Day: April 11, 2024

Kathmandu: The Janak Education Materials Centre (JEMC) has delivered textbooks to all 77 districts three days before the start of the new educational session. Centre's Managing Director Anil Kumar Jha told RSS that books of all subjects have been printed at nine outlets in different parts of the country for the academic year 2081 BS. According to the schedule published by the Center, textbooks have been sold out from Biratnagar, Janakpur, Sanothimi-based central offices, Bharatpur, Pokhara, Butwal, Nepalgunj, Surkhet and Dhangadhi from March 26 to April 10. "We have completed the responsibility to deliver textbooks to districts on time with utmost efforts", he shared, adding textbooks will now be made available to the students through the distributors. Managing Director Jha said, "Maybe they do not need to hear complaints this time about delay delivery of books to the hands of the students. The JEMC has also made public a price iist of the textbooks from grade 3 to 12 for the upcoming educational session . Additionally, the Centre has also made public the price list of classified distributors for each province. Last year, books were made available in the market before the academic year. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' had been motivating the concerned bodies for timely distribution of textbooks, while this year Education Minister Sumana Shrestha has inspected the office and press office of the Center in Bhaktapur and directed to provide the books on time. The student enrollment campaign for the new academic session is going to start across the country from April 14. The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Centre for Education and Human Resource Development has urged the local levels and other stakeholders to prepare and implement the student enrollment campaign facilitation action plan. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) today formed a three-member probe body to investigate into the incident of deaths of five people after being struck by a broken mooring line of a launch at Sadarghat terminal. BIWTA Director (Purchase and Store) Md Rafiqul Islam has been made convener of the committee while other members are Joint Director of Conservancy and Pilotage Department Md Azgar Ali and Joint Director of Ports Department Md Kabir Hossain. The committee has been asked to submit a report to BIWTA chairman within five working days. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Nepali Congress leader Shekhar Koirala has said present electoral system failed to maintain stability, so it needs correction. Leader Koirala argued frequent change in government is caused by mixed election system. Inaugurating the second district convention of Nepali Congress Dang chapter here Thursday, he further viewed weakness in Nepal's Constitution 2072 should be addressed to ensure political stability in the country. He insisted on need of consensus between the Nepali Congress and CPN (UML) to forward the nation. Source: National News Agency Nepal

The congregation of the holy Eid-ul-Fitr, one of the largest religious festivals of the Muslims, was held at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Bhaban here at 8.30am today. Chief Whip of the Jatiya Sangsad Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury, Science and Technology Minister Architect Yafesh Osman, Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Disaster Management and Relief and former Chief Whip ASM Firoz, AB Tazul Islam, MP, former deputy minister for Water Resources AKM Enamul Haque Shamim, MP, JS Speaker's husband Sayed Ishtiaq Hossain, Senior Secretary of JS Secretariat KM Abdus Salam and others lawmakers, JS officials and employees and devotees from different areas attended the Eid Jamaat, said a press release. Later, a special prayer was offered seeking peace and progress of all Muslims across the globe and the nation as well, said the release. Khatib Imam of Parliament Secretariat Mosque Qari Abu Raihan conducted the munajat. After the Eid jamaat, Speaker Shirin Sharmin exchanged Eid greetings with MPs and all the officials and employees of the Parliament Secretariat and their families at her residence. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Nepali player Sagar Bhandari has made a new record in weightlifting. He made the record in the tournament under the ongoing International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Cup in Phuket, Thailand. Bhandari broke his own previous record. He had lifted 134 kg in snatch under the 109 kg weight category, while 172 kg in clean and jerk, according to weightlifting instructor Jivan Gautam. Earlier, in the 19th Asian Games, he had made record by lifting 133 kg weight in snatch. Similarly, in the Asian Championship held in Uzbekistan, he was able to pick up 172 kg weight in clean and jerk. Source: National News Agency Nepal

The holy Eid-ul-Fitr, the greatest religious festival of the Muslims, was celebrated in the city and district as elsewhere in the country today with due religious fervor, solemnity and tight security measures today. The main Eid Congregation was held at Khulna Circuit House Ground at 8.00am in the city. Mayor of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) Talukder Abdul Khaleque, Divisional Commissioner of Khulna Md Helal Mahmud Sharif, Deputy Commissioner of Khulna Khandakar Yasir Arefin, city and district level officials including, leaders of the political parties, elite of the city, professionals and people from all walks of life joined the congregation. Mowlana A KHA M Zakaria, Principal of Khulna Alia Madrasa, conducted the main Eid prayers. Another big Eid Jamaat was also held at City's Town Jame Mosque, at 8.00am while the third big Jamaat was held at Town Jame Mosque at 9.00am. The other Eid Jamaats were also held on the premises of city's Islamabad Eidgah, Khalishpur Eidgah, Alia Madrsa, Baitun Nur Jame Mosqu e, PTI Jame Mosque, KDA Nirala Jame Mosque, Basupara Eidgah, Iqbal Nagar Jame Mosque, Baitunnur Jame Mosque, Talimul Millat Darul Ulum Jame Mosque, Deana Eidgah, Farazipara Eidgah, Zila Police Line Maidan, Boyra Metropolitan Police Line Maidan, Zoragate CandB Colony Maidan, B L College Maidan, all KCC Wards and all upazila headquarters in Khulna district. A total of 1,087 Eid Jamaats were held in the city and all nine upazilas in the district while same numbers of volunteer committees were deployed, other than police protection, for safety and security all Eid Jamaat, said Khondokar Yasir Arefin, Deputy Commissioner of Khulna. Main roads were decorated with festoons and flags inscribed with 'Eid Mubarak' and 'Allahu Akbar'. Special and improved diets were also served among the inmates of the different hospitals, jails, Shishu Paribars, orphanages and vagrant welfare centers of the city and district. The police administration also took adequate steps and the members of Police, Rab, Ansar and other law enfo rcing agencies were deployed everywhere for peaceful celebration of the Eid-ul-Fitr. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Hit Bahadur Tamang has pledged to fulfil the citizens' aspirations for development. Addressing the fourth Dolalghat Mahotsav in Kavre on Thursday, Minister Tamang promised to coordinate among the ministries for the touristic development of Dolalghat and the people's aspirations here. He added that the federal government is with the local government in the development efforts and all other works. Likewise, lawmaker Gokul Prasad Baskota said that the development of the Sunkoshi-III hydropower project is a dream of all people in Bhumlu and its surroundings, and sought support from all sides. "After the completion of the project, there will be a lake five-size bigger than Fewa Lake. The project will be completed by 2040. After that, Dolalghat will be a unique tourist destination," Baskota added. On the occasion, Chief of Kavre District Coordination Committee Dipak Gautam said uncontrolled extraction of the river mining in the rivers in Kavre will be controlled now as the District Monitoring Committee has come up with a new policy. The festival will continue till April 15. Source: National News Agency Nepal

The main jamaat (congregation) of Eid-ul-Fitr was held at Shah Makhdum Central Eidgah Maidan in the city at 8 am today. Mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation AHM Khairuzzaman Liton and senior officials of divisional and district levels, including Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Dr. Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir and Deputy Commissioner Shamim Ahmed, offered their Eid prayers at the main Eid jamaat. The second and third largest ones were held at Tikapara Eidgah and Shaheb Bazar Zero Point at 8 am and 8.30 am respectively. Thousands of Musallis at the end of Eid jamaats offered special munajats seeking divine blessings and eternal peace of departed souls particularly their near and dear ones, continued peace, progress, and prosperity of the country and as well as greater welfare of the Muslim Ummah. Some other big Eid jamaats in the city were held at Rajshahi University, RUET campus, Hatemkha, Stadium Ground, Shalbagan, Alif Lam Meem Bhata Eidgah, Police Line Parade Ground, Mahisbathan Eidgah Math and Upashahar Eidgah Moidan. Earlier in the morning, streams of people-young, old and children- rushed to their nearest eidgah, mosques and open places to offer the Eid prayers. Around 150 other Eid-ul-Fitr jamaats were held at traditional and temporary venues in the Rajshahi metropolis. On the other hand, the holy Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest religious festival of the Muslims, is being celebrated in Rajshahi city and the adjacent districts with due fervor, joy and solemnity. Improved diets are being served to the inmates of different hospitals, jails, Shishu Paribars, orphanages and vagrant welfare centres in all districts on the occasion. Meanwhile, tight security arrangements have been adopted for the Rajshahi city and its adjacent areas for peaceful celebration of the Eid-ul-Fitr. Similar reports of Eid congregations were reached here from the districts of Chapainawabganj, Natore, Naogaon, Bogra, Joypurhat, Sirajganj and Pabna in Rajshahi division. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has said the government is ready to facilitate foreign businesspersons who want to invest in Nepal. In a meeting with the delegation of the Confederation of Indian Industries, PM Dahal informed that the government could bring policy reforms to facilitate foreign investment. The foreign investors would also get logistics support when they put money in potential areas in Nepal. The delegation also called on Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun, and Minister for Industries, Commerce and Supply, Damodar Bhandari. On the occasion, Finance Minister Pun stated that Indian economy had huge role in Nepal's economy and he would do best from his side to promote trade and investment between the two countries. Similarly, Industry Minister Bhandari pledged necessary support to ease the establishment of industries by the foreign investors in Nepal. A delegation led by President of the Confederation of Indian Industries, Sanjeev Puri, came to Kathmandu to participate i n the 58th annual general meeting of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI). Puri was the keynote speaker at the annual general meeting of FNCCI. FNCCI President Chandra Dhakal and other officials were also together in the meeting. Source: National News Agency Nepal

The holy Eid-UL-Fitr, the greatest religious festival of Muslims, was celebrated here amid festivity and due religious fervor. The main Eid congregation was held at 9am at Netrakona Eidgha Maidan in Muktarpara area here. Former state minister for social welfare and valiant Freedom Fighter Ashraf Ali Khan Khasru, MP, deputy commissioner Netrakona Shahed Parvez, police super Netrakona Foyaz Ahmed, mayor of Netrakona municipality Nazrul Islam Khan, district-level officers, public representatives, political leaders, freedom fighters and a large number of people from all walks of life attended the Eid congregation. Head Imam of Netrakona central Jam-e-mosque Moulana Mustafa Kamal conducted the main Eid prayers which offered seeking blessings of almighty Allah for peace, progress and prosperity of the nation and welfare of the mankind. The other big Eid congregations were held at 9am on Netrakona Alia madrasha premises, Netrakona Miftaulum madrasha premises, Netrakona government college premises and Netrakona C handra Nath high school premises in the district town. On the occasion, special and Improved food-items were served to the inmates of jails, hospitals and orphanage children family centers in the district. The main roadside islands of the town were decorated with different festoons inscribed with Eid Mubarak. Netrakona district administration and district police administration took tight security measures for peaceful celebration of the Eid festival. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Speakers at a programme laid emphasis on effective collaboration among stakeholders in order to guarantee protection and promotion of labour rights. At an interaction organized by the Democracy Media Network on 'Protecting Labour Rights and Promoting Safer Migration in Nepal', in the federal capital on Wednesday, they argued correction in present policy and behaviour of government agencies was imperative to reform this sector. Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security, Dol Prasad Aryal, said the ministry was ready to collaborate with stakeholders so that labour rights could be better protected and safer migration promoted. He assured the ministry would accept feedback from the concerned stakeholders to promote safer migration. "I expect constructive inputs from the national and international organizations, which could be a base for any reform initiative in this sector," Minister Aryal said, underlining the need for creating more job opportunities. Private sector would be taken in conf idence to create more jobs, according to him. The Minister further viewed exploitation of people aspiring foreign jobs must end. Government is aware of it so that their rights would not be compromised. On the occasion, Bagmati Provincial Assembly Member Suraj Lamichhane said provincial government is also responsible to protect labour rights, so it welcomes feedback from stakeholders to this regard. According to Senior Public Management Economist at Asian Development Bank (ADB), Dr Sameer Khatiwada, employment to population ratio and labour force participation rate in Nepal is significantly low compared to other South Asian and Asian countries. Some immediate measures can be taken to curb unsafe migration, while accountability in multiple layers as in local agents, private recruitment agencies, family and relatives, friends and local money lenders can help end exploitation of aspiring migrant workers. President of the International Institute for Human Rights, Environment and Development (INHURED Internati onal), Dr Gopal Krishna Siwakoti, suggested the government that it initiated the process of signing the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons so that Nepal could be able to bring back hundreds of Nepalis who are languishing in foreign jails on various offenses. Executive Director at Equidem Research Nepal, Rameshwar Nepal, commented that weak diplomacy and pervasiveness of administrative approach are some hindrances to reform in labour migration. Executive Director at Aaprabasi Mahila Kamdar Samuha (AMKAS), Bijaya Rai Shrestha, expressed concern over 'gendered' approach while taking decision on labour permit. Women's rights to choose labour destination freely must not be belittled and breached, she reminded. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Md. Humayun Kabir Khandaker has called upon all concerned including the diplomats to work with more sincerity and integrity to further brighten the country's image abroad. He simultaneously urged them to project the impressive socioeconomic progress that Bangladesh achieved in the last 15 years under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Humayun Kabir made the call while exchanging views with senior officials of the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC on Monday afternoon, according to a press release received here today. Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA Muhammad Imran delivered the welcome address at the meeting. A two-member Bangladesh delegation led by the Senior Secretary of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry is now in the US capital to hold meetings with the officials concerned of the Library of Congress to collect the video footage relating to the great Liberation War and Father of the Nation Bangab andhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from the Library. Humayun Kabir mentioned that under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh attained huge progress in the last one and a half decades and became a role model of development in the world. It's the responsibility of all to project this success for further brightening the country's image abroad and work sincerely in building 'Smart Bangladesh' by 2041, he added. The Senior Secretary underscored the need for undertaking more effective measures by all to stop anti-state propaganda abroad. He also paid tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at his bust at Bangabandhu Corner of the Mission and went round its different parts including the Press Wing. Upon his arrival at the Embassy, Humayun Kabir Khandaker was received by Minister (Press) AZM Sajjad Hossain with a flower bouquet. On April 5, the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting attended the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on collection and preservation of the video footage relating to the great Liberation War and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman between Bangladesh Film Archive and Getty Images, a reputed visual agency of the USA, in New York. On behalf of Bangladesh Film Archive, Dr. Md. Mofakkharul Iqbal, the Project Director of the project titled "Collection and Preservation of Audiovisual Documents of the Liberation War from Local and Foreign Sources and Capacity Building of the Bangladesh Film Archive", and Arran Birchenough, the Asia Pacific TV and Sales Director of Getty Images, inked the MoU in the presence of the Senior Secretary. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha