Nepal-Japan Women's Society inaugurated

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KATHMANDU, Oct. 2: Nepal Japan Women's Society (NJWS), an Association of Japanese and Nepalese women in Japan, was jointly inaugurated amidst a grand function in Tokyo the other day by Mrs. Haruko Komura, wife of the former minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mrs. Sumiko Takeuchi, wife of the senior vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mrs. Kohinoor Mathema, wife of the Royal Nepalese Ambassador to Tokyo.

The inaugural function was followed by a key-note speech by Ambassador Mathema and a programme of Nepali live music, dance and fashion show of Nepali ethnic, Japanese and western dresses.

A tea reception was also organised on the occasion.

The society aims to promote understanding and goodwill among Nepalese and Japanese women through friendship and cooperative activities among its members, according to a press release from the Royal Nepalese Embassy in Tokyo.

Food shortage in Karnali discussed

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KATHMANDU, Oct. 2: Speakers of a discussion programme expressed resentment on creating of situation that may cause starvation for lack of foodgrains supplies in Karnali Zone which is regarded the remotest as Bada Dashain, the great festival of the Hindus nears.

They said government has no notice of the National Assembly (NA), the Lower House has been dissolved, rights of local bodies have been curtailed and demanded foodgrains supply by helicopter with proper security with co-ordination between the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Industries, Commerce and Supplies (MOICS).

The discussion programme was organised by the Remote Areas Committee of NA.

The foodgrains crisis is due to Maoists blockade, violence, terror and stoppage of government supplies by the army.

They questioned how is it that the government supplies are expensive and sub-standard and the private sector supply cheap and qualitative.

Replying to questions, Assistant Minister of MOICS Prakash Bahadur Gurung said HMG will transport foodgrains in minimum prices by three airlines companies.

He also assured mobilisation of security agencies and private sector involvement in the transportation.
NA member Tilak Prasad Neupane said the helicopter transportation of 1700 dollars per hour is quite expensive.

MOICS secretary Bhanu Prasad Acharya expressed possibilities of supply of foodgrains to Mugu, Kalikot and Rolpa from tomorrow.

Food Corporation General Manager Bhawani Raj Poudel said the increase of rice price is due to cuts in transportation subsidies.

It is Rs. 185 million this year as against Rs. 220 million last year.

Chairperson of the committee who presided demanded that security be ensured, closed depots be opened and distribution be made easy.

Also speaking on the occasion were NA members Devendra Ghimire, Dev Raj Ghimire, Komal Bahadur Ghale, Urbadutta Pant, Yangkila Sherpa and Food Corporation Chairman Purnananda Sharma.

Balayar,Japanese minister discuss science, technology

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KATHMANDU, Oct. 2: Minister of State for Science and Technology Bahakta Bahadur Balayar met Mrs. Atsuko Toyama, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan this morning in Tokyo and exchanged views on matters of mutual interest.

The meeting between the two ministers was primarily focused on the possibility of Nepal-Japan cooperation in the area of I.T. and biotechnology.

Minister Balayar was accompanied by Royal Nepalese Ambassador to Tokyo Kedar Bahadur Mathema, secretary of M.O.S.T. Mahesh Man Shrestha, advisor to the Minister Prof. Ramesh Ananda Vaidya, Minister-Counsellor Mohan Krishna Shrestha and Prof. Manoj Lal Shrestha.

Early in the morning Minister Balayar and the members also attended a briefing on research and development of life science in Japan organised by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology for the visiting Nepalese delegation and participated in the discussion on the possibility of future collaboration between Nepal and Japan in the area of biotechnology.

Minister Balayar is currently in Tokyo for a week-long visit at the imvitation of the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, according to a press release from the Royal Nepalese Embassy in Tokyo.

Unity Day marks confidence, says German president

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Oct 2: The Federal President of Germany Johannes Rau, in his message on the Day of Germany Unity on October 3, said that it is a day of joy, a day of gratitude and a day of confidence.

"We are delighted that our country is no longer torn in two by an inhuman border," he said, adding that they are grateful that so many friendly nations helped them on the road to unity and shared their happiness.

The German President said that for the Germans, national unity continues to be both a gift and an obligation. That is why the international community can continue to count on the Federal Republic of Germany to full its role in the world - as a good neighbour and as a reliable friend and partner, he said.
Germany will push ahead with its internal reconstruction and, together with its friends and partners, continue to make a positive contribution to peace and stability in the world as a member of the European Union, NATO and the United Nations, said the German Federal President.

Recalling the flood that ravaged through Germany recently costing lives and devastating many cities and regions, President Rau said that this has brought people in his country together - a witness of the great power of solidarity. This solidarity was also shown by states and people around the world.

He said that in the wake of the disaster, the German people are asking whether the natural disasters, which are occurring in increasing frequency around the world, are man-made and what we have to do together to preserve the natural sources of life.

Moreover, the German President said that we also know that a fundamental improvement in the economic and social situation in less developed countries is an essential prerequisite for effective environmental protection.

'1.4 M children in Nepal victims of malnutrition'

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LALITPUR, Oct. 2: A symposium with an objective of promoting necessary awareness and imparting knowledge down to the grass-root level on the importance of balanced diet and proper nutrition has been initiated here from today.

Acting secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and member of the National Nutrition Coordination Committee Aasheswor Jha inaugurated the symposium jointly organised by Food Technology and Quality Control Department, National Nutrition Programme, food and Nutrition Project Regional Training Programme and UPLB Philippines.

Speaking at the programme Jha said that some 50 million children below 5 years of age throughout the globe and nearly 1.4 million in Nepal have been victims of mal-nutrition.

General Director of Food Technology and Quality Control Department Dr. Tika Bahadur Karki said attempts have been undergoing in controlling food adulteration and eliminating of malnutrition.

Speaking from the chair joint-secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Ganesh Kumar K.C pointed out the need of food preservation and safety in relieving the people from starvation and maladies.

Some 40 technicians had participated in the symposium.