His Majesty unveils statue of late King Birendra

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KATHMANDU, Apr. 11 : His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev unveiled a full statue of His Late Majesty King Birendra erected on the premises of Birendra Hospital, Chauni by the Royal Nepal Army, amid a special function today.

Her Majesty pays homage to Lord Shriram

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KATHMANDU, Apr. 11: Her Majesty Queen Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah visited the Sriram Temple at Pashupati area on the occasion of Ramnawami today and paid homage to Lord Shriram there.

Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Himani Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah also offered worship to lord Shriram on the occasion.Her Majesty the Queen and Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess were welcomed by Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Kuber Prasad Sharma and office-bearers of the Pashupati Area Development Trust upon arrival at the temple.

All party meet on Sunday: Pandey

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KATHMANDU, Apr. 11: Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand has called an all-party meeting on April 13 at the Prime Minister's residence, Baluwatar, to discuss about constituting a team for dialogue needed in connection with efforts towards converting the cease-fire currently in place in the country into permanent peace. Minister for Information and Communications and General Administration Ramesh Nath Pandey, who is also the spokesman of His Majesty's Government, informed about this today.

DPM for discussion on concept of federal govt

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KATHMANDU, Apr. 11: Deputy Prime Minister and President of Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP) Badri Prasad Mandal has said that there should be serious discussions on the concept of federal government as mentioned in the declaration of the NSP to empower the people with sovereignty and raise the spirit of nationalism.

Deputy Prime Minister Mandal was speaking at a symposium on "Federal Government: Basis of Development" organised by Gajendra Narayan Singh Foundation to mark the 75th birth anniversary of late Singh.

He made it clear that as the decentralisation policy introduced by the government at the local level could not cover the oppressed, downtrodden and the backward classes as well as the nationalities, NSP put forth the concept of federal government. He laid emphasis on making success the campaign against discrimination launched by late Singh.

Finland assures more support to Nepal

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KATHMANDU, Apr. 11: A two-day bilateral consultations on Nepal-Finland Economic Cooperation, which began on Thursday, concluded in Kathmandu today.

Progress of ongoing cooperation projects was reviewed and possible areas of future cooperation were also discussed at the consultations.

The Finnish delegation noted that the main sectors of cooperation heve been water supply and sanitation, education, democracy, good governance, human rights and environment.

Based on the past experience of successful implementation of projects the Finnish delegation has shown keen interest to continue their support in future as well.

According to a Finance Ministry Press release, the Finnish delegation promised to support the priority programmes of Nepal as stated in the poverty reduction strategy paper of His Majesty's Government of Nepal. The delegation also assured to look into possibilities for new areas of cooperation including reconstruction and rehabilitation activities.

Trade basis for economic progress: PM

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KATHMANDU, Apr. 11: Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand has said it is necessary that Nepal also brings about changes in its concept on development in the present context when the norm that trade is the basis for economic progress is gaining ground in the world economic sector.
Prime Minister Chand made this remark while inaugurating a function organised by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) on the occasion of the industry and commerce day today.

He said since the industry sector is the main conveyance for the economic development of the country, it is the need of the day to encourage the private sector for investing in the sector for its progress.

Although priority has been given to expansion of the industry sector in order to contribute to the national economy by generating employment opportunities and sustainable promotion of exports ever since the previous plans, it has not been able to make the expected contribution to that end.
The Prime Minister also expressed the confidence that the industry sector would be successful in producing qualitative improvements in the national economy through the diversification of production and market and making the optimum utilisation of the means and resources available in the country.

The industry sector has an important role to play in expanding employment opportunities by increasing investment in the value addition productive sectors through the maximum utilisation of the raw materials and manpower available in the country.

He believed provisions such as simplification of the registration and licensing procedures, relaxation in the import of industrial raw materials and technology under the open and liberal economic policy implemented in order to free the industry from administrative complexities must have made it easier for the investors.

The Prime Minister said the role of the entrepreneurs and the civil society is equally significant in facing the challenges that have emerged as Nepal is in the final stage of entering into the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Prime Minister Chand said there is no differences of opinion that the main base for development is political stability and law and order, adding the government has expected cooperation from all the political parties, intellectuals, industrialists and the civil society in transforming the present cease-fire into durable peace.

Chand also affixed the first cancellation mark on the commemorative postage stamp of Industry and Commerce Day.

The stamp published in offset lithography in high quality stamp paper were issued 1 million copies priced at Rs. 5 per unit.

Chand also gave away the FNCCI National Excellence Award to various industries and businesses excelling in the industry and entrepreneurship sectors.

Those receiving the award were Himalayan Bank Ltd, Nepal Liver Ltd., Dabar Nepal Pvt. Ltd., Nepal Pharmaceuticals Laboratory Pvt. Ltd., Asian Paints Nepal and the Nepal Paper Products Pvt. Ltd.
Chand also gave away commendation letters to FNCCI member organisations and letters of appreciation to persons and organizations making special contributions in various sectors.
At the function, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Mahesh Lal Pradhan said constructive efforts should be continued so that our internal product can stand in quality in the competitive market in the context of globalization.

Ramnawami observed in Janakpur

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JANAKPURDHAM, Apr. 11: On the occasion of Ramnawami, the birthday of Lord Ram thousands of devotees worshipped lord Ram at the Ram Janaki temple here today.

The pilgrims from various parts of the country and from India took a holy dip in the sacred and historical Gangasagar and Dhanushsagar and paid homage at Ram Mandir, Janaki Mandir and Janak Mandir.

Local police and social and religious organisations were involved in assisting the pilgrims.
A special recitation is also being organised today at Ram Mandir to mark the Ram Nawami celebration.

Drug abuse leaves youth paralysed

By Tanchoma Phoembo

KATHMANDU April 10: A 25-year-old youth of Hattigauda, Kathmandu, is paralysed in one hand, as a result of the constant abuse of injectible drug and heroin. He had been taking them for the last one-and-a-half-years. He is currently undergoing treatment as well as rehabilitation.

A police official who looks after drug abuse and crimes related to drugs said taking heroin, nitrazepam, dyzepam, codeine, and bupernophine injection are new fads among drug abusers in Kathmandu.

It is not that a drug addict cannot reform. A former drug user (name withheld on request) recovered from the habit and passed his SLC in second division last year. He distributed sweets to his friends when he passed.

He was so deep into drugs that he would sell utensils and even his house curtains to buy drugs. Unable to stop his habit, his parents contacted the police. First, he was put in jail for six months, from where he was put in jail for six months, from where he was transported to a rehabilitation centre. "I was a fool to take drugs. I am a changed man," he said. But such success stories are few.

They will go to any extent to find the money to keep their habits going. Those from the rich families can afford the expense, but those who are poor indulge in criminal activities or involve themselves in drug peddling to meet their needs.

Drugs do not come cheap. A police official said a single dose of heroin costs Rs. 400 to 500. A drug abuser needs several hundred rupees worth of drugs every day. Police and NGOs involved in fighting the drug menace say the number of drug addicts in Kathmandu alone could be more than 25,000.

According to the Narcotics Drug Control and Law Enforcement Unit (NCDLEU) of the police, the transaction in contraband heroin has increased sharply in the capital in the last two years. Three years ago, the unit recovered 4.132 kg of heroin in the capital. Last year, they recovered 6.535 kg, and this year they have already found about six kilos. They cite the porous border with India for easy availability of narcotics.

While injectible drugs such as Nitrazepam, Diazepam, Bupernophine comes from pharmacies, others are available through the drug peddlers.

According to the NGOs, people as young as 13 years and as old as 50 have been found abusing drug. They cut across all social classes; some come with high educational qualifications. "Some of them are professionals such as doctors, engineers and pilots," they say.

Quite a few NGOs are engaged in fighting drug abuse. "But their efforts have largely been futile," said Rajendra Shrestha of Mukti Kendra of Nakhepot, Lalitpur. The NGOs are not run properly and effectively, he added.

Currently 22 NGOs are involved in drug control programmes. However, most of their activities are limited to creating awareness. They are less involved in tackling the problem head on.

Most of the NGOs working in this sector are ineffective, said Rajendra Puri of Youth Vision. "They appear to be making only half-hearted efforts which are not sufficient to meet the challenge. They seem to be out for donor money only," he said.