INB finalises agreement on tobacco

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Mar. 7: The sixth meeting of the Inter-governmental Negotiation Board (INB), at the call of the World Health Organisation in Geneva, has finalised the international agreement on Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) after three years of extensive discussion.

The framework convention contains formulating laws, without contravening with the country's constitution, to ban advertisement, promotion and sponsor of tobacco products within five years. It also calls for provisions of statutory warnings, which may also contain pictures and signs, on the packets of tobacco products covering at least 30 per cent of the total area of the packet. The convention has also provisioned to stop indirect advertisement and to curtail the easy availability of tobacco products. It has called on the countries to ban the labelling of confusing words such as 'Light' and 'Mild'; to impose significant taxes on tobacco products; making public places and offices no-smoking zones; prohibiting the sale of tobacco to children and underaged and to make laws for punitive actions against the wrongs of the tobacco industries.

The meeting, which lasted for two weeks, was participated in by representatives from 171 government and non-government organisations, including Nepal. At the meeting, developing countries expressed solidarity against tobacco industries and the political pressure of developed countries such as Germany, the US and Japan that have tried to protect their tobacco industries.

Shanta Lal Mulmi, Resource Centre for Primary Health Services (Recphec), a Nepalese delegate, said the convention would be signed by 192 countries at the World Health Conference in May. A press statement of Recphec said that while the number of smokers in the developed countries are decreasing due to widespread opposition, it is increasing in the developing countries. Referring to a recent survey, it said more than 120 million people around the world smoke, and in Asia 50,000 youths are added to this number every day. According to the survey, the number of tobacco-related deaths will double in 25 years to reach 10 million people every year without a global campaign against tobacco.

Poorest women, girls still deprived of education

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Mar. 7: Executive Director of the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) Thoraya Obaid has challenged all nations to join hands in the global effort to improve women's health. In her message on the occasion of the International Women's Day, she said achieving the Millennium Development Goals requires greater progress for women and girls. She recalled that over two years ago, world leaders had agreed to use the first 15 years of the new century to mount a massive assault on poverty, poor health and gender inequality.

In the message she said, the poorest women and girls still have the least access to education and health services; a woman in the developing world faces up to a 600 times greater chance of dying during pregnancy and childbirth than a woman in wealthier parts of the globe.

"To break out of poverty, women and girls need freedom and equality, increased opportunities and real choices," she said, adding they need to live free of gender discrimination and violence. "In short, they need to have their rights respected and their basic needs met," she said.

Clear definition of IDPs sought

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, March 7: Representatives from the government, UN agencies, donor agencies and the non-governmental organisations have called for enactment of legal provisions and formation of comprehensive plan and policies to deal with the growing issue of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nepal.

At the press meet today Bjorn Pettersson, protection & training coordinator of the Norwegian Refugee Council, informed that the two-day workshop on UN guiding principles and conflict-induced displacement that concluded Thursday stressed on the need to protect the rights of the IDPs as outlined in the UN guiding principles and to provide them with necessary assistance while they pass through difficult time in their lives.

The participants at the workshop stressed on the need for clearer definition of IDPs, comprehensive research to identify the scope of the IDPs problems and their needs and institutional arrangements to deal with their problems. Over 10,000 people are displaced by the seven-year-long Maoists insurgency, and they have been forced to live like refugees in their own homeland, according to a survey carried out by the donor agencies.

It also discussed on the issue of return, resettlement and integration of the IDPs and role of national and international agencies in the integration process. On the occasion, the Municipal Association of Nepal recommended the formation of IDP Management Committee under the leadership of municipalities and provisioning of Municipal Relief Fund to provide assistance to the IDPs residing in the municipalities.

Addressing the closing session of the workshop, Sushil Pyakurel, Commissioner at the National Human Rights Commission, said that the commission would do the necessary follow ups to see that the recommendations of the workshop are implemented. "It is important to resolve the issue of IDPs judiciously to translate the present truce into a lasting peace," he said.

Bestow special honour on Yogi Narahari Nath

RSS

KATHMANDU, March 7: Dr. Swami Prapannacharya, addressing the second nation-wide Nath conference here yesterday, said that everyone should unite to bestow special honour on Yogi Narahari Nath.

He emphasised the need to develop the place where the Yogi was laid to rest as a pious land. Priest from Gorakha Balbhadra Yogi, Dr. Karbir Yogi, Dr. Chintamani Yogi and a host of other speakers expressed their views at the programme chaired by Mahanatha Krishna Nath Yogi. About 200 yogis from various districts including Dailekh, Dang, Pyuthan and Gorakha are attending the two-day conference.

Meanwhile, Jagatguru Shrikrishnamani Maharajshri of Navatanpuridham, at a press conference held at the Navatandham Services Centre, has pointed out the need for the one and all to solemnise religious functions to ensure peace in the country.

The environment in the country is turning from war to peace should be made to last for ever, he added.

Japanese food aid to Insurgency Affected People

KATHMANDU, March 7: The Embassy of Japan and the Ministry of Home Ministry have concluded an agreement for a grant assistance for Grassroots Projects on transportation arrangements for the project of "Emergency Food Supply for the Insurgency Affected People" of Nepal. A press statement, issued by the Japanese Embassy today, said a contract to this effect has been signed today by Kazumi Suzuki, Charge d' Affaires A.I., Embassy of Japan and Umesh Prasad Mainali, joint secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

On the occasion, the government receives more than 36 metric tons of pre-cooked food. The food can instantly be consumable in emergency cases. It was donated by the local governments in Japan via Japan Society for Promotion of Diplomacy. The government of Japan has decided to bear the cost of maritime and land transportation of the above-mentioned food from Japan to Nepal, said the embassy release.

The project for "Emergency Food Supply for the Insurgency Affected People" of the government will be helpful for supplying emergency food equivalent to 362,750 meals, to the displaced people in the nine most affected districts of the mid-western region. The districts covered under the projects are Rukum, Rolpa, Salyan, Pyuthan, Jajarkot, Humla, Kalikot and Bardiya.

The Nepalese government will bear the cost of internal transportation, and the Ministry of Home will assume the responsibility of distributing the food to the affected people; it will be distributed among the people targeted by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Security forces recover gun in Baglung

By Our Correspondent

BAGLUNG, March 7: Security forces have recovered an LMG, its magazine and other equipment at ward No. 1 of Hwangdi VDC of Baglung district in west Nepal.

The security forces located the gun after the local people informed the security post at Bhimgitthe of Baglung. The security force promptly gave a cash prize of Rs. 5,000 as incentive to the informers.

Pandit's book on health gets medical award

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, March 7: Nepal Physician's Association - Medical Trust (NPA-MT) has adjudged Tatkal Bachaha ko Doctor Nabhayama (If there is no paediatrician) by senior paediatrician Dr. Bishnu Prasad Pandit as the most outstanding book among the publications in health sector in the last two years.

Minister for Health, and Science & Technology Prof. Dr. Upendra Devkota handed over 'Amar Pahari Medical Literary Award -2059 to Dr. Pandit at the 21st conference of All Nepal Physician's Association held in Dharan. The award comprises of a letter of commendation and a cash prize of Rs. 20,000.

The book in Nepali language deals with primary health care for babies and children. This is a very useful book for health workers, ordinary people, scholars and pharmacists.
The awarded book is the 12th book authored by Dr. Pandit. He also has authored more than 300 articles published. Dr. Pandit's another book 'Fundamental of Anatomy and Clinical Glossary' was also awarded with 'Medical Literary Award' in 2055 BS.

Movement must to end untouchability'

RSS

DHANGADHI, March 7: A conference was organised on Dalits for the collective commitment and Dalit uplift under the initiative of the local Dalit organisations. Elderly Dalit leader Tika Ram Parki said movement is necessary to end untouchability and racial discrimination.

A Tika Ram Humanity Award was established in the name of Parki by establishing a revolving fund by the regional Dalit network. Parki, born in Silgadhi, Doti in 1977 B.S. had challenged the then society by organising worship at the Shaileswori Bhagawati Temple.

Speaking on the occasion were Chhatra Bahadur Tailor, Tek Bahadur Raika, Nar Bahadur B.K, Nripa Sunar, Chandra Bahadur Raika, Rabindra Gahatraj and Kashi Ram Sunar. Meanwhile, Govind Bahadur Sarki, a resident of Dhangadhi -3, Badahara, donated land worth Rs. 30,000 to the Kalika temple in memory of his father Dal Bahadur Sarki.

A temple construction committee has been constituted under the convenorship of Prem Bahadur B.K.

Dang still lacks essential services

RSS

TULASIPUR, March 7: The people of Dang who have been deprived of the essential services such as water supply, electricity, irrigation, roads, transport and telephones will be receiving these services soon.

The development and construction works have picked up after the announcement of the cease-fire at various village development committees of Dang district and the people are quite happy. Representatives of various political parties, intellectuals, journalists, students, teachers and the civic society at large have heaved a sigh of relief and only pray for the transformation of the cease-fire into durable peace in the country.

"I wish I could always remain as happy as I was on the first day of the cease-fire," says Aroha Regmi, who is a student by occupation and lives at Tulasipur.

Local Development Officer (LDO) Chiranjivi Bhandari says that the district development committee has already dispatched circulars to all the village development committees to do work of the people. He also said that the development plans and projects approved by the council have been categorised and are being implemented in accordance with the order of priority.

The VDC offices housed temporarily at the headquarters and the town areas are gradually moving to their own villages. According to the VDC secretaries, the atmosphere is now conducive to work for the people.

Australian envoy acquires informaiton of Himalayan Rescue Association

RSS

KATHMANDU: Australian Ambassador to Nepal Keith Gardner and officer at the Embassy Kilimini Winkars Friday visited the office of the Himalayan Rescue Association and acquired information on its activities and functioning.

On the occasion, Association president, Angkaji Sherpa and its general secretary Kedi Khajanju apprised of the various humanitarian services including the health services being provided by it for the last twenty years.

Cassette released

RSS

LALITPUR: Poet Madhav Ghimire released a cassette and CD of modern Nepali songs of youth singer Shishir Yogi amidst a programme here Friday.

On the occasion, poet Ghimire said music is that which expresses the human agony through feelings.
Senior musician Ambar Gurung said that the number of those is least who deeply concentrate, contemplate and analyse the works of arts.

Complaint lodged

RSS

NUWAKOT: A complaint has been lodged at the central office of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) seeking action against FNJ Nuwakot District Committee chairman Bishwamitra Khanal for his misbehaviour in connection with a published news item. He had manhandled Kantipur reporter Dinesh Regmi, RSS reporter Ram Shrestha and Space Time Dainik reporter Laxman Shrestha in connection with a news item published in Kantipur Daily on February 28.

In the complaint, it has been stated that it would not be proper for persons indulging in vandalism to be associated with the noble profession of journalism and he should be expelled from FNJ to maintain the dignity of the profession and the Federation as well.

The complaint has been jointly filed by FNJ secretary Dhruva Rabal, and journalists associated with the district committee of Nepal Press Union, Press Chautari and Press Club.