Not all sages are holy but some more unholy too

Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, March 13

Not all sages are holy but some are involved in unholy and criminal activities. Some sages or other persons in guise of sages, who come to shelter in Pashupati vicinity, are reported to be involved in smuggling arms and narcotics.

According to the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT), some sages sheltering illegally in Ram Mandir at Pashupatinath are also reported to be involved in weapons and narcotics smuggling. There are about five dozens of sages and sadhus hailing from Nepal and India often live in Ram Mandir. "We are scrutinising the matter in cooperation with the Department of Crime Investigation that informed us about the arms and drugs smuggling by the sages," said Sushil Nahata, member secretary at the PADT.

Sources at PADT, which is enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, informed that it aimed to vacate fake sages from the Ram Mandir area before February 12, citing suspicion of involvement in arms and drugs smuggling. "PADT has warned us to remove from the area by mid-April," said Lal Baba, 83, who has been regularly living at Ram Mandir for last 26 years. "We are troubled due to the suspicious activities in guise of sages," he said. "However, I will not go away."

Lal Baba said that the smuggling of narcotics from the area including Tilganga was rampant. "Even the school and college students come to buy those intoxicating drugs," he said. "The smuggling of weapons also cannot be denied as many people in guise of sages come and go frequently," he said. "Only about a half dozen of sages stay inside the temple premises, rest of them frequently go away."

Baba complained the PADT and other government mechanism were unable to identify who is guilty or not. The criminals can disguise to earn money safely, he revealed.

The new sages should register their names to PADT, however, they all don't abide by the rules, according to PADT. The PADT lacks orderly registration system at Ram Mandir besides its office time. PADT permits them to shelter in the temple upto five days.

"We have recently requested the District Administration Office to remove illegally settling sages and persons from the area," said Bhola Prasad Sitaula, director at PADT. "We are not against the true sages who are not involved in illicit activities. They will be allowed to stay here."

The attempts of authorities to quell illegal and criminal activities in the past could not be successful owing to the lack of effective governance and willpower of political parties.

The crimes in the society are alarmingly increasing making commoners' life vulnerable, said Shiva Sharan Rajbhandari, local and storekeeper at the Pashupatinath temple. "It will be hard to subjugate illegal activities unless the efficiency and performance of the government and police are professionalised," he said.

SSP Rana Bahadur Chand, chief at the Department of Crime Investigation, said that they have assigned a team to watch the activities in the area. "They will face at least 12 years of jail term under the Arms and Ammunition Act and Narcotics and Drugs (Control) Act if they are caught," Chand said, urging all to cooperate with police to punish the criminals.

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Holy shrine of Pashupati stained in illicit activities

Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, March 6

The holy shrine of Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT), place of sanity, spirituality and humanism, has been notoriously stained in indecent, illegal and criminal activities, even by the sages

According to the PADT, some sages sheltering illegally in Ram Mandir at Pashupatinath are also reported to be involved in weapons and narcotics smuggling. There are about five dozens of sages and sadhus hailing from Nepal and India have been living in Ram Mandir. “We are scrutinising the matter in cooperation with the Department of Crime Investigation that informed us about the arms and drug smuggling by the sages,” said Sushil Nahata, member secretary at the PADT.

Sources at PADT, which is enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, informed that those who would be found guilty would be expelled from the area. The guilty will be taken legal actions if proved through investigation, according to the Metropolitan Police Range at Gaushala.

Nahata said that PADT was planning to systemise the shrine in a decent and proper manner against all kinds of malaises. “About 300 shops are illegally stalled inside the area while lands of shrine are encroached, and sand from Bagmati bank inside area is illegally traded,” he said. “One who wants to work fairly is threatened and forced not to take action against the unauthorised practices.”

PADT set to install CCTV cameras by Sunday

KATHMANDU: In a bid to check suspicious activities in the area, PADT is all set to install CCTV cameras by Sunday. “We will fix at least two CC Televisions by Sunday,” said Nahata. “One camera will be installed at the Office of Secretariat and another at the main gate of Pashupatinath Temple,” he added. “The cameras will be gradually installed in different locations of the area where necessary.” Nahata, who was issued death threats three times, has lodged a complaint with District Administration Office and the police seeking security. Nahata was threatened over his mobile phone using public telephone booth and grocery from Teku area.

The PADT, which is spread at the area of 283 hectors of land including settlements, aims at expelling sages involved in arms and drugs smuggling, evicting illegally settled street vendors, evacuating land encroachers from the area, checking illegal trade of sand and concrete and  banning alcohol and meat business in the area.

Narottam Baidya, treasurer at the PADT, also said the illegal and criminal activities are taking place at the shrine though they are strictly banned. “Even sale and consumption of alcohol and animal flesh are prohibited in the area, they are openly traded,” he worried.

However, the attempts to quell illegal and criminal activities in the past could not be successful owing to lack of effective governance and willpower of political parties.

The crimes in the society are alarmingly increasing making commoners’ life vulnerable, said Shiva Sharan Rajbhandari, local and storekeeper at the Pashupatinath temple. “It will be hard to subjugate indecent and illegal activities unless the efficiency and performance of the government and police are professionalised,” he said.

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Paltry budget likely to thwart 120 motor-bridges

Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, March 4

The government’s plan to construct some 300 motorable bridges in the country within six years will be impossible unless an additional budget is allocated annually for the purpose.

According to the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works (MoPPW), about 200 motorable bridges are under construction while building of 100 more such bridges will be launched within the current fiscal year. The construction of launched bridges should be completed within six years of its initiation.

“If the government allocates budget in the present ratio for the bridges, the construction of only about 180 bridges will be completed within the six years,” said Tulasi Prasad Sitaula, joint-secretary at the MoPPW. “Rs 1.75 billion is flatly allocated every year,” he told this daily. “Rs 10 billion is necessary to accomplish the bridge construction.”

Sitaula said the ministry has demanded additional Rs 750 million for the current fiscal year aiming at constructing 71 bridges. “Only 30 bridges will be built this year from the allocated budget,” he said. “Otherwise, the incomplete bridges will remain incomplete for ever,” he warned.

Along with the construction of roads across the nation, the inevitability of bridge construction is on rise. There are 18,000km of roads throughout the country. Of them, 9,000km of road falls under the MoPPW while the Ministry of Local Development (MoLD) has been handling the remaining portion of roads.

Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya, spokesperson for the MoLD, said that the ministry constructs about 10 motorable bridges annually. “The government should give priority to construct the bridges on the roads, which are dysfunctional without them,” he added. At least Rs 2 billion is needed for MoLD alone yearly while it is issued only Rs 440 million.

·        Rs 500 million for Nepal Government funded Mechi bridge (Initiated)

·        ADB funded Chatara (Koshi) bridge estimated at Rs 1 billion (In pipeline)

·        WB funded Karnali bridge estimated at Rs 650 million (In pipeline)

·        Rs 150 million for Arun bridge to be funded by DFID (In pipeline)

·        Rs 100 million for Sabhakhola bridge to be funded by DFID (In pipeline)

 A total of 10,000km of roads operates in all weathers throughout the year. Some 8,000km of roads come to operation only in dry season. “A bridge is necessary in average of each five kilometers of road due to the geographical structure and number of rivers and streams,” said Sitaula. “There are already 1,300 motorable bridges when we need additional 300 bridges over the crossings through these roads,” he added.

The MoPPW has been constructing the bridges on its own investment for last one decade although the foreign donors have proposed to assist for a few bridges. Ironically, only Rs 30 million is annually allocated to renovate existing 1,300 bridges. “Ten per cent of them are at dilapidated condition,” Sitaula worried. “If we depend on national resources, there will be uncertainty in bridge construction.”

Sitaula further informed that Japan government has proposed to construct 35 community road bridges in different districts. “The designing will be completed by the end of February,” he said.

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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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