14 new postage stamps to be issued next year

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KATHMANDU, Nov. 26: The Department of Postal Services is going to bring into use 14 new postage stamps on l0 diferent topics in 2003.

According to information made available by the Nepal Philatelic Bureau, a new postage stamp of Rs 5 denomination would be issued in coming asar on the occasion of His Majesty the King's auspicious birthday.

Similarly, separate postage stamps bearing the images of mountaineer Babu Tshri Sherpa and senior politician Dilli Raman Regmi will be issued under the 'national personalities' theme and that of national hero Shankhadhar Sakhwa.

Likewise, postage stamps on 'Industry and Commerce Day', '50th anniversary of Nepal Chamber of Commerce', 'Tea: a national industry', 'fifty years of ascent of Mount Sagarmatha', ' International Events', 'Lord Gautam Buddha', 'Gorakhnath', 'Kaligandaki-A Hydroelectric Project', and various flowers will also be issued.

Indian envoy pays courtesy call on Gyawali

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KATHMANDU, Nov. 26: Indian Ambassador Shyam Sharan paid a courtesy call on Minister for Water Resources Deepak Gyawali at the latter's office today.

Matters of mutual interest in the water resources sector were discussed on the occasion.

The Indian Ambassador congratulated Gyawali on his assumption of the office of Minister for Water Resources and expressed the commitment of the Indian government to take mutual interests into consideration in the days to come.

On the occasion, the Minister for Water Resources said that programmes which could be started immediately and accomplished should be taken ahead to consolidate the environment of trust through cooperation.

Crisis should be tackled through dialogue, says Sharma

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Nov. 26: Multiparty democracy, constitutional monarchy and rule of law are the basic norms to which Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) is committed to and will remain so in the time to come, says RPP leader and former minister Rabindra Nath Sharma.

Speaking to the Rising Nepal Sharma, who is contesting the election for the post of the party president in the party's national convention being held in Pokhara in near future, maintains, "The party should not waver on its ideological commitment to democracy, liberalism and national integrity as it would harm its image and credibility.''

'Remarking that there is no alternative to democracy Sharma reiterates, "Only democracy and freedom can lead us to a better future''. Referring to the Royal audience he was granted recently, Sharma observes, "I have found that His Majesty is committed to multi party democracy and people's wellbeing and no doubt should be harbored on it."

Speaking about his plan for the Party if he was elected to the apex post, Sharma says, "The party sustains on stable principles. But RPP has not been able to strengthen its organizational networks. My first priority is to ensure that the party has its own office building at the centre and regional office at least in five places of the country.

I am also committed to give a new facelift to the party and make it sure it improves its standing in the elections.

Talking about the current crisis in the country Sharma opines that the Maoist problems should be solved through dialogue. There is a need for consensus among democratic forces, he adds.

Moreover the government should go ahead with plan to hold polls. Similarly, long term measures to the problem should be implemented, he emphasizes. Unless poverty and deprivation are not tackled, the source of social discontent can not be checked, he adds.

Age is no bar for social service

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Nov. 26: If one is born for social service, age is no bar. Johann Willaschecsk of Germany has been visiting Nepal without fail since 1997 so that he can be of some help to the disabled. Although aged 77, Willascheck is still energetic when it comes to surrendering himself for the sake of the disabled.

In the past five years, Willascheck has provided several wheelchairs for those in need.

During his ongoing 7th trip to Nepal, Willascheck said that he would keep coming and bringing wheelchairs as long as his health allows him to.

Speaking at a function held in Kathmandu recently, Willascheck said, "I can feel the hardships of the disabled, and the little change a wheelchair can bring to their life."

During the function, he donated wheelchairs to Dhulikhel Hospital and to a young disabled Poshan Poudel, 10.

Former Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Keshav Sthapit said that Willascheck's contribution has done the marvelous job of strengthening solidarity across the world.

At the programme organised by the Lion's Club of Kathmandu, many Lions expressed their views on the importance of charity and social welfare.

Development projects in Pokhara discussed

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POKHARA, Nov. 26: An interaction programme on different development projects to be launched in Pokhara Sub-Metropolitan City during the Fiscal Year of 2002/2003 was organised here Monday.

On the occasion Rajparisad member Ganesh Bahadur Gurung highlighting the vital role played by office employees in carrying out the fundamental national policies pointed out the need for them not to be henpecked of political leaders in fulfilling their duty.

Former MP Shukra Raj Sharma said the present decisions should be made considering not to make any inconveniences to the representatives to be elected in future.

Another former MP Som Nath Adhikari Pyasi said the decisions should be made based on participatory development concept.

CDO Devi Prasad Bhattarai on the occasion informed that some new development projects are to be launched in near future.

Municipality board chairman and executive officer Shiva Datta Bhattarai said that an amount of Rs. 53.6 million has been allotted as the development budget and the schemes will be selected after the consultation of different users' groups and persons from all walks of life.

Former mayor Krishna Thapa, deputy mayor Man Bhadur Gurung and others also spoke on the occasion.