BY THIRA L BHUSAL
KATHMANDU, JUNE 13
A few days back, water supply pipes dried up for nine days at Bahiti in Sitapaila area. Though people in the locality have been facing water related problems for years, this time things have worsened.
"As not even a single drop of water dripped down the tap for such a long period, I went to the Nepal Army (NA) barracks area [where NA personnel distribute water to locals] at 2 am," said Gyani Maya Limbu, who runs an tea shop at Bahiti, "There was already a long queue of empty vessels and children, youths and elderly people were quarrelling over their turn."
Had the NA not supplied water, people of this area would be in great crisis, she said.
Currently, the government utility supplies water once every five, six or even more days in the area, but that barely lasts for half-an-hour. "Many a time I have returned with my empty utensils after hours of waiting," said another tea shop owner Urmila Shrestha, from the same place. Even if we manage to
get some water, the amount is too little even for drinking water for one or two days, she added.
I have been staying at this house on rent, but for the past nearly nine months I have not used water from the tank at this building, said Gyani Maya. "There is no point in blaming the landlords because they have been buying water from outside to fulfill their own requirement," she added.
They no longer expect any improvement from the government utility. They are just waiting for the monsoon for things to get better.
People of this area are heavily dependent on the water provided by NA from its tank at Chhauni. "People from Kimdol, Bahiti, Sitapaila, Bafal, Museum chowk and other surrounding areas fetch water from this tank," said an army officer. NA distributes drinkable
water from six to nine in the morning and three to six in the evening.
Apart from this, people of the area fetch water all the way from Swoyambhu, around 1.5 KM from Bahiti, or some other places on their cycles, motorbikes and other vehicles.
Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL), which was established four months ago to improve water supply system in the capital, published a water distribution schedule on Thursday. According to the schedule, water will be distributed after a gap of six days in several places in the capital. Bahiti, Kapurdhara, Maheshline, Driverline and British Chihanline, are among the areas where water will be distributed for 45 minutes after a gap of six or more days.
"This is a shameless, hateful act ," said Narayan Poudel, a shopkeeper from Bahiti, adding, "It would be better if KUKL had not published this. It has done nothing but added insult to our plight."
According to KUKL,
water will be supplied from Kuleshwor to Kalimati and Tahachal areas once every four to five days.
It is distributing water for two hours after a gap of four days in about 50 localities inside Kathmandu. Interestingly, people in these areas have to wake up at 2 to 4 am and 4 to 6 am to fill up on water.
Many people approached by the Post expressed their ire against the authorities saying the discriminatory and irresponsible behavior of officers and staffers at the water utility is worsening the situation.
"The mischief of staffers assigned to the water distribution system is equally responsible," Poudel said, adding, "This area (Bahiti) is very close to the place from where water is released. But, still we are getting no water."
Kavita Pandey, an advocate lives in Sangam Chowk, Chachhu Marg in Baneshwor, where, according to the notice, water will be released once after a gap of four days. She claimed that around 10 households in her neighborhood that have links to higher authorities have made special arrangements by connecting larger pipes to their buildings.
KUKL published a notice on Thursday but people have no faith in its implementation.
Like tea shop owner Gyani Maya, who is looking forward to the monsoon for improvement in the situation, Deputy General Manager of KUKL, Ganesh Chandra Bajracharya has no better assurances for the public. "The present situation is a little bit difficult due to dry season. It will be better once monsoon begins," Bajracharya says.
From THE KATHMANDU POST
Posted on: 2008-06-13 19:06:18 (Server Time)
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Gyanendra's last night at Narayanhiti palace
BY Thira-E-Zine SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
KATHMANDU, JUNE 11
The recently deposed king Gyanendra Shah in Nepal is saying goodbye to the Narayanhity Palace where the royal family lived for over 100 years today evening.
He was compelled to do so as sweeping majority of the recently-elected constituent assembly members proclaimed the country a republic by abolishing the 240-year-old monarchy and directed the government to implement republic in the first CA meeting on May 28.
The government had issued 15-day ultimatum to the former king to vacate the Narayanhiti palace. The government also suggested the king to stay at Nagarjun palace in the suburb of Kathmandu valley until for other arrangement is made.
Hence, Nepal's former king Gyanendra has spent his last night in the Narayanhiti Palace.
Recently king-turned-ordinary citizen of Nepal Gyanendra Shah, is scheduled to give his first opinion as a citizen at a press conference before he and his wife Komal, the former queen, move to Nagarjun, in the north-western suburbs of Kathmandu, according to officials.
Several TV channels, FM Radio stations are making preparation and expecting to give immediate news, if not live, of king's departure from the palace.
Gyanendra's son Paras, his wife Himani along with their family have been staying at Nirmal Niwas Mahargunj, where Gyanendra lived before he ascended to the throne following the royal massacre.
The government has decided to convert the Narayanhiti Palace into a national museum.
However, the government also has decided to let Gyanendra's stepmother and grandmother (Tribhuwan's concubine) will be staying at a fenced off building inside the Narayanhiti palace compound itself.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Maoist nod for simple majority
Parties closer to consensus
BY YUVRAJ ACHARYA & THIRA L BHUSAL
KATHMANDU, JUNE 8
The three big parties in the Constituent Assembly have come closer to a consensus on most of their differences including amendment of the constitution, following parleys at bilateral meetings, Saturday.
They have agreed to a meeting Sunday morning at Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal's residence, during which they will set up two tripartite panels - one to prepare a draft of the amendment to the constitution and the other to prepare a package for taking the ongoing peace process to a logical end.
"We have agreed to set up the panels and reach a consensus by day after tomorrow," said Dahal, coming out of a meeting with Nepali Congress leaders at Singhdurbar.
He said the new agreement will cover ways to take the ongoing peace process to a logical end, amend the constitution and prepare a power-sharing deal among the parties.
"We still have pending issues concerning integration of the armies, they (other parties) have called for change in the YCL's working style, return of land and relief to the conflict victims, which is still an unresolved issue, and a commission for disappearances and others are yet to be formed," said Dahal, adding, "We have to address all these."
The second issue to be addressed immediately is amending the constitution, he added. "There is debate over two-third majority and simple majority for forming the government, the constitution has mentioned the names of the seven parties and attached a list of legislators - which are all irrelevant in the present context," said Dahal. He said another issue was related to power-sharing. "Discussion on the issues has been quite positive," he said.
The parties have put constitutional amendment, the peace process and power-sharing in that order of priority, according to NC general secretary Bimalendra Nidhi. He said there was an understanding in principle to address the issues in a package and make a strong commitment to refrain from getting involved in the petty game of frequent change of government at least for a few years or until the new constitution is promulgated.
"We are not against the simple-majority system for formation and ouster of the government but what we wanted is that there should not be space for the petty game of frequent change of government," said Maoist Chairman Dahal.
UML leader Bhim Rawal said the parties would come up with a commitment to a common minimum program to stop such unhealthy practices in future. "The progress made during today's parleys is agreement to immediately end the YCL's paramilitary structure and change its modus-operandi, and an agreement to prepare a draft constitutional amendment."
‘Maoists should have proposed Koirala for prez’
Amidst for and against arguments by leaders of the major political parties over Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala as the country's future president, Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula on Saturday said Koirala's name should have been proposed by the Maoists themselves.
During his meeting with Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Saturday, Sitaula said he was surprised the Maoists did not propose Koirala's name, recognizing the octogenarian leader's contribution to leading the country to the present stage.
"During my talks, I told them in context that they (Maoists) should have offered the post to Koirala because of his role from thrashing out the 12-point understanding to successful holding of the Constituent Assembly polls," said Sitaula.
Sitaula said there was no logic behind the argument that a parallel power center will be created when Koirala becomes president with the Maoists holding the position of chief executive in their capacity as the largest party. "The president is above all the party lines and becomes a symbol of the unity of people across the country," Sitaula was quoted as having told the Maoist leader.
"I did not find the Maoists negative towards the concept of making Koirala president but we did not discuss the matter in detail," he said. "We stressed the need for immediately determining the election procedure for the president.
The Maoist supremo, however, said the NC has proposed Koirala's name but his party is not in favor of Koirala because of his age and health factors.
"NC leaders, might be with a view to making him a national figure, have gotten ready to relieve him of all party responsibilities but we still believe he cannot fulfill his responsibility due to his failing health and age," said the Maoist leader. "There will be tension of some type or other for a person of that age, so we are not in favor of giving him that tension and want to put him in some other respectable position."
THE KATHMANDU POST
BY YUVRAJ ACHARYA & THIRA L BHUSAL
KATHMANDU, JUNE 8
The three big parties in the Constituent Assembly have come closer to a consensus on most of their differences including amendment of the constitution, following parleys at bilateral meetings, Saturday.
They have agreed to a meeting Sunday morning at Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal's residence, during which they will set up two tripartite panels - one to prepare a draft of the amendment to the constitution and the other to prepare a package for taking the ongoing peace process to a logical end.
"We have agreed to set up the panels and reach a consensus by day after tomorrow," said Dahal, coming out of a meeting with Nepali Congress leaders at Singhdurbar.
He said the new agreement will cover ways to take the ongoing peace process to a logical end, amend the constitution and prepare a power-sharing deal among the parties.
"We still have pending issues concerning integration of the armies, they (other parties) have called for change in the YCL's working style, return of land and relief to the conflict victims, which is still an unresolved issue, and a commission for disappearances and others are yet to be formed," said Dahal, adding, "We have to address all these."
The second issue to be addressed immediately is amending the constitution, he added. "There is debate over two-third majority and simple majority for forming the government, the constitution has mentioned the names of the seven parties and attached a list of legislators - which are all irrelevant in the present context," said Dahal. He said another issue was related to power-sharing. "Discussion on the issues has been quite positive," he said.
The parties have put constitutional amendment, the peace process and power-sharing in that order of priority, according to NC general secretary Bimalendra Nidhi. He said there was an understanding in principle to address the issues in a package and make a strong commitment to refrain from getting involved in the petty game of frequent change of government at least for a few years or until the new constitution is promulgated.
"We are not against the simple-majority system for formation and ouster of the government but what we wanted is that there should not be space for the petty game of frequent change of government," said Maoist Chairman Dahal.
UML leader Bhim Rawal said the parties would come up with a commitment to a common minimum program to stop such unhealthy practices in future. "The progress made during today's parleys is agreement to immediately end the YCL's paramilitary structure and change its modus-operandi, and an agreement to prepare a draft constitutional amendment."
‘Maoists should have proposed Koirala for prez’
Amidst for and against arguments by leaders of the major political parties over Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala as the country's future president, Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula on Saturday said Koirala's name should have been proposed by the Maoists themselves.
During his meeting with Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Saturday, Sitaula said he was surprised the Maoists did not propose Koirala's name, recognizing the octogenarian leader's contribution to leading the country to the present stage.
"During my talks, I told them in context that they (Maoists) should have offered the post to Koirala because of his role from thrashing out the 12-point understanding to successful holding of the Constituent Assembly polls," said Sitaula.
Sitaula said there was no logic behind the argument that a parallel power center will be created when Koirala becomes president with the Maoists holding the position of chief executive in their capacity as the largest party. "The president is above all the party lines and becomes a symbol of the unity of people across the country," Sitaula was quoted as having told the Maoist leader.
"I did not find the Maoists negative towards the concept of making Koirala president but we did not discuss the matter in detail," he said. "We stressed the need for immediately determining the election procedure for the president.
The Maoist supremo, however, said the NC has proposed Koirala's name but his party is not in favor of Koirala because of his age and health factors.
"NC leaders, might be with a view to making him a national figure, have gotten ready to relieve him of all party responsibilities but we still believe he cannot fulfill his responsibility due to his failing health and age," said the Maoist leader. "There will be tension of some type or other for a person of that age, so we are not in favor of giving him that tension and want to put him in some other respectable position."
THE KATHMANDU POST
Saturday, June 7, 2008
ADB to review Melamchi progress
BY THIRA L BHUSAL
KATHMANDU, June 6
A mission of Asian Development Bank (ADB) is beginning a progress review of the Melamchi Water Supply Project from Friday. The mission from the principal donor of the project will conclude on June 13, said an ADB official from its Kathmandu office.
Urban Development Specialist Gyongshim An, the mission leader, arrived in Kathmandu from ADB's headquarters in Manila on Thursday, according to the ADB official.
Gyongshim and another Urban Development Specialist Notio Saito are in the mission from Manila, while five other members of the mission will join from the Nepal Resident Mission in Kathmandu, the ADB official said.
The objectives of the mission are: review and assessment progress in implementation of institutional reforms and transition works, and follow up on pending issues raised by the Specialist Urban Development Division (SUDD) with respect to the government's assurances on restructured projects and institutional reforms.
The mission will facilitate institutional assessment in implementing sub-projects under the amended loans, discuss social safeguards and social uplift program implementation and undertake field visits to Melamchi Valley to assess the development of social programs. Likewise, other objectives of the mission are to review the progress and implementation action plan of the Technical Assistance (TA) and to undertake inception discussion with the Technical Assistance funded interim managers.
Some four months back, the government of Nepal formed Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) under public-private partnership concept as ADB and other donors had been pressuring the government that water distribution responsibility in the capital be handed over to an autonomous body for improving the water supply system in the valley.
ADB provided technical assistance to help in management and operation of water services in Kathmandu Valley during KUKL's initial operation period of 18 months. Nepal Water Supply Corporation (NWSC) had been carrying out water supply work in valley in the past. The government had handed over some assets and staff of NWSC to KUKL on February.
Melamchi is designed to supply 170 million liters of water daily into the capital. The current water demand in the Valley is 250 MLD, while supply stands at only one-third of the demand.
THE KATHMANDU POST
Posted on: 2008-06-05 21:07:06 (Server Time)
KATHMANDU, June 6
A mission of Asian Development Bank (ADB) is beginning a progress review of the Melamchi Water Supply Project from Friday. The mission from the principal donor of the project will conclude on June 13, said an ADB official from its Kathmandu office.
Urban Development Specialist Gyongshim An, the mission leader, arrived in Kathmandu from ADB's headquarters in Manila on Thursday, according to the ADB official.
Gyongshim and another Urban Development Specialist Notio Saito are in the mission from Manila, while five other members of the mission will join from the Nepal Resident Mission in Kathmandu, the ADB official said.
The objectives of the mission are: review and assessment progress in implementation of institutional reforms and transition works, and follow up on pending issues raised by the Specialist Urban Development Division (SUDD) with respect to the government's assurances on restructured projects and institutional reforms.
The mission will facilitate institutional assessment in implementing sub-projects under the amended loans, discuss social safeguards and social uplift program implementation and undertake field visits to Melamchi Valley to assess the development of social programs. Likewise, other objectives of the mission are to review the progress and implementation action plan of the Technical Assistance (TA) and to undertake inception discussion with the Technical Assistance funded interim managers.
Some four months back, the government of Nepal formed Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) under public-private partnership concept as ADB and other donors had been pressuring the government that water distribution responsibility in the capital be handed over to an autonomous body for improving the water supply system in the valley.
ADB provided technical assistance to help in management and operation of water services in Kathmandu Valley during KUKL's initial operation period of 18 months. Nepal Water Supply Corporation (NWSC) had been carrying out water supply work in valley in the past. The government had handed over some assets and staff of NWSC to KUKL on February.
Melamchi is designed to supply 170 million liters of water daily into the capital. The current water demand in the Valley is 250 MLD, while supply stands at only one-third of the demand.
THE KATHMANDU POST
Posted on: 2008-06-05 21:07:06 (Server Time)
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
12 fringe parties to group against biggies
BY THIRA L BHUSAL
KATHMANDU, June 3
A meeting of 25-parties being being represented in the Constituent Assembly (CA) concluded without entering the agenda -- formation of CA Business Advisory Committee and CA Regulations Drafting Committee.
The meeting actually didn't take place as the Maoist CA member failed to show up. The meeting ended in just two minutes. Nepali Congress leader and senior-most CA member, Kul Bahadur Gurung, who is acting as Chair of the CA, informed that the discussion would now take place a few hours before the second CA meeting scheduled for Thursday.
Representatives from larger parties immediately left the meeting hall at the Parliamentary Secretariat in Singha Durbar.
Then it was the turn of representatives from 12 small parties gathered at the place. Twelve of the total 25 parties had won no seat in the first-past-the-post electoral system. They won less than five seats under the proportional electoral system.
"Now, let's enter our [small parties'] topics," said Dr Keshav Man Shakya of Nepal Rastriya Party.
Then leaders from small parties spoke their mind. "I think we should term it as a coalition of 12 parties in the CA," said Dr Prakash Chandra Lohani, Co-Chairperson of Rastriya Janashakti Party (RJP).
This should be for fighting against the hegemony of the 13 parties, said Chandra Bahadur Gurung of the staunch royalist party, Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal.
One of the leaders said, they were not even informed properly about the 25-party meeting. "I came here to participate in the meeting only after I knew about it through radio," said Pari Thapa of Communist Party of Nepal (Unified).
"I learnt the agenda of this meeting only after entering this hall," added another CA member.
Thapa said smaller parties needed to fight against larger parties as they have displayed big brotherly attitude right from the beginning of the CA. "We fought for inclusive system. But, unfortunately, the CA itself has adopted exclusive policy," Thapa said.
Biswendra Paswan of Dalit Janajati Party was of the opinion that smaller parties should unite and fight in the CA against larger parties' 'dictatorship' and 'discrimination' toward smaller parties. "We should be clear about our role in the CA," he added. Ek Nath Dhakal of Nepal Paribar Dal, echoed similar sentiment.
Likewise, Keshav Prasad Mainali of Chure Bhawar Ekta Samaj emphasized that smaller parties should not be merely witnesses who support larger parties' decisions without any role.
Now these fringe parties are thinking of forming a coalition against 'big' parties. "Those who have felt discriminated even within the 13 parties are welcome to join our coalition," said Lohani.
"Then, perhaps only three largest parties will remain there and the remaining others will join our group," added Gurung of RPP-N. They concluded that once they unite, their role in the CA would grow.
Lohani proposed to be more specific and clear about the coalition's objective. "It's clear. Number one, we should fight for inclusive policy in the CA," said, Thapa, adding, "Number two, the unity will be issue wise."
The 12 parties have 21 members in the Constituent Assembly elected under the proportional electoral system.
THE KATHMANDU POST
Posted on: 2008-06-03 18:38:41 (Server Time)
KATHMANDU, June 3
A meeting of 25-parties being being represented in the Constituent Assembly (CA) concluded without entering the agenda -- formation of CA Business Advisory Committee and CA Regulations Drafting Committee.
The meeting actually didn't take place as the Maoist CA member failed to show up. The meeting ended in just two minutes. Nepali Congress leader and senior-most CA member, Kul Bahadur Gurung, who is acting as Chair of the CA, informed that the discussion would now take place a few hours before the second CA meeting scheduled for Thursday.
Representatives from larger parties immediately left the meeting hall at the Parliamentary Secretariat in Singha Durbar.
Then it was the turn of representatives from 12 small parties gathered at the place. Twelve of the total 25 parties had won no seat in the first-past-the-post electoral system. They won less than five seats under the proportional electoral system.
"Now, let's enter our [small parties'] topics," said Dr Keshav Man Shakya of Nepal Rastriya Party.
Then leaders from small parties spoke their mind. "I think we should term it as a coalition of 12 parties in the CA," said Dr Prakash Chandra Lohani, Co-Chairperson of Rastriya Janashakti Party (RJP).
This should be for fighting against the hegemony of the 13 parties, said Chandra Bahadur Gurung of the staunch royalist party, Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal.
One of the leaders said, they were not even informed properly about the 25-party meeting. "I came here to participate in the meeting only after I knew about it through radio," said Pari Thapa of Communist Party of Nepal (Unified).
"I learnt the agenda of this meeting only after entering this hall," added another CA member.
Thapa said smaller parties needed to fight against larger parties as they have displayed big brotherly attitude right from the beginning of the CA. "We fought for inclusive system. But, unfortunately, the CA itself has adopted exclusive policy," Thapa said.
Biswendra Paswan of Dalit Janajati Party was of the opinion that smaller parties should unite and fight in the CA against larger parties' 'dictatorship' and 'discrimination' toward smaller parties. "We should be clear about our role in the CA," he added. Ek Nath Dhakal of Nepal Paribar Dal, echoed similar sentiment.
Likewise, Keshav Prasad Mainali of Chure Bhawar Ekta Samaj emphasized that smaller parties should not be merely witnesses who support larger parties' decisions without any role.
Now these fringe parties are thinking of forming a coalition against 'big' parties. "Those who have felt discriminated even within the 13 parties are welcome to join our coalition," said Lohani.
"Then, perhaps only three largest parties will remain there and the remaining others will join our group," added Gurung of RPP-N. They concluded that once they unite, their role in the CA would grow.
Lohani proposed to be more specific and clear about the coalition's objective. "It's clear. Number one, we should fight for inclusive policy in the CA," said, Thapa, adding, "Number two, the unity will be issue wise."
The 12 parties have 21 members in the Constituent Assembly elected under the proportional electoral system.
THE KATHMANDU POST
Posted on: 2008-06-03 18:38:41 (Server Time)
Demonstrations deluge Baneshwor, elsewhere
BY THIRA L BHUSAL / KOSH RAJ KOIRALA
KATHMANDU, May 28
Rallies and celebrations marked Kathmandu throughout Wednesday to welcome the dawn of Republican Nepal.
Thousands of cadres affiliated to various political parties, including CPN (Maoist), CPN (UML) and Nepali Congress, came on to the streets in various parts of the capital city early morning today to celebrate the beginning of New Nepal sans the 240-year old institution of monarchy. They chanted slogans against monarchy and walked through the city hoisting their party flags and banners welcoming the republic.
Several groups of civil society leaders, artistes and people from different walks of life inundated the areas around International Convention Centre (ICC), New Baneshwor, the venue of Constituent Assembly (CA), pressing the ruling parties to declare implementation of federal democratic republic without delay. They sang songs, recited poems and chanted slogans in favor of republic. Earlier in the morning, they held a mass rally from Basantapur Durbar Square to New Baneshwor to mark the glorious day.
UML leaders and cadres led by senior UML leader Bamdev Gautam took out a huge rally from Maitighar and arrived outside ICC. Likewise, Maoist cadres also gathered there from several places.
As political party cadres gathered in front of ICC, dozens of media persons and ordinary public reached to the main entrance of Narayanhiti Palace in a bid to capture the historic moment of king Gyanendra leaving the palace once and for all. But they had to return empty-handed as the first CA failed to convene on time.
Keeping in view possible untoward incidents during the CA meeting, local administration deployed huge number of Nepal Police and Armed Police Force (APF) personnel in and around BICC, Narayanhiti royal Palace and Singha Durbar. Likewise, the administration barred vehicles from plying on different road sections in the capital to beef up security. A large number of Maoist-affiliated Young Communist League (YCL) cadres were also mobilized keeping in view the possibility of untoward incident.
The public, who had spontaneously gathered around BICC and several other places with expectant faces to celebrate the arrival of the new era, were seemingly frustrated as political parties failed to declare republic even hours after the scheduled time.
Meanwhile, pro-royalist group staged rally in New Road Area Wednesday afternoon. Addressing a corner meeting, Jagat Gauchan, a staunch royalist, said they will fight until death against the decision to remove the institution of monarchy through CA meeting.
What the public waiting outside ICC said?
Pavitra Parajuli Bagle, daughter of late Chhaya Devi Parajuli, a noted democracy fighter during the April uprising, said as generations of Nepalis fought against the king's regime, power should not be centralized on a single person once again. "Be it any President or Prime Minister, power must not accumulate in a single person. It must go to the people," she said.
Chhaya Devi, who established herself as a committed democratic fighter even in her eighties, died two years ago.
Beduram Neupane, Bachelor level student of Ratna Rajya Campus, TU, described it as very important moment as the country's total power that was centered on a single person has ultimately come to the people.
Neupane, who hails from Anguri VDC of Arghakhanchi district, said this situation should be further stabilized and focus must be given to development activities in the days to come.
Neupane's friend Rudra Dev Pandey, who hails from Thulapokhara of Arghakhanchi, said the governing system of the country should be based on equality among all castes and communities.
Ice cream vendor Maiya Karki, 35, from Sindhuli district, hoped the political change would bring meaningful changes for poor people as well.
Likewise, 36 year-old Man Kaji Shivakoti from Sunakhari VDC of Dolakha district, who was selling water-melon in front of ICC hall, said political parties should give priority to providing employment opportunities to the people.
THE KATHMANDU POST
Posted on: 2008-05-28 18:09:42 (Server Time)
KATHMANDU, May 28
Rallies and celebrations marked Kathmandu throughout Wednesday to welcome the dawn of Republican Nepal.
Thousands of cadres affiliated to various political parties, including CPN (Maoist), CPN (UML) and Nepali Congress, came on to the streets in various parts of the capital city early morning today to celebrate the beginning of New Nepal sans the 240-year old institution of monarchy. They chanted slogans against monarchy and walked through the city hoisting their party flags and banners welcoming the republic.
Several groups of civil society leaders, artistes and people from different walks of life inundated the areas around International Convention Centre (ICC), New Baneshwor, the venue of Constituent Assembly (CA), pressing the ruling parties to declare implementation of federal democratic republic without delay. They sang songs, recited poems and chanted slogans in favor of republic. Earlier in the morning, they held a mass rally from Basantapur Durbar Square to New Baneshwor to mark the glorious day.
UML leaders and cadres led by senior UML leader Bamdev Gautam took out a huge rally from Maitighar and arrived outside ICC. Likewise, Maoist cadres also gathered there from several places.
As political party cadres gathered in front of ICC, dozens of media persons and ordinary public reached to the main entrance of Narayanhiti Palace in a bid to capture the historic moment of king Gyanendra leaving the palace once and for all. But they had to return empty-handed as the first CA failed to convene on time.
Keeping in view possible untoward incidents during the CA meeting, local administration deployed huge number of Nepal Police and Armed Police Force (APF) personnel in and around BICC, Narayanhiti royal Palace and Singha Durbar. Likewise, the administration barred vehicles from plying on different road sections in the capital to beef up security. A large number of Maoist-affiliated Young Communist League (YCL) cadres were also mobilized keeping in view the possibility of untoward incident.
The public, who had spontaneously gathered around BICC and several other places with expectant faces to celebrate the arrival of the new era, were seemingly frustrated as political parties failed to declare republic even hours after the scheduled time.
Meanwhile, pro-royalist group staged rally in New Road Area Wednesday afternoon. Addressing a corner meeting, Jagat Gauchan, a staunch royalist, said they will fight until death against the decision to remove the institution of monarchy through CA meeting.
What the public waiting outside ICC said?
Pavitra Parajuli Bagle, daughter of late Chhaya Devi Parajuli, a noted democracy fighter during the April uprising, said as generations of Nepalis fought against the king's regime, power should not be centralized on a single person once again. "Be it any President or Prime Minister, power must not accumulate in a single person. It must go to the people," she said.
Chhaya Devi, who established herself as a committed democratic fighter even in her eighties, died two years ago.
Beduram Neupane, Bachelor level student of Ratna Rajya Campus, TU, described it as very important moment as the country's total power that was centered on a single person has ultimately come to the people.
Neupane, who hails from Anguri VDC of Arghakhanchi district, said this situation should be further stabilized and focus must be given to development activities in the days to come.
Neupane's friend Rudra Dev Pandey, who hails from Thulapokhara of Arghakhanchi, said the governing system of the country should be based on equality among all castes and communities.
Ice cream vendor Maiya Karki, 35, from Sindhuli district, hoped the political change would bring meaningful changes for poor people as well.
Likewise, 36 year-old Man Kaji Shivakoti from Sunakhari VDC of Dolakha district, who was selling water-melon in front of ICC hall, said political parties should give priority to providing employment opportunities to the people.
THE KATHMANDU POST
Posted on: 2008-05-28 18:09:42 (Server Time)
Monday, May 19, 2008
One more attraction to beautify Lumbini
BY THIRA L BHUSAL
KATHMANDU, May 14
Pilgrims and tourists will find one more attraction at Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha.
The sacred site will have a park with a monument of Little Buddha and three ponds will be constructed there. Likewise, there will be one structure to showcase Korean culture inside the park that spreads in 12 ropani land at the South Pond inside the Lumbini Master Plan.
The park is scheduled to be inaugurated on the occasion of Buddha Purnima (full moon night), is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha. Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala is expected to lay the foundation stone on May 20.
The construction of the park will cost around 30 million rupees, according to Yeom Sun Jung, Director of Korea Cultural Center (KCC). The Lumbini Development Fund has given 18 months period to complete the construction of the whole park.
The project was initiated as a part of several activities to promote Buddha's birthplace, said members of KCC.
The group led by one of the most prominent religious leaders in Korea, Reverend Sun Mook Hye Ja, is providing support to the park construction project and has planned to bring in over 7,000 Buddhist religious leaders to Nepal from Korea within a few years, according to Saroj Khanal, Director of Sun Hype Peace Academy. The Academy, KCC, and Service for Peace headed by senior political leader Ram Hari Joshi have taken initiatives to construct the park and to arrange pilgrimage in the country with support of the religious leader Hye Ja.
A pilgrimage of 300 Buddhist monks led by Hye Ja arrived on a five-day visit to Nepal on February 23 in course of their visit to 108 Buddhist Temples of the world. Joshi headed the pilgrimage organizing committee. This was the beginning of the campaign in Nepal.
The park construction project was initiated by the group as requested by PM Koirala during a meeting with its members.
Likewise, another pilgrimage of 108 monks led by Hye Ja himself is arriving in Nepal for the Buddha anniversary. The pilgrims will visit Lumbini and several other Buddhist shrines in the country.
"We want to inform more and more Koreans that Lord Buddha was born at Lumbini in Nepal," Jung said. Many Koreans still think that Buddha was born in India, according to him.
"We want to give them true information about Buddha because Koreans greatly revere Gautam Buddha, but sadly have misconception about buddha's place of birth," he added.
Many Koreans visit Nepal to view the Himalayas and other natural sights because they do not know about Lumbini and its importance, he informed. "Once Koreans know that Nepal is Buddha's birthplace, majority of them will certainly not miss a visit to Lumbini," he said. He claimed that many Koreans have shown interest in visiting Lumbini after the Korean media gave good publicity of Lumbini during the "108 temple visit" pilgrimage last February.
KATHMANDU, May 14
Pilgrims and tourists will find one more attraction at Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha.
The sacred site will have a park with a monument of Little Buddha and three ponds will be constructed there. Likewise, there will be one structure to showcase Korean culture inside the park that spreads in 12 ropani land at the South Pond inside the Lumbini Master Plan.
The park is scheduled to be inaugurated on the occasion of Buddha Purnima (full moon night), is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha. Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala is expected to lay the foundation stone on May 20.
The construction of the park will cost around 30 million rupees, according to Yeom Sun Jung, Director of Korea Cultural Center (KCC). The Lumbini Development Fund has given 18 months period to complete the construction of the whole park.
The project was initiated as a part of several activities to promote Buddha's birthplace, said members of KCC.
The group led by one of the most prominent religious leaders in Korea, Reverend Sun Mook Hye Ja, is providing support to the park construction project and has planned to bring in over 7,000 Buddhist religious leaders to Nepal from Korea within a few years, according to Saroj Khanal, Director of Sun Hype Peace Academy. The Academy, KCC, and Service for Peace headed by senior political leader Ram Hari Joshi have taken initiatives to construct the park and to arrange pilgrimage in the country with support of the religious leader Hye Ja.
A pilgrimage of 300 Buddhist monks led by Hye Ja arrived on a five-day visit to Nepal on February 23 in course of their visit to 108 Buddhist Temples of the world. Joshi headed the pilgrimage organizing committee. This was the beginning of the campaign in Nepal.
The park construction project was initiated by the group as requested by PM Koirala during a meeting with its members.
Likewise, another pilgrimage of 108 monks led by Hye Ja himself is arriving in Nepal for the Buddha anniversary. The pilgrims will visit Lumbini and several other Buddhist shrines in the country.
"We want to inform more and more Koreans that Lord Buddha was born at Lumbini in Nepal," Jung said. Many Koreans still think that Buddha was born in India, according to him.
"We want to give them true information about Buddha because Koreans greatly revere Gautam Buddha, but sadly have misconception about buddha's place of birth," he added.
Many Koreans visit Nepal to view the Himalayas and other natural sights because they do not know about Lumbini and its importance, he informed. "Once Koreans know that Nepal is Buddha's birthplace, majority of them will certainly not miss a visit to Lumbini," he said. He claimed that many Koreans have shown interest in visiting Lumbini after the Korean media gave good publicity of Lumbini during the "108 temple visit" pilgrimage last February.
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