Since his arrival in Nepal, Israeli Ambassador HANAN GODER-GOLDBERGER has organized a number of programs to explore the possibility to bring Israel’s technology here. Israel has supported Nepal in the process of modernization since the establishment of relations more than five decades ago. The envoy shares how good he feels to be in Nepal. Excerpts of his interview:

ASHOK  SUMSHER RANA, chief executive officer of Himalayan Bank Ltd, is well known name in banking sector. As Himalayan Bank celebrated 19th anniversary, President  of Banker Association Nepal, Rana spoke to NEW SPOTLIGHT on various issues  related to  Bank’s performance. Excerpts:

Janardan Sharma is a former Peace and Reconstruction Minister and a politburo member of the ruling UCPN (Maoist). Sharma, who is also former deputy commander of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), spoke to Rajendra Pokhrel of Nepalnews on the integration and rehabilitation process of the PLA combatants and various other contemporary political issues. Excerpts:

Mohan Baidya, vice chairman of the UCPN (Maoist), leads the hardliner faction in the party. Internal dispute of the Maoist party has widened after the party- establishment handed over the keys of the arms containers to Army Integration Special Committee (AISC). Baidya faction is waiting central committee meeting to settle the issue before joining the government led by own party. Baidya spoke to Rajendra Pokhrel of Nepalnews on various aspects of party’s internal dispute. Excerpts:

The much-anticipated Kathmandu Literary Jatra began at the historic Patan Durbar Square Friday. The three day festival brings together national and international writers and thinkers to publicly engage on issues related to Nepal and South Asia, including an appreciation of Nepal’s varied literatures and their authors.

National and international human rights watchdogs have expressed strong objection to one of the points in the recent agreement between UCPN (Maoist) and United Madhesi Democratic Front (UMDF) to offer amnesty to those accused of committing crime during the Maoist war and the movements after that. Gauri Pradhan, a member of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and its spokesperson, spoke to Kishor Paudel of Nepalnews on various issues including overall human rights situation of the country. Excerpts:

Ishwor Pokharel, the general secretary of the CPN (UML), the third largest party in the Constituent Assembly (CA), spoke to Rajendra Pokhrel of Nepalnews.com on various issues including recent political development of the country and formation of the consensus government. Excerpts:

Brian J. HunterBrian J. Hunter is Save the Children Country Director for Nepal and Bhutan. He’s been working with Save the Children for past nine years, and in Nepal since November 2009. A postgraduate in Civil Engineering, Hunter’s previous assignment was in Nicaragua as Country Director. His engagement in the development sector has taken him to Bolivia and Ecuador working in child focused development projects, rural infrastructure, sanitation and water system projects and structural designing for educational, public, and health care facilities. In an interview with Anand Gurung of Nepalnews.com, he talks about how Nepal has made a lot of progress in the last 5 to 10 years in addressing the situation of children in the country.