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The question is related to the level of protection that particular software offers and the performance of the computer after installing it. McAfee, one of the world’s leading antivirus software developers has come up with the answer. In regard to the level of protection against malicious apps, viruses, trojans and numerous other security threats, the McAfee Antivirus Plus 2013 certainly does not disappoint. It provides optimal level of security for home and business users according to their need. McAfee Antivirus 2013 plus runs on all versions of Windows, from Windows XP to the latest Windows 8. It is a complete all-in-one security package that includes anti-virus, anti-phishing and anti-spyware features. The McAfee Antivirus Plus 2013 also comes with a two-way firewall. </div> <div> </div> <div> The antivirus provides an advanced range of features, constantly working in the background to ensure that your computer is kept safe from many security threats which lurk out there. Thanks to the improved SiteAdvisor feature, you can still freely surf without any annoyances. This unique feature automatically rates websites in search results by using red, yellow and green warning marks. The rating of a website depends on various factors, but it will help you to make a more informed decision as to whether or not a website is safe to visit. The latest edition also supports automatic scanning of external drives which is extremely useful in an age when most computer users are regularly plugging in their USB flash drives or memory cards. McAfee Antivirus Plus also provides features to make online shopping and banking safer than ever, thanks to its identity protection, anti-phishing and SiteAdvisor features. The software even provides data backup features, allowing you to have your photo, video and music collections automatically backed up online.</div> <div> </div> <div> McAfee Antivirus Plus 2013 offers improved performance over its predecessors, including faster start up and scanning times. This results in the minimal usage of computer resources such as CPU power and memory. Due to the minimal usage of resources, the computer’s performance in terms of speed won’t degrade. </div> <div> </div> <div> McAfee Antivirus Plus has wide range of other features too. This includes a PC tune-up utility to optimize your computer by getting rid of unused files and applications and properly clearing your browser cache and other temporary files on your computer to free disk space. The features come in the form of McAfee QuickClean, a cleanup utility. Another unique feature is the Digital Data Shredder. Using this you can securely and permanently delete data. McAfee Antivirus Plus 2013 also comes with an advance data recovery utility that can retrieve data in most cases. </div> <div> </div> <div> According to Zeal Enterprises (P) Ltd, the authorised distributor of McAfee Antivirus in Nepal, the software package is available in three different versions. The company has priced McAfee 1 User Antivirus Plus at Rs 1500. Similarly, McAfee 3 User Antivirus Plus and McAfee 3 User Internet Security are available at Rs 1800 and Rs 2000 respectively. All of these software packages are printed with ‘A’ class quality assurance. The company is also offering safety certified best quality laptop bag worth Rs 1200 with the purchase any of the aforementioned versions.</div> </div> <p> </p>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '2013-09-04', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'When it comes to protection of computer and valuable data, there is always a question about the efficacy of the antivirus software.', 'sortorder' => '1604', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1742', 'article_category_id' => '159', 'title' => 'Not Just A Banker', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>--By Upashana Neupane</strong></div> <div> </div> <div> A strong and confident woman with a charming personality, Raveena Deshraj Shrestha has been working in the banking sector for the past 23 years. </div> <div> Shrestha waves off the clichéd concept of ‘work-life balance’ saying it does not make sense these days. “We have to follow the idea of ‘work-life integration’ over that,” she says, explaining that one can make a call to one’s children when in office too, which makes a small but significant difference to one’s time management. “Yet, you cannot and should not mix-up personal and professional issues - we should always keep it separate,” she adds. </div> <div> </div> <div> In her spare time, Shrestha always engages herself in reading. A voracious reader, Shrestha believes that one lifetime is not enough for reading and learning. “I have an immense craving to read and learn and there is no particular genre that I stick to,” she shares. Her reading list has included books on quantum physics’ to rural development, gender issues, palmistry, body language, and Buddhist and Hindu scriptures. “I am currently reading the Quran and have a favourite in You Can Heal Your Life by Louise L. Hay,” she shares. </div> <div> </div> <div> Apart from reading, Shrestha takes interest in sports too. ‘”I enjoy watching live football matches – it is a game I used to love playing in my younger days,” she enthusiastically shares. A hard worker, Shrestha believes that taking a break is very important in a person’s life - be it small or big. “The monotony in our lives negatively impacts our creativity, making us dull,” Shrestha says. “Whenever I realise my stress level going up or my creativity going down, I take a break from the daily hustle-bustle; it is that point when I realise that I am not being who I am,” she explains.</div> <div> </div> <div> Shrestha believes that breaks are not always meant to be vacations and long trips. “Just being at home is a break. Reading a book you bought or walking on the grass is a break and works as a form of meditation too.”</div> <div> </div> <div> This aside, Shrestha is found on Facebook and twitter as well and is a frequent tweeter. “I am in these social networking sites to keep myself updated on current affairs. It’s nice to keep your head down and talk to people globally,” she says. </div> <div> </div> <div> Looking forward to her dream to go to Hawaii for a holiday, Shrestha concludes that one must live one’s life along with work. “Sitting alone too can act as a break, and help you sort out your life. Just live your life,” she added.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '2013-09-04', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'A strong and confident woman with a charming personality, Raveena Deshraj Shrestha has been working in the banking sector for the past 23 years.', 'sortorder' => '1603', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1741', 'article_category_id' => '154', 'title' => 'Learning Curve News In Brief (2 - 8 September 2013)', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">KU Students to Stage Mahabharata</span></strong></div> <div> <img alt="Mahabharat" src="/userfiles/images/mb(1).jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 83px;" />Students of Kathmandu University High School will stage a drama based on epic Mahabharata in the first week of the September. According to organisers, the drama will be staged at the KU Auditorium, Dhulikhel on 2nd and 3rd September and at the Village Theatre in Uttar Dhoka on 6th and 7th September. Tickets are available at the Ekta Book Centre. Producer Ian Raitt says, “We will present the Mahabharata Part 3 – The War and complete a cycle of dramas presented by the school which began in 2008.” Tickets are priced at Rs 100 for students and Rs 300 for adults.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">UGC to Introduce a New Education Policy</span></strong></div> <div> The University Grants Commission (UGC) is gearing up to introduce a new higher education policy that will help develop universities in Nepal as learning centres. The UGC will form a policy that will boost the quality of university education in Nepal, according to UGC Chairman Ganesh Man Gurung. A discussion was held last week on a preliminary draft formulated by the Commission in the capital. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Job Mela at Don Bosco</span></strong></div> <div> <img alt="KDBC" src="/userfiles/images/kdbc.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 125px; height: 26px;" />Kathmandu Don Bosco College (KDBC) has organised a job placement day on August 24 at its college premises in Kathmandu. The event was targeted at the students of the college to help explore employment opportunities. Some international and national corporate houses such as Chaudhary Group, Sitoula Group and JF Group among others participated in the programme.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">ECAN Celebrates 17th Anniversary </span></strong></div> <div> <img alt="ECAN" src="/userfiles/images/ecan.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 90px; height: 88px;" />Educational Consultancy Association of Nepal (ECAN) celebrated its 17th anniversary on Thursday, 29th August. A blood donation programme was organised on the occasion. According to President Rajendra Baral, 42 people donated blood on the occasion. At the programme, Baral said that ECAN is committed to giving fair educational counselling and is determined to improve their shortcomings. President of Nepal Chamber of Commerce Suresh Kumar Basnet, President of Nepal Professors’ Association Rameshwor Upadhayay, ECAN General Secretary Mahesh Babu Timalsina, ECAN Advisor Arun Lamichhane, and Former ECAN President Dipak Gurung were present in the programme. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Nepalis Students Took Part in the ASC Camp 2013</span></strong></div> <div> <img alt="ASC" src="/userfiles/images/asc.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 33px;" />Five students from Nepal participated in the Asian Science Camp 2013 that was held August 25 onward in Japan. Students promising in science were selected for the participation. A five day-long event included discussions and dialogues session among students and top scholars around the world. The programme promoted international friendship and cooperation among the students of Asia, Australia and Oceania. Among more than 200 students from various countries Rishav Acharya, Prayog Koirala, Ishan Bhattarai, Samikshya Shrestha and Swaviman Acharya took part in the event representing their respective education institutions.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'Students of Kathmandu University High School will stage a drama based on epic Mahabharata in the first week of the September.', 'sortorder' => '1602', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1740', 'article_category_id' => '156', 'title' => 'Mastering The Art Of Conveying Confidence', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> </div> <div> <strong>--By Sue Shellenbarger</strong></div> <div> </div> <div> Most people work hard pulling down degrees and polishing resumes in hopes of impressing hiring managers. But many neglect to master one of the most important hot buttons for employers – body language.</div> <div> </div> <div> People rely on nonverbal cues such as posture and eye contact to evaluate others very quickly after an initial meeting, forming a first impression within 15 to 20 seconds, says Noah Zandan, president of Quantified Impressions, an Austin, Texas, communications-analytics firm. No matter how hard a person tries to perfect a presentation or job-interview answers, 90% of listeners’ first impressions of a speaker remain unchanged after hearing the content of his or her message, Zandan says.</div> <div> </div> <div> Some young adults undermine that first impression by shifting their weight from one foot to another when speaking, Zandan says. Others lean to one side and thrust their chest and one shoulder forward in what he calls “the heart posture,” a pose that is common among young women in social-media photos and videos.</div> <div> </div> <div> “It’s important to avoid any body language that makes you look youthful or unintelligent, or not in full command of what’s going on,” says Briar Goldberg, Quantified Impressions’ director of feedback.</div> <div> </div> <div> To raise body-language awareness, Stanford University professor Deborah Gruenfeld created a class for M.B.A. candidates called “Acting with Power.” The 36-student course, which teaches the use of posture and other nonverbal signals of status and authority, has had waiting lists of up to 100 students every term since it began six years ago.</div> <div> </div> <div> Many students enter the class with bad habits of slouching, standing on one foot or always crossing their legs when seated, says Gruenfeld, a professor of organizational behavior in Stanford’s Graduate School of Business. Together with a co-instructor, Gruenfeld uses coaching and role-playing to teach the “physical manifestations of status – ways of holding your head, moving your eyes, and sitting and standing and speaking” that convey confidence, she says.</div> <div> </div> <div> Students learn to assume a “squared-off stance, like a fortress,” with feet spread wide and weight distributed evenly between them, to respond to a challenge or emphasize a point. Other students practice “the ability to deliver a message with a straight face,” without the nervous smile that signals low status, Gruenfeld says.</div> <div> </div> <div> Some students object to managing their body language, saying, “I’m really concerned about my authenticity. I don’t want to be faking it,” Gruenfeld says. She tells them that their current physical habits aren’t really of their own making either. They’re the result of conditioning by others, who have taught them since childhood to avoid behaving in ways that are “above your rank.” </div> <div> </div> <div> “Status is a key determinant of how relationships work,” Gruenfeld says. To succeed in the workplace, “you have to learn to use your body in a way” that sends an authentic message about your role and relationships with others. </div> <div> <em>(blogs.wsj.com/atwork)</em></div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '2013-09-23', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'Most people work hard pulling down degrees and polishing resumes in hopes of impressing hiring managers. But many neglect to master one of the most important hot buttons for employers – body language.', 'sortorder' => '1601', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1739', 'article_category_id' => '151', 'title' => 'Amar Singh HSS Wins National Level Quiz 2013', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> </div> <div> Amar Singh Namuna Higher Secondary School of Pokhara bagged the first prize of the National Level Quiz contest 2013. Golden Gate College followed second and Prerana Higher Secondary School of Chitwan finished at the third position. The grand finale of the competition was organised at the Radisson Hotel. The programme was organised by Saujanya Media with the support of High School Education Council and the Association of Higher Secondary Schools. Winners were awarded with certificates and trophy. The organisers also conferred awards to different personalities for their contribution to the education sector.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'Amar Singh Namuna Higher Secondary School of Pokhara bagged the first prize of the National Level Quiz contest 2013.', 'sortorder' => '1600', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1738', 'article_category_id' => '155', 'title' => '‘China’s Charm Among MD Students Continues To Be High’', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <span style="font-size:14px;"><img alt="Dr Krishna P Adhikari " src="/userfiles/images/dpa.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;width: 200px; height: 219px;" />China, one of the most preferred destinations among the students of medical science, continues to remain so, say experts. About 200 students go to China for MBBS every year while few go for MD. Limited numbers of post-graduate seats and rising fees, among other reasons has been forcing students to migrate to China to pursue medical degrees. <strong>Dr Krishna P Adhikari</strong> is a visiting professor in the China Three Gorges University. He holds an MBBS, an MPH and a PhD as well. The Corporate’s <strong>Bhawani Timilsina</strong> asked Dr Adhikari about the main reasons and challenges for students to study medical sciences in the country.<strong> Excerpts:</strong> </span></div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Nepali students have been going to China to get a medical degree since long. Could you tell more about the latest trends?</strong></div> <div> China’s charm among MD students continues to be high as it does with hundreds of MBBS students. The number was high during 2004/05/06 and dropped in 2008/09/10 after fearing many complains due to poor results in Nepal’s Medical Council exams. Chinese Universities have lured Nepali students every now and then. As students with poor academic background enrolled for MBBS, the situation was depressing for a while, but this has improved recently. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>It is said that local medical graduates are more successful than those who graduated from other countries. Is this true?</strong></div> <div> This is not the case, actually. Students have to pass exams to enter the medical sector. Those who fail the exam are not allowed to practice medicine. Besides, quality cannot be measured in general. Rather, it depends upon the individual. In the past, a number of students studying medical science in China failed the exam and the perception in your question could be the consequence of this incident. However, there are several instances when the products of Chinese Universities have shown better performance when compared to others. It may be the case that those who perform well in a theoretical examination may not do well in a practical test.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Why are Nepali students willing to go to China to study medical science?</strong></div> <div> Compared to other countries, the fee for studying MBBS in China is less. In China, students can study MBBS for a very reasonable price. In Nepal, the MBBS course is very costly in comparison. On the contrary, even humanities and engineering courses are offered at a similar cost in China. A student can complete his/her course within NRs 2.5 million in China while in Nepal, it would cost around NRs 5 million. The cost of accommodation is also included in the mentioned price. However, the cost of the course varies between universities. Tough competition and increasing costs have also prompted them to opt for educational migration to China, along with affordable costs for study and accommodation.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>What challenges Nepali students face while studying in China?</strong></div> <div> Language is a major challenge for them. Although the academic language is English, knowing Chinese language is essential as well. It will be difficult for them to adjust in the environment otherwise. For instance, they need to use Chinese language while talking with patients. Similarly, students must evaluate themselves before opting for an MBBS degree. There could be various factors in judging the ability of a student. I would recommend students with poor academic background to not join the course. Nepali students wishing to go to China should do adequate research for ensuring a good decision in choosing a university, though there is less chance of being cheated.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>What about the trend among Nepali students in selecting courses?</strong></div> <div> The trend has changed as students now have started to pursue specialised courses and again, China is a major attraction among students for this. Due to the growing demand and competition, most students now prefer to pursue specialised medical degrees than a general one.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'China, one of the most preferred destinations among the students of medical science, continues to remain so, say experts. About 200 students go to China for MBBS every year while few go for MD. Limited numbers of post-graduate seats and rising fees, among other reasons has been forcing students to migrate to China to pursue medical degrees.', 'sortorder' => '1599', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1737', 'article_category_id' => '146', 'title' => 'Visual Edit Vol 3 Issue 29', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'Visual Edit', 'sortorder' => '1598', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1736', 'article_category_id' => '105', 'title' => 'Earn Crores And Go For A Short Judicial Vacation', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> Conversation between journalists and Neeraj Nepal, Manoj Chaurasia and Jay Kumar Yadav, the officers of the H & B development bank sent to Jail for two years after they were found guilty in connection with a banking fraud.</div> <div> The journalists: “How long will you be in the judicial custody?”</div> <div> “Just for one year because 24 hours will be counted as two days in the jail calendar.”</div> <div> The journalists: “What are the charges against three of you?”</div> <div> “No no. No charges. Everything is free in the jail.”</div> <div> “But what about the charges of banking fraud worth of Rs 1.09 billion slapped against you?”</div> <div> “Who would not do it; anybody is free to do it. You earn crores of rupees just for staying in the jails for about a year or so? If opportunity given we want to do it again.”</div> <div> After this, journalists scurried out with the breaking news. –ML</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '1597', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1735', 'article_category_id' => '144', 'title' => 'Put Economy On Priority', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> The Nepali political actors are completely indifferent towards economic issues and agenda. Despite some detour, the emphasis is still on the political agenda including electoral system, federalism, ethnicity etc. In the latest instance, they have not cleared their stand on the sharp depreciation of value of rupee and skyrocketed inflation.</div> <div> </div> <div> Sheer negligence towards the depreciation of currency would have been a major political issue, if Nepal had been a developed country, with high financial literacy. In Nepal, as evidences show, people do not think that politicians can address economic issues. On the other hand, even politicians do not take economic issues as their responsibility.</div> <div> </div> <div> But the country cannot go ahead with such ignorant politicians who do not care about the welfare of the country and its people. They should take economic issues seriously and put it in their election manifesto.</div> <div> </div> <div> As election fever is gripping across the country, private sector has started parlays with political parties to apprise them convinced on economic issues. It is very necessary to produce a clear consensus plan for averting a looming economic crisis and it is not possible without political consensus.</div> <div> </div> <div> Fundamentally, the basic job of Constituent Assembly is to promulgate new constitution. Economic issues should not be ignored even in the new constitution. A guarantee of economic freedom should be clearly spell out the constitution and for that the politicians should start homework before the election. Importantly, it should be included in the election manifesto.</div> <div> </div> <div> In an ideal situation, we can make this country as beautiful as Switzerland. But dreaming something is not enough to achieve it. We have to take initiative to fulfill our dreams. The country cannot take the path of prosperity without clear economic roadmap and commitment from political sector. The economy can go ahead on its own pace if it is already on track. For instance, a political turmoil in Italy nominally affects the economic situation.</div> <div> </div> <div> Politicians should listen to private sector’s voice and give a clear economic roadmap so that they will be able to fulfill our collective dream of becoming rich and prosperous country. Election is not all about distributing illusion and giving catchy phrases to the people, rather it is the commitment towards the country.</div> <div> </div> <div> Now leaders should be clear enough on the key economic issues such as unemployment, labour unrest, hydropower, industrial growth, tourism etc. Private sector’s effort to create pressure for a better economy should be taken as a commendable move.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'The Nepali political actors are completely indifferent towards economic issues and agenda. Despite some detour, the emphasis is still on the political agenda including electoral system, federalism, ethnicity etc. In the latest instance, they have not cleared their stand on the sharp depreciation of value of rupee and skyrocketed inflation.', 'sortorder' => '1596', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1734', 'article_category_id' => '145', 'title' => 'The Software Of Growth : Governance And Management', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>--By Rameshore Khanal</strong></div> <div> </div> <div> There’s not much good that one can talk about in matters related to governance and management in Nepal. People from all walks of life cite political instability, shortage of electricity, labour problems, poor infrastructure, and corruption as major reasons for lackluster growth performance. Dismal economic growth is not the only one feature to lament about. There are others:</div> <ul> <li> 53 per cent of the population still does not have piped water supply. Those who have it are not getting safer drinking water either. And we are rich in fresh water reserve.</li> <li> 64 per cent of the population use fuel-wood as the main source of household energy, whereas another 10.38 per cent use cow-dung or animal waste. Only less than 25 per cent use modern, but not necessarily non-polluting, source of energy.</li> <li> Only about 67 per cent of the population has some form of electricity connection for lighting, but the supply remains uncertain during the time it is needed most.</li> <li> Nearly 39 per cent of households have toilets.</li> <li> There are 15 million working age people (57 per cent of total population) and one-fifth of which are looking for gainful employment in places outside the country. Of the remaining, nearly half are not fully employed.</li> <li> Only 20 per cent of the population (5.2 million people) have qualification above SLC level. And this we have achieved in 70 years of holding SLC examinations.</li> <li> Last year, 336,000 students failed the SLC examination and each year thousands of such youths undergo the trauma of failure.</li> </ul> <div> There are other indicators that are equally pathetic and we can bring about a change, an improvement only through inclusive and high growth.</div> <div> </div> <div> But growth cannot be achieved without improving governance. Partly because of political instability and mainly because of our attitude, the government system has not been able to deliver.</div> <div> </div> <div> Infrastructure projects do not complete in time. The average years it takes to complete an electricity transmission project in Nepal is eight years, while in countries of our ranks it takes barely two years. For the last 14 years we have been talking about the Melamchi Water Project that is yet to quench the thirst and meet the needs of around 4 million people. But the date of completion of the project is uncertain. Power projects that ideally complete in less than five years take a decade to become ready with almost twice the initially estimated cost.</div> <div> </div> <div> Businessmen particularly and ordinary people in general do not feel secure even as the number of policemen is increasing every year. Young people are taught to extort money from struggling businessmen which is in contravention to what they should be doing. They should in fact be helping the business community so that much needed jobs are created within the country.</div> <div> </div> <div> People with small industries struggling hard in difficult times just to make a presence in the market face a host of problems from registration offices just because they failed to get a renewal in time. Should a failure to renew a registration in time be subjected to a hefty penalty? A struggling entrepreneur from Butwal called me to express his frustration as he faced this injustice.</div> <div> </div> <div> Foreign investors wanting to explore and excavate minerals, develop hydropower or set up industries vent our frustration too. The list is long and it can go longer. And this is all because of poor governance. The government system is not made accountable for results in the first place. </div> <div> </div> <div> Secondly, and most importantly, people in key places are appointed not on the basis of merit, but on the basis of political patronage. New public institutions created to meet the emerging needs of the country become dead on arrival as they are given to head by a person who simply does not have the pre-requisite skills and aptitude. </div> <div> </div> <div> In a few cases, where results-based accountability measures were introduced, governance has improved. We have also seen remarkable improvements in the delivery of certain agencies when honest and dedicated officers are appointed. It does not require a total overhaul of the system. If we can have just a few key people leading the organisation, it can make a significant difference. Quantifiable accountability measures and a policy of hiring able men and women must be introduced in all government agencies.</div> <div> </div> <div> Governance is not weak just in the public sector; it is also weak in the private, cooperative and non-governmental sectors. Wherever regulatory agencies are effective, problems have somehow been dealt with. But many areas remain unregulated or regulatory agencies are not simply effective. </div> <div> </div> <div> The distinction between governance and management is often blurred. If the management is good, governance certainly becomes good. By management we often think of the private sector. But experience shows that the private sector performs well largely under professional management. We often hear real estate sector people ask how banks report rising profits every year when businesses in real estate are not performing well. There are different arguments put forward to criticise the bankers’ style of profit-mongering. This is certainly not the right explanation. The right explanation is that the banking sector in the first place is professionally managed and it is more open. In spite of this, greed on occasions has led some banks to face short-term setbacks.</div> <div> </div> <div> Most real estate businesses do not use professional management services. To call them privately-held may be a deception. In fact, they are family-held and do not place much trust on professional management. I often get confused whether they make the private sector or whether they are a part of the household sector!</div> <div> </div> <div> And yet, young students these days choose to pursue management courses in large numbers. It is not just in Kathmandu that there is a craze for Business Colleges - it is everywhere in Nepal. Many colleges under the Tribhuvan University system have reported that in the last five years or so, the departments that offered courses, such as, history, political science, culture, language, and even economics have seen negligible or even zero new enrolment.</div> <div> </div> <div> Most of those who pursue business administration courses either aim for the financial sector or non-governmental organisations. Interacting with students in the last three years, I have not found a single graduating student keen on manufacturing, hospitality, hydropower or other industries.</div> <div> </div> <div> Without strengthening these sectors, our expectation for higher and inclusive growth will remain an illusion. It is, therefore, necessary that those who are involved in these sectors introduce professional management in their businesses. It is the absence of professional management perhaps, that Nepali workers admired for their honesty and hard-work all over GCC countries, Malaysia and South Korea, are seen to be troublemakers in our own industries.</div> <div> <em>(Khanal is Former Finance Secretary. This opinion was expressed in Newbiz Conclave & Business Excellence Awards Ceremony-2013)</em></div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'There’s not much good that one can talk about in matters related to governance and management in Nepal. People from all walks of life cite political instability, shortage of electricity, labour problems, poor infrastructure, and corruption as major reasons for lackluster growth performance.', 'sortorder' => '1595', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1733', 'article_category_id' => '141', 'title' => 'Nepal Political Economic News In Brief (2 - 8 September 2013)', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Dahal Elected NTUC President</span></strong></div> <div> The fifth general convention of Nepal Trade Union Congress (NTUC) elected Khilanath Dahal its president last Wednesday. Dahal defeated his contender Pushkar Acharya during the election of the Nepali Congress (NC)-aligned NTUC. Dahal is a favourite of NC leader Sher Bahadur Deuba, while party president Sushil Koirala has backed Acharya. Likewise, the convention has elected Ramji Kunwar as vice-president, Rama Poudel as vice-president on the woman quota, Mahendra Yadav as general secretary and Yogendra Kunwar as treasurer of the NTUC. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">CIAA Warns Immigration Officials</span></strong></div> <div> The Commission for Investigation of Abuses of Authority (CIAA) officials are keeping close watch on the immigration officials for their alleged harassment toward the Nepali migrant workers at the airport on various pretexts. The CIAA said its attention has been drawn following complaints that immigration officials are returning foreign-bound Nepali workers and creating unnecessary hassles at the airport after the constitutional body nabbed some immigration officers on corruption charges. It also directed respective ministries to depute necessary staffs at the Department of Foreign Employment, Department of Immigration and Nepal Electricity Authority, informed CIAA spokesperson Shreedhar Sapkota.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Monarchy is yet to Go, Claims Thapa</span></strong></div> <div> <img alt="Kamal Thapa" src="/userfiles/images/thapa.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 95px; height: 100px;" />Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal Chairperson Kamal Thapa claimed that the monarchy has not been abolished yet. Inaugurating his party’s national conference in the capital on last Monday, Thapa warned UCPN (Maoist) not to harbour any illusion that the monarchy is finished in Nepal. “The status of the pro-monarch and the anti-monarch would be the same until the new constitution comes into effect,” he said.</div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Army Integration Process Completes</span></strong></div> <div> Seventy former Maoist combatants, who were selected for integration into Nepal Army (NA), were officially inducted as NA army officers amid a ceremony at the Military Academy Kharipati on last Monday. Interim Election Council Chairman Khilraj Regmi and NA Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Gaurav SJB Rana handed the insignia to the new Army officers at the ceremony after they completed a nine-month military officer training. Among them, one officer is likely to be made Colonel, two Lieutenant Colonels, 13 majors, 30 captains and 24 lieutenants. UCPN (Maoist) chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal, leaders of Nepali Congress, CPN (UML) and other parties, diplomats and ministers, among other dignitaries, were present in the ceremony.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Former Finance Secy Khanal Joins Congress </span></strong></div> <div> <img alt="Rameshore Khanal" src="/userfiles/images/khanal.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 112px;" />Former Finance Secretary Rameshore Khanal, who had resigned following a tussle with then Finance Minister Bharat Mohan Adhikari, joined Nepali Congress (NC) last Monday. NC president Sushil Koirala, vice-president Ram Chandra Poudel and other leaders welcomed him to the party amid a ceremony held at the party office in Sanepa, Lalitpur. The NC president issued the party’s general membership to Khanal. While talking with the media, Khanal said he was inspired by the principles of late NC founder BP Koirala. He termed NC as the party that “follows what it says”. NC president Koirala said the party would utilise Khanal’s skills and capacity for the economic progress of the country.</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '2013-09-02', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'The fifth general convention of Nepal Trade Union Congress (NTUC) elected Khilanath Dahal its president last Wednesday.', 'sortorder' => '1594', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1732', 'article_category_id' => '142', 'title' => 'Poll Update (2 - 8 September 2013)', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">EC Monitoring Election Code of Conduct</span></strong></div> <div> The Election Commission (EC) said it has been monitoring complaints and applications regarding the compliance and violation of the election code of conduct. The EC said it has received 470 complaints and applications so far and it is studying them by classifying the petitions. The EC will make its decisions based upon the applications and complaints, said Election Commissioner Ayodhi Prashad Yadav. “There might be complaints lodged at the local administration offices too so the numbers could go higher,” said Yadav. “The monitoring committee at the EC is collecting complaints lodged at the local administration offices.” </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">EC to Stick to Schedule</span></strong></div> <div> <img alt="Ila Sharma" src="/userfiles/images/is.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 110px; height: 121px;" />Election Commissioner Ila Sharma ruled out the possibility of change in the schedule for Constituent Assembly polls. Speaking at Voter Education, Regional Training of Trainers at Nepalgunj last Monday, she claimed that the CA polls scheduled for November 19 would not be altered at any cost. However, she said the date for registering political parties could be changed in order to bring the agitating parties on board. Citing that providing both responsibilities of media monitoring and taking action to the Nepal Press Council would not be effective, she claimed the EC itself would monitor the media during the election. She informed that the EC will intensify monitoring activities 45 days prior to the election date.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '2013-09-02', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'The Election Commission (EC) said it has been monitoring complaints and applications regarding the compliance and violation of the election code of conduct.', 'sortorder' => '1593', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1731', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'Army Integration: The Glass Is Half Full', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>--By Sagar Ghimire </strong></div> <div> </div> <div> With the induction of 70 former Maoist combatants into the Nepal Army (NA) at officer levels at the Military Academy last Monday, the army integration, a key element of Nepal’s peace process, formally came to a conclusion after seven years of protracted transitional period. </div> <div> </div> <div> In 2006, when the former rebel CPN-Maoist joined mainstream politics, the integration of the former guerilla into the state army was a bone of contention among political parties. The idea was perceived by non-Maoist forces along with the NA as a ploy of the former communist rebel to infiltrate non-political institutions with communist dogma. </div> <div> </div> <div> The army integration process was considered to be a most challenging and sensitive aspect of Nepal’s home-grown peace process. Though the seven-year long integration process observed complications, mistrust and dillydallying among stake-holders of peace building efforts, the process gathered some momentum after the NA showed some flexibility to accommodate the former guerillas.</div> <div> </div> <div> The integration process in a unique way offers important lessons to the international community and also might be replicated in other countries in post-conflict period. NA and the former combatants, who had fought against each other during the decade long war, should be patted on the back for this accomplishment. </div> <div> </div> <div> They did not only maintain a high degree of restraint during these seven years of volatile and fragile situation, but later also agreed to accept each other as colleagues in the same institution. This achievement has obviously elated people who have witnessed the horror of war for more than a decade. </div> <div> </div> <div> However, as propagated by a section of media and political parties, the landmark achievement in the integration front itself is not the full accomplishment of the peace process. Agreed that it was a key component, equally important are issues like the formation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission on Enforced Disappearances, security and justice sector reformation, preparation and implementation of a minimum common programme of socio-economic transformation and formulation of scientific land reform policies, among others. Some of the agenda of Nepal’s peace process are yet to receive significant attention while others have been completely overlooked by concerned stakeholders. </div> <div> </div> <div> The topmost priority and a larger part of Nepal’s peace process is the promulgation of a new constitution through an elected Constituent Assembly that will ensure a federal democratic republic set-up. </div> <div> </div> <div> The promise from leaders of political parties to promulgate a new constitution through the elected Constituent Assembly is yet to be delivered. </div> <div> </div> <div> The first two years of the CA witnessed wrangling among the Maoist and non-Maoist forces on whether the integration process should be completed before the constitution drafting or whether it should go hand in hand. The remaining two years of the CA were squandered in the debate on federalism. Eventually, the institution met a tragic fate of dissolution without delivering a constitution, shattering the peoples’ dream for peace.</div> <div> </div> <div> Political leaders boasting that they have successfully concluded the peace process without delivering a new constitution is merely a sign of complacence. </div> <div> </div> <div> Amid celebrations of the success of 70 former combatants’ integration into the NA as officers, the issue of over four thousand former combatants who were tagged as disqualified during the UN verification process has not bothered the government and parties as much. </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> Humiliated by expulsion with a ‘disqualified’ tag in their identity, they had even hit the streets a year back with a few demands. If not properly addressed and rehabilitated, these former combatants, most of them who possess armed tactics and skills coupled with violent mentality, can pose a serious challenge to society. These former combatants could be manipulated by any force, particularly the breakaway CPN-Maoist towards violent activities.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'With the induction of 70 former Maoist combatants into the Nepal Army (NA) at officer levels at the Military Academy last Monday, the army integration, a key element of Nepal’s peace process, formally came to a conclusion after seven years of protracted transitional period.', 'sortorder' => '1592', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1730', 'article_category_id' => '140', 'title' => 'Unstable Politics Obstructing Investment: Bodde', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> Investors are backtracking from investment despite immense possibilities in Nepal, said US ambassador to Nepal Peter W Bodde.</div> <div> </div> <div> Speaking at an interaction programme organised by the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) last Thursday, envoy Bodde said that political instability is hindering investment in Nepal. He advised the business community to press political parties to restore political stability in the country and prioritise economic development. “Attracting foreign investment and generating employment opportunities should be the priority of political parties. The business community can request political parties towards this end,” Bodde said. </div> <div> </div> <div> He also said the business community should support holding the Constituent Assembly polls scheduled for November 19. </div> <div> </div> <div> Also speaking in the programme, BCCI Chairperson Ashok Baidya lamented over continuing problems in creating a business friendly environment. He also expressed his expectation from the U.S. for the economic development of Nepal.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'Investors are backtracking from investment despite immense possibilities in Nepal, said US ambassador to Nepal Peter W Bodde.', 'sortorder' => '1591', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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The question is related to the level of protection that particular software offers and the performance of the computer after installing it. McAfee, one of the world’s leading antivirus software developers has come up with the answer. In regard to the level of protection against malicious apps, viruses, trojans and numerous other security threats, the McAfee Antivirus Plus 2013 certainly does not disappoint. It provides optimal level of security for home and business users according to their need. McAfee Antivirus 2013 plus runs on all versions of Windows, from Windows XP to the latest Windows 8. It is a complete all-in-one security package that includes anti-virus, anti-phishing and anti-spyware features. The McAfee Antivirus Plus 2013 also comes with a two-way firewall. </div> <div> </div> <div> The antivirus provides an advanced range of features, constantly working in the background to ensure that your computer is kept safe from many security threats which lurk out there. Thanks to the improved SiteAdvisor feature, you can still freely surf without any annoyances. This unique feature automatically rates websites in search results by using red, yellow and green warning marks. The rating of a website depends on various factors, but it will help you to make a more informed decision as to whether or not a website is safe to visit. The latest edition also supports automatic scanning of external drives which is extremely useful in an age when most computer users are regularly plugging in their USB flash drives or memory cards. McAfee Antivirus Plus also provides features to make online shopping and banking safer than ever, thanks to its identity protection, anti-phishing and SiteAdvisor features. The software even provides data backup features, allowing you to have your photo, video and music collections automatically backed up online.</div> <div> </div> <div> McAfee Antivirus Plus 2013 offers improved performance over its predecessors, including faster start up and scanning times. This results in the minimal usage of computer resources such as CPU power and memory. Due to the minimal usage of resources, the computer’s performance in terms of speed won’t degrade. </div> <div> </div> <div> McAfee Antivirus Plus has wide range of other features too. This includes a PC tune-up utility to optimize your computer by getting rid of unused files and applications and properly clearing your browser cache and other temporary files on your computer to free disk space. The features come in the form of McAfee QuickClean, a cleanup utility. Another unique feature is the Digital Data Shredder. Using this you can securely and permanently delete data. McAfee Antivirus Plus 2013 also comes with an advance data recovery utility that can retrieve data in most cases. </div> <div> </div> <div> According to Zeal Enterprises (P) Ltd, the authorised distributor of McAfee Antivirus in Nepal, the software package is available in three different versions. The company has priced McAfee 1 User Antivirus Plus at Rs 1500. Similarly, McAfee 3 User Antivirus Plus and McAfee 3 User Internet Security are available at Rs 1800 and Rs 2000 respectively. All of these software packages are printed with ‘A’ class quality assurance. The company is also offering safety certified best quality laptop bag worth Rs 1200 with the purchase any of the aforementioned versions.</div> </div> <p> </p>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '2013-09-04', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'When it comes to protection of computer and valuable data, there is always a question about the efficacy of the antivirus software.', 'sortorder' => '1604', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1742', 'article_category_id' => '159', 'title' => 'Not Just A Banker', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>--By Upashana Neupane</strong></div> <div> </div> <div> A strong and confident woman with a charming personality, Raveena Deshraj Shrestha has been working in the banking sector for the past 23 years. </div> <div> Shrestha waves off the clichéd concept of ‘work-life balance’ saying it does not make sense these days. “We have to follow the idea of ‘work-life integration’ over that,” she says, explaining that one can make a call to one’s children when in office too, which makes a small but significant difference to one’s time management. “Yet, you cannot and should not mix-up personal and professional issues - we should always keep it separate,” she adds. </div> <div> </div> <div> In her spare time, Shrestha always engages herself in reading. A voracious reader, Shrestha believes that one lifetime is not enough for reading and learning. “I have an immense craving to read and learn and there is no particular genre that I stick to,” she shares. Her reading list has included books on quantum physics’ to rural development, gender issues, palmistry, body language, and Buddhist and Hindu scriptures. “I am currently reading the Quran and have a favourite in You Can Heal Your Life by Louise L. Hay,” she shares. </div> <div> </div> <div> Apart from reading, Shrestha takes interest in sports too. ‘”I enjoy watching live football matches – it is a game I used to love playing in my younger days,” she enthusiastically shares. A hard worker, Shrestha believes that taking a break is very important in a person’s life - be it small or big. “The monotony in our lives negatively impacts our creativity, making us dull,” Shrestha says. “Whenever I realise my stress level going up or my creativity going down, I take a break from the daily hustle-bustle; it is that point when I realise that I am not being who I am,” she explains.</div> <div> </div> <div> Shrestha believes that breaks are not always meant to be vacations and long trips. “Just being at home is a break. Reading a book you bought or walking on the grass is a break and works as a form of meditation too.”</div> <div> </div> <div> This aside, Shrestha is found on Facebook and twitter as well and is a frequent tweeter. “I am in these social networking sites to keep myself updated on current affairs. It’s nice to keep your head down and talk to people globally,” she says. </div> <div> </div> <div> Looking forward to her dream to go to Hawaii for a holiday, Shrestha concludes that one must live one’s life along with work. “Sitting alone too can act as a break, and help you sort out your life. Just live your life,” she added.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '2013-09-04', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'A strong and confident woman with a charming personality, Raveena Deshraj Shrestha has been working in the banking sector for the past 23 years.', 'sortorder' => '1603', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1741', 'article_category_id' => '154', 'title' => 'Learning Curve News In Brief (2 - 8 September 2013)', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">KU Students to Stage Mahabharata</span></strong></div> <div> <img alt="Mahabharat" src="/userfiles/images/mb(1).jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 83px;" />Students of Kathmandu University High School will stage a drama based on epic Mahabharata in the first week of the September. According to organisers, the drama will be staged at the KU Auditorium, Dhulikhel on 2nd and 3rd September and at the Village Theatre in Uttar Dhoka on 6th and 7th September. Tickets are available at the Ekta Book Centre. Producer Ian Raitt says, “We will present the Mahabharata Part 3 – The War and complete a cycle of dramas presented by the school which began in 2008.” Tickets are priced at Rs 100 for students and Rs 300 for adults.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">UGC to Introduce a New Education Policy</span></strong></div> <div> The University Grants Commission (UGC) is gearing up to introduce a new higher education policy that will help develop universities in Nepal as learning centres. The UGC will form a policy that will boost the quality of university education in Nepal, according to UGC Chairman Ganesh Man Gurung. A discussion was held last week on a preliminary draft formulated by the Commission in the capital. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Job Mela at Don Bosco</span></strong></div> <div> <img alt="KDBC" src="/userfiles/images/kdbc.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 125px; height: 26px;" />Kathmandu Don Bosco College (KDBC) has organised a job placement day on August 24 at its college premises in Kathmandu. The event was targeted at the students of the college to help explore employment opportunities. Some international and national corporate houses such as Chaudhary Group, Sitoula Group and JF Group among others participated in the programme.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">ECAN Celebrates 17th Anniversary </span></strong></div> <div> <img alt="ECAN" src="/userfiles/images/ecan.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 90px; height: 88px;" />Educational Consultancy Association of Nepal (ECAN) celebrated its 17th anniversary on Thursday, 29th August. A blood donation programme was organised on the occasion. According to President Rajendra Baral, 42 people donated blood on the occasion. At the programme, Baral said that ECAN is committed to giving fair educational counselling and is determined to improve their shortcomings. President of Nepal Chamber of Commerce Suresh Kumar Basnet, President of Nepal Professors’ Association Rameshwor Upadhayay, ECAN General Secretary Mahesh Babu Timalsina, ECAN Advisor Arun Lamichhane, and Former ECAN President Dipak Gurung were present in the programme. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Nepalis Students Took Part in the ASC Camp 2013</span></strong></div> <div> <img alt="ASC" src="/userfiles/images/asc.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 33px;" />Five students from Nepal participated in the Asian Science Camp 2013 that was held August 25 onward in Japan. Students promising in science were selected for the participation. A five day-long event included discussions and dialogues session among students and top scholars around the world. The programme promoted international friendship and cooperation among the students of Asia, Australia and Oceania. Among more than 200 students from various countries Rishav Acharya, Prayog Koirala, Ishan Bhattarai, Samikshya Shrestha and Swaviman Acharya took part in the event representing their respective education institutions.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'Students of Kathmandu University High School will stage a drama based on epic Mahabharata in the first week of the September.', 'sortorder' => '1602', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1740', 'article_category_id' => '156', 'title' => 'Mastering The Art Of Conveying Confidence', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> </div> <div> <strong>--By Sue Shellenbarger</strong></div> <div> </div> <div> Most people work hard pulling down degrees and polishing resumes in hopes of impressing hiring managers. But many neglect to master one of the most important hot buttons for employers – body language.</div> <div> </div> <div> People rely on nonverbal cues such as posture and eye contact to evaluate others very quickly after an initial meeting, forming a first impression within 15 to 20 seconds, says Noah Zandan, president of Quantified Impressions, an Austin, Texas, communications-analytics firm. No matter how hard a person tries to perfect a presentation or job-interview answers, 90% of listeners’ first impressions of a speaker remain unchanged after hearing the content of his or her message, Zandan says.</div> <div> </div> <div> Some young adults undermine that first impression by shifting their weight from one foot to another when speaking, Zandan says. Others lean to one side and thrust their chest and one shoulder forward in what he calls “the heart posture,” a pose that is common among young women in social-media photos and videos.</div> <div> </div> <div> “It’s important to avoid any body language that makes you look youthful or unintelligent, or not in full command of what’s going on,” says Briar Goldberg, Quantified Impressions’ director of feedback.</div> <div> </div> <div> To raise body-language awareness, Stanford University professor Deborah Gruenfeld created a class for M.B.A. candidates called “Acting with Power.” The 36-student course, which teaches the use of posture and other nonverbal signals of status and authority, has had waiting lists of up to 100 students every term since it began six years ago.</div> <div> </div> <div> Many students enter the class with bad habits of slouching, standing on one foot or always crossing their legs when seated, says Gruenfeld, a professor of organizational behavior in Stanford’s Graduate School of Business. Together with a co-instructor, Gruenfeld uses coaching and role-playing to teach the “physical manifestations of status – ways of holding your head, moving your eyes, and sitting and standing and speaking” that convey confidence, she says.</div> <div> </div> <div> Students learn to assume a “squared-off stance, like a fortress,” with feet spread wide and weight distributed evenly between them, to respond to a challenge or emphasize a point. Other students practice “the ability to deliver a message with a straight face,” without the nervous smile that signals low status, Gruenfeld says.</div> <div> </div> <div> Some students object to managing their body language, saying, “I’m really concerned about my authenticity. I don’t want to be faking it,” Gruenfeld says. She tells them that their current physical habits aren’t really of their own making either. They’re the result of conditioning by others, who have taught them since childhood to avoid behaving in ways that are “above your rank.” </div> <div> </div> <div> “Status is a key determinant of how relationships work,” Gruenfeld says. To succeed in the workplace, “you have to learn to use your body in a way” that sends an authentic message about your role and relationships with others. </div> <div> <em>(blogs.wsj.com/atwork)</em></div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '2013-09-23', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'Most people work hard pulling down degrees and polishing resumes in hopes of impressing hiring managers. But many neglect to master one of the most important hot buttons for employers – body language.', 'sortorder' => '1601', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1739', 'article_category_id' => '151', 'title' => 'Amar Singh HSS Wins National Level Quiz 2013', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> </div> <div> Amar Singh Namuna Higher Secondary School of Pokhara bagged the first prize of the National Level Quiz contest 2013. Golden Gate College followed second and Prerana Higher Secondary School of Chitwan finished at the third position. The grand finale of the competition was organised at the Radisson Hotel. The programme was organised by Saujanya Media with the support of High School Education Council and the Association of Higher Secondary Schools. Winners were awarded with certificates and trophy. The organisers also conferred awards to different personalities for their contribution to the education sector.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'Amar Singh Namuna Higher Secondary School of Pokhara bagged the first prize of the National Level Quiz contest 2013.', 'sortorder' => '1600', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1738', 'article_category_id' => '155', 'title' => '‘China’s Charm Among MD Students Continues To Be High’', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <span style="font-size:14px;"><img alt="Dr Krishna P Adhikari " src="/userfiles/images/dpa.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;width: 200px; height: 219px;" />China, one of the most preferred destinations among the students of medical science, continues to remain so, say experts. About 200 students go to China for MBBS every year while few go for MD. Limited numbers of post-graduate seats and rising fees, among other reasons has been forcing students to migrate to China to pursue medical degrees. <strong>Dr Krishna P Adhikari</strong> is a visiting professor in the China Three Gorges University. He holds an MBBS, an MPH and a PhD as well. The Corporate’s <strong>Bhawani Timilsina</strong> asked Dr Adhikari about the main reasons and challenges for students to study medical sciences in the country.<strong> Excerpts:</strong> </span></div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Nepali students have been going to China to get a medical degree since long. Could you tell more about the latest trends?</strong></div> <div> China’s charm among MD students continues to be high as it does with hundreds of MBBS students. The number was high during 2004/05/06 and dropped in 2008/09/10 after fearing many complains due to poor results in Nepal’s Medical Council exams. Chinese Universities have lured Nepali students every now and then. As students with poor academic background enrolled for MBBS, the situation was depressing for a while, but this has improved recently. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>It is said that local medical graduates are more successful than those who graduated from other countries. Is this true?</strong></div> <div> This is not the case, actually. Students have to pass exams to enter the medical sector. Those who fail the exam are not allowed to practice medicine. Besides, quality cannot be measured in general. Rather, it depends upon the individual. In the past, a number of students studying medical science in China failed the exam and the perception in your question could be the consequence of this incident. However, there are several instances when the products of Chinese Universities have shown better performance when compared to others. It may be the case that those who perform well in a theoretical examination may not do well in a practical test.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Why are Nepali students willing to go to China to study medical science?</strong></div> <div> Compared to other countries, the fee for studying MBBS in China is less. In China, students can study MBBS for a very reasonable price. In Nepal, the MBBS course is very costly in comparison. On the contrary, even humanities and engineering courses are offered at a similar cost in China. A student can complete his/her course within NRs 2.5 million in China while in Nepal, it would cost around NRs 5 million. The cost of accommodation is also included in the mentioned price. However, the cost of the course varies between universities. Tough competition and increasing costs have also prompted them to opt for educational migration to China, along with affordable costs for study and accommodation.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>What challenges Nepali students face while studying in China?</strong></div> <div> Language is a major challenge for them. Although the academic language is English, knowing Chinese language is essential as well. It will be difficult for them to adjust in the environment otherwise. For instance, they need to use Chinese language while talking with patients. Similarly, students must evaluate themselves before opting for an MBBS degree. There could be various factors in judging the ability of a student. I would recommend students with poor academic background to not join the course. Nepali students wishing to go to China should do adequate research for ensuring a good decision in choosing a university, though there is less chance of being cheated.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>What about the trend among Nepali students in selecting courses?</strong></div> <div> The trend has changed as students now have started to pursue specialised courses and again, China is a major attraction among students for this. Due to the growing demand and competition, most students now prefer to pursue specialised medical degrees than a general one.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'China, one of the most preferred destinations among the students of medical science, continues to remain so, say experts. About 200 students go to China for MBBS every year while few go for MD. Limited numbers of post-graduate seats and rising fees, among other reasons has been forcing students to migrate to China to pursue medical degrees.', 'sortorder' => '1599', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1737', 'article_category_id' => '146', 'title' => 'Visual Edit Vol 3 Issue 29', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'Visual Edit', 'sortorder' => '1598', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1736', 'article_category_id' => '105', 'title' => 'Earn Crores And Go For A Short Judicial Vacation', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> Conversation between journalists and Neeraj Nepal, Manoj Chaurasia and Jay Kumar Yadav, the officers of the H & B development bank sent to Jail for two years after they were found guilty in connection with a banking fraud.</div> <div> The journalists: “How long will you be in the judicial custody?”</div> <div> “Just for one year because 24 hours will be counted as two days in the jail calendar.”</div> <div> The journalists: “What are the charges against three of you?”</div> <div> “No no. No charges. Everything is free in the jail.”</div> <div> “But what about the charges of banking fraud worth of Rs 1.09 billion slapped against you?”</div> <div> “Who would not do it; anybody is free to do it. You earn crores of rupees just for staying in the jails for about a year or so? If opportunity given we want to do it again.”</div> <div> After this, journalists scurried out with the breaking news. –ML</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '1597', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1735', 'article_category_id' => '144', 'title' => 'Put Economy On Priority', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> The Nepali political actors are completely indifferent towards economic issues and agenda. Despite some detour, the emphasis is still on the political agenda including electoral system, federalism, ethnicity etc. In the latest instance, they have not cleared their stand on the sharp depreciation of value of rupee and skyrocketed inflation.</div> <div> </div> <div> Sheer negligence towards the depreciation of currency would have been a major political issue, if Nepal had been a developed country, with high financial literacy. In Nepal, as evidences show, people do not think that politicians can address economic issues. On the other hand, even politicians do not take economic issues as their responsibility.</div> <div> </div> <div> But the country cannot go ahead with such ignorant politicians who do not care about the welfare of the country and its people. They should take economic issues seriously and put it in their election manifesto.</div> <div> </div> <div> As election fever is gripping across the country, private sector has started parlays with political parties to apprise them convinced on economic issues. It is very necessary to produce a clear consensus plan for averting a looming economic crisis and it is not possible without political consensus.</div> <div> </div> <div> Fundamentally, the basic job of Constituent Assembly is to promulgate new constitution. Economic issues should not be ignored even in the new constitution. A guarantee of economic freedom should be clearly spell out the constitution and for that the politicians should start homework before the election. Importantly, it should be included in the election manifesto.</div> <div> </div> <div> In an ideal situation, we can make this country as beautiful as Switzerland. But dreaming something is not enough to achieve it. We have to take initiative to fulfill our dreams. The country cannot take the path of prosperity without clear economic roadmap and commitment from political sector. The economy can go ahead on its own pace if it is already on track. For instance, a political turmoil in Italy nominally affects the economic situation.</div> <div> </div> <div> Politicians should listen to private sector’s voice and give a clear economic roadmap so that they will be able to fulfill our collective dream of becoming rich and prosperous country. Election is not all about distributing illusion and giving catchy phrases to the people, rather it is the commitment towards the country.</div> <div> </div> <div> Now leaders should be clear enough on the key economic issues such as unemployment, labour unrest, hydropower, industrial growth, tourism etc. Private sector’s effort to create pressure for a better economy should be taken as a commendable move.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'The Nepali political actors are completely indifferent towards economic issues and agenda. Despite some detour, the emphasis is still on the political agenda including electoral system, federalism, ethnicity etc. In the latest instance, they have not cleared their stand on the sharp depreciation of value of rupee and skyrocketed inflation.', 'sortorder' => '1596', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1734', 'article_category_id' => '145', 'title' => 'The Software Of Growth : Governance And Management', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>--By Rameshore Khanal</strong></div> <div> </div> <div> There’s not much good that one can talk about in matters related to governance and management in Nepal. People from all walks of life cite political instability, shortage of electricity, labour problems, poor infrastructure, and corruption as major reasons for lackluster growth performance. Dismal economic growth is not the only one feature to lament about. There are others:</div> <ul> <li> 53 per cent of the population still does not have piped water supply. Those who have it are not getting safer drinking water either. And we are rich in fresh water reserve.</li> <li> 64 per cent of the population use fuel-wood as the main source of household energy, whereas another 10.38 per cent use cow-dung or animal waste. Only less than 25 per cent use modern, but not necessarily non-polluting, source of energy.</li> <li> Only about 67 per cent of the population has some form of electricity connection for lighting, but the supply remains uncertain during the time it is needed most.</li> <li> Nearly 39 per cent of households have toilets.</li> <li> There are 15 million working age people (57 per cent of total population) and one-fifth of which are looking for gainful employment in places outside the country. Of the remaining, nearly half are not fully employed.</li> <li> Only 20 per cent of the population (5.2 million people) have qualification above SLC level. And this we have achieved in 70 years of holding SLC examinations.</li> <li> Last year, 336,000 students failed the SLC examination and each year thousands of such youths undergo the trauma of failure.</li> </ul> <div> There are other indicators that are equally pathetic and we can bring about a change, an improvement only through inclusive and high growth.</div> <div> </div> <div> But growth cannot be achieved without improving governance. Partly because of political instability and mainly because of our attitude, the government system has not been able to deliver.</div> <div> </div> <div> Infrastructure projects do not complete in time. The average years it takes to complete an electricity transmission project in Nepal is eight years, while in countries of our ranks it takes barely two years. For the last 14 years we have been talking about the Melamchi Water Project that is yet to quench the thirst and meet the needs of around 4 million people. But the date of completion of the project is uncertain. Power projects that ideally complete in less than five years take a decade to become ready with almost twice the initially estimated cost.</div> <div> </div> <div> Businessmen particularly and ordinary people in general do not feel secure even as the number of policemen is increasing every year. Young people are taught to extort money from struggling businessmen which is in contravention to what they should be doing. They should in fact be helping the business community so that much needed jobs are created within the country.</div> <div> </div> <div> People with small industries struggling hard in difficult times just to make a presence in the market face a host of problems from registration offices just because they failed to get a renewal in time. Should a failure to renew a registration in time be subjected to a hefty penalty? A struggling entrepreneur from Butwal called me to express his frustration as he faced this injustice.</div> <div> </div> <div> Foreign investors wanting to explore and excavate minerals, develop hydropower or set up industries vent our frustration too. The list is long and it can go longer. And this is all because of poor governance. The government system is not made accountable for results in the first place. </div> <div> </div> <div> Secondly, and most importantly, people in key places are appointed not on the basis of merit, but on the basis of political patronage. New public institutions created to meet the emerging needs of the country become dead on arrival as they are given to head by a person who simply does not have the pre-requisite skills and aptitude. </div> <div> </div> <div> In a few cases, where results-based accountability measures were introduced, governance has improved. We have also seen remarkable improvements in the delivery of certain agencies when honest and dedicated officers are appointed. It does not require a total overhaul of the system. If we can have just a few key people leading the organisation, it can make a significant difference. Quantifiable accountability measures and a policy of hiring able men and women must be introduced in all government agencies.</div> <div> </div> <div> Governance is not weak just in the public sector; it is also weak in the private, cooperative and non-governmental sectors. Wherever regulatory agencies are effective, problems have somehow been dealt with. But many areas remain unregulated or regulatory agencies are not simply effective. </div> <div> </div> <div> The distinction between governance and management is often blurred. If the management is good, governance certainly becomes good. By management we often think of the private sector. But experience shows that the private sector performs well largely under professional management. We often hear real estate sector people ask how banks report rising profits every year when businesses in real estate are not performing well. There are different arguments put forward to criticise the bankers’ style of profit-mongering. This is certainly not the right explanation. The right explanation is that the banking sector in the first place is professionally managed and it is more open. In spite of this, greed on occasions has led some banks to face short-term setbacks.</div> <div> </div> <div> Most real estate businesses do not use professional management services. To call them privately-held may be a deception. In fact, they are family-held and do not place much trust on professional management. I often get confused whether they make the private sector or whether they are a part of the household sector!</div> <div> </div> <div> And yet, young students these days choose to pursue management courses in large numbers. It is not just in Kathmandu that there is a craze for Business Colleges - it is everywhere in Nepal. Many colleges under the Tribhuvan University system have reported that in the last five years or so, the departments that offered courses, such as, history, political science, culture, language, and even economics have seen negligible or even zero new enrolment.</div> <div> </div> <div> Most of those who pursue business administration courses either aim for the financial sector or non-governmental organisations. Interacting with students in the last three years, I have not found a single graduating student keen on manufacturing, hospitality, hydropower or other industries.</div> <div> </div> <div> Without strengthening these sectors, our expectation for higher and inclusive growth will remain an illusion. It is, therefore, necessary that those who are involved in these sectors introduce professional management in their businesses. It is the absence of professional management perhaps, that Nepali workers admired for their honesty and hard-work all over GCC countries, Malaysia and South Korea, are seen to be troublemakers in our own industries.</div> <div> <em>(Khanal is Former Finance Secretary. This opinion was expressed in Newbiz Conclave & Business Excellence Awards Ceremony-2013)</em></div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'There’s not much good that one can talk about in matters related to governance and management in Nepal. People from all walks of life cite political instability, shortage of electricity, labour problems, poor infrastructure, and corruption as major reasons for lackluster growth performance.', 'sortorder' => '1595', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1733', 'article_category_id' => '141', 'title' => 'Nepal Political Economic News In Brief (2 - 8 September 2013)', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Dahal Elected NTUC President</span></strong></div> <div> The fifth general convention of Nepal Trade Union Congress (NTUC) elected Khilanath Dahal its president last Wednesday. Dahal defeated his contender Pushkar Acharya during the election of the Nepali Congress (NC)-aligned NTUC. Dahal is a favourite of NC leader Sher Bahadur Deuba, while party president Sushil Koirala has backed Acharya. Likewise, the convention has elected Ramji Kunwar as vice-president, Rama Poudel as vice-president on the woman quota, Mahendra Yadav as general secretary and Yogendra Kunwar as treasurer of the NTUC. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">CIAA Warns Immigration Officials</span></strong></div> <div> The Commission for Investigation of Abuses of Authority (CIAA) officials are keeping close watch on the immigration officials for their alleged harassment toward the Nepali migrant workers at the airport on various pretexts. The CIAA said its attention has been drawn following complaints that immigration officials are returning foreign-bound Nepali workers and creating unnecessary hassles at the airport after the constitutional body nabbed some immigration officers on corruption charges. It also directed respective ministries to depute necessary staffs at the Department of Foreign Employment, Department of Immigration and Nepal Electricity Authority, informed CIAA spokesperson Shreedhar Sapkota.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Monarchy is yet to Go, Claims Thapa</span></strong></div> <div> <img alt="Kamal Thapa" src="/userfiles/images/thapa.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 95px; height: 100px;" />Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal Chairperson Kamal Thapa claimed that the monarchy has not been abolished yet. Inaugurating his party’s national conference in the capital on last Monday, Thapa warned UCPN (Maoist) not to harbour any illusion that the monarchy is finished in Nepal. “The status of the pro-monarch and the anti-monarch would be the same until the new constitution comes into effect,” he said.</div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Army Integration Process Completes</span></strong></div> <div> Seventy former Maoist combatants, who were selected for integration into Nepal Army (NA), were officially inducted as NA army officers amid a ceremony at the Military Academy Kharipati on last Monday. Interim Election Council Chairman Khilraj Regmi and NA Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Gaurav SJB Rana handed the insignia to the new Army officers at the ceremony after they completed a nine-month military officer training. Among them, one officer is likely to be made Colonel, two Lieutenant Colonels, 13 majors, 30 captains and 24 lieutenants. UCPN (Maoist) chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal, leaders of Nepali Congress, CPN (UML) and other parties, diplomats and ministers, among other dignitaries, were present in the ceremony.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Former Finance Secy Khanal Joins Congress </span></strong></div> <div> <img alt="Rameshore Khanal" src="/userfiles/images/khanal.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 112px;" />Former Finance Secretary Rameshore Khanal, who had resigned following a tussle with then Finance Minister Bharat Mohan Adhikari, joined Nepali Congress (NC) last Monday. NC president Sushil Koirala, vice-president Ram Chandra Poudel and other leaders welcomed him to the party amid a ceremony held at the party office in Sanepa, Lalitpur. The NC president issued the party’s general membership to Khanal. While talking with the media, Khanal said he was inspired by the principles of late NC founder BP Koirala. He termed NC as the party that “follows what it says”. NC president Koirala said the party would utilise Khanal’s skills and capacity for the economic progress of the country.</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '2013-09-02', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'The fifth general convention of Nepal Trade Union Congress (NTUC) elected Khilanath Dahal its president last Wednesday.', 'sortorder' => '1594', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1732', 'article_category_id' => '142', 'title' => 'Poll Update (2 - 8 September 2013)', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">EC Monitoring Election Code of Conduct</span></strong></div> <div> The Election Commission (EC) said it has been monitoring complaints and applications regarding the compliance and violation of the election code of conduct. The EC said it has received 470 complaints and applications so far and it is studying them by classifying the petitions. The EC will make its decisions based upon the applications and complaints, said Election Commissioner Ayodhi Prashad Yadav. “There might be complaints lodged at the local administration offices too so the numbers could go higher,” said Yadav. “The monitoring committee at the EC is collecting complaints lodged at the local administration offices.” </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">EC to Stick to Schedule</span></strong></div> <div> <img alt="Ila Sharma" src="/userfiles/images/is.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 110px; height: 121px;" />Election Commissioner Ila Sharma ruled out the possibility of change in the schedule for Constituent Assembly polls. Speaking at Voter Education, Regional Training of Trainers at Nepalgunj last Monday, she claimed that the CA polls scheduled for November 19 would not be altered at any cost. However, she said the date for registering political parties could be changed in order to bring the agitating parties on board. Citing that providing both responsibilities of media monitoring and taking action to the Nepal Press Council would not be effective, she claimed the EC itself would monitor the media during the election. She informed that the EC will intensify monitoring activities 45 days prior to the election date.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '2013-09-02', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'The Election Commission (EC) said it has been monitoring complaints and applications regarding the compliance and violation of the election code of conduct.', 'sortorder' => '1593', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1731', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'Army Integration: The Glass Is Half Full', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>--By Sagar Ghimire </strong></div> <div> </div> <div> With the induction of 70 former Maoist combatants into the Nepal Army (NA) at officer levels at the Military Academy last Monday, the army integration, a key element of Nepal’s peace process, formally came to a conclusion after seven years of protracted transitional period. </div> <div> </div> <div> In 2006, when the former rebel CPN-Maoist joined mainstream politics, the integration of the former guerilla into the state army was a bone of contention among political parties. The idea was perceived by non-Maoist forces along with the NA as a ploy of the former communist rebel to infiltrate non-political institutions with communist dogma. </div> <div> </div> <div> The army integration process was considered to be a most challenging and sensitive aspect of Nepal’s home-grown peace process. Though the seven-year long integration process observed complications, mistrust and dillydallying among stake-holders of peace building efforts, the process gathered some momentum after the NA showed some flexibility to accommodate the former guerillas.</div> <div> </div> <div> The integration process in a unique way offers important lessons to the international community and also might be replicated in other countries in post-conflict period. NA and the former combatants, who had fought against each other during the decade long war, should be patted on the back for this accomplishment. </div> <div> </div> <div> They did not only maintain a high degree of restraint during these seven years of volatile and fragile situation, but later also agreed to accept each other as colleagues in the same institution. This achievement has obviously elated people who have witnessed the horror of war for more than a decade. </div> <div> </div> <div> However, as propagated by a section of media and political parties, the landmark achievement in the integration front itself is not the full accomplishment of the peace process. Agreed that it was a key component, equally important are issues like the formation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission on Enforced Disappearances, security and justice sector reformation, preparation and implementation of a minimum common programme of socio-economic transformation and formulation of scientific land reform policies, among others. Some of the agenda of Nepal’s peace process are yet to receive significant attention while others have been completely overlooked by concerned stakeholders. </div> <div> </div> <div> The topmost priority and a larger part of Nepal’s peace process is the promulgation of a new constitution through an elected Constituent Assembly that will ensure a federal democratic republic set-up. </div> <div> </div> <div> The promise from leaders of political parties to promulgate a new constitution through the elected Constituent Assembly is yet to be delivered. </div> <div> </div> <div> The first two years of the CA witnessed wrangling among the Maoist and non-Maoist forces on whether the integration process should be completed before the constitution drafting or whether it should go hand in hand. The remaining two years of the CA were squandered in the debate on federalism. Eventually, the institution met a tragic fate of dissolution without delivering a constitution, shattering the peoples’ dream for peace.</div> <div> </div> <div> Political leaders boasting that they have successfully concluded the peace process without delivering a new constitution is merely a sign of complacence. </div> <div> </div> <div> Amid celebrations of the success of 70 former combatants’ integration into the NA as officers, the issue of over four thousand former combatants who were tagged as disqualified during the UN verification process has not bothered the government and parties as much. </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> Humiliated by expulsion with a ‘disqualified’ tag in their identity, they had even hit the streets a year back with a few demands. If not properly addressed and rehabilitated, these former combatants, most of them who possess armed tactics and skills coupled with violent mentality, can pose a serious challenge to society. These former combatants could be manipulated by any force, particularly the breakaway CPN-Maoist towards violent activities.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'With the induction of 70 former Maoist combatants into the Nepal Army (NA) at officer levels at the Military Academy last Monday, the army integration, a key element of Nepal’s peace process, formally came to a conclusion after seven years of protracted transitional period.', 'sortorder' => '1592', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1730', 'article_category_id' => '140', 'title' => 'Unstable Politics Obstructing Investment: Bodde', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> Investors are backtracking from investment despite immense possibilities in Nepal, said US ambassador to Nepal Peter W Bodde.</div> <div> </div> <div> Speaking at an interaction programme organised by the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) last Thursday, envoy Bodde said that political instability is hindering investment in Nepal. He advised the business community to press political parties to restore political stability in the country and prioritise economic development. “Attracting foreign investment and generating employment opportunities should be the priority of political parties. The business community can request political parties towards this end,” Bodde said. </div> <div> </div> <div> He also said the business community should support holding the Constituent Assembly polls scheduled for November 19. </div> <div> </div> <div> Also speaking in the programme, BCCI Chairperson Ashok Baidya lamented over continuing problems in creating a business friendly environment. He also expressed his expectation from the U.S. for the economic development of Nepal.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'Investors are backtracking from investment despite immense possibilities in Nepal, said US ambassador to Nepal Peter W Bodde.', 'sortorder' => '1591', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Notice (8): Undefined variable: file [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133]Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/subindexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1744', 'article_category_id' => '112', 'title' => 'Weekly Gold And Silver Price (26 August - 01 September 2013)', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-03', 'modified' => '2013-09-03', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '1605', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1743', 'article_category_id' => '194', 'title' => 'McAfee Antivirus Plus 2013 :The Ultimate Smart Protector', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> </div> <div> <strong>--By Sanjeev Sharma</strong></div> <div> </div> <div> <div> <img alt="McAfee Antivirus Plus 2013" src="/userfiles/images/mca.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; width: 250px; height: 374px;" />When it comes to protection of computer and valuable data, there is always a question about the efficacy of the antivirus software. The question is related to the level of protection that particular software offers and the performance of the computer after installing it. McAfee, one of the world’s leading antivirus software developers has come up with the answer. In regard to the level of protection against malicious apps, viruses, trojans and numerous other security threats, the McAfee Antivirus Plus 2013 certainly does not disappoint. It provides optimal level of security for home and business users according to their need. McAfee Antivirus 2013 plus runs on all versions of Windows, from Windows XP to the latest Windows 8. It is a complete all-in-one security package that includes anti-virus, anti-phishing and anti-spyware features. The McAfee Antivirus Plus 2013 also comes with a two-way firewall. </div> <div> </div> <div> The antivirus provides an advanced range of features, constantly working in the background to ensure that your computer is kept safe from many security threats which lurk out there. Thanks to the improved SiteAdvisor feature, you can still freely surf without any annoyances. This unique feature automatically rates websites in search results by using red, yellow and green warning marks. The rating of a website depends on various factors, but it will help you to make a more informed decision as to whether or not a website is safe to visit. The latest edition also supports automatic scanning of external drives which is extremely useful in an age when most computer users are regularly plugging in their USB flash drives or memory cards. McAfee Antivirus Plus also provides features to make online shopping and banking safer than ever, thanks to its identity protection, anti-phishing and SiteAdvisor features. The software even provides data backup features, allowing you to have your photo, video and music collections automatically backed up online.</div> <div> </div> <div> McAfee Antivirus Plus 2013 offers improved performance over its predecessors, including faster start up and scanning times. This results in the minimal usage of computer resources such as CPU power and memory. Due to the minimal usage of resources, the computer’s performance in terms of speed won’t degrade. </div> <div> </div> <div> McAfee Antivirus Plus has wide range of other features too. This includes a PC tune-up utility to optimize your computer by getting rid of unused files and applications and properly clearing your browser cache and other temporary files on your computer to free disk space. The features come in the form of McAfee QuickClean, a cleanup utility. Another unique feature is the Digital Data Shredder. Using this you can securely and permanently delete data. McAfee Antivirus Plus 2013 also comes with an advance data recovery utility that can retrieve data in most cases. </div> <div> </div> <div> According to Zeal Enterprises (P) Ltd, the authorised distributor of McAfee Antivirus in Nepal, the software package is available in three different versions. The company has priced McAfee 1 User Antivirus Plus at Rs 1500. Similarly, McAfee 3 User Antivirus Plus and McAfee 3 User Internet Security are available at Rs 1800 and Rs 2000 respectively. All of these software packages are printed with ‘A’ class quality assurance. The company is also offering safety certified best quality laptop bag worth Rs 1200 with the purchase any of the aforementioned versions.</div> </div> <p> </p>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '2013-09-04', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'When it comes to protection of computer and valuable data, there is always a question about the efficacy of the antivirus software.', 'sortorder' => '1604', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1742', 'article_category_id' => '159', 'title' => 'Not Just A Banker', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>--By Upashana Neupane</strong></div> <div> </div> <div> A strong and confident woman with a charming personality, Raveena Deshraj Shrestha has been working in the banking sector for the past 23 years. </div> <div> Shrestha waves off the clichéd concept of ‘work-life balance’ saying it does not make sense these days. “We have to follow the idea of ‘work-life integration’ over that,” she says, explaining that one can make a call to one’s children when in office too, which makes a small but significant difference to one’s time management. “Yet, you cannot and should not mix-up personal and professional issues - we should always keep it separate,” she adds. </div> <div> </div> <div> In her spare time, Shrestha always engages herself in reading. A voracious reader, Shrestha believes that one lifetime is not enough for reading and learning. “I have an immense craving to read and learn and there is no particular genre that I stick to,” she shares. Her reading list has included books on quantum physics’ to rural development, gender issues, palmistry, body language, and Buddhist and Hindu scriptures. “I am currently reading the Quran and have a favourite in You Can Heal Your Life by Louise L. Hay,” she shares. </div> <div> </div> <div> Apart from reading, Shrestha takes interest in sports too. ‘”I enjoy watching live football matches – it is a game I used to love playing in my younger days,” she enthusiastically shares. A hard worker, Shrestha believes that taking a break is very important in a person’s life - be it small or big. “The monotony in our lives negatively impacts our creativity, making us dull,” Shrestha says. “Whenever I realise my stress level going up or my creativity going down, I take a break from the daily hustle-bustle; it is that point when I realise that I am not being who I am,” she explains.</div> <div> </div> <div> Shrestha believes that breaks are not always meant to be vacations and long trips. “Just being at home is a break. Reading a book you bought or walking on the grass is a break and works as a form of meditation too.”</div> <div> </div> <div> This aside, Shrestha is found on Facebook and twitter as well and is a frequent tweeter. “I am in these social networking sites to keep myself updated on current affairs. It’s nice to keep your head down and talk to people globally,” she says. </div> <div> </div> <div> Looking forward to her dream to go to Hawaii for a holiday, Shrestha concludes that one must live one’s life along with work. “Sitting alone too can act as a break, and help you sort out your life. Just live your life,” she added.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '2013-09-04', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'A strong and confident woman with a charming personality, Raveena Deshraj Shrestha has been working in the banking sector for the past 23 years.', 'sortorder' => '1603', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1741', 'article_category_id' => '154', 'title' => 'Learning Curve News In Brief (2 - 8 September 2013)', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">KU Students to Stage Mahabharata</span></strong></div> <div> <img alt="Mahabharat" src="/userfiles/images/mb(1).jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 83px;" />Students of Kathmandu University High School will stage a drama based on epic Mahabharata in the first week of the September. According to organisers, the drama will be staged at the KU Auditorium, Dhulikhel on 2nd and 3rd September and at the Village Theatre in Uttar Dhoka on 6th and 7th September. Tickets are available at the Ekta Book Centre. Producer Ian Raitt says, “We will present the Mahabharata Part 3 – The War and complete a cycle of dramas presented by the school which began in 2008.” Tickets are priced at Rs 100 for students and Rs 300 for adults.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">UGC to Introduce a New Education Policy</span></strong></div> <div> The University Grants Commission (UGC) is gearing up to introduce a new higher education policy that will help develop universities in Nepal as learning centres. The UGC will form a policy that will boost the quality of university education in Nepal, according to UGC Chairman Ganesh Man Gurung. A discussion was held last week on a preliminary draft formulated by the Commission in the capital. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Job Mela at Don Bosco</span></strong></div> <div> <img alt="KDBC" src="/userfiles/images/kdbc.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 125px; height: 26px;" />Kathmandu Don Bosco College (KDBC) has organised a job placement day on August 24 at its college premises in Kathmandu. The event was targeted at the students of the college to help explore employment opportunities. Some international and national corporate houses such as Chaudhary Group, Sitoula Group and JF Group among others participated in the programme.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">ECAN Celebrates 17th Anniversary </span></strong></div> <div> <img alt="ECAN" src="/userfiles/images/ecan.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 90px; height: 88px;" />Educational Consultancy Association of Nepal (ECAN) celebrated its 17th anniversary on Thursday, 29th August. A blood donation programme was organised on the occasion. According to President Rajendra Baral, 42 people donated blood on the occasion. At the programme, Baral said that ECAN is committed to giving fair educational counselling and is determined to improve their shortcomings. President of Nepal Chamber of Commerce Suresh Kumar Basnet, President of Nepal Professors’ Association Rameshwor Upadhayay, ECAN General Secretary Mahesh Babu Timalsina, ECAN Advisor Arun Lamichhane, and Former ECAN President Dipak Gurung were present in the programme. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Nepalis Students Took Part in the ASC Camp 2013</span></strong></div> <div> <img alt="ASC" src="/userfiles/images/asc.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 33px;" />Five students from Nepal participated in the Asian Science Camp 2013 that was held August 25 onward in Japan. Students promising in science were selected for the participation. A five day-long event included discussions and dialogues session among students and top scholars around the world. The programme promoted international friendship and cooperation among the students of Asia, Australia and Oceania. Among more than 200 students from various countries Rishav Acharya, Prayog Koirala, Ishan Bhattarai, Samikshya Shrestha and Swaviman Acharya took part in the event representing their respective education institutions.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'Students of Kathmandu University High School will stage a drama based on epic Mahabharata in the first week of the September.', 'sortorder' => '1602', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1740', 'article_category_id' => '156', 'title' => 'Mastering The Art Of Conveying Confidence', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> </div> <div> <strong>--By Sue Shellenbarger</strong></div> <div> </div> <div> Most people work hard pulling down degrees and polishing resumes in hopes of impressing hiring managers. But many neglect to master one of the most important hot buttons for employers – body language.</div> <div> </div> <div> People rely on nonverbal cues such as posture and eye contact to evaluate others very quickly after an initial meeting, forming a first impression within 15 to 20 seconds, says Noah Zandan, president of Quantified Impressions, an Austin, Texas, communications-analytics firm. No matter how hard a person tries to perfect a presentation or job-interview answers, 90% of listeners’ first impressions of a speaker remain unchanged after hearing the content of his or her message, Zandan says.</div> <div> </div> <div> Some young adults undermine that first impression by shifting their weight from one foot to another when speaking, Zandan says. Others lean to one side and thrust their chest and one shoulder forward in what he calls “the heart posture,” a pose that is common among young women in social-media photos and videos.</div> <div> </div> <div> “It’s important to avoid any body language that makes you look youthful or unintelligent, or not in full command of what’s going on,” says Briar Goldberg, Quantified Impressions’ director of feedback.</div> <div> </div> <div> To raise body-language awareness, Stanford University professor Deborah Gruenfeld created a class for M.B.A. candidates called “Acting with Power.” The 36-student course, which teaches the use of posture and other nonverbal signals of status and authority, has had waiting lists of up to 100 students every term since it began six years ago.</div> <div> </div> <div> Many students enter the class with bad habits of slouching, standing on one foot or always crossing their legs when seated, says Gruenfeld, a professor of organizational behavior in Stanford’s Graduate School of Business. Together with a co-instructor, Gruenfeld uses coaching and role-playing to teach the “physical manifestations of status – ways of holding your head, moving your eyes, and sitting and standing and speaking” that convey confidence, she says.</div> <div> </div> <div> Students learn to assume a “squared-off stance, like a fortress,” with feet spread wide and weight distributed evenly between them, to respond to a challenge or emphasize a point. Other students practice “the ability to deliver a message with a straight face,” without the nervous smile that signals low status, Gruenfeld says.</div> <div> </div> <div> Some students object to managing their body language, saying, “I’m really concerned about my authenticity. I don’t want to be faking it,” Gruenfeld says. She tells them that their current physical habits aren’t really of their own making either. They’re the result of conditioning by others, who have taught them since childhood to avoid behaving in ways that are “above your rank.” </div> <div> </div> <div> “Status is a key determinant of how relationships work,” Gruenfeld says. To succeed in the workplace, “you have to learn to use your body in a way” that sends an authentic message about your role and relationships with others. </div> <div> <em>(blogs.wsj.com/atwork)</em></div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '2013-09-23', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'Most people work hard pulling down degrees and polishing resumes in hopes of impressing hiring managers. But many neglect to master one of the most important hot buttons for employers – body language.', 'sortorder' => '1601', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1739', 'article_category_id' => '151', 'title' => 'Amar Singh HSS Wins National Level Quiz 2013', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> </div> <div> Amar Singh Namuna Higher Secondary School of Pokhara bagged the first prize of the National Level Quiz contest 2013. Golden Gate College followed second and Prerana Higher Secondary School of Chitwan finished at the third position. The grand finale of the competition was organised at the Radisson Hotel. The programme was organised by Saujanya Media with the support of High School Education Council and the Association of Higher Secondary Schools. Winners were awarded with certificates and trophy. The organisers also conferred awards to different personalities for their contribution to the education sector.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'Amar Singh Namuna Higher Secondary School of Pokhara bagged the first prize of the National Level Quiz contest 2013.', 'sortorder' => '1600', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1738', 'article_category_id' => '155', 'title' => '‘China’s Charm Among MD Students Continues To Be High’', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <span style="font-size:14px;"><img alt="Dr Krishna P Adhikari " src="/userfiles/images/dpa.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;width: 200px; height: 219px;" />China, one of the most preferred destinations among the students of medical science, continues to remain so, say experts. About 200 students go to China for MBBS every year while few go for MD. Limited numbers of post-graduate seats and rising fees, among other reasons has been forcing students to migrate to China to pursue medical degrees. <strong>Dr Krishna P Adhikari</strong> is a visiting professor in the China Three Gorges University. He holds an MBBS, an MPH and a PhD as well. The Corporate’s <strong>Bhawani Timilsina</strong> asked Dr Adhikari about the main reasons and challenges for students to study medical sciences in the country.<strong> Excerpts:</strong> </span></div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Nepali students have been going to China to get a medical degree since long. Could you tell more about the latest trends?</strong></div> <div> China’s charm among MD students continues to be high as it does with hundreds of MBBS students. The number was high during 2004/05/06 and dropped in 2008/09/10 after fearing many complains due to poor results in Nepal’s Medical Council exams. Chinese Universities have lured Nepali students every now and then. As students with poor academic background enrolled for MBBS, the situation was depressing for a while, but this has improved recently. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>It is said that local medical graduates are more successful than those who graduated from other countries. Is this true?</strong></div> <div> This is not the case, actually. Students have to pass exams to enter the medical sector. Those who fail the exam are not allowed to practice medicine. Besides, quality cannot be measured in general. Rather, it depends upon the individual. In the past, a number of students studying medical science in China failed the exam and the perception in your question could be the consequence of this incident. However, there are several instances when the products of Chinese Universities have shown better performance when compared to others. It may be the case that those who perform well in a theoretical examination may not do well in a practical test.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Why are Nepali students willing to go to China to study medical science?</strong></div> <div> Compared to other countries, the fee for studying MBBS in China is less. In China, students can study MBBS for a very reasonable price. In Nepal, the MBBS course is very costly in comparison. On the contrary, even humanities and engineering courses are offered at a similar cost in China. A student can complete his/her course within NRs 2.5 million in China while in Nepal, it would cost around NRs 5 million. The cost of accommodation is also included in the mentioned price. However, the cost of the course varies between universities. Tough competition and increasing costs have also prompted them to opt for educational migration to China, along with affordable costs for study and accommodation.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>What challenges Nepali students face while studying in China?</strong></div> <div> Language is a major challenge for them. Although the academic language is English, knowing Chinese language is essential as well. It will be difficult for them to adjust in the environment otherwise. For instance, they need to use Chinese language while talking with patients. Similarly, students must evaluate themselves before opting for an MBBS degree. There could be various factors in judging the ability of a student. I would recommend students with poor academic background to not join the course. Nepali students wishing to go to China should do adequate research for ensuring a good decision in choosing a university, though there is less chance of being cheated.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>What about the trend among Nepali students in selecting courses?</strong></div> <div> The trend has changed as students now have started to pursue specialised courses and again, China is a major attraction among students for this. Due to the growing demand and competition, most students now prefer to pursue specialised medical degrees than a general one.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'China, one of the most preferred destinations among the students of medical science, continues to remain so, say experts. About 200 students go to China for MBBS every year while few go for MD. Limited numbers of post-graduate seats and rising fees, among other reasons has been forcing students to migrate to China to pursue medical degrees.', 'sortorder' => '1599', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1737', 'article_category_id' => '146', 'title' => 'Visual Edit Vol 3 Issue 29', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'Visual Edit', 'sortorder' => '1598', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1736', 'article_category_id' => '105', 'title' => 'Earn Crores And Go For A Short Judicial Vacation', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> Conversation between journalists and Neeraj Nepal, Manoj Chaurasia and Jay Kumar Yadav, the officers of the H & B development bank sent to Jail for two years after they were found guilty in connection with a banking fraud.</div> <div> The journalists: “How long will you be in the judicial custody?”</div> <div> “Just for one year because 24 hours will be counted as two days in the jail calendar.”</div> <div> The journalists: “What are the charges against three of you?”</div> <div> “No no. No charges. Everything is free in the jail.”</div> <div> “But what about the charges of banking fraud worth of Rs 1.09 billion slapped against you?”</div> <div> “Who would not do it; anybody is free to do it. You earn crores of rupees just for staying in the jails for about a year or so? If opportunity given we want to do it again.”</div> <div> After this, journalists scurried out with the breaking news. –ML</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '1597', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1735', 'article_category_id' => '144', 'title' => 'Put Economy On Priority', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> The Nepali political actors are completely indifferent towards economic issues and agenda. Despite some detour, the emphasis is still on the political agenda including electoral system, federalism, ethnicity etc. In the latest instance, they have not cleared their stand on the sharp depreciation of value of rupee and skyrocketed inflation.</div> <div> </div> <div> Sheer negligence towards the depreciation of currency would have been a major political issue, if Nepal had been a developed country, with high financial literacy. In Nepal, as evidences show, people do not think that politicians can address economic issues. On the other hand, even politicians do not take economic issues as their responsibility.</div> <div> </div> <div> But the country cannot go ahead with such ignorant politicians who do not care about the welfare of the country and its people. They should take economic issues seriously and put it in their election manifesto.</div> <div> </div> <div> As election fever is gripping across the country, private sector has started parlays with political parties to apprise them convinced on economic issues. It is very necessary to produce a clear consensus plan for averting a looming economic crisis and it is not possible without political consensus.</div> <div> </div> <div> Fundamentally, the basic job of Constituent Assembly is to promulgate new constitution. Economic issues should not be ignored even in the new constitution. A guarantee of economic freedom should be clearly spell out the constitution and for that the politicians should start homework before the election. Importantly, it should be included in the election manifesto.</div> <div> </div> <div> In an ideal situation, we can make this country as beautiful as Switzerland. But dreaming something is not enough to achieve it. We have to take initiative to fulfill our dreams. The country cannot take the path of prosperity without clear economic roadmap and commitment from political sector. The economy can go ahead on its own pace if it is already on track. For instance, a political turmoil in Italy nominally affects the economic situation.</div> <div> </div> <div> Politicians should listen to private sector’s voice and give a clear economic roadmap so that they will be able to fulfill our collective dream of becoming rich and prosperous country. Election is not all about distributing illusion and giving catchy phrases to the people, rather it is the commitment towards the country.</div> <div> </div> <div> Now leaders should be clear enough on the key economic issues such as unemployment, labour unrest, hydropower, industrial growth, tourism etc. Private sector’s effort to create pressure for a better economy should be taken as a commendable move.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'The Nepali political actors are completely indifferent towards economic issues and agenda. Despite some detour, the emphasis is still on the political agenda including electoral system, federalism, ethnicity etc. In the latest instance, they have not cleared their stand on the sharp depreciation of value of rupee and skyrocketed inflation.', 'sortorder' => '1596', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1734', 'article_category_id' => '145', 'title' => 'The Software Of Growth : Governance And Management', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>--By Rameshore Khanal</strong></div> <div> </div> <div> There’s not much good that one can talk about in matters related to governance and management in Nepal. People from all walks of life cite political instability, shortage of electricity, labour problems, poor infrastructure, and corruption as major reasons for lackluster growth performance. Dismal economic growth is not the only one feature to lament about. There are others:</div> <ul> <li> 53 per cent of the population still does not have piped water supply. Those who have it are not getting safer drinking water either. And we are rich in fresh water reserve.</li> <li> 64 per cent of the population use fuel-wood as the main source of household energy, whereas another 10.38 per cent use cow-dung or animal waste. Only less than 25 per cent use modern, but not necessarily non-polluting, source of energy.</li> <li> Only about 67 per cent of the population has some form of electricity connection for lighting, but the supply remains uncertain during the time it is needed most.</li> <li> Nearly 39 per cent of households have toilets.</li> <li> There are 15 million working age people (57 per cent of total population) and one-fifth of which are looking for gainful employment in places outside the country. Of the remaining, nearly half are not fully employed.</li> <li> Only 20 per cent of the population (5.2 million people) have qualification above SLC level. And this we have achieved in 70 years of holding SLC examinations.</li> <li> Last year, 336,000 students failed the SLC examination and each year thousands of such youths undergo the trauma of failure.</li> </ul> <div> There are other indicators that are equally pathetic and we can bring about a change, an improvement only through inclusive and high growth.</div> <div> </div> <div> But growth cannot be achieved without improving governance. Partly because of political instability and mainly because of our attitude, the government system has not been able to deliver.</div> <div> </div> <div> Infrastructure projects do not complete in time. The average years it takes to complete an electricity transmission project in Nepal is eight years, while in countries of our ranks it takes barely two years. For the last 14 years we have been talking about the Melamchi Water Project that is yet to quench the thirst and meet the needs of around 4 million people. But the date of completion of the project is uncertain. Power projects that ideally complete in less than five years take a decade to become ready with almost twice the initially estimated cost.</div> <div> </div> <div> Businessmen particularly and ordinary people in general do not feel secure even as the number of policemen is increasing every year. Young people are taught to extort money from struggling businessmen which is in contravention to what they should be doing. They should in fact be helping the business community so that much needed jobs are created within the country.</div> <div> </div> <div> People with small industries struggling hard in difficult times just to make a presence in the market face a host of problems from registration offices just because they failed to get a renewal in time. Should a failure to renew a registration in time be subjected to a hefty penalty? A struggling entrepreneur from Butwal called me to express his frustration as he faced this injustice.</div> <div> </div> <div> Foreign investors wanting to explore and excavate minerals, develop hydropower or set up industries vent our frustration too. The list is long and it can go longer. And this is all because of poor governance. The government system is not made accountable for results in the first place. </div> <div> </div> <div> Secondly, and most importantly, people in key places are appointed not on the basis of merit, but on the basis of political patronage. New public institutions created to meet the emerging needs of the country become dead on arrival as they are given to head by a person who simply does not have the pre-requisite skills and aptitude. </div> <div> </div> <div> In a few cases, where results-based accountability measures were introduced, governance has improved. We have also seen remarkable improvements in the delivery of certain agencies when honest and dedicated officers are appointed. It does not require a total overhaul of the system. If we can have just a few key people leading the organisation, it can make a significant difference. Quantifiable accountability measures and a policy of hiring able men and women must be introduced in all government agencies.</div> <div> </div> <div> Governance is not weak just in the public sector; it is also weak in the private, cooperative and non-governmental sectors. Wherever regulatory agencies are effective, problems have somehow been dealt with. But many areas remain unregulated or regulatory agencies are not simply effective. </div> <div> </div> <div> The distinction between governance and management is often blurred. If the management is good, governance certainly becomes good. By management we often think of the private sector. But experience shows that the private sector performs well largely under professional management. We often hear real estate sector people ask how banks report rising profits every year when businesses in real estate are not performing well. There are different arguments put forward to criticise the bankers’ style of profit-mongering. This is certainly not the right explanation. The right explanation is that the banking sector in the first place is professionally managed and it is more open. In spite of this, greed on occasions has led some banks to face short-term setbacks.</div> <div> </div> <div> Most real estate businesses do not use professional management services. To call them privately-held may be a deception. In fact, they are family-held and do not place much trust on professional management. I often get confused whether they make the private sector or whether they are a part of the household sector!</div> <div> </div> <div> And yet, young students these days choose to pursue management courses in large numbers. It is not just in Kathmandu that there is a craze for Business Colleges - it is everywhere in Nepal. Many colleges under the Tribhuvan University system have reported that in the last five years or so, the departments that offered courses, such as, history, political science, culture, language, and even economics have seen negligible or even zero new enrolment.</div> <div> </div> <div> Most of those who pursue business administration courses either aim for the financial sector or non-governmental organisations. Interacting with students in the last three years, I have not found a single graduating student keen on manufacturing, hospitality, hydropower or other industries.</div> <div> </div> <div> Without strengthening these sectors, our expectation for higher and inclusive growth will remain an illusion. It is, therefore, necessary that those who are involved in these sectors introduce professional management in their businesses. It is the absence of professional management perhaps, that Nepali workers admired for their honesty and hard-work all over GCC countries, Malaysia and South Korea, are seen to be troublemakers in our own industries.</div> <div> <em>(Khanal is Former Finance Secretary. This opinion was expressed in Newbiz Conclave & Business Excellence Awards Ceremony-2013)</em></div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'There’s not much good that one can talk about in matters related to governance and management in Nepal. People from all walks of life cite political instability, shortage of electricity, labour problems, poor infrastructure, and corruption as major reasons for lackluster growth performance.', 'sortorder' => '1595', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1733', 'article_category_id' => '141', 'title' => 'Nepal Political Economic News In Brief (2 - 8 September 2013)', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Dahal Elected NTUC President</span></strong></div> <div> The fifth general convention of Nepal Trade Union Congress (NTUC) elected Khilanath Dahal its president last Wednesday. Dahal defeated his contender Pushkar Acharya during the election of the Nepali Congress (NC)-aligned NTUC. Dahal is a favourite of NC leader Sher Bahadur Deuba, while party president Sushil Koirala has backed Acharya. Likewise, the convention has elected Ramji Kunwar as vice-president, Rama Poudel as vice-president on the woman quota, Mahendra Yadav as general secretary and Yogendra Kunwar as treasurer of the NTUC. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">CIAA Warns Immigration Officials</span></strong></div> <div> The Commission for Investigation of Abuses of Authority (CIAA) officials are keeping close watch on the immigration officials for their alleged harassment toward the Nepali migrant workers at the airport on various pretexts. The CIAA said its attention has been drawn following complaints that immigration officials are returning foreign-bound Nepali workers and creating unnecessary hassles at the airport after the constitutional body nabbed some immigration officers on corruption charges. It also directed respective ministries to depute necessary staffs at the Department of Foreign Employment, Department of Immigration and Nepal Electricity Authority, informed CIAA spokesperson Shreedhar Sapkota.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Monarchy is yet to Go, Claims Thapa</span></strong></div> <div> <img alt="Kamal Thapa" src="/userfiles/images/thapa.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 95px; height: 100px;" />Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal Chairperson Kamal Thapa claimed that the monarchy has not been abolished yet. Inaugurating his party’s national conference in the capital on last Monday, Thapa warned UCPN (Maoist) not to harbour any illusion that the monarchy is finished in Nepal. “The status of the pro-monarch and the anti-monarch would be the same until the new constitution comes into effect,” he said.</div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Army Integration Process Completes</span></strong></div> <div> Seventy former Maoist combatants, who were selected for integration into Nepal Army (NA), were officially inducted as NA army officers amid a ceremony at the Military Academy Kharipati on last Monday. Interim Election Council Chairman Khilraj Regmi and NA Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Gaurav SJB Rana handed the insignia to the new Army officers at the ceremony after they completed a nine-month military officer training. Among them, one officer is likely to be made Colonel, two Lieutenant Colonels, 13 majors, 30 captains and 24 lieutenants. UCPN (Maoist) chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal, leaders of Nepali Congress, CPN (UML) and other parties, diplomats and ministers, among other dignitaries, were present in the ceremony.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Former Finance Secy Khanal Joins Congress </span></strong></div> <div> <img alt="Rameshore Khanal" src="/userfiles/images/khanal.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 112px;" />Former Finance Secretary Rameshore Khanal, who had resigned following a tussle with then Finance Minister Bharat Mohan Adhikari, joined Nepali Congress (NC) last Monday. NC president Sushil Koirala, vice-president Ram Chandra Poudel and other leaders welcomed him to the party amid a ceremony held at the party office in Sanepa, Lalitpur. The NC president issued the party’s general membership to Khanal. While talking with the media, Khanal said he was inspired by the principles of late NC founder BP Koirala. He termed NC as the party that “follows what it says”. NC president Koirala said the party would utilise Khanal’s skills and capacity for the economic progress of the country.</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '2013-09-02', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'The fifth general convention of Nepal Trade Union Congress (NTUC) elected Khilanath Dahal its president last Wednesday.', 'sortorder' => '1594', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1732', 'article_category_id' => '142', 'title' => 'Poll Update (2 - 8 September 2013)', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">EC Monitoring Election Code of Conduct</span></strong></div> <div> The Election Commission (EC) said it has been monitoring complaints and applications regarding the compliance and violation of the election code of conduct. The EC said it has received 470 complaints and applications so far and it is studying them by classifying the petitions. The EC will make its decisions based upon the applications and complaints, said Election Commissioner Ayodhi Prashad Yadav. “There might be complaints lodged at the local administration offices too so the numbers could go higher,” said Yadav. “The monitoring committee at the EC is collecting complaints lodged at the local administration offices.” </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">EC to Stick to Schedule</span></strong></div> <div> <img alt="Ila Sharma" src="/userfiles/images/is.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 110px; height: 121px;" />Election Commissioner Ila Sharma ruled out the possibility of change in the schedule for Constituent Assembly polls. Speaking at Voter Education, Regional Training of Trainers at Nepalgunj last Monday, she claimed that the CA polls scheduled for November 19 would not be altered at any cost. However, she said the date for registering political parties could be changed in order to bring the agitating parties on board. Citing that providing both responsibilities of media monitoring and taking action to the Nepal Press Council would not be effective, she claimed the EC itself would monitor the media during the election. She informed that the EC will intensify monitoring activities 45 days prior to the election date.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '2013-09-02', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'The Election Commission (EC) said it has been monitoring complaints and applications regarding the compliance and violation of the election code of conduct.', 'sortorder' => '1593', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1731', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'Army Integration: The Glass Is Half Full', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>--By Sagar Ghimire </strong></div> <div> </div> <div> With the induction of 70 former Maoist combatants into the Nepal Army (NA) at officer levels at the Military Academy last Monday, the army integration, a key element of Nepal’s peace process, formally came to a conclusion after seven years of protracted transitional period. </div> <div> </div> <div> In 2006, when the former rebel CPN-Maoist joined mainstream politics, the integration of the former guerilla into the state army was a bone of contention among political parties. The idea was perceived by non-Maoist forces along with the NA as a ploy of the former communist rebel to infiltrate non-political institutions with communist dogma. </div> <div> </div> <div> The army integration process was considered to be a most challenging and sensitive aspect of Nepal’s home-grown peace process. Though the seven-year long integration process observed complications, mistrust and dillydallying among stake-holders of peace building efforts, the process gathered some momentum after the NA showed some flexibility to accommodate the former guerillas.</div> <div> </div> <div> The integration process in a unique way offers important lessons to the international community and also might be replicated in other countries in post-conflict period. NA and the former combatants, who had fought against each other during the decade long war, should be patted on the back for this accomplishment. </div> <div> </div> <div> They did not only maintain a high degree of restraint during these seven years of volatile and fragile situation, but later also agreed to accept each other as colleagues in the same institution. This achievement has obviously elated people who have witnessed the horror of war for more than a decade. </div> <div> </div> <div> However, as propagated by a section of media and political parties, the landmark achievement in the integration front itself is not the full accomplishment of the peace process. Agreed that it was a key component, equally important are issues like the formation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission on Enforced Disappearances, security and justice sector reformation, preparation and implementation of a minimum common programme of socio-economic transformation and formulation of scientific land reform policies, among others. Some of the agenda of Nepal’s peace process are yet to receive significant attention while others have been completely overlooked by concerned stakeholders. </div> <div> </div> <div> The topmost priority and a larger part of Nepal’s peace process is the promulgation of a new constitution through an elected Constituent Assembly that will ensure a federal democratic republic set-up. </div> <div> </div> <div> The promise from leaders of political parties to promulgate a new constitution through the elected Constituent Assembly is yet to be delivered. </div> <div> </div> <div> The first two years of the CA witnessed wrangling among the Maoist and non-Maoist forces on whether the integration process should be completed before the constitution drafting or whether it should go hand in hand. The remaining two years of the CA were squandered in the debate on federalism. Eventually, the institution met a tragic fate of dissolution without delivering a constitution, shattering the peoples’ dream for peace.</div> <div> </div> <div> Political leaders boasting that they have successfully concluded the peace process without delivering a new constitution is merely a sign of complacence. </div> <div> </div> <div> Amid celebrations of the success of 70 former combatants’ integration into the NA as officers, the issue of over four thousand former combatants who were tagged as disqualified during the UN verification process has not bothered the government and parties as much. </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> Humiliated by expulsion with a ‘disqualified’ tag in their identity, they had even hit the streets a year back with a few demands. If not properly addressed and rehabilitated, these former combatants, most of them who possess armed tactics and skills coupled with violent mentality, can pose a serious challenge to society. These former combatants could be manipulated by any force, particularly the breakaway CPN-Maoist towards violent activities.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'With the induction of 70 former Maoist combatants into the Nepal Army (NA) at officer levels at the Military Academy last Monday, the army integration, a key element of Nepal’s peace process, formally came to a conclusion after seven years of protracted transitional period.', 'sortorder' => '1592', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1730', 'article_category_id' => '140', 'title' => 'Unstable Politics Obstructing Investment: Bodde', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> Investors are backtracking from investment despite immense possibilities in Nepal, said US ambassador to Nepal Peter W Bodde.</div> <div> </div> <div> Speaking at an interaction programme organised by the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) last Thursday, envoy Bodde said that political instability is hindering investment in Nepal. He advised the business community to press political parties to restore political stability in the country and prioritise economic development. “Attracting foreign investment and generating employment opportunities should be the priority of political parties. The business community can request political parties towards this end,” Bodde said. </div> <div> </div> <div> He also said the business community should support holding the Constituent Assembly polls scheduled for November 19. </div> <div> </div> <div> Also speaking in the programme, BCCI Chairperson Ashok Baidya lamented over continuing problems in creating a business friendly environment. He also expressed his expectation from the U.S. for the economic development of Nepal.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'Investors are backtracking from investment despite immense possibilities in Nepal, said US ambassador to Nepal Peter W Bodde.', 'sortorder' => '1591', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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The question is related to the level of protection that particular software offers and the performance of the computer after installing it. McAfee, one of the world’s leading antivirus software developers has come up with the answer. In regard to the level of protection against malicious apps, viruses, trojans and numerous other security threats, the McAfee Antivirus Plus 2013 certainly does not disappoint. It provides optimal level of security for home and business users according to their need. McAfee Antivirus 2013 plus runs on all versions of Windows, from Windows XP to the latest Windows 8. It is a complete all-in-one security package that includes anti-virus, anti-phishing and anti-spyware features. The McAfee Antivirus Plus 2013 also comes with a two-way firewall. </div> <div> </div> <div> The antivirus provides an advanced range of features, constantly working in the background to ensure that your computer is kept safe from many security threats which lurk out there. Thanks to the improved SiteAdvisor feature, you can still freely surf without any annoyances. This unique feature automatically rates websites in search results by using red, yellow and green warning marks. The rating of a website depends on various factors, but it will help you to make a more informed decision as to whether or not a website is safe to visit. The latest edition also supports automatic scanning of external drives which is extremely useful in an age when most computer users are regularly plugging in their USB flash drives or memory cards. McAfee Antivirus Plus also provides features to make online shopping and banking safer than ever, thanks to its identity protection, anti-phishing and SiteAdvisor features. The software even provides data backup features, allowing you to have your photo, video and music collections automatically backed up online.</div> <div> </div> <div> McAfee Antivirus Plus 2013 offers improved performance over its predecessors, including faster start up and scanning times. This results in the minimal usage of computer resources such as CPU power and memory. Due to the minimal usage of resources, the computer’s performance in terms of speed won’t degrade. </div> <div> </div> <div> McAfee Antivirus Plus has wide range of other features too. This includes a PC tune-up utility to optimize your computer by getting rid of unused files and applications and properly clearing your browser cache and other temporary files on your computer to free disk space. The features come in the form of McAfee QuickClean, a cleanup utility. Another unique feature is the Digital Data Shredder. Using this you can securely and permanently delete data. McAfee Antivirus Plus 2013 also comes with an advance data recovery utility that can retrieve data in most cases. </div> <div> </div> <div> According to Zeal Enterprises (P) Ltd, the authorised distributor of McAfee Antivirus in Nepal, the software package is available in three different versions. The company has priced McAfee 1 User Antivirus Plus at Rs 1500. Similarly, McAfee 3 User Antivirus Plus and McAfee 3 User Internet Security are available at Rs 1800 and Rs 2000 respectively. All of these software packages are printed with ‘A’ class quality assurance. The company is also offering safety certified best quality laptop bag worth Rs 1200 with the purchase any of the aforementioned versions.</div> </div> <p> </p>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '2013-09-04', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'When it comes to protection of computer and valuable data, there is always a question about the efficacy of the antivirus software.', 'sortorder' => '1604', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1742', 'article_category_id' => '159', 'title' => 'Not Just A Banker', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>--By Upashana Neupane</strong></div> <div> </div> <div> A strong and confident woman with a charming personality, Raveena Deshraj Shrestha has been working in the banking sector for the past 23 years. </div> <div> Shrestha waves off the clichéd concept of ‘work-life balance’ saying it does not make sense these days. “We have to follow the idea of ‘work-life integration’ over that,” she says, explaining that one can make a call to one’s children when in office too, which makes a small but significant difference to one’s time management. “Yet, you cannot and should not mix-up personal and professional issues - we should always keep it separate,” she adds. </div> <div> </div> <div> In her spare time, Shrestha always engages herself in reading. A voracious reader, Shrestha believes that one lifetime is not enough for reading and learning. “I have an immense craving to read and learn and there is no particular genre that I stick to,” she shares. Her reading list has included books on quantum physics’ to rural development, gender issues, palmistry, body language, and Buddhist and Hindu scriptures. “I am currently reading the Quran and have a favourite in You Can Heal Your Life by Louise L. Hay,” she shares. </div> <div> </div> <div> Apart from reading, Shrestha takes interest in sports too. ‘”I enjoy watching live football matches – it is a game I used to love playing in my younger days,” she enthusiastically shares. A hard worker, Shrestha believes that taking a break is very important in a person’s life - be it small or big. “The monotony in our lives negatively impacts our creativity, making us dull,” Shrestha says. “Whenever I realise my stress level going up or my creativity going down, I take a break from the daily hustle-bustle; it is that point when I realise that I am not being who I am,” she explains.</div> <div> </div> <div> Shrestha believes that breaks are not always meant to be vacations and long trips. “Just being at home is a break. Reading a book you bought or walking on the grass is a break and works as a form of meditation too.”</div> <div> </div> <div> This aside, Shrestha is found on Facebook and twitter as well and is a frequent tweeter. “I am in these social networking sites to keep myself updated on current affairs. It’s nice to keep your head down and talk to people globally,” she says. </div> <div> </div> <div> Looking forward to her dream to go to Hawaii for a holiday, Shrestha concludes that one must live one’s life along with work. “Sitting alone too can act as a break, and help you sort out your life. Just live your life,” she added.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '2013-09-04', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'A strong and confident woman with a charming personality, Raveena Deshraj Shrestha has been working in the banking sector for the past 23 years.', 'sortorder' => '1603', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1741', 'article_category_id' => '154', 'title' => 'Learning Curve News In Brief (2 - 8 September 2013)', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">KU Students to Stage Mahabharata</span></strong></div> <div> <img alt="Mahabharat" src="/userfiles/images/mb(1).jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 83px;" />Students of Kathmandu University High School will stage a drama based on epic Mahabharata in the first week of the September. According to organisers, the drama will be staged at the KU Auditorium, Dhulikhel on 2nd and 3rd September and at the Village Theatre in Uttar Dhoka on 6th and 7th September. Tickets are available at the Ekta Book Centre. Producer Ian Raitt says, “We will present the Mahabharata Part 3 – The War and complete a cycle of dramas presented by the school which began in 2008.” Tickets are priced at Rs 100 for students and Rs 300 for adults.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">UGC to Introduce a New Education Policy</span></strong></div> <div> The University Grants Commission (UGC) is gearing up to introduce a new higher education policy that will help develop universities in Nepal as learning centres. The UGC will form a policy that will boost the quality of university education in Nepal, according to UGC Chairman Ganesh Man Gurung. A discussion was held last week on a preliminary draft formulated by the Commission in the capital. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Job Mela at Don Bosco</span></strong></div> <div> <img alt="KDBC" src="/userfiles/images/kdbc.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 125px; height: 26px;" />Kathmandu Don Bosco College (KDBC) has organised a job placement day on August 24 at its college premises in Kathmandu. The event was targeted at the students of the college to help explore employment opportunities. Some international and national corporate houses such as Chaudhary Group, Sitoula Group and JF Group among others participated in the programme.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">ECAN Celebrates 17th Anniversary </span></strong></div> <div> <img alt="ECAN" src="/userfiles/images/ecan.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 90px; height: 88px;" />Educational Consultancy Association of Nepal (ECAN) celebrated its 17th anniversary on Thursday, 29th August. A blood donation programme was organised on the occasion. According to President Rajendra Baral, 42 people donated blood on the occasion. At the programme, Baral said that ECAN is committed to giving fair educational counselling and is determined to improve their shortcomings. President of Nepal Chamber of Commerce Suresh Kumar Basnet, President of Nepal Professors’ Association Rameshwor Upadhayay, ECAN General Secretary Mahesh Babu Timalsina, ECAN Advisor Arun Lamichhane, and Former ECAN President Dipak Gurung were present in the programme. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Nepalis Students Took Part in the ASC Camp 2013</span></strong></div> <div> <img alt="ASC" src="/userfiles/images/asc.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 33px;" />Five students from Nepal participated in the Asian Science Camp 2013 that was held August 25 onward in Japan. Students promising in science were selected for the participation. A five day-long event included discussions and dialogues session among students and top scholars around the world. The programme promoted international friendship and cooperation among the students of Asia, Australia and Oceania. Among more than 200 students from various countries Rishav Acharya, Prayog Koirala, Ishan Bhattarai, Samikshya Shrestha and Swaviman Acharya took part in the event representing their respective education institutions.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'Students of Kathmandu University High School will stage a drama based on epic Mahabharata in the first week of the September.', 'sortorder' => '1602', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1740', 'article_category_id' => '156', 'title' => 'Mastering The Art Of Conveying Confidence', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> </div> <div> <strong>--By Sue Shellenbarger</strong></div> <div> </div> <div> Most people work hard pulling down degrees and polishing resumes in hopes of impressing hiring managers. But many neglect to master one of the most important hot buttons for employers – body language.</div> <div> </div> <div> People rely on nonverbal cues such as posture and eye contact to evaluate others very quickly after an initial meeting, forming a first impression within 15 to 20 seconds, says Noah Zandan, president of Quantified Impressions, an Austin, Texas, communications-analytics firm. No matter how hard a person tries to perfect a presentation or job-interview answers, 90% of listeners’ first impressions of a speaker remain unchanged after hearing the content of his or her message, Zandan says.</div> <div> </div> <div> Some young adults undermine that first impression by shifting their weight from one foot to another when speaking, Zandan says. Others lean to one side and thrust their chest and one shoulder forward in what he calls “the heart posture,” a pose that is common among young women in social-media photos and videos.</div> <div> </div> <div> “It’s important to avoid any body language that makes you look youthful or unintelligent, or not in full command of what’s going on,” says Briar Goldberg, Quantified Impressions’ director of feedback.</div> <div> </div> <div> To raise body-language awareness, Stanford University professor Deborah Gruenfeld created a class for M.B.A. candidates called “Acting with Power.” The 36-student course, which teaches the use of posture and other nonverbal signals of status and authority, has had waiting lists of up to 100 students every term since it began six years ago.</div> <div> </div> <div> Many students enter the class with bad habits of slouching, standing on one foot or always crossing their legs when seated, says Gruenfeld, a professor of organizational behavior in Stanford’s Graduate School of Business. Together with a co-instructor, Gruenfeld uses coaching and role-playing to teach the “physical manifestations of status – ways of holding your head, moving your eyes, and sitting and standing and speaking” that convey confidence, she says.</div> <div> </div> <div> Students learn to assume a “squared-off stance, like a fortress,” with feet spread wide and weight distributed evenly between them, to respond to a challenge or emphasize a point. Other students practice “the ability to deliver a message with a straight face,” without the nervous smile that signals low status, Gruenfeld says.</div> <div> </div> <div> Some students object to managing their body language, saying, “I’m really concerned about my authenticity. I don’t want to be faking it,” Gruenfeld says. She tells them that their current physical habits aren’t really of their own making either. They’re the result of conditioning by others, who have taught them since childhood to avoid behaving in ways that are “above your rank.” </div> <div> </div> <div> “Status is a key determinant of how relationships work,” Gruenfeld says. To succeed in the workplace, “you have to learn to use your body in a way” that sends an authentic message about your role and relationships with others. </div> <div> <em>(blogs.wsj.com/atwork)</em></div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '2013-09-23', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'Most people work hard pulling down degrees and polishing resumes in hopes of impressing hiring managers. But many neglect to master one of the most important hot buttons for employers – body language.', 'sortorder' => '1601', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1739', 'article_category_id' => '151', 'title' => 'Amar Singh HSS Wins National Level Quiz 2013', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> </div> <div> Amar Singh Namuna Higher Secondary School of Pokhara bagged the first prize of the National Level Quiz contest 2013. Golden Gate College followed second and Prerana Higher Secondary School of Chitwan finished at the third position. The grand finale of the competition was organised at the Radisson Hotel. The programme was organised by Saujanya Media with the support of High School Education Council and the Association of Higher Secondary Schools. Winners were awarded with certificates and trophy. The organisers also conferred awards to different personalities for their contribution to the education sector.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'Amar Singh Namuna Higher Secondary School of Pokhara bagged the first prize of the National Level Quiz contest 2013.', 'sortorder' => '1600', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1738', 'article_category_id' => '155', 'title' => '‘China’s Charm Among MD Students Continues To Be High’', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <span style="font-size:14px;"><img alt="Dr Krishna P Adhikari " src="/userfiles/images/dpa.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;width: 200px; height: 219px;" />China, one of the most preferred destinations among the students of medical science, continues to remain so, say experts. About 200 students go to China for MBBS every year while few go for MD. Limited numbers of post-graduate seats and rising fees, among other reasons has been forcing students to migrate to China to pursue medical degrees. <strong>Dr Krishna P Adhikari</strong> is a visiting professor in the China Three Gorges University. He holds an MBBS, an MPH and a PhD as well. The Corporate’s <strong>Bhawani Timilsina</strong> asked Dr Adhikari about the main reasons and challenges for students to study medical sciences in the country.<strong> Excerpts:</strong> </span></div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Nepali students have been going to China to get a medical degree since long. Could you tell more about the latest trends?</strong></div> <div> China’s charm among MD students continues to be high as it does with hundreds of MBBS students. The number was high during 2004/05/06 and dropped in 2008/09/10 after fearing many complains due to poor results in Nepal’s Medical Council exams. Chinese Universities have lured Nepali students every now and then. As students with poor academic background enrolled for MBBS, the situation was depressing for a while, but this has improved recently. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>It is said that local medical graduates are more successful than those who graduated from other countries. Is this true?</strong></div> <div> This is not the case, actually. Students have to pass exams to enter the medical sector. Those who fail the exam are not allowed to practice medicine. Besides, quality cannot be measured in general. Rather, it depends upon the individual. In the past, a number of students studying medical science in China failed the exam and the perception in your question could be the consequence of this incident. However, there are several instances when the products of Chinese Universities have shown better performance when compared to others. It may be the case that those who perform well in a theoretical examination may not do well in a practical test.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Why are Nepali students willing to go to China to study medical science?</strong></div> <div> Compared to other countries, the fee for studying MBBS in China is less. In China, students can study MBBS for a very reasonable price. In Nepal, the MBBS course is very costly in comparison. On the contrary, even humanities and engineering courses are offered at a similar cost in China. A student can complete his/her course within NRs 2.5 million in China while in Nepal, it would cost around NRs 5 million. The cost of accommodation is also included in the mentioned price. However, the cost of the course varies between universities. Tough competition and increasing costs have also prompted them to opt for educational migration to China, along with affordable costs for study and accommodation.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>What challenges Nepali students face while studying in China?</strong></div> <div> Language is a major challenge for them. Although the academic language is English, knowing Chinese language is essential as well. It will be difficult for them to adjust in the environment otherwise. For instance, they need to use Chinese language while talking with patients. Similarly, students must evaluate themselves before opting for an MBBS degree. There could be various factors in judging the ability of a student. I would recommend students with poor academic background to not join the course. Nepali students wishing to go to China should do adequate research for ensuring a good decision in choosing a university, though there is less chance of being cheated.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>What about the trend among Nepali students in selecting courses?</strong></div> <div> The trend has changed as students now have started to pursue specialised courses and again, China is a major attraction among students for this. Due to the growing demand and competition, most students now prefer to pursue specialised medical degrees than a general one.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'China, one of the most preferred destinations among the students of medical science, continues to remain so, say experts. About 200 students go to China for MBBS every year while few go for MD. Limited numbers of post-graduate seats and rising fees, among other reasons has been forcing students to migrate to China to pursue medical degrees.', 'sortorder' => '1599', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1737', 'article_category_id' => '146', 'title' => 'Visual Edit Vol 3 Issue 29', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'Visual Edit', 'sortorder' => '1598', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1736', 'article_category_id' => '105', 'title' => 'Earn Crores And Go For A Short Judicial Vacation', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> Conversation between journalists and Neeraj Nepal, Manoj Chaurasia and Jay Kumar Yadav, the officers of the H & B development bank sent to Jail for two years after they were found guilty in connection with a banking fraud.</div> <div> The journalists: “How long will you be in the judicial custody?”</div> <div> “Just for one year because 24 hours will be counted as two days in the jail calendar.”</div> <div> The journalists: “What are the charges against three of you?”</div> <div> “No no. No charges. Everything is free in the jail.”</div> <div> “But what about the charges of banking fraud worth of Rs 1.09 billion slapped against you?”</div> <div> “Who would not do it; anybody is free to do it. You earn crores of rupees just for staying in the jails for about a year or so? If opportunity given we want to do it again.”</div> <div> After this, journalists scurried out with the breaking news. –ML</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '1597', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1735', 'article_category_id' => '144', 'title' => 'Put Economy On Priority', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> The Nepali political actors are completely indifferent towards economic issues and agenda. Despite some detour, the emphasis is still on the political agenda including electoral system, federalism, ethnicity etc. In the latest instance, they have not cleared their stand on the sharp depreciation of value of rupee and skyrocketed inflation.</div> <div> </div> <div> Sheer negligence towards the depreciation of currency would have been a major political issue, if Nepal had been a developed country, with high financial literacy. In Nepal, as evidences show, people do not think that politicians can address economic issues. On the other hand, even politicians do not take economic issues as their responsibility.</div> <div> </div> <div> But the country cannot go ahead with such ignorant politicians who do not care about the welfare of the country and its people. They should take economic issues seriously and put it in their election manifesto.</div> <div> </div> <div> As election fever is gripping across the country, private sector has started parlays with political parties to apprise them convinced on economic issues. It is very necessary to produce a clear consensus plan for averting a looming economic crisis and it is not possible without political consensus.</div> <div> </div> <div> Fundamentally, the basic job of Constituent Assembly is to promulgate new constitution. Economic issues should not be ignored even in the new constitution. A guarantee of economic freedom should be clearly spell out the constitution and for that the politicians should start homework before the election. Importantly, it should be included in the election manifesto.</div> <div> </div> <div> In an ideal situation, we can make this country as beautiful as Switzerland. But dreaming something is not enough to achieve it. We have to take initiative to fulfill our dreams. The country cannot take the path of prosperity without clear economic roadmap and commitment from political sector. The economy can go ahead on its own pace if it is already on track. For instance, a political turmoil in Italy nominally affects the economic situation.</div> <div> </div> <div> Politicians should listen to private sector’s voice and give a clear economic roadmap so that they will be able to fulfill our collective dream of becoming rich and prosperous country. Election is not all about distributing illusion and giving catchy phrases to the people, rather it is the commitment towards the country.</div> <div> </div> <div> Now leaders should be clear enough on the key economic issues such as unemployment, labour unrest, hydropower, industrial growth, tourism etc. Private sector’s effort to create pressure for a better economy should be taken as a commendable move.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'The Nepali political actors are completely indifferent towards economic issues and agenda. Despite some detour, the emphasis is still on the political agenda including electoral system, federalism, ethnicity etc. In the latest instance, they have not cleared their stand on the sharp depreciation of value of rupee and skyrocketed inflation.', 'sortorder' => '1596', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1734', 'article_category_id' => '145', 'title' => 'The Software Of Growth : Governance And Management', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>--By Rameshore Khanal</strong></div> <div> </div> <div> There’s not much good that one can talk about in matters related to governance and management in Nepal. People from all walks of life cite political instability, shortage of electricity, labour problems, poor infrastructure, and corruption as major reasons for lackluster growth performance. Dismal economic growth is not the only one feature to lament about. There are others:</div> <ul> <li> 53 per cent of the population still does not have piped water supply. Those who have it are not getting safer drinking water either. And we are rich in fresh water reserve.</li> <li> 64 per cent of the population use fuel-wood as the main source of household energy, whereas another 10.38 per cent use cow-dung or animal waste. Only less than 25 per cent use modern, but not necessarily non-polluting, source of energy.</li> <li> Only about 67 per cent of the population has some form of electricity connection for lighting, but the supply remains uncertain during the time it is needed most.</li> <li> Nearly 39 per cent of households have toilets.</li> <li> There are 15 million working age people (57 per cent of total population) and one-fifth of which are looking for gainful employment in places outside the country. Of the remaining, nearly half are not fully employed.</li> <li> Only 20 per cent of the population (5.2 million people) have qualification above SLC level. And this we have achieved in 70 years of holding SLC examinations.</li> <li> Last year, 336,000 students failed the SLC examination and each year thousands of such youths undergo the trauma of failure.</li> </ul> <div> There are other indicators that are equally pathetic and we can bring about a change, an improvement only through inclusive and high growth.</div> <div> </div> <div> But growth cannot be achieved without improving governance. Partly because of political instability and mainly because of our attitude, the government system has not been able to deliver.</div> <div> </div> <div> Infrastructure projects do not complete in time. The average years it takes to complete an electricity transmission project in Nepal is eight years, while in countries of our ranks it takes barely two years. For the last 14 years we have been talking about the Melamchi Water Project that is yet to quench the thirst and meet the needs of around 4 million people. But the date of completion of the project is uncertain. Power projects that ideally complete in less than five years take a decade to become ready with almost twice the initially estimated cost.</div> <div> </div> <div> Businessmen particularly and ordinary people in general do not feel secure even as the number of policemen is increasing every year. Young people are taught to extort money from struggling businessmen which is in contravention to what they should be doing. They should in fact be helping the business community so that much needed jobs are created within the country.</div> <div> </div> <div> People with small industries struggling hard in difficult times just to make a presence in the market face a host of problems from registration offices just because they failed to get a renewal in time. Should a failure to renew a registration in time be subjected to a hefty penalty? A struggling entrepreneur from Butwal called me to express his frustration as he faced this injustice.</div> <div> </div> <div> Foreign investors wanting to explore and excavate minerals, develop hydropower or set up industries vent our frustration too. The list is long and it can go longer. And this is all because of poor governance. The government system is not made accountable for results in the first place. </div> <div> </div> <div> Secondly, and most importantly, people in key places are appointed not on the basis of merit, but on the basis of political patronage. New public institutions created to meet the emerging needs of the country become dead on arrival as they are given to head by a person who simply does not have the pre-requisite skills and aptitude. </div> <div> </div> <div> In a few cases, where results-based accountability measures were introduced, governance has improved. We have also seen remarkable improvements in the delivery of certain agencies when honest and dedicated officers are appointed. It does not require a total overhaul of the system. If we can have just a few key people leading the organisation, it can make a significant difference. Quantifiable accountability measures and a policy of hiring able men and women must be introduced in all government agencies.</div> <div> </div> <div> Governance is not weak just in the public sector; it is also weak in the private, cooperative and non-governmental sectors. Wherever regulatory agencies are effective, problems have somehow been dealt with. But many areas remain unregulated or regulatory agencies are not simply effective. </div> <div> </div> <div> The distinction between governance and management is often blurred. If the management is good, governance certainly becomes good. By management we often think of the private sector. But experience shows that the private sector performs well largely under professional management. We often hear real estate sector people ask how banks report rising profits every year when businesses in real estate are not performing well. There are different arguments put forward to criticise the bankers’ style of profit-mongering. This is certainly not the right explanation. The right explanation is that the banking sector in the first place is professionally managed and it is more open. In spite of this, greed on occasions has led some banks to face short-term setbacks.</div> <div> </div> <div> Most real estate businesses do not use professional management services. To call them privately-held may be a deception. In fact, they are family-held and do not place much trust on professional management. I often get confused whether they make the private sector or whether they are a part of the household sector!</div> <div> </div> <div> And yet, young students these days choose to pursue management courses in large numbers. It is not just in Kathmandu that there is a craze for Business Colleges - it is everywhere in Nepal. Many colleges under the Tribhuvan University system have reported that in the last five years or so, the departments that offered courses, such as, history, political science, culture, language, and even economics have seen negligible or even zero new enrolment.</div> <div> </div> <div> Most of those who pursue business administration courses either aim for the financial sector or non-governmental organisations. Interacting with students in the last three years, I have not found a single graduating student keen on manufacturing, hospitality, hydropower or other industries.</div> <div> </div> <div> Without strengthening these sectors, our expectation for higher and inclusive growth will remain an illusion. It is, therefore, necessary that those who are involved in these sectors introduce professional management in their businesses. It is the absence of professional management perhaps, that Nepali workers admired for their honesty and hard-work all over GCC countries, Malaysia and South Korea, are seen to be troublemakers in our own industries.</div> <div> <em>(Khanal is Former Finance Secretary. This opinion was expressed in Newbiz Conclave & Business Excellence Awards Ceremony-2013)</em></div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'There’s not much good that one can talk about in matters related to governance and management in Nepal. People from all walks of life cite political instability, shortage of electricity, labour problems, poor infrastructure, and corruption as major reasons for lackluster growth performance.', 'sortorder' => '1595', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1733', 'article_category_id' => '141', 'title' => 'Nepal Political Economic News In Brief (2 - 8 September 2013)', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Dahal Elected NTUC President</span></strong></div> <div> The fifth general convention of Nepal Trade Union Congress (NTUC) elected Khilanath Dahal its president last Wednesday. Dahal defeated his contender Pushkar Acharya during the election of the Nepali Congress (NC)-aligned NTUC. Dahal is a favourite of NC leader Sher Bahadur Deuba, while party president Sushil Koirala has backed Acharya. Likewise, the convention has elected Ramji Kunwar as vice-president, Rama Poudel as vice-president on the woman quota, Mahendra Yadav as general secretary and Yogendra Kunwar as treasurer of the NTUC. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">CIAA Warns Immigration Officials</span></strong></div> <div> The Commission for Investigation of Abuses of Authority (CIAA) officials are keeping close watch on the immigration officials for their alleged harassment toward the Nepali migrant workers at the airport on various pretexts. The CIAA said its attention has been drawn following complaints that immigration officials are returning foreign-bound Nepali workers and creating unnecessary hassles at the airport after the constitutional body nabbed some immigration officers on corruption charges. It also directed respective ministries to depute necessary staffs at the Department of Foreign Employment, Department of Immigration and Nepal Electricity Authority, informed CIAA spokesperson Shreedhar Sapkota.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Monarchy is yet to Go, Claims Thapa</span></strong></div> <div> <img alt="Kamal Thapa" src="/userfiles/images/thapa.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 95px; height: 100px;" />Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal Chairperson Kamal Thapa claimed that the monarchy has not been abolished yet. Inaugurating his party’s national conference in the capital on last Monday, Thapa warned UCPN (Maoist) not to harbour any illusion that the monarchy is finished in Nepal. “The status of the pro-monarch and the anti-monarch would be the same until the new constitution comes into effect,” he said.</div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Army Integration Process Completes</span></strong></div> <div> Seventy former Maoist combatants, who were selected for integration into Nepal Army (NA), were officially inducted as NA army officers amid a ceremony at the Military Academy Kharipati on last Monday. Interim Election Council Chairman Khilraj Regmi and NA Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Gaurav SJB Rana handed the insignia to the new Army officers at the ceremony after they completed a nine-month military officer training. Among them, one officer is likely to be made Colonel, two Lieutenant Colonels, 13 majors, 30 captains and 24 lieutenants. UCPN (Maoist) chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal, leaders of Nepali Congress, CPN (UML) and other parties, diplomats and ministers, among other dignitaries, were present in the ceremony.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Former Finance Secy Khanal Joins Congress </span></strong></div> <div> <img alt="Rameshore Khanal" src="/userfiles/images/khanal.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 112px;" />Former Finance Secretary Rameshore Khanal, who had resigned following a tussle with then Finance Minister Bharat Mohan Adhikari, joined Nepali Congress (NC) last Monday. NC president Sushil Koirala, vice-president Ram Chandra Poudel and other leaders welcomed him to the party amid a ceremony held at the party office in Sanepa, Lalitpur. The NC president issued the party’s general membership to Khanal. While talking with the media, Khanal said he was inspired by the principles of late NC founder BP Koirala. He termed NC as the party that “follows what it says”. NC president Koirala said the party would utilise Khanal’s skills and capacity for the economic progress of the country.</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '2013-09-02', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'The fifth general convention of Nepal Trade Union Congress (NTUC) elected Khilanath Dahal its president last Wednesday.', 'sortorder' => '1594', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1732', 'article_category_id' => '142', 'title' => 'Poll Update (2 - 8 September 2013)', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">EC Monitoring Election Code of Conduct</span></strong></div> <div> The Election Commission (EC) said it has been monitoring complaints and applications regarding the compliance and violation of the election code of conduct. The EC said it has received 470 complaints and applications so far and it is studying them by classifying the petitions. The EC will make its decisions based upon the applications and complaints, said Election Commissioner Ayodhi Prashad Yadav. “There might be complaints lodged at the local administration offices too so the numbers could go higher,” said Yadav. “The monitoring committee at the EC is collecting complaints lodged at the local administration offices.” </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">EC to Stick to Schedule</span></strong></div> <div> <img alt="Ila Sharma" src="/userfiles/images/is.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 110px; height: 121px;" />Election Commissioner Ila Sharma ruled out the possibility of change in the schedule for Constituent Assembly polls. Speaking at Voter Education, Regional Training of Trainers at Nepalgunj last Monday, she claimed that the CA polls scheduled for November 19 would not be altered at any cost. However, she said the date for registering political parties could be changed in order to bring the agitating parties on board. Citing that providing both responsibilities of media monitoring and taking action to the Nepal Press Council would not be effective, she claimed the EC itself would monitor the media during the election. She informed that the EC will intensify monitoring activities 45 days prior to the election date.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '2013-09-02', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'The Election Commission (EC) said it has been monitoring complaints and applications regarding the compliance and violation of the election code of conduct.', 'sortorder' => '1593', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1731', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'Army Integration: The Glass Is Half Full', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>--By Sagar Ghimire </strong></div> <div> </div> <div> With the induction of 70 former Maoist combatants into the Nepal Army (NA) at officer levels at the Military Academy last Monday, the army integration, a key element of Nepal’s peace process, formally came to a conclusion after seven years of protracted transitional period. </div> <div> </div> <div> In 2006, when the former rebel CPN-Maoist joined mainstream politics, the integration of the former guerilla into the state army was a bone of contention among political parties. The idea was perceived by non-Maoist forces along with the NA as a ploy of the former communist rebel to infiltrate non-political institutions with communist dogma. </div> <div> </div> <div> The army integration process was considered to be a most challenging and sensitive aspect of Nepal’s home-grown peace process. Though the seven-year long integration process observed complications, mistrust and dillydallying among stake-holders of peace building efforts, the process gathered some momentum after the NA showed some flexibility to accommodate the former guerillas.</div> <div> </div> <div> The integration process in a unique way offers important lessons to the international community and also might be replicated in other countries in post-conflict period. NA and the former combatants, who had fought against each other during the decade long war, should be patted on the back for this accomplishment. </div> <div> </div> <div> They did not only maintain a high degree of restraint during these seven years of volatile and fragile situation, but later also agreed to accept each other as colleagues in the same institution. This achievement has obviously elated people who have witnessed the horror of war for more than a decade. </div> <div> </div> <div> However, as propagated by a section of media and political parties, the landmark achievement in the integration front itself is not the full accomplishment of the peace process. Agreed that it was a key component, equally important are issues like the formation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission on Enforced Disappearances, security and justice sector reformation, preparation and implementation of a minimum common programme of socio-economic transformation and formulation of scientific land reform policies, among others. Some of the agenda of Nepal’s peace process are yet to receive significant attention while others have been completely overlooked by concerned stakeholders. </div> <div> </div> <div> The topmost priority and a larger part of Nepal’s peace process is the promulgation of a new constitution through an elected Constituent Assembly that will ensure a federal democratic republic set-up. </div> <div> </div> <div> The promise from leaders of political parties to promulgate a new constitution through the elected Constituent Assembly is yet to be delivered. </div> <div> </div> <div> The first two years of the CA witnessed wrangling among the Maoist and non-Maoist forces on whether the integration process should be completed before the constitution drafting or whether it should go hand in hand. The remaining two years of the CA were squandered in the debate on federalism. Eventually, the institution met a tragic fate of dissolution without delivering a constitution, shattering the peoples’ dream for peace.</div> <div> </div> <div> Political leaders boasting that they have successfully concluded the peace process without delivering a new constitution is merely a sign of complacence. </div> <div> </div> <div> Amid celebrations of the success of 70 former combatants’ integration into the NA as officers, the issue of over four thousand former combatants who were tagged as disqualified during the UN verification process has not bothered the government and parties as much. </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> Humiliated by expulsion with a ‘disqualified’ tag in their identity, they had even hit the streets a year back with a few demands. If not properly addressed and rehabilitated, these former combatants, most of them who possess armed tactics and skills coupled with violent mentality, can pose a serious challenge to society. These former combatants could be manipulated by any force, particularly the breakaway CPN-Maoist towards violent activities.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'With the induction of 70 former Maoist combatants into the Nepal Army (NA) at officer levels at the Military Academy last Monday, the army integration, a key element of Nepal’s peace process, formally came to a conclusion after seven years of protracted transitional period.', 'sortorder' => '1592', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1730', 'article_category_id' => '140', 'title' => 'Unstable Politics Obstructing Investment: Bodde', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> Investors are backtracking from investment despite immense possibilities in Nepal, said US ambassador to Nepal Peter W Bodde.</div> <div> </div> <div> Speaking at an interaction programme organised by the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) last Thursday, envoy Bodde said that political instability is hindering investment in Nepal. He advised the business community to press political parties to restore political stability in the country and prioritise economic development. “Attracting foreign investment and generating employment opportunities should be the priority of political parties. The business community can request political parties towards this end,” Bodde said. </div> <div> </div> <div> He also said the business community should support holding the Constituent Assembly polls scheduled for November 19. </div> <div> </div> <div> Also speaking in the programme, BCCI Chairperson Ashok Baidya lamented over continuing problems in creating a business friendly environment. He also expressed his expectation from the U.S. for the economic development of Nepal.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-09-02', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'Investors are backtracking from investment despite immense possibilities in Nepal, said US ambassador to Nepal Peter W Bodde.', 'sortorder' => '1591', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
| Currency | Unit |
Buy | Sell |
| U.S. Dollar | 1 | 121.23 | 121.83 |
| European Euro | 1 | 131.65 | 132.31 |
| UK Pound Sterling | 1 | 142.47 | 143.18 |
| Swiss Franc | 1 | 124.29 | 124.90 |
| Australian Dollar | 1 | 71.69 | 72.05 |
| Canadian Dollar | 1 | 83.90 | 84.32 |
| Japanese Yen | 10 | 10.94 | 11.00 |
| Chinese Yuan | 1 | 17.17 | 17.26 |
| Saudi Arabian Riyal | 1 | 32.27 | 32.43 |
| UAE Dirham | 1 | 33.01 | 33.17 |
| Malaysian Ringgit | 1 | 27.36 | 27.50 |
| South Korean Won | 100 | 9.77 | 9.82 |
Update: 2020-03-25 | Source: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB)
| Fine Gold | 1 tola | 77000.00 |
| Tejabi Gold | 1 tola | 76700.00 |
| Silver | 1 tola | 720.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
Source: Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association
| Petrol | 1 Liter | 106.00 |
| Diesel | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| Kerosene | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| LP Gas | 1 Cylinder | 1375.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
