Their Majesties extend heartfelt condolences

RSS

KATHMANDU, Nov. 13: Their Majesties the King and Queen have extended heartfelt condolences to Dinesh Raj Panta, son of academician Nayaraj Panta, and the bereaved family on the sad demise of Mr Panta senior.Their Majesties have observed that the demise of Mr. Panta, who has made outstanding contributions to literature, history and astrology, has caused a great loss in those sectors.

Wishing eternal peace to the departed soul, Their Majesties the King and Queen have also prayed to the almighty for strength to members of the bereaved family to bear the loss, according to the Press Secretariat of His Majesty the King.

Her Majesty returns home

RSS

KATHMANDU, Nov. l3: Her Majesty Queen Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah returned home from London via Qatar today after the health check up of Her Royal Highesss Prearana Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah.

His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev was present at the VVIP Lounge of Tribhuvan International Airport to welcome Her Majesty and HRH the Princess. Also present to welcome Her Majesty and her Royal Highness were Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Paras Bir Bikram Shah Dev and Crown Princess Himani Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah. Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand was likewise present.

Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyaya, Speaker Taranath Ranabhat, National Assembly Chairman Dr. Mohamad Mohsin, Raj Parishad Standing Committee Chairman Dr. Keshar Jung Rayamajhi, Deputy Prime Minister Badri Prasad Mandal, Home Minister Dharma Bahadur Thapa, the British Ambassador to Nepal and high ranking officials of HMG and the Royal Palace service were also present to welcome Her Majesty the Queen and HRH the Princess.

Earlier, Her Majesty the Queen and HRH the Princess were given a warm send off at Doha International Airport by Royal Nepalese Ambassador to Qatar Shyamananda Suman and a senior official of the Amiri Protocol Department of Qatar. Her Majesty the Queen and HRH the Princes had left for London on Asoj 30.

General life remains normal during bandh

RSS

KATHMANDU, Nov. 13: General life here remained normal today on the last day of the so-called Nepal bandh (general strike) called by the Maoist terrorists.

Compared to yesterday and the day before, more shops and businesses in the main markets of the capital remained open. However, most of the educational institutions remained closed today also.
A large number of vehicles could be seen plying today in defiance of the bandh. Although long-distance buses did not operate, other public transport vehicles like buses, taxis, tempos and rental vehicles plied within the city.Hospitals and nursing homes were fully operational as usual while the bandh had no significant impact in the operation of private corporate offices and businesses either.
Meanwhile, the tendency of sticking the 'PRESS' sign on vehicles plying in course of the bandh had declined today.

No untoward incident was reported in the capital today as the government had made elaborate security arrangements.

Unlike during the past bandhs, the people did not have to live in fear of terror and violence. Overall, the three-day Nepal bandh has passed off peacefully much to the relief of the general public. In Kapilbastu, the Nepal bandh had normal impact here today.

Most shops remained open in Taulihawa and Krishnanagar, the two major towns in the district. However, public transport, educational institutions and factories were hit by the bandh. No untoward incident has been reported in the district in the course of the bandh, according to the district administration office.

In Bhairahawa, the so-called Nepal bandh remained unsuccessful in Rupandehi district due to the tight security. The main market area in Bhairahawa, the district headquarters, and Butwal remained open in the course of the three-day bandh with the cooperation of the security forces. Although long-distance transport services were halted, service was operational on the Bhairahawa-Sunauli sector of the Siddhartha Highway.

Tourists entering via Belhaiya, the transit point on the Nepal-India border where the largest number of overland tourists arrive, were escorted to their destinations by security forces, according to chief district officer Sthaneshwar Devkota.

Seven terrorists shot dead by security forces

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Nov 13: At least seven terrorists were shot dead by the security forces in encounters in Baglung, Kapilvastu, Surkhet and Chitwan, said a Defence Ministry statement today. Various types of bombs, explosives, different kinds of logistics and documents were found in these spots.

In their course of the search operations, security forces seized pistols, guns, bullets of .303 rifles, a binocular and Rs. 74,210 in Phulasi of Ramechhap, and Phulbari and Hangpang of Taplejung districts on Tuesday, said the Ministry.

Terrorists attack house of Rayamajhi

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Nov 13: An army sentry shot dead a terrorist who lobbed a bomb into the official residence of the Chairman of the Raj Sabha Standing Committee, Dr. Keshar Jung Rayamajhi, in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

"A terrorist suspect hurled a bomb inside the compound at 5:30 this morning. A soldier on duty instantly fired at him as he was running away from the spot," said Jeeb Raj Bhattarai, an assistant of Dr. Rayamajhi. The bomb failed to explode and was later defused by the disposal team of the army. No one was injured.

Dr. Rayamajhi was in the bathroom at the time of the event, according to Bhattarai. The suspect, who was about 50, is yet to be identified, said a source at the District Police Office, Hanumandhoka.The attack came on the last and the third day of the nationwide strike called by the Maoists.

Thamel to enchant visitors with culture on the streets

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Nov. 13: Kathmandu's tourist hub, Thamel, is orgnising yet another street festival but with new features, on November 22, which is expected to lure back Nepal visitors who may be a bit disoriented by recent bandhs.

Street fairs aimed at entertaining tourists is not new for Thamel. "But this time, curious visitors will find a lot of new attractions during the festival," said Anil Joshi, president of Thamel Tourism Development Committee (TTDC).

The event coincides with the opening of the Siemens Action Asia Himalayan mountain bike race to take place at Tridevi Marg. The open show plans to bring to street the fascinating cultural and traditional glimpses of the country. "Real life shows that depict the folk culture and lifestyle of the different ethnic groups will be brought to the steets for everyone to view," Joshi said. Lashing hard at the frequent general strikes that shoo away tourists, Joshi said that it is high time the tonic of innovative programmes were launched to revive the tourism industry that has been witnessing discouraging arrival trends due a number of national and international factors, he added. Elaborating the glimpses to be put on show, Joshi said live demonstrations of traditional skills and crafts will be presented. For example, visitors will have an opportunity to watch carpents, craftsmen, earthenware makers, manual fabric women weavers and makers of gift item at work.

Visitors are always keen to see how our artists and craftsmen work. The live show will put its focus on this very aspect, said Joshi. Even the grain milling, cooking and other daily household activities of the country folks can be a centre of attraction.

The bike race to be inaugurated at Thamel has three series. The first mountain bike race from Sundarijal to Shankhu on the northeastern fringe of the capital will be held on November 23. The following day, the second part of the race will cover the track from Sankhu to the hill resort of Nagarkot. The final leg on the race on pedals will be from Nagarkot to Bhaktapur.

SAARC meet on TB reference labs open

RSS

KATHMANDU, Nov. 13: A three-day 'Meeting of the Heads/Directors of the National TB Reference Laboratory for the SAARC Canada Regional TB and HIV/AIDS Project' began here today under the joint aegis of the SAARC TB Centre and the Canada International Development Agency (CIDA). The heads/directors, microbiologists and medical technologists involved in research and TB Control Programme quality assurance from all SAARC member countries are taking part in the meeting. In addition, experts from the tuberculosis research institute, Chennai (India) and microbiologists from various pioneer institutions are also attending the gathering.

The meeting is scheduled to discuss a host of topics such as harmonisation of technical guidelines for smear microscopy including grading of slides and recording and reporting practices in accordance with who and International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD) recommendations, harmonisation of protocols for quality assurance of smear microscopy in the TB laboratory networks of the SAARC region including the standardisation of performance reporting and harmonisation of biosafety guidelines for smear microscopy.

According to the organisers, the gathering also aims to develop and approve the terms of reference and modalities for regular networking and collaborative activities between National TB Reference Laboratories in SAARC member countries and to agree on regional activities to the end of 2003 to support the implementation of quality assurance in national laboratory networks.

Director of the National and SAARC TB Centre Dr. Dirgha Singh Bam inaugurated the meeting. The SAARC secretariat has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with CIDA to strengthen the SAARC TB Centre, to enhance the capacity of SAARC laboratories in diagnostic reference testing, standardised antibiotic resistance testing and quality assurance and to establish an 'epidemiological information network' in the prevention and control of TB and HIV/AIDS in the region. Likewise, a SAARC TB Reference Laboratory has been established with the objective of supporting the National TB Reference Laboratories, to improve their performance in case detection, to improve the quality assurance so that National TB Reference Labs will implement the protocol recommended by WHO and IUATLD.

Tuberculosis is the foremost cause of death among adults from a single infectious agent and the SAARC region accounts for 38 per cent of the global burden with 1.1 million new smear positive cases and nearly 2.5 million all forms of new TB cases.

IFJ expresses concerns over Rai's arrest

RSS

KATHMANDU, Nov. 13: The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has expressed deep concern over the arrest on Tuesday of editor of 'Aparanha' daily Tikaram Rai. In a letter of protest sent Tuesday to Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand, Home Minister Dharma Bahadur Thapa, IGP Pradip Shumsher Rana and chairman of National Human Rights Commission Nayan Bahadur Khatri, IFJ General Secretary Eden White has urged them to release all journalists arrested in course of their professional work.

Stating that the Federation was informed of Mr Rai's arrest in connection with the publication of news relating to SSP Basanta Kunwar, the letter says, "More than 100 journalists have been arrested since the proclamation of the state of emergency, two have been killed and above two dozen are still in custody".

Meanwhile, the National Union of Journalists, a member of the federation, has also said that police have violated rights by arresting journalists under law not concerned with journalists. It has demanded immediate and unconditional release of all journalists under custody including editor Rai.

Likewise, the Pariwartan Nepal and the Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Studies have also expressed concern over Mr Rai's arrested and demanded his immediate release.

Loss may close down NOC

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Nov. 13: Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has stated that if the price of petroleum products in the country is not raised instantly, the corporation could close down in the immediate future. Since April this year, NOC has been bearing losses while selling kerosene, diesel and cooking gas. Currently, a litre of kerosene, diesel and petrol in India costs Rs. 28, 33 and 51 respectively, while the corporation has been providing these products in Nepal at Rs. 17, Rs. 26.50 and Rs. 46 respectively.
As a result, the corporation loses Rs. 11 on every litre of kerosene sold, Rs. 6.50 on diesel and Rs. 5 on petrol when compared with the price in the Indian market.

The cost of kerosene this October was Rs. 25 and that of diesel Rs 33 in India. The corporation, thus, stood to lose around Rs. 6 billion per year, a press statement of the corporation read today. While selling cooking gas, the corporation loses around Rs. 820 million a year, as it subsidises Rs. 195 on every cylinder of gas sold.

The corporation has lost Rs. 3 billion in the last seven months as it has been heavily subsidising these products. But the corporation makes some profit with aviation fuel and petrol. Around 63,000 kiloliters of petrol is consumed in Nepal while the annual consumption of kerosene and diesel is 750,000 kiloliters each. More than 60,000 metric tons of cooking gas is sold annually.

Nepali scientist awarded in USA for research

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Nov. 13: For decades, scientists around the world have been working to bring about a thermonuclear reaction in the lab. Should that happen, a Nepali scientist, Uday Shah, will have made a significant contribution in achieving that feat.

Thermonuclear reaction, also called fusion, is what generates energy in the sun and stars. Scientists believe that if this can be achieved on earth, it will help produce infinite amounts of energy which is clean and cheap.

Uday Shah was recently awarded a doctorate for his inventive research in plasma physics from Rensselear Polytechnic Institute, Troy, USA for his research on 'Electric Field Measurements in a Reversed Field Pinch with Heavy Ion Beam Probe'.

"His research has enabled, for the first time, the study of the mechanisms of electrostatic turbulence suppression in the core of reversed field," said a statement of the Rensselear Polytechnic Institute.
His research and development work in the field of particle beam diagnostics for the Madison Symmetric Torus (MST) Reversed Field Pinch (RFP) has produced the first measurement of the electric potential in the hot core (of about a million RFP Plasma) of any such experiment device anywhere in the world. "Many researchers in the scientific community once doubted the measurements were possible," the statement said.

"Shah's measurements of the electrical field have produced new and significant information that provides substantial help in achieving the goal of producing electric power from controlled thermonuclear fusion." And his unique results are of interest to many scientists around the world involved in nuclear fusion research.

Shah did his early schooling at Siddhartha Banasthali High School, Kathmandu, and Higher School Certificate (equivalent to I.Sc.) from Ashfield Boys' High School in Sydney, Australia, where his father Dr. Shree Govinda Shah was doing his Ph.D. in ecology. Uday also double graduated in mathematics and physics from the University of Oregon, USA.

Currently, Uday is also a member of the Components Research Organisation, the research division of Intel Corporation, where he works as an expert in plasma science. His work at Intel involves the application of plasma science and engineering to help develop the next generation of microprocessors, which are faster and use less energy to operate.

Uday has extensive record of publications and presentation of papers in the USA and at international conferences, including 18 papers presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Physical Society Division of Plasma Physics and International Conference of Plasma Science. He also has three papers published in the prestigious 'Review of Scientific Instruments'. His first measurements of electric potential in the core of RFP will be published in a special issue of the 'Journal of Plasma and Fusion Research' published by the Japan Society of Plasma and Nuclear Fusion Research. Nuclear fusion is a process where hydrogen isotopes, or any other light nuclei, combine to release energy. When hydrogen or deuterium, hydrogen isotope with one proton and one neutron (normal hydrogen has only one proton and no neutron), are stripped of their electrons they form a plasma, i.e. a collection of ions and electrons. They have to be heated to a very high temperature, about 100 million degrees Celcius, to combine. This process of energy production is similar to that which powers the sun where hydrogen isotopes are combined by strong gravitational forces.

As it is not possible to reproduce these conditions on earth, fusion reactors must operate at lower pressures and higher temperatures - about 100 million degrees. In a laboratory one way to confine these fusion elements is to use strong magnetic fields, such as in the device called Tokamak.
Shah will be delivering a lecture on 'Applications of Plasma Science from Microscopic Transistors to Fusion Energy' at the Kathmandu University in the latter part of this month.

Shah's feat is a matter of pride for the whole country. Recognising persons like Shah and others Nepalese who have achieved similar feat by institutes like RONAST would help boost the scientific community within the country.

"One way of doing this is to make them honorary members of RONAST so that they can help bring knowledge and even funds to the country and keep their affiliations with the scientific community here," said Shree Govinda Shah.

Enough of bandhs, say common people

By Bishnu Budhathoki

KATHMANDU, Nov.13: A man suffering from appendicitis pains had to be rushed to Bir Hospital on the back of a motorcycle today as no vehicles were available due to the three-day bandh called by the Maoists.

Bishnu Karki of Kalanki suddenly developed appendicitis pains in the morning, and his friend took the risk and rushed him to the hospital on his motorcycle. "This bandh nearly took my life," Karki said, as the hospital staff prepared him for the operation. He said that the frequent bandhs had become a nuisance.

A few vehicles were seen plying the roads today, and most them had their number plates covered. "When even few government vehicles were running, that too with their number plates covered, how can the common people dare to bring out their vehicles to foil the bandh ?" asked Karki's friend. As the bandh continued into the third day, the common people and the business community only expressed anguish. The bandh was called to protest the snap polls slated for November 13 by former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. But the Maoists did not call off the bandh after his council of ministers was dismissed in October.

Constantly threatened by bandhs, they have called for a common alliance between the political parties, the common people and the government to fail them. The grievance of an auto-rickshaw driver, Rajkumar Khatri, from Sindhupalchok is no different. Khatri questioned how will the poor and daily wage earners make their living during the bandh? "The bandhs affect the poor the most," he said. Khatri has four mouths to feed. 

That compulsion to feed his family members forced him to take out his three-wheeler and brave the vandalism that the bandh callers might resort to. "Everybody should chip in to make the bandhs unsuccessful," he said. "Enough is enough," he said.

Although some enjoyed the days off from school, Arjun Shrestha, a student of Gyanodaya Balbatika School, said they were three days lost. Shrestha spent his day skating on the vehicle-free road at New Road. "There is no playground in my house, and the open street is a nice place to play," he said.
Lok Raj Pokhrel, a lecturer at Tribhuban University, said that the people have been suffering unnecessarily as rebels call for strikes time and again. "It will only make the common people angrier." The bandhs do not serve the interest of anyone."For how long should we tolerate such unwanted strikes?" he asked. All the political parties and the civil society should join hands to oppose the bandhs, he said.

He was critical of the political parties for failing to counter the Maoists' activities time and again.
While the bandh causes immense inconvenience to the ordinary people, it is the economic sector that suffers the most. "The private industrial sector has suffered a loss of Rs. 410 million, and the country as a whole, together with the agriculture sector, lost about Rs. 2.14 billion during these three days of bandh," said Rajendra Kumar Khetan, First Vice President of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Of the country's total GDP of Rs. 275 billion, 78 per cent is contributed by the private and the agriculture sector. The manufacturing sector's contribution to the GDP is 15 percent, and that is completely disturbed during the bandhs, he said. The maximum working days in the manufacturing industries are about 300 a year, and the three-day bandh means losing one per cent of the GDP. Besides, the bandhs damage the credibility and image of the nation and also badly affects the tourism industry, Khetan said.

The FNCCI has been lobbing among the political parties and civil society to protest against such unproductive programmes. The whole society including political parties and the government should work towards doing away with such strikes, he said. The country has lost 65 productive days to various bandhs in the past 12 years.