Preparations for Maha Shivratri, the night of Lord Shiva on Sunday, which is widely celebrated by Hindus around the world, have completed, the Pashupati Area Development Trust said Saturday.
Members of Maha Shivratri Organising Committee said all necessary arrangements including security, volunteer service, accommodation of devotees and cleaning of Gaushala area near the Pashupatinath Temple have completed before evening today. “All necessary arrangements have been made to make sure that devotees get easy access to the temple for worshiping,” Ram Prasad Dahal, coordinator of the committee, told reporters at the Pathupati Temple premises.
According to him, food and night accommodation would be provided free of cost for Sahus (sages) and pilgrims from faraway places while proper arrangement for drinking water, medical and other emergency services have been made.
He said over 220,000 visitors from around the country and neighboring India including 2000 Nagas (naked sadhus), are expected in the Pashupati area on the Maha Shivratri day.
Various social and religious organisations would also be assisting for food and lodging for pilgrims from outside the Kathmandu Valley.
Over 1600 policemen, hundreds of volunteers from various organisations and a squad of the Unified Command have been deployed for security in the Pashupati area, Dahal informed.
Devotees are expected to line up for worship inside the temple after 1:00 a.m. Sunday while the main gate will open from 3:00 a.m. “We have made arrangements to make sure that devotees do not have to wait longer hours,” he said.
The government has banned strike in the essential services sectors.
Strikes are banned on services like telephone, civil aviation, transportation, government printing and communications.
The Home Ministry in a notice dated February 17 and published on February 22 said the prohibition was imposed under Essential Service Operation Act 2014 BS.
The government hiked the prices of petroleum products on February 17.
The 10th central committee meeting of the CPN-UML concluded in the capital on Thursday adopting a 13-poiint resolution that lays emphasis on the formation of a broader democratic front for restoration of democracy in the country.
The party decided to initiate effort of such front of the agitating parties and the civil society to bring an end to autocracy and establish total democracy in the country.
The meeting also approved the political report presented by acting general secretary Amrit Kumar Bohara who lauded the Supreme Court’s February 13 verdict on the RCCC.
The meeting, however, rejected standing committee member Bamdev Gautam’s proposal of developing a political front among the democratic forces and the Maoists.
According to UML source, the concept of broader democratic front would be discussed with other parties.
The two-day meeting called the Maoists to implement the 12-point agreement reached between the political parties and the Maoists.
The meeting also discussed US ambassador James F Moriarty’s recent call to the seven party alliance to back out their understanding with Maoists. The party however decided to hold discussion with Moriarty before reaching to any conclusion.
The party has appealed to the agitating parties to remain united and on high alert to thwart any conspiracy against their goal of establishing total democracy.
Party general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal could not attend the meeting as he is under house arrest. Two senior leaders of the party, Bam Dev Gautam and Jhal Nath Khanal, were also not present in the meeting to avoid possible arrest.
The meeting thanked the friendly countries for backing the ongoing democratic movement.
The meeting demanded the release of all the political detainees. The party also condemned the government for hiking petroleum product prices and warned against it introducing draconian laws to control the media.
Four years after the split in the party, leaders of Nepali Congress (NC) and Nepali Congress-Democratic (NC (D)) expressed their commitment for unification of the two parties.
Speaking at an interaction in the capital on Thursday, they said that unity between the two parties requires strong commitment on the part of the top leaders.
They also said that as there has been no disparity along the lines of principle between the two parties, the process of unification should constitute democratic practice.
Joint general secretary of NC, Dr Ram Sharan Mahat, said the unification process has already begun so the “necessary but lengthy process” will certainly take place, but it is time consuming and needs patience from all sides. “The desire of unification has been expressed from both sides and it is a time to show commitment,” he added.
General Secretary of NC(D), Prakash Man Singh, said unification is possible in the condition that a respectable atmosphere is provided for the NC(D) leaders and workers. All active members should be recognised and unification campaign should be launched from the grass-root level, he said.
Dr Narayan Khadka of NC(D) said both the parties are now eager to go for unification, as there is no reason why they should stay divided. “Since democracy is at stake and both parties have the same common target of securing democracy, it is the high time to go for unification,” he said.
NC leader Shashank Koirala was of the view that the unification between the NC and its breakaway faction NC(D) was crucial to make the people’s mass movement successful.
The party divided into two factions in 2002 due to differences on the political situation of the country at that time.
After the two leaders met, NC president Girija Prasad Koirala and NC(D) president Sher Bahadur Deuba on Wednesday said they had begun the process of unity between the two parties.
Koirala, at a meeting held at his residence at Maharajgunj on Thursday, briefed NC Central Working Committee (CWC) members about the talks with Deuba.
He also talked about the issue of unification with the CWC members.
The number of tourists visiting the country decreased by 2.54 percent in 2005 as compared to last year due to the political instability and conflict of the country.
According to the latest data, a total of 375,501 tourists visited the country in 2005, down from 385,297 tourists in 2004 via both air and through land, reported Kantipur daily.
Tourist arrivals by air inched down by 3.9 percent in 2005. Some 277,129 tourists visited the country by air during this period, as compared to 288,356 tourists in the previous year.
Tek Bahadur Dangi
Tek Bahadur Dangi (File Photo)
Meanwhile chief executive officer of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) Tek Bahadur Dangi said that adverse travel advisories issued by various countries in recent times have affected tourism industry.
Dangi said this at a press meet organised by the NTB to inform about the PATA Gold Award 2006 (CD-ROM) received by NTB from among global competitors.
He said that due to travel advisories, there have been group cancellations that have eroded tourist numbers, adding, NTB has been intensifying its activities for the promotion of religious and regional tourism.
Uncertainty looms large: Tourists visiting Thamel in Kathmandu
Uncertainty looms large: Tourists visiting Thamel in Kathmandu
(File Photo)
The CD-ROM is a multilingual interactive multimedia package (English, German and French) containing over 600 pages of text, 35 video clips, 450 high quality images, 25 maps, 20 music tracks, six screen savers, four virtual reality files and three auto running presentations of 10 minute each, according to reports.
PATA gold award 2006 was given on nine titles such as CD-ROM (NTB), Website (Tourism Malaysia), Travel Video (Yokoso, Japan), Tour Operator/Agent (Okinawa Tourist Service, Japan), Destination Country (New Zealand), Destination City (Sydney), Airlines (Singapore Airlines), Airport (International)-Munich Airport, Germany and Business Hotel (Hilton Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia).
The Indian government has pledged assistance of NRs 16,063,280 for construction of infrastructures at Lumbini museum in Lumbini.
A press statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu on Thursday said the Embassy of India and Lumbini Development Trust signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to this effect on Thursday.
The assistance will be used for fencing, construction of guardhouse, painting, landscaping and gardening at the museum.
The Lumbini Museum was built by the Government of India in the 90’s at the cost of NRs 48 million and handed over to HMGN in 1993. At that time, a large collection of books on Indian Philosophy and Buddhism worth NRs 19.2 million were also presented, which are now part of the Lumbini Library collection, the statement adds.
The Museum also houses permanent exhibition depicting the saga of Buddha’s life and philosophy provided from a core collection of the National Museum, New Delhi.
“The Lumbini Museum is a shining example of ongoing cooperation to celebrate the common cultural ethos between the two close neighbours. Through this project, the Government of India’s commitment for the people of Nepal through such cooperation stands reinforced,” the statement adds.
After extending their stay for one week in Sri Lanka, the Nepalese Cricket team that won the Plate Championship in the ICC U-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka received a warm welcome upon their arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport.
Having lost to England and Zimbabwe in the first round matches, Nepal slumped to the Plate Championship where they downed two test playing nations; South Africa in semis and New Zealand in the finals, to clinch Plate Championship. Nepal defeated South Africa by two runs in the semis and New Zealand by one wicket in the finals to register a historical win.
Nepalese coach Roy Luke Dias, a former Sri Lankan Test player, was pleased with his boys’ performance. “They performed superbly throughout the match and also pulled off two shocking results”. Nepalese Skipper Kanishka Chaugai credited the team’s victory to all players. “The boys labored hard throughout the tournament and did a good job in all departments”.
Nepal won four out of the six matches in the tournament. They lost against England and Zimbabwe and won against Ireland in the league. In the Plate Championship, they defeated Uganda, South Africa and New Zealand.
Minister for Education and Sports Radha Krishna Mainali, member secretary of National Sports Council Kishor Bahadur Singh, president of Cricket Association of Nepal Jai Kumar Nath Shah and other Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) members were present to welcome the team.
In the meantime, (CAN) has revealed that they will felicitate players with attractive prizes amid a program within a few days. Kiran Rana, central committee member of CAN said, “We are negotiating with the Sports Ministry and National Sports Council to felicitate the cricketers”.
Shrish Shumshere JB Rana (File Photo)
Shrish Shumshere JB Rana (File Photo)
Minister of State for Information and Communication Shrish Shumshere JB Rana has said that the government is committed to the professional development of media and is mulling to bring the National Broadcasting Authority (NBA) ordinance to regulate the media sector of the country, not to control it.
Speaking at an interaction organized to discuss the proposed NBA ordinance, State Minister Rana urged for factual comments on the government’s deeds.
He informed that the government is introducing NBA as per the recommendation given by a task force some four years back for the professional development of broadcasting media of the country.
“The government is cautious that attempts to control media will not contribute to the professional development of it, so it is mulling to introduce laws to protect professionalism in this sector,” he explained.
He expressed dissatisfaction over the objection of some politicians about the dissolution of Press Council Nepal and formation of Media Council, saying, “The government is mulling over forming the media council as per the recommendation of the Press Council Nepal and professionals, so I don’t know why some leaders are protesting against it.”
He urged journalists not to be influenced by some politicians or from some vested interest, adding “Journalists have two options; either we should be professional or mere followers of politicians.”
He informed that the government is introducing Conditional Access System (CAS) to check irregularities in the cable TV system and urged the entrepreneurs to cooperate with the government’s new policy to create healthy environment in this sector.
He urged all entrepreneurs and media organizations to come up with policies that will help to develop professionalism in the sector.
He also charged some media houses for working for cheap popularity neglecting the greater interest of the country and people.
He assured that the government would bring the new ordinance with sufficient discussion with the stakeholders.
Speaking at the same occasion, senior journalist Durga Nath Sharma said that the concept of NBA will be helpful for the professional development of media, but pointed out the need of making such authority independent and fair.
Bhaskar Raj Karnikar of Advertising Agencies Association charged the government for bringing chaos in the media sector by issuing licenses to broadcasting media haphazardly.
Stating that the advertising market is decreasing every year, he urged the government to allow advertisement of soft drinks in the broadcasting media, which will contribute largely to the advertising industry.
Sudhir Parajuli of Nepal Cable TV Association charged the government for trying to impose CAS system without proper homework.
He informed that implementation of CAS is not feasible at present as cable operators have to invest large amount for this system and the customers also need to pay additional money to buy the CAS box to receive signals.
He urged the government to recognize cable TV industry as an industry in the proposed ordinance.
The Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) said that it has completed preparations for providing necessary services to the devotees thronging the Pashupatinath temple on the occasion of Mahashivaratri festival.
Pashupatinath temple (File photo)
Pashupatinath temple (File photo)
The Trust has specified various points for the devotees to enter the temple on February 26th, the day of Mahashivaratri.
Holding a press conference on Thursday, the PADT informed that arrangement of shelter for the saints have been made at the Bankali dharmashala, the Tilganga area and Ram Mandir while health camps will be set up at Mangalagauri, Jayabageswari, Panchadewal, Tilganga, Bankali ground, Bhakutole, Bhubaneswari, Umakunda and at Ram Mandir.
Speaking at a press meet, Ram Prasad Dahal, chief coordinator of the Publicity Committee of Mahashivaratri Festival 2006, informed that the PADT has managed seven queues this year to reach the main temple.
According to him, three queues, two from Gaushala chowk and one from Mitrapark chowk will be managed on the day. These queues will be divided into seven lines after reaching the inner premises of the Pashupatinath area.
Likewise, arrangement has also been made for security, cleaning, market management and chanting of religious hymns.
Some 62 health camps and 54 food stalls would be set up to provide free services to pilgrims. Likewise, 800 volunteers including 700 scout members would be mobilized to serve the pilgrims.
Security has been beefed up in the area to avoid any untoward incident during the festival. According to PADF, more than 250 thousand visitors are expected to visit Pashupatinath on the occasion.
According to Dahal, the PADF allocated 800 thousand rupees for management of the festival, which is 300 thousand more than the last year.
The highest atmospheric pollution monitoring station in the world (Ev-K²-CNR Committee’s ABC-Pyramid station) located in Khumbu Valley at a height of 5,079 m has begun to collect data on the composition of the atmosphere over the Himalayas and the Asian plateau.
The monitoring station.
The monitoring station.
(Photo courtesy: Ev-K²-CNR)
A press release issued by the Ev-K²-CNR Committee on Thursday said, “Continuous measurements are being carried out, using instruments like nephelometer, DMPS-SMPS, optical particle counter, black carbon and ozone analyser. All meteorological parameters are also being monitored.”
“Hi-volume sampling for aerosol chemical composition (inorganic, organic, mass and dust) and steel flask sampling for the analyses of halocarbons relevant for climate issues have also begun, while measurements of AOD will be started in the coming months,” the statement adds.
ABC-Pyramid will make up for a lack of crucial information from remote, high altitude areas in the South Asian region on the environmental consequences of the rapid economic development of one of the most densely populated areas of the world.
“Stations at High Altitude for Research on the Environment in Asia (SHARE-Asia) program, aims to provide data on background conditions of the troposphere, while helping researchers quantify pollution levels at high altitudes of the Himalayan ridges and study regional and long-range air mass transport of natural and anthropogenic compounds,” the statement adds.