Pokhara, May 10: Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has said that no political party can move ahead by merely adhering to materialism and setting aside spiritualism which does away with anomalies and abberrations.

Inaugurating the Second National Conference of the World Hindu Federation Nepal at Pokhara Stadium today, Prime Minister Koirala said since such anomalies can be averted through spiritualism, both the paths of spiritualism and materialism should be followed.

Calling for keeping in mind that the mission of all religions is the well-being of human society, he said the main theme of the Hindu religion is tolerance.

The Almighty is the source of strength in the universe and we have to keep alive always the wisdom which is a portion inherited from him, he said adding that if wisdom starts to disappear, malpractices will take place.

He further said that proselytising through enticements or by instilling fear runs counter to religious tolerance.

He referred to Nepal as the country where there is harmony between different religions.

Violence and murder are the things all religions stand against, he said.

Prime Minister Koirala also released a special issue of the “Adhyatma” monthly magazine.

He bestowed honours on persons and organisations contributing to making the conference a success and on branches of the federation for their contribution in the preservation of Hindu religion and culture by wrapping shawls and presenting citations and cash prizes.

National chairman of the World Hindu Federation Achyut Raj Regmi said it is paradoxical that some people have been attempting to convert people by alluring them financially in the only Hindu Kingdom in the world.

National Assembly member Shukraraj Sharma said that those who become members of the World Hindu Federation should at least observe purification in  their  eating habits.

National spokesman of the World Hindu Federation Narayan Prasad Pokherel informed that  the   conference will also improve upon the old policies of the federation and demanded that a ministry on religion and culture be established.

Swami Dr. Ramananda Giri said all should realise that democracy is the only system that enables us to lead a civilized life.

Chief advisor to the World Hindu Federation Swami Atmananda Giri urged the  whf  to move ahead seriously in order to preserve the Hindu culture and civilization.

Nepali Baba Tejnath Sharma said the conference should provide guidelines so that no confusion is created on issues relating to Hindus.

At the function presided over by the chairman of the main organising committee Lila Bhakta Acharya, various other speakers including vice chairman of the World Hindu Federation International Committee Bharat Keshar Singh, chairman of the Bangladesh Hindu Federation Binod Bihari Chaudhari and vice chairman of the main organising committee Lakshya Bahadur Gurung also shed light on the norms and values of Hindu religion and culture.

At the three-day conference, the progress made by the national committee will  be  reviewed and   the women’s and Sanskrit sessions will also be conducted.

At the conference, it was informed that the World Hindu Committees have been constituted in 41 out of the 53 countries of the world where Hindus are living  and some of the  countries have been participating in the conference.

The conference is to elect the leadership of the national committee of the Federation and the Hindu women’s awareness national committee.

The conference   is being participated in by 2,000 people including officials of the 70 district branches of the federation, life members, office bearers of the Hindu women awareness committee constituted in 30 districts and observers.

Kathmandu, May 10: Last rites of the senior leftist leader Nirmal Lama was performed at Swayambhu this evening.

Son Nima Lama and senior leader of the cpn (Unity Centre) Nara Bahadur Karmacharya jointly consigned flames to the mortal remains of the late communist leader.

On the occasion, a contingent of the Nepal Police presented a salute to the lefist leader.

The leaders of political parties, his wife Sukanya Lama, other members of the family and the people had paid their last respects to the late leader.

On the occasion, leftist leader Karmacharya had read out a condolence message issued by the cpn (Unity Centre).

Earlier, the body of the late Lama was taken to Swayambhu via Mehnpi, Sorakhutte and Chhetrapati.

Earlier, National Assembly chairman Dr. Mohammad Mohsin, in a condolence message, has said that even though he held a different ideology than that of the senior leftist leader Nirmal Lama, his (late Lama’s) politics of norms and values, firm commitment and simple living style were praiseworthy.

The demise of Mr Lama has hurt the national politics which has been suffering from distortions and abberations at present, he added.

Rajparishad Standing Committee Chairman Dr. Keshar Jung Rayamajhi, in his statement, has noted that late Lama had established himself as a personality who could make some contributions to the country, and this was possible only through his persistent activity and firm determination. In his demise, the country had lost an outstanding patriot, he added.

Nepal Bar Association has also expressed profound sorrow at the demise of senior leftist leader Nirmal Lama and extended hearty condolences to the bereaved family.

President of Nepal Praja Parishad Ramhari Sharma said that the political arena has lost a sincere leader in the demise of Mr Nirmal Lama who had taken active part in the popular movement for the restoration of democracy in 1990, become a member of the constitution drafting commission and played an important role in protecting and promoting the achievements of the popular movement.

In the demise of senior leftist leader Nirmal Lama, the nation has lost an outstanding freedom fighter and a nationalist leader, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Narendra Bikram Nemwang said.

President of Nepal Press Council Harihar Birahi said that the contributions made by senior leftist leader Nirmal Lama, one of the drafters of the constitution of the constitution guaranteeing press freedom, to the restoration of democracy will be remembered for ever.

Nepal Tamang Ghedung, Mhendo-Maya Youth Society Nepal and Dr. Dilli Raman Trust have also condoled the demise of senior leftist leader Nirmal Lama.

Meanwhile, the meeting of the House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee was held today under the chairmanship of committee chairman Subhas Chandra Nemwang.

At the meeting, the committee paid tributes to the senior leftist leader and drafter of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal-1990 Nirmal Lama and extended condolences to the bereaved family.

Kathmandu, May 9: Three Star Club halted the winning streak of Ranipokhari Corner Team by forcing them to draw 1-1 while New Road Team (NRT) finally won the first ever full point by defeating Naxal Youth Club 2-0 in the on going Martyrs Memorial League at the National Dashrath Stadium, Tuesday.

NRT boys after disaster start in the opener collected full points by displaying a aggressive game in both seasons against Naxal Youth. Though both of the goals were scored after the lemon break.

In the day’s second game, RCT after taking a lead in the dying minutes of the first half had to settle with a draw in the 18 minutes of second half . Thus leaving one of the title favourites RCT to face an uphill task for the title hunt.

The first game between Naxal Youth was one-sided affair after the lemon break while the second game between Three Star and RCT was tightly contested battle through the ninety minutes play . Though both of the teams players were seen losing their tempers as the game was going on either way.

Hari Thakuri of NRT put his team on the dream lead in the 51 st minutes after the barren first half. Though Naxal Youth had a chance to settle the score but in the 65 minutes but the penalty shot fired by Ram Hari Thapa was well punched away by NRT keeper Surendra.

Naxal boys suffered yet another blow in the 85 minutes of the match through well placed header by Purna Limbu to Hari Thakuri on the striking zone which sealed the fate of Naxal to fight back.

In the first half, RCT boys managed to keep the ball well under their control and also gave the Three Star boys a run for their money and finally stole the lead in the dying minutes with sole run made by Raj Kumar Shrestha after moving passed the defenders and giving the much needed lead.

In the second half, the Naxal boys failed miserably under the pressure of well drilled Three Star boys. Though both the teams missed couple of easy shots in the given chances.

Nirajan Rayamajhi and Rajkumar Shrestha looked threatening in first half but after the lemon break both the of them looked seemed to run out of the steam. On the other side, Three Star defence also forced the RCT strikers to abandoned their attacks in the midway as they were tightly marked.

After failing to open the account in given chances, Shreeman struck home in a goal mouth melee through pass coming from Deepak Amtay’s free kick. RCT tried hard to consolidated the lead but their efforts failed to materialized.

Kathmandu, May. 9: A high-level investment promotion directive committee has been formed under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala to act as a fast track committee with a view to make the promotion of domestic as well as foreign private investment effective in accordance with the open and liberal economic policies and the policy concerning privatisation adopted by His Majesty’s Government.

According to the Prime Minister’s office, the deputy prime minister, the ministers for construction and physical planning, water resources, finance and industry, the vice chairman of the National Planning Commission and the chief secretary have been designated members of the committee with the secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office as member secretary.

The Prime Minister’s Office will act as secretariat for the committee.

The committee will encourage and promote domestic as well as foreign private investment, sanction investment proposals, bring about necessary coordination in endorsement and implementation, follow-up on and supervise the implementation aspect of such proposals, create an environment conducive to such proposals and issue necessary directives in this connection.

Kathmandu, May 9: A delegation led by Nepali Congress Tanahu district committee chairman Raghunath Poudel met with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala Saturday and urged him to implement development work in the district in an effective and continuous manner after setting the priorities.

The delegation also met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Development, the Minister for Home, the Minister for Water Resources, the Minister for Information and Communication, the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies and the Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives and apprised them of various matters pertaining to development work in the district.

During their meetings, the delegation called for the construction of concrete and gravel access raods to the urban area, construction of bridges over various rivers, arrangements for drinking water, telephone and trunk line and electrification, and construction of embankments for irrigation.

Bishnu Bir Ale of the NC, NC district committee secretary Krishna Prasad Goutam, joint secretary Parashu Ram Giri and president of NC constituency No. 2 Nil Bahadur Thapa were among the 26 members of the delegation.

Meanwhile a delegation from the Nepal Magar Organisation met with Prime Minister Koirala today and asked for initiatives on the part of His Majesty’s Government for the promotion and preservation of the Magar language, culture and history.

The 5-member delegation led by its chairman Gore Bahadur Khapangi also included women’s wing chief of the organisation Bam Kumari Budha.

Also today secretary at the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation Rabi Bahadur Bista apprised Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at the latter’s office today of the existing condition of forests and the existing forest policy and programmes.

He also briefed the Prime Minister about the implementation aspect of the recent decision of the government on forest management in the Terai, Chure and Inner Terai regions.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Koirala instructed the secretary to implement the decisions without any delay. Minister of State for Forests and Soil Conservation Mohammad Aftab Alam was also present on the occasion.

Kathmandu, May 9: Prime Minister and Royal Nepal Academy (RNA) Chancellor Girija Prasad Koirala inaugurated National Drama Festival – 2057 at a function held here this afternoon.

Before he inaugurated the festival by reciting four lines from noted dramatist Balakrishna Sama’s verse play Bhakti Thapa, Koirala said that sometimes a Prime Minister too has to act like a player. “As a matter of fact, we are all players of a drama that begins with our birth and ends in death,” he added.

He lauded RNA Academician and artist Nir Bikram Shah, who is the coordinator of the festival, for reviving Nepalese theatre to prominence through such programmes.

The entire festival that is dedicated to late Sama consists of 30 plays, RNA sources said. “Various artistes from 33 different districts are taking part in the festival.”

At the function, Premier Koirala felicitated senior novelist-dramatist Govinda Bahadur Malla Gothale and senior stage artiste Bekha Narayan Maharjan for their outstanding contribution to the development of Nepalese literature, especially drama.

RNA Vice Chancellor poet Mohan Koirala said that despite various constraints and difficulties, the Academy would make sincere attempts in promoting art and artistes.

Coordinator Nir Bikram Shah and RNA Member-Secretary Dr. Tulsi Prasad Bhattarai also shed lights on the festival and the history of the development of Nepalese drama.

Kathmandu, May 9: Carpet industrialists here underlined the need for major reforms in the carpet industry, one of the major foreign currency earners of the Kingdom, in order to promote Nepali carpets in the global market.

This was the key issue discussed when a group of carpet industrialists led by president of Central Carpet Industry Association (CCIA) Aji Sherpa recently met with president of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Pradeep Kumar Shrestha, it is stated in an FNCCI press release today.

Aji Sherpa also said that the problems such as child labour, use of inferior azo-dye in wool, promotion of carpets in the international market, environmental degradation, and child care facilities for carpet labourers are the major problems carpet industry has been facing for a last few years.

These issues necessitate the major reforms to solve the existing problems, he demanded.

On the occasion, FNCCI president Shrestha said that Industrialist and the government need to go hand-in-hand to solve the problems besetting the carpet industry which plays a vital role in the country’s economy. Unless we are able to adopt new technologies in this industry, market promotion and expansion may not be possible, he observed.

“FNCCI recognises the need for expanding the carpet industry to the rural areas and has accorded a special priority to the development of the industry,” he said.

In a demand paper presented to the FNCCI chief Shrestha, the CCIA demanded that its representatives be included in the FNCCI’s business delegations.

Opining that the Trade Promotion Centre, New Zealand Wool Board, and Export Promotion Centre (Ministry of Commerce) should be urged to step up efforts to increase the export of carpet industry, Shrestha underscored the need for research works in making Nepalese carpets more competitive.

“This is the time we should go for formulating a special export policy for promotion of carpets,” he added.

On the same occasion, first vice-president Ravi Bhakta Shrestha said that pressure should be mounted on the government to consider the suggestions given by the private sector for bringing about improvement in the country’s economy.

FNCCI’s Employers’ Council chairman Rajendra Khetan said that the Nepalese consulate offices in the foreign countries should be made active for promoting the carpet industry.

Rohini Thapalia, Rajendra Prasad Shrestha, Purnaman Shakya, Krishna Prasad Maskey also expressed their view on the occasion.

Pokhara, May 9: Nepal Red Cross Society Kaski district chapter organised an introductory workshop seminar marking the 50th anniversary of the ratification of the Geneva Convention.

Altogether 30 persons, including representatives of various institutions and organisations, physicians and journalists took part in the day-long workshop seminar.

At the programme Nepal Red Cross Society district president Gehendreshwar Koirala presented a working paper on the Red Cross emblem and its use, highlighting the use of the Red Cross emblem in rescue and rehabilitation missions during war or at times of crisis and emergency.

He said Red Cross humanitarian aid and rehabilitation teams should be provided unrestricted access where ever it is needed.

Red Cross Kaski district chapter member Raghunath Adhikari presented a working paper on the World Red Cross movement. In his working paper, Adhikari has mentioned that there are some 105.3 million Red Cross volunteers and 296,000 employees working for the Red Cross in 175 countries across the world.

Nepal Red Cross Society Kaski district chapter president Gehendreshwar Koirala presided.

Dhangadhi, May 9: The Zonal level party workers’ workshop seminar organised by the CPN(UML) Seti Zonal Coordination Committee concluded here by adopting various proposals.

The three-day seminar adopted various proposals which among other things called for dropping of ‘false Cases’ leveled against the CPN(UML) workers and members in the general election, an end to the ‘administrative excess’ against the CPN(UML) workers.

Similarly, other resolutions adopted by the seminar call for provision of relief assistance to farmers who were affected by hailstorm in different districts of the zone, supply of foodgrains to Bajhanag, Bajura, Doti and Achham districts hit by food crisis, putting a halt to the unilateral survey works being carried out by India for construction of a barrage at the Purnagiri area on the Mahakali River and the construction of another barrage near the Nepal-India border in Bardiya which is likely to inundate large tracts of land in Bardiya.

The seminar also demanded that His Majesty’s Government fulfill the demands on contemporary burning issues put forth by the CPN(UML).

Local people’s representatives elected to different local bodies on CPN(UML)’s ticket took part in the seminar. The seminar discussed the rights and duties of the local people’s representatives, local autonomy and the CPN(UML)’s policy on decentralisation.

The workshop seminar was inaugurated by CPN(UML) central member Bhim Bahadur Rawal.

Meanwhile in Pokhara, the All Nepal Women’s Association (ANWA) Kaski district chapter organised a rally and a protest meet here recently protesting against women exploitation and girl trafficking.

On the occasion, former MP Khagaraj Adhikari expressed the view that women’s lot could not be uplifted unless their equal rights to parental property was established.

Chairman of Kaski district development committee Punya Prasad Poudel stressed implementation of the rights guaranteed by the constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal.

At the programme presided over by president of the ANWA Kaski district chapter Mrs. Srijana Sharma, CPN-UML district secretary Somnath Adhikari Pyasi, Sabnam Sharma of the Informal Sector Services Centre (INSEC), DDC member Sita Karki and others also expressed their views.

Pokhara, May 9: NC Kaski district committee organised a party workers’ gathering here recently in connection with the preparation for the party’s 10th central general convention which is to take place in Pokhara on November 10.

The gathering formed an advisory committee comprising the party central members, MPs and working committee members of all 16 districts of the western region and ex-MPs of Kaski district to assist the 10th general convention local management main committee.

Likewise, the gathering included NC Kaski district office bearers and members, constituency committee members of the district, the NC office bearers of the Municipal Sub Corporation and VDCs, central and district level office bearers of sister organisations, heads of local bodies elected on nc ticket and the general convention representatives in the local management main committee headed by National Assembly member and NC Kaski district president Shukra Raj Sharma.

Twenty-one different sub committees have also been formed under the main committee.

At the gathering, 10th general convention suggestions and monitoring committee convenor and party central member K. B. Gurung described the general convention as an opportunity to discuss various national issues.

Central monitoring committee convenor and party central member Laxman Prasad Ghimire expressed confidence that law and order situation will return to normal well before the general convention. Suggestions and monitoring committee members Dil Bahadur Gharti, Purushottam Basnet and Mukti Lal Chuke asked all to make the general convention a success.

From the chair, MP and party district president Shukra Raj Sharma said it is a matter of happiness that Kaski district got the opportunity of hosting the 10th general convention of the party.

MPs Mahadev Gurung and Prakash Bahadur Gurung, NC Rupandehi district president Baburam Rana, NC Nawalparasi district president Krishna Chandra Nepali, NC Baglung president Hari Prasad Shrestha, NC Myagdi president Gopal Narayan Bhattachan, NC Lamjung president Chandra Bahadur Kunwar, NC Kaski district vice president Krishna Bahadur Gurung and secretary Yagya Bahadur Thapa stressed the need for the government to speed up measures for improving the law and order situation.