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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