Nepal an epicenter of new cold war: leader Agni Sapkota

By TRN Online, Kathmandu, Jan 29: Press Center Nepal (PCN) today marked its 22^nd anniversary, awarding three journalists with prizes and holding an interaction here.

The PCN awarded senior journalist Narendra Jung Peter with Krishna Sen memorial journalism award, Mani Lal Bishwakarma with Shakti Tara memorial journalism award and Rubi Shrestha with disappeared fighter journalism award.

Speaking at the interaction programme, leader of the Nepali Communist Party (NC) and former Speaker, Agni Sapkota, viewed that Nepal was becoming an epicenter of the new cold war, geopolitical tension as the country borders with China and lies between two economic powers, China and India, while the US rivaling against China's peaceful rise.

"We remained unaware of this rising geopolitical tension for over a decade and we are paying the price of our recklessness," said Sapkota, adding, "The upcoming election of the House of Representatives slated for March 5 is also related to our nationality and sovereignty."

He held that the HoR poll will be decisive on future course of the country, because illusion has been disseminated across the country, and the progressive forces need to make people understand reality.

"The NCP popularity is expanding since over a dozen parties got together to form it. People have approved the NCP unity," he said, "We are best in making right thought for the country, however, we lack proper strength to steer the course."

He urged the people to vote for the NCP for the sake of the country's welfare.

PCN chair Kamal Giri, vice chair Deepak Shrestha and general secretary Manoj Gharti Magar also spoke highlighting PCN's role in safeguarding press freedom while Bala Ram Thapa, secretary of the publicity department of the NCP and Nirmal Gyawali of ICT Forum expressed best wishes on the 22^nd anniversary of the PCN.