- Thursday, 18 September 2025
Kimathanka (Sankhuwasabha), July 29: The Lakhe Jatra, a cultural festival celebrated by the Newar community in the eastern hilly districts of Okhaldhunga, Khotang, Sankhuwasabha, Bhojpur, Dhankuta, Tehrathum, and Taplejung, commenced today.
In Sankhuwasabha, the festivities began in Khandbari Bazaar, following rituals performed at the Bhimsen Temple in Khandbari municipality-1. According to Newar cultural tradition, Bhimsen, revered as the deity of trade and commerce, is worshipped before the formal commencement of the festival.
Traditionally, the festival starts on Nag Panchami, a day dedicated to serpent worship in Hindu culture, and concludes on Krishna Janmashtami, the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. These two events typically fall about two weeks apart.
The Newa Dey Daboo Municipal Working Committee, Khandbari has coordinated the organizing of this year’s Lakhe Jatra. The Lakhe Dance is the central highlight of the festival. Performers dressed in colorful traditional Lakhe attire, wearing elaborate masks, and accompanied by traditional Newar music, dance energetically through the market streets, captivating onlookers.
Committee Chair Pushpa Bahadur Shrestha confirmed the official start of the celebrations.
While the Newar community is historically rooted in the three cities of the Kathmandu Valley: Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur, they have also established settlements in various parts of the country, including Dhankuta Bazaar (Dhankuta), Taksar Bazaar (Bhojpur), Chainpur, Khandbari, Wana, and Sibhuwa Bazaar (Sankhuwasabha).
During the Lakhe dances, symbolic acts are performed that recall the legendary battle between Lord Krishna and his maternal uncle Kansa, reflecting the mythological tales from the Dwapar Yuga.
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Hayu family handed over to relatives
Gandaki, July 29: The family of Urmila Hayu, who went missing from Chhetpa, Golanjor Rural Municipality-6, Sindhuli has been handed over to their relatives. They were located in Gagangauda, Pokhara Metropolitan City-30, Kaski,
They were found in the house of Somnath Poudel and Chandra Bhandari in Pokhara-30 on Monday evening and were handed over to their son-in-law Dhan Bahadur Tamang, Assistant Chief District Officer Shiva Lamsal said. Ward Chair of Pokhara Metropolitan City-30 Durga Prasad Subedi was present on the occasion.
According to the police, the family members said that they left Chhetpa after a local Shaman asked them to move from there to avoid continuously falling sick.
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Rains completely disrupt eight major traffic routes
Kathmandu, July 28: Eight major traffic routes, including several highways across the country, have been completely disrupted due to continuous rainfall over the past few days.
The affected routes include the Koshi Highway at Bhatkhola in Sankhuwasabha, the Pasang Lhamu Highway in Rasuwa, the Araniko Highway at Bhotekoshi rural municipality in Sindhupalchowk, the Besisahar-Manang roadway at Marsyangdi rural municipality in Lamjung, the Rudrabeni-Bami roadway at Satyawati and Chandrakot rural municipalities in Gulmi, the Jajarkot-Dolpa-Bheri Corridor at Aathbiskot municipality in Rukum West, and the Dashrath Chand Highway at Patan municipality in Baitadi.
Similarly, several road sections are operational one-way, according to Nepal Police Headquarters, Naxal.
These include the Tokha-Nuwakot road section, the Kaligandaki Corridor at Baglung Municipality in Baglung, the Kaligandaki Corridor at Gaindakot municipality in Nawalparasi East, the Beni-Jomsom roadway at Thasang rural municipality in Mustang, the Prithvi Highway at Bandipur rural municipality in Tanahu, and the Shahid Highway at Pariwaratn Rural municipality in Rolpa.
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‘Party should be established thru social organisation’
Kathmandu, July 29: Chairperson of the CPN (Maoist Centre), Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has emphasized on the need of establishing the party through the medium of social organisations.
At a discussion organised by Social Welfare Department of the CPN (Maoist Centre) here today, Chair Dahal mentioned that the intervention of the CPN (Maoist Centre) on social organisations should be positive. A positive role should be played by participating in the social organisations in the changed political context, he argued.
He mentioned, “Though CPN (Maoist Centre) leaders and cadres have been involved in various organisations, they do not want to reveal their affiliation to the party. This tendency should be changed. The social organisations where there is participation of our leaders and cadres should be made excellent.”
Sharing that the concept of independent national economy put forward by the CPN (Maoist Centre) is different from that of other parties, the Maoist Centre Chair stressed the need of establishing this concept up to grassroots.
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How China Engages South Asia: Allies, Diplomacy, BRI Investment
Dr. Mohammad Maruf Hasan
Kathmandu, July 29: South Asia’s importance is growing daily in the current global geopolitical, economic, and social context. As the closest neighbor to the region, China is positioning itself as a strategic partner and will not lag behind in asserting its influence.
The ongoing strategic shifts in South Asia—particularly in the context of the United States’ “rebalance to Asia” policy—have heightened the region’s geopolitical significance. According to the UNFPA Population Report, nearly two billion people live in South Asia. Moreover, India, the largest country in the region, is emerging as a global economic powerhouse alongside China. Both India and Pakistan, key South Asian nations, are among the few nuclear-armed states in the world. The geographic location of South Asian countries along the shores of the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea further enhances the region’s strategic value.
Over the past two decades, China has intensified its engagement in South Asia to advance its geopolitical, economic, and strategic interests. Beijing views the region as critical for regional stability and access to global trade routes. China has a substantial economic stake in South Asia, particularly in trade. For instance, according to The Hindu, one of India’s largest newspapers, bilateral trade between China and India was around $10 billion in 2005 and has since surged to over $75 billion. It is projected to exceed $127 billion by 2025.
Through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China is building strategic partnerships and investing heavily in infrastructure across South Asia to secure energy corridors, deepen economic integration, and enhance its regional influence—historically dominated by India. With vast financial resources, assertive infrastructure diplomacy, and growing technological capabilities, China has significantly reshaped the regional geopolitical landscape.
China’s presence is expanding through various projects—ports in Sri Lanka, electricity grids in Bangladesh, road networks in Pakistan, and digital infrastructure in Nepal. These developments raise critical questions about long-term sovereignty, regional alignment, and debt sustainability.
China’s engagement with South Asia rests on three interrelated pillars—economic and infrastructure investment, technology diplomacy and soft power, and political and strategic diplomacy. These efforts aim to secure trade routes, open new markets, and consolidate China’s influence in a rapidly evolving regional order.
Pakistan serves as the most prominent example of China’s South Asia policy. The two countries have consistently supported each other in regional and international forums, maintaining a close and strategic partnership. Central to this alliance is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)—a project valued at over $62 billion, according to the CPEC quarterly report—which connects Gwadar Port in Pakistan to China’s western Xinjiang region. The corridor includes critical infrastructure such as power plants, highways, and railways, forming the backbone of China’s regional investment strategy. Likewise, economic ties between the two nations have been further bolstered by the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA), which has deepened trade cooperation. On the security front, China and Pakistan frequently conduct joint military exercises and collaborate on defense production, notably in the development of the JF-17 fighter jet. Pakistan is also China’s largest arms importer.
The CPEC provides China with direct access to the Arabian Sea, allowing it to bypass the strategic chokepoint of the Strait of Malacca and enhance its energy security. Beyond economic and military cooperation, the partnership extends into people-to-people diplomacy, with both countries promoting tourism, student scholarships, and cultural exchanges to foster deeper mutual understanding.
Bangladesh and China share a strong diplomatic and working relationship, recently elevated to a full-scale strategic cooperative partnership. Regular high-level exchanges have deepened mutual trust, and both countries remain firmly committed to supporting each other on core issues of national interest, such as China’s one-China policy.
Defense cooperation between the two nations is robust, encompassing arms sales, military training, defense production, and joint exercises. Notably, China has assisted Bangladesh with an anti-ship missile launch pad and refurbished submarines, enhancing its naval capabilities. Since Bangladesh joined the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2016, China has invested billions of dollars in various energy and infrastructure projects. These include power plants, transportation networks, and flagship developments like the Padma Bridge Rail Link. Additionally, under the Digital Silk Road initiative, Chinese tech giants such as Huawei and ZTE are supporting Bangladesh’s ambitions in 5G deployment, cloud computing, and smart governance—significantly advancing the country’s digital transformation.
China was among the first countries to recognize Sri Lanka’s sovereignty, with the landmark 1952 Rubber-Rice Pact laying the foundation for a strong bilateral relationship. Since then, ties between the two nations have evolved into a comprehensive strategic partnership, supported by regular high-level visits, bilateral agreements, and mutual support in international forums. China has consistently backed Sri Lanka on key issues such as sovereignty, post-conflict reconstruction, and national development, making it a central pillar in Sri Lanka’s foreign policy.
In recent years, the China–Sri Lanka relationship has grown both boldly and contentiously. China has emerged as a major development partner through large-scale infrastructure projects, financial aid, and strategic investments. Notable among these is the development of the Hambantota Port with Chinese financing. Additionally, the multibillion-dollar Colombo Port City project—along with four other major infrastructure ventures funded by China—aims to transform Colombo into a regional financial hub.
Sri Lanka’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean makes it a vital node in China’s Maritime Silk Road initiative, enhancing Beijing’s maritime presence and influence in the region. While the deepening partnership has brought economic opportunities, it has also raised concerns about debt sustainability and long-term sovereignty, making Sri Lanka a key case study in China’s evolving South Asia strategy.
Nepal and China share a long-standing relationship rooted in geographical proximity, land border ties, economic cooperation, and diplomatic relations established in 1955. In recent years, China has emerged as a major development partner under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), contributing to several key infrastructure projects across Nepal.
Among these projects are the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network, feasibility studies for the Kerung–Kathmandu railway, the construction and expansion of roads along northern border routes, hydropower and energy development, industrial parks, and Special Economic Zones. These initiatives aim to enhance Nepal’s connectivity, energy capacity, and industrial growth. China is also Nepal’s largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI). According to People’s Daily Online, Nepal received approximately $88 million in FDI from China in recent years, primarily directed toward the tourism and service sectors.
The Maldives and China have established solid political and diplomatic ties, albeit the Maldives seeks to maintain a balance with both China and India. China invested in the Maldives in several development projects: airports, bridges, tourism, fisheries, the Maldives’s engagement with financial diplomacy, Chinese SOEs, digital Silk Road, soft power, and health diplomacy with China.
The area’s Power dynamics are changing due to China’s expanding links with South Asia. The message is unmistakable: China is here to stay, whether it is a rail line in Kathmandu, a fiber-optic cable in Dhaka, or a port in Colombo. Whether or not this is a tale of shared progress will depend on how South Asian nations react, adjust, and express themselves.
China has significantly enhanced regional connectivity and economic development in South Asia through diplomatic engagement, strategic partnerships, and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects. Its investments in digital infrastructure and physical connectivity have benefited countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. However, concerns remain over dependency, debt sustainability, and regional geopolitical tensions. To maximize the benefits and mitigate the risks of Chinese involvement, South Asian nations must ensure that cooperation remains transparent, balanced, and sustainable. China’s growing presence is reshaping the region, offering opportunities for stability, infrastructure growth, and long-term development. As a result, many analysts view China’s engagement in South Asia as a critical driver of both economic and political transformation. (The author is an Associate Professor, School of International Studies, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China)
(Disclaimer: The views expressed herewith are solely those of the author, and do not necessary represent the views of the agency.)
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Gurahi, cultural festival of west Tharu community, observed
Kailali, July 29: Gurahi, a cultural festival of the Tharu community in the western Nepal was, also observed with a great enthusiasm in Kailali today.
The festival is traditionally observed to protect crops from insects and pests, recongising the significance of agriculture in one’s life.
During the festival, girls and sisters create a cloth-made doll known as Guriya which is later ritually disposed of in a location far from the home. The disposal ritual is called Asraina.
According to Dil Bahadur Chaudhary, Coordinator of the Tharu Civil Society Kailali, the performance of such rituals are believed to have ward off pests and harmful influences from nursery crops, thereby leading to their growth.
The disposal of the doll is followed by the distribution and consumption of Prasad, a sacred offering made from mixed grains and bhuja (puffed rice), accompanied by traditional singing and dancing. “The celebration of Gurahi is a significant expression of the Tharu community’s cultural richness and diversity,” said local cultural activist Kalimaiya (Unnati) Tharu.
The term Gurahi in the Tharu language refers to a dragonfly, known in Nepali as Gainekira (singing insect). This insect plays an important ecological role by feeding on mosquitoes and other harmful bugs, contributing to cleaner surroundings. In recognition of its significance, participants honor it by creating the cloth doll, which is symbolically struck with a stick by male participants, a ritual meant to drive away diseases and negative influences from the community.
Gurahi is also considered a festival for Tharu children, believed to protect them from common seasonal ailments such as eye infections, fever, skin rashes, and vomiting. In this way, the festival is traditionally connected to public well-being, it is said.
Celebrated since ancient times, Gurahi also stands as a symbol of social harmony and friendship. Notably, it coincides with Nag Panchami, a Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of serpents that is being celebrated today this year.
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AIN Nepal active to help address drought in Madhesh
Janakpur, July 29: After the government declared Madhesh a drought-hit zone, the Association of International NGOs (AIN) in Nepal has speed up its regular intiatives along with dedicated programmes in the province.
They are responding to the drought-affected areas in Madhesh through their local partner organizations in coordination and cooperation with the WASH Cluster’, District Disaster Management Committee and local levels, said Pramil Adhikari, liaison officer of the AIN in Madhesh Province.
Accordingly, Save the Children Nepal has distributed 10,000 liters of water to 534 households in Ishworpur Municipality-10 of Sarlahi while Oxfam has distributed shallow tubewells and drinking water to 200 households in Chandranigahpur of Rautahat, and 200 households in Haripur, Hariwan and Malangwa of Sarlahi.
Likewise, Plan International Nepal has distributed water jars to 1,000 households in Sabaila Municipality in Dhanusha. World Vision International Nepal has provided small irrigation support to 55 and 314 households in Ekdara and Samsi rural municipalities of Mahottari, respectively, as well as 93 households in Haripurwa of Sarlahi and 42 households in Madhav Narayan of Rautahat.
Islamic Relief has started deep boring to reach 1,000 households in Rajpur and Chapur of Rautahat, as well as 50 households in Mahagadimai and Suvarna of Bara.
The Water Aid has distributed drinking water to 300 Dalit settlements in Lahan Municipality of Siraha. SNV Nepal is supporting the study and research on the drinking water situation in the province. It has also started a study of deep boring in five municipalities of Dhanusha and Mahottari.
Furthermore, international NGOs such as People in Need, Action AID, Good Neighbours, UMN are coordinating with the local level for project selection and coordination.
In addition, the Start Fund Nepal project, run under the coordination of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority and the UK government has been launched.
This program will be implemented in the drought-affected Birgunj and Bahuradarmai of Parsa, Simsangadi of Bara, Paroha Municipality of Rautahat, Kabilasi of Sarlahi, Laxmi Patahari Rural Municipality of Siraha, and 10 municipalities including Rupani, Tilathi Koiladi and Hanumannagar of Saptari and will runs for the next 60 days.
This project will benefit more than 44,000 members of 8,355 households.
In addition, the World Food Program has started distributing shallow tubewells, pump sets, and motor pipes in Madhav Narayan Municipality of Rautahat and Hanumannagar and Tilathi Koiladi of Saptari.
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Jumla farmers prohibited from plucking raw apples
Jumla, July 29: Farmers of Jumla district have been prohibited from harvesting raw apples. Issuing a public notice, the Agriculture Development Office has urged the farmers to pick the apples only starting September 1.
Office Chief Ram Bhakta Adhikari shared that action would be taken against the farmers and businessperson if raw apples were found harvested and sold against the notice.
“Raw apples lack taste, quality and nutrition. There would be negative impact on its brand and market price in a long-term manner. So the agriculture branch of eight local levels and locals in the district have been informed through the public notice, “mentioned Adhikari.
As per the agriculture experts, it would be appropriate to pick the apples only from the second week of Bhadra i.e. last week of September. Out of around 18,000 families in the district, 16,000 families are been involved in apple farming.
Apple is being cultivated on more than 4,000 hectares of land in the district, added the office.
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Chief Minister Lama loses post of NC parliamentary party leader
Makawanpur, July 29: Nepali Congress Bagmati Province parliamentary party leader Bahadur Lama has lost the post of parliamentary party leader.
In the vote that took place on a no-confidence motion registered against him, 15 NC provincial assembly members voted against the motion while 22 voted for it, ousting him from the post of parliamentary party leader.
The no-confidence motion was registered against him last Friday.
There are 37 provincial assembly members representing the Nepali Congress in the Bagmati Province Assembly and subsequent members of the NC parliamentary party.
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Registration of new industries declines, trend of closing existing ones increase in Makwanpur
Kathmandu, July 29: The industrial environment in Makwanpur, the district serving as the capital of Bagmati Province, has declined in recent years. Subsequently, the registration of new industries has dropped while the number of shut down has also increased significantly.
According to Chief of the Industry and Commerce Office, Makwanpur, Ram Prasad Bhusal, a total of 418 new industrial enterprises were registered in the district during the fiscal year 2081/82 BS (2024–25), along with 260 new commercial enterprises. In contrast, 281 industrial and 361 commercial enterprises were shut down in the same period.
In the previous fiscal year 2080/81 BS (2023–24), 366 new industrial enterprises and 335 commercial enterprises were registered. A year before that, in 2079/80 BS (2022–23), the numbers were 579 and 430, respectively.
Meanwhile, 268 industrial and 336 commercial enterprises were closed in 2080/81 BS, while the number of total closures stood at 283 in 2079/80 BS.
These figures highlight a growing trend of business shut down in recent years.
Several factors have been identified for the increasing number of business shutdowns. These include the registration of enterprises merely to access grants from various agencies, the use of company registration to show capital for sending family members abroad, trade losses, and the dual registration processes at the local level.
As a result, the revenue collected by the Office from business registration and renewal has also declined. In the fiscal year 2081/82 BS, revenue collection dropped by Rs 6.1 million compared to the previous year, amounting to Rs 26.08 million.
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Will not resign, says Bagmati Chief Minister Lama
Bagmati, July 31: Bagmati Province Chief Minister Bahadur Singh Lama Tamang has said that he will not resign from the post.
Speaking to media persons after the no-confidence motion against him was passed by a majority of the Bagmati Province Congress parliamentary party this afternoon, Chief Minister Lama said that even though he lost the post of parliamentary party leader he will not resign from the post of Chief Minister. “Even if I am removed as parliamentary party leader, it does not mean that I should resign from the post of Chief Minister,” he said. “The government is one side while the parliamentary party is another side. To become the Chief Minister, one does not need to be a party leader, so there is no reason that I leave the post of Chief Minister.”
He also said that since the parliament party leader post has fallen vacant after the no-confidence motion against him was passed, the leader selection process would now begin.
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PM’s India visit to feature discussions to resolve trade related issues: Minister Bhandari
Kathmandu, July 29: Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Damodar Bhandari, has shared that preparation was underway to hold high-level discussion to resolve existing problems surfaced in trade sector in course of upcoming India visit of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
At a programme organised by Nepal Freight Forwarders Association on the occasion of 31st Cargo Day here today, he shared that the issues including trade promotion would be discussed during PM Oli’s India visit.
Minister Bhandari expressed commitment that the government would work to resolve the trade problems with two countries as India and China are the first market of Nepal, adding the Ministry has been taking initiatives to upgrading the business between the two countries.
Activities are underway to create environment for increasing sell by exporting domestic products to abroad, he opined.
Similarly, Financial Comptroller General Shova Kant Poudel, President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Chandra Prasad Dhakal, President of Nepal Chamber of Commerce, Kamalesh Kumar Agrawal, President of Confederation of Nepalese Industry, Birendra Raj Pandey, and President of Nepal Freight Forwarders Association, Rajerndra Sangraula, stressed on Nepal’s trade promotion with other countries.
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Bagmati Province Minister Khadka resigns
Bagmati, July 29: Minister for Water Supply, Energy and Irrigation of Bagmati Province, Shyam Bahadur Khadka, has resigned from his post today.
Minister Khadka tendered his resignation before Chief Minister Bahadur Singh Lama. He resigned from the post after a no-confidence motion had been registered against NC parliamentary party leader and Chief Minister Lama. The no-confidence motion was endorsed by a majority of the NC parliamentary party members.
Earlier on Friday, Minister for Internal Affairs and Law, Suraj Chandra Lamichhane, Minister for Culture and Tourism, Bimal Thakuri, Minister for Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation, Madhu Kumar Shrestha, Minister for Youth and Sports, Min Krishna Maharjan, appointed from the Nepali Congress, had resigned from their posts. In response, Chief Minister Lama relieved them from the post on the same day.
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