HELLO NEPAL

The Himalayan Times 30 November 2017 Lung cancer problem As the world is celebrating lung cancer awareness month, the number of patients suffering from this killer disease is alarmingly increasing in Nepal. This awareness program is observed throughout the world in the month of November of every year. In Nepal, various programmes are being observed to raise awareness about this dreadful non-communicable disease for long. However, it does not seem that the government and its concerned authorities have been able to reach out to all of its citizens. May be, the awareness programme that they are running do not seem to be adequate looking at the increasing number of patients in Nepal. According to data provided by Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, more than 30 patients are found to be visiting it each month for treatment of this disease. Last year, 417 people were diagnosed with lung cancer as reported in “Quit smoking, avoid dust, say doctors” (THT, November 28, Page 2). Cancer is...

The Kathmandu Post 26 November 2017 ELECTION CODE VIOLATION In this time of elections, all the parties especially the left alliance and democratic bloc are making every effort to reach out to all voters through massive election campaigns. It seems as though they have not left a stone unturned in terms of finding ways to garner the support of constituents. Election codes of conduct have been undermined and violated in most constituencies. The misuse of money and muscle by the major parties can be easily seen. Children too have been massively used in the elections. Yet the Election Commission (EC) and its district based authorities have not taken any steps to control and punish election codes violators. It was interesting to read the news about the EC being serious about taking action against external poll observers (“CEC hardens position on int’l poll observers” November 23, Page 1). According to CEC Yadav, there is no need for international observers to certify Nepal’s ...

The Kathmandu Post 19 November 2017 FAIR POLITICS The nation will enter into the federal structure soon after the completion of the upcoming provincial and federal elections scheduled for November 26 and December 7. All the political parties including the democratic alliance led by Nepali Congress (NC) and left alliance of CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Centre, are in the midst of campaigning. Senior leaders of the major parties have started visiting different constituencies to garner support for their provincial and federal candidates. The blame game that major political parties espouse during the election is back, and it is not unusual at all to see parties attack each other with allegations. However, the blaming of the NC led government by the left alliance for scrapping the agreement with China Construction Group to build the 1,200 MW hydroelectric project seems to be serious in terms of its national importance (“Oli, Dahal accuse govt of working ‘ on a whim’, November 16, Pa...