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His Majesty's message to peacekeepers

Panchkhal, Feb. 24 (RSS):

His Majesty the King has said it is a matter of pride for the Nepalese people that the Royal Nepal Army with its reputation as the brave Gorkhalis has been getting opportunities to take part in the important task of peace keeping.

His Majesty the King said this in a message to the 32nd contingent Naya Gorakh Battalion (peace keeping force) which is leaving for Lebanon to take part in UNIFIL at the call of the United Nations.

His Majesty wished the peacekeepers of Naya Gorakh Battalion who are leaving on their peace keeping mission representing Nepal and the Nepalese all success in demonstrating the best of their professional skill and fulfilling with a sense of dedication the responsibilities entrusted to them.

The message from His Majesty was read out by Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Sher Bahadur Deuba at a function at the Royal Nepal Army Training Camp at Panchkhal today.

On the occasion, Prime Minister and Defense Minister Deuba said it is a matter of pride for the Nepalese that the United Nations has been appreciating the professional skill and efficiency shown by Royal Nepal Army peace keepers even in challenging situations.

Stating that Nepal has been supporting and cooperating in every effort initiated by the United Nations for world peace, he said since the past 40 years the Royal Nepal Army has been participating in peace keeping missions in various countries of the world.

While the whole world desires peace there is also no dearth of elements wishing to disturb that peace, he said adding, peace keeping has become all the more complicated and risky in the changing global context.

The Naya Gorakh Battalion with its motto"Firm as the Himalayas in the service of country and crown" was instituted on Paush 16, 1840 Bikram Year during the reign of King Rana Bahadur Shah as the Gorakh Company.

Lt. Col. Sharad Kumar Neupane is the present battalion commander of Naya Gorakh Battalion.


RPP for power to local bodies: Thapa

Lalitpur, Feb. 24 (RSS):

An interaction programme was held here today with the objective of making public the views of the Rashtriya Prajantra Party (RPP) on decentralisation and local self governance.

Central members of the RPP participated in the interaction organised by he Ministry of Local Development.

RPP president Surya Bahadur Thapa said that the Decentralisation Act should be formulated as a medium for ending political and economic uncertainty in the country.

Referring to the necessity of decentralisation for mobilising the people in the mainstream of national development,, he suggested that the forthcoming Decentralisation Act should make provisions for the representation of the various different communities and indigenous peoples.

Stating that the RPP has been stressing the need to provide financial powers to the local bodies in order to develop them into a form of local governance, party president Thapa said the Decentralisation Act should be made a means for development and banishing of poverty.

General secretary of the RPP and minister for Foreign affairs Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani, suggesting that while providing financial and administrative powers to the local bodies important functions such as auditing and supervision should be left to the centre, said the local bodies should also have a sense of responsibility.

Ministry for Local Development Kamal Thapa said that as the main spirit of the changes of 2046 BS was the entrusting of the powers of the villages to the villages themselves, the present coalition government has given special emphasis to bringing in decentralisation.

At the threshold of the 21st century, local bodies should be made the focal point of development, he said adding that work on the Decentralisation Act has reached the final stage.

Minister of State for Local Development Rajiv Parajuli informed that a decentralisation and local self governance bill will be tabled at the forthcoming session of Parliament after discussion with all the political parties.


PAC apprised of Karnali project

Kathmandu, Feb. 24 (RSS):

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee at its meeting today was apprised by the secretary at the Ministry of Water Resources about activities carried out so far by His Majesty's Government regarding the Karnali Multipurpose Project and related proposals. It decided to hold wide ranging discussions in this connection later.

The committee also decided to keep on hold matters concerning part of the 100 ropani of land in the name of the Manmaneswori Rajguthi and other lands now under consideration at the Supreme Court pending a verdict from the appex court.

Likewise, the committee decided to invite the chief secretary of His Majesty's Government to its meeting on March 2 to inform the committee about all decisions taken by the government and other details in connection with the five ministers who went to Bangkok and an MP who went to Singapore for medical treatment.

The meeting also decided to request the ministers concerned to furnish a report concerning the medical treatment by March 1.

The meeting has also decided to constitute a sub committee which will study all activities regarding the Royal Chitwan National Park buffer zone and sanctuary including revenues and expenditures and present a report within a month.

Bishnu Raj Acharya is convenor of the sub committee and Rewati Prasad member.

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of committee chairman Hridayesh Tripathi.


SC restores officials

Kathmandu, Feb. 24 (RSS):

The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the restoration for the remainder of their terms of Dr. Tika Prasad Pokharel to the post of member secretary of the social Welfare Council, Rukma Shumsher Rana to that of member secretary of the National Sports Council and Ganesh Jha to campus chief of Mechi Multiple Campus.

The order was issued by the full bench of Justices Mohan Prasad Sharma, Keshav Prasad Upadhyaya, Kedar Nath Upadhyaya, Krishna Jung Rayamajhi and Kedar Nath Acharya.

The writ petitioners who had been appointed to their posts for four years by the then Nepali Congress government were relieved by the subsequent CPN-UML government, it is stated in the writ petition.


Give priority to vegetable farming: Rana

Chautara, Feb. 24 (RSS):

Minister for Water Resources Pashupati Shumsher JB Rana inaugurated two irrigation projects at Thangpalkot VDC of Sindhupalchowk district amidst different functions.

The Lower Irrigation Project with a capacity to irrigate 50 hectres of land was completed at a cost Rs. 895,072 in cash and Rs.86,016 in local participation.

Likewise, the Upper Irrigation Project which can irrigate 40 hectares was completed at a cost of Rs.879,252 in cash and Rs.73,558 in voluntary labour.

Speaking at a function after the inauguration Mr. Rana said vegetable farming and winter crops should be prioritized to raise the living standard of the poor and backward and increase agricultural production.

Stating that the policy of the present coalition government and the Rastriya Prajantra Party in particular to uplift the living standards of the poor and ignorant, he said the Mahakali treaty was signed to improve the economic lot of the Nepalese people. Many more such projects will enter Nepal in the near future, he added.

RPP district president Nil Prasad Bhandari said farmers who appreciate the importance of water and land can reap gold from their land.

CDO Ram Krishna Bhurtel said the balanced development of education, health and agriculture will help in the construction of a modern society.

At the function chaired by chairman of the construction and users committee Bishnu Bhakta Lama, VDC vice chairman Padam Bahadur Shrestha, acting DE of the District Irrigation Office Dev Narayan Shaha and Uday Sapkota also expressed their views.


Shastri calls for proper use of resources

Kathmandu, Feb. 24 (RSS):

A two-day workshop seminar on "Technology Transfer for Waste Water Treatment of Small and Medium Scale Industries" began here today.

Some 40 persons including those from His Majesty's Government and the private sector are taking part in the seminar jointly organized by the Department of Industry and ESCAP.

Inaugurating the seminar, Minister for Industry Dhundiraj Shastri said the goal of sustainable development of the country can be achieved if means and resources provided by nature in a land locked country like ours are properly utilized.

The Industry Minister spoke of the need to adopt different technologies to ensure environmental balance by removing adverse impact which the industrial development can have on the public health.

Member of National Planning Commission Hari Shankar Tripathy noted that the problem for environmental degradation is assuming a bigger proportion and if we don't follow effective measures right now, it will bring serious consequences in future.

Other speakers expressing their views at the function were industry secretary Bholanath Chalishe, Dr.GM Gederov of ESCAP, director general of Industry Department, chairman of Environment and Technology Committee of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry VK Shaha and joint secretary at the Industry Ministry Bimal Prasad Koirala.


Practical education emphasised

Tanahu, Keshavtar, Feb. 24 (RSS):

Speaker of the House of Reprsentative Ram Chandra Poudel has said that the present eudcation system needs to be drastically changed to pave the way for a new education policy to generate production oriented, constructive and vocational manpower.

Inaugurating the 24th anniversary of Keshavtar Secondary School in Keshavtar here today, Speaker Poudel said as physical development alone cannot give fullness to rural development, we should bring about change in society through the development of culture and conscience.

MP Amar Raj Kaini said some elements are attempting to finish the multi-party system, adding that development can gain momentum only when we rise above party politics.

At the function presided over by school management committee chairman Hem Bahadur Thapa, various other speakers including NC Tanahu president Raghunath Poudel, chairman of Nepal Women's Association Tanahu chairman Parvati Rana, headmaster Durga Bahadur Thapa and Kajiman Shrestha also expressed their views.

Similarly, Speaker Poudel, addressing a function organised at Damauli on the occasion of the Education Day, said the government investment in education without drastic change in the education system will bear no fruits. People did not get real education as it free education is only in the name, he added.

MP Amar Raj Kaini said though democracy has opened up avenues for changes in every field, we have not been able to face the challenges of education without any achievement so far. The function was chaired by the chairman of the DDC Ram Chandra Pokhrel.


NC meeting

Kathmandu, Feb. 24 (RSS):

Meetings of the Nepali congress parliamentary party and the parliamentary party working committee are to be held at the Prime Minister's residence, Baluwatar on Feb. 29, according to the Nepali Congress parliamentary party office.


Sur Sudha: Cultural Ambassador of Nepal

By Arun Ranjit

Kathmandu, Feb. 24 :

Her Royal Highness Princess Sruti Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah released Sur Sudha's two compact disc entitled "Melodies of Nepal" and "Festival of Nepal" amidst a special function organised at Keshav Narayan Chowk, Patan Museum Lalitpur on February 23 by the Durbar Marg Batbaran Sewa Samiti (DBSS).

Melodies of Nepal is a blend of folk and classical music of Nepal. It represents all aspects of Nepali music ranging from Tamang Selo to Newari music.

Festival of Nepal is about the relationship between nature and festivals dedicated to age-old festivals of Nepal. This number shows how closely related music is with festivals of Nepal.

At the same function organised by Durbar Marg Batabaran Sewa Samiti (DBSS), Her Royal Highness Sruti also inaugurated paintings and a photo exhibition depicted on the environment of Nepal, especially of the Kathmandu city by releasing 108 coloured ballons.

Speaking at the function Chairperson of the DBSS Her Royal Highness Princess Jayanti Shah said that to bring awareness about the environment of Kathmandu, the children's painting exhibition on the theme "How they will see Nepal in future", along with the traditional music, was organised.

Her Royal Highness Jayanti Shah also informed that among the paintings the prize winning pieces will be sent to Tokyo, Japan, to participate in the forthcoming international children's painting exhibition.

Minister for Population and Environment Prakash Man Singh said that keeping in mind that of the environment of Kathmandu is deteriorating His Majesty's Government is committed to control the pollution and making Kathmandu environmentally sound.

P. L. Singh, Mayor of Kathmandu Municipality urged all to help in making Kathmandu a clean, green and healthy city.

Mr Morton Wilson, Managing Director of Schtung Music Ltd. of Hong Kong expressed the view that Sur Sudha group is the musical ambassador of Nepal.

A poem "Ghansi" written by Pioneer Poet late Bhanubhakta was also recited in Nepali and English by Aziz Shrestha and Ms. Palistha Kakshapati respectively at the function.

Sur Sudha provided the music for the recitation of "Ghansi". They also played the musical tune of "Holi".

Ms. Srijana Shrestha performed a ballet dance on the musical tune of "Charia" composed by Sur Sudha.

Shakuni Sherchan Lesle gave a vote of thanks. And the programme was conducted by Bobby Chhetri.

Music does not know boundaries neither Sur Sudha. Since the last decade, Sur Sudha has been relentlessly preforming its musical programme abroad, representing typical traditional classical music, creating a large number of listeners who love music for music sake.

Unquestionably, Sur Sudha is the only musical group in Nepal which has become synonymous to Nepali music in many countries.

Sur Sudha, a name to be reckoned with in traditional Nepali music, has been in the limelight for a decade due to its total commitment and dedication to music.

Sur Sudha consists of Prem Rana Autari in Flute, Bijaya Vaidya in Sitar and Surendra Shrestha on Tabala.

These three talented musicians have built a reputation for their innovative interpretations of traditional Nepali tunes, while at the same time composing many original pieces which stretch the parameters of the formal trio setting.

The results of these efforts can be heard on the "The Nepal Series", "Melodies" and the just released two other CDs.

The "Melodies of Nepal", "Festival Of Nepal" and The "Nepali Series" will be released on Friday (in Singapore) internationally through Universal Music (formally MCA Music Entertainment). This collection showcases the virtuosity of the individual musicians and offers the listeners an opportunity to take a musical journey through Nepal: from the Terai to the remote areas nestled high in the mighty Himalayas.

In the course of musical tour, Sur Sudha has travelled extensively in Europe, America and many Asian countries, including Japan.

In appreciation of its magical musical performances, Sur Sudha has received a number of national and international awards.

So far Sur Sudha has produced "Images of Nepal", "Festival Tunes of Nepal", folk semi-classical and classical music. Images of Nepal is about the dream of Shangri-La which people can feel through music.

Apart from this, Sur Sudha's also is now planning to bring out three CDs immediately, based on Nepali tourism, culture, heritage and religion. All CDs are being prepared to promote Nepali tourism abroad by highlighting the beauties of Nepal in the wake of Visit Nepal Year (VNY) 1998.

This apart, plan has been made for Sur Sudha to visit Japan, America and Europe for musical programmes beginning from April. This is the first time that any cultural troupe is going to disseminate information about VNY on its own expenses.

These CDs are produced by Universal Music, distributed by BMG Records, administered by Warner/Chappel and published by Schtung Records in 120 countries world-widely.

Founded in Hong Kong in 1982, Schtung now has a total of 7 digital studios in Hong Kong and Singapore. There are 12 composers in the group, eight of whom are currently developing album projects.

Universal Music is one of the largest distributors of musical albums in the world. This is the first time Nepali CDs are being distributed by such big companies.

Their ongoing pursuit of taking traditional Nepali music to the world, while at the same time experimenting with styles and musicians from different cultures, proves that the members of Sur Sudha as true musical pioneers.


ME workshop organised

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Feb. 24:

A one day workshop on Multimedia in Education (ME) was organised by the Global Initiatives for Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Actiioni in collaboration with PUblic Media Centre, here recently.

The literacy initiatives for children's freedom of creative expression, were actively taken part by 185 students from grade Nursery to grade seven, elaborated seeral aspects of life and the living by using multi-media, according to a press release issued by the Global Initiatives for Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Action.

Story-telling and writing, poetry recitation computer based musical mathematics and other programmes discussed in the workshop.


Women speak out against violence

Kathmandu, Feb. 24 (RSS):

A non-governmental organization, "Saathi" organised a one-day national workshop here Sunday with the objective of promoting awareness at the national level against various forms of torture women are undergoing, garner support from governmental and non-governmental organisañtions for protection of women from such tortures and violence, and preserve their rights.

Presenting a working paper at the workshop, senior vice-president of the organization Dr Arjoo Deuba said violence against women is continuing unabated since ancient times but as such violence is being condemned as a violation of human rights these days, women have put an end to their inhibitions and have started to speak out.

Stating that the International Human Rights Conference-1993 has proved to be a milestone in the preservation of women's rights, Dr Deuba said this has come into better focus in Nepal after the restoration of democracy.

In his working paper, Secretary at the Law Reforms Commission Thirthaman Shakya said women's rights cannot be preserved unless they are given their right to self-decision in the society.

SP Basanta Kunwar, presenting a paper on "Domestic crimes and the role of police," expressed the view that women should promote their level of awareness and build up self-confidence for their development.

Advocate Ram Prasad Bhandari also spoke on the occasion.


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