Past, Present, Feature

Category: ENGLISH

  • Civil society leaders ask Minister Gyawali not to sign any agreements during his India visit

    Civil society leaders ask Minister Gyawali not to sign any agreements during his India visit

    KATHMANDU: Fifteen members of the civil society have urged Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali to not sign any agreements having long-term significance during his India visit.

    They have argued that a Foreign Minister of a caretaker government cannot sign any agreements.

    The civil society leaders issuing a statement include former Chief Secretary Leela Mani Paudyal, former chief of the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) Surya Nath Upadhyaya, Dipendra Bahadur Chhetri, Rishi Adhikari, Krishna Gyawali, Khagendra Prasai, Indira Dali, Ninu Chapagai, Yuvaraj Pandey, Manavi Paudel, Surya Raj Acharya, Shurbir Paudyal, Hrinaya Lal Shrestha and Sharada Prasad Trital.

    Foreign Minister Gyawali is going to India on Thursday on a three-day visit.

    According to them, since the government led by KP Oli has become a caretaker government after the dissolution of the House of Representatives, its Foreign Minister should not sign such agreements or treaties. -From_Khabarhub

  • Dharmendra Bastola of Biplav faction arrested

    Dharmendra Bastola of Biplav faction arrested

    KATHMANDU: Dharmendra Bastola, the western command chief of the outlawed Biplav rebel group, has been arrested.

    A police source said that he was arrested from the border area of ​​Lalitpur and Makwanpur.

    Bastola is also a member of the faction’s secretariat and head of the Foreign Department.

    Likewise, Bibek Kumal considered close to the faction’s spokesperson Khadga Bahadur Bishwakarma “Prakanda” has also been arrested along with Bastola.

  • PM Oli to address National Assembly today

    PM Oli to address National Assembly today

    KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Oli is scheduled to address Sunday’s meeting of the National Assembly.

    The meeting of the upper house has been slated to be held at 1 pm today.

    According to Press Adviser to Prime Minister Oli, Surya Thapa, the Prime Minister, in his address, will speak on current issues of the country.

    Earlier on December 21, the Prime Minister had addressed the nation and had defended his move to dissolve the House of Representatives.

  • Nepal Telecom operating IP TV from Friday

    Nepal Telecom operating IP TV from Friday

    Nepal Telecom is bringing the IP TV into operation from Friday.

    Nepal Telecom had been preparing for this since two years and it will bring the IP TV service into operation through the fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) in the NT TV brand from the New Year’s Day 2021.

    Nepal Telecom has been presently providing voice service and data service through FTTH and it is adding the IP TV service as well.

    Access to FTTH network would be required for viewing the NT TV service. For now this service would be available in Sundhara, Babarmahal, Thimi, Balambu, Bhaktapur, Chabahil, Chhauni and Gongabu within the Kathmandu Valley.

    Nepal Telecom’s FTTH network has reached Patan, Hattigauda, Jorpati, Kirtipur, Sainbu, Lubhu, Naxal and even up to Banepa outside the Valley and it would be available at places where the FTTH can be technically distributed.

    Nepal Telecom’s spokesperson Rajesh Joshi said the subscribers who are taking the voice and data service or both through the FTTH service should contact the nearest Nepal Telecom office for availing of NT TV service.

  • Former People’s Liberation Army’s state level meeting:… Sacrifice wasted, now let’s carry the country’s flag, not the party’s!

    Former People’s Liberation Army’s state level meeting:… Sacrifice wasted, now let’s carry the country’s flag, not the party’s!

    The Independent Former People’s Liberation Army is going to gather state level representatives. A meeting held in Dhangadhi on Saturday has decided to convene a state level representative within the month of March.

    From the meeting, a 25-member committee formed under the coordination of KB Ayadi will prepare the meeting along with publicity. Sanjay Kattel, who is also the commander of the former People’s Liberation Army, urged the people to move forward for the flag of Nepal and the social sector without carrying the flag of the leader and the party. He also claimed that the organization was not for any party but for the social sector.

    Giving information about the program, he said, “We cannot fit into any political party because now there is no such party in Nepal where we can fit where our objectives and goals meet.” We sacrificed not for the leaders but for the mother of Nepal, the country and the nation, but it also burst like a water bubble. Probably because he dared to change the face of the nation and the people by carrying the flag of an organization even then! Yes, therefore, our sacrifice and suffering says that now when it comes to building a prosperous future for the people, we urge the ex-People’s Liberation Army (PLA) officials and the general public to carry the burden of the country and not of any party organization.”

    He said. “My life confirms that no leader can guarantee their (people’s) future,” Kattel said. “I am also a victim of the people’s war.” Now I am wearing an artificial leg. There are many friends like me. They didn’t even look at us! Let’s face it, we are convinced that we have made sacrifices for the nation and the country, but the leaders have assured the people of the country that they will easily create an environment where they can work eight hours a day, have eight hours of entertainment and eight hours of sleep.

    Now millions of Nepali youth have to go abroad without finding work. Many people has lost his life on the streets due to starvation. constitutional provision of many of our comrades who have been martyred.” The monarchy was lying in front of us. The leaders are rejoicing in the blood and sweat of the heroic martyrs. He said.

  • Border security persons face hardship in freezing cold conditions

    Border security persons face hardship in freezing cold conditions

    Kathmandu:  The border security persons and people staying back for looking after the house at Hilsa are facing hard time in Namkha rural municipality with the increasing cold. The Karnali river has frozen. The temperature at Hilsa, the border transit point with Tibet Autonomous Region of China, has plummeted to minus 15 degrees Celsius.

    The Karnali river has frozen and water cannot be seen flowing, said Inspector Suraj KC, the In-charge of the Armed Police Force (APF)’s border outpost (BOP) at Hilsa. According to him, the river is frozen 24 hours and people can walk across the river. KC added that life has become difficult for them and the some people at Hilsa who have stayed back home to look after their property.

    Most of the residents of Hilsa have moved to the other warmer places to escape the harsh winter. “People cannot even come out of their house due to the freezing temperature and windy condition,” he added. The water taps have also frozen and one has to pour hot water for having running water.

  • More than 300 Youths participated in Poetry Contest

    More than 300 Youths participated in Poetry Contest

    The final event of the Poetry Writing Contest organized by Daya Foundation and Rotary Club of Kathmandu Mid-town in collaboration with UNICEF Nepal was held on 27 November 2020 at 5 PM via Zoom.

    The main highlight of the 2-hour program was the announcement of 10 winners of the contest followed by a panel discussion on “Emotional/Mental Well-Being& Literary Avenues/Platforms for Youth Voices”.

    The event was a success with participation from 300+ youths and many dignitaries from several institutions. Aarya Bajrachayra from Rupy’s International School, Shivila Gc from Kathmandu University School of Management, Rachita Uprety from Silver Mountain School Of Hotel Management, Rubi Bhandari from Softwarica College, and Shreeya Shrestha from Rato Bangala Schoolare the winners from English category and Abinash Gajurel, a graduate, Chadani Acharya from Medhavi College, Bigyan Subedi from IOM, T.U., Smriti Adhikari from Tribhuvan University School of Management, and Sushila Rai from Diktel Multiple Campus are the winners from Nepali category who have won NRs. 10,000/- each as prize money. Following the announcement of winners, panelists Man Bahadur Mukhia (Literary figure), Tania Dhakwa (Chief of Communications at UNICEF Nepal), Dr. Sagun Ballav Panta (Psychiatrist at Teaching Hospital), and Dr. Rojina Manandhar (Psychologist/Clinical Hypnotherapist) shared their take on Emotional and Mental Health, and the importance of literature in expressing oneself.

    The theme of this contest was “Emotional/Mental Well-being and Cultural Identity” to address the growing mental health issues especially among youths and the importance of culture in establishing one’s own identity. The contest was open to youths from age group 15 to 30 year old. The participants were encouraged to submit their original writing in Nepali or English on topics like “Emotional/Mental Well-Being”, “Cultural Identity” and “Cultural Identity supporting Emotional/Mental Well-Being” or any topic of choice in line with these three titles by November 15, 2020. The submissions were anonymously reviewed by experienced and qualified literary experts who were: A) English Category: James C Hopkins, Lisa Choegyal, and Tania Dhakwaa B) Nepali Category: Anupam Pokhrel, Man Bahadur Mukhiya, and Dr. Ram Prasad Dahal The two sponsoring organizations were represented by Rajesh B Pradhan, President Daya Foundation and by Keepa M Handa, Executive Member, Health. Ltn. Gen. KNS Thapa, President RC Kathmandu Midtown.

    Chief Guest of Honor, District Governor Rajib Pokharel along with the sponsoring organizations shared positive notes regarding this type of initiative and collaborative effort for youth welfare at national level.

    Representing the organizing team, Moderator and MC Neeva Mathema Pradhan is Executive Member and Founder of Daya Foundation a non-profit organization that provides financial, technical and volunteer assistance to various projects in the areas of Education, Health and Culture. The poetry contest is part of Daya Foundation’s initiative to promote Culture. Past President, Rotary Club of Kathmandu Mid-town, Neeva M Pradhan also oversees “Young Professional Vocational/Skills Training” whose objective is to help develop youth skills and equip them with various toolsto apply in the practical field. UNICEF Nepal, headed by Tania Dhakhwa, Chief of Communications Unicef, collaborated with Daya Foundation and RC Kathmandu Mid-Town to raise awareness on Mental Health and the rise in depressive illnesses and suicide cases among youth in recent months. All of these institutions promoted and live streamed the event in their respective Facebook pages.

    The poetry contest will be ongoing every quarter and the dates and time frame will be posted in social media. It was agreed by all participating institutions that this type of safe platform for youth voices is much needed in current times and should be encouraged and promoted. This collaborative effort could help alleviate the ongoing crisis and bring a positive note in our community with a sense of belongingness.

     

  • Chitra Bahadur KC returns home after recovery from Covid-19

    Chitra Bahadur KC returns home after recovery from Covid-19

    Kathmandu: Rastriya Janamorcha Chairman Chitra Bahadur KC has returned home after achieving recovery from Covid-19.

    The octogenarian leader, admitted to Mediciti Hospital in Lalitpur on November 10 after suffering from pneumonia and coronavirus infection, got discharged from the hospital on Tuesday evening.

    Issuing a press release today, Chair KC thanked doctors and health workers involved in his treatment, as well as well-wishers.

    He also thanked the government for bearing all the expenses required for his treatment.

  • President issues ordinance to clear the decks for import of Covid-19 vaccines

    President issues ordinance to clear the decks for import of Covid-19 vaccines

    Kathmandu: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has issued an ordinance enabling the government to import vaccines against the coronavirus infection as soon as they are available in the international market.

    Bhandari issued an ordinance to amend the Drugs Act so as to clear the decks for the import of the vaccines.

    Just a few days ago, health Minister Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal had revealed that the government was issuing an ordinance to import the vaccines.

    The constitution has it that whenever the federal parliament is prorogued, the president can issue an ordinance in recommendation of the government to enact any law whenever necessary. Such an ordinance has to be endorsed by the parliament within six months.

  • Poetry Contest – on Emotional/Mental Well-Being and Cultural Identity

    Poetry Contest – on Emotional/Mental Well-Being and Cultural Identity

    DHANGADHI: Focusing on youth talent and given the current pandemic situation, three organizations have collaborated to bring a poetry writing contest to encourage youths. Daya Foundation and Rotary Club of Kathmandu Mid-town in collaboration with UNICEF Nepal have organized this poetry contest. The winners and finalists will be announced on November 27 at 05:00PM at the live webinar. UNICEF will have few of the poetries recited during their November 20, World Children’s Day Festival.

    In their recent study, UNICEF revealed that there was 40 percent increase in youth depressive illnesses and suicide rates, especially among females, since COVID. We hope this kind of initiative will provide a platform and encourage youths to share their feelings and emotions and give hope. The top 10 finalists will also present their poems live at a webinar on November 27.

    The theme of this contest is “Emotional/Mental Well-being and Cultural Identity” to address the growing mental and emotional health issues especially among youths and the importance of culture in helping to define one’s own identity. The contest is open to youths from age group 15 to 30-year-old.

    The participants are encouraged to submit their original writing in Nepali or English on topics related to “Emotional/Mental Well-Being”, “Cultural Identity” and “Cultural Identity supporting Emotional/Mental Well-Being” or any topic of choice in line with these three by November 15, 2020. 5 winners from each language category will be awarded NRs. 10,000/- each. The panel of judges consists of experienced and qualified literary experts:

    1) English Category: Poet and writer, James C Hopkins, Lisa Choegyal, Past President Rotary Club Kathmandu Midtown and Tania Dhakhwa, Chief of Communication, UNICEF.

    2) Nepali Category: Anoopam Pokhrel, Faculty and poet, Silver Mountain School of Hotel Management, Man Bahadur Mukhiya, Poet and Faculty Xavier Academy, and Ram Prasad Dahal, Faculty Kathmandu Engineering College.

    The judges will unanimously select 5 winners from their respective category and the winners will present their poetry in a live webinar.

    This collaborative effort was initiated by Neeva M. Pradhan, Founding Member and past President, Daya Foundation which is a non-profit organization that provides financial, technical and volunteer assistance to different projects in the areas of Education, Health and Culture. This contest is part of Daya Foundation’s initiative to promote Culture. Daya Foundation President Rajesh B Pradhan encourages such collaborative effort for the foundation. As the Immediate Past President Rotary Club of Kathmandu Mid-town, Neeva Pradhan coordinates the “Young Professional Vocational/Skills Training”. The objective is to help develop youth skills and equips them with various tools to be applicable in the practical field. Rotary Club President, Ltn. Gen. KNS Thapa is encouraged to see such partnership to benefit the youth groups including the Rotaracts and Interacts. UNICEF Nepal is collaborating with the above two institutions to raise awareness in Mental Health during the month of November in celebration of World Children’s Day.

    Further details of the contest and the organizers can be found in their respective Facebook pages. Other partnering institutions are Xavier Academy, Kathmandu Engineering College, Silver Mountain School of Hotel Management, Team NEPO, Kathmandu University, Rotary clubs, Rotaract and Interact Clubs, Rupy’s International School and few other schools, colleges and organizations that have encouraged their youths to participate in this initiative.