Ojha honours educators of Morang

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KATHMANDU, Jan. 19: Minister for Education and Sports Devi Prasad Ojha today honoured various persons making contributions in the field of education at a programme organised here today by the Janasewa Alumni Association.

Those honoured on the occasion are headmaster of the Janasewa High School Morang Tularam Gurung, former teachers Nil Prasad Mainali and Narahari Sedhai, former member of the school governing body Prem Prasad Parajuli, and employee Narapati Phuyal.

On the occasion, he also released a souvenir entitled an introduction to the Janasewa High School and lauded the contributions made by the school in the educational development of the country.
MP Shukraraj Samyok and a host of other speakers expressed their views a the programme chaired by Meghendra Parajuli.

WHF meet to be held in Gorakhpur

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KATHMANDU, Jan. 19: The general assembly meeting of the World Hindu Federation (WHF) is to be held in Gorakhnath temple complex of Gorakhpur, India from February 13 to 15, according to the WHF.

The general assembly meeting will elect new chairman for five years, approve the policies and programmes of the WFP and decide the construction of proposed World Hindugram in the land provided by His Majesty's Government and set up revolving fund.

Representatives and observers from 32 countries including Nepal, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, USA, Canada, Bhutan and Bangladesh will attend the general assembly meeting.

The general assembly meeting of the WHF was held in South Africa, Indonesia, Mauritius, Germany, Sri Lanka and India in the past.

'Globalisation threatening indigenous communities'

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Jan.19: When Bansbari Leather and Shoe Factory was privatised about a decade back as part of the government's economic liberalisation programme, its workers, most of them of the scheduled caste, lost their jobs.

Dalits are not only victimised by the non-dalits but are also facing the consequences of globalisation that tend to destroy the art, culture and identity of indigenous communities.

Food prepared by the dalits is not accepted in our society as they are considered untouchable. Globalisation is causing them to abandon their traditional occupations and forcing them out of works, said Padma Lal Bishwakarma of the Federation of Dalit Nongovernmental Organisations and a teacher at Tribhuvan University.

Along with cultural intervention, globalisation is discriminating the marginalised people and their social and economic values, said Bishwakarma.

Political parties have been exploiting the dalits to fulfil their interests. "There is a need for unification among the dalits for equity, equality, fraternity, freedom and salvation from deep-rooted anarchy," he said.

With this objective, Asia Social Forum (ASF) was held in India to build up solidarity for their cause. The workshop held in Hyderabad from January 2 to 7 was an opportunity as it brought into light the painful reality of the Nepalese dalits, said Bishwakarma.

Due to globalisation, racial discrimination, dalits' human rights, child trafficking and women are at risk, said Anita Shrestha, a participant at the workshop.

Talking about the achievements of the workshop, Ambika Gajmer, FEDO secretary, said that globalisation, capitalism, feudalism and imperialism were marginalising the dalits, creating even greater gaps between the privileged and the scheduled castes.

Globalisation and its impact on the dalit community and the need to do away with discrimination and restore social justice were discussed at the programme, said Motilal Nepali of the ASF preparation committee, referring to the Hyderabad meet.

Thousands of representatives were present at the programme to create a new world free from discrimination. Some 300 Nepalese and 780 from 840 organisations worldwide participated in the programme.

Janamorcha leaders discuss Constitution

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BHADRAPUR, Jan. l9: The Janamorcha Nepal, Jhapa chapter, organised an interaction progamme on the topic "Constitution, the way out of today's political crisis" at Birtamod yesterday.

Speakers on the occasion pointed out the need for safeguarding the gains of the l990 popular movement and for Constitutional Monarchy in the country.

Pointing out that it would be prudent to go for elections only after bringing about a halt to the Maoist war, they also said that a constituent assembly could be a way out of the present difficulties.
Janamorcha Nepal central member Girijraj Mani Pokharel also spoke of the need for a constituent assembly.

Among those expressing their views at the programme chaired by Janamorcha Nepal Jhapa's Dilli Kumar Mainali were Gopal Kumar Basnet of the Nepali Congress-Democratic, Human Rights and Peace Society Jhapa chairman Dr Chudamani Sapkota and CPN-UML Mechi in-charge Khagendra Prasai.

Nepal-Japan trade forum established

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Jan. 19: Nepal-Japan Trade and economic Forum has been established with the aim of extending and exploring trade and economic potentials between Nepal and Japan for mutual benefit of traders and entrepreneurs.

The forum headed by Sundra Bir Malakar, ahs nominated Hikmat Bahadur Mali and Naresh Shrestha as the vice president and general secretary respectively according to the forum.

Dr. Daman Bahadur Amatya is the treasurer of the forum. Executive mummers of the forum are Bijendra Man Shakya, Manira Shrestha, Badri Prasad Koirala, Mathura Prasad Maskey and Dilli Ratna Shakya.