HM felicitates Lukashenko

Kathmandu July 3 (RSS) : His Majesty the Kinghas extended felicitations to Aleksander G. Lukashenko, President of the Reupublic of Belarus, on the occasion of the Day of the Republic of Belarus.

In a message, His Majesty has expressed best wishes for the President’s personal health and happiness and for the progress and prosperity of the people of Belarus.

HRH Princess inaugurates sports event

Kathmandu, July 2 (RSS): Her Royal Highness Princess Shobha Rajyalaxmi Devi Shahi inaugurated amid a function here today the nation-wide open badminton tournament organised to mark the 56th auspicious birthday of His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev.

Delivering the welcome speech on the occasion, general secretary of Nepal Olympic Committee and vice-chairman of the organising club Dhruva Bahadur Pradhan said that the monarchy, by encouraging the youngsters time and again, has made a significant contribution in the development of sports.

The badminton tournament will be played on the basis of the best of three, it is learnt.

There will separate events for men’s and women’s singles and doubles as well. Altogether, 57 men and 18 women are taking part.

Players from Banke, Kailali, Pokhara, Biratnagar and Dharan are also taking part in the four-day event while there are 30 players about the age of 45 (veterans).

Congratulations extended

Kathmandu, July 3 (RSS): Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has extended sincere congratulations to Gennadiy Novitskiy, Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus, on the occasion of the Day of the Republic of Belarus.

In a message, Deuba has wished for Novitskiy’s good health and happiness as well as for the progress and prosperity of the people of Belarus.

Manipal to launch post- graduation course soon

By Kishore Nepal

Pokhara, July 2: Mina Kunwar, 36, from Hyangja-9, Kaski district had no clue that she would be the 100 000 patient at the Manipal Teaching Hospital. When she visited the hospital for some facial treatment on June 30, the registration counter received her as a special case. Dr. D.P. Saraswat, Medical Superintendent of the Hospital issued a letter of felicitation offering her free treatment for a one-year period. This was a symbolic gesture of the institution as the numberof patients itself explain. On an average, 600 patients come to the hospital every day and the authorities hope that they will be able to cater to the increasing number of patients.

The Hospital provides medical education to 100 students from various countries every year and is considered one of the best medical centers teaching medical science in the country. Since its inception, three hundred students have already graduated from this institution and the fourth batch of 100 students is ready to graduate.

Dr. Saraswat reveals that the institute will be upgraded to post-graduate level soon.

Affiliated to the prestigious Kathmandu University, this teaching hospital is functioning as a multi disciplinary treatment center at present. Efforts are going on to develop the institution as super specialisation hospital soon.

"Our identity will remain as a general hospital concealing its super specialties status for the treatment of complicated diseases," Dr. Saraswat informs. The hospital will add cancer treatment, heart stroke and joint replacement wards as super specialties.

"We have a futuristic vision and we want to develop Pokhara Manipal as one of the important research centers, a world class medical college and also an important Hospital of the region", he said. He also informed that the hospital has taken over Kaski district for the treatment of general public as a token to public service.

Equipped with the best facilities for paedetic surgery, this is the only hospital in the country that can undertake surgery of delicate cases of newborn babies.

At present, Manipal Teaching Hospital is ambitiously engaged in developing medical facilities to treat heart patients. It will have a well-equipped operation theatre for cardio thoracic surgery. Cardiologist Dr. Vijaya Alurker is engaged in developing heart treatment center in the hospital.

According to Dr. Saraswat, the hospital is developing a reform center to treat and help alcoholics and smokers. Smoking habit in women is the highest in this area. According to a health worker, Kaski and surrounding districts top the list. At present, Manipal is concentrating on the treatment of Thyroid and Diabetic patients. Both the diseases are common in the region.

Manipal has special facilities like Cobalt – 60 tele therapies for the treatment of cancer. In addition to this, the installation process of Linear Accelerator, a therapeutic X-ray machine, that produces high energy x-rays or makes use of the electrons widely used for radiation therapy is near completion stage and will be functional after four weeks. This machine cost the Hospital Rs. 130 million. Besides, the hospital is well equipped with facilities like CT Scan, Ultrasound, color Doppler Echo, video endoscopy and video bronchoscope.

Manipal Teaching College is listed with British Army’s Key Hospital Scheme that provides medical facilities to retired soldiers of the British Army. Under the scheme, Manipal treats ex-Gurkha soldiers of the British Army and the British Army reimburses is the entire medical cost to the hospital. The hospital is entering into a similar agreement with the Indian Army.

‘NC split to end nepotism within party’

Itahari, July 2 (RSS): Minister for Water Resources Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar has said that the party had to be split in order to put an end to nepotism and autocratic attitude within the party.

Addressing party workers at a gathering organised at Inaruwa of Sunsari, today, Minister Gachchhadar said they fought for a long time in the party for mutual unity and coexistence but as it did not seem to be possible, the party was split as and alternative.

The country has suffered this state due to the incapability of a person who became Prime Minister for a long time after the ushering in of democracy, he said, adding that they had split the party to make the country a country of self esteemed people.

The gathering was presided over by Agam Lal Chaudhari.

Koirala’s Nepalgunj visit

Kohalpur(banke), July 2 (RSS): Former prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala has said that he had lost confidence in the journalists of Nepalgunj.

Speaking at a meet the press programme organised by Nepal Press Union, Banke here today, Koirala said that he did not want to tell the local journalists anything. Whatever I have to say the journalists will be said in Kathmandu, he added.

Indicating to former NC leaders Ramchandra Poudel and Arjun Narsingh K. C., Koirala said told the journalists to ask "Ramchandraji and the spokesman."

When the journalists asked Koirala for permission to record his statements, Koirala replied in the negative.

When the journalists asked former NC spokesman Arjun Narsingh K.C. about the so-called overall changes to be made within the Nepali Congress party, Koirala intervened and said that he had raised the question of overall changes within the partyand that the former NC spokesman was not aware about it.

When talk were going on between former NC President Koirala and the journalists, Ram Chandra Poudel had walked out of the programme.

NPU office-bearers and a large number of journalists of Nepalgunj were present at the meet the press programme held under the initiative of NPU central vice president Murari Sharma.

Earlier the NPU district office-bearers carrying banners had gone to the Nepal Rastra Bank guest house where Koirala was staying in order to meet him.

Former NC president Koirala will be returning to Kathmandu today after completing his three-day visit to Nepalgunj.

Act in concert to end political confusion: Nepal

Janakpurdham, July 2 (RSS): General secretary of the CPN-UML Madhav Kumar Nepal has said that all the political parties should unite to end the uncertainty and challenges prevailing in the country.

Speaking at a meet-the-press organised by Press Chautari, Dhanusa here today, general secretary Nepal said it is the need of the hour to safeguard the achievements of the popular movement of 2046 B.S. and create a congenial political atmosphere free from anomalies and aberrations.

Hoping that the Maoist rebels would not create any impediments in the forthcoming general election, he said if they ventured to do so, it would be detrimental for themselves.

Holding of local election is the very foundation of democracy, he said, suggesting that either the tenure of the office-bearers of local bodies be extended or mid-term polls should be held.

Japan gives grant aid for debt relief

Kathmandu, July 2 (RSS): The government of Japan has extended a grant assistance amounting to approximately Rs. 543,472,000 to His Majesty’s Government of Nepal under the debt relief measures in Japan’s fiscal year 2002.

Dr. Bimal Prasad Koirala, Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, and Zenji Kaminaga, Ambassador of Japan to the Kingdom of Nepal signed and exchanged notes to this effect on behalf of their respective governments here today.

The grant assistance is in lieu of the repatment of the principal and accrued interest of the outstanding loans extended by the government of Japan to His Majesty’s Government of Nepal.

The grant assistance under the notes exchanged today is the first portion of Japanese grant assistance under the debt relief measures for Japan’s fiscal year 2002.

The Government of Japan has been extending grants for debt relief with the basic objective of assisting HMG in procuring commodities such as construction materials, fertilizer, petroleum products, medicines, transportation-related equipment and other materials, which are essential for carrying out development activities in the Kingdom of Nepal.

His Majesty’s Government has expressed its sincere appreciation to the Government of Japan for this assistance and for its keen interest and continued support for the socio-economic develkopment of Nepal.

Thapa stresses free, fair elections

Hile, Dhankuta, July 2 (RSS): Former prime minister and RPP president Surya Bahadur Thapa has said the only alternative to democracy in the present national context is free and fair elections.

Thapa made this remark at a press meet organised, here today.

Answering queries raised by reporters, president Thapa said as elections and emergency can not be moved ahead simultaneously, emergency should be ended as soon as possible.

Also today, president Thapa while addressing the gathering of party workers of Dhankuta district called on the workers to go to the people in the next election.

The programme was presided over by RPP district working committee Dhankuta president Kumar Thapa.

Chitrakar, Lakaul honoured

Kathmandu, June 2 (RSS): Shyam Chitrakar and Samagya Lakaul were honoured today for their invaluable contributions to sports photojournalism at a programme organised here today by South Asian Sports Journalism Association, Nepal (SASJAN) to mark the World Sports Journalists’ Day.

Raj Parishsad Standing Committee Chairman Dr. Keshur Jung Rayamajhi, vice-president of Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) Gopal Budhathoki and its general secretary Bishnu Nisthuri gave away commendation letters, medals and cash awards to Chitrakar and Lakaul.

The award carries a purse of Rs. 8,000.

On the occasion, Dr. Ryamajhi referred to sports journalists and said that they could make significant contributions in the development of sports, and HMG should extend cooperation to them in this regard.

Minister of State for Education and Sports Narayan Prakash Saud said that sports journalists make significant contribution in making sports popular and taking it to the grassroots level and journalists too should give necessary suggestions to the government for the formulation of policy for the development of this sector.

Association president Iswar Man Singh, recipients of the award Chitrakar and Lakaul and FNJ general secretary Nishturi also expressed their views on the occasion.

UML’s Mahottari district body constituted

Mahottari, July 2 (RSS): The third district convention of the CPN- UML district working committee concluded today at Jaleswor.

The convention elected a 19 member new working committee.

The committee secretary is Ram Dayal Mandal whereas Suresh Prasad Singh is the deputy secretary and Ghanashyam Pratihasta is office secretary.

Similarly, the members are Bhanu Bhakta Pokhrel, Dan Bahadur Ale, Ramesh Yadav, Kalicharan Shaha, Gangadhar Chaudhari, Ramesh Kumar Singh, Ram Gulam Pasman, Ram Prakash Mandal, Radha Krishna Prasad Shaha, Ram Chhabila Yadav, Saukhilal Yadav, Jamun Mandal, Tej Narayan Yadav, Ilias Ansari, Dip Narayan Mandal and Tek Bahadur Khadka.

PM’s message of condolence

Kathmandu, July 2 (RSS): Prime Minister and President of the Nepali Congress Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that he was stunned on hearing the sad news of the demise of Bheema Kumari Sharma Paudel, mother of former MP Indu Sharma and general convention representative Ram Sharma Paudel, on June 22.

In his condolence message, he has wished eternal peace to the departed soul and expressed sincere condolence to the bereaved family.

Likewise, Home Minister and general secretary of the Nepali Congress Khum Bahadur Khadka, Minister of State for Water Resources Narayan Sharma Paudel and Assistant Minister for Land eforms and Management Dilli Raj Sharma have also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and paid heartfelt tributes.

Mahavir institute to be reopened

Kathmandu, July 2 (RSS): A function was organised here the other day to mark the 66th anniversary of founding of the Mahavir Institute, the first private school in Nepal and 96th birth anniversary of its founder Chiniya Lal Singh, the first educationist martyr.

Martyr Singh had been sentenced to life imprisonment along with confiscation of all his property by the then Rana rulers for establishing the Mahavir Institute at his own house of Bangemudha in 1993 B.S.

Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Keshav Sthapit, from the chair, said Kathmandu can be developed as a model city if everyone dedicated themselves honestly and diligently in the line of Martyr Singh.

At the programme chaired by freedom fighter Ramhari Sharma, Mayor Sthapit released a book ‘Shaikshik Krantiko Agradoot Chiniya Dai ‘ written by Yug Kabi Siddicharan Shrestha.

Speaking at the programme secretary of the Institute Usha Singh appealed for help from all as the institute is in process of being reopened after a closure for few years.

Training on management organised

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, July 2: With the objective of promoting managerial experiences of various organisations in and out side the country, the Management Association of Nepal (MAN) and the Lutheran World Federation Nepal jointly organised a training and workshop programme here recently.

Management experts from Nepal and Bangladesh discussed various facts of management and stressed the need to sharing ideas and experiences.

The training programme, first of its kind held in Nepal was expected to be very fruitful in practice. The participants in the training programme were of the view that such programme would be very helpful while running an organisation.

An executive member and coordinator of the training said that such training and workshop would strengthen human resource development.