KATHMANDU, April 17: Laxman Sapkota, the first literator mountaineer and runner, is all set to attempt an ascent to the world highest peak Mount Everest this May. He, on his first literator Everest ascend campaign, will take a flag of Reporters’ Club Nepal, a media forum, to the summit of the Everest.

Club’s President Rishi Dhamala handed over a club flag to Sapkota amid a function organized at the Reporters’ Club Nepal on Tuesday. His team has already reached Everest base camp, according to Sapkota.

During the expedition aimed at creating awareness of progressive literature, Sapkota will also attempt to make five world records.

According to Sapkota, he will become the first literator to carry a literator banner to the peak elevating at 8,848 m (29,029 ft). He will also recite a poem standing on the top of Everest. Likewise, he is also planning to release a novel ‘Jhatkeli’, hoist a logo flag of Nepal Pragya Pratisthan, carry a statue of Lord Gautam Buddha, a sculpture of the most sacred Hindu temple Pashupatinath, sacred book Gita and Tripitaka to the peak. Sapkota will also exhibit soil and water of Mechi-Mahakali, a statue of Kaudinya Rishi, sacred textbook Ramayana handed to him by writer and scholar Satyamohan Joshi and photos of 30 different national figures.

Dhamala on the occasion wished luck to Sapkota and his expedition.

“Sapkota is representing the entire literator community to the record-breaking Sagarmatha expedition. It is a matter of pride and happiness to all. I wish him all the best,” he said.

Sapkota expressed happiness for the support given by Dhamala and media.

“I am grateful to Reporters’ Club President Dhamala and all the media for their support. Your support has added more motivation and energy to my expedition,” he said.

“I will hoist the flag of Reporters’ Club Nepal on the summit of Everest.”

Before this, Sapkota had embarked on East-West walkathon beginning his journey from Kankadvitta to Gaddchauki of Mahakali in 2016.

He also successfully ascended the Imjatse peak (6200m) of Solukhumbu district in 2014.

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

KATHMANDU, Feb 26: Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, India coordinator of Eminent Persons Group (EPG) and foreign affairs expert, expressed his confidence that Indo-Nepal bilateral ties will further deepen in the coming days.

“Indo-Nepal bilateral ties will be focused on the issues of development and prosperity in the coming days. India is eager to see Nepal progress and develop. Nepal has finally got a stable government under the leadership of CPN-UML Chair K P Sharma Oli. People have high hopes with this government. I hope this government will work for the welfare of country and its people,” said Koshiyari at a special interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal on Monday.

“I believe that the excellent relation between Nepal and India will further deepen and move ahead establishing a development partnership during the premiership of Oli,” added Koshiyari.

He said he was confident that the political leaders and the people of Nepal have a very positive relation with India. “This bond is inseparable,” he furthered.

The former vice-chairman of Bharatiya Janata Party shared that he had held separate talks with Prime Minister Oli, Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and CPN (Maoist Center) Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ during his stay in Nepal.

“I held one-to-one talks with Prime Minister Oli, Maoist Center Chair Prachanda and NC President Deuba. I am glad that they said they cannot even think of jeopardizing the existing excellent Indo-Nepal relation,” he added.

“The relation between Nepal and India is excellent and unique. All three leaders have said that the two countries have an eternal bond. They have assured full cooperation with India in matters of development,” furthered Koshiyari.

He also claimed that Nepal’s Prime Minister Oli and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi never had a straining relationship. “Temporary hiccups are normal. But, in overall both the prime ministers have a very excellent relationship.”

Briefing the 7th EPG meeting that concluded on Sunday in Kathmandu, Koshiyari shared that the EPG will submit a report very soon.

He said, “We held serious discussion regarding 1950 Treaty, trade and transition, connectivity, railway links, hydel projects, cyber crime, environmental issues and various other issues of India-Nepal relation. A report is being prepared to take the bilateral relation between the two countries to a new height. I am confident that no sides will be disappointed with the report.”

The EPG is a joint mechanism consisting of experts and intellectuals from Nepal and India, formed to study and report on the overall relations between the two neighbors including 1950 Peace and Friendship treaty, trade, environment, border and hydropower. The EPG that met for the first time in July 2016 has four fourth months left, before its term expires. The next meeting will be held in New Delhi.

‘NATIONAL ASSEMBLY NOT REQUIRED TO FORM A NEW GOVT’

KATHMANDU, Dec 16: CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma has accused Nepali Congress of disrespecting the mandate given by the people through recently concluded federal parliament and province assembly election arguing that NC is attempting to prolong its stay in the government by laying hurdles in the ordinance of election to National Assembly.

“NC is intending to disregard and refuse the people’s mandate by laying a trap in the ordinance on National Assembly election and creating hurdles instead of paving way for a new government,” Oli expressed dissatisfaction while speaking at a program organized to congratulate him for his election success by the Reporters’ Club Nepal at his residence in Balkot, Bhaktapur on Saturday.

“NC, after losing the election, tabled the unconstitutional ordinance to National Assembly election so as to suit its own interest,” said the former prime minister adding that NC should correct it.

NC has adopted single transferable votes so that it can help NC secure some members in the upper House but UML has insisted on introducing majority transferable votes to election the National Assembly. The ordinance is currently pending at the Office of President.

Oli also argued that there was no need to National Assembly to form a new government. “Our country has its own precedents and examples of democratic practices. Government formation and National Assembly has its own process. National Assembly is no required to form a new government.”

He also urged the Election Commission to work according to constitution and law rather than run after somebody’s tweets.

He also expressed his dissatisfaction over the government’s work out to appoint province chiefs and added that his party shall not take oath from whoever NC appoints.

He also thanked the Election Commission for successfully completing the election and expressed his gratitude to Reporters’ Club Nepal and other media to have played a significant role in successful conduction of elections.

GOVERNMENT FORMATION AND PARTY UNIFICATION SIMULTANEOUSLY

KATHMANDU, Dec 15: CPN-UML General Secretary Ishwor Pokhrel on Friday said that the process of government formation and party unification with CPN (Maoist Center) will move ahead simultaneously.

The electoral alliance between the two parties worked well in the recently completed federal parliament and province assembly election as the left alliance successfully garnered two-third majority under the first-past-the-post election, with UML winning 80 and Maoist Center winning 36 seats. Now, it can be expected that the two left forces will intensify party unification process and start homework to form a new government under the leadership of left alliance.

“Since the alliance has worked well in election, no problems will occur in unification process and power sharing,” added Pokhrel while talking to Rishi Dhamala at the Party Central Office in Dhumbarai.

“We have started unification talks. A conclusion will be produced very soon.” he furthered adding that he was hopeful that the unification process will end positively.

“The party unification coordination committee is carrying out necessary homework.”

“Both the parties have similar dreams and resolution and political philosophy. We unveiled a joint manifesto—which are the strong bases for the parties to move ahead in unification’s path.”

“A joint draft is being prepared. It will be finalized within two or three days. An open-minded discussion will take place to restructure the party’s entire organization.”

“It is people who want UML and Maoist Center get united. It will be materialized soon.”

He was also quick to claim that KP Oli, UML Chair, should become both the prime minister and party chairperson. “Oli should take charge of the would-be formed government and the party.”

“Even Maoist Center Chair Prachanda has backed Oli for the PM post. Oli’s role, and election results make it clear and understood agenda,” he added.

He however said that it was his personal thought rather than any official decision. “In my opinion party chairperson, parliamentary party leader and prime minister should be the same person. Otherwise, it will create multiple centers in the party,” he clarified.

He also backed for the introduction of multiple transferable votes for the formation of National Assembly.

The law making process to elect the National Assembly has remained stagnant due to the dispute among the parties whether to introduce the single transferable votes or multiple transferable votes for the formation of National Assembly.

UML has insisted on majority voting system as it has won majority seats in both province assemblies and local election.

On the other hand, Nepali Congress has put its stance on single transferable votes so that it can help NC secure some members in the upper House. The ordinance on election of National Assembly is currently pending at the Office of President.

“All the political parties should find consensus and make appropriate decision on such political issue,” he said.

President Bidya Devi Bhandari, during a meeting with Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on Thursday has also sought political consensus among the parties over the provisions of election the National Assembly.

Meanwhile the Election Commission is also waiting for the bill related to National Assembly in order to announce the candidates elected for the federal parliament under the Proportional Representation system.

Pokhrel also asked for Deuba’s resignation as immediately as possible so that he could pave way for the formation of new government. He said, “Once the people’s mandate come into another party’s favor, the prime minister should resign and pave way for a new government. It is an international practice.”

“But Deuba seem to be attempting to elongate his term as PM,” he added.

UML has demanded immediate resignation of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba so that it–largest party of the recently concluded federal election—could start process for the formation of a new government under the leadership of left alliance.

But Deuba is intending to hand over the power only after the election of National Assembly.

JHAPA, Nov 14: Nepali Congress (NC) leader and a House of Representative candidate from Jhapa constituency-1, Bishwo Prakash Sharma has argued that the party should handover leadership role to the new and young leaders.

Speaking during a nationwide campaign ‘End of political transition and commencement of new Nepal’ organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal at Budhabara, Jhapa on Tuesday, leader Sharma said, “NC expects new leadership in the party. We have already started initiative within the party on this regard. Not only NC, but other political parties should also start formal discussion about it.”

“The youth generation must not delay in taking leadership role in politics,” he added.

“I have heard leader Gagan Thapa’s interview in Rishi Dhamala’s popular program Dhamala ko Hamala. Thapa, in the program, argued that the young generation should take the leadership of the country. Thapa can become the prime minister of Nepal and so do I. I am 47 years old, if I get support from Thapa, I can also become the prime minister.”

On the occasion, leader Sharma also claimed that NC will emerge as the largest party in the upcoming parliamentary and province assembly election scheduled for November 26 and December 7. “Nepal’s constitution was promulgated in NC’s leadership. Country’s development is possible only in the hands of NC. Thus, I believe the voters will choose NC in the coming election,” he said.

He also expressed his confidence that the voters will elect him from Jhapa-1 in the parliamentary position. CPN (Maoist Center)’s Ram Karki is contesting against him in the constituency as a common candidate from left alliance.

“The voters here have called Karki a tourist. People in this constituency want me to win the election,” he said.

“They once used bullets to suppress our movement. Now, we will use ballots to turn time in our favor.”

JANAKPUR, Nov 8: Rajendra Mahato, leader of Rastriya Janata Party Nepal has claimed that people of Dhanusha constituency-3 will rather vote him instead of Nepali Congress leader Bimalendra Nidhi in the upcoming House of Representatives elections. Mahato and Nidhi are contesting for a parliamentary seat in the constituency. Elections to the federal parliament and province assemblies in Dhanusha district are being conducted in second phase on December 7.

People’s vote should come in favor of Madhes movement. No voters should cast their votes to the leaders who have suppressed Madhes movement, murdered Madhesi people and confiscated of their rights,” said Mahato while speaking at an interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal in Janakpur, Dhanusha.

“The voters will not cast their votes to Nidhi in order to teach him some good lessons,” he claimed.

“The ruling party used bullets deprive Madhesi people of their rights. But, now time is in our favor. We have ballots, a weapon more powerful than bullets,” he said.

“Time has come to respond them,” he added.

“Six innocent Madhesi brothers lost their lives in Maleth of Saptri district. Now people reply to this incident as well through ballot boxes,” he furthered.

He further stated: “The constitution of Nepal was promulgated going against the sentiment of Madhesi people. We can never accept such constitution. NC’s Madhes-based top leader himself signed the constitution and forced Madhesi people for this too. He is from Janakpur.”

When club’s President Rishi Dhamala told Mahato that leader Nidhi has claimed himself as the Messiah (savior) of Madhes in a recent poll campaign, Mahato replied: “A leader who ordered firing at Madhesi people cannot be a Messiah. His claims are laughable. He has no moral ground to seek votes in Madhes.”

“Not in Dhanusha-3, or in any part of Madhes.”

“People are not going to believe him no matter what he says,” he continued.

Responding to Nidhi’s claim that only he had contributed in development of Madhes, Mahato said, “Even though Nidhi has won election again and again from Madhes, he has done nothing for the development of this place.”

He added, “I can’t understand on what bases he has come to Madhes to woo voters.”

“People are not going to make the same mistake again. Not in this election,” he added.

“If we vote the leader who once murdered our people, how will we reply to the world?” he further added.

On the occasion, Mahato also requested people not to take his candidacy in Dhanusha-3 otherwise. Mahato’s home town is Sarlahi. He added, “I am running the election from Dhanusha as advised by the party leadership, and as demanded by the people.”

“Janakpur is the heart of Madhes. I have come to Dhanusha highly respecting the demand and request of people here and giving the district a top priority,” he added.

“Development of Janakpur should be taken as high priority- which I will accomplish,” added Mahato.

When asked how many seat his party will win in the upcoming election, Mahato said, “Our movement will win the election. We will win in those constituencies where people will elect us. One thing is sure: we will emerge victorious in many constituencies.”

“Nepali Congress’ day here in Madhes in gone now. They didn’t develop our place. People know this. Now, Madhesi parties will rise here. We have ballot boxes. We will use this weapon (ballot boxes and votes) and turn time in our favor.”

Kathmandu:  Newly appointed General Secretary of Arjun South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Bahadur Thapa has said that Nepal is ready to host the upcoming 18th SAARC summit.

Talking at an interaction program organized by the Reporters Club Nepal on Monday, after taking over the responsibility of SAARC’s new GS, Thapa said, “Nepal has successful experience of hosting the 11^th SAARC summit here in Kathmandu.  It has sufficient expertise, physical infrastructure and human resources to host the summit.”

G S Thapa while stating the date for the event is yet to fixed, he informed that a date for the summit slated to be held in November will be announced soon after discussions.

However, Thapa said that the “Nepal government will have to make the preparations at a maximum pace to meet the November deadline, if agreed.”

While alluding many details for the summit to be finalized yet, Thapa said that organization has been working closely with the government authorities to implement them.

Elaborating on the focus of the upcoming summit, Thapa said that it will focus on raising livelihood of the people and added that it will focus on alleviating poverty levels within the member nations in the upcoming summit.

KATHMANDU(Rudra Bahadur Karki). CPN UML leader Bhim Rawal has stressed on the need to focus on constitution drafting by brushing aside the issue of electing new President and Vice President.

“If Nepali Congress and CPN UML come together on outstanding issues and move forward in consensus, than the nation will move forward towards drafting a new constitution,” Rawal said stressing on the need to hold intense discussions between both parties for resolving outstanding issues while speaking at the Reporters Club Nepal on Friday.

He said that the major task of political parties is to promulgate the new constitution within time from the Constituent Assembly. He said, “We all political parties should have to concentrate on promulgating the constitution rather than deviating to other secondary task,” while alluding to the recent debate on electing President and Vice President through the first session of the CA.

Speaking at the program presided by the President of Reporters Club Nepal, Rishi Dhamala, Rawal said that his party has not been obliterating the ongoing consensus government formation process for holding the President and Vice President’s election.

He said that the upcoming government will be formed under the leadership of the Nepali Congress but stressed on the need to introduce a clear package on power sharing and other outstanding issues between both parties.

“The new government will be formed within this month,” he said adding that his party crucial role in promulgating the new constitution within a year.

Speaking at the same program Nepali Congress senior leader Arjun Narshing KC termed the demands for electing new President and Vice-President as untimely and and irrelevant demands. He said, “It is really very unjust and unfortunate that CPN UML claims that second CA can’t recognize the term of the incumbent President and Vice-President.”

He said that his party is not in favor of changing the President and Vice-President.

Referring to the ongoing discussion on power sharing in the proposed consensus government, KC said that party leaders were in discussion within and outside the party to resolve the issue and to reach a common understanding over outsanding issues. Refuting claims that his party has been delaying the government formation, KC said that intra and inter-party talks on government formation were moving in a positive direction.

He claimed that the party will finalize its Parliamentary Party leader within 15th of this month. “Nepali Congress will finalize its parliamentary party leader candidate within the deadline through consensus,” said KC adding that the party will take legal course if consensus efforts fail to materialize.

Speaking on the same occasion, RPP leader Pashupati Shamser Rana stressed on the need to form a Nepali Congress and UMl’s coalition government and expressed willingness to be part of such a government.

Rana stressed on the need to continue the terms of the incumbent President and Vice President and focus on drafting the new constitution.

Speaking at the function CPN-Maoist Leader Dev Gurung warned that his party will launch agitation if the political parties do not consider his party’s demand for a round table conference to prepare the road map for drafting the new constitution.

Gurung stressed on the need to ensure the inclusion of erstwhile CA’s achievements in the new constitution. Claiming that the new CA wont be able to promulgate the new constitution, he warned of not accepting such a constitution even if it does.