Their Majesties receive Tika, Prasad

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KATHMANDU, Oct. l7: His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and Her Majesty Queen Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah received the Prasad, Tika and Jamara of Navadurga Bhawani from Badagurujyu Keshari Raj Pandey amid the chanting of Vedic hymns at the auspicious hour of ll.0l am Tuesday at a function held at Narayanhity Royal Palace on the occasion of Bijaya Dashami.On the occasion, a 3l gun salute was presented.At the same function, His Majesty the King gave Tika and Jamara to Her Majesty the Queen. At the start of the function, His Majesty was sprinkled with holy water from a sacred jar of the Dasainghar of Hanumandhoka by the Badaguruju and Moolpurohit amid the chanting of vedic hymns for His Majesty's good health, happiness and prosperity.

Their Majesties give Tika, Jamara

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KATHMANDU, Oct. l7: His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and Her Majesty Queen Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah gave Tika and Jamara on the occasion of Bijaya Dashami to His Royal Highness Crown Prince Paras Bir Bikram Shah Dev and Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Himani Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah at Narayanhity Royal Palace Tuesday morning.

On the occasion, Their Majesties also gave Tika and Jamara to Her Royal Highness Princess Prearana Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, other members of the Royal Family and to Royal relatives.

Earlier, Their Royal Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess received the Prasad, Tika and Jamara of Durga Bhawani from the Badagurujyu and Mool Purohit.

Her Majesty Queen Mother Ratna Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah also received the Prasad of Durga Bhawani from the Badagurujyu on the same occasion.

His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the Queen, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess also received Tika and Jamara from Her Majesty the Queen Mother.

Their Royal Highnesses the Princesses, other members of the Royal Family and Royal Relatives also received Tika and Jamara from Her Majesty the Queen Mother at the same function.

Their Majesties gave Tika to high ranking officials of the Royal Palace and gazetted officers at the Royal Palace premises at the function.

Thereafter, His Majesty gave Tika to employees of the Royal Palace Service and non-gazetted and other employees at the Royal Palace premises.

Similarly, on the occasion of Bijaya Dashami, Their Majesties the King and Queen gave the auspicious Tika and Jamara to the distinguished persons from the political, economic and social sectors at the Narayanhity Royal Palace Tuesday afternoon.

On the occasion, Their Majesties the King and Queen also gave the auspicious Tika and Jamara to Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand.

Likewise, Their Majesties gave the auspicious Tika and Jamara to Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyaya, Speaker Taranath Ranabhat, Chairman of the National Assembly Dr. Mohammad Mohasin, Chairman of Rajparisad Standing Committee Dr. Keshar Jung Rayamajhi, the former prime ministers, the ministers, the MPs, the heads of the constitutional bodies, the former ministers, the high ranking officials of His Majesty's Government and other distinguished persons.

His Majesty the King gave Vijaya Dashami Tika to the Nepalese and foreign nationals at the Royal Palace Tuesday afternoon.

Likewise, Her Majesty the Queen also gave the Vijaya Dashami Tika to the Nepalese women at the Royal Palace Tuesday afternoon.

A large number of people from different parts of the Kingdom including elderly persons, handicapped and children had thronged at the Royal Palace to receive the Vijaya Dashami Tika and Jamara from Their Majesties from early morning.

Earlier, Their Majesties the King and Queen paid homage at various Shaktipeeths (shrines of Goddesses) of Kathmandu Valley on the occasion of Mahastami.

Their Majesties visited Naxal Bhagawati, Guheshwari, Maitidevi, Kalikasthan, Bhadrakali, Sankata, Mahankalsthan, Naradevi, Raktakali, Shobhabhagawati and Indrayani and offered prayers and worship at the shrines.

Their Majesties were accompanied by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

Trust' harmony must to build prosperous Nepal: HM

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KATHMANDU, Oct. l7: His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev has said that Vijaya Dashami is a reminder that truth and justice ultimately prevail, and that no matter how difficult it may be, we must be able to instill this universal truth in our every walk of life.His Majesty said this in a message to the nation on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami.His Majesty said we must build a strong and prosperous Nepal with an environment wherein every individual enjoys the benefits of democracy.

To achieve this, maintaining mutual trust, goodwill and harmony amongst all the Nepalese people is the need of the hour, His Majesty observed.Pointing out that a Council of Ministers has been constituted with the primary responsibility to hold the general elections as soon as possible by restoring peace and security as well as to instill in the people a sense of good governance, transparency and rule of law, His Majesty expressed confidence that this Council of Ministers will be able to garner support from all the countrymen in fulfilling the responsibilities entrusted to it.

The full text of His Majesty's message:

Beloved countrymen,

The national festival of Bada Dashain is with us once again. On this auspicious occasion, we wish all Nepalese, living within the country and abroad, health, happiness and prosperity. Vijaya Dashami is a reminder that truth and justice ultimately prevail. No matter how difficult it may be, we must be able to instill this universal truth in our every walk of life.

We must build a strong and prosperous Nepal with an environment wherein every individual enjoys the benefits of democracy. To achieve this, maintaining mutual trust, goodwill and harmony amongst all the Nepalese people is the need of the hour.

A Council of Ministers has been constituted with the primary responsibility to hold the general elections as soon as possible by restoring peace and security as well as to instill in the people a sense of good governance, transparency and rule of law. We are confident that this Council of Ministers will be able to garner support from all our countrymen in fulfilling the responsibilities entrusted to it.

May Goddess Navadurga Bhavani inspire all Nepalese to be aware of their responsibilities and duties towards the motherland and work in unison in the creation of a glorious nation.

Jaya Nepal!

Her Majesty in London

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LONDON, Oct. 17: Her Majesty Queen Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah arrived in London, United Kingdom Wednesday night in connection with the health check up of Her Royal Highness Princess Prearana Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah.

Her Majesty is accompanied by HRH Princess Prearana Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah and other members of the Royal family.

Present at the Heathrow Airport to welcome Her Majesty and Her Royal Highness were HRH Princess Puja Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah and Her Royal Highness Jyotsna Rajya Laxmi Devi Basnet.

Similarly, also present to welcome Her Majesty were Royal Nepalese Ambassador to the United Kingdom Singha Bahadur Basnet and representative of the office of Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom Arthur Olins.

Earlier, Her Majesty Queen Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah left here for London, United Kingdom Wednesday in connection with the health check up of Her Royal Highness Princess Prearana Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah.

His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev was present at the VIP Lounge of the Tribhuvan International Airport to see Their Majesties off.

Similarly, also present to see Their Majesties off were His Royal Highness Crown Prince Paras Bir Bikram Shah Dev and Her Royal Highness Princess Himani Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah.Other members of the Royal family also left for London with Their Majesties.Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand was present at the airport on the occasion. Also present on the occasion were Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyay, Speaker Taranath Ranabhat, National Assembly Chairman Dr. Mohammad Mohsin, Raj Parishad Standing Committee Chairman Dr. Keshar Jung Rayamajhi, Deputy Prime Minister Badri Prasad Mandal, ministers, Charge d' Affairs of the United Kingdom to Nepal David Ward and high-ranking officials of the Royal Palace Services and His Majesty's Government.

Crown Prince graces special programme

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KATHMANDU, Oct. 17: His Royal Highness Crown Prince Paras Bir Bikram Shah Dev today graced a special programme organised by Nepal Police to mark Police Day 2002 at Police Headquarters.

On the occasion, HRH the Crown Prince conferred awards and certificates on good citizens contributing in policing, outstanding investigator, traffic police, police inspector and writers of the year as well as on organisations and personalities assisting in police service.

IGP Pradeep Shumsher JB Rana presented gifts and Police Day special publication 2059 to HRH the Crown Prince.

During the programme, march past, pageantry display and band display were performed by different police wings.

IGP Rana said that the domain of work of police force has become tough day after day with a rise in Mayhem and violence in the country.

He further remarked that Nepal Police is determined to ensure peace and security across the country by utilising the limited means and resources available to it.

Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand, Speaker Taranath Ranabhat, Chairman of National Assembly Dr. Mohammad Mohsin, Chairman of Raj Parishad Standing Committee Dr. Kesharjung Rayamajhi, Deputy Prime Minister Badri Prasad Mandal, the Ministers, the heads of the foreign diplomatic missions and the high ranking officials of His Majesty's Government were present on the occasion.

Nurture tolerance, amity and fraternity: PM

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KATHMANDU, Oct. 15: Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand has wished that the festival of Bijaya Dashami will inspire the peace loving Nepalese to be motivated by the spirit of patriotism, give up mutual rivalry and help maintain the spirit of tolerance and brotherhood.

In a message of greetings Tuesday on the occasion of Bijaya Dashami, Prime Minister Chand has said that this day will inspire the entire Nepalese to shun mutual antagonism, jealousy and enmity and work in a united manner in the national development endeavour.

Stating that peace loving Nepalese have been afflicted with a series of murders and violence, and our daily routine is passing through a difficult situation, the fundamental right of the people to life has been violated and the economic, social, educational and political conditions have been badly affected, he pointed out the need for mutual cooperation and goodwill among the Nepalese for the prosperity of Nepal and the Nepalese.

Prime Minister Chand, in the message, wished that Navadurga Bhavani will bestow wisdom on all of us to maintain peace and order in the country.

Similarly, Speaker Taranath Ranabhat has prayed that goddess Durga Bhavani will inspire all of us to rise above personal and group interests in the larger interest of the country.

In a message of best wishes today on the occasion of Bijaya Dashami., Speaker Ranabhat said it is the first and foremost duty to maintain an environment of mutual goodwill, understanding, coordination and cooperation and ensure peace.

In his message, he has also pointed out the need to focus our attention to come together on the basis of national unity and consensus to resolve differences peacefully, respect the right to live and let live, and promote constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy for the overall development of the country by keeping the national interest uppermost in mind.

Dashain Greetings

Similarly, president of the Nepali Congress Girija Prasad Koirala has said that the festival of Bijaya Dashami giving us the message of victory of justice over injustice and truth over untruth will always provide inspiration to stand for justice and truth.

In his message on the occasion of Bijaya Dashami today, NC president Koirala said that the festival should be celebrated in a simple manner without any extravagance and as a symbol of cultural unity.
He called upon one and all to realise that murder, violence and terror are in the interest of no one and the mindless killing of one Nepali by another should be stopped.

In the message, Koirala said, "our country is inflicted with murder, violence and terror since the last few years. There has been enough bloodshed of innocent people. This is a fatal conspiracy to plunge the country into a great crisis. Let us be aware and sensitive over this matter and pledge to move ahead unitedly."

Likewise, CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal has, in his message on the occasion of the festival of Bijaya Dashami, has wished that the festival would inspire every Nepali to move ahead continuously to achieve justice, truth and wisdom, to move ahead along the right path for the transformation and advancement of Nepali society.

In the message, General Secretary Nepal pointed out the need to move ahead by respecting the existence of one another, and called for continuous dialogue and consensus while remaining active and struggling to ensure peace and good governance, and protect democracy and the people's rights.
Stating that Bada Dashain should have brought cheers and enthusiasm in the courtyard of every Nepalese, but the murder, violence, terror and uncertainty in the country over the last few years have affected this festival also and the hearts of all the Nepalese are hurt by such incidents.

Nepal has also pointed out the need for everyone to focus on further strengthening unity, goodwill and mutual tolerance through this festival.

Similarly, president of the Nepali Congress (Democratic) and former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, in his message on the occasion of Bijaya Dashami, wished that goddess Durga Bhavani would provide us wisdom so that the strengths within us are oriented towards a creative direction, in order to free us from the difficult situation.

In the message, he has also stated that the country is passing through a very difficult phase and this has affected all the Nepalese.

Likewise, President of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party Surya Bahadur Thapa has, in a message on the occasion of Bijaya Dashami, wished that goddess Durga Bhavani will provide us inspiration in building a modern and prosperous Nepal by remaining responsible towards the country and the people.
In the message, he has stated that in this joyous environment, we should take a pledge to resolve the complex and challenging problems we face.

Premier Chand congratulated

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KATHMANDU, Oct. 17: Premier Zhu Rongji of the People's Republic of China has extended sincere congratulations to Lokendra Bahadur Chand on his once again being appointed Prime Minister of Nepal.

In a message to Chand, the Chinese Premier said China and Nepal are amicable and close neighbors, and there exists profound traditional friendship between the two peoples.

For the past years, the good-neighborly, friendly and cooperative China-Nepal relations which are based on the five principles of peaceful coexistence have been developed consistently, he observed.
He also expressed his wish to make joint and relentless efforts with Chand in the coming years to further consolidate and develop the traditional friendship and friendly cooperative relations which already exist between the two countries.

Meanwhile, President of Maldives Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has congratulated Lokendra Bahadur Chand on his appointment as the Prime Minister of Nepal.

In a message, President Gayoom has expressed the confidence that the close and cordial relations existing between the two countries will continue to flourish in the future and wished for the good health and well-being of the Prime Minister and for the continued peace and prosperity of the people of Nepal.

Likewise, Prime Minister of Bangladesh Khalida Zia has congratulated Mr Lokendra Bahadur Chand on his appointment as the Prime Minister of Nepal.

In a message, she has expressed the confidence that under the leadership of Prime Minister Chand, the constitution and democratic process in Nepal will be further consolidated and wished him success in all his efforts.

In the message, she has further stated she looked forward to closely working with Prime Minister Chand to further strengthen the bilateral relations.

Similiarly, His Majesty King Jigme Singye Wangchuk of Bhutan has congratulated Mr Lokendra Bahadur Chand on his appointment as the Prime Minister of Nepal.

Stating that the appointment of Mr Chand is a clear reflection of the trust and confidence reposed in him by His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, the Bhutanese King has expressed the confidence that with his wide experience, Prime Minister Chand will provide stable leadership for Nepal as head of an interim administration during a challenging period.

In the message, the Bhutanese King has also wished every success to Prime Minister Chand in discharging the very important responsibilities with which he has been entrusted.

Likewise, Prime Minister of Bhutan Lyonpo Kinzang Dorji has also sent a congratulatory message to Mr Chand on his appointment as Prime Minister of Nepal.

In the message, Mr Dorje has wished for peace, progress and stability in Nepal as well as for Prime Minister Chand's good health and happiness.

Dhaulagiri clean up campaign launched

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Oct. 17: A four weeklong the first ever Dhaulagiri base camp clean up campaign, which collected 800 kgs of rubbish, was complete on 12th of October. The four-week long clean up expedition had begun on 17th of September. The clean up campaign also included the trekking route leading to the Dhaulagiri base camp.

The team, including eight French mountaineers and Nepali porters collected 500 kg of clothes, 120 kg of tin cans, 80 kg. of broken glasses. It also included 56 kg of beer bottles and 20 kg of batteries.
The clean up campaign was organised by the Paris-based environmental protection Association Dhaulagueri. Its Nepali partner the Kathmandu Environmental Education Programme (KEEP) had supported the clean up campaign.

The French team had bore the $45,000 needed for the clean up, and ONYX, a Paris based international waste treatment and recycling company was the sponsor of the campaign.

The team had estimated to collect 71,00 kg waste, but could collect only 800 kg due to bad weather at the base camp, said team leader of the French team Breffni Bolze at a press meet organized today at the residence of Dominique Plassard, press attaché at the French Embassy.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between Dhaulagueri and KEEP to continue clean up mission in the future, said Anu Lama, an official of KEEP. The signing of MoU will help to find international donors for mountain clean ups in the future, she added.

The clean up was carried out on the trekking trails from Marpha to Hidden Valley and its upper extremities. The wastes collected were disposed off in the most environmentally friendly way, said the team leader. Some rubbish was brought back to Pokhara for disposal, he added. He also informed that highly toxic materials like batteries would be taken to France for disposal.

The Dhaulagueri team had arrived in Kathmandu on September 14. The Dhaulagueri had included 30 Sherpa porters in its mission for gathering the rubbish.

At the press meet the French press attaché expressed happiness over the initiative taken to clean up the mountain. The clean up team also had included a team of French documentary makers.

AIDS reaching epidemic proportions in S. Asia

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Oct17: South Asia is one of the fastest growing AIDS epidemic regions in the world with India alone having 4 million HIV/AIDS patients making it the world's second largest country in terms of HIV cases About 100,000 pregnancies, out of 27 million, in India, occur to HIV positive mothers, a release by UNICEP Regional Office for South Asia at its three-day regional consultation on prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT)." The consultation, which started October 16, aims at establishing programmes to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV in South Asia.

The increasing infection rates of HIV affected people in South Asia such as Nepal, India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh have serious implications not only for health care system but threats to reverse years of steady progress in child survival. The released said Nepal has more than five per cent people affected by HIV in sex workers and injecting drug users.

Scientific studies have shown that it is possible for an HIV infected pregnant woman to transmit HIV to her baby, during pregnancy, delivery and through breastfeeding. The rate of mother to child transmission range from 14 to 32 per cent in non-breastfeeding populations and from 25 to 48 per cent among partially breast feeding population.

The release pointed out that the main cause of the AIDS transmission in these regions are men having unsafe sex with women, transfusion of infected blood and blood products and injecting drug use. In other regions poverty, illiteracy, low social status, violence, gender discrimination, sexual abuse and limited access to information and supportive services aggravated the spread of the epidemic, the release said.

The UN Special Session on HIV/AIDS in June 2000 set targets and goals to reduce the proportion of infants infected with HIV. Under these goals, the UNICEF has launched programmes for preventing mother to child transmission of HIV in all countries affected by HIV\AIDS, and the PMTCT has contributed to the implementation of national policies, strategies, action plans and technical support in the period 2002-2005.

Senior artist Bangdel passes away
Last rites performed at Aryaghat

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Oct. 17: Lain Singh Bangdel, one of the most prominent figures in Nepalese art and litterateur passed away on Tuesday at 5.30 A. M. at the age 81. Family sources were quoted as saying that he was slightly suffering from respiratory problem.The last rite of late Bangdel was performed at the Pashupati Aryaghat.Apart from about two dozen books, Bangdel is best known for his book 'Stolen Images of Nepal' which led to the return of about a dozen antique images to Nepal from Europe and America some from private collectors.His other books include novels, Muluk Bahira (Beyond the country), Mait Ghar, Langao Ko Sathi, Spai Ko Samjhana, a travelogue and several books and articles on Nepali culture.Senior artist Bangdel was also the vice chancellor of the Royal Nepal Academy.

Born in Darjeeling, he graduated from the Government college of arts and craft, Calcutta. He also studied in Ecole Nationale superieure des Beaux-arts in Paris.

He has received several awards and honours, both national and international, including Gorkha Dakashin Bahu, Pirthvi Pragya Puraskar, and Commander of the Victorian Order, Grand Cruz and others.

Bangdel had contributed in the field of creative writing that made Nepali art and culture to give clear depiction of the Nepalese society to the western world.

Late Bangdel is survived by wife Manu Bangdel and a daughter.

RSS adds: People from the literary and artistic field have expressed sorrow over the demise of senior litterateur and artist Lain Singh Bangdel and termed it an irreparable loss to the country's literature and art.

Vice-chancellor of the Royal Nepal Academy (RNA) Mohan Koirala described former RNA Chancellor Bangdel as a person having long experience and association in the country's literary, artistic and cultural realms.

His literary creations would be remembered for a long time to come, he added.

Vice-chancellor Koirala said no one can ever forget the special contributions of the late Bangdel in introducing the art and culture of Nepal in the world through his artistic creations.

Artist Gehendraman Singh Amatya, expressing deep sorrow over Bangdel's demise, recalled his close association with the late Bangdel who had come to Nepal in 2018 B.S. in his capacity as perhaps the first person in Nepal practising modern abstract art.

Amatya also recalled that during the 15-day workshop organised under the aegis of Royal Nepal Academy in Kakani as per the wishes of His late Majesty King Mahendra, he had the opportunity to work in close association with the late Bangdel and the late poet Siddhicharan Shrestha during which time was spent in creative works.

Bangdel's demise has caused a big loss in the realm of Nepali art and culture, he said.

Life-member of Royal Nepal Academy Krishna Chandra Singh Pradhan has said that the late Bangdel was the first Nepali to introduce the richness of Nepali art and culture to the foreign art lovers and to establish personal introduction with the world-famous artist Pablo Piccaso.

Litterateur and editor of the then literary magazine 'Mukut,' Purushottam Basnet recalled that the late Bangdel had sketched the portrait of the late B.P. Koirala and also designed the cover page of the novel 'Narendra Dai' by the late B.P. Koirala.

Noting the modern Nepali novel writing begins with late Bangdel's novel, Basnet said late Bangdel, by writing the book entitled 'Stolen images of Nepal' has made a big contribution in the repatriation of invaluable ancient idols of Nepal stolen and sold abroad.

Poet Ramesh Toofan paid emotional tributes to the late Bangdel, stating that his demise is an irreparable loss for the country's literature and art.

According to him, the contributions made by late Bangdel, a practitioner of Nepali literature and art, would never be forgotten by the coming generations.

Meanwhile, The Nepali Congress has expressed sorrow over the demise of Lain Singh Bangdel who has made special contributions for the promotion of Nepali literature and culture and also paid heartfelt tributes to him.

The Nepali Congress, in a press release issued today, termed his death as the death of a untiring artist who had contributed to almost all genres of Nepali literature

Meanwhile, Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala, in a condolence message today, expressed profound sorrow over the demise of Lain Singh Bangdel.

No one can ever forget the contributions made by the late Bangdel towards the enrichment of Nepali literature and modern art, president Koirala said in the message, adding that the late Bangdel's literary and artistic creations would remain as very special and everlasting art pieces of Nepal for generations to come.

Praying eternal peace to the departed soul, 'Koirala has also expressed deep sympathies to the bereaved family.