Protection of culture stressed

Kathmandu, June 23 (RSS): Senior writer Dr. Taranath Sharma inaugurated the Music World Cultural Society and also released "Bichhod", an audio cassette by B.K. Giri at a programme here today.

Addressing the function, Dr Sharma expressed the view that individual talent could be preserved only by honouring the predecessors.

From the chair, senior music composer Deepak Jangam said since the outcome of good deeds is always for the good, writers and artistes should continue with their creative endeavours.

Senior folk singer Kumar Basnet underlined the need for preserving our art and culture in the present inclement times.

Lyricist Dinesh Adhikari expressed the hope that writers and creative artists will not have to worry about their creations being unduly lifted by others now that the copy right protection act is in place.

Singer Dhiraj Rai called on the new generation artistes to not forget the unique Nepali culture and artistic tradition.

Founder of the Music World Cultural Society B.K. Giri, shedding light on the objectives of the institution, said that the institution aims at the uplift of those artistes who have been left behind in society and honouring them.

The institution also aims at promoting peace and understanding in society through the medium of music.

Youth artistes Tika Bhandari and Shree Ram Khanal also expressed their views on the occasion.

Issue of violence disscussed

Kathmandu, June 23 (RSS): A public hearing on "Why and for whom the present spate of killings and violence?" was held under the aegis of 13 various social institutions and organisations here today.

At the public hearing, people from various walks of life called on the Maoists to give up terrorism and take part in peace talks.

Stating that the Maoists should themselves create the favourable environment for peace talks first by handing over arms to the security forces, the speakers at the programme reiterated that efforts for the peace talks should come from the Maoist side because it is they who abruptly broke away from the peace talks.

Senior neurosurgeon Dr Upendra Devkota termed as unfortunate the decision of the Nepali Congress to direct the Prime Minister to withdraw the proposal on extension of the state of emergency which had already been registered at Parliament by the Prime Minister following the consent of the all-party meeting.

How far is it appropriate to ask a doctor who is performing an operation to call off his task and come out, he asked.

The speakers were also of the view that the Maoist terrorist leaders will ultimately meet the fate of the notorious Pol Pot regime.

Those expressing these views were advocate Sapana Malla, engineer Deepak Gyawali and political analyst Hari Rokka.

An account of the killings and excesses perpetrated by the Maoist terrorists in the last seven years since the start of the so-called 'People's War' was also presented on the occasion.

Satellite search suggested for missing chopper

By Ballav Dahal

Kathmandu, June 23: A satellite search has been suggested to locate the missing Asian Airlines helicopter after more than three weeks of aerial and ground search and rescue operations have yielded no result.

Auto Carto Consult (P) Ltd., a Nepali company, has proposed using satellite services to find out the helicopter, which has been missing for the last 24 days. Bidya N. Shrestha, chairman of the company, said he had consulted with the US-based Space Imaging company to conduct rescue operations for the ill-fated chopper.

"The process of the satellite search can begin immediately if the US satellite company gives a positive response," Shrestha said. "The difficult terrain and harsh topography could pose some difficulty even for a satellite to locate the chopper."

He said the satellite cannot receive images if the chopper is shielded by trees or glaciers or buried under the ground. "In such a situation, a radar-installed helicopter has to be mobilised. Radio detection and ranging technology could be more effective in such an event."

The Lukla-bound chopper, which was carrying six passengers and four crew members, failed to come in contact with the tower after 10 minutes of taking off from Makalu Base Camp.

He added that the Space Imaging company charges US $25,000 for black and white pictures and US $ 30,000 for colour images.

The people involved in the aviation sector, however, said that ground search could be more viable and practicable to find the missing helicopter. "Previous experiences have shown that ground search is more effective than aerial ones," said Bikash JB Rana, president of Air Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN) and executive chairman of Fishtail Air. "I don't think that satellite-based technology can be instrumental in locating the chopper since it is not prominent," Rana said.

Referring to an accident involving a helicopter on the Lukla-Jiri route five years ago, Rana said a cowherd had passed on the information. "But this is not possible this time as the area where the chopper is believed to have gone missing is uninhabited. There are three or four routes in the area and nobody knows which route the helicopter had taken," he said.

He asked the government to actively conduct the search and rescue operations. "Despite the efforts of the concerned airline, the helicopter has not been found. Since it is a very sensitive issue, it is the responsibility of the government to carry out the search and rescue operations," he demanded.

He was of the opinion that the failure of the search operations may tarnish not only the credibility of the aviation business of Nepal but also the country's image as a whole.

Aviation expert and Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Medini Prasad Sharma said that weather could hamper even satellite-based technology to receive a clear picture of the area where the accident may have taken place.

"Even the developed nations have problems in locating such planes. A missing plane in the U.S. was found only after two or three months," Sharma said.

He suspects the chopper might have fallen into a glacier or inside a dense forest or crevasse.

Ang Tshering Sherpa, chairman-cum-managing director of the airline, said he has asked the Tibet Mountaineering Association to look for the helicopter on the Chinese side. "The association has conducted the search, but it has not found it."

Sherpa said that the airline will go on searching for the helicopter until it is found. "We have been making all possible efforts for this."

The airline has conducted both ground and aerial search operations in the northern parts of Solukhumbu and Sankhuwasabha districts. It has already spent more than Rs. 10 million for the purpose.

Birendra Raj Shrestha, chief of the Rescue Coordination Committee at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), said that continuous bad weather has been a major hindrance. "We would have found the helicopter if the weather was favourable," Shrestha said.

He said the committee has already requested some satellite companies of the U.S. to extend help to find the aircraft. "But we have not received any response from them."

Korala did injustice, NC should get Tree symbol: PM

Kathmandu, June 23 (RSS): Prime Minister and newly elected President of the Nepali Congress Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that Girija Prasad Koirala had meted out injustice to the parliamentary party leader of his own party by expelling him from the party.

As the action taken against the Prime Minister is against the prime ministerial system, his party should get the election symbol of the Tree, Deuba claimed.

Addressing the national dalit gathering organised on 'The responsibility of the Nepal dalit Association (NDA) in the present political context seen in the Nepali Congress' here today, the Prime Minister said he had constituted the nationalities academy, the National Dalit Commission and the National Women's Commission (NWC) and initiated programmes to uplift the living standard of the farmers by undertaking timely land reforms.

Deuba informed that a strict act will be brought forth to guarantee the welfare of the dalits after elections are held and said he would be committed to the uplift met of the exploited classes in the country.

Prime Minister Deuba also sought co-operation from all to resolve the present crisis by defeating and controlling the activities of the Maoist terrorists.

At the programme presided over by NDA central president Ratna Bahadur Biswokarma, various other speakers including National Assembly member Rishi Babu Pariyar and chairman of the National Dalit Commission Padma Singh Biswokarma also expressed their views.

Shraddha ritual performed

Kathmandu, June 23 (RSS): His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and Her Majesty Queen Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah visited Jeewan Kunj, Maharajgunj in connection with 'Shraddha' ritual of late Dhirendra Shah performed in accordance with Hindu vedic traditions today.

Present on the occasion were HRH Crown Prince Paras Bir Bikram Shah Dev, HRH Crown Princess Himani Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, Her Majesty Queen Mother Ratna Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah and other members of the Royal Family.

Book on revenue administration released

Kathmandu, June 23 (RSS): Chairman of the Rajparishad Standing Committee Dr. Keshar Jung Rayamajhi released "Sarbajanik Bitta Ra Nepalko Rajaswo Prasasan" co-authored by Laxmi Prasad Poudel and Hari Prasad Shrestha at a function here today.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Rayamajhi expressed confidence that the book would help to remove the shortcomings in revenue administration of Nepal and meet the challenges faced in collecting revenue.

Dr. Rayamajhi said that all sections of the society should extend necessary cooperation to authors and intellectuals involved in developing the country.

Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office Srikant Regmi said that Nepalese authors could play a more meaningful role in the development of the country than foreign authors. The book will contribute to the economic development of the country, he added.

Former governor of Nepal Rastra Bank Dipendra Purush Dhakal said that the book will be very useful for employees, students and intellectuals.

Former MP Pradip Gyawali said that the book would help to improve the national economy by checking revenue leakages.

Co-author Laxmi Prasad Poudel said that five books could not be published due to financial constraints.

At the function chaired by head of the Public Administration Central Department professor Mahendra Narayan Mishra, advisor of the VAT project Dr. Rup Khadka, social worker Bhim Bahadur Adhikari and daughter of the co-author Gita Poudel expressed their views on the book.

Health camp organised

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, June 23: Lady Jaycees organised a health camp at Balambu on Saturday.

More than 300 patients from the village and surroundings areas received free treatment from Dr. Iswor Prajapati during the day-long camp.

The patients also given away necessary medicine and other medical items at the camp.

On the occasion, Balambu VDC chairman Gundas Maharjan, Dr. Jaswant Shakya and Jaycee Ramila Shrestha expressed their views on the importance of health education.

The health camp was coordinated by the vice president of Kathmandu Lady Jaycees Ms. Sapana Lamsal and journalist Sadhana Manandhar. The programme was chaired by President of Lady Jaycees Ms. Ramila Shrestha.

Meanwhile in Syangja a one day seminar on health education was organised by the District Education Office for the headmaster of secondary schools here recently.

On the occasion, about 70 headmasters were apprised of the basics of teaching health education.

Chief of the district hospital Dr. Keshavraj Dhungana, public health officer Rajendra Ghimire, school inspector Ramchandra Aryal, Shobhakar Gautam, Krishna Prasad Aryal and others stressed the need for the teachers and students to be sensitive about health.

Your Day Today

24 June, 2002

Aries (21 Mar-20 April): There is a strong possibility of tapping new opportunities. Patience and precautions are necessary. Progress in intellectual work.

Taurus (21 Apr-20 May): Family life will improve. Political help can be expected. Today is a lucky day for you. Progress in financial sector.

Gemini (21 May-20 June): There will be profit from intellectual work. political approaches and financial position will get better. Family life will be good.

Cancer (21 Jun-20 July): There are many opportunities today. Financial goals will be met, but use your mental judgement. Patience necessary. Health will improve.

Leo (21 July-22 Aug): Your business position will not be good. Family expenses will give mental tension. Possibility of a long tour. Take care of your health.

Virgo (23 Aug-22 Sept): Control your family expenses. Health will improve. Social and political help can be expected. Financial matters need extra attention.

Libra (23 Sept-22 Oct): There is a strong possibility of capitalising on new opportunities in life. Family environment will help you. Financial situation will be good.

Scorpio (23 Oct-21 Nov): Political help can be expected. Position and popularity will go up. Money will be spent on religious work. Your lucky number is 16.

Sagittarius (22 Nov-20 Dec): Patience and precautions are essential. Family environment will give mental tension. Beware of enemies.

Capricorn (21 Dec-20 Jan): Jan problems in your business or trade. Health will be good. Family expenses will give mental tension. Have patience.

Aquarius (21 Jan-19 Feb): Your business position will not be very good. Beware of enemies. patience and precautions will be essential.

Pisces (20 Feb-20 Mar): There will be some problem with child care. Be careful of your enemies. Progress in intellectual work. Your favourite colour is red.

By Acharya Shree Dhruv