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The Nepal Digest Tue Jan 4, 2000: Poush 19 2056BS: Year9 Volume94 Issue440
H A P P Y N E W Y E A R 2 0 0 0 ! ! !
Today's Topics (partial list):
Winners are People Like You
A perpetual pragmatism of "Sanatan Dharma"
Nepali News
NEPALI CHARITIES
AFVs News
Nepalgunj medical college
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* TND (The Nepal Digest) Editorial Board *
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* The Nepal Digest: General Information nepal-request@cs.niu.edu *
* Coordinator: Rajpal JP Singh a10rjs1@mp.cs.niu.edu *
* Editor: Pramod K. Mishra pkm@acpub.duke.edu *
* Chapter Coordinators - Australia Chapter (TND Foundation) *
* Dr. Krishna B. Hamal HamalK@dist.gov.au *
* Chapter Coordinators - Canada Chapter (TND Foundation) *
* Anil Shrestha SHRESTHA@CROP.UOGUELPH.CA *
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* TND Archives: http://library.wustl.edu/~listmgr/tnd/ *
* TND Foundation: http://www.nepal.org tnd@nepal.org *
* WebSlinger: Umesh Giri ugiri@uswest.com *
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* +++++ Food For Thought +++++ *
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* "Heros are the ones who give a bit of themselves to the community" *
* "Democracy perishes among the silent crowd" -Sirdar_Khalifa *
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Date: January 1, 2000
To: The Nepal Digest <nepal@cs.niu.edu>
Forwarded by: Rajpal J.P. Singh <a10rjs1@cs.niu.edu>
Subject: Winners are People Like You
"Winners Are People Like You"
By Nancy Simms
Winners take chances. Like everyone else, they fear failing, but
they refuse to let fear control them.
Winners don't give up. When life gets rough, they hang in until
the going gets better.
Winners are flexible. They realize there is more than one way and
are willing to try others.
Winners know they are not perfect. They respect their weaknesses
while making the most of their strengths.
Winners fall, but they don't stay down. They stubbornly refuse to
let a fall keep them from climbing...
Winners don't blame fate for their failures nor luck for their
successes.
Winners accept responsibility for their lives.
Winners are positive thinkers who see good in all things. From the
ordinary, they make the extraordinary.
Winners believe in the path they have chosen even when it's hard,
even when others can't see where they are going.
Winners are patient. They know a goal is only as worthy as the
effort that's required to achieve it.
Winners are people like you. They make this world a better place to
be.
******************************************************************
Date: Sun, 2 Jan 2000 12:21:37 -0500 (EST)
From: "Pramod K. Mishra" <pkm@duke.edu>
To: The Nepal digest Editor <nepal-request@cs.niu.edu>
Subject: Happy New Millennium!
The long awaited new millinnium is here, and, whether we follow the
Christian calender or not, there is no harm in saying, "Happy New
Millennium!" to all TND readers and supporters. Every year, we wish
happy new year, but it is only the rare who get to wish happy new
century, but the opportunity to wish happy new millennium doesn't come
so often, does it? So, no matter whose millennium it is, let's wish
each other happy millennium.
After we agree on this point, the difficulties begin. Every year when we
wish our friends, relatives, and strangers happy new year, some things
turn right, but many things go wrong. The computer doesn't start,
expedition on Mt. Everest go wrong, you blow your interview for a
coveted job, goats get stolen, children become disobedient as they grow,
parents turn nasty as they age. But many things turn right as well.
Girl finds boys, boy finds girl (at least in the Hindi movies), parents
are able to persuade their sons to agree to marry the girls of their
choice; daughters remain silent and obedient and don't run away with
some "awaraa, jhallaa." But even when things go wrong, we wish for the
year to end and wait for the new year to begin with a new round of hopes
and aspirations to work or fail.
But how about the century? If the century goes wrong, one has to wait
for a ten decades, five score years. Say, for example, when the
twentieth century began, people must have wished happy new century to
each other, although not on phone or e-mail. They must have sent
hand-written, a few typed letters; travelled by horse-drawn carriage or
just walked. And they must have wishes happy new century! At least
those who were educated and aware of the dawn of a new century.
In much of the Third World, people were under colonialism. For
Europe, it was the best of times--the Two Wars hadn't occurred. Italy
and Germany had been unified; France and Britain shared the world between
them. Industrialization had transformed the cultural landscape of much of
Europe at the expense of the colonized territories. It was definitely
a good time for Europe--at least Northwestern Europe. The US had just
defeated Spain and extended its boundaries might, heralding what is often
called the dawn of the American century.
But, as I said, much of the Third World and people of the Third World
were in colonial bondage. In Nepal, slavery and sati hadn't been
abolished despite their abolition in 1833 and 1829 respectively in the
British empire. Education was banned for much of the populace. In
the US, Jim Crow had become stronger than ever in the South, and in
the North, there was a new hue and cry against Italian, Irish, Jewish, and
East European immigrants. If for those who were in power, the century
began with Rule Brittannia, for those who were subjugated, things were
not so good. Gandhi was experimentaling with his religious and
political ideas in South Africa in suit and tie; it would be another 14
years before he would return to India in turban and dhoti in order to be
the Mahatma. W. E. B. DuBois, in 1901, would write the famous line,
"The problem of the twentieth century is the problem of color
line." But even as the empire was at its peak, murmurs of opposition
had already begun. The Indian National Congress had already been
established in 1885, even as the scramble for Africa was in full
swing. For Nepal, it was a period of total darkness. The palace was
full of intrigues; zamindars' words were law in the rural areas.
Things were not so good.
But even as the Third World was reeling under colonialism and
feudalism, rivalry between the colonial powers was intensifying, sowing
the seeds for the First World War and the Soviet Revolution--and the
dawn of "the age of extremes." All the hopes and good wishes people
had exchanged turned to ashes as the century turned out to be not only
one of color line but meyham. Sure, there were wars before--with
lances, swords, and muskets, but never with bombs and bombers.
European history, despite its contribution to science and technology
and libratory ideas, turned out to be a nightmare for the people of the
world.
Now, this is not only the beginning of a new century but of a new
millennium. If Roman Empire ruled in much of Europe at the dawn of the
first millennium, bringing forth the messiah in whose name we configure
time, it was the beginning of chaos at the dawn of the second
millennium. Even though scholars may dispute now whether modernity
turned out to be worse than the middle ages, the middle ages
nonetheless remain the period of feudlism and Christian
orthodoxy--witch burning, total ban on free thought. Christianity that
had become the vehicle of the later Roman empire now closed the
European mind and made it introvert. The knowledge about Africa and
Asia (the Western hemisphere was not yet in the European picture) that
had been known before it all but disappeared. But that ignorance was
bliss for the rest of the world. The indigenous peoples in what turned
out to be the Americas fought, hunted, made peace and lived according
to their own rules and customs. Asia and Africa, despite their own
forms of oppression, lived according to their own rhythm.
Surely, the dawn of the second millinnium turned out to be the
beginning of a nightmare for the people of South Asia with the Muslim
invasion and ransacking of the entire subcontinent, particularly the
norther part. We must talk about this in order not let the Hindu
nationalists like the Haribansh Jhas and Advanis and Arun Shouries of
South Asia run away with the inflammable issue of Islamic invasion, in
order to historicize history and not let these people mythologize
history. The end of Mughal tyranny was followed by the more complex
phenomenon of British colonialism. It was bad and caused much
suffering for the people of South Asia, but it also brought the
printing press and aspirations for democracy as weapons against it.
So, what do we wish now? What would this new millennium bring? I
don't think anybody knows, and to speculate would be hazardous. But
there are certain outlines emerging, at least for this century. The
wave of globalization as a force has become unstoppable, and the
Soviet style opposition to capitalism has become both impossible and
undesirable. Much of the Third World still reels under poverty,
illiteracy, ill-health (save for those who have made it by digging
into corruption and foreigh aids and for whom Third World debt has
been written off). And if one believes in the persuasive argument of
Manuel Castells, the Information Age has further deepened the divide
between the rich and the poor, between the West and the rest. The
top-down historicizing gives but one side of the picture, no matter how
convincing.
But things and people are no longer as separated as they were
before. East is in West and West is in East; they are permeable,
inseparable--in terms of exchange and flows of culture, information,
ideas, technologies. But despite this intermingling, the majority
of my villagers are still illiterate, half-clad, half-fed. Their
children don't go to school for want of food, fees, and proper
clothes. What does this intermingling mean then? Does it mean that
the a coming of a few people to the West for economic reasons
doesn't mean much in terms of permeablility of cultures and
peoples? But the flow of capital from the industrial countries to
the Third World means much because it can build economies but also
at a moment's notice shatter them, as happened in the case of the
Tiger economies of Southeast Asia.
But things have more complex than this picture of flow of capital from
one direction and people from another. Media and the network society,
the sources of ideological bondage, can work to undo oppression and
bondage as well. People in the Western Nepali hills can shout against
both their government and the West, and the shout can reverberate all
over the world. The Zapatistas of Mexico can combine Marxism with
indigenous insights in order to produce a new theory and praxis of social
change. People who live in comfort in the suburbs and go to private
colleges in the US can join the workers and activists and raise their
voices and fists in Seattle, compeling even the US president to talk
about the rights and previleges of the workers all over the world. Bil
Gates and Ted Turner, the billionaires of the Information Age, can donate
to send a poor child to school or the UN to work better. If various
fundamentalisms and hatred groups can rise, so can ordinary, decent human
beings against them, moved by the images on television and WWW. Despite
the faceless power of multinational corporations over our lives, human
beings--from the West and the East, Noth and the South; Black, White, and
Brown--can join hands and recognized each others fundamental humanity and
interact on the basis of equality, not paternalism. All this has become
possible for the first time in human history because of the rise of the
Network Society and the Information Age. The possiblity of social
transformation is unlimited now. In the new century, the World has the
opportunity in dialogue with the First to bring about a language and
structure of equality as never before. Will it happen? Happy New Year!
Happy New Century! Happy New Millennium!
******************************************************************
From: "Risal, Ananta Gopal (Ananta)** CTR **" <arisal@lucent.com>
To: "'tnd@nepal.org'" <tnd@nepal.org>
Subject: A perpetual pragmatism of "Sanatan Dharma" explains a unity amon
g creation, existence and destruction
Date: Sat, 1 Jan 2000 15:14:16 -0500
A perpetual pragmatism of "Sanatan Dharma" explains a unity among creation,
existence and destruction
A new millennium has finally arrived. Many things have changed as
anticipated and many did not. When one phase arrived other had to be
replaced. One 'yuga'- a 'vedic' span of time, continues and other elapses.
One Creator creates but he too has to submerge to the unified energy with
respect to time and space. We might have given up quite a bit of our own
memory in the past to set up a safe space to remember new things that we
need in the future. In spite of all these, we have been given another
opportunity to strengthen or expand our imagination to grow to be globally
persistent. Are we still busy to ignore our extreme existence and not
excavate our noble truths to realize the ultimate energy within? Shame on
us, if we still ignore our values and divert our importance to this
unfulfilling world of desires. Blaming 'kali yuga' is yet another escapist's
viewpoint to avoid determination towards finding treasures. Do we still want
to walk away from the great eastern philosophy that our ancestors have
preserved and practiced for millions of years? Let's not prolong or
blindfold our minds with only materialistic way of reasoning. Let us not
limit our energy and righteous resources for lustful life in a confined
cell. Instead, let us also not over spill unnoticed and lucrative wealth
within and around us. Let's add one more ideology and dimension to our
existing knowledge store. We may not be able to agree on all of these
thoughts at the same time but let's also read what our saints believed and
researched for years. Let us also visualize a few superior qualities of our
'Santas' - of the east? Let us taste their give-away sweets and scholastic
nectar. Everyone has his/her own adequate judgment, decision to empower own
ideology, intelligence and loving heart to discover the wonder of this world
but I am just trying here to share the same space we live in and discuss the
same breadth we inhale, nothing more!
Background:
Do you believe that life is an accident or an existence? Life came from a
chemical combination of many different organic elements (for many years) by
a big bang or a big blessing? Do you happened by chance or there was (is) a
significant purpose of/for it? Do you see your life as a re-incarnation from
your previous birth? Will you live after your death? Do you believe that you
completed your all good "Bhogas"- merriment and came down to earth from
heaven? Or did you complete your "Punishments" in hell, equalized your bad
days and now became visible with a different form in this noble earth? Were
your virtues and vice equal so you again appeared as a human being? Do you
believe that this is your first time in the earth, just woke up from your
long sleep? First time visitor?
Or don't you believe that you were a senseless object (such as soil, rock,
or even tree) million of years ago. Slowly realized a little intelligence
within you. Or may be touched upon by some great saints or sages? Or by
permutations and combinations got a pulse of a life and became an algae and
an amoebae, slowly got life and with a little progress to an ant, a
caterpillar and a butterfly, a bird and an eagle and ultimately a sky diver?
Initially an algae, an ant and a bug; then to grasshopper, rat, and a
bulldog and a boxer? May be a sprout to a hydra and to an acrobat, who
knows? Were you not a monkey (physical), a dog (intelligence) or even a cow
(spiritual) before you become a human? No matter how intelligence might have
come to us finally, don't you think that it is a matter of miracle? How
often we get this chance to survive as a being and how little time that we
have something to discuss about our existence?
A. Science of Origin
There are 3 philosophies in "Sanatan Vedic Dharma" that the science of
origin has been explained in an interesting way. After reading and
understanding the Darwinism or many other scientific researches and natural
school of thoughts, it has made us even easier to understand the Religious
or even Spiritual way of thinking the origin of life.
1) Sristi:Dristibaad ("Astikbaad":Theism)
This school of thought tells us that we all are a small part of a
big picture and have some special purpose on it. It appears that it was not
our desire to come to this earth but have been forced to participate in the
game but it is not like that: we wanted to come and play in it and learn
from it. It is said that when we are in mother's womb we pray day and night
to come out from the womb and do good in the world. We promised to God that
we will do good and remain good after we come. He listened to our promises
and trusted us. Gave another great chance. The first cry we make when we
come to the earth made us forget what we promised him. Even we forgot our
promises we were then asked to learn from it and enjoy or play in it whether
it was our intentions or not.
We have always been a part of a bigger game. Everything was been
given to us. We can't even do a single task without the super force who
actually regulates it. In a way, we are just a robot of a human flesh. All
the programs have already been written for it. A perfect but a customized
solution: for the sake of humanity. The Lord has given us everything, every
time and every possible thing in our universe. Even the leaves in a tree
moves with his permission and intentions. The entire universe is only a
small portion of his desire. He can shut it down if required. Whatever we
see, feel or perceive is his. We came empty hand to earth and we have no
rights to take any thing from it. Lord created us so will take care of us
all. Nothing to worry about. Whatever has happened for good, is happening
for good and will happen for good.
Every living and non-living creature adopt a law under this school
of thought. Veda regulates all the living creatures. God created plants,
animals and men and said "That's Good". He gave the labor of division
according to their nature or behavior from their previous births.
"Bhrahmans"- are defined as educators, planners and the who must lead a
simple life: secluded and a thinker. They should live a hermit, saint life.
An ultimate doner and a profound introvert leader. They preserve the values
and principles of theism, simplicity and renunciation. "Chhyatriyas"- are
external warriors and leaders. They maintain the land and reform security.
They protect the entire society to preserve good will among countrymen and
create a good relationships with neighboring countries. At the same time
"Chyyatriyas" are the brave ones who do not withdraw themselves from war to
preserve people's sovereignty, unity and peace. "Baisyas"- are those who
protect animals, environment and its significance. They are the traders and
share the prosperity to the world. They preserve the economy and keep work
force intact. "Sudras"- are the service people. They are the service force
of the nation. They preserve the melody in all classes-castes and work
divisions. They serve the rest, not that others are not serving each other.
They are the most humble and true service men who make the society fully
functional and on going. How one would be determined where one belongs. The
answer would be from both: by birth and by ones belief and actions.
According to God's rule, if I am a "Brahmin" by birth but never practiced
what I am supposed to institute would not allow tom retain my "Brahmin"
self.
But there is also another interesting concept in Hindu Philosophy
that if you think you're none of these above you can still survive. The
society respects you with even a greater respect. "Sannyasis" are the other
force, who act like missionaries. They don't follow under labor division
.They propagate the equality among all of us. They are not bound by any
'Karma'- action, duty or responsibility or 'Barnashram Dharma'- labor of
division. They have left their work dependencies but still regarded great in
the society. They will have no relatives around but all the human are their
relatives. They have dedicated their lives to the all mighty. Even a father
of a true "Sanyasis" bows in front of his son. This the tradition which have
been maintained in the Vedic Philosophy. A "Sanyyasi" is not allowed to beg
in the same house twice.
This school of thought is also for known as extreme devotion, a
non-ego state. God has prepared every dimensions for us to enjoy within the
limit. He has set all the four paths (Dharma, Artha, Mokhya, Kama), four
ashramas - division of work by age (Bhramhacharya,Grihasta, Baanprastha,
Sannyas) and four states to live in (Gagrat, Swapna, Sushupti and Turiya) -
the four states of mind that possibly we can be in. Awaked, Dreaming,
Sleeping and Meditating (not desireing nor sleeping state).
2) Dristi:Sristibaad ("Nastikbaad" or "Prakriti baad":Atheism)
No, no how can a Lord will create this universe with so much
deflections, dimensions. He will not create such a diversity. He doesn't
exist first of all, even he does, he is somewhere, meditating or closing
his/her eyes and watching all these with neutral thoughts (doubt it, even if
he watches or thinks for us). With a help of the nature I did this all. I am
responsible for all the actions I perform. I am doer thus I am the enjoyer.
Nature gave space, wind, fire, water and earth -the five major elements but
beyond that which is Me, is an unattached element. Nature gave every
possible plants, creatures and beauties. She gave us all the intelligence to
us. She even gave mind to us to think, remember and create wonders. I wanted
to come to this earth, so I came with her help, along with her. I asked from
her and along with my intelligence and soul offered me this opportunity. I
created this earth. I created me and myself. I created my parents. I gave
names to them. I am the universe, I gave different names to my God. If I
exist everybody exists. I am the sole creator. Human being is like a
train-junction. I can take whatever form I want or go anywhere path I make.
I am the Emperor of this Universe.
If I remain everybody remains. Where do you want to go today? Become
a monster, or become a dog, cow, or become an angel? Stay as a human? I can
decide where I can go. I layout the laws and I follow them. I create the
foundation of karma and I lead the resulted life according to the level of
actions I performed. I govern my universe. If I am happy, the universe is
happy. Since I created myself I can or will destroy myself whenever
necessary. If I get tired, I'll will take a rest. I will keep on coming and
going until I like to. This school of thought is very much mind and
intelligence focused. Very much ego-istic state but still believes that
there exists a supreme soul which is not destructive, ever lasting and ever
loving. And it remains within my-self.
3) Ajatbaad ("Aduaitbaad": Singular-ism)
Both the previous schools of thoughts merge here. The logic shows that if
one is correct other has to be incorrect. Thus in this school of thought you
don't belief in both. But the creation is nor a void, nor an existence.
There is nothing being happened, nothing is happening and nothing will
happen. There is no you, no me. No dualism exist here. We all are one. He is
me and you are him, so I am you. It's singular. The Ved ends here. The
"Dharma"; righteous path and "Adharma": bad action disappears here. The
"Karma" and "Akarma" or the action, devotion or intelligence all dissolves
here. There is no God, nor "me and my" exists anymore. "Aham Brahmasmi.. ",
I am the absolute perfection. There is only one truth, intelligence or bliss
within one soul, i.e., everlasting, supreme intelligence and jollity:
"Bhrahmma". The world has appeared for a while, for a few seconds and it is
disappearing soon. For a fraction of a seconds, like an electricity in a
thunderstorm. Like a mirage in the desert. It is not there but appears to
be. Like a snake in a rope. There is no snake but appears to be. This is the
ultimate truth and highest level of school of thought.
If we believe in the first school of thought-philosophy we have to believe
that we have been created by the Lord and has a specific purpose on it. It
will be easier and better for all of us if we do according to him, or if we
follow his paths, commandments and regulations. Lord Krishna himself says
'Even though the universe came through me, I created the division of labor
but I am not bound by it'. That is to say that he has no specific purpose
besides saving, helping and giving blessings to his followers. He goes
closer to them who comes nearer to him. Our actions led us to what we are
today and will take us where we want to go today?
To be continued...
Ananta Risal
NJ,USA
******************************************************************
To: <nepal@cs.niu.edu>
Subject: Nepali News
Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 10:48:58 -0500
Source: The Nepali Samacharpatra
Chief Justices enjoying more previleges than they are entitled to: Illeagally
All chief justices after 1990 are taking more facilities than they are entitled by the law. All chief justices from Biswonath Upadhyaya to the recently retired Mohan Prasad Sharma, who is to be retired in a couple of days time, are taking the vehicle facility against the law.
According to reports, chief justice Sharma is using three more cars in addition to one official Mercedes Benz. According to the regulation any chief justice is entitled to only one vehicle.
Similarly, former chief justice and the chairman of the constitution reforms committee, which made the present constitution, Biswonath Upadhyaya is still using the vehicular facility of that of the incumbent justices of the Supreme Court. He is using a Toyota Corolla, with private registration number. The car is being privided by the government along with a driver. In this regard advocate Bharat Raj Uprety says this is against the concept of an independent judiciary. He says, the government has not forgotten his favour to the government on the decision of Bhadra 12, 2052. That day the Supreme Court had decided with a split vote to uphold former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala’s recommendation for a mid-term poll.
Likewise, Surendra Prasad Singh, who succeeded Upadhyaya is still using a Maruti car with the government registration number. Singh had retired almost three years ago, on Falgun 3, 2053.
The other two chief justices, Trilok Pratap Rana and Om Bhakta Shrestha, are also still using government vehicles.
According to the regulation, the chief justices should return the official vehicles by the 7th day of their retirement.
Again, it is not only the judges of the Supreme Court, former registrar of the Supreme Court and presently the chief commissioner of the Commission for Investigation of the Abuse of Authority (CIAA), Madhav Dutta Bhatta has still not returned a motorcycle he has taken from the Supreme Court when he was the registrar. This is even mentioned the annual report of the Commission itself.
Likewise, the acting registrar of the Supreme Court Nirmal Kumar Dhungana has taken a RX 100 motorcycle, in addition to an official car. Likewise former registrar of the highest court, Badri Kumar Basnet is still using a Kawasaki Bajaj outside the official facility he is entitled. He is currently the judge of the Appellate Court in Baglung.
Meanwhile, the registrar’s office of the Supreme Court has written to those who are still using the official vehicles contrary to the regulation. Spokesman of the Supreme Court Kashi Raj Dahal says some vehicles now been returned, and they are pursuing for the others.
(Nepal Samacharpatra, December 12, Sunday)
----------------------------------
Source: The Kathmandu Post
Anup is gone leaving living memory to all
By Nepal News Correspondent
Looks like he had only friends and no enemy. But there were lot many who really envied his managerial acumen and art of winning hearts of the people. Frankness and quick decision were some of the best qualities, Anup, the friend in need, possessed. Friends, colleagues and relatives still do not tend to believe he is no more with us. For many, he would turn up with the same jolly and smiling face from somewhere.
But reality is reality. Anup Sumsher Rana is no more with us.
It is said those whom God loves the most die young. It turned out to be true. Anup, who excelled in every field he entered, died at the young age of 51 leaving only living memory to all.
He passed away on December 9, 1999 and bade last farewell to all his family members, relatives, friends and fans promising not to come again to this mortal world.
According to his family source, he suddenly developed chest pain on Thursday morning but he never knew the killer enemy or devil of death had crept into his soul. He did not even imagine he developed heart problem because he was the number one soccer player during his youth. He used to exercise regularly to maintain exactly 100 kilogram of his weight and did it. He was so active that no body even thought of he would ever have heart problem. In fact, Anup was proud of his health.
But things turned topsy-turvy. He was taken a back when doctors attending him said he had suffered a stroke but tried to relax. He recovered from first stroke only to be suffered from the second one. The third stroke finally killed him on the same day.
A brilliant and intelligent student during his school day, and national sports person during his youth period, and a successful manager and industrialist in the later part of his life, Anup showed the way to others that commitment and hard work pay and pay well. Once Executive Chairman of the Nepal’s flag carrier Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation, he founded the first private sector’s airlines that made a resounding success. Famous hotlier and travel tycoon, Anup was the executive member of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries and was contemplating to start another private sector airlines to operate in the international sector.
It was not only his family members and friends that were shocked over his untimely death, the whole nation joined to weep and share the sorrow and grief.
>From Prime Minister to opposition leader, business community to travel operators and journalists to civil servants found a great void at the absence of Anup Sumsher Rana.
For him work was worship and success was the ultimate goal, which he never missed. He was the personality for inspiration for all.
That is the ultimate destiny of all human being.
Nepal News also shares grief and sorrow on the untimely demise of Anup Rana, a brilliant son of Nepal and prays for the eternal peace of the departed soul.
---------------------------------
Born a sportsman, died a sportsman
By Subarna Chhetri
The unbelievable tragic death of Anoop Rana, the only son of Gen. Min
Shamshre and Kamal Rana, was a bolt from the blue. It was as unpredictable
as a tropical thundershower. However, on that fateful day December 9 when
two massive heart attacks laid low the towering figure, it was a stark
reality. Perhaps in the eyes of the Almighty, his creations are for him to
give or to take away when he chooses. Or perhaps, those whom the Gods love
die young?
Recipient of the Jaycess Youth of the Year (sports) Award 1982 and Manager
of the Year Award 1996 awarded by the Management of Association of Nepal,
Anoop Rana who turned 50 in November 19 this year, and to all those who new
him was a young man in a hurry. Being an achiever, perhaps he knew that he
had to achieve much in life, and time was short. He carved out a distinct
style of his own. Anoop Rana style. His curt, frank, straight forward
expression could have offended some. Yet, he was conscious not to harm
anybody. Thus, at the end of the day, from his friends and foes alike he
rather began to command respect.
Earlier, the nation knew him as great sportsman. If he excelled in sports,
so did he in its organisation aspects as well. Perhaps, his crowning glory
in his sporting career was his untiring contributions to the success of the
8th SAF Games held in Kathmandu on Sept-Oct this year. At 32 and armed with
a Management Degree from Germany, Anoop became the Executive Director of
Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation and that too with a resounding success.
During his stint with RNAC (1982-85) he turned the fledgling airline into a
profit making enterprise. Anoop’s style never allowed him to just stick to a
job of career manager in any public or a private company. Married, having
two daughters and fluent in German language, his larger than life figure,
exuberant energy coupled with high ambitions would never allow to jail him
to just one thing.
In 1992 he collaborated with some like minded partners and gave birth to
Necon Air, perhaps a project that fitted with his “big dream”. The company
with him at its helm, within a few years of establishment, ascended to the
height of a leading private sector company in civil aviation industry. Once
again in Anoop’s style, every height he achieved would become inferior.
There always remained greater heights to be achieved. Perhaps, this
engineered rift among his business associates. He not only resigned as the
Chairman of Necon Air in January 1999, but also pulled all his shares out.
His decision immediately laid to the company’s shares showing a downward
graph. Such was his contribution to the company. But a successful man is one
who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks the others throw at him. With
this philosophy he moved on.
As an active executive member of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of
Commerce and Industry and as the Chairman of Employers Council he did much
work in the field of labour relations and Trade Union Act. His contribution
to the tourism and aviation sectors were no less. In what ever field he laid
his hands on, success came due to distinctive style of his own and his
decision-making capabilities, which were so Anoop like. His ‘no guts, no
glory’ philosophy became a kind of catechism that helped shape his thinking.
But risk-taking is really only one part of dual philosophy. The other part,
setting high goals and working for them until you reach them. Recently, his
dabble with a finance company and computer software programming was proving
to be very successful ventures. And most recently his ground work to launch
his own aviation company was just about to start. He had registered his pet
project Pagoda Air on December 3. But he lived too short to operationalise
it. Perhaps, now we know why he was a man in a hurry!
One of the things he most enjoyed was having Saturday breakfast with closest
of his friends. With his sudden demise, the breakfast ritual which has gone
on uninterrupted for almost two decades, perhaps now stands to be
discontinued.
Anoop Rana was cremated in Pashupati’s Aryaghat with the traditional Hindu
rites in the afternoon of December 10. A huge gathering of sportsmen, people
from business, travel and tourism trade, ministers, politicians,
journalists, family members, and above all his closest friends were present
to give him a befitting final adieu.
In Anoop Rana’s demise, Nepali sports circle lost a fine sportsman, the
business sector a dynamic entrepreneur, tourism sector a fine resource
person, to all his friends a ‘friend in need’, to a monarch a loyal subject
and the nation a nationalist.
-------------------
Source: Spotlight
Vol. 19 :: No. 21
THE NATIONAL NEWSMAGAZINE
December 10 - December 16, 1999
HIV/AIDS
The Threat Is Imminent
As the government agencies try to fight the relatively new disease, HIV/AIDS continue to spread among youths and high risk behavior groups. Since there is no cure, multisectoral approach to prevent the spread of the disease should be the top priority
-By BHAGIRATH YOGI
When Sharmila (not real name) went to collect report of the blood test at local Blood Transfusion Center in the eastern town of Biratnagar early this month, she felt as if the earth had shaken below her feet. She could not believe upon her eyes. The report said that her 30-year-old husband was an HIV-positive. "I had never thought even in my dreams that I would have to face such a great betrayal," said Sharmila, with her eyes full of tears.
According to Kantipur daily (Dec. 6, 1999), Sharmila's husband was suffering from problems like body-ache, lack of appetite and lethargy for the last two months. She finally got admitted her husband at the Koshi Zonal Hospital last month. After preliminary check-up, the hospital sent her husband's blood samples for HIV-tests at the Blood Transfusion Center. And, there was the bitter truth.
A mother of two children, Sharmila never suspected why her husband, a wood-seller, returned home late at night. Little did she know that her husband visited local brothels. "We were having physical relationship till two months back," said Sharmila. "I don't know if I myself and my children, too, are affected from the disease."
It has been a nightmare for Sharmila. Unfortunately, hundreds of unsuspecting housewives, like Sharmila, and their children have already contracted the dreaded virus or are on the verge of contracting it throughout the country. And, the trend is spreading quite fast, say experts.
According to the National Center for AIDS and STD Control, a total of 1376 persons have been identified as HIV positives by the end of November this year. Of them, 283 people have been found suffering from full-blown AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome). Since the HIV virus was first detected among four persons in 1985, a total of 139 people have died of AIDS, say officials.
But that could only be the tip of the iceberg. According to independent and non-governmental studies, some 25,000 to 30,000 people in Nepal are HIV positive now and the number could grow up to 50,000 by the year 2000. "The official estimates in Nepal do not show the extent of the problem as they are based on the blood samples voluntarily given by the people," says Bina Pokhrel, a researcher with the University of Hydelberg. "There are ample evidences to show that the problem is much more acute than what officials say."
Let's have a look at the worldwide scenario. According to UNAIDS and World Health Organization (WHO), the number of adults and children estimated to believing with HIV/AIDS by the end of 1999 is 33.6 million worldwide. Of them, six million live in South and South East Asia. An estimated 16.3 million people may have died of the dreaded disease since the advent of the disease till the end of this year. Of them, 1.1 million were from this part of the world. An estimated 2.6 million people are estimated to have succumbed to AIDS this year alone. Worse, every year nearly 5.6 million people get infected with HIV virus.
Sharing common, open borders with India on three sides, Nepal can't have a good nights sleep as far as HIV/AIDS is concerned. In 1998, India's National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) estimated there were more than four million HIV-infected people in India (about 1 percent of the adult population). By early in the next century, India will have the highest number of AIDS cases in the world, said the Organization. Even if HIV infection reaches the 'low' level of 5 percent seen in many other countries, more than 37 million Indian would be HIV infected by early next century.
Thousands of Nepalese go to Indian cities in search of jobs every year. Away from home for several years, most of them visit infamous Indian brothels in mega-cities like Mumbai, Calcutta and New Delhi regularly.
To their delight, they can choose between commercial sex workers from Nepal or different states of India. When they wake up to the reality that they have fallen victim to the disease which doesn't have any cure as yet, it is too late.
It is estimated that nearly 200,000 Nepalese girls and women are serving as sex workers in brothels in different Indian cities. Nearly 5,000 girls are trafficked from Nepal to India every year. And, the trade continued unabated. "The trade will not come to an end as long as there is demand for fair-skin Nepalese girls in Indian brothels," says Mrs. Anuradha Koirala, President of Maiti Nepal, who provides shelter to Mumbai-returned Nepalese girls, some of them HIV-positive. "There is no political commitment among our leaders to end this heinous crime."
Upon their return, Nepalese workers as well as Nepalese trafficked girls carry the dreaded virus back home with them. Even far-flung areas of the country are suffering from the problem. According to the annual report published by the UNDP-supported Participatory Planning and Management of HIV/AIDS (PPMHA) project last year, Kashi Ram Sharma, who runs a pharmacy-cum-clinic at Saphe Bagar in far-western district of Achham, attends nearly 50 persons every day seeking advice/treatment for Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) of which majority are women. "Gonorrhea and Syphilis are the two most common STD cases in this area," said Sharma. "Almost all the cases are chronic and are reported only at the secondary stage of the disease."
A retired Senior Auxiliary Health Worker, Sharma has been treating housewives infected from STDs obviously transferred by their husbands who work in Mumbai. "Despite our advice, they don't bring their partners and therefore, most of the STD cases remain untreated and reinfection occurs all the time, "recalls Sharma. "Breaking the cycle is very difficult. This all indicates a very grave situation for HIV/AIDS infection and spread in the area."
"The important factors that contribute substantially in the spread of the epidemic are spread of drug use, particularly through intravenous injection, migration and commercial sex workers. When people are away from their family and society, chances of their high-risk behavior increases," says Mahesh Sharma, national program manager of PPMHA project, which runs HIV awareness and prevention programs in eight districts. "HIV/AIDS is not a priority issue for many. Therefore, the challenge is to raise awareness at all levels and advocate at a higher policy level so that proper attention is received and appropriate mechanism is developed in a multisectoral way."
It was only last year that the Nepalese government approved the National Strategic Plan for AIDS and STD Prevention (1997-2001), developed jointly by the National Center for AIDS and STD Control (NCASC) with technical assistance from UNDP and UNAIDS. Based on National AIDS policy, the strategic Plan emphasizes on multisectoral activities and close collaboration between NGOs, private sector and other governmental sectors in the joint effort to prevent HIV/AIDS. The plan also calls for creating an enabling environment for prevention efforts and care for those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.
Experts, however, say that the government programs have not only failed to assess the magnitude of the problem, they are quite inadequate to cope with it. "While HIV/AIDS problem is moving fast with the speed of a motor car, government programs are moving with a speed of bull-cart," says Dr. V. L. Gurubacharya, a senior medical doctor working in the areas of STD and HIV/AIDS control. (See: Box)
The sense of urgency should come from the fact that the disease is spreading fast among the younger population. According to official statistics, about 90 percent of the total reported AIDS cases occur in the sexually active and economically productive 15-44 age group. "As the people of this age group are inquisitive and try to test new ideas and concepts, they are very much prone to HIV infection," said Dr. Vimala Arjyal, deputy director at the NCASC. "As such, we are focusing our programs on this segment of the population." (See:Box)
According to studies, high risk behavior groups like sex workers, transport workers, migrant workers, Police and Army who live outside their houses most of the time are more prone to HIV-infection.
"It is the youths who become migrated looking for jobs. Similarly, majority of the sex workers is also young. So, there is a need to educate them about risk behaviors and change sexual practices," said Bina Pokhrel. "Change in their behavior means they are safe from this disease. By saving our youths, we will be saving our future generation."
Unfortunately, this is not the case. As habits like drug use, particularly in the form of intra-venous injection, is growing among the youth population, increasing number of HIV-infection is being recorded among them. "Up to 50 percent of the drug users in some Nepalese towns have been identified as carrying HIV virus," says Dr. Gurubacharya. According to estimates, number of drug addicts in Nepal is nearly 50,000. This means that thousands of youths in the country are under great risk.
Global experience with HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections demonstrates that the most effective strategy to prevent an epidemic is to intervene quickly among the groups at high risk for contracting and spreading HIV. But identifying and reaching these groups is a major challenge in a country like Nepal.
"Most of the resources being spent in the name of HIV prevention is being wasted," says Rajiv Kafle, President of Prerana, a group supporting HIV/AIDS people. "People are dying of AIDS in the capital but no organization has come forward even to give them food and shelter."
There is a need to provide low-cost treatment for people living with AIDS, home-based and community-based care and increasing the availability of cost-effective interventions for common infections like tuberculosis whose incidence increases among persons with AIDS, say experts.
The social and economic cost of HIV/AIDS could be enormous, say officials. "There will be the impact of HIV/AIDS in almost all sectors of development," said Dr. Arjyal. "As it is spreading among the youths very fast we have to give top priority to control it."
For a country like Nepal, to respond effectively to infection trends and limit the costly social and economic impact of HIV and AIDS, its effort need to be accelerated, intensified, and expanded while the country remains at a low prevalence of HIV infection. With HIV prevalence doubling every one or two years in certain groups, there is a narrow window of opportunity over the next few years in which to prevent the HIV epidemic from becoming generalized and much harder to control.
The HIV is moving from urban to rural areas, say experts. But with taboo related to sexually transmitted diseases and lack of facilities to identify and treat them, it is difficult to assess the gravity of the situation in rural areas. Nepal could learn lessons from India toward fighting this disease.
According to a briefing paper published by the World Bank group recently, the Information, Education and Communication program of the National AIDS Control Project of India has made extensive use of traditional means of communication such as folk music, festivals, awareness campaigns, and elephant parades to highlight the risk of and how to prevent HIV/AIDS, especially among target groups. Special programs were developed to target youth through a school education program in 15 states, a pop music program, films and 700 Nehru Yuvak Kendra (Youth centers) across the country. The project also worked to increase the use of affordable, quality condoms through social marketing.
"Given the magnitude of problem, fighting AIDS requires strengthened partnerships between the government, NGOs, donors and the international health community," says the briefing paper.
Time is running out for Nepal. Unless there is political commitment and brad-based collaboration among different actors for the common cause of controlling this menace, unsuspecting women like Sharmila will continue to wake up one fine morning to the most haunted dream of their life-that is, HIV/AIDS.
HIV/AIDS Is Becoming More Prevalent Among Youths’
DR V. L. GURUVACHARYA
A senior STD and AIDS specialist, Dr. V. L. GURUVACHARYA is working in the areas of STD and AIDS control and prevention for the last several years. He shares his views with SPOTLIGHT at his Central Clinic at New Road on the World AIDS Day (Dec. 1). Excerpts:
How serious is the problem of HIV/AIDS in Nepal?
The first cases of HIV was detected in Nepal a decade ago. Since then, the situation is becoming more complicated. Our programs are mainly focused at raising public awareness through mass media like Radio, TV and newspapers. To those areas where such media don't have access, people are still unaware about HIV/AIDS. Recently, this disease is becoming more prevalent among the youth population, particularly among those who take drugs through intravenous injections. In some cities, up to 50 percent of the drug users have been founding carrying HIV virus. Similarly, this disease has been found among commercial sex workers and their clients in different parts of the country. Men working away from homes have been found transfering the disease they have contracted from sex workers to their wives. In this way, this disease is also spreading among the general population of our society.
Why is it spreading so fast?
The main reason is that all of our programs are limited to raising public awareness only. We have been evaluating our programs on the basis of how many slots of advertisements we have shown through the media and how much money have been spent. We haven't done anything to intervene the spread of AIDS. There haven't been any effective programs to intervene among commercial sex workers, their clients, house wives and drug users.
What has been the main problem of our programs?
First of all, we have to assess the magnitude of the problem in Nepal. After that, we have to formulate national program of action. The role of government and NGOs in preventing the disease should also be well defined. There have been duplication of works and the programs are not effective. At the same time, the programs should be devised on the basis of geographical areas and should be evaluated every year.
Why is there more emphasis on prevention?
Till now, there hasn't been any medicine or vaccine developed to cure AIDS. So, the main theme is to stay away from this disease. We haven't been able to take targeted programs to the high risk groups. I don't know if there have been any evaluation of the HIV/AIDS control and prevention programs over the last five years.
How can people remain safe from HIV/AIDS?
The main thing is that sexual contacts should be made between faithful couples. In Nepal's case, such contacts should be made between husband and wife only. The threat of transmission of the disease through blood has reduced significantly as we have the provision of blood tests. Even now several districts don't have blood testing facilities. Such facilities should be made available in those districts. In case sexual contacts takes place between the partners other than one's husband or wife, condoms must be used. It will help to prevent from the disease.
What could be the impact of spread of HIV/AIDS?
In Nepal, HIV/AIDS is spreading at a speed of motor car whereas government programs are moving at a speed of bullock-cart. If this pace continues, our migrant workers will become more affected and they will transmit it to their wives. In this way, the country's agrarian economy will be affected. With the spread of AIDS among youths, they will become depressed and it will impart negative impact. If the situation remains same for the next years, our country will have to pay a heavy price for AIDS.
We Have Adopted A Multisectoral Approach’
DR VIMALA ARJYAL
Deputy director at the National Center for AIDS and STD Control, DR. VIMALA ARJYAL spoke to SPOTLIGHT on the activities being carried out by the Center toward control and prevention of HIV/AIDS. Excerpts:
How serious is the problem of HIV/AIDS in Nepal?
On the basis of voluntary blood tests carried out at our surveillance centers, a total of 1376 people have been found infected by HIV. Of them, the number of people with full blown AIDS is 283. 139 people have already died of AIDS so far.
What is the trend of its spread over the last few years?
Four HIV positive cases were identified for the first time in Nepal in 1988. Since then it is going on increasing. In 1997, the number of AIDS cases went up. It is because nearly 50 percent of the Nepalese women returned from Indian brothels were found HIV positive. Earlier, the problem was more prevalent among sex workers only. Now it is increasing among the drug users.
What is the Center doing to combat with the problem?
The NCASC has formulated necessary policy, strategy and adopted multisectoral approach. It is not a matter related to health sector only. It could have impact on agriculture, forestry, tourism, education, on almost all sectors of development. So we are working in collaboration with all concerned agencies. As our efforts alone will not be sufficient, we have brought the NGOs under one umbrella. As per the principle of decentralization, we have been running door to door programs at the village level. Similarly, we are trying to expand blood sample collection and counseling services at the district level. We are also focusing on providing care and support to the people living with AIDS and integrating them with their family and community.
Why is the disease spreading fast among youths?
We have found that HIV/AIDS is more prevalent among the 14-29 age group. People are more inquisitive at this age. They want to test new ideas and experiment themselves. This year's World AIDS Day has also focused on this age group. Our programs are also focusing on this age group.
--------------------
Source: The Kathmandu Post
Quest of a functioning monarch
Those receiving Royal audience these days almost invariably reflect widespread concern over the sorry state of Nepalese politics. In response and significantly enough, His Majesty King Birendra is known to be asking: “Ke garne ta?” (“What is to be done?”). Some want him to “do something” without specifying what exactly he should do. Some want him to exercise the “inherent right” as the one who promulgated the present Constitution and address the “grave situation”. Some heap praises on him for “flawlessly” performing the role of a constitutional monarch and suggest that he use his vast reservoir of experience and knowledge “to guide the government”. Others want him to take the government to task “kadaikasath” (with strictness).
Consistency: Those either with the experience of repeat audiences or through exchange of notes with others have observed the consistency with which the King has been expressing concern over a multitude of problems facing an average Nepali. If some politicians initially received the royal concern as something “tactical to fish in troubled waters”, most of them now seem to have been converts, with the conclusion that the monarch is genuinely worried about the prevailing political and economic conditions. That the King has been praised for sticking to the Constitution in letter and spirit echoes the general public regard for the role he has played. Frequent comments at various public fora that the King is “the only one” to have abided by the Constitution most sincerely reflects unflatteringly on the rest of the pillars of our political structure.
Putting together bits and pieces of information from individuals who seem to be in the know, one gets the feeling that King Birendra is well-informed, alert and confident. “Play by the rule,” is his motto. People say one thing in his audience and radically different when they go on public record. This is nothing new to him. It only enables him to gauge the depth, character and consistency of the individuals concerned.
King Birendra regularly briefs and consults with His Royal Highness Prince Dipendra on a wide range of subjects. The Crown Prince, with a reputation for grasping things quickly, offers suggestions only when specifically sought. Foreign dignitaries, on the basis of their meetings with the King, are also well aware of his concerns.
Political leaders and parties have been offering tributes to His Majesty for the role discharged under the Constitution. But whenever the question of their own political fate and fortunes arose, they did not refrain from making insinuations against the monarch. They betrayed a desire to equate their own immediate gain with the content and intent of the Constitution. In the eventual public verdict, the monarch’s course has come in for an enthusiastic nod. If a military coup takes place in Pakistan and some people see shadows of similar developments in the making in Nepal, it only speaks of their own lack of confidence and state of credibility.
There is a wrong premise that monarchy in Nepal is apolitical. This concept is contradictory. The King does act and make decisions within the framework of the Constitution. In 1994, the Nepali Congress, which had a majority in the House of Representatives, was divided between two camps. One group endorsed Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala’s recommendation for dissolution of the House and fresh polls, while the other faction rejected the move. The majority of the total House members, including one-third of the ruling party MPs, marched to the Royal Palace and appealed to the King against dissolution of the House. That the same politicians subsequently did nothing to constitutionally find an adequate role for the King during situations such as the one they had encountered and got embittered with is something else.
When the Unified Marxist-Leninist minority government headed by Man Mohan Adhikary a year later recommended the dissolution of the House, monarchy was again sought to be politicised when the King simply followed by the “rule”, in this case the precedent set by the Supreme Court only the previous year. Opinions were divided over what was to be done. Unfortunately for the Supreme Court, controversies flared up over its decisions whose reverberations can be felt strongly even today. In the ultimate verdict, the King was seen to strengthen the Constitution while politicians sought to weaken the basic law of the land. Two years ago when the then Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa (Rastriya Prajatantra Party), heading a coalition cabinet, asked for dissolving the House to pave way for fresh elections, the King sought the Supreme Court’s advice and acted accordingly. The procedure was, again, sought to be politicised.
Asking the King to “intervene” might not be anything radical. In neighbouring India, where the president is supposed to abide by the recommendations and advice of the prime minister, the 115-year-old Congress (I) last May demanded that President K R Narayanan restrain the
Atal Behari Vajpayee government from taking any policy decisions on the eve of snap polls. The English language Hindu daily reassured that “If it (BJP) crosses the ‘lakshman rekha’, the President can of course be depended upon to intervene.”
The King in Nepal can ask, advise or admonish the government on issues of public concern. Even this has been sought to be politicised. Some question the “timing” of a missive; some speculate on the “motive” but most welcome it as timely and relevant. Not that the King is unduly perturbed by such incidents. He is convinced that he needs to unwaveringly exercise this aspect of his role whenever deemed necessary. The contents of the royal messages and addresses at various times might be brief but are designed to be meaningful. King Birendra has always believed that the basic needs of the people should be addressed as a top priority. He believes that Nepal, whatever its economic status, can enhance its international image as a country pursuing peace and development, on the basis of an appropriate foreign policy.
The King in Nepal is a working constitutional monarch. Members of the royalty need to utilise the space available for a greater degree of public visibility by way of encouraging or acknowledging the contributions of civil society, social workers and prominent public personalities. It is high time that they attended programmes organised in various parts of the country, an activity so far almost exclusively confined to Kathmandu Valley. Opening exhibitions, addressing important programmes and attending public ceremonies outside the confines of the capital city will encourage and inspire the local people in no less measure than the privileged in Kathmandu. The monarch has also everything to gain by taking special care when selecting royal nominees to the National Assembly.
Without comment: Nepali Congress president and former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, quoted in The Kathmandu Post, “If the present politicians realised that monarchy is deeply rooted in Nepali society, they could perhaps make some progress themselves. Those who oppose the monarchy will be opposed by the soil.
*************************************************************
From: "Bijaya B Bajracharya" <bijaya@bigfoot.com>
To: <webmaster-tnd@nepal.org>
Subject: Addition of Information
Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 18:40:47 +0530
Construction of 60MW Khimti I Hydropower Project is almost completed. The
construction equipment which were used in the project are now on sale. Those
interested in buying the second hand construction equipment, please click
the link below:
URL http://www.ccc.com.np
Thanking you,
Bijaya B Bajracharya
Deputy Project Manager
Civil Construction Consortium SA HH
Khimti I Hydropower Project
**************************************************************
Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 03:58:01 -0800 (PST)
From: winonah mendoza <winonah_m@yahoo.com>
Subject: dentistry!!!
To: nepal-request@cs.niu.edu
Dearest Sir:
Greetings from the island of the Philippines!
Hi. I'm Winonah J. Mendoza.
I was trying to find about dentistry in Nepal web,
but it's difficult. Luckily, I found out your email
address.
I just want to know about the dentistry course in
beloved country. Here is my question:
1. How long the term to finish the said course.
2. After taking the course. Are you going to take
an exam for the licensure before working or you can
now be called a licensed doctor after graduating
eventhough you don't have an exam, and you can
directly go to your job.
Only this two question. I hope you can introduce me
more about it.
I'm looking forward to your reply.
Thank you.
Sincerely
Winonah
***************************************************************
Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 17:53:27 -0800
From: bill and karen evans <bika@concentric.net>
To: tnd@nepal.org
Subject: Water hyacinth utilization
I was recently in Koshi Tappu, and was concerned by the proliferation of
water hyacenth in the reserve and the poverty of the indigenous people
that have been settled on its edges. I have been searching the net for
references to how this plant can be used by the local people as a green
manure, as an animal feed, especially when mixed with rice straw or
chaff, the plant can be dried,and used as reed. There is abusiness in
Thailand making designer fruniture out of this plant. The plant can also
be dried and used as fuel. It certainly is readily available, and also
free for the taking.
If anyone has more information or knows anyone who is located near Koshi
Tappu who would like to work with me on this project, please e-mail me
at Katina2000@yahoo.com.
******************************************************************
From: karen.l.byron@bt.com
To: TND@NEPAL.ORG
Subject: NEPALI CHARITIES
Date: Sun, 28 Nov 1999 12:25:22 -0000
Hello, I wonder if you could help me.
my husband recently spent 3 weeks in Nepal and would like to make a donation
to a Nepali charity teaching skills & helping local people. Could you tell
me whether there are any such charities and how we would go about making a
donation.
Many thanks
Karen Byron
Leeds UK
karen.l.byron@bt.com
***************************************************************
From: "mjmason" <mjmason@csi.com>
To: <nepal-request@cs.niu.edu>
Subject: Fw: GARY MC CUE'S EMAIL ADDRESS
Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 17:24:18 -0600
Hello:
During the late '80s Gary Mc Cue helped me organize our trek into Tibet. =
Do you happen to know
his email address at the present time?
Thank you.
Marilyn J. Mason
******************************************************************
Date: 20 Dec 1999 16:10:15 -0000
To: List Member <NEPAL@cs.niu.edu>
From: "Alternative Fuel Vehicles Nepal" <AFVsNepal-owner@listbot.com>
Subject: AFVs News
Alternative Fuel Vehicles Nepal
AFVs News
1. Core group of Citizens Monitoring Group (CMG) formed
Martin Chautari, 20 December, 1999
As a part of DANIDA's mission to environment improvement under Environment
Sector Program Support to Nepal, Citizens Monitoring Group (CMG) was
constituted on Monday 13 December. The members of core group of CMG are
LEADERS Nepal, Soil Test, ENPHO, Martin Chautari, NEFEJ and RONAST. The
KMC shall act as secretariat of the CMG. In a subsequent meeting of CMG
held at NEFEJ, Thapathali, it was unanimously decided to divide CMG into
two units: Air Quality Monitoring and Awareness Building. Those
organizations with technical expertise in monitoring will shall be
included in Air Quality Monitoring Unit and those with substantial
experience in grass root advocacy and awareness building shall be
included in Awareness Building Unit.
2. Growth of AFVs
Martin Chautari, 20 December, 1999
After the ban on diesel tempos, additional 100 EVs have come into the
market. The month wise addition of EVs had LPG run Tuk-Tuk has been given
below.
Month EVs Tuk-Tuks
July-August 26 36
August-September 24 7
September-October 35 30
October-November 21 -
November-December 45 -
----- ----
151 73
Altogether there are 347 elctric tempos and 127 Tuk-Tuks. Out of 347
electric tempos, 4 are being used by diplomatic missions, 16 are private
and the rest serve commuters.
3. How To Fight Global Warming On A Personal Basis
By Kurt Newick
Greenhouse gases accumulating in the atmosphere are causing world-wide
climate changes at a dire rate (cf. Ross Gelbspan, The Heat is On). There
is a virtually unanimous consensus among scientists that humans are
changing weather patterns. Fossil fuel use is dangerous, as it affects
the earth's climate system (which is the life support structure for all
living things). Burning fossil fuels releases carbon
dioxide, the primary cause of global warming. Thus it is imperative to
limit fossil fuel use and to switch to renewable energy systems. Senior
scientists studying global warming believe it is one of the most
important environmental challenges of the next century (population
growth, deforestation, species extinction and water pollution are
other problems of similar magnitude).
Here are some individual actions you can pursue to solve global
warming:
- Lobby for a Green tax system which will gradually and eventually
replace income and sales taxes. Taxing polluting activities is an
effective way to stimulate cleaner alternatives. This particular solution
can not be overstated, as our market-driven economic system does not
account for external environmental costs (cf. Paul Hawken, The Ecology
of Commerce, which has insightful explanations about this vital
solution).
- Reduce personal oil consumption by driving and flying less often.
In the U.S.A., transportation accounts for 32% of carbon dioxide
emissions (cf. World Resources Institute, Climate Protection and the
National Interest).
- Ride a bicycle, walk, or take public transportation when feasible.
- Buy a zero emission vehicle (ZEV).
- Install a Solar-electric photovoltaic rooftop system with a utility
interconnect.
- In California or Pennsylvania you can choose a renewable
- Insulate and weatherize your home.
- Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents that use
75% less energy and last 10 times longer. Many bulbs now on the market
have a pleasing, soft white radiance.
- Join an environmental organization to work on reducing air
pollution.
Alternative Fuel Vehicles Nepal
1. Rise in fare of electric tempos likely
Martin Chautari, 27 December, 1999
Despite protests by the unit committee of electric tempos not to increase
the fare of electric tempos, efforts are underway to increase the fare of
electric tempos. It is learnt that Clean Locomotive Entrepreneurs'
Association of Nepal has already decided upon to increase the fare. If
the fare hike happens, commuters may end up paying minimum NRs. 5 to
maximum NRs. 10 depending upon the distance. At a time when the commuters
are complaining the existing rate as high, further rise in fare is
likely to create public outcry against the non-polluting vehicles.
2. Nepal Vehicle Mass Emission Standard, 2056 introduced
Martin Chautari, 27 December, 1999
The Ministry of Population and Environment has introduced Nepal Vehicle
Mass Emission , 2056 standard from 23 December 1999. This new standard is
similar to Euro I standard adopted by the European community. All
vehicles imported after 23 December 1999 must comply with Nepal Vehicle
Mass Emission Standard, 2056 (For more detail, see Gorkhapatra, December
26). In addition to this, the Ministry has taken bold steps like
prohibiting the sale of the government vehicles older than 20 years,
allowing only those government-owned vehicles to run in the valley that
meet the vehicular emission standards, providing quality fuels which meet
the specifications of reference fuel used in Europe, providing unleaded
petrol from April 1 2000, establishing Mobile laboratory to monitor the
emissions of vehicles, tightening the existing vehicular emission
standards thorough incorporation of parameters like SOx and NOX and
providing 99 percent import duty concession and VAT exemption for the
displaced diesel tempo owners if they want to import micro-buses run on
Compressed Natural Gas, Liquefied Petroleum Gas or Liquefied Natural
AFVs News
1. Price hike on electric tempos
Martin Chautari, December 30, 1999
The Clean Locomotive Entrepreneurs' Association of Nepal (CLEAN) finally
made official announcement of price hike on electric tempos. "The
government has increased the electricity tariff for charging stations by
20 per cent, so it has become inevitable to increase the fares of
electric tempos," said the president of CLEAN. According to new
arrangement the fare of electric tempos ranges form Rs. 5 to Rs. 10. The
fares in major routes are as follows.
Lagankhel -Pulchowk - Rs. 5
Lagankhel-Kupondole- Rs. 6
Lagankel-Singhadarbar- Rs. 7
Lagankhel-Ratnapark-Rs. 9
Mangal Bazar- Kupondole - Rs. 5
Mangal Bazar-Tripureshowr- Rs. 7
Mangal Bazar-Sundhara- Rs. 9
Mangal Bazar-Singhadarbar- Rs. 7
Mangal Bazar-Newroad- Rs. 10
RNAC-Kamalpokhari- Rs. 5
RNAC-Mmaitidevi- Rs. 6
RNAC- Puranobaneshowr- Rs. 7
RNAC-Chabahil- Rs. 8
RNAC- Chuchepati Rs. 9
RNAC-Tinchule- Rs. 10
RNAC-Jorpati- Rs. 10
RNAC-Shorhakhutte- Rs. 6
RNAC- Balaju- Rs.7
RNAC - Banasthali -Rs. 8
RNAC-Galphutar- Rs. 10
RNAC- Chakrapath-Rs. 9
RNAC- Teaching Hospital- Rs. 8
RNAC-Lazimpat- Rs. 7
RNAC-Lainchaur- Rs. 5
RNAC-Jamal- Rs. 5
"Should the government decide to revert to the old electricity tariff ,
the CLEAN shall implement the old fare rates" says the notice issued by
CLEAN.
******************************************************************
From: "MarkSisco" <royaltra@mint.net>
To: <nepal@cs.niu.edu>
Subject: Grindlay's Bank, Kathmandu
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1999 18:13:21 -0800
Dear Sirs:
Can you provide me with the e-mail address or telephone number of =
Grindlay's Bank Kathmandu? I need their four digit international =
transfer code to complete a wire transfer.
Many thanks.
Namaste.
Mark Sisco
******************************************************************
From: "Anil Shrestha" <shrestha@plant.uoguelph.ca>
To: NEPAL@cs.niu.edu
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1999 10:48:32 EST
Subject: Greetings from the TND Canada Chapter
Season's greetings and best wishes for a very Happy New Year to TND
readers all over the world !!!
******************************************************************
To: nepal@cs.niu.edu
Date: Wed, 29 Dec 1999 19:15:45 -0500
Subject: Any Nepalis in Wash., D.C. area?
From: AikoAnne Joshi <aiko7@juno.com>
I will be relocating to the Washington, D.C. area in late January. New
job. Was wondering if there are any Nepali organisations or ways to meet
Nepalis in that area? Also, anyone living in that area, could I get an
idea what neighborhoods are safest but also inexpensive to live in? I
understand that Maryland is cheaper than Virginia. Thanks
Aiko Joshi
"Those who do not try to create the future they want, must _endure_the
future they get."
******************************************************************
From: "Ken & Sirjana Pumford" <pumford@mailandnews.com>
To: "The Nepal Digest" <nepal@cs.niu.edu>
Subject: Any Nepalese in the Cologne area?
Date: Sat, 1 Jan 2000 13:55:18 +0100
Namaskar.
My wife and I just moved to Aachen, Germany on a 2 year assignment with my
employer, and are wondering if there is a Nepali community in the
Cologne/Bonn or Maastricht areas. Please feel free to contact us on 0241
912 9747, and/or e-mail us at pumford@mailandnews.com
We're looking forward to meeting you soon.
Regards,
Ken & Sirjana (Shakya) Pumford
****************************************************************
Date: 29 Dec 99 07:01:13 MST
From: Sharma J <jasharma2@usa.net>
To: nepal-request@cs.niu.edu
Subject: nepalgunj medical college
Dear Sirs,
Could you please give me the details of Nepalgunj Medical College
and oblige. If you are'nt in a position to do so, pl.at least
give me the e-mail address, phone numbers,fax etc. of this institution. =
With regards
J.A.SHARMA
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