Crown Prince,Crown Princess inaugurate puja mandap

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TRIVENIDHAM, NAWAL- PARASI , Feb. 1: His Royal Highness Crown Prince Paras Bir Bikram Shah Dev and Her Royal Highness Princess Himani Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah jointly inaugurated the Jayashree Muktinath Harinam Sankirtan Puja Mandap at Gajendra Moksha Dibyadham of Tribeni today.

On the occasion His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Her Royal Highness the Princess illuminated the Akhand Dip, non-extinguished traditional lamp, and initiated the 84 days Bhajan Sankirtan, religious hymns, on the occasion. HRH the Crown Prince and HRH the Princess initiated the Purvang work of 108 Birat Mahayagya, grand religious ceremony, wishing for world peace.
HRH the Crown Prince and HRH the Princes performed worship in the holy Narayani River and had flown the milk of 108 cows to the river. HRH the Crown Prince and Princess received Tika and Prasad from Swami Kamal Nayanacharya of Muktinath Pithadhishwor on the occasion.

Earlier, students of Muktinath Vedbidyashram recited Vedic hymns.

Expressing sorrow over the decrease of pilgrims in the Tribenidham, Swami Nayanacharya dwelt on the development activities of the area.

PM extends best wishes

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KATHMANDU, Feb. 2: The 2839th Gyu Loshar (new sheep year) is beginning today.

This is a religious, social and cultural festival of the Tamangs and the nationalities with Himalayan Buddhist culture of Nepal.

In a message of best wishes on the occasion of the Loshar Festival that has been recognised as a national festival, Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand has extended best wishes to all brothers and sisters of the Tamang community and wished for success of the festival.

Stating that all nationalities in the country have their own specific ethnic traditions, Prime Minister Chand has in the message also lauded the efforts made by Nepal Tamang Ghedung to preserve their culture.

Likewise, coordinator of Loshar main programme committee Parsuram Tamang has also wished that the new year bring happiness, peace and prosperity to all the brothers and sisters inside and outside the country.

Artistes shouldget due respect, stresses Ojha

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KATHMANDU, Feb. 1: Minister for Education and Sports Devi Prasad Ojha has said that none of the sectors should lag behind in honouring those dedicated and devoted to arts, literature and culture that are the distinct identity of any nation.

Minister Ojha was speaking at Ishwar Amatya Evening and Everest Talent Honouring function organised by the Everest Culture Academy.

Stating the prevailing political situation in the country had made its impact in arts, literature and culture in the country, he said that everyone should feel proud in the remarkable progress made in this.

Movie director Chetan Karki and Ishwar Karki also expressed their views at the programme chaired by programme director of the Culture Academy Shashi Khadka.

Singer Ishwar Man Amatya, dance director Roshak Thapa, social worker Ujjwal Krishna Shrestha and Nanda Kishor Shrestha and senior singer Bhakta Raj Acharya were honoured with Everest Talent Award.

Amatya who is visually impaired but a highly gifted singer presented solo songs at the programme.

UML needs to be active, responsible: Nepal

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JANAKPURDHAM, Feb. 1: The seventh national convention of the CPN-UML began here today.
General secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal inaugurated the convention by hoisting the party flag at the local Barhabigha Maidan.

Some 1,600 party representatives from across the country as well as guests from foreign associate parties are taking part in the five-day convention.

In his inaugural speech, general secretary Nepal said the CPN-UML will be active, disciplined and responsible to the country and people and contribute to guide the nation towards the right path into the 21st century.

As per public aspiration the cease-fire between government and Maoists is positive, Nepal said adding that the talks to be held hereafter should concentrate towards giving importance to political parties, safeguarding the achievement of 1990 and consolidating multiparty system.

In course of the talks both the parties—government and Maoists should stop giving trouble to the general public, he added.

Calling for a clear explanation of concept of the roundtable conference, interim government and Constituent Assembly raised by the Maoists, Nepal expressed the view that the mistakes made in the past should be corrected this time.

He also suggested the Maoists to accept multi-party competition and not stop activities of the political parties.

Extending best wishes on the occasion, Nepali Congress general secretary Sushil Koirala said in order to save the country from crisis and restore peace all political parties dedicated for the nation, nationality, democracy and socialism should move ahead unitedly.

He emphasised the need to take the political parties in to confidence and maintain transparency in the talks to be held between the government and Maoists.

President of Nepali Congress (Democratic) Sher Bahadur Deuba said the NC Democratic welcomes the fact that the problem facing the country can be resolved through dialogue and if the Maoists really want peace then they should immediately stop looting, terror, murder and violence.

Central member of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Khem Raj Pandit pointed out the need for all the sides having faith in the parliamentary system to arrive at a minimum consensus and address the Maoist problem.

Joint general secretary of Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP) Devendra Mishra said his party is committed to constitutional monarchy and multiparty democracy.

President of the National People’s Front Nepal Amik Sherchan, and deputy general secretary of the CPN (United) Ganesh Shah also addressed the meet.

Similarly, Ambassador of China to Nepal Wu Congyong and Ambassador of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to Nepal Jon Song Myong extended their best wishes for the success of the convention on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party and the Korean Workers Party respectively.
Likewise, general secretary of the Communist Party of India A.B. Bardhan, general secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Dipankar Bhattacharya, central member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) Binaya Kumar, chief of the Bangladesh Communist Party Manjoor Hasan Khan, leader of the Sri Lanka Communist Party Raja Culier and leader of the Vietnam Communist Party Du Guyang Fung also extended best wishes on behalf of their respective parties.
Earlier, convenor of the general convention main management committee Bharat Mohan Adhikari, welcoming the representatives and foreign guests, expressed the confidence that the convention would be successful in charting out a progressive way out for the country.

Chief of the party’s foreign department Jhala Nath Khanal read out the messages wishing for the success of the general convention send by the communist and labour parties from Brazil, America, Denmark, Great Britain, Russia, Slovakia, Hungary, Germany, Israel, Norway and Finland.

The inauguration ceremony was chaired by CPN-UML standing committee member and women leader of the party Sahana Pradhan.

The closed session of the convention begins from tomorrow at the tent erected at the premises at the local Janakpur Cigarette Factory Limited.

Meanwhile, CPN-UML central member Shanker Pokharel will present differing views in support of Constituent Assembly over the political report to be presented by the party’s general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal at the Seventh National Convention here.

Pokharel is presenting his views after general secretary Nepal said at the central meeting of the party today that his report presented at the 32nd meeting need not be rewritten.

Member Pokharel made it clear that he was in favour of Constituent Assembly as he felt that a new constitution needs to be drafted in the new circumstances in the country.

Pokharel has already made public a booklet entitled ‘Constituent Assembly as the progressive way out of crisis’ among the general convention delegates.

He has stated in the booklet that Constituent Assembly was necessary for establishing a strong multiparty parliamentary system, seeking a peaceful solution to the Maoist problem, and moving a step ahead towards People’s Multiparty Democracy. UML needs to be active, responsible: Nepal

CJ for accountable legal administration

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LALITPUR, Feb. 1: Chief Justice Kedar Nath Upadhyaya has urged the legal practitioners to make the legal administration transparent and accountable to safeguard the fundamental rights of the people guaranteed by the Constitution.

Speaking at an interaction programme on good governance and clean administration jointly organised by Judicial Council Secretariat and Transparency International Nepal here today he said the Constitution has designated the court as the patron of human rights.

Stressing the need of good governance and clean administration in the legal sector by removing the anomalies in the administration he said judicial freedom is the backbone of judiciary.

Minister for Home, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Dharma Bahadur Thapa said the government, political parties and civil society should play an important role to develop the judiciary in accordance with the people’s aspirations.

He said courts should always follow the legal values and norms and provide justice in a clean and transparent manner.

Secretary of the Council Kashi Raj Dahal said corruption could be controlled if the judiciary could work cleanly and transparently.

Chairman of Transparency International Nepal Kul Shekhar Sharma said the Transparency International Nepal Chapter was established with a view to controlling corruption and will work accordingly.

Chief Commissioner of the CIAA Surya Nath Upadhyaya, Ramesh Nath Dhungel and Sunil Adhikari presented working papers on the challenges to control corruption in Nepal.

Media must look after national interest: Pandey

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Feb. 1: Minister for Information and Communications, and General Administration Ramesh Nath Pandey said today that journalism needed to be directed towards protecting the national interest and enhancing the image of the country.

“Media must look after the national interest,” said Minister Pandey launching Manushi, a women’s monthly here today.

He said that the Nepalese journalism sector has passed a crucial phase over the years and it has entered the modern stage. “We are not inferior to the South Asian standard any more.”

Talking about mission journalism, he said a strong zeal and commitment has brought Nepal’s journalism to the present state.

He hoped that the magazine has covered many fields related to women and it would meet the need of Nepalese readers in the future. “I hope the magazine will fulfill the vacuum.”

Edited by V. K. Karna, the magazine, which covers most of women issues, has a tie up with Femina, the Indian women’s magazine, on editorial contents.

Nepal’s progress significant in science-related studies

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Feb. 1: Despite lack of adequate scientific publications and journals, Nepal has made significant progress in science-related studies and research in the last ten years. Nepalese scientists and scholars are making frequent contacts with many international institutions for pursuing higher studies and researches, said Carol Priestly, Director of the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP).

Priestly was here to discuss on a wide range of issues regarding scientific publications. She is the first person to visit Nepal representing INASP, an INGO supporting academic institutions by providing scientific publications and journals as well as promoting access to information on science and technology.

She had met with the Vice Chancellor of the Kathmandu University Dr. Suresh Raj Sharma and Chief Librarian of the Tribhuvan University Central Library during her two-days stay in Kathmandu.
“We discussed on how Nepal would like to participate in the programme,” she said talking to The Rising Nepal. “Nepal can benefit on various ways by participating in the programme,” she added.
We support to strengthen the existing activities by promoting access to Nepal’s progress significant
in science-related studiesscientific and scholarly information and knowledge. Similarly, INASP encourages and supports new initiatives that increase local publications and general access to high quality scientific and scholarly information. Besides, it supports promote in-country capacity building in information production, organisation and access and dissemination.

The INASP was established in 1992 and has more than 180 member nations worldwide. It has large reservoir of scientific and technological publications and journals.

We are unable to purchase adequate scientific and technological materials due to the lack of sufficient budget. In addition, these materials are very expensive. Therefore, Nepal could benefit from the INASP’s membership, said Krishna Mani Bhandari, Chief Librarian of the Nepal’s biggest Tribhuvan University Central Library. He stressed to participate the INASP programme talking about the poor condition of scientific publication and lack of access to it.

“Nepalese scholars, students and researchers presently have to go abroad for pursuing higher studies in science and technology and upgrade knowledge on latest development of science and technology, he added, pointing out to the need of accessibility to scientific publications worldwide.

Earthworms offer key to waste management, infertility

By Bhimsen Thapaliya

KATHMANDU, Feb. 1: For those who think waste disposal is a permanent problem, earthworms may offer a down to earth solution.

A scientist who is experimenting on this worm-based compost making technology says that this model of waste management can readily work at household and community levels. This not only makes garbage disposal easy, but generates income as well.

For skeptics, here is something to listen to and consider - “I have been collecting biodegradable waste from my neighbours to feed my earthworms. I am also selling hundreds of worms at Rs. 2 each,” said Dr. Ananda Shobha Tamrakar, a scientist affiliated with Tribhuvan University’s Central Zoological Department.

Tamrakar, who has trained 600 community workers, farmers and housewives on vermiculture (earthworm rearing) and has been raising thousands of red earthworms in her backgarden, said that this simple technology is low cost and ecology friendly. She has selected four species of worms that serve the best in waste management.

“When other people are impatiently waiting for the municipality tractor to come for collection, I am in short of waste to feed my worms,” said the woman scientist. She has been collecting waste from the Kalimati vegetable stock market.

The worms have not only removed the problem of household waste management, but have delivered a fine product - the compost manure. Tamrakar has been selling per kilogram of the black manure for Rs. 25. At a time when chemical fertilisers are posing threats to the ecology and its shortage is troubling the farmers, my manure is selling like hot cakes among the farmers of Kathmandu, she said. “My brothers who trade on gold ornaments tell me to stop playing with waste and join them. I reply them that I am working with black gold.”

As our farmers are not aware, careless use of chemical fertilisers is killing soil fertility. In absence of proper balance of different chemical components, the soil PH (harmony of acid and base) is being disturbed. This in the long run that harms soil quality. To minimise these adverse effects, a switch to the use of organic manure is the environment-friendly answer, said Tamrakar.

Though the feasibility of this waste management technique still remains to be experimented on large scale, Tamrakar said that it might be applied right away at the community and household levels. When the waste management problem is solved at domestic and community levels, the municipality authorities will have nothing to worry about, she added. She wondered why Kathmandu Metropolitan City is getting embroiled forever in garbage dumping issue, overlooking these practical solutions.
An illustrative instance of the applicability of this model can be seen on the bank of the soiled bank of the sacred Bishnumati river where over 100 buffaloes are slaughtered every day. The unsystematic animal slaughtering here generates heaps of garbage that engulfed the area in foul smell. “We established an earthworm based compost plant here. Not only the filth was managed, we generated compost manure and sold it to the farmers,” said Tamrakar.

When the butchers saw that the animal waste could generate money, they got interested in the plant. “Since our aim was to encourage maximum community participation in the venture, we invited the butchers to manage the plants themselves,” said Tamrakar. The Central Zoo in Jawalakhel is also using this model to productively manage the animal waste.

Besides converting garbage into fine agricultural input product, earthworms may also be used as an ingredient in fish feed, according to Tamrakar. Nepal has been spending to import dried shrimps to prepare feed for Snow Trout fishiculture. “When we start large scale vermiculture, dried earthworms can provide alternative to the imported shrimps as they are equally nutritious,” she added.

Tamrakar is also experimenting on the medicinal use of the red earthworms. One of the remarkable properties of earthworms is the ability to spark fertility. Earthworm medication is being tried on a few infertile couples. “Earthworms are potent aphrodisiac. They are the indigenous Viagra,” said Tamrakar.