- Wednesday, 18 December 2024
Kathmandu, April 15: Nepal has entered the semi-final of ACC Men’s Premier Cup T20-2024. In today’s match held at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman, it defeated Hong Kong by eight wickets to secure its berth in the semi-final.
Nepal, playing from Group ‘A’ in the group match, entered the semi-final ahead of one match. It collects six points to be at the topmost position of the Group. Nepal won the opening match against Malaysia by five wickets and defeated Qatar by 32 runs in the second match.
In today’s match, Nepal, which was chasing a 115-run target presented by Hong Kong, met the target in 12.2 overs at the loss of two wickets. Nepal’s Aasif Sheikh was the top scorer for the team, scoring 40 with three sixes and three boundaries in 18 balls. Similarly, Kushal Bhurtel hit 19 with three fours and two sixes in 19 balls.
Captain Rohit Paudel was not out with 25 including three boundaries in 20 balls while Sundeep Jora was not out with 19 including one boundary and one six in 17 balls.
Ehsan Khan and Yasim Murtaza of Hong Kong took one wicket each.
Hong Kong was invited to bat first by losing the toss and completed the first innings with 114 in 17.5 overs at the loss of all wickets.
For the team, Anshy Rath was the top scorer with 34 including four boundaries and one six in 26 balls.
Zeeshan Ali scored 14 and captain Nizakat Khan 12 followed by 11 from Ehsan Khan. No remaining players could hit score a double-digit. Towards bowling, Abhinash Bohora took three wickets followed by two each from Lalit Rajbanshi and Dipendra Singh Airee. Karan KC dismissed one batsman.
Nepal will be meeting the Saudi Arabia for the last match of the group on April 17.
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Chaiti Chhath concludes offering ‘argha’ to rising sun
Mahottari, April 15: The Baasanti (Chaite) Chhath festival concluded in Mithila region this morning by offering ‘argha’ to the rising sun.
The devotees on fast since the completion of ‘Kharna’ ritual on Saturday night concluded this year’s Chaiti Chhath festival by offering argha to the rising sun in the morning.
Paran (closing) is performed on the Baasanti Chhath with the devotees on fast offering argha to the sunrise this morning.
Chhath festival, which is celebrated twice a year in autumn and spring season, has now concluded this year (2080).
Standing in the water bodies like pond, river and well, the devotees offered water to the setting sun on Sunday evening and the rising sun on Monday morning. Chaite Chhath is celebrated for four days wishing for peace, prosperity and longevity of their family members.
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ACC premier cup: Nepal taking on Hong Kong today
Kathmandu, April 15: Nepal is playing its third match against Hong Kong under the ACC Men’s Premier Cup today.
The match will begin at 11:15 am at the Al-Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman.
Nepal will advance to the semi-finals if it secures win in today’s match.
Nepal is in Group ‘A’ with Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Qatar. Nepal is at the top of Group ‘A’ with four points.
Nepal has won both the matches so far. Nepal defeated Malaysia by five wickets in the first match and Qatar by 32 runs in the second match.
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“Everyone has the freedom to join the party. But now let’s not look the party. Those who are competent and honest with integrity should be provided opportunity on merit. This will only create a new situation in the country.” the PM noted.
Noted academician Kedar Bhakta Mathema, on behalf of the academics, said that the appointment of office-bearers through open competition in the university was itself important due to PM Dahal’s stance.
This is a good example in itself and this initiates a new legacy, he said, adding “We believe that this will greatly improve the quality of higher education and bring positive results.”
A group of academic comprising Dr Gaurishanker Lal Das, Dr Govinda Pokharel, Dr Sanduk Ruit, Dr Arjun Karki, Dr JP Agrawal, Dr Nareshman Bajracharya and Dr Aseem Dhakal reached PM’s official residence to thank PM Dahal for the initiative.
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Reforms needed to increase women’s participation in elections: Chief Commissioner
Kathmandu, April 15: Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya has said that the existing laws and social environment should be improved to increase the meaningful participation of women in elections.
Speaking in the inaugural session of an interaction on ‘Elections and Women: Efforts, Achievements and Future Action Plan of Nepal’, organized here today by the Election Commission and the UN Women in the context of International Women’s Day, Chief Commissioner Thapaliya expressed concern over the trend of giving women’s candidacy only in the positions considered binding by law and not ensuring the participation of women in the overall politics.
Thapaliya said that although the number of the people’s representatives who won the last election of Nepal is higher than the Asian countries, it cannot absorb the spirit of proportional inclusiveness of Nepal’s constitution. “In our understanding, the ability of women in politics has been devalued. They have been deprived of rights and opportunities in a competitive way,” Thapaliya said.
According to the Chief Election Commisisoner, overall, the environment for women’s participation in elections has not been created enthusiastically. There have also been instances of violence against women involved in politics through social media, he added.
In order to improve all these situations, it seems that groups including the inter-party women’s network should facilitate more. At present, about 42 percent of women participate in the local level, 36 percent in the province level and 34 percent in the federal parliament.
Similarly, Election Commissioner Dr Janaki Kumari Tuladhar stressed on the need to increase the number of women voters for the meaningful participation of women in the elections and informed that necessary facilitation is being done to increase the participation on behalf of the Commission.
Ravilal Panth, secretary of the commission, said that as per Article 34 (4) of the Constitution of Nepal, representation should be based on the principle of proportional inclusion at all levels of the State, so the Commission is working to make the electoral system gender-friendly.
Patricia Fernandez, the Country Representative of UN Women in Nepal, said that since the meaningful participation of women in politics is the basic qualification of democracy. Experts Gopal Krishna Sivakoti and Saru Joshi are scheduled to present suggestions on different areas in a group discussion sessions to ensure a strong participation of women in elections.
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Disasters resulted in 493 fatalities in 2080 BS
Kathmandu, April 15: In 2080 BS, a series of disasters resulted in 493 casualties, with 31 individuals reported missing and 1,616 injured.According to Joint Secretary Bharatmani Pandey of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, throughout the year, Nepal recorded a total of 6,400 incidents of natural disasters, affecting 80,716 families.
The calamities, including landslides, floods, boat capsizes, lightning strikes, snakebites, fires, heavy rains, non-natural disasters, high winds, earthquakes, flu outbreaks, animal attacks, avalanches, and snowfall, caused property losses amounting to Rs 5.42 billion.
The most devastating event was the Jajarkot earthquake on November 3, which claimed 155 lives. Fires also caused significant damage, with 4,061 incidents reported from Baisakh 1 to Chait 30 of 2080 BS (April 14, 2023 – April 12, 2024), resulting in 106 casualties, 504 injuries, and affecting 5,130 families, with property losses exceeding Rs 2.52 billion.
Similarly, the country witnessed 250 lightning incidents, resulting in 46 fatalities and 228 injuries. Animal assaults claimed 45 lives and left 278 injured. Landslides accounted for 50 deaths, while avalanches, forest fires, and other disasters caused further casualties.Similarly, landslides caused 50 deaths followed by 18 from flood, 20 from snakebites, 12 from avalanches, and 11 from forest fires.
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Two minors killed in Achham fire
Achham, April15: Two minors died in a fire in Achham. They died when the roof of a house caught fire in Shodsha of Mellekh Rural Municipality Ward No. 6.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Santosh Pathak, Chief of the District Police Office, Achham, said that around eight years old Bhawana Bohra, the daughter of local Deepak Bohra and about six years old, Gopal Bohra, the son of Ramesh Bohra, died in the fire.
According to him, on Monday morning, the fire that suddenly broke out on the thatched roof and the minors died in the same fire. The police said that the incident is being investigated.
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President Paudel inaugurates Khadgakalika Temple in Tanahun
Damauli (Tanahun), April 15: President Ramchandra Paudel today inaugurated the historical Khadgakalika Temple located in Byas Municipality-11 Tanahunsur in the district. President Paudel inaugurated the temple in a programme held here on the occasion of the week-long World Heritage Day.
The Head of the State had arrived in his home district today for the temple inauguration event. The temple reconstruction started two years back with the financial support of the Department of Archaeology.
Constituent Assembly member Ramchandra Pokhrel, Gandaki Provincial Assembly member Ashok Kumar Shrestha, Byas Municipality Mayor Baikunth Neupane and other officials participated in the programme.
The Khadgakalika Temple was constructed around the year 1675 during the reign of King Mukundasena of Palpa. The temple was in a dilapidated state and it was reconstructed at a cost of Rs 5 million.
The palace in Tanahunsur was excavated by the Department of Archeology in 2076 BS (four years back). The Khadgadevi temple near the same palace has been reconstructed. Dal Bahadur Dura informed that the dilapidated temple has been reconstructed in its original architectural style. According to him, there is a legend that the Sen dynasty king used to worship in that temple.
Tanahun Kalika Temple has also been built in Byas-4, Damauli of Tanahun as a replica of Khadgakalika. Legend has it that the name of Tanahun district is derived from Tanahunsur. There is a history that Manimukunda Sen, the king of Palpa, sent his eldest son Bhringisen to rule the state in Tanahun in 1610 and eight Senvanshi kings after him ruled the state from Tanahunsur for two hundred and thirty years.
The remnants of Tanahunsur palace, forts used by the royal family, water spouts, cannons and other weapons, ordnance factory, Gaddi Chautara where the king conducts justice and court, Saune Kuva, Kundapani, Baisindhi Chautari, Dhungesangu, Phulpati Dhunga, Ranipokhari, Dharamshala, Ranibagincha, Bhagwati Pani Mandir are the tourist sites around here.
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Schedule of Third Nepal Investment Summit made public
Kathmandu, April 15: The two-day schedule of the Third Investment Summit going to be organized in the federal capital, Kathmandu, on April 28 and 29 has been made public. As per the information shared by the Investment Board, two special sessions along with the inaugural session would be held on the first day. The two plenary sessions are entitled “Exploring Investment Opportunities in Nepal” and “Success Stories of Investments in Nepal”.
On the second day of the Summit, there will be three parallel sessions with each session having three panel discussions, the Investment Board Nepal Office said. The Parallel Session 1 of the second day is on ‘Navigating Nepal’s Renewable Energy Potential’, ‘Discussions on Innovative Financing Landscape’, and panel discussion on ‘Investment Opportunities and Green and Climate Resilient Business in Nepal’.
Similarly, the panel discussions under the Parallel Session 2 are on ‘Harnessing Green Finance for Sustainable Investments’, ‘Investing in Tourism Paradise’ and ‘Strengthening Nepal’s Agro-processing Value Chain for Export Growth’.
The Parallel Session 3 is on ‘Driving Innovation and Growth in Manufacturing’, ‘Enhancing Nepal’s Startup Climate and Ease of Doing Business’ and ‘ICT: a Vibrant Investment Platform’. The Session 4 is panel discussion on ‘Leveraging PPP for Infrastructure and Services.’
The event with the theme, ‘Emerging Nepal Investment Summit 2024’, will be held at the Hotel Soaltee in Kathmandu.
Preparations have been made to present about 150 showcase projects in the Summit. The Board had planned to present 125 projects as showcase projects before this and the number has increased with the addition of some projects brought by the private sector, provinces and local levels as well, said Pradyumna Prasad Upadhyay, the Board spokesperson.
According to Upadhyay, there will be separate stalls and their own staffs for providing information about the projects of the private sector and the local levels. He added that preparations are being made to set up 22 to 25 stalls at the Summit venue.
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NA Chair urges lawmakers to be serious about need to enact laws
Kathmandu, April 15: National Assembly (NA) Chairperson, Narayan Prasad Dahal, has said federal lawmakers should be serious about the need to enact laws demanded by the constitution.
In an interaction on parliamentary practices, procedures, and its effective role organised targeting the newly elected upper house members here today, the NA Chair said the timely enactment of laws will clear confusion, preventing the possible situation of disappointment among the citizens.
He stressed that all the stakeholders should contribute to the enforcement of the Constitution by meeting the legislative requirements of the country’s main law.
There is a gap in the essentiality of laws and the pace of development towards that end, according to the NA Chair. The pace of the enactment of laws is not sufficient to meet the requirement, he added.
He also underlined of the regularizing this kind of orientation for lawmakers.
Constitution expert Kashiraj Dahal facilitated the topics on the procedures for legislative development, parliamentary phases for bills, amendment procedures, delegated management, and the role of lawmakers while NA former members Randhshyam Adhiakri, Dr Khimlal Devkota, immediate past NA Chair Ganesh Prsad Timilasina, NA member Dil Kumari Rawal Thapa (Parvati), former Speaker Onsari Gharti among others facilitators in the programme.
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Nepal hosting international dialogue on mountains and climate
Kathmandu, April 15: Nepal is for the first time going to host an international dialogue on mountains and climate change. The vent will be convened in May. The Ministry of Forests and Environment has said that they are going to hold a dialogue in Kathmandu on May 22 and 23 to forge a common understanding on issues of mountain region among all mountainous countries and to make the national and international initiatives related to the issue of mountain areas further effective.
Representatives of Nepal and other mountainous countries, subject experts and partner organizations will participate in the ‘International Dialogue on Mountains, People and Climate Change’.
Since 2009, Nepal has been raising its voice in international forums including the World Conference on Climate Change about the negative impact of climate change on the ecological system, people’s life and biodiversity of the mountainous region.
The International Conference on Climate Change (COP-28) held in Dubai last year decided to address the climate crisis in mountainous areas for the first time.
According to the decision, the 60th meeting of the Scientific and Technical Consultative Subsidiary Body (SBSTA) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was instructed to hold an expert discussion on mountains and climate.
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Agriculture, tourism and water resources are basis for development: President Paudel
Dumre (Tanahu), April 15: President Ramchandra Paudel has termed agriculture, tourism, industry, and water resources as the foundation for the country’s development. In his address to a programme organised at Tanahusur of Tanahu on the eve of World Heritage Day today, the President said a peaceful, happy, and prosperous Nepal is the spirit of the Constitution achieved along with political transformation and a federal democratic republic system that we chose to have. As the Head of the State said, good governance and the welfare government accountable to the citizens are fundamental to rejuvenating such sentiments
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“It is necessary to realize the commitments of the government and the political parties for good governance, development and employment opportunities,” he said. Commenting on the significance of Tanahusurdanda, he said it serves as a treasury for historic heritages and monuments, albeit having been neglected for long. “Now it is our responsibility to further explore the significance of the area, protect and promote it.”
Highlighting the development in infrastructure construction in the area, he said Tanahusur is getting connected by a cemented road towards Chundi and Damauli and inconveniences of the past are being alleviated. According to the President, Tanahusur also carries a glorious political history for being the origin of the 1951 political revolution in the district.
He said martyr Buddha Singh Rana Mangar who attained martyrdom in 2018 BS belonged to Tanahusur. He also remembered and paid homage Dharmadhwaj Gurung, Dharmaraj Shrestha, Uttar Kumar Shrestha, Santa Bahadur Rana Magar, Chandra Bahadur Sarki (Nepali), and Khadga Bahadur Godar who had, as he said, attained martyrdom during the Bandipur struggle in the district. According to him, the State is yet to fulfill its responsibility towards those martyrs and their families.
He recalled that he got the opportunity to represent this region in the Parliament as a representative from the goodwill he received from this area during the days of hard struggle in his political life and the public trust received in the general elections held after the political change of 1990, and that he also got the opportunity to contribute to the peace process and to write the constitution.
“I am always grateful to the people of this district for all this and now, as the guardian of the country’s constitution, I feel proud to have the opportunity to come to this programme among you. I feel that all this is possible because of your good wishes and goodwill, and I want to express my gratitude for this,” the President further said.
Tanahusur, during the Sen period, was not only the centre of state administration, but also an intellectual centre of Sanskrit, Maithili, Bhojpuri and Persian languages. It is mentioned in the history that the fame of Sanskrit scholars especially in Chundi Valley spread to Kashinagari (India). It was in this educational and scholarly tradition that the pioneer poet Bhanubhakta Acharya was born and his fame spread in the Nepali-speaking world.
Highlighting this, he said that a comprehensive plan of Bhanu Sahitya Udyan (Literary Park) was initiated in Chundi-Ramgha, a 108-feet-tall statue of Veda Vyasa is being constructed in Damauli, construction of Martyr Park in the touristic cities of Bandipur and Tanahusur, etc, gave a clear glimpse of the development of various tourism destinations in Tanahun.
“In the recent days, along with the religious, historical and cultural areas of Bandipur, Damauli, Manung etc., the historical region of Tanahunsur is developing as a tourist destination, and there is a need to attract domestic and foreign tourists who reach the famous tourist city of Pokhara via the Prithvi Highway to visit various areas of the district including Tanahunsur,” said President Paudel.
He expressed his appreciation, stating that the Ministry of Forests of the Government of Nepal has brought the plan for constructing the Bhanu Zoological Park in this area, but there has been a delay in implementation of the plan. The President stated that the relevant agencies will pay attention to it and this plan will take shape.
Noting that one of the pride projects of the country, the Tanahun Hydropower Project took shape through our many efforts and now it is in the implementation stage, he said another plan, namely the Lower Seti hydropower project has reached the commencement stage.
“The goal of all three levels of government should be to bring the benefits of official development in backward areas like Tanahunsur heritage area connected with such projects”, President Paudel said, “Tanahunsur was a natural fort in the past, it has historical and strategic importance as well, and the whole of Nepal is dependent on such strategic importance. It has sustained on such natural conditions and these have saved Nepal.
On the occasion, the Gandaki provincial government’s Minister without Portfolio, Hari Bahadur Chuman viewed that the development activities have made headway in the district, creating an environment for people who have migrated out to return. He demanded that the Tanahusur-Khadgakali Road should be fully constructed. According to him, although the priority of Gandaki province is tourism development, works have not taken place to this end due to budget constraint.
Similarly, Gandaki Province Assembly member Ashok Kumar Shrestha informed that the provincial government has allocated budget for the development of the Khadgakali Temple area and for the construction of the Tanahusur-Khadgakali road section.
Mayor of Byas Municipality Baikuntha Neupane stressed on the need of conservation of the historic Tanahusur.
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Unity is necessary among national forces: UML chair Oli
Kathmandu, April 15: The Chairman of CPN (UML) KP Sharma Oli has said that unity among the national forces is necessary to lead the nation on the way to good governance and prosperity. In the meeting of the UML parliamentary party held today at the Parliament building in Naya Baneshwar, he emphasized that the country should be taken forward on the path of good governance and prosperity with the help of national powers.
He made it clear that the leftist forces will unite at the right time but not with those who are harming the party. Chairman Oli said that now he was only working to unite the left-wing forces, but some selfish elements are always working to weaken the movement. He stressed that the role of the party in the parliamentary committee should be effective.
“Our participation in the parliament should be lively and effective. A wrong decision should not be made by the parliament. Even if we look at the history of the Parliament in the future, there should not be any room to say that the Parliament has made wrong decision,” he said. Oli also held the view that the vested interests of such interest groups should not dominate and weaken the national interest.
On another note, chairman Oli advised the MPs of the party not to frequently visit foreign countries. He also instructed the MPs to submit necessary suggestions for the budget for the next fiscal year.
Former Prime Minister Oli said that the job of parliamentarians is to create laws and also suggested that parliamentarians should not present themselves haphazardly and not commit to development work that cannot be completed.
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Nagdhunga tunnel way achieves breakthrough
Kathmandu, April 15: The breakthrough of the Nagdhunga Tunnel Passage has been made today. The Nagdhunga Tunnel Passage is considered as a significant project to take Nepal towards an era of tunnel roads.
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ today switched on the electric control for the breakthrough of tunnel from both the Dhading and Kathmandu sides. The tunnel connects Sisnekhola of Dhading to Totipakha of Chandragiri municipality-1 in Kathmandu.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Raghubir Mahaseth and other government senior officials were present on the occasion.
Likewise, federal lawmakers and Province Assembly members were there to witness the breakthrough ceremony.
According to the Project, the tunnel road will come into regular operation for traffic after a year. Its total length is 2,688 metres. The breakthrough in the evacuation tunnel was undertaken last Saun (July-August, 2023).
However, it will take some time to fix lights, and oxygen pipes and upgrade the road inside the tunnel, it is said. The total cost of the Project is around Rs 22 billion. It is being developed by the Japanese company Hazma Ando Corporation.
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Corruption, cumbersome administrative processes are hurdles to development: President
Damauli (Tanahu), April 15: President Ramchandra Paudel has described corruption and the cumbersome administrative processes as the major hurdles of development.Inaugurating the Administrative Block of Myagde Rural Municipality at Naringe in Tanahu district today, he stressed on the need of banishing corruption and making the unwieldy administrative services easy and smooth.
“On the one hand the speed of development has to be expedited to respond to those who are commenting that although the political system changed, the people’s condition has not, while on the other hand there is no alternative to making the federal democratic republic stronger,” said the Head-of-the-State.
He expressed his belief that the people’s representatives, government employees and the locals of Myagde would join hands in materializing the plan of making Myagde prosperous and developed.
The President urged the State’s local units to remain steadfast towards fulfilling the people’s aspirations, stressing that the local level is the important basic structure of the republic Nepal established as per the constitutional system.
He called on the people’s representatives at the local level to be accountable to the people. President Paudel said that the more people-oriented, public-welfare, and responsive the local government and representatives are, the more they will be able to fulfill the aspirations and needs of the local people, and the more the goals envisioned by our governance system will be realized.
Calling upon the general public to work and not to lose hope, he said urged them to rest assured that the country is gradually moving ahead on the path of progress owing to the development possibilities.
On the occasion, President Paudel honoured the individuals who donated land plots for construction of the Administrative Building. The main administrative building of the rural municipality has been constructed at a cost of Rs 60 million.
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Tunnel Road plays significant role in road connectivity: PM Dahal
Kathmandu, April 15: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said the construction of tunnel passages has a significant role in the enhancement of road connectivity.
In his address to a ceremony organised to mark a breakthrough of the Nagdhunga Tunnel Road today, the Prime Minister said the achievement is significant in the area of infrastructure development.
This kind of road connectivity will play a crucial role in meeting the national goals for promoting interconnectivity for a convenient and affordable travel, for promoting geographical and democratic closeness, and for maintaining provincial balance in terms of development, according to the Prime Minister.
As he said, the government will pursue a policy of prioritising the construction of tunnel passages, flyovers, and underpasses along the national highways to establish advanced road connectivity. Similarly, the government head took time to say that the latest economic indicators suggest hopes in efforts to achieve prosperity.
He claimed that the revenue collection is improving. The reduction in fuel imports with the promotion of electric vehicles, noticeable progress in cement export, a rise in exports of corrugated zinc sheets and steel, a rise in the arrivals of tourists, and the expansion of housing and apartment businesses outside Kathmandu Valley have spread a positive message to the economic sphere.
PM Dahal called one and all to create a wider hope for advancing toward the establishment of good governance, social justice, and prosperity by overthrowing the pessimistic narrative that nothing will happen. The Prime Minister also expressed his hope that the Third Investment Summit that Nepal is hosting on April 28-29 will explore the potential for investment in Nepal’s development in the international forum.
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Discussions held on news exchange between news agencies of Nepal and Qatar
Kathmandu, April 15: Discussions have been held between Nepal’s National News Agency (Rastriya Samachar Samiti, RSS) and Qatar News Agency of Qatar.
The delegation led by the Ambassador of Qatar to Nepal, Mishal bin Mohammed Al Ansari, discussed about it during the inspection of the RSS Central Office today. Dharmendra Jha, executive chairman of RSS, welcoming the Ambassador Ansari, informed about the news production and dissemination process of RSS.
Ambassador Ansari expressed his gratitude for the welcome and said that they are willing to exchange news between the two news agencies. The process of making an agreement between the two news agencies to exchange news with each other has progressed.
Somnath Lamichhane, the deputy general manager of the RSS, informed that discussions were held on matters such as having a news exchange agreement between the RSS and Qatar News Agency.
During the observation of the office, the Qatari ambassador was briefed about the process of news collection by Chief Reporter Uttam Silwal and about news dissemination process by the editor-in-chief, Yekraj Pathak.
General Manager Siddharaj Rai, the Deputy General Managers Raju Shakya and Shyam Rimal among others were present in the discussions. Ambassador Ansari was accompanied by Sheikh Al Harith Suhaim Al Thani, Director of Qatar’s Ministry of Communications, Ali Abdullah Al Tamimi of the Ministry and Nasser Ghanim, Second Secretary of the Embassy.
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Minister Sharma for institutionalizing political change
Deukhuri (Dang), April 15: Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma has said that the media should work to institutionalize the political changes in the country and join the mainstream of development.
Addressing the 22nd general assembly of Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), Dang and Media Festival opening ceremony function here today, she said the media sector should have a strong role to implement the constitutional provisions, as concerns of women and the marginalized communities are yet to be addressed.
She also emphasized on disseminating fact-based and positive news to show the ray of hope, as the society’s perception at present is negative-oriented. Stating that freedom of speech and political freedom are complementary to each other, Minister Sharma said journalism and politics are together in the journey of change.
The government spokesperson also urged the media to raise strong voices against the act of maligning the republic. “It is not right to put blame on the republican system when some individuals are at fault,” she said, “The role of journalists should be strengthened in building a prosperous nation.”
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National Vitamin ‘A’ campaign on April 18 and 19
Kathmandu, April 15: The Nationwide Vitamin ‘A’ program for children is being held on coming April 18 and 19.
Under the campaign, Vitamin ‘A’ capsules will be administered to children aged six months to 59 months and anti-worming tables to children aged one to five years. Head of the Nutrition Branch of the Ministry of Health and Population, Department of Health Services, Leela Bikram Thapa, shared that vitamin A will be given to about 3.2 million children and anti-worming tablets to about 2.9 million children.
The government has been organising vitamin ‘A’ administration campaign since 2050 BS.
A total of 52,000 female community health volunteers and 10,000 health workers are being deployed for the National Vitamin A program.
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National Vitamin ‘A’ campaign on April 18 and 19
Kathmandu, April 15: The Nationwide Vitamin ‘A’ program for children is being held on coming April 18 and 19.
Under the campaign, Vitamin ‘A’ capsules will be administered to children aged six months to 59 months and anti-worming tables to children aged one to five years. Head of the Nutrition Branch of the Ministry of Health and Population, Department of Health Services, Leela Bikram Thapa, shared that vitamin A will be given to about 3.2 million children and anti-worming tablets to about 2.9 million children.
The government has been organising vitamin ‘A’ administration campaign since 2050 BS.
A total of 52,000 female community health volunteers and 10,000 health workers are being deployed for the National Vitamin A program.
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Int’l dialogue on Mountain, People and climate Change from May 22
Kathmandu, April 15: The government is hosting an International Expert Dialogue on Mountain, people and Climate Change from coming May 22.
According to the Ministry of Forest and environment, the two-day event is going to be organised inviting experts of concerned sectors in Kathmandu. At a news conference organised by the Ministry here on Monday, Minister for Forest and Environment Nabal Kishor Sah said the international expert dialogue would help to develop consensus among mountain countries, stakeholder, and allies on common issues, including mountain solutions in addressing climate change issues.
Likewise, on behalf of the Government of Nepal and the organizing committee, Deepak Kumar Kharal, Secretary of MoFE appreciated the work of the secretariat in preparation of the event and acknowledged the support received from various development partners, civil society, and Nepali experts. Kharal also requested all the stakeholders, including the media, to provide their crucial support in making this international expert dialogue a grand success.
The international Expert Dialogue on Mountain, people and Climate Change aims to strengthen coordinate, and prioritize mountain-based actions in the context of climate change and encourage mountain countries and agencies to collaborate on United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) mountain work programs and mandates, reads a press release issued by Spokesperson of the Ministry, Badri Raj Dhungana.
This discourse should allow government and stakeholders in mountain countries and their allies to better understand mountain-climate concerns and solutions, share expertise and experience, and enable synergies. More crucially, the dialogue aims to produce concrete roadmaps and strategies for mountains at the experts’ dialogue on mountains and climate change in SBSTA 60 session and beyond.
Mountains are invaluable natural assets. Mountains are home to 15 per cent of the global population and nearly half of its biodiversity hotspots. These mountains are providing ecosystem goods and services including fresh water and air to the global communities particularly the communities living in the downstream. However, mountains are facing immense pressure from exploitation, degradation, and climate change.
Despite its significance, mountains still do not get due recognition and representation in global forums. In this context, the Government of Nepal is hosting an International Expert Dialogue on Mountain, People, and Climate Change in Kathmandu, stated the statement.
The Government of Nepal gives foremost importance to promote the mountain agenda in the global forums. For advancing the mountain agenda, the COP28 was a corner stone to recognise the climate change impacts in the mountainous region across the globe.
The dialogue will have opening and closing plenary including thematic discussions in three major thematic areas, including two plenary and seven dialogues in different dimensions of climate change adaptation and mitigation. Theme one on ‘climate science and mountain evidence’ includes the session covering evidence on climate change impact, vulnerability, and risks, emerging threat, and crisis in the mountains, and an urgency for action in mountains and beyond. Similarly, the theme two focuses on ‘mountain solutions’ and includes sessions on people, policy, and prosperity; locally-led adaptation; and climate justice, equity, and local voices, as per the press statement.
The third session includes mountain prospective focusing on resources and opportunities mostly the economic growth through transition to clean and green energy, densifying climate finance and advancing global cooperation and regional partnerships.
More than 200 participants representing mountainous countries, international communities, and development partners, international non-government organizations, private sectors and civil society organizations are expected to join the dialogue.
During the dialogue, representatives from all mountain countries, including mountain partners will jointly draw common conclusions, which will then feed into the SBASTA expert dialogue in the forthcoming Bonn Session in June 2024, including Nepal’s initiative on Sagarmatha Sambad (mountain dialogue).
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Price of fuel increased
Kathmandu, April 15: The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has hiked the prices of petrol, diesel and kerosene by three rupees per litre each. The new price will be effective from this midnight, the NOC said issuing a press note today.
The NOC said its decision comes after the price hike in petroleum goods as received from the Indian Oil Corporation.
As per the new price list, petrol will cost Rs 178 per litre while diesel and kerosene will be sold at Rs 161 per litre.
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Tuesday a public holiday in Gandaki
Kaski, April 15 : Gandaki province government has declared a public holiday on April 16.
The Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers has published a notice stating that all government offices, educational institutions and public institutions across the province will closed for Chaitra Shukla Ashtami (Chaite Dasain) on Tuesday.
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Speaker Ghimire urges ANO for Nepal’s positive publicity
Kathmandu, April 15: Speaker Devraj Ghimire has said although nationalities were different, all citizens of Nepali origins should be connected through Nepali languages and cultures since they have the same motherland and fatherland.
At a meeting with a delegation of the Association of Nepali Origin (ANO) at his office at Singha Durbar today, Speaker Ghimire said since the citizens of Nepali origin were scattered all over the world for many generations, creating an enabling environment for them to welcome their skills, knowledge and capital into their motherland or fatherland must be emphasized.
Stating that Nepalis abroad and citizens of Nepalis origin were ambassadors for Nepal, the Speaker urged the delegation to positively publicize Nepal, according to ANO’s general-secretary Chudamani Bhattarai. The Speaker also expressed his confidence that ANO’s initiatives to connect citizens of Nepali origins all over the world through language and culture would be a milestone, shared Bhattarai.
On the occasion, Speaker Ghimire appealed to the ANO to collect data about the citizens of Nepali origin around the world and find out where and how they were placed.
The Nepali language speaking people living in 27 different countries assembled in Thailand in March this year and formed an Association of Nepali Origin to protect Nepali languages and cultures by uniting. During the meeting with Speaker Ghimire, ANO President Dilliram Adhikari shared that this campaign would be taken forward as an ambassador of the Nepali language, arts and cultures and connecting the future generation with Nepal through this campaign.
He also informed that the campaign aimed to preserve and highlight ‘Nepaliness’. The organization pledged to encourage Nepalis living abroad to consider investment in Nepal’s education and health sector where they have their ancestral linkages.
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Disaster survivors should not be deprived of their rights: Minister Lamichhane
Kathmandu, April 15: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Rabi Lamichhane has urged the concerned authorities to be serious about making sure that the disaster survivors are not deprived of rights due to procedural dilly dallying.
Addressing the 21st meeting of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Executive Committee at Singha Durbar on Monday, DPM Lamichhane said disaster reduction and the rescue, relief and resettlement operation for the disaster survivors should not be delayed at any pretext. “It’s imperative to pay attention to simplify process when the decision making process is delayed and the complaints were pouring in that the process is complex. May no disaster survivor be deprived of rights due to procedural confusion and legal complication,” he said.
He said that the disaster survivors should be resettled in their houses before the onset of monsoon and instructed the subordinate authorities to accelerate resettlement works accordingly.
Expressing sorrow over the demise of army personnel and children in recent cases of forest fire, DPM Lamichhane directed to ensure that the victims are not further perturbed due to loopholes in laws. The procedure pertaining to grant for retrofitting of the houses of disaster survivors, reconstruction and resettlement has been approved with amendment.
The procedure also takes into consideration grant for victims of avalanche and drought, it was shared. At the meeting, Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration Bhanu Bhakta Joshi pointed out the need for promptness in the rescue, relief and rehabilitation of the affected ones.
Minister Joshi stated that appropriate management should be done from the side of the government for those lacking land plots due to poor economic status. On the occasion, Home Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal shared new procedure was prepared making the previous one a basis and added that the federal government would bear the cost in case the local government lack resources.
According to Aryal, the regulations for the procedure will be sent to the council of ministers within one or two days. He viewed that all three layers of government would have comfort in managing the budget if the regulation and procedure were approved before the budget session.
The meeting has approved some proposals including guidelines on mobilization of the development partners and others.
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