- Wednesday, 18 December 2024
Kathmandu, Feb 10 : Nepal has won the three-match bilateral one-day international (ODI) series against Canada.
In the second match held at Kirtipur-based Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground on Saturday, Nepal registered its second win by four wickets.
Winning the toss, Canada had chosen to bat first. Canada posted a target of 286 runs before Nepal. Nepal won the match in 45.1 overs losing six wickets. Captain Rohit Kumar Poudel scored the highest 87 runs while Dev Khanal 76 runs and Anil Kumar Saha 50 runs.
Similarly, Bhim Sarki gathered 23 runs, Pawan Sarraf 14 and Ashif Sheikh 10 runs. Towards bawling, Canadians Harsh Thaker and Ishwarjot Sohi took two wickets each while Saad Bin Zafar and Dilpreet Bajwa one wicket each.
Earlier, opting to bat first after winning the toss, Canada had gathered 285 runs on the determined 50 overs by losing nine wickets. Aaron Johnson of Canada made the highest 65 runs while Navneet Dhaliwal 46, Shreyas Movva 40 runs, Pargat Singh 38, Nicholas Kirton 20 runs, Uday Bhagwan 20, Dilpreet Bajwa 19 runs and Shahid Ahmadzai 13 runs.
Towards bawling, Rohit Kumar Paudel and Kushal Malla took two wickets each while Sompal Kami, Surya Tamang, Aakash Chand and Pawan Sarraf one wicket each.
Nepal had won its first match against Canada by seven runs on Thursday. Nepal had played ODI series with Canada for the first time.
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Trade promotion at border area will be managed: PM Dahal
Kathmandu, Feb 10: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said the development and trade promotion at border area will be managed via diplomatic channel in the days ahead.
Inaugurating the 24th general assembly of Nepal Trans-Himalaya Commerce Association here today, PM Dahal viewed he was aware of the need to set up infrastructures for trade promotion. “I’ve paid attention to the operation of Nepal-China border points while I’m leading the government for the third time,” he said, informing that the mobility via Tatopani and other northern border points was eased now.
Moreover, he reminded that during his last visit to China, he had thorough discussions on need of joint efforts of Nepal and China for the development in border region. It counts a lot on trans-border trade promotion, he argued.
The Association which emerged in the name of Tatopani Trade Cooperation Association in 2055BS has now expanded into the present stage. It is the umbrella organization of Nepalis involved in Nepal-China trade.
Currently, there are more than 1200 active members with the Association.
PM Dahal observed that these traders had important role on management of trans-border business, focusing on Tatopani and Rasuwa. He also appreciated the support the Association extended during disasters and crisis as COVID-19.
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Tilak Sapkota memorial football cup to Oxford College
Nawalpur, Feb 10: The Gaindakot-based Oxford College has won the cup of the Tilak Prasad Sapkota Memorial Inter-Secondary district-level knock-out football tournament held in Gaindakot, Nawalpur.
Oxford College clinched the medal in the tournament organized by the Free Student Union (FSU) of Gaindakot-based Kalika Sanskrit Vidhyapeeth in memory of the late social reformer and freedom fighter Tilak Prasad Sapkota.
In the final match held on Friday, the Oxford team defeated Janak Model Secondary School 2-1, informed Vidhyapeeth FSU President Narayan Basyal.
A total of 16 schools participated in the tournament that took place since last February 1 in commemoration of the 80th birth anniversary of Sapkota, the Vidhyapeeth founder.
Oxford strikers, Rajeeb Tamang and Reejan Kandel scored one each goal to steer their team to victory. With the cup, the Oxford College received a cash prize of Rs 66, 666. The runner-up, Janak Secondary School, bagged a cash prize of Rs 33,333.
Delivering his remarks in the closing ceremony, former province minister and Nepali Congress gandaki province general-secretary Bishnu Prasad Lamichhane said taking the name of the late Sapkota would make his chest wide with pride.
Referring to Sapkota’s personality, Lamichhane recalled that Sapkota had dedicated his life for the transformation of the country without personally hoping for achievement. “The late Sapkota made immense contributions to the political, social and educational sector with ethics and integrity”, Lamichhane added.
On the occasion, Keshab Prasad Sapkota, son of late Sapkota, said that the Tilak Prasad Foundation would collaborate with the FSU to conduct the competition annually.
It may be noted that Sapkota’s family had sponsored the first prize money of Rs 66,666. Deputy Mayor of Gaindakot Municipality Shanti Koirala, Chairman of Kalika Sanskrit Vidyapeeth Om Prasad Sapkota, President of Nepal Students Union Nawalpur District Committee Hari Subedi, among others, spoke about the late Sapkota’s personality.
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Sonam Lhosar being observed today
Kathmandu, Feb 10: The Tamang community is celebrating Sonam Lhosar, meaning New Year, by organizing various programs today.
According to the Manjushree calendar, the 2860th year starts from today. From today, the tiger year enters after completing the cow year. Sonam Lhosar festival is celebrated every year on the occasion of Magh Shukla Pratipada with various programs.
Sonam Lhosar is divided into 12 categories: rat, cow, tiger, rabbit, dragon (cloud), snake, horse, sheep, monkey, bird, dog and pig.
The festival is specially celebrated in different districts of Bagmati region where Tamang caste is predominant. The government has given a public holiday across the country on the occasion of the festival being celebrated on Saturday this year.
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Nepal playing its second match against Canada
Kathmandu, Feb 10: Nepal is playing the second match of the one-day international series against Canada today.
The match is scheduled to start at 9:15 am at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. Earlier on Thursday, Nepal defeated Canada in the first match of the series. Nepal won the match by seven runs. Batting first, Nepal scored 224 runs for the loss of all wickets in 50 overs.
Chasing a target of 225 runs, Canada scored 217 runs for the loss of all wickets in 47.5 overs. Captain Rohit Kumar Poudel took four wickets in that match.
Nepal wants to win today’s match and take control of the series against Canada. In the previous match, Nepal performed well in bowling, but the batting was weak. Kushal Bhurtel scored 68 runs and Arif Sheikh scored 38 runs. This is the first time Nepal has played an ODI series against Canada.
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Snowfall likely in Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki
Kathmandu, Feb 10: The influence of westerly wind is currently partly prevailing in Nepal. The weather will be partly cloudy in the hilly region and mainly fair in the rest of the country.
According to a bulletin issued by the Weather Forecasting Division of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, fog has occurred in many places of the Tarai.
The weather will be partly cloudy in the hilly regions of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces and mainly fair in the rest of the country. Similarly, light snowfall is likely to occur at some places of the high hilly and mountainous regions of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces in the afternoon.
The weather will be partly cloudy in the hilly regions of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces and generally fair in the rest of the country tonight.
Light snowfall is likely to occur at some places of the high hilly and mountainous regions of Koshi and Gandaki provinces tonight, the Division said.
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First match of the tri-series against Namibia
Kathmandu, Feb 10: Nepal is set to take on Namibia in the first match of the tri-nation T-20 series. The match is scheduled to be held at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on February 27. The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) announced the schedule for the series on Friday. Nepal will take on the Netherlands in the second match of the series on the basis of double round robin on February 28.
Similarly, Nepal is scheduled to play the third match of the league stage against Namibia on March 1 and the last match of the league phase against the Netherlands on March 2. The final match of the series will be played on March 5.
The Teams of Namibia and The Netherlands are coming to Nepal to play the ICC Cricket World Cup League-2 starting this week in Kathmandu. Nepal, which has been selected for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, is going to play two consecutive series to prepare for the tournament. Nepal is currently playing a three-match ODI series against Canada. After the three-match ODI series against Canada, Nepal will play a tri-series under the World Cup League-2.
The series is scheduled to run from February 15 to 25. The Nepali team for the League-2 tri-series has already been announced. Asif Sheikh, Kushal Bhurtel, Kushal Malla, Arif Sheikh, Pawan Sarraf, Bhim Sarki, Arjun Saud, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Lalit Rajbanshi, Surya Tamang and Rijan Dhakal. The alternative players for Nepal are Pratish GC, Dev Khanal, Anil Shah and Bibek Yadav.
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20 passengers injured in a bus accident
Bharatpur (Chitwan), Feb 10: At least 20 people have been injured in a bus accident in Chitwan. The bus (Ba 01-006 Kha 2004) en route to Kathmandu from Rautahat collided with a truck (Pra 203-001 Kha 7312) parked on the roadside at Gadyauli of Rapti Municipality-2 along the East-West Highway last night.
Suresh Subedi, chief of the District Traffic Police Office, Chitwan, said that all the injured were passengers of the bus. Two of the injured are in critical condition. The injured are undergoing treatment at Chitwan Medical College, Bharatpur. Subedi said the driver of the bus is absconding and search operation is underway.
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Poor to receive identity card
Chitwan, Feb 10: Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation, Ranjita Shrestha Chaudhari, has said government was identifying poor people and distributing identity cards to them.
Talking to media persons here today, Minister Chaudhari informed that poor are categorized with identification and identity cards provided accordingly.
“Present distribution of identity cards to poor will be made more effective,” she said, asserting that government was working actively to alleviate poverty.
She further shared that the land commission was also working for distributing lands to the landless squatters.
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Chairman Oli extends best wishes
Kathmandu, Feb 10: Chairman of the CPN UML, KP Sharma Oli, has extended best wishes to all Nepalis on the occasion of the Sonam Lhosar festival today.
Issuing a message of best wishes, Chairman Oli wished health, happiness and prosperity of all Nepalis on this occasion.
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CM Shah pledges to implement RTI
Sudurpaschim, Feb 10: Sudurpaschim Province’s Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah asserted that he was committed to implementing citizen’s right to information (RTI).
At an orientation programme organized in Kailali on Friday, CM Shah clarified that the provincial government was ready to create enabling environment for effective implementation of the RTI. “We will not be able to reach anywhere if there is no accountability and transparency. The issue of RTI is important towards this.”
National Information Commission’s Chief Commissioner Mahendra Man Gurung viewed that the meaningful participation of citizens was needed for use and practice of the RTI to ensure good-governance and economic prosperity.
Similarly, Chairperson of the National Federation for RTI, Umid Bagchand, shared that the campaign was launched for the welfare of the citizens by effectively implementing RTI.
RTI activist Yadunath Banjara informed that the legal provision stipulates that every public agency should automatically publish its activities every three months and provide information to the information seekers within 15 days of application.
On the occasion, Secretary at the Province’s Ministry for Internal Affairs and Law, Sushil Vaidya, journalists Dirgharaj Upadhyay and Chitranga Thapa shed light on the current state of the RTI in Nepal.
The orientation saw encouraging participations of working journalists in various districts of Sudurpaschim Province.
The RTI is enshrined in constitution as the fundamental rights of the citizens. However, many public agencies are still lax to provide information about their activities.
It was shared that in 16 years span, National Information Commission had to take action against over 36 information officers and chief of the offices from various public bodies reluctant to provide information.
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‘Govt to allow running medical college at Gaighat’
Gaighat, Feb 10: Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Ashok Kumar Rai, has said government was ready to permit running of medical college at Gaighat of Triyuga municipality in Udayapur district.
At a programme organized here today, Minister Rai shared that government had attached high priority on education and health sectors. The federal government is committed to facilitating the launch of medical college at Gaighat.
The local people had been demanding operation of medical college for long.
“The stakeholders and civic leaders had submitted memorandums to the previous governments, demanding a medical college here. Present government is positive to this,” he stressed.
According to him, government was planning to issue permission for establishing six medical colleges across the country. He vowed that after local government provides proper land for it, federal government would permit for the establishment.
On the occasion, Mayor Basanta Kumar Basnet also informed that local level was preparing for management of necessary land for medical infrastructure. The land would be determined within a month for initiating detailed project report (DPR), he vowed.
Deputy Mayor Maheshwori Rai informed that once the medical college is established, students from Khotang, Okhaldhunga, Solukhumbu, Udayapur and Bhojpur districts and vicinity would be benefitted. It would help control capital flight as well, she reminded.
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Narayani Hospital sees rise in patients’ flow by 23 per cent
Parsa, Feb 10: The Birgunj-based Narayani Hospital has witnessed significant rise in patients’ flow since the hospital launched specialized services.
The number of patients visiting the hospital has soared up by 23 percent after the Hospital started offering modern healthcare services, such as MRI, CitiScan, dialysis, endoscopy and echocardiogram (eco) among others at a reasonable price, according to the Hospital.
A total of 110,326 patients were recorded within six months last fiscal year, while during the same period this fiscal year, 135,702 patients visited the Hospital, an increase by 24,276, according to Dr Uday Narayan Singh, Information Officer at the Narayani Hospital.
Dr Singh viewed that the increasing number of patients visiting the Hospital could be attributed to the growing trust of people in doctors and hospital services.
The Hospital also attracts patients from bordering Indian cities, Dr Singh added. The services provided here are 40 per cent cheaper than other hospitals in the locality.
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Make good governance foundation of prosperity: Minister Sharma
Kathmandu, Feb 10: Minister for Communications and Information, Rekha Sharma, has said good governance should be made a foundation of prosperity.
Inaugurating the second general assembly of FNCCI Bagmati Province here today, Minister Sharma viewed good governance in all sides, including government and private sectors, could prop up efforts to economic prosperity.
She, however, said, “It is true we are facing resource confines, but more worrying is nonuse of available resources.” Minister Sharma also admitted that there are irregularities and leakages in government sector, while private sectors are also dodging tax and misusing public property.
According to her, government is mandated to bring meaningful change in people’s life with prosperity by fortifying the changed political system. “Changing people’s life is elevating their economic condition in particular. So, it is imperative to develop national economy,” Minister Sharma underlined.
Moreover, she argued that development in agriculture, tourism, hydropower and IT could pave way for country’s economic prosperity. So, we had no option but to increase production in these sectors and ensure dividend to people.
“Dalal punjibad (crony capitalism) has the notion to extract State/public property, exploit people and incur individual profit. But, against this, collective investment and benefit sharing for national capital formation can pave foundation for socialist economy. We have to be clear on it,” Sharma explained.
Moreover, time has come for augmenting investment for national capital formation and self-reliant economy. For it, government is committed, the Minister underlined.
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Canada gives Nepal target of 286 runs
Kathmandu, Feb 10: Canada has set a target of 286 runs against Nepal in the second match of the three-match ODI series today.
In the match being held at the TU International Cricket Ground, Canada won the toss and chose to bat first. It amassed 285 runs loosing nine wickets in the scheduled 50 overs.
Similarly, opener Aron Jonshon accumulated the highest 65 runs with 10 fours and 2 sixes for Canada. Likewise, Navneet Dhaliwal scored 46 runs, Sheyas Movva 40 runs, Pargat Singh 38 runs while, and Nicholas Kirton and Uday Bhawan made 20 runs each.
Similarly, Dilpreet Bajwa secured 19 runs while Shahid Ahmadzai 13 runs.
For Nepal’s team, Rohit Poudel and Kushal Malla took two wickets each, while Sompal Kami, Surya Tamang, Akash Chand and Pawan Saraff took one wicket each.
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Fulfill citizens’ expectations: Leader Khanal
Kaski, Feb 10: CPN (Unified Socialist) leader Jhalanath Khanal said the government should fulfill citizen’s expectations.
At a press meet organized by the Socialist Press Organization Kaski chapter in Pokhara today, leader Khanal, who is also the former prime minister, said that there was growing dissatisfaction and anger among citizen due to political apathy to their expectation. Stating that the citizens were feeling ‘directionless’ at present, the former Prime Minister reminded, urging the government to address basic problems facing the citizens.
He argued that the monarchists and revivalists forces were becoming more powerful lately because the government failed to deliver properly. He, thus, viewed that those in power should consider amendment in their policies and programmes.
According to him, there is division and difference in the communist movement in the country due to wrong ideological and political work direction. “The communist movement could be unified again if there were right work direction,” he expressed his confidence.
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Federalism thrives on collaborative efforts: PM Dahal
Kathmandu, Feb 10: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said collaboration among all sides working for identity and rights helps foster federalism. PM Dahal said it while addressing a programme organized on the occasion of the Lhosar festival at Tundikhel today.
He urged the audience to know well about the political forces which fought for identity and rights in the country. Remaining tasks of political struggle would be carried out gradually, Dahal assured.
The PM reminded that when he was leading the government for second time, 753 local levels were determined and institutions set up as per federalism. Currently, government is prioritizing enforcement of federalism, he shared.
Similarly, national coordination council has convened twice and report on work enlargement being finalized as part of better implementation of federalism. “Efforts are underway to strengthen provinces so that federalism would be robust. Slew of bills relating to federal civil service, education, and police are being passed. Integration of police has reached final stage,” PM shared.
According to him, implementation of constitution will be ensured through reinforcement of revolutionary forces, party and leadership, for which all should be serious.
Moreover, PM Dahal committed that Tamang community of Bagmati Province will have representation in the government in the next round of Cabinet reshuffle at federal level. He also assured that government would increase support to Tamang community for the celebration of Lhosar festival.
On the occasion, Chairman of Nepal Tamang Ghedung Main Celebration Committee, Bir Bahadur Yonjan, and others spoke on Tamang community’s contribution to history and State affairs.
Sonam Lhosar is observed by the Tamang community in Nepal. It is said the population of Tamang community over 1.6 million in the country. This ethnicity is settled largely in Bagmati Province. Lhosar is the New Year of this community.
As per calendar of Tamang ethnicity, the Dragon Year began today, while they bid farewell to ‘Cat Year.’
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Integrated efforts needed to address issues of oceans, mountains
Kathmandu, Feb 10: Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Prakash Saud has said that Nepal’s development aspirations rely on the Indian Ocean and this was a medium to understand the state of Hindu Kush Himalayan’s ecosystem and climate change.
Addressing the Seventh Indian Ocean Conference organized at Perth of Austraia, Minister Saud stated that there is an organic link between the Himalayas and the Ocean and the ocean and mountain issues should be dealt with an integrated and holistic manner.
The Minister added that the Indian Ocean was a major partner for Nepal’s foreign trade and a lifeline to reach the international market. In his address, he underscored the importance of the Indian Ocean for Nepal in reaching the international market and hence stressed stability and sustainability of the Indian Ocean for landlocked countries like Nepal.
The conference organized by the Government of Australia and India Foundation witnessed the participation of leaders, ministers and representative from think tanks from different regions and countries. On the occasion, Minister Saud said that the Indian Ocean should be viewed as a centre of civilization, not merely limiting it in a geography. “Indian Ocean should be viewed from geopolitics, geo-strategic and economic importance,” the Minister added.
Saud added that the Indian Ocean has been facing both traditional and non-traditional security threats. He stated that it was a matter of unfortunate that terrorism, robbery, smuggling of narcotics drugs and weapons, human trafficking, illegal migration and obstacles in navigation freedom have stood as the serious security threats.
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Three literary figures prized
Kathmandu, Feb 10: The Trimurti Niketan has prized three literary figures on the occasion of the 122nd birth anniversary of dramatist Bal Krishna Sama and 17th Trimurti Day. All the three prizes carry a purse of Rs 100,000 each.
Prof Mukunda Sharan Upadhyay was prized with ‘Lekhnath Kavya Puraskar 2079’ for his outstanding contributions and publicity of classical verse as well as it creations.
Likewise, popular dramatist Hari Bahadur Thapa was given away ‘Bal Krishna Sama Puraskar 2079’ for his outstanding performance and writing of the dramas.
Similarly, Jaya Prasad Pandey received ‘Devkota Kavya Puraskar 2079’ for his contributions to promotion of Nepali poetry and publishing and editing the unpublished works of the poet laureate Laxmi Prasad Devkota, according to founder and member-secretary of Trimurti Niketan Narendra Raj Prasain.
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‘New budget will focus on infrastructure, education, employment’
Nuwakot, Feb 4: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has said that the upcoming fiscal year’s budget will focus on infrastructure development, skills generating education and employment creation.
Addressing a Lhosar cultural programme organized by the Tamang community at Tarakeshwor in Nuwakot district on Saturday, the Finance Minister said that the budget would give more emphasis on employment generation by boosting people’s income sources.
“Development could not take a pace for long in the past due to political uncertainties. Now, the target will be to make economy robust from development of infrastructure and employment creation through vocational and skills generating education if the resources and means permitted,” according to the Finance Minister.
He also expressed the confidence that development will take a speed as political stability was maintained in the country. On the occasion, Finance Minister Mahat reiterated that the federal government has prioritized the development of Galchhi-Rasuwagadhi road and Tokha-Chhahare tunnel route.
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Teachers provide one-month salary to purchase school bus
Jhapa, Feb 10: Teachers of a school in Jhapa district have provided one month salary to purchase a school bus.
Ex-Student Forum of Balsewa Basic School located at Shivasatakshi municipality-7 in the district had launched a campaign with the collaboration of the school to purchase a school bus. All the teachers of the school provided their one-month salary to make the campaign successful. They donated total Rs 440,816.
School Principal Benu Prasad Karki said the amount was collected from teachers as school bus was necessary for the school. Guardians, and social workers have also expressed commitment to support the campaign.
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Nepal U-23 Team beats China’s Qinghai Football Club
Kathmandu, Feb 10: Nepali won friendly football match held between Nepali U-23 team and China’s Qinghai Football Club.
Nepal defeated Chinese team by 5-1 in the match held at Tripureshwor-based Dasharath Stadium on Saturday on the occasion of Chinese New Year.
Samir Tamang scored two goals for Nepal in 39th minutes and 54th minutes. Similarly, Sanjeev Bista, Tshering Lama and Nirajan Dhami one goal each. Sanjeev registered goal in second minute of the match while Tshering in 63rd minutes and Nirajan in 75th minutes.
The match was jointly organised by National Sports Council and Chinese Embassy in Nepal where Minister for Youth and Sports, Dig Bahadur Limbu, National Assembly Chairperson, Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, Member-Secretary of NSC, Tanka Lal Ghising, among others were present.
Different types of cultural processions were presented on the occasion.
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CPN (Maoist Centre)’s cc meeting tomorrow
Kathmandu, Feb 10: A central committee meeting of the CPN (Maoist Centre) is taking place Sunday. It is scheduled at City Hall at 11:00 am on Sunday, said Party’s Vice-Chairperson and Spokesperson, Agni Prasad Sapkota.
The two-day meeting has an agenda to make special review about the four-month long ‘Maoist’s Special Campaign with People’ run by the party.
Sapkota shared that discussion would also be held on contemporary political issues as well as party’s performance and its statute convention schedule from February 13.
The CPN (Maoist Centre) had involved in building party’s organisations, reconstruction task, visited martyrs’ families, families of disappeared persons, injured and disabled party’s cadres during four-month campaign. It also informed the people about campaign launched for good governance and prosperity.
The campaign was launched from September 2, 2023 to January 2, 2024.
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Minister Kirati stresses on operating new international airports on ppp model
Dharan, Feb 10: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sudan Kirati, has said a committee has been formed to study for the operation of new international airports on public private partnership model.
At a programme organised at Baleka municipality on Saturday, Minister Kirati pointed out the need of bringing new international airports into operation to fulfill the target of bringing in 3.5 million foreign tourists in 10 years, adding the study committee was formed for the same.
Sharing that the target of bringing in one million foreign tourists in 2023 was fulfilled, he underscored the need of some changes in tourism act for the development of tourism sector of the country.
The Tourism Minister mentioned that a draft of tourism policy has already been sent to Finance Ministry.
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