Nepal

Kathmandu, September 21

Despite Kathmandu Metropolitan Cityfrequent crackdowns on street vendors, they continue to sell goods occupying the footpaths in the core city areas.

In May last year, the Municipal Executive had barred street vendors from selling any goods encroaching footpaths. It had also introduced the rule to confiscate the goods of the street vendors if they were found encroaching on footpaths and roadsides.

Despite such rules, scores of street vendors are seen doing businesses in areas such as RNAC, New Road, Sundhara area, Ratnapark and Bhotahiti in the evening. Such encroachment significantly hinders hassle-free mobility of pedestrians and compels them to walk on the busy roads risking their lives. These are the areas from where KMC had successfully removed all street vendors last year.

The footpaths of other major city areas such as Baneshwor, Koteshwor, Chabahil, Maharajgunj, Balaju, Naya Bazaar, are also occupied by hundreds of such vendors. Spillover of pedestrians onto roads due to footpath encroachment is a common sight in these areas.

While the metropolis is hell-bent on removing street vendors, hundreds of people involved in this business find it an effective way to earn bread and butter for their family.

Sarita Lamsal, 43, of Dolakha sells t-shirts and trousers on a pavement near RNAC putting a lot at stake. She knows that all her goods could be confiscated, but she has no other option for earning her keep.

Sarita, with a couple of other vendors, have deployed people to alert them if they see city police coming on rounds. &As soon as we get information about them, we pack our stuff and run away from there,& another street vendor told THT. They live in constant fear that police will fine them heavily and they will be left with nothing.

While for people like Sarita, it is a means of survival, the government seems to be indifferent towards their misery and hardship. DSP Dhanapati Sapkota, head of city police, said they were committed to removing street vendors from footpaths.

The major reason behind theKMCattempt to control the roadside business is to ease mobility of pedestrians and reduce the risk of road accidents. But, KMC has not given any effective alternatives to these street vendors to run their businesses.

Hari Kunwar, head of Department of Urban Good Governance of KMC, said selling goods on the footpath and littering public places was against the law and they would not allow street vendors to do so.

The post Street vendors in KMC continue encroaching footpaths appeared first on The Himalayan Times.

Kathmandu, September 22

Senior ophthalmologist Dr Sanduk Ruit has been honoured with the Prime Minister National Talent Award-2075.

President Bidhya Devi Bhandari awarded Dr Ruit amidst a special ceremony organised by the Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers here today.

The award carries a purse of Rs 500,000 and a citation.

The government on 3 December 2017 had decided to present the ‘Prime Minister National Talent Award& and Prime Minister National Talent Grant to people making significant contribution to the nation. It had also decided to establish a revolving fund of Rs 22 millionto that end.

The president presented the Prime Minister National Talent Grant-2075 to Radi Miya, the resident of Laxminagar, Lamjung and Bikalpa Dhungana of Tanahu.

Miya was recognised for his inventions of advanced agricultural tools and technology while Dhungana has developed a solar scooter, smart traffic mask. They received cash Rs 250,000 each.

Dr Ruit had established Tilganga Eye Hospital three decades ago and his services have been extended to India, Bhutan, and China.

On the occasion, the president described Dr Ruit as a shining star in the field ofophthalmology.

She wished that Dr Ruit would be engaged in more research projects and inventions in the days ahead, earning him more fame and greater achievement.

The president hoped that the grant would encourage Miya and Dhungana for more inventions in the days to come. Stating that Nepal is a fertile land for talents, President Bhandari recalled that Nepal is a birthplace of Gautam Buddha, precursor of the world peace, Bed Byas, creator of the Vedas and the Purans, Rhishi Yagyawalkya and Balmiki, composers of the Ramayana.

She said the government had the policy of encouraging and recognising peoplecontribution to peace, good governance, innovation, research, exploration and development.

&The government has started the culture of honouring genius Nepali citizens. I want to thank the government for its noble initiative,& said the president.

The post Ophthalmologist Sanduk Ruit bags Prime Minister National Talent Award appeared first on The Himalayan Times.