Multi Platoon Training Event Partnership For Peace

By Our Correspondent

The 10-day South Asian Peacekeeping Multi Platoon Training Event (MPTE) is concluding today (Sunday) at the Royal Nepal Army’s Training Centre at Panchkhal. This is the first such training event in the sub-continent.

“The training event was highly successful and all the participating countries are totally happy with the successful completion of the training event,” said Chief of the Press and Information of the Royal Nepal Army, Colonel Nepal Bhusan Chand.

The main aim of the training was to establish a South Asian Regional Peacekeeping Training Centre in Nepal, and this training has proved Nepal to be an ideal place for the establishment of such a training centre in Nepal.

The inaugural function of the training event on January 16 was participated by the commander-in-chief of the US Pacific Command, Chief of the army staff of the Bangladesh army and the deputy chief of staff of the Sri Lankan army and the Assistant Secretary General of the UN Peacekeeping Department. This gave an impetus to the training event and also to Nepal’s aspiration for the establishment of such a training centre. Meanwhile, India and Pakistan, two of the countries in South Asia refused to participate in the training event.

The training event was organised in view of the new challenges being faced by the peacekeepers around the world. One platoon each from four countries, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the US Pacific Command had participated in the training. Each country was given separate lane, which included training tasks such as movement techniques, react to sniper, withdraw under pressure, report and evaluation of casualties, identification of contraband, search and seizure of vehicle, personnel, building, troop leading procedure, reconnaissance, security of polling booth and key personnel, convoy operation and reat and response to the media.

Observers from18 countries from Australia to the UK, including 10 from the United Nations had also observed the training event.

The training were especially important viewing the changing roles and new challenges faced by the peacekeepers worldwide. According to a Royal Nepal Army press release prior to the training event, some of the challenges faced by today’s peacekeepers are the necessity to fully develop new peacekeeping partners from various regional, cultural, religious and ethnic background. The extreme variation in leader performance, command skills and language have had resulted in inefficiencies  in operational styles in units drawn from diverse countries.

The present event has been designed to enhance the abilities of the participating countries to perform peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance missions and to improve interoperability among the peacekeeping forces.

In this regard, Nepal’s experience in the peacekeeping operations can come in handy. Nepal has been contributing to the peacekeeping operations worldwide since 1958, and more than 35,000 Nepalese peacekeepers have rendered their services.

Meanwhile, the end of the Cold War has dramatically altered the role of the armies worldwide. The threat of confrontations between major powers has gradually diminished, however conflicts within the countries based on ethnicity, religion, culture has drastically increased.

What may be worse that those half wars are encompassing more and more civilians both as fighters and sufferers and they do not come under any international norms and conventions with hatred and vengeance as the prime theme. This makes such conflicts more riotous, undisciplined and uncontrollable, such as in former Yugoslavia and Rwanda.

This has necessitated the importance of peacekeepers to curb and contain them. So, the role of the armies in the future may not be to wage war but to stop wars. Moreover it is the follow up after the establishment of peace such as supervision of the country’s administration, organising election, repatriation of the refugee, rehabilitation works and demobilisation of the armed groups, negotiations and any other humanitarian tasks that have been posing challenges to the peacekeepers.

This just concluded training event in Nepal could be a big step forward in establishing partnership for peace and to ‘arm’ the future peacekeepers to the new challenges.

RA: Why  Again It Has Been Compelled To Lease Aircraft

By Yug Bahadur

Even before the ink had dried on the tender notice published by Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation (RNAC) for leasing a wide bodied Boeing 767, turbulence has rocked this decision of the Corporation’s management.

Critics have questioned why this decision was taken, when earlier, the Corporation had announced that it will lease purchase a brand new aircraft. This was quite a valid question, considering the immense controversy that had surrounded previous lease deals made by the Corporation.

However, a source at the top management of RNAC on the condition of anonymity, revealed to this reporter that the Airline had been compelled to lease another aircraft, in spite of its earlier commitment to buy a new plane. “The Boeing Company informed us that it would not be able to deliver the aircraft we would have ordered, till May 2001”, the official said. So it can be seen that as the contract of the present aircraft leased from China Southwest Airlines expires this March, the Airlines will be at once in need of another aircraft to run its scheduled flights once the present leased aircraft is returned.

Meanwhile a veteran journalist who has been following the development of aviation in the country for a considerable time, pointed out that many a times some issues were raised, whenever the purchase or leasing of an aircraft came up, because some people had some vested interest in the mega-cost deals. “I have seen this happen in planning of hydro-power projects and in any big budget deals like buying or leasing of a plane,” he said.

Considering that much has been written in the media right from the time when the management of RNAC sought to make a new deal, it can be presumed that some interest groups are at play at present as well. “Seeking tenders is one of the most transparent way to carry out any such deals,” said the official of RNAC while talking of the present decision of the Corporation. Moreover, he argued that at present just the process to lease an aircraft had been started. “How can criticism be heaped on us at once,” he asked.

Quite true. There is no doubt that if Nepalese tourism is to grow the Flag Carrier of the country will have to play a vital role in giving a boost to such development. In the past, much criticism has been labeled at the Carrier, for its inefficiency in carrying out scheduled flights, specially in the international sector. This had tarnished the image of not only the Airlines, but of the whole country’s tourism sector.

Specially the period when coalition governments ruled the country, it was disastrous for the Corporation like it was for most other sectors. There were constant changes in the top level management of the Corporation and each new decision maker or makers, proved to be a burden for the institution.

For example, the top level executives appointed when the ML was in power, caused a loss of millions of rupees while trying to lease an aircraft. Till now, in spite of a court case against the then chairman of the Corporation, the amount lost by the RNAC due to the sheer carelessness of the decision makers, has not been recovered.

“However, the present management has been able to carry out a lot of work, including clearing up decisions some of which were as long as five years old,” the source within the Corporation said. According to him, one of the biggest achievements of the present team at RNAC, has been to clear up debts up to Rs. 170 million. This would not have been possible if the executives were not efficient.

The official also informed that it was in the best interest of the Corporation to lease a wide bodied Boeing. “First of all, all our pilots are trained to fly Boeing aircraft and continuing to lease a similar type of jet will be beneficial both for the Corporation and for the pilots,” he explained.

It may be recalled that the pilots of the Corporation had gone on strike in the past, when once the Airline had decided to lease an Airbus and then when the decision was made to lease the present China Southwest aircraft. But now, the management has done well by making arrangements for the pilots of RNAC themselves to fly the aircraft which is to be leased.

It is also pragmatic that they have insisted facilities like audio and video are included in the aircraft which will be mainly used for the long haul flights to Europe. At present the company’s own narrow bodied Boeing 757s are being used. They are not only unsuitable for the long distance flights, the aircraft also don’t have such recreational facilities, thus denying the passengers such entertainment which all other international airlines provide on long distance flights.

Definitely the present management of the Corporation doesn’t have a magic wand to straighten out all things at once.

But considering the efforts it is making to clear up the institution’s long standing debts, the measures taken to raise dues owed by international agents, recruit professional staff like pilots and engineers and now to lease an aircraft in a most transparent manner, it can be felt that something is being done to take out the Corporation from the rut and rot it had fallen into. So instead of trying to ground such efforts before they have properly been revved up, it would be better to give the management more time and see whether it can fly high the national Flag Carrier to better times.

Govt. Provides Compensation To Victims

By Our Correspondent

The government has given Rs. 100,000 each to the families of the seven persons killed in an incident that took place in Accham, a district in far-west of the country.

The incident had happened when police stormed at a cultural programme organised by the Maoists. In the exchange of fire between the police and Maoists, seven people had died.

Home Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka handed over the money to the families of the victims.

This is the first time the government has provided compensation to the families of the victims killed in the clash between the Maoist insurgents and the security personnel.

The Maoists have ,  however, indicated that they would not come for talks with the committee formed under the chairmanship of former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. The committee has tried to open the door of negotiation with the Maoists. Moreover, the Maoists have stepped up their attacks against the police.

Only last week, three policemen were killed and 14 others injured when a group of about 200 Maoists attacked a police post in Salyan district. Scores of Maoists are also reported to have been killed in the firing that took place.

Meanwhile, the Nepali Congress  President Girija Prasad Koirala is starting  his tour of several Maoist-affected districts this week in  western Nepal to evaluate the situation. 

'Revise and Improve' Security Conditions: Report Says

By Our Correspondent

As recommended by the high level committee formed to look into the case of the hijacking of the Delhi-bound IC 814 of the Indian Airlines on December 24, the government has decided to take actions against 18 different officials working at the Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA).  Those officials were incriminated by the report for failing to perform their duty accordingly.

This is the first time that the government has initiated such actions against the airport officials for their negligence while carrying out their duty.

Those who have been recommended for action include TIA General Manager Medini Prasad Sharma, airport police chief Binod Singh and a Deputy Superintendent of Police.

The report was submitted to the government on Monday. However, the contents of the report were made public on Thursday. Disclosing the report, Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Bijay Kumar Gachhadar informed that a strong departmental action would be taken against the concerned officials. Of the total officials who deserve action, three are department chiefs.

Though the minister did not say specifically about the type of action to be taken against the officials, they are likely to be suspended or sacked from the jobs or would be tried on criminal charges.

“The report says that the alertness on the part of these three officials could have averted the hijacking,” Gachhadar said.

According to him, the report totally ruled out the involvement of any Nepalese in the hijacking of the Indian plane. The report has also specifically indicted A. A. Sheikh, S. A. Qazi, Jahar Ibrahim Mishtri, Sayed Shahid Akhtar and Rajesh Gopal Verma as the hijackers.

“The hijackers’ embarkation cards show that they were Indian citizens. But their identity remains to be unidentified,” a press release issued has said. The report has, however, not mentioned anything about how the weapons got into the plane or their types.

The report has pointed out since Indian nationals do not have to show their passports while crossing the open border between Nepal and India, non-Indians who are identical in language and culture could also misuse the open border.

The report has, however, stressed that the overall security at TIA is as per the standard recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The Committee has given some suggestions to the government to adopt both the long term and short term measures to improve the security condition of the airport.

Minister Gachhadar said that the government would immediately be implementing the short term measures suggested by the Committee . "It has also plans to replace the X-ray machines and metal detectors with the new ones. It will also starting to regulate the passenger movement through pass system soon," he said.

The report has recommended the government to 'revise and improve' the security condition at the airport and in other places. Furthermore, it has also suggested to remain alert regarding the free movement of criminals through the open border.

Ghate Vaidya: When Doctors Fail

By Our Correspondent

Isn’t it a miracle to return home from only one step away from the funeral pyre? When people are taken to Aryaghat, and for that matter any other ghats (funeral places) it is only at the last stage of their lives. But many, have been able to return back to their homes from the clutches of death. Thanks to Subarna Vaidya, doctor at Aryaghat Sewa Kendra, but popularly called as Ghate Vaidya, and the small hospital at the Pashupati Aryaghat.

Only last week, one Kashi Nath Uprety, 92, of Ghattekulo was declared a hopeless case by several hospitals. He has heart problem, chest infection and blood clotting in his brain. His son Lila Raj Uprety brought him to Subarna Vaidya in a state of coma last Sunday. Within two days the old man's condition has drastically improved. He is now able to walk, talk and is fully conscious. "It is nothing sort of a miracle," Lila told Sunday Despatch.

Two years back, one Krishna Kumari Adhikari of Kumaripati was admitted to the Patan Hospital in a serious condition, virtually unconscious. The women, in her late seventies, was given only a few hours by the doctors. The family members took her to Vaidya. Vaidya suspected of pneumonia and rubbed her chest ginger juice, hot camphor, gave her oxygen and saline at his modest hospital. The woman gained conscious after two days, and after another three days she was discharged reasonably well. She is still living hail and hearty. Her son, Bishnu Prasad Adhikari, talking to Sunday Despatch, said his mother got a new lease of life from the Ghate Vaidya.

It is not only the old people, Vaidya has treated. Last year, a nine-day old baby girl of Sumitra Rayamajhi of Maharajgunj was called as ‘no-hope case’ at the Kanti Children’s Hospital after she got jaundice. But she well after 8 days of treatment at Subarna's hospital. The baby girl is blossoming now.

The hospital has treated 392 near death patients since it was established two and a half years ago, and 97 of them have returned home. Last year alone, it treated 107 patients and 28 of them were able to return homes, getting a new life.

Vaidya says most of the people are brought to him at the last stage, but he and his colleagues look at the condition of the patients and prescribe medicines mostly Ayurvedic ones. Even in the hopeless cases we try our best to ease the pain of the dying ones. He says most of the cases he has seen are related to cancer and tumors brain and uterus.

The job of Ghate Vaidya, is a hereditary one and he learnt the art of medicine from his father. Before Subarna, it was his father who used to do the job. Subarna says he had to be initiated first before he began treating people. These Vaidyas are appointed by the Amalkot Kachahari, an office at the Pashupati area.

The tradition of Ghate Vaidya was started about 100 years back during the time of Chandra Shumsher, the Rana Prime Minister. Such Vaidyas were not given any salary but there is a Trust. But Subarna says he has not got anything out of that Trust since the last three decades. Even now, he get only Rs. 200 as salary, making his job a complete voluntary one.

After he took over from his father he thought of starting some sort of clinic in two a bare and cemented rooms with straw mats. Now, it has grown into a modern hospital with 16 rooms. It has  modern hospital beds like any other hospital and equipment like oxygen cylinders, medicines all of them donated by the people. There are 9 volunteers, including Subarna, who work full time including one Padam Bharati, trained as health assistant.

Bharati says they have almost near complete set of equipment such as equipment to measure blood sugar level, suction machine, Nebulizer for asthma patients, ECG, B.P. machine, NG Tube, uric acid stick and even equipment for catheterisation.

People have donated things like refrigerator, kitchen equipment, washing machine. People have even donated things like biscuits, instant nooddles, horlicks and other drinks for the patients. “We are also getting other modern equipments, all of them donated by people gratified by the service, to make it an almost full-fledged hospital,” Vaidya said.

All the services and treatments are free. “It is keeping with the tradition of the Pashupati area, where tax and others should be waived according to the royal seal given since the tradition of Ghate Vaidya was started.

“All we ask the patients or their relatives is to fill up the cylinders of oxygen or the cooking gas, that too if they are willing,” he says.

Meanwhile, Vaidya says the tradition of Ghate Vaidya is declining. There are some people who still say if the patients get well it is due to Lord Pashupatinath, and if they die the blame goes to the Ghate Vaidya. But there are many who think the tradition should go on as a last hope before offering the dying ones to the flame.