Kathmandu, Feb 29: How does it feel when you meet somebody after decades whom you were close to in times of adversity and struggle? The emotions will certainly be too overwhelming for words.
An Indian citizen who supported many of our freedom fighters during exile met with the Prime Minister today after thirty years. When Ganesh Man Singh broke jail and escaped to Raxaul 55 years ago, Nanda Prasad Sikaria lent a helping hand and offered refuge at Arya Samaj Dharmashala. His hospitality was also enjoyed by people like Kedar Man Vyathit, Gopal Prasad Bhattarai, Tej Bahadur Amatya and Megharaj.
Now 86 year old, Sikaria has come to Kathmandu for the wedding of his grand daughter.
“Whether we say something or not, talk or not, We both just know. We don’t need to talk, he said. “The PM asked me if I needed something, but I have always given until today. So what can I ask for?”
“I never thought he will someday become the Prime Minister.”
Recalling how Tej Bahadur Amatya was killed, Sikariya said, ” He had given me money to keep, which I handed over to his family later.” He also recalled how Shukra Raj Shastri, who was active in Arya Samaj, was hanged.
GaneshMan Singh had established an office at that very Dahrmashala of Arya Samaj in Raxaul and was arrested for Jhar Khor incident and was put in Motihari Jail on the request of the Rana regime.
“We campaigned that political figures should not be extradited and Later he was released, he said. ” Many Nepalese from Benares also received military training in that same Dharmashala.”
Customs offices collect revenue from seizure of smuggled items
Bhadrapur, Mar 1: Mechi Customs Office, Kakarbhitta collected revenue worth Rs 3 million from seizure of smuggled goods over the last three months.
It may be noted that a joint patrol comprising customs officials and police was formed some time back to control smuggling in the border areas.
Last Friday the mobile patrol team seized some smuggled goods including cloth, motor parts and stainless steel utensils on a passenger bus, plate No. Ko. A. Kha. 649, on Kakarbhitta-Birtamod road but later the smuggler group attacked the patrol and decamped with the goods.
Likewise in Chautara, Tatopani Customs Point of Sindhupalchok district collected a revenue amounting over Rs 640.5 million in six months. Of that amount, Rs 2.95 million was collected as customs duties, Rs 91.24 as income tax, Rs 216.96 as VAT, Rs 27.95 from local development tax and Rs 9.44 as SAF Games Tax.
The customs office has a target of collecting revenue worth Rs 1 billion this fiscal year.