PM attends Holi function

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KATHMANDU, Mar. 17: Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand attended the Holi programme organised by Prashansha Sansrakshana Samuha at the Prime Minister 's residence today on the occasion of Holi.

Famous Deuda Dance of the Far Western Development Region was also presented on the occasion.
Holi festival is celebrated throughout the country today.

Govt abided by code of conduct: Pun
Mahara emphasises early talks for peace

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KATHMANDU, Mar. l7: Minister for Physical Planning and Works Narayan Singh Pun, who is convenor of the government side for the Government-Maoists talks, has said that His Majesty's Government is determined to fully observe the ceasefire code of conduct and hold the peace talks.
Speaking on the Dishanirdesh programme of Nepal Television today, Pun said positive thinking about the success of the talks is needed on all sides.

In answer to a question, he said since the actual talks and what will be raised during the talks are more important than the size of the talks team, the number of people on that team is not of such importance.

He said that since the Maoist have emerged as a powerful group or party, their demands cannot be neglected.

He expressed confidence that the future of the country will be bright if all sides including the political parties advance, learning from the failings of the past l2 years.

In answer to another question, he said it appears the political parties are in confusion, but there is no need for them to panic. It is the responsibility of the political parties also to tackle the problems of the country. They are equally responsible for resolving such problems.

Stating that there was thinking about forming follow-up teams for the code of conduct at the district and even lower levels, he said once the talks process gets under way the follow-up teams will be formed in accordance with the outline agreed by the two sides.

Meanwhile, member of the CPN-Maoists team for peace talks Krishna Bahadur Mahara has said that his party is prepared for talks and will get started on the talks as soon as it receives the talks proposal from the ruling side.

In an interview on the Dishanirdesh programme of Nepal Television today, he said that both the sides are serious over the peace talks.

He said that the reasons for the failure of the peace talks the last time were that the ruling dispensation then did not provide any political agenda and was not sincere and the Royal Nepal Army intervened in Maoist activities.

As the CPN-Maoists had been for a peaceful resolution from that time onwards and the present government had fulfilled the former's demands, there was no reason for any suspicion about the ceasefire having come all of a sudden, he added.

"We were stating that we were not opposed to talks and the ceasefire is the result of a long process of the last one to two years," he said.

Stating that his party had been willing for talks on the condition that the red corner notice, the terrorist tag and the price on the heads of Maoist leaders were withdrawn, Mahara said that as the present government had fulfilled these demands, the ceasefire had come into effect.

Asked if the war was now over, he said both the armies had agreed to a ceasefire for the time being for the sake of reaching a political understanding, and the talks will resolve the issue; the definition of 'gun' will be worked out at the talks table and the war will end with the achievement of the people's rights. All this remains to be seen.

Conceding that international forces were not in favour of the Maoists' movement, he said his party was searching for favourable conditions within the present unfavourable environment.

He pointed out that the political parties that were not serious last year were now more sensitive and the ruling dispensation had also not shown any tendency of indifference and neglect and therefore the environment for talks this time was completely different from last year.

The feeling that the problem would not be solved through guns and that both sides should come for talks also played a role in creating a conducive atmosphere for talks, he added.

Responding to another query, he said that talks will be held as soon as the implementation of the code of conduct starts yielding a positive result.

Stating that both the sides had reached understanding on the code of conduct to guarantee the ceasefire, he expressed commitment that the Maoists would fully abide by the code and keep its cadres under control.

In the context of the Maoist cadres moving ahead with the aim of giving the people and the country their rights, the next political steps will not create any division among them, he claimed.

Pointing out that the political parties have also become positive and concerned about the country and people compared to the past, he said some party leaders should fulfil their role in a spirit of service to the people instead of just being concerned about their own shape.

Of the three forces, the traditional force, the parliamentary force and the Maoist force, which have now appeared in the country, none will be able to advance by excluding any one force or by one ruling out another, he said.

Reiterating the CPN-Maoist that stance that a way out will not be possible without a round table conference, a Constituent Assembly and an interim government, he said a way out requires the equal presence of the King, the political parties, the Maoists and civil society.

The main thing is the Constituent Assembly and for managing this a multi-sided, interim kind of government is needed, he said and reiterated the need for a new constitution and a new perspective that ensures full rights to the people.

All matters including Constitutional Monarchy, multi-party democracy and the question of a republic will be placed on the table and what is needed decided on the basis of discussions, he said.

Hashimoto hails fresh initiatives

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KATHMANDU, Mar. 17: Minister for Water Resources Dipak Gyawali paid a courtesy call on Ryutaro Hashimoto, former prime minister of Japan and the chairman of the organising committee of the Third Water Forum at the Kyoto International Hall this morning.

Minister Gyawali informed that after the cease-fire was signed on January 29 between the government and the Maoists, development activities are taking place regularly, according to the Royal Nepalese Embassy Tokyo.

He said the government is taking action for the reconstruction of the damaged infrastructure and for the rehabilitation of the people affected by the violence.

Hashimoto said that he was pleased to know that peace has come back to Nepal and wished for the well being of Nepalese people.

Peace and safety are very much important, he said, adding that there are many Japanese people, including his friends, who are waiting to visit Nepal after peace and security is assured.

Hashimoto expressed his pleasure that silver jubilee celebration of the conquest of the Mt. Everest in May this year will help promote the image of Nepal.

Minister Gyawali presented a Makara - stone water spout and also highlighted its significance to him.
Later in the afternoon, Minister Gyawali made a presentation on the theme of water management in the mountains.

World Parks Congress in Durban in Sept

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Mar. 17: More than 2,500 participants from the world over working on conservation are meeting in South Africa's Durban in September to chart out the agenda for protected areas.
With 170 countries participating, the 5th IUCN World Parks Congress to be held from September 8 to 17 will be the largest conservation event in the wake of the world summit on sustainable development held in September last year in Johannesberg.

"This will be a major global forum for protected areas to be held for the first time in Africa," said IUCN - the World Conservation Union. Charismatic world figure and patron of the Congress ex-South African president Nelson Mandela has already endorsed the theme of the world congress "Benefits Beyond Boundaries". The Nobel laureate will be the central figure for the media as well as the participants during the congress.

Another patron, Queen Noor of Jordan, has also approved the theme of the Congress.
According to the IUCN, the Congress is a once-in-a-decade event, providing a global forum for setting the agenda for protected areas. Previous such congresses have helped nations to develop new protected areas and direct more resources towards bio-diversity conservation, the IUCN said.
The World Parks Congress will comprise seven workshop streams, four parallel symposia and a number of side events. The congress is expected to adopt the 'Durban Accord', a combined policy statement for protected areas for the 21st century.

Africa has a remarkable record of achievement in establishing protected areas with 2 million square kilometres of territory set aside for the purpose. The continent has pioneered trans-boundary conservation. It boasts of the world's largest trans-boundary protected areas shared by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique - the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park.

The Congress will also spur initiatives to revise and recommit to the 1968 African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources to launch an African programme on protected areas, according to the IUCN.

Civic reception sub committees

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DHANGADHI, Mar. 17: Various 23 sub-committees under the main committee have been constituted to accord a civic reception to Their Majesties the King and Queen here on April 4 on behalf of the people of the Far Western Region. A meeting of the civic reception main committee has taken a decision to this effect.

Chairman of the main organising committee Nayan Bahadur Swar presided over the committee meeting.

Repair and maintenance of damaged physical structures and cleaning up of the town is in full swing in the context of the forthcoming civic reception.

'Ceasefire restores investment friendly condition'

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KATHMANDU, Mar. 17: An eight-day third World Water Forum began at the Kyoto International Convention Hall, Kyoto City, on Sunday. This triennial forum has been held, earlier, in Marrakesh, Morocco in 1997 and the Hague in 2000.His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito delivered his inaugural address to the forum. HIH Crown Prince is the honorary patron of the forum. Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Masako was also present on the occasion.Later on HIH Crown Prince Naruhito made a presentation on the theme of "Water Resources of Biwa Lake and Yodo Water Transport System" at the Forum.Ryutaro Hashimoto, former prime minister of Japan and chairman of the organising committee of the forum also delivered his keynote welcome speech.His Royal Highness Crown Prince William Alexander of the Netherlands and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammad of Morocco were other distinguished guests at the Forum's inauguration.His Royal Highness Prince Mohammaded awarded King Hasan II Water Prizes to His Excellency Mohammad Abu Zeid, Minister for Water Resources and Irrigation of Egypt and Dr. Zerson Karmen of Brazil for their outstanding contribution to the development of water resources issues.Minister for Water Resources Dipak Gyawali, acting executive secretary at the Water and Energy Commission Nirajananda Vaidya, and Charge d'Affairs A. I. Mohan Krishna Shrestha of the Rroyal Nepalese Embassy in Tokyo also attended the inaugural session.

About 8,000 delegates from different countries of the world are attending this Forum which is being held in Asia for the first time. Many issues related to the water resources are being deliberated during the Forum.

Later in the afternoon, Water Resources Minister Dipak Gyawali made a presentation of Nepal's country paper at the summit of the sustainable development of water for energy.

Speaking on the occasion Minister Gyawali said that following the conclusion of the cease-fire between the government and Maoists, peaceful atmosphere has prevailed in Nepal and developmental activities were proceeding. Highlighting the need for newer programmes, Minister Gyawali also presented various facts and figures with regard to development of water resources in Nepal.
Minister Gyawali also informed the gathering that a conducive atmosphere is prevalent in Nepal, now, for the domestic and foreign investment in the water resources development areas.

Nepal's delegation composed of many high ranking dignitaries from the Ministry of Water Resources and Water and Energy Commission are participating in the various sessions of the Forum. At the same time, Nepalese academics and non-governmental organisation representatives are also actively participating in many sessions of the forums.

Khapangi stresses awareness among ethnic communities

By Our Correspondent

MANTHALI (Ramechhap), Mar. 17: Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare Gore Bahadur Khapangi said that awareness was the key to uplift the people of the ethnic and downtrodden communities.

"It is due to gap of awareness that people from downtrodden communities could not become doctors, engineers and hold higher positions in the administration compared to the people from the Brahman, Chhetri and Newar communities," said Minister Khapangi while addressing the 4th district convention of the Nepal Magar Association (NMA) here Monday.

Stating that the Association was set up to uplift the Magar communities, Khapangi, who is also central president of the Association, said that majority of the backward minorities were still compelled to suffer hardships to meet their daily needs.

"People now want peace. This is why the present government has given top priority to achieving a lasting peace in the country. Now the government and the Maoists have agreed to lay down arms in a bid to translate the cease-fire into a permanent peace," Khpangi said.

He also blamed the past governments for the emergence of the Maoist insurgency.

Central member of the Janamukti Party Bir Bahadur Magar stressed that the ethnic people themselves should launch a campaign to end the all kinds of exploitations perpetrated against them.

Balloons or colours: Fagu is the festival of joys

By Bhuwaneshor Sharma & Bishnu Prasad Aryal

KATHMANDU, Mar. 17: Swoosh! Water-filled balloon flew like a projectile and burst. The coloured water spilled, drenching the target. The receiver arched back and turned - but with a smile. No hard feelings. It is Fagu, the festival of colours.

Age and gender were no bar. Children, youth and the old alike were in the streets daubing colours on anyone they confronted. Fagu has even crossed races and religions. Even foreigners seem to be joining in the fun of Fagu (also called as Holi), smearing each other's faces with vermillion powder and throwing balloons filled with coloured water.

Tourists, their faces painted in red, blue and black, were seen rambling in Patan Durbar Square, Hanumandhoka, Bhaktapur and Thamel. Although unaware of its religious significance, they found Fagu to their taste.

Fagu was celebrated in Kathmandu and in the hills of Nepal today. The week-long festival, which began on March 10, the 8th day of the full moon, ends tomorrow (Tuesday) on the full moon. In Kathmandu, the festival starts after a pole (called as chir) is erected at the Basantapur Durbar Square and on the final day it is pulled down and burnt. The people of the Terai will be celebrating the festival tomorrow as Holi.

"I don't know what Fagu stands for. We don't have such festivals of colour in France," said Peter Neau, a French national who came here a fortnight ago.

Little boys at Patan Durbar Square had painted his face in colours of green, red, yellow and blue and his clothes were soaked in water. "I have never had so much fun," said the 63-year-old Neau.
His son Fred, 30, an optician by profession, said that it was very rare to play with children in his country. And he has enjoyed playing Holi with the children. "In my country, no one has the time to do all these crazy things."

He thinks there is an association between children and the festival, although he knows nothing about its cultural and religious significance. They were busy taking photos of the Holi celebration in Hanumandhoka and Thamel.

In Jawalakhel, Roman Clavadetscher, a Swiss national, was throwing balloons filled with coloured water at people in the streets. His body was painted in different colours. This was the first time Clavadetscher, who came here nine months ago, has experienced the festival.

The festival revolves around the mythological demon king Hiranya Kashyapu, who did not like his son Pralhad chanting the Lord Vishnu's name. The demon king, therefore, ordered his sister Holika to kill Pralhad. Holika, who had won a boon that gave her the power to withstand the devastating heat of a fire, was to enter a fire with Pralhad.

But, miraculously, Holika was burned to death while Pralhad survived. The festival is, thus, celebrated to mark the victory of good over evil.

Mallica, a Londoner, who landed Nepal a week ago, hopes peace will prevail in Nepal in keeping with the spirit of the Fagu festival. She has enjoyed the festival this year, and hopes it will be just as much fun next year. She will be spending two years in Nepal as her husband works in an NGO.

"I will recommend to my friends and relatives to visit Nepal especially during Fagu time," said the Neau duo. "I will tell my countrymen that the Nepalese are friendly, smiling, caring, kind … and that food here is very delicious."