Prime Minister’s call to enroll school-going age children

Kathmandu, April 14: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has appealed to all parents and guardians to enroll their school-going children in schools.

Referring to the start of the new academic year, along with the beginning of New Year 2081, the Prime Minister has stated that since education is a fundamental right ensured by the constitution the government has the responsibility to ensure that basic level education is compulsory for all by the year 2085.  “The government has been making various efforts for equal access to quality school education. And the contribution of development partners, civil society and the private sector for the implementation of the fundamental right to education is significant”, he said.

In a statement today, the Prime Minister said that we have the responsibility of ensuring the enrollment of all children of school-going age in school as well as to stop drop out of school.

Stating that the government is giving free textbooks, mid-day meals, scholarships to community school students along with appropriate educational infrastructure and skilled human resource in schools, Prime Minister Dahal emphasized collective efforts to make the investment more result-oriented.

            The Prime Minister has, in the statement, also extended his best wishes to all Nepalis on the occasion of New Year 2081, while expressing full confidence that the fundamental right to education will be implemented by enrolling all children in schools at the beginning of the year.

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Jhulaghat transit point to be closed from Tuesday

Baitadi, April 14: The Jhulaghat border crossing point with India will be closed from Tuesday. The border transit point is going to be closed in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in India, said Chief District Officer of Baitadi, Bhimkant Sharma.

Parliamentary elections are going to be held in neighbouring Uttarakhand state of India on April 19. In view of the election, the Jhulaghat checkpoint will be closed from 7 pm on April 16 to 7 pm on April 19.

The transit point is being closed due to security concerns. However, it can be opened for emergency reasons based on mutual agreement, it is stated.

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Journalists Sundas and Rarahang honoured

Tuesday (Ilam), April 14: Two journalists of Ilam have been honoured with the Ashish Memorial Journalism Award. Journalists Bikram Sundas and Rita Rarahang were honoured with the prize carrying a purse of Rs 10,000 each.

The prize established by Federation of Nepali Journalists, Ilam chapter was presented at a program held at Sriantu in Suryodaya Municipality on Saturday. The prize is founded in memory of then Ilam correspondent of Radio Nepal, Ashish Rai, who drowned while swimming in Maikhola in Ilam on Baisakh 1, 2059 BS.

Mayor of Suryodaya Municipality Rana Bahadur Rai and Deputy Mayor Durga Kumar Baral presented the award to journalists Sundas and Rarahang.

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Possibility of thunderstorm in five provinces

Kathmandu, April 14: There is possibility of thunderstorms in the hilly areas of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini and Karnali provinces after noon today. Furthermore, the weather will remain partial cloudy in the hilly parts of the country including Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces, and the weather will remain clear in the rest of the country.

This is due to the partial influence of westerly winds and local wind in the country, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. There is possibility of light rain along with lightning in some places of hilly areas of the country including Koshi, Gandaki and Karnali provinces.

Later tonight, the weather will remain clear in the Sudur Paschim and Karnali provinces with partial cloudy in the remaining parts of the country. There is possibility of light snowfall at one or two places in the high hills and mountain regions of Gandaki and Karnali provinces.

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Judsheetal festival being observed with a public holiday in Madhes

Godar (Dhanusha), April 14: The Judsheetal festival is being celebrated today in Tarai-Madhes and the Mithila region. During this festival, the elders sprinkle water on the heads of the young one and bless them with good health and long life.

On this day, the fields are also irrigated. Culture experts say that the main purpose of this festival is to provide respite to plants and humans who are longing for water due to the excessive sun heat.

There is also a tradition of consuming sweet dishes today.

Meanwhile, the Madhes province government has announced a public holiday today on the occasion of the Judsheetal festival.

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Former PM Khanal and Secretary Shah designated election commanders

Kathmandu, April 14: The CPN (Unified Socialist) has appointed election commanders to assist the party’s candidates in the by-elections scheduled to be held on April 27.

Former Prime Minister Jhalnath Khanal has been assigned for the election in Ilam constituency No. 2 of the House of Representatives and Party Secretary Garima Shah for the election of Provincial Assembly member in Bajhang-1 of Sudurpaschim Province.

According to Politburo member Dilu Pant, the election commanders have been assigned with the responsibility of mobilizing the leaders and cadres of the respective districts and provinces in the elections.

The party has also formed a task group under the coordination of party vice-president Pramesh Hamal with general secretary Ghanashyam Bhusal and Secretary Jeevanram Shrestha as members to carry out necessary facilitation work in the two constituencies.

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