VOL. 03, NO. 02, June 16, 2009 (Ashadh 02 2066)

Chinese Ambassdor to Nepal QIU Guohong Launching a book on the life of Nepalese Buddhist Master Buddhabhadra

CHINESE AMBASSADOR NEPAL QIU GUOHONG LAUNCHED A BOOK on THE LIFE OF Nepalese Buddhist Master Buddhabhadra at a function recently. Organized by the China Study Center Nepal, the book was written by Nepalese scholar Min Bahadur Shakya. Making a welcome speech, chairman of the Center said, “the China Study Center, with its activities focused on studies and research aimed at promoting social, cultural and economic ties between Nepal and China, takes immense pleasure in publishing this useful book which unveils very important aspects the of age old cultural bondage between our two countries." It may be recalled that Buddhabhadra, a native of Kapilvastu of Nepal, traveled to China some Sixteen hundred years ago on his Buddhist mission and spent his entire life in propagating Buddhism in China. It seemed that he generated a large number of disciples in China who became the pillars of Buddhist meditation, doctrine and the foundation for pure monastic life of Chinese Buddhism,” said Regmi. Stressing the need for more research, Regmi said many more facts and figures still remain unexplored and are let distorted due to lack of intensive research. There should be more in-depth research works carried out by dedicated scholars of both the countries which will enhance the historical importance of Nepal-China relations. Chinese ambassador Qui Guohong also spoke the importance of the book. Delivering a note of thanks general secretary of Center Dr. Upendra Gautam said this book showed how Nepal-China relations are bound by century old interactions. Attended by large number of scholars and historians, author Shakya discussed his research and the publication of book.

THE INDIAN EMBASSY IN KATHMANDU HAS REFUTED reports appearing in the Nepali media that India has encroached upon Nepali land and forcefully evicted Nepali people from their villages. Issuing a statement Friday, the Indian embassy also said that India's border security force - the Seema Suraksha Bal - has not committed any atrocities against the Nepali people as has been reported. The embassy said it cross-checked the facts with the concerned Indian authorities following border related reports appearing in the Nepali media and found the allegation of encroachment of Nepali territory and attack on the Nepali people by SSB personnel totally baseless. The embassy further said it has not yet received any formal information on the Dang incident from the Nepali government and also confirmed that no border pillar has been shifted or tampered with. "These baseless reports have been devised to shatter the cordial ties between Nepal and India," the release said.

THE WORLD BANK BAS APPROVED financial support of about US$ 782 million to Nepal for the next two years through International Development Association (IDA), the bank's concessionary lending arm. The meeting of the board of directors of the bank discussed interim assistance strategy saying Nepal's determination to build a robust peace through development and poverty reduction will get strong support from the bank. Welcoming the many significant milestones achieved since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in November 2006, the Bank's strategy document supports the promotion of consensus and unity to address key elements of the peace process, including the foundations for state building, growth, and improved basic service delivery for Nepal's poor, a statement issued by the bank says. "This is a period not only of risk but also enormous opportunity," says Susan Goldmark, World Bank Country Director for Nepal, adding, "While many of the transitions will not be completed in a two-year period, during this time the country can continue to establish a sound basis for peace and economic development." The strategy reflects considerable continuity, emphasizing the areas of strength but suggesting more flexibility to respond to opportunities. It builds on the areas which have shown to be robust and to modalities of implementation tailored to local conditions and what has worked in the past. By adopting a "peace filter", the strategy also intends to improve sensitivity in bank financed projects to the root causes of the conflict and social tensions. Supporting the overarching goal of promoting peace and development, the strategy is organized around three themes that emerged during consultations within the Bank Group and with the Government, donor partners and civil society. The board also approved a Project for Agriculture Commercialization and Trade, which aims to improve the competitiveness of smallholder farmers and agribusiness in selected commodity value chains in 25 districts.