Briefs (Spotlight Weekly)

SIR EDMUND HILLARY HAS BEEN CONFERRED the honorary Nepali citizenship by the government of Nepal for his contribution to Nepal and Nepalese people. Amid a special celebration, Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand conferred the honorary citizenship to Hillary, who along with Tenzing Norgary Sherpa climbed the Mount Everest in May 29, 1953, for the first time in human history. After the climb, Hillary made Nepal his adopted country and contributed in the socio-economic development of people living in mountainous areas. The Himalayan Trust he founded has been active in constructing dozens of schools and health centers in Khumbu region. The Nepalese Constitution has a provision of such honorary citizenship to foreign nationals who have contributed in the development of Nepal. Hillary is the first person to have been conferred the citizenship based on this provision in the last 13 years since the promulgation of the constitution. Meanwhile, King Gyanendra met with scores of mountaineers including Sir Hillary, Reinhold Messner and Junko Tabei at the culmination of Everest golden jubilee celebration held in Birendra International Convention Center on Thursday (May 29).

THE NEPAL AUTOMOBILE DEALERS' ASSOCIATION (NADA) and Global Expositions and Management Services (GEMS) have agreed to hold third Auto Show from September 17-21 in Kathmandu. The vehicles already in the Nepalese market and those trying to enter as well as various brands of lubricants, spare parts and other products will be on display at the five-day exhibition. The organizers expect 100,000 visitors will come to the show. According to Rohini Thapaliya, president of NADA, the revenues from the sales of vehicles occupy 14 percent of total revenue earned by the government. This sector also provides employment to more than 200,000 people in the country. Bijaya Chhetri, chief of GEMS, said that the show will be successful given the positive atmosphere in the country. Apart from vehicles display, the show will also include events like food festival, fashion shows, cultural and entertainment programs. The exhibition will be held at Birendra International Convention Center.

NEPALESE GOVERNMENT HAS GIVEN permission to India to open a consulate office in the border town of Birgunj. Indian government has been trying open a consulate in Birgunj, which is the most important trade point between the two countries. Local Nepalese businessmen have welcomed the decision saying it would now ease their problems. They hoped the consulate office will be able to solve problems that crop up frequently at the local level itself. Besides, the consulate is also expected to benefit the operation of dry port in Birgunj.

THE AMERICAN EMBASSY IN Kathmandu has informed that the US government has awarded the amount of USD 22,392 to the Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust (KVPT) for the restoration of the Kal Bhairav shrine from the 2003 Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation Program. 'This fund was established in 2001 to help less developed countries preserve cultural heritage and to demonstrate US respect for other cultures,' stated news release from the American Center. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State administers the fund and carries out the selection process, as authorized by the US Congress. Apart from Kal Bhairav shrine in Nepal, four other projects in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan, too, have been selected for the assistance from the fund this year. Kal Bhairav is an elaborate Bhairav shrine built by King Pratap Malla in 17th century.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL (AI) ON THEIR 43rd anniversary released Annual Report 2003:2002. It expressed concern over rising rights abuses in Nepal. The report said that while the security forces carried out unlawful killings, disappearances, torture and various other violations; the armed groups killed civilians and committed other serious abuses like abductions, torture recruiting of minors and killing of political party members. The organization also reported sexual abuse of women and children in Bhutanese refugee camp.

TWO PERSON DIED WHEN MI-17 helicopter belonging to Simrik Air crashed at the base came some 100 metres away from the helipad. Cabin attendant Anup Dewan and Fu Dorje Sherpa owner of a hotel at Lukla died†in the crash while the injured were brought to B&B hospital in Kathmandu. There were four crew members and four passengers including a German lady. The helicopter was on its way to pick up Lakpa Gelu Sherpa, the fastest man to scale Everest.

SHYAM SARAN, AMBASSADOR OF INDIA to Nepal, inaugurated the library of the Nepal Art Council in a function organized by the Council in its campus at Babermahal, Kathmandu last week. The library was set up with grant assistance of NRs.10.98 lakhs sanctioned by the Government of India. The Nepal Art Council promotes Nepalese Art, collection of valuable Nepalese paintings and sculptures, holding Seminars and Workshops etc. Since the Nepal Art Council did not have its own library, Kirtinidhi Bista, former Prime Minister of Nepal and President of the Council, requested the Embassy of India, Kathmandu, for assistance to establish a library. n