Russian envoy meets Pradhan

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KATHMANDU, Feb. 10: Russian Ambassador to Nepal Valeri Nazarov paid a courtesy call on Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Mahesh Lal Pradhan today.

On the occasion, Minister Pradhan thanked him for the cooperation extended by the Russian government in the economic development endeavours of Nepal and expressed the confidence that the co-operation will increase further in the days to come.

Discussions were held on matters of mutual interest including cooperation and increased investment in the industrial development of Nepal as well as exchange of visits by business delegations of the two countries.

Exhibition on Japanese architecture begins

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Feb.10: A 10-day exhibition on Contemporary Japanese Architecture 1985-1996 began at the Nepal Art Council Gallery today.

The exhibition, which depicts contemporary Japanese architecture inherent in Japanese culture and lifestyle, was inaugurated jointly by former Prime Minister Kirtinidhi Bista and Kazumi Suzuki, at the Embassy of Japan in Nepal. "Japan has not only maintained traditional architecture, but also transformed it," said Bista, who is chairman of Nepal Art Council.

He said Japanese architecture is enchanting as well as fascinating. "We can learn a lot from the Japanese architecture."Suzuki said that the transformations took place in architectural design within 10 years from 1985. "Geographical and social aspects are a prevalent theme in Japanese architecture," he said.

He believed that the exhibition would help promote the friendly ties between Japan and Nepal.
The works have been divided into seven categories-metropolises, medium-size cities, towns and villages, suburbs, reclaimed land, countryside and resort areas- to better show how architectural expression responded to changes in social conditions in Japan.

President of the Society of Nepalese Architects (SONA) Devendra Nath Gongal said that there were many similarities between Nepalese and Japanese architectures. "The exhibition will strength the cultural ties between the two countries," he said.

Takashi Yokoyama, Cultural Secretary at the Embassy of Japan, shed light on various aspects of the exhibition.

Organised by the Embassy of Japan, in cooperation with SONA and Nepal Art Council, the Japan Foundation, an institution dedicated to promoting exchanges between Japan and foreign countries, has supported the exhibition.

'Promote multi-ethnic ethos'

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RATNANAGAR, Feb. 10: Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare Gore Bahadur Khapangi has said that as Nepal is a multi-ethnic country, the composition of the bureaucracy and the parliament too should be representative of the multi-ethnic character of the country.

Addressing a gathering of the district-based government employees organised for the first time in Narayani zone by the Public Service Inspection and Follow-up Committee here on Sunday, he said the country's bureaucracy and the parliament was not representative of the multi-ethnic character of the Nepalese society.

Although democracy was meant for the welfare of the common man, the civil servants have ended up using it most often than not, Minister Khapangi said and directed the civil servants to not act as masters as they are public servants.

Convenor of the Public Service Inspection and Follow-up Committee for Narayani and Bagmati zones, Bharat Jangam, warned that employees found not fulfilling their responsibilities and engaged in political activities during office time would be sacked immediately.

He said if the government to be formed after the coming general elections were to be handed over this present set-up of the bureaucracy mired in corruption, nepotism and anomalies, then that government would not last even for two/three months and that the Public Service Inspection and Follow-up Commission was formed to correct this situation and free the present bureaucratic set-up of corruption and make it disciplined, efficient and prompt.

On the occasion, convenor Jangam directed the government employees not to delay people's work and to remain at their working desk five minutes prior and five minutes after the actual office hours with related books and official documents of circulars on their table for thorough knowledge on existing acts, rules and regulations.

Member of the Public Service Inspection and Follow-up Narayani and Bagmati zonal team, Kumar Bahadur Karki, said that the inspection and follow-up team would enforce an honest and effective code of conduct in place so that the employees working sincerely would be rewarded and those taking undue advantage and benefits and living luxurious life would be punished.

We would not lag behind in duly honouring the sincere and meritorious employees and by the same token giving a boot to the dishonest ones, he added.

Also on Sunday, Minister Khapangi and convenor Jangam jointly inaugurated the office of the Public Service Inspection and Follow-up Team at the district headquarters.
The office has been housed at the District Development Committee's Office.

Sharma for technical education for quality manpower

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HETAUDA, Feb. 10: Vice Chancellor of Kathmandu University Dr Suresh Raj Sharma inaugurated the newly constructed buildings of Hetauda Academy situated at Hetauda Municipality Ward No. 11, Nabalpur and the 3rd parents' gathering recently.

The buildings were constructed at a total cost of Rs 12.7 million.

The five separate buildings constructed within the academy compound consist of 66 rooms in total.
Speaking on the occasion, VC Sharma said technical education is necessary in order to producing quality and skilful manpower in the country.

Chairman of Makawanpur Chambers of Commerce and Industries Madhav Prasad Risal and social worker Hitlar Vishet, on the occasion, talked on the importance of quality education in developing countries like Nepal.

The academy management committee chairman Dor Mani Paudel had presided over the programme.
Some 600 students from nursery classes up to grade 11 are studying in the academy at present.