REPUBLICA
KATHMANDU, Sept 7: Manpower agents have warned that growing cases of unionization of Nepali workers in different labor destinations could bring down Nepalis´ prospects for overseas jobs in the future and has decided to seek the government´s diplomatic support to protect foreign employment opportunities.
Holding a meeting, Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies (NAFEA) on Monday assessed that increasing number of cases where Nepali overseas workers are launching agitations in violation of local laws have created a negative impression toward Nepali workers in recent months.
Unfortunately, such activities have mainly grown in Malaysia and Qatar, the most favored destinations for Nepali workers.
“Hence, we have decided to request the Ministry of Labor and Transport Management (MoLTM) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) to convince the governments of major employer countries not to lower the demand for Nepali workers in coming days,” said Kumud Khanal, general secretary of NAFEA.
Khanal also warned that the Malaysian government was preparing to take a decision on how to deal with Nepali workers in the future after the Ramadan Festival.
“The Malaysian government has taken the protest of migrant workers led by Nepalis over a death of a Nepali worker seriously and is considering giving less priority to Nepalis in the future,” he said.
Recruiting agencies said Qatar was also going to shift its priority to the workers from other countries in response to cases of protests launched by Nepalis which go against the local laws.
According to the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE), 569,667 workers have left for jobs in Malaysia and 483,148 have gone to Qatar for jobs over last 16 years.
However, Dhruba Koirala, labor attaché to Qatar, said the Qatar government has not indicated any shift in priority to other country in place of Nepal to source workers.
“We have not received any reports of curtail in demands for Nepali workers there. Instead, we have received positive indications from Qatari officials about chances of increasing quotas for Nepali workers next year,” Koirala stated.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
Nearly 40 missing as bus falls into Bhotekoshi River
THT Online
KATHMANDU: At least 30-40 persons went missing, when a passenger bus plunged into the Bhotekoshi River at Gati VDC-9, Sindhupalchowk on Monday at 10am.
It is reported that the bus was en route from Tatopani to Barabise when the incident occurred.
Police personnel have been deployed for rescue operations at the accident site after the incident.
The identities of the passengers have not been ascertained yet.
Meanwhile four bodies have been found and two of the passengers were reportedly able to swim to safety.
The injured have been identified as Govinda Chalise, a local resident of Sindhupalchowk district and Dhak Prasad Dahal, a local resident of Suli VDC 9 of Dolakha district. They are undergoing treatment at a primary health centre of Barabise.
It is also reported that the driver, bus assistant and another passenger were in contact with the rescue operation team.
Details to follow…
KATHMANDU: At least 30-40 persons went missing, when a passenger bus plunged into the Bhotekoshi River at Gati VDC-9, Sindhupalchowk on Monday at 10am.
It is reported that the bus was en route from Tatopani to Barabise when the incident occurred.
Police personnel have been deployed for rescue operations at the accident site after the incident.
The identities of the passengers have not been ascertained yet.
Meanwhile four bodies have been found and two of the passengers were reportedly able to swim to safety.
The injured have been identified as Govinda Chalise, a local resident of Sindhupalchowk district and Dhak Prasad Dahal, a local resident of Suli VDC 9 of Dolakha district. They are undergoing treatment at a primary health centre of Barabise.
It is also reported that the driver, bus assistant and another passenger were in contact with the rescue operation team.
Details to follow…
Julie Maiya struggles
KATHMANDU, Sept 6: “Julie Maiya,” the Nepali adaptation of the Swedish playwright August Strindberg’s work “Miss Julie” is presently being staged by the Mandala Theatre Group at the United World Trade Center (UWTC) of Tripureshwor in Kathmandu.
While the Nepali adaptation faithfully carries the essence of the original work, the play falters in places.
Despite a congested stage, however, the three characters in the play put on a commendable show. The translation by Samuna KC is worth a mention as she has molded the story into Nepali soil. But the seating arrangement of the hall where the play is being staged could become a turnoff for the audience. It was very hard to catch sight of the characters in action on Saturday with the hall packed. Many individuals were even propped up on tables to watch the drama unfolding.
Samuna KC as Julie Maiya performs with ease as a young and rich mistress. She is spoilt, smart and loveable at the same time. She seems to have no worries about what the world thinks about her. But when she is caught up in a sexual relationship with her servant, Jai, she cannot garner the confidence to stand up to its consequences.
Jai’s reaction to her is amusing. He can finally exercise power over his mistress and does so shamelessly. But he is not as confident as he appears to be.
It is the portrayal of this class and gender struggle that makes the play stand out. Love, lust, deceit and power have been addressed with a fresh perspective by the director of the play, Rajan Khatiwada. He shows through his characters that the rich are as insecure as the poor.
Narendra Baral as Jai does a fine job, but he needs to improve his English pronunciation.
Srijana Subba as Krishna Maya, the housemaid, may have a brief role but she acts with poise. She is the balance between the erratic ways of Julie Maiya and Jai.
The ending of the play, however, does not give justice to the work. It ends blandly without the intended effect. Julie kills herself, but did she have to, and in such a peculiar fashion?
The play is being presented at the UWTC at 5:30 pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the whole month of Bhadra.
http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=23008
While the Nepali adaptation faithfully carries the essence of the original work, the play falters in places.
Despite a congested stage, however, the three characters in the play put on a commendable show. The translation by Samuna KC is worth a mention as she has molded the story into Nepali soil. But the seating arrangement of the hall where the play is being staged could become a turnoff for the audience. It was very hard to catch sight of the characters in action on Saturday with the hall packed. Many individuals were even propped up on tables to watch the drama unfolding.
Samuna KC as Julie Maiya performs with ease as a young and rich mistress. She is spoilt, smart and loveable at the same time. She seems to have no worries about what the world thinks about her. But when she is caught up in a sexual relationship with her servant, Jai, she cannot garner the confidence to stand up to its consequences.
Jai’s reaction to her is amusing. He can finally exercise power over his mistress and does so shamelessly. But he is not as confident as he appears to be.
It is the portrayal of this class and gender struggle that makes the play stand out. Love, lust, deceit and power have been addressed with a fresh perspective by the director of the play, Rajan Khatiwada. He shows through his characters that the rich are as insecure as the poor.
Narendra Baral as Jai does a fine job, but he needs to improve his English pronunciation.
Srijana Subba as Krishna Maya, the housemaid, may have a brief role but she acts with poise. She is the balance between the erratic ways of Julie Maiya and Jai.
The ending of the play, however, does not give justice to the work. It ends blandly without the intended effect. Julie kills herself, but did she have to, and in such a peculiar fashion?
The play is being presented at the UWTC at 5:30 pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the whole month of Bhadra.
http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=23008
Contest for coveted PM chair goes for a six
POST REPORT
KATHMANDU, SEP 05 -
Six consecutive failures in the race for prime minister have not deterred the parties from going for another round of polls on Sept. 7.
Nepali Congress (NC) has dug in its heels. Can’t, shan’t, won’t, is its response to suggestions on withdrawing from the prime ministerial race. The CPN-UML canary is going on humming a tuneless tune. For the UCPN (Maoist) the process has become a poison that it can neither swallow nor spit out.
“This election has placed us between the devil and deep sea,” Maoist spokesman Dinanath Sharma said. Despite the Maoist party’s wish to withdraw Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s candidacy to jumpstart a new course, the party has for now decided to try its luck one more time. “Even if we withdraw, NC won’t and that complicates the issue,” Sharma clarified.
Meanwhile the third largest party, CPN-UML remains on the fence. The party establishment wants to continue its neutral stand. Yet, a faction led by senior leader KP Sharma Oli is contemplating voting for Ram Chandra Poudel of the NC. “We have a standing policy of not voting for the Maoists unless they transform, but there are no preconditions for supporting NC,” a Central Committee member close to Oli told the Post.
UML leader Pradeep Gywali also hinted at a shift in UML’s thinking “if the parties forge consensus in time for the eighth round, that would be a better solution. Otherwise politics will take a new course.”
Gywali did not elaborate on the “new course” saying that discussions have not evolved fully.
A Maoist leader blamed the “dual character” of the UML for the protracted rounds of the prime ministerial election. “The prime minister’s party Chairman is opting to stay neutral, while he (prime minister) himself wants to prolong the election process,” he added.
Gyawali says contentious issues centred around the peace process have to be addressed.
http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu-post/2010/09/05/top-story/contest-for-coveted-pm-chair-goes-for-a-six/212413/
KATHMANDU, SEP 05 -
Six consecutive failures in the race for prime minister have not deterred the parties from going for another round of polls on Sept. 7.
Nepali Congress (NC) has dug in its heels. Can’t, shan’t, won’t, is its response to suggestions on withdrawing from the prime ministerial race. The CPN-UML canary is going on humming a tuneless tune. For the UCPN (Maoist) the process has become a poison that it can neither swallow nor spit out.
“This election has placed us between the devil and deep sea,” Maoist spokesman Dinanath Sharma said. Despite the Maoist party’s wish to withdraw Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s candidacy to jumpstart a new course, the party has for now decided to try its luck one more time. “Even if we withdraw, NC won’t and that complicates the issue,” Sharma clarified.
Meanwhile the third largest party, CPN-UML remains on the fence. The party establishment wants to continue its neutral stand. Yet, a faction led by senior leader KP Sharma Oli is contemplating voting for Ram Chandra Poudel of the NC. “We have a standing policy of not voting for the Maoists unless they transform, but there are no preconditions for supporting NC,” a Central Committee member close to Oli told the Post.
UML leader Pradeep Gywali also hinted at a shift in UML’s thinking “if the parties forge consensus in time for the eighth round, that would be a better solution. Otherwise politics will take a new course.”
Gywali did not elaborate on the “new course” saying that discussions have not evolved fully.
A Maoist leader blamed the “dual character” of the UML for the protracted rounds of the prime ministerial election. “The prime minister’s party Chairman is opting to stay neutral, while he (prime minister) himself wants to prolong the election process,” he added.
Gyawali says contentious issues centred around the peace process have to be addressed.
http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu-post/2010/09/05/top-story/contest-for-coveted-pm-chair-goes-for-a-six/212413/
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Being Sadichha: The new Miss Nepal
Rosy-cheeked, dreamy-eyed and dressed in traditional Newar attire, little Sadichha smiles out from an old photograph, waiting to walk onstage.
“I was studying in Upper Kindergarten then, and we were performing a rhyme in front of our parents,” says the newly crowned Miss Nepal who is now 19. She looks just as pretty and confident as she did then.
Even when all eyes were set on her on Wednesday evening as she walked onstage as the number one contestant in the Miss Nepal beauty pageant of this year, she glowed with confidence and spoke with eloquence. Not once did she stumble or show that she was tired. After winning the title, she smiled, waved, blew flying kisses, and it looked as if she was born to win the title.
The daughter
Rachana Shrestha, 41, kept hiding behind the seats of the Tribhuvan Army Officers’ Club as the moment of the final announcements arrived.
“I can’t watch her on stage, you see. It gives me the creeps,” she kept murmuring. At the same time, she was asking Suvechha Shrestha, 15, her second daughter, and her son Suave Shrestha, 10, to keep their fingers crossed and not stop praying for their sister. Their prayers were soon answered as Sadichha won the title of Miss Nepal. In tears, Suave said, “I don’t know why I’m crying but I’m happy.”
An architectural engineer at the Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City Office, Rachana has always believed in her daughter.
“She’s a mature child who understands her roots,” she says. “She always aims high and I believe that is what makes her successful.”
Her father, Ram Shankar Shrestha, 48, the chief accountant at The Bluestar Hotel, Tripureshwor, agrees and adds, “She’s always been special. Even as a kid, everyone in the neighborhood knew her and admired her looks and personality.”
The teenager
“I know I’m 19 and I don’t pretend to be otherwise,” affirms the new Miss Nepal. “Maybe I’ll never be able to walk freely in the streets in chappals (slippers) from now on, but I rejoice in the responsibilities I’ve been given,” she adds.
Sadichha, a fan of actor Karma, loves to play basketball, listen to peppy songs, dance, and savor American Chop Suey. She recalls watching “Darpaan Chhaya” and “Basanti”, among Nepali films.
Of her college days, rafting on the Trishuli stands out in her memory as the best day.
“I don’t know how to swim but I was able to float with a life jacket on, and the feeling was ecstatic.”
An avid radio listener, she wants to become an RJ herself, and often records her voice. Zac Efron, Daniel Radcliffe, and Robert Patterson stand out among others as her Hollywood crushes.
The achiever
Her academic records from grade one to 10 stand testimony to her excellence as a student. Always first in class, Sadichha visited China and Japan as a student
representative from her school, the NK Singh English Preparatory High School. Recently, she participated at the World Schools Debating Championships 2010 held in Doha, Qatar, from her college, St Xavier’s at Maiti Ghar.
“I’ve always been an ambitious person with big dreams,” asserts Sadichha, whose first modeling assignment was when she was in grade six.
“I modeled for Mayos Instant Noodles and received Rs 10,000 in fees,” she recalls. Since then, she has modeled for Fem beach cream, won the Miss Beauty Lady 2005 beauty pageant, and has also received the Voice of Women Top Ten College Women 2010 award.
Babyface forever
Talkative and bubbly, Sadichha was given the nick name “Baby Face Forever” (BFF) by her fellow participants and trainers at the Miss Nepal beauty contest, she being one of the youngest and cute contestants.
She credits her parents and school for her success. She also recalls her late grandmother with fondness. Speaking about her granny’s passing away, which caused a lot of pain to her, the new beauty queen could not hold back her tears.
“I had gone to talk to her as she lay unconscious, awaiting her death,” she expresses in a somber mood.
Miss Nepal Sadichha Shrestha’s innocence is contagious, and so is her optimism. She will be heading to Sanya in China to compete for the title of Miss World 2010, to be held there in October.
http://theweek.myrepublica.com/details.php?news_id=22892
“I was studying in Upper Kindergarten then, and we were performing a rhyme in front of our parents,” says the newly crowned Miss Nepal who is now 19. She looks just as pretty and confident as she did then.
Even when all eyes were set on her on Wednesday evening as she walked onstage as the number one contestant in the Miss Nepal beauty pageant of this year, she glowed with confidence and spoke with eloquence. Not once did she stumble or show that she was tired. After winning the title, she smiled, waved, blew flying kisses, and it looked as if she was born to win the title.
The daughter
Rachana Shrestha, 41, kept hiding behind the seats of the Tribhuvan Army Officers’ Club as the moment of the final announcements arrived.
“I can’t watch her on stage, you see. It gives me the creeps,” she kept murmuring. At the same time, she was asking Suvechha Shrestha, 15, her second daughter, and her son Suave Shrestha, 10, to keep their fingers crossed and not stop praying for their sister. Their prayers were soon answered as Sadichha won the title of Miss Nepal. In tears, Suave said, “I don’t know why I’m crying but I’m happy.”
An architectural engineer at the Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City Office, Rachana has always believed in her daughter.
“She’s a mature child who understands her roots,” she says. “She always aims high and I believe that is what makes her successful.”
Her father, Ram Shankar Shrestha, 48, the chief accountant at The Bluestar Hotel, Tripureshwor, agrees and adds, “She’s always been special. Even as a kid, everyone in the neighborhood knew her and admired her looks and personality.”
The teenager
“I know I’m 19 and I don’t pretend to be otherwise,” affirms the new Miss Nepal. “Maybe I’ll never be able to walk freely in the streets in chappals (slippers) from now on, but I rejoice in the responsibilities I’ve been given,” she adds.
Sadichha, a fan of actor Karma, loves to play basketball, listen to peppy songs, dance, and savor American Chop Suey. She recalls watching “Darpaan Chhaya” and “Basanti”, among Nepali films.
Of her college days, rafting on the Trishuli stands out in her memory as the best day.
“I don’t know how to swim but I was able to float with a life jacket on, and the feeling was ecstatic.”
An avid radio listener, she wants to become an RJ herself, and often records her voice. Zac Efron, Daniel Radcliffe, and Robert Patterson stand out among others as her Hollywood crushes.
The achiever
Her academic records from grade one to 10 stand testimony to her excellence as a student. Always first in class, Sadichha visited China and Japan as a student
representative from her school, the NK Singh English Preparatory High School. Recently, she participated at the World Schools Debating Championships 2010 held in Doha, Qatar, from her college, St Xavier’s at Maiti Ghar.
“I’ve always been an ambitious person with big dreams,” asserts Sadichha, whose first modeling assignment was when she was in grade six.
“I modeled for Mayos Instant Noodles and received Rs 10,000 in fees,” she recalls. Since then, she has modeled for Fem beach cream, won the Miss Beauty Lady 2005 beauty pageant, and has also received the Voice of Women Top Ten College Women 2010 award.
Babyface forever
Talkative and bubbly, Sadichha was given the nick name “Baby Face Forever” (BFF) by her fellow participants and trainers at the Miss Nepal beauty contest, she being one of the youngest and cute contestants.
She credits her parents and school for her success. She also recalls her late grandmother with fondness. Speaking about her granny’s passing away, which caused a lot of pain to her, the new beauty queen could not hold back her tears.
“I had gone to talk to her as she lay unconscious, awaiting her death,” she expresses in a somber mood.
Miss Nepal Sadichha Shrestha’s innocence is contagious, and so is her optimism. She will be heading to Sanya in China to compete for the title of Miss World 2010, to be held there in October.
http://theweek.myrepublica.com/details.php?news_id=22892
Round six PM poll to repeat same old story
Himalayan News Service
KATHMANDU: It’s almost certain the sixth round of the prime ministerial election slated for tomorrow will also be inconclusive. The search for a new prime minister has failed five times since PM Madhav Kumar Nepal resigned on June 30.
Pushpa Kamal Dahal of UCPN-M and Ram Chandra Paudel of NC are in the fray. All five rounds were inconclusive as none of the candidates garnered required majority votes – 300.
With CPN-UML and United Democratic Madhesi Front — whose votes are decisive — choosing to remain neutral, the outcome of the vote is an almost foregone conclusion.
UML Chief Whip Bhim Acharya said the UML would remain neutral even in tomorrow’s voting. “It’s like a children’s game — voting for either of the candidates without making any effort to find consensus. Not only tomorrow, the UML will never vote for either of the candidates until a new deal is struck, at least among the three parties,” he said.
Jitendra Sonar, joint general secretary of Tarai Madhes Democratic Party said a meeting of the front slated for tomorrow morning would take a decision. He, however, said, “It is almost certain that the front will stay neutral even tomorrow.” Sadbhavana Party co-chairman Laxman Lal Karna also said tomorrow’s meeting would decide on voting.
KATHMANDU: It’s almost certain the sixth round of the prime ministerial election slated for tomorrow will also be inconclusive. The search for a new prime minister has failed five times since PM Madhav Kumar Nepal resigned on June 30.
Pushpa Kamal Dahal of UCPN-M and Ram Chandra Paudel of NC are in the fray. All five rounds were inconclusive as none of the candidates garnered required majority votes – 300.
With CPN-UML and United Democratic Madhesi Front — whose votes are decisive — choosing to remain neutral, the outcome of the vote is an almost foregone conclusion.
UML Chief Whip Bhim Acharya said the UML would remain neutral even in tomorrow’s voting. “It’s like a children’s game — voting for either of the candidates without making any effort to find consensus. Not only tomorrow, the UML will never vote for either of the candidates until a new deal is struck, at least among the three parties,” he said.
Jitendra Sonar, joint general secretary of Tarai Madhes Democratic Party said a meeting of the front slated for tomorrow morning would take a decision. He, however, said, “It is almost certain that the front will stay neutral even tomorrow.” Sadbhavana Party co-chairman Laxman Lal Karna also said tomorrow’s meeting would decide on voting.
UML, Madhesi parties to stay neutral
REPUBLICA
KATHMANDU, Sept 5: Unless there is a last-minute miraculous turn of event, the country is unlikely get new prime minister even from the sixth round of voting scheduled for Sunday.
The chances of electing the successor of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal appear slim as United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF), an alliance of four Madhes-based parties, and the CPN-UML have not changed their stance to stay neutral in the Sunday´s voting.
Both UML and the UDMF must vote for any of the two candidates --- Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Nepali Congress Vice President Ram Chandra Poudel --- in the race.
The CPN-UML and the UDMF, which have 109 and 82 seats, respectively, in the parliament, have been staying neutral in all rounds of voting.
According to Ram Janam Chaudhary, chief whip of Madhesi People´s Rights Forum-Democratic (MPRF-D), one of the constituents of the UDMF, the UDMF made an informal agreement to stay neutral as the Maoists did not come up with further clarity on the issues jointly raised by the UDMF.
Tarai Madhes Democratic Party, Sadbhawana Party and MPRF are also a part of the UDMF.
Chaudhary said a meeting of the UDMF scheduled for Saturday could not take place as Maoist did not bring new proposal on their demands. “We will sit for a meeting on Sunday morning,” he said. “We have made an informal agreement to stay neutral in the voting scheduled for Sunday.”
UML leader Pradeep Gyawali said there is no change in the stance of the UML. The party has been insisting on its neutral stance saying that there must be a consensus government for delivering peace and constitution in the next nine months before the extended term of the Constituent Assembly expires.
There have already been five rounds of votings in the parliament to elect new prime minister after Madhav Kumar Nepal tendered resignation from the post on June 30. But all these votings have failed to pick a new prime minister due to neutral stance of the UML and the UDMF.
A prime ministerial candidate must secure 301 votes to form a majority government.
http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=22953
KATHMANDU, Sept 5: Unless there is a last-minute miraculous turn of event, the country is unlikely get new prime minister even from the sixth round of voting scheduled for Sunday.
The chances of electing the successor of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal appear slim as United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF), an alliance of four Madhes-based parties, and the CPN-UML have not changed their stance to stay neutral in the Sunday´s voting.
Both UML and the UDMF must vote for any of the two candidates --- Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Nepali Congress Vice President Ram Chandra Poudel --- in the race.
The CPN-UML and the UDMF, which have 109 and 82 seats, respectively, in the parliament, have been staying neutral in all rounds of voting.
According to Ram Janam Chaudhary, chief whip of Madhesi People´s Rights Forum-Democratic (MPRF-D), one of the constituents of the UDMF, the UDMF made an informal agreement to stay neutral as the Maoists did not come up with further clarity on the issues jointly raised by the UDMF.
Tarai Madhes Democratic Party, Sadbhawana Party and MPRF are also a part of the UDMF.
Chaudhary said a meeting of the UDMF scheduled for Saturday could not take place as Maoist did not bring new proposal on their demands. “We will sit for a meeting on Sunday morning,” he said. “We have made an informal agreement to stay neutral in the voting scheduled for Sunday.”
UML leader Pradeep Gyawali said there is no change in the stance of the UML. The party has been insisting on its neutral stance saying that there must be a consensus government for delivering peace and constitution in the next nine months before the extended term of the Constituent Assembly expires.
There have already been five rounds of votings in the parliament to elect new prime minister after Madhav Kumar Nepal tendered resignation from the post on June 30. But all these votings have failed to pick a new prime minister due to neutral stance of the UML and the UDMF.
A prime ministerial candidate must secure 301 votes to form a majority government.
http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=22953
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