- Tuesday, 19 November 2024
Kathmandu, April 27: Participation of over 1,600 people has been confirmed in the third Nepal Investment Summit commencing on Sunday.
According to the Office of the Investment Board of Nepal, it extended invitations to over 2,400 persons. Investors from 55 countries will be joining the Summit while there will be 385 participants from Nepal.
Similarly, 265 will be representing China followed by 143 from India, 33 from the US, 28 from Japan, 14 from the UK, 13 from Bangladesh, 13 from the UAE, and 10 from Germany.
Similarly, nine each will be arriving from South Korea, Australia, and Malaysia, eight from Pakistan, six from Singapore, and five each from Qatar and Ghana. Four each will be representing the Saudi Arab, France, and Bahrain in the Summit.
Likewise, three will be attending each from Switzerland, Finland, Russia, Austria, Sri Lanka, and Colombia, and two each from the Philippines, Kuwait, Canada, Mauritius, Belarus, and Belgium.
The participation has been confirmed from Egypt, Italy, Norway, Senegal, the Netherlands, Poland, Indonesia, Tajikistan, South Africa, Romania, Mexico and Cyprus. Ireland, Slovenia, Vietnam, Bosnia, Morocco, Turkey, Vanuatu, Mauritania, and Hong Kong will be participating in the Summit.
A total of 150 projects will be dangled at the Summit, featuring 23 stalls. A letter of intent has been called for 19 projects specifically in preparation for the Summit.
On the first day, there will be an opening session followed by two major sessions. The second and final day will feature the conduct of 11 parallel sessions.
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07- JSP meeting today
Kathmandu, April 27: The central execution committee of Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) is meeting at 4:00 pm today.
Publicity department chief of the party, Purna Basnet, informed that the meeting would discuss election directive on party’s national general convention representatives.
The meeting is being held at party central office, Balkumari, Lalitpur.
Earlier, the party meeting had proposed to elect general convention representatives from party’s committees, sister organizations and professional organizations.
It is estimated that one 1,000 general convention representatives would be elected from among the members of the party in line with directive.
The party is holding the general convention in Janakpur city from coming June 10 to 12.
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08- Mundum lore of Salpa-Silichung scripted
Godavari (Lalitpur), April 27: Mundum, the lore, is internalized by the Kirat community as the philosophy of life. The myths concerning the Salpa Silichung related to the culture and civilization of the Kirat Rai people have been scripted and published in the form of a book.
The ‘Salpa Silichung-Silichho’ a book about the Mundum’s myths and lore was released amidst a programme here Friday. It is published by the International Committee of Salpa Silichung Concerned Conservation and Promotion Center.
Prof Dr Tanka Neupane, Pro Dr Somnath Khatiwada, Chancellor of Nepal Academy of Fine Arts, Naradmani Hartamchhali; associate professor Dr Janak Rai, Kirat Rai Yayokha Chair Jeevan Hatacho Rai and General Manager Siddharaj Rai jointly launched the book.
Nepal Academy Chancellor Bhupal Rai attended the programme as the Chief Guest.
Commenting on the book, TU associate professor Dr Rai said the book highlighted how the Kirat community is using the Mundum lore in their life. The study of the Mundumi myth of Salpa Silichung is that whenever the Kirat ancestors reached Salpa Silichung, the then society was matriarchal, he said.
Pro Dr Khatiwada said oral history has been incorporated into the curriculum of various universities in the world, contrary to the practice in Nepal which endorses written history in university courses. As he said, the Kirat civilization and culture are largely associated with the narrative history.
The book is expected to be a milestone in terms of scripting the Kirat history, according to him.
A researcher on Kirat culture, Pro Dr Neupane, said the country is never of any specific class or community. “Nepal is a home to multiple castes and communities and the Kirat religion and culture should be further promoted. The book suggests that myths concerning the Kirat community value unity within diversity,” he said, adding that the Kirat community contributed significantly to the building of the present Nepal and there is no doubt that myths of Salpa Silichung are the people’s history of the time.
Khuwalung, Tuwachung and Silichung are the symbols of indigenous Kirati community, said Divas Rai, Vice-Chairperson of the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities.
Bhupal Rai, Chief Guest of the event, lauded that the book containing myths of the Kirati community is a ”scholarly outrage”. He argued that only myths would remain in the communities that are cornered by the State over various period of time.
Rajen Rai, Salpa Silichung Concern, Conservation and Promotion Centre’s International Committee’s Chairperson shared that they also installed the statute of Sumnima Paruhang as well as Nachung/Naakso (Dhami) at Salpasilichho rural municipality besides collecting lore and publishing the book.
He pledged to deliver more on the conservation of Kirati’s history and the collection and publication of more Kirati myths.
The 227-page book has two parts-myths and analysis. There are altogether 21 myths in the book edited by Bhogiraj Chamling, Dr Taramani Rai, Chandra Kumar Hatuwali and Shalikram Rai.
The book launch was followed by a musical programme based on Kirati music.
Salpa Pokhari is situated at 3,750 meters above sea level while Silichung at 4,155 meters at Salpasilichung rural municipality of Bhojpur district. The rural municipality borders Sankhuwasabha, Solukhumbu, and Khotang districts.
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09- Nine youths allegedly joining Russian force out of family contact for months
Tanahu, April 27: Nine youths reportedly enrolled in the Russian military have lost contact with their families, leaving their loved ones in distress.
According to relatives, the youths opted to join the Russian military as they did not see better career opportunities at home.
A mother in Byas municipality said she spends her days in tears over her son, who has not been in touch with the family for the past four months. Initially, her son reassured her not to worry about his situation, but despite her attempts to remain calm, she finds herself restless. “I have sleepless nights these days worrying about my son”, said the woman preferring to be unnamed.
These families have already approached the Migrant Resource Centre under the Safer Migration Programme (SaMI), seeking its help to get back their offspring safely.
According to Centre’s consultant Goma Tiwari, among those reported to have joined the Russian security force, three are from Byas municipality, one from Devghat rural Municipality, three from Bhanu municipality, one from Shuklagandaki, and one from Myagde rural municipality.
As the Centre said, it has sent official documents to the Department of Consular Services, Ministry of Foreign Affairs with a request for searching for them.
It is believed that youths paid Rs 500 to 600 thousand each to middlepersons to get a visit visa for Russia and join the military force.
Centre’s district coordinator Luna Rana said there may be more people from Tanahu getting enrolled in the Russian force at a time it has been prohibited by the government. “So there may be a few complaints.”
District Administration Office, Tanahu said each one visiting the Office for a passport is being oriented on the destinations prohibited by the State from visiting, and risk factors and consequences in case of an unlawful trip.
We have proceeded with diplomatic initiations to bring Nepalis back from Russia safely. Still, we continue to urge one and all not to entertain any plan to visit those countries banned by the State, he added.
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10- Pesticide residue found in unseasonable vegetables
Ranjha, April 27: The unseasonable vegetables kept for sale at Rani Talau Vegetable Market of Nepalgunj in Banke district have been found having high level of pesticides residue.
Of all the unseasonal vegetables, the highest percent of pesticide’s residue is found in rayo sag, a leafy vegetable, according to the Central Agricultural Lab, Nepalgunj.
Lab technician at Nepalgunj, Govinda Chaudhary, shared that the pesticides residue was found in off-season vegetables during the regular sample testing.
He informed that the residue of organophosphate was 45 per cent in rayo sag. The concentration of pesticide in food items at this scale is considered inedible.
Other vegetables were found to have 35 per cent to 45 per cent of pesticide residue, added Chaudhary. According to him, such vegetables could become safe to consume if residue percentage comes down after quarantining them for four to five days and reexamined.
The vegetables brought to market immediately after applying pesticides show high level of residue, he divulged.
Vegetables grown and brought from Hirmaniya and Babugaun and India had higher level of pesticide remains, as per the sample tests conducted in the lab.
The Department of Food Technology Quality Control at custom point examines the vegetables and fruits coming from India and vegetable and fruits are retested in the local lab.
The test is conducted often on a daily basis expect for public holidays, said Motisara Thapa Kshettri, Chairperson of the Agriculture Produces Market User Committee.
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11- Manthali in need of hygienic slaughterhouse
Manthali, April 27: Both consumers and meat entrepreneurs here have been worried over unhygienic slaughterhouse at Manthali, headquarters of Ramechhap district.
There are 20 meat shops at district headquarters. The shop runners are for having sanitary slaughterhouses, but to no avail.
The Tamakoshi riverbank is a place where those owning meat shops butcher the livestock. The meat is laced with sand and soil. Once the animal is butchered, there is no facility to cold store the flesh to preserve freshness and quality.
Similarly, as the riverbank is used as abattoir, it is posing growing risk to air service at Manthali airport. Likelihood of birds like crow and vulture hitting plane is on rise, thereby questioning air safety.
The river is also polluted. It is now emanating foul smell.
Meat entrepreneur, Pashupati Shahi, however, complained that they were forced to slay livestock on the riverbank because municipality did not pay heed to construct a slaughterhouse.
“Last year, municipality had allocated Rs 300 thousand for the construction of slaughterhouse, but it was not implemented,” he shared, adding that the local level was asking them in stead to find a proper place for butchering livestock.
Although then Livestock Service Centre and Manthali municipality had set up a slaughterhouse at Hatechaur of Manthali-1 ten years back, it was not operated well.
Meat entrepreneur Hajar Singh Tamang said they were in need of facilities so that hygiene could be maintained while butchering animals and freezing meat. “There is neither water nor a place to dispose waste. So, we are butchering animal on surface itself and selling the meat from the very place,” he shared the plight.
Meanwhile, mayor of Manthali municipality, Lava Shrestha, admitted that there was not hygienic abattoir. Although the local level had set up the abattoir, it was left unused.
He, however, viewed a well-managed slaughterhouse could be made on cost-sharing with the meat entrepreneurs.
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12- Bungkot gets building for Basic Healthcare Centre
Gorkha, April 27: Bungkot at Shahid Lakhan rural municipality-8 in Gorkha district has got a modern building for basic healthcare centre making it easier for both service providers and service-seekers.
Earlier, the healthcare centre was being operated from a community building in the locality.
According to Basudev Dhakal, chairperson of ward no 8 of the rural municipality, the new one-storey building is constructed at the cost of over Rs 5.1 million.
Local residents Narmaya Amgai, Ramkaji Thapa, Mister Thapa, Kamaladevi Thapa, Chandra Kumari Shrestha and Dallimaya Shrestha had donated their land for the construction of the building for the healthcare centre.
The federal government provided Rs 2.2 million while the local government paid the remaining cost for the construction of the infrastructure, informed ward chairperson Dhakal.
The building was however set up more than a year after its deadline due to the delay on the part of contractor Shree Kalyan Construction Service, he added.
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13- Govt advised to live up to commitments it will be making before investors
Kathmandu, April 27: Former Vice Chair of the National Planning Commission (NPC) Deependra Bahadur Kshetry has advised the government to live up to promises it is making with investors in order to ensure the success of the Investment Summit.
Talking to RSS on the eve of the Nepal Investment Summit (April 28-29) commencing here on Sunday, Kshetry stressed that during the Summit, we should assure potential investors with all sorts of facilities to them as per commitments. “We should not believe that investors will come to invest haphazardly. Investors turn ready to put money into new area if they are convinced by a given atmosphere,” he viewed.
Despite having abundant capital for investment, investors will use their conscience and get ready to take a risk upon the assessment of relative comparative benefits.
“We face a capital crisis. Again, unfortunately, the limited capital allotted by the government through the budget has remained frozen. In this situation, the government should convince foreign investors that it yearns to introduce technologies and management skills in addition to capital through the Investment Summit,” the former Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) governor said.
According to him, Nepal has not been yet able to ensure a sovereign credit rating. We are yet to audit the country’s situation for receiving loans which is the need of hour. Potential investors always calculate the objective situation before deciding to invest, Kshetry reminded.
He, however, said, “To say that we have 148 projects to put in a showcase suggests the government’s good preparations for the event.” Kshetry advised the government that it left no stone unturned to provide quality hospitality services to the investors arriving to attend the Summit.
Moreover, a capable human resource is warranted to facilitate processes to propose investors and the agreement procedures.
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14- Ilam-2 by-polls: 52 percent vote cast till 3:30 pm
Ilam, April 27: Voting for the House of Representatives (HoR) by-election is underway in the Ilam constituency-2 since 7:00 am today. Till 3:30 pm today, 52 percent or 60,000 votes have been cast, according to Chief District Officer, Indra Dev Yadav.
The total number of voters for Ilam-2 is 115,889. The voting is taking place peacefully at 149 polling centers.
A total of 19 candidates including seven independents are in the race for the election warranted by the demise of Subash Chandra Nembang, the HoR member from the constituency, on September 12, 2023.
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15- NC urges govt not to weaken parliament
Kathmandu, April 27: The major opposition Nepali Congress has drawn the government’s attention towards the proposal it made before President Ram Chandra Paudel on bringing ordinance.
The NC showed concern over government’s decision to amend some important laws directly related to the country and people via the ordinance.
The parliamentary party office of the major opposition issued a press statement today and argued despite having adequate time and opportunities for law making, the government terminated parliament session all of a sudden; it was unwarranted. In stead of addressing the problems of cooperative victims, the government took reverse move, NC added.
The NC has further accused the government of ignoring its demand to form a parliamentary probe committee on problems of cooperative victims. The investigation had to be carried out on misuse and embezzlement of the money deposited by hundreds of thousands people, it reminded.
“It is misinterpretation of ordinance related provision in constitution. The ordinance was brought in the pretext of investment summit, while the event was planned and prepared for long,” NC reiterated.
NC Chief Whip Ramesh Lekha said government move was misinterpretation of constitution and it was against parliamentary norms and democracy.
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16- Bajhang by-election: 43 per cent vote cast till 3:20 pm
Chainpur, April 27: The Bajhang by-election witnessed 43 per cent vote cast as of 3:20 pm today. The voting for the by-election is underway in Bajhang constituency no 1 Province Assembly (A).
According to Sudarshan Lamichhane, Chief Election Officer, a total of 26,500 were cast from 47 polling stations and 94 polling centres across the Province Assembly (A) constituency.
Voters are enthusiastically casting ballots and the by-election is going on peacefully, Lamichhane told RSS.
Security personnel from Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and Nepali Army have been mobilized to hold the election peacefully.
There are total 61,748 voters while 11 candidates are in the fray.
The by-poll is being held to fill the vacant post following the demise of Prithvi Bahadur Singh, a Nepali Congress candidate elected from same constituency.
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