Tansen, April, 8 :An introductory programme on the Bisheshwar with the Poor was held here recently under the auspices of its coordination and monitoring committee, Palpa.
Central vice-chairman of the programme Hairbol Bhattarai, inaugurating the programme, said that the programme was introduced in confirmity with the popular leader B.P. Koirala’s pledge to raise the economic and social status of the poor people.
Central programme coordinator Dr. Ram Prasad Gyawali observed that this programme, targeted as it was to elevate without any prejudices the living standard of about 17 per cent of the country’s population living in abject poverty, would be an effective one.
Protesting against the programme at the very outset would be against the democratic norms, he noted. Various speakers including Nepali Congress Palpa district committee chairman Rajan Pant and Tansen Municipality mayor Ashok Shahi shed light on the programme.
Kathmandu, April 8 :The Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Federation of Jordanian Chamber of Commerce (FJCC) signed an agreement recently for expanding economic relations between the two countries and identifying possibilities of investment.
FNCCI president Pradip Kumar Shrestha and FJCC president Haider Murad had signed the agreement.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr Shrestha said Nepal has great potentials for investment in the areas of agriculture, hydro-electricity, tourism, information technology etc.
FJCC president Murad noted that Jordanian investors want to invest in Nepal and this will be fulfilled by the agreement.
Jordan wishes to import tea, coffee, fresh fruits, cereals, etc from Nepal, he added.
The Jordanian delegation had come here in course of taking part in the Export Promotion Meeting-2000.
Kathmandu, April 8:National Park and Wild Life Conservation Department jointly with King Mahendra Trust for Natural Conservation with support from the World Wild Life Fund has begun counting the rhinoceros in the Royal chitwan National park from April 2.
Nepalese scientists and technicians are involved in this census of rhinos in the Royal Chitwan National Park, which aims at monitoring the population and habitat of the rhinos.
The census will classify the number on the basis of the description of horn, age and sex. An earlier counting held in the year 1994 had placed the number of rhinos in Chitwan National park at 466. Such counting is to take place every five years from now on, according to a press release from WWF.
MeanwhileRSS adds: in Mahendranagar, a skill development programme launched under the Royal Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve, park and people programme has contributed to effectively conservation of the wildlife reserve and nature conservation.
The programme was designed mainly for the people residing on the edge of the conservation area and a large number of local people have also benefited from the 14 productive loan management programmes introduced for preservation bio-diversity, according to the programme officer Sajani Shrestha.
A many as 224 skill development trainings were held for the people of core area in 1999 to the benefit of some 138 women and 125 men. Some 358 groups have made saving deposit to the tune of Rs. 6191,000 so far, it is learnt.
Similarly, embankments have been built in various parts of Kanchanpur district with the help of the local users’ group under the programme. Some 345 families are to expected to benefit from it.
Four underground drills for irrigation have also been carried out at a cost of Rs. 1,775,000 under the programme.
Some 115 students were taken on a tour to familiarise them with its bio-diversity.
Besides, some 35 local consumers were given training leadership development.
Kathmandu, Apr. 8: The two-day national conference on TB and chest diseases and the second general meeting of the tuberculosis and chest physicians began here otherday with the slogan “let’s stop pollution and save lungs.”
Minister for Health Dr. Ram Baran Yadav inaugurated the conference organised by the Nepal Association of TB and Chest Physicians (NATCP).
Addressing the meet, Minister Yadav said that since smoking and tobacco consumption causes and increases the risk of various chest diseases, tuberculosis and cancer, it would help to prevent these diseases if all the physicians and specialists put up joint efforts in this direction.
On the occasion, Health Minister Dr. Yadav distributed honorary membership of the association to Director of the Scientific Department of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lungs Diseases (IUATLD) Prof. (Dr.) Donald enarson, president of Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association Dr. Masakaju Aoki and Dr. James Newell of the newfield institute.
Likewise, Minister Yadav also gave away the certificates of life membership of the association to chest physicians Dr. Kashikant Jha, Dr. N.B. Subedi, Dr. Nabindra Raj Basnet, Dr. Rajendra Pant, Dr. Nawaraj Sharma, Dr. Sushil Kumar Chaudhari and Dr. Sarachchandra Barma.
At the programme, Minister of State for Health Tirtha Ram Dangol expressed best wishes for the success of the national conference organised on the occasion of the World Health Day 2000.
He said tuberculosis was basically a product of excessive smoking and drinking.
Although tuberculosis is a dangerous disease, it can be treated by taking in medicine regularly, he said adding- doctors cannot make men immortal but they certainly can help make life safe and healthy.
Minister of State for Health Dangol also urged the donor countries to assist in Nepal’s health sector so that all kinds of treatment facilities are available in the country and people won’t have to go abroad for treatment.
Extending best wishes for the success of the conference, health secretary Srikant Regmi hoped that the conference would come out with concrete suggestions on the effective tuberculosis prevention strategy for the country.
Director of the National Tuberculosis Centre and the SAARC Tuberculosis Centre Dr. Dirgha Singh Bam said the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Union Against Tuberculosis and lungs diseases were working with priority in the prevention and treatment of Lung Diseases and tuberculosis which are caused by tobacco consumption, environmental pollution and respiratory infections.
On the occasion, Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association president Dr. Masakaju Aoki, I.U.A.T.L.D. scientific director Prof. (Dr.) Donald Enarson and Miss Mette Klauman of the LHL-norway spoke about the achievements made by Nepal in the field of tuberculosis prevention.
At the conference presided over by president of Nepal Association of TB and chest Physicians (NATCP) Dr. Gaurishankar Lal Das, Vice-President Narbada Lal Maskey, general-secretary Dr. Thirman Shakya, president of Nepal Medical Association Dr. Anand Shrestha, central president of Nepal Anti-Tuberculosis Association Devendra Bahadur Pradhan and director general of the Department of Health Services Dr. B.D. Chataut also expressed their views.
Likewise in Pokhara, the South-East Asia anti-tobacco use torch has been brought here from Kathmandu.
The torch was brought here by a group of street Drama artistes led by Ghogreth Bhurtel of the National Health Education Information and Communication Centre Via Abukhaireni and Byas Municipality along the Prithivi Highway.
The torch was handed over to Dilliram Baral of the district public health office, kaski, otherday.
Staff at the district public health office, Rajendra Basnet of the west regional sports development committee and president of Kaski district sports development committee Ganjaman Gurung accorded a warm welcome to the team when it arrived here with the torch.
The team, together with sports development committee personnel, health workers, staff of the Jaycees organise various programmes such as awareness rallies, street plays, video film shows and other anti-tobacco awareness programmes in Pokhara for six days.
The torch with the message “Let’s free ourselves from tobacco Consumption” at the call of the World Health Organisation was handed over to Nepal from Bangladesh on April 1. It will be taken to Thailand by April 2.
Meanwhile, the local Nepal Red Cross Society Blood Transfusion Centre, Ramghat, collected 1,436 unit blood from 50 various institutions and organisations in the last nine months.
The blood collected from different social service and community organisations will be given to the needy patients with blood level less than 78.90 per cent in their bodies.
During the period, Nepal Independent Transport Workers Union, Kaski, donated 119 unit blood, the largest amount for the period.
Meanwhile, general secretary of Nepal Red Cross Society Devratna Dhakwa inaugurated a coordinating seminar entitled “Safe Blood Starts With Me” organised by the blood transfusion centre, Ramghat recently.
On the occasion, he said the donor’s honesty counts much in the safety of the blood donated.
Various other persons including medical superintendent of the west regional hospital Dr. Somat Singh Tulachan. Physician Dr. Buddhi Bahadur Thapa, Nepal Red Cross Society Kaski district president Gehendreshwar Koirala and representatives of professional institutions and organisations also expressed their views. Convenor of Nepal Red Cross Society Blood Transfusion Centre Shiva Prasad Koirala presided.
About 30 persons including donors, volunteers, office-bearers of various social institutions and organisations, Red Cross office-bearers, doctors and journalists attended the day-long seminar.
Kathmandu, Apr. 8:On the occasion of the popular movement day, cpn-uml central movement mobilization committee organised a mass meeting at the open air theatre today.
Addressing the mass meeting, cpn-uml General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal said the 10 years of restoration of democracy in the country has not witnessed works carried out in pursuance to the spirit of the popular movement and the aspirations of the martyrs.
Stating that the nepali congress should take the responsibility for the anomalies and abberrations that have crippled the country during the past 10 years, Mr Nepal noted that high morality and political discipline should be maintained in order to consolidate the democratic system.
He also called upon the maoists to give up the path of violence and involve themselves in the national mainstream of development.
Convenor of the mobilization committee and deputy leader of cpn-uml Parliamentary Party K. P. Sharma oli accused the present government of misusing power and encouraging congressization in every sector.
Accusing the present government of ending the 17th Session of the Parliament as it could not face the opposition, Mr Oli warned that the next session will be obstructed if the demands of the party are not met.
Cpn-uml standing committee member Pradip Nepal said consolidation of democracy following restoration of democracy in the country has not received much attention and that the Nepali Congress government is not working in the interest of multiparty system, nation and the people.
Committee member Vidhya Devi Bhandari said the cpn-uml had declared the movement for the fulfillment of its 10-point demand. The path of violence adopted by the Maoists has violated human rights, she added.
From the chair, committee member Iswor Pokherel accused the present government of not being able to maintain law and order, satisfy the public and control corruption.
Kathmandu, Apr. 8:On the first earth day of the new century, Time Magazine is publishing its first ever global issue, exploring the environmental challenges of the new century and the heroes who will help it meet them.
The issues will be on sale for one month beginning Wednesday, April 19, acording to Time Asia.
The global “Heroes for the planet” issue continues its series of profiles that began in 1998. The issue highlights solutions to environmental problems and honors some of the individuals around the world who are helping to put those solutions in place.
The issue also recognizes kid “heroes for the planet” worldwide in a special insert of time for kids published within the magazine.
This is the first time that time for kids has been circulated globally.
In Asia, time has joined force with friends of the earth Hong Kong, to raise money for river savers, a region wide appeal to protect and improve some of the region’s major rivers through monitoring, education, clean-ups, catchment protection, tree planting and water conservation.
A protion of the proceeds from newsstand sales of this issue will be donated to the river savers campaign. Money will also be donated from the proceeds from all corporate bulk sales.
“Asia is rapidly becoming a water stressed continent in today’s global water crisis,” said Mei NG, director of friends of the earth Hong Kong. “due to logging and development, soil erosion and desertification is happening at an unprecedented speed both at source and along river banks, putting our rivers at serious threat.”
“at time we have long been committeed to indepth environmental reporting and see the river savers compaign with friends of the earth HK, as an excellent opportunity for us to demonstrate this commitment,” said andrew butcher, publisher of time asia. “by highlighting the plight of the region’s great rivers, we are able to mobilize almost two million readers across asia to help this cause,” he added.
Asia is home to some of the world’s greatest rivers which provide drinking water, fish resources, transport waterway and recreation to billions of people.
The river savers campaign will draw attention to the plight of, and help rehabilitate, threatened regions of four of Asia’s greatest rivers. These rivers are the Yangtze river (China), the yellow river (China), the mekong river (Thiland) and the Ganges river (India).
The ganges remains the main source of fresh water for half the populations of india and bangladesh and nearly the entire populations of nepal.
Over the past 1,000 years the river and its tributaries have formed one of the largest flood plains in the world with the sediments from eroding mountainous areas.
Time is Asia’s largest english language weekly magazine with a circulation of more than 315,000. Its worldwide circulation is more than 5 million.
Kathmandu, Apr. 8 : A gathering of journalists in Kathmandu has constituted Aouth Aian Journalists Federation with senior journalist P. Kharel as advisor and chief editor of Janabhavana Nirodh Raj Panday as president with the objective of maintaining friendly relations among journalists, developing journalism and protecting and promoting the interests of the journalists of the seven countries.
Chief editor of Gorkha express Rajan Karki is the vice-president, chief editor of Nispaksha Weekly Ram Prasad Khanal the general secretary, chief correspondent of all India Radio and Doordarshan Ram Shagar Shukla the co-secretary and editor of daily Nepal Samacharpatra Kapil Kafle the treasurer of the federation.
Likewise, chief editor of X-Ray weekly Basanta Dhwoj Joshi, reporter of Radio Nepal Khagendra Nepal, reporter of Nepal Television Manohari Thapa, president of Samcharika Samuha Bandana Rana, chief reporter of RSS Chiranjivi Paudyal, freelance journalist Ishwari Wagle, chief editor of Janasangharsha daily Balkrishna Chapagai, and editor of Dawn published from Pakistan are the members of the federation.
Senior journalists Narendra Bilas Panday and Dr. Hari Sharma are advisors while Bangladesh, the Maldives, Bhutan and Sri Lanka will soon be represented in the federation.
The gathering has also decided to host a seminar concerning the situation of journalism in South Asia and other topical issues by inviting journalists and diplomats of all the seven countries.
Biratnagar, Apr. 8 :Central president of Ganseh Man Singh Foundation and MP Prakash Man Singh has said that the programme “history speaks” has been launched with the objective of bring out senior citizens who have struggled in the democratic movement and now are lost in the maze of the national politics.
MP Singh, speaking at the “history speaks” programme organised by the Morang branch of Ganesh Man Singh Foundation here the other day on the occasion of the martyrs day, said today would remind us the noble objectives for which the movement was launched.
Central member of the Nepali Congress (NC) and head of the NC Women’s Department Mrs. Nona Koirala said that late B. P. Koirala and Ganesh Man Singh were complementary to each other for the establishment of democracy in the annals of nepaese history.
Mrs Nona Koirala, narrating the story which she underwent for the sake of democracy since the very inception of democracy, said Ganesh Man Singh was a firm and courageous leader and never got tired of the fight for democracy.
Former speaker and vice-president of Ganesh Man Singh Foundation Daman Nath Dhungana pointed out the that Ganesh Man Singh was totally dedicated to democracy and nationalism and had risen above party politics and cautioned against democracy.
Stating that the performance of the last ten years should be evaluated to find out whether it was in line with the spirit ad commitment of the people’s movement and action taken against corrupts of all levels, he said that parliament is the place where national issues are resolved in a democracy.
It was informed at the programme that just as B. P.’s name was linked to health to commemorate him, action plan would be launched linking Ganesh Man Singh’s name with agriculture.
Earlier, floral tributes were paid to the late Singh.
President of Morang district branch of Ganseh Man Singh Foundation Torendra Man Singh presided over the programme.
In Itahari, the Ganeshman Singh Foundation Sunsari organized a colloquium on “dreams of Ganeshman and the present political scenario” in dharan recently.
Former speaker Damannath Dhungana said people are growing disenchanted with democracy since no political parties and their leaders have appeared democratic in their conduct.
Foundation central president and former minister Prakash Man Singh noted that the late Singh was an institution in terms of the hard struggle for democracy and had significantly contributed to bring democratic restoration in the country.
President of the Foundation Sunsari Mohan Pradhan chaired the function.
Pokhara, Apr 8:Minister of State for Land Reforms and Management Gopal Rai inaugurated the golden jubilee and the reunion day of the local national higher secondary school here on Friday.
On the occasion, Minister of State Rai also unveiled a stone inscription in honour of the Parajuli family who donated land for the Higher Secondary School at the Purano Tundikhel.
Minister of State Rai gave away letters of commendation, prizes and certificates to individuals contributing to the development of the school, teachers and school staff completing more than 20 years of service with the school and students for their excellence.
He also gave away the “Shyam Prasad Panta Memorial Award” and the “Bataju Scholarship Grants” on the occasion.
Addressing the function, Mr. Rai said the present Nepali Congress government was committed to consolidating the law and order situation and corruption control in the country. He also dwelt on conservation of natural resources and cultural heritage.
Member of Parliament Mahadev Gurung underlined the need for the important role of teachers, students and the parents in improving the quality of education and enhancing the reputation of the school.
Prakash Bahadur Gurung, MP, stressed that the knowledge gained through education should be used to solve the day to day problems in life.
Ram Janam Chaudhari, MP, underlined the need for reforming the education policy in order to develop the education sector.
Rajparishad member Ganesh Bahadur Gurung, district education officer Yogendra Basnet, Ajad Shrestha, educationist Pradip Shankar Palikhe, Prem Bahadur Shrestha, ward chairman Man Bahadur Gurung, teacher Krishna Udhasi and school principal Hari Prasad Khanal also expressed their views at the programme presided over by acting president of the programme organising committee Tirtha Shrestha.
On the occasion, mother of the National Sports Council (NSC) member-secretary Binod Shankar Palikhe, Mrs. Uttara Kumari Palikhe handed over various sports goods to the school on behalf of her son.
Dr. Jagdish Lal Baidya and brothers handed over Rs 101,111 for the “Manik Lal and Sindhu Kumari Baidya Scholarship Fund” set up in memory of their late parents.
On Friday, Minister of State for Land Reforms and Management Gopal Rai inaugurated a newly constructed building of Karunanidhi Vidyashram at Simpani Pokhara.
The two storey building was constructed at a cost of Rs 5 million.
Lady teachers of Switzerland contributed to the building of the school which runs classes up to seventh grade. Agriculture Development Bank has also provided loans for it.
Addressing a gathering on the occasion, Mr. Rai said schools should play a crucial role in strengthening the educational sector.
The State Minister also gave away letters of honour to various individuals for their contribution to the school building.
A host of other speakers including MP Prakash Bahadur Gurung, Rajparishad member Ganesh Bahadur Gurung and assistant dean Dr Tirtharaj Parajuli also spoke at the function chaired by chairman of the Vidyaashram Management Committee Ram Chandra Paudel.
Meanwhile, Mr. Rai, in a meet with Nepali Congress workers yesterday, said the government will work in such a manner that people’s morale would be boosted.
Kathmandu, Apr. 8 :Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has said that the bold decision he took to become Prime Minister has put his 50 years of political career at stake.
Prime Minister Koirala was inaugurating a colloquium on “The achievements of the popular movement and present challenges” organised by Nepal Tarun Dal central committee on the occasion of the Popular Movement Day-2056 B.S.
The Prime Minister said that he took the bold decision to become Prime Minister with the determination of providing relief to the people reeling under poverty, hunger, deprivation and fear by maintaining law and order, controlling corruption and establishing good governance.
As a leader can never cower away from problems, I do not want to cower away; I will rather face the problem, he said.
Expressing the determination to become brave to implement the bold decision, he asked one and all not to get angry when he takes any decision with such determination. If I find any of my colleagues committing corruption, I will be compelled to take strict action against him/her, the Prime Minister said.
Committed as it is to ensure peace and security, the present majority NC government has decided to make the national security council more active so as to build an environment in which the people can live in peace in their houses and villages.
If I failed to provide enough security for the people to live in their houses without any fear there will be no propriety of my Prime Ministership, Mr. Koirala said.
He asked the Nepal Tarun Dal and Nepal Students Union workers to provide ideological support to the people in the villages, establish security committees in the villages and help the people who have fled their villages to return to their own villages.
Speaker Taranath Ranabhat observed that constitutional monarchy, multiparty democracy and human rights which have been attained as a fruit of the restoration of democracy have come under attack now. All the people should remain alert against the conspiracy which is being hatched to bring a division among the people, he added.
At present when some elements are out to debilitate democracy the slogan of national unity and reconciliation has once again become imperative, he said and alleged that the main opposition party CPN-UML has not fulfilled its responsibility honestly.
Home Minister Govinda Raj Joshi said since the Maoists are acting as pawns in serving the interest of some elements and are all out to finish off democracy, maintenance of law and order is the biggest challenge before the present government. “We will not be in a position to stand the before people, if we failed,” he said.
The existing legislation will be made more effective to control corruption and irregularities, he said, expressing his determination to quit his post if he committed any irregularities.
Ex-NC general secretary Basudev Risal stressed the need for party unity to protect democracy.
From the chair, Nepal Tarun Dal President Balkrishna Khand said the youth workers of NC are ever ready to fight for nationalism, democracy and the people’s rights.