A Bollywood artist of Nepali origin, Minakshi Thapa found dead
Apr 19, 2012 @ 07:57
An artist who had worked as a junior artist in Bollwood movies, Minakshi Thapa was found dead in Ilahabad by the Mumbai police.
Mumbai police has accused a junior artist Amit Jayasawal and a model, Preeti Suni of killing Minakshi. Police has told that they had killed the actress in an attempt to abduct her and get ransom.
The model and the artist had lured Minakshi to Illahabad by promising her to offer a role in a Bhojpuri movie.
91 arrested for fake driving license
Apr 21, 2012 @ 18:22
Police on Saturday morning arrested 91 persons for trying to obtain their driving licenses through fake procedure by paying money to brokers.
The police arrested them at the local Capital hotel and Jaljala Hotel near the bus park along with the broker while dealing in necessary paperwork to apply for driving license.
All of the arrestees are from Chitwan, Nawalparasi and Butwal and had reached Bheri Zonal Transportation Office to obtain driving license without undergoing trials and written exams.
Police suspects some staffs of transportation office and some police officers in the racket.
It has been learnt that SK Driving Centre of Butwal, Hamro Driving Centre of Bharatpur and Nawalpur Driving Centre of Nawalparasi are involved in dealing in forged licenses.
Rishi Rimal of SK driving and Santosh Sharma of Nawalpur has been detained by police while Kumar Pariyar of Hamro Driving and other members of the fake license racket fled when the raid was conducted.
DSP got injured in bomb blast
Apr 11, 2012 @ 14:08
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ramesh Basnet of Area Police Office Kohalpur in Nepalgunj got injured in a bomb blast.
The police reached the site after locals informed about seeing three unidentified objects wrapped in the paper at the field in Kardhari VDC-1, Naya Basti . One of them exploded after DSP Basnet accidentally kicked it thinking that it was some trash, according to Kantipur report. The other two were disposed by the bomb disposal squad.
DSP Basnet got injured in his eye, finger of left leg and the treatment was done in Nepalgunj Nursing Home and further treatment in Fatya Bal Eye Hospital.
According to police, the investigation is underway.
Home Minister commits to remove fake landless squatters from river banks
Mar 1, 2012 @ 18:31
In a discussion programme organized by the High Level Bagmati Civilization Integrated Development Committee on Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Bijay Kumar Gachhadar expressed his commitment to remove the fake landless squatters residing along the river banks in the Kathmandu Valley.
Home Minister Gachhadar questioned how people can be called landless squatters when they are living encroaching public land by constructing RCC buildings.
According to RSS, he said he had requested top leaders of the big three parties frequently for their support. He further said to remove fake landless squatters at any expense, and warned he will rather settle other people in Tundikhel, if they did not support him for the same.
Similarly, Minister for Physical Planning and Works Hyridayesh Tripathi said that the government was committed to conserve the river banks in the Kathmandu Valley.
Earlier in January, the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works had tasked the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction (DUDBC) with registering the squatters to identify real landless squatters.
Only 12 percent of the around 8,000 people living on the river banks filed applications for registering themselves as squatters.
According to the study of the government, more than 1,500 ropanis (76.3 hectares) of land have been encroached by the squatters on the banks of Bagmati, Bishnumati, Manohara and Dhobikhola rivers in the valley.
Rajani Thapa of Kathmandu won the title “Miss National Queen†of this year that was held on Thursday in Kathmandu. Rajani left behind 19 competitors and got opportunity to participate in Miss International Queen-2012 that is going to be held in South America.
Sweta Shrestha of Kathmandu became First Runner Up and Sudha Subedi became the Second Runner Up. Sweta and Sudha received cash prize of Rs 20000 and Rs 10000 respectively along with gift hamper.
Other title winners of this season 2 Miss National Queen are
Miss Friendship- Dhanu Sunuwar
Beautiful Hair- Risu Pokhrel
Beautiful Smile- Sristi Giri
Miss Discipline & Viewer’s Choice – Aasika Tamang
Miss Talent-Â Rajani Thapa
Miss Personality- Rashmita Khadka
Best Dress- Shila KC
Miss Best Catwalk- Sharmila Shrestha
According to the organizer, Everest Fashion Home, Rajani will be provided with various training before competing in South America.
Photo Credit: Facebook page of MISS National Queen (beauty pageant)
PM assures to revise information classification and restriction
Feb 1, 2012 @ 12:10
Following intense pressure from journalists, the government has decided to revise its information classification directive that was issued restricting an individual, the media or any organization from gaining 140 types of information, including those on big development projects, parliamentary decisions and major decisions of the government.
Two weeks ago, the government issued such directive and Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai has said it has been issued for national security.
On Tuesday in a meeting with the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), PM Bhattarai assured media persons that the directive would be revised taking suggestions from senior journalists, legal experts, and RTI activists and till then, the directive will be kept on hold. On the same day, the Supreme Court (SC) has also issued a stay order on the government’s directive to restrict information of public importance as per law concerning Right to Information.
A single bench of Justice Baidya Nath Upadhyay issued the order after a hearing on a writ filed by the Democratic Lawyers’ Association. The SC has summoned both the parties to appear in the court on February 5 to discuss whether or not to continue with the stay order.
Clash in Lazimpat area when bulldoze for Road expansion
Feb 4, 2012 @ 18:48
UPDATE: Feb 05, Sunday morning, the locals of Lazimpat in the Capital demonstrated against forceful demolition of personal property. Due to it, the transportation has come to a grinding halt.  They have launched motorcycle rally and chanted anti-government slogans.
Kathmandu, Feb 04 2012
A minor clash took place in Lazimpat area, Kathmandu on Saturday morning between the locals and police when Metropolitan Traffic Police Division (MTPD) in collaboration with Kathmandu Valley Town Development Implementation Committee bulldozed the wall of Standard Chartered Bank.
Under the presence of tight security, some houses including the wall of Standard Chartered Bank and adjoining wall of Ambassador Hotel constructed illegally on both sides of the road were bulldozed though the locals had been obstructing road expansion work of the government since one month.
But, according to the locals, the structures are being constructed after taking permission from the municipality.
The government has been intensely expanding road in Kathmandu and Lalitpur based on the criteria set by the Municipality Development Act in 2033 BS. (Photo Credit: Kantipur)
Writing with both hands, legs, mouth and elbows, attempting Guinness records
Feb 5, 2012 @ 12:00
24 years old Manoj Chand of Chaukham village, Baitadi District is making preparations to have his name included in the Guinness Book of World Records, according to RSS.
Manoj can write with both his hands and legs simultaneously and that also normal and reverse handwriting. He can also write using his mouth and elbows. In six seconds, Manoj can write the alphabets from A to Z.
An MBS first year student, Manoj is on a national campaign to enlist his name in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Manoj said he learnt this skill through constant practice over the past three years.
Kantipur, a leading Nepali National daily has been hit by a plagiarism scandal after question arise on the originality of Articles claimed to be written by one of its young journalist, Aashis Luitel. More than half a dozen articles related to technology sector that were originally published in the New York Times, are found to have published without giving credit to the original source.
According to Nepalnews report, Luitel’s brash plagiarism was exposed by some regular readers of Friday supplement published by Kantipur, in their blogs and twitter posts.
According to a twitter post by Kantipur Daily’s Editor Sudhir Sharma, Aashis Luintel, the coordinator and technology writer of ‘Hello Sukrabar’, has been removed from his responsibilities.
After the expose of plagiarism, Luitel also wrote in twitter as below:
But it has not mentioned there what mistakes he has done.
Telephone service interrupted due to lizard
Feb 10, 2012 @ 18:04
It is hard to believe that a lizard can interrupt the telephone service. But it has happened in Kapilvastu according to RSS reports.
In the past six days, more than one thousand of telephone lines of Nepal Telecom Jitpur Sub-division have been completely disrupted.
At the beginning, the Telecom Kapilvastu cited technical glitch in system as a cause behind the disruption but now it has come to public notice that the main cause was a dead lizard.
Telecom Kapilvastu Taulihawa Chief Rakesh Kumar Gupta informed a dead lizard that was found in the system software has caused short circuit of the system.
Jitpur Sub Division Chief Homnath Bhusal said the problem will be resolved from Telecom Regional Office Bhairahawa.
Nepal’s hat trick win in ACC U-19 Women’s Championship
Feb 10, 2012 @ 18:47
Nepal won third consecutive title in the ACC U-19 Women’s Championship on Friday by defeating Thailand by six wickets in the final match played at Hubara Cricket Ground in Kuwait.
Captain Rubina Chhettri and Mamata Choudhary contributed 56 runs in partnership. Chhetri was exceptional with the ball and grabbed three wickets.
Chhettri was declared player of the match and also player-of-the-tournament award for her all-round performance in the championship.
Match Summary:
Thailand: 74/10 (22.4 Overs)
Nepal: 75/4 (21 Overs)
Apology published in Kantipur for plagiarism
Feb 11, 2012 @ 15:12
Plagiarism has been found during investigation and Kantipur has published apology in its Friday supplement ‘Hello Shukrabar’ on Friday.
In Editorial note, it has apologized to all readers, New York Times and The Telegraph and informed that coordinator Aashis Luitel has been removed from the responsibility of Hello Shukrabar.
Luitel has also apologized for the mistake and requested readers to pardon him once. He also promised not to repeat the mistake again.
PLA Combatants protest against cheque seized by the commanders
Feb 13, 2012 @ 05:35
The combatants from People’s Liberation Army (PLA) First Division in Chulachuli, Ilam have disrupted vehicular movement in Mechi zone from 12 am to 2 pm on Sunday afternoon as a protest against the seizure of their voluntary retirement paychecks by the commanders.
PLA combatants staged demonstration in the eastern region and warned the government to come up with stringent protests if the government did not address their demands within five days that is by February 17.
Their five-point demand includes return of seized cheques and identity cards, relief package for the combatants who joined the Young Communist League (YCL) before the PLA verification by UNMIN in 2007.
The agitating Maoist combatants have not only demanded to the government but also to their party to unveil the details of the PLA fund including income and expenditure.
Earlier news has came in various media that complaints have been received by the Special Committee Secretariat that Maoist commanders are trying to force the PLA combatants to provide a certain percent of their voluntary retirement package.
Five convicted in Sudan scam; 31 police officers got clean-chit
Feb 13, 2012 @ 15:27
Special Court (SC) has convicted three former Inspector General of Police (IGP) and two suppliers on Sudan scam and provided clean chit to 31 police officers. This may be the first ever case of embezzlement of millions rupees in Nepal.
Announcing the verdict on Tuesday, a bench of SC chairman Gauri Bahadur Karki and judges Om Prakash Mishra and Kedar Prasad Chalise slapped a two-year jail term to former IGPs– Om Bikram Rana, Hem Bahadur Gurung and Ramesh Chandra Thakuri–each along with Rs 170,680,000, Rs 64,870,000 and Rs 48,544,000 as fine respectively.The court also slapped a two-year jail term to Michael Rider, director of Assured Risks, the firm that supplied the faulty Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to the Nepal Police’s Sudan mission and Shambhu Bharati, local agent of the company. The court also pronounced Rs 280 million fine to Rider and Rs 140 million to Bharati.
Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) had filed a corruption case in June last year against 34 top police officers and two suppliers on the charge of misappropriating millions of rupees during the purchase of APCs for Nepali peace keeping mission deployed in Darfur, Sudan.
Campaign started against School bus for overload
Feb 14, 2012 @ 12:02
The metropolitan traffic police division (MTPD) has started a campaign against school vehicles for carrying students beyond their capacity. On the first day of the campaign Monday morning, the MTPD reprimanded 212 overloaded school vehicles.
According to Kantipur news report, 46 students found in a micro-bus of KMC School having capacity of 17, 30 students found in similar vehicle of EPS School, 40 students found in 30 seats bus of Namo Buddha Dhyan Kendra, 35 students found in 25 seats and 45 found in 30 seats vehicle of Manju-shree School, and 13 found on eight seats vehicle of Achme Engineering College.
SP Yogeshwor Romkhami said, the MTPD has asked school owners and guardians to join hands in ensuring child rights. He added buses flouting the ‘mobile code’ may be fined between Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 in future. The fine increases for regular offenders.
According to metropolitan traffic division chief and Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Ganesh Raj, MTPD has started the campaign to take action against school vehicles carrying students overload even after charging very high transport costs to parents.
SC stays Home Minister’s circular on citizenship by descent
Feb 16, 2012 @ 18:20
The Supreme Court on Thursday issued a stay order on the government’s decision of providing ‘citizenship by descent’ to those children who were born before their parents acquired Nepali citizenships. A joint bench of justices Bharat Raj Upreti and Bharat Raj Karki issued such order.
The advocates duo Bal Krishna Neupane and Prabinata Wosti have filed writ petition on February 12 claiming that Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar’s circular to issue the Nepali citizenship certificates by descent to the children of those citizens who acquired the Nepali citizenship in 2063- 064 BS, was against the law.
The circular was issued by the Home Ministry on January 8 to all the 75 District Administration Offices.
The advocates’ duo argued that there was no provision of distributing citizenships by descent to the children of such parents.
In 2006 on the basis of birth certificates, the government had granted citizenship to around 200,000 people who were born in Nepal before 1990.
Father kills his own three daughters
Feb 17, 2012 @ 18:19
Police arrested Bhakta Bahadur Rumba, 35, of Bakhrekhola, Faparbari-5 of Makwanpur on charge of killing his three daughters on Thursday night.
According to police, mentally unstable Rumba killed 12 years Laxmi Maya, 10 years Sunita Maya and 9 years Anita Maya by attacking with stones at 2:40 am at night.
The incident took place when Rumba’s wife was out of home to attend a marriage ceremony of one of her relatives.
Father murders child born from relation with daughter
Feb 18, 2012 @ 17:57
Police detained Amrit Chand, 59, and his daughter Nanda Kala, 21, on charge of killing a newborn child born from their illegal relationship, in Bhurunge of Jajarkot district.
Both confessed of killing the newborn child. According to news report in kantipur, Chand, along with his daughter, had murdered the child immediately after birth and buried nearby his home.
According to police, they have been held for further investigation.
Democracy Day: no celebration from Govt; besets opposition
Feb 19, 2012 @ 18:27
Opposition parties, Nepali Congress and CPN-UML have criticized UCPN (Maoist) led government for breaking tradition of celebrating democracy day on 7 Fagun when the nation was liberated from the 104-year long Rana dictatorship.
Today on the occasion of the 62nd Democracy Day, Tundikhel remains cold and bizarre. Though the government has given a public holiday on the occasion, the government did not organize any official programmes.
NC vice president Ram Chandra Paudel said the incumbent Maoist-led government is trying to wipe out the history of democracy by paying no heed in celebrating the National Democratic Day and added such act is condemnable.
Similarly, CPN-UML chairman Jhala Nath Khanal said his party would ask Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai for clarification for not celebrating the democracy day.
One died as locals scuffle with police in Chitwan on the eve of Shivaratri
Feb 20, 2012 @ 10:01
18-year-old Rabin Gurung of Simbhanjgyang died in a scuffle between locals and police on Sunday night in Bhaludhunga, Muglin.
The scuffle happened when police tried to stop locals from collecting money for the Mahashivaratri by obstructing traffic movement.
According to the police, Gurung sustained serious head injury while falling down on the road during the scuffle and breathed his last while receiving medical care at the Bharatpur Hospital yesterday.
However, the locals have claimed that Gurung lost his life due to police beating. Gurung was beaten badly by the police personnel deployed in Mugling for security in the highway after they found him obstructing the vehicular movement in Mugling-Narayanghat road section, by hanging a rope across the road.
Irate locals have obstructed the roads yesterday night too and have called Chitwan bandh today demanding action against the police after the meeting between the locals and the police has failed to resolve the matter.
The Mungling locals are also demanding proper compensation for the kin of the deceased.
Fire gut house in Busy Ason
Feb 21, 2012 @ 18:13
The fire that occurred due to an electric short-circuits completely destroyed one house and damaged other two at Balkumari, Ason in Kathmandu on Tuesday.
The fire caught the house owned by Tulshi Maiya Joshi at around 7.00 am and according to police, it took about six hours to bring the fire under control by teams of Nepal Army, Nepal police and locals.
Police Inspector Hem Kumar Shrestha said the fire brigade trucks and tankers could not reach the site due to narrow street. So, five fire brigade vehicles and 20 tankers were parked at a distance to put off the fire by water. (Photo Credit: NepalNews)
SC holds Minister Gupta guilty in corruption case and slaps jail term and fine
Feb 21, 2012 @ 18:32
The Supreme Court on Tuesday hold Minister for Information and Communications Jaya Prakash Gupta guilty of amassing property by misusing the power during his various stints as minister and slapped one and half year jail term and Rs. 8.4 million fine. The court also ordered confiscation of same amount of his property.
A joint bench of SC justices Tarkaraj Bhatta and Sushila Karki announced the verdict on the case that was under consideration at the SC since November 8, 2007.
Gupta surrendered before the court following his conviction in corruption. So, as per the the law, Gupta will get a 20 percent discount in the fine and another 20 percent in the jail term.
The SC also recommended the Judicial Council to take action against Special Court judges Bhupadhowj Adhikari, Komal Nath Sharma and Cholendra Shumsher Janga Bahadur Rana, who had “illegally” acquitted Gupta of all corruption charges on June 7, 2007, citing insufficient evidence to prove him guilty.
Gupta was accused of amassing property worth Rs 20.8 million through illegal means during his multiple ministerial stints and dragged into the court in 2003.
Gupta was sent to Dillibazaar prison.
Action taken against Pedestrians for not using Overhead Bridges
Feb 23, 2012 @ 18:04
Kathmandu Metropolitan Traffic Police Division (KMTPD), from Thursday, has started to fine pedestrians who do not use overhead bridges to cross the road.
Those, who cross the roads without using overhead bridges, though the bridge is nearby, will be fined Rs 50 and will be under detention of the Traffic Police for an hour. Earlier, such pedestrians were fined Rs 25.
KMTPD has deployed police personnel to monitor and take action at various places like Sundhara, Bhotahiti and Ratnapark’s Ranedwip overhead bridge from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.
According to the traffic police, this action has been taken to control road accidents as some pedestrians did not use the bridge though they were urged to do so. Further, the traffic police informed that as an effort, an awareness campaign has been launched to control the increased road accidents caused by random crossing of roads and to ease the traffic congestion caused by the Pedestrians.
Recently, the traffic police have already launched an anti-drink driving campaign for controlling accidents at night. (Photo Credit: Image Channel)
About 145 lawyers arrested from Singhadurbar
Feb 24, 2012 @ 12:11
About 150 lawyers staging a protest against delay in promulgation of the new constitution were arrested from outside the Supreme Court premises in Singha Durbar in Kathmandu on Friday afternoon.
The protest rally, organized by the Nepal Bar Association, was planned to take out from NBA building, next to the SC, to Ratnapark but was interfered by the security personnel when trying to enter the prohibitory zone.
They chanted sarcastic slogans like “Don’t make constitution” and “Extend the Constituent Assembly term only.” Some lawyers have been injured during the incident, according to NBA General Secretary Bijaya Mishra, who also has been detained.
Dhiraj Pratap Singh, spokesperson of Metropolitan Police Range said, the detained lawyers have been kept at Singhadurbar and Baneshwor police posts and will be released by today evening.
NBA Chairman Prem Bahadur Khadka, General Secretary Mishra, former Vice Chairman Sher Bahadur K.C. and former General Secretary Madhav Banskota are also detained.
Powerful Bomb Blast outside NOC office
Posted on – Feb 27, 2012 @ 14:45
Monday afternoon, powerful bomb blast at Babarmahal, Kathmandu outside Nepal Oil Corporation’s (NOC) head office, killing three persons and injuring seven persons.
Two persons died on the spot while the other victim breathed his last while undergoing treatment at the Bir Hospital. Police identified two of the deceased as Krishna Bahadur Tamang and Bishnu Pulami. Other injured have been admitted to various hospitals.
Samyukta Jatiya Mukti Morcha-Bishwokranti (SJMM), a little known underground outfit, has claimed responsibility for the explosion. Recently, the group had also carried out an explosion at the mobile phone tower in Dhadhing.
According to media news, spokesperson of the group who identified himself as Bishwo Kranti in a telephone call to Sagarmatha Television said the blast was carried out in protest against the recent price hikes. NOC hiked the prices of petroleum products three days ago effective from Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Home Ministry informed at a press meet that a probe panel has been formed to investigate the explosion headed by DIG Upendra Kanta Aryal, the chief of Nepal Police Central Investigation Bureau with members-Senior Superintendent Devendra Sudedi, Senior Superintendent Kedar Man Singh Bhandari and Superintendent Subodh Ghimire.
Chief at Metropolitan Police Commissioner’s Office, AIG Kuber Singh Rana informed that the powerful explosion was carried out by using an electronic device and police have suspected that remote control might have used for the blast. (Photo Credit: The Himalayan Times and AFP)
Sapana Roka Magar from Baglung won the title ‘Dynamic Energy Drink Miss Mongol 2012′ that was held on February 25 at Nepal Academy Hall, Kamaladi.In the fourth edition of Miss Mongol organized by Action Entertainment Pvt Ltd., top 10 were selected based on the judgment made on talent round, voting and introduction round. Then top five were selected from the question and answer round among those top 10.
The reply which helps Sapana in winning the title is “Woman is a mother. She is full of love. She is the epitome of affection. Only that woman can be referred to as good woman who is a complete woman. That is why I proudly accept myself as a good woman than a successful woman because any woman can be successful in the world but very few can become good.â€
Many of the women will reply that they want to be successful or a good woman leading to a success, when “What do you prefer to be — a good woman or a successful woman? Why?†question will be asked, but she preferred to be a good woman.
Sapana won silver crown worth Rs 70,000 that has 230 stones in it. Numa Kandangwa bagged the title of first runner-up and received a cash prize Rs 20,000 and Usha Rai became second runner- up winning Rs 10,000 in cash.
 Other title winners
Miss Punctual – Sirjana Rai
Miss Best Smile-Rasmita Lama
Miss Personality-Numa Kandangwa
Miss Best Skin-Shradha Kambang
Miss Best Hair-Karma Dolma Gurung
Miss Friendship-Sharada Tamang Gole
Miss Photogenic-Numa Kandangwa
Nobel Academy Miss Discipline-Shochan Saugat Rai
THT Live Miss Public Choice-Sushmita Kayastha
Miss Talent-Shradha Kambang
Earlier, Sumnima Dewan was the winner of Miss Mongol 2011.
King Tribhuvan’s statue going to be removed from Shahid Gate
Jan 2, 2012 @ 17:33
The government on Monday has decided to remove the statue of late King Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah from Shahid Gate through a Cabinet meeting and place it at Narayanhiti Palace Museum.
At present, Tribhuvan’s statue is in the middle of the statues of four martyrs – Ganga Lal Shrestha, Dharma Bhakta Mathema, Dashrath Chand and Sukraraj Shastri – at Shahid Gate.
Deputy Prime Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha said that the government took the decision as “it is inappropriate to display the king’s statute along with the great martyrs.â€
Meanwhile, today’s cabinet meeting also decided to hold international conference in Kathmandu on climate change in mountainous countries on April 5-6 and to appoint Ram Kumar Yadav as the acting general manager of Nepal Drinking Water Corporation removing Dharma Dev Bajimaya from the post.
Vehicular movement decreased by 50%
Jan 3, 2012 @ 17:46
About 50 % vehicles are only running throughout the country due to shortage of petroleum product from few days.
According to Saroj Sitaula, Treasurer of Federation of National Transport Entrepreneurs’ Associations of Nepal, daily 70,000 to 80,000 public vehicles are run but at present, only 20,000 to 30,000 are running. It is affecting badly in the business of transport entrepreneurs who have taken loan to buy vehicles and further they have to pay to transport workers.
So, transport entrepreneurs on Monday staged two hour sit-in at the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) in Babarmahal in the Capital demanding to ease the supply of petroleum products.
Entrepreneurs resort to protest against the acute fuel crisis in various parts of the country.
Fuel shortage has affected even the private vehicles and has decreased its movement.
Fuel supply to ease from Friday: NOC
Jan 4, 2012 @ 13:24
Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) on Wednesday said that the supply of petroleum products will be eased from Friday as the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has already increased the supply of fuels after the payment of the due amount.
The state-owned oil monopoly, NOC, paid IRs 1.5 billion on Tuesday and IRs. 430 million on Wednesday to the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), said NOC Spokesperson Mukunda Prasad Dhungel.
The smooth supply of fuel will be experienced from Friday as the IOC has increased in the volume of petroleum supply, Officiating managing director of NOC, Suresh Kumar Agrawal said.
The NOC had signed a loan agreement of Rs 1.5 billion with the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) on Monday and of Rs. 1 billion with Citizen Investment Trust (CIT) after getting approval from the government a month ago.
Media writes quoting Dhungel that the smooth supply of fuel in the market will be for certain period as the loan assistance is not sufficient to ease the supply on the long-term basis. It further writes, the only alternative to get rid of the shortage of fuels in the country is the readjustment in its price as said by Dhungel.
The NOC is incurring Rs. 1.28 billion loss a month as the selling price is below its purchasing rate from India.
Woman become active to save rhinos in Nawalparasi
Jan 5, 2012 @ 17:39
Women in Agheuli VDC of Nawalparasi have become proactive to protect and preserve rhinos.
According to RSS news, they are formulating local-level policies and have formulated a rule to esquire anyone including those entering the village without showing identity, on suspect of rhino poaching.
To protect rhinos in Gundred Community Forest under the Amaltari Mid-zone Forest Users Committee, women have started daily patrolling in the village and forest entry points.
Chairperson of Kanchanjunga Women Group, Meena Mahato, informed that daily patrolling is a part of their efforts to protect rhinos living in the local community forest.
Explosion in busy Newroad
Jan 6, 2012 @ 18:00
Friday afternoon at Newroad, a busy place in Kathmandu, a minor blast went off.
According to police, the explosion was carried out by using a one litre capacity pressure cooker packed with explosives. No human causality or any damage of property has been reported.
There was not found any leaflets or any other materials like noticed in other earlier blasts. No one has taken the responsibility of the blast.
According to DSP Dhiraj Pratap Singh at Metropolitan Police Circle Kathmandu, “The cooker doesn’t have the lid and traces of sulphur can be foundâ€.
Hits FM Music Awards distributed
Jan 7, 2012 @ 16:53
Friday, 15th Hits FM Music Awards 2068 was organized in Kathmandu at Tribhuwan Army Officer’s Club, Bhadrakali and distributed various awards under 20 categories.
Among the songs and albums registered at Hits FM from Baisakh 1, 2067 to end of the year, 95 songs were nominated for all the awards.
Lifetime Achievement Award, a separate award category, is awarded to the prominent figure of the music industry for his/her lifelong contribution to the music field and, this year, poet and lyricist Chhetra Pratap Adhikari was honoured with this award.
Other Hits FM Awards-2068 winners under various categories are as below:
Best Female Pop Vocal Performance:Â Pushpa Gurung (Rog ho ki ya dosh ho)
Best Male Pop Vocal Performance:Â Om Bikram Bista (Gahro paryo)
Best Vocal Collaboration:Â Anju Pant/Narendra Pyasi (Jaam kyare)
Best Performance by Group or Duo with vocal:Â Albatross (Chhaina)
Best New Artist:Â Seema Sangraula, (Ke nai runchha)
Best Rock Vocal Performance:Â Albatros (Chhaina)
Best Female Vocal Performance:Â Sangeeta Rana Pradhan (Haasi Haasi)
Best Male Vocal Performance:Â Narendra Pyasi (Maya O Maya)
Best Song Originally Recorded for a Motion Picture Soundtrack:Â Suresh Adhikari (Kasle choryo mero man)
Best Pop Composition:Â Jems Pradhan (Garho parto)
Best Rock Composition:Â Albatross (Chhaina)
Best Arrangement:Â Amul Karki (Haasi Haasi)
Best Composition:Â Ashish Abiral (Maya O Maya)
Folk Record of the Year:Â Tulsi Parajuli (Patan ko Paatalo Chiura)
Folk Album of the Year:Â Rup Kumar Rai (Ram Saili)
Pop/Rock Album of the Year:Â 1974 AD (Aaat Aaathaana)
Album of the Year:Â Rajesh Payal Rai (Rai is King)
Song of the Year:Â Kali Prasad Rijal (Nadi Tarera)
Record of the Year:Â Narendra Pyasi (Maya O Maya)
Accusing the govt being most corrupt, MJF-N withdraws support
Jan 8, 2012 @ 14:44
 Madhesi Janadhikar Forum –Nepal (MJF-N) on Sunday afternoon made a formal announcement of withdrawal of party’s support to the current government led by Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai.
Organizing a press conference in the capital, MJF-N chairman Upendra Yadav announced, “MJF-N pulled back its support to the government citing that the current government is the most corrupt in Nepal’s history.†Yadav further added, ‘the current government has failed to make any progress on peace process and constitution drafting ‘.
MJF-N also accused the government for not integrating 10,000 Madhesis into the Nepal Army as per the previous agreement.
Addressing the conference, party Chairman Upendra Yadav said that the party would now stay as an active opposition party.
Withdrawing the support was decided by meeting of the MJF-N central committee held on Friday.
Five get 12 yrs jail sentence for gang-raping Buddhist nun
Jan 10, 2012 @ 17:33
The Sankhuwasabha District Court on Monday slapped jail sentences on five persons including driver, conductor, and handyman, to 6-12 years in prison for gang raping a 21-year-old Buddhist nun.
The victim, a resident of Bhojpur, was on her way to Khandbari from Dharan on June 24, 2011 when the incident happened. The bus was enroute to Khadbari, Sankhuwasabha from Dharan in Sunsari.
A single bench of district judge Shaligram Koirala of Chainpur District Court, Sankhuwashabha sent Raj Kumar Limbu (21), Bhuwan Korangi (24), Sobhit Magar (17), and Abhishekh Magar (18) to 12 years in prison. One Drona Bahadur Rai (27) was sentenced to six years in prison for abetting the convicts. Each of the convicts was also slapped a fine of Rs 50,000 to be paid as compensation to the victim.
The nun, unconscious after the incident, was admitted to the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences and then to a hospital in India’s border town of Siliguri.
Local cadres of the Sanghiya Limbuwan Rajya Parishad took the five under control after hearing of the crime and handed them over to the police. The case was filed by Krishna Bahadur Tamang, the victim’s father.
Heavy snowfall in Daman and Simbhanjyang, tourists visit
Jan 13, 2012 @ 16:49
Heavy snowfall at Daman and Simbhanjyang along the Tribhuvan highway has affected daily life. Since early Friday morning, it has been obstructing public transportation too between Hetauda and Kathmandu.
According to RSS, Area Police Office in Palung said, snow as high as three feet has accumulated on the roads and snowfall still continues.
Meanwhile, every day, the number of tourists visiting Daman and adjoining areas is increasing to observe the snowfall and play with snow.
Especially youths from Hetauda, Birgunj and Kathmandu are coming.
Jiabao to visit Nepal for few hours
Jan 13, 2012 @ 17:13
Prime Minister and Party secretary of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Wen Jiabao, is visiting Nepal for few hours only on Saturday, according to high-level sources in Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Jiabao would be in Nepal for five hours and then would be flying to Doha of Qatar. The visit schedule has not been disclosed yet by the Foreign Ministry.
However, it is confirmed that Jiabao will meet Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai on his visit.
Earlier, Jiabao had postponed his Nepal-visit, which was scheduled to begin from December 20 due to domestic reasons as said by China. However, the reason behind the postponement was speculated as security concerns.
Nepal, China sign eight deals on short visit of Jiabao
Jan 14, 2012 @ 16:13
The current premier and Party secretary of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Wen Jiabao arrived in Kathmandu at around 11:53 am for a five-hour visit.
A unit of Nepal Army based at the Tribhuvan International Airport accorded 19-gun salute to the Chinese premier in his honour.
During this short visit, Nepal and China have signed eight agreements following talks between Chinese premier Jiabao and Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai Saturday afternoon.
The government of China has agreed to pledge US$ 750 million grant assistance to Nepal for the next three years. Other agreement are budgetary support worth US$ 20 million for this year, infrastructure development, cultural programmes, upgrading of transit points, assistance for infrastructure development of Nepal Police, assistance for voluntary retirement of the combatants and upgrading of Pokhara airport.
According to RSS, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha and Foreign Minister of China signed the agreement on dry port management in Nepal-China border, frontier pasture agreement, and agreement on exchange of assistance between the foreign ministries of the two countries.
Similarly, Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun and his Chinese counterpart signed the agreements on economic and technical assistance promotion, establishment of training academy for the Armed Police Force of Nepal, and three others on providing various logistic supports to the Nepal Police.
Jiabao flew off to Doha, Qatar after his short Nepal visit.
Shyam Sundar Gupta arrested on abduction charges
Jan 16, 2012 @ 15:09
Lawmaker, Former Minister and chairman of Nepal Sadbhawana Party (Anandi Devi), Shyam Sundar Gupta was arrested on Monday from his residence in Siddharthanagar-5, Rupendehi district.
A police team deputed from Kathmandu Metropolitan Crime Division arrested lawmaker Gupta for his alleged involvement in kidnapping of a Kathmandu-based Marwari businessman Pawan Sanghai on the basis of statement given by two persons who were arrested by the police from Hetauda on Sunday..
Businessman Sanghai was kidnapped from Kamaladi GaneshThan, Kathmandu in December 21 and three weeks later, Sanghai had returned home safely after paying hefty ransom. Although his family has not disclosed the exact amount of ransom, police source believe that several crores rupees have been paid to secure release.
Nepal-India home secretary-level talks: Nepal to train Indian police
Jan 18, 2012 @ 07:32
The two-day Nepal-India home secretary-level talks concluded in New Delhi on Tuesday. In the talk, it was agreed for the first time that Nepal is allowed to provide policing training to the Indian police.
According to 26th point of 10-page minutes of the meeting as per the Kathmandu Post, “The Nepalese side offered training opportunities to the Indian police personnel of tourism and community policing.†Source said, “Indian side is happy with the offer as Nepal has excellent track record in community and tourism policing.â€
The meeting agreed to hold regular meetings of the chiefs of Armed Police Force (APF) and Director General (DG), SSB, India. It was agreed that IF, APF and DG, SSB shall meet annually.
The meeting discussed about strengthening measures to check the movement of terrorists and other miscreants using international airports as transit points, growth of religious fundamentalism on Nepal-India border, proliferation of Madrasas, anti-India propaganda by some Nepal’s FM radio stations in the border areas and misuse of SIM cards.
In the meeting, India agreed
to prevent harassment of Nepali nationals by the Indian police personnel
for a joint inspection and maintenance of missing or damaged boundary pillars at least once every two years.
to provide training and capacity building support for combating cyber crimes, economic offences, and on forensic sciences, training for customs officials, prison officials, immigration officials, police officials and chief district officers.
Protest against fuel price hike
Jan 19, 2012 @ 17:31
Youth organizations of eight major political parties including youth organizations of the ruling UCPN (Maoist) have announced phase-wise protests against the government decision to hike fuel price.
Earlier in the day, 13 student unions of the major political parties had already announced their protest programmes against the fuel price hike.
Maoist youth front YCL, Nepali Congress (NC)-aligned Tarun Dal, UML’s Youth Association Nepal, Tarai Loktantrik Phant, and other youth fronts, announced various protest programmes in a joint press conference organized in the Capital on Thursday.
The protest programmes include joint demonstrations on January 20 Â in the Capital, protest assemblies on January 21 at major junctions in the Capital including Baneshwor, Kalanki, Jawalakhel, Chabahil, and Sallaghari of Bhaktapur, nationwide exposure assemblies on January 22, Â demonstration in front of Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) office for two hours on January 23, torch rally in Kathmandu on 24 and valley shut down on January 25.
The NOC, on Wednesday, had announced increment in the prices of petroleum products. With the hike, the price of petrol has reached Rs 115 per litre while that of diesel and kerosene have reached Rs 85 per litre. Similarly, the price of cooking gas has reached Rs 1500 and airline fuel has reached Rs 100.
The price of petrol has increased by Rs 10 per litre, the prices of diesel and kerosene by Rs 9 per liter each and the price of cooking gas by Rs 175 per cylinder.
NOC said that the price of the petroleum products was revised to meet the increasing loss it had been bearing. As per the previous price, NOC said that it was bearing a monthly loss of 1.78 billion rupees.
Nepal Army Officer injured while defusing bomb
Jan 21, 2012 @ 16:12
A Nepal Army Officer got injured while defusing a bomb planted at a grocery shop in Gaur of Rautahat district Saturday morning.
The injured has been identified as Hom Bahadur Raut, Nepal Army lance corporal of Amar Dal and is receiving treatment at Rautahat district hospital. He sustains injury in his leg. The condition is reported to be normal.
The bomb was planted at a grocery shop owned by Binod Jaiswal of Sarmujawa VDC-4.
Meanwhile, the district coordinator, Abinash Singh of Samyukta Terai Madhes Mukti Party has owned the responsibility of the plantation of the bomb.
DIG Koirala confesses to murdering his wife
Jan 22, 2012 @ 12:06
Armed Police Force Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Ranjan Koirala, 44, has confessed to killing his wife, Gita Dhakal, 36, during a police interrogation Sunday morning, sources claim. Further details about the murder have not revealed yet.
Koirala was detained by the Metropolitan Police Crime Division, Hanumandhoka, over the disappearance of his wife. His wife had gone missing from her Budhanilkantha residence since January 11.
A joint team of Kathmandu Police Range and Metropolitan Police Crime Division (MPCD) on Sunday arrested Koirala from Nagdhunga when he was entering the Capital from outside the Valley.
Saturday night, the body of a woman was found dumped in Palung, Makawanpur and DIG Koirala was detained today morning to find whether there is any connection between his missing wife and the body, Â according to police spokesperson, DSP Dhiraj Pratap Singh.
Earlier, police had refused to register an abduction complaint of Gita’s relatives against him citing the lack of solid evidences. Then her relatives had lodged a kidnapping complaint at National Human Rights Commission, National Women Commission and the Prime Minister´s Office.
Koirala claimed that they had been living separately for over ten years.
News article or ‘Murder tutorial’?
Jan 24, 2012 @ 06:05
An illustrated article on how the Nepali Police DIG Ranjan Koirala killed his wife, published in Nepali daily Kantipur, seems more like a tutorial now how to kill rather than a news article.
The police officer, Koirala, who was had a master’s degree on Criminal Psychology and had worked in Crime Branch in Nepal Police, had experience on such crimes and he had done his best to hide his crime. Publishing all the details of the crime in the newspaper makes it looks more like a procedure of committing such crime than preventing it.
Read the full article in Kantipur webstie (in Nepali).
We hope the journalists take their social responsibilities more seriously and publish only the details that is required to explain the situation.
[Our previous news article about Koirala confessing of murdering his wife.]
Bhattas’ of Pashupati to get salary, Offerings in treasury
Jan 24, 2012 @ 15:22
A proposal of paying fixed salaries to priests of the Pashupatinath temple authorizing the Culture Ministry to handle the monetary offerings to the Hindu shrine has been submitted to Culture Minister Gopal Kirati.
A subcommittee formed in November last year to maintain transparency of monetary offerings has proposed this according to which the four sections of “sacred†priests—Bhatta, Bhandari, Bishet and Rairakami—will receive salaries and perks as provided to civil servants by the government. The Mul Bhatta, chief of the four Bhatta priests, will receive Rs 40,000 monthly and a daily allowance of Rs 3,000. The remaining three Bhatta priests will receive Rs 30,000 per month and Rs 2,000 in daily allowance as published in ekantipur
As 101 Bhandaris are handling temple affairs for a period of one month in turn, Kirati said that there are some technical problems for their salary.
According to Kirati, 8 Bishets, who are responsible for managing logistics at the main temple, have already been receiving some amount of money as salary from the Pashupati Area Development Trust. It is equivalent to that received by a section officer in government service. Rairakamis receive salaries as non-gazetted government officials depending on their responsibility.
Fuel price reduced but, protest to continue
Jan 26, 2012 @ 07:57
The government has reduced the price of after a protest by the student organizations. Announcing the government decision to reduce Rs. 3 per liter on petrol, Rs. 4 in kerosene oil and diesel, and Rs. 85 per cylinder in cooking gas, the Minister for Commerce and Supplies, Lekh Raj Bhatt, told that the reduction will impact in the supply.
Minister Bhatt told that he had to reduce the price on pressure and he expects the availability of petroleum in the market to be further limited.
The protesting 13 student organization have however rejected the moderate price reduction. They have demands the government to scrape the price hike altogether. They have also told that the protest will continue until the price hike is reversed.
Nepal Oil Corporation had increased the prices of diesel and kerosene to Rs 85 per liter from Rs 76 per liter. The price of petrol was raised to Rs 115 per litre from Rs 105 and the price of cooking gas was raised to Rs 1,500 per cylinder from it’s previous price of Rs 1,325.
Even after the current reduction, the petrol still costs Rs. 112 (Rs. 7 net increase), kerosene and diesel costs Rs. 81 (Rs. 5 net increase), and cooking gas costs Rs. 1415 (Rs. 90 net increase).
Students pelt stone at Minister Rayamajhi
Jan 26, 2012 @ 12:02
Students pelted stone at the vehicle of Minister for Local Development Top Bahadur Rayamajhi in Palpa on Thursday.
When minister Rayamajhi was traveling near Bhairav Sthan, activists of Nepali Congress-aligned Nepal Students Union (NSU), CPN-UML-aligned All Nepal National Free Students Union (ANNFSU) and All Nepal National Independent Students Union-Revolutionary Sixth (ANNISU-R) protesting against fuel price hike pelted stones. Police detained eight students.
The protest against fuel price hike from student unions is still going on though the Ministry of Commerce and Supply on Thursday has announced nominal decrease in the prices.
Defence Army members arrested
Jan 27, 2012 @ 12:04
Police on Thursday made public five members of Nepal Defense Army (NDA) who were arrested for finding involved in bomb explosion cases at Thapathali and Peepal Bot, New Road, in Kathmandu.
The NDA is a Hindu extremist group and demanding re-declaration of Nepal as a Hindu kingdom.
On the accuse of terrorizing public and extorting 27 individuals, the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has arrested 28-year-old Pulis Bishwas aka Jagat Narayan Chaudhary of Morang, 26-year-old Pramod Kumar Mahato aka Pariwartan of Sarlahi, 26-year-old Nirmal Lama aka Bishal of Makwanpur, 30-year-old Jagat Bahadur Thapa aka DSP Prakash of Nawalparasi and 22-year-old Cham Bahadur Thapa “Rajan†of Tanahun from different locations.
According to the CIB, the mastermind behind the series of bomb blasts in the Capital was Phani Raj Mainali, the NDA’s supreme commander who is currently serving a jail term at Dillibazar prison since 2009 after being convicted of attacking churches and other religious places.
Police said they had found that the communication was going on between Mainali and his group members through letters delivered by Jagat Bahadur Thapa. Police have confiscated five mobile sets, two SIM cards and letters written by Mainali from those arrested.
Saraswati Puja being observed
Jan 29, 2012 @ 07:53
Sripanchami, also known as Saraswati Puja is being observed Saturday all over the country by worshiping the goddess of knowledge, Saraswoti.
From this day, the sun starts moving to the northern hemisphere causing long days and signaling the advent of spring season. So, this day is also known as ‘Basanta Panchami’.
Devotees and students visited Saraswoti temples on this day across the country. They throng Swoyambhu, Maitidevi, Nilsaraswoti temple at Gairidhara and Saraswoti temples in other districts.
Students also worship their pens and books to please Goddess Saraswoti.
26 persons found involved in NAC spare parts theft
Jan 29, 2012 @ 15:03
A probe committee formed to investigate missing spare parts of the Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has recommended action against 26 persons as per the existing law who were involved in a series of spare parts thefts.
The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) had constituted a four-member high-level probe committee under the coordination of Joint-Attorney General Thok Prasad Siwakoti to look into the missing spare parts of NAC.
Organizing a press conference in Kathmandu on Sunday, the Committee urged Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Lokendra Bista Magar to take action against those 26 persons.
However, name of accused persons has not been disclosed yet.
Within a span of less than a year, NAC has lost a fly away kit and spare wheels of its Boeing 757 and the landing gear of its Twin Otter aircraft which are estimated to be worth Rs 150 million.
Protest against fuel price hike
Jan 29, 2012 @ 16:14
The 13 student unions agitating against the government decision to hike the prices of petroleum products on Sunday announced second round of protest programmes.
According to media, the student unions will organize a protest rally on Jan 30 and 31 and submit a memorandum to Chief District Officer on Feb 1 to raid the petrol pumps and gas depots, raid in the depots of petrol pumps and cooking gas on February 2-4, hold mass gatherings on the streets with empty cooking gas cylinder on February 3, demonstrate at Minister’s official residence located in Pulchok on February 5, and stage sit- in protest in front of Singhdurbar gate on February 6.
Students, not accepting the nominal reduction, have been demanding a complete revocation of the decision to hike the prices of the fuels.
Nepali girls trafficked to China, working under vulnerable conditions
Jan 30, 2012 @ 14:23 The study conducted in Khasa and Kuti of Tibet by Maiti Nepal for a month reveals that Nepali girls, who have been trafficked to China by luring them of dignified and decent jobs, are working under vulnerable conditions in different cities.
RSS writes quoting the study that Nepali girls are forced to work in cabins, restaurants, lodges and dance bars and their documents were under the control of owners of dance bars and restaurants so that the Nepali girls can return home during their convenient time only.
The study reveals that among 137 interviewed girls, 50 per cent said they were working under hardships against their interests.
The survey shows most of girls are from Tamang, Gurung, Rai and Limbu communities and most are from bordering areas of Sindhupalchowk district including Tatopani and others. Girls from 17 districts including Sindhupalchowk, Kavre, Kathmandu, and even Tarai have also gone to Chinese city.
The study found it was more difficult to get rid of the Chinese bars and restaurants than escaping from the Indian brothels. However, Nepali girls are earning high income than in the Indian cities. They are earning Rs 8,000 to Rs 15,000 per month, according to Program Officer at Maiti Nepal, Sindhupalchowk, Madan Chaulagain.
Chaulagain said that from Friday Maiti Nepal has established its office in Kodari aiming to bar the Nepali girls from going in Chinese cities for doing risky jobs and a campaign has been started in Dhunche VDC, the district headquarters of Rasuwa district, to control human trafficking there.
On the 13th of January, Friday four Nepali movies are being released in Kathmandu.
Although all the four movies Loot, Bazar, Sadak and Masti claim to be a hit, it is no secret that there simply aren’t enough Nepali movie lovers to watch more than one new movie in theaters.
I saw an interview of Namrata Shrestha published in an online magazine Ujyalo Online. The title looked interesting but, I later realized that it was totally deceiving. After reading the whole interview, I felt I was cheated by the website.
Do deceiving titles work in online media?
The title, when translated, reads "My character represents the current generation – Namrata Shrestha"
Sunita Dangol was crowned Miss Newa 2011 in the ‘7th Annual Miss Newa 2011′, a Cultural Talent Show that was held in Nepal Academy Hall, Kathmandu on December 31 and received Rs 25, 000 cash prize.
Pramila Manandhar became 1st Runner up and Anisha Prajapati 2nd Runner Up and received cash prize of Rs 15, 000 and Rs 10, 000 respectively.
There were 36 contestants from age group of 16 to 22 in the event organized by Nepalese Fashion, among which top 26 were selected in questions answer round and then top 10 contestants were to be chosen, but, due to tie between 2 contestants, top 11 were selected for the final round of written answer.
 Photo Credit: Photo uploaded by Raj Bhai Suwal in Facebook
Two minutes were given to contestants to write their answers for the question, “If you got a chance to be the minister for culture, what will be your first step to promote Newari culture?†The answer, “To educate the people about Newari culture and to be an example of 21st century by bringing in forth scientific reasons of age old traditions,†by Sunita Dangol helped her to win the title.
Other sub titles won by:
Miss Best Skin- Urusha Shrestha
Miss Best Hair and Miss Best Dress – Somee Awale
Miss Best Smile- Roshni Maharjan
Miss Discipline- Sonam Shahi
Miss Photogenic- Roja Maharjan
Miss Friendship- Riju Maharjan
Miss Popular- Samana Shrestha
Miss Charming- Puja Shrestha
Miss Personality- Rojina Shakya
Miss Talent- Rajita Maharjan
The judges were R. K. Manandhar, Chairperson of Image Channel, Bhai Raja Tuladhar, DGM of Prime Bank, Nirnaya Shrestha RJ/Singer, Sarjoo Baba Shrestha, Socialworker/Business person, Aakasha Bajracharya, Miss Newa 2008 and Prabesh Man Shakya, Singer.
Bibek Shrestha, Chief Co-ordinator of the event informed that the girls were trained for catwalk, poise, learning Nepal bhasa and more in training and grooming sessions for a month. He added, the main objective is to preserve Newari culture, language and tradition. (Photo Credit:Â missnewa.com.np)
Chief of the power house Chandra Shekhar Chaudhary informed that marsyangdi  power house, Hydropower Project at Anbukhaireni VDC of Tanahun district has been shut down for four days.
The 69 MW capacity power house has been closed in order to construct doors at dam areas. Due to decrease of water level in marsyangdi river the power house has been generating electricity around 60 MW only.
Two girls found dead in Banepa, Kavre district
Dec 8, 2011 @ 16:49
Under mysterious condition, two girls of a family have died at Janagal VDC-1 of Kavre district.
A mother and her two daughters were found unconscious and the two girls died while undergoing treatment at Schir Memorial Hospital, Banepa.
According to the Area Police Office, Banepa, the deceased have been identified as Asmita Yadav, 8, and Priyanka Yadav, 11 of Siraha district. Santa Devi, 35, mother of the deceased, is undergoing treatment at the same hospital.
The family has been working at a local noodles factory .Investigation into the incident is underway, said police.
Good governance club honours journo Thapa
Dec 11, 2011 @ 03:59
A Nepalgunj based NGO, Bageshwori Asal Shasan Club, working in anti-corruption movement and good governance, has honored Hari Bahadur Thapa, news editor of the Kantipur daily, for his contribution against corruption.
A function organised to mark the 11th anniversary of the club on Saturday, Kedar Khadka, director of Pro Public, an NGO dedicated to the cause of public interest, and Poshan KC, adviser of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists, conferred the certificate of honour to Thapa. “It is imperative that everyone should join the fight against corruption, as it affects all,†Thapa said. Khadka said corruption was widespread, for the lack of implementation of laws that were enacted to stem corruption. “Fight against corruption is the major challenge of the country right now,†he said.
Anybody who give information on King Birendra’s property to get reward
Dec 12, 2011 @ 17:08
The Nepal Trust which was founded on November 22, 2007, has announced rewards for those giving information related to the movable and immovable property owned by late King Birendra and his family inside and outside the country.
Under-secretary of the Trust, Birendra Bahadur Baniya said the Trust has so far found records of 6,244 ropani of land owned by the late royal family members of which ownership of 1,179 ropani has already been transferred to the trust.
Likewise, 44,116 pound sterling and around 120 million rupees has been deposited at the accounts of the Trust.
Ministry sends case to police for missing NAC aircraft parts
Dec 14, 2011 @ 17:55
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Nepal Police has been entrusted the responsibility of investigating a series of mysterious disappearances of aircraft parts belonging to Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) at the airport.
Less than a year, equipment worth of Rs. 150 million has lost a fly away kit and spare wheels of its Boeing 757 and the landing gear of its Twin Otter aircraft.
The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) had requested the Home Ministry to conduct a probe after earlier investigations done by the ministry and the national flag carrier were fruitless.
The ministry’s move comes after the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) directed it to take strong action against those involved in the thefts within seven days.
CIB chief DIG Upendra Kant Aryal said the Police Headquarters had formally received the case file to investigate the thefts at NAC. “We received the file on Sunday and the CIB is currently doing a study.â€
While the MoTCA had formed a four-member high-level committee to look into the thefts, a ministry official said that they were a “criminal case†rather than abuse of authority and thus a case for the Home Ministry.
On March 10, an investigation committee had been formed as per the directives of the MoTCA to probe the theft of a fly away kit of NAC’s Boeing 757. However, the probe team did not come up with anything, and unabashedly mentioned in its report that the staff on duty did not show up to answer questions. The fly away kit is estimated to cost around Rs 45 million.
NAC had turned to the government for help after its probes turned up blank. “A big nexus within NAC is involved in these thefts, and the government should step in to investigate them,†NAC’s Executive Chairman Manarup Shahi told lawmakers at the PAC meeting on Nov 30.
NC and PM meet inconclusive, Nepal Bandh on Monday
Dec 18, 2011 @ 16:53
Organizing a press conference at Nepali Congress (NC) president Sushil Koirala’s residence in Maharajgunj after the meeting with the prime minister Baburam Bhattarai, NC called upon all to support its protest programmes including Nepal bandh (nationwide general strike) that has been already announced for Monday.
NC informed that the meeting with the prime minister ended inconclusively. The meeting was for consulting him before announcing the protest programmes. During the meeting, NC presented its four-point memorandum to PM Bhattarai over the death of Chitwan Tarun Dal chairman Shiva Paudel in an attack by inmates of Chitwan Jail on December 6.
A group of inmates assaulted Paudel inside the district jail and died while undergoing treatment at Neuro hospital, Bansbari, Kathmandu on Saturday. He was detained at the jail for custodial remand for his alleged involvement in the murder of CPN-UML aligned Youth Association Nepal central member Sanjaya Lama.
NC has termed the incident “premeditated†and demanded immediate judicial investigation into it in the released statement. The NC has formed a five-member committee headed by Krishna Prasad Sitaula to look into the incident and has asked the government to declare Poudel a martyr and withdraw all impending charges against him.
However, PM Bhattarai has requested to wait till the probe committee formed by the cabinet on Saturday evening comes up with its report on the incident. The cabinet also decided to provide Rs 1 million to the family of Paudel.
Following Poudel’s death on Saturday, NC youth wing, Tarun Dal had staged protests nationwide calling bandh which was called off from 4 pm at the request of the NC leaders after the party called bandh for Monday.
Meanwhile, on Sunday evening, supporting the protest programme, a torch rally was organized in Kathmandu.
NC bandh concludes at 4 pm after crippling life nationwide
Dec 20, 2011 @ 02:23
Nepal bandh (general strike) called by main opposition Nepali Congress on Monday has affected normal life across the country for the whole day. All schools, colleges and major marketplaces, industries remained closed in the most of the parts of the country and vehicular movements were halted.
The protesting NC cadres vandalized a water tanker at Chabahil, two private cars at Tilganga and Gaushala and a motorcycle at Putalisadak for defying strike this morning. Meanwhile, police detained dozens of NC activists who were found enforcing banda.
Meanwhile, the NC called off bandh at 4.00 pm and has withdrawn its other protest programmes following the fresh commitment of the government to begin the process to meet its demands.
The government issued a press statement announcing to withdraw the charges against Tarun Dal cadres and declare Shiva Poudel, Chitwan Chairman of NC youth wing Tarun Dal, a martyr.
Vehicles began to ply the roads after the strike was called off.
21-yr-old arrested for harassing girls on Facebook
Dec 20, 2011 @ 11:30
The Metropolitan Police Crime Division on Monday arrested Shyam Prasad Timilsina, a 12th grader at Cambridge College, Kalanki for creating Facebook accounts of girls of his acquaintance and posting illicit videos.
The 21-year-old of Kavre had even added friends and relatives of the girls in the fake accounts as friends and posted low-down contents.
The media writes quoting the police that offender Timilsina has created a fake Facebook account to take revenge on the unidentified woman by trying to end their “relationshipâ€.  Timilsina has even posted the mobile phone numbers of her and other girls from her cell phone asking people to contact them for “physical relationshipâ€.
After a number of complaints about fake accounts from victimized girls received, police traced Timilsina. It is also found to have sent obscene text messages from Nepal Telecom’s free Web SMS service to various girls.
NEA to increase electricity tariff by 20 percent
Dec 21, 2011 @ 11:53
Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai on Wednesday has agreed in principle to hike the electricity tariff by 20 percent effective from 1st Magh.
A meeting was held at PM’s Office in Singhdurbar with the personnel from the Electricity Bill Determination Commission. Chairman of the Electricity Tariff Determination Commission Ganesh Prasad Subba informed that during the meeting, the prime minister urged the commission members to curb irregularities in the NEA and strengthen the management.
The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) had proposed an increase of 30 percent power tariff, but, the Commission has recommended to increase electricity tariff by 20 percent for the time being. The NEA is bearing cumulatively Rs 28 billion losses in a year.
The NEA will increase power tariff after taking official consent from the government.
One died and six injured while countering dacoits
Dec 22, 2011 @ 10:59
14 years old boy died and six others got injured when villagers countered armed dacoits in Belaha VDC-3 in western part of Siraha district on Wednesday night.
Suresh Kumar Yadav died on the way while being taken to Siraha Hospital for treatment, RSS writes quoting Jaya Sapkota, DSP of Siraha. He got injured from the bullet of the dacoits.
Other injured in the incident, Shivanath Shah, 50, his wife Sunita Shah, Geeta Saha, Chandrika Saha, Chandan Shah and Pramod Saha are receiving treatment at District Hospital, said Sapkota.
The dacoits, some 10-12 in numbers, had looted property worth Rs one million from the houses of Jogindra Shah and his brother Raghunath Saha.
According to locals, police did not arrive on time though the police post was close to the site, so, the dacoits fled towards the Kamala River.
Further investigation is underway, said police.
Another attack in Jewellery shop
Dec 24, 2011 @ 13:34
A jeweler, Harka Bahadur Diyali, was shot down at Kapan, Kathmandu on Friday at around 7 pm by a gang of robbers when he was closing his Mata Manakamana Gold shop.
Diyali died while undergoing treatment at the nearby Om Hospital and Roshan B.K, 17, the craftsman at the jewellery shop also got injured and his treatment is going on at the TU Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj.
Two weeks ago also, Jujukaji Bajrachayra, an employee of Guna Jyasa Pasa, a Pulchowk-based jewellery shop was murdered.
The assailants fled the scene as soon as they opened fire. Police have arrested one person on suspicion of involvement shooting. Police said, though it was termed a robbery bid, nothing was burgled from the shop.
Locals of Kapan demonstrated on Saturday against the murder of Diyali. They halted the smooth flow of vehicles in a bid to protest against the government’s failure in providing security to its citizens.
Gold and silver dealers have announced that tomorrow all jewellery shop in the Kathmandu valley will remain close.
Jeweler Diyale’s killer arrested
Dec 25, 2011 @ 12:53
The mastermind behind the murder of jeweler Harka Bahadur Diyale, Shambhu Chaudhary, was arrested from Chitwan on Sunday morning.
On the basis of information provided by two culprits arrested earlier in connection with the same crime, Police held Chaudhary at Godrang from a bus when he was heading for eastern region. The two culprits were Prem Sunar and Shankar Ghising who had given the statement that Chaudhary had shot dead Diyale.
Man, supposed to be carrying bomb, dies
Dec 26, 2011 @ 14:27
A man believing to be carrying bomb died when a bomb went off at a hotel at Chainpur of Sankhuwasabha district on Monday.
The identification of the deceased is yet to be ascertained. His body has been destroyed beyond recognition, police investigating the incident said.
It has been learnt that two youths had arrived at the Madi hotel of Chainpur and the bomb exploded while they were eating their meal inside the hotel today morning.
The three-storied building has been damaged in the blast. However, there are no reports of further casualty.
Police said investigation is underway.
Govt decides to provide 1.5 billion to NOC to ease petro supply
Dec 27, 2011 @ 12:20
The government on Tuesday decided to provide Rs 1.5 billion as loan assistance to Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) to ease supply of petroleum products.
Again long queues are seen at gas stations to refuel vehicles due to problem of fuel shortage in Kathmandu valley. According to the Nepal Petroleum Dealers’ National Association (NPDNA), currently private petrol pumps are receiving only 20 percent of the total demand for diesel from NOC, while petrol deliveries have been slashed by 50 percent.
Suresh Kumar Agrawal, officiating managing director of NOC, said “NOC has credit worth Rs 160 billion to Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and because of the cash crunch, it is not in a position to ensure smooth supply.†Currently, NOC is incurring a loss of Rs 1.25 billion per month as it is selling petroleum products below the cost price.
As per the December 23 agreement between Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun, Commerce and Supplies Minister Lekh Raj Bhatta and NOC officials, a Cabinet meeting held at Singha Durbar today morning decided to support the cash strapped state-owned NOC instead of readjusting the price of fuels for the time being.
NOC officials said that they will use the money to pay up IOC and the loan assistance would help in supplying fuel for at least three months. (Photo Credit: Kantipur)
Leaders criticize SC for not registering govt petition on CA term review
Dec 28, 2011 @ 13:02
Leaders of the major political parties have accused the Supreme Court (SC) of going beyond its authority by refusing to register the petition seeking review of the SC’s ruling on Constituent Assembly (CA) term extension.
The SC on Tuesday has refused to register the government’s petition. The Legislature-Parliament and the Cabinet had filed petitions on Monday at the apex court seeking provision for the term-extension of the CA one more time. Earlier on November 25, the Apex Court had directed the government to extend the CA term for one last time. The term was extended till May 30.
Speaking at an interaction in Kathmandu on Wednesday, UCPN (Maoist) politburo member and Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai’s political advisor Devendra Poudel accused the judiciary of entering into politics by turning down the review petition.
Nepali Congress leader Ramesh Lekhak said the move of the judiciary invited complications as it undermined the rights of the parliament.
According to CPN-UML leader Pradip Gyawali, the SC’s decision will invite proxy war between the judiciary and the parliament.
Minister for Law and Justice Brijesh Kumar Gupta said that the apex court breached the principle of the separation of power. “Deciding the tenure of the CA does not fall within the SC’s jurisdiction and that by rejecting the review petition the court invited further controversyâ€, he added.
Gupta also said that the government is going to seek reconsideration over the SC’s rejection of the review petition.
Child rapist gets 13-yr prison
Dec 29, 2011 @ 11:54
Dailekh District Court on Wednesday sentenced a man to 13 years in jail along with Rs 100,000 fine for raping a minor.
A single bench of Justice Narayan Prasad Dhital convicted Keshav KC, of Kuikan Narayan Municipality-1, for the rape of a seven years old girl.
According to locals, KC had taken the child to a nearby forest and raped her in August.
Tamu Lhosar being celebrated today
Dec 30, 2011 @ 14:36
The Gurung communities across the nation are celebrating Tamu Lhosar today. The Tamu Losar marks the beginning of the Tamu Sambat or Gurung Calendar Year.
Tamu Lhosar is celebrated on Poush 15 (mostly fall on 30th December) as per the lunar calendar by, Gurungs, who call themselves ‘Tamu’. They are indigenous inhabitants of west-central parts of Nepal. Some also live east of Kathmandu. There are numerous clans of Gurung, the members of which are all well known for their valor, humor, singing and dancing skills.
During Lhosar, the Gurung communities visit Buddhist shrines and exchange greetings with friends, relatives and well-wishers throughout the country. On this occasion, elders also offer blessings to their younger kin.
Various cultural programmes including rallies, sports and traditional dances are being organized to mark the day. These days, especially in major cities, Gurungs come together to celebrate Tamu Lhosar at a common place and rejoice in various cultural processions, feasting and merry-making. In the old days in the villages, they gathered in courtyards to celebrate Lhosar.
On the day of Tamu Lhosar, the government is providing a national holiday as it has been accepted as national festival since 2064.
Meanwhile, President Ram Baran Yadav, Vice President Paramananda Jha and Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai have sent out greeting messages on the occasion of Tamu Lhosar. (Photo Credit: File photo from CRIEnglish)
Teenage Boys stood first and third in and International award on conservation
Dec 31, 2011 @ 18:11
15 years old Roshan Yadav, studying at ninth grade at Budhanilkantha School in Kathmandu, has won the 2011 International Young Eco-Hero Award. He stood first among all the winners of this year in the worldwide eco-hero competition in the age group 14 to 16 for initiating a project on ‘Nationwide Signature Campaign on Climate Change’.
 In the same competition, 15 years old Anup Chalise, Pokhara, stood third for planting sacred trees to protect the environment.
According to information provided in the website, Action for Nature, a US-based non-profit organization has been recognizing innovative works of young people between the ages of 8 and 16 who have done creative environmental projects.
To make people in Nepal aware of issues related to global warming, Roshan created a club called JSA (Junior Social Awareness) that worked to obtain climate change petition signatures. He led a number of promotional campaigns that hosted guests like former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, the Chief District Officer, and the Minister of the Environment of Nepal. President Ram Baran Yadav commenced his Nationwide Signature Campaign. Roshan approached many government officials and traveled all over Nepal to promote his campaign and hold press conferences.
Roshan reached out to thousands of students and showed them how important global climate change is and found 75 student district representatives to collect signatures from their respective districts.
Roshan said, he have been inspired to organize bigger programmes in the upcoming days in the field of climate change and other environmental issues and in future, he plans to start a tree-planting programme to mobilise youths to take action against global climate change.
Whereas Anup used the Peepal tree (a sacred tree which is said to be the incarnation of the God Vishnu according to the Hindu religion), as a tool to explain global warming as religious, spiritual, or traditional language could be used to convey climate change information in a more productive way. This tree also has important environmental value. Anup began to collaborate with the Bandobasta organization, used his artwork and photography to enlist students to participate in the program and to teach youth in a practical way.
According to Anup, at first the rural people did not want to give up their land for the trees to be planted, but they agreed when they realized the spiritual significance of the tree as well as its ecological value. His efforts have resulted in the planting of many Peepal trees.
Anusha Bhandari, 19, of Beni, Myagdi, won the title “Miss Airhostess- 2011†on Saturday in Kathmandu that was organized for the second time. She received cash prize of Rs 25,000.
Pradip Raj Onta, President of Season Media said that Anusha will be appointed in any airlines as air hostess.
Tulasa Singh Thakuri, 18, of Butwal, became first runner up and Lata Tilija, 19, of Pokhara became second runner up. Tulasa also won “Best Smile†title and Lata “Best Personality†title. First runner up received Rs 20,000 cash prize and second runner up received Rs 15,000 cash prize.
Along with cash prize, all top 3 winners of the beauty contest received scholarship of one year for bachelor degree in South Western State College, Basundhara.
 Other title winners are: –
Best Friendship- Sharmila Gurung
Best Catwalk and Best Dress- Shova KC
Best Photogenic- Sabita KC
Best Skin- Chija Gurung
Best Hair- Sujata Pun
Miss Popular- Sharmila Thapa
Viewer’s Choice- Anusha Bhandari
Best Figure- Shila Shilpakar
The contestants were those who have completed Air Hostess study or training. Earlier, Kajol Khadka became Miss Air Hostess. (Photo Credit: Season Media)
The District Court, Achham, sent three policemen to up to six years in prison for their involvement in raping police constable Suntali Dhami.
A single bench of judge Prakash Kharel on Thursday convicted head constables Birendra Bam and Karbir Thalal and constable Jagadish Pandey. While Bam was handed down a six-year imprisonment, Thala and Pandey were sent behind bars for three years. The court also ordered Bam to pay Rs 100,000 to the victim.
Constable Dhami had filed a case accusing her colleagues of raping her while she was on duty on the night of 27 September 2009. The accused cops were suspended from their jobs, arrested on October 7 and sent to detention on 2 November 2009.
ASI Dansingh Bhandari, Head Constable Biradatta Badu and Constable Naribhan Mahatara, who were also detained with the three accused, were, however, released on 1 November 2009, citing their non-involvement in the case.
Kin of one of the convicts, Head Constable Thalal, said they would move appellate court against the decision.
After the Binita Baral controversy over the publication some of her photos in various magazine covers, the producer of the movie, Arju Kumar, decided to destroy all the posters designed with the naked photos. About Rs. 250,000 was the cost of design, re-design, and printing of the destroyed posters.
The deadly fire, which was started at a food store room of Dantakali Pashupati Grocery of local Dinesh Rathi situated at Bharatpur Municipality-4, Ananda Marga, of Chitwan district on Monday midnight, came under control after nine hours, according to RSS.
The fire was taken under control with the help of two fire engines of Birgunj Sub-Metropolitan and one each from Hetauda and Bharatpur Municipality and local residents.
According to Chitwan District Police Office, the fire destroyed various foods including pulses, rice, oil, peas, gram and soybean worth of around Rs. 50 million. Houses of Rathi and his neighbor Raj Kumar Shrestha were also damaged.
Actor Bhuwan KC had organized a huge party on the occasion of his daughter’s marriage. In the party, high profile gusts were invited including ex-King Gyanendra Shah. Ex-king arrived one hour before the party began and left offering his best wishes to the new couple and having a cup of black coffee.
Participants included speaker of the house Subash Nebwang, Chief of Army Chatra Man Gurung, ex-prime ministers Madhav Kumar Nepal and Surya Bahadur Thapa.
