Loss of situational awareness led to NA crash: Report

 Loss of situational awareness led to thecrash of Nepal Airlines Twin Otter in Masinelek in Argakhanchi District in February 2014 that killed 18 people onboard including three crew members, according to an investigation report released on Thursday.

“The pilot flew inadvertently into a whiteout, losing situational awareness and control of the aircraft following which the aircraft hit the terrain at an altitude of 7,190 ft,” stated the report submitted by government panel formed to investigate the crash .

The Canadian-made 9N-ABB, DHC-300 Twin Otter initially chopped a small tree and than hit the sloppy ridge with huge impact. “The nature of the crash was—Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT). This means, an airworthy aircraft, under pilot control, unintentionally hit the terrain,” the report added.

The report , however, ruled out initial speculation that the aircraft sustained an icing problem as the minimum temperature outside was zero Degree Celsius and there is a possibility of icing at only minus 15 Degree Celsius. The report also ruled out engine failure and other likely causes like pilots fatigue.  

Aircraft was completely damaged and wreckages were scattered around 2 kilometers over and beyond the hill. The site was located on Feb 17, a day after the crash .

Conference on population and development planning

 President Ram Baran Yadav has emphasised that development efforts should be in line with the distribution and demands of the population .

Addressing the inauguration function of National Population Conference in the Capital on Thursday, the President spoke of the challenges raised by shifting demographic structure, and urged the concerned sides to bring policies to address the issue.  

Prof Bal Kumar KC, founder of the Central Department of Population Studies TU (CDPS/TU), said although remittance contributes about 25 percent of GDP in the country, the migration of women and children both within and outside the country for various purposes has added challenges to Nepali policy makers. He also shed a light on the population issues in the 21st century.

Ram Sharan Pathak, the chairman of the organising committee, said the conference has brought together policy makers, academicians, researchers, implementers, development practitioners and other stakeholders to form a collaborative network, share research findings and to explore, discuss and advocate emerging issues on population and development.

Praveen Mishra, secretary of the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), presided over the inaugural session of the conference, where he shared that one percent investment in women gives 11 percent returns as output.    

A total of 108 papers have been selected for the conference for presentation on 15 themes on population and development, including fertility, migration, population ageing and gender.  

The three-day conferene is jointly organised by the MoHP, CDPS/TU, Population Association of Nepal, Centre for Research on Environment Health and Population Activities, Family Planning Association Nepal and United Nations Population Fund (UNFP).

“I heard a wonderful statement recently: data are key not only to show results but also to inspire them. My hope is that this conference and the data it is generating will be a true inspiration for policy makers and planners,” said Giulia Vallese, UNFPA Representative.

The first ever national population conference comes at a crucial time as Nepal is facing migration, family planning stagnation and gender based violence to name a few, she said.

Indian PM picks Bhutan for first foreign visit

 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake his first visit to Bhutan, possibly in the third week of this month.

Indian Express reported online on Thursday that an official team will be leaving for Thimphu on Friday to set up the visit and work out the relevant logistics.

The decision was taken over the past few days during which Modi's tour calender was worked out, the Indian daily said citing government sources.

There was much speculations that Nepal would be Modi's first choice, given that PM Sushil Koirala had made a strong pitch for an early visit when the two met after his inauguration as new Indian PM.

The BJP leader is said to be interested in visiting Pashupatinath temple.

No Indian PM has come to Nepal on a proper bilateral visit since Indra Kumar Gujral's visit in the late 1990s. Nepal will now have to wait until November to welcome Modi when the country hosts the 18th Saarc Summit.

Budhathoki sends TAC in semis

 Tek Bahadur Budhathoki scored a brace as Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) advanced to the semi-finals of the Ganesh Man Singh Gold Cup football tournament with a 3-1 victory over Sunachu Club of Sikkim on Monday.

TAC will now take on the winner of the match between African United and Simrik Saraswoti in the semi-finals. TAC dominated right from the kick off before taking a 21st minute lead. National team forward Bharat Khawas missed three clear chances but made up of the misses by setting up all three goals for the departmental team.

Khawas fed Budhathoki inside the area, who made no mistake in scoring the goal. Four minutes later Khawas assisted Navayug Shrestha from the area and midfielder slotted home with a tap in effort.

In the only chance for Sunachu in the first half, captain Sajan Chhetri had the perfect opportunity to get his team back into the game. But he lost his footing after beating the last TAC defense.

Sunachu were still at the receiving end in the second half with the Armymen quickly getting their third goal. Man-of-the-match Budhathoki completed his brace just five minutes after resumption and Khawas was once again the provider. Inpunghang Subba pulled back a goal back for the visitors but by then it was too late for the visitors.

TAC’s coach Megh Raj KC said his players were not able to play their natural game due to extreme heat. “It was too hot in the middle making my boys difficult to perform up to their potential. We had a weaker opponent and that made the match easier for us,” said KC. Nepal Police Club will take on CFC Bhutan on Tuesday.

Khadka, Bohra win Poy Awards

 National cricket team skipper Paras Khadka stood tall to claim the Male Player of the Year (PoY) award, while judoka Sunita Bohra was declared female PoY of the Pulsar Sports Award on Monday.

Khadka got the better of his teammates left-arm spinner Basanta Regmi and Subash Khakurel, sprinter Yam Sajan Sunar and golfer Shiva Ram Shrestha for his third PoY award. Sunita claimed the female honour ahead of Sofia Shah of swimming, Dil Maya Karki of athletics, Sita Rana Magar of cricket and Tara Devi Pun of weightlifting.

Pubudu Dassanayake won the coach of the year and footballer Bimal Gharti Magar was named the youth player of the year. Baikuntha Manandhar presented with the Lifetime Achievement, national cricketer Sharad with the Special Award and taekwondo player Yadav Kunwar with the Para-athlete of the year honour.

Organisers Nepal Sports Journalist Forum (NSJF) had already declared the winners of the Lifetime Achievement, Special and Para-athlete awards. Spiker Saraswoti Chaudhary of Nepal APF Club won the Popular PoY with a whopping margin where she sidelined Khadka, Shah, Sunar and Gharti Magar. National cricket team was honoured with the Team of the Year award for their run on to the maiden ICC World Twenty20.

Khadka had a splendid year leading Nepal to their first ever World Twenty20 in Bangladesh where he shone both on and off the field. The road to the award, however, was tough for him as he wa up against teammates Regmi and Khakurel who were equally good in the run on to Bangladesh. Regmi had 49 wickets in the Nepali calendar year and Khakurel had been one of the most consistent performers in the four tournaments he played for Nepal.

Khadka had not only performed with the bat but also delivered with the ball and his exemplary leadership was key to his winning the coveted award. “This is the day all Nepali players await eagerly,” said Khadka.

“I would like to dedicate this award to all my team members. Last two years have been really successful for Nepali cricket. Nepal played the World Cup and we want the country to be in every World Cup. Keep on supporting us and we will do our best to reach at the higher level,” said the 26-year old Khadka.

Bohra was the lone gold medallist from hosts Nepal in the seventh South Asian Judo Championship and said it was a great feeling to win the event. “I am happy. This was possible only because of the support from everyone: my family, coaches and Nepal Judo Association,” said Bohra.

Dassanayake, who guided Nepal to World Twenty20, Division 3 title and a third-place finish in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers, also won second consecutive coach of the year award in what was his third nomination. Dassanayake has never missed out of the Sports Award nomination since taking over the reins of Nepali cricket in 2011. “I am winning it (the Sports  Award) for the second time. But this is the first time that I have been present in this ceremony and its great to be here,” said Dassanayake.

In a tough selection for youth category award, Gharti Magar edged national team cricketers Som Pal Kami and Avinash Karn along with Asian Junior Wushu Championship bronze winner Bishal Thapa Sinjali and record holder swimmer Sirish Gurung.

Gharti Magar is tipped as a future star of Nepali football who shot to fame with a last gasp equaliser against Pakistan in the eighth SAFF Championship held in Nepal. That goal made him the youngest scorer of the national team. He also led Nepal to AFC U-16 Championship final and a runner-up finish in the SAFF U-16 Championship.

Khadka was nominated in the Popular PoY for second year in a row but once again returned empty handed with just seven per cent of votes in the award decided through SMS polls and facebook likes. Chaudhary earned 67 per cent of total votes, while Shah was distant second with 14 per cent. The male, female and popular player of the year award winner received Pulsar motorbikes, while the other category winners grabbed a purse of Rs 50,000 each.

The glittering ceremony at the Nepal Academy Hall featured martial arts show with 3D effects, live performance from singer Nima Rumba, stand-up comedy by Raja Rajendra, live band performance by swimmer Sirish Gurung and a mix of wushu moves and hip hip dance.

Pulsar Sports Award winners

-    Male: Paras Khadka (cricket)

-     Female: Sunita Bohra (judo)

-     Youth: Bimal Gharti Magar (football)

-    Coach: Pubudu Dassanayake (cricket)

-     Lifetime Achievement: Baikuntha Manandhar (athletics)

-    Special: Sharad Vesawkar (cricket)

-     Para-athlete: Yadav Kunwar (taekwondo)

-     Popular:    Saraswoti Chaudhary (volleyball)

NPC march into semis

 Nepal Police Club (NPC) hammered CFC Bhutan 5-0 to advance to the semi-finals of the first Ganesh Man Singh Gold Cup football tournament here on Tuesday.

Midfielder Ganesh Khadka struck twice while Bhola Silwal, skipper Jumanu Rai and Dipesh Shrestha added one goal apiece for the departmental team. NPC scored the first two goals on controversial fashion. Khadka, who appeared yards in front of the CFC last defender Ringen Dorje, collected a pass from skipper Rai to slot home the goal early in the 10th minute. Silwal doubled the NPC tally in the 20th minute, again the midfielder appearing to be in a clearly offside position.

Rai made it 3-0 in the 32 minute, the forward scoring in a rebound after his penalty kick was blocked by CFC keeper Sandip Yonjan. NPC were awarded the spot kick after Dipen Lama tripped Khadka. Khadka added his second and the team’s fourth goal in the 58th minute before NPC rubbed further salts to the CFC wounds when Shrestha struck the fifth goal seven minutes from time.

Dynamic Djokovic marches into last four in Paris

 Novak Djokovic proved too hot to handle for Canadian outsider Milos Raonic as the Serb qualified for the French Open semi-finals for the sixth time with a clinical 7-5 7-6 (5) 6-4 victory on Tuesday.

The world number two, chasing the only grand slam title to elude him, next meets 18th-seeded Latvian Ernests Gulbis.

Raonic went close against Djokovic on clay in the Rome Masters semi-finals last month, losing 6-7 (5) 7-6 (4) 6-3, but this time the Serb played better.

"It's never smooth against Milos or any server of his calibre," Djokovic told reporters. "It was important to get the first set under my belt. Even though it was a straight-sets win, only a few points here and there decided the winner.

"Against such a player you have to wait for your opportunities and when they're presented to you, you'd better take them."

 A couple of double faults in the 11th game put Raonic under pressure and Djokovic took full advantage, grabbing the opening set after unsettling his opponent with a dipping backhand.

The Serb, who now has a 3-0 record against Raonic, then took the second-set tiebreak when his rival missed a backhand.

The Canadian trailed 4-0 in the third set before retrieving one of the two breaks of serve.

Djokovic, however, ended the contest on his first match point when Raonic, the first Canadian male to reach the last eight of a grand slam in the professional era, sent a forehand wide.

"It is complicated to play against him because he has a great serve, powerful and accurate, difficult to anticipate," said Djokovic. "It was important to be mentally strong and consistent."

Raonic said there was a subtle difference between their meetings in Rome and Paris.

"I think where he stood out today compared to Rome was he was playing a lot closer to the baseline, he was not letting me dictate as much," the Canadian explained.

The world number two, who has only reached the final here once before when he lost to eight-times champion Rafa Nadal in 2012, dropped his serve just once, in the final set when victory was virtually assured.

Gulbis followed up his surprise win over Roger Federer in the last 16 by knocking out sixth-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych in straight sets on Tuesday.

"He is a very good player and to beat Roger and Berdych is impressive," said Djokovic. "He has been playing his best tennis, it will be difficult for me."