National footballer Hari Khadka received the Rupak Memorial Prize with a purse of Rs. 100,000 and a G5 Motorbike amidst a program on Wednesday, honoring his dedication towards Nepalese Football by All Nepal Football Association (ANFA).

“I am so happy and this is what I think senior footballers must get in the form of honor,” Hari Khadka, Sub-Inspector in the Nepal Police, reacted after being honored by Chief Guest Deputy Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Chief Guest DPM Oli handed over the cheque of Rs 100,00 and the motorbike key to Khadka.

“I think prizes are morale boosting components for players who can utilize it as “sanjeevani booti” (lifeline) to continue their careers further,” Khadka, who is also a sports teacher at Xavier academy told reporters.

ANFA President Ganesh Thapa delivered his welcome message while NSJF President Niranjan Rajbanshi thanked ANFA and congratulated Khadka for his feat. General Secretary Narendra Shrestha, ANFA Spokesman and Vice President Lalit Krishna Shrestha, VP Karma Tsering Sherpa, senior VP Mahesh Bista, ANFA Joint Secretary Dhirendra Pradhan, ANFA Ex-Co members Raju Shahi, Hatak Shumshere and sports journalist were present at the ceremony.

A recent survey conducted during a period of one year has shown that large majority of people trafficked are girls and women.

A finding based on information collected on trafficking incidences in 10 districts by the Planete Enfant’s Cross Border anti trafficking Programme shows that of the total trafficked people 93 percent are female.

The report further said that all regions are affected from the problem but the terai was most affected with over 50 percent incident of trafficking from the region. 32 percent people were trafficked from hills, while 9 percent from the mountain region.

The study further said that adolescents are most affected from the problem.

Of the total cases of trafficking during the study period of December 2004 to December 2005, 41 percent people trafficked were of the age group 15-18, while the ratios of age groups greater than 18 years and less or equal to 14 years are 34 and 25 percent respectively.

The study also found that lesser educated groups are much more affected from the problem.

Of the trafficked people, 31 percent were illiterate, while 45 percent were educated only up to primary level. The ratio of lower secondary and secondary education comprise 17 and 7 percent respectively.

In the case of ethnicity, 40 percent victims are from the Mongolian community and 18 percent Dalits. The ratio of Chhetri, Tharu, Brahmin and others are 16, 9, 6 and 11 respectively.

According to experts, open border between Nepal and India, declining employment opportunities and flaring conflict of the country could be attributed as main reasons for increasing human trafficking.

The study also said that the lure of jobs is the most commonly used pretext for trafficking people. Due to declining level of employment, people are more attracted towards foreign jobs. The study shows that 48 percent people were trafficked in the pretext of various jobs in India, while 23 percent trafficked in the pretext of jobs in golf countries.

The ratio of trafficking in the pretexts of love or marriage and promised recreation are 24 and 5 percent respectively.

Though there have been various efforts from governmental and non-governmental organizations to check the trafficking the problem remained a great challenge to Nepal.

(Note: Source of all charts are Planete Enfants, Nepal)

British Ambassador to Nepal Keith George Bloomfield has said that international communities want to see peace in the country and urged Maoists to lay down their arms to show their commitment to democracy.

Speaking at an interaction organized by New Media Club in the capital on Monday, the ambassador said, “Now the international community wants to see a peaceful, stable and prosperous Nepal,” adding, “The international community is ready to help Nepal for that purpose.”

He expressed apprehension that Maoists could return to violence at any time. “It is difficult to believe the Maoists until they lay down their arms,” he said.

Terming the declaration of the House of Representatives as the Nepali Magna Carta, Bloomfield said the constitutional crisis will be resolved once the country goes for an election to constituent assembly.

Bloomfield also suggested that the government pressure Maoists to lay down arms.

Speaking at the same programme, UML leader Rajhuji Pant called on the government to strictly implement the House declaration if it respected people’s aspirations.

“The prime minister should be ready to form a new security council as per the declaration to mobilise the army and suspend the Chief of the Army Staff Pyar Jung Thapa,” he said.

Chief of the foreign affairs department of the Nepali Congress, Sujata Koirala, said it is not good for the politicians to fight for posts in a crucial situation like this.

She also called on the Maoists to stop extortion and abduction and create an environment conducive for proposed peace talks.

General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal of CPN-UML inaugurating a program at Khula Munch, Kathmandu, declaring the end of untouchability, Monday, Mon 22 06. nepalnews.com
General Secretary of the CPN-UML, Madhav Kumar Nepal, urged the government to announce date for elections to a constituent assembly after consultations with Maoists.

Addressing a public meeting at the Khula Manch (Open Air Theatre) organized by Nepal Dalit Jatiya Mukti Samaj on Monday, Nepal said the government should announce the date as the House of Representatives (HoR) has already announced its plans to go for the election.

He urged the dalit communities to launch campaigns to abolish discriminatory practices prevalent among them.

Speaking at the same programme, Nepali Congress general secretary Ram Chandra Poudel said no people will have to suffer simply because they are dalits when the nation ushers in a new era of democracy.

He recalled how the NC cadres had been ostracised by the feudal elements when the party launched campaigns against untouchability during the 1950s.

“This HoR may be dissolved soon after a new constitution is drafted through elections to a constituent assembly,” he said.

Chitra Bahadur KC of Peoples Front Nepal said the government would be autocratic and the reactionary forces would raise their ugly heads in the absence of a parliament.

NC (Democratic) leader Pradip Giri urged the dalit communities to keep a watch on the government, the parliament, the seven-party alliance and the Maoists until a new constitution is drafted.

Maoists detonated bombs at the house of a Nepali Congress district committee member and chairman of Basantapatti village development committee Jogendra Sahani, at Basantapatti VDC-6 in Rautahat district and abducted his two sons.

Sahani’s wife Ramkali Devi, who sustained serious injuries in the incident, was taken to India for treatment.

The rebels also badly beat up all five members of the family before abducting Jogendra’s sons Shyam Sundar and Shambhu. Quoting Ramkali, police said the Maoists tied the two up and took them to unknown destination.

They accused him of spying against them. After the Maoists issued frequent threats against him, he had fled the village a couple of years ago and taken refuge at district headquarters Gaur.

Maoists also looted cash and goods from the house.

The Maoists, owning up the bombing, said it was action taken against Sahani as he tried to obstruct their program.

The incident came at a time when the government and rebels are preparing Code of Conduct to be implemented during the period of ceasefire and talks.

Maoists have been continuing their atrocities even during the ceasefire declared by them. However the party leadership denies such issues, saying the party did not have the policy to do so.

As per the commitment made by the seven party alliance during the pro-democracy movement of the country, the government has exempted late fees and extended deadlines for payment of taxes and interest for the period starting from April 6 to April 24.

According to finance minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat , the government has extended the deadlines for submission of details and revenues for VAT, income tax and excise duty for the period of Jana andolan-II (April 6 to 24) till June 8.

Disclosing important notice of public concern at the parliament on Monday, Finance Minister Mahat said that the government would not take demurrage charges on consignments that entered dry ports and customs parking spaces and remained stranded thereduring the strike period.

“No charges will be levied on those stranded consignments till June 8,” said Mahat, adding that demurrage would, however, be charged if the traders failed to clear the items by June 8.

Responding to the request of Nepal Bankers’ Association, the government has also slashed the compound interests to be paid during the period.

The payment deadline of interests — to be paid by the end of Chaitra and Ashad 2063 — has been extended by 90 days and 30 days respectively.

Following the reinstatement of the parliament, the government had made announcement to provide relief to the business community as well as individuals by extending the repayment duration and slashing late fees.

Le Meridien Kathmandu Gokarna Forest Golf Resort & Spa has been voted to Condé Nast Traveler’s prestigious HOT List 2006.

A press statement issued by Nepal Tourism Board said, in the most recent Condé Nast Traveler’s HOT List survey, the magazine’s global network of editors and field reporters reviewed the newest hotels that opened in the past year incognito, and came up with the HOT list consisting of 130 top new hotels around the world spanning 54 countries on 6 continents.

“It is great to receive this recognition to affirm what our guests are telling us – our stunning location, great services and premier facilities, certainly make us one of world’s top hotels. We are proud of Le Meridien’s associates who have worked hard and made sure all guests have the best experiences in Nepal,” the statement quoted Patanjali Sharma, the General Manager of Le Meridien Kathmandu Forest Golf Resort & Spa as saying.

“Being voted to Condé Nast Traveler’s Hot List 2006 is certainly a great piece of news for us and for Nepal, we look forward to welcoming more tourists back to the beautiful land of scenic splendor and cultural treasures,” said Stephen Ford, Area Managing Director of Starwood Hotels in India, Nepal and Bangladesh.

The hotel offers 55 luxurious rooms, suites and cottages with all rooms overlooking the lush green Gokarna forest with the magnificent backdrop of the Himalayas.

The Nepali Army has refuted media reports that there was unnecessary expenditure in a lavish marriage of Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS), Pyar Jung Thapa’s daughter recently.

A clarification letter written by spokesperson of the Nepali Army, Brigadier General, Nepal Bhusan Chand, to Kantipur daily said the news published in some media not only hurt the family members of CoAS Thap, but also his relatives and the bridegroom.

The letter refuted the reports that the guests arrived in chartered jet plane and all five star hotels in Kathmandu were booked during the wedding ceremony and made it clear that only 150 guests arrived by a regular flight and stayed in Soaltee Hotel in their own expenditure.

The letter further said no unnecessary expenses were made in the marriage as described in the media.

Reports earlier said General Thapa spent hefty money in the marriage of his daughter of CoAS Thapa’s daughter, Captain Dr Pragya Shree Thapa, with Pratapsinhrao Gaekwad and that the expenditure was against the rules of the country.

The reports had further said the five-day marriage ceremony had some 400 guests from the birdegroom’s side.

Reports quoted sources as saying that dozens of lavish programs were omitted after the news of the wedding appeared in the media. Initially, the wedding procession said to come in chartered jet planes but that was cancelled and the guests came to Nepal in regular planes, following the publication of the news.

According to reports, the CoAS received the marriage procession, which began from Soaltee Hotel, at the Hanumanthan Temple, Kupondole at around 4:45 p.m. before the procession reached Shashi Bhawan. Thapa received the groom — Yub Raj Pratap Singh Rawa, from an Indian royal family.

Around 150 armed security personnel both in uniform and plainclothes were mobilised around the temple for the one-minute “receiving ceremony” at the temple.

A security source said around seven hundred vehicles of the invitees visited the bride’s house. Around 150 vehicles were allowed to enter Shashi Bhawan. Other vehicles were parked at a ground near Sanepa and in front of the house of the former CoAS Gadul Sumsher.

Indian artistes performed Mujras to entertain the guests while they were served food prepared at the Soaltee Hotel.

Former Foreign Minister Ramesh Nath Pandey, who is facing detention on the charge of holding secret meetings to thwart the people’s movement, has been admitted to Norvic Hospital, Thapathali, after he was diagnosed with typhoid.

He has been detained by the government since the last 12 days at the Police Battalion at Tripureswor.

According to family sources, Pandey had just recovered from typhoid when he was arrested.

The government arrested Minister Pandey along with four other former ministers of the royal government using the same Public Security Act (PSA) used against pro-democracy activists in the past.

Various rights organizations have expressed concern over the ‘misuse’ of PSA by the government.

Earlier, issuing a press statement from detention, former minister Pandey refuted the allegations made by Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat that he had made any unnecessary expenses from the state coffer.

The government arrested Pandey along with former ministers Kamal Thapa, Tanka Dhakal, state minister Shrish Shumsher Rana and assistant minister Niksha Shumsher Rana on the charge of holding secret meetings aimed at thwarting the people’s movement.

She may not aspire to emulate all-powerful leader of Indian National Congress, Sonia Gandhi, but deputy Speaker Chitra Lekha Yadav hugged limelight by refusing the post of a cabinet minister.

Phones started ringing in the chamber of Deputy Speaker Yadav as soon as the state-run Radio Nepal announced Monday afternoon that she was awarded the plum post of Water Resources Ministry in the council of ministers headed by Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala. Yadav, however, declined the offer saying that she was happy with her present position.

Yadav would have been the second woman to get such important portfolio after Nepali Congress leader Shailaja Acharya who is currently in political wilderness. Deputy Speaker draws salary and benefits equivalent to that of a minister of state while a cabinet minister will have more clout and access to resources which he/she could (mis)use in future elections.

Addressing the first sitting of the reinstated House of Representatives on April 28 from the chair of the Speaker, Yadav said, “If we again fight for chair or position, people will not allow us to go scot free as in the past. Our behaviour and activities are being observed by the people minutely.”

Yadav, who led the mock parliament sessions organized in the capital valley during the pro-democracy movement over the last three years, aspired for the post of Speaker after Speaker Taranath Ranabhat resigned from the post last month. But she failed to get the support of the top leaders of the seven party alliance for the coveted post. UML lawmaker and former law minister, Subash Nemwang, was elected to the post of Speaker on May 13 unopposed.

“If those leaders did not believe me for the post of Speaker, how is it that they accepted me as a member of cabinet?” Yadav asked on Monday, in response to queries by the media personnel.

“My advocacy in favour of fair elections to the constituent assembly, restructuring of state, advocacy for inclusive democracy and institutionalization of achievement of the recent people’s movement will have wider scope while working within the legislature than sticking to the limited role of a minister,” she told Nepalnews on Tuesday. “Now, I feel at home in the legislature compared to executive.”

Belonging to the ethnic Yadav community from the Terai, Yadav was married off even when she was a child. Thanks to her family, she was allowed to continue her study in Kathmandu where her husband was also a student. She later returned to southern district of Siraha as a lecturer of Literature English. Immediately, she was active in helping destitute women and advocating for equal rights for the women at the grass roots level.

Yadav had joined student politics in the mid-eighties but did not have any idea that she would one day become a full time politician. It was only after she was elected to the parliament in 1999 as a Nepali Congress candidate from Siraha constituency no. 2 that her political journey began.

She was chosen as deputy Speaker of the House in the third parliament since 1990. Even in the middle of insurgency, she made sure to visit her constituency at least twice a year and mix up with local people. After the split in the Nepali Congress in 2002, she joined the breakaway NC (Democratic) party and was elected to the party’s central working committee last year.

Critics of Yadav within her party see her as an ambitious person who wants her share for taking part in pro-democracy movement while in office. Yadav refutes such allegations. A Madhesi and woman, she has a distinct identity. “I am satisfied with whatever I am doing now. It is a matter of principle and I will continue to fight for equality for Nepali women in all spheres of public life,” she told us.

That means she will have to prepare herself for more ups and downs in the male-dominated Nepali society and political establishment.