Former King Gyanendra arrives in New Delhi Tuesday for meetings with Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh

Kathmandu, 17 March: According to available itinerary, the former king of Nepal, accompanied by his wife Komal, will be arriving in Delhi on March 17 where he will be meeting a host of India leaders: Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh, Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi, and Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, including L K Advani and Party Chief Rajnath Singh, newsfront reports.
Besides, he will also be meeting Indian royalties and his other friends.
…his visit to Delhi on March 17, where he will be staying for at least three days many not be as comfortable and relaxing for all concerned. He will be meeting top Indian leaders for the first time after Delhi offered patronage to the Maoist-led government republican agenda in Nepal that resulted in the exit of the 240-year-old institution of Shah Dynasty and monarchy in Nepal.
At the same time, the visit also takes place at a time when Delhi is apparently uncomfortable with the political instability in Nepal, and the ’growing’ presence and interest of China in Nepal. Will the former monarch get some kind of legitimacy from the south—a factor that influences the international community at large-- to lead Nepal to peace, stability and democracy?
… it will be at least an occasion for the former king and Indian leaders to face the realities and situations the two countries (and the region) face today against the background of an immediate past that was apparently not assed accurately. After all, the tit-for-tat diplomacy only harmed the two sides, and both are feeling the pinch of it now.

(Note: Singh and Gandhi didn’t meet Girija Prasad Koirala who just returned from the Indian capital.)
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Govt., Muslim accord

Kathmandu, 17March: Government and a Muslim group Monday signed a six-point accord to end a five-day protest.
The government agreed to amend constitution and laws which obstruct and undermine Muslim identity
A National Muslim Commission is mooted.
A permanent Haj committee and a Madarasa board will be formed.
Government will consider declaring public holidays on Muslim festivals.
Detail of Muslims will conducted in the next census.
But Nepal Muslim Nagarik Samaj disagreed with the accord.
The accord comes after a government, Tharu agreement ending 13 days of violent protests in which four Tharus were killed.
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Four members of a family consume poison, one dead

Kathmandu, 17 March: Four members of a family consumed poison in Nepalgunj Sunday and one of them died.
Three others are serious.
Hira Rokaya, wife Ritu son Abhisesh and daughter Anjali took poison; Anjali died.
The reason why they consumed poison wasn’t known.
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TRADE, COMMERCE, ECONOMY

Bahrain Air commences flights

Kathmandu, 17 March: Bahrain Air Tuesday commences flights between Bahrain and the Nepalese capital Tuesday.
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Revenue collection up 38.6 percent

Kathmandu, 17 March: Revenue collection in the first eight months of the current fiscal year of the jumped 38. 6 percent to Rs 84.04 billion, finance ministry officials said.
The target is to collect Rs 142 billion.
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5,500 foreign workers in Nepal

Kathmandu, 17March: Besides Indians, there are 5,000 foreign workers in Nepal, Kantipur reports.
The skilled workers are employed in hydropower projects, multi-national companies, tourism, aviation sectors, beer companies and hotels.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“The country won’t develop by going to Delhi, Washington or Beijing. Nepalis will decide the future of the Nepal. Funeral services of parents should be conducted by children after their deaths. Nepali Congress has reached that stage.”

(Dr Baburam Bhattarai, Nepal Samacharpatra, 17 March)

“When we were being hit with sticks on the streets, Maoists were lodged in star hotels in New Delhi. Strong slogans on Nepali politics by Maoists now does not suit them.”

(CPN-UML leader Shanker Pokhrel, Nepal Samacharpatra, 17 March)

“The Tharu movement was only a small trembler before and after a big earthquake.”

(Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav, Kantipur, 17 March)

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