A journalist / news reader Komal Oli has been a successful singer. Now, after two decades of singing, the unmarried singer is going to venture in a new field, acting.
In a press meet organized in Kathmandu, the producers of upcoming movie "Dabdaba" have told that Komal Oli will be featured in a special role. The movie to be written and directed by M.S. Agraj will also feature a song by Komal. The director told that Komal will be featured in a "Hot and Spicy" role.
Oct 2, 2011 @ 03:39
Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal revealed that he recommended party vice chairman Baburam Bhattarai for the post of Prime Minister unwillingly. Speaking at a programme organized by a pro-Maoist group of intellectuals in the capital, on Saturday, Dahal said it was a compulsion for him to form the government led Bhattarai as he did not have any other options.
According to Dahal, if the government (previous one) failed in its mission, he would be blamed and if the government would not be formed under Bhattarai’s leadership, he would be blamed again.
Dahal also remarked the statement of Defence Minister Sharat Singh Bhandari as anti national and against the national integrity and sovereignty and lamented the statement over the possible disintegration of the country.
Oct 3, 2011 @ 02:08
The government has decided to raise the allowance for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of UCPN (Maoist) on Sunday by Rs 1,500 with effect from the start of the last fiscal year.
There are altogether PLA combatants cantoned at various camps. Till date, they have been receiving Rs 5,000 as monthly allowance.
Similarly, every personnel of the PLA army cantoned in rural areas will receive additional 112 rupees and those in urban areas will receive additional 70 rupees for food.
Oct 6, 2011 @ 14:34
Heavy fire guts a Durga Temple at local Mahendra Chowk of Jaleshwor in Mahottari district on Monday morning.
According to District Police Office, all idols of goddesses were burnt in the fire. It is said that the electric shock caused the fire. The temple was constructed for Durga Puja by investing a large amount for the Dashain purpose, locals said. (RSS)
Oct 6, 2011 @ 14:34
On Thursday, Nepali people, especially Hindus, observed Vijaya Dashami across the country and abroad by receiving Tika (a mixture of rice, yogurt and vermillion) and Jamara (seedlings of wheat and other corns sown on Ghatasthapana) as the token of Goddess Durga along with the blessings from their elders.
Vijaya Dashami is the tenth day and the main day of 15-day-long Dashain festival. For nine days, nine goddesses (different incarnation of Navadurgas) are worshipped as per Hindu tradition. Fulpati was observed on the seventh day and Maha Astami on eighth day. Likewise, Maha Nawami was observed throughout the nation on the ninth day of Dashain by worshiping automobiles by sacrificing animals and vegetables to mark this day. On the ninth day, people visited different temples nationwide to offer prayers to the goddess of wealth, peace and prosperity.
The Tajelu Bhawani Temple in the Capital was opened on Maha Nawami only so as to allow the general public to pay obeisance. Traditionally, the temple remains closed for the rest of the year.
Former King Gyanendra and Queen Komal also received holy Teeka and Jamara from his stepmother Ratna Rajya at Mahendra Manjil in the Narayanhity Palace Thursday morning on this occasion of Vijaya Dashami. The former queen mother was allowed to stay in the palace though the former royal couple’s family was forced to leave it after the abolishment of the monarchy.
Former King Gyanendra has been visiting the queen mother for the Dashain Teeka every year then after. Former Crown Prince Paras and his family, however, were not present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, the former royal couple provided Teeka to the public and other interested at his personal palace Nirmal Niwas in Maharajgunj in the afternoon.
President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav also received tika from Guru Purohit Dr. Raghunath Aryal and Shankar Prasad Sigdel at the presidential palace, Thursday morning. The Office of the President said, the President then offered tika and jamara to the family members present there.
Likewise, Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai also received tika, jamara and blessings from father Bhoj Prasad Bhattarai on the auspicious hour today morning.
The President has given tika to willing general public today.
(Photo credit: Image channel)
Oct 7, 2011 @ 18:58
The traditional festival of Khadga Jatra was observed on Friday at Ason Bazaar in the capital. This festival is celebrated byTuladhars (a sub-caste of Newar community) of Ason resident every year a day after Vijaya Dashami representing the victory of good over evil by commemorating the legendary killing of a demon by the goddess Durga.
In other Khadga Jatra festival, the eldest person leads the procession but in this Khadga Jatra of Ason, the youngest child of the clan leads a procession slicing off the head of an imaginary demon.
A gourd painted as demon is bumped off to mark the victory of good over evil. The procession of locals goes on with playing music with traditional instruments declaring the war against demons.
Similarly, this tradition is also observed in Dolakha district every year a day after Vijaya Dashami.
Dancing revelers wearing white dauras, skirts and garlands of barley shoots tour Dolakha town in the district carrying swords commemorating the war of gods against the demon Mahisasur.
The religious myth behind it is that after demons created havoc in the lives of humans and gods, the gods held a secret meeting and decided to wage war against the demon called Maishasur. So, locals of Dolakha take out a procession and pray to goddess Kalinchowk for assistance in the war. On their return from the temple, they conduct the ritual of yagya in front of Tindhara.
Pachali Bhairav Jatra
The festival of Pachali Bhairav was started in Kathmandu on Thursday on Vijaya Dashami. This festival is celebrated in every 12 years. During the festival, Lord Bhairav exchanges the Royal Khadga four times in the ritual. This year, the ritual was to be performed in the presence of President and Thaku Juju (Newar King). But according to the presidential office, the President did not attend the ceremony on Thursday due to the lack of time. (Photo Credit: Imagechannel)
Oct 8, 2011 @ 15:46
The statue “Sange Menlha†weighing 10 kg as recognized by the Department of Archaeology, has been looted by an unidentified armed group on August 31. This statue is a precious statue of Lord Buddha on which National Geography and Discovery Channel have also broadcasted a documentary ‘The Magic Mountain’ with importance.
From the Khor Gumba in Torpa Village of Humla district, the armed group looted millions from the Gumba including “Sange Menlhaâ€, five other archeologically valuable statues, cash and other valuables, local Chhapsang Lama said, according to eKantipur.
Lama further added that they were at least 10 armed men and they were saying that they were member of “Karnali Tiger Groupâ€.
DSP Him Bahadur Lama said the group cut the electricity supply to the Gumba, then threatened the Lamas and robbed millions. Following the incident, border police were immediately informed.
According to Chief District Officer Bed Prasad Kharel, Police are in search for the statue.
Oct 11, 2011 @ 14:59
Singh was elected from Rautahat constituency-1 in the 2008 CA election as an independent candidate without appearing in public as he was on the “most wanted” list of Nepal Police. He has launched the campaign at the premises of Rautahat District Administration Office, Gaur putting forth an eight-point demand to the government.
According to a press statement circulated to the media, Singh has demanded an investigation into the irregularities in various scams including misuse of Parliament Development Fund, Bagmati dam gravelling, irregularities in Gaur Municipality and Delivery Allowance scam in Gaur Hospital.
Lawmaker Singh told media persons that he was inspired by India’s anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare and he would not end fasting until the misuse of Rs. 62 lakh Delivery Incentive allowance fund and corruption at the various government offices is not properly investigated.
Singh further added contrary to the public perceptions that he has accepted the non-violence principle of Mahatma Gandi. The lawmaker was charged with various crimes in India and was suspected to be behind the 2006 bombing at Tripureshwor in the Capital.
Meanwhile, various organizations including FNJ Rautahat chapter, Civil Society and its members have extended support to lawmaker Singh’s initiatives.
Oct 12, 2011 @ 13:47
Inaugurating the conference, PM Bhattarai urged the NRNs to utilize their knowledge, skill in the country that they have gained from international arena. He underscored their need for economic development and foreign investment in the country. He further added, ‘the government is planning to announce 2012 and 2013 as ‘Investment Year’, so, urged the NRNs for cooperation’.
This global conference will run till October 14. Around 700 NRN delegates are participating in the global conference from 57 countries. They will discuss on agendas like areas of investment in Nepal, dual citizenship for them and coordination among Nepalis scattered around the world.
There will be election of the new executive committee for the next two years and for NRNA president, Incumbent president Devman Hirachan and vice president Jiba Lamichhane have announced their candidacies. (Photo credit: Nepalnews)
Oct 13, 2011 @ 15:37
As per the agreement, a committee comprised of local civil society representatives will be formed to investigate the misuse of funds in development projects in the district and action would be initiated on the basis of findings of the committee.
Singh was in indefinite hunger strike from Monday.
Oct 13, 2011 @ 18:37
The UCPN (Maoist) Parliamentary Board Meeting held on Thursday has decided to demand resignation of Defense Minister Sharat Singh Bhandari for his controversial remarks in public.
The board meeting has decided to raise voices in the parliament regarding his “anti-national†remark. According to Maoist Secretary CP Gajurel, the board has also drawn attention of Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai towards the issue.
Earlier, the Maoist hardliner faction loyal to Vice- chairman Mohan Baidya, which holds majority in the parliamentary board, had even taken to the streets against Bhandari’s statement calling on the government to boot out Bhandari.
PM Bhattarai, who is also a vice-chairman of the ruling Maoist party, has been under intense pressure after his own party protest against minister Bhandari.
On September 26, Minister Bhandari, speaking at the Reporters Club, had warned that the 22 Terai districts could disintegrate themselves.
Oct 14, 2011 @ 12:40
At least 41 people were killed and 16 others injured on Thursday when an overcrowded passenger bus plunged off a mountain road into a swollen river in eastern Nepal, the latest in a string of deadly accidents on the country’s highways.
The bus (Na 3 Kha 9412) that was en route to Kathmandu from Sindhulimadhi lost control while negotiating a difficult turn along the hilly road and fell down on the banks of the Sunkoshi River nearby Jhangajholi along BP Highway of Sindhuli district at 10:30 am.
Around a dozen persons traveling on the roof managed to save their lives by jumping off the bus, witnesses said.
A team of security personnel along with local people rescued 16 of the injured and the injured are undergoing treatment at hospitals in Dhulikhel and four who are in critical condition are in Kathmandu.
Most of the passengers were returning to Kathmandu after celebrating Dashain with their family.
According to Police, the bus being overcrowded with around 80 passengers on the bus – coupled with poor condition of the highway might have caused accident.
According to the police, the identified deceased are
Today, the main market center in the district headquarters Sindhuligadhi and adjoining villages wore a deserted look as shops, factories and businesses remained closed. The most dead were from the district.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai today expressed condolence to the bereaved family of the deceased and wished for early recovery of the injured passengers.
Oct 15, 2011 @ 18:14
The 5th global conference of Non-resident Nepali Association (NRNA) that was begun on Wednesday in Kathmandu has concluded Friday night.
Jiba Lamichhane, who was the vice president of the NRNA, was unanimously elected president for the next two yearsafter his contender Devman Hirachan withdrew his candidacy.
Similarly, Rameshwor Sah and Hitman Gurung have been elected as vice presidents, Tenji Sherpa as general secretary, T.B Karki as secretary and Bhabhan Bhatta as treasurer.
The NRNA has nominated Dr. Hem Raj Sharma as its spokesperson. 17-point ‘Kathmandu declaration’ has been issued in the global conference and it has also pledged to channel more NRN investment in Nepal. Â (Photo Credit:Â jibalamichhane business portal)
Oct 16, 2011 @ 18:26
Ministry of Culture is planning to promote Nepal’s cultural heritage, Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, at the international arena by inviting Hollywood megastar Jackie Chan and Bollywood superstars Shahrukh Khan and Rekha, according to Kantipur. The government is marking 2012 as the ‘Visit Lumbini Year’ to promote the Buddha’s birthplace.
The three international celebrities, Khan, Chan and Rekha have already agreed to visit Nepal next year and the ministry is doing homework for the written agreement, Kantipur writes quoting Culture Minister Gopal Kirati. The minister further said they are also approaching other internationally famed actors urging them to visit Lumbini.
A grand programme with the presence of famed actors will be organized in Lumbini. The programme will focus on promotion of the birthplace of Gautam Buddha and it will be a part of cultural exchanges. Kirati has also mentioned that the Lumbini Development Trust, under the ministry, had approached Indian megastar Amitab Bachchan but he declined the request of visiting Lumbini saying he is very busy
Not only Sri Lanka and China have shown interests in promoting Lumbini, even the United Nations has also expressed its concern for the development of Lumbini, Unesco World Heritage Site. UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon, during his visit to Nepal in 2008, was also impressed by the beauty of Lumbini.
The systematic development of Buddha’s birthplace was initiated after UN Secretary General U Thant’s visit in 1967 and a master plan was developed. The plan designed by Japanese professor Kenzo Tange was finalized for it in 1978.
Oct 17, 2011 @ 17:43
UCPN (Maoist) lawmaker Kuber Bahadur Oli vomited blood and fainted in the parliament Monday afternoon, according to media. Then immediately, he was rushed to Norvic Hospital, Thapathali, on an ambulance.
It is learnt that Oli had undergone surgery for ulcer sometime back. He was elected under the proportional election system.
Oct 17, 2011 @ 18:17
Nineteen fringe political parties representing in the Constituent Assembly have demanded to remove Defence Minister Sarat Singh Bhandari and Communication Minister J.P Gupta from the cabinet.
Joint meeting of the parties held on Monday concluded that Defence Minister Bhandari must be relieved from his position for speaking against national integrity while Minister Gupta, who has been “accused of corruption”, should also be removed.
The joint meeting welcomed the resignation of Land Reform Minister Prabhu Sah from his post. Maoist Minister Sah is accused of plotting the murder of Hindu Youth Association president Kashiram Tiwari in Birgunj.
Similarly, the fringe parties objected the provision in the budget for the fiscal year 2011/12 to allow foreigners to buy apartments in Nepal speculating its aim at helping the foreigners in getting Nepali citizenship.
The fringe parties include Rastriya Janamorcha, CPN-ML, CPN-Mahsal, CPN-Unified and Churebhawar Rastriya Party etc.
Oct 18, 2011 @ 17:43
A sudden explosion of office computer kills an Armed Police Force (APF) constable, Kedar Kafle in Birgunj on Tuesday.
Kafle, 28, who was posted to an APF base camp providing security to Birgunj Customs Office in Parsa district, got serious injured in his head and other parts of the body while operating the computer in the communication department at around 10 am. He died during treatment going on at the National Medical College, in Birgunj.
The explosion was very loud like a bomb explosion. Â The roof was also destroyed. Other police officials, Hari Krishna Khadka and Ram Lama also got injured during the explosion and their treatment is undergoing at the National Medical College.
APF Inspector Ram B.K said they are investigating the incident. A police team during inspection after the incident found that a voltage guard was not used for operating the computer. “It looks like the computer exploded after not being able to bear the flow of electricity,” inspector Manjil Mukarung said. The real cause behind explosion is yet to be known. (Photo Credit: Republica)
Oct 19, 2011 @ 17:19
Nepal Army (NA) aircraft RAN 49BN2T flying from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu with 6 persons has crashed in Bowang-9, Dorpatan, Baglung on Tuesday evening killing all aboard.
The aircraft was airlifting an ill army personnel, Keshav Singh Airi, from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu. The pilot-in-command was major Bishal Singh Rathor and the co-pilot of the aircraft was major Diwakar Karki. A Dhangadhi-based policeman, Ram Singh Airi, who was Keshav’s caretaker, was also on board. The other passengers were army medical staff Dr Rabita Pathak and Milan Gotame.
The aircraft was night-vision fixed-winged aircraft and had departed from Nepalgunj airport at 6:30 pm. The last contact it made with the Kathmandu Area Control (ACC) was at 7: 06 pm. According to Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), the aircraft was at Thara point near Shandikharka in Arghakhanchi that time.
The flight was scheduled to report its position to the ACC after reaching Pyuthan, according to Pratap Babu Tiwari, the chief of Pokhara Airport.
A source at Nepalgunj Airport said, may be due to glitches in the aircraft’s navigational equipment, the aircraft flew towards the south instead of heading towards east Pyuthan.
According to locals, the aircraft was descending in the dark without any lights on and crashed on a hill.
Following the accident, NA on Wednesday formed a committee under the chairmanship of Brigadier General Sudhir Shrestha with seven members to probe the plane crash.
Oct 20, 2011 @ 17:34
A torch rally was organized in Kathmandu Wednesday evening protesting Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF)-Loktantrik party’s decision of calling back Defence Minister Sarat Singh Bhandari from the government for his controversial remarks on the possible disintegration of the country.
The protesters marched from Maitighar Mandala to Naya Baneshwor carrying torches, chanting slogan against party chairman Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar and demanding withdrawal of the party’s decision.
The Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML, backed by fringe parties, were obstructing parliament demanding minister Bhandari’s resignation since Thursday. Â Following pressure from the opposition parties, the MJF-Loktantrik decided to call him back from the government amidst an objection of Bhandari’s supporters on Wednesday afternoon.
The obstructed parliament was resumed after Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai announced minister Bhandari’s removal in the parliament session on Wednesday.
Minutes after PM Bhattarai’s announcement, a defiant Bhandari said he had not resigned and that he doesn’t intend to do so. Bhandari clarified that by his statement, he had only tried to make the ruling class aware that they should take lessons from history.
Speaking at a press meet in the Capital on Wednesday, Bhandari claimed that the decision of the Political Committee of MJF-L was not unanimous and it could be challenged in the Central Committee.
Oct 21, 2011 @ 15:15
According to RSS, the incident took place when Laxmi, 39, of Thulopakhar VDC-5 in the district was disconnecting Nokia mobile set after charging it.
She was rushed to to Sadabahar Hospital, Khadichaur, for treatment, but died on the way, according to the District Police Office, Sindhupalchowk.
Oct 22, 2011 @ 18:00
Organizing a press meet in the capital on Friday, Chief of the Division, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of police Ganesh Raj Rai said preparation is going on to declare horn restricted areas to the areas south from Padmodaya Mode, east from Bhadrakali Temple and north from Maitighar Mandala.
Rai, further, said though the Ministry of Transport Management and offices concerned have been provided with rights and responsibilities, they were not helping to exercise the rights in this regard to the traffic police and hence it has rose trend of impunity making job of controlling the pressure of vehicles in the valley challenging.
Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police Jagat Man Shrestha commented on permission given by the Kathmandu Metropolis to Sagar Tamang of local Kamalpokhari to run the parking areas in some areas of the valley as an irresponsible act. Already the traffic police personnel were facing difficulties to manage the traffic pressure in the valley and this will add to problems to manage traffic system.
Similarly, Ministry of Energy has directed the Kathmandu Metropolis to replace the hoarding boards placed in different areas of the valley.
Oct 22, 2011 @ 18:18
Sakina Khatun Musalman, 16, was murdered Friday night for rejecting marriage proposal.
Hasan Muhammad Musalman of Tenuhawa VDC killed Sakina by squeezing her neck, according to Devi Paudel, Inspector at Area Police Office, Lumbini. Hasan was arrested soon after the murder.
Hasan, in his statement admitted that he killed Sakina as she refused to marry his aunt’s son. Sakina had been refusing the proposal as the proposed boy was her own relative at Dharmauli VDC-5 of Rupandehi district.
Police said further investigation into the incident is underway.
Oct 31, 2011 @ 12:23
The Maoist general secretary Thapa said that in the name of personal visit, Dahal went to India’s Silguri from Biratnagar few months ago and met people from RAW. Kantipur writes quoting Thapa that Dahal, during this visit, agreed to integrate 5,000 Maoist combatants instead of 10,000 in the Nepal Army under the directive of the RAW. Thapa claimed that integrating 10,000 Maoist combatants was the party’s bottom line.
Thapa also criticized Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai for signing the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA) with India saying that it was against the party discipline, people’s wish and political consensus.
Though the party had advised Bhattarai to not sign any controversial agreements during his “goodwill visit†and party’s standing committee meeting held a day before PM’s visit to India had decided against the BIPPA deal, Bhattarai had signed it, claimed Thapa Thapa further added India would take “double benefit†from the agreement.
Oct 24, 2011 @ 18:41
Various comments are coming for the Bilateral Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement (BIPPA) agreement from different parties and leaders.
Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai has received criticism from the hardliner faction of his own party UCPN (Maoist) for signing BIPPA agreement with India during his recent visit to India. UCPN (Maoist) general secretary, Ram Bahadur Thapa criticized it as going against the party discipline, people’s wish and political consensus. Senior leader of ruling UCPN (Maoist) Dev Gurung, who is close to the hardliner faction on Monday speaking at a programme organized in the capital said that the “anti-national†deal is not acceptable and they will not allow the controversial BIPPA to be endorsed by the parliament under any circumstances.
But PM Bhattarai said such protests and criticisms were “baseless and inaccurate†while briefing the legislature-parliament about his recent four-day visit to India Monday afternoon and the deals the two countries signed during the period. He reiterated that the BIPPA deal is not “anti-national†as is being portrayed and urged everyone not to create controversies over the matter based on their own “narrow and partisan†interests.
He claimed the agreements were on the ‘best interest’ of Nepal and called on all to think how to implement it in a way that will best serve the country and its interests. He also states that the BIPPA was signed with India following international norms and procedures and with a view to attract more foreign investments in Nepal and create better employment opportunities.
Meanwhile, Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Loktantrik leader Sarat Singh Bhandari, who was relieved from the post of Defence Minister, expressed his confidence that the agreement would promote foreign investment in the country and resolve the current problem unemployment.
Nepali Congress has decided to support the BIPPA. Speaking at an interaction organized by the Reporters Club in the Capital on Monday, NC senior leader Prakash Sharan Mahat affirmed that his party has supported the open market policy and would not protest the BIPPA as such agreements have been signed in the past as well.
However, CPN-UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal, Â speaking at a greeting exchange programme on the occasion of Tihar festival organised by his party in Kavre district, has alleged that signing of BIPPA with India was against the national interests. Likewise, CPN-UML lawmaker Pradip Gyawali, addressing the Legislature-Parliament session on Monday, opined that it would have been appropriate if the agreement was signed after forging political understanding. He claimed that the agreement would not promote foreign investment in Nepal.
Oct 25, 2011 @ 18:13
Speaking at a program ‘Lawmakers with People’ organized at Deurali in Sindhuli district on Tuesday, UCPN (Maoist) Secretary CP Gajurel alleged that the Maoist leaders, Chairman Puspa Kamal Dahal and Vice Chairman and PM Baburam Bhattarai have departed from the revolutionary party though they talk about revolution to maintain their position in the party.
Gajurel said that the leaders, who gave up the revolutionary path, should be relieved from the party. So, Dahal and PM Bhattarai do not have the right to stay in the party.
The Maoist hard-line leader opined that the common people are facing difficulties due to the incompleteness of the revolution. Those cannot be Maoists those who repeatedly talk about peace by giving up revolution before its completion.
Giving remark of “anti-national†to the signing of Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA) between Nepal and India, Gajurel opined that the deal would make way for the industries that have failed in India to come to Nepal and that Nepal government would end up getting bankrupt by bearing their losses.
He claimed that those companies of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh that are in losses will make inroads into Nepal and demand compensation from the Nepal government showing losses.
With regards to the writing of new constitution, he said that it was delayed not due to the lawmakers but due to the differences between the political parties as the thematic committees have already sent their drafts to Constituent Assembly.
Oct 27, 2011 @ 18:35
Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) said, by signing Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA) with India by Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, it has boosted the morale of Indian investors. So, FNCCI urged the political parties not to criticize BIPPA. It is fruitful to attract huge investment in big projects. Organizing a press meet to brief on PM’s recent visit to India on Tuesday, FNCCI, business community has said such.
According to President of FNCCI Suraj Vaidya, the agreement has attracted the Indian investors assuring security of their investment. So, BIPPA is beneficial for the nation’s economy.
FNCCI Senior Vice president Bhaskar Raj Rajkarnikar also expressed that the PM visit and the agreement were fruitful at boosting confident of Indian investors and the government should sign the same kind of agreement with other nations to attract foreign investment in Nepal.
Oct 27, 2011 @ 18:53
On Wednesday evening in Pokhara, an airplane was saved from happening to a possible disaster, according to RSS. 9N AHW (Jet Spring) airplane of the Yeti Airlines was about to take off at Pokhara airport for Kathmandu when the engine exploded.
There was flame out after the engine exploded, but fortunately a major disaster was averted as the plane had not taken off from the runway, according to the Pokhara Civil Aviation Authority Office.
23 passengers including 18 foreigners were on board. The right side engine of the plane exploded as it had reached mid-way of the runway while preparing for a takeoff.
Oct 30, 2011 @ 12:41
The government has begun necessary process to provide jobs under the Skills for Employment Programme in Biratnagar and Kathmandu in the first phase to unemployed youths who have registered their names in the Employment Information Center, according to RSS reports.
Director General of the Department, Dr. Man Bahadur BK said, the National Planning Commission (NPC) has given approval to the programme to begin the work. He further said the center has been developed as the unit to collect detailed information about the skilled manpower and provide a person’s educational qualification, vocational training, skill and capacity for the jobs concerned and to the industrial organizations.
The center has been collecting data about the unemployed youths since the last two years. 14 centers have been established in each of the zones in the country. As many as 40,000 youths have registered their names with the center.
Oct 31, 2011 @ 12:23
The government on Sunday made public the names of business firms including major firms in Nepali corporate world allegedly involved in tax evasion by using fake VAT bills. In a response to a landmark direction of National Information Commission (NIC), the investigation report was prepared by Inland Revenue Department (IRD).
According to the report made public by Finance Secretary Krishna Hari Baskota, it suspects involvement of Nepal´s top corporate houses including Arun Intercontinental, United Builders, Jagadamba Steel, Varun Developers, Biswokarma Cement, Maruti Cement, Shree Dugar Auto Clinics, CG Electronics, Jagadamba Trading Concern, Chamelia Hydropower, CG Impex, United Distributors, Morang Auto Works, Bhat-Bhateni Department Store and CG Foods.
The Finance ministry had formed a committee under a deputy director general at the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) to investigate on the multi-billion VAT evasion on February 21.
The 33-page report unveils the name of the firms as major suspects involved in the VAT bills scam as below:-
BM Enterprises, Him Electronics, Associated Automobiles, Himalayan Enterprises Pvt Ltd, AIT Pvt Ltd, Wheels Auto, Surya Automobiles, Jyoti Overseas, Shakti Commercial Enterprises, United Shayam Sundar and Danfe Construction JV, Bishwokarma Cement, Bama Motors, CGGC Cameliya Project Department of Nepal, Rasuwa Construction Company, Rajesh Sanitary Ware, CTCE/Kalika JV, Shree Dugar Brothers and Sons, Chandan Wala International, Guras Engineering, M Trade House, Usma Traders, Nistha Traders, Arun Intercontinental, United Builders, Jagadamba Steel, Varun Developers, Biswokarma Cement, Maruti Cement, Shree Dugar Auto Clinics, CG Electronics, Jagadamba Trading Concern, Chamelia Hydropower, CG Impex, United Distributors, Morang Auto Works, Bhat-Bhateni Department Store and CG Foods.
NIC issued the directive on the basis of an application registered by Tara Nath Dahal of Freedom Forum – an NGO advocating people´s right to information.
As per the report, the government has refunded the VAT to Sarita Enterprises (Rs. 5.04 million), Sarita International Business (Rs. 5.31 million), Ashutos Impex (Rs. 17.22 million), Shivashakti Impex (Rs. 16.95 million), Digambar Trade House (Rs. 11.26 million), Digambar Trade International (Rs. 45.60 million), and Bhimeshwor Trade House (Rs. 14.33 million).
IRD has slapped tax bills of Rs 3.45 billion on firms found involved in 365 cases of fake VAT bills scam out of 518 cases of revenue evasion. Some of the firms have cleared tax dues amounting to Rs 61.9 million.
Yuvraj recently told that he is initiating something good for the future of sports in Nepal. He said, he and his team are working to establish a sports college in near future. Although, the college will no
t offer a graduate level course initially, it will be a good start for the development of professionalism of sports in Nepal.
Yuvraj, in his Facebook profile told:
My team is working to establish sports collage in Nepal… first phase it will be plus two..this will be first of its kind..
Nihita Biswas‘ days in the Indian TV reality show, Bigg Boss season 5 are over.
On the Episode 7 of the Bigg Boss 5 Nihita Biswas was voted-out by the public. On the Eviction Day, Pooja Mishra got another chance to remain in the show. You can watch the full episode in the video below:
The international beauty contest in Turkey on October 8 has made history in Nepal. On this day, a Nepali was able to achieve for the first time the highest title in the history of international beauty pageant. This Nepali was also a little girl just 11 years old, Bipaswi Poudyal who has proved that Nepalese are not less than others. She became the pride of every Nepali.
4 feet 5 inches tall beauty queen Bipaswi from Bishalnagar, Kathmandu won the title of Little Miss World 2011, held in Sunny Antalya, Turkey on October 8 leaving behind 39 contestants who were representing 35 different countries. Bipaswi also won the title of Miss Congeniality. She was accompanied there by her parents and the country director of Nepal, Mr. Deependra Ratna Shakya.
Nepal was represented in this international pageant for the first time and in the first attempt, Nepal received such a glorious title.
Speaking at the Tribhuvan International Airport after her return to Nepal on October 9, Bipaswi revealed that the competition was challenging due to the language barrier but eventually even managed to make friends there. The judgment was done on the basis of talent and discipline.
Her impressive answer to the final question, “What is your family tradition?†was “We go to all the temples, celebrate every festival and pray together. In our culture we respect everyone†that helped her in bringing home the glory. In the talent round, she danced to the tunes of “Nachu Nachu Lagyo Malai…†with traditional Nepali gunyo cholo dress that grabbed the attention of the crowd, said Deependra R Shakya.
23 years old Radhika Rajbanshi, resident of Duwagadi, Jhapa was crowned First Miss Rajbanshi in the contest organized by Organisation of Rajbanshi Abroginies (SORA) in Birtamod on Suday. She received Rs 25,000 case prize. Radhika also won the title Miss Talent.
Among other 22 participants, Maya Rajbanshi became First Runner Up and Mamata Rajbanshi became Second Runner Up and received Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000 cash prize respectively.
Similarly, Miss Catwalk goes to Nilam Rajbanshi, Miss Photogenic to Anju Rajbanshi, Miss Best Skin to Jyoti Rajbanshi, Best Smile to Mamata Rajbanshi, Miss Figure to Pabitra Rajbanshi and Miss Hair to Rewati Rajbanshi. (Photo Credit: Voice Of Rajbanshi)
Sep 1, 2011 @ 14:39
Hindu women all over the country were celebrating Haritlika Teej on Wednesday by worshipping lord Shiva and fasting for marital bliss
Women clad in red Sari visit Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu, Kumbheshwar in Lalitpur and the nearby Shiva temples in other parts of the country. According to Hindu ritual, married women take fast for the whole day for the prosperity of their husband whereas unmarried women take fast to be blessed with a caring and a loving husband.
During fast, some women even abstain from drinking water throughout the day, while others consider even swallowing saliva as a sin.
Originally, Teej was a three day festival that falls on the end of August or early September. The first day is called ‘Dar Khane Din’, the second is a ‘fasting day’ and the third day is called ‘Rishi Panchami’ in Nepal which is a day to perform the Teej Puja. The festival commemorates Parvati’s union with Lord Shiva and is celebrated for marital bliss, well-being of spouse and children and purification of own body and soul.
To manage the crowd in the Pashupati area, around 3,000 security personnel have been deployed. Considering the essence of the festival, the District Administration Office has prohibited the use or sale of non-vegetarian items and drugs on the temple premises.
Sep 5, 2011 @ 11:25
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Among 34 beautiful young girls, Archana Panthi won the title of Miss Teen 2011 on 2nd September that was held at Nepal Academy Hall, Kamaladi.
This beauty pageant was presented by the Fashion Plus and the panel of judges were renowned actors Neer Shah, Rajesh Hamal, and beautician Kamala Shrestha.
Intially, Panthi, along with Rita Piya, Manisha Chhetri, Prakriti Tiwari, and Shweta Pokharel, made it to the top 5. Their answers to the question “Where do you see yourself standing, 10 years from now, in Nepal?†landed Panthi, Tiwari and Pokharel on a tie.
Hence, the judges put forward the final question in order to decide the winner: “Poet laureate Laxmi Prasad Devkota wrote the poem ‘K chha thulo jagatma pasina bibek, Udeshya k linu udi chhunu chandra ek. What did Devkota mean by the verse?’â€
The answer that led Panthi to the title is:
 “To be honest, I don’t really see myself in a position where I can define the great poet’s work. However, if I were to say, then the verse means that the goal we achieve without any hard work does not have any value. It’s like they say hard work bears sweet fruit. We must have dreams and aims but we should always try to attain them from our effort.â€
Tiwari and Pokharel were announced 1st and 2nd runner up respectively.
Other title winners are:
Miss Personality: Samjhana Grung
Miss Talent: Sweta Pokhrel
Miss Friendship: Mandita Thapa
Miss Photogenic: Anjali ThapaMagar
Miss Best Smile: Candy Lama
Miss Organiser Choice: Nani Joshi
Miss Veteran: Chandani Karki
Miss Entrepreneur: Malina Tandukar
Miss Best Hair: Archana Panthi
Miss Catwalk: Manisha Chhetri
Miss Leadership: Rita Piya
Viewer’s choice award: Sonu Lama
(Photo courtesy KathmanduCraze.com)
Aug 2, 2011 @ 18:57
Despite strong objection from his party CPN-UML and from opposition parties, Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal inducted 10 new ministers—nine from UCPN-Maoist with its Vice Chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha leading the team as Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister and one from Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum Nepal (MJF-N).
The prime minister’s move comes after the Maoists withdrew the bulk resignation of the other ministers while keeping the support to the government intact. On Saturday evening, Maoist Chairman Dahal had handed over group resignation letters of his party ministers to PM Khanal in order to exert pressure for the reshuffle with 24 new faces.
PM Khanal on Monday administered oath of office and secrecy to 10 new ministers amidst a special function at Presidential Palace at Shital Niwas. However, the prime minister has said that he would tender resignation if the Maoists failed expedite peace process within next 10 days.
Aug 4, 2011 @ 18:47
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Jul 1, 2011 @ 19:12
Due to continuous rainfall, highest flow of water has been recorded in the Narayani River this year.
Floods in the Narayani River has led to a water flow at around 250,000 cusec per second, according to Prem Chandra Gupta, the Secretary of Gandak Struggle Committee, Nawalparasi.
As a result of the rising level of water current in the river, locals in Susta and Paklihawa are in danger. The river has already washed away many areas of fertile land and there is a risk for 16 villages along with Paklihawa, Thulokhairatawa, Narsahi, Guthiprasauni, Bhjahawa, Pratappur, Kudiya and Rupauliya.
Due to continuous rainfall from three days, six people died on Friday in Tanahun. Two persons identified as Harikumar Shrestha, 44, and Balika Gita Shrestha, 14, of Rishing Ranipokhari VDC-4, were killed after the Chisapani River swept them away. Dipendra Shrestha, 16, son of Harikumar Shrestha, is missing after being swept away by flood.
Go Maya Ale, 19 and her 14 days daughter Sajin Ale of Rishing Ranipokhari VDC-7, died due to landslide to their house. Pitmaya Thapa, 17, of Bhanumati VDC-8 was also killed by landslide.
Similarly, Chetmaya Bhattarai, 78, of Bandipur VDC-8Â was pushed away to the Khaldi River by landslide while went to see the landslide in the village and found dead in the river.
On Thursday night, in Palpa, Dharma Prasad Bhandari, 35, of Madhauliya, Rupandehi got injured while his motorcycle ran into a landslide along the Palpa-Butwal section of the road and died on the way to Lumbini Medical College. Landslide was triggered by contniuous rainfall at Jhumsa of Dovan VDC.
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18 years old Rogina Ghising Tamang of Kavrepalanchok was announced Miss Tamang 2011 in the program organized in Kathmandu on July 9. The program was organized by Everest Fashion Home and Nepal Tamang Kala Sanskriti Kendra. First runner up went to Kriti Ghising Tamang and second runner up to Sarah Ghising Tamang.
The winner of the Fourth Miss Tamang Beauty Contest, Rogina, received Rs. 25,000 in cash, crown, and various gifts. Rogina, grade 12 student in management, was also awarded the Miss Photogenic title. First runner up, Kriti and second runner up, Sarah, received Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 10,000 in cash respectively along with crown and trophy. 
Other title winners are:
Miss Talent –Karisma Tamang,
Miss Personality – Sarah Ghising Tamang,
Miss Best Smile – Kriti Ghising Tamang,
Miss Best Catwalk –Susma Bahu Tamang,
Best Hair – Jyoti Dong Tamang,
Miss Friendship – Geeta Glan Tamang,
Miss Decipline – Sunita Moktan,
Winner from online voting- Saraswoti Lopchan Tamang .
The choreography of the program was done by former Miss Nepal Jenisha Moktan. (Photo credit: Everest Fashion Home)
Jun 1, 2011 @ 18:42
India is insisting pressure on Nepal to change the course of the Koshi River. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today urged the Indian central government to take up with Nepal immediately the issue of ensuring flow of water centrally from Koshi River downstream of its barrage to prevent devastating floods, according to the Press Trust of India (PTI).
In a letter faxed to External Affairs minister S M Krishna, Kumar said the Koshi River has been one of the most problematic rivers in the recent past. In the downstream of Koshi barrage, the river has shifted eastwards and is now flowing by hugging the eastern Koshi embankment, he said, adding that it was imperative that the river flow should remain central to exert minimum pressure on either side of the embankments.
Chief Minister Kumar informed that a scheme of excavation of pilot channel was formulated in the light of recommendation made by Kosi High Level Committee (KHLC), the technical body, to make river flow central.
As quoted in Republica, the excavation of the pilot channel was started unilaterally by India around two months ago and around seven weeks ago, the Saptari District Administration Office issued a directive to immediately halt the construction following protests by locals and it was halted.
A senior officer at the Department of Irrigation (DOI) confirmed that Gobargada, an island VDC of Saptari to the south of the barrage, will be swept away if Koshi were brought to the central course. The river has shifted eastward after breaching the embankment over two years ago, by constructing a pilot channel. The DOI officer said bringing Koshi to the central course may be even more dangerous for Nepal.
Jun 2, 2011 @ 23:07
Newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Rabindra Pratap Shah, has assumed office on Thursday. His tenure period as IGP will be 15 months and 11 days, after which he will retire on the basis of age.
Shah was appointed IGP of Nepal Police by the Council of Ministers Wednesday evening after removing Ramesh Chand Thakuri from IGP post by the government. The official version for Chand’s removal is his alleged involvement in the multi-million rupees Sudan scam. But it is learnt that Deputy Prime Minister and home minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara was unhappy with him for a number of reasons.
Mahara was particularly unhappy for Chand’s decision to rearrest Govind Bahadur Batala in the recent days. Batala, UCPN-Maoists’ brigade commander, the convict in the murder of businessman Ram Hari Shrestha, was rearrested after the release from the court premises on another charge of abduction.
Mahara was also unhappy when Chand decided to transfer 65 Superintendents just only few hours before he was appointed the home minister, as quoted in Nepalnews. As he seated on the seat of the Home Ministry, he revoked the decision.
Jun 4, 2011 @ 16:28
“Mount Everest†this name is usually heard when someone reaches its summit making new record. But this time, a different story, another record is being heard. The largest amount of solid waste, 8.1 tons, has been collected from the slopes of Mt Everest (8,848 meters) and is brought down to Namche Bazaar.
The project called “Saving Mount Everest, Waste Management Project, 2011†was organized by the Everest Summiteers Association (ESA), Eco Himal, the Ministry of Tourism and civil aviation that includes 29 Nepali mountaineers who worked from April 17 to May 29, 2011 to collect waste from the world’s highest peak.
The waste materials, that have been brought down to Namche from the Everest Base Camp (EBC) on the backs of 75 yaks and with the help of 65 porters, weighs 8,110kgs (8.1 tons), as quoted in Republica. They were showcased on May 29.
Among the total waste, 3,200kgs (3.2 tons) was handed to the authorities of the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) for disposal. The 3.2 tons of waste includes tents, ropes, cardboard boxes and paper. Besides this, other wastes include metals, cans, helicopter parts and oxygen cylinders that were flown to Kathmandu.
Since 1953, more than 3,500 climbers have reached the summit of Mount Everest. Most expedition teams have left trails of waste. According to experts, 50 tons of solid waste still remains in the Everest region.
Metals will be handed to the Nepal Foundry Industries Ltd. Then they will melt the metals and create gift items that will be sold to fund public awareness programs in the Khumbu region,†Diwas Pokharel, general secretary of ESA told to Republica.
Jun 5, 2011 @ 17:51
The World Environment Day 2011 has been observed nationwide on Sunday by organising various programmes.
On Saturday morning also, groups run by people with disabilities (PWDs) organized a cleaning programme at Jorpati to mark the World Environment Day. The programme was organised jointly by Asthabakra Saving and Credit Cooperative Limited, Spinal Cord Injury Khelkud Sangh, Balbalika ko Lagi Pariwarik Herchaha Bidhyalaya and Khagendra Nawa Jiwan Kendra with the theme “Let us keep our surroundings cleaner and healthier by managing garbage in a proper wayâ€.
About 40 people with disabilities, along with 12 helpers, cleaned the street in Jorpati.
On Sunday, Nepal Unites a voluntary citizens’ group organized a program of cleaning the outsides of the Constitution Assembly (CA) and to urge the CA members to clean up their acts and complete the peace and constitution drafting process in time, this time.”
Some one hundred cyclists started a rally at 7 AM from Sherpa Mall- Durbar Marg, demanding “Cleaner Environment- Cleaner Politics†in Nepal. They pedaled their way to BICC, CA Hall and there they were joined by hundreds of more protesters. They cleaned the outside of the CA building using brooms. Sunil Pant, a CA member received a broom with 601 bristles from the protestors who urged Mr. Pant to ask his fellow members to unite and work for the country.
At Gokarna forest also, an event was organized as an attempt to set the Guinness World Record by hugging trees for 2 minutes by the largest number of people at the same time on the World Environment Day. 879 people including Miss Nepal Sidikhshya Shrestha, Khagendra Thapamagar (world’s shortest man recorded in Guinness World Record) and school students participated in the program.
The ministry of environment also organized a programme and awarded at least three private organisations – Nepal Pollution Control and Environmental Management Center, Women Environment Preservation Committee and Nepal Environment Pollution Control Center – for their outstanding contributions for solid waste management in the valley.
In an official function at his residence at Nayabazar, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal bid an emotional farewell to 48 PLA personnel.
Comment: It seems obvious that the combatants who spent almost five years of their lives providing security to their leaders felt humiliated on that action which leaders has taken but the fact that chairman Prachanda has given emotional farewell shows that he has deep affection towards PLA combatants and the force who lead the Maoist to establish in Nepali politics.
Refer – Dual security: 1st batch of PLA fighters sent to camps
Jun 7, 2011 @ 07:40
US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration Kelly Clements visited Bhutan from June 2 to 5 and Nepal from June 5 to 6 to discuss humanitarian protection and assistance issues for refugees and other vulnerable populations in the region.
After the visit and discussion, the US embassy in Kathmandu issued a press statement on Monday. According to the statement, during Kelly’s discussion with the officials, Bhutan government reiterated its April 2011 offer to the government of Nepal to reengage in bilateral discussions as soon as possible on the modalities for the voluntary return and reintegration of refugees with legitimate citizenship claims to Bhutan.
Likewise, DAS Clements appreciated Nepal’s cooperation on the resettlement and support for efforts to find durable solutions for all refugees in the camps and for its commitment to ensure the safe transit of new arrivals to India and to respect the basic rights of Tibetans in Nepal in the statement. The statement also expressed US concerns over the handling of stateless persons in Nepal.
Clements has urged the Bhutanese government leaders to take tangible immediate steps to help resolve the protracted refugee situation in Nepal as a sign of Bhutan’s commitment to democratic values and human rights and the government of Bhutan also agreed to examine other ways to resolve this humanitarian situation in a humane and expedient manner, especially for the most vulnerable.
The statement also reads that the US and the international community are ready to help the governments of Bhutan and Nepal to support a process to manage the return and reintegration of refugees once agreements are reached.
Jun 7, 2011 @ 18:30
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) on Tuesday filed a case against 36 persons at the Special Court for their alleged involvement in the Sudan scam.
The lists of accused are: –
Former IGP
1. OM Bikram Rana
2. Hem Bahadur Gurung
3. Ramesh Chand Thakuri
Incumbent AIG
1. Arjun Jung Shahi
2. Madan Bahadur Khadka
Former AIG
1. Shyam Singh Thapa
2. Deepak Singh Thangden
3. Dipendra Bista
Incumbent DIG
1. Ramesh Bikram Shah
2. Topendra Dhwoj Hamal
Former DIG
1. Deepak Kumar Shrestha
2. Niraj Pun
3. Surendra Pal
Incumbent SSP
Former SSP
Incumbent SP
1. Manoj Neupane
2. Niraj Bahadur Shahi
3. Gupta Bahadur Shrestha
4. Ram Krishna Rajbbhandari
5. Krishna Prasad Guragain
6. Sanjay Singh Basnet
7. Pitambar Adhikari
Incumbent DSP
1. Bidhya Raj Shrestha
2. Prakash Adikari
3. Dinesh KC
Former DSP
1. Harihar Shrestha
Inspector:
1. Arjun Prasad Timalsina
2. Giridhari Sharma
3. Lal Govinda Shrestha
Others:
1. Michael Rider, the Director of Assured Risks P Ltd, the London based APC supplier
2. Shambhu Bharati, proprietor of Bhagwati Traders
Following the registration of the case at the Special Court, 26 senior officials have automatically suspended from their posts, thereby, creating a void in the police structure.
On Wednesday, the government had already removed Thakuri from the top post of the Nepal Police to make it easier for the anti-graft body to file a case against him.
CIAA, however, has already dropped charges against former home minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula and former home secretary Umesh Mainali, as media quoted.
Jun 9, 2011 @ 00:51
It has been revealed that Executive Chairman of People’s Finance, Chhabilal Bhusal has been found to be involved in large-scale misappropriation of funds leading the company (established in 2049 BS) into crisis.
More than Rs 450 million has been found to be embezzled while issuing loans and taking loans for himself in the name of other borrowers from the company, according to Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) source.
The Bank and Financial Institutions Act (BAFIA) prohibits promoters of banks and financial institutions (BFIs) from taking loans from their own institution. So, the promoters usually use third parties for such purpose.
According to NRB source, Bhusal has been found making huge investment in real estate and housing sector. About 55 percent of the total loans of Rs 950 million have been issued to the real estate sector only as of May. Taking short-term deposits in call accounts, the finance company was making long-term lending, resulting its deposits into poor liquidity.
People’s Finance Company abruptly shut down its transactions from Monday as the company could not repay its depositor and Bhusal stayed out of contact.
The company fell into extreme financial crisis after NRB withdrew a portion of its fixed deposits (about Rs 70 million) at the company last week.
UPDATE June 11: After three days of closure, People’s Finance reopened from Thursday. The promoters told the central bank that they will recover Rs 80 million loans and pay their clients.
Jun 10, 2011 @ 19:32
Our national bird is peacock.
Our national animal is tiger.
Our national flower is Lotus.
This is what, students of class one of Galaxy School, are learning. When this news was flash out in News 24, five members committee was formed by Ministry of Education for inspecting the matter and found Galaxy guilty.
But, only Rs. 5000/- as a penalty to Galaxy school for teaching Indian syllabus to students in Nepal. Â Galaxy was penalized for using Indian syllabus without permission.
Jun 11, 2011 @ 18:28
The Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) is awarding US$ 46.5 million to Nepal. GAFSP stated that this fund will enhance household food security in the poorest and most food insecure regions through increased agricultural productivity, household incomes and awareness about health and nutrition in the mid-western and far-western development regions.
The decision of awarding was made in Washington by the GAFSP Steering Committee during met on June 7-8, 2011. Besides Nepal, Cambodia, Liberia and Tajikistan also receive this fund-Cambodia (US$39.1 million), Liberia (US$46.5 million), and Tajikistan (US$27.9 million).
GAFSP seeks to improve food security mainly as the most recent food price spike has driven an additional 44 million people across the globe into poverty, according to the World Bank (WB).
925 million people around the world are hungry and undernourished, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
This is the third round of countries to receive funding. Of the 25 countries that had applied prior to the October 1, 2010 deadline, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Haiti, Mongolia, Niger, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Togo have already received  the GASFP grants in the previous round
Jun 14, 2011 @ 15:13
The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has written a letter to the government not to divert funds from one topic to another. This CIAA action was in response to a complaint filed by the Nepali Congress against the misuse of funds by diverting unnecessarily.
The CIAA wrote letters to the Office of the Prime Minister, the Council of Ministers, National Planning Commission (NPC), the chief secretary of the government, Ministry for Local Development, Finance Ministry, Ministry for Physical Planning and Works, Irrigation Ministry, Energy Ministry, Ministry for Peace and Reconstruction and the Tourism Ministry  and made it clear that the funds cannot be diverted unless for nationally prioritized programmes like natural calamities that need urgent response. If the fund is diverted unnecessarily under pressure from influential leaders and ministers, it could amount to corruption.
The parliamentary Public Accounts Committee had also directed the government on June 7 to transfer the budget within the first priority (P1) projects or from less prioritized projects to the more prioritized one only.
Jun 15, 2011 @ 09:12
The circumstances of the total Lunar eclipse for Nepal (NST) on 15/16 June 2011(converted from IST provided in article by Arvind Paranjpye)
| 2011 | Stage | Phase | Time (NST) |
| Jun 15 | 1 | Moon enters penumbra | 23:07:52 |
| Jun 15 | 2 | Moon enters umbra | 0:07:24 |
| Jun 16 | 3 | Start of totality | 1:06:57 |
| Jun 16 | 4 | Maximum eclipse | 1:57:24 |
| Jun 16 | 5 | End of totality | 2:47:50 |
| Jun 16 | 6 | Moon leaves umbra | 3:47:22 |
| Jun 16 | 7 | Moon leaves penumbra | 4:47:02 |
Diagram showing various stages of passage of the Moon through the Earth’s shadow region
Duration of the total Phase will be 1h 40m 52s. According to Arvind Paranjpye, this will be the darkest lunar eclipse in almost 100 years as the centres of the Sun, the Earth and the Moon would nearly be on one straight line. The earlier darkest lunar eclipse was observed on August 6, 1971 and the next one would be 47 years from now on June 6th, 2058.
Jayanta Acharya, the chairman of Astronepal and an astronomer with Balmeeki Campus in Kathmandu, informed that the peek-a-boo between the two heavenly bodies will continue for three hours and 40 minutes (The Himalayan Times).
During the eclipse, the moon will appear red hue similar to the Sun appearing red in colour during rising and setting. The Sun appears red due to absence of the blue rays and presence of the red rays only. As the sunlight passes through the atmosphere of the Earth, the blue component of the sunlight is scattered most but the red rays pass through.
Likewise, some of the red rays from the Sun escape or come out of the Earth’s atmosphere, reaching the Moon and giving the Eclipsed Moon its red hue.
The entire eclipse will be visible in eastern Africa, the Middle East, central Asia and Western Australia, from beginning to end. Observers in eastern Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina will witness totality. However, none of the eclipse will be visible from North America.
Jun 16, 2011 @ 08:03
These protest are going on in response to the arrest of Mahesh Basnet in Eastern Nepal, Itahari. Biratnagar and
We will update the situation as it unfolds.
UPDATE: The clash happened in front of Shankar Dev College when a car Ba 1 Jha 5471 was burned. The students affiliated to ANSFU are throwing stones and bricks from the college.
It was reported that another vehicle was burnt in Jamal in the morning. (Photo credits – various
sources)
Jun 17, 2011 @ 05:33
Situation was tensed at Putalisadak area from the afternoon on Thursday due to the protest program of UML- aligned All Nepal National Free Students Union (ANNFSU) demanding the release of UML youth wing Youth Association Nepal (YAN) Central Chairman Mahesh Basnet who was arrested in Ithari. Basnet has been denying the involvement of YAN Morang Coordinator Parsuram Basnet in the attack on a journalist Khil Nath Dhakal, who belongs to Nagarik and Republica Dailies, in Biratnagar and the probe panel formed by Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) reported that Dhakal was attacked by gangsters at Basnet’s directives.
The agitating students torched two vehicles outside Shanker Dev Campus and Tri-Chandra Campus. The situation turned violent as the students pelted stones into the police force while the latter were trying to extinguish the fire on the vehicle. To control the situation, police fired two rounds of teargas shell.
Around 55 students and 11 security personnel have been injured during the clash between police force and agitating students, according to a press statement issued by the Home Ministry. Even the unaffiliated students to the party got injured during baton charge by police indiscriminately.
Whereas on the same day, silence protest was demonstrated near overhead bridge in front of Nepal Airlines office, New Road from 5:30 pm to 6:00 pm.
Around 50/60 people were standing quietly in prominent places with placards displaying messages of public frustration and anger for half an hour. The silence and civil protest was for demanding accountability of lawmakers and politicians. These 50/60 people were gathered to press the CA members for promulgation of New Constituents.
There was total silence except the noise of vehicles passing by. Neither there was any clashes nor injured persons. They were protesting for releasing crore Nepali from uncertainty whereas the protest in Putalisadak was for releasing the party leader and that has also turned into violence.
Attention of everyone was towards violence rather than towards silence. News of Silence protest remains silence in every media whereas every media is covered by violence news. Silence protest comes and goes silently whereas violence protest left behinds its mark.
Jun 18, 2011 @ 11:54
The Supreme Court (SC) has summoned UCPN-Maoist Constituent Assembly (CA) member Bal Krishna Dhungel to be present in the court on June 26 for murder case that was filed by Sabitri Shresha, victim’s sister with the legal assistance of Advocacy Forum, a human rights organisation, on June 14.
A single bench of Justice Tahir Ali Ansari also ruled the defendant to appear with written answers within 15 days.
Dhungel, CA member from constituent region 2 in Okhaldhunga, is accused of murdering Ujjan Kumar Shrestha at Khaharedovan in Tarkerabari VDC-7, Okhaldhunga on June 24, 1998. Though, the Okhaldhuga court had convicted Dhungel and given the verdict of life imprisonment and confiscation of property two years ago, the administration has not jailed him yet.
Home Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara has also given public statement to pardon Dhungel as per the Interim Constitution clause of 151.
Jun 18, 2011 @ 23:14
National Census 2011 has begun from Friday with collecting information from President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, Vice President Paramananda Jha and Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khana. President, the head of the state and his family members have been registered as an ordinary citizen for the first time in a century-long history of national census, according to chief of CBS Population Unit Rudra Suwal.
This is the second phase. The first phase was in May 16 to June 3 collecting general information like number of households, number of family members and head of family and occupation.
According to the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), the officials will count the number of people living in the country and collect information about them in every 10 years. National Census 2011 will be 10-day-long. 46,500 enumerators, including 8,500 supervisors have been deployed at 3,900 Village Development Committees and 50 municipalities across the country.
Suwal said, “The questionnaires are same for all. The president was the first person to be registered on Friday”. On the basis of estimated population of 28.5 million residing in Nepal, CBS has estimated one enumerator for an average number of 200 households.
According to CBS Director General Uttam Narayan Malla, Nepal has one of the longest censuses of its own kind in the world with more than 50 major questions. CBS has readied questionnaires in 10 languages, Maithili, Bhojpuri, Tharu, Tamang, Gurung, Newari, Magar, Awadhi, Rai and Limbu for the convenience of respondents and the information to be filled are related to religions, castes, ethnicity, sex, occupation, economic status, migrant workers, third genders and many more.
Jun 19, 2011 @ 23:57
This information was released a day after the Sathya Sai Central Trust opened the locks of Yajur Mandir. One of the trust members and Baba’s nephew RJ Ratnakar gave the details of the cash and valuables found inside. He told that the cash will be deposited in State Bank of India.
All the donation and gifts rece
ived by Sai Baba used to be kept in bank through Sathya Sai Central Trust. The trust manages the huge spiritual empire of by Baba that owns assets in various parts of India including Puttaparthi, Bangalore, and Hyderabad.
Although he was worshipped and respected by many people, his credibility has always been questioned by various people from time-to-time.
Also read – Is Sai Baba the illusionist ?
Jun 20, 2011 @ 03:45
55.5 % of the total examinees under the regular category and 17.3% from the partial category have passed in the SLC result announced today.
The results can be viewed online through various websites. The most notable sites are the official OCE website and Nepal Telecommunication websites. The full result in PDF format can be downloaded by clicking the following links:
Download SLC Result
Nepali Khagendra Thapa Magar was the world’s shortest man till Saturday only. On Sunday, this tile was bestowed on Junrey Balawing from a poor family in the rural Philippines. Guinness World Records declared Balawing the world´s shortest man as he turned 18 and presented him a certificate at his birthday party in the rural town of Sindangan on Mindanao Island in the southern Philippines.
Balawing is more than 7cm shorter than the previous record holder, Khagendra Thapa Magar. Balawing is 59.93cm (23.6 inches) tall. Khagendra had held the record since last October.
Balawing stopped growing when he was two years old and doctors had not been able to say why he stopped growing, his father said.
The car considered to be the cheapest in the world, Nano, will be available for purchase in Nepal after two months. Sipradi Trading, the authorized distributor of Tata vehicles in Nepal, unveiled the two Nano cars to be used for Nano Yatra Nepal campaign.
In the 35 days Nano Yatra Nepal campaign, the car will be driven an approximate length of 10,000 km covering different parts of Nepal. After the completion of the first campaign, another campaign is planned to complete 35,000 km covering almost every parts of the country.
Sipradi is planning to sell three variants of the car – Nano, Nano CX and Nano LX. Nano, the basic model, and Nano LX, the luxury model,
will be available in three colors, and the intermediate model, Nano CX, will be available in five colors.
Features available in the three models are:
| Nano | digital fuel gauge, front room lamp, integrated front seat headrest, sun-visor, driver seat with slider and recliner, front assist grips, fuel indicator lamps, temperature buzzer, and rear seat belts |
| Nano CX | (All above)+ cooling system, integrated rear seat head rest, co-driver seat with slider and recliner, rear assist grip and booster assisted brakes |
| Nano LX | (All above)+ body colored bumpers and door handles, front fog lamps, rear fog lamps, in strument cluster with trip meter, power windows, cup holder and central lock with key |
Although the retail price of the car is not fixed, the 4 seats model is expected to cost between Rs. 8 lakh to 12 lakh (Is that cheap?).
May 1, 2011 @ 22:11
After the immigration officer Bhuminanda Bhandari implicated three immigration officials working at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) and police wrote to the immigration office to handover them, they have absconded, according to the news report of Annapurna Post.
Bhuminanda Bhandari was arrested by the Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police on Wednesday after finding his involvement in the misuse of diplomatic passports of CA members, Gayatri Sah and Bishwanath Prasad Yadav.
Three immigration officials are section officer Shyam Babu Bhandari, computer officer Nanda Kumar Sunuwar and senior immigration assistant Devidatta Uprety. They have not gone to the office and are not found at their residences since past few days.
Police started looking for them at every possible place after the immigration office did not hand them over to them as per their request.
Sah and Yadav, who are charged of selling their diplomatic passports for a huge sum, are in police custody for investigation. Yadav’s diplomatic passport was using by Prithvi Chhatya and Sah’s passport was using by Sita Sah.
May 3, 2011 @ 06:39
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