Kathmandu, 21 October : President Bidya Devi Bhandari has inaugurated the reconstructed historic Ranipokhari in Kathmandu district today. The 17th century pond was severely damaged in the Gorkha Earthquake in April, 2015. It was rebuilt by the National Reconstruction Authority according to its original Malla –era design. President Bhandari had laid a foundation stone for the reconstruction of the quake-damaged Ranipokhari on January 16, 2016.

Inaugurating the iconic structure that was built by King Pratap Malla, Bhandari expressed her confidence that the reconstruction of the Ranipokhari would be an important milestone for the conservation and development of Kathmandu Valley that has been the cradle of an ancient civilization and is rich in natural and cultural heritages. Furthermore, the Head of the State articulated her happiness over the fulfillment of the resolutions to resettle those homeless rendered by the Gorkha Earthquake, the reconstruction of the quake-damaged cultural and historical monuments and heritages in their original form.

Wishing to see the reconstruction of other quake-damaged structures at the earliest, Bhandari viewed that NRA had set an example in the area of conservation and reconstruction of our heritages by rebuilding the Ranipokhari using traditional technology, style and construction materials.

The Balgopaleshwor Temple in the middle of the Ranipokhari has also been rebuilt in its original Gumbaz style. Bhandari said that she was elated to know about the masterplan to connect Ranipokhari to Dasarath Stadium and bring Ratnapark, Khullamanch, Tundikhel, Bhritukimandap in its original shape and size while urging an earliest and effective implement of the masterplan in coordination with the stakeholders.

“I am confident that implementation of the Dharahara project that is reaching near-completion phase and Tundikhel grasp masterplan would provide a big open space for the Kathmandu folk. It will help in the celebration of cultural festivals, provide playground and will be made the center of attraction for domestic and foreign tourists,” she said.

Also, the President extended her gratitude towards the Chinese government for its support in the reconstruction of quake-damaged Durbar High School that she inaugurated today itself. Durbar High School is situated on opposite of Ranipokhari. Bhandari commended the contribution of the Durbar High School in the production of able citizens since its establishment and said she was confident that the school would be an index of quality in school education.

The School established during Rana regime to provide education to their offspring was open to the public later. The reconstructed Durbar High School is four-storey and has more than 40 class rooms. It is quake-resilient and spans over nine and half ropani land. President Bhandari was hopeful that the government’s policies, planning and implementation framework on post-quake reconstruction would be an inspiration for the future generation and international communities. Photo By : Mukunda Kalikote/NepaliReporter

KATHMANDU, June 25 : President Bidya Devi Bhandari has authenticated three bills passed by the federal parliament. The bill certified today includes Bill relating to amendment of some Nepal Acts related to education, Bill designed to amend and integrate laws relating to sports development and Bill designed to provide for use and regulation of radioactive material.

The bills were authenticated as per Article 113 (2) of the Constitution, according to the Office of the President.RSS

KATHMANDU, May 16:The government is to make the justice administration efficient and promote an accessible justice system.Addressing the joint meeting of both houses of the Federal Parliament on Friday while presenting the government’s plan and programmes for the fiscal year 2020/21, President Bidya Devi Bhandari stated that the government would implement the fourth five-year strategic plan of the judiciary and promote an accessible justice system.

“The remaining works of the peace process and transitional justice would be completed. Arrangements would be made for the medical treatment of people injured in course of the people’s movement and the conflict period in the past and who need additional treatment. Provisions would be made for making technology, training and financial access available to provide employment and self-employment opportunities to the people injured and rendered physically handicapped in course of the past movements and conflict,” the government’s policy and programmes states.
The government’s policy and programmes states that all the security bodies, including the Nepali Army, would be made professional, capable and highly motivated by providing the necessary resources, while the security personnel shall be made proficient by providing regular training.

Similarly, it is also stated in the policy and programmes that necessary preparations would be completed for operating the National Defence University and the production of military hardware would be increased at the national level. It is stated that the ‘national unification trail’ would be conserved and protected.

Likewise, the government’s policy and programmes document states that the National Planning Commission (NPC) would be centred on evaluation and research of development policies, programmes and projects. It is stated that the national census, the national living standard measurement survey, industrial census and happiness survey would be conducted in the next year.RSS

KATHMANDU, May 16: The government has stated that building a ‘healthy Nepal’ is its main health policy. President Bidya Devi Bhandari stated this while presenting the government’s policy and programmes for the fiscal year 2020/21 in the joint session of the Federal Parliament here on Friday.

The government’s policy and programmes states that a programme would be implemented to enhance the immunity power of the Nepalis by promoting nature-friendly salubrious lifestyle.
It is stated that preventive and curative methods would be adopted in the health service.

Stating that the government has provided basic health services with the construction of infrastructures at additional 2,626 local level wards where this service was not available.
The government’s policy and programmes states that the quality of the health institutions at the local levels would be improved in the coming fiscal year. It also states that hospitals with minimum five beds and maximum 15 beds would be set up or upgraded at every local level based on geography and population.

Similarly, it is stated that the primary emergency health service would be provided from central hospitals free of cost to the poor and underprivileged section of the population. Programmes for the prevention, diagnosis, testing and treatment of diseases like hypertension, diabetes, cancer, asthma, kidney problem, liver condition and uterus-related diseases would be made effective throughout the country. arrangements would also be made for examining the blood pressure, albumin and diabetes of citizens above 40 years old from the ward level service centres.RSS 

KATHMANDU, May 15: The meeting of National Assembly (NA) on Friday approved a proposal to extend gratitude to President Bidya Devi Bhandari for her address to the joint meeting of the federal parliament.

During the meeting, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had presented a copy of the policies and programmes of the government for the fiscal year 2020/21 unveiled by the President.

The proposal reads, “The meeting of National Assembly would like to extend its thanks to President Bidya Devi Bhandari for her address to the joint meeting of the federal parliament on May 15, 2020.”
NA member Dinanath Sharma had presented the proposal which was seconded by another NA member Shekhar Kumar Singh.

The federal parliament will deliberate on the policy and programmes unveiled by the President on May 18, 19 and 20. Prime Minister Oli will respond to the queries to be posed by the parliamentarians on policy and programmes during those meetings.
The NA will next meet on May 17 at 11 am.  RSS

KATHMANDU, May 15:The government will establish Industrial Village in 45 local units in the new fiscal year 2020/21.

President Bidya Devi Bhandari announced so while unveiling the government policy and programmes for fiscal year 2020/21 at the meeting of federal parliament on Friday. Works have been initiated in those local units to set up the industrial villages, according to President Bhandari, to promote industries in an integrated manner by using local labour, skills and resources.

Furthermore, the Head of the State said that the policy and programmes of the government for the next fiscal year has accorded high priority to the industrial sector and would expand the industrial villages as per the need of the local units and feasibility.RSS

On Saturday evening, Rishi Dhamala invited Rastriya Prajatantra Party (United) Chairman Pashupati Shumsher JBR in one of the most popular talkshow Janata Jana Chahanchan broadcast on Prime Times television.

The discussion was focused on RPP’s lobbying on the reinstatement of Nepal as a Hindu state and revival of the monarchy in the country. Show host Dhamala, also the president of Reporters’ Club Nepal, and Rana also talked about Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli’s visits to foreign countries.

When they were debating on RPP’s agenda of Hindu state and monarchy, Rana started referring Dhamala using the word ‘timi’ a less polite Nepali word for the second person singular word ‘you’.

Rana was arguing that President Bidya Devi Bhandari’s luxurious living style was not suitable for a poor and developing country like Nepal.

“This is a democracy. Prez Bhandari makes people keel who reaches Sital Niwas to receive tika. Is this behavior appropriate?”

“It is biased. Therefore, we have thought of replacing the president with the monarchy.”

When Dhamala asked Rana how he came to stand in favor of monarchy when he, in a face-to-face interaction program in Reporters’ Club, had clearly maintained his party is a Republican party, Rana replied, “Yes, but the president could not be fair. She craves for luxury and power. So, instead of a person who has an obsession with luxury and power, we have thought it could be if we reviving the older organization, king.”

“Rishi le sunya xou, (you have heard) about the debate on executive president…”

Dhamala interrupted saying, “The directly elected executive president is a need.”

When Rana said, “Sunana (Listen)…

Dhamala’s patience broke and he said, “Don’t say sunana, say sunnus Pashupati Shumsher ji”.

“You should apologize.”

Sunya xou andSunana are the verbs are used with the less formal and less polite word timi. The use of such words is not generally applicable in the formal programs.

Then Rana said, “Sorry! No problem. I said ‘timi’ because I am used to calling you like this. We are familiar with each other… so it came… but it’s okay.”

“No, in an interview, you have to use the word tapai,” said Dhamala.

According to chair Rana, a monarchy that is acceptable to all the people should be established.

In the interview, Rana also said that Prime Minister Oli’s frequent state visits to foreign countries have not been beneficial.

“I think the PM is making tourist visit.”

“State visits should have the purpose of harboring benefits in the country’s interest. What has the country achieved from PM’s Vietnam and Cambodia visits?

“PM’s current visit to the United Kingdom is also not suitable at a moment because of the instability created following the resignation of British Prime Minister Theresa May,” he said.

He also said that the government with a two-thirds majority has not done anything notable.

‘PM OLI, PREZ BHANDARI ARE SILENT. WHO ELSE WILL SOLVE DASDHUNGA MURDER CASE?’

Rishi Kattel, Chairman of Communist Party of Nepal, has claimed Madan Bhandari was murdered. Bhandari’s accident was not just an accident but was pre-planned murder.

The then General Secretary of CPN-UML Madan Bhandari and organizational department chief of the same party, Jibraj Ashrit were killed in a mysterious jeep accident in Dasdhunga, Chitwan the in the evening of May 16, 1993— the dubbed unsolved murder still remains unsolved after 25 years.

Bhandari and Ashrit were en route to Chitwan from Pokhara to attend a meeting when the jeep plunged into the Trishuli river. Driver Amar Lama, according to his statement, survived after he managed to escape from the window sustaining minor injuries. He was reportedly killed by Maoist rebels ten years later in Kirtipur.

Kattel, who had traveled with late leader Bhandari from Pokhara to Anbu Khaireni in the same jeep, said he is disappointed with Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and President Bidya Devi Bhandari, widow of Madan Bhandari, for taking zero interest in the unsolved Dasdhunga murder.

Talking to Rishi Dhamala in a popular television talk show ‘Janata Janna Chahanchan’, Kattel remembers, “I was with Madan Bhandari, Jibraj Ashrit and driver Amar Lama. I traveled with them from Pokhara to Khaireni. I was in Gorkha when I learned about the accident.”

“It was already dark and no local vehicles were available. So I went to the accident site the next morning.”

“When I look back at the incidents, it was not a natural jeep accident. I can say leaders Bhandari and Ashrit were murdered.”

“Now, his wife (widow) Bidya Devi is the president of Nepal. Oli, who used to claim himself as the closest person to Madan Bhandari is the prime minister of Nepal.”

“The Dasdhunga incident is still a topic of interest for people. But, President Bidya Devi and Prime Minister Oli show no interest in the unsolved murder,” he added.

When asked who could have murdered Bhandari and Ashrit, Kattel said, “I cannot point out names. The Trilok Pratap Rana Commission took a statement with me about the Dasdhunga incident. In the statement, I have clearly stated it was a murder case.”

“Driver Lama was very close to Bhandari. Bhandari trusted him. So, we did not pay attention to the activities of Lama when we were in Pokhara and while traveling. Neither we thought about the reason behind why the driver looked serious before the incident occurred,” he remembers.

“Lama himself had made Bhandari fasten the seat belt when he said it was not necessary because the trip was not long.”

“The door where Bhandari had seated was locked. The windshield was not broken. Ashrit, who was in the back seat when I left, was in the same position but lying lifeless when the crane pulled up the jeep from the river.”

“But, there was no sign of Madan Bhandari. After searching for three days, his dead body was found lying in the river bank in Gajapur, some 32 kilometers from the accident site.”

“I myself had reached there to identify his body. The body was said to have swept away by the river. But, surprisingly, there was not even a single scratch on his body except a small bruise on his face.”

“The body was obviously missing the pant Bhandari was wearing, which he had tightened using a belt. But his underwear was still on the body.”

“Also, there was no chance Bhandari could have swept away by the river.”

“All the facts lead to a conclusion that it was a murder.”

When asked what could have lead to Bhandari’s murder, he said there could be one or two reasons behind this.

“Driver Lama had disappeared for a long time so that we had to wait for him for a while in Pokhara, Kattel further explained.

“When he arrived he was very serious. He did not speak a word except requesting Bhandari to fasten his seatbelt.”

“While traveling we discussed People’s Multiparty Democracy (Janata Ko Bahudaliya Janabad), a popular principle propounded by Bhandari.”

“I was not in agreement with Bhandari because I thought this principle of was not new and a threat to the communist movement. I had told Bhandari that the thought of multiparty democracy would lead Nepal’s communist movement to nowhere.”

“Bhandari in response had told me not to panic and jump into any conclusion,” he said.

“We will continue the discussion on this. Unless we bring people to the streets, no revolution is possible. If we fail to bring people to streets through this principle, then…. we are the drivers, we will change the gear and turn back,” said Kattel quoting Bhandari.

“We continued discussing this topic until we reached Damauli,” he added.

“In fact, there was no plan take the vehicle to Pokhara. The jeep was in a workshop because Bhandari and other leaders were in a month-long plan to visit eastern Nepal taking the message of recently concluded General Convention,” he revealed.

“They were planning to inaugurate district convention in Pokhara on May 16, then visit Chitwan next day to address a function organized by women. Then, after visiting eastern districts, they were planning to reach Tanahu to inaugurate another district convention at the end of Jestha month before returning to the capital.”

“But Wachaspati Devkota, who also traveled with them, requested Ashrit to take the jeep to Pokhara saying there was no vehicle. Bhandari had flown to Pokhara telling the driver to drive the jeep to Chitwan.”

Then who planned the murder of Bhandari? asked Rishi Dhamala.

According to Kattel, some foreign elements, as well as internal powers including Palace (monarch), were involved in Bhandari’s murder.

“I cannot say who murdered him. An investigation led by K P Oli said it was not an accident but an unsolved murder. Oli concealed the report and has not unveiled it yet. The Trilok Pratap Commission concluded the incident as an accident.”

“Murder of such high profile personalities is not done with a small planning. They could be from the palace, or the party or neighbor or anywhere.”

“Madan Bhandari was a tall figure. He was patriotic, charismatic and the most popular leader of Nepal. Besides, Nepal is a country where a true patriot has a hard time surviving,” he furthered.

“The conspirators of Bhandari’s should have thought Madan Bhandari’s patriotic stance would block them to molest the country’s resources.”

“Another reason could be his principle of people’s multiparty democracy. He could have reconsidered this thought or be defeated. But some communist leaders should have thought that finishing Bhandari would allow them to continue with the principle.”

“Everybody has realized now how shameful the communist movement is, which evolved from the same principle propounded by Bhandari.”

When asked whether K P Oli led government could solve the murder, he said, “They can. But they won’t.”

“If Madan Bhandari had not died, Bidya Devi would never be the president.”

“She does not have the qualification to be a candidate for the post of president of Nepal. She became the president because she is the widow of late Madan Bhandari.”

“After Madan Bhandari died, Oli rose to power. He is now the prime minister of Nepal.”

“The President, after assuming the post, could have formed a probe committee. But there is mum on this.”

“Oli is silent. Bidya Bhandari is silent. Their followers are silent. Our interest in the mysterious murder can do nothing.”

KATHMANDU, May 16: The youngest daughter of President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Nisha Kusum Bhandari has given birth to a girl on Thursday. She gave birth to a daughter at Nepal Medicity Hospital based on Lalitpur.

Nisha had tied the knot with Abhishek Yadav two years ago.

Bhandari is on her way to the hospital, according to sources.

KATHMANDU, May 1: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has returned home on Wednesday by wrapping up her eight-day state visit of China.

President Bhandari had embarked on the visit to China at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Vice-President Nanda Bahadur Pun, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara, National Assembly Chairman Ganesh Prasad Timalsina welcomed the President at the VIP lounge of the Tribhuvan International lounge.

Similarly, members of the Council of Ministers, Nepal Communist Party’s parliamentary party’s Deputy Leader, Chiefs of security agencies and other high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were also at the VIP lounge to receive the President.

During her visit to China, President Bhandari had addressed a high-level roundtable meeting of Second Belt and Road Initiative for International Cooperation.

Likewise, she was welcomed by China’s President Xi in the premises of the Great Hall of the People on Monday, where a bilateral meeting was held between both the Presidents.

Both the Presidents signed various agreements including transit and transport between Nepal and China. President Bhandari was accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, chief minister of State 3 Dormani Paudyal, MPs, high ranking government officials, Nepal’s Ambassador to China Leela Mani Paudyal, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi, representatives from the private sector and media-persons. RSS

Photos: Mukunda Kalikote