Nepal's first steel factory celebrates golden jubilee
KATHMANDU, JUL 09 -
Himal Iron and Steel, the country’s first steel factory, on Monday launched a special book and music compilation to mark its golden jubilee. President Ram Baran Yadav launched the book and music compilation at the golden jubilee function at Shital Niwas.
The plant was established on Nov 20, 1961 at Parwanipur, Parsa when the area was largely uninhabited.
The book contains a brief history of the Jyoti Group, which owns the steel factory, along with an account of the developments in the country’s economy, industry, trade and tourism, politics, education, health, art and literature, music and cinema over the last 50 years. It also presents a photographic record of Nepal’s last 50 years highlighting the evolution of economic and social life.
The music compilation features popular songs from the time music recordings began to be made in the country, and contains compositions of artistes ranging from Master Mitrasen to Yam Baral. The music compilation features songs in a variety of regional languages. Speaking on the occasion, President Yadav said congratulated the company for reaching the 50-year milestone and also praised the effort to bring a book and music featuring five decades of development in different sectors.
President Yadav lamented the failure to handle the country’s politics properly which has slowed down the economy. “The failure in political management has also hindered our ability to manage our natural resources and ensure social management,” he added.
He also wished to see the emergence of many factories like Himal Steel. On the occasion, chairman of the Jyoti Group Padma Jyoti expressed his pride over the continued operation of the factory for 50 years, thus contributing to the country’s economy.
“When the factory was established 50 years ago, nobody would think about establishing a factory from the private sector,” he said. “But Mani Harsha Jyoti established Himal Steel with the belief that the country needed to produce basic construction materials.” Mani Harsha Jyoti was Padma Jyoti’s father. He also recollected the early struggles to operate the factory. “Right after the installation of the machinery, a storm damaged the factory building,” he said.
“As there was no electricity supply, power was generated to run the factory by a 375 KW Ruston marine engine used on ships.” According to the Jyoti Group, the factory’s annual production capacity has been increased from 8,000 tonnes to 70,000 tonnes.
Source: The Kathmandu Post
