In this regard, several dignitaries and country representatives are being invited to witness the important event.

Among the BIMSTEC member states, Nepal was the first to confirm its attendance. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli will be representing his country at the event.

I extend warmest congratulations to Prime Minister @narendramodi ji for landslide election victory in the Lok Sabha Elections 2019. I wish all success ahead. I look forward to working closely with you. #PMOIndia

— K P Sharma Oli (@kpsharmaoli) May 23, 2019

“Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli will be traveling to India on May 30 of this month. This time he will be there to attend the swearing-in ceremony of his Indian counterpart. He will start from Kathmandu on May 30 itself and is slated to attend the ceremony later in the evening,” said an NCP party member.

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The completion of the tunneled connection will now facilitate diversion of water from Bheri river to Babai river for irrigation and power generation.

The project could achieve its record completion time due to important factors such as the use of technology, topography and well-coordinated efforts.

Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli was invited to mark the completion of the project, along with the inauguration of the multipurpose system.

Speaking at the occasion, Oli said that the project is a great example of global partnership in development and was a result of the collaboration of American technology, a Chinese construction company and Nepali manpower.

Bheri Babai Background

The 12-km tunnel was built and installed by a US-based manufacturer at a cost of NPR 33.18 billion. This project is a major component of one of biggest strategic projects of the country, which seeks to address the food crisis in the mid-western region by increasing agricultural yield.

With a capacity to drive 40 cu m of water per second, the tunnel will be used to irrigate 51,000 hectares of land throughout the year in Banke and Bardia districts and generate 46 MW of electricity.  The electricity generated from the project would bring in over NPR 4 billion in income.

“A number of factors contributed to early completion of the tunnel. “Certainly the use of tunnel boring machine played a crucial role, as the conventional method–drill and blast–would have taken much longer to achieve the tunnel breakthrough. The contractor and the crew also worked in their full capacity to deal with the geological challenges,” said Sanjeeb Baral, Project Chief.

The next phase of the project, hydroelectricity, is expected to begin in the next few months.

Nepal PM and Provincial Ministers Hail Project Completion

Taking the opportunity of the inaugural event, PM Oli said that creating employment is the first priority of the government.

The Prime Minister also stressed on developing Nepal’s infrastructure and roads in a speedy manner to achieve the country’s goal of prosperity.

Also present at the event, Nepal Energy Minister Barshaman Pun termed the construction as a historical achievement in the Nepal’s irrigation sector. He also said that the tunnel was a goodwill project for State-5 and Karnali state.

Karnali Chief Minister Mahendra Bahadur Shahi said that the state would definitely benefit from the project.

American Ambassador to Nepal Randy Berry, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanq and ministers from both the provinces were present at the meeting.

During the event, Prime Minister Oli presented letters of appreciation to the representatives of China Engineering Overseas Pvt Ltd, Consultant Company Geodata Engineering S.p.A, Italy and CIDEK Nepal.

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Speaking at the occasion, PM Oli said that the lyrics in the album were filled with patriotic feelings & aspirations and had progressive tones. #NepalMusic

Politician and lyricist Khanal said that he was inspired to compose lyrics that supported Nepal’s efforts towards prosperity.

Oli added that Khanal’s involvement in creative works, other than politics, serves as inspiration to others also.

Singers Ananda Karki, Gyanu Rana, Khuman Adhikari, Pralhad Karki, Raju Baral & Yam Baral and musician Milan Timalsina gave a musical performance at the launch event.

Senior leaders including Madhav Nepal and several other dignitaries were present at the occasion.

On the sidelines of the event, PM Oli said that Nepal’s development activities are picking up momentum.

“The new developmental projects are being inaugurated daily, indicating the pace of development,” said PM Oli.

For more interesting news updates, visit our website!

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In view of the occasion, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun and National Assembly Chair Ganesh Prasad Timilsina attended the main function of National Democracy Day 2019 at the Army Pavilion, Tundikhel.

Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana and Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara along with several Deputy Prime Ministers, Chief Ministers and other ministers were also present at the event.

During the event, Nepal’s national anthem was recited and homage was paid to all the martyrs. A Nepal Army helicopter hoisted a banner with the words ‘69th National Democracy Day-2075’.

Institutions including the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and Nepal Scout performed march-pasts at the pavilion.

The event also witnessed cultural performances depicting the cultures of Bhaktapur, Kathmandu, Kirtipur, Lalitpur and Madhyapur Thimi.

PM Oli Calls for International Community’s Support

While addressing Nepal on the occasion of the 69^th Democracy Day, PM Oli gave emphasis to proportional development in Nepal.

“Nepal has arrived at this point by overcoming various obstacles, averting adverse situations and defeating the then absolute rulers. The time which we have gained now is not possible through absolute development and hinders the constitution we have adopted,” said Oli.

The Prime Minister also appealed to the international community to make Nepal’s new development goals a grand success.

“I appeal to all natives, well-wishers and the foreign countries to come participate and help in the development move,” added the Prime Minister.

Celebrations at Province 1

Under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sher Dhan Rai, Province 1 formed a 501-member main committee Rai to host a three-day celebration in view of the 69^th Democracy Day.

Several arrangements were made across the province, including illumination at educational & private institutions, industrial centers and government offices, distribution of fruits at child rehabilitation centers and in Koshi Hospital and a morning rally among others.

History of Nepal Democracy Day

Democracy Day, also known as Rashtriya Prajatantra Diwas is celebrated as a reminder of Nepalese freedom from the 104-year old Rana regime.

The people of Nepal suffered under the corrupt Rana rule that robbed them of a lot of opportunities. On the other hand, the Ranas enjoyed a life of luxury and comfort. During that time Nepal was rampant with corruption, discrimination and violent treatment at the hand of the influential.

Ultimately on February 19, 1951, Nepalese overthrew the corrupt Rana autocracy after years of prolonged protests and the support of the four martyrs – Shukraraj Shastri, Dharma Bhakta Mathema, Dashrath Chand and Ganga Lal Shrestha.

The end of the Rana rule established democracy in Nepal –  rule of the people, by the people and for the people!

World Democracy Index 2018

Justice Impending for Insurgency Victims

During the famous decade-long revolt against the Rana autocracy, as many as 13,000 people lost their lives and about 1,300 went missing. Besides, there were many reports of human rights violation.

The Nepal Government had formed a commission to investigate the missing reports. However, hardly any progress has been made in this area, which has drawn attention from world governing bodies.

Related News:

• Nepal Development Report 2018 Highlights

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According to PM Oli’s Chief Adviser Bishnu Rimal, Oli is inviting Modi for the ‘wedding procession’ event from Ayodhya to Jankapur as part of the Bibaha Panchami celebrations.

During the Fourth BIMSTEC Summit, both Prime Ministers had planned to make Modi a part of the Bibaha Panchami celebrations and inaugurate the Janakpur-Jayanagar railway track in December 2018.

“Both the leaders had discussed about the plan. The PM will send a letter to Modi inviting him to take part in the wedding procession in Ram-Janaki temple,” said Rimal.

PM Modi will begin with a baraat from Ayodhya, Lord Ram’s kingdom to Janakpur, Sita’s birthplace. Modi will be accompanied by a large number of Indian officials and Bharatiya Janata Party members.

This is Modi’s second visit to Janakpur after his first visit in May 2018.

A political analyst describes Modi’s visit as a means to influence voters in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

In the meanwhile, the Janakpur-Jayanagar railway track is almost ready and railways officials have finished conducting a test drive.

The two countries are yet to finalize the modality of railway movement. Nepal prefers wet leasing the railway due to its technical workforce unavailability.

According to an Indian railway official, Indian will recruit and train Nepali staff and then gradually phase out Indian crew. The Janakpur-Jayanagar-Kurtha railway line was built at a cost of Rs 8.8 billion with support from India.

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With less than 48 hours for the event, it seems that all logistics and managerial preparations have been taken care of.

K P Sharma Oli’s Media Interaction
PM Oli called for a meeting with major news media editors on August 28, 2018, to discuss regarding the BIMSTEC Summit. Newspapers have published front page articles of their meeting with PM Oli and have highlighted his statements.

In the course of his three-hour interaction with Nepali media, Nepal PM Oli told media to write ‘what they see’ but also pay attention to their articles so that people don’t look at them hopelessly.

Oli hinted that BIMSTEC could be an alternative to SAARC as the latter was not active as he had expected but retained that he preferred giving the required-push for SAARC.

A Meeting of Foreign Secretaries
BIMSTEC member states’ foreign secretaries will be meeting on August 29, 2018, ahead of the scheduled summit. Officials already arrived on August 28, 2018, and were warmly welcomed by Nepal Foreign Secretary Shankar Das Bairagi at the Tribhuvan International Airport.

First, of the six top dignitaries are arriving in Kathmandu today. Meanwhile, Myanmar President Win Myint will reach Nepal at 2:45 PM.

Dignitary Arrival Schedule:

Wednesday, August 28, 2018

• Sri Lankan President, Maithripala Sirisena
• Bhutan Chief Justice & Chief Advisor to the Interim Government, Tshering Wangchuk

Thursday, August 30, 2018

• Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi
• Bangladesh Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina Wazed
• Thailand Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-O-Cha

According to Nepal Foreign Affairs Ministry Deputy Chief of Protocol Ghanashyam Lamsal, either of the two Nepal Deputy Prime Ministers, Nepal Defense Minister Ishwor Pokhrel & Nepal Health and Population Minister Upendra Yadav will receive BIMSTEC member states’ heads and governments.

Agenda of the Meeting:

• Myanmar President Myint and Sri Lankan President Srisena will conduct bilateral discussions with Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli and will also meet President Bidya Devi Bhandari
• Similarly, Indian PM Narendra Modi will hold bilateral talks with Oli on August 31, 2018
• According to MoFA Assistant Spokesperson, Ram Babu Dhakal said, senior officials, will have the summit’s agenda finalized by the ministerial meeting
• This meeting will also bring to conclusion the Kathmandu declaration already agreed by member states
• A MoU will be signed at the Fourth BIMSTEC Summit for the establishment of BIMSTEC grid interconnection which will open doors for energy trade among member states
• Nepal and India will sign two MoUs for the Raxaul-Kathmandu link and the transportation of cargo between the two nations
• Nepal and Sri Lanka will sign a MoU on Cooperation between Nepal Institute of Foreign Affairs and Sri Lanka’s

Last but not the least, Nepal Army has been designated to oversee security preparations for the summit and have already begun patrol in Kathmandu.

Conclusion
With so many preparations and a good agenda at hand, the 4^th BIMSTEC Summit has a lot to look forward to. We hope that the member countries will hugely benefit from the decisions of this summit that has so much in the interest of its people.

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