His Majesty congratulates Kibaki

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KATHMANDU, Dec. 31: His Majesty the King has extended sincere congratulations to president Mwai Kibaki of the Republic of Kenya on his election to the high office of the president of the republic of Kenya.

In a congratulatory message today, His Majesty has wished President Kibaki success in his new responsibilities and expressed confidence that the close and friendly relations existing between the two countries will be further strengthened during his tenure of office.

His Majesty has also expressed best wishes for the President's personal health and happiness as well as for peace, progress and prosperity of the People of the Republic of Kenya.

His Majesty to address civic reception programme

By A Staff Reporter

BIRATNAGAR, Dec. 31: His Majesty the King will address the civic felicitation programme to be organised at Biratnagar on January 3, 2003 on behalf of the people from the Eastern Development Region.

The Royal address at the felicitation programme will be meaningful and significant, opine observers.
Their Majesties' visit to Biratnagar to receive civic honour will bring the King and people closer and strengthen their bonds.

The surging enthusiasm of the people testify to the trust and faith people repose on the Monarchy, say the observers.

Crown Prince graces cultural programme

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KATHMANDU, Dec. 31: His Royal Highness Crown Prince Paras Bir Bikram Shah Dev graced a cultural programme and a dinner organised at the Tribhuvan Army Officers' Club this evening by the Armed Police Forces to mark the 32nd Auspicious Birthday of HRH the Crown Prince.
Present on the occasion were HRH Crown Princess Himani Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah and other members of the Royal Family.

Inspector General of the Armed Police Forces Krishna Mohan Shrestha had welcomed the Crown Prince and the Princess.

Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand was present on the occasion.

Also present on the occasion were National Assembly chairman , chairman of the Rajparishad Standing Committee, ministers, ex-prime ministers, leaders of the political parties, chiefs of constitutional bodies, heads of diplomatic missions and high ranking officials of His Majesty's Government.

None can hinder people to honour Their Majesties: DPM

By Ritu Raj Subedi

BIRATNAGAR, Dec. 31: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives Badri Prasad Mandal today said that the government had not provided any financial assistance for the ongoing preparation of the civic reception of Their Majesties the King and Queen by the people of the Eastern Region.

"The government has not funded a single rupee for the ongoing preparation. All financial expenditure has been borne by the public," Mandal told The Rising Nepal today. He said that the people across the region had formed civic felicitation and welcome committees in all the districts at their own initiative.

"All are involved in the preparation of the event," he said. "And nothing can stop the people's desire to welcome their Majesties. We will make the event a grand success no matter what difficulties we must face."

He noted that the parties that truly respect constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy had taken the event as an auspicious occasion. "They have pinned faith in the event."

Asked about the security preparations, Mandal said confidently that the government had managed the law and order situation.

DPM Mandal and Minister for Home and Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Dharma Bahadur Thapa had acquired information about the ongoing preparation of the event today.

"We have completed more than 80 per cent of the works," informed Jeevan Kumar Nepal, spokesman of Their Majesties Civic Felicitation and Celebration Committee. Many things are to be finalised tomorrow.

Most of the guest houses, lodges and hotels have been fully booked. The publicity campaign has picked up in all the villages of the region.

Different organisations and people from different walks of like are extending their support to the event. More than 7,000 athletes from the region are taking part in the event, said Binod Shanker Palikhe, secretary at the National Council of Sports.

Likewise, farmers in different villages have vowed to attend the event at any cost. "If the buses don't ply, I will come on a bike," said Dukhi Lal Agrahari of Dubahi, Sunsari. "It is the happiest occasion of my life. I will not miss the event at any cost."

Ojha pledges to tackle issues in education

By A Staff Reporter

BIRATNAGAR, Dec. 31: Minister for Education and Sports Devi Prasad Ojha today called upon the teachers to display confidence and face the undesirable elements that have been attacking the educational sector. "We can't win the battle with a defeated mentality," he said.

Speaking at a programme of teachers, Ojha assured them that the government would take concrete steps to resolve their problems. He informed that the ministry would soon appoint the chairman of the Education Service Commission and issue licenses to permanent teachers.

He said that the government was handing over more than 40 schools to the local community on an experimental basis.

The ministry will provide funds for the education of the students from the backward ethnic communities, he said, adding his office would take steps to provide medical expenses of teachers initiate the process to promote the primary teachers.

He said that the government had launched reform measures to end uncertainty in the education sector.

Talking about the present political scenario, he said that His Majesty the King had repeatedly expressed commitment to multi-party democracy and constitutional monarchy. "Therefore, no political party needs fear that democracy will be ended," he said.

Minister Ojha said that history had proved that monarchy is a common institution of the people.
He said that it was the duty and responsibility of all the teachers to attend the civic reception of Their Majesties and make it a grand success.

All political parties adhering to multi-party democracy and constitutional monarchy should take the event positively, said Ojha. "There is a need for understanding between the monarchy and the political parties to find a way out of the crisis facing the nation," he said.

He also reiterated that the government would effectively maintain law and order during the event. He said that the present system was not a partyless one. "There is a need to adjust with the changed situation."

In another programme, Minister Ojha acquired information about the ongoing preparation of the civic reception. On behalf of the National Sports Council, its secretary Palikhe apprised him about the preparation.

Govt keen to promote export

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KATHMANDU, Jan. 1: The year 2003 is being celebrated as an export year by organising various programmes with an objective of making positive contributions in the country's economy by making it sustainable, reliable and more organised.

Giving a message of felicitation on the occasion, Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand has said that His Majesty's Government has a policy of reaching the returns of export trade to the people under the poverty line by orienting the country's economy to a new direction.

In the message, Prime Minister Chand said in view of the deteriorating state of export trade over the past few years, the year 2003 is being observed as an export year by adopting various ways for export promotion and expressed the hope that it will make the export trade easier.

The role of the private and commercial sector is important for making the year a success, Chand said, adding that the year will be made meaningful and a great support in the export trade of the country by running programmes including identification of export goods, flow of business information and participation in the international fairs.

Giving a message on the same occasion, Finance Minister Dr. Badri Prasad Shrestha said the year will encourage the industrialists and entrepreneurs to take benefit from trade liberalisation by facing the challenges of the present at a time when we are preparing to join WTO.

On the same occasion, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Mahesh Lal Pradhan said the celebration is timely at the present age of globalised trade and liberalisation.

Assistant Minister for Industry Commerce and Supplies Jagat Bahadur Gurung said the organising 2003 as an export year will inspire all the entrepreneurs to be committed to increase sustainable export.

Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Laba Kumar Devkota said congenial atmosphere should be created for the international market by increasing the qualities of goods and services by the entrepreneurs in the year 2003.

In a message, acting president of FNCCI Binod Bahadur Shrestha said the export year will help reduce the balance of payment to through export promotion in the year.

NCC president Rajesh Kaji Shrestha said it is indispensable to encourage export for the economic development of the country at a time when countries have made the impact of their economy on various countries.

President of the Federation of Nepalese Cottage and Small Industries Basu Dev Giri said the export year will be timely, important based on reality.