KATHMANDU, March 31: Nepal Communist Party Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has emphasized the need for further consensus, collaboration and unity in the days ahead to achieve prosperity and development.

Speaking at a function organized on the occasion of the 21^st anniversary function of the Reporters’ Club Nepal at Rastriya Sabha Griha in Kathmandu on Sunday, he said, ‘I have not any personal greed. Now my wish is country’s economic prosperity and development.”

Also the former Prime Minister, Dahal urged the media sector not to involve in the activities enfeebling national unity, stability and development.

KATHMANDU, March 31: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has reiterated that government has centered its attention on building new Nepal with social justice. End of poverty and backwardness, and development of infrastructures are given top priority under the economic prosperity campaign, he added.

Speaking at a special function organized on the occasion of 21st anniversary of Reporters’ Club Nepal at Rastriya Sabha Griha, Exhibition Road on Sunday, “The investment summit concluded on Saturday remained quite encouraging and fruitful for infrastructural development. We successfully held the event. Entire nation stood together. We gave a message of focused direction and one voice,” he asserted, adding that as it would take time for Nepal alone to ensure prosperity, efforts were made to seek cooperation from the foreign development partners.

On a different note, he said although the adjustment of government employees was not that easy task, it was accomplished along with new law. As he said the federal, provincial and local levels would work in coordination with the practices as per their jurisdictions.

Similarly, he said the efforts to revive conflict in Nepal were frustrated. “The separatist elements fomenting conflict and division among parties and society are put to an end,” the PM underscored.

He urged everyone to develop positive thoughts. “The youths in media and social networking sites need to remind the world that Nepalis pride on the civilized and cultured history and society. Society, history and civilization must not be forgotten,” he reminded. RSS

KATHMANDU, March 31: Senior leader of the main opposition party Nepal Congress Dr. Ram Saran Mahat has highlighted the need to work together for attaining the national goals.

Speaking at a special function organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal on its 21^st anniversary, Dr. Mahat, also the former finance minister, said, “Instability and the political transition has ended in the country. Now, the time has come for the leaders of all political parties to work together for attaining the national goal of development and prosperity.”

“The government enjoys two-third majority at the parliament. But they should also discuss with the opposition party,” he added.

Leader Mahat, on the occasion, congratulated and extended best wishes to the club on its 21^st anniversary.

KATHMANDU, March 31: Ambassador of India to Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri has praised Rishi Dhamala, president of Reporters’ Club Nepal, as a wonder and fantastic reporter.

Speaking at a special function organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal on its 21^st anniversary, at Rastriya Sabha Griha, Exhibition Road on Sunday, Ambassador Puri congratulated the club and extended best wishes. He also lauded Dhamala for his effort and success.

“I want to congratulate the club and wish you Rishi all the best in your fantastic endeavor. You have certainly created that platform in Nepal which allows for free, fair and possibly aggressive debate, and coming face to face with those who question you and ask you a different perspective,” he said.

“Dhamala is a wonderful and fantastic reporter, and a great voice,” he added.

KATHMANDU, March 31: Minister for Information and Communication Gokul Baskota has denied the reports that the government is trying to restrict press freedom and freedom of expression in the country.

“I have read and heard reports that media has become insecure because the government is trying to control it and the new laws related to social media are intended to silence critical voice and curb press freedom. But I say, the media is becoming more secure and protected starting this year,” said Baskota, speaking at the Reporters’ Club Nepal’s 21^st anniversary celebration function at Rastriya Sabha Griha on Sunday.

According to minister Baskota, the government is not trying to restrict the media but has brought policies to regulate it. “Should not Facebook and Twitter register first?” he said.

“The Constitution of Nepal has guaranteed press freedom, and the government is committed for the same.”

“The year 2019 will be a special year for the media sector,” he added.

On the occasion, Minister Baskota also congratulated Reporters’ Club Nepal on its 21^st anniversary and extended best wishes to the club.

KATHMANDU, March 31: Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) leader Rajendra Mahato has accused the government of terrorizing the media on the power of its two-thirds majority.

Speaking at the 21^st anniversary celebration function of the Reporters’ Club Nepal on Sunday, he said, “The government has become arrogant because of its two-thirds majority and has terrorized the media by trying to restrict it.”

“Oli’s arrogance will not lead to his downfall,” he warned.

Mahato was of the opinion that the government should play a responsible role to protect the democratic norms and values instead of being arrogant.

On the occasion, Mahato also congratulated and extended best wishes to the club on its 21^st anniversary.

KATHMANDU, March 31: Dr. Upendra Mahato, founding Chairperson of Non-Resident Nepali Association, has said that Nepal has become a land of opportunities.

Speaking at the Reporters’ Club Nepal’s 21^st anniversary function at Rastriya Sabha Griha, Exhibition Road on Sunday, he said, “The world used to think Nepal as a land of conflict years ago. But now, Nepal is being regarded as the country of opportunity.”

Referring to the Nepal Investment Summit 2019, held from March 29-30, he said, “Nepal has bright prospects”, and appealed all the citizens of the country to join hands in making the country peaceful, happy and prosperous.

KATHMANDU, March 31: Minister of Foreign Affairs Pradeep Gyawali has said that Nepal is being visible in the international arena in the latest period.

Speaking at a special function organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal on its 21^st anniversary at the Rastriya Sabha Griha on Sunday, Minister Gyawali said, “End of the elongated transitional period, peace process, institutionalized inclusive, development-oriented and progressive democracy and the determination to journeying toward prosperity has attracted the attention of the world.”

“In the past years, Nepal used to be known as a land of conflict and political instability. But now the situation has changed,” he added.

“The foreign investors and entrepreneurs participated in the Nepal Investment Summit 2019, held from March 29-31, have interpreted Nepal as the rising star of South Asia.”

“Nepal is being visible to the world,” he added.

On the occasion, he lauded Reporters’ Club’s role in providing the stage for attaining development goals.

He also congratulated the club on its 21^st anniversary and extended best wishes.

KATHMANDU, March 31: Reporters’ Club Nepal, a public journalist forum, has celebrated its 21st anniversary on Sunday.

The club, organizing a special function at Rastriya Sabha Griha, Exhibition Road, marked its anniversary, which was attended by Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, Nepal Communist Party Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, cabinet ministers, former Chief Justice and former interim prime minister Khil Raj Regmi, main opposition party Nepali Congress leader Dr Ram Saran Mahat, Rastriya Janata Party Nepal presidium member Rajendra Mahato, Ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri, senior leader of Bharatiya Janata Party Vijay Jolly, among various other dignitaries.

Reporters’ Club has been dedicating itself to the service of nation, democracy, peace, social and press freedom since its establishment, continuously availing itself to the service of all sections of society, through various media interaction programs with politicians, government officials, business leaders, civil society leaders, diplomatic institutions, policymakers among others; and as well as by disseminating accurate, balanced, objective, and concise news in both English and Nepali medium its own news portal nepalireporter.com and reportersnepal.com.

The club, according to its President Rishi Dhamala, is presently focused on shaping a common national consensus on the objective ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali’ introduced by the government.

On the occasion, the club made public its annual souvenir magazine themed ‘Journey toward prosperity’, which was jointly released by Prime Minister Oli, Chair Dahal, Journo Dhamala, Ambassador Puri, Minister Banskota, Regmi, Dr. Mahat and leader Mahato.

PM Oli, Chair Dahal, Foreign Affairs Minister Pradeep Gyawali, Communications and Information Technology Minister Gokul Baskota, NRN founding Chair Dr. Upendra Mahato, RJPN leader Mahato, Ambassador Puri, leader Mahat and Dr. Khil Raj Regmi had congratulated and extended best wishes to the club.

The club, on the occasion, also honored various journalists with Madan Bhandari Journalism Award, Girija Prasad Journalism Award and Krishna Prasad Bhattarai Journalism Award.

Photos: Mukunda Kalikote