- Tuesday, 21 January 2025
Kathmandu, April 22: Former Ministers and experts on foreign affairs have advised the government to give priority to utilising the visit of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, to Nepal, to secure maximum benefits. The Amir from Qatar will be paying a two-day state visit to Nepal beginning on April 23, tomorrow.
They believed that Nepal could learn ways from Qatar a country with a small geography and size to explore ways for achieving prosperity in a short period in the presence of a far-sighted leadership with maximum utilization of available resources.
Former Minister Surendra Kumar Karki praised the role of Qatar in contributing to the international peace establishment significantly, though the country is territorially smaller.
He said that Qatar is exploring its facilitating and decisive roles in establishing regional peace, strengthening international relations and managing significant political tension.
Nepal could learn many things from the experiences of Qatar in efforts to peace establishment when it is pursuing the establishment of a durable peace after the conflict by concluding the peace process, he added.
Besides, Qatar serves as one of the major labour destinations for Nepali migrant workers. Nepal receives a large chunk of remittance from Qatar. The high-level visit taking place from Qatar be utilised as a moment for promoting the rights of Nepali workers in Qatar and their dignity with the availability of decent job opportunities for them.
As the former Minister and Maoist Centre leader suggested, it would be beneficial for Nepal if the visit could be utilised as an opportunity to bring about Qatar’s investment in the processing of drinking water in the Himalayan regions and the production of organic agricultural products.
CPN (UML) leader and expert on foreign affairs, Dr Rajan Bhattarai commended the path of prosperity that Qatar has found amidst severe climate adversity and limited human resources. Qatar is advancing itself through a multi-dimensional approach, it is exploring its leading role in the global forum and a significant role in dispute management in the Middle Eastern nations, according to Bhattarai.
Stating that Qatar is seeking to establish itself as a ‘world champion’ in the resolution of the unrest in the Middle East including in Hamas and Israel, he said Qatar is being developed as an international transit hub in the course of its efforts to expand and air connectivity in the global forum.
From the diplomatic perspective, the Qatari Amir’s upcoming visit Nepal stands as a symbol and an example that Nepal is moving on a positive path. “Qatar is an economically prosperous country in the Middle East. Over 400,000 Nepali migrant workers are working in Qatar at present. Nepali migrant workers have shed blood and sweat for the development and prosperity of Qatar. Against this backdrop, the visit of Qatari Amir to Nepal is a matter of great importance and an opportunity,’ he observed.
Stating that Nepal could also benefit from Qatar’s advancement for the economic development and prosperity, he emphasized creating an enabling environment in Nepal for job creations for the youths rather than sending labour forces offshore.
Dr Bhattarai further asserted, “There’s a high prospect of investment in Nepal from Qatar and other Middle East countries. Export from Nepal to Qatar could be increased. Nepal has been importing fuel in a huge quantity. We could make effort to secure some concessional cooperation towards this end as well. Nepal should pitch these issues and advance the discussion during the visit.”
According to him, securing the welfare of the Nepali migrant workers in Qatar and addressing the issues relating to their employment should be a part of the regular agenda of the Nepal’s government during the Amir’s visit.
Bhattarai added, “Qatar has achieved economic prosperity in the last few years by capitalizing on its natural resources. It is advancing in terms of development and economic prosperity thanks to an able leadership with a good vision coupled with political stability. It has taught us a lesson that we could move ahead by optimizing the natural resources.”
Similarly, Nepali Congress’s leader and former Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Narayan Khadka opined that Qatar was succeeding diplomatically and economically lately. “Countries like the USA and the UK among others have been seeking Qatar’s mediation in any form in resolving the dispute between Israel and Hamas,” he mentioned.
He viewed that discussion and consultation on the facilities for the Nepali migrant workers in Qatar should be held during the Amir’s visit. He suggested timely amendment in the labour pact between Nepal and Qatar.
According to him, the Qatari Amir’s visit in the eve of the third Investment Summit was an opportune time to create an environment of confidence for the international community to consider investment in Nepal.
Khadka expressed his belief that the ties between the two countries could be expanded at people-to-people level if Training Centre would be established in cooperation of Qatar to impart training to aspiring Nepali migrant workers.
He suggested Nepal should accord hospitality with heart wide open to the Qatari Amir who is arriving here for his two-day official visit by giving Nepal so much value and importance.
‘Initiatives should be taken to raise pay, facilities of Nepali workers’
Similarly, Dr Narad Bhardwaj who served as Nepal’s ambassador to Qatar from 2019 to 2022 has suggested utilizing the Amir’s visit, which is the first high-level visit from the Middle East Asian kingdom, for securing the rights and interests of the Nepali migrant workers there.
Nearly 400 thousand Nepalis are working in different sectors in Qatar at present. According to Dr Bhardwaj, the Qataris also have interest on this topic as they are impressed by the Nepali workers.
“The government of Nepal should take initiatives on increasing the salary and job security of Nepali migrant workers in Qatar and their welfare. This is the high-level visit taking from Qatar and if the Qatari Amir gives his approval during his state visit there would not be any problem in the implementation,” former ambassador Bhardwaj said.
According to him, although Qatar is a rich and developed country, the salary of Nepali workers there is comparatively low. He said the Nepali migrant workers there get lower salary compared to the pay they get in South Korea and Israel whereas Qatar is comparatively a rich and developed country.
Nepal’s Former Ambassador to Qatar suggested to the Government of Nepal to lobby on this topic during the Amir’s visit. Stating that in Qatar there is provision of providing accidental insurance to the Nepali workers only in case of accident at the work place and not in the case of accident on the way or other accidents, he urged the government to raise this topic as well.
“Qatar had made efforts to take Nepali workers in the security sector before this and Nepal too has made a decision to that end. But the decision is not yet implemented. If this topic could be taken ahead during the Amir’s state visit by taking cognizance of their perspective on it, it would be of much benefit to Nepal in terms of income,” Dr Bhardwaj suggested.
Similarly, Qatar is seeking to take Nepali women as domestic help, but Nepal has prohibited this. At the same time a large number of Nepali women have been going to the Gulf countries on visit visa and working there as domestic workers. This issue also needs to be managed and the government should address it during the Qatari Amir’s visit.
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Bridge linking Thaprang-Tipang constructed
Bharatpur (Chitwan), April 22: Construction of a suspension bridge over the Wangyang rivulet in Ichhakamana Rural Municipality of Chitwan has completed.
The bridge has established linkage with Thaprang-Tipang of Ichhakamana-1.
Ichhakamana rural municipality’s chair Dan Bahadur Gurung informed that the 72-meter-long bridge was constructed at the investment of the rural municipality and donor organization.
The bridge will ease the locals for their mobility throughout the year, chair Gurung said.
Life has become easier in the area having majority of Chepang community people after the construction of the bridge. “Access to health facilities has become easier for the local residents following construction of the bridge”, he claimed.
The bridge installation has also eased the residents of Dhading district as well.
Chief Administrative Officer of Ichhakamana rural municipality, Chandrakanta Basnet claimed the bridge has also established cultural relations of the people of Thaprang-Tipang area.
“There was a trouble for Chepang people for mobility during four months in the rainy season. Now mobility is being eased during all months”, Basnet added.
The bridge construction had initiated two years back. It has been constructed at the cost of around Rs 3.3 million.
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02- ‘Araniko highway expansion to continue’
Kavrepalanchowk, April 22: The expansion of Sanga-Dhulikhel road along the Araniko Highway is to continually move ahead.
An agreement has reached to continue the construction of Banepa-Budol area under the project that has been stalled for the past one and a half months.
The construction has been postponed for over 45 days with the High Court Patan’s order to put off the constriction works, including culvert along the Banepa-Budol section.
Construction works will continue with a meeting of the local stakeholders and write petitioners agreeing to immediately withdraw a case.
The agreement was reached at a meeting chaired by Deputy Chair of District Coordination Committee, Kavrepalanchowk, Rim Bahadur Tamang on Sunday.
Similarly, the meeting agreed to divert the water from the under-construction culvert to the Chandeshwari rivulet through a separate drain within the road boundary without passing it through individual land.
Chief District Officer Rudra Devi Sharma said the dispute stalling the construction has been resolved after an agreement was reached to withdraw the court case and divert water from the under-construction culvert and mix it in the river.
It may be noted that thirteen people from Budol of Banepa municipality-6 had filed a writ petition on March 3, naming Suryabinayak-Dhulikhel-Sindhuli-Bardibas Road Project Office Bhaktapur, project chief Rajendra Das and Banepa-based ward offices 6 and 7 as defendants.
The contract for the expansion of Suryabinyaak-Sanga and Sanga-Dhulikhel roads was signed on March 2023 at the cost of Rs 4 billion 56.4 million in a way to complete the works in three years.
The project as per the contact covers 8.4-km from Sanga to Dhulikhel.
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03- Establishment of CPN completes 75 years today
Kathmandu, April 22: The establishment of the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) has completed 75 years today.
The CPN was established on the initiative of some Nepali youths to protest the Rana regime and liberate the people.
The momentum for the publicity of a communist ideology gained momentum in Nepal after Pushpalal Shrestha translated the ‘Communist Manifesto’ into Nepali language in 2005 BS.
Shrestha was the founder general secretary of the CPN that was incepted with a goal to establish socialism. Among other founders were Niranjan Govinda Baidya, Narabahadur Karmacharya, Narayanbilash Joshi and Moti Devi Shrestha.
The community party has passed through several divisions and unities in its history of seven and a half decades.
Communist and left parties are still running in different streams and groups. The CPN (UML), a major communist party of the country, is organizing a special function at Godavari in Lalitpur today to mark the 75th anniversary of the party’s establishment.
The recently-held council meeting of the UML has decided to honour former President Bidya Devi Bhandari with ‘Ganatrantra Gaurav (Republic Glory)’ on the occasion, informed party’s publicity department chief Rajendra Gautam.
The UML is presenting the honour in recognition to the struggle, honesty and sacrifice of seniors to end autocracy and subsequently establish republican system in the country, Gautam shared.
UML’s national council members, office-bearers and members of the district committees from the Kathmandu Valley, office-bearers and members of the secretariat of all the municipalities, office-bearers of all the wards, all the people’s representatives (members of the House of Representatives and National Assembly, province assembly members, chairs and vice chairs of the local level governments, and members of all the people’s organizations, and the currently unorganized but old and prestigious of the party) will be present on the occasion, informed UML central office secretary Dr Bhishma Adhikari.
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04- 16 families rendered helpless after fire turns their homes into ashes
Arghakhanchi, April 22: Basanta Malla, a resident of Bhumikasthan municipality-3 in Arghakhanchi, on Sunday was accumulating the ashes of her fire-ravaged house.
A total of 16 families, have been devastated after the fire on Saturday destroyed his house, food grains and clothes. “The house was destroyed in no time. There is no end to the situation. Where to live and where to eat”, Malla said with tears in his eyes.
Ganga Bahadur BK, a local, has the same pain as Malla. “Ornaments, food items, clothes, parts and citizenship were destroyed in the fire”, he said, adding that nothing could be saved in the house”.
Not only Basanta and Ganga Bahadur, 13 families whose houses were burnt in a fire in Dharapani on Saturday are now forced to live under the open sky.
Information Officer at the District Police Office, Dipendra Rawal, said that 16 houses and 10 cowsheds were gutted in the fire in Ratamata, Jabundanda, Bajakharka and Falamkhilji villages of Dharapani of Bhumikasthan municipality.
Although the fire in the settlement has been taken under control, the forest fire is yet to be completely doused.
Chief District Officer Surya Bahadur Khatri has distributed food items to the families of those who lost their homes in the fire.
At the initiative of the District Administration Office, the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has provided food items to 16 families of Ratamata area whose houses were destroyed in the fire. Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry district chapter president Pradeep Mishra said food items including rice, pulses, oil and salt have been distributed.
As many as 43 houses were gutted in the fire that broke out in different parts of the district on Saturday. Twenty houses and 23 cowsheds were destroyed and 11 goats and six buffaloes were killed in the fire at Bhumikasthan municipality, Shitganga municipality and Panini rural municipality on Saturday.
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05- PM’s message on Lenin’s birth anniversary and CPN establishment day
Kathmandu, April 22: Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has extended best wishes on the occasion of the 154th birth anniversary of veteran socialist leader Vladimir I. Lenin and the 75th establishment years of the Communist Party of Nepal today.
In a message delivered on Monday, PM Dahal has extended best wishes to all communists, revolutionaries, leftists, progressive and patriotic forces and the people at large at home and abroad on the occasion.
He paid deep tributes to the martyrs on the occasion and wished speedy recovery and long life to the injured with high respect to the disappeared warriors, the message reads.
Recalling that the CPN was founded 75 years ago in 2006 BS on the occasion of Lenin’s birth anniversary, PM Dahal said the communist movement of Nepal had reflected the direction of socialism by establishing a federal democratic republic with the experience of class struggle and inter-struggle and various ups and downs of the movement.
The PM made it clear that the communist movement has formed the basis of the socialist revolution by fulfilling the basic task of the democratic revolution with Nepali uniqueness and originality.
“On the one hand, it will guide us to achieve the goal of socialism by bringing changes in the lives of the people in line with the changed political system, and on the other hand, it will make the shared dream and build the same communist center through power equations, cooperation and collaboration,” he said.
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06- Six involved in cooperative theft cases arrested
Bhadrapur (Jhapa), April 22: Police have held six persons allegedly involved in theft cases in Jhapa.
They were arrested and made public on Sunday for their alleged involvement in 13 cases of theft, including in various cooperative societies.
According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Chand, the accused stole Rs 3 million 16 thousand from various cooperatives and others.
A team from the District Police Office held them in coordination with the Koshi Province Police Office Biratnagar and District Police Office Sunsari.
Among the arrested are Simlal Syangtan, 30, Santa Bahadur Syangtan, 21, Sunil Syangtan, 22, Buddha Syangtan, 25, Ajaya Rana Magar, 28, and Sujan Syangtan, 21, of Makawanpur.
DSP Chand informed that two motorbikes, seven mobile phone sets, hammer and other equipment were recovered from the arrestees.
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07- IGP Kunwar off to France
Kathmandu, April 22: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Basanta Bahadur Kunwar has left for France.
He had left for Leon, France last night to participate in the 19th Head of NCB Conference to be held there on April 23-25.
As many as 196 countries affiliated to Interpol on the control of international crime are participating in the conference.
According to the Police Headquarters, discussions will be held on contemporary incidents at the international level, crime investigation and capacity building of police personnel.
Nepal is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with representatives of India, China, Japan and Malaysia during the conference.
Additional Inspector General of Police Tek Prasad Rai, Deputy Inspector General of Police Bhim Prasad Dhakal and other police officials saw off Kunwar.
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08- Karmacharya is guardian of country itself: Prime Minister
Kathmandu, April 22: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that Nara Bahadur Karmacharya, who continuously worked in favour of the country and the people, is the political guardian of the country itself.
Addressing the programme organized by the Nara Bahadur Karmacharya Memorial Foundation here today, he described the late Karmacharya as the ‘political guardian’ who created a positive environment for the revolution and the movement.
“The Nara Bahadur Karmacharya Memorial Foundation has been set up in his name.’Nara Bahadur Karmacharya Memorial Polytechnic School’ has also been established at Mahalaxmisthan of Lalitpur in his honour and memory,” PM said.
Stating that the late Karmacharya had played an active role in the anti-Rana movement and the workers movement while becoming affiliated to the Prajatantra Sangh (Democracy Association) since 2005 BS, Prime Minister Dahal recalled that the late Karmacharya was one among the four founders of the Nepal Communist Party.
PM Dahal recalled that inspired by the Chinese people’s revolution and the Telangana farmers’ revolt, Karmacharya established the workers organisation following the establishment of the Communist Party in Nepal. According to him, communist leader Karmacharya who relentlessly was active for the uplift of the labour movement also fulfilled the responsibility of the party and as the people’s representative simultaneously.
Noting that an untainted, uncontroversial, unassuming and a friendly leader Karmacharya had always remained effortful for upholding coordination and understanding, PM Dahal euologised him as a leader who was committed to principles, had unflinching faith in the revolution and a penchant for revolutionary spirit.
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09- Glacial lake destabilized after avalanche returning to normal state
Gorakha, April 22: The Birendra Tal, a glacial lake at Samagaun, Chumanubri rural municipality-1 in northern Gorkha has gradually started to return to its normal state. The lake was destabilized after a huge avalanche originating in the Mt Manaslu above it hit it on Sunday morning, leading to an overflow.
“As a result of the overflow of the lake due to the avalanche, the excess water had flowed down into the Budhigandaki River. Now, the situation is normal and the lake is gradually returning to its previous condition,” said Bhola Dahal, the Chief District Officer of Gorkha.
According to him, the overflow of the lake following the crashing of the avalanche into it did not cause any significant physical and human losses as there are no settlements near the lake.
CDO Dahal informed that the falling of the avalanche in the lake from the mountain face has also stopped.
“The increased water flow in the Budhigandaki river due to the overflowing of the lake has washed away a wooden bridge on the way to Samdo from Samagaun which is about half an hour’s trek from the lake,” said Dahal, the Chief District Officer, adding that except this there are no other humanitarian and physical damages due to the lake overflow. The avalanche has also stopped.
Dahal said that the security personnel have dug a deep trench from the lake and drained out the water. He insisted that the security persons have been urged to remain alert for minimizing the possible risk from disasters.
A massive avalanche had fallen into the Birendra Tal situated below Mt Manaslu on Sunday. Following the incident, the District Administration Office had alerted the people living near the Budhigandaki river to remain safe and to not to go near the river as the water flow in the Budhigandaki river increased after the occurrence of the avalanche.
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10- Karmacharya’s role in establishment of communist party is unparalleled
Kathmandu, April 22: CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairperson and former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal acknowledged that the contribution made by late Nara Bahadur Karmacharya was unprecedented.
At a memorial programme organized by the Nara Bahadur Karmacharya Memorial Foundation at Chayasal, Lalitpur today, Chairperson Nepal recognized late Karmacharya as a heritage of the communist movement in Nepal.
Stating that only revolutionary ideologies could transform society, Nepal argued that democracy alone could not suffice in the country and saw the need for socialism-oriented democracy.
Nepal claimed that communist parties were only the catalyst for democracy in the country and emphasized the need to highlight the belief that only communists could decide the fate and future of the country whilst taking into account the development and dignity of citizens.
He pointed out the need to play creative role to attract the attention of the people towards communist movement. According to him, the communists should bring together friends and take foes into confidence.
On a different note, he remarked that the politics in Nepal was complicated at this moment and asserted that the alliances were being formed and being broken down among the political parties for power.
Similarly, Foundation’s President and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayankaji Shrestha observed that Karmacharya’s contribution in establishing the communist party in Nepal should not go unacknowledged.
Likewise, other participants such as Foundation’s advisor Dr Mahesh Maskey, CPN (Maoist Centre)’s leader Leelamani Pokharel and Martyrs Foundation’s President Dharma Shila Chapagain among others shed light on the various facades and facets of Karmacharya besides shedding light on the role played by him in the communist movement in Nepal.
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11- Cabinet meeting decisions: Public holiday tomorrow
Kathmandu, April 22: The government has given a public holiday on Tuesday, tomorrow, on the occasion of the State Visit of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, to Nepal.
Government spokesperson and Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma said a meeting of the Council of Ministers convened at Singha Durbar today decided to give a public holiday tomorrow on the occasion of the Qatari Amir’s state visit to Nepal beginning tomorrow.
The Cabinet meeting decided to submit to President Ramchandra Paudel for issuing the ordinance designed to make amendments to the Some Nepal Acts Related to Facilitation of Investment.
Minister Sharma also shared that the meeting decided to make amendments to the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Regulations paving the way for co-financing of three levels in the retrofitting, rehabilitation and reconstruction of private houses damaged by and at risk of disaster.
The meeting transferred Madhu Kumar Marasini as the Finance Secretary and the Finance Secretary Krishna Hari Puskar to the Prime Minister’s Office.
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12- Former President Bhandari awarded ‘Republic Pride Honour’
Kathmandu, April 22: The CPN (UML) has awarded the ‘Republic Pride Honour’ to former President Bidya Devi Bhandari.
The honour was presented on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Communist Party of Nepal amidst a ceremony held today at the Godavari-based Sunrise Meeting Hall.
The National Congress Representatives Council meeting of the CPN (UML) that concluded on Sunday decided to honour the former President with the title. Bhandari is the former Vice Chair of the party. She received the award from party Chair and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
Bhandari has been presented the honour in recognition of her contribution to the democratic and communist movement in the country, and to the safeguarding of national sovereignty, it is said.
Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Centre) Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN (Unified Socialist) respected leader and former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, Nepal Socialist Party Chair and former Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai and (former) Chair of Council of Ministers, Khilraj Regmi were among those present on the occasion.
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14- NC President Deuba calls for dialogues to strengthen democratic republic
Kathmandu, April 22: The President of Nepali Congress (NC), Sher Bahadur Deuba, has underlined the need for dialogue, consensus and collaboration among all to protect and promote the existing democratic republic system.
In his address to a ceremony held in Godavari of Lalitpur today to mark the Diamond Jubilee of the establishment of Communist Party of Nepal, the leader said, “The CPN completes 75 years of its inception and I congratulate all on this occasion. Minimum consensus and collaboration in the political sphere are needed to strengthen democracy and the republic, to promote the rights of the citizens, and to establish durable peace and good governance in the country.”
The parliamentary leader from the main opposition party urged the government to take the concerns of the oppositions in the parliament seriously. The leader also questioned an ‘unsolved mystery’ behind the ‘murder’ of veteran Communist leader Madan Bhandari.
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15- Surge in heat affects normal life in Tarai
Dhanusha, April 22: People residing across the Tarai Madhesh including in Dhanusha district have been affected with a sudden surge in heat over a week.
The temperature here increased from 38 degrees Celsius to 42 degrees Celsius within a week. Major markets remain closed during the mid-day while the footfall in public places and offices are decreasing lately due to the sweltering heat.
Senior citizens, children and patients of chronic diseases are at high risk due to the increasing heat.
Dr Krishna Dev Das, Spokesperson at the Provincial Hospital in Janakpurdham, shared that the number of patients visiting the healthcare facilities with complaints of wounds, rashes, typhoid, fever and diarrhoea has gone up with the surge in temperature.
Dr Das warned, “The risk of heat stroke is also on rise with the surge in temperature. Extreme heat seems to pose problems to daily wage labourers and those who work outdoor. It is, hence, very important to take good care of our health.”
Hot air could cause head ache, body sore, extreme fatigue, dryness in throat and burning eyes among other health issues, he cautioned.
Meanwhile, hot air has also begun taking toll on the crops, vegetable and fruits farming in the flatland, added Ramdev Banaraitale of Mahendranagar in Kshireshwornath Municipality-5 in the district.
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16- Polish national assists school in Mygdi
Myagdi, April 22: A Polish national has assisted about Rs 15 million for the construction of school building at Annapurna rural municipality -8 in the district. John Wolanski of Poland provided Rs 14.5 million to the local Kaphaldanda Basic School for constructing two classroom blocks.
School principal Buddhi Purja said that Wolanski provided the financial support at the coordination of Gir Bahadur Garbuja, who was born at Dharapani of Myagdi and currently living in the UK. Garbuja has been working at a private company in the UK after his retirement from the Gurkha regiment in the British Army.
Purja said one school block has five rooms and the next one six rooms. The school principal Purja said the school has honoured Wolanski and Garbuja for their contribution.
Wolanski said he is extremely happy that his contribution has directly benefited the students of a remote village and expressed his desire to continue such support in future as well. Wolanski and Garbuja had also assisted the school by providing equipment required for conducting tele-teaching.
The school which runs classes up to Grade 8 has 43 students.
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17- Around 8,000 children still out-of-school in Sarlahi
Barahathawa (Sarlahi), April 22: Although almost of the local levels in Sarlahi district working towards ensuring cent per cent enrollment of children in the school this new academic year, around 8,000 children are still out of school owing to various reasons.
According to statistic of Education Development and Coordination Unit in Sarlahi, a total of 3,797 girls and 4,480 boys of school-going-age (5 years to 12 years) were still out of school.
Barahathawa municipality has the highest number of out-of-school children at 832 while Parsa rural municipality has the lowest at 242, informed Sunil Kumar Kushbaha, technical assistant in the Unit.
Most of the out-of-school children are from impoverished families as well as from Dalit and Muslim communities, he shared.
Lack of awareness about importance of education among the parents and their poor financial condition among others are the major factors due to which many children of school going age were still out of school, assessed Ram Narayan Raya, teacher at a primary school in Parsa rural municipality-1.
Student Enrollment Campaign is in full swing to bring as many as children of school going age under the ambit of education this academic year, according to teacher Raya.
Similarly, Ram Briksha Mahato, Chief of the Unit, observed that many children of school-going-age accompany their parents to workplace instead of going to school.
Door-to-door campaign and awareness rallies among others are being run in the targeted communities to attract as many as out-of-school children to the school.
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18- PM Dahal urges political parties to follow course of socialism
Kathmandu, April 22: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has urged all the political parties to together find a path towards socialism as per the spirit of the Constitution.
Addressing a programme organised to mark the Diamond Jubilee of the establishment of the Communist Party of Nepal in Godavari of Lalitpur today, the Prime Minister insisted on the need for political cooperation to find the nation’s development and to serve the best interests of citizens.
“Our political accomplishments so far were possible due to a political understanding and unity. But, an erosion in such understanding has made us weaker,” he said, wishing that the celebration of the Day may inspire all the political parties at home to mark the day for starting a fresh understanding and consensus.
Stating that Communist parties representing various streams, the Nepali Congress and other political parties had contributed significantly to the establishment of a federal democratic republic system, the Chair of the major ruling CPN (Maoist Centre) said an atmosphere featuring high political cooperation and understanding is vital to institutionalise these achievements.
He claimed that attempts are underway to undermine the federal republic founded on the principles of proportional representation and inclusion. He called on all political parties to get engaged in collaborative efforts aiming to strengthen democracy, advancing towards social justice and prosperity.
The PM urged political parties to recognise mutual existence and contributions and commit to serving the cause of the nation and its citizens. He also wanted political parties to make corrections of weaknesses within themselves.
“Let’s review our good works and reflect on our weaknesses. Let’s have a resolution to cultivate an advanced thought ahead and serve the nation with dedication,” he said.
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19- Four foreigners rescued from Larke Pass in Manang
Manang, April 22: Four tourists visiting the district of Manang were rescued after they were taken ill due to altitude sickness in Larke Pass.
The foreigners coming to trek along the Manaslu trekking route were rescued from Bhimtang of Nason Rural Municipality-7 in the district on Monday. Chief District Officer of Manang, Subash Kumar Lamichhane, said the tourists were rescued and sent to Kathmandu in a helicopter after basic treatment in Chame, the district headquarters of Manang.
According to CDO Lamichhane, a Nepali tour guide, four foreigners include two South African citizens and two from New Zealand. Likewise, CDO Lamichhane has urged foreigners to apply precautions while trekking adding that they would fall ill due to temperature differences.
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20- Kathmandu to host UNDP Asia Pacific regional meeting
Kathmandu, April 22: UNDP Resident Representatives of 35 countries including the Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations are coming to Nepal for the Asia Pacific regional meeting of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
According to the information shared by the Secretariat of Finance Minister Barshman Pun, they will arrive in Kathmandu April 29. UNDP Resident Representative for Nepal, Ayshanie Medagangoda-Labe’, shared about the visit today in a courtesy meeting with Finance Minister Pun today.
Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific of UNDP Kanni Wignaraja will join the meeting. Wignaraja is also scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Finance Minister Barshman Pun and Minister for Energy Shakti Bahadur Basnet.
During the meeting, Labe shared about the work that UNDP is doing to help Nepal’s endeavours for poverty alleviation and about the Global Green Climate Fund going to be implemented in Nepal.
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21- Oli urges to materialize the slogan of Prosperous Nepal; Happy Nepali
Lalitpur, April 22: CPN (UML) Chair KP Sharma Oli has appealed to all to extend their support in the campaign to materialize the slogan of Prosperous Nepal; Happy Nepali.
Addressing the Diamond Jubilee celebration organized on the occasion of the establishment of the Nepal Communist Party, Oli described the slogan as a move introduced for Nepal and Nepalis and called for assistance from all responsible sides in the country.
The programme witnessed the presence of the leadership of major political parties and former prime ministers as well. In his remarks, Oli said the entire nation should unite for the cause of national unity, democracy and prosperous Nepal and added that his party was firm on further strengthening and institutionalizing democracy, which, he said, was gained after huge sacrifices and struggles.
Chair Oli also highlighted the vital role of the UML in the country’s major movements waged for the end of the Rana regime, and the establishment of multiparty democracy and republic.
Saying that the Communist Party of Nepal has a proud history of 75 years, Oli argued that the communist movement now should head towards socialism and stressed the unity and polarization of the country’s major communist forces.
But, he was cautious regarding the unity of the communist parties and stated that such unity should not be in haste but on the basis of cooperation and trust. Likewise, Oli added that the new government with a new political coalition was formed to address the burning issues of the country, ensure the country’s nationality and independence and deliver good governance.
On the Diamond Jubilee celebration, Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Centre) Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, former PMs Jhalanath Khanal and Dr Baburam Bhattarai, former Chair of the Council of Ministers Khilaraj Regmi, Deputy Prime Minister and Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane, Chair of Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal and Deputy Prime Minister Upendra Yadav and other leaders were present.
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22- MoUs to be signed between Nepal and Qatar approved
Kathmandu, April 22: The government has decided to endorse various memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to be signed between the Government of Nepal and the Government of Qatar. The MoUs are going to be signed during the two-day state visit of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani,
At the invitation of President Ramchandra Paudel, the Emir of Qatar, Al Thani, is visiting Nepal on April 23 and 24. Accordingly, the council of ministers meeting today decided to give a public holiday on April 23.
According to Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma, the cabinet also decided to approve the state visit program of the Emir of Qatar and for the Prime Minister to lead the talks with the Qatari side. The memorandum of understanding is being signed on cooperation between Nepal and Qatar in the field of youth and sports, and the in the field of education and scientific research.
Spokesperson Sharma informed that the meeting decided to to accept 9.91 million Swiss francs from the Swiss government for the implementation of the trekking-based tourism development project in Koshi province and 9.8 million US dollars from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) for Pokhara Metropolitan City.
He said that he decided to recommend to the President to issue an ordinance to amend some Nepal Acts related to investment facilitation. Similarly, the Cabinet has also decided to appoint Secretary Madhukumar Marasini as the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Dr. Krishnahari Pushkar as the Secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.
Communication and Information Technology Minister Rekha Sharma informed that today’s meeting of the Council of Ministers took the decision. He said that the meeting approved the preliminary agenda of the 12th meeting of the Nepal China Tibet Trade Facilitation Committee to be held in Kathmandu on 15th and 16th May 2081 on the proposal of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supply and decided to form a negotiating team under the coordination of the joint secretary of the ministry to participate in the said meeting.
According to the proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the meeting decided to amend the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Regulations so that three levels of government can cooperate in strengthening, restoring and rebuilding private housing damaged by disasters and at risk.
Spokesperson Sharma has also announced the decisions of the Council of Ministers meeting on the 6th of Baisakh today. The meeting decided to give approval to Professor Shivraj Adhikari, a member of the National Planning Commission, to participate in the Food Labeling Workshop to be held in Bangkok, Thailand from 10th to 12th May 2081 on the proposal of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. Similarly, it was decided to grant permission to Dr. Rameshchandra Poudel, a member of the National Planning Commission, to participate in the economic and social cooperation program of the Asia-Pacific region to be held in Bangkok, Thailand from 10th to 14th of May 2081.
Spokesman Sharma informed that the meeting gave approval to the secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supply to participate in the program to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from the 15th to 17th of May on the proposal of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supply. He said that the meeting decided to approve in principle to determine the monthly salary and other facilities of the executive director of Nepal Oil Corporation, to develop and manage irrigation on the proposal of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation and to draft a bill related to river and water disaster management.
Spokesman Sharma said that the meeting decided to give approval to the Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to participate in the Conference of Small and Medium-Sized Developing Countries to be held from 14th to 17th June, and to approve the agenda of the third meeting of the Nepal-Bangladesh Bilateral Consultative Mechanism and to form a Nepalese delegation led by the Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to participate in the meeting. informed.
He said that the meeting decided that the Goshwara Post Office, Postal Directorate and District Post Offices will operate on public holidays other than Saturdays, Deputy Auditor General Baikuntha Bahadur Adhikari will be promoted to the post of Deputy Auditor General and Murari Prasad Kharel will be appointed as the Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission.
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23- Excessive hot in Tarai; folks urged to remain safe from heat wave
Kathmandu, April 22: The Meteorological Forecasting Division of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has said that both minimum and maximum temperatures in most parts of the country have increased in the past few days resulting in hotter days.
Issuing a special public bulletin on Monday, the Department has asked one and all to remain cautious since the maximum temperature in some parts of Lumbini, Madesh and Sudurpaschim provinces was recorded at 40 degrees Celsius or more.
The Department has stated that excessive hot is likely for some days in Tarai area and has urged all to apply precautions or make needed preparations. “These areas could witness a hot wave from 22 to 26 April. People are requested for needed precautions to keep themselves safe from the impact of the hot wave,” the Department’s special bulletin states.
Likewise, the Division has asked people to remain inside the home in time of excessive heat, avoid travel, cover head while going out from home, wear cap, drink water and juice frequently, and stay in contact with the health workers in case of health issues.
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24- RSS to provide news, photos of Qatari Amir’s state visit
Kathmandu, April 22: The exclusive news and photos of the two-day state visit of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, can be accessed from the .
At the invitation of President Ramchandra Paudel, the Emir of Qatar, Al Thani, is arriving Kathmandu on Tuesday. The media outlets willing to access the news and photos of the visit would get by logging in to rssnepal.org.np. For this, the media outlets are advised to use rss1 as the username and rss as the password. The service beginning today will be in effect until Thursday.
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25- Indian Embassy hands over bus to Machhapuchchhre School
Kaski, April 22: The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu handed over a bus to Machhapuchchhre Secondary School in Machhapuchchhre Rural Municipality-2 in Kaski district.
The Embassy handed over the bus on Monday as part of the Nepal-India development partnership programme. Indian Embassy’s military attaché’ Amit Sharma provided the bus to the school principal Santosh Acharya amid a function.
On the occasion, school principal Santosh Acharya said that students coming from far away would now enjoy the bus ride on their way to school and back home.
According to Principal Acharya, the school bus would be operated to ferry students from villages like Bharabhari, Karuwa, Mirsa, Dhiprang and other remote areas.
The Machhapuchchhre Secondary School is a model community school in Kaski with around 700 students.
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26- Discussion on exchange of news products between RSS and Qatar News Agency
Kathmandu, April 22: Possibility of exchange of news products between the and the Qatar News Agency (QNA) of Qatar has been discussed.
Accordingly, a meeting was held at the RSS central office regarding exchange of news between the two state-owned news agencies, as well as the coverage of the state visit of the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Nepal starting Tuesday.
On the occasion, RSS Executive Chair Dharmendra Jha welcomed Deputy news director of Qatar News Agency, Yushef Ahmed Al Sayed and expressed his belief that the visit of the Qatari Emir would further enhance the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
Likewise, QNA Deputy News Director, Al Sayed, expressed readiness to exchange news between the two news agencies. Chief Editor of RSS Yekraj Pathak, officials of Qatar News Agency and representative of Qatari Embassy in Nepal Mazhar Rahmani were also present in the meeting.
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27- Senior leaders for unity to develop the country
Kathmandu, April 22: Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba has stressed the need for cooperation among all sides for the development of the country.
“The cooperation of all sides is necessary to develop the country by safeguarding the democratic republican system,” Deuba said, “minimum consensus and collaboration is necessary for the protection of the fundamental rights of citizens, lasting peace and good governance in the country.”
He was speaking at the Diamond Jubilee celebration organized on the occasion of the establishment of the Nepal Communist Party in Godavari, Lalitpur today.
Also speaking at the function, CPN (Maoist Centre) chair and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ said that all political parties should cooperate for the development of the country. “All the political achievements made so far has been through political understanding and unity,” he said while appealing to all political parties to begin afresh for understanding and consensus.
Dahal also said political parties should respect the contributions of every political party and work for the country and the people. Likewise, UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli called on all political parties to unite in the defense and strengthening of the federal democratic republic. He pointed out the need for a concrete plan to wipe out poverty from the country, end corruption and work in favor of the nation and national interests.
On the occasion, Prime Minister Dahal, UML Chair Oli, Congress President Deuba, CPN-US leader Khanal, Nepal Samajbadi Party Chair Dr Baburam Bhattarai, then Chairperson of Council of Ministers Khilraj Regmi and other major parties’ leaders jointly honoured former President Bidya Devi Bhandari with the ‘Ganatantra Gaurav Samman’ presented by the CPN-UML party.
Speaking on the occasion, former President Bhandari said political parties must develop a high-level of political culture for a common vision to take the nation forward. She suggested increasing domestic production and productivity through the utilization of natural resources, cultural heritage and people’s labor, skills and talents.
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28- Minister invites investors to invest in Nepal’s energy, tourism, IT, agriculture sectors
Kathmandu, April 22: Finance Minister Barshaman Pun has said that the continuation of the best policies taken by the government would help create an environment conducive for investment and repatriate the returns.
In a meeting with the media persons ahead of the Nepal Investment Summit 2024, the Finance Minister said government policies will remain unchanged despite the change in the government and the investors won’t have to face difficulties in taking their returns back.
Minister Pun made it clear that there will be no changes in Nepal’s investment laws and policies though the changes take place in internal politics. “The characteristics of capital is an environment for investment and securing profits. There is nothing to do with any ism and system for the investors. Investors look for the environment and now Nepal has an appropriate environment for investment,” the Finance Minister said.
He also hoped that domestic and foreign investment will increase in Nepal due to different legal, procedural and structural changes that the government made in recent times.
On the occasion, Finance Minister Pun urged the investors to invest in Nepal’s energy, tourism, information technology and agricultural goods processing sector terming them more lucrative areas for investment.
There is no problem for the market for goods produced in Nepal since Nepal enjoys friendly ties with two gigantic nations India and China, Minister Pun argued.
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