Govt to hold elections soon

RSS

RAUTAHAT, Feb. 9: Minister for Labour and Transport Management Kamal Chaulagain has said the present government is ready to hold elections as soon as possible. Speaking at programmes organised at Santapur and Dumariya of Rautahat district, he said the government is working with priority under the five point directives given by His Majesty the King. Minister Chaulagain said problems will be solved as soon as possible by undertaking talks in order to restore law and order in the country. The law and order has been strengthened after the formation of this government, he added.

Nepalese respect Monarchy as symbol of unity: PM

RSS

KATHMANDU, Feb. 9: Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand has said that the Shah dynasty kings have made a sterling contribution to sustaining the sovereignty and national integrity of the country and towards introducing Nepal and the Nepalese to the world.

Speaking at a programme marking the conclusion of the 56th Auspicious Birthday of His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev hosted here today by the auspicious birthday celebration main civic committee, Prime Minister Chand who is committee chairman said that the entire Nepalese respect the King, the Crown and the Monarchy as a symbol of national unity.

Stating that His Majesty was totally committed to Constitutional Monarchy and multi-party democracy, Prime Minister Chand said His Majesty always envisaged a prosperous future for the Nepalese.

Stating that the Shah dynasty tradition had rendered the relations between the King and the people cordial, he said this tradition is a source of inspiration for the prosperity of Nepal and the Nepalese.
The Monarchy, which shares the joys and sorrows of the people, is also the focus of everyone's hope and aspirations, he added.

The directives issued by His Majesty the King from time to time were in line with democratic norms, Prime Minister Chand said adding that His Majesty's Government expected cooperation from all the political parties, intellectuals, social workers and civic society to translate these directives into action.
On the occasion, Prime Minister Chand gave away letters of appreciation to various institutions and organisations extending cooperation in a grand celebration of the 56th auspicious birthday of His Majesty the King.

At the programme, Raj Parishad Standing Committee Chairman Dr. Keshur Jung Rayamajhi said that Constitutional Monarchy is the symbol of national unity.

He emphasised the need for every segment of society to play an active role to transform the cease-fire into durable peace.

Fifty-sixth auspicious birthday celebration committee vice chairman Rajesh Kaji Shrestha and a host of other speakers also expressed their views at the programme chaired by committee chairman and Prime Minister Chand.

Nepal-India talks continue

RSS

KATHMANDU, Feb. 9: The joint meeting between His Majesty's Government and the Government of India on operation of direct transportation services between Nepal and India, which began yesterday, continued for the second day today.

The meeting focused on the joint draft on operation of transportation services between the two countries.

Participating in the meeting on behalf of Nepal is Director General of the Department of Transport Management Chhabi Raj Pant and joint secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Ministry Alok Rawat on behalf of India. The meeting will be held tomorrow morning also, it is learnt.

Koirala, Nepal discuss ceasefire

RSS

KATHMANDU, Feb. 9: CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and president of the Nepali Congress Girija Prasad Koirala today held discussions on current topics including the cease-fire and the dialogue between the government and the Maoists.

During the course of the discussions, they expressed concern over the actual facts about the cease-fire not being known to the people and the government not making everything public regarding this matter.

They also expressed the view that the cease-fire and the ensuing talks should be made transparent.
There was an understanding between them on protecting the achievements of the people's movement of 1990 in order to take the country in a forward direction, central member of the CPN-UML Subash Nembang, who participated at the talks, told RSS.

At the meeting, the need for the political parties to reach a common conclusion and hold get-togethers and all-party meetings time and again was also felt.

Govinda Raj Joshi, Krishna Sitaula, Bharat Mohan Adhikari and Nembang attended the meeting.
A meeting of the joint task force comprising the CPN-UML, Nepali Congress, Janamorcha Nepal and NWPP was also held today. The task force has already started work on a draft outline for a joint stir, it is learnt. It will meet tomorrow also. An all-party meeting of the participating parties will be held on February 12.

Internet cafe on Mt. Everest

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Feb. 9: An internet cafe is due to be opened by the grandson of Tenzing Norkay Sherpa on Mount Everest in March.

Tsering Gyaltsen Sherpa, 32, will be opening the cafe at the Khumbu glacier at an altitude of 5,300 metres to allow climbers to access the web, according to a report posted in an Internet website Ananova.com.

Expeditions, which cost almost £40,000 on average, are expected to pay some £660 for using the transmitter that will be installed on a slope 300 metres higher than the camp.

The money will go towards purchasing equipment for the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, a team that annually clears Mount Everest of the rubbish that climbers leave behind, according to the website.But the new communication system will not be reserved for climbers only- the remote area's inhabitants will also be able to use the transmitter.

Tsering Gyaltsen Sherpa is the grandson of Tensing Norkay Sherpa who, with Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand first conquered the 8,850 high Mount Everest in May 1953.A previous Internet cafe at Namche Bazar was destroyed in June 2001 when Maoist rebels destroyed the transmitter.The year 2003 being the 50th year of the first ascent to the highest peak of the world, various programmes are being organised to mark the occasion.

Firefighters douse ministry fire just in time

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Feb. 9: Firemen from the Juddha Fire Brigade were just in time to douse the fire that broke out this afternoon on the third floor of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies. The fire caused minor damage to the third floor of the Ministry complex where some old furniture was stored. "It destroyed only two sofa sets," an official at the Juddha Fire Brigade told The Rising Nepal.
"Had we not reached on time, chances are that the whole Ministry complex situated inside the Singhadurbar Secretariat might have been destroyed," he said.The reason behind the fire that broke out on a public holiday is not known.

Parties ready to support govt for peace

RSS

KATHMANDU, Feb. 9: Leaders of the main political parties of the country said here today that the agreement on a ceasefire reached between the government and Maoists is very positive and have pointed out the need for cooperation from all sectors of society to develop this into lasting peace.
Speaking at a face-to-face programme organised by the Reporters' Club Nepal here today, the party leaders also said that their respective parties were ready to extend necessary cooperation in transforming the temporary peace into a permanent one.

They emphasized the need to develop a code of conduct for both sides to follow during the ceasefire period.

Nepali Congress spokesman Arjun Narsing K.C. said the Nepali Congress is ready to give a positive direction to a peace process that would concentrate on the country, people, democracy and human rights.

He also disclosed that effort was being made by the Parliamentary parties to develop a common approach for making the ceasefire yield a permanent peace.

CPN-UML's Jhalanath Khanal queried what home-work was done by the government to not let the cease-fire become short-lived and expressed the view that the dialogue process should be transparent if previous mistakes are not to be repeated.

Senior leader of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party Jogmehar Shrestha said cooperation from the government, political parties and civic society is necessary to make the ceasefire permanent.
Bimalendra Nidhi of Nepali Congress (Democratic) said the resolution of the problem should be sought from within the constitution and that the NC-Democratic would not accept any system of governance that would displace the Parliamentary system and the electoral process.

It is the right of the government to hold talks with opposition groups but it should be accountable before the people, he added.

President of the RPP-Nationalist Rajeswor Devkota said every side is unanimous over the continuity of the ceasefire and so neither side should violate it.

Legal practitioner Mukti Pradhan said considering the situation that the country had to face in the past seven years the ceasefire should be taken with a positive approach and the political parties should set aside their party interests and give a serious thought to permanent peace and a progressive model.

Separate tech varsity demanded

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Feb. 9: A need for a separate university on technical education has been felt to produce manpower in the field of engineering that can compete in the international market.
At a programme, organised by Nepal Engineers' Association, on Engineering Education: Dilemma to Policy Makers' here today, Professor Deepak Bhattarai of Nepal Engineering College, Bhaktapur demanded a separate technical university similar to the proposed agriculture university.
There are today 31 engineering colleges in the country affiliated to four universities. More than 3,000 students enroll in the engineering colleges every year. Engineers have begun graduating from five of the colleges.

On the occasion, Minister for Education and Sports Devi Prasad Ojha stressed on timely improvements and investments in technical education.

He expressed resentment that the policies formulated by the government were not being properly implemented. "The engineering colleges in the country are not functioning as per the policy. For instance, the engineering colleges are not providing scholarships to deserving, poor students as recommended by the government."

Fresh engineering graduates of Pulchok Engineering Campus said that though the quality of engineers produced in Nepal were good, they faced unemployment problems. They said that without a market, such engineers would only increase the employment burden.

Precious stones in Pashupatinath area feared stolen

By Saroj Kumar Acharya

KATHMANDU, Feb 9: Diamonds, pearls, rubies and other precious stones of archaeological importance are feared to have been stolen during the renovation of the Pashupatinath area carried out by the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT).

It has come to light that diamonds, pearls and rubies that were kept at the sanctum beneath the statue of Rudreshwor Mahadev, situated at Jaybageshwori south of the Amalkot Kachahari, have gone missing. Rudreshwor Mahadev is one of the wrathful forms of Lord Shiva.

"Workers and bystanders began scrambling and grabbing the precious jewels as soon as they were discovered," said Narotam Vaidhya, a member of the PADT's council of board of directors.
According to regulations, the main shrine or sanctuary of any archaeological site must not be disturbed. But the sanctum at Rudreshwor Mahadev was disturbed and damaged, and there was a rush to 'loot' the precious goods and objects as well as coins bearing images of late King Rajendra Bikram Shah. Some of those goods have been kept for safekeeping at the Ward No. 8 office Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

Vaidhya said that the sanctum was covered with a copper plate and a Shivalingum erected on it.
He said that the workers and other bystanders had broken into the garba griha (sanctum), which should not have been opened at any cost, and made away with the precious jewels.

He also said that although the renovation is being carried out with the aim of completing it for the upcoming Shivaratri festival, the style and pattern of construction of the temple is completely different from its original form.

"The renovation is carried out more on the whim of engineers and administrators than to the liking of the PADT and its governing council."

He also said there was no work plan, no framework, a contractor has not been appointed, the Department of Archaeology has not been informed and there is no participation of the local people.
"We are trying to stop the ongoing haphazard renovation works by invoking the Local Self-Governance Act," he said.

There are also growing public complaints as the PADT itself is keeping mum on the budget. "The Rudreshwor Mahadev has lost its divine power and sanctity since the renovation work is being done by ignoring its religious values and norms," said Prem Prasad Chaulagai, a member of the Hindu Shakti Management Academy.

The local people have expressed strong resentment as the PADT bulldozed hundreds of Shiva Lingas and other idols, and took them away in trucks on the pretext of carrying out a sanitation campaign at the western entrance of the Pasupatinath Temple.

According to Vaidhya, the PADT's governing council has also failed to look into the pubic complaints.
It is also suspected that gangs involved in stealing objects of archaeological importance have become active in the area. No one knows how old the temple of Rudreshwor Mahadev is, but the finding of the coins of King Rajendra Bir Bikram Shah indicates that it is more than 200 hundred years old.

'Those who come to sleep with are equally corrupt'

By Tanchoma Foembo

KATHMANDU, Feb. 9: They might call us immoral, but it is them who come to sleep with us. Then who is morally wrong? This is a question the commercial sex workers (CSWs) often pose.
Commercial sex is still sneezed at, but many such workers have started coming out openly to defy the traditional thinking. They do not think they are doing any wrong. "If we are morally corrupt, then those who use our services are no less corrupt," Sangita, who has been in the business for the last five years, says.

Many of them landed up in this trade not by choice, but by compulsion. Nearly all of them cite similar reasons-poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, broken and uncaring families - for adopting this business. Some entered the trade after being sexually or physically abused. In most cases, friends initiated them into the business.

The lure of a luxurious life have tempted quite a few. Still a few are into the sex business for pleasure.
No matter how they got into it, leaving the profession becomes difficult after a while. With their qualifications, they are unable to find a job. Another thing is that it becomes a habit, a way of life.
Shanti, for instance, used to sell tea at a bus-park. Then somebody told her that selling her body would fetch a lot more money. Today she has a select group of clients. She doesn't want to come out openly, but does not want to leave the profession either as the income meets her needs. There are many like Shanti, who apart from engaging in commercial sex, have an occuption.

But the CSWs admit they are in a dungeon and would like to leave it if possible. "We know we are leading a risky life. The clients often demand unnatural acts. They are violent, and if we don't comply, they even beat us," said one.

Life in the streets is harsh. Many of them drink and smoke. "Often the clients force us to drink and smoke," they say.

Commercial sex business seems to be thriving in Kathmandu. ABC Nepal, an NGO, puts the number of women involved in the world's oldest profession at around 50,000 in Kathmandu Valley. Ironically, there is little sign that their numbers will decrease.

The recent government's decision to provide skill-training to many cabin restaurant workers attracted only a few of them. The social stigma attached to the profession only pulls them back. Still many CSWs dream of being a part of the so-called respectable society and lead a life of dignity.
The nature and the mode of doing this business have also changed significantly over the last decade or so. The proliferation of dance restaurants, cabin restaurants and discos employing women as dancers and as waitresses, has only provided the opportunity for women to indulge in commercial sex. With their numbers increasing, the age of those involved in this profession may be getting younger and younger. Hundreds of young girls, who are barely in their teens, work in the dance and cabin restaurants, where their chances of succumbing into the temptation or coercion are very high.
In earlier times, those involved in commercial sex could be identified by their heavy make-up and shabby dresses, soliting customers at the city's vantage points. While they still continue to hang around, the new 'high-class' sex workers, decked in the latest fashion and outfit, even carry mobile telephones. They are found in restaurants, discos and hotels.

Their fees depend on their looks, physique, age and more importantly on the way they dress. They charge anywhere between a few hundred rupees to as much as Rs. 5,000 or more.

They are highly aware about HIV and other STDs, and say they practise safe sex. But some clients are against using contraceptives, putting both the CSWs and themselves at risk. The majority of their clients are over 35 years. "They need money to come to us, and young people, except those from some rich families, do not have the money," they say.

Advocate Indu Tuladhar calls for a firm campaign to protect those who are already in it, and to save others from entering it. But she is against legalising prostitution in Nepal.

Senior Superintendent of Police Chuda Bahadur Shrestha also said that legalisation of commercial sex business is not possible at this point, but we have to deal with it at a slow and steady pace. "Legalisation should be made on the basis of the rights of the CSWs," he said.

(Foembo is a trainee at the TRN)