Programmes mark democracy day

Biratnagar, Feb 22 (RSS): Of the total 480 students studying at Nepal English Boarding School of Biratnagar Sub-Metropolis Ward No 19, 60 students are being provided free education by the school.

This information was given at a function organised to mark the National Democracy Day, the anniversary of the school and the Guardians’ Day of the school.

On the occasion of the national democracy day, Rajdevi Youth Club organised a open volleyball tournament at Nargram Secondary School recently.

The tournament is being participated in by 18 teams from Morang, Sunsari and Khotang districts.

Inaugurating the volleyball tournament, president of the eastern regional sports development committee Sudhir Aryal lauded the efforts being made by the local clubs for development of sports.

In Itahari: Nepali Congress Sunsari District President Ram Bahadur Basnet, speaking at a talk programme organised by the NC district committee to mark the National Democracy Day here, said that if all the democratic forces united to safeguard democracy, abberations, corruption and violent activities could be check in the country.

NC general convention members Sitaram Mehta and Jayaprakash Chaudhary, Purna Sudedi, Rajiv Koirala, Dipendra K.C. and Baburam Bista also expresed their views.

On the same occasion, all Nepal National Free Students Union (ANNFSU) of Godavari Higher Secondary School organised a function to pay tributes to the known and unknown martyrs.

At the function chaired by Bhuvan Baniya, ANNFSU central member Narendra Baral and student leaders Bidur Subba, Achyut Nepal, Bishnu Bhattarai, Sunil Guragain and Badri Bishal Pokherel had expresed their views.

Meanwhile Sunsari District Development Committee has released funds for the allowances of the elderly, helpless widows and disabled persons of the municipalities and village development committees in the district.

Altogether 4,466 elderly citizens, 4,924 helpless widows and 50 disabled persons are entitled to the allowances provided by His Majesty’s Government under the social security programme.

The District Development Committee has released a sum of Rs 4,669,200 for allowances for the first four months of the current fiscal year.

In Dhankuta: on the occasion of the 52nd National Democracy Day, the massive rally organised by the district celebration committee ENT a round the main thoroughfares of the municipality and converged in to mass meeting at local Tundikhel.

The rally was participated in by the civil servants, students and teachers, Royal Nepalese Army, Nepal Police, intellectuals and people from other walks of life.

Addressing the mass meeting, Chief Judge of the Appellate Court Dhankuta Arjun Prasad Singh stressed the need for all to unite to materialise the dreams of the martyrs.

Eastern Regional Administrator Laxmi Prasad Bhattarai said that we should remember the struggle launched by the Nepalese people for democracy and bring everyone within the framework of the Constitution.

At the mass meeting chaired by Dhankuta DDC chairman Tikaram Chemjong, acting Mayor of Dhanuta Municipality Jeevan Prasad Pokherel, campus chief Upendra Pokherel, social worker Jiv Lal Shrestha, the representatives of the political parties and other speakers threw light on the importance of democracy.

On the occasion the students of the Bal Sansar Boarding School were given cash prize and certificate for their best performance in the rally.

On the occasion of the National Democracy Day, Chief Judge of Appellate Court Dhankuta Arjun Prasad singh, eastern regional administrator Laxmi Prasad Bhattarai DDC chairman Tikaram Chemjong, mayor Jiv Prasad Pokherel and chief district officer Sambhu Koirala jointly inaugurated the children’s park and zoo built by Dhankuta Municipality.

Earlier construction of the children’s park and zoo which covers about 30 ropanis of land was estimated to cost Rs. 350,000.

The municipality has already spent Rs. 350,000 and the DDC Rs. 50,000 for construction of the children’s park and zoo and the remaining cost is to be mobilised from the MP’s development fund and District Children Welfare Committee, according to executive office of the Municipality Ganesh Prasad Bhattarai.

Politicians urged to change their mindset

Biratnagar, Feb. 22 (RSS): Former vice-chairman of the National Assembly Chiranjibi Prasad Rijal, speaking at a seminar on "Good Governance for Human Resources Development: Challenges and Prospects" organised by South Asia Partnership (SAP) Nepal here on Thursday, said that political leaders should first change their mindset so as to consolidate democracy and give good governance.

Mr Rijal stressed the need to provide education to the daughters akin to the sons instead of granting them an equal share in parental property.

Mayor of Biratnagar Sub-Metropolis Ramesh Chandra Poudel said that the Constitutional procedures should be followed and the people’s representatives should be clean and made accountable if good governance is to be provided to the people.

Advocate Sapana Malla argued that the country has now plunged into a grave crisis because of ineffective governance emanated from failure to adhering to democratic norms and values of human rights.

Dr. Rohit Kumar Nepali, executive director of SAP Nepal said that the role of women and oppressed classes and communities should be taken into consideration for attaining human resources development.

At the seminar, Sharad Neupane and Deepak Khatri of SAP Nepal presented a base paper charted out on the basis of discussion with the local communities whereas advocate Sushila Karki made presentation on "Political Good Governance and People-Oriented Plan."

Similarly, reader Dr. Bhesh Prasad Dhamala made presentation on "Financial Discipline and People-Oriented Plan" while reader Dr. Pramod Kumar Jha made presentation on "Socio-Cultural Good Governance and People- Oriented Plan."

Curfew imposed in Dolakha

Charikot (Dolakha), Feb. 22 (RSS): The district administration office, Dolakha, has issued curfew orders in the district headquarters Charikot and surrounding areas today in view of the law and order situation and to prevent violent and disruptive activities that could lead to incidents untoward.

According to Chief District Officer Dipak Kumar Joshi, the cufew has been imposed in the district headquarters within Dolakha bazaar and Tripurasundari in the east, Kamini Chaur, Gaurishankar and Balgriha areas to the south, the Mahadevkhola-Deurali area in the west and the Pakhatol-Khorthali area to the north from 7 in the evening today till 5 a.m. tomorrow and 7 in the evening on Saturday till 5 a.m. the next day.

Movement of people in groups and other activities have been strictly forbidden in the areas during the curfew hours, it is learnt from the district administration office.

NC issues directives for blood donation

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Feb. 22: The ruling Nepali Congress has issued directives to all its district committees, sister organisations and well-wishers to donate blood for those who have been injured in the terrorist attacks in various parts of the country.

"The Nepali Congress appeals to all to extend cooperation to such victims to save their lives," said a statement issued by the Central Office of the party here today.

The party has also denounced the terrorists, who have resorted to violence and barbaric murders. "The activities of the terrorists are condemnable as they have forcibly involved under-aged children, women and old-aged in the fights. They have also murdered security personnel, employees of the administrative bodies and destroyed government offices," the party said.

Commending the efforts made by police and army forces to fight terrorism, the party asked people from various walks of life to carry out responsibilities towards the nation, people and democracy.