The Washerman and The Donkey

A STORY is told of an over-credulous washerman who was childless। This preyed upon his mind very much and was a permanent cause of unhappiness। One day, in the course of his work, he went to the house of the town kazi (or magistrate). He heard the kazi reproaching one of his pupils in this wise: "Not long ago you were a jackass; I made a man of you," etc. The washer-man did not wait to hear the rest. He hastened home with all speed and told his wife that he had made a discovery which they were to lose no time in utilizing. "The kazi, my dear," said the washerman, "can make a man of a donkey. Why should we fret any longer for a child? Let us take our donkey to him and beg of him to transform him." The washerman and his wife, with their donkey, were shortly after this conversation on their way to the kazi.
Their mission being explained with many supplications, the kazi, quick-sighted, and with an eye to business, accepted the charge, and promised to effect the metamorphosis in a year. The washerman on his part promised to give his services free for that period. A year passed in waiting and in happy hopes. On the appointed day the washerman and his companion presented themselves before the kazi. The kazi took them aside and pointed out a strong young man among his pupils. "There," he whispered to the washerman, "is your donkey. You see the change: now persuade him and take him home." The washerman and his wife flew to their newly created son, and with many endearing terms prepared to embrace him and made other affectionate advances. Amazed at this unaccountable conduct of these low people, the lad resisted at first, but as they persisted, he grew furious. After receiving many a cuff from the lad, a happy idea struck the washerman's wife: turning to her husband she said, "Go you and fetch his peg, rope, and grain-bag; perhaps they may remind him of what he was once." The washerman in hot haste went home and fetched them. But it seemed to make matters worse. The washerman held up each of these articles to the young man's view, and said, in the most persuasive tone he could command, "Come home, my son. Do you forget the day you were my donkey? This was the peg to which I would tether you, this your tether rope, and this your food-bag; come to your home!" By this time a jeering crowd had gathered round the young man, and this so infuriated him that he turned to and gave the washerman the soundest thrashing he had ever received in his life. The poor dupe of a washerman---the story says---went home thoroughly convinced that what fate had ordained it was useless to fight against, looking upon his punishment as a just return for his presumption.

The Peacock and the Tortoise

ONCE upon a time a peacock and a tortoise became great friends. The peacock lived on a tree on the banks of the stream in which the tortoise had his home; and daily the peacock after he had a drink of water danced near the stream and displayed his gay plumage for the amusement of his friend. One unfortunate day, a bird-catcher who was on the prowl caught the peacock and was about taking him away to the market. The unhappy bird begged of his captor to allow him to bid his friend the tortoise good-bye, as it would be the last time he would see him. The bird-catcher allowed him his prayer and took him to the tortoise, who was greatly moved to see his friend a captive. The tortoise asked the bird-catcher to let the peacock go; but he laughed at the request, saying that was his means of livelihood. The tortoise then said, "If I make you a handsome present, will you let my friend go?" "Certainly," answered the bird-catcher, that is all I want." Whereupon the tortoise dived into the water and in a few seconds came up with a handsome pearl, which, to the great astonishment of the bird-catcher, he handed to him. This was beyond his expectabons, and he let the peacock go immediately. A short time after, the avaricious man came back and told the tortoise that he thought he had not paid enough for the release of his friend, and threatened that, unless a match to that pearl was obtained for him, he would again catch the peacock. The tortoise, who had already advised his friend to betake himself to a distant jungle on being set free, was greatly enraged at the greed of this man. "Well," said the tortoise, "if you insist on having another pearl like it, give it to me and I will fish you out an exact match for it." The cupidity of the bird-catcher prevented his reasoning that "one in the hand was equal to two in the bed of the stream," and he speedily gave the pearl to the wily tortoise, who swam out with it saying, "I am no fool to take one and give two!" and forthwith disappeared, leaving the bird-catcher to be sorry ever after for his covetousness.

Interesting ancient India tales & stories for kids

WHILE a deer was eating wild fruit, he heard an owl call "Haak, haak" (a spear), and a cricket cry, "Wat" (surrounded), and, frightened, he fled। In his flight he ran through the trees up into the mountains and into streams। In one of the streams the deer stepped upon a small fish and crushed it almost to death। Then the fish complained to the court, and the deer, owl, cricket, and fish had a lawsuit। In the trial came out this evidence:
As the deer fled, he ran into some dry grass, and the seed fell into the eye of a wild chicken, and the pain of the seed in the eye of the chicken caused it to fly up against a nest of red ants. Alarmed, the red ants flew out to do battle, and in their haste, bit a mongoose. The mongoose ran into a vine of wild fruit and shook several pieces of it on the head of a hermit who sat thinking under a tree. "Why did you, O fruit, fall on my head?" cried the hermit. The fruit answered: "We did not wish to fall; a mongoose ran against our vine and threw us down." And the hermit asked, " O mongoose, why did you throw the fruit?" The mongoose answered: "I did not wish to throw down the fruit, but the red ants bit me, and I ran against the vine." The hermit asked, " O ants, why did you bite the mongoose?" The red ants replied: "The hen flew against our nest and angered us." The hermit asked: " O hen, why did you fly against the red ants' nest?" And the hen replied: "The seed fell into my eyes and hurt me." And the hermit asked, " O seed, why did you fall into the hen's eyes?" And the seed replied: "The deer shook me down." The hermit said unto the deer, "O deer, why did you shake down the seed?" The deer answered: "I did not wish to do it, but the owl called, frightening me, and I ran." "O owl," asked the hermit, "why did you frighten the deer?" The owl replied: "I called, but as I am accustomed to call---the cricket, too, called."
Having heard the evidence, the judge said, "The cricket must replace the crushed parts of the fish and make it well," as he, the cricket, had called and frightened the deer. The cricket was smaller and weaker than the owl or the deer, therefore had to bear the penalty.

‘Naulakha tara’

At 73, Ambar Gurung is frail. He needs help to walk. But there is a twinkle in his eyes, his heart still beats with the same deep love for the Nepali nation that stirred us all once with the song, ‘Naulakha tara’ and most recently with the country’s new national anthem.
Here in Nepalganj this week, Ambar Dai ends his Paleti concert with ‘Naulakha tara’. His voice frays when he gets to the part ‘…niyali hera hamilai bhijeko chhaina parela’, but you can still detect the soothing texture of a famous voice that is unmistakably Ambar Gurung’s. The haunting words take us all back to an era of innocent national pride, of diasporic longing for the motherland, and a time when life was simpler and violence hadn’t torn the country apart.
Two emotions bring tears to Ambar Gurung’s eyes। One is the memory of youth and of friends who have passed on when young musicians break into Aruna Lama’s ‘Samalera rakha’ and ‘Pheri kali phulera’ whose lyrics he wrote 50 years ago. The other is the sorrow of war, and the fear of fragmentation of a nation – a nation he has devoted his life to uniting through music.When he visited our People After War photo exhibition in Nepalganj earlier that day, Ambar Dai lingered over a photograph of a father being embraced by his daughter and son who were fighting on opposite sides during the war. The cover picture of People After War, taken by Charles Haviland shows Maoist guerrilla Juna Rai and the Army soldier Bhuban Rai reunited with their father at their home in Khotang after the war।“Yo Nepali daju baini bich ko ladain rahechha. It was a war between Nepali brothers and sisters,” says Ambar Dai. He says he has been inspired to compose a piece dedicated to reconciliation between Nepalis. The man who put to music ‘Sayaun thunga phul ka hami’, the lyricist who has brought a strong sense of Nepali-ness through his songs, is aghast that politicians are only talking about dividing rather than uniting.
In the news broadcast from Kathmandu this morning, I listen to Pushpa Kamal Dahal giving a speech at a gathering of his supporters in which he says: “Only 10,000 died in the war, the next war will see one million dead, we will swim in blood.” They never learn.

Nepal’s septuagenarian reclaims Everest record

Sherchan, left, shakes hands with Nepalese Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal in Kathmandu yesterday, as he receives a certificate formally recognising him as the oldest man to climb Mt Everest A 78-year-old grandfather from Nepal has wrested back from his Japanese rival the record of being the oldest man to conquer Mt Everest, the highest peak in …

Hundreds of thousands of animals to be sacrificed at Hindu festival in southern Nepal

Hundreds of thousands of Hindus gathered at a temple in southern Nepal on Tuesday for a ceremony involving the slaughter of more than 200,000 animals, a festival that has drawn the ire of animal-welfare protesters.

Ten Alternative Plants that Cleanse the Liver, Part II

The key to optimal health is optimal liver function. Responsible for detoxification and digestion among many other tasks, the liver is the largest internal organ in the body (the skin is the largest organ overall). The liver is also one of the fastest growing organs in the body and it can even regenerate itself after losing 75% of its own tissue. A healthy liver will promote quick healing of most any condition. This article, the second of a two-part series, will explore 5 lesser-known examples of natural foods that are known to cleanse and detoxify the liver.

German Chamomile (flower) Chamomilla recutita

German chamomile (similar to Roman chamomile) is an aromatic, slightly bitter flower that is familiar to tea drinkers। The medicinal uses however are not so well known। Chamomile contains the volatile oils proazulenes, farnesine, alpha-bisabolol and spiroether। Chamomile also contains the flavonoids anthemidin, luteoliin and rutin, along with the bitter glycoside anthemic acid,coumarins and tannins। Used since the 1st century AD, chamomile has many uses including treating disorders of the liver, lung, skin and digestive tract। Chamomile helps relieve pain and nervous tension, and helps with auto-immune disorders such as Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome। Chamomile has anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and carminative properties।

NEPAL: Floods, landslides hit food stocks

Food insecurity has increased for thousands of families in Nepal’s far- and mid-west regions as a result of flooding and landslides earlier this month.

According to the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS), the country’s largest humanitarian organization, more than 60 people were killed and some 4,000 displaced as a result of the unseasonal rains; 25,000 families, most of whom have lost their food stocks, are affected.

“The worst impact has been on food security during this harvesting period. This has left many farmers in a state of shock,” Pitamber Sharma, head of the NRCS disaster department, told IRIN in Kathmandu.

Many had been wrong-footed by the late rains: “This is absolutely shocking for us all because the monsoon had never been delayed like this,” Sharma said.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said thousands of families had lost stocked food and seeds for the next planting season.

Emergency food will be a major need of flood- and landslide-affected families over the coming three months, with many paddy fields still under water, and large areas of harvested crops washed away, it said.

The districts affected include Dadeldhura, Acham, Bhajang, Bajura, Doti, Baitadi, Jumla, Rukum and Darchula in the Hill Region and Kailali, Kanchanpur, Banke, Bardiya and Dang in the Terai Region bordering India. “Some of the affected districts are already among the most chronically food insecure areas - where people grow their crops largely for subsistence। And when they lose them, they don’t have anything,” Richard Ragan, country representative of the World Food Programme (WFP) in Nepal, told IRIN।

“Last winter’s drought had already affected Nepal’s food production greatly and many of the families still do not have enough production to sustain the food security of their families,” Oxfam’s Prabin Man Singh said.

Migration

The result has been migration to the cities and this was likely to continue unless more food aid was provided and rural livelihoods in these areas were supported, he said.

Some agricultural experts say there is also an urgent need for further studies of landslide-vulnerable areas.

“The landslides and floods in future are possibly going to increase due to the constant erratic rainfall due to climate change,” Narendra Khadga Chettri, director of Support Activities for Poor Producers of Nepal (SAPPROS), a local NGO, said.

“The landslides in the hills this time were quite huge and there was a lot of damage. We have to absolutely be alert now,” Chettri warned.

Climate Change Hits Crop Yields In Nepal

Mountainous Nepal is "extremely vulnerable" to climate change despite its contribution of just 0.025 percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions, among the lowest in the world.

Nepal, where nearly 80 percent of its 27 million people depend on farm income, does not have enough irrigation network and poor farmers rely on rainfall which has become irregular and unpredictable, the group said.

"The most vulnerable families are forced to exercise coping strategies that include skipping meals, consuming less," it said in the report titled: "Even the Himalayas Have Stopped Smiling."

Hari Dahal, a senior official of the agriculture ministry, said Nepal was experiencing the impact of climate change but played down hunger fears. "There is no situation where we'll be drastically trapped in hunger," he said.

Oxfam said the average annual temperatures in Nepal had increased by 0.06 degrees Celsius between 1977 and 2000, the intensity being much higher in the Himalayas.

Farmers were changing crop patterns from rice paddy that needs more water to vegetables, selling assets like livestock because there was not enough water for them and are migrating in search of work.

"Communities told us crop production is roughly half that of previous years," said Oxfam's Nepal country director, Wayne Gum. "Some said that while they used to grow enough food for three to six months of the year, last year many could only grow enough for one month's consumption."

According to a World Food Programme estimate more than 3.4 million people in Nepal currently require food assistance, due to a combination of natural disasters, including last year's winter drought - one of the worst in the country's history.

Experts say the rise in temperatures in the Himalayas had accelerated melting of thousands of glaciers that supply water to major Asian rivers whose basins are home to 1.5 billion people from Pakistan to Myanmar, including parts of India and China.

Americans arrested in Pakistan had bright futures

Five Americans arrested this week in Pakistan were "wholesome," devout young men who participated in a youth program at a community mosque in suburban Virginia, representatives of the congregation said Friday.
"I have always known these kids as fun-loving, career-focused children that had a bright future for themselves," said Mustafa Abu Maryam, youth coordinator at the I.C.N.A. Center, an affiliate of the the Islamic Circle of North America, in Alexandria, Virginia. "As far as I know they were wholesome kids. Very goofy. You know, talked about girls. Very wholesome."
Portraits of Ahmed Abdullah Minni, Umar Farooq, Aman Hassan Yemer, Waqar Hussain Khan, and Ramy Zamzamand -- whom police say were transferred Saturday from the small town where they were seized to a more secure location in Lahore -- are slowly emerging. A sixth man -- the father of one of the five -- also was arrested, police said.
Pakistani authorities described the men as college students who "were of the opinion that a jihad must be waged against the infidels for the atrocities committed by them against Muslims around the वर्ल्ड
Abu Maryam said members of the community are struggling to come to terms with news of their arrests in Pakistan amid suspicions they were plotting terror attacks and seeking a way to fight American troops abroad.
"I hope all of this is not true. I hope it is not what it seems," Abu Maryam said.
Representatives of the mosque -- a modest, one-story brick house on a residential street --expressed surprise over the arrests and described the community as a small, tight-knit, patriotic congregation.
"Our youth group has always focused on community service, community involvement and community oriented events. Our main focus is to be a positive force of good in our young men's lives, Abu Maryam said
Next to the mosque is a home surrounded by a tall white fence listed in the name of the mother of Umar Farooq, one of the men arrested.
The accounting student at George Mason University was born in 1985 in Sargodha, Pakistan, the city where the five Americans were arrested on Wednesday, according to a report released by Pakistani authorities.
His mother said she and her husband were already in Pakistan looking for a wife for their son when she received news that her son was in the country. She said she assumed that he was there to surprise her, but he was arrested before she could meet him.
She defended her son's innocence, insisting that he was in the country to visit her and to look for a wife.
Down the street from the mosque is a house listed in the name of A. Minni, a 20-year-old American born in Virginia who is believed to be Ahmed Abdullah Minni, the focus of the Pakistan report.
Minni regularly went online to watch attacks on the U.S. military in Afghanistan, leaving comments praising the actions, the report said. That caught the attention of militants and he was eventually contacted by a person named Saifullah, the report said.
Without commenting directly on the arrests, Abu Maryam defended the mosque's activities, saying discussion of jihad had no place in the congregation or the youth program.
"Our group discussions never talked about politics, never talked about fighting against anyone, indirectly or directly. On the contrary, we always promoted being compassionate toward others and good stewards for humanity."
A few blocks south of the mosque is the housing complex where Ramy Zamzam, 22, rose from humble beginnings to Howard University's College of Dentistry.
On campus, Zamzam was known as a cheerful, engaging student who enthusiastically took part in Muslim student activities. He was a member of several Facebook groups, including the Muslim Doctor Network, Tooth, FASTING MONDAYS AND THURSDAYS and Every Substitute Teacher On Earth Has Butchered My Last Name.
News of his arrest set Howard's campus abuzz with speculation over why the student would leave campus before finals were set to begin.
"If Ramy was not here to take his exams it means he's throwing away this academic year," former university chaplain Imam Johari Abdul-Malik said.
"If he does not comes back not only does he risk this year but perhaps he's thrown away his hopes of having the life, the American dream that his family sacrificed [for]."

Thriving small businesses still struggling to get loans

Andy Shallal's small business is a rare success in a sea of hard-luck stories.
The owner of several popular bookstore cafes, called "Busboys and Poets" in the Washington area, Shallal said his annual revenue tops $14 million.
But the success hasn't persuaded his bank to give him the loan he wants to expand two of his stores and add 40 employees. Shallal said the only way his bank would lend him money was if he used his home as collateral.
"I want to have a loan that's really a business loan that's going to use my business as collateral," Shallal told CNN. "And I was told no, in these economic times it's very difficult for banks to give money this way."
Small-business owners across the country have voiced similar frustrations, complaining that -- despite billions of taxpayer dollars in relief funds and exhortations from lawmakers to help Main Street -- banks are still holding back on loans.
President Obama will tackle the issue Monday when he meets with bank leaders to discuss upcoming financial . He is expected to push banks to increase small-business lending, along with a host of other reforms to the industry.
But industry analysts say the liquidity problem won't be easily solved. One small-business expert said stricter government regulations have pulled banks in two directions.
"The banks are going to say, 'Look, it's not like we don't want to lend, it's that we're constrained from lending as a result of the new focus and the new attention from the crisis," said Anne Mathias, an analyst with Concept Capital. "[They will say] 'the regulators are telling us you need to be more careful, you need to have more capital, your capital needs to be more liquid.' "
Scott Talbott, who represents some of the country's largest financial firms at Financial Services Roundtable, said banks are still lending, but they've gotten more wary of potential risk.
"You've seen an increase or a tightening of the credit standards," Talbott said. "So banks are cautious now about lending in terms of who our borrower is. We're looking to make good, solid loans that can be repaid."

Thais detain plane with weapons from North Korea

Thai authorities seized a cargo aircraft carrying tons of weapons from North Korea during a refueling stop in Bangkok, a government official said.
The pilot told Thai authorities the aircraft was headed to Sri Lanka, but its final destination was unknown, according to Panitan Wattanayagorn, a spokesman for the Thai prime minister.
It contained about 35 tons of weapons, including rocket-propelled grenades, shoulder-launched rockets and tubes that may be missile components, the spokesman said.
The plane, which was detained Saturday, had five people onboard -- four from Kazakhstan and one from Belarus. They will appear in court Monday on charges related to illegal weapons smuggling, the spokesman said.
Thai government officials acted after working with several intelligence agencies for several weeks, the spokesman said. The cargo was taken to a military base while the plane, which is registered in Georgia, remains at Don Muang.
Sri Lanka officials said there were no shipments scheduled in the country either by air or sea from North Korea.
"We have asked the Sri Lanka embassy in Bangkok to obtain details from the Thai authorities," the ministry said. "We will have more information on the progress of their investigation later on Sunday."
Such an aircraft could not have landed in any of Sri Lanka's airports without prior authorization, officials in Colombo said.

Alistair Darling denies benefit rise pre-election 'con'

The claim came after it emerged Mr Darling did not set aside funding to pay for rises for more than one year।
Mr Darling told BBC Radio 4's Today the increases, in child and disability benefit, were "not temporary".
He also defended his decision to delay vital spending decisions until after next year's general election.
He said he had not carried out a full spending review because of continued economic "uncertainty" but insisted spending growth in non-protected areas would be "pretty much flat".
'Honest'
How much each department gets will depend on unemployment levels and how much money they have been able to squeeze out in efficiency savings, the chancellor suggested.
"Frontline" spending in schools and hospitals will be protected from cuts, he stressed.
In Wednesday's pre-Budget report, Mr Darling announced a 1.5% rise in child benefit and disability benefits from April - just weeks ahead of the expected date of the general election.
He also announced an above-inflation 2.5% increase to the basic state pension.
This was followed on Thursday by an announcement that jobseeker's allowance and incapacity benefits would rise by 1.8% from April next year.
It makes me angry that bankers will get bonuses when the public sector, who work with the most vulnerable members of society, will receive pay-cuts
Rachel Gilroy, Crawley
Mr Darling said he was waiving the normal requirement to link the rise to the rate of inflation the previous September, as this would have led to the benefits being frozen because inflation was negative at that point.
But the Conservatives pointed to Treasury documents suggesting the benefits would rise in April 2011 by less than whatever the inflation rate-linked rise should be.
Tory spokesman Andrew Selous said it was "completely unacceptable and deeply cynical" to increase benefits before an election only to cut them afterwards.
And shadow chancellor George Osborne, for the Conservatives, said the government's economic plans should be "honest".
Mr Osborne told Today: "We have got to stop having a pre-election con where you put benefits up weeks before a general election and cut them afterwards."
But Mr Darling denied "electioneering" with the increases, insisting that the benefits would be reviewed again in 12 months' time and said the extra cash will not be taken back.
George Osborne criticised the ''cynical'' pre-Budget announcements
"I brought forward some of the increases in child benefit and disability benefits - 1.5% - because I thought it would be better to do that rather than have a situation where those benefits were frozen.
"Every year the government has to have a review of benefits. In 12 months' time we will look at what the situation is and we will know what inflation is in 12 months. The announcement I made yesterday in relation to those particular benefits was for this year.
"I was quite deliberately bringing the thing forward, because otherwise you would have had a situation where these benefits were frozen and I thought that would be a little bit unfair.
"A 1.5% increase in benefits I don't think can, with the best will in the world, be called electioneering.
"It is not a temporary rise, it is a rise we have put in this year and it is not going to be taken back. We will look at it again next year."
'Foolish things'
Lib Dem Treasury spokesman Vince Cable said the government should "spell out honestly to the electorate some of the things that would have to be cut".
Vince Cable: ''We all have to be much more honest with the electorate''
He said Mr Darling was right not to "rush into" spending cuts - but he said no areas should be "ring-fenced".
He told Today: "I think the more you impose ringfences and restrictions and sacred cows, the more difficult it is then for everybody else, and often very damaging cuts have to be made elsewhere."
He said it was important not to cut indiscriminately in "sensitive" areas such as hospitals and schools, but added: "There are some vast amounts of foolish things that this government has created, these curriculum authorities, an oppressive inspection regime - a lot of these things have got to go and we have got to be very firm about that."
And on health he said: "Vast sums have gone into the health service, it hasn't always been used efficiently and we should be honest enough to acknowledge that there are ways in which this could be done better."
Mr Darling is also facing claims his plan to raise National Insurance by an additional 0.5% "will lead to a real cut in health spending" because of increases in its vast wages bill.
National Insurance
George Osborne said it was "nonsense" for ministers to say they could raise NI and protect NHS budgets because the health service is such a big employer.
He said the tax would leave the NHS with a £446m-a-year bill
But Health Secretary Andy Burnham, who has unveiled his vision for the NHS over the next five years, said he was "amazed" the Tories were using this line of attack, as health spending increases were "locked in" and any efficiency savings would be reinvested in patient care.
"The NHS is getting a 5% increase next year because of the National Insurance increase. It will lock-in that uplift for years to come," he told the BBC News Channel.
The government said "difficult decisions" had to be made in order to reduce the UK's £178bn deficit but any spending cuts would come when the economy was growing again.
In his pre-Budget report, Mr Darling said there would be a 0.5% rise in National Insurance, on top of a 0.5% rise already announced, and a 1% cap on public pay settlements from 2011.
The increase, limited to those earning more than £20,000 a year, will hit about 10 million workers.
According to Treasury estimates, someone earning £30,000 will be £90 a year worse off and someone on £40,000 will be £190 worse off, while someone earning £10,000 a year will be £110 better off।

Solar panels for Khotang dalit people

With a view to improving the living standards of dalit families in Sungdel VDC of Khotang district, Lejarsan Energy distributed 23 solar panels to them amid a function yesterday। Distributing the solar panels, local development officer Basanta Kumar Bhandari said the solar panels will help them for their better livelihood. On the occasion, technician of Lejarsan Energy Bal Ram Dhakal said those solar panels were distributed with financial and physical assistance of the government, Rural Reconstruction Nepal, and others. Bishnu BK, 15, who came to take the panel walking for two days, expressed her happiness and said now the villagers will have access to solar power.

Japan Q3 growth revised down from 4.8 to 1.3 %

Japan's economy grew at a much slower rate than previously thought in the third quarter, fresh data showed Wednesday, as the country's fragile recovery from recession was hit by a soaring yen।The world's number two economy expanded at an annualised pace of just 1.3 percent in the July-September period, sharply down from the previous estimate of 4.8 percent, the Cabinet Office said.It meant the country -- which early this year emerged from its worst post-war recession -- saw growth of just 0.3 percent in the three months, compared with the initial estimate of 1.2 percent, it said.The main reason was that capital investment, the amount companies spend on new assets, was revised down to reveal a contraction of 2.8 percent from an original estimate of 1.6 percent growth, the Cabinet Office said.A key to the fall is the yen's appreciation against the dollar, which hit exporters' income.Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama admitted the difficulty of navigating Asia's biggest economy out of deep stagnation and stressed the benefits of a new government stimulus package he announced Tuesday."As the Japanese people are already feeling, the economy is not necessarily doing fine," he told reporters. "I would like to take appropriate economic policies going forward."His government announced Tuesday a stimulus worth up to 274 billion dollars, with 80 billion dollars in direct spending, including on green programmes, assistance for small business, job security and aid for local communities.Last week the Bank of Japan said it would pump more than 100 billion dollars into financial markets through cheap short-term loans.The lower growth figures Tuesday were worse than analysts had expected. Private economists had on average predicted the revised data would show annualised growth of 2.7 percent.Improving overseas markets have helped gradually raise exports and production, which collapsed during the global downturn that from last year slashed demand for Japanese cars, electronics and other goods.But weak domestic demand, the strong yen and deflation still weigh heavily on Japan's recovery."The domestic economic sentiment has been terrible," said Masamichi Adachi, senior economist at JP Morgan in Tokyo. "The three reasons for the terrible sentiment are the yen's rise, deflation and mistrust in the government's policies."The yen hit a 14-year high of around 84 to the dollar last month, which made Japanese firms' products more expensive and reduced their overseas earnings when converted back to yen. The dollar was trading in the 88-yen range in Tokyo on Wednesday.Prices have also been falling, and the government last month declared Japan is in deflation, which reduces corporate earning and cools economic activity as consumers delay spending in hopes of further price drops."If deflation drags on for a long period, that could hurt firms' bottom line and increase their real debt burdens," Hirokata Kusaba, senior economist at Mizuho Research Institute, told Dow Jones Newswires."Many companies may reduce their workforce further and become more reluctant to make new investments. The possibility can't be ruled out that deflation will induce downward pressure on economic activity."

British Airways asks employees to work without pay

British Airways on Tuesday urged its staff to work for nothing in an effort to save the company money.British Airways PLC is struggling to come up with ways to save cash after reporting its biggest full-year loss since the former national airline was privatized in 1987.BA chief Willie Walsh has said he would not draw a salary for the month of July, and urged other employees to work for blocks of time without being paid."I am looking for every single part of the company to take part in some way in this cash-effective way of helping the company's survival plan. It really counts," Walsh said in a company publication.BA said the option meant employees would effectively volunteer to take a cut in base pay, with the lost income spread out over several months. The company had said last month it would ask employees to consider working without pay.The UNITE union, which represents thousands of BA ground and cabin crew, gave the proposal a chilly reception. The union said that while Walsh might be able to afford working a month for free, its members could not.BA said last month that it had lost 375 million pounds ($595 million) in the year ending March 31, compared with a profit of 712 million pounds in the previous year. That is its worst result in more than two decades of business, the previous low point being a 200 million pounds loss in 2001-2002.

IMF approves 2.6 bln dlr loan for Sri Lanka

WASHINGTON: The International Monetary Fund approved a 2.6-billion-dollar loan for Sri Lanka to support its economic reform program and help the country weather the severe global downturn.
The IMF executive board approved the loan as the Asian country emerges from a 37-year civil war.
The so-called Stand-By Arrangement is in an amount equivalent to 1.65 billion Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), an IMF asset that is based on a basket of currencies -- the dollar, yen, euro and pound -- and calculated daily.
The 20-month loan is worth about 2.6 billion dollars, the IMF said.
A first installment of about 322.2 million dollars is immediately available to Sri Lanka, while the remainder will be phased in "subject to quarterly reviews," the multilateral institution said.
"The key objectives of the authorities' economic reform program supported by the fund are to strengthen the country's fiscal position while ensuring the availability of resources for much needed post-conflict reconstruction and relief efforts."
The IMF said the program also was intended to rebuild international reserves and strengthen Sri Lanka's domestic financial system, "and to protect the most vulnerable in the country from the burden of the needed economic adjustment."
Britain abstained from voting on the loan after politicans indicated they could not support it.
British Financial Secretary to the Treasury Stephen Timms said it was "not the right time for the program," in light of the political situation on the island threatening its success.
Britain wanted to "secure long-term peace and prosperity" for Sri Lanka through reconciliation between its communities, Timms wrote in a letter to the multi-party parliamentary groups on Sri Lanka and Tamils.
"While we remain determined to help Sri Lanka avoid a damaging balance of payments crisis that would disproportionately affect the poorest and most vulnerable, we judged that the immediate risks of a Sri Lankan default have recently diminished in the light of recent capital inflows and an improved reserve position."
The IMF loan, under negotiation with Sri Lankan authorities since March, came two months after the end of the civil war with the rebel Tamil Tigers that claimed up to 100,000 lives and left some 300,000 war-displaced civilians in the north.
Colombo crushed the Tamil Tiger rebels -- who had been fighting since 1972 to carve out a separate state for minority Tamils -- in May.
The Sri Lankan government had requested a 1.9-billion-dollar IMF loan in March to help stave off its first balance of payments deficit in four years after foreign currency reserves fell to around six weeks' worth of imports.
"The global financial crisis has had a significant impact on Sri Lanka's economy," said Takatoshi Kato, the IMF deputy managing director and acting chairman of the board.
"The government's ambitious program, supported by the IMF, intends to restore fiscal and external viability and address the significant reconstruction needs of the conflict-affected areas, thereby laying the basis for future higher economic growth," he said.
Kato said the government's program would entail "difficult" economic reform measures.
"Nevertheless, the government should take advantage of the opportunity created by the end of the conflict to ensure national reconciliation, restore macroeconomic stability, and promote strong and durable growth," he said।

The cabinet meeting of Nepal Government issued a 10-point Everest Declaration

The cabinet meeting of Nepal Government issued a 10-point Everest Declaration at Kala Patthar, 18,192 feet above sea level and near the basecamp of world´s highest peak Mt Everest, on December 4, 2009Prime Minister Mr. Madhav Kumar Nepal along with 23 ministers, some of them with oxygen masks, held the meeting at the Kala Patthar plateau to raise awareness about melting Himalaya due to climate change. With the Everest Declaration, the government has committed to increase the conservation areas in the country from 20 per cent to 25 per cent and consolidating 40 per cent forest area. It also focuses in raising awareness on climate change issues and seeking international commitment and support to address the issues.At the beginning of the cabinet meeting, PM Nepal briefed ministers about the motive of the meeting. "Climate change is not only issue of the mountainous nations or nations at the sea level, it´s a common issue of all," he said."To save the earth, the biggest sacrifice is needed from the nations producing large amount of carbon," he added.

Micro hydro in Lamjung

Construction of a 50 KW micro hydropower project has begun at Painche Khola of Dudh Pokhari VDC in east Lamjung, according to RSS.The total cost of the project is estimated to be Rs. 13.2 million. The project said that Alternative Energy Centre would invest Rs. 7.3 million while local residents would collect Rs. 2.8 million for the project. Similarly, Dudh Pokhari VDC will provide Rs. 1.1 million, different organizations will donate Rs. 1.5 million and locals will contribute in kind and labour for the remaining amount.

Bikram Thapa in Dhaka

Nepal went down 0-1 in a thrilling match against India at the SAF Championship at the Bangbandhu Stadium here in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Monday.Nepal displayed an excellent game of football, but it seemed fortune was on India's side as the strongest team at the SAF emerged the winner at the end.The early free kick goal in 18th minute gave India a strong lead. Balwant Singh's powerful free kick from the edge of the box was marvelously blocked by goalie Bikash Malla, but he trampled down with the half cleared ball which hit the side bar and rolled onto the net.Nepal pressed hard after trailing 1-0 and substituted Bijaya Gurung with Yogesh Shrestha after the 26th minute to make its midfield line sharp.The Indians, on the other hand, were relying on a counter attack, but they couldn't create any breathtaking attempts.After the break, Nepalis players dominated the field and attacked relentlessly. Strikers Anil Gurung and Jumanu Rai had some goal scoring chances, but they were not lucky and couldn't hit the net.India, on its part, held their nerves and made a barricade of 11 men defense line to win the match.With the loss, Nepal is virtually out of the tournament.Indian, with six points, entered into the semis whereas Maldives has four points from two previous outings. If India beats Maldives and Nepal thrash Afghanistan by 4-0 goals, Nepal can still make it to the semi finals.Nepal had held the Maldives for a 1-1 draw in its first match, earning a point against the island nation for the first time.In another match, Maldives defeated Afghanistan 3-1 coming behind from a goal down.

Wild elephant attacked

Four persons including three from the same family have been killed in Dhanusha when a wild elephant attacked them Monday afternoon. Those killed include Bir Bahadur Bhujel, 65, his wife Gauri Maya Bhujel, 71, their daughter Kanchhi Maya Bhujel, 50, and Urmila Devi Mahato, 45.Reports say, the elephant suddenly entered the village this afternoon and fled after attacking the Bhujels and Mahato. Wildlife technicians have suspected the elephant that killed four persons in Dhanusha today could be the same one which had killed two persons in Sindhuli a few days ago.

Taskforce meeting inconclusive

The taskforce of the big three parties failed to arrive at a consensus on disputed issues on the second consecutive day on Friday.The meeting of the tri-party taskforce held in the morning concluded without decision with the parties sticking to their respective positions.The Maoist side demanded that president's 'unconstitutional move' should be clearly mentioned in the joint draft of the agreement while other parties said they were not in favour of putting blame on the president.Failing to find any consensus, the committee decided to handover the responsibility to finalise the content of the joint agreement to the top leaders of the parties.The taskforce had also met on Thursday. The parties had formed the taskforce at the meeting of the top leaders of the three parties on Thursday with a mandate to draft the agreement paper.

Opening of Mountain Museum postponed

The grand opening ceremony of the International Mountain Museum (IMM) in Pokhara, scheduled for May 29 to coincide with the first conquest of Everest 50 years ago, has been postponed till early next year.
An executive committee meeting of Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) has decided to postpone its opening since artifacts related to mountaineering have yet to be collected.The IMM, being constructed at the initiative of NMA, with the support and cooperation of His Majesty's Government, various foreign alpine clubs and individuals, will now be formally opened on February 5 next year."We are still collecting artifacts for the museum," Ang Tshering Sherpa, the NMA President, told The Rising Nepal today. "The hectic schedule for the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the first ascent of Mt. Everest in May this year has also forced us to postpone the opening ceremony." The construction of the museum's structure is complete. According to Sherpa, all Everest summiteers have been requested to bring their artifacts and biographies with them during their visit to Nepal in May this year. Most of the donors to the museum are from Japan.
An artifact collection committee has been formed under NMA vice-president Zimba Zangbu Sherpa.The museum, which will be an additional tourist attraction, is expected to increase the number as well as stay of tourists in Pokhara. It will display, document and record the progeny, natural history, and cultures of the Himalaya and other mountains in the world. It will also chronicle the history of mountaineering on the Himalaya and other mountain ranges, and be used as an educational and recreational center for mountaineers, tourists, students and researchers.
The museum will contain a hall dedicated to the Himalaya, a hall on international mountains, a hall of fame, and a hall of expeditions.The grand opening ceremony of the International Mountain Museum (IMM) in Pokhara, scheduled for May 29 to coincide with the first conquest of Everest 50 years ago, has been postponed till early next year.
An executive committee meeting of Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) has decided to postpone its opening since artifacts related to mountaineering have yet to be collected.The IMM, being constructed at the initiative of NMA, with the support and cooperation of His Majesty's Government, various foreign alpine clubs and individuals, will now be formally opened on February 5 next year."We are still collecting artifacts for the museum," Ang Tshering Sherpa, the NMA President, told The Rising Nepal today. "The hectic schedule for the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the first ascent of Mt. Everest in May this year has also forced us to postpone the opening ceremony." The construction of the museum's structure is complete. According to Sherpa, all Everest summiteers have been requested to bring their artifacts and biographies with them during their visit to Nepal in May this year. Most of the donors to the museum are from Japan.
An artifact collection committee has been formed under NMA vice-president Zimba Zangbu Sherpa.The museum, which will be an additional tourist attraction, is expected to increase the number as well as stay of tourists in Pokhara. It will display, document and record the progeny, natural history, and cultures of the Himalaya and other mountains in the world. It will also chronicle the history of mountaineering on the Himalaya and other mountain ranges, and be used as an educational and recreational center for mountaineers, tourists, students and researchers.

HM expresses profound grief

KATHMANDU, April 21: His Majesty the King has expressed a deep sense of shock and grief at learning of the sad and untimely demise of Dr. Toni Hagen.
In a condolence message to Dr. Hagen's daughter Katrin Hagen, His Majesty said that in his demise Nepal and the Nepalese people have lost a friend and well-wisher.
Nepal will always remember Dr. Hagen for the yeoman service he rendered through his poineering efforts at development and also introducing the country to the larger world, His Majesty observed."The Queen along with the government and people of Nepal join us in sending our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to you and other members of your family," His Majesty said adding, "May god grant you the fortitude to bear this tragic loss". His Majesty also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul.
Govt ready to hold talks with agenda, says DPM
By A Staff Reporter
KATHMANDU, April 21: Deputy Prime Minister and coordinator of the government talks team Badri Prasad Mandal has said that the first round of peace talks slated to commence this morning could not take place as the CPN-Maoist said it would not be able to sit for Monday's talks.
The Deputy Prime Minister refuted comments that the government lacked agenda and wanted to make it just as an 'know each other' programme. He said the government was always ready to sit with agenda.
"The government is sincere and honest for the peace talks and that it is eager to transform the ceasefire into permanent peace. The government is leaving no stone untumed to achieve that objective," stated the press release issued by Coordinator Mandal.
The talks team from both the sides were expected to meet for formal talks for the first time at 8 a.m. this morning at Shankar Hotel in Lazimpat Scores of journalists had gathered at the venue and police team had also reached the place.
Members of the CPN-Maoist for the talks team left the capital today for Kailali. They are expected to be back to Kathmandu Wednesday.
Meanwhile RSS adds, Minister for Labour and Transport Management Kamal Prasad Chaulagai has said that as the people are yearning for peace at present, instigating a movement, confrontation or conflict is in the interest of neither the country nor the people.
Inaugurating an interaction programme concerning efficient civil administration and good governance organised here today on the occasion of the 14th Foundation Day of the Nepal Civil Service Employees Organisation, Minister Chaulagai said that cooperation from everybody was necessary for the management of the country politically, socially and economically through dialogue.
Referring to the eruption of various distortions and anomalies due to misgovernance in the recent past, he said that the aim was to take the country along the path of prosperity.
Stating that it was the duty of the civil service to implement the policy of the government and guarantee an efficient administration to the people, Minister Chaulagai said the civil service needed some reforms for that purpose.
As the civil administration had to bear the brunt of politicisation in the past, it should be consolidated professionally, he added.
Secretary at the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Udaya Nepali said that the Civil Service Act has already been amended 33 times and it is good to make a timely amendment to it again.
General secretary of Nepal Civil Service Employees Organisation Bhola Nath Pokharel presented a working paper at the programme.
Prof. Mahendra Narayan Mishra, member of the National Human Rights Commission Susheel Pyakurel, Dr. Govinda Thapa and other speakers commented on the working paper.Organisation president Murari Bhattarai presided over the programme.
KATHMANDU, April 21: His Majesty the King has expressed a deep sense of shock and grief at learning of the sad and untimely demise of Dr. Toni Hagen.
In a condolence message to Dr. Hagen's daughter Katrin Hagen, His Majesty said that in his demise Nepal and the Nepalese people have lost a friend and well-wisher.
Nepal will always remember Dr. Hagen for the yeoman service he rendered through his poineering efforts at development and also introducing the country to the larger world, His Majesty observed."The Queen along with the government and people of Nepal join us in sending our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to you and other members of your family," His Majesty said adding, "May god grant you the fortitude to bear this tragic loss". His Majesty also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul.
Govt ready to hold talks with agenda, says DPM
By A Staff Reporter
KATHMANDU, April 21: Deputy Prime Minister and coordinator of the government talks team Badri Prasad Mandal has said that the first round of peace talks slated to commence this morning could not take place as the CPN-Maoist said it would not be able to sit for Monday's talks.
The Deputy Prime Minister refuted comments that the government lacked agenda and wanted to make it just as an 'know each other' programme. He said the government was always ready to sit with agenda.
"The government is sincere and honest for the peace talks and that it is eager to transform the ceasefire into permanent peace. The government is leaving no stone untumed to achieve that objective," stated the press release issued by Coordinator Mandal.
The talks team from both the sides were expected to meet for formal talks for the first time at 8 a.m. this morning at Shankar Hotel in Lazimpat Scores of journalists had gathered at the venue and police team had also reached the place.
Members of the CPN-Maoist for the talks team left the capital today for Kailali. They are expected to be back to Kathmandu Wednesday.
Meanwhile RSS adds, Minister for Labour and Transport Management Kamal Prasad Chaulagai has said that as the people are yearning for peace at present, instigating a movement, confrontation or conflict is in the interest of neither the country nor the people.
Inaugurating an interaction programme concerning efficient civil administration and good governance organised here today on the occasion of the 14th Foundation Day of the Nepal Civil Service Employees Organisation, Minister Chaulagai said that cooperation from everybody was necessary for the management of the country politically, socially and economically through dialogue.
Referring to the eruption of various distortions and anomalies due to misgovernance in the recent past, he said that the aim was to take the country along the path of prosperity.
Stating that it was the duty of the civil service to implement the policy of the government and guarantee an efficient administration to the people, Minister Chaulagai said the civil service needed some reforms for that purpose.
As the civil administration had to bear the brunt of politicisation in the past, it should be consolidated professionally, he added.
Secretary at the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Udaya Nepali said that the Civil Service Act has already been amended 33 times and it is good to make a timely amendment to it again.
General secretary of Nepal Civil Service Employees Organisation Bhola Nath Pokharel presented a working paper at the programme.
Prof. Mahendra Narayan Mishra, member of the National Human Rights Commission Susheel Pyakurel, Dr. Govinda Thapa and other speakers commented on the working paper.Organisation president Murari Bhattarai presided over the programme.
KATHMANDU, April 21: His Majesty the King has expressed a deep sense of shock and grief at learning of the sad and untimely demise of Dr. Toni Hagen.
In a condolence message to Dr. Hagen's daughter Katrin Hagen, His Majesty said that in his demise Nepal and the Nepalese people have lost a friend and well-wisher.
Nepal will always remember Dr. Hagen for the yeoman service he rendered through his poineering efforts at development and also introducing the country to the larger world, His Majesty observed."The Queen along with the government and people of Nepal join us in sending our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to you and other members of your family," His Majesty said adding, "May god grant you the fortitude to bear this tragic loss". His Majesty also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul.
Govt ready to hold talks with agenda, says DPM
By A Staff Reporter
KATHMANDU, April 21: Deputy Prime Minister and coordinator of the government talks team Badri Prasad Mandal has said that the first round of peace talks slated to commence this morning could not take place as the CPN-Maoist said it would not be able to sit for Monday's talks.
The Deputy Prime Minister refuted comments that the government lacked agenda and wanted to make it just as an 'know each other' programme. He said the government was always ready to sit with agenda.
"The government is sincere and honest for the peace talks and that it is eager to transform the ceasefire into permanent peace. The government is leaving no stone untumed to achieve that objective," stated the press release issued by Coordinator Mandal.
The talks team from both the sides were expected to meet for formal talks for the first time at 8 a.m. this morning at Shankar Hotel in Lazimpat Scores of journalists had gathered at the venue and police team had also reached the place.
Members of the CPN-Maoist for the talks team left the capital today for Kailali. They are expected to be back to Kathmandu Wednesday.
Meanwhile RSS adds, Minister for Labour and Transport Management Kamal Prasad Chaulagai has said that as the people are yearning for peace at present, instigating a movement, confrontation or conflict is in the interest of neither the country nor the people.
Inaugurating an interaction programme concerning efficient civil administration and good governance organised here today on the occasion of the 14th Foundation Day of the Nepal Civil Service Employees Organisation, Minister Chaulagai said that cooperation from everybody was necessary for the management of the country politically, socially and economically through dialogue.
Referring to the eruption of various distortions and anomalies due to misgovernance in the recent past, he said that the aim was to take the country along the path of prosperity.
Stating that it was the duty of the civil service to implement the policy of the government and guarantee an efficient administration to the people, Minister Chaulagai said the civil service needed some reforms for that purpose.
As the civil administration had to bear the brunt of politicisation in the past, it should be consolidated professionally, he added.
Secretary at the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Udaya Nepali said that the Civil Service Act has already been amended 33 times and it is good to make a timely amendment to it again.
General secretary of Nepal Civil Service Employees Organisation Bhola Nath Pokharel presented a working paper at the programme.
Prof. Mahendra Narayan Mishra, member of the National Human Rights Commission Susheel Pyakurel, Dr. Govinda Thapa and other speakers commented on the working paper.Organisation president Murari Bhattarai presided over the programme.

District Hospital’s request for X-ray unit goes unheeded

The X-ray unit of the District Hospital in Salyan, set up in 1987, has been out of order for the last month inconveniencing proper functioning at the hospital.
The 30-year old portable X-ray machine of Japanese manufacture was not only mal-functioning but also emitting radiation, which is considered a serious health hazard. Since the rays emitted by the machine affects people within a radius of 500 metres, it was decided to stop using the machine, with the hospital lacking X-ray facility for almost a month, said Dr. Lugeshwor Acharya.
Dr. Acharya stated that those exposed to radiation from this outdated machine have a high probability of contracting cancer later in life. Dr. Acharya informed that most patients requiring X-ray services have been referred to health centres in Dang and Nepalgunj.
With two to three patients requiring X-rays every day, patients are having a difficult time, as well as undergoing unnecessary expenses travelling to nearby districts for X-rays.
Reports indicate that the particular machine had to be finally removed from use after I.N.F., a foreign social organisation mentioned in a report that emanations from such obsolete machines was fatal for those exposed to its rays. The hospital has since, requisitioned for a modern X-ray machine in its place.
Even though the hospital has made frequent requests, the Department of Health has not shown any interest to resolve the matter so far, informed Narendra Maharjan, officer of the District Public Health Office.
"The district hospital has approached the health department and the Ministry of Health with the demand for a modern X-ray unit, without which we cannot function smoothly, but nothing positive has developed so far", informed Dr. Acharya, while talking to the The Kathmandu Post correspondent. He also stated that three senior employees of the hospital had been sent to the concerned department, which has made no effort to respond to their urgent need.
"It is a disconcerting factor for patients of this district to be deprived not only of X-ray facilities but other facilities as well," says Acharya. He urged intellectuals, politicians, and members of the administration to bring about some positive changes to this region.

Animation course to be launched in capital

Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics (MAAC), a leading animation and computer graphics training institute based in India will be shortly launching their courses in Nepal. The initiative is being taken viewing the growing market for animators in the country as well as in the region.
Talking to journalists in the capital today, Biju D, vice-president of Maya, the umbrella organization of MAAC, said that Nepal’s animation market is growing due to the increasing number of television channels in Nepal. The latest move of MAAC follows a policy spread outside India, where it has 15 centers.
Accredited of several animation films like Captain Vyom-the first animation TV serial in India, and the latest ‘Jajantaram Mamantaram’, MAAC was set up by renowned cine director Ketan Mehta, and his wife Ms Deepa Shahi, seeing the gap between the demands of the Indian film industry and the animation technology available in the country.
"Before launching our training centers here, we are willing to offer residential training courses in India," said Biju. He was positive that the move would help discover talents languishing in the country.

Animation course to be launched in capital

Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics (MAAC), a leading animation and computer graphics training institute based in India will be shortly launching their courses in Nepal. The initiative is being taken viewing the growing market for animators in the country as well as in the region.
Talking to journalists in the capital today, Biju D, vice-president of Maya, the umbrella organization of MAAC, said that Nepal’s animation market is growing due to the increasing number of television channels in Nepal. The latest move of MAAC follows a policy spread outside India, where it has 15 centers.
Accredited of several animation films like Captain Vyom-the first animation TV serial in India, and the latest ‘Jajantaram Mamantaram’, MAAC was set up by renowned cine director Ketan Mehta, and his wife Ms Deepa Shahi, seeing the gap between the demands of the Indian film industry and the animation technology available in the country.
"Before launching our training centers here, we are willing to offer residential training courses in India," said Biju. He was positive that the move would help discover talents languishing in the country.

Animation course to be launched in capital

Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics (MAAC), a leading animation and computer graphics training institute based in India will be shortly launching their courses in Nepal. The initiative is being taken viewing the growing market for animators in the country as well as in the region.
Talking to journalists in the capital today, Biju D, vice-president of Maya, the umbrella organization of MAAC, said that Nepal’s animation market is growing due to the increasing number of television channels in Nepal. The latest move of MAAC follows a policy spread outside India, where it has 15 centers.
Accredited of several animation films like Captain Vyom-the first animation TV serial in India, and the latest ‘Jajantaram Mamantaram’, MAAC was set up by renowned cine director Ketan Mehta, and his wife Ms Deepa Shahi, seeing the gap between the demands of the Indian film industry and the animation technology available in the country.
"Before launching our training centers here, we are willing to offer residential training courses in India," said Biju. He was positive that the move would help discover talents languishing in the country.

Govt preparing for war: Mahara

Krishna Bahadur Mahara, spokesperson of the Maoist negotiating team, charged that the government was preparing a military build-up for war.
Talking with The Kathmandu Post today at the Maoists’ contact office in Anamnagar, Mahara said, "The government has not yet approached us for talks. Instead, it is trying to weaken us by merely prolonging the talks in the pretext of studying the agreements reached by the previous government."
He said that the government is compelling the Maoists to go back to the armed struggle. He also accused the government of violating the code of conduct.
Referring to the recent friendly-fire of the Royal Nepal Army (RNA) in Dang, Mahara said that the government terrorised the public by opening fire in public, which is against the code of conduct. He also held the United States responsible for delay in peace negotiations. "If the US does not support, the talks will fail."
Claiming that the government should resume peace talks from the point where the previous government had reached, Mahara said that the Maoists would not sit for talks provided there is any change.
At a time when the five political parties have been demanding an all-party government or the reinstatement of the dissolved House of Representatives, Mahara also informed that the Maoists would not hold talks with the government of the political parties. "Since the king has his army parallel to ours, only he can settle the issues of armies that is crucial in our talks," Mahara said.
He said that the time to hold talks with the parties’ government is already over. "New political situation has emerged and the political parties also should understand this fact," Mahara said. Asked about that the Maoists have collecting donation even after the cease-fire, Mahara said, "We will continue

Monsoon means more accidents in the air’

The monsoon is hovering above us, good news for many of us reeling under the dry spell. But, for the aviation sector, it is always a major headache as it is behind most air accidents.
"Most aviation accidents occur during the monsoon," said Riddhi Baba Pradhan, Secretary of Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. ‘Therefore it is necessary for safety enhancement during wet seasons.’
Safety and precautions is what those related to flight operations have gathered to discuss in the capital today in the workshop, ‘Safety awareness during monsoon in Nepal’.
The programme, organised by Civil Aviation Authority Nepal (CAAN) is highly relevant in the context of our unique geographical and climatic conditions where the monsoon season brings in a lot of air crashes. The monsoon, according to meteorologists, began yesterday and will last till September.
"During the monsoons, the role of pilots and air-traffic controllers become more challenging and sometimes difficult," said Upendra Prasad Dhital, Director General, CAAN. He added that pilots and air traffic controllers are the last lines of defence for the safety and prevention of their aircraft.
"Therefore it demands a concerted effort of all concerned to contribute to the maintenance of flight safety in bad weather," said Dhital. The reasons for air crashes during monsoon are, among others, hazardous attitude of pilots such as anti-authority, lack of invulnerability and infallibility. Similarly, competitive nature, pressure from management, lack of training and workload are also other reasons.
"The number of air accidents have increased in 2002," said Rajesh Raj Dali, Deputy Director General, CAAN. ‘Moreover, 70 percent of accidents occur due to CFIT.’ Dali also said that a task force would be formed to check reasons behind accidents and possible safety measures. "Similarly, the CAAN circulars and directives regarding safety measures will also be refreshed," said Dali.
"Though all pilots are familiar with the hazards of monsoon flying, they tend to overlook its seriousness," said Bikash J.B Rana, President of Airlines Operators’ Association of Nepal (AOAN).
For people involved in the flying business, monsoon brings apprehensions as most accidents occur during this time. "The entire cause of accidents are not in the hazards of monsoon but a pilot operating a flight is also equally responsible," he added.
"There are times when a pilot is faced with an unstable weather situation, where he feels undecided," said Rana. "During such unpredictable weather conditions it is always advisable for pilots not to press very hard."
According to Captain Bed Upreti, the monsoon weather is far better to fly than pre and post monsoon weather. But, he added that although the pre and post monsoon weather was more violent more crashes took place during monsoon.
"To come out of the vicious circle, we must take extra precautions during monsoon," he added.
Precautions that need to be taken are installation of navigation equipment, good weather stations, strict on transponder with airline operators, implement TCAS system in all aircraft. "The accident rate can be reduced by more than 90 percent," said Upreti.
"Meteorology can be used for maintaining a watch over the meteorological conditions affecting flight operation, and disseminate any meteorological information affecting air flights," said Mani Ratna Sakya, Meteorologist at Weather Forecasting Division, Department of Hydrology and Meteorology.

Citizens urged to follow ideology of scouts

Minister for Education and Sports Hari Bahadur Basnet has said that the country could develop and all the problems be solved if citizens of the country follow the ideology of scouts.
Inaugurating the National Council meeting of Nepal Scout here today Minister Basnet said since negotiations and consensus have the capacity to resolve all the problems, national consensus is need of the hour.
On the occasion, he administered oath to the newly elected councilors of Nepal Scout.
Chief Commissioner of Nepal Scout Sharad Kumar Bhattarai said Nepal Scout is not a branch of the ministry.
Chairman of the advisory committee of Nepal Scout Dr Trailokya Nath Upreti said everybody should contribute in the development of the society imbibing the ideology of the scout.
Member of the Public Service Commission Sri Krishna Yadav, joint chief commissioners of Nepal Scout Puspa Lata Bhattarai, Sri Ram Lamichhane, National Council members Heramba Koirala, Chandra Dev Lal Kaushik and Ram Gopal Karmacharya also expressed their views at the programme. Minister for Education and Sports Hari Bahadur Basnet has said that the country could develop and all the problems be solved if citizens of the country follow the ideology of scouts.
Inaugurating the National Council meeting of Nepal Scout here today Minister Basnet said since negotiations and consensus have the capacity to resolve all the problems, national consensus is need of the hour.
On the occasion, he administered oath to the newly elected councilors of Nepal Scout.
Chief Commissioner of Nepal Scout Sharad Kumar Bhattarai said Nepal Scout is not a branch of the ministry.
Chairman of the advisory committee of Nepal Scout Dr Trailokya Nath Upreti said everybody should contribute in the development of the society imbibing the ideology of the scout.
Member of the Public Service Commission Sri Krishna Yadav, joint chief commissioners of Nepal Scout Puspa Lata Bhattarai, Sri Ram Lamichhane, National Council members Heramba Koirala, Chandra Dev Lal Kaushik and Ram Gopal Karmacharya also expressed their views at the programme. Minister for Education and Sports Hari Bahadur Basnet has said that the country could develop and all the problems be solved if citizens of the country follow the ideology of scouts.
Inaugurating the National Council meeting of Nepal Scout here today Minister Basnet said since negotiations and consensus have the capacity to resolve all the problems, national consensus is need of the hour.
On the occasion, he administered oath to the newly elected councilors of Nepal Scout.
Chief Commissioner of Nepal Scout Sharad Kumar Bhattarai said Nepal Scout is not a branch of the ministry.
Chairman of the advisory committee of Nepal Scout Dr Trailokya Nath Upreti said everybody should contribute in the development of the society imbibing the ideology of the scout.
Member of the Public Service Commission Sri Krishna Yadav, joint chief commissioners of Nepal Scout Puspa Lata Bhattarai, Sri Ram Lamichhane, National Council members Heramba Koirala, Chandra Dev Lal Kaushik and Ram Gopal Karmacharya also expressed their views at the programme.