Tsugaru-Shamisen show to be organised

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Feb. 21: Japanese Tsugaru-Shamisen Concert is to be organised in the capital on March 5, 2002.

Shamisen is a Japanese musical instrument nurtured through a long history. Tsugaru Shamisen is a style requiring advanced performance skills backed by tradition. The name "Daich" (= terra) represents the powerful rhythm of grand Mother Nature, combined with contrasting gentle tunes.

According to the information provided by the embassy, the concert is to be performed by Shichiro Takahashi.

Takahashi was first introduced to the world of Shamisen by his mother in his junior high school days. In 1998 he performed with the Shuchiro & Daichi group to introduce the true spirit of Japan’s traditional music and provide a casual guide to the fascinating charms of Shamisen.

In the same year the inaugural concert was held at a public concert hall in Aoba Ward, Yokohama City of Kanagawa Prefecture. Schichiro has since concentrated on composing and arranging songs for the Daichi.

The group’s debut CD Daichi was completed and released in 2000. Since then, the group has been touring energetically around the nation.

Various eleven songs of Japanese from unique spiritual to fun segment feature and much more are to be played during the concert, the information added.

The show is to be organised by the Embassy of Japan in Nepal.

HR activists urge to follow democratic norms

Nepalgunj, Feb. 21 (RSS): Participants of the talk programme on "international humanitarian and human rights laws and respect for laws" organised by Human Rights and Peace Society (HURPES) here have stressed the need for the leaders, constitutional bodies, high ranking officials, the security units, the leaders of the communities, journalists and intellectuals to carry out works in accordance with democratic norms and values in order to end terrorism which does not benefit anyone.

At the talk programme attended by human rights activists, journalists, legal practitioners, the representatives of politicl parties, social workers, teachers and businessmen, Krishna Singh Pariyar said that one should not infringe upon the rights of others inorder to protect human rights.

President of HURPES Krishna Pahadi said that the state should remain alert to protect the lives of innocent people from Maoist attacks.

Appellate Court Nepalgunj Judge Krishna Prasad Basyal, FNJ vice-president Hemanta Karmacharya, chief district officer Balkrishna Prasai, Indrajit Tiwari of NC, Krishna Kharel of RPP, central member of Amnesty International Nepal Mohammad Siddhiqi, INSEC regional convenor Bhola Mahat and other speakers said that the civil society should be aware of their responsibilities for restoration of human rights and law and order under the present situation.

MPs weigh up pros and cons of Emergency

Kathmandu, Feb. 21 (RSS): Nara Bahadur Hamal of the CPN-UML, taking part in the discussions on the proposal tabled by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba for approval of the ordinance concerning the State of Emergency promulgated by His Majesty the King in accordance with the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal-1990 at the meeting of the House of Representative today, remarked that the State of Emergency should not be extended in view of the poverty and corruption which are on a rise on the pretext of the enforcement of the State of Emergency.

It is the general people who are facing inconveniences under the State of Emergency, he said, adding that the Maoists have been defying the State of Emergency by openly coming out before public.

Shankar Pandey of the Nepali Congress argued that there is no way out but to endorse the proposal for extending the State of Emergency.

Maoist problem cannot be put to an end as long as the security forces adopts an offensive instead of defensive strategy, he added.

The fundamental rights of the general people are being suspended following the enforcement of the State of Emergency in the country, Pari Thapa of Rastriya Janamorcha said.

The enforcement of the State of Emergency seems ineffective as it has failed to unnerve the Maoists, he said, adding that there is no rationality behind the endorsement of the proposal.

Tara Samyangya of CPN-UML said that the State of Emergency has invited an open war with the Maoists instead of bringing them under control.

Reform processes should be started on the basis of a 22-point agenda put forth by his party for national consensus in seeking an amicable solution to the problem, he said.

Shiva Prasad Humagain of Nepali Congress pointed out the need for initiating reform programmes within the next three months after endorsing the State of Emergency.

He also demanded action against those found guilty.

Ram Chandra Raya of Nepali Congress alleged that the government had misused the authority during the State of Emergency and failed to prove its rationality.

The names of ministers to the Prime Minister have come to light for donating money to the Maoists, he said, adding that the party workers belonging to the oppositions parties are being tortured under the pretext of the State of Emergency. He called for a separate Parliamentary Committee to investigate the allegations.

Til Kumar Meyangwo of the CPN-UML expressed anguish over the barbarous activity being unleashed by the Maoists and over the concentration of the security forces at the district headquarters during the State of Emergency.

If the present government had focused its attention on curbing corruption and providing good governance, the problems bogging the country could be resolved, he added.

Dilaram Acharya of Rastriya Janamorcha said that there is no guarantee that the Maoist problem will be contained even if the State of Emergency is extended. The government has been entangled in the wrong tradition for mobilising Royal Army and enforcing the State of Emergency at the same time despite the fact that both are separate topics.

The Maoist problem has emerged due to the weakness of the government and the people's attraction towards the Maoists, he said, adding this fact should be analysed properly.

Binay Dhwaj Chand of Nepali Congress expressed his view in favour of the State of Emergency and suggested that the government give special attention to improving its shortcomings after reviewing the works being carried to resolve the Maoist problem and provide a feeling of security to the people in the last three months.

Pashupati Shumsher J.B. Rana of RPP said that the enforcement of the state emergency has not only affected the Maoists but all the political parties also.

The government has failed to curtail unnecessary expenses of the council of ministers and curb corruption even after levying extra taxes on people during the State of Emergency, he said, adding that after incident in Achham district there seems to be a strategic weaknesses on the part of the Royal Nepalese Army and lack of coordination between armymen and police personnel.

He said that the government should give up reasoning that the Maoist problem can be resolved only by sercurity forces and introduce reform programmes in the social and economic sectors.

Gorakh Bahadur Bogati of CPN-UML castigated the government for enforcing the State of Emergency without which the Royal Nepalese Army can also be mobilised.

The general people have suffered greatly because of the suspension of the fundamental rights provided for by the Constitution, he added.

Govinda Bahadur Shaha of Nepali Congress said that it is wrong to say that the entire army force has failed on the basis of its failure to counter the Maoists in Achham district and asked the government to reward the security personnel who showed bravery in the encounter with the Maoists.

There is no other alternative but to endorse the State of Emergency as it has been promulgated out of compulsion for the sake of the nation, its people and democracy, he said, adding that the government should introduce a bill to curb corruption and stop raids at the houses of businessmen under the scheme of voluntary disclosure of income sources.

Rajendra Prasad Lohani of the CPN-UML flayed the government for its inefficiency, an apparent reason behind a rise in violent activity of the Maoists, he said, adding that the problem can not be resolved by merely mobilising the security forces.

He also called for framing policies and introducing a relief package after finding the root causes of the problem.

Romi Gauchan of Nepali Congress urged all to encourage security personnel, extend support to the government from their respective quarters and to endorse the State of Emergency instead of having mistrust.

Pointing out the need for the government to introduce a reform programme in economic and social fronts, Netra Lal Shrestha of RPP suggested that special privileges be provided to women, oppressed classes and communities and the people living in the remote areas.

He also called for an outright halt of cutting development budget for maintenance of law and order in the country.

Tanka Prasad Sharma Kandel of Nepali Congress opined that as the State of Emergency has been enforced within the framework of the present Constitution to maintain law and order in the country, the government's proposal should be endorsed.

A relief package should be introduced and development works and security measures implemented on the basis of a national consensus by clearing the disputes on such issues, he added.

Chandra Mani Kharal of CPN-UML called on all to make restropection their activities.

The government should opt for amending the Constitution, he said, warning that the State of Emergency should not be misused to throttle the oppositions.

Krishna Kishore Ghimire of Nepali Congress said a number of disenchanted people were involved in the terrorist activities after being fed up with the flaws of the political parties and called on all to support the State of Emergency unequivocally so that the government can maintain law and order, give continuity to the development works and present necessary laws to curb corruption.

Jagannath Khatiwada of the CPN-UML said special programmes should be brought forward for guaranteeing good governance and controlling corruption, and as the government has failed, the emergency has become irrelevant.

Shiva Kumar Basnet of NC said the people have been terrorised even in emergency, adding, terrorism has flourished not because of bad governance and corruption, but because of communal disharmony. He called on the concerned parties not to place undue conditions on the ratification of the Emergency.

Tuk Raj Sigdel of CPN-UML said extension of the emergency is not the right solution and expressed concern over the demolition of houses along the highways, increase in taxes and curtailing of development budgets.

NC Whip Ramesh Lekhak said ratification of the emergency is needed so as to eliminate the activities of the terrorists as they have conspired to destroy democracy in the name of caste and community, language, regionalism and religion, and as the objective of the emergency has not yet been achieved.

Dambar Singh Sambahamphe of CPN-UML said the emergency is not the solution and concrete programmes should be brought in for the uplift of the backward classes.

Dr. Dilli Raj Khanal of the same party said it is not appropriate to extend the emergency and the Maoist problem cannot be resolved unless concrete programmes are brought in for socio-economic reform.

Mrs. Tirtha Gautam of the CPN-UML said the emergency has been obstructive for the parties that believe in the Constitution rather than for the terrorists and corruption should be controlled rather than extending the emergency.

Kunta Sharma of the same party said there is economic recession because of the closure of industries and factories and the country will be in disgrace if the government is not serious and the ruling party continues to play the game of power.

Dharma Nath Prasad Shaha of the CPN-UML said the development budget has been curtailed in the name of the emergency and stressed that all the parties should think about amendment to the Constitution.

Nar Bahadur Budhathoki of the same party said the Maoists are not affected by the emergency, but the general public has been affected by price hikes and increased taxes, adding that it is meaningless to extend the Emergency as it is ineffective.

Shiva Bahadur Deuja of the same party said corruption and commission mongering should have been controlled and the development budget not curtailed, adding that it is not worthy of a democratic party like the congress to extend an emergency that curbs people's rights.

Fatik Bahadur Thapa of the CPN-UML said as the Maoist problem arose because of bad governance, corruption and poverty, we should consider not continuing with the emergency and it is meaningless to ratify it as no improvement has been seen following its enforcement.

Subas Karmacharya of CPN-UML said the democratic system has been under threat because of the deteriorating social, economic and cultural situation and the relevance of the emergency has been reduced following three months of its practice.

Dr. Bansidhar Mishra of the same party said corruption, indiscipline and irregularities have increased following the emergency adding that the Maoist problem will not be resolved unless socio-economic reform takes place.

Bhadra Bahadur Thapa of the CPN-UML said as public life has been terrorised after the emergency, the NC should discard the view that problems can only be solved through use of force.

Buddhi Man Tamang of RPP said the law and order has not been good in some places and the government should be serious not to lose sight of human rights.

Hem Narayan Yadav of the CPN-UML said it is sad that nothing has been done about corruption control and political and economic reforms and the jumbo cabinet and curtailing of grants to local bodies are unbecoming of the emergency.

Dr. Mangal Siddhi Manandhar of the same party said terrorists have perpretrated big incidents but the programmes of the political parties have been stopped under the emergency and the economy has seen a destroyed because of the Maoist terror.

Yadav Bahadur Rayamajhi of the CPN-UML said no works have been done on development, employment and radical changes during Emergency, but political parties and innocent persons are made to suffer.

Ratna Prasad Sharma Neupane of the same party said the Maoist terror has not been reduced, the Achham incident has shown that the emergency has no relevance.

Sohan Prasad Chaudhari of CPN-UML said the innocent people of Bara have been tortured by the terrorists as well as the government, the role of the security bodies is not satisfactory and demanded annulment of false cases and action against the corrupt.

Ram Chandra Yadav of CPN-UML said smuggling is increasing at the customs and no relief has been provided to people and the opposition workers in the districts have been arrested during the Emergency which was enforced to stop Maoist terror.

Lal Babu Pandit of the same party said the three-month period of emergency is unfortunate for the people and terror has increased instead of security.

Basant Kumar Nembang of CPN-UML said the faith of the people has been in the parliamentary system has declined as good governance was not delivered and added that the Emergency should be reviewed as to what it has given to the people.

Bir Bahadur Lama of the same party said the extension of emergency does not matter as there is corruption in the name of emergency and the jumbo cabinet has been misusing revenue at a time of the curtailing of the village development budget.

Sher Dhan Rai of the CPN-UML said development works are at a standstill, the Bhojpur power house has been destroyed and no security is felt by the villages, adding that democracy should not be weakened by extending the emergency.

Hitkaji Gurung of the same party said a number of people have suffered from the Emergency and development works have been stopped.

Anand Prasad Pokhrel of the CPN-UML said the emergency is in force not against the terrorists but against those who believe in the Constitution, some persons have been looting state assets and the rationale of the emergency has ended.

NC Chief Whip Tek Bahadur Chokhal said the emergency was imposed due to murder and violence and the ruling party and the government are alert not to violate the fundamental rights of the people.

He called for ratification of the emergency as it is needed to end terrorism and isolate the terrorists and as development works have been undertaken and security activated during emergency.

Narayan Man Bijukchhe of the Nepal Workers and Peasants and Party (NWPP) said the NC government has failed due to failure to heed the positive recommendations from opposition parties and called for withdrawal of the Emergency.

Badri Prasad Mandal of Nepal Sadbhawana Party (NSP) said the NC should take responsibility for the 12 years of anarchy, the problems of the nation have been overshadowed by lack of coordination between the NC party and government, the emergency should not be ratified as it has worsened the crisis and there should be a consensus of all parties on one common point.

Int’l Mother Tongue Day celebrated

Kathmandu, Feb. 21 (RSS): The Third International Mother Tongues Day was observed in Nepal with various programmes.

On the occasion, an interaction was organised jointly by the Nepal Tamang Ghedung and the Newa Rastriya Andolan, at which speakers called for a curriculum of the languages of the nation in schools and the establishment of a language academy.

The speakers also stressed passing a non-government bill registered in Parliament by Narayanman Bijukchhe, Pari Thapa and Lilamani Pokhrel to address the problem of languages.

At the programme president of the Nepal Bhasha Manka Khala Padma Ratna Tuladhar called for a democratic solution to the language problems.

Executive director of the National Nationalities Development Committee Khem Narayan Chaudhari called on mother tongue users to increase use of their languages.

According to Asia representative of the UN Indigenous Permanent Forum and president of Nepal Tamang Ghedung Parashu Ram Tamang, there are more than 7,000 languages in the world and there is a fear that fifty per cent of them will be extinct in the next 100 years if they become extinct at the present rate.

On the occasion, the first monthly magazine in tamang language and script 'Kondondon' edited and published by Ajit Man Tamang, secretary of the Ghedung, was also released.

Meanwhile, the Embassy of Bangladesh organised a programme today on the occasion of the Intenational Mother Tongue Day and the Martyrs' Day of Bangladesh.

Many people were killed on Feb. 21, 1952 in what was then east Pakistan when a mass uprising was held in Dhaka to protest the repression of Bengali. February 21 is celebrated as Martyrs Day in Bangladesh in honour of those who laid down their lives.

UNESCO has also recognised Feb. 21 as International Mother Tongue Day in acceptance of a proposal from Bangladesh.

Addressing the function, Minister for Eduation and Sports Amod Prasad Upadhyaya noted that the day has guided every community and country to work for the preservation and protection of their mother tongues.

The constitution of Nepal as well as the government have given due importance to the development of mother tongues, he said, adding that the development of the mother tongue is indispensable.

Secretary-general of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Q. A. M. A. Rahim said that all communities need to be aware of protecting their mother tongues as conspiracies are often hatched against these tongues.

UNESCO representative in Nepal Y. Kitamura said that many mother tongues are on the verge of extinction in the world and gave the example of the Kusunda Kanguage in Nepal.

He added that since Nepal is rich in terms of languages like in many other cultural traits, special attention has to be given for protection and promotion of the many mother tongues spoken in this country.

Charge d' Affaires at the Embassy of Bangladesh Mo. Gulam Sarowar said that as International Mother Tongue Day is the concern not only of Bangladesh but of the entire world, the day should be given special priority and celebrated in Nepal also.

Former Royal Nepalese Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr. Mohan Lohani pointed out the need for all to be active in the protection and peservaion of mother tongues as these were a source of knowledge.

Counsellor at the embassy Md. Abdul Kadar Khan and pesident of Nepal-Bangladesh Friendship Association Jit Bahadur Shrestha highlighted the significance of the mother tongues.

Safa tempos in the verge of collapse

Kathmandu, Feb. 21 (RSS): The battery-operated Safa tempo public transportaion business, which has been playing an important role in reducing the problem of environment pollution in Kathmandu resulting from the growing volume of road traffic is possibly headed for collapse.

Diesel-operated Vikram tempos were displaced from Kathmandu from Asoj 1, 2056 Bikram year and the government authorised operation of the battery-operated Safa tempos in their place.

Transport entrepreneurs have so far invested approximately Rs 500 million in the Safa tempos. But the entrepreneurs are complaining that their business is facing crisis as the returns are lower than the investment.

Safa tempos as a means of public transport were introduced for the first time in Nepal as per the recommendations of a study carried out by an international agency. The Global Research Institute had said that Safa tempos which can be operated with fuel and electricity available in Nepal were suitable for Kathmandu.

Safa tempos were also introduced in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka following their operation in Kathmandu as a model public transport system.

Government mismanagement, lack of parking facilities, shortage of batteries and lack of government grants are some of the factors that have pushed this transport system into crisis, according to the entrepreneurs.

An interaction programme today was informed that the Safa tempo service which started with 70 tempos in the beginning reached 600 at one time. But the number of the vehicles has now decreased to 350.

The participants of the interaction jointly organised by Nepal Safa Paribahan Enrepreneurs Association and Nepal Electric Vehicles Charging Association also complained that some 200 Safa tempos were lying idle at present due to the unavailability of the battery. It is learnt that the batteries required for the vehicles have to be imported from the USA.

Entrepreneurs also complain that agencies responsible for the supply of batteies are creating an artificial shortage and selling the battery which costs Rs 52,000 at normal rate for Rs 70,000 in the black.

Curfew in Siraha, Sunsari

Siraha, Feb. 21 (RSS): The District Administration Office, Siraha, has issued curfew orders from 8 pm till 4 am every day until further notice in connection with maintaining law and order in the district.

Chairman of the district security committee and Chief District Officer Bhola Prasad Shivakoti said that the curfew has been imposed from the Thegahi area in the east of Siraha Municipality to Dharbasbitta of the Kamala river in the west, from Hanumannagar Bhalubahi and Sarswar in the north to Chauhadi of local Khiraun Chowk in the south.

Meanwhile, the Sunsari district administration office has announced a curfew for an indefinite period starting on Thursday from 7 in the evening to 5 next morning.

Announcement of the curfew was made in order to maintain law and order taking into consideration the Nepal Bandh or strike programme called by the Maoist terrorists-affiliated revolutionary people's council, said the office.