Honorary titles to five persons

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KATHMANDU, Jan. l0. His Majesty the King has, in accordance with the Royal Palace Service Regulations, bestowed honorary titles on five persons with effect from January 9.

His Majesty has bestowed the honorary title of Mir Subba on Chief Secretary Pashupati Bhakta Maharjan, Principal Secretariat, Royal Palace; that of Brigadier General on retired Colonel Pramukh Prabandhak Prakash Bikram Shah, Nirmal Niwas; Mir Subba on Saha-Prabandhak Ramananda Shrestha, Nirmal Niwas; Royal Physician on Dr. Shyam Bahadur Pandey, Maharajgunj; and Royal Physician, Maternity and Gyaenocology on Dr. Mrs. Dibyashree Malla, Kimdol Chauni.
This is stated in a notice issued today by the Press Secretariat of His Majesty the King.

Monarchy historical essence of Nepal: Pandey

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Jan. 10: To mark the 281st Prithvi Jayanti and National Unity Day, Radio Nepal today brought together people from different cultural communities from across the country to disseminate the message of unity in diversity through music.

Artistes representing ethnic communities presented 22 musical performances of 13 national languages, which were aired live by the only national broadcasting agency of the country. The musical conference is held every year to mark the patriotic occasion.

Declaring the launching of the programme named Phulbari Geet Sammelan, Minister for Information and Communications Ramesh Nath Pandey said that the monarchical culture is the historical essence of Nepal. "The unity, independence and national integrity of Nepal have been consolidated under the able guardianship of the monarchy," Minister Pandey said.

If we look at different times in history, the Shah Kings have played historical role for Nepal's unity, progress and her dignified place in the world stage. "The auspicious birth anniversary of the Great King Prithvi Narayan Shah reminds us all of this historical fact," said Pandey while addressing the musical gathering held in the premises of Radio Nepal in Singha Durbar.

His Majesty the King addressing at the civic reception function last week has said that the monarchy of the 21st century is for democracy, democracy for national development, and monarchy and democracy for the bright future of the nation, Pandey said.

Citing an example, he said that His Majesty was committed to multiparty democracy and faith of the Nepalese people in constitutional monarch. This proves the permanence of monarchy and multiparty democracy. "When the King and the people are committed to multiparty democracy, Nepal's future is bright," said Minister Pandey.

The differences that have cropped up will get their point of unity and agreement in monarchy, said Pandey said. He added that the best way to bring maturity in the political system is to infuse monarchical culture in the exercise of multiparty democracy. "This will advance the democratic practice unhindered."

In the past there was little of Nepali music, even tunes played before the news were from foreign cinema. At such a time, late King Mahendra inspired Radio Nepal to play Nepalese songs. Today, we are rich in Nepali songs as a result of the inspiration of the late poet King Mahendra.

Information and Communications secretary and president of Radio Broadcasting Development Committee Mukunda Paudel said that the thoughts expressed in the Dibyopadesh (divine counsels) of the great unifier Prithvi Narayan Shah give us valuable message to the nation on politics, diplomacy and religion.

It is high time we follow the track envisioned by the Great King. "If we walk on the path shown by him, that will be the true tribute paid to the great unifier," said the Communications secretary.

Sailendra Raj Sharma, Executive Director of Radio Nepal and Bhupendra Rayamajhi, chief of Radio Nepal's music wing, also highlighted the importance of the National Unity Day and the harmony among the diverse ethnic and cultural communities of Nepal.

Local material based industries to alleviate poverty, says Chand

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NARAYANGADH, Jan. 10: Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand inaugurated the "Chitwan Festival 2003" and Central Region Industrial Trade Fair at the Bank of the Narayani River at Narayangadh here today to mark the auspicious Prithvi Jayanti and National Integration Day.

There are 141 stalls related to agriculture, trade, education, tourism, handicrafts, foodgrains, entertainment and information technology at the fair to be held until January 17.

The main attraction at the fair held at sprawling four bighas of land are the sites depicting the lifestyle and culture of the backward communities such as Tharu, Chepang and Darai, Jetboat on the Narayani and a floating restaurant.

Artistic goods produced in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Dhading, Rameshhap, Kaski and other districts have been showcased at the festival organised jointly by Narayangadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chitwan District Development Committee, and Bharatpur, and Ratnagar Municipalities.
The objectives of hosting the fair are to identify more tourism and religious destinations for internal and external tourists, and boost agriculture, handicrafts, industries, trade etc.

Addressing the function, Prime Minister Chand said that unless and until industries, trade and tourism, the backbone of economy of the country, are developed, economic development of the country could not take place.

He said that as only the joint endeavour of the government and the private could remove recession in industry, trade and tourism, the present government was willing to cooperate with the private sector and emphasied the need to boost export.

Stating that if relief could be provided to the poor and ignorant people living in villages through industrialisation, it would be permanent and dependable, Prime Minister Chand said, "setting up and expansion of the industries based on local raw materials will lead to industrialisation and help support poverty alleviation programme."

Prime Minister Chand said that these kinds of festivals and fairs could play vital role in promoting the business including industries, tourism, and trade and enhance the economy now in recession.
On the occasion, Prime Minister Chand also inaugurated a website made prepared by Bharatpur Municipality with the financial and tecnhical cooperation of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The e-governance prepared for the first time in Nepal with the cooperation from the village-municipality development partnership programme provides detailed information on the activities of the town.
Assistant Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Jagat Bahadur Gurung said that the festival would prove to be a milestone in consolidating economy and promoting tourism, industries and trade and point out the need for the governmental and the private sector to work jointly in coordinated manner.

Acting president of the Ffederation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries Binod Bahadur Shrestha said that the fair that brings manufacturer, distributor and consumers togther at the same venue would promote industry, trade and tourism and help remove the prevailing recession.
UNDP Co-Resident Representative Alexandra Tissot expressed the confidence that the e-commerce services set up in Bharatpur Municipality for the first time would perform exemplary work in enhancing the efficiency of the local people and informed that the programme would extend further cooperation to raise the living standard of the poor.

President of Narayangadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairman of the festival organisation main committee Ramesh Kumar Piya also expressed his views on the occasion.

Prime Minister Chand also released a souvenir published by Chitwan Festival organising committee on the occasion.

His Majesty the King's message wishing success to the festival was read out at the function.

PM attends functions

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NARAYANGARH, Jan. 10: Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand has said that the government is positive towards running the newly built bridge over the Rapti River in Chitwan and developing the Paras bus park into the central bus terminal of Nepal.

At a function organised in honour of the Prime Minister by Rastriya Prajantra Party, Chitwan, here today, RPP central member Bikram Pandey submitted a letter of request for running of the bridge over the Rapti River completed a year ago and apprised him of the problems faced by the district.
RPP acting district president Ram Hari Kandel presided over the function.

Also today, Prime Minister Chand inspected the Paras Bus Park under-construction at Ward No-9 of Bharatpur Municipality.

The Prime Minister also visited the first covered hall of Chitwan under-construction in Ward No-10 of the municipality.

Report says no to two media channels

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Jan. 10: The three-member task force constituted by the government on November 28 to prepare recommendations for the development of the electronic media submitted its report to Minister for Information and Communications Ramesh Nath Pandey today.

The report prepared by senior media experts Bharat Dutta Koirala, Durga Nath Sharma and Bijay Kumar Pandey has recommended that no media institution should be allowed to operate more than two media channels.

"And FM broadcasts should be limited to a small locality and not cover large tracts. If someone wants to cover a large audience or area, they should be licensed to operate short wave and medium wave broadcasts and not FM," Koirala told journalists at the office of the Communications Minister after handing over the report. "Some inconsistencies are existing now which should be regulated," he added.

The report has also suggested that the government form an independent, highly empowered and impartial authority to work for reforms and the development of the broadcasting media.

"We have envisioned an empowered body which will work to end the existing inconsistencies in the broadcasting media sector and develop a framework for the timely development of this sector," said Koirala.

Minister Pandey, after accepting the report pledged to implement the report. The government will form the authority as suggested by the report and will launch measures for the reforms in this sector, he added.

The government will study the report and ascertain what reforms need to be made. "The government is committed for the development of this field and the implementation will come into effect soon," Minister Pandey said.

We have faith in the report as it has been prepared by concerned experts, and I believe the report will help to bring about reforms, Pandey said.

'UML to accept any agreement resolving crisis'

By Our Correspondent

POKHARA, Jan. 10: Standing Committee Member of the Communist Party of Nepal United Marxist and Leninist (CPN-UML) Jhalanath Khanal has said that his party would have no reservation and would accept any agreement reached between His Majesty the King and the CPN-Maoists in order to restore peace and security in the country.

At an interaction programme organised by the Federation of Nepalese Journalist (Kaski) here today, Khanal made it clear that the party would approve any agreement between or among any parties that help resolve the present crisis and restore peace in the nation.

Indicating towards the party's new policies to be adopted during its forthcoming 7th general convention in Janakpur, Khanal who was minister in the nine-month-long CPN (UML)-led government in 1996, said that the CPN-UML would have functional unity with the Nepali Congress to protect the achievements of the Peoples' Movement of 1990. Khanal, meanwhile, did not hesitate to say that his party would consider Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) as a party having a dual policy.

Talking about the recent resolution of its party regarding the cancellation of the presidential system in the party, Khanal said, "There should be both the general secretary and presidential system within CPN-UML."

"However, major political and policy level agenda will be discussed during the convention and the party would not split solely due to differences in ideologies.

Indian envoy for broader dialogue at people level

By Narayan Upadhyay

Kathmandu, Jan 10: Nepal and India need broader dialogue not only at the government-to-government level but also among scholars, journalists, artists, scientists, youths and women and other social entities to dispel misunderstandings among the respective governments and societies.
"Affinity not only among the political leaderships but also among the civil society of both the nations is essential to reinforce goodwill," Indian Envoy to Nepal Shyam Sharan said at a talk programme on Nepal-India Relations today. The programme was organised by the Nepal Council of World Affairs.
"An in-built early warning mechanism for their management of relations, which must enable both neighbours to prevent differences from gathering up and corroding the most positive sides of the bilateral relation, is what both countries should look for."

The complacency, which seldom arises out of the assumption that shared history of political, commercial, cultural and religious interactions can follow good relations in the natural course of things, may lead to the ignorance of consequences of divergent perceptions and differences of opinion.

Envoy Shyam Sharan said that the extraordinary thing about Nepal and India is the degree of complementarity between the two nations, which awaits being explored to mutual advantage. "Judicious projects for the utilisation of Nepal's water resources could meet India's growing needs for power and could address the problems of floods and drought. This could be a win-win situation for both countries rather than being a source of recrimination and mistrust."

Nepal can capitalise on its proximity and privileged access to India's vast market, and can take huge benefits from India's US $ 7 billion a year Information Technology market besides making use of India's space science and biotechnology to its own development." "Nepal can further gain from the five million Indian tourists who visit foreign countries annually. India can also be a major source of investment."

Shedding his views on the Maoist problem, the Indian envoy said that the Maoist menace is affecting the security of both the nations. Sharing of intelligence on either side of border holds the key to fighting the menace, said the Indian envoy.

While surveillance of the terrorists' movement at the border is essential to build up pressure on them, the deeper aspect of the Maoist problem needs to be addressed. "Addressing social and economic problems as well as taking military action to contain the terror is the need of the hour."

India can help Nepal in launching economic activities and creating employment opportunities for the youth living in the remote areas so that they are not lured to Maoist camps, envoy Shyam Sharan said.

He said that the open border between the two nations was an asset and not a liability for the people living near the border. But we are aware about monitoring and checking the activities and movements at the border that can be inimical to the interests of both nations.

On queries about India's role in solving the Bhutanese refugee problem, the Indian Ambassador said that India regarded the problem from a humanitarian perspective but it would not involve itself in the bilateral issue between Nepal and Bhutan. "Both nations are capable of sorting out their problems, and India does not want to interfere.'

He also said that Indo-Pak tensions can be resolved if greater contacts among the people of both the nations are allowed.

Shyam Sharan said that the SAARC and South Asia can prosper economically if we explore and exploit its advantages.

At the function, Nepal Council of World Affair President Keshav Raj Jha, Himalaya Kumar Singh and Gopal Pokhrel also spoke.

Terrorist killed in socket bomb explosion

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Jan. 10: One terrorist died and another was wounded when a socket bomb they were carrying exploded at Gotikhel of Lalitpur district on Wednesday, said a Defence Ministry statement today.

The two terrorists had barged into a house and had forced the owner to cook a meal for them. The explosive, carried by one of them on the waist, went off when they were sitting by the fire after they had the meal. Two locals were also injured in the blast. The body of the dead and the wounded terrorist were carried away by other terrorists.

The statement said that the health camp run by the security forces in Gorkha provided medical treatment and medicines free of cost to 85 local people.

The Ministry said the security forces defused an electric ambush ready to set off in Haku area of Jumla on Thursday.

Say no to controversial statements, leaders told

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KATHMANDU, Jan. 10: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Kuber Prasad Sharma has stressed the need for honest, capable and patriotic leaders in the country.

Speaking at an interaction programme on "political condition of the present day Nepal and Prithvipath" organised by the Nepal Independent Journalists' Society Central Committee here today on the occasion of the birth anniversary of His Majesty King Prithvi Narayan Shah the Great, Minister Sharma urged the leaders of the political parties to refrain from making controversial statements.
The institution of the Crown has its own place and dignity in Nepal, but the leaders of the political parties are bent on defaming this institution, he said. He also requested the parties to cooperate with the institution of the Crown.

He also pointed out the need for delivering good governance to combat the Maoists and restore peace and security in the country.

On the occasion, intellectual Khagendra Sitaula, presenting a working paper entitled 'the political status of the present day Nepal and the Prithvi Mahapath', eulogised the contributions of His late Majesty King Tribhuvan, His late Majesty King Mahendra and His late Majesty King Birendra in promoting democracy and nationality.

He said the doctrine propounded by His late Majesty King Prithvi Narayan Shah the Great contains the essence of the visions of peace and democracy as expressed by the four martyrs, the late Prime Minister Tanka Prasad Acharya, B.P. Koirala, Ganeshman Singh, Puspa Lal, Madan Bhandari and other visionaries.

Now the time has come for all of us to make the vision of His late Majesty King Prithvi Narayan Shah the Great a common point of convergence and the main creed for democracy and nation building, he said.

Commenting on the working paper Prof. (Dr.) Ballav Mani Dahal pointed out that nationality, social justice, economic development and the uplift of the nationalities and the indigenous communities should be moved ahead side by side with democracy.

Dr. Shastra Dutta Panta laid emphasis on the nation and the national economy.

Journalist Dinesh Satyal Saurav stressed on the educational qualification of the politicians.

At the programme presided over by society president Jeevram Bhandari, member of the society Mohan Dhungel also expressed his views.

Pesticide use in Kathmandu vegetables alarming

By Bhimsen Thapaliya

KATHMANDU, Jan. 10: Haphazard use of pesticides in vegetables in the Kathmandu Valley has put the health of consumers in jeopardy, a study has revealed.

"Ignorance of the farmers regarding the ill effects of the toxic substances on human health is putting innocent consumers at great risk," says the study report prepared by two women scientists Dr. Ananda Shova Tamrakar and Panna Shova Kansakar. The scientists are affiliated with the Department of Zoology of Tribhuvan University.

The scientific research report published in the latest Journal of the Natural History Museum reveals an alarming situation of pesticide pollution in vegetable crops in the Kathmandu Valley with over 78 per cent of the edibles scanned found to be contaminated with critical level of toxic residue.

The study conducted in Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur has found that the people in the Valley are forced to consume such harmful vegetables due to ignorance about the ill effects of the toxic substances.

The pesticide threat among vegetable consumers in the capital is heightened because harvesting takes place too soon after chemicals are sprayed. Due to the short duration, the toxic effects are still strong and active, resulting in different kinds of health hazards. "Thirty-five per cent of the farmers were unaware of the waiting period between pesticide application and harvesting," the report states.
The laboratory tests showed that toxic contamination in the collected vegetables and fruits was higher than the acceptable daily intake level set by the Central Food Research Laboratory, a regulatory agency of the government.

It is not only the consumers who are threatened by careless pesticide use. The farmers themselves and even the retailers of these toxic stuffs are at considerable risk, the research report warns. The study found that safety measures were not applied by the pesticide retailers and farmers. Only 15 per cent of the farmers used both mask and gloves when handling pesticides. Similarly, 42 per cent of the pesticide retailers did the work without being properly protected.

Due to absence of knowledge about handling techniques, the farmers are also becoming victims of pesticide hazards.

According to the report, 30 per cent of the farmers surveyed said they handled pesticides in farms without expert help while 25 per cent followed advice given by the retailers. Twenty-five per cent of the farmers said they did not take into consideration the wind direction while spraying pesticides, raising the chance of direct inhalation.

"Most of the people who handled the chemicals regularly complained of eye irritation, vomiting, headache, cough and skin rashes," says the report.

The study found that farmers heavily used BHC powder and Endosulfan followed by Metacid, Malathion, Phorate, Dithane, Furadane and Sumicidin to control farm pests.

During the study, 50 farmers and 15 chemical retailers of the three Valley cities were interviewed. Vegetable and fruit samples were collected from different places and tested in the lab for toxic residue.

Apples and strawberries were sampled from different fruit shops in Kalimati. "Fruits were found to be contaminated by colouring and ripening agents," said Dr. Tamrakar who headed the study team. More and more foodstuffs are being contaminated for colouring purposes which calls for up-to-date quality testing, she told The Rising Nepal.

More than Rs. 50 million is spent annually in Nepal on pesticides. Ninety per cent of these chemicals are used to boost agricultural output. "The farmers have been found using even banned toxic chemicals. Many internationally banned chemicals are seen in the Nepalese market. The report claims that people are selling toxic chemicals without licence or technical knowledge in the field.
The report points out that quantitative regulation on chemicals to be used on a unit of land, improper method of use and inadequacy or absence of precautionary steps have aggravated the problem. The need to implement legal control over such hazardous chemicals has been pointed out.

In the past, Nepalese farmers relied on traditional methods to kill crop pests. After the green revolution of the Sixties, chemical fertilizers came into use to feed the growing population. Use of chemical pesticides too has increased since then. Learning lessons from hostile environmental consequences of pest killing chemicals, scientists have now shifted their attention towards biological control techniques in which enemy insects are reared to control the crop enemies.