Broadsheet dailies (both in Nepali and English) published in Kathmandu on Sunday, April 21, 2016, have given prominent space to stories on the programmes organised to commemorate the first anniversary of the April 25, 2015 earthquake in Nepal which left 8,780 people dead.
Important
Ritual recall: Nepal Earthquake
Most newspapers have chosen to focus on events organised to commemorate the first anniversary of the 2015 quake.
The Himalayan Times, in its five-column lead story with a banner headline says a mega reconstruction campaign has kicked off in the country. The report has photos of President Bidhya Devi Bhandari in Barpak, the epicentre of the quake, and Prime Minister KP Oli in Sindupalchowk, one of the districts worst-affected by the quake. The report says, “President Bidhya Devi Bhandari announced the beginning of the mega campaign by laying the foundation store for Gopal BK’s (a local’s) house in Barpak.” It says that PM Oli laid the foundation stone of the house belonging to Sarbe Tamang of Chautara municipality.
Republica, meanwhile, has made NHRC’s concerns over the reconstruction process its lead story for the day.
Annapurna Post, Gorkhapatra Nepal Samacharpatra, Naya Patriak Rajdhani, Nagarik and Karobar have also given considerable space to reports on the reconstruction efforts on their front pages. Annapurna Post, on its front page, has an ‘Earthquake Reportcard’ , which explains through graphs how leaders and agencies responsible for the reconstruction work performed in the past year. It says both the government and the Reconstruction Authority have failed, and people have lost hope.
Nepal Samacharpatra in its three-column lead story with a double-decker headline says that the UN and the European Union have expressed concern over the pace of reconstruction work in Nepal. Naya Patrika asks with a screaming headline, “Where has the donors’ Rs 40 billion gone?”
Nagarik and Naya Patrika have chosen to focus on the fact that President Bidhya Devi Bhandari did not interact with the locals during her visit to Barpak. In its report, Nagarik says the President landed in Barpak at 11:15 am and was gone immediately after laying the foundation stone of a memorial at around 11:56 am. The report says that villagers from far-flung areas had come to Barpak to interact with the President, but in vain.
Dixit to remain in custody for 10 more days
The Himalayan Times in its two-column story below the fold says the Special Court has given permission to the CIAA to keep journalist and Sajha Yatayat chief Kanak Mani Dixit in custody for 10 more days. “A bench of Mohan Raman Bhattarai, Prabha Basnet and Mahes Prasad Pudasaini passed the order after hearing argument from lawyers representing both sides,” says the report.
Ignored
Petrol shortage again?
The Himalayan Times, in its anchor for the day, says that weak market monitoring mechanism has created a perennial problem in distribution of petroleum products in Kathmandu. The report quotes an NOC official as saying that the corporation supplied more than 497,000 litres to stations on Friday, and on Sunday, it pumped 510,000 litres into the market. On a normal day, the demand for petrol in Kathmandu is 350,000 litres. The report says NOC and petroleum dealers are trading blames over who is responsible for the situation.
Thinley of ‘Caravan’ fame no more
Nepal Samacharpatra in its anchor reports the death of Thinley Lhondup on Sunday. It is reported that the 70-year-old fell from his horse while travelling home to Saldang VDC from Dunai in Dolpa. Directed by Frenchman Eric Valli, Caravan revolved around the lives of people living near Nepal’s border with Tibet.
Interesting
Govt’s health insurance to cover 12o ailments
Abhiyan in its second lead story of the day says that the government is planning to provide insurance coverage for 120 ailments in its insurance scheme to be offered under social security. The report says that when the plan is implemented, Nepalis will be able to get health insurance cover by paying Rs 2,500 per year per family (with five members). Wanna know when the scheme will be launched? The report does not answer that question.
