Kathmandu, May 1:The United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees (unhcr) mrs Sadako Ogata arrived here today on an official visit to Nepal at the invitation of His Majesty’s Government.

Talking to the press at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Mrs Ogata said the Bhutanese side was eager to resolve the refugee crisis.

In reply to a query, she said the Bhutanese King and leaders had expressed their commitment to resolving the refugee problems.

The objective of her visit was to facilitate the resolution of the nearly decade old refugee problems at the earliest, and she was embarking on a visit to Nepal and Bhutan to mediate between the two sides, she said.

Describing India’s role in resolving the refugee issues as significant, she believed that the problem between Nepal and Bhutan would be resolved bilaterally.

Describing her talks with the Bhutanese side on resolution of the refugee problems as “positive,” the un High Commissioner for Refugees said the Bhutanese side expressed its desire to resolve the problem with open heart.

We are eager to mediate between Nepal and Bhutan and do something substantive on resolution of the refugee crisis, she said.

Shortly afterwards, Mrs Ogata left for Jhapa to inspect the refugees camps.

Earlier on her arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Mrs Ogata was received by foreign secretary Narayan Shumsher Thapa, other high officials of the foreign ministry, undp resident representative Dr Henning Karcher, the unhcr resident representative in Nepal and the fao representative.

During her visit Mrs Ogata will have audience with Their Majesties the King and Queen.

She will also have meeting with the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister and the foreign secretary.

Later, in Jhapa, the un high Commissioner for Refugees (unhcr) Mrs Sadako Ogata said the Bhutanese government is ready to welcome the Bhutanese refugees residing in Nepal back to Bhutan.

Mrs Ogata was addressing a gathering organised following her inspection of Goldhap and Beldangi Bhutanese refugees camps in Jhapa district today.

Stating that she came to the refugee camp after holding talks with senior officials of the Bhutanese government, Mrs Ogata said that the Bhutanese government officials urged her to convey the message that they were ready to take back home the Bhutanese refugees from Nepal.

I will apprise the Bhutanese government about the aspiration of the refugees to return back home, Mrs Ogata said, adding that the unhcr is committed to resolve the Bhutanese refugee problem as soon as possible.

She also expressed the commitment to serve as a bridge between Nepal and Bhutan in order to give a fruitful conclusion to the ministerial level talks between the two countries.

The United Nations has been looking after refugees in many countries but the refugee camps in Nepal are the best in the world as a result of the cordial cooperation of His Majesty’s Government, the local people and various organisations, she noted.

As the future of thousands of Bhutanese refugee children in Nepal is in danger we should work towards safeguarding their future, Mrs Ogata said and expressed confidence that they would soon return back to study in schools in Bhutan.

On the occasion chief district officer Dilliraj Joshi expressed confidence that the visit of un high Commissioner for Refugees Mrs Ogata would have a great impact on the return of the Bhutanese refugees.

Secretaries of Goldhap and Beldangi refugee camps Purna Gurung and Dhanapati Adhikari expressed the view that the Bhutanese refugee problem should be resolved in an impartial and just manner.

unhcr country director Micheal Dupoizat said Bhutanese refugees in the camp have been struggling hard to maintain their identity and dignity.

During her visit to the camps, Mrs Ogata inspected Jonkha language classes, community education centres, sewing cutting training centre, chalk making centre and schools run by Caritas Nepal in both the refugee camps and gathered information about works being carried out by various governmental and non-governmental organisations under the United Nations.

Earlier, welcoming Mrs Ogata at Bhadrapur Airport, unhcr jhapa chief Micheal Zwack apprised the un high Commissioner of the refugee-related works and programmes being carried out in the district.

The visiting delegation includes unhcr Asia-Pacific Director Francois Fouinat, Soko Simojawa, the Executive Assistant of Mrs Ogata, World Food Programme country director Duglas Casson Cutts, joint secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lila Sharma and under secretary at the Home Ministry Dipak Joshi.

On the occasion the refugees in the camps presented various programmes highlighting Bhutanese culture to welcome the unhcr delegation.

Around 98,000 refugees from Bhutan are residing in seven camps in Jhapa and Morang district waiting to return back to their home country since the past 10 years.

This is the first time that the un High Commissioner for Refugees has visited the Bhutanese refugee camps in Nepal.

Meanwhile, today, Human Rights Organisation, the Organisation of the Bhutanese Human Rights Activists at Jhapa, in a press statement, has urged the un High Commissioner for Refugees Mrs Sadako Ogata to create the environment for the return of the Bhutanese refugees residing at the seven camps in eastern Nepal to their homland with dignity.

In the statement it has expressed the conviction that High Commissioner Ogata, who has completed her visit to Bhutan and is currently in Nepal with the objective of resolving the Bhutanese refugees problem, would play significant role in materialising the rights of the refugees to return home with dignity.

The statement states that the role to be played by High Commissioner Ogata for the return of the Bhutanese at the earliest would be of utmost important and the institution had raised voices at the Geneva meeting concerning human rights.

The various rounds of talks between Nepal and Bhutan to resolve the refugee issue had been unproductive and the United Nations should take steps for the return of the refugees to their country, according to the statement.

Mahendranagar, May 1:Home Minister Govinda Raj Joshi says the present government not only accords priority to maintenance of law and order in the country but also is committed to protecting the people’s life and property.

Addressing the concluding function of the 2-day conference of the chief district officers, heads of the police and National Investigation Officers here today, Home Minister Joshi said that hmg wanted to strengthen the local police and administration so as to increase the people’s sense of security.

As the government was the guardian of the country, the police and the administration should always remain alert to preventing anyone from infringing the rights of others, taking law and order in their own hands, intimidating the people and indulging in vandalism, he added.

He stressed the need for the police and the local administration to work in a transparent manner to resolve the local problems and root out corruption.

On the occasion, secretary at the Ministry of Home Padma Prasad Pokharel said that it is the duty to serve the people and maintain law and order.

Inspector General of Police Achyut Krishna Kharel said that police personnel should always be ready to be deployed to maintain the law and order and prevent crime.

Chief officer of the National Investigation Department Hari Babu Chaudhari said that the employees of the department should be active to help in maintaining law and order in the country.

Kathmandu, May 1 :Nepali Congress president and Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has said that the country’s development is not possible by isolating the workers.

Prime Minister Koirala was addressing a gathering of workers organised by Nepal Trade Union Congress (ntuc) on the occasion of the International May Day here today.

He underlined the need for unity and coordination among the government, workers, industrialists and businessmen for the country’s development.

Stressing the need to bring a change in the conventional attitude towards workers, Prime Minister Koirala pledged his cooperation in protecting and promoting workers’ rights and well-being.

“I have become Prime Minister with certain vision of the society and I need the cooperation from all sectors to help my vision materialize,” he said.

The Prime Minister said that since his political career began when he was a labourer, he can never be indifferent to the feelings of the labourers.

Ntuc vice president Ganesh Niraula, Dhan Bahadur Gurung of Nepal Carpet Workers Association, Shishir Kumar Jha of Nepal Inter-corporation Employees Association and labour leader Artharaj Koirala shed light on the importance of the International May Day. Earlier, a procession of workers carrying banners and placards passed through Kopundol, Tripureshwor, Sundhara and Bir Hospital before reaching Bhrikuti Mandap where it converged for a public gathering.

Kathmandu, Apr. 29: Kamal Bhandari defeated Sanu Gurung in four sets to win the men’s singles title of the first King’s Cup Open Tennis Championship here Saturday.

The tournament organized by All Nepal Lawn Tennis Association to mark the 55th Birthday of His Majesty the King, under the sponsorship of International Leasing and Finance Company. Himalayan Bank Ltd and National Life and General Insurance Ltd produced some intriguing rallies and equally great shots from both of the players, in the final much to the delight of the Saturday crowd.

Kamal Bhandari playing some outstanding forehand drives broke Sanu Gurung in the seventh game of the opening set to take a 4-3 lead and took the set serving out at 6-4. In the second set, he held his first service game and broke Gurung to lead by 2-0, indicating short final. But Gurung responded back immediately breaking Bhandari in the third and held his own serve to stay level in the match at 2-2. Bhandari, despite coming up with some stunning returns failed to hold his serve in the fifth and ninth game to conceded the set at 3-6.

Gurung, apart from few instance failed to perform as in the second set and soon found himself trailing by 2-0, losing his service in the right first game. Although he managed to broke back in the third, some irretrievable shots from Bhandari saw him concede several crucial points.

Gurung also struggled with his service and double faulted twice in the set that made Bhandari’s job much more easier, who broke him twice, in the seventh and ninth game to close the set at 6-3 for a 2-1 lead.

It was much of the same story in the fourth game with Bhandari taking early break in the second game and Gurung quickly replying with counter-break. But it was Bhandari, who kept his cool throughout to wrap up the match taking that fourth set, 6-2 to win the title.

Meanwhile Sraddha Basnet, the former number one player, clinched the women’s single title with a straight forward 6-3, 6-1 win over promising Mallika Rana. Rana, who played so well in this tournament did not have to return home empty handed though. Showing tremendous improvement in her game, she lifted the junior girls’ single title ending the dominance of Vindya Dayananda, whom she beat by 6-3, 6-3 in the final.

Earlier, Deepak Shrestha had to settle once again as a bridesmaid as he was beaten by Manoj Rana in the repeat of the Grindlays Open final. In the sub-junior boys’ Sang Ryal Kim posted a 9-6 win over Shreyans Karki to clinch the title.

Later, chief guest of the final, Princess Jyotsna Basnyat distributed trophies to the winners and runners-up of various events while the representative of Himalayan Bank Ltd gave away cash prizes to the players.

On the occasion, President of ANLTA, Siddeshwor Kumar Singh announced to make this tournament an annual event. Also present on the occasion was the president of Nepal Olympic Committee, Rukma Shumsher Rana.

Kathmandu, April 29: It has been felt necessary to collect suggestions from the sectors concerned in implementing the Act designed for managing and developing livestock farming, producting animal products in a health manner and importing or exporting such products.

Speaking at a programme on animal health and services organised by the Department of Livestock services here recently, the participants said that, through the Livestock services Act is important for promoting livestock farming, it has got to cover other areas to move ahead effectively.

Minister of State for Agriculture and Cooperatives Baldev Sharma Majgainya noted that His Majesty’s Government in its 20 year Agriculture Perspective Plan (APP) has given top priority to suitable development of livestock farming for maintaining stability in the country.

Stating that the parliament had passed the Animal Health and Services Act-2055 B.S. With a view to ensuring all-round development of the country, Mr Majgainya expressed confidence that the act will significantly contribute to promoting this sector set for commercialisation.

Various other speakers including agriculture secretary Dr Muktinarayan Shrestha, Finance Secretary Ram Binod Bhattarai and joint secretary at the Home Ministry Dr. Madhav Ghimire also expressed their views at the function chaired by Attorney General Badri Bahadur Karki.

Gaur, Apr. 29: Public life here has been adversely affected by pollutants emanating from Sriram Sugar Mills Ltd at Garuda in Rautahat district. The whole village becomes covered by smoke which blackens everything in the neighbourhood. Small children have been suffering from lung complaints as they breathe the polluted air, says Raj Kishor Shaha of Gedahiguddhi VDC.

Local residents have demanded that the smoke and polluting liquid coming out from the sugar mill be properly managed.

They say that the smoke is caused by old equipment at the mill and call for its replacement, close down or translocation of the mill. According to Ramesh Jha of Mahammadpur, the VDC has requested the mills to make an environmental impact assessment.

The smoke has caused eye pain and coughs and laundry hung up to dry becomes blackened, according to Basant Shaha of the affected VDC.

He said they will launch a campaign to close down the mill unless new equipment is used.

The Jhanjh River in Rautahat has been badly affected by the pollutants emanating from the sugar mill and the air pollution is caused by the fuel used during the crushing of the sugarcane.

Under the new regulations, environmental impact assessments should be made for new factories. But the rules are not clear for the old ones which have already been set up. There is a provision for old industries to compensate people for impact on public health, but it has not been enforced, according to Dr. Biswonath Agrawal of Ronast. Agrawal says the policy is to take action or provide facilities to mills in accordance with their pollution levels after making the environmental impact assessment.

Kathmandu, April 29: Mount Everest Kennel Club (MEKC) recently conducted a ten-day training programme for the kennel club owners and dog keepers. The training was participated in by over 20 kennel club operators and about a dozen dog owners. Dogs can be of great assistance to the elderly and the disabled, Australian trainer Stephen Austin said. Austin who also heads the dog security sector for the forthcoming Australian Olympic said that dogs could play an important role in crime control.

Nepalese dog owners, however, have not been able avail of their pets to the desired level. “Our initiatives during the last two years have been instrumental in proper domestication of dogs,” Club President Suresh Shah said.

MEKC has been working in collaboration with the Kathmandu Metropolitan City authority to control the street dogs as well as to manage dog keeping efficiently. The Club that has provided basic obedience training to about 500 dogs during the last two years plans to conduct the training programme annually. The Club presently claims of 12,000 dogs as its members.

Kathmandu, Apr. 29: Vice Chancellor of the Mahendra Sanskrit University (MSU) Prof. Madhav Raj Gautam informed that the university is planning to revamp Sanskrit education and include yoga and acupuncture therapy besides the ayurved therapy.

Prof. Gautam made this remark at a meeting of the MSU academic council held here recently.

Prof. Gautam also informed that MSU has started technical and employment oriented educational programmes to free the unemployed manpower from unemployment.

The meeting also passed the next year’s academic programme, Uttarmadhyama science curriculum, Purvacharya curriculum of the Siddanta Jyotish, feasibility study report of five year acupuncture therapy curriculum and medium level curriculum for integrated health assistants presented by member-secretary of the council and rector Prof. (Dr) Baburam Sharma Pokherel.

Meanwhile in Tulsipur, Vice-Chancellor of the Mahendra Sanskrit University Madhav Raj Gautam inaugurated the Ram-Janaki Temple constructed on the premises of the Shiva Temple at Ward No. 2, Urahari Village, Dang district recently.

On the occasion, Vice-Chancellor Gautam said that the virtues of Lord Rama, Sita, Laxman and the monkey god Hanuman were all worth emulating.

Damodar Subedi, Tirtha Raj Subedi, Dev Bahadur K.C. and others shed light on the religious importance of the site.

Chairman of the temple management committee Ram Prasad Adhikari presided over the programme. The temple was constructed at the total cost of Rs 219,972.

Biratnagar, Apr. 29: Ambassador of Bangladesh to Nepal Cyril Sikder has said that the Bangladeshis cherished and had great respects for the contributions made by their friendly country Nepal at the time of Bangladesh’s emergence.

Ambassador Sikder said this at a reception cum interaction held in his honour by the east regional university college of management here on Friday. Describing the present age as the age of higher education and science and technology, he said at such a juncture of time, both Nepal and Bangladesh should direct their efforts towards achieving economic progress and expanding their cooperation since most of the problems faced by the two countries are of the same nature.

On the occasion Ambassador Sikder handed over Rs 10 thousand for the university to Vice-Chancellor Dhurvanarayan Lal Das on his behalf and some books for the use of the university library. From the chair, Vice-Chancellor of the east regional University Dhurvanarayan Lal Das said that the great progress made by Bangladesh in the field of education within a short span of time was worthy of praise.

He expressed the confidence that the present visit of the Ambassador of Bangladesh would contribute towards establishing close contacts and building cooperation between the institutions of Higher Education in both the countries. Earlier, president of the SAARC Journalists’ Forum Narendra Upadhyaya, shedding light on the role of the forum, expressed the conviction that such visits by the officials of the two countries brought the people of the concerned countries closer.

Also Friday, the Bangladeshi Ambassador inspected the Annapurna Soap Industries Pvt. Ltd., The Narayan Vegetable and Vegetable Ghee and Ganesh Plastics Industries company in Sunsari and assessed the possibility of export to Bangladesh in the near future. On the occasion, industrialist Subodh Kumar Agrawal, who is associated with the three industries, talked about the quality of products manufactured by these industries, the need for creating a favourable climate for the export of Nepalese goods in Bangladesh and the need for three-way talks between Nepal, India and Bangladesh to overcome any obstacles in Nepal-Bangladesh trade and exports.

Similarly, Ambassador Sikder met office-bearers of the Borang business and Industries Association yesterday and exchanged views on the economic development of both Nepal and Bangladesh and the problems encountered by these countries in trade and commerce and transpiration.

Ambassador Sikder also attended a reception at local Mahendra Morang Campus the same day.

Kathmandu, April 29: “Meditate! Keep on meditating!”, Guru Marpa exhorts his foremost disciple Milarepa whenever they happen to meet. If Guru Marpa, to his disciples, was known to be a taciturn teacher who always uttered cryptic exhortations, then Milarepa was the ever-zealous disciple.

For Marpa, like all religious Gurus, wanted to put Milarepa through a baptism of faith so that his chosen disciple would be spiritually perfect before he finally transmits his spiritual power and knowledge to him.

Milarepa, being the conscientious disciple, strives his very utmost to live up to his Guru Marpa’s exhortations. However, for Milarepa, following his unpredictable Guru’s instructions in both letter and spirit was easier said than done. In order to find a congenial environment to do continuous meditation, Milarepa heads for the vast mountainous wilderness. There, sans food and shelter, he engages in severe meditation. For food, he depended on nettles and for shelter, the caves and the cliffs.

On top of all this, Milarepa’s Guru, Marpa, not only asks him to undergo one severe penance or the other whenever Milarepa goes to meet his Guru for further spiritual instructions, but also keeps silent to all his chosen disciple’s repeated pleas to reveal to him the Ultimate Truth.

The songs of Milarepa, are said to be the virtual outcome of Guru Marpa’s adamant silence on the one hand and Milarepa’s deep yearning for spiritual awakening and fulfilment on the other.

Milarepa’s anguish, self-doubts, trails and tribulations, joys and sorrows, even after so many centuries, are well-known to the Tibetan people and the Nepalese communities living in the trans-Himalayan region of the nation. The main reason being the popularity of Milarepa’s songs which, till date, are still sung and, where possible, enacted out in dramas among these communities.

For Kathmanduites, the Studio 7 has come up with a drama production for the year 2000 entitled “The 100,000 Songs of Milarepa”. It may be noted that last year, Studio 7 produced a drama depicting the life story of youthful Milarepa and his determination to undo the sad load of “black deeds” he had done during his life time.

The drama, being enacted in the Naga Theatre of Hotel Vajra, not only succeeds in portraying Milarepa’s trials and tribulations, joys and sorrows but also helps to create the right emotional atmosphere for the viewers. While the main messages of the drama—the preciousness of life and for a determined person, nothing is impossible—do get through to the audience due to the histrionics of the actors and actresses, the choreography should also be commended in that the costumes, clothes and stage never fail to transport the spectators to Milarepa’s time, clime and place. Especially when the story unfolds as Milarepa goes out to the wide wilderness in search of Ultimate Truth. There, he encounters demons, gods, beasts and men from all walks of life and enchants and comforts them with his Songs of Wisdom. And to help the audience attune to the drama are Chiring Jhurme and Chiring Paljor who not only sing Milarepa’s songs (in Tibetan language, of course!) but also play Tibetan percussion instruments like the “damboyen”, “ghywang”, “pewang” and the “lidbu” (flute). However, the only discordant part of the drama—which, apart from the songs sung in Tibetan, is in English—is that one needs to get attuned to the varying versions of English dialogues being delivered by the actors and actresses. Maybe it is due to the mix cast—both expatriates and Nepalis—of the production.

Nevertheless, the Studio 7’s drama is worth seeing by Kathmanduites and expatriates alike. The next shows are on April 30, Sunday; May 5, Friday; May 6, Saturday and May 7, Sunday.