- Saturday, 14 February 2026
Kathmandu, Feb 14: Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Ashok Raj Sigdel has issued a special directive to ensure that the upcoming March 5 election to the House of Representatives be held in a peaceful manner.
Addressing a special event organized at the Army Headquarters today on the occasion of Maha Shivarattri and 262nd Army Day, CoAS Sigdel extended his best wishes to all personnel of the Nepali Army.
During his address, he instructed army personnel of all ranks to discharge their respective duties in various field effectively including playing a crucial role in maintaining peace during the election, according to the Directorate of Public Relations and Information of the Nepali Army.
Furthermore, the CoAS emphasized the importance of teaching the history of Nepal and Nepali people during the training of soldiers so that they could learn from the nation’s glorious history, traditions and culture.
He thus instructed the concerned authorities to make necessary arrangements for the same, said the Directorate. Meanwhile, CoAS Sigdel in another programme today, paid tributes to the soldiers sacrificing their lives in line of duty. He reached the Bir Memorial at Chhauni and Sainik Manch (Army Pavilion) Tundikhel to offer tributes to the fallen soldiers.
He also honoured the families of the martyred soldiers at Bir Memorial at Chhauni.
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07- One arrested on fraud charges
Kathmandu, Feb 14: Mahesh Tamang, 56, from Kalinchok Rural Municipality-4, Dolakha, currently residing in Gokarneswor Municipality-8, has been arrested on charges of fraudulently taking money under the pretext of sending people to Hungary with the lure of attractive salaries.
Acting on a complaint that the accused defrauded a victim of Rs 300,000, a team from the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office arrested Tamang from Kathmandu Metropolitan City-12 on Friday.
He was presented to the Department of Foreign Employment for necessary action.
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08- Revolving fund instituted in memory of late film journalist Sitaula
Kathmandu, Feb 14: The Film Journalists Association of Nepal has instituted a revolving fund of Rs 1 million in memory of its Immediate Past President, Dinesh Sitaula, on the 13th day of his passing away.
The Association announced the establishment of the revolving fund in a memorial assembly organized here recently. Association President Samir Balami said that the annual special event will be organized on February 1 every year to commemorate the late Sitaula.
The revolving fund is instituted with an objective of providing the ‘Dinesh Sitaula Film Journalist Memorial Award’ during the Association’s annual celebration, he added. During the memorial assembly, Dinesh DC, Chairperson of the Film Development Board, recalled Sitaula’s contributions to Nepal’s film industry and film journalism and urged everyone to support the fund.
He announced the contribution of Rs 51,000 to the fund from the Board. Similarly, Mohan Niraula, President of the Nepal Film Artists Association, offered tributes to the late Sitaula.
Describing Sitaula as a friendly and supportive person with a positive outlook, he pledged a personal contribution of Rs 10,000 to the revolving fund. Attendees at the memorial assembly paid tributes to Sitaula who passed away untimely on February 1. He was in his 40s.
Representatives of several organizations and individuals related to Nepali film industry financially contributed to the Fund including former President of the Association, Bidur Giri, senior film journalists Dhruba Lamsal and Jayan Subba Manandhar among others.
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09- Dhorpatan voters want candidates to internalize locals’ pressing issues
Dhorpatan (Baglung), Feb 14: Locals of Dhorpatan have long been awaiting the upgrade of the Saljhandi-Dhorpatan road.
The increasing menace of wildlife is another constant and pressing issue they continue to face. Residents said they have for years suffered the loss of and damage to their crops caused by wild pigs and monkeys . Although they do not have any “special issues” as part of their election agenda this time, the voters explicitly expect candidates contesting in the House of Representatives (HoR) 2026 election to understand their needs and put in place policy interventions to address them.
They want candidates to prioritize local concerns and take initiatives for resolve. When candidates visit their doorsteps during the campaign, voters raise these issues with them.
Thumkala BK, a local of Dhorpatan Municipality-9, said that locals are troubled by the lack of up-gradation of the road connecting Burtibang Bazaar to the Dhorpatan Valley.
“We assumed once the road was constructed, it would make our lives easier. However, contrary to our expectations, it has become a source of inconvenience for us,” she said.
“Whenever elections approach, candidates promise to take initiatives to upgrade the roadway,” she said, adding such promises have never been translated into action. “They never return the constituency once the election is over.”
She said the road has turned a source of misery for the locals. “This time, we will support the candidate who convinces us with a firm commitment to internalize our concerns and take concrete steps to address them,” she said. Tul Bahadur Gharti Magar complained that monkeys, leopards, and wild boars from nearby forests continue to damage crops and sometimes even attack livestock.
“Our mornings and evenings are often spent chasing away wild animals,” he said. “They significantly damage our vegetables and crops. Many leaders approach us during each election with assurances of solving our problems, but once they win, we never know where they go.”
Similarly, Ganga Bahadur BK of Nisikhola Rural Municipality-5, Kunde, lamented that the lack of a systematic transport system has created difficulties in transporting goods. “It has made the transportation of goods more expensive,” he added.
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10- Construction of Khadkabar-Ghiuyabari road only limited to election manifestos
Ranjha (Banke), Feb 14: The long-promised construction of Khadkabar-Ghiuyabari road, envisioned as a vital inter-provincial link connecting Salyan district with Chhapargaudi in Kohalpur municipality of Banke district, has remained confined to political manifestos for years, fueling frustration among the local voters.
Although political parties make the construction of the road a campaign promise in every election, much to the dismay of the local residents, the commitment remains far from fulfillment.
The road has been repeatedly made the popular slogan since the election of 2015 BS. The candidates running in the upcoming March 5 election to House of Representatives from various political parties have yet again placed this project among their priorities.
Surya Dhakal, a candidate of Banke constituency 1 representing CPN (UML), said that it is essential to construct this road to socially and economically empower the residents of ward no 12 and 13 of Kohalpur municipality and Kohalpur city.
He is confident that this road will be a milestone in improving the economic living standards of the people in Banke and Salyan districts. “The road allows shorter and less expensive travel so it falls in our top priorities,” he shared.
He viewed if the road becomes operational, agriculture produces from the hills could be transported to the Terai and goods from Banke could be conveniently delivered to Salyan and other areas.
Likewise, Narayan Gaudel, the Nepali Congress candidate from the same constituency, mentioned that he has been making efforts to build this road.
Stating that he has made this project a key election agenda, he reminded that his party had once organized a rally to pile a pressure on authority to allocate budget for the road.
According to him, this road is very short in terms of distance less than 20 km from Khadkabar to Ghuiyabari in Salyan. He claimed that the road was originally envisioned by BP Koirala, the founding leader of the Nepali Congress.
The construction of this road features top election agenda of candidates from other political parties. Narendra Pandey of Nepali Communist Party, Suresh Chaudhary of Rastriya Swatantra Party and Krishna KC of Pragatishil Lokatantrik Party have also made the construction of this road as a part of their election agenda.
The route passes through Chure hills, flatland, temples, monasteries and Banke National Park making it important from the tourism perspective. Although discussions on construction of the road have been ongoing since long, it has yet to take a concrete shape, frowned Lal Bahadur Rana, a local leader from ward no 13 of Kohalpur municipality.
The voters and candidates hopeful alike in Banke constituency no 1 believe if the Kohalpur-Chappargaudi-Khadkabar-Ghuiyabari road is made, remote village such as Khadkabar in ward no 13 of Kohalpur municipality would finally be connected to the road network.
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11- Construction of motorable bridges gains pace in Chhatisghat
Parbat, Feb 14: Construction of a motorable bridge over the Modi rivulet has been intensified to keep the district-based roads operational throughout the year.
According to the Infrastructure Development Office, Parbat, motorable bridges are being built over the Malyangdi River at Paayu Rural Municipality, on the border of Kushma Municipality and Falebas Municipality.
Among the three bridges, the Chhatisaghat motorable bridge under the Sarau-Balakot road section in Paiyun Rural Municipality, Saraukhola (rivulet), has been completed.
The construction of the bridge that began in Kartik 2080 BS has recently come into operation. The 25-metre-long bridge was built at a cost of Rs 44.3 million, informed Santosh Aryal, head of the Infrastructure Development Office, Parbat.
According to him, the construction contract for this bridge was awarded to Kasturi Construction. During the rainy season, residents of Paiyun Rural Municipality, Saraukhola and Hoshrangdi, Bhoksing and Balakot in Mahashila Rural Municipality had been facing problems due to massive floods in Sarau rivulet, it is stated.
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12- Hypertension to mental issues prevail among Nepali migrant workers in the UAE: medical professionals
Kathmandu, Feb 14: The Nepali Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, organized an interaction programme focusing on the physical and mental health challenges facing by Nepali migrant workers there.
The discussion centered around the common health problems affecting workers, along with measures for prevention and treatment.
A total of 25 Nepali medical specialists participated in the event. According to them, Nepali migrant workers in the UAE are experiencing both physical and mental health concerns, with mental health issues reportedly at a comparatively higher rate.
Commonly diagnosed conditions include hypertension, risk of cardiac arrest, kidney-related problems, and various mental health disorders.
The doctors said that limited health awareness, tendency to normalize or hide illnesses, insufficient knowledge about workplace environmental impacts in Gulf countries, lack of awareness regarding health insurance facilities, and language barriers are key factors preventing many workers from seeking regular health check-ups.
Medical professionals advised migrant workers to undergo regular health check-ups at least once every six months, drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol consumption, and stay informed about their health insurance coverage.
They were of the view that the Embassy should intensify health awareness programmes targeting Nepali migrant workers in the UAE.The Embassy was also encouraged to coordinate with the Government of Nepal to facilitate telemedicine services for migrant workers.
Besides, doctors advised that workers should complete medical examinations at standard hospitals before traveling to the UAE and receive proper orientation on health issues, insurance facilities, the destination country’s climate, road safety, and accident prevention.
On the occasion, Nepali Ambassador Tej Bahadur Chhetri appreciated the contributions of Nepali doctors working in the UAE and acknowledged the efforts of migrant workers in their respective fields.
He assured that the Embassy is committed to implementing the recommendations provided by medical professionals and will continue collaborating to operate health awareness programmes for migrant workers in the coming days.
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13- UML aims to realize national aspiration of ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali’
Kathmandu, Feb 14: The CPN (UML) has reiterated its commitment to realize the national aspiration of ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali’ by building a just society with equality that is based on a free, prosperous and socialism-oriented economy.
In a press meet organized at the party’s central office today in view of the upcoming March 5 election to the House of Representatives, Min Bahadur Shahi, Election Coordination of the UML, asserted that populism in politics is often misleading.
Shahi cautioned that such populism could have a detrimental negative impact on stability and good-governance. Emphasizing party’s commitment towards ensuring quality education, affordable healthcare and dignified employment for every citizens, he urged all professionals, Nepalis abroad and home and youth force to collaborate the UML in realizing the goal of ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali’.
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14- Shovayattra on the eve of Maha Shivarattri
Kathmandu, Feb 14: A grand Shovayattra (auspicious procession) was organized at the Pashupatinath Temple area today marking the eve of Maha Shivarattri.
The Pashupati Area Development Trust organized the procession. The procession featured a vibrant mix of domestic and foreign devotees including Sadhus and Saints. The procession also saw participation of samans.
The spiritual event, which covered almost all parts of the Pashupatinath Temple complex, drew a huge crowd, said the Trust. Maha Shivarattri, a sacred festival dedicated to the Lord Shiva, will be celebrated tomorrow.
The festival falls on 14th day of the waning moon in the Nepali month of Falgun (mid-February to mid-March) every year. The Trust has made all necessary preparations to ensure smooth access for devotees visiting the Temple. —
16- HoR Polls: 18.2 million ballot papers for 142 constituencies printed
Kathmandu, Feb 14: As of now, the Election Commission has printed ballot papers for 142 electoral constituencies of 66 districts.
Number of ballot papers printed as of now totals 18,230,000. Ballot papers have been printed for Dolpa, Mugu, Kalikot, Humla, Jajarkot, Dailekh, Rukum (West), Salyan, Surkhet, Bajura, Achham, Bajhang, Doti, Dadeldhura, Darchula, Baitadi, Kailali, Kanchanpur, Panchthar, Ilam, Tehrathum, Bhojpur, Okhaldhunga, Sunsari, Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha, Solukhumbu, Khotang, Dhankuta, Baglung, Gulmi, Jhapa, Gorkha, Myagdi, Parbat, Nawalparasi (Susta West), Morang, Udayapur, Mustang, Lamjung, Tanahu, Syangja, Bardiya, Rukum (East), Dang, Banke, Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East), Palpa, Arghakhanchi, Pyuthan, Rupandehi, Rolpa, Manang, Ramechhap, Sindhuli, Rasuwa and Sindhupalchowk, among others.
Till Friday, ballot papers for 63 districts had been printed, and today printing was completed for an additional three districts. Around 1.5 million ballot papers are being printed every day. The printing is taking place at the Janak Education Materials Centre (JEMC), Sanothimi, Bhkatapur.
Now, ballot papers for 23 constituencies of 11 districts which include districts in and around the Kathmandu Valley are to be printed. The entire printing is expected to complete by a couple of days. Similarly, 20,830,000 ballot papers for the proportional representation electoral system have already been printed. A total of 20,323,000 ballot papers are to be printed for the first-past-the-post electoral system.
The EC has said that ballot papers for 12 electoral constituencies of 10 districts in Karnali had already been dispatched. They are for Salyan, Rukum West, Dolpa, Mugu, Humla, Kalikot, Jumla, Jajarkot, Dailekh and Surkhet, according to Assistant Spokesperson Prakash Neupane.
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