Their Majesties grace Democracy Day function

RSS

KATHMANDU, Feb. 19. Their Majesties King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and Queen Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah graced a special function held at the Royal Nepal Army Pavilion, Tundikhel today on the occasion of Tribhuvan Jayanti and the 53rd National Democracy Day. At the function, Their Majesties were presented badges and programme booklets by Prime Minister and main celebration committee chairman Lokendra Bahadur Chand.

Their Majesties the King and Queen garlanded a portrait of His late Majesty King Tribhuvan.
His Majesty the King also gave away cash prizes to athletes, instructors and others enhancing national pride through the winning of medals at the l4th Asian Games held in the South Korean city of Bushan. Those given away prizes by His Majesty were bronze medalists Deepak Bista, Ritu Zimi Rai and Renuka Magar, chief instructor Deepak Raj Gurung, foreign instructor Seul A. Riu and taekwando chairman Rukma Shumsher Rana.

At the function, Their Majesties were presented a Royal salute. A Royal Nepal Army helicopter rained down flowers at the programme venue and also released balloons. The Royal Nepal Army, the Nepal Police, the armed police, the national cadet corps and Nepal Scouts staged a march past while the National Sports Council put on an interesting sports display. Prime Minister and chairman of the function committee Lokendra Bahadur Chand addressed the function.

Also present on the occasion were the Chief Justice, the Speaker, the National Assembly Chairman, the Deputy Prime Minister, ministers, former prime ministers, leaders of various political parties, MPs of the National Assembly, heads of constitutional bodies, high ranking officials, diplomats and other distinguished individuals.

Students, teachers, civil and military employees, professors, sportsmen, labourers, social workers, businessmen and industrialists were likewise present. Despite the rainy weather, members of the general public converged around Tundikhel to watch the function.

Nepal Television and Radio Nepal carried the programme live. Earlier today, Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand went to Sahid Gate and paid emotional tributes to the martyrs. On the occasion, the Chief Justice, the Speaker, the Raj Parishad Standing Committee Chairman, ministers, office berarers of the Nationnal Democracy Day Celebration Committee, high ranking HMG officials and members of the general public also paid tributes to the martyrs.

53rd NATIONAL DEMOCRACY DAY
King-people relations harmonious: Chand

RSS

KATHMANDU, Feb. l9: Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand has said that relations between the King and the people have always been harmonious, cordial and wide-ranging thanks to the Shah Dynasty tradition of governance in accordance with the aspirations of the people. Prime Minister and Chairman of the 53rd Nationnal Democracy Day main celebration committee Lokendra Bahadur Chand was addressing a special function held at the Royal Nepal Army Pavilion, Tundikhel today on the occasion of Nationnal Democracy Day.

Pointing out that this day has special significance as it reflects the people's faith in democracy, Chand offered tribute to His late Majesty King Tribhuvan in recognition of His late Majesty's sacrifice in the cause of democracy, without regard even for his throne. Rectifying the existing difficult situation and restoration of durable peace is the foremost priority of the country, he said adding that the present government is engaged in the task of establishing lasting peace for the sake of developing all sectors in the country.

Remarking that the government is firm in its conviction that the problems confronting the country can only be tackled through the medium of talks, Prime Minister Chand said in recent days there have been positive indications in favour of talks and the government looks forward to positive co-operation from all political parties, intellectuals, social workers and civil society to bring this development to fruition.

He said we should converge on a point of national consensus, and for this we should give up minor differences and party interests and show solidarity over issues of national interest. As the problems facing the country are not peculiar to any one party but are common to all, the solutions also lie in common effort, he stressed.

As democracy reflects the wishes of the people, a democratic culture should be developed to fulfill those wishes, the Prime Minister said adding that if the multiparty democratic system cannot accommodate the feelings of the people democracy's consolidation may be obstructed. Expressing confidence that this Democracy Day would provide inspiration to establish lasting peace through all embracing national consensus and resolution of the problems, he said only then would democracy day be meaningful and true tributes would have been paid to the martyrs.

Rajparishad members appointed

RSS

KATHMANDU, Feb. 19: His Majesty the King has, in accordance with the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal, 1990, appointed Parshu Narayan Chaudhary to the post of chairman of the Rajparishad Standing Committee.

Likewise, His Majesty has appointed Dr. Swami Prapannacharya, Sacchit Shumsher JB Rana, Kul Raj Sharma, Ganesh Bahadur Gurung, Chakra Bahadur Shanker and Yagya Prasad Acharya the members of the committee. This is stated in a notice issued today by the press secretariat of His Majesty the King. Meanwhile, His Majesty the King has, in accordance with the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal, 1990, added 55 individuals to the list of members of the Rajparishad.

The new members of the Rajparishad are Bhagwati Das Shrestha (Ilam), Santa Bahadur Rai (Sankhuwasabha), Rajendra Bahadur Tumbahamphe (Terhathum), Rajendra Bahadur Thapa (Sunsari), Kali Prasad Rizal (Morang) and Parsuram Rai (Khotang). Likewise, Bhakta Bahadur Singh Thakuri (Udayapur), Dwarikaman Singh (Dolkha), Dal Kumari Sunwar (Ramechhap), Guru Sharan Rohit Yadav (Dhanusa), Kari Yadav 'Suman' (Dhanusa), Mohammed Arif (Parsa), Sheikh Sarajul (Rautahat), Swami Ramananda Giri (Chitwan), Lila Raj Bista (Chitwan), Dawa Finjo Tamang (Rasuwa), Jeevan Lal Shrestha (Nuwakot), Madan Krishna Hada (Bhaktapur), Lehendrup Lama (Sindhupalchowk) and Bel Prasad Shrestha (Kavre) are the new members of the Raj Parishad.

Prajwalla Shumsher JB Rana, Damodar Shumsher JB Rana, Krishna Bhai Maharjan, Bashu Pasa, Ananda Bahadur Shrestha, Miss Sabitri Singh, Mrs Indira Shrestha, Madhav Prasad Ghimire, Shyamdas Baishnav, Hari Prasad Rimal, Khilendra Prasad Pandey, Dr. Bhisma Raj Prasai, Jogmehar Shrestha, Hari Krishna Shrestha, Hitkar Bir Singh Kansakar and Birendra Bahadur Shaha from Kathmandu are also the new members of the Raj Parishad.

Similarly, Buddhi Raj Bajracharya of Lalitpur, Bed Raj Panta of Lamjung, Tasi Gurung of Manang, Rudra Bahadur KC of Myagdi, Baikuntha Bahadur Chand of Gulmi, Matiraj Bhusal of Arghakhanchi, Chinta Bahadur Basnet of Pyuthan, Dr. Prem Bahadur Shahi of Dailekh, Ganga Prasad Subedi of Surkhet, Miss Narbada Sharma Khanal of Banke, Surbir Shahi of Humla, Krishna Bahadur Malla of Mugu, Dr. Dhan Bahadur Shahi of Kalikot, Dr. Narjung Shahi of Bajura, Ram Bahadur Shahi of Achham and Miss Shakti Amatya of Doti are the new members of the Raj Parishad.This is stated in a notice issued today by the press secretariat of His Majesty the King.

Reception hosted

RSS

KATHMANDU, Feb. 19: His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev graced the reception hosted by Chairman of Democracy Day Celebration Committee Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand at the Sheetal Niwas this afternoon on the occasion of the National Democracy Day. Her Majesty Queen Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Paras Bir Bikram Shah Dev, Her Royal Highness Princess Himani Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah and other members of the Royal Family attended the reception.Their Majesties were accorded warm welcome by Prime Minister Chand on the occasion.

His Majesty the King granted collective audience to chiefs of the diplomatic mission and other distinguished personalities on the occasion.

Speaker Taranath Ranabhat, Chairman of the National Assembly Dr. Mohammad Mohasin, general secretary of the CPN-UML Madhav Kumar Nepal, former prime ministers, ministers, leaders of various political parties, MPs, intellectuals and distinguished personalities were also present on the occasion.

Function to mark Queen's birthday

RSS

KATHMANDU, Feb. 19: On the occasion of the 53rd Auspicious Birthday of Her Majesty the Queen, a function was organised at the Armed Police Force's headquarters at Halchok, Swayambhu today.
On the occasion, best wishes were expressed for Her Majesty the Queen's long life, good health and good luck.

At the programme, Acting Inspector General of the Armed Police Force Sahabir Thapa and Assistant Inspectors General Rabi Raj Thapa, Gyanendra Raj Rai and Dilip Kumar Shrestha garlanded a portrait of Her Majesty the Queen and extended best wishes to Her Majesty the Queen.
Addressing the function, Assistant Inspector General Shrestha extended loyal felicitations to Her Majesty the Queen on behalf of all the officers and personnel of different ranks of the Armed Police Force.

Chairperson of the Armed Police Force family Women's Association Kalpana Thapa and other office-bearers of the association went to the Narayanhity Royal Palace this morning and extended hearty birthday felicitations to Her Majesty the Queen. Similarly, on the occasion of the Auspicious Birthday of Her Majesty the Queen special functions were also held at all the brigades, the training academy, battalions and base camps of the Armed Police Force.

RSS should be able to compete: Pandey

RSS

KATHMANDU, Feb. 19: National News Agency (RSS) celebrated its 42nd anniversary here today.
Speaking at a function held on the occasion of 42nd anniversary of the RSS here today, Minister for Information and Communications Ramesh Nath Pandey said RSS should be able to compete and disseminate quality news services in the present context of the competition in media sector.
Stressing the need to disseminate news based on facts to generate confidence of the general public in the national media he said press freedom would not be crushed at least during his tenure of office.
The present government has decided not to make any political appointment in the public corporations and made a policy of appointing professional through open competition he said.

Minister Pandey said the government is preparing to bring out concrete policy for the development of print and electronic media in the country. On the occasion Minister Pandey gave away this year's RSS best journalism award to Dip Raj Sanjel, editor of English news desk.

Sanjel is the first journalist to receive the RSS best journalism award established by Federation of Nepalese Journalists RSS branch. Minister Pandey also honoured former editor of RSS Govind Prasad Pant.Likewise, RSS reporters Surya Chandra Basnet and Yek Raj Pathak received the RSS best feature writing prize. Similarly, Narayan Sundar Kilambu, Siddha Raj Bhatta and Shankar Bahadur Thapa also got the best reporters prize from among the district based reporters. Minister Pandey gave away medals and prizes to Shyam Kaji Thapa, Nhuchchhe Raj Bajracharya and Raju Neupane for their services in RSS for over 20 years. Speaking from the chair, chairman of the board of directors of the RSS Sushil Ghimire pointed out the need to pay attention in investigative news reporting.

Acting general manager of the RSS Kamal Pradhan said the news agency is planning to make the news services more effective through computer networking and proposal is already floated to materialise the concept of one village one reporter. President of the Federation of Nepalese Journalist (FNJ) Tara Nath Dahal stressed the need to pay attention in professionalism rather than the coverage of formal programmes.

Chairman of Press Council Harihar Birahi appreciated the contributions of RSS in disseminating factual news. Director General of the Department of Information Dharanidhar Khatiwada said RSS should be able to face challenges of the present competition.

Chairman of FNJ RSS branch Krishna Kumar Budhathoki shedding light on the difficulties faced by the RSS journalists said there is the need of training and other facilities for the professional development of RSS journalists. Earlier, Minister Pandey inspected news reporting, technical, English and Nepali news desk at the RSS central office.

Instrumental flight rules in Simara airport

RSS

KATHMANDU, Feb. 19: Simara Civil Aviation Office has brought into operation the Instrumental Flight Rules (IFR) at the Simara Airport from today.Besides Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, the IFR was in operation at the Biratnagar, Nepalgunj and Bhairahawa airports prior to this.

The system would be used in daylight only for the time being until the runway lights and other lighting facilities are put in place at the airport, according to the Simara Civil Aviation Office.

Democracy Day observed abroad

RSS

KATHMANDU, Feb. 19: The Royal Nepalese Embassy New Delhi organised a special function at the embassy to mark the 53rd National Democracy Day today. At the function, Royal Nepalese Ambassador Dr. Bhekh B. Thapa, representatives of Bharat-Nepal Maitri Sangh, Nepalese organisations and other distinguished persons laid garlands on the portrait of His late Majesty King Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah.

Speaking on the occasion, Royal Nepalese Ambassador Dr. Thapa paid tributes to His late Majesty King Tribhuvan and all known and unknown martyrs who contributed to the establishment of democracy in the country. General secretary of Bharat-Nepal Maitri Sangh Chaman Gupta , on behalf of the Sangh, expressed his best wishes to the Nepalese people on the occasion of the National Democracy Day.

Representatives of various Nepalese organisations also highlighted the importance of democracy.
Embassy staff and their family members, eminent Nepalese nationals working in India, representatives of Bharat-Nepal Maitri Sangh and various Nepalese organisations, students and a large number of Nepalese people living in New Delhi were present on the occasion.   Meanwhile, news reports on the celebration of the birth anniversary of His late Majesty King Tribhuvan and the National Democracy Day in Nepalese diplomatic missions abroad have been received here. At a function organised at the Royal Nepalese Embassy in Tokyo this morning, one minute's silence was observed to pay homage to the known and unknown martyrs who sacrificed their precious lives for the establishment of democracy in Nepal.

Speaking on the occasion, Charge D'affaires Mohan Krishna Shrestha extended his best wishes to all the Nepali citizens living in Japan and wished them happiness and success in their respective vocations.

He also observed that Nepal is a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and multi-cultural country. Recalling the successful democratic movement of 1990 which has restored the democratic multi-party system of government in the country, he said thanks to this that Nepalese people can live in a democratic environment. He added that the Constitution of Nepal promulgated in 1990 has guaranteed adult franchise, constitutional monarchy, democratic multi-party system of government and the promotion and protection of human rights of the Nepali citizens in the country. President of the Nepalese Students Association in Japan Kumar Basnet said that Nepalese students wherever they live never forget their motherland and they are always ready to contribute for the development of Nepal.

Present on the occasion were Nepalese students, researchers, professionals and long-term residents and president of the Nepalese community in Japan and also Nepalese diplomatic staff.
Similarly, to mark the birth anniversary of His late Majesty King Tribhuvan and the 53rd National Democracy Day, a programme was organised today at the Royal Nepalese Embassy in Dhaka.
Charge d' Affaires Arun Prasad Dhital and Mrs. Roma Dhital, embassy officials and their family members, Nepalese nationals working in UN and other international organisations in Dhaka, Nepalese nationals living in Dhaka and Nepalese students studying in Bangladesh were present on the occasion.

Addressing the function, Charge d'Affaires Dhital highlighted the importance of democracy in nation building. Dr. Suniti Acharya, who representative to Bangladesh also spoke on the importance of democracy. Likewise, a function was organised at the Royal Nepalese Embassy in Cairo, Egypt, to mark the occasion. Charge D'affaires of the Royal Nepalese Embassy, Embassy staff, their families, Nepali nationals living in cairo and students attended the function.

To mark the 53rd National Democracy Day and birthday of Her Majesty Queen Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, a function was held in the Royal Nepalese Embassy in Doha, Qatar, today. On the occasion, the Royal Nepalese Ambassador to the State of Qatar Shyamananda Suman garlanded the portrait of late King Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah and paid homage. Addressing the function, Ambassador Suman recalled and praised the significance of the day in the history of Nepal. He also underscored the importance of democracy and urged for peace for the overall development of the nation and to strengthen the root for the democracy.

Convenor of the King Birendra Peace Academy Shikhar Baidhya, secretary of Nepalese Welfare Society Sagar Nepal and secretary of the Khotang Youth Society Tulsi Ram Karki also spoke on the occasion.

Also today, coinciding with the auspicious functions, the Royal Nepalese Ambassador inaugurated and launched the official website with its address- <www.rnedoha.org.qa>. A large number of Nepalese expatriates living in the State of Qatar were present on the occasion.Likewise, Acting Ambassador at the Royal Nepalese Embassy in Beijing Khadga Prasad Dahal hosted a reception at the embassy premises on the occasion of the 53rd National Democracy Day today.On the occasion, Acting Ambassador Dahal paid homage to revered late King Tribhuwan and other martyrs who laid their lives for the cause of democracy in Nepal.High ranking officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, officials from other Chinese ministries and diplomats stationed at Beijing attended the reception.Also present on the occasion were embassy staff and their family members, Nepalese families residing in Beijing as well as students studying in Beijing and nearby cities.Similarly, a reception was held at the Royal Nepalese Consulate General in Hong Kong today marking the same occasion. A large number of Nepalese nationals living in Hong Kong were present on the occasion.On the occasion, Acting Consular General Arjun Kant Mainali spoke on the contributions of His late Majesty King Tribhuvan and the martyrs for the cause of democracy in Nepal.Two minutes of silence was also observed on the occasion in memory of known and unknown martyrs who laid their precious lives for the cause of democracy in Nepal.

Extradition talks make 'substantial' progress

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Feb. 19: The third day of the joint secretary-level talks to chalk out a fresh Indo-Nepal extradition treaty and a new Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (AMLACM) made 'substantial' progress, said officials today. The meeting, which began Sunday, ends tomorrow.
Both the countries expressed and exchanged their views on extradition and the AMLACM, said Dr. Madan Kumar Bhattarai, joint secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), who is heading the Nepalese delegation.

Nepal and India are also discussing the drafts on the proposed extradition treaty, which were exchanged earlier. India had forwarded its draft to Nepal 18 months ago, and Nepal did the same in July 2002. Dr. Bhattarai is heading the Nepali side on extradition while the AMLACM is being represented by Shushil Sumsher Rana, joint secretary at the Home Ministry. B.A. Roy and S.K. Chattopadhyaya represent the Indian side respectively. Some 14 officials from the Home, Foreign and Law ministries of both the countries are attending the meeting.

The existing extradition treaty was signed by the then Nepalese Prime Minister, Matrika Prasad Koirala, and Indian Ambassador to Nepal B.K. Gokhale in 1953. A need for a new extradition treaty was felt as the nature of crimes has significantly changed in the last half a century. The new extradition treaty is expected to consider the new nature of criminal activities, including economic and cyber.

The first Indo-Nepal extradition treaty was signed in 1855 during the Rana regime in Nepal, which was replaced by the treaty of 1953.

DPM extends felicitations

RSS

KATHMANDU, Feb. 19: Acting national president of Nepal Sadbhabana Party and Deputy Prime Minister Badri Prasad Mandal issuing a press release today extended felicitations to all the Nepalese people on behalf of his party on the occasion of National Democracy Day.In the press release, Deputy PM Mandal mentioned that his party on the occasion of Democracy Day expects help and co-operation from all in the task of nation building and consolidation of democracy through elimination of the prevailing atmosphere of discrimination and inequality.

Home they come following ceasefire announcement

By Our Correspondent

DANG, Feb.19: People, who had fled their homes and villages because of the destructive and violent activities of the Maoists in the last seven years, have started returning home after the announcement of the cease-fire by the government and the Maoists.

Hira Bahadur Gharti of Bhirul VDC of Rolpa decided to return home from India after he stopped hearing news of violence and terror. Gharti had been working in Gorakhpur as a menial labourer since the last four years. He hopes there will be durable peace in the country. There has also been a drastic decline in the number of people leaving their villages.

Before the announcement of the cease-fire, almost every day hundreds of people from different districts of the region could be seen coming to the district headquarters or on their way to the border to escape the war.

The Maoists movement in the last seven years has displaced thousands of people and many of them have gone to India, where majority of them work as menial labourers to make a living.
After the announcement of the cease-fire on January 29, many have started returning home, but many more are waiting to make sure that violence will not erupt again.

Plan to curb population growth in offing

By Prakriti Adhikari

KATHMANDU, Feb. 19: His Majesty's Government is introducing a long-term population plan to bring down the uncontrolled growth in population.Nepal does not have a separate population plan. Until now programmes to bring down the population growth have been included in the five-year development plans.

The Ministry of Population and Environment has taken the responsibility of drafting the long-term plan. "We are busy with the concept paper, which is expected to be complete by mid-March," said Bal Govinda Bista, joint secretary at the population department of the ministry. "The plan will take at least a year to formulate," he added.

The draft of the concept paper is expected to be presented to the Prime Minister who is chairman of the National Population Commission by mid-March. The plan will then be drafted according to the guidelines set up by the commission.

"I cannot say what shape the plan will take as it will depended largely on the guidelines of the commision," said Bista. "However, by April, we should have a preliminary idea about what will be included in it."Bista also declined to say how long the plan would take. A need for a long-term population plan had been long felt in a bid to bring down the population burden and improve the lifestyle of the people. According to Bista, there were plans to formulate the plan last year. But because the results of the national census and health survey were delayed, the whole process got postponed. The statistics of the report are important while formulating the plan.The United Nations Fund for Population Activities had handed over the outline of the concept paper to the ministry a few days back. And the ministry is working to prepare the concept paper of the long-term population plan in line with the outline, which the UNFPA had prepared over three months.Dr. Bhanu Niroula, assistant representative of the UN body, admitted that the outline has suggested formulating a 20-year population plan. The UNFPA is providing technical assistance to the ministry to prepare the long-term population plan, said Niroula.

Dr. Niroula also said that the UNFPA was launching a population and reproductive health integrated project in Saptari, Rautahat, Kapilbastu, Dang and Dadeldhura districts to bring down poverty, improve the status of backward women and their reproductive health and curtail the high population growth rate. The UNFPA will be providing US$ 180,000 for the project each year.