Glimpses of Hanumandhoka Durbar Square in Ktm

Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu: Feb 27

The artistic views at the Hanumandhoka Durbar Square in Kathmandu, which is enlisted under the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of 10 UNESCO heritage sites in Nepal.

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'No democracy in reality, only bullying culture'

Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, February 19

Several rounds of big iron balls were fired through cannons at this dawn and two helicopters were flown round by over the sky of Kathmandu at around 10:45 am to celebrate the 60th Democracy Day formally. However, at the same time, ordinary people hardly feel the practice of democracy in reality in the country.

Hundreds of people sacrificed their lives for the democracy and people's rights in the history of nation. People fought with despotic Rana regime 60 years ago to bring democracy. It was again taken over 48 years ago by then king Mahendra.

After struggle for many years, democracy was revived in 1990, which failed again creating chaos in favour of monarchy to capture the power. People struggled once again in 2007 and abolished monarchy, establishing federal republic democracy in the country. Today is the very day of Democracy to remind the freedom and assurance of people's rights.

Sriju Shrestha, a student of Bachelor in Engineering at Advanced College, Kupondole in Lalitpur, said that she could not experience existence of true democracy in the country. "Democracy exists only in word and slogan here," Shrestha said. "The dreams of hundreds of martyrs are shattered due to the sheer negligence of political parties in power."

"Wherever I go I experience bullying and undemocratic culture. The government offices, which are most responsible bodies to ensure democratic practices, are most undemocratic institutions," said Shrestha. "So I never like to visit the government offices," she added.

Hailed from Kavre, Sitaram Chhetry, 12-year boy who abandoned his home and parents due to the poverty three months ago, spent wintry nights on the streets at Ratna Park for a month. "Now, I clean dishes at an inn for my livelihood," he said. "Two of my friends, who came along with me here, are passing hard times."

When asked him about the Democracy Day, he retorted that he had heard it. "But I don't know what the democracy is," he said. Like Chhetry, thousands of children are forced to live life under the open sky in the country.

Bhesh Raj Paudel, an owner of retailer at Ason, said that the country was ruled in anarchy corruption, lawlessness and violation of human rights. "The people in power have done whatever they like while ordinary people are unjustly oppressed," he said. "Nobody cares about people here. Neither there is peace and security nor any working opportunity to people," he added.

Sabita Neupane, a teacher of Valley view School at Baneshwor, said the country was running without democratic system. "There is no democracy, freedom to rights and speech. We will be insecure if we speak truth," she said. "The expired and substandard commodities are sold at the uncontrolled markets recklessly," she added. "I feel lack of law and order system. People and government both should abide by the law and order in democracy."

Legal expert Prof Dr Rajit Bhakta Pradhananga said state of law and order was very weak. "There will be no democracy in reality by writing in constitution alone until a system of rule of law is established from government to people," he said. "Crime is rising alarmingly following unexpected course of peace after conflict in the country," he added.

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Outer Ring Road unlikely to come to existence

Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, February 16

Outer Ring Road, an ambitious project of the government to develop Kathmandu Valley, has turned to a far cry after locals refused to provide land for the pooling process. The problem was complicated after the Newa: Mukti Morcha (NMM) backed up the locals, even who invaded the public land en route to proposed ring road.

According to the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works (MoPPW), the project that was launched five years ago conceived a 66km ring road, crossing through Sallaghari of Bhaktapur, in the outer part of the Kathmandu Valley. The 66+6km long ring road covering Bhaktapur inside has been proposed as the second option of the project.

“The project is almost impossible to come to existence after the locals refused to provide land in course of land-pooling for the ring road,” said Tulasi Prasad Sitaula, joint-secretary at the MoPPW. “Everything has been halted for last five months,” he said.

The feasibility study of the Outer Ring Road was carried out with the Chinese support three years ago. The proposed ring road covers 550m width of land including 50m road and 250m of space with greenery in both sides each.

Following long discussions and settlement of various problems, the MoPPW began to work in the section of Chovar to Satungal of Kathmandu two years ago. Additionally, a 300m tunnel through the Nagarjun jungle was also already agreed upon.

“We are unable to buy all the land necessary for the ring road,” said Sitaula. “If people cooperated with us, they would take advantage of the project utmost,” he added.

If foreign assistance is invested in the project, Rs 200 million will be spent to construct 1km of the road. “If we construct ourselves, it will not cost of more than Rs 70 million per kilometer road construction,” he said.

People who have encroached public land protested the plan rejecting to cooperate with the land pooling process. “It was planned to pool land and distribute managed sites to the people. However, there is no progress at all,” said Sitaula. “If the problem is politically solved, there may be a way out to move ahead,” he said.

Pawan Man Shrestha, general secretary of the NMM, said that it was the question of federalism and conservation of open land. “Flow of people has already overcrowded the valley. All land should not be covered with houses,” said Shrestha. “We have to develop infrastructure for the existing population and as per the need of locals instead of creating problem by adding crowd of people,” he added.

Disappointed Sitaula argued that it was better to develop link roads from the city centre to outskirts of the valley before working on outer ring road. “Outer Ring Road will be defunct without managed link roads to the existing inner ring road,” he said. The present inner ring road has a length of 28km encircling main city areas.

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Moments at Pashupatinath during Mahashivaratri

Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu: Pashupatinath Temple falls under the World Heritage Site enlisted by the UNESCO. There are eight cultural world heritage sites and two natural heritage sites in Nepal.

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5.5 lakh throng Pashupatinath for Mahashivaratri

Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, February 12

Number of visitors and devotees at Pashupatinath Temple on the Mahashivaratri went higher by nearly 40 per cent than in the previous years following well management and tight security situation along with increased facilities. Despite rain for about three hours in the afternoon and a few burglaries, devotees thronged the Pashupatinath with their faith in sanatan Hindu religion.

According to the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT), more than 550,000 visitors paid homage to the temple. However, number of sages, sadhus and visitors from India decreased this year because of the Kumbha Fair coinciding with other big fairs in India, said Sushil Nahata, member secretary of the PADT.

In the previous years, only one door of the temple was used to be open for worshiping. But this time, all the four doors were open for visitors. Another privilege of paying ticket of Rs 1,000, which was first time delivered, additionally attracted the visitors. About 2,000 tickets were sold this time, said Rajendra Dhar, coordinator of the media centre that was set up first time.

PREZ, EX-KING VISIT the TEMPLE 

KATHMANDU: President Dr Ram Baran Yadav paid homage to Lord Pashupatinath today on the auspicious occasion of the Mahashivaratri. President Yadav arrived at 5:25 PM and returned at 5:37 PM after worshipping at the temple. Dr Yadav said that he wished successful conclusion and timely statute writing. “It is the need of time to write constitution in time and conclude peace process successfully,” he said on the occasion of Mahashivaratri.  

Following President’s visit, former king Gyanendra Shah visited temple at about quarter past 7:00 PM and worshiped as usual. Shah stayed at the temple for about half an hour to complete the rituals of worshiping. Speaking briefly with media, Shah wished peace and progress of the nation. “We worshipped wishing peace and prosperity of the country,” he added.

Ordinary people were blocked for visiting temple during both of President’s and Shah’s visits. --

Devotee Suyasana Shrestha, who came from New Road with her family members, was happy with ticketing system and cooperation from the volunteers in the area. “We experienced easier moments avoiding long rows after we got the privilege of paying tickets,” she said.

Other visitors expressed qualms over the serpent-like rows to reach temple. “I am following row for about four hours to enter the south gate of the temple,” said Gita Karki from Bhaisepati in Lalitpur. “However, it was better than the previous years,” she added.

However, PADT, which offered Prasad for every visitors first time, officials claimed that it did not took more than two hours in reaching to the temple. Another local visitor Ambika Bhatta from around the temple area criticised the paying system to worship god.

Although having hashish and opium strictly restricted in the area for ordinary people, a bulk of youths were seen puffing hashish along with sadhus and sages, who are permitted to have as Prasad of Shiva. An Assistant Sub-Inspector on duty at Mrigasthali said it was impossible to control it without the government’s will.

EGO CLASH BETWEEN POLICE & SCOUT
KATHMANDU: A tense environment was created at Pashupatinath Temple after volunteers of Nepal Scout and officials of Nepal Police misunderstood each other with the ego clashes. Nepal Scout volunteers blamed DIG Binod Singh of Traffic Police misbehaving the volunteers while entering to the temple. “DIG Singh was entering the temple with his family members, violating the rules set by police themselves. When we asked his family members to show official IDs, they demeaned us by asking our status,” said Scout Master Ranjan Lal Shrestha. “We were asked—What is your status to ask our IDs,” he claimed. When DIG family was en route to out, slogans were chanted against DIG. It was widely reported that Scout volunteers were also misbehaving the visitors enquiring them more than necessary. --

PADT and volunteering organisations managed food, accommodations and refreshment services to the needy visitors from different places. Health workers and camps provided the free services and medicine to the people who fell ill during standing on row. About 200 people including two serious cases were treated yesterday and today.

Dr Minendra Rijal, Minister of Federal Affairs, Constituent Assembly, Parliamentary Affairs and Culture, said that the programme was successful. “Everything including security services were well managed this year,” said Rijal, who is chairman of PADT.

Mahashivaratri Festival 2010 was jointly organised by PADT, Indian Embassy and Nepal Manv Sewa Dharma Samiti. The festival is being observed from February 11-13.

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5.5 lakh throng Pashupatinath for Mahashivaratri

Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, February 12

Number of visitors and devotees at Pashupatinath Temple on the Mahashivaratri went higher by nearly 40 per cent than in the previous years following well management and tight security situation along with increased facilities. Despite rain for about three hours in the afternoon and a few burglaries, devotees thronged the Pashupatinath with their faith in sanatan Hindu religion.

According to the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT), more than 550,000 visitors paid homage to the temple. However, number of sages, sadhus and visitors from India decreased this year because of the Kumbha Fair coinciding with other big fairs in India, said Sushil Nahata, member secretary of the PADT.

In the previous years, only one door of the temple was used to be open for worshiping. But this time, all the four doors were open for visitors. Another privilege of paying ticket of Rs 1,000, which was first time delivered, additionally attracted the visitors. About 2,000 tickets were sold this time, said Rajendra Dhar, coordinator of the media centre that was set up first time.

PREZ, EX-KING VISIT the TEMPLE 

KATHMANDU: President Dr Ram Baran Yadav paid homage to Lord Pashupatinath today on the auspicious occasion of the Mahashivaratri. President Yadav arrived at 5:25 PM and returned at 5:37 PM after worshipping at the temple. Dr Yadav said that he wished successful conclusion and timely statute writing. “It is the need of time to write constitution in time and conclude peace process successfully,” he said on the occasion of Mahashivaratri.  

Following President’s visit, former king Gyanendra Shah visited temple at about quarter past 7:00 PM and worshiped as usual. Shah stayed at the temple for about half an hour to complete the rituals of worshiping. Speaking briefly with media, Shah wished peace and progress of the nation. “We worshipped wishing peace and prosperity of the country,” he added.

Ordinary people were blocked for visiting temple during both of President’s and Shah’s visits. --

Devotee Suyasana Shrestha, who came from New Road with her family members, was happy with ticketing system and cooperation from the volunteers in the area. “We experienced easier moments avoiding long rows after we got the privilege of paying tickets,” she said.

Other visitors expressed qualms over the serpent-like rows to reach temple. “I am following row for about four hours to enter the south gate of the temple,” said Gita Karki from Bhaisepati in Lalitpur. “However, it was better than the previous years,” she added.

However, PADT, which offered Prasad for every visitors first time, officials claimed that it did not took more than two hours in reaching to the temple. Another local visitor Ambika Bhatta from around the temple area criticised the paying system to worship god.

Although having hashish and opium strictly restricted in the area for ordinary people, a bulk of youths were seen puffing hashish along with sadhus and sages, who are permitted to have as Prasad of Shiva. An Assistant Sub-Inspector on duty at Mrigasthali said it was impossible to control it without the government’s will.

EGO CLASH BETWEEN POLICE & SCOUT
KATHMANDU: A tense environment was created at Pashupatinath Temple after volunteers of Nepal Scout and officials of Nepal Police misunderstood each other with the ego clashes. Nepal Scout volunteers blamed DIG Binod Singh of Traffic Police misbehaving the volunteers while entering to the temple. “DIG Singh was entering the temple with his family members, violating the rules set by police themselves. When we asked his family members to show official IDs, they demeaned us by asking our status,” said Scout Master Ranjan Lal Shrestha. “We were asked—What is your status to ask our IDs,” he claimed. When DIG family was en route to out, slogans were chanted against DIG. It was widely reported that Scout volunteers were also misbehaving the visitors enquiring them more than necessary. --

PADT and volunteering organisations managed food, accommodations and refreshment services to the needy visitors from different places. Health workers and camps provided the free services and medicine to the people who fell ill during standing on row. About 200 people including two serious cases were treated yesterday and today.

Dr Minendra Rijal, Minister of Federal Affairs, Constituent Assembly, Parliamentary Affairs and Culture, said that the programme was successful. “Everything including security services were well managed this year,” said Rijal, who is chairman of PADT.

Mahashivaratri Festival 2010 was jointly organised by PADT, Indian Embassy and Nepal Manv Sewa Dharma Samiti. The festival is being observed from February 11-13.

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Home Ministry 'deception' on fire-engine deal surfaced

Bishnu Prasad Aryal

Kathmandu, February 3

Owing to the negligence of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the fire engines used as emergency tool to put out fire in accidents are in dire situation. The newest fire engine operated in valley was brought to use 24 years ago.

The MoHA handed over the management of Juddha Barun Yantra Office to two municipals in Thamandu Valley, signing an agreement on May 11 to be implemented before mid-July. According to the agreement, the MoHA agreed to provide two new fire engines to each of the municipals along with operational and managerial cost for maintaining old and new engines.

“Neither a single fire engine has been purchased yet nor the old ones are functional,” said Ashok Shrestha, senior officer at the Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City. “The MoHA handed over the problem to us,” he told this daily. “If any casualty occurs, we will be unable to send fire engine on the spot,” he added.

The JBYO has been operating five fire engines in the valley—two in Kathmandu Metropolitan City, one in LSMC and two in BhaktapurMunicipality. However, Bhaktapur did not sign the agreement and rejected to take responsibility of the fire engine management.

KATHMANDU: Fire engines being used in KMC are replaced with Sajha bus engines. Fire engines in KMC have been operated with bus engines, said Rajendra Giri, deputy chief of Juddha Barun Yantra Office, established during Ranas 64 years ago. “All the fire engines in valley are in a sorry state. If the government provides fund to purchase it immediately, it will take at least six months to buy new engines,” he added. --

The LSMC owned three engines—one was sold to garage earlier, second was already damaged and third one is functionless and hard to repair. The German engine presently used at LSMC was handed over 35 years ago.

“This engine hasn’t been working for last two weeks,” said Rajendra Giri, deputy chief at the JBYO. “We rushed to put off fire at Imadol two weeks ago. We just poured first lot of water and rushed to carry water second time, engine went out of function,” he added. “Rs 4.2 million provided by Ministry of Finance for maintenance has gone useless as repairing engines are available only in Germany.”

Giri informed that fire engines form KMC was called when a house was set in fire at Bhainsepati in Lalitpur a week ago. “We don’t like to work here as we are left to see people burning on fire while in emergency,” he said. “On the other hand, no engine at the office is in good condition.

The manpower crunch stands as another hurdle at JBYO. There are only 11 personnel out of 33 positions. MoHA in agreement assured to recruit 22 personnel but to no avail.

“We have drafted a letter today urging the MoHA to implement the agreement,” said Shrestha. “We will dispatch it tomorrow, demanding funds for the purchase of fire engines,” he added.

However, MoHA reacted on it saying it was not its concern. “The budget allocated in the last fiscal was already frozen. Now it is the responsibility of Ministry of Local Development and MoF to buy fire engines,” said Jaya Mukunda Khanal, spokesperson for the MoHA

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