Past, Present, Feature

Category: ENGLISH

  • NEB to conduct SEE from May 27

    NEB to conduct SEE from May 27

    KATHMANDU: The National Examination Board (NEB) has decided to hold the Secondary Education Examination (SEE) of the year 2077 BS from May 27.

    A meeting of the NEB held recently decided to conduct the examinations from May 27 until June 7.

    According to Durga Prasad Aryal, the member secretary of the NEB, the date of the SEE has been fixed in line with the decision of the cabinet meeting.

    A cabinet meeting held on February 9 had directed the NEB to conduct SEE in collaboration with provincial governments.

    The results of the SEE last year had been issued based on the internal evaluations of the respective schools.

  • COVID-19: Nepal records 78 fresh cases, tally hits 2,74,143

    COVID-19: Nepal records 78 fresh cases, tally hits 2,74,143

    Nepal recorded a total of 78 new cases of coronavirus infection in the past 24 hours. According to the Ministry of Health and Population, the coronavirus tally reached 2,74,143 in the country as of Sunday afternoon.

    Likewise, the Ministry shared that now the country has 962 reported active cases of the virus. In the past 24 hours, altogether 82 have recovered from the coronavirus infection in the country.

    So far, 2,70,407 people have recovered from the coronavirus infection in the country. Similarly, the ministry shared that one new fatality was reported in the last 24 hours, taking the death toll to 2,774.

  • One held for creating fake Cyber Bureau Facebook page

    One held for creating fake Cyber Bureau Facebook page

    KATHMANDU: Police have arrested Prajwal Pokharel, 18, from Rupandehi on the charge of creating a fake Facebook page of the Cyber Bureau.

    According to SSP Navinda Aryal, he was arrested after the District Court, Kathmandu granted him permission to investigate under the Electronic Transactions Act, 2063 BS.

    According to Aryal, Pokhrel was trying to take financial advantage by creating a fake police page.

  • Five days custody granted for further investigation in Bhagarathi murder case

    Five days custody granted for further investigation in Bhagarathi murder case

    The District Court Baitadi has granted five more days custody time to investigate against the juvenile nabbed in connection with Bhagarathi murder allegation case.

    According to SSP Uttamd Raj Subedi, the Chief of Sudurpaschim Province, a five-day period has been taken from the district court in Bhagarathi’s  rape and murder case.

    The police was arrested on Tuesday evening and was made public on Wednesday afternoon.

    Accused Dinesh, who was arrested on the charge of murder after Bhatt’s rape, was taken to court for an extension of detention time on Wednesday.

    Meanwhile, a police investigation has revealed that Bhagarathi Bhatta of Baitadi was murdered in a pre-planned manner over a feud between two neighboring families.

    The investigation carried out by the law enforcement agency found out that Dinesh Bhatta arrested on the charge of raping and killing 17-year-old Bhagarathi of Dogadakedar Rural Municipality-7 of Baitadi had been waiting on the road for an hour and a half before the incident.

    Bhagarathi used to study in class 12 and Dinesh in Grade 11 and are siblings by relationships.

    A preliminary investigation by the police has shown that Dinesh had skipped two classes on February 3 and had waited on the road to kill her.

    Initially, Dinesh said that he went home only after classes were over but later admitted that he left early, according to police officials.

    Bhatta, a 17-year-old student of Dogadakedar-7, Chadepani had gone missing while returning from school to her home on February 3.

    She was found murdered after the rape and her dead body was recovered on February 4. The incident had taken place between 2:40 pm and 2:47 pm.

    However, sources said that Dinesh, who confessed to the murder, had given a statement that he was not involved in the rape.

    Citing Dinesh’s statement after the arrest, a police source said, “I was already sitting on the road. Bhagarathi was heading to her destination eating noodles. At first, I threw her book and then pushed her from behind. She fell and fainted, and I strangled her. ”

    A police source said that Dinesh admitted that he killed Bhagarathi to take revenge for his aunt.

    “There is an old feud between the two neighboring families. The accused has given a statement that he raped Bhatta in a rivalry,” said an official involved in the investigation.

    Sources said that he had given a statement to the police even though he had tried to kill her before.

    A police source said that Dinesh told police that he had attempted to rape after Bhagarathi fell unconscious.

    According to Dinesh, he threw away the battery of Bhagarathi’s mobile phone after the murder. After that, he was going to school regularly.

    He had also attended a protest rally demanding to take action against Bhagarathi’s murderer(s). Source: Khabarhub

     

  • Context- 60 years of RSS: Three former communications ministers stress on enhancing country’s only news agency

    Context- 60 years of RSS: Three former communications ministers stress on enhancing country’s only news agency

    Former information and communications ministers have stressed on the need of the Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS), the only official news agency of the country, to play additional significant role in the present context.

    The former ministers shared their views in the context of the RSS’ entering the diamond jubilee year from this February 19.

    Describing RSS as the common property of all Nepalis, they have suggested augmenting its important role remaining autonomous and neutral and disseminating balanced and objective news. The former information and communications ministers also suggested the RSS to provide true and timely news to its subscribers and the masses by using the new technology so as to keep intact its credibility that RSS has been collecting and disseminating true and authentic news based on facts since its establishment till date.

    Pradip Kumar Nepal, who was the Minister for Information and Communications in the government led by then Prime Minister Man Mohan Adhikari from 30 November 1994 to 12 September 1995, opined that the RSS’ responsibility has increased more at present in the changed context.

    “I feel that RSS has not been able to internalize its increased role. The RSS management should give appropriate environment to and make its bureaus and reporters technology-friendly. It should disseminate through its subscribers balanced and factual news that create positive feelings. The institution should carry out works towards becoming self-reliant,” he said.

    RSS was established on February 18, 1962 with the merger of two news agencies in existence at that time and run from the private sector – Nepal Sambad Samiti and Sagarmatha Sambad Samiti. It has been disseminating news collected from its provincial offices in all the seven provinces, its district offices and the stringers in all the districts to the masses through its subscribers.

    RSS has been providing investigative news, news features, audio clips and photos to the print, radio, television and online media.

    The name, RSS, itself speaks of its responsibility
    Similarly, former Communications Minister Mohan Bahadur Basnet has expressed the view that it would be easier to all to make their own view if RSS could disseminate balanced and factual news at a time when political instability has increased due to dissolution of House of Representatives as there is a thinking among the general people that the news and information disseminated by RSS is authentic, balanced and related to government’s statement.

    Suggesting the RSS to disseminate news so that all Nepalis could feel a sense of ownership, he said RSS should not only give the news of government and opposition parties but also the news of public interest in order to safeguard its prestigious position from its establishment in the world of mass media, as news as RSS is the common property of all. Former Minister Basnet said, “In recent period, it is seen that attempts have been made to control things except disseminating only good works of the government. If it is true, it should be stopped.”

    He said that no action was taken against anyone even writing the news against the government at a time when he was the communications minister.

    He added, “The very name Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) is adequate for highlighting its importance. It has the body, structure and capacity to collect news and information from the nook and corners and the length and breadth of the country. There is an impression among the people that RSS can disseminate all types of news whether it is national or international in systematic and reliable way. People have thought that how the news and information given by government could be wrong, but the trust towards this organisation will be decreased if there is intervention of the government.”

    Former Minister Basnet opined that RSS could not face the 21st century’s demand and challenges along with internet and high technology if it does not pay attention on modern technology by updating, modernizing and revising the news collection, processing and dissemination processes.

    Records show that RSS correspondents have abundantly produced human-interest stories and write-ups from nook and corners.

    The news disseminated by the RSS is considered to be impartial, fact-based, and credible, and it has been a good source of news not only for print media, radio and television but also for online news portals.

    The major task of the news agency is to gather information and provide it to other media houses.

    RSS’ relevancy has further increased
    Former Minister for Information and Communications Jay Prakash Gupta sees the relevancy of RSS has increased as a time-tested and professional media in the present context. Its relevancy has further increased.

    The RSS has been disseminating free, fair, impartial and objective news. ”But sometimes it may face pressure from the government and at such moments it should realise the public interest and sentiments, and continue to deliver the accurate news in a balanced and objective way.”

    The former Minister has sympathy for the RSS for its compulsion to give its physical infrastructure built for own use on rent to cope up with financial constraint.

    ”I did my best (in my capacity as the minister) in the past for the holistic development of the RSS and was always aware that it should not be obstructed to function as a professional and independent entity,” he said, stressing that the State should invest for equipping it with technology.

    People have much hope and trust on RSS and it is for imparting information to the masses, and strengthening and further developing it should be the special priority of the state.

  • Election will not take place: Prachanda

    Election will not take place: Prachanda

    CHITWAN: Chairman of the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Prachanda-Nepal faction, Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has stated that the election will not take place as the move to dissolve the House of Representatives (HoR) was not taken with the intention of holding the poll.

    “Let me make it clear that the election will not be held at any cost,” Prachanda told reporters in Chitwan on Monday adding “The government has no intention to hold the same.,”

    Stating that the dissolution of the House was against the interest of the nation, people, democracy and the constitution, he termed PM Oli’s move as “regressive”.

    Saying that the achievements made through a long struggle and sacrifice were currently imperiled, the former Prime Minister said they were in the movement to protect the constitution and democracy.

    Chair Dahal is scheduled to address a mass meeting to be held in Chitwan on February 24.

  • Election will not take place: Prachanda

    Election will not take place: Prachanda

    CHITWAN: Chairman of the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Prachanda-Nepal faction, Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has stated that the election will not take place as the move to dissolve the House of Representatives (HoR) was not taken with the intention of holding the poll.

    “Let me make it clear that the election will not be held at any cost,” Prachanda told reporters in Chitwan on Monday adding “The government has no intention to hold the same.,”

    Stating that the dissolution of the House was against the interest of the nation, people, democracy and the constitution, he termed PM Oli’s move as “regressive”.

    Saying that the achievements made through a long struggle and sacrifice were currently imperiled, the former Prime Minister said they were in the movement to protect the constitution and democracy.

    Chair Dahal is scheduled to address a mass meeting to be held in Chitwan on February 24.

  • Bored of celebrating Valentine’s Day the traditional way? Here are 6 alternative gifting ideas

    Bored of celebrating Valentine’s Day the traditional way? Here are 6 alternative gifting ideas

    Valentine’s Day is a day of love, a day for lovers to celebrate their love together. To show one’s love, people opt to give gifts to their significant other to commemorate the wonderful time they have spent together. But, this is where the hard part begins. What to gift your Valentine?

    You want to make this day special and might be wanting to plan something grand. But, what if you have been busy or are short of cash, also if you have not planned what to do today? Or, if you simply just do not want to fall into Valentine’s Day stereotypes, save yourself from the overcommitment and go for ones that are much more meaningful…

    Here are some simple alternative gifting ideas for your Valentine:

    1. Books

    Books are one of the most versatile yet simple gifts you can give to your loved ones. It can be kept as a memento, reminding them of you and the wonderful times with you whenever they look at them. You can also express your feelings by giving them some romantic novels of their favourite authors which they will forever cherish.

    Few classics like ‘Fault In Our Stars’ by John Green, ‘Me Before You’ by Jojo Moyers or even ‘Pride and Prejudice’ by Jane Austen might be a good start. And, if you are looking for classic Nepali novels you can give them ‘Shirishko Phool’ by Parijat and ‘Muna Madan’ by Laxmi Prashad Devota.

    Books are the most practical and cheapest gifts and you can get them today and save your date.

    2. Staycation

    Staycation is basically a vacation, but on a much smaller scale and since you are living in a pandemic, this might be a safer way to enjoy your day. This activity is perfect for couples who are not willing to commit to expensive and days-long trips. It is also perfect if you have a hard time staying away from work too long but still want to have quality time with your significant other.

    If you are looking to get out of the city, make the day even romantic, you can take a trip to Sarangkot for a beautiful sunset with an amazing cloud view or Namobuddha, Kalinchok, etc.

    Or, choose a hotel in the city like Yak and Yeti and Hotel Shambhala etc that have offered one-day packages on the occasion. A full meal paired with sparkling wine and live music might just be your new Valentine’s Day tradition.

    Or, if you are short of cash, do all this at the comfort of your home.

    3. Couple activities

    It is not necessary for you to travel or plan a date, you might want to consider some couple-based activities, something you both can enjoy and have fun with. You can simply do different activities like go to a spa for a couple’s massage or go sign up for a fun cooking or dancing class.

    Different indoor activities like having a game night, enjoying breakfast in bed, or even cooking dinner together can be a romantic way to spend a day with your significant other. If you are both outgoing, venture into a nearby hike together and enjoy all the beautiful sites nature has to offer.

    4. Handmade gifts

    If you want to express your true love but your budget does not allow it, handmade gifts are the perfect gift idea for you. At home, you can make something simple like a scented candle, sketch of your significant other, or decorated framed picture of you two. Get it crafty and personalise your gift.

    Or you can also make cakes or cookies for you two to enjoy. And, if you are ambitious and skilled, knit them a scarf, warm winter clothes which will also warm their hearts, and embroider like a hanky.

    5. A playlist for each other

    Add more colours to your love life with music. Music is a great way to bond with people, and what better way to improve your relationship than making a playlist full of songs you both love and remind you of each other.

    If you do not have a playlist already, some songs that may be up your alleyway and can be obvious choices are ‘Perfect’ by Ed Sheeran, a very romantic song with beautiful lyrics about his girlfriend and how they fell in love and got married. Also, include ‘Just The Way You Are’ by Bruno Mars, and ‘Say You Won’t Let Go’ by James Arthur.

    The playlist does not need to be full of romantic songs only. But, anything that you both like that reminds you of your journey together…

    6. A movie night

    Not everyone is up for a date night out or all-night party for Valentine’s Day. Some just prefer to cuddle with their partner and spend quality time or have a warm cup of coffee and watch something on Netflix on your laptop. It will most probably increase the bond between you two. Do a movie marathon, it might be ideal for some people who love to enjoy indoor plus it will not cost you much.

    Choose a romantic movie like ‘About Time’ that is perfect to remind you both of the connection between you. If you are not into cheesy rom coms, choose action, drama, horror, or even comedy; it is your pick. Korean dramas and movies best to binge-watch on, or these are not of your taste, experiment with other foreign movies and genres of movies.

    And remember, you do not have to celebrate it only on February 14, celebrate your day of love as much as you can.

    Source : Onlinekhabar

  • Parliament and party needed reconstitution: Minister Gyawali

    Parliament and party needed reconstitution: Minister Gyawali

    NCP standing committee member and foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali has accused NCP Chair Prachanda of sowing the seed of crisis in the party by playing factional politics.

    The government had laid the foundation for good governance, development, and prosperity in around three years, but lack of support from the Prachanda faction and obstruction in the House of Representatives led to the need for reconstitution of the parliament, he said.

    Speaking at a district-level gathering of party cadres in Myanglung of Tehrathum, Gyawali said we have no role in the division in the party, the Prachanda faction is solely responsible for bringing dispute in the party.

    The HoR had to be dissolved because the Prime Minister and the government were not allowed to carry out development activities by an opportunist group.

  • Decision on recommendation for women for foreign visit not taken: Minister Mahato

    Decision on recommendation for women for foreign visit not taken: Minister Mahato

    KATHMANDU: Minister for Women, Children, and Senior Citizens Julie Kumari Mahato has said that the decision requiring women below 40 to present recommendations from the local level and family for visit visas was not taken by the government.

    Speaking at an interaction organized by the Ministry here today, she said that there is no truth behind the media reports about women below 40 requiring approval to go on a foreign visit.

    “It was only a discussion made by individuals, and efforts have been made to malign the government in a bad light,” she said.

    Stating that the Department of Immigration made a proposal to the Home Ministry to apply such a provision, a demonstration took place outside the Department today. The DoI has however made it clear that the rule would apply for only gulf countries and Africa, as many women were going on a visit visa and ending up working there inviting risks.