Press for peace talks: Ranabhat

Pokhara, May 11 (RSS): Speaker Taranath Ranabhat has said that because of violence, terror and murder unleashed by the Maoists, the country was passing through a serious and difficult situation.

Speaker Ranabhat was inaugurating the blood donation, eye check-up and health camp organised by the Lions Club of Kathmandu at ward No. 2 Lekhanath Chowk of Lekhanath municipality.

On the one hand, the social workers of the country are working selflessly for the development of the society by organising health camp, while on the other hand, the Maoist terrorists living in the jungles had been killing their own brothers and sisters, creating terror and destroying the infrastructure of development, he added.

Stating that the Maoists were misleading the people by holding talks sometimes and involving in war at the same time, he said that the intellectuals and the civic society should exert pressure to bring them to the peace talks.

Ranabhat also expressed gratitude to the Lions Club for organising the extensive health camp at Lekhanath municipality and providing medical facilities to the under privileged and the helpless people.

At the same function, Speaker Ranabhat honoured the doctors, social workers, Madhav Sharma of daily "Pokhara Hotline" and Purna Rai of "Rajdhani."

Mayor Shaligram Poudel and a host of other speakers expressed their views at the programme chaired by chairman of the Lions Club of Kathmandu Nirmal Gurung.

Eighteen doctors are rendering free services to the patients suffering from eye, nose, throat, heart and skin diseases and free drugs were also provided to them.

Parijat award to Maranidevi

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, May 11: The Parijat Smriti Kendra has awarded Maranidevi Shah with the Parijat Sangharshashil Purashkar of the year- 2058 for her relentless efforts and struggle against the oppression and discrimination of women in the rural Terai areas.

The Smriti Kendra has also awarded Roshan Janakpuri and late Mohan Khadka with Parijat Srijanshil Purashkar and Parijatkala Purashkar respectively.

Maranidevi Shah 45, who hails from Simardahi VDC of Mahottari is one of the victims of oppression and inhuman behavior.

Maranidevi was severely beaten by the villagers on charge of practicing witchcraft in July last year. Though the Civil code has restricted such charges, Maranidevi has been constantly misbehaved.

"We are compelled to live amidst hatred and oppression. However, we will continue our struggle against social anomalies," said Maranidevi Shah after receiving the award today.

There are thousands of women who have become victims of social injustice and misbehaviour. Among many oppressed women Maranidevi is the one who has suffered agonies hatred said member of the Kendra, Hari Govind Luintel.

Dhirendra Premarshi while speaking about Roshan Janakpuri, said that the award has encouraged the Maithali literature by honouring the poet.

Khagendra Sangraula, senior novelist and storywriter said that Parijat had a unique personality.

Shant Das Manandhar while speaking about late Mohan Khadka said "he had a great potential."

Critic Maniklal Shrestha said that Parijat’s contribution to the Nepalese literature should be properly evaluated.

Kunta Sharma, Purna Biram, Ismali and Bimal Niva have already been awarded with the Parijat Srijanshil Purashkar.

Similarly, Ram Maya Nepali, Sushila Devi and Sadhana Pradhan have also been honoured with the Sangharshashil Purashkar.

Parijat Kala Purashkar has been instituted this year.

Parijat a renowned novelist, poetess and storywriter in the Nepali literature died in 2050. Her novels like Blue Mimosa, Anido Pahad have been translated in many languages in the world.

Indian army chief arriving tomorrow

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, May 11: General S. Padmanabhan, Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army, is arriving here on 13 May (Monday) on a goodwill visit to Nepal at the invitation of his Nepalese counterpart General Prajwalla SJB Rana.

According to the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, General Padmanabhan will call on Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. He will hold discussions with senior Royal Nepalese Army officers, visit the establishments and formations of the Royal Nepalese Army and meet with Indian ex-servicemen living in Nepal.

27 terrorists killed in clashes

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, May 11: The security forces killed 27 terrorists in the course of their search operations in the Bajura, Kalikot and Dadeldhura districts and arrested 13 from Kolti area of Bajura on Friday, the Ministry of Defence said today.

Twenty-three terrorists were killed in an encounter with the security forces in Jagannath area of Bajura district, three others in Poripali of Kalikot and one in Jogbudha of Dadeldhura. According to the Ministry, the security forces are investigating on those arrested.

The forces recovered guns, pistols, bombs, other weapons and ambush equipment.

In Chainpur of Sankhuwasabha district, the security forces found eight more dead bodies of the terrorists killed in retaliatory action of the forces following an attack on the armed police base there on Tuesday. The number of terrorists, who died in the fight in Chainpur has reached to 30.

The Ministry said the forces recovered a large quantity of ambush equipment from Sindhupalchok’s Bansbari, and food items and logistic materials from Dhading’s Namsari. The recovered food has been distributed to the local people.

Nursing Day being marked

Kathmandu, May 12 (RSS): The International Nursing Day is being observed around the world with the theme "Nurses are always ready to serve your family" and by organising various other programmes.

This theme has been adopted this year with the conception that the old and the children unable to visit the health centre should not be deprived of the service and they should be provided services even by visiting their houses.

To mark the occasion, the nurses will go to the old men’s houses at Pashupati to conduct their health test.

A workshop will also be held to give information to the nurses on how to provide services by visiting various houses and a book concerning the nursing history will also be launched to mark the occasion, it is learnt.

As the task of providing maternity services and vaccinating the children has suffered setback of late, it should again be included in the health strategy, president of Nepal Nursing Association Sanu Tuladhar told RSS.

Most of the nurses are unable to pursue higher studies because of the lack of opportunity, their profession would be more attractive if they are given few months training on operation theatre and intensive care unit and graduate level course conducted for them, it has been said.

At present, there are 17 nursing campuses in the private sector and they demand the setting up of a department of nurses solely to protect and promote their interests.

At present, about 8,000 nurses are working in the governmental and private sectors. Of the total nurses, 2,000 are affiliated to the Nepal Nursing Association and 7,000 to the Nursing Council.

Bamdev heads South Asian body of farmers

Lalitpur, May 11 (RSS): The 2nd conference of the South Asian Farmers’ Forum held here has constituted a 15-member executive committee under the chairmanship of member of the CPN-UML standing committee Bamdev Gautam.

Shaifulla Haq of Bangladesh, Biplabh Alim of India and Prem Dangal of Nepal are the vice-president, general secretary and secretary respectively of the executive committee.

At a press conference, forum president Gautam said that an understanding has been reached for nomination of one vice-president from India and a Nepalese woman as treasurer of the executive committee.