All Gurkha veterans who retired before 1997 with at least four years' service will be allowed to settle in the UK, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has said.
Ms Smith told MPs she was "proud to offer this country's welcome to all who have served in the brigade of Gurkhas".It comes after a high-profile campaign by Joanna Lumley and other supporters of Gurkha rights - and an embarrassing Commons defeat for the Government. Some 36,000 Gurkhas who left before 1997 had been denied UK residency. Gurkhas, who are recruited from Nepal, have been part of the British Army for almost 200 years.
Sacrifice and Distinction:
Shadow home secretary Chris Grayling said the U-turn by the government was a "great victory for a well-run campaign, that has publicly embarrassed ministers".She told the Commons: "I'm delighted that we have now been able to agree - across government, across the House and with the Gurkhas' representatives - new settlement rights that all those who have served us so well, so highly deserve."
Under the measures outlined in the House, Gurkhas will be allowed to settle in the UK with their spouses and dependent children under 18. Ms Smith said she expected to welcome 10,000 to 15,000 applications from Gurkhas over the next two years. Ms Smith added that the Gurkhas had served the UK "with great courage, sacrifice and distinction and they continue to make a vital and valued contribution to our operations around the world". The prime minister suffered a shock Commons defeat on the issue, forcing ministers to reconsider existing rules on how many Gurkhas can settle in the UK.
(Source: BBC News)
Our Perspective:
A moral victory for the legendary Gurkhas. It is difficult to say as a country what it means to Nepal, but surely a better life for the Gurkhas. This will definitely not help the small mountainous country, which not only fast forwards the brain drain but also reduces the foreign currency income through remittance. All the best for the Gurkhas for their new life.
And most noteworthily, this is the time we feel, we need to pay tribute to all those Gurkha soldiers who lost their lives in various wars, including the world wars, for their effort, hardwork and bravery, the result of which, the current generation of Gurkha soldiers and their families are enjoying.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Everest : Appa Sherpa scales Everest for Record 19th time
Legendary climber Appa Sherpa, also know as "Super Sherpa", has scaled the Mount Everest for the record nineteenth time, on thursday, breaking his own previous official record, according to the officials. Apa Sherpa, 49, reached the summit of the world's highest peak early in the morning, Jitendra Giri, of the Nepalese mountaineering department, told AFP.
"He reached on top of Everest this morning and spent around half an hour on the summit," Giri said, adding that he was in good health and already heading back to base camp.
Apa unfurled a banner that read "Stop Climate Change, Let the Himalayas Live!," after reaching the summit.Apa, who bagged his first Everest summit in 1990, climbed the mountain this spring season in an effort to raise global awareness about climate change and its impact on the Himalayas.
More than 100 climbers have already made it to the summit this spring season, in which 29 expedition teams are in action.
(Source : THT Online, Dainikee.com)
Our Perspective:
Its a great thing that legendary climber has scaled the everest once again. Our best wishes to him for scaling many more heights and re-writing the history books.
"He reached on top of Everest this morning and spent around half an hour on the summit," Giri said, adding that he was in good health and already heading back to base camp.
Apa unfurled a banner that read "Stop Climate Change, Let the Himalayas Live!," after reaching the summit.Apa, who bagged his first Everest summit in 1990, climbed the mountain this spring season in an effort to raise global awareness about climate change and its impact on the Himalayas.
More than 100 climbers have already made it to the summit this spring season, in which 29 expedition teams are in action.
(Source : THT Online, Dainikee.com)
Our Perspective:
Its a great thing that legendary climber has scaled the everest once again. Our best wishes to him for scaling many more heights and re-writing the history books.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Crisis in Nepal: Maoists to permit vote for new govt
Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) have agreed to stop blocking parliament proceedings so that lawmakers can choose a new government to ease the country's political crisis, the parliament speaker said Thursday. However, the maoists lawmakers said that although they agreed to lift their protests for Thursday, they would permanently end them only on condition that the chamber take up a motion censuring President Ram Baran Yadav.
The country's Maoist prime minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, sparked the latest political upheavel early this month when he resigned to protest Yadav's refusal to fire the country's army chief in a dispute over integrating former Maoist rebels into the military. The Maoist lawmakers who represent the Himalayan nation's ex-rebels had held up the selection of a new prime minister, but were now agreeing to allow the process to go forward, parliament Speaker Subash Nemwang said Thursday.
(Source:THT Online)
Our Perspective:
We have repeatedly continued to stress against the establishment of multiple power centres in the country. The people elected government should be allowed to rule the country. If we cannot trust an elected government over the disciplinary actions against one of the government employees, it is difficult to understand how we can respond to the process of transformation of our society.
Although we all may not agree, but, Maoists represent the symbol of change in the modern era of Nepalese politics, and not all people can accept and adapt to the change. Unfortunately, our honourable president belongs to that faction of the political spectrum, which has been identified as the symbol of status quo. The president has shown he is not able to act as a true leader of the country, and the resolution motion against the president is only necessary.
The country's Maoist prime minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, sparked the latest political upheavel early this month when he resigned to protest Yadav's refusal to fire the country's army chief in a dispute over integrating former Maoist rebels into the military. The Maoist lawmakers who represent the Himalayan nation's ex-rebels had held up the selection of a new prime minister, but were now agreeing to allow the process to go forward, parliament Speaker Subash Nemwang said Thursday.
(Source:THT Online)
Our Perspective:
We have repeatedly continued to stress against the establishment of multiple power centres in the country. The people elected government should be allowed to rule the country. If we cannot trust an elected government over the disciplinary actions against one of the government employees, it is difficult to understand how we can respond to the process of transformation of our society.
Although we all may not agree, but, Maoists represent the symbol of change in the modern era of Nepalese politics, and not all people can accept and adapt to the change. Unfortunately, our honourable president belongs to that faction of the political spectrum, which has been identified as the symbol of status quo. The president has shown he is not able to act as a true leader of the country, and the resolution motion against the president is only necessary.
Reports : Doubts Over Prabhakaran's Death
The Sri Lankan military has released pictures of Tamil Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran which it says prove conclusively that he is dead. The state and private stations aired footage of what they said was the body of Prabhakaran, along with what looked like his Tamil Tiger identity card and tag. The army also says his body has been positively identified with DNA testing. But the questions remain about when and how he and other rebel leaders were killed, and over apparently contradictory statements in relation to his reported death.
Denial:
Following the release of the photographs most Indian Tamil newspapers appear to have accepted that Prabhakaran is dead. But so far the most influential pro-rebel website, TamilNet, has not acknowledged the death. Speaking before the release of the photos, a rebel official abroad denied Prabhakaran had been killed and said the Tamil Tiger leader was "alive and safe".
"He will continue to lead the quest for dignity and freedom for the Tamil people," Selvarasa Pathmanathan said in a statement posted on the pro-rebel TamilNet Web site on Tuesday.
But he offered no further details or evidence to support the claim, only drawing attention to what he said was Colombo's "treachery" in the killings of senior unarmed Tamil Tiger political wing leaders in the north-east, who he said had been shot as they carried white flags.
(Source : BBC News)
Our Perspective:
Only time will tell whether one of the most influencial south asian rebel leaders is alive. But as it appears now, until further evidences appear in public, we can not help feeling that this could be the worst to happen to LTTE and its freedom movement. We can only hope that the war claims no more civil life.
Denial:
Following the release of the photographs most Indian Tamil newspapers appear to have accepted that Prabhakaran is dead. But so far the most influential pro-rebel website, TamilNet, has not acknowledged the death. Speaking before the release of the photos, a rebel official abroad denied Prabhakaran had been killed and said the Tamil Tiger leader was "alive and safe".
"He will continue to lead the quest for dignity and freedom for the Tamil people," Selvarasa Pathmanathan said in a statement posted on the pro-rebel TamilNet Web site on Tuesday.
But he offered no further details or evidence to support the claim, only drawing attention to what he said was Colombo's "treachery" in the killings of senior unarmed Tamil Tiger political wing leaders in the north-east, who he said had been shot as they carried white flags.
(Source : BBC News)
Our Perspective:
Only time will tell whether one of the most influencial south asian rebel leaders is alive. But as it appears now, until further evidences appear in public, we can not help feeling that this could be the worst to happen to LTTE and its freedom movement. We can only hope that the war claims no more civil life.
Nepal : Maoists expel Ramechhap leader
The Unified CPN (Maoist) on Wednesday expelled Rajan Dahal, deputy in-charge of Ramechhap district, from the party for attacking CPN-UML general secretary Ishwor Pokharel. According to Dinanath Sharma, speaker of the party, a meeting of the party's central secretariat held at PM's official residence decided to expel Dahal from the party.
Meanwhile a meeting of the CPN-UML has decided to stage a nation-wide protest against the Maoists on Friday.
Our Perspective:
Maoists cadres must show respect against other parties and the general public. Their actions can only justify their own downfall. There is still time to grow up before its too late. Nepali people are kind to forgive, but don't try to test their resolve too much. Backfire could destroy everything they have earned till date.
Meanwhile a meeting of the CPN-UML has decided to stage a nation-wide protest against the Maoists on Friday.
Our Perspective:
Maoists cadres must show respect against other parties and the general public. Their actions can only justify their own downfall. There is still time to grow up before its too late. Nepali people are kind to forgive, but don't try to test their resolve too much. Backfire could destroy everything they have earned till date.
Crisis in Nepal: Maoists move House against Prez
The UCPN-Maoist tabled a resolution motion (संकल्प प्रस्ताव) against the President Dr Ram Baran Yadav in the Legislature-Parliament on Wednesday afternoon. According to Chairman of the Constituent Assembly Subash Chandra Nembang, deputy parliamentary party leader of the UCPN-Maoist Narayan Kaji Shrestha tabled a proposal against the President in the CA secretariat demanding that the head of state is not accountable to the parliament as per the interim constitution. The motion also asked the President to withdraw his decision to reinstate CoAS Rookmangud Katawal.
Nembang said that he would take necessary decision on the Maoists’ move after holding discussion in a meeting of the Task Management Committee of the Legislature-Parliament.
A secretariat meeting of the party held at the PM's residence in Baluwatar Wednesday morning had decided to move the proposal.
Earlier today, during his meeting with Speaker Subas Nemwang, caretaker Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal had said his party would allow the parliamentary to function if it takes up the commitment proposal.
(Source : The Himalayan Times, Nepalnews.com)
Our Perspective:
Maoists must be really sure of what they are doing. Unless they are this is a difficult path they have chosen. But we would say this is something required to establish the people's superiority over the president. As we have always stressed, the executive powers should be in the hands of those elected by the people and president should always remain above the debate.
Nembang said that he would take necessary decision on the Maoists’ move after holding discussion in a meeting of the Task Management Committee of the Legislature-Parliament.
A secretariat meeting of the party held at the PM's residence in Baluwatar Wednesday morning had decided to move the proposal.
Earlier today, during his meeting with Speaker Subas Nemwang, caretaker Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal had said his party would allow the parliamentary to function if it takes up the commitment proposal.
(Source : The Himalayan Times, Nepalnews.com)
Our Perspective:
Maoists must be really sure of what they are doing. Unless they are this is a difficult path they have chosen. But we would say this is something required to establish the people's superiority over the president. As we have always stressed, the executive powers should be in the hands of those elected by the people and president should always remain above the debate.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Technology : World's thinnest LCD TV
South Korea's LG Display said on Tuesday it has developed a liquid crystal display (LCD) television panel that is thinner than a pencil, describing it as the world's slimmest.
The panel, which can be 42 or 47 inches wide, uses an edge-lit light emitting diode (LED) backlight system that allows it to achieve a thickness of just 5.9mm, LG Display said in a statement. The world's second biggest LCD maker said the product weighs 6.1 kg and 7.3 kg, about half as much as a conventional panel.
"The displays can reproduce a rich range of natural-looking colours with a colour saturation level of 80 percent," it said, adding the televisions can eliminate motion blur and boast full high-definition resolution.
Executive vice president Chung In-Jae said the new products demonstrate "our leading edge-lit LED backlight technology that enables thinner designs".
LG Display and local rival Samsung Electronics have led the global flat panel screen market and are now competing to produce thinner panels for high-definition televisions.
(Source: AFP)
The panel, which can be 42 or 47 inches wide, uses an edge-lit light emitting diode (LED) backlight system that allows it to achieve a thickness of just 5.9mm, LG Display said in a statement. The world's second biggest LCD maker said the product weighs 6.1 kg and 7.3 kg, about half as much as a conventional panel.
"The displays can reproduce a rich range of natural-looking colours with a colour saturation level of 80 percent," it said, adding the televisions can eliminate motion blur and boast full high-definition resolution.
Executive vice president Chung In-Jae said the new products demonstrate "our leading edge-lit LED backlight technology that enables thinner designs".
LG Display and local rival Samsung Electronics have led the global flat panel screen market and are now competing to produce thinner panels for high-definition televisions.
(Source: AFP)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
