Relatives fear about passengers’ welbering

-By A Staff Reporter

Only after more than 100 hours of the hijacking of the Indian Airlines plane, the Indian government has established a direct contact with the hijackers.

An Indian delegation in Kandahar, where the hijackers have been holding the passengers for the fourth day running, started talks with the terrorists. Meanwhile, another Indian plane has landed at Kandahar and some observers feel that a rescue team may have been sent in this aircraft, which authorities are calling a “relief plane”.

The Indian government’s agreement to talk came only after the hijackers gave an ultimatum that they would start executing passengers if the India did not consider their demand. Now relatives fear any harsh decision from the Indian government could endanger the lives of the captives.

Latest reports also say that the hijacked plane is badly damaged and its auxiliary power system has failed. This indicates the hijack drama has to end in Kandahar, either with the meek surrender of the terrorists or a daring rescue, which neither the Taliban or the relatives want. Relatives of the hostages have been pressuring the Indian government to meet the hijackers’ demand and ensure the safe return of the captives.

The Indian government’s handling of the crisis has enraged relatives of the passengers. And others, including Pakistan and the Taliban authorities, have questioned India’s motive. The delay in taking any decision and also reaching Kandahar, where the hijacked plane now is stationed, has raised eyebrows everywhere. Pakistani military chief P. Musharraf has even questioned the motives of the Indian government, which allowed the hijacked plane to take off from Amritsar, but is insisting that it should not be allowed to fly from Kandahar.

The plane was hijacked on its flight to Delhi from Kathmandu on Friday afternoon. The plane was taken over by the hijackers after it was half an hour in the air, when it entered the Indian airspace.

The plane was first taken to Lahore. When the Pakistani authorities denied permission for the aircraft to land, it   returned and landed in the Indian city of Amritsar.

India let the plane go, and it made an emergency landing at the darkened Lahore airport, barely minutes away from Amritsar.

Thus India lost the best opportunity to deal directly with the hijackers. Refueled and catered with food, the plane then made another landing in Dubai. There the hijackers released 26 passengers and a dead body of a passenger, who had been stabbed to death.

After several hours at Dubai the plane took off and landed in Kandahar,  south of Afghanistan.

It was only then, nearly 16 hours of suspense and silence, the hijackers spoke out. They said they belonged to the Islamic Salvation Front and they demanded the release of three Kashmiri militants, including a cleric Maulana Masood Azhar. Azhar has been in a Kashmiri jail since 1994 under India’s TADA act. But the Indian government’s reaction was muted. Earlier, the Indian Prime Minister said his government would not bow to any demand and pressure.

The Indian government failed to make any head start towards saving the lives of more than 150 passengers on board. First, it relied on a humanitarian UN team, which obviously did not have any mandate to represent India in the negotiation.

India was virtually dragged into the negotiation, by the hijackers when they set a deadline saying that if the Indian government did not respond they would start executing the passengers. The Taliban authorities warned that time may be running out for the Indian government. Till then the Indian government was virtually depended on the Taliban authorities, with which India has no relations. The Taliban government had said that they would storm the plane if the hijackers begin carrying out their threat.

Meanwhile, the talks are still going on.  All the passengers are in a grave situation, both physically and mentally, after being held hostage for more than four days.

 The Indian government   is under intense pressure from the families and relatives of the Indian passengers. They have launched protests and dharnas in the Indian capital. They are even accusing their government of indulging in politics. Meanwhile, time is really running out for the Indian government, after the Taliban authorities said they would force the plane to leave their country unless a settlement is reached soon.

Hijacking and taking innocent civilians hostage in any form must be condemned. The Indian government’s inaction till now is to be condemned; not to mention  the conduct of the hijackers. India may  lose its battle against terrorism if anything should happen to the passengers.

 Zee News: Question of credibility

-By A Staff Reporter

The Indian media has painted a bad picture of Nepal and the security arrangements here. As the Indian Airlines plane, which was hijacked on Friday evening, had taken off from Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, Nepal has been in the focus of this hijack drama.

However the sad part of the intense media attention, is the highly speculative form of reporting carried by Indian newspapers and TV networks. The worst culprit is the ZEE News, which has continuously given false information. Feeding false news to millions of viewers is not responsible journalism. Yet, our officials don’t seem to be reacting to such news and comments from foreign correspondents.

The authorities here should question the credibility and credentials of whoever is sending such news to the TV channel.

Sadly, our politicians seem to pamper these very outside journalists only. As reported in a local newspaper, even the Prime Minister’s advisor refused to speak to local journalists whereas he went out of the way to talk to the very people who were giving a bad name to the country.

It is high time our politicians and authorities realise everything foreign is not good or they could be humbled just with a microphone or a pen.

 TIA security not fool proof

-By A Staff Reporter

It was a rude shock to the government and also for the authorities at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). Even in their wildest dreams, the authorities may have not thought that something like a hijacking could occur here.

But even after one of the most serious crimes in the air - hijacking - has occurred, the government and especially the ministers are unwilling to accept that something is seriously wrong with the way things were being handled at the airport.

Home Minister Khadka : He is morally responsible .

Again, may be out of nervousness, the government and its ministers failed to conceive what their statements could mean. They went on the defensive at once, specially after pressure from the Indian media.

The fact is that the Prime Minister, immediately after the hijack accepted that something was wrong at the airport, but his ministers, related to security and civil aviation, namely Home Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka and Civil Aviation Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachhedhar, are still denying that there is anything wrong with the security at the airport and are claiming that the security here is as good as anywhere in the world.

But the hijacking of the Indian Airlines plane on Friday after it took off from the Kathmandu airport says otherwise. 

Even the statement of the assistant minister for Civil Aviation Narayan Singh Pun that as the plane had crossed the Nepalese air territory when it was overpowered by the hijackers so it is out of our responsibility is far from logical or even responsible.

Such statements were only attempts to shirk off the responsibilities without knowing what to do in such a situation. If the ministers have even an ounce of moral integrity, they must resign and demonstrate to the world that Nepalese politicians are accountable in their responsibilities.

Several things about the hijacking are still to be ascertained, like how the hijackers got into the airplane, or how the weapons got on board, or about the identify of the hijackers. Yet the fact that the fact that the flight had originated here, makes all fingers point at the security lapse at TIA. This should make the ministers and other concerned morally responsible for what happened.

But at the same time, the Indian media’s false accusations about the security and of corroboration of the security officials here has portrayed Nepal’s image in a very bad light. This was what had to be countered. But no, the ministers and even the Prime Minister’s advisor, were concerned in talking with the Indian media only.

The fact that the authorities at the airport had received warnings from not less than an intelligence agency like the CIA about the possibility of hijacking, and still their failure to take any appropriate step shows the lack of seriousness of the officials towards their duty.

It has long been accused that the TIA is an open passage for smugglers, dealing in gold, foreign currencies and other goods. The allegations that the ‘shares’ and ‘commissions’ of these undercover deals reach from the bottom to the top also hold truth to a large extent.

It is for this reason that posting of all staff at the airport is considered as a reward and a direct fallout of nepotism and favouratism.

Experts now comment whether the responsibility for security at the Airport should be given to the private sector. Airports at London and also Singapore have made such arrangements quite successfully. Experts feel this will contribute in making security arrangements more effective and not involved in corrupt activities.

Again, there are more than three dozen government agencies and departments, almost half a dozen of them related to security alone, making their presence at the airport. But why do we need so many agencies at the airport? The answer is obvious. Everybody wants a share of the pie of the huge dealings that goes on at the airport.

The government has, however, suspended all staff who were on duty at the time the incident occurred and formed a high level commission to look into all the aspects of security and others.

But these measures are not enough, and there must not be anything like sacrificing some weak and small persons to save the big fries. Now, the myth has been broken, it is time to clean up the airport.

Blaming it on their fate

-By A Staff Reporter

 All the passengers involved in the ordeal  of hijacking of the Indian Airlines may have cursed their fate more than anything else.

For Gajendra Man Tamrakar, a Nepalese entrepreneur of Pashmina, it was sheer bad luck that he missed a flight in the morning that day, and opted for the IA flight by endorsing his RA ticket.

However, it was adding insult to injury when the Indian television, Zee TV, without any substantive proof accused him as being one of the hijackers. This accusation could be very damaging to him and his family, if proved untrue.

For another Nepalese couple Janak Lal Shrestha, an employee at the UNDP office in Kathmandu, and his wife Shanti Shrestha it was a bad day when he decided to take the journey to get the blessing of Sai Baba for his sick wife.

Another unluckly one was A.K. Bhattacharya, an Indian national, who  got a seat barely 10 minutes before the plane took off. 

However, the unluckliest of them could be Rupin Katyal, who decided to extend his honeymoon and in the process became the first person to lose his life in this air tragedy. His wife Rachna is still being held hostage by the hijackers.

 Nepalese students missing after Philippines ferry mishap

-By A Staff Reporter

 Disaster seems to be dogging  some Nepalese in the last few days. First the hijack, then the air crash and now, word has come in that six Nepalese students studying medicine in the Philippines are missing after a ferry mishap.

According to reports, twelve Nepalese had gone to the island of Iloilo to celebrate Christmas. They were studying at the Cebu Doctors’ College in Philippines. They were among the  630 passengers who had boarded the ill-fated ferry which sank in the Cebu Sea.

Parents of the unaccounted persons have been dismayed by the lack of response from the Philippines. However, some reports have said a few people were at the Cebu island.

Same person, different personality

Sumitra KC Joshi, 26, was one of the top ten in the  Mrs.World pageant held in Jerusalem, Israel recently. She used to appear on Nepal Television and was also running a business of cut flowers before she took time off for her pregnancy. She holds a masters degree in classical music (vocal) and has also recorded a number of songs.

Her husband encouraged her to apply for the Mrs. World competition. He was the one who pushed her to go for it when she was invited to participate. She left behind her seven-month-old son and went to face the challenges. Sumitra feels better having done it all. “It has greatly added to my confidence.” She admits that it was difficult initially for her to blend in with the international crowd. “But by the end of the rigorous 3 weeks training, I felt very comfortable with everybody and was longer hesitant to speak out.”

“ The whole experience was simply great. It was not easy for me to leave my baby though. I spent a lot of money just calling home from the five star hotel.” Sumitra adds that after the exposure, she is a changed person today. “My personality has undergone a big change. Even my husband commented on it. I may be the same person but I feel differently now”.

Totally rejuvenated with her new gained experience, she now views the world as a tiny place contrary to her pre-contest days when the world seemed to her a big place. Sumitra stressed on the importance of being actively involved in some work throughout ones’ lifetime. “I believe that one has to do one’s Karma.” She plans to continue her studies and  start working soon. “A woman can do anything that she wants. It would be a shame to let her inherent talents go a waste. Everyone is talented in something or the other. One just has to discover it. I strongly believe that work is worship.”

Very modest about her looks and figure, she says beauty is much more than just looks. “It is only a part of what you are. There is much more to a person that just looks.” Sumitra got back her figure by working out in gym. She does not care for make up and puts it on only occasionally. Nor does she have any hang ups about wearing a mircro-mini or a saree when the occasion demands.

Sumitra does care a lot about maintaining herself. “Many women think that a woman need not look after herself after getting married. It is very wrong. Why should you not look after yourself? It is for yourself that you look good in the first place.” And she is a great example of what she preaches.

 British Gurkha Pensions

-By A Staff Reporter

 The British Government announced that, as a result of the examination of Gurkha pensions and gratuities, substantial increases have been agreed for all service pensioners. All increases remain related to Indian Army regulations under the terms of the Tri-Partite Agreement between Nepal, India and the UK.

The increase will be paid from 1 April 2000. All pensioners will receive a minimum 100% increase but some will receive considerably more, reflecting the Indian Government Fifth Pay commission’s recommendations. The new pension rates from 1 April 2000 will range from NCR 7043.55 per month for below Corporal and NCR 23612.80 per month for a Major (Queen’s Gurkha Officer). Full rate tables are attached.

Pensions will continue to be paid immediately after 15 years service and where appropriate, passed to widows and then to children up to the age of 25 years. Pensions have been examined to take into account, for the first time the Indian Government package of welfare benefits in kind available to Indian Army pensioners.

Death in service gratuities for all attributable deaths have been calculated in accordance with awards recently introduced by the Indian Army and have allowed the British Government to bring payments into line with British Army rates. The new rates range from a minimum of NCR 2621846 for below Corporal to NCR 6572426 for a Major (Queen’s Gurkha Officer). This took effect from 26 May 1999.

This examination is not subject to further negotiation. However Gurkha pensions and gratuities will continue to be reviewed in the normal way and will benefit from cost of living increases each year. Indeed these new pension rates will be enhanced in line with cost of living increases in 2000.

 Crown Prince opens Global Youth Meet

-By A Staff Rporter

 His Royal Highness Crown Prince Dipendra inaugurated the first ever Global Youth Meet amidst a programme organized here at Birendra International Convention Center yesterday.

The meet, first of its kind to be held in Nepal, is being organized on the eve of the new millennium by National Youth Forum Nepal (NYFON), a non-governmental organization working for the economic, social and cultural development of Nepalese youth.

The week-long convention with the theme “The Global Youth and the 21st entury:Meeting of Minds on the Roof of the World” will bring together nearly 450 youths from aroud the world, members of the organizing committee informed at a press conference organized here Monday.

The Meet has also been endorsed by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture as a national event. Different agencies of government, non-government and private sector agencies have provided their assistance to make this event a great success.

Nearly 200 delegates from all five continents and more than 56 countries have already arrived in the apital to take part in the meet which will be held from 28 December 1999 till 2 January 2000 in Kathmandu and Nagarkot.

On the eve of 31Deember 1999, all the delegates will be taken to the millennium camping at Nagarkot, where the participants will witness the first sunrise of the new millennium. Various cultural and fashion shows will also be held there to welcome the new millennium.

“The main purpose of this convention is to strengthen the bond of friendship and unity among the youth of the world, regardless of their race, religion, country and occupation,” Hari Man Lama, coordinator of the programme said. The meet also aims at introducing Nepal’s distinct social, cultural and ecological wealth to the youth of the world, he further added.

“We believe that such a gathering will provide an opportunity to share, understand, experience and appreciate diverse culture, tradition, and beliefs and human values along with a deeper understanding of humanity,” the coordinator said.

The delegates from around the world will deliberate on five different themes namely, Global Peace, World Environment, Drug Abuse and HIV/AIDS, Human Right and Clutural Harmony during the convention. The meet will also adopt Kathmandu declaration at the end of the meet on 2 January 2000.

 Crown Prince opens Global Youth Meet

-By A Staff Reporter

While safety on the ground at the Tribhuvan International Airport has come under severe criticism with the hijacking of the Indian plane, safety in the air has also come under grave scrutiny after a private airline plane met with an accident on the same day.

A Skyline Twin Otter coming to Kathmandu from Simara fell into a deep crevass of Burjalek hills of Makwanpur district killing all 10 on board.

This is the third air accident in the last 8 months. It is worth noting that most of the accident in the last several years have involved the private airlines.

This has led to the serious question about the safety of the airplanes of the private airlines. After the government adopted an open sky policy, there was a rush to open private airlines.

Almost all the private airlines have one or two planes. This forces them to cancel their schedule once their plane is grounded. In this case also, the Skyline Airways has no other plane to continue with its scheduled flights. The lack of extra aircraft often leads them to compromise safety in the name of business.  Now, there is an urgent need to review the open sky policy and set stringent rules and regulations for both existing and new airlines for the reliability of the airlines themselves and for the safety of the people.