H.E. Mr. Junichiro Koizumi, Prime Minister of Japan, and H.E. Mr. Toshihiro Nikai, Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry, and Chairman of Japan-Nepal Parliamentarians Friendship League sent their congratulatory messages on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Nepal. Their messages were presented by Mr. Takashi Yano, Member of the House of Representatives, and Mr. Toshiki Nikai, Executive Assistant and son of H.E. Mr. Nikai, respectively during the ceremony commemorating the occasion at Soaltee Crowne Plaza on 1 September. H.E. Mr. Tsutomu Hiraoka, Ambassador of Japan, and Mr. Tadahiko ITO, Member of the House of Representatives, also made their remarks at the ceremony and expressed their belief that the friendly relations between the two countries would be further strengthened in the years to come.

Message from H. E. Mr. Junichiro Koizumi Prime Minister of Japan

It gives me great pleasure to extend, on behalf of the Government and people of Japan, my heartfelt felicitations on the auspicious occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Japan and Nepal. ....more

Message from H. E. Mr. Toshihiro Nikai Chairman of Japan-Nepal Parliamentarian Friendship League Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry

On behalf of Japan-Nepal Parliamentarian Friendship League, I have a great pleasure in conveying my heartfelt felicitations to the Government and people of Nepal on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Japan and Nepal. ....more

Remarks by MR. TSUTOMU HIRAOKA

Ambassador of Japan, at the ceremony to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Nepal.

September, 2006

On today's date in 1956, Notes agreeing to establish diplomatic relations between Japan and Nepal at Ambassadorial level were exchanged in New Delhi between H.E. Mr. Seijiro Yoshizawa, Ambassador of Japan to India and Mr. ..more

Nation without national anthem

Maybe because Dasain is just round the corner, people seem to be in a real swinging mood. But before we go any further, let me relate to you one small get together at the house of a business tycoon, which I promised I would tell you about last week. A few friends got together on that Saturday and Cocktail Man was also invited by the businessman, who happened to be a very old acquaintance. Though early in the day, the host kindly offered beer and... more

New Developments

As the supposedly final round of talks between the Maoists and government looms large on the fate of the country, several developments over the past week may give significant pointers at where we are heading. First is the focus on the five point accord between the two parties that Prime Minister Girija Koirala says will be the basis of talks. .. more

About the “Mandales”

“Mandale” is a word coined by the so-called scholars against those who were/are nationalists. In the vernacular dictionary published by the Royal Nepal Academy, the word “Mandale” is defined as “a notorious person who is involved in evil works”. In fact, it is questionable whether the “Mandales” really are evil people. This is a matter for research. Let me inform you about the background of the “Mandale”. Mandale is the adjective given to the word “Mandal”. “Mandal” is defined as an organisation or a group.... more

By PR Pradhan

"Interim constitution is flawed, deficient"

BY OUR REPORTER

Continuing with the debate regarding 'Need for Supremacy of Constitution, Analysis of Present State of Constitutionalism', organised by Forum for Intellectual Debate on August 18, there were more speakers who pointed out that there was urgent need for the supremacy of the constitution. .. more

Non-Aligned Movement or United Nations?

According to latest press reports, our foreign minister, K.P. Sharma Oli of the United Marxist-Leninists (UML), the mainstream communist party, is going to represent Nepal at the next triennium meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Havana, Cuba. Subsequently, he is slated to participate in the UN General Assembly (UNGA). .. more

Divided we fall

BY BHUWAN SHARMA

I was told a very interesting story by a friend yesterday and because it seemed very relevant to the present political situation in Nepal, I have, through this article, tried to convey the moral of the story to the general public of Nepal. The story is set in the late 20s in one of the very remote villages in Nepal. However, the story is completely fictional and attempts no challenges with realities. The story goes like this:.. more

PARTY RECRUITMENT

The chief of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) resisted pressures from the NC-D to force recruitment of party activists in the already bleeding Authority. The newly appointed chief told party officials politely the recruitment would be an additional unbearable burden on NEA. A veiled threat from Sher Bahadur Deuba's militants suggested the newly appointed executive could be removed to lighten the burden on the state power production and distribution monopoly under the Water Resources Ministry allotted to the NC-D.... more

Conservation: Casualty of Conflict

By Our Reporter

Atithi debo bhawa?

Sir, “Atithi debo bhawa”. This is what we Hindu people in general think of about our guests. More, this is also a popular slogan carefully adopted by our tourism campaigners. There is no doubt at all that we heave respect on foreign visitors from the bottom of our hearts. Foreign visitors do not only help the country earn hard currency, but more than that we can get an opportunity to meet them in person. After all they are from developed countries: more literate and more civilized. But my high regards of them as such crumbled down like ninepins after a recent incident that took place in my cyber Café. This very incident has entirely changed my thinking towards these atithis. .. more

Excerpts from vernacular weeklies and dailies

"Constituent assembly election was our slogan adopted four years ago. Government doesn't have the right to conduct elections; they went to government adopting our slogan. Even if elections are held, government is conspiring against a republic. That's why government should be handed over to Maoists for the vote."

(Maoist Spokesman Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Nepal Samacharpatra, 6 September) ... more