'Democracy not in danger: DPM

RSS

RAJBIRAJ, Feb. 15: Acting President of Nepal Sadbhavana Party and Deputy Prime Minister Badri Prasad Mandal has said that democracy is not in danger.

Deputy Prime Minister Mandal made this remark while unveiling a life-size statue of former assistant minister the late Shatrughan Prasad Singh installed at the main market in Bode Barshain Village Development Committee (VDC) in Saptari district today.

On the occasion, he said a true social worker is one who works for the society and the nation while rising above personal interests.

The government is making efforts to provide every kind of relief to the people in the present situation in which corruption has had a negative impact on the nation's development, he said, adding that the government has formulated new policies aimed at the welfare of the peasants.

He also made it clear that there was no risk against democracy from the King as His Majesty the King has expressed commitment to Constitutional Monarchy and multiparty system.

National vice-president of the party Laxman Lal Karna said that true tributes to late Yadav would be to take inspiration from the late Yadav's life and contributions.

Party general secretary Devendra Mishra expressed the view that national development was impossible without Constitutional Monarchy and multiparty democracy.

He said the NSP is always in favour of Constitutional Monarchy and multiparty democracy.
Joint general secretary of the party Amrita Agrahari called for unity among the Madhesi people to safeguard the country.

Chairman of the statue installation committee Ramdhan Yadav presided over the programme.
At the programme, Deputy Prime Minister Mandal also felicitated sculptor Tapas Pal who made the statue.

Meanwhile, a meeting of Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP) national working committee here today reiterated the party's commitment to always maintain the norms and values of Constitutional Monarchy and multiparty democracy.

Party spokesman Muktinath Mandal said this while talking to journalists following the meeting of the NSP national working committee.

He said the meeting adopted a political proposal which advocates that only a federal system in Nepal could ensure the welfare of all the Nepalese people.

The meeting is also learnt to have agreed that since the Maoist problem as a political one, it should be resolved through political means.

Likewise, it laid emphasis on consensus among the civil society and all the political parties in the government-Maoist talks.

The meeting also decided that the party's view was that the talks between the government and the Maoists should be held within the parameters of the Constitution. The party has also demanded that the government take immediate initiatives to resolve the problem of citizenship of about 4 million Terai people.

Acting president of the party Badri Prasad Mandal called on all the partymen to unite.

He said action would be taken against party leaders and workers inciting acrimony within the party despite the maximum efforts being made towards forging consensus.

Spokesman Mandal also informed journalists that the NSP would take part in the all-party meeting called by the Prime Minister.

Tourist arrival up 19% after ceasefire

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BHAIRAHAWA, Feb. 15: Assistant Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Ravi Bhakta Shrestha has said that there has been encouraging trend in tourists' arrival following the truce between the government and the CPN-Maoists.

Inaugurating the 44th annual general meeting of Siddharthanagar Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today, Assistant Minister Shrestha said that there had been an increase of 19 percent in the arrival of tourists in the very first month of the ceasefire.

The national economy and the hospitality business had suffered much because of the national and international circumstances, he added.

Second vice-president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Rajendra Khetan and a host of other speakers expressed their views at the programme chaired by president of Siddharthanagar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Rupandehi, Omkar Gauchan.

Politics should meet people's aspirations: Pun

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BIRATNAGAR, Feb. 15: Chairman of Nepal Samata Party and Minister for Physical Planning and Works Narayan Singh Pun inaugurated the party's Morang district office here today.

On the occasion, he said the party was opened with the sense of duty toward the country and the people.

He remarked that his party was moving ahead towards fulfilling the basic aspirations of the Nepali people.

Minister Pun stressed that politics should be for the welfare and interests of the people.

He explained that the main principle of his party was nationality, national solidarity and moving the party ahead along the democratic line by enlisting the participation of all the linguistic and ethnic communities in the campaign of nation building.Nepal Samata Party Morang district working committee president Rajesh Lohani presided over the programme.

Singh elected WHF president

RSS

GORAKHPUR (India), Feb. 15: General Bharat Keshar Singh has been unanimously elected the international president of the World Hindu Federation (WHF).

The seventh general conference of the federation held at Gorakhpur has made this announcement.
Speaking to RSS at the Gorakshanath temple complex, newly elected president Singh said that all the institutions and organisations concerned with Hinduism should come under one umbrella for the protection of this great religion and take sincere steps in this regard. He expressed the view that HMG should include Hindu religion and culture in the school curricula of Nepal.

Stating that the general conference being held in Gorakhpur had further deepened the relations of the Hindus of Nepal and India, he said, "the hospitality extended by the denizens of Gorakhpur is exemplary to Nepal also." Also in Gorakhpur (India), the grand Hindu Congregation held here today as part of the on-going seventh international congress of the World Hindu Federation commenced in a grand manner.

Over 200,000 representatives of the World Hindu Federation from 28 countries including India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the United States of America as well as Hindu religious institutions and organisations took part in the congregation.

Representatives from Kushinagar and Nautanahawa in India and Bhairahawa, Butwal, Nawalparasi and Taulihawa in Nepal as well as local people also participated in the congregation.

The historic Gorakhpur town was lavishly decorated for the grand Hindu congregation with the main theme 'Let's say with pride that we are Hindus'. More than 500 welcome arches and gates had been erected, banners and flags were put up on the main streets and inner parts of the city for the event.
The grand mass was also broadcast live on huge television sets put at every town square and streets. The city was shut in enthusiasm.

Addressing the massive congregation rally, Jagatguru Shankaracharya of the Jyotirpeeth declared that communal harmony is the characteristic trait of Hindu culture.

He stressed that Nepal and India should both together propagate Hindu culture and feeling.
The newly-elected international president of the WHF general Bharat Keshar Singh said that the federation, established in 1981, has been making relentless efforts to promote Hindu feeling.
He also pointed out the need to do away with factionalism and division existing among the Hindus.
Executive chairman of the World Hindu Council Ashok Singhal believed that the present World Hindu Congress would further strengthen relations between Nepal and India.

Convenor of the World Hindu Congress Yogi Adityanath said that all should be aware about the challenges facing Hindu religion.He believes that awakening in Hinduism would lead to world awareness. Nepal's King is also the King to all the Hindus of the world, he added.

Peethadhish Swami Atmananda Giri shed light on the age-old friendship subsisting between Nepal and India. He emphasised that this relation should be further strengthened.

At the programme presided over by Abaidhyanath Yogi, the Peethadhish at the Gorakshay Peeth, Indian MP Chinmayananda Maharaj, Basudevananda Maharaj of the West Indies and industrialist Bhupendra Modi also expressed their views.

Peace rally to be organised in capital

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KATHMANDU, Feb. 15: On the occasion of the Mahashivaratri, Brahma Kumari Raj Yog Service Centre is to organise a peace procession in the capital.

The peace procession to be held in Kathmandu will be attended by the representatives of all the branches of the Raj Yog Sewa Kendras, Geetapathshalas, various religious organisations and individuals.

"The peace procession will be organised with a view to generating awareness about the importance of spiritualism, peace and launch campaign for permanent peace in the peaceful land," said Brahma Kumar Surat Bahadur Ayer.A 51 main committee has been formed under the chairmanship of director of the Raj Yog Service Centre Brahma Kumari Rajdidi to make the peace procession programme successful.

About 25 sub committees have also been formed under the main committee.

The peace procession is to be organised for the welfare of the country and maintaining an environment of permanent peace in the country.

New body of Nepal Press Union

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KATHMANDU, Feb. 15: The fourth Kathmandu district convention of Nepal Press Union has unanimously elected a 11-member district working committee under the chairmanship of Shiva Lamsal.

Bhakta Bahadur Thapa, Lilaraj Khanal, Prem Kumar Luintel are the vice-cahirman, secretary and treasurer respectively of the working committee with Pawanlal Shrestha, Gopal Sangraula, Yadav Thapaliya, Prakash Giri, Bimal Gautam, Madhav Gaire and Hom Prasad Lamsal as the members.

Govt for quality dental services, says Devkota

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KATHMANDU, Feb. 15: Health Minister Dr. Upendra Devkota has said that the main objective of the dental council to be formed in the near future is to safeguard the general public from the illegal dental treatment in the country.

Inaugurating a two day 5th National Dental Conference and trade fair jointly organised by Nepal Dental Association and world Dental Federation here today he said the government is preparing to bring out dental policy soon.

Stating that the government is committed to provide basic dental services to every nook and corner of the country Dr. Devkota stressed the need to launch awareness generation programme of dental treatment in the country. Dental specialists from Nepal, India, Hong Kong, Sweden, Japan, United Kingdom, Malaysia and Singapore, have been participating in the conference which has a slogan of dentistry in developing nations.Working papers on security of the children's teeth, world wide problem of cancer in mouth, situation of dental treatment in Nepal and South Asia will be presented during the conference.Chairman of the Federation of Dental International Dr. A Ratnanesan said the developing countries have given priority for the dental treatment.

Chairman of the association Dr. Pravin Mishra said about 80 dental doctors are being prepared in the country every year and there is the need of mobilisation of dental manpower in the country.
It is estimated that there are about 300 dental doctors in Nepal and among them 190 doctors are involved in the Dental Association.

'Credible media need of hour'

RSS

KATHMANDU, Feb. 15: Central member of the Nepali Congress Ram Chandra Paudyal has said that media has an important role to play to end the ceasefire in favour of nation, democracy and people.
Inaugurating the 4th district convention of Nepal Press Union Kathmandu district here today he said the demand of the CPN, Maoists is not clear yet and it seems that they want to fulfil their demand keeping the people in the darkness of suspicion.

He urged the journalists to be on the alert as some are trying to defame democracy by manipulating news.

Journalists should go into the depth, investigate and bring out the reality to the public he said.
President of Nepali Congress Kathmandu district Tirth Ram Dangol said media should be in favour of democracy and welfare of the people.

President of Federation of Nepalese Journalist Tara Nath Dahal said professional journalism can flourish only in democratic system.

"Freedom of the press should not be crushed in the name of resolution of the political problem", he said.

Chairman of Nepal Press Union Kul Chandra Wagle said Nepalese press will always be in favour of democracy and freedom of the press and no one should think of crushing the freedom.

Chief guest Paudyal gave away letter of felicitation to journalist Shiv Adhikari for his remarkable contribution in the Nepalese media.

A host of speakers including president of Nepal Press Council Harihar Birahi, Shobhakar Parajuli, general secretary of Nepal Press Union Tarun Paudyal and former chairman of Press Union Tara Baral stressed the need to safeguard freedom of the press and democratic system restored through popular movement in 1990.The function was held under the chairmanship of chairman of Kathmandu unit of Nepal Press Union Gokarna Aryal.

Trade in domestic servants thrives in Dang

By Our Correspondent

DANG, Feb. 15: Even as human trade was long banned, Dang Deukhuri Valley in western Nepal has gained the dubious distinction in human trade of somewhat modified form. The area has emerged as brisk supplier of domestic servants.

Parents put their daughters barely in their teens at the 'depots' for sale. Landlords start bargaining for a price. When a deal is struck, the parents hand over their daughters to the landlords. They are sold for Rs. 2,000 - 14, 000 to serve as domestic workers for a year. The girls are then taken to different towns and bazaars.

This evil practice is reminiscent of the buying and selling of slaves in the 18th century in the United States. However, these domestic girl workers, locally known as kamalaris, are not considered as slaves. But they lead a wretched life so that their parents can manage the ends meet.

"Annually, more than 15,000 children leave the district as domestic workers," says Megh Narayan Chaudhari, ex-chairman of the Satbariya Village Development Committee.

These girls come from the families of the landless Tharu and Kumal communities. Due to abject poverty, ignorance and illiteracy, these people have been sending their daughters to work in the houses usually under the contract of one year. In return, the landlords provide their families with land for farming.

However, this tradition has been commercialised these days.

"I do not want to sell my daughters. But I have no other way than to send them away to keep the family going," said Santa Ram Chaudhari, a freed Kamaiya, or bonded labourer.

"The money I receive from the sale of my daughters is what keeps us going," said Chaudhari, a father of four daughters and two sons.

He earns Rs. 14,000 to 16,000 from the two daughters who have been working at the houses of the landlords for four years. "If they do not send me money, I will starve to death," he said without a sense of hesitation.

The story of Sant Ram is only part of the harsh reality besetting these communities. They have been sending their children as young as 8 years to work as domestic servants.

These children fetch firewood, cook, do the dishes, wash clothes and sweep the houses of the landlords. In many cases, they undergo immense sufferings.

"We have to bear both mental and physical torture in the master's house," says Sita Chaudhari, a girl servant from Butwal.

Megh Narayan Chaudhari said that many of the girls never return home. Instead, they start a new life in the place they are hired to work. Some of them return home pregnant. About 25 per cent of the girls end up in the brothels in India.

He pointed out the need to provide opportunities to study as well as employment to stop the trade in the Tharu girls. Ironically, many ex-kamaiyas have now turned to their former landlords after their emancipation as their freedom failed to deliver the means of livelihood. The government had announced the emancipation of kamaiyas two and half years ago. Their euphoria was only a shot-lived phenomenon as they could not get land and housing to keep their families going.