Kathmandu, Mar. 9:The participants of a workshop seminar organised here today pointed out the need to amend the discriminatory laws after reviewing it so as to provide equal rights to both men and women.

The speakers at the workshop seminar on national action plan prepared to implement the convention on elimination of all kinds of discrimination against women organised jointly by His Majesty’s Government and the united nations systems, said the laws on sharing of property, marriage, nationality, birth registration, and abortion  should  be amended by giving   top priority.

Although hmg has made a commitment by signing the convention on elimination of all kinds of discrimination against women ten years ago, the discriminatory laws still exists and it has received continuity on the basis of gender without the women being guaranteed equality, they said, adding that this is contrary to the spirit of the Constitution of Nepal as well as the conventions on elimination of  all kinds of discrimination against women.

Addressing the workshop, Deputy Speaker Mrs Chitralekha Yadav opined that although the constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal has guaranteed the rights of equality to women, the women who constitute half the population of the country are deprived of economic, social and political rights.

Deputy Speaker Mrs Yadav emphasised on the need to accept women rights as human rights and added that as the representation of women in the parliament is low, it has been difficult for formulating new laws in the interest of women.

Minister of State for Women and Social Welfare Mrs Kamala Devi Pant  expressed the confidence   that the inequality of women in the economic, social and political sectors will come to an end once the  22 points mentioned in the action plan on the convention on eliminating all kinds of discrimination against women are put into action on the basis of priority.

The problems of the women should be considered as the problems of the nation, she said, adding that as the nation will only develop if the women are developed, every one should work with utmost commitment.

Supreme Court Judge Laxman Prasad Aryal said unless the mentality and  outlook on women   is changed there will be no improvement in the economic, social and political   sectors by merely formulating laws at the national level and by signing the international conventions.  He pointed out the need to implement the laws and conventions.

He also stressed on the need to constitute a committee with the chiefs of the the executive, the legislative and the judiciary in order to implement and evaluate the action plan on convention on the elimination of all kinds of discrimination against women.

Resident coordinator of the un systems Dr. Henning Karcher said the major challenge of Nepal is to alleviate poverty by the year 2000 A.D. and to  guarantee the rights of equality to women,  adding that a political commitment is essential for the empowerment of women.

Former vice chairman of the National Planning Commission (npc) Dr. Mohan Man Sainju said as   economic, social and political development is impossible without gender equality, all the organs of the state, the citizens and the media should be sensitive towards this.

Earlier, at the beginning of the workshop member of National Planning Commission Dr. Nirmal Prasad Pandey said  a separate policy should be formulated  so as to implement the action plan, the role of the local bodies should be made clear, emphasis should be laid on women’s awareness, the role of women in the economic sector be clarified, and the programmes launched for the development of women be evaluated properly.

At the workshop secretary at the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare Mrs. Urmila Shrestha, secretary at the Ministry of Law and Justice Udaya Nepali Shrestha, advocate Sapana Pradhan Malla, resident representative of the World Food Programme (wfp) Douglas C. Coutts and other speakers expressed the view that considerable progress will be made through implementation of the action plan in the field of women’s rights.

Kathmandu, Mar. 9:Remote Region Development, Nepal, a non-governmental organisation organised an interaction programme here today here today on “Karnali Speaks on Caravan” based on Nepali film Caravan nominated for Oscar Award.

Speakers at the programme said that the film focusing on the poverty and backwardness of Dolpa district of the Karnali zone had made an onslaught on the culture of the local people and earned billions from the film, the producers have not provided even a small sum of the money for the development of the region.

The film shows that after a person with the name Karma dies, his body is cut into pieces and given to vultures and the system 20 years back of transportation of common salt on the   back of animals has been shown as still being practised.

It has been alleged that permission from the local people’s representatives had not been taken while the film was shot and the artists were given only nominal remuneration.

On the occasion, member of the jury of international film festival and film director Raj Bikram Shaha regretted the nomination of the film assaulting our culture  for Oscar Award and said that the concerned authorities should consult the local people before giving permission for shooting any film in future.

He disgruntled that the censor board could not be effective in the present democratic set up.

Representative of the Ministry of Information and Communications Shailendra Raj Sharma said that permission was given for the production of the film in Dolpa after fulfilling all the legal procedures and the eyes of the government had been opened when it was heard that the film had attacked the local culture. Existing rules and regulations should be amended in time so that this kind of incidents do not recur, he added.

Working journalist Prem Kaidi said that it was deplorable that our cultural heritage had been affected and we had been exploited by others at a time when the United Nations had already issued declaration for the protection of the culture and cultural heritage of the indigenous people.

The programme was presided over by president of the Remote Region Development, Nepal, Gorakh Bahadur B.C.

Kathmandu, Mar. 9:Industrialists, environment experts and government officials today discussed the ways of reducing the amount of industrial wastes through adoption of eco-friendly measures in the industrial institutions and simultaneously maintaining affordability of the produces.

Addressing Cleaner Production (CP) promotion seminar, Minister for Industry Omkar Prasad Shrestha said that the government is committed to enforce laws and regulations to mitigate adverse industrial impact on environment. Minister of State for Population and Environment Bhakta Bahadur Balayar, on the other hand, said that the government would create such circumstances where the “cleanest and greenest” industries come most strongly.

“CP is a win, win, win situation where everyone gains a lot,” Indian expert Dr. PK Gupta said. Describing CP as management, economic, environmental and quality improvement tool, he emphasised that solution to the polluting industries should come from within the industries themselves. “Solution should emerge from the within the process of finding sustainable answer to the polluting industries,” he said.

Thai expert Mandar Paranis also echoed the India’s claim about CP being the answer to many environmental grievances caused by the industrialisation. He, however, said that CP was not a technological magic that would heal all the negative impact on environment. “CP is change on management practices and change in thinking rather than a magic,” he said.

Representing the industrialists and business community Divakar Golchha said that government should go in partnership with the private sector in shaping out the environment regulations. He further emphasised on wise selection of technology and systematic implementation of pollution checking regulations to avoid complications. “The new environment measures should be sustainable and cost effective, otherwise their enactment will only hamper the industrialisation process,” Golchha said.

Charge D’Affair at the Royal Danish Embassy Lars Hormann said that implementing environment protection regulation is “not an easy task”. “For their proper implementation, political will is important but it should also be backed up my public concern and change in their attitude,” he said.

Under the assistance of Danish co-operation agency DANIDA, the government initiated the five-year Environment Sector Programme Support (ESPS) since September 1999 with the aim strengthening the overall environmental management of brown sector. The ESPS sources claim the programme intends to support prevention, minimisation and control of environmental pollution emanating from industrial and urban development without hampering the development process and economic growth.

Kathmandu, Mar. 9:Minister for Supplies Prakash Man Singh has said the present government is determined to remove obstacles in the way of the Local Self-Autonomy Act designed to strengthen the local bodies after the restoration of democracy in the country.

Mr Singh, while inaugurating the eighth district council meeting of Kathmandu DDC here today, noted that multi-party democracy would be strengthened only if the local bodies are allowed to exercise their rights through the local self-autonomy act.

Stating that the government has launched such programme as B. P. with the Poor and Women’s Awareness programme to solve burning issues facing the nation, the Supplies Minister observed that the opposition parties have charged the government with politicizing these programmes instead of extending a helping hand.

MP P. L. Singh spoke of the need to develop Kathmandu as a model district in terms of development.

Ishwor Pokherel, mp, observed that people’s representatives should not limit themselves to formulation of plans, budget appropriation and discussions on policy matters only.

MP Dr Mangal Siddhi Manandhar said it is because of lack of suitable technology for working out, monitoring and evaluating development plans, development has yet to pick up.

Kathmandu DDC chairman Sanu Kumar Shrestha presented an estimated budget of some Rs 107 million for fiscal year 2057/58 bs.

Various other speakers including Upper House mp Dr. Ram Man Shrestha and Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan city Keshav Sthapit also expressed their views at the function chaired by senior member of the council Govinda Prasad Shrestha.

Kathmandu, Mar. 9: Foreign Secretary Murari Raj Sharma has said that Bhutan’s political will can lead to the solution of the decade long Bhutanese refugees problem.

“This time they are more positive and enthusiastic for quick solution of the problem,” he said at a press meet organised at the Ministry this afternoon.

“We want second category of the refugees to join the first,” Sharma told the journalists who were invited to offer their input on Nepal’s stand during a Nepal-Bhutan bilateral meeting of secretarial level beginning March 12.

The third ministerial level talks categorised the refugees into four: first the genuine Bhutanese, second those who willingly left the country, third the criminals and the last non-Bhutanese.

About a hundred thousand Bhutanese refugees have been taking shelter in the eastern Nepal since 1990 when they were exiled from Bhutan.

“This meeting is a preparation for the upcoming ministerial level talks,” said Sharma who declined to mention the date for the bilateral talks. This meeting that was initially scheduled to be held on March 8 would work on verification process that would be the beginning of the end of the problem, he said.

Bhutanese authority requested Nepal to defer the March 8 meeting by four days citing Indian foreign secretary’s visit to Bhutan during that time.

Sharma ruled out the involvement of a third party in the bilateral negotiation. “When we are trying to negotiate bilaterally, we would not think of third party,” he said.

Kathmandu, Mar. 9:Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai today inaugurated the international conference of the graduates who received higher education in Russia and Commonwealth of Independent States and the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the People’s Friendship University.

Referring to the significant contribution made to the Asian nations in the educational sector by the then Soviet Union and the Commonwealth of Independent States affiliated to the Russian universities, he noted that the People’s Friendship University should emphasis on producing standard human resources in the field of science and technology.

The government is willing to maintain solidarity with the educational institutions of the cis, Mr Bhattarai said, expressing the conviction that the conference would reach specific conclusions on educational system suitable for the 21st century.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Bhattarai launched a book entitled “An Introduction to the theory of Stability of Motion.”

At the three-day conference organised by Mitra Kunj, the Alumni Association of the Nepali graduates who received higher education in cis, technical personnel including doctors, engineers and scientists from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, China, Sri Lanka, Japan, Vietnam and Nepal who had studied in cis are attending the conference.

The conference is being organised with the objective of holding discussions on the roles to be played and contributions that can be made by the graduates of the educational institutions of Russia and cis in the social, economic, scientific and technological development of the Asian countries as wells as on the impact of the international development of science and technology in the Asian countries.

Ambassador of the Russian Federation V. Ivanov, referring to the close friendship existing between Nepal and Russia even at the people’s level said that the conference would help   enhance ties in the economic, social and educational sectors Also.

Deputy chief of the Russian International Centre Vladimir Korolev also said that the universities and other educational institutions of cis were interested in exchanging cooperation in various filed including education, science, trade and information.

President of Mitra Kunj Nepal Mukunda Dhakal, Dr. P. P. Timilsina, Professor of People’s Friendhip Univeristy Alexander Gladush, executive director of Incorvuz Alexander V. Soloviev and Dr. Khondoker B. Hoque referred to the contributions being made by the universities of the cis in the educational and technical sectors.

Kathmandu, Mar 8:Nabin  Naupane’s hat-trick gave Manang  Marshyangdi Club (MMC) a perfect start for the title race  with an impressive  win over Sankata Boys Sports Club (SBSC) while Mahendra Police Club (MPC) was forced to  settle with1-1 draw by Three Star (TC) in the final round of Khukuri Gold which kicked off at the   National Dashrath Stadium, Thursday.

Both of the goals were scored in the  first-half. MPC outfit  with Hari Khadka taking the charge in the front looked threatening from the beginning of the game. Dev Narayan  and Gyanendra Sherchan  helped  Khadka to launch raids on the rival’s post.

On the other hand,   the  Three Star boys   went out all looking for equalizer and made some daring raids pushing the MPC defence  to  stand on their toes.

Rajib Nepal and Adit Rokka   were the key players to put pressure on the MPC  goalposts. Their hard works finally caved in the 27th minute through  a substitute Prasant Thapa. He collected  ball through a pass in the middle  and  unleashed firm   shot  that  beat MPC keeper  , putting the game on either way.

MPC continued to   dominate the show  but inept shooting and ill-directed passes stood in their way for enlarging score. Hari Khadka, and Dev Naryan Choudhari came close to the   scoring zone  but failed to capitalise  the opportunities in the second half.

Though, the Three Star also missed couple good chances to enlarge the margin due to the poor finishing of the strikers.  Till to the last minute of the game, MPC tried hard to enlarge the margin but all their efforts went in vain.

In the day’s second game MMC with  the striking forces consisting of  Rajan  Raymajhi, Nabin Naupane and with  Basanta Thapa  Kumar Thapa, Rajesh Shahi and Basanta Gauchan supporting the moves  from the middle had an easy win over lowly fancied Sankata boys 4-0  in a one sided affair and dull game.

Though Sankata   boys cashing to  Bal Gopal Maharjan and  Sunil Tuladhar  in the defence were helpless in keeping at bay the MMC  marauding attacks. Sankata boys   had nothing to  display of their own as they were completely beaten by the MMC in all the departments.

In the 23rd minute Nabin took MMC ahead and again  in within the  two minutes enlarged  the margin through Rajesh Shai. Even with two goal lead, MMC continued to pressure  the Sankata boys, putting the defence to run for their money.

The  domination of the MMC boys   were so much that the ball rested on the Sankata camp. In the 42nd Minute , Nabin  slammed home  a hat-trick through a pass  floated in by  Rajesh in  the middle of the box.

After  a lemon break, MMC   continued to bombard the Sankata defence attacking from all side. Nirajan, Kumar  and Nabin  taking in the lead.  In the 55th Minute, Nabin scored  home through a   penalty and adding his fourth goal.

Had not  the MMC   boys  missed the chances that galore, they could have  won the game with   wider margins.

Today’s match

RCT Vs Sunsari-1:30 while Tribhuvan Club face Friends Club at 3:30

Kathmandu, Mar. 8: Santosh Sharma (RNAC) moved into the quarters by defeating his colleague Bishal by 2:1 set. Score : (40-59, 83-26, 64-42) whgile Triple Gruung (Yeti Airlines) had an easy win over Ramji Thapa (RNAC) by 2-0 set.   Score: (45-26, 88-39 in lthe Snooker Championship, Wednesday.

Meanwhikle, Siddhartha Gurung (Karnali Air) and   Santosh Sharma (RNAC) had defated Deepak Narshing Rana (RNAC) by 2-1 set and  Ashish Serchan (Karnali Air) lby 2-0 set respectively in the ongoing Inter-Airlines snooker championship being organise dby RNAC at RA Club yesterday.

Kathmandu, Mar. 8: L.R.I (A) boys continued to maintained the winning spree as they registered a thrilling wiun over Shuvatara by 52-32 while Little Angels had a comfortable win voer V.S. Niketan 75-34.

Meanwhile, RIBS cagers in a close battle defeated Galaxy by 43-42 while the Galaxy girls had a comfortable win over Excelsior with 30-9 in the L.R.I. Millennium Basketball championship.  Wednesday.

Kathmandu, Mar. 8: Birbabadur Rana has been picked for 2000 Sydney Olympics through open competition in the 76 kg category.  Eight judokasl had participated for the

Sydney Olympics organised by Nepal Judo Association (NJA).  It is stated in a press release issued by the National Sports Council (NSC), Wednesday.   Meanwhile, only kodakan black belts officials will only bel able to participate in the National Judo Referee seminar to be held soon third week March in the capital.