Panel to mark Jya Lochhar

KATHMANDU:

Nepal Tamang Ghedung has formed a 501-member main organising committee under the convenorship of its president Mahendra Jung Tamang to celebrate the Jya Lochhar in a grand manner. The Jya Lochhar and the Tamang New Year (also called Bird New Year) 2841 begins on February 9. The government has already declared a public holiday on Jya Lochhar. In a press release issued here on Sunday, the Nepal Tamang Ghedung demanded that the government and the Maoists announce a 15-day truce to allow the Tamang people to celebrate Lhochhar. — HNS

Khadka Japan-bound

KATHMANDU:

Minister for Physical Planning and Works Prakash Man Singh will, on the recommendation of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, take charge in the absence of Home Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka who left on Sunday for Kobe, Japan, to participate in the second world conference on natural calamity minimisation. This was stated in a notice issued here on Sunday by the press secretariat of the King. — RSS

53 donate blood

BHAKTAPUR:

Around 53 persons donated blood during the first open blood donation programme held here on Saturday by Samadashi Savings and Credit Cooperatives, Bhaktapur. — RSS

Poetry symposium

KATHMANDU:

A special poetry symposium was held here on Saturday to mark the 45th memorial day of progressive litterateur Hridayachandra Singh Pradhan. Some 45 persons recited their works at the 288th programme of Nepali Literary Organisation, the organising body. On the occasion, academician Jibendra Dev Giri shed light on the various aspects and contribution of the eminent litterateur Pradhan. — RSS

Free health camp held

KATHMANDU:

Some 384 persons were treated at the free health camp organised here by Bharosa Diagnostic and Research Centre Private Limited, Kathmandu, on Saturday. The centre runs free health check-up programmes on every first Saturday of the month. Dr Mukunda Raj Panthi, Dr Ram Nath Singh, Dr Madhav Khanal, physician Dr Dinesh Chandra Pokharel, gynaecologist Dr Rita Shrestha, dentist Dr Dipesh Awasthi and Mona Awasthi rendered their services free to people under the programme. — RSS