Koirala told to take steps for party unity
Without a party, I cannot contest election: Deuba

Kathmamndu, June 2 (RSS): Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, during a meeting today with the Nepali Congess general committee and general convention representatives and representatives of the party’s various bodies and active members at his residence, said he stood for party unity.

Stating that the initiative for party unity should come from the party president Girija Prasad Koirala himself, the Prime Minister said that he could not become a candidate without a party in the upcoming general elections.

"I am a person who has worked continuously for democracy. Attempts have been made by the party’s central executive body to assasinate my character by labelling unnecessary allegations against me", he said.

He alleged that Koirala’s actions were undemocratic and said that people not agreeing with him were being sidelined. He pointed out the need for all the Congress people to forge ahead for the protection of democratic values in the party.

"I have garnered support from all the friendly countries in favour of Nepal in the fight against terrorism. I am engaged in the task of strengthening democracy by defeating terrorism. Instead of fully backing me at such a time, the party has done just the opposite, the Prime Minister explained.

Twenty-eight general committee members and general convention members, including Minister for General Administration Khem Raj Bhatta Mayalu and former minister Dhundi Raj Shastri expressed their views on the occasion.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Deuba told another gathering of NC workers that the enemies of democracy are those who have created obstructions in his campaign of ridding the country of terrorism.

Addressing NC workers of Gandaki, Dhaulagiri and Narayani zones at his residence in Baluwatar today, Prime Minister Deuba said that it was a matter of sorrow that obstructions have been created from within the Nepali Congress. And this has come at a time when the institution of the Crown, the Nepali Congress and the security forces had to unite against terrorism.

Stating that it was his responsibility to wipe out the Maoist terrorists who were killing NC workers and weakening democracy, Deuba alleged that the persons not allowing the government to wipe out the enemies of the people and democracy were actualles helping terrorism.

Prime Minister Deuba accused the party of devastating the faith of the people by expelling him from the party instead of encouraging him. "Thus at a time when international cooperation and support are being received to end terrorism and develop the country".

Recalling that the NC had suffered badly in the local body elections held in 2053 B.S. as a result of the works carried out to topple his government, Deuba said that the party leadership had not extended cooperation in his fight against terrorism.

Questioning how justifiable it was to expel an honest party worker who had joined the Nepali Congress at an early age, Deuba said that he was in favour of unity within the party and wished to develop the NC into a party of self-esteemed workers.

On the occasion, the party workers stressed the need to revoke the action taken against the prime minister, free the party from factions and vested interests, extend full cooperation to the government in its fight against terrorism, and for the government and party to unite and move ahead for the elections.

Likewise, NC workers from Lumbini, Rapti and Bheri zones were scheduled to meet the prime minister today.

Nepali Congress will not split, says KC

Biratnagar, June 2 (RSS): Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Bal Bahadur K.C. has said that the Nepali Congress and democracy will be ruined if the differences between the NC president and the Prime Minister continues.

Speaking at a meet the press programme organised by the Reporters’ Club, Morang here today, Minister K.C. said that the NC disciplinary committee and not the NC president had taken action against the Prime Minister.

Expressing confidence that the NC president would revoke the action taken against the Prime Minister, K.C. said that the Nepali Congress would under no circumstances split.

Meanwhile, Minister K.C. inaugurated the Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation eastern regional office building at a function here today.

The four modern buildings with an floor area of 21,000 sq.ft was build at a cost of 15 million.

At present RANC has regional office buildings in Nepalgunj and Biratnagar excluding the RNAC headquarters in Kathmandu. RNAC also has plans of building a regional office building at Pokhara.

In his inaugural speech, Minister K.C. said that the national flag carrier RNAC established with government investment with the objective providing aviation services within the country and the international sector should become self-reliant now.

K.C. expressed the view that RNAC, which is currently running at a loss of about Rs 1700 million, is being over staffed with 1,900 employees.

The time has come for the body concerned to move ahead with joint investment within a fixed timeframe, he added.

Executive chairman of RNAC Ramagya Prasad Chaturvedi said that RNAC was making efforts to become more service-oriented under the competitive conditions of today.

At the inaugural function chaired by officiating CDO Kailashnath Kharel, director of the Department of Civil Administration and General Services Bishnu Prasad Basyal, senior officer P. K. Neupane and senior engineer P. B. Thapa expressed the view that His Majesty’s Government should provide appropriate guidelines to gear ahead RNAC through joint investment.

Irrigation, recreation go hand in hand

By Navin Singh Khadka

Niglihawa, Kapilvastu, June 2: In what is an exemplary twin-utilisation of water resources, an artificial lake is in the making here for irrigation and recreation purposes.

Being built in an area of around 160 square kilometres, the reservoir, already known as Jagdishpur Lake, will irrigate the land downstream while it will also beckon visitors seeking fun.

Once the raking bulldozers come to a halt, the site will be filled up with water as deep as 18 feet. That done, the lake will see people rowing boats on it while its water will continue flowing down a 20-kilometre long canal work.

"We have already planted lotus flowers in the lake," said Ramananda Yadav, Chief of the Kapilvastu District Irrigation Office that is building the lake under the Banganga Irrigation System. Adding scenic view to this spot would be the migratory Siberian cranes during autumn and winter. "It looks wonderful during that time of the year," Yadav added.

An additional attraction in this wetland is a mound at the center-stage where a giant statue of a god will be placed. "Most probably it will be of Lord Buddha," said an official with the district irrigation office. "Since this area is renowned for Buddha’s birthplace, it will be wise to establish a Buddha statue."

The local officialdom is also preparing to fence around the lake, also known as Jakhira Taal, that receives water from the Banganga Lake through a five-kilometre long feeder.

All these development would not have been possible without the local people’s cooperation. Around 200 houses were displaced from the lake-site after rehabilitation began in May last year. "But, we have not yet received any irrigation facility as of yet," said Nirmala Chaudhary, an affected local. "What we now need is access to the canal that originates from the lake."

Many people downstream have also borne the pain. Reason: Water supply in the Banaganga system had to be stopped due to the expansion works of the lake. "I suffered major loss in vegetable plantation this time since there was no water in the canal," said Asha Giri of Tilaurakot Village Development Committee.

These were the same locals who had already suffered loss last monsoon when water leaked out of the main canal and submerged their fields. "The losses have been too much for us this time," they said.

The double-trouble was the result of the leaks in the canal system and the construction works of the lake, admitted Yadav. "We know that many people were deprived of irrigation water because we had to work in the lake. But, now the tough times are over, and we have already released the water."

Time will still be better when this small component of the Banganga Irrigation System (BIS) begins its twin operation – irrigation and recreation simultaneously.

One of the eight subprojects under the Irrigation Management Transfer Project (IMTP), BIS has a command area of 6,000 hectares and is estimated to cost more than seven million rupees. A little more than 90 per cent of its works has already been completed.

The IMTP has 11 projects aimed at irrigating 67,000 hectares of land in this district. The Asian Development Bank has provided loans covering around 60 per cent of this project’s total cost – estimated at US$ 18.4 million.

Photo show on late King draws overwhelming visitors

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, June 2:The photo exhibition depicting the life of His late Majesty King Birendra has drawn overwhelming number of visitors, forcing security men and volunteers to shorten entry time by hours.

The photo show coincides with the untimely demise of the late King last year along with other royal family members.

Visitors with flowers and garlands waited in serpentine queues for hours to view the photos taken by the royal physician, Dr. Khagendra Bahadur Shrestha. Most of the 166 photos of the late King displayed at the show have not been seen by the public before.

"The number of visitors was unexpectedly high. Management of the show has been a challenge," said the royal physician.

We closed the entrance gate at four p.m. today, two hours earlier than originally planned. If visitors are allowed in till 6 p.m. it will be around 10 p.m. before they leave said a volunteer at the photo show being held at the Birendra International Convention Centre (BICC).

"I waited in the long line for over three hours to see the exhibition," said Bimala Gurung, a visitor. I have come here to pay both respect and homage to the late King, she added.

The volume of the visitors swelled immediately after the inauguration of the photo show Friday. A volunteer said that over 7,000 visitors came to view the show daily.

The number is increasing daily. Taking this fact into consideration, the organisers plan to open the exhibition at 7 a.m. (three hour earlier) from Monday.

Inquired about the possible extension of the exhibition duration Dr. Shrestha said that it is not feasible physically and financially. The show winds up on Tuesday.

Visitors can make print orders for any of the photos at the exhibition. A picture book on the late King by the doctor is also for sale at the exhibition.

"People have never seen many of the photos displayed here as they are personal," said Dr. Shrestha.

10 terrorists killed, bodies of 15 more found in Rukum

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, June 2: Security forces have found 15 more bodies of the terrorists killed in Khara of Rukum last Monday when the army retaliated their attack on a security base camp in the mid-Western hilly district. With these, dead count of terrorists in Khara has reached 203.

Ten other terrorists were killed in separate encounters with the forces across the country Sunday and Saturday. The security forces killed four terrorists in Bageshwori of Banke this morning, while four others were killed in Parewadanda of Lamjung yesterday. One terrorist each was killed in Kuwakot of Syangja and Khotang on Saturday.

The terrorists killed in the encounters have been identified as Bipin (Banke), Pragya, Aman, Sete, Ajaya (Lamjung), and Bimal (Syangja). The Defence Ministry said that these terrorists had been involved in destructive and violence, abduction, murder and setting ablaze property.

The forces have recovered weapons, guns, explosives and various kinds of materials for setting up booby traps.

The Ministry said the locals of Mugu district handed over two guns to the security forces yesterday.

Nation remembers late King Birendra

Kathmandu, June 2 (RSS): News reports of functions being organised to commemorate His late Majesty King Birendra, Her late Majesty Queen Aishwarya, His late Majesty King Dipendra and other members of the royal family who passed away in a tragic incident last year have been coming in from across the country.

The Bramhakumari Rajyog Sewa Kendra organised a function to pay tribute to the members of late royal family in Kathmandu.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Physical Planning and Works Chiranjivi Wagle said the Nepalese people will never forget the contributions made by His late Majesty King Birendra for the all round development of the country.

The role played by His late Majesty in transforming the Nepali society, alleviating poverty, developing education, freeing the people from disease and hunger and establishing peace in the national and international level is worth emulating and laudable, he said, adding that His late Majesty’s memory lies deep in the hearts of the people as His late Majesty kept the glory of monarchy very high.

From the chair, director of the centre Bramhakumari Raj Didi said we can not forget the glory and fame of the late monarch because of his religious devotion, pitifulness and benevolence.

On the occasion chief convenor of the Narayangadh branch Bramhakumari Laxmi, Bramhakumari Dipa, Bramhakumar Surat Bahadur Aire, Bramhakumar Tilak Bahadur Shahi, Kaski CDO Tikaram Aryal, Pashupati Parajuli and industrialist Jiwan Lal Piya shed light on the life and works of His late Majesty King Birendra.

A minute’s silence was observed to pray for eternal peace to the departed souls of the royal family members.

Likewise, a Srimad Bhagawat Saptaha Yagya was organised at the pashupati elders home for paying sentimental homage to Their late Majesties on the annual memorial day.

A 11,211 Homjapa, Rudri recital, Chandi recital and Hawan were jointly organised by the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare and the Social Welfare centre elders’ home, Pashupati.

Fifteen pundits had participated in the yagya which was initiated by chief of the elders home Arjun Prasad Gautam.

The elders who had passed away at the home were also wished eternal peace at the yagya.

In Bhairahawa, a function to pay tribute was organised here today by the civil society, Rupandehi where District Court Judge Jagadish Sharma Poudel said His late Majesty King Birendra was popular because of His late Majesty’s knowledge of geo-politics, realistic thinking and the knowledge of needs of the people. This is the reason why the people are still mourning his demise, he added.

Rupandehi DDC chairman Chhatrapati Singh Malla said there is no sense in preaching ideals in speeches by those who can not fulfil the needs of the society and the people. His late Majesty King Birendra was well aware of the local problems and on development as he had travelled to the rural areas during his reign.

Chief district officer Sthaneswor Devkota said His late Majesty was popular among the people because of his commitment towards the Constitution.

At the programme presided over by Rupandehi civil society president Prakash Chitrakar, various other speakers including Ram Shankar Fandu, Dilip Bhattarai and Bijaya Sharma also expressed their views.

Similarly, Raj Parishad Standing Committee chairman Dr. Keshur Jung Rayamajhi has said that His late Majesty King Birendra believed that development was possible only in a peaceful atmosphere.

Chairman Dr. Rayamajhi was speaking at a meeting organised here today by the Nepal Chamber of Commerce to mark the first death anniversary of His late Majesty King Birendra and other members of the royal family and a talk programme on the contributions of His late Majesty in the development of the nation.

Stating that His late Majesty King Birendra desired peace, equality and progress not only in Nepal but in the entire world, chairman Rayamajhi said that monarchy is a symbol of national integrity, freedom and unity and the Nepalese feel safe under the protection of the monarchy.

He said that His late Majesty was of the view that the participation of the private sector was indispensable in the development of the nation.

Though His late Majesty is physically no more, the people of Nepal will cherish his memory for ever, he added.

MP Ashok Nath Tiwari, Professors Dr. Yuvaraj Singh Pradhan and Dr. Shastra Dutta Panta, social activist Thakur Prasad Mainali and a host of other speakers also expressed their views at the function chaired by president of the chamber Rajesh Kaji Shrestha.

Meanwhile, a commemorative meeting was held at Padma Sugandha Vihar here today on the occasion of the first death anniversary of His late Majesty King Birendra, Her late Majesty Queen and other members of the royal family.

At the meeting organised by the Nepal Chapter of the Foundation of Nepalese in America (F.N.A.), It was stated that it would be a true tribute to His late Majesty only if inspiration to good work is drawn from the late King and Queen.

F.N.A. general secretary Prahlad Pathak, Ravi Charan Shrestha, Prof. Mohan Sitaula, senior advocate Sarbagya Ratna Tuladhar and other speakers shed light on the various facets of the personality of His late Majesty King Birendra.

Likewise, a prayer meeting was held at the F.N.A. central office in New York to mark the first death anniversary of Their late Majesties and other royalty.

PM speaks to Musharraf on phone

Kathmandu, June 2 (RSS): Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba had a telephone conversation with President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf on Saturday.

Similarly, Prime Minister Deuba had also spoken to Prime Minister of India Atal Behari Vajpayee over the telephone the other day.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the talks Prime Minister Deuba emphasised that there was a need for international solidarity and support to fight terrorism in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations.

Prime Minister Deuba also expressed concern over the escalation of tension between India and Pakistan and stressed the need to exercise restraint by all and to diffuse the current tension in the interest of peace and stability in the region.

Whereabout of missing chopper still unknown

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, June 2: The whereabouts of the Asian Airlines helicopter, which has been missing since Friday, is still unknown. The ground search operation has resumed due to persistent bad weather.

Today three helicopters of Air Ananya, Simrik Air and Karnali Air flew search missions since 5:0 o’clock in the morning in several areas including Lukla, Thamserku, Lower Thamserku, Makalu Base Camp, Upper Makalu and Syangboche areas. But the thick fog hampered the search for the missing chopper. The air search was called off at 14:00 hours.

The Search and Rescue Coordination Centre at the Tribhuvan International Airport said that the search has been coordinated with the sub-coordination centres at Lukla airport, Khandbardi, Diktel, Okhaldhunga and through the regional police headquarters in Biratnagar.

"Small groups of professional trekkers have been mobilised, but the search operation is hampered by persistent fog and cloud over the possible sites. The Centre has also increased the cash award to Rs. 50,000 for any information leading to the location of the missing helicopter," the airlines said.

Pemba Doma Shrepa honoured

Kathmandu, June 2 (RSS): Miss Pemba Doma Sherpa, the Nepali mountaineer who set a new world record in mountaineering by scaling Mt Everest from both the northern and southern sides was today felicitated by the Women Entrepreneurs Association of Nepal (WEAN).

Also a member of wean, Miss Sherpa was felicitated by Minister of State for Women, Children and Social Welfare Sushila Swar.

Addressing the function, Minister of State Swar said that Miss Sherpa’s courageous deed has proved the capability of Nepalese women.

MP Yangkila Sherpa said that as women ware actively participating in the tourism business, they should be entrusted the responsibility of formulating policy also.

Miss Sherpa, the successful mountaineer, furnished information on her expedition through slides.

WEAN president Mrs Shanti Chadda presided over the function.

Carlo Mezza of Italy said that the Himalayas are propagators of peace and Miss Sherpa’s heroic deed had enthused school children in his country.

Koirala urged to call general  convention

Kathmandu, June 2 (RSS): A gathering of former NC MPs, Ministers, central members, incumbent and former Nepali Congess district presidents, general convention representatives, general committee members and active members of the party from the central development region today requested party president Girija Prasad Koirala to withdraw the party’s action against Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and to immediately call the party’s special general convention.

According to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, the gathering concluded that the expulsion of Nepali Congess leader and Prime Minister Deuba from the party general membership for three years was against the interests of the party, democracy and the country.

Tributes paid to late King and Queen

Kathmandu, June 2 (RSS): Heartfelt tributes were paid to His late Majesty King Birendra, Her late Majesty Queen Aishwarya, His late Majesty King Dipendra and other departed royal family members at various places.

Their Majesties had passed away in an unimaginable incident at the Narayanhity Royal Palace in June last year.

Various persons signed the homage book kept from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Royal Palace today to mark the first anniversary of the tragic incident and paid tributes to Their late Majesties, wishing them eternal peace.

Likewise, heartfelt tributes were offered at the statue of Their Majesties King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya. Prayers and worships were also offered at the various religious places and lights were lit for the sake of eternal peace to the departed souls.

Memorial meetings were organised by various social and intellectual organisations where various aspects of the personalities of the late King and Queen were highlighted.

The death anniversary as per the lunar calendar is on June 20.