Year 2060 Bikram Era.

The third phase, Greenery Pokhara, from June to September 2003 marks the season when Pokhara is decked with natural greenery.

According to the programme schedule of the festival, different programmes such as film exhibition, documentaries depicting the beauty of the local area will be shown.

The cities of Kathmandu, Janakpur, Biratnagar, Dharan and Birgunj in the first phase and Gorakhpur, Lucknow, Kanpur and other main cities of India in the second and third phase will be the places where promotional campaigns for attracting visitors to Pokhara, Jomsom and Manakamana will be undertaken.

Among the package programmes a number of them have been designed to meet the demands of different groups, age and interest of the visitors such as Educational Tour, Family Tour, Honeymoon Tour and Pilgrimage Tour. These package programmes will be helpful in making the campaigns successful.

Different tourism promotional activities also have been organised to entertain the visitors.
Apart from that category of the hotels and their service charges have also been classified to facilitate the visitors.

Normal package rate has been fixed from Rs. 610 to 2,500 for two nights accommodation, one hour boating, one half-day sightseeing and welcome drinks.

Similarly rates, which are moderate, have been fixed for other package programmes.

For further details it would be advisable to contact the tourism related agencies and associations based in Kathmandu or Pokhara.