Media Musing
By Barun S. Rana
The fate of the Mahakali accord continues to be the main focus of the national print-media with positive and negative commentaries on the eve of its presentation to the joint-sitting of the current session of parliament. The constituents of the 3-party coalition are doing everything in their might and the CPN-UML is likely to announce their game-plan this week. The print-media had a field day. Going by their Thursday's rampage in observance of Gai-Jatra, an annual religious and cultural event, through the ages by taking out special supplements in lampooning the dramatise personae in political life .Moreover other fields of national interest for their yearlong misdeeds, failures, folliesand foibles to the readers content. Cartoonists, too did not fall behind to convey the general mood of the people, one of dismay, distrust and disquiet. This feeling of being badly let down by the political leaders whether in power or in opposition are put forth through caricatures and on -stage performances. This has laid bare the underlying message. As the government is on its way in completing a year in power belying the previous expectation of completing - the opposition is only to be blamed for propagating this impasse. The latters unity too is in shambles dented due to the internal differences over the Mahakali accord. In the meantime, a section of print media and opposition lawmakers have taken exception to the reported statement of a visiting British Parliamentary Under Secretary for Foreign Common wealth affair over the ratification of Mahakali accord to the press person before the leaving Kathmandu. This may affect the countries chances to receive capital investment from abroad. This, act the superficial level looks rather unusual. A British Minister, of all persons to have thrown weight behind a bilateral matter of this stature.
Even the alleged pressure by Kathmandu based US envoy Sandra Vogelson as attributed by some dailies, is at variance with the junior British Minister's comments. The US envoy, is believe to have dissociated her government stance. Thus, the main objective behind the reported the pressure was on the other hand was use by a section of CPN-UML leadership to get political mileage for itself by sustaining the suspense over the contentious accord. This instance act as an indicator of the major policy differences even among western allies over the global issues.
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The other major national print-media item was the untimely demise of 72-year old ailing Mangala Devi - wife of senior Democratic leader, Ganesh Man Singh. The deserved coverage accorded to her profiled her courage, determination and leadership qualities. She rightly considered Vanguard of the struggle against Rana's early fifty's and the guiding force behind the restoration of multiparty democracy after 1960. A pionner of the womens equality and freedom and to create and organisational edifice, she made history in the filled of social reforms. The void caused by her death is difficult to be filled. The condolences that poured in, irrespective of party hues and ideologies sure admiration and esteem for a sole of her starter.
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Though not of this magnitude a section of natural print-media did record the demise of Narayan Prasad Banskota, 74 and ailing for protracted illness. He carved a niche for himself in the field of the kingdom's literally journalism with a long stant as the Director of information. He founded and edited a prestigious literacy monthly for many years with contemporary Nepali poets, and writers. He has associated for quite a time as board of director of the Gurkha Patra Corporation, the Rastrya Sambad Summitee, Shakha Publication and member secretary of the press council in the initial stages. As sympathiser of the Nepali Congress and promoter of wortling causes, he made myriads contribution to political, social and eductions institutions. Despite no let-up in the Prime Minister bashing by G.P. Koirala faithfuls and press loyal to him, some print media report the coalition far from being on the brink of collapse. Be this as it may, HURON president seems to be actively engaged in bringing MHG and Dr. Babu Ram led Maoists to the negotiating table after months of rampaging in various districts. While this could be a welcome beginning, the search for a new face to head the ministry of finance. But the most deplorable aspect igniting serious concern was the complacent attitude of the ministry of civil Aviation and tourism about the success of the visit Nepal year 1998. This happens against the backdrop of the Lufthansa, withdrawal from kingdom. The German flag carrier the only decent linkage with Europe with Nepal and the only prestigious foreign airline in views of the fast dwindling tourist traffic and high airport traffic, its exit is truly a big blow for the country.
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The busting of powerful gangs connected with the commercial exploitation
of girls ranging from seven to sixteen years of age in Brussels
and Vienna has been brought to light y the global media with both
shock and revulsion. This was focussed promptly Stockholm conference
held 3 day last week for the first time to combat sexual abuse
and commercial exploitation of girls in their adulthood for world-wide
pornographic purposes leading a further aggravation of AIDS cases.
Ten to 12 million girls are stated to be victims in Asia with
Nepal and India climbing thousands and thousands though Deuki
practices - a kind of religious rituals rampantly observed in
Terai area. This has been an area for beyond the reaches and concern
of Human Rights Organisations.