‘Emergency has become result-oriented’

Butwal, Feb. 16 (RSS): Home and Local Development Minister Khum Bahadur Khadka laid the foundation stone for a bridge to be constructed over Kanchan river lying on the Ramapur-Lumbini Garden Road in Suryapura VDC in Rupandehi district.

The bridge to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 27,300,000 within two years will be 61.5 metres long and two metres wide.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Khadka said the state of emergency was declared to protect the country and democracy and that the government has taken as its prime responsibility the works relating to law and order and development.

The three-month period of emergency was result-oriented, he said, adding that the morale of the law-enforcing agency has been boosted up.

He also said amendment to the constitution is urgent for the resolution of the citisenship problem.

Minister of State for Finance Bharat Kumar Saha said two hundred thousand people from seven VDCs will benefit from the bridge.

At the function presided over by Rupandehi DDC chairman Chhatrapati Singh Malla, vice chairman Ram Chandra Dhakal and divisional engineer of the Department of Roads Guru Prasad Dhakal also expressed their views.

Professionalism in Press emphasized

Biratnagar, Feb. 16 (RSS): Minister of State for Information and Communications Hari Narayan Chauhari, inaugurating the seventh district convention of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) Morang district unit here today, called on the journalists for professional development of the communications sector, warning them against using their profession as the proverbial begging bowl.

He pointed out the need for further developing the communications sector through honesty, perseverance and intellect.

Stating that newspapers need to increase their content and offer variety of reading materials to the readers to enhance their circulation and stand out in the market, he asked the journalists to not take their profession lightly but to become aware of their important responsibility.

On the occasion, he felicitated former presidents of FNJ Morang branch Subash Dhakal, Mohan Bhandari and Yagya Prasad Sharma by presenting them shawls and Nepali caps.

Likewise, FNJ Morang office secretary Dipak Rijal was presented with a cash award of Rs. 1,111 and a commendation letter on the occasion.

How the government views the media sector depends upon the kind of role the journalists play, Minister of State Chaudhari said, adding that the government was ready to help the journalists in meeting their demands.

FNJ Eastern Region central vice-president Kaushal Chemjong complained that although the press has been supportive of the government prior to and after the imposition of the state of emergency, the government on its part has unnecessarily harassed the journalists.

FNJ central members Ram Rijhan Yadav and Madan Dhakal underscored the notable development of journalism that has taken place during the 12 years following the restoration of democracy in the country.

Journalist Subash Dhakal, who was felicitated on the occasion, expressed the view that the responsibility of development of journalism in Morang district has fallen on the shoulders of the young generation.

Nepali Congress Biratnagar town committee president Kedar Bahadur Basnet, chairman of the Journalists Welfare Fund and RPP Representative Pralhad Prasad Saha, CPN-ML Morang district secretary Mahesh Regmi and others spoke on the need of freeing journalism of political prejudice and objectivity in news.

Chief District Officer Dolakh Bahadur Gurung, senior journalist Kosh Raj Regmi, FNJ Morang unit vice-president Mrs. Parvati Shrestha and member Dilli Pokharel also expressed their views.

FNJ Morang branch president Dipak Dahal presided over the programme.

Conference on history KC stresses writing of real history on Buddha

Butwal, Feb. 16 (RSS): Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Bal Bahadur K.C. inaugurated a three-day international conference on history organised in Lumbini today.

The conference aims to help include findings of the studies, excavations and researches made so far on Lumbini, Kapilbastu, Ram Gram, and Devdaha, the places related to Lord Gautam Buddha in the curriculum of history and to establish these sites as tourist destinations by publicising worldwide.

Altogether 110 academics from Nepal, Italy and India have been participating in the conference organised by the Nepal History Association (NHA).

Speaking on the occasion, Minister K. C. said writing of real history is necessary to put an end to the trend of publishing materials that creates confusion on the birthplace of Lord Buddha.

Minister K.C. pointed out the need for all to cooperate in making construction works on the Mayadevi temple more result-oriented.

A framework for establishing a Buddhist University for study and research on Buddhism is also being worked out, he said.

Vice chairman of Lumbini Development Fund (LDF) Omkar Prasad Gauchan said a Master Plan is also being worked out for the conservation and development of archaeological and historical sites related to Lord Buddha.

General secretary of the NHA Bimal Kumar Sharma said as Lumbini, Devdaha and Kapilbastu are historical, cultural and archaeological heritages, they should be publicised worldwide.

UNESCO Director Kitamura called on all to pay attention on protecting from water the marker stone which was first touched by Lord Buddha after birth.

Ex-governor of Nepal Rastra Bank Dipendra Purush Dhakal presented a working paper on tourism development of Lumbini and Prof. Dr. Viraidi of Italy on Gotihawa excavations.

Ex-member of LDF Karna Shakya, NHA secretary Dr. Dil Bahadur Chhetri and NHA member Badri Narayan Gautam also expressed their views.

The programme was presided over by NHA president Prof. Dr. Tulsi Ram Vaidya.

Industrial fair in Hetauda

Hetauda, Feb. 16 (RSS): Minister of State for Education and Sports Narayan Prasad Saud, inaugurating the National Food (Newari ) Festival and industrial fair cum exhibition, here today, reiterated the commitment of HMG in protection and promotion of the indigenous people, religion and culture and creating conducive atmosphere for foreign exchange earnings.

Minister of State Saud noted the need for all the Nepalese to work for the protection of national freedom and integrity.

Makwanpur DDC chairman Rameshwar Rana, president of District Chamber of Commerce and Industries Keshav Shrestha and chairman of the Youth Cultural Forum Narayan Rajthala also expressed their views at the programme chaired by chairman of the National Food Festival and Industrial Fair Cum Exhibition Organisation Committee Dormani Poudel who is also the Mayor of Hetauda Municipality.