Madhes protest, blockade would be ended soon; UCPN leader Mahara

UCPN (Maoist) General Secretary Krishna Bahadur Mahara on Thursday said that ongoing Madhes protest and Indian border blockade would end soon as the process to address demands of Madhesi people has begun through the amendment to the new constitution.

Speaking at a programme organised by Rolpa chapter of Revolutionary Journalists’ Association in Liwang, Rolpa, Mahara claimed that the agitating Madhes-based political parties have accepted the constitutional amendments, if not openly recognising it. About him being summoned by the Commission of the Investigation of Abuse of Authority, he clarified that the CIAA has pointed out the need to investigate the expenditures of money he received from the government in relation to the management of former Maoist combatants. He however said that the accounts relating to it were already audited

Entrepreneurs complain against power outage in Dhaulagiri

Local entrepreneurs have demanded the authorities concerned not to cut power supply noting that the frequent unannounced load-shedding has hit hard the operation of business and enterprises.
The request was made at a gathering of entrepreneurs and electricity authority office in-charges of three districts and Modikhola Hydropower Project chief held at Parbat district headquarters Kushma on Tuesday.

The frequent load-shedding has inflicted huge loss to the business and enterprises sector than the damage caused by the earthquake and blockade, they said, urging not to increase power outage hours in Dhaulagiri zone.
Dhaulagiri zonal representative of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Nirman Kumar Shrestha said that the growing load-shedding hours has brought a situation to shut down business undertakings and urged to give priority to the distribution of electricity produced in the Dhaulagiri zone for the local consumption.
Parbat Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chair Hari Om Sharma Lamichhane, Baglung Chair Jayaram Bhari and Myagdi Chair Jeevan Kumar Biswokarma and former Chairperson Kubir Kumar Shrestha urged the electricity authority to resolve the frequent disruption of power in the area.
Also speaking on the occasion, Modikhola Hydropower Centre Tara Dutta Bhatta said the load-shedding hours have to be increased with the decreasing water level in the Modi rivulet.

Foreign Secretary holds meeting with NRNA in Doha

 Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi, who is currently on a visit to Qatar, held meetings with Non Resident Nepali Association (NRNA)'s national coordination council and Qatar’s officials before heading back home, on Tuesday morning.

During the meeting, discussion took place on introducing various programmes in collaboration with the Nepal Embassy in Doha for promoting trade and tourism, support for reconstruction programme launched in post-quake Nepal, establishment of Nepali Welfare Fund and Nepali Cultural Centre, and awareness and service-oriented programmes for Nepali people.

Speaking to Nepali journalists based in Qatar, Foreign Secretary Bairagi said talks were held on Nepal-Qatar bilateral relations during his stay

Archana Hot Video from Tamil Movie Shanti

The hailstorm which battered the village for at least 20 minutes on Monday night worsened the condition of quake-survivors. The wrath of nature did not show any indications of a letup with strong winds blowing away and tearing tarpaulin sheets- the roof of the shelter. The rain seeping from the leaky sheets has caused further misery especially to the children, expecting mothers and old ones.
The upper region of the village was blanked thick with snow while hailstones piled up in the lower settlement areas. The villagers were forced to warm themselves with bonfires, said a local Netra Bahadur Thapa.
The erratic nature of the weather is taking its toll on the people. The massive earthquake which struck on April 25 has deformed the soil of Solang, Batase, Pangtang, Gumba and Golche VDCs sending a total of 190 families into the temporary settlement.

Lawmaker Shahi injured in road accident

 Lawmaker Mahendra Shahi and three others were injured in a car accident that occurred at Deurali of Ghansikuwa VDC-2 along the Prithvi Highway in Tanahun district this morning.

According to the District Police Office, Tanahun, the car (Ba 8 Cha 7591) on its way to Pokhara from the capital city fell 20 metres off the road, slightly injuring lawmaker Shahi.

Shahi, 55, of Kalikot district and currently living at Hattiban in Lalitpur was driving the car himself. Madhuri Magar, 18, of the same area has sustained serious injuries in her back and head. Condition of other injured Suja Shahi, 16, and Devendra Shahi, 30, is learnt to be normal.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Rakesh Singh said that all four have been rushed to the Pokhara-based Manipal Teaching Hospital for further treatment after undergoing primary treatments in Ratnahari Hospital, Damauli.

Community school wins parents’ confidence

A primary school that was almost closed for lack of students in the past has been running with an exemplary image in the current days, thanks to locals’ participation and schools better performance.

The Shiavalaya Primary School based at Salbot of Tityang VDC-9 in Baglung district has improved a lot following the better management and quality education. 

The school with 20 students some two years ago now has 75 students after running the classes in the English medium. School Headmaster Ghanshyan KC said that the parents have enrolled their children in the community school by bidding adieu to the private ones after the improvement in quality. 

In an attempt to increase confidence of the parents to the government school, all the members of the school management committee have also admitted their children to the community school, leaving the private schools. 

Chairman of school management committee Lokraj Poudel said that they visited the doorsteps of the parents asking the parents to admit their children in the government schools by assuring them of better results. “We visited the parents and promised to provide compensation if the quality of education was degraded,” he added. RSS 

Community school wins parents’ confidence

 A primary school that was almost closed for lack of students in the past has been running with an exemplary image in the current days, thanks to locals’ participation and schools better performance.

The Shiavalaya Primary School based at Salbot of Tityang VDC-9 in Baglung district has improved a lot following the better management and quality education.

The school with 20 students some two years ago now has 75 students after running the classes in the English medium.

School Headmaster Ghanshyan KC said that the parents have enrolled their children in the community school by bidding adieu to the private ones after the improvement in quality.
In an attempt to increase confidence of the parents to the government school, all the members of the school management committee have also admitted their children to the community school, leaving the private schools.
Chairman of school management committee Lokraj Poudel said that they visited the doorsteps of the parents asking the parents to admit their children in the government schools by assuring them of better results. “We visited the parents and promised to provide compensation if the quality of education was degraded

t disruption costs Rs 2 billion revenue loss

The disruption of expor- Import via Birgunj – Nepal's only dry port connected to Indian railway network – has cost the revenue loss of over Rs 2 billion.
With the standstill of import and export, the dry port customs office saw whopping deficit of revenue in the first five months of the fiscal year. The operation of dry port has been brought to grinding halt owing to the shutdown and disruption of border-based supply enforced by Madhes-based political parties for the past five months. According to the dry port customs office, the revenue deficit during the period from mid-August 2015 to mid-January 2016 stood at around Rs 2.241 billion.
However, the revenue collection during the last month of the period (mid-December to mid-January) increased by around 19 per cent of its monthly target. The revenue collection target set for the month was over Rs 1.431 billion but the collection exceeded the target record with Rs 1.701 billion.
The revenue collection saw the rise when the trade was centralized on the dry port after the disruption of the country's main checkpoint Birgunj customs office due to protracted shutdown enforced by Madhes-centric parties.

youn electrocuted inside NEA office while stealing power goods

A young  has been electrocuted inside the Nepal Electricity Authority office here. The youth of around 22 years age is believed to have intruded the office with the purpose of stealing power goods from inside the office.

The youth is yet to be identified. His charred body was recovered Thursday afternoon inside the NEA premises that sees a flow of 33,000 volt of power, according to police. The body has been sent to the Dhankuta District Hospital for a post-mortem.
Meanwhile, a youth has gone missing in the Arun river. The incident took place on Thursday afternoon as Tek Bahadur Manandhar,15, of Sinhadevi Chowk of Pakhribas municipality-5 was trying to take a bath in the river, police said.
Manandhar had reportedly gone to take part in the cremation of his neighbour and was taking bath after the rituals were over, Dhankuta police spokesperson Bimal Basnet said. A search has been launched to find Manandhar

Regulations Drafting Committee extended by 15 days

Today's meeting of the Legislature-Parliament has extended term of Legislature-Parliament Regulations Drafting Committee for 15 days. Committee President Radheshyam Adhikari presented the proposal in this regard in the meeting. Similarly, President of the Women, Children, Senior

Citizens and Social Welfare Committee, Ranju Kumari Jha, also presented the Committee's proposal on 'Bill on Human Organ Transplantation (Regulation and Prohibition) (First Amendment)-2072 BS' in the meeting. The proposal 'Bill on Open University -2072 BS' be sent to the concerned committee for clause-wise discussion presented by Education Minister, Girirajmani Pokharel, as well as proposal "Bill on Manmohan Adhikari Health Science Academy-2072 BS' be sent to the concerned committee for clause-wise discussion presented by Health Minister, Ramjanam Chaudhary, were approved unanimously. simillary Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Planning and Transport Management, Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar, presented the proposal on 'Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicle Agreement for the Regulation of Passengers,

Girl murdered after gang rape in Rukum

 A teenage girl has been reported to have been murdered in Rukum after gang rape. The victim is identified as Sushmita Shah, 16, of Sarkena of Kholagaun VDC-5. Shah was subjected to the heinous crime while she had gone to the jungle nearby her home to collect fire wood Monday evening.

The family found her body hanging from a branch of tree in the jungle. The District Hospital Jajarkot where a post-mortem of her body was conducted confirmed that she was murdered after gang rape.
The family said Sushmita some days ago received a threatening mobile phone call from an unknown number. She was an 11th grader at local Himalaya Higher Secondary School. Police Inspector Pushpa Kamal Shrestha of Area Police Office Chaurjahari said they are investigating the case

Reconstruction Campaign Better late than never

The government on Saturday formally initiated the reconstruction jobs for the renovation of the physical properties that were severely hit by the April 25 Gorkha Earthquake and its subsequent aftershocks mainly the fatal ones dated April 26 and May 12, coinciding with the 1990 BS’s deadliest quake in Nepal’s modern history. Marking of the kick-start of the reconstruction campaign nearly

eight and a half months after the disaster jolted central Nepal and caused inconceivable loss of human lives and properties has spread a little ray of hope to the affected communities and even to the donors and international communities that were awaiting government’s steps ahead to dole out assistance to initiate the revival works in the quake-ravaged areas. The government was supposed to carry out the reconstruction and rejuvenation works of property, infrastructures and the cultural heritages immediately after the end of rainy season but delayed in the constitution of the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) and key appointments in the apex body due to political wrangling pushed the topmost priority of the entire nation further back.
But despite political and other snags linked to the formation of the NRA and other mechanisms, the construction campaign has started with the commitment to bring the situation back by ensuring the construction of the quake-resistant infrastructures and relieve the sufferings of the people affected by the disaster. Speaking at the function organised to mark the beginning of the mega project, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli urged all political parties, government and non-government bodies to work together in this mega campaign of reconstruction. “This campaign begins with a commitment from all political parties and organisations to work together for it, and is a matter of great happiness.

boss and staff having romance

Janakpurdham, Jan 20: Various speakers have noted the need for the proportional tourism development of Pashupati, Lumbini and Janakpur areas. Taking part in the deliberations over the proposed master plan of Greater Janakpur Area on Tuesday, the participants stressed the importance of expanding the geographical working area of the council.

The participating speakers at the programme organized by Greater Janakpur Area Development Council also raised the issue of undertaking intensive investigation on the palace of historical King Janak and protecting and preserving 52-Bigha Shivapurgadhi.
Underlining the need of expanding the working area of the Council up to five districts, the participants also called for the establishment of a zoo in Dhanushadham.
Researcher Ram Bharos Kapadi pointed out the need of proposing the master plan in a scientific manner and cautioned the sides concerned to consider tourism, cultural, religious, social and economical aspects while mulling expansion of the working areas of the council.
Campaigner Ganga Prasad Saha said that the master plan has laid special emphasis on the protection of heritages situated within the boundary of the council.
Council's Executive Director Umesh Yadav informed that the budget estimated for the implementation of the master plan is Rs 10.075 billion.
Under the area of the council, there are 204 temples, 424 ponds and 71 forts in Dhanusha and Mahottari districts. As many as 130,500 households have been directly benefitted from the council's programm
es

Integrated tourism development stressed

Janakpurdham, Jan 20: Various speakers have noted the need for the proportional tourism development of Pashupati, Lumbini and Janakpur areas. Taking part in the deliberations over the proposed master plan of Greater Janakpur Area on Tuesday, the participants stressed the importance of expanding the geographical working area of the council.

The participating speakers at the programme organized by Greater Janakpur Area Development Council also raised the issue of undertaking intensive investigation on the palace of historical King Janak and protecting and preserving 52-Bigha Shivapurgadhi.
Underlining the need of expanding the working area of the Council up to five districts, the participants also called for the establishment of a zoo in Dhanushadham.
Researcher Ram Bharos Kapadi pointed out the need of proposing the master plan in a scientific manner and cautioned the sides concerned to consider tourism, cultural, religious, social and economical aspects while mulling expansion of the working areas of the council.
Campaigner Ganga Prasad Saha said that the master plan has laid special emphasis on the protection of heritages situated within the boundary of the council.
Council's Executive Director Umesh Yadav informed that the budget estimated for the implementation of the master plan is Rs 10.075 billion.
Under the area of the council, there are 204 temples, 424 ponds and 71 forts in Dhanusha and Mahottari districts. As many as 130,500 households have been directly benefitted from the council's programmes

Students with Court

Jan 20: The Dhading District Court on Tuesday has shared its actions and decision-making process to the students of Neelkantha Higher Secondary School.
The Court has informed the students about case filing, investigation and decision-making process of the court.

Registrar at Dhading District Court Rajendra Wagle informed that such programmes are being organized in different parts of the villages to allay negative public perception towards the court and inform the general public of the work proceedings of the court of late.
On the occasion, the participating students enquired about free legal aid to helpless and disadvantaged groups, beneficiary selection process, influence of bribe in court decisions and actions and women's legal rights.
District Judge Iswor Raj Acharya and Registrar Wagle responded to the queries of the students.

conflict victims reach NHRC seeking justice

 The families of the conflict victims on Tuesday knocked on the door of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) seeking its intervention for justice.
Families of conflict victims Krishna Prasad Adhikari, Arjun Lama, Maina Sunuwar and Ujjan Kumar Shrestha and torture victim Janak Raut met with NHRC Chairman Anup Raj Sharma imploring the latter to mount steps for their justice.
The conflict victims complained they were deprived of right to justice even after a long struggle driven with hopes. They added that there was a bleak environment that they will receive justice from transitional justice mechanism.
They pressed for the protection of their right to carryout ritualistic cremation of their loved ones forced to disappear during the conflict era by excavating their bodies.
The victims further complained that the failure to implement the court’s order on taking action against the culprits did not allow them to get a sense of justice being imparted. They urged NHRC Chair Sharma to take the initiative to provide them with justice.
On the occasion, Commission Chair Sharma responded that the NHRC was working continuously to give justice to the victims and it was ready to lend any kind of support to the transitional justice mechanism to ensure justice to the victims of the armed conflict.
The NHRC was working for protecting the human rights of conflict victims,

conflict victims reach NHRC seeking justice

The families of the conflict victims on Tuesday knocked on the door of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) seeking its intervention for justice.
Families of conflict victims Krishna Prasad Adhikari, Arjun Lama, Maina Sunuwar and Ujjan Kumar Shrestha and torture victim Janak Raut met with NHRC Chairman Anup Raj Sharma imploring the latter to mount steps for their justice.

The conflict victims complained they were deprived of right to justice even after a long struggle driven with hopes. They added that there was a bleak environment that they will receive justice from transitional justice mechanism.
They pressed for the protection of their right to carryout ritualistic cremation of their loved ones forced to disappear during the conflict era by excavating their bodies.
The victims further complained that the failure to implement the court’s order on taking action against the culprits did not allow them to get a sense of justice being imparted. They urged NHRC Chair Sharma to take the initiative to provide them with justice.
On the occasion, Commission Chair Sharma responded that the NHRC was working continuously to give justice to the victims and it was ready to lend any kind of support to the transitional justice mechanism to ensure justice to the victims of the armed conflict.
The NHRC was working for protecting the human rights of conflict victims.

Ranbir Kapoor And Katrina Kaif Finally Breakup

Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor’s break-up with actress Katrina Kaif’s recently rocked the tinselville.The couple was dating each other from last 4 to 5 years now and their split has come as a rude shock for everyone.So far, both Ranbir and Katrina have chosen to stay mum over their break-up.But there have been several speculations about the reason behind their split.Intially, Ranbir’s

growing proximity with ex-flame Deepika Padukone was considered to be the major reason behind

his rocky relationship with Kat.However, the actual reason turned out to be entirely different.If the gossip mills are to be believed, the reason behind Ranbir-Katrina’s breakup is the ‘Kapoor’ family.Although, their joint appearance at Shashi Kapoor’s Christmas lunch triggered off the news of their ‘marriage’, a source close to the couple informs us that ‘they tried real hard but couldn’t make it work’.While the people are quite surprised with their split, but the couple’s friends are hardly amazed. They knew the two had it coming sooner or later.Another source adds, “How long can you avert a breakup when two people are just not getting along. There is also staunch opposition from Ranbir’s family. It wasn’t a good sign when Neetu Kapoor bunked the annual Christmas lunch. She has never missed that family gathering. With both his parents against the alliance, it just doesn’t seem worth dragging it on anymore.”Infact, there have been reports that Ranbir has moved out of his apartment where he was staying with his now ex-lady love Katrina and will now be living with his parents Rishi and Neetu Kap0or.With another love story coming to an end in B-town, we wonder if we’ll ever see R@nbir and Katrina together in a movie or otherwise.

Taskforce meeting inconclusive

The meeting between the major three political parties and the agitating United Democratic Madhesi Front ended inconclusively on Monday.
In the taskforce meeting held at the Prime Minister’s official residence at Baluwatar following a meeting among the three parties, the leaders discussed issues broached on Sunday’s negotiations and did not delve into other subjects.
Taskforce member and Federal Socialist Forum leader Dr Mangal Sidhi Manandhar said the taskforce meeting did not hold substantive discussion. He accused the three parties of holding dialogue in order to confound rather than to seek result citing that the three party representatives reiterated the discussions were ongoing among their senior leaders.
The Front on Sunday had presented a six-point proposal as a basis for consensus. The senior leaders had held discussion on the same proposal on Monday.
Similarly, UDMF Taskforce member and Tarai Madhes Sadbhawana Party leader Ram Naresh Ray said today's meeting failed to make any progress on the agendas.
The three major political parties and UDMF have been claiming that there would be an agreement between the two sides before the next meeting of the Legislature-Parliament. But the chances of agreement as proclaimed by the both parties have become slim with today's meeting ending inconclusively, and the parliament meeting tomorrow.