Three-day golden jubilee celebration of Mt. Cho-Oyu, the world's sixth highest mountain, concluded recently witnessing a remarkable participation of over 100 international climbers and a large number of Nepali mountaineers. Various programs, including launching of Cho-Oyu postal stamp, street festival and felicitations to mountaineers were held throughout the days that was arranged to mark the 5oth anniversary of first human step to 8,201 meter high peak. Austrians climbers- Herbert Tichy and Joseph Joechler along with Nepali mountaineer Pasang Dawa had climbed the mountain in 1954, October 19. As part of the celebration, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba today facilitated over three dozen climbers, presenting them letters of appreciation amid a function in the capital city. Speaking on the occasion, PM Deuba said that the celebration will help increase the flow of tourists in the country, as did the celebration of Mt Everest Golden Jubilee. "As part of the government's policy to celebrate the golden jubilees of all the mountains above 8,000 meters, the government is going to observe the same events of Mt Makalu and Mt Kanchanjangha next year," he said. Emphasizing on the restoration of peace in the country, he said that peaceful environment is a must to thrive and prosper the tourism industry. Acknowledging the importance of mountaineering tourism, Minister for Culture, Civil Aviation and Tourism Deep Kumar Upadhadhya viewed that mountaineering has become a backbone of Nepali tourism.

Bhoj Raj Ghimire, secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Civil Aviation and Tourism (MoCCAT) was of the opinion that the celebration will be instrumental in reinforcing Nepal's image as a safer and popular tourist destination across the world.Meanwhile, speaking at symposium on Nepali Tourism organized here today as part of the golden jubilee celebration, Senor Reinhold Messner, a renowned mountaineer requested the Maoist to lay down weapons. "Nepal needs image of peaceful country, if it wants to promote tourism. So it is better for the Maoists to give up arms, letting the tourism industry flourish," he said. Stressing the need on protecting the image of mountains, he said that if the image is disgraced, the climbers will have no more charm to conquer the challenging peaks. Harka Gurung, former tourism minister, said that around 60 percent of the revenue generated from tourism should be expended in local levels to help exploit tourism potential in the rural areas. Dipendra Purus Dhakal, former tourism secretary said stressed the need on reducing the royalty charged for climbing mountains. "As the existing royalty in Nepal is unfairly higher than the royalties imposed by the other countries, many mountaineers are distracting from visiting Nepal," he said.

OTHER NEWS

• Air Sahara's attractive fares: On the occasion of Bijaya Dashami, Air Sahara has introduced most attractive fares on Kathmandu-Delhi-Kathmandu sector. According to as press release issued by the operators of Air Sahara, this special price offer is meant to provide passengers with affordable fares supplemented by excellent flight services. Zenith Travel Private Limited is the authorized representative of Air Sahara in Nepal.
  
  
• Nepal listed for the first time: Transparency International (TI), has for the first time, included Nepal in its Corruption Perception Index (CPI)-2004, putting it in the 90th position in the list of 146 countries surveyed for corruption-level. India, Gambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Russia and Tanzania have been ranked the same. The new entrants in the list, besides Nepal, are Barbados, Benin, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Gabon, Malta, Mongolia, Niger, Seychelles, Surinam and Turkmenistan.
  
  
• Helambu still sees flocks of tourists: At a time when the Maoist insurgency has seriously affected the tourism sector of the country, Helambu, a hilly part of the country, has emerged as a tourism destination. Most of the tourists and hotel owners say that Maoists' activities have not created any obstruction in conducting daily business. Talking to the Post, hotel owner Tshiring Lama said that negative messages disseminated about the country without understanding the ground reality has largely aided in generating fear amongst tourists willing to visit Nepal. "There is no reason to fear visiting Helambu as non of the warring parties have conducted any activities that would discourage them from coming to this place," he says. "But in reality, the number of foreigners visiting this place has drastically decreased over the years just because of false message about Helambu," he adds. Most of the hotel owners running their business in the surrounding areas of Helambu like Shermathang, Melamchighyang and Tarkeghyang, among others, speak in tune to Lama. "Acts of violence is still miles away from this place," they say. Most of the tourists who had heard rumors that the rebels demand money with tourists also agree that they, so far, have not faced such incident. "Yes, I had heard of such activities taking place in the region but now I know they were just rumors," says Brose Luke of Belgium, a foreign tourist. "I found Nepal very fascinating especially its culture, traditions and homely atmosphere," he adds.Helambu is one of the trekking sites, which is close to the capital. It could be reached from Sundarijal, Dhunche of Rasuwa or Melamchi.
  
  
• Maoists prefer direct talks with king: One of the facilitators during past talks between the government and Maoists, Padma Ratna Tuladhar revealed on Tuesday, that instead of holding dialogue with the present government, Maoists favored talks with the king. Referring to his recent telephone-talk with the Maoist leadership, Tuladhar said, "They want to talk directly with the king and the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA)."
  
  
• India sets up post in Nepali territory: The Border Security Force (BSF) of India has encroached parts of Nepali land to set up its temporary post. The post was shifted to Chhinnamasta VDC ward number 5 about two and a half months back from Nyaur village of India after it was washed away by rains. According to Chief District Officer Ananda Raj Pokharel, talks with the Indian security bodies are underway in this regard. The post is built near border pillar 241-1 and 242-1.
  
  
• Everest Beer joins hand with Messner: Mt Everest Brewery Pvt. Ltd (MEBPL) is going to use the name of Reinhold Messner, a renowned mountaineer, to promote the Everest Premium Lager Beer for the years 2005-6. The brewery is set to join hand with the Messner for the promotion of the beer, as part of its plan to bring out a series of commemorative edition of the beer in honor of the Everest climbers both from the home and abroad. The brewery that commenced it operation since 2003 has been using the names of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, the first Everest climbers.
  

By Hari Shrestha, Resident Representative in Kathmandu