400 Nepali migrants await repatriation

DOHA , DEC 10 - Police in Qatar have taken 400 migrant Nepali workers to the ‘deportation centre’ after they began a protest against their employer Exblowra Company, asking the Qatar i authority to arrange for their safe passage home.

The workers claimed that the company did not provide them agreed salary and food allowance.

The company on Thursday shifted the Nepali workers from its labour camp in Al Shahaniya to a new location in New Sailiya.

“Our basic salary is 450 riyals and there is no food allowance. The company does not provide at the new camp and there is no shop nearby,” said Ramendra Mahato of Siraha who has been working at the company for the past six years.

The police cordoned off the camp on Friday after the disgruntle workers intensified their protest to press their demands.

“We demanded to provide a  basic salary of 900 riyals and additional 300 riyals for food as fixed by the government. We decided to return home as the company failed to address our demand,” said Ram Babu Yadav of Dhanusha, adding that the company had even charged them for visa.  

Labour attaché Indra Dev Pandey at Nepali Embassy in Qatar said that the company agreed to raise the salary but the workers could not be convinced.

He informed that the workers would be repatriated to Nepal once the company provides their perks and salaries. “We will arrange air tickets and start sending them home from Tuesday,” said Pandey.  (#Source: eKantipur.com)

Nepal Telecom To Provide WI-FI, For Free!

Great news for those fond of having internet on the go, without having to pay a single rupee! Nepal Telecom (NT) will be providing free WI-FI internet service in the capital as well as in various places across the country for almost three months.

NT will be installing ‘hotspot’ in various places around the Valley as part of the first level of their project under corporate social responsibility. It has already started providing such service in venues such as Tribhuvan International Airport, Bir Hospital, and Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital of Maharajgunj. Next in line is Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre.

The telecom network aims to install such wifi hotspots in approximately 500 areas across the country. It targets places where there is more hustle and bustle. NT intends to provide services mainly for hospitals, restaurants, airports, shopping malls, tourist spots and bus stops among others.

50 Families at Sinkhole Risk, 18 Displaced in Pokhara

Pokhara, November 30th, 2013- With sinkhole formation continuing at Armala VDC in Kaski, 50 families are at risk. Eighteen families have already been displaced after their houses and land started caving in after sinkholes formed near the Majhuwa stream.

Sinkholes formed near the Majhuwa stream at Armala VDC in Kaski district have chilled local residents to the bone

Secretary of the local natural disaster management committee, Dhan Bahadur Karki, said vehicular movement halted after the road in the area started caving in on Saturday.

Efforts to let underground water flow through a canal as per geologists’ advices have appeared to be ineffective. “We dug a three-meter deep canal to let underground water flow.

However, water did not come out as expected. Instead the canal started caving in,” said VDC secretary Ram Chandra Poudel. Geologists Lilanatlh Rimal and Kushalnandan Pokharel had submitted a preliminary report, calling on the authorities to let underground water flow in order to immediately curb the problem.

Meanwhile, Minister for Local Development Bidhyadhar Mallik and Secretary Shanta Bahadur Shrestha on Saturday inspected the affected site. After inspecting the area, Mallik said the sinkhole problem is a matter of grave concern and that he would take initiatives to resolve it. “I will put the matter in the Cabinet and seek an end to it,” he said.

Kaski Chief District Officer Yadav Prasad Koirala said efforts for the management of underground water were going on. (source: eKantipur.com)

Preparation of election over : Nepal Government

OCT 20, KATHMANDU.The government has said all the preparations necessary for the upcoming Constituent Assembly (CA) elections have been completed. Government Spokesperson and Minister for Information and Communications Madhav Prasad Ghimire said there is no doubt that the election will be held as preparations necessary to that end have been already over.

Releasing a book on Yoga titled ‘Mukta Hridayako Awaj’ by Uddhav Prasad Bhattarai ‘Chaitanyadeep’ here today, the spokesperson of the election government urged the people to be confident that election will be held in the stipulated date or November 19.

Yoga practices and other physical exercises would make human life prosperous, he said. Nepali Congress leader Laxman Prasad Ghimire, and Balmiki Campus Professor Dr. Sanat Kumar Wasti said the book is useful in making our lives meaningful. RSS

ADB to provide 75 million dollar loan to Nepal

OCT 20, KATHMANDU. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to provide a loan assistance of SDR 49.6 million or USD 75.0 million (equivalent NRs 7322 million) to the Government of Nepal for the implementation of South Asian Sub regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Road Connectivity Project.

Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development and Transport Management is the executing agency while, Department of Roads is the implementing agency of the Project.

Mr. Shanta Raj Subedi, Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Mr. Kenichi Yokoyama, Country Director of Asian Development Bank, Nepal Resident Mission signed the agreement on behalf of the respective sides amidst a programme at the Finance Ministry today.

The main objective of the project is to improve road transport system in eastern part of Nepal. The project is expected to improve the country’s road network totaling about 187 km, providing (i) alternate crossing over Koshi River for East-West Highway at Sunsari District, (ii) three missing linkages for the Mid-Hill Highway and (iii) a feeder road connecting East-West Highway at Birtamod and a new bridge across Mechi River, which will connect to India and Bangladesh.

Additionally, capacity enhancement of the institutions responsible for construction and maintenance of roads will be provided through technical assistance.The project will contribute to development and expansion of the Strategic Road Network and expand connectivity with remote hilly areas to increase the economic activities in the project areas.

The project comprises, (I) about 73 km bypass road along East-West Highway upgraded to 2 lane National Highway standard and 2 lane feeder road standard, which will provide an alternate route for East-West Highway in case of closure of the main Koshi Barrage (ii), about 114 km of Mid-Hill Highway upgraded to intermediate lane, and (iii) enhanced capacity of Department of Roads in delivering Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) results. The Project is expected to be completed by December 31, 2018.

The Project will improve the country’s road network totaling about 187 km, namely, 1. East West Highway-Koshi Bridge Road (Nadaha-Koshi Bridge, Chatara-Rupnagar and Kanchanpur Market Road), 2. Leguwaghat-Bhojpur Road, 3. Manthali-Ramechhap Road, 4. Halesi-Diktel Road and 5. Mechipul-Chandragadhi-Birtamod Road.

Besides, the loan assistance will also support in the capacity development of the Department of Roads. By the implementation of this project, it will contribute to development and expansion of the Strategic Road Network (SRN) and expand connectivity with remote hilly areas to increase the economic activities in the project areas.

On the occasion, Secretary Subedi said economic development in Nepal is in snail’s pace due to lack of sufficient infrastructure and expressed gratitude to the ADB for its continuous assistance in Nepal’s key sectors such as agriculture and natural resources, education, energy, finance, transport and information and communication technology.

Resident Director Yokoyama said the ADB has attached topmost priority to the infrastructure development of Nepal and urged the Government of Nepal for the fastest and effective implementation of the project.The ADB is providing assistance for socio-economic development of Nepal for the past 40 years. RSS

Some actors don’t know about their party memberships

The news of more than 150 artists joining Nepali Congress came by surprise to many. It was particularly surprising to those who heard their own name in the news. For example, actress Mala Subba was surprised on her name included in the list of artists joining the party.

It turned out – the artists were invited for a tea party at the residence of the party president. All those who attended the party were told to have joined the party. Actor Aayush Rijal told that he was in the residence of Sushil Koirala only for the tea party. He clarified, he has no intention of joining any political parties. Aayush told that he was invited by director Suresh Darpan Pokharel for the tea party. It was Pokharel who told about the 150 artists joining Nepali Congress.

Actor and director Ramesh Budhathoki also claimed not to have joined Nepali Congress. He admitted to be supporting the party but, he isn’t a formal member of the party. Actor Jiwan Luitel has the similar statement. Sctress Jharana Thapa is currently in Europe tour, she is also told to have joined the party.

Aayush Rijal’s statement however conflicts with the following photo that shows the banner stating – Artist’s Party Entry Program. There is no mention of tea party in the banner.

Actors Binod Shrestha and Shyam Aryal have also stated that they haven’t joined the party.

Baidhya Maoist cadres have torched a bus in Dhulikhel

Baidhya Maoist cadres have also torched a bus in Dhulikhel. The bus, with registration number Ba 2 Kha 5672, was en-route from Kathmandu to Melamchi. Although there have been reports that the bus was lit before the passengers had a chance to get off the bus, Dhulikhel’s CDO Durga Bhandari confirms that all the passengers had gotten off the bus before the fire.

Cabinet green signal to 45,000 temporary cops for Nov 19 polls

The Government is to recruit 45,000 temporary police personnel for the security of the November 19 CA elections.

The Council of Ministers meeting on Friday decided to recruit 45,000 temporary police personnel for two months with remuneration and ration in par with Nepal Police constables, according to minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare Riddhi Baba Pradhan.

The cabinet also decided to appoint Secretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies Janardan Nepal as the new Home Secretary.

The meeting gave a green signal to Rastra Bank to change the design of 1,000 rupee currency note of Nepal and accept the grant of Rs. 1.85 billion received from the Government of Finland for the second phase of Western Nepal Drinking Water and Cleanliness Project.

A decision was also taken at the meeting today to write to the concerned Ministry about the commitments made by the government delegation in course of breaking the fast-unto-death by Nanda Prasad and Ganga Maya Adhikari of Fujel, Gorkha and approve the Social Security Fund programme of the Ministry of Labour and Transport Management. RSS 

Lord Buddha's birthplace Lumbini in Nepal's 100-rupee note

The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB)  has introduced a 100-rupee Nepali note featuring Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. The NRB said the new note would be accessible only during the Dashain, , Xinhua reports. A bank spokesperson said the new note has a picture of the Ashoka Pillar, along with a message on the front side that Buddha was born in Lumbini.

It displays the portrait of Mayadevi, Gautam Buddha's mother in silver metallic on the front. The note also has a black dot which would help the blind recognise the note. The name of the central bank in Latin script would be printed on the note along with the date of printing in both Christian Era and the Nepali Calendar "Bikram Sambat".

In notes currently in circulation, the name of the central bank is printed in Devnagari only, and the notes do not have the date of printing. The new note is being issued following a cabinet decision Aug 27."Lumbini has been enlisted as World Heritage site and the bank thought the holy place needs to be published through currency as well," said an official.

"The move also aims at ensuring the bank notes would be recognised outside the country too," he added.

Father’s Day special – Fathers of Nepali actresses 2070

 We are collecting the photos of the fathers of Nepali actresses on the occasion of Father’s Day. Here are the photos of the fathers of actresses including Binita Baral, Keki Adhikari, Priyanka Karki, Rekha Thapa, Saranga Shrestha and Sushmita Bomzom

Binita Baral with her father (we wrote a post about the special celebration Binita did with her father in her organic farm business):

Keki Adhikari with her director father Badri Adhikari. More information about Keki’s father can be found in her fan site.

badri adhikari with keki adhikari

Priyanka Karki‘s father Bhupendra Karki with the little Priyanka (photo credit – Priyanka Karki).

Rajesh Hamal’s girlfriend Madhu Bhattarai – photo revealed

The photos of Rajesh Hamal‘s girlfriend is published in newspapers today. Rajesh Hamal had been successful in hiding his girlfriend for half a decade until the photo was revealed today in media.

madhu-bhatrrai_rajesh hamal girlfreind

The Mongolian faced Madhu Bhattarai had also participated in a couple of beauty contests and the photos revealed are from those contests.

Rajesh Hamal met Madhu in one of those contests and fell for the beautiful girl who is now living in the flat gifted by the actor.

9 years old boy's back: seems like tortoise back

Actress Hema Shrestha got sick during shooting

While shooting form her upcoming movie ‘Hasia’ actress Hema Shrestha got sick and had to take rest while breathing oxygen from a cylinder. The shooting being held in Mudhe, Sindupalchowk had to be halted after the unfortunate incident.

hema preparing for shooting hasiya

The director of the movie, Milan Chams told that the bad weather and a  lot of work had tired the actress. A 107 member shooting team is currently in the area to shoot the climax scene of the movie.

hema shrestha in action in hasiya

More than two-third of the shooting of the movie is already finished and the remaining shooting is expected to finish in about a month. The movie features various crimes including gang fights, political backings to illegal activities and so on. The movie featured Rajesh Hamal, Anup Shahi, Hema Shreshta. The movie also features the first Miss Nepal, Ruby Rana in a special role. Actress Jharana Bajracharya is also featured in one of the item dances in the movie.

SOURCE: NEPALIACTRESS.COM 

Parties on election preparation

SEPT 4, KATHMANDU. The political parties are busy in selecting the candidates and drafting the election strategy to win more seats as the date for the upcoming Constituent Assembly (CA) scheduled for November 19 is nearing.

The parties are doing their homework in the war footing manner to draft the election manifestos, select their candidates, forge alliance with the likeminded parties, manage necessary monetary funds and launch the election campaigns.

Almost all political parties have collected the names of their parties’ possible candidates under the first past the post and proportional electoral systems as the candidates’ nomination date is nearing. The Election Commission has fixed September 26 for candidates’ nomination.

In many constituencies, the political parties have recommended the names of possible candidates by three-fold against the parties’ directive.The Madhes-based political parties are also busy in conducting election conference, meetings and forge alliance with other Madhes-based parties.

The Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (Loktantrik) is preparing its election strategy and manifesto writing work after organizing its central conference in Biratnagar.Likewise, senior leader of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (Nepal) Bharat Bimal Yadav said that his party has decided to take part in the election with party’s full strength.

Similarly, the Sadbhawana Party led by Rajendra Mahato is also preparing to contest from all 240 constituencies. Likewise, the UCPN (Maoist) has completed its one-month election campaign and has changed the bureau in-charges keeping the upcoming CA election in the center.

Party Spokesperson Agni Sapkota said that the party has started organization strengthening and massive people’s mobilization till September 26.

On the other hand, the Nepali Congress is also working to draft the election manifesto and monetary collection as well as candidates’ recommendations. Similarly, the CPN (UML) has decided to use the party’s entire force to election under the commandership of party Chairman Jhalanath Khanal. RSS

Regmi stresses on political stability

SEPT 4, KATHMANDU. Chairman of Council of Ministers Khil Raj Regmi has said establishing political stability by taking the country out from existing transition is the need of the hour.

Addressing a special programme organised marking the 34th anniversary of Dillibazar Kanya Multiple Campus here today, he said the announced development goals in Nepal have not been achieved due to a lack of political stability.

Stable political system and government was essential for the development of country, he added.”The government is actively working to conduct the second Constituent Assembly (CA) election so as to draft a new constitution and thereby establish such ruling system that can address needs of the Nepali people, Chairman Regmi said.

Underlining the need of transformation and modernization in the education system as per the demand of time, he said the government has focused on newness, utilization and creativity in the education, a means of country’s development and progress. He further praised the contribution of campus in the development of education despite many problems and challenges.

On the occasion, campus chief Bholanath Regmi, campus management committee chairman Nripendra rimal, senior journalist and management committee member Devendra Gautam, senior advocate Sindhunath Pyakurel also spoke about vivid aspects of campus including its poor physical infrastructures.

Similarly, former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai presented the ‘Dharmakumari Bhattarai scholarship’ established in the commemoration of his late mother Dharmakumari Bhattarai to students Nirmala Tamang and Bidhya Basyal. Reader Balkrishna Sharma of Nepali Department was honoured with the ‘Best Teacher Award’ whereas Upendra Prasad Khanal bagged the ‘Best Employee Award’.

Chairman Regmi also released a souvenir published by the campus on the same occasion. RSS

Government fail to break hunger strike of Adhikari couple

SEPT 4, KATHMANDU. The efforts to feed the Adhikari couple, parents of Krishna Prasad Adhikari, who have been staging fast-unto-death strike, seeking action to the murderers of their son, Krishna Prasad Adhikari, have turned in vain.

After the Supreme Court ordered the government to immediately make public the progress on the ongoing investigation on the murder of Krishna Prasad Adhikari, and save the lives of agitating Adhikari couple making them quit hunger strike or feed them has turned the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM) releasing a press statement about this late night on Tuesday.

Secretary at the Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Krishna Hari Banskota met the Adhikari couple and urged them to struggle to get justice by saving their lives. But the Adhikari Couple rejected the offer.

During the occasion, Secretary Banskota assured that the government would continue taking initiative on providing justice and saving the Adhikari couple’s life.

Briefing the journalists, Dr. Bulanda Thapa said the Adhikari couple’s health condition was not as serious as reported in media.

Meanwhile, the human rights activists and conflict affected people have been staging sit-in demanding that the Adhikari couple should be given justice. Dinesh Tripathi, a legal practitioner, and Sabitri Shrestha among others have been leading it. RSS

The British College completed its first Annual Advisory Board Meeting

The British College (TBC) had successfully completed its first Annual Advisory Board Meeting to discuss the direction, development, planning and continuing strategy of the college. The advisory board itself includes several prestigious figures from both the UK and Nepal, representing the partnership between the two countries that The British College symbolises. The Advisory Board Meeting discussed how the college plans to proceed in its goal to continue providing high quality education in Nepal.

Advisory Board Members:

1. Lord Sandwich, The Earl of Sandwich, a member in the House of Lords

2. Dr (h.c) Chiran Thapa, Advisor

3. Dr Arjun Karki

4. Paul Cleves MBE, CEO of Foodlines and highly active Philanthropist, founder of Saigon Children’s Charity

5. Anthony Wieler, Vice-president of the Britain – Nepal Chamber of Commerce

6. Rajen Kandel, CEO and Chair of the Advisory Board

the-british-collegeKey points from the discussion were the perception of British Education in Nepal; further scholarship and support for students from marginalised communities; and the future expansion of TBC. Also, as The British College has international students from 6 different countries, it was discussed about expanding their number. Overall, the advisory board was impressed with how the college was proceeding and fully recognises that the college is fulfilling its target to provide high quality British education to the needs of Nepali students.

TBC is the premium college in Kathmandu which has been validated by the University of West of England and Leeds Metropolitan University. The courses that are now available are BSc (Hons) in Computing, BBA, BA (Hons) Business and Management, MBA (Executive), Masters in International Management and professional programs such as ACCA and CIMA, as well as A Levels. In the future, we are launching courses such as Masters in Public Health and Masters in Information Management.