ISCON gets new chief

KATHMANDU: International Society for Conservation of Natural Resources (ISCON) has elected Dr PK Jha as its new president for the year 2009/10. A press statement issued by ISCON on Saturday states that Jha is the professor and former head of Central Department of Botany at Tribhuvan University and an academician at Nepal Academy of Science and Technology. "The society is dedicated to conservation programmes at field level along with carrying out environment education and mass awareness activities. The society has also instituted a number of awards and prizes given every year to those involved in the conservation sector. — HNS

Body's condolence

KATHMANDU: National Council of Church of Nepal (NCCN) has expressed condolence over the church tragedy that occurred in Dharan of Sunsari district a couple of days ago. Issuing a press statement on Saturday, NCCN extended heartfelt condolence to the kin of the bereaved families and prayed to the Almighty for speedy recovery of the injured. "We also appeal to the government to provide proper compensation to the kin of the deceased and injured," read the statement. Twenty three Christians had died and 65 others injured when a three-storey makeshift structure gave way due to the weight of a huge number of people in Zion Church. — HNS

One found dead

KATHMANDU: Hari Budhathoki, hailing from Myagdi district was found dead in Swoyambhu on Saturday, police reported. His body was recovered from Mustang Monastery on Friday evening. Police have moved ahead with an investigation into his death. — HNS

Non violence day

Biratnagar: Various programmes were organised by Nepal- India Friendship Association in Biratnagar today to mark the International Day of Non- violence and 140th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. As part of the programmes, association''s Biratnagar chairman Ganga Bishan Rathi distributed sweets and fruits to the members of Birateshwar elderly home based in Biratnagar-13. He also provided foodstuffs for them. Likewise, at a sermon organised on the same occasion, various speakers including Prof. Dr Bhesh Prasad Dhamala and social worker Jagat Aryal said importance of non-violence movement launched by Gandhi is still relevant. They also stressed on the need to systematize the elderly homes. — RSS