Shortest man of the world on the way

Khagendra Thapa Magar, 19, who is the shortest man of the world recorded in the Guniess Book of the World Records. While sitting, his body is equal to one-liter mineral water bottle. He was on a microbus on the way to Pokhara from Kathmandu last week.

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Thousands flock the street against Maoist strike

Thousands of people from all walks of life landed on the streets in the Kathmandu to shun violence and strike called by the UCPN-Maoist, which came into peace process after a decade of armed struggle. About 14,000 people were killed during the Maoist insurgency.

This time, Maoists are on the street calling a general strike demanding resignation from Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and forming a coalition government led by the Maoists, who did not dare to follow the constitutional way by bringing no confidence motion in the parliament and voting for and against the government.

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Peaceful demos Maoist ploy to deceive int'l society

Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, May 6

The supporters and cadres of Unified Communist Party of Nepal Maoists have been staging demonstrations peacefully more than it was expected. UCPN-M is still tagged in US terrorist list although Nepal government lifted it after it coordinated with other political parties to abolish monarchy and establish Federal Democratic of Nepal in 2006.

Maoists signed the papers with commitment to follow the democratic path and abandon violence. The ten year armed conflict ended as they came into peace process. However, they are still clinging in their goals to establish totalitarian communism. They are using strategies and tricks to empower them a for the final war. They accumulated force amidst their thin presence before entering into peace process.

They want to hold state power by forcing the other parties. So they are now on the streets for last five days calling the nationwide general strike, demanding the government to step down and form new coalition headed by Maoists.

Their artificial restraint was indicatively disclosed by one educated supporter while the supreme commanders  of the party were openly threatening  to seize power if their demands were not met. They are planning to seize state power within few months. They want first to win the sympathy from international communities by showing artificial restraint in the demonstrations.

"This is a diplomatic strategy to get international support and involve in the government," said demonstrator Hom Nath Nepal, a teacher from Sindhupalchowk district. "As we win the international support and are involved in the government, we will seize state power ousting all and will achieve final goal to set up communism in the country," he added in an media investigation in the Maoist demonstration at New Baneshwor yesterday.

Therefore, Nepalese people may face violence and democracy will be snatched once again if it is not understood in time and not managed to get help from UN and international communities to curb totalitarianism in the Himalayan country.

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Water woes to remain another 15 years!

Bishnu Prasad Aryal

Kathmandu, April 5

The people of the Kathmandu valley will have to face scarcity of drinking water at least till 2025. If the government plans are not materialised, the shortage may linger to an uncertain period of time.

“If the government plans are materialised by 2025, the drinking water will be sufficiently supplied to valley denizens,” said Krishna Prasad Acharya, joint-secretary and acting spokesperson at the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works (MoPPW). “We are planning to supply 680 million litres of water per day (ML/D) by implementing Melamchi, Yangri and Larke drinking water projects by then,” he said. “The existing supply includes in it,” he added.

The MoPPW has planned to complete Melamchi drinking water project by 2013 and Yangri and Larke by 2025. Each of the three projects will supply 170ML/D.

At a time when the Melamchi drinking water project has faced tardy pace to begin, the government is optimistic to translate the plans into action. “If the socio-political obstruction doesn’t arise, the projects will be completed in time,” said Acharya. However, he was sckeptical about not facing any hurdle.

According to the MoPPW, at least 687 million litres of water needs daily to supply demands of about four million people in the valley by 2025. The Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) claims that it has been supplying about 100 million litre everyday through 167,000 taps. “But no water is supplied in my home,” said Ram Chandra Devkota, member-secretary of the Bagmati Development Committee.

Present demand is 203ML/D while it will reach 332ML/D in 2015, 446ML/D in 2020 and 724ML/D in 2025 along with the increasing ratio of people, says a survey prepared by the ministry.

A bid worth Rs 4 billion on Melamchi project was finalised in February 2009 and given to a Chinese construction company, which targeted to complete it in 54 months. Fourteen months have already passed and the project is yet to begin owing to the local protests.

Melamchi River is located at Helambu VDC in Sindhupalchowk district, about 27km away from Kathmandu. The project was conceived in 1985 and widely discussed since 1988. It has been already 10 years since the government started working on the project.

Acharya, who is also head of the Drinking Water Division at the ministry, said that the tunnel digging using excavator has been just started from Sundarijal in Kathmandu. “The setting up of camps at Sindu, Ambasthan and Gyalthum in Sindhipalchowk to dig has been undergoing. The digging of tunnel will begin soon from both directions of three places,” he said. “There is no doubt the well-equipped and high profile Chinese company will be able to complete the project within 40 months,” he affirmed.

Before then, existing water resources will be managed and services will be updated to minimise the shortage, said Acharya. “A recent ADB report reveals that US$ 300 million is necessary to revamp the present water supplying system and replace the old infrastructure for implementing new projects,” he said.

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Last-day of death ritual of Girija Prasad Koirala

Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu: April1

It is the 13th, last day, of funeral rituals of Girija Prasad Koirala, who passed away on March 20. Koirala (1925-2010), president of Nepali Congress and six-time Prime Minister of Nepal, who fought for democracy. These are some glimpses captured on March 21 around Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu where hundreds of thousands people

thronged to pay tribute during the funeral procession. The body was cremated as per the Hindu rituals and rites at Pashupatinath with national honour on March 21. Koirala passed away at 12:10 on march 20.

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Space set for Yoga Camp widened to adjust crowd

Bishnu Prasad Aryal

Kathmandu, March 27

Some 5,000 people who thronged the Yog Vigyan Shivir-2010 to learn Yoga practices from Yoga Guru Swami Ram Dev were compelled to return home without practices due to the lack of stage set for the camp. The one third of additional space has been widened to adjust the interested people today.

According to the Main Organising Committee, about 40,000 tickets were sold to the people for learning Yoga practices in the camp. The place for 30,000 people was arranged. However, some 35,000 people were adjusted at the arranged stage.

Rajani Sharma from Kupondol in Lalitpur said that she was forced to go back home owing to the narrow space in the camp. “I could not get any space to sit for the camp as it was already occupied. Though I had taken ticket I arrived here a bit delay,” she said.

Prabhari Babita Karki, head of the Central Zone Yoga Committee, said, “Nearly 5,000 people were forced to return this morning because of the high interest of people to take part in the camp and lack of adequate space for all interested,” she said. “Therefore, we have widened the one third of the space today to adjust the comers from tomorrow,” she added.

Karki said that innumerable calls were received different parts of various districts to take part in the camp. “The number of participants will reach more than 40,000 tomorrow,” she said. There are five kinds of visitors—gold paying Rs 500, VIP paying Rs 1,100, VVIP paying Rs 2,100, invitees and free pass.

KATHMANDU: About 3,000 people received treatment and free-check up at the Yoga Science Camp on the first day today. About 5,000 people were queuing up to check up their health as per Ayurved principle. Forty vaidhyas from India were checking up health of people. The health camp will continue from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm everyday during the camp, according to the organiser. A special camp will be held for school children in the afternoon on march 29. -- BPA

Swami Ram Dev, who operates Patanjali Yog Peeth in Haridwar of India, is here to operate the camp from March 27 to April 1 at Tundikhel in Kathmandu. Keeping the overwhelming interest of Nepalese people in Yoga, Swami has pledged to produce 100,000 Yoga teachers in Nepal.

Addressing the Yoga Science Camp that began at 5:00 this morning, Swami Ram Dev said, “There are 25,000 Yoga teachers in Nepal. I am dedicated to produce 100,000 such teachers here to teach the Yoga in order to make people healthy and cultured,” he said. “Yoga makes people healthy and cultured that they would help develop the nation,” he added.

Swami Ram Dev is going to inaugurate three yogpeeths at Mandikhatar in Kathmandu, Dhulikhel of Kavre and Syangja in Nepal this time.  He has also planed to laid foundation of eight yoga practices centres including Mahendranagar, Dhangadhi and Chitwan, said Karki.

Swami Ram Dev and Ayurved Acharya Balkrishna visited Armed Police Force Headquarters at Hallchowk in Kathmandu today to talk about the importance of Yoga practices to the police personnel. Similarly, both of them were present at Pashupatinath Temple to light 21,000 lamps in a function.

President Dr Ram Baran Yadav inaugurated the camp and released Bichar-Kranti, a book written in Nepali language about the Yoga and spiritualism. Meanwhile, the political leaders including CPN-UML president Jhala Nath Khanal, UCPN Maoist leaders Amik Sherchan and Janardan Sharma ‘Prabhakar’, industrialist Upendra Mahato Minister for Industry Mahendra Raya Yadav, Minister for Local Development Purna Kumar Sherma Limbu and DIG Upendra Kant Aryal were practising Yoga at the camp this morning.

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Swami Ram Dev Yoga Camp in Kathmandu

Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, March 27

Yoga Science Camp is being held from March 27 to April 1 at Tundikhel of Kathmandu in Nepal. Yoga Guru Swami Ram Dev and Ayurved Acharya Balkrishna from India are teaching yoga about 40,000 people in the camp, which is operated 5 AM to 8 AM.

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Public hopeless about sustainable peace & new statute

Bishnu Prasad Aryal

Kathmandu, March 20

Ordinary people disheartened by the demise of Girija Prasad Koirala, exceptional political hero of the nation, feel that death of democratic icon would cost unbearable loss in bringing the country into a right path. 

Former Premier and Nepali Congress President Koirala (1925-2010), who led the historic movement making the country Democratic Republic, passed away at 12:10 PM today.

In a sobbing voice, Nityananda Niraula, 74, who hails from Salyan-2 in Solukhumbu, said that Koirala is not only the leader of Nepal but also the international democratic hero. “He, who was successful in bringing all the political parties together, contributed a lot for the democracy and the nation,” said Niraula, a farmer, who has come to visit his two sons studying in Kathmandu.

“The writing of new constitution has fallen at stake now. I don’t think other leaders will compensate this loss,” he added. “Mourning will not be enough to remember his contribution.”

Expressing deep condolence over death, Rabina Khadka, eigth grader at Shanti Nikunja Higher Secondary School, Hanumandhoka, believed that nobody was comparable to Koirala in the country. She knew well that GPK, who is brother of BP Koirala, fought for democracy, people and nation since the Rana Regime. “Girija worked to end the 11-year Maoist violence and assure people for sighing peace,” she said. “If the political parties fail to go hand in hand, the country will fall into an abyss,” she worried.

Other people who this scribe met on the streets of told THT their feelings about the unbearable loss in the history of the country.

Kamana Ghimire, health worker at Kathmandu Model Hospital—“He, who was wise and farsighted, died before fulfilling his dream to write new constitution. The future of country is heading towards anarchy. His only weakness was his daughter.”

Taxi driver Molam Singh Yonjan from Hetauda—No leader is more liberal than Koirala. His death has brought uncertainty in the country.

Kapil Khanal, English Teacher at CG Manipal Campaign College— “Koirala is nice, bold and determined leader of the country. Man with more merits and less drawbacks. The problems will be gradually solved.”

Radhika Pradhan, housewife from Putalisadak—I don’t think peace will be sustainable in absence of him.

Sushila Shrestha, a commener—No one will replace his space.

Khim Prasad Adhikari, BA student at RR Campus—True democratic hero of the nation. The pillar of the nation has collapsed. Other selfish leaders will push the country into anarchy again and peace will be disrupted.

Ram Bahadur Shrestha, businessman at Baghbazaar—Man committed for democracy and people. He died two months earlier.

Laxman Shahi, vegetable seller at Tukucha—The country has lost big thing. There is less chance of writing new constitution.

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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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Sages smeared in hues throng for Mahahivaratri

Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, January 29

They emerge in all hues, appearances and semblance around Pashupatinath. Their rugged appearances, matted hair, and smeared body with ash resemble the perfect disciple of Lord Shiva. There will be droves of them at Pashupati during Mahashivaratri, the night of Lord Shiva on February 12, exhibiting strange and bizarre conduct and behaviour.

These people have renounced all the worldly pleasures and comforts and want to find solace by praying Lord Shiva and experience sartori in hemp and marijuana, and making wild merriment replicating the Dynossiac culture of medieval Greece. Drug addicts also throng the shrine to have intoxicated in on the very occasion.

Sushil Nahata, member-secretary of the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT), said the sages have started arriving, earlier than a week than previous years. “This year will be different from past years in every thing. Mysterious great sadhus like Chandra Swami will also be here”
They are treated as guests and housed and fed for free. Elaborate preparations are being made to cater to thousands of their tribe who will be visiting the Pashupatinath Temple for the festival, making the pilgrims feel homely and facilitate them whatever they need.

“Accommodations for the yogis and the beggars will be separately arranged,” said Bhola Prasad Sitaula, director of PADT.

Sadhus are welcome lots. But there will be beggars as uninvited guests. Hundreds of beggars have already arrived - some of them in unimaginably wretched state. They are found all over the Pashupati area with hopes for generosity from the devotees who come there.

Nahata said that the beggars always outnumber the Sadhus. “Still by treating them as pilgrims we will do whatever we can,” he said.

The sages and the beggars will be settled separately, and that will be managed by the PADT and other organisations from the private sectors. All the necessary security facilities will be provided to the visitors. For that, security posts and camps will be set up mobilising the police and the army to control possible mobs in the adjoining areas of Pashupatinath Temple.

Number of devotees is increasing every year. At least half a million pilgrims and other visitors are expected for Shivaratri this year – 25 per cent more than last year. It is estimated that the number of sages alone will exceed 5,000 this year coinciding with Kumbha Mela in Kavre, Hridwar and Kuruchhetra, said Raj Babu Pandey, chief of the Pashupati Guthi. More than 150 sages and yogis have already arrived from India. The Naga Babas (naked sages), one of the attractions of Shivaratri, will come soon.

The accommodation facilities will be provided free to all the sages and beggars during the celebration. When they leave, they are bid farewell with rudrakshya, clothes, sweet and cash ranging from Rs 350 to Rs. 1,100.

The Sadhus are provided with logs for bonfire during the cold February nights and marijuana as a 'prasad' of Lord Shiva while they remain here. “However, we are facing difficulty in getting logs. While we need some 60,000 logs, we have only 15,000 pieces,” Pandey said.

Twelve different subcommittees have been formed aiming to make the festival successful and different than the previous years.

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KMC eyes 18-storey complex with 3-storey bus terminal

Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, November 26

Kathmandu Metropolitan City has floated a lofty concept of 18-storey business complex along with three-storey modern bus terminal replacing the oldest bus park at Ratna Park. The pre-feasibility study of the project has been already completed.

The project aims at materialising the concept with the giant business complex along with three-storey bus terminal at the centre of the city from where thousands of vehicles depart for different destinations in and around the Kathmandu Valley. The KMC authority plans it as a high earning resource for the civic body and as a support to minimise the traffic chaos with the new system at the city centre.

“We are afoot to carry out the detailed study, which will be completed within this fiscal year,” said Nava Raj Dhakal, a senior financial officer at the KMC. “We will launch the study in near future,” he added. “The construction will be completed in three years.”

 Deepak KC, another office at the Public Private Partnership for Urban Environment section in the KMC, said it would be a public private partnership project. “The pre-feasibility study was carried out in the financial support of about Rs 300,000 from the UNDP as part of its concept of PPPUE,” he said.

However, Dhakal preferred to build it by the civic body itself. “If we have 63 Ropanies of land at the bus park, why can’t the KMC construct the project itself?,” he questioned.

Some Rs 1 billion is estimated to complete the project, which categorically divides the terminal into three floors where buses will be stationed at underground, cars on first floor and motorcycles on the top floor. “We are determined to establish a complete modernised bus park,” said Dhakal. “The main building will be erected at the centre of the terminal.”

“There will be a lot of flats and spaces at the multi-complex where corporate offices, shops, restaurants, entertainment halls and theatres will be housed at the same building,” said Dhakal. “In fact, it will be most advanced complex ever built with qualitative and quantitative entities in the country,” he added.

Dhakal was a bit worried about the political situation of the country and confused whether the constitution would be written in time or not. “If the political situation favours the country, we will complete procurement and bidding process in the next fiscal year that begins in mid-July,” he was elated. “The administration is responsibly and seriously taking this project as a pride of the civic body,” he said.

However, the fluid political scenario of the country might spoil the lofty plan if it went on the unexpected path, the KMC officials were worried.

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People suffer from govt apathy to public concern

Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, November 25

The major city junctions and roads are littered with human excreta. However, the plans of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City to build two dozens of toilets in the public private partnership (PPP) has been jeopardised due to the negligence of three concerned ministries.

"Our plans to construct public toilets in the PPP modality went in vain as other concerned ministries did not allow us to use public land," said Rabin Man Shrestha, chief of the Environment Management Department at the KMC. "We forwarded proposals many times but in vain."

Deepak KC, coordinator of the UNDP supported PPP Urban Environment section in KMC, said that the agreements were made with Kanchan Trade Link, and Arati & Company about four years ago to build 20 such public toilets in different places.

"However, only three toilets could be built yet," said KC. AC has been successfully operating two toilets at Ratna Park and Chabahil while KTL at Bhotahity. "They are very interested to build more toilets as it is lucrative business," he added.

These busy junctions include Kalanki, Gaushala, Babarmahal, Bagbazaar, Maharajgunj, Balaju and Koteshwor among others. "General people are facing difficulties in the absence of toilets in such public places," said KC. "On the other hand, the streets are polluted with stinking urine and stools," he worried.

"We could not provide the lands to the private companies after the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works, Ministry of Labour and Transport and Ministry of Home Affairs did not approve our proposal," said KC. "MoPPW is main responsible ministry to approve our proposal," said Shrestha.

Hari Prasad Sharma, spokesperson for the MoPPW, said that he was completely ignorant about the issue. "We can not allow them to build toilets at Kalanki, Balaju and Maharjgunj at present time due to some technical problems," he said. "We will study on the case for other places. Then we can allow them to construct the toilets in appropriate places," he added.

The KMC, which is equally responsible towards public concerns, has also failed to maintain the existing toilets built in different busy places in the city. "We are suffering from the lack of facilities of public toilets," said Bharat Dangal, 58, a commuter hailed from Dolakha. "I had to suffer too much in resisting the nature's calls after I failed to find a toilet last year when I came to shop goods here," he added.

There are about three dozens of public toilets in different places including in business complexes and centres. Some 16 toilets are stationed at public places in KMC, according to the EMD. All of them are in a sorry state and not in usable condition, said Shrestha, admitting their negligence. "We need to replace them with new ones. Therefore, we are thinking of rebuilding them with new system in those places," he added.

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Meat of unhealthy, even dead animals sold in market

Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, November 16

Meat of unhealthy animals and even dead ones has been being sold in the Kathmandu valley since long. However, Animal Slaughterhouse and Meat Inspection Act 1998 is yet to be practiced at all to control the hazard even after 11 years of its enactment, ignoring the public health concern.

Dr Bodh Prasad Parajuli, senior veterinary officer of the Veterinary Public Health Office, Tripureshwor, said not a single clause of the Act has been implemented yet. "The consumers are forced to have substandard meat, which is very harmful to human health," he added. "About a dozen of committees were formed to look into the matter but to no avail."

The Act provisions the good status of slaughter house and meat shops, mandatory license from government authority to sell meats, animals to be slaughtered only in slaughterhouses, health test of animals before slaughtering and hygiene test of meats, restriction on adulterated meat and sale of only skinless meats in the market.

"Afore mentioned provisions are yet to be practiced in the country," Dr Parajuli, who is also member of the Animal Slaughterhouse and Meat Inspection Act 1998 Implementation Monitoring Committee, worried. "A slaughterhouse was built in Hetauda six years ago but it was not operated after its establishment. Two slaughterhouses were launched at Thankot and Kakani in Kathmandu some five years ago, however, they became defunct immediately after their operation," he said.

Manoj Khadgi, president of the Nepal Khadgi Samaj Sewa, said that it was impossible to implement the law by an individual or an institution. "All the stakeholders including government authorities should work in coordination," he said.

Khadgi said neither there is quarantine system while importing animals nor health checking system of animals, nor a farm to keep them, nor a slaughterhouse nor a good meat shop. "There is rampant smuggling in animal import and the government is aloof from controlling them. How can you expect healthy meat in such a condition," he said.

LALITPUR: Meat entrepreneurs formed an executive committee to establish a cooperative to make the flesh business more managed by building a slaughter house in Kathmandu. The government has included in the current fiscal budget to provide funds to such cooperatives. About 200 meat traders, who gathered at the interaction programme on 'Animal slaughterhouse site and meat market business promotion' jointly organised by the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, and Animal Slaughterhouse and Meat Inspection Act 2055BS Implementation and Monitoring Committee, proposed a well managed slaughter house for healthy meats. --

According to NKSS, an umbrella of meat traders, there are at least 3,000 meat entrepreneurs in the Kathmandu valley.

Dr Babu Ram Gautam, coordinator of the act implementation monitoring committee, said that very few meat traders had applied for the permission license for selling meats. "They should take permission from the Ministries of Environment and Industry, and the concerned municipalities. However, it is still ineffective," he explained. "Such kind of unhealthy meat may cause various ailments belonging to abdominal, heart and mental diseases to human health."

Dr Nar Bahadur Rajwar, Deputy Director General at the Department of Livestock Services, admitted the lapses of the government and assured the law would be implanted at any cost. Niranjan Baral, executive chief at the KMC, emphasised on the public private partnership concept to make it effective.

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During the Maoist protest in Kathmandu-2

Maoist cadres at a park after throwing papers and plates by having snacks and meals. The garbage heaped on the roads due to the Maoist protests against the government in Kathmandu.  Serene road in front of the Supreme Court and Singh Durbar west gate during the protest [Bottom, left]. There was tight security situation.

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During the Maoist protest in Kathmandu-1

Maoist rally just near by the Singh Durbar, the central secretariat of the government where most of the Ministries including Prime Minister's Office are located, alert security forces, Maoist thrown garbage on the roads, a child with a mother participating in the protest rally at Maitighar of Kathmandu.




























Unified Communist Party of Nepal Maoist is protesting on the streets in the name of 'civilian supremacy', demanding the government to allow opposition UCPN Maoist to lead new coalition government.

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Is this really civil supremacy of UCPN Maoists?

Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, November 12

Hundreds of cadres of the Young Communist League, affiliated to the UCPN Maoist, strode on the streets with sticks and red ribbons around Singh Durbar, the centre of the government offices today to gherao it as part of the two-day programme. Addressing their cadres, senior Maoist leaders were mimicking about the civil supremacy, human rights and peace.

On the contrary, the YCL cadres were barring the people from walking on the road freely on their way to home and office since 8AM to 4PM. Ironically, Maoist cadres were excreting urine on the outer walls of Singh Durbar and accumulating papers, plastics and other materials on the roads after having food and snacks.  Moreover, all the traffic movements were halted throughout this period in Kathmandu.

Meanwhile, thousands of ordinary people suffered unnecessarily from the Maoist movement for achieving state power. "They are not realizing about people's human rights and difficulty they are facing now. They are only hungry for being Prime Minister and ministers in the government," said the commuters in a furious mood.

Uma Shrestha, owner of a photo studio at Hanumansthan near by south gate of Singh Durbar, said that she had nothing to do with their movement for power. "However, we suffered more than enough. It was so tense and terrifying during the scuffle between police and demonstrators," she added. "We closed the doors and remained inside for about two hours."

Children and elderly people of the area were badly affected with explosion of tear-gas shells. "Children were crying and our eyes also ached badly," Shrestha said. "Sets of furniture of Kalinchowk Furniture Industry and Chagunarayan Restaurant were damaged while demonstrators entered there," she informed.

Shrestha earned nothing today whereas she used to earn Rs 500 to 1,000 per day. "We are again terrified what will happen tomorrow," she worried.

Deepak Baral, a staff of Janaki Medical College in Janakpur and a representative for Kathmandu valley, said that he came from Sinamangal to Agriculture Development Bank at Ramshah Path, a distance of about four kilometres on foot for an important work. "What kind of civil supremacy is this?", he questioned.

People from all walks of life including students, business community, laymen, and government staffers were badly affected from the strike. Only ambulances were running on the roads. "The life of ordinary people became so hard today," he added.

Bidur Dahal, a Maoist worker from Sindhuli, a businessman and a staff of Hotel Yak and Yeti, also complained of the Maoist activities on the roads. "I came to attend the protest. However, as I have to go to Baneshwor for my work, they blocked me to walk on the road and threatened to do anything," he said. "Is it right? This is the extreme atrocity. This way of beating and threatening will not work any more," he expressed surrealistically.

The demonstrators pelted stones on the security forces. There were about five dozens of Maoist leaders and cadres were injured when police used force to control over the demonstrators entering restricted zones.

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