Children walk under burden, but not to school

By Our Correspondent

Sindhuli, Feb. 25: Economic backwardness of their families has forced many children in Sindhuli to work instead of going to school, often carrying loads heavier than their own bodies.

Children are compelled to carry heavy loads to earn a living at the markets of Chakmak, Dakaha, Sindhulimadhi, Viman, Dudhouli and other parts of the district.

It is quite common a sight in the district to see children carrying eighteen to twenty-one kilograms of weight alongside their parents.

A ten-year-old Purna Bahadur Bhujel, who has come to Chakmake Bazaar from Tilpung to carry loads of a local businessman, says that he longs for going to school like other luckier children of his age in his neighbourhood.

In an answer to a question Bhujel said that his father sent him to the school in his early childhood while he was unable to carry loads. He can barely recognise alphabets let alone read a letter, Bhujel adds further.

"Due to economic necessity of the family, my child is accompanying me to carry the loads," says Bir Bahadur Bhujel, the father of Purna Bahadur Bhujel.

"My land yields foodgrains only sufficient for four months of a year. To meet the needs for the rest of the year, I have to work as a labour," says Purna's father. "This is the reason why I could not send my children to school."

Lack of employment for the parents of these children is the main reason why they are forced to work at an early age, says Hem Adhikari, a primary school teacher.

According to the District Education Office, sixty two thousand six hundred and thirty six children of the age group between six and fifteen years are deprived from the opportunity to go to schools in the district.

Book on Nepalese history released

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Feb. 25: Vice Chancellor of Royal Nepal Academy Mohan Koirala today released a book named ‘The Collection Of Nepalese History In A Nutshell’ here in capital. The book is written by Vijaya Kumar Sunam a famous musician.

The book contains seven hunderd extracts from the mythological period to the modern age. Nepali version of the book ‘Nepalko Aitihasik Ebum Bibidh Sankalan’ was released on the auspicious birthday of late King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev on 2056. The book is translated in English language by Shankar Subba.

According to Sunam, he took five years of time to compile the book. The book contains the several aspects of the history of Nepal. He said that the main objectives of writing the book is to provide information about various aspects of Nepal and Nepali history to visiting tourists and the concerned people of the world.

The chairman of the programme Mohan Koirala admired the act of Sunam who is not a writer by profession but a famous musician. "Although he is not a professional writer but he has tried to mention several historical aspects of the country in this book so we should appreciate his hard efforts and labour to write beyond his concerning field."

Addressing the programme famous artiste Harihar Sharma said that Sunam does really admirable deed because he is able to portray the actual scene of the Nepal which would help to recognise Nepal among the other countries of the world.

Nir Bikram Shah said that the act made Sunam immortal in the field of literature infact he is wellknown in the field of music. The book is made public on the occassion of 25th National Democracy Day.

76 terrorists killed in army operations

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Feb 25: In a major offensive the other day, security forces killed 76 terrorists including those who fled to the jungles after their dastardly attacks in Magalsen of Achham a week ago, the Defence Ministry stated here today. The forces have also seized various weapons and explosives from different parts of the country.

Sixty-seven terrorists were killed in encounters when the security forces blocked the possible escape routes of the terrorists across various areas of Kalikot, a district bordering Achham.

Large quantity of food stored by the terrorists and their weapons, including socket bombs, tools for making electric ambush and communication equipment, were recovered from the areas.

In course of their search operations on Saturday, security personnel encountered a gang of terrorists in Kumlekhola area of Kaski and killed four of them. Terrorist weapons and explosives were recovered from the site.

Similarly, the security forces killed two terrorists in Fattehpur area of Banke and three in Krishnapur area of Kanchanpur in separate encounters during their search operations. Weapons and explosives have been recovered from the sites.

The security forces have arrested five suspects from Atthais Kilo on the Dhulikhel Banepa road and are interrogating them, according to a Defence Ministry statement. The suspects were travelling on a bus (Plate No. Baa. 2 Kha. 1735). The security forces suspected that terrorists stopped the bus in the jungles of Kavrebhanjyang for about 15 minutes and got down there. A patrol team of the security forces chased the bus coming from Bhakundebesi and stopped it at Atthais Kilo. The driver is at large, said the statement.

Creative programmes mark National Education Day

Kathmandu, Feb. 25 (RSS): Reports of the 27th National Education Day being celebrated on Sunday amid a variety of programmes have been received here.

Lalitpur: Nepal Tarun Dal (NTD) president Bal Krishna Khand gave away certificates to some 200 eye donors who made announcement of donating their eyes posthumously at a function organised by NTD Lalitpur sub-metropolis committee on Sunday.

On the occasion, NTD president Khand called on all NTD members to posthumously donate their blood for the benefit of the blind people.

At the function presided by NTD Lalitpur sub-metropolis committee president Bal Krishna Dangol, Nepali Congress Lalitpur district committee president Sagar Shumsher J. B. Rana also expressed his views.

Pokhara: On the occasion of 27th National Education Day, Madan Prasad Aryal, western regional administrator, and Punya Prasad Poudel, chairman of district education committee and Kaski DDC chairman, jointly gave away cash prizes and certificates to the teachers who made valuable contribution in upgrading education, the students who secured the highest marks in SLC examination of 2057 B.S. and the schools which were able to get all the students who appeared in SLC examination passed.

CDO Tikaram Aryal, regional education director Krishna Prasad Khanal, Pokhara Sub-Metropolis Mayor Krishna Thapa, teachers Deepak Poudel, Bishnu Bahadur Khatri and Balram Baral also expressed their views at the function chaired by Kaski DDC chairman Punya Prasad Poudel.

Similarly, Kaski district judge Balaram Bista gave away prizes to the students winning in the sports, folk dance, painting and quiz contests held to mark the 27th National Education Day.

Nuwakot: MP Mahendra Prasad Pandey, speaking at a function held to mark the 27th National Education Day coinciding with the 16th anniversary of Nuwakot Adarsha Multiple Campus on Sunday, said education sector should be kept totally free from party politics.

He also called on the guardians, teachers and students to dedicate themselves in upgrading education.

MP Pandey also honoured ex-chairman of campus management committee Bishnu Acharya, founder teacher of the campus Hom Prasad Grihasthi and first student of the campus Jwala Thapa.

Students who demonstrated best performance in the extra-curricular activities were also rewarded during the function.

Nuwakot Adarsha Multiple Campus chief Ram Prasad Joshi was on the chair.

Birgunj: Birgunj sub-metropolis honoured various organisations and personalities for their remarkable contributions in education sector by presenting them cash prizes and letters of appreciation on the same occasion.

Reader at Thakur Ram Multiple Campus Shyam Bhakta Shrestha was provided with a purse of Rs. 12,000/-, deputy administrator at the same campus Hridaya Mohan Shrestha Rs. 7,000/-, assistant headmaster at Tribhuwan Hanuman High School Sachchidananda Jha Rs. 10,000/-, teacher at Maisthan Lower Secondary School Kaushalya Thapa Rs. 8,000/-, teacher from among the primary schools Rajeshwar Srivastav Rs. 6,000/- and gardener at Thakur Ram Multiple Campus Krishna Bahadur Bal Rs. 3,000/-.

Similarly, other recipients were Gopal Prasad Shrestha of Trijuddha High School, Jogendra Saha Kanu, Ashish Shekhani and Khusbu Agrawal.

Biratnagar: Morang DDC chairman Khadga Bahadur Basnet gave away prizes and certificates to the schools from which maximum numbers of students participated in the rally taken out by Morang district education office on the occasion of 27th National Education Day as well as to the students who were found highly disciplined.

Pokhariya High School, Adarsha Girls' High School and Birat Lower Secondary School were adjudged best in the rally.

Similarly, chairperson of Lionesses' Club of Biratnagar Shanta Adhikary presented stipend to three bright girl students from the poor on the same occasion.

Madhavi Shrestha of Gograha Higher Secondary School received Rs. 1,500 and Sangeeta Bhagat and Shashi Kala Kumari of Janata Higher Secondary School Rs 1,000 each.

Likewise, Koshi Campus chief Govinda Prasad Upadhyaya and deputy mayor of Biratnagar sub-metropolis Bhuraj Rai gave away a cash prize of Rs. 1,000 each to Hari Pyakurel who came out first in essay competition, and Narayan Danga and Prakash Begani who secured highest marks in the annual examination.

Terhathum: Terhathum DDC chairman Kishore Chandra Dulal, speaking at a function held to mark the 27th National Education Day, said that as all round development of the country can only be attained through advancement in education sector, it is the need of the hour for all to pay attention to this end.

An inter-school oratory contest on "Equal opportunity in education" was held and some 33 teachers working with various schools honoured at the same function.

Dhankuta: Director of regional planning office Bishnu Prasad Pandey, speaking at a function organised by Dhankuta district education office to mark the 27th National Education Day, said that if sustainable education is given to children with greater involvement of the local people, unemployment problem can be resolved to a great extent.

Dhankuta CDO Shambhu Koirala said vocational education should be imparted if the country is to make great strides.

A cash prize of Rs. 1,000 each was given away to 10 students who secured highest marks in the annual examination of grade 5.

Likewise, a cash prize of Rs. 500 each to Bikash Shrestha and Bijaya Ghimire of Tamor Valley School who secured highest marks in the district-level examination for grade 8.

Rabi Bahadur Karki and Rina Luitel who secured the highest marks in the SLC examination were also rewarded during the function.

Presenting the prizes, mayor of Birgunj sub-metropolis Bimal Prasad Srivastava said that academic institutions should be kept aloof from dirty politics in order to improve the quality of education in the country.

District education officer Yogendra Bahadur Basnet said that His Majesty's Government is committed to the development of the education sector. It is the birth right of every citizen to receive education, he added.

At the function chaired by chairman of Birgunj sub-metropolis education committee Dr. Mohan Chandra Lakhe, reader of Thakur Ram Multiple Campus Shyam Bhakta Shrestha, president of Birgunj Chamber of Industry and Commerce Satyanarayan Agrawal and other speakers threw light on various aspects of education.

On the occasion of the 27th National Education Day, Birgunj sub-metropolis gave away cash prizes and letters of commendation to institutions and individuals making remarkable contributions to the development of the education sector.

On the occasion reader of Thakur Ram Multiple Campus Shyam Bhakta Shrestha, president of the Birgunj Chamber of Industry and Commerce Satyanarayan Agrawal and others threw light on various aspects of the education sector.

Siraha: On the occasion of the 27th National Education Day, Siraha district child welfare committee gave away cash prize of Rs 3,000 and letter of commendation to Sandeep Kumar Agrawal of Pashupati Secondary School declared first, Rs 2,500 and letter of commendation to Binaya Kumar Adhikari of Chandra Secondary School declared second and Rs 2,000 and letter of commendation to Pralad Mahato of Chandra Secondary School declared third in the S.L.C. examination of 2057 B.S. from Siraha district.

In the same manner Reena Saha of Janata Secondary School, Munni Kumari Chaudhary of Pashupati Secondary School and Neelam Kumari Das of Janata Secondary School received cash prizes of Rs 3,000, Rs 2,500 and Rs 2,000 and letters of commendations respectively for securing first, second and third positions among girl students of Siraha district.

Likewise, Santosh Kumar Paswan and Bimala Kumari Yadav received cash prizes of Rs 3,000 and letters of commendation for securing highest marks in the S.L.C. examination-2057 B.S. from among the backward communities.

Headmasters Rajendra Kumar Saha, Sujit Karna and Rudralal Chaudhary were also presented letters of appreciation on the occasion.

In the same manner the Siraha district child welfare committee also presented the students of eight grade, and the students and schools taking part in extra-curricular activities cash prizes amounting to Rs 39,000 and letters of commendations.

The prizes and letters of commendations were given away by convenor of the district child welfare committee and chief district officer Bhola Prasad Shivakoti, superintendent of police Bishworaj Singh Shahi and officiating district education officer Bindeswore Das.

At the function chaired by acting chairman of Siraha DDC Lilanath Shrestha, a host of speakers threw light on various anomalies taking place in the education sector.

Dhangadhi: On the occasion of the 27th National Education Day, Rajesh Atal of Khadak Memorial School and Deepmala Upreti of Malika School received cash prizes and letters of commendation for securing highest marks in the S.L.C. examination-2057 B.S. from among the boys and girls students respectively.

Likewise, Uttam Kumar Shahi of Aishwarya Vidya Niketan and Pradita Shrestha of Aristo School received cash prizes and letters of commendation for securing highest marks in the eight grade district level board examination from among the boys and girls respectively.

Meanwhile, Umesh Raj Bhattarai was presented the Tekraj Pant Award instituted by Panchodaya Secondary School for securing the highest marks in the S.L.C. examination-2057 B.S. from among the students of the school.

At the function chaired by acting DDC chairman Surya Bahadur Shaha, chief district officer Khagendradev Joshi, district judge Narayan Prasad Dhital and mayor of Dhangadhi Municipality Khemraj Pandeya had expressed their views.

Operational level issues of peace operation discussed

Kathmandu, Feb. 25 (RSS): A five-day-seminar-game began here today with the objective of understanding and exploring the operational-level issues associated with entering, conducting and exhilarating a modern peace operation, examining the capacity-building and training required to optimise participation in peace operations and enhancing national and regional inter-agency coordination and cooperation in the Asia and Pacific Region.

The seminar-game sponsored by Royal Nepalese Army (RNA), US Pacific Command, Center of Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance and United Nations Department of Peace Keeping Operations is being participated in by 39 military and police personnel and experts from 20 countries taking part in peace keeping operations.

Inaugurating the seminar-game, Chief of the Army Staff General Prajwalla Shumsher J. B. Rana said that the Royal Nepalese Army had been taking active part in peace keeping operations at the call of the United Nations since 1959.

General Rana informed that 1,600 RNA personnel were involved in peace keeping operations in East Timor and Sierra Leone at present.

U.S. Ambassador Michael E. Malinowski said that it has become the common responsibility of all to maintain international peace at a time when terrorist activities are increasing.

Lauding the commitment of the RNA in maintaining peace, Malinowski said that acts of murder, violence and terror unleased by the Maoists had adversely affected democracy in Nepal.

He stressed the need to strengthen the security units and take the help of the human rights activists and the people for maintaining law and order in the country.

News-reporting during emergency discussed

Kathmandu, Feb. 25 (RSS): Nepal Press Institute (NPI) organised an interaction programme on "Cooperation in news reporting during the state of emergency on behalf of International Media Support Fund (IMSF)" here today.

IMSF working for journalists in providing security from violent activities, protesting against mistreatment meted out against journalists and for advocating professionalism in journalism expects solicitation of assistance required in news reporting about Maoists insurgency in Nepal, its president Torben Krogh said.

Lawmaker Homnath Dahal observed that no news report should be dispatched to and published by any communication media that aids and abets the Maoists who have been declared by the state as terrorists.

The CPN-UML considers the state of emergency as a medium for misusing authority against the journalists, another legislator Pradeep Gyawali said, adding that press has a great role to play in bringing the Maoists activity under control.

President of Federation of Nepalese Journalists Suresh Acharya disclosed that 20 out of 50 journalists arrested so far following the declaration of the state of emergency are still in jail.

Editor of Chhalphal weekly Gopal Thapaliya demanded that the press be allowed to cover and publish any news reports about the flaws on the part of the government as well as the outlawed Maoists.

Other participants pointed out the need for doing away with obstructions in the free flow of information during the state of emergency.

They further argued that there would be no room for suspicion on the press releases issued by the Ministry of Defence if details of the incidents are provided by the ministry by organising press conferences.

Constitution amendment needs to be  debated Dr. Mahat

Kathmandu, Feb. 25 (RSS): Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat has said that as a constitutional amendment is a serious matter, views expressed in that connection should not be taken amiss.

Replying to queries raised by MPs at the meeting of the National Assembly today, Dr Mahat remarked that all are concerned about the constitution and all persons and not just politicians should be given the opportunity to express their views and opinions on the matter.

He pointed out that rather than looking with suspicion at the views expressed by various persons regarding amendments to the constitution, everyone's opinions and views should be taken into account prior to reaching a conclusion.

Stating that he was only giving a picture of public corporations in the budget statement of the current fiscal year, the Finance Minister said the issue should not be taken otherwise as he only wanted to convey the idea that these corporations might go bankrupt if the economic liability of the government was to go on increasing rather than being curtailed.

National Assembly discussions
Elders demand effective anti-graft commission

Kathmandu, Feb. 25 (RSS): Whip of the CPN-UML Surendra Prasad Pandey, speaking during special hour at the National Assembly today, said that as the government and the ruling party have stated their agreement to the proposal for a constitutional amendment as presented by his party, efforts should be pursued towards translating the same into practice.

He also expressed the view that the Maoist problem could be resolved and the Maoists brought into mainstream politics through a constitutional amendment.

Stressing that the responsibility of making amendments to the constitution should be left to the people's representatives, he said it would not be proper for officials of the army and the courts to speak out on the issue.

He demanded that a serious dialogue should be initiated on the issue of constitutional amendment and a proposal to that effect tabled in Parliament within this week.

MP Devendra Ghimire of the same party underlined the need for constituting a powerful anti-corruption commission to try the corrupt and for formulating related regulations to punish such persons.

Stressing that problems relating to the nationalities, women, the oppressed and downtrodden and the landless communities can be resolved only through progressive reforms, he expressed the view that the country would be pushed into further crisis if the government neglected such issues.

Meanwhile, Ramchandra Bhattarai of the CPN-UML, speaking at the beginning of the National Assembly meeting today, said that the Department of Roads should stop forthwith the demolition of houses and huts of poor people which were built on the roadside in many towns and villages along the highway.

Akkal Bahadur Bishta of the Nepali Congress said that the murder and violence unleashed by the terrorists in Achham and Salyan was highly deplorable and the bodies of security personnel and the CDO should be handed over to kith and kin for preforming the last rites.

Lalit Kumar Basnet of the CPN-UML said that the government should fulfill the demands of 1,750 workers at the oldest Jute Mill of Nepal who have been left in the lurch as a result of wrong policy.

Ganga Dutta Joshi of the Nepali Congress said that violence, murder and terror were on the rise in a country known the world over as peace-loving and the department should stop demolishing houses close to the road from the Mechi to the Mahakali.

Ranga Nath Joshi of the CPN-UML drew attention towards the increased activities of the Maoists in Bardiya district also following their activities in Achham and Salyan.

During zero hour at the National Assembly today, Mahesh Mani Acharya Dikshit of the CPN-UML said the government should take seriously a news item published in one of the newspapers today stating that a corruption campaign had been initiated in the Nepali Congress against the Prime Minister, the views expressed by general secretary Sushil Koirala contrary to the pledge of party president Girija Prasad Koirala concerning an amendment to the constitution and the view expressed by the Finance Minister that public sector undertakings would close down in the next two years.

Dikshit said that the government should view these matters seriously.

Discussion Programme
Leaders hint at need to review Constitution

Kathmandu, Feb. 25 (RSS): Leaders of major political parties have underlined the need to review the Constitution and, if need be, amend it by concentrating more on people's problems than on party interests.

At a discussion programme on present problems and solutions organised by the Political Science Association of Nepal (POLSAN) here today, chairman of the Raj Parishad Standing Committee Dr Keshar Jung Rayamajhi said that the Constitution provides a direction to the nation building campaign.

CPN-UML leader Khadga Oli spoke of the need to amend the Constitution for the country's development, stability and for change.

A constitutional amendment is essential also to improve the present electoral system, bring about siocial, economic and political reform and consolidate the prime ministerial system, he said.

NC central member Narahari Acharya was of the view that it is resolution of people's problems not the political parties' interests which should be the motivation behind a constitutional amendment. Such amendment should bolster the progressive and democratic tradition, he added.

RPP vice president Dr Prakash Chandra Lohani described the idea of forming an all-party government to hold elections as irrelevant and said that a constitutional amendment is essential to ensure the rights of downtrodden and suppressed communities and improve the social, economic and political situation.

Rhidayesh Tripathi of Nepal Sadbhavana Party said the Constitution should be amended with a focus on the people's problems.

At the programme, Raj Parishad Standing Committee chairman Dr Rayamajhi released a book entitled "Comparative Constitutions of Nepal" authored by Dr Shastra Datta Pant.

Nepal Bar Association president Sindhu Nath Pyakurel also expressed his views.

POLSAN president Bhuvan Pathak presided.

Govt sets up fund to help victims of terrorists

Kathmandu, Feb. 25 (RSS): The cabinet meeting today decided to set up a "Prime Minister's Relief Fund" under the Prime Minister's Office at Singha Durbar to provide assistance to the families of Royal Nepalese Armymen, armed police, police, employees, political workers and the people in general killed in attacks by Maoist terrorists, who have been perpetrating violence and terror over the past few years.

The fund will also provide assistance to those injured or dismembered in Maoist attacks.

According to the cabinet secretariat, the council of ministers has made a public appeal for industrialists, businessmen, civil service employees, university and school teachers, all organisations and institutions and the people in general to generously contribute to the fund.

With the objective of operating and managing the fund by involving civil society also, the cabinet meeting decided to form a fund operation committee comprising former hmg chief secretary Damodar Prasad Gautam as chairman, the president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry as member and the secretary at the Prime Minister's office as member secretary.

As decided by the meeting amounts contributed to the fund will be tax exempted.

His Majesty's Government will appropriate Rs. 100 million for the fund. The Prime Minister, ministers, ministers of state and assistannt ministers are to make donations equivalent to one month's salaries to the fund.

Likewise, in view of the state of emergency that the country is undergoing today the cabinet has, as an austerity measure, decided that functions like receptions, luncheons and dinners will not be organised from government level except for diplomatic purposes.