MAN PIERCES TONGUE FIFTH TIME Kathmandu, 15 April: With nobody willing to maintain tradition, Juju Bhai Basha pierced his tongue for the fifth consecutive year Monday at Bode in Bhaktapur. Basha willingly volunteered at pierced his tongue on the sixth day of of Bisket Jatra at Bode in Bhaktapur. nnnn. GOVT. CHIEF PRIORITIZES POLLS Kathmandu, 15 April: - Chairman of Interim Election Council of Ministers Khil Raj Regmi has said that everyone should concentrate on holding the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections to accomplish the task of drafting a new constitution, RSS reports.. Inaugurating the National Fine Arts Exhibition-2070 BS organized by the Nepal Fine Arts Academy at Nepal Academy on Monday, Regmi said all should focus on the elections and thereby help maintain social and political environment best suited to Nepali uniqueness. Chairman Regmi also urged the artists to help create environment conducive for holding CA through their creations. He also pledged support for the promotion of arts as development of this sector would help in other dynamics of the country's development. Chairman Regmi said art works are taken as the philosophy of humanity, something above of the country, society, politics and religious beliefs. Professional role of the fine artists should be strengthened for preservation and promotion of fine arts in the country, Regmi said. Likewise, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Ram Kumar Shrestha said the Academy should do more to expand Nepalis' arts and culture in the international arena. Chancellor of the Academy Kiran Manandhar said artists provided synergy to the 2006 People's Movement through their arts. Senior sculptor Professor Govinda Narayan Jyapoo and senior artist Sashi Bikram Shah were honoured with the Academy of Fine Arts award. Similarly, different winner artists on folk art, handicraft, and modern art were awarded. The third exhibition of fine arts is being organized under the slogan 'For Peace and Creation' till May 6. As many as 500 creations of arts are on display in the exhibition. nnnn