Category: General

A photo exhibition is to be held in Bhaktapur to show the historical, archeological heritages, jatra, festivals, cultural and other heritages of 80 years ago of Bhaktapur, Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Kavre districts. The Bhaktapur Tourism Development Committee is going to organize the First Three-Generation Brilliant Bhaktapur Photo Exhibition-2080. Committee's Chairman Dipeshraj Sharma said that the photo exhibition shall have the photos taken at different times by the first photographer of Bhaktapur late Badri Prasad Banepali, his son Kedar and grandchildren Kisan and Suni. The photo exhibition shall have photos taken 80 years to 30 years by the three generations of Banepali family. The exhibition is scheduled to be held on March 1 and 2 at Bhaktapur Durbar Area and a total of 68 photos will be kept in the exhibition. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Kathmandu: Stakeholders expressed their concerns that political achievements were being continuously attacked through fake information lately. At an interaction prgramme organized by the Centre for Media Research Nepal here today on 'Disinformation in Nepal and Democracy', they said that based on the fake information attempts were being made to establish a wrong narrative in the social media. Former Chief Election Commissioner Bhojraj Pokharel, presenting a paper on 'Role of political parties in control of disinformation', stated that democracy and democratic leadership was continuously being attacked through fake information. Stating that political parties had an important role in controlling disinformation, he suggested the political parties to enhance the digital knowledge of the leaders and cadres. He also emphasized issuance of code of conduct for social media and use social media in compliance of the code of conduct. The former Chief Election Commissioner alerted towards the possibility of some forc es trying to capitalize on the despair of the people and the situation where the major pillars of the democracy were weak by instigating people and launching an attack on democracy. According to him, some forces were also attempting to establish a narrative that the democracy cannot deliver result. Drawing the attention of the political parties, he urged them to rise above their partisan interest and deliver in the interest of the country. Similarly, Nepali Congress leader Gagan Kumar Thapa suggested that none should rely on fake news doing the rounds in social media and spoke of the need to build awareness about the sensitivity of fake news at school level. He argued that school, community and families should be more responsible regarding what kind of information to be accepted and what to be boycotted. Likewise, CPN (UML) Vice-Chairperson Bishnu Poudel observed that the social media should aid to development of democracy and underlined the need for close cooperation among the stakeholders for the same. "Fake information has created many problems. We all should be ready to tackle the challenges brought by social networking sites." CPN (Maoist Centre) Vice-Chairperson Agni Prasad Sapkota said that political parties, media and social activists have an important role in stopping the spread of fake information. "The whole society should stand united against the fake information. If we do not control it on time, democracy may slip through our hands." Parliamentarians representing various political parties univocally admitted that the fake information had adversely affected the entire society and thus said that we all should be united against it. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Kathmandu: Chairman of CPN (Unified Socialist), Madhav Kumar Nepal, has stressed that Nepal's education system should be vocational, skill-based and capable of promoting moral values in the society and producing globally competent graduates. In his address to a school programme here on Saturday, Nepal, also the former Prime Minister, echoed the need of an improvement in the country's existing educational system. He proposed integration of moral and vocational values in the education system. Leader Nepal called for shared responsibility for the improvement of education sector, stating that it should not be confined to the jurisdiction of provinces and local governments. Instead, the entire government should be actively involved in enhancing the education system, Nepal suggested. He urged the three-tier governments to act responsibly to implement citizens' fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution. "Moral education and innovations will help producing competent human resources. The transformation of s ociety is possible through education. Besides the roles of curriculum, schools and classroom, the responsibility on the part of guardians is necessary for quality education,' the leader said. On the occasion, culture expert Dr Jagman Gurung was honoured. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Kathmandu: A lamp-lighting ceremony took place at the Pashupat area on Saturday evening to commemorate the Nepali citizens who lost their lives in the Russia-Ukraine war while serving the Russian military service. Human rights activists, representatives from various political parties, religious leaders, and the grieving families came together for the event organized by the "Awareness Campaign for Victims' Families and for the Life Safety of Citizens." During the event, Campaign coordinator Kritu Bhandari expressed deep concern over the Nepali citizens becoming prey to a war unrelated to Nepal and called for a serious assessment to address the situation. Bhandari also urged the government to prioritize the identification of those killed in the war and the rescue of Nepali individuals who joined the Russian army, despite the government's disapproval. The campaign advocates for the prompt rescue of Nepalis enrolled in the Russian army, the repatriation of bodies of those killed in the war, the search for ind ividuals who have been out of contact for months, ensuring the safe return of those who have made contact, adopting a neutral stance in alignment with the country's non-alignment policy, and providing proper compensation to the bereaved families. The campaign has garnered attention from the Russian Embassy in Kathmandu, the United Nations, and various political parties. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of the Tribhuvan University, Prof Dr Keshar Jung Baral, has assumed his office today. Reaching Kirtipur-based Tribhuvan University office this evening, the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor assumed the office. Talking to RSS shortly, he said his first priority is to implement TU's annual academic calendar. "TU is the largest structured institution of the country. Lots of works are to be done here", mentioned Baral, adding priority would be given to implement educational calendar, run examinations and publish result on time. The newly appointed Vice-Chancellor shared that he has a plan to update the university curriculum. Source: National News Agency Nepal

President Ram Chandra Paudel has observed Dhualagiri as a scared land. The Kaligandaki River which is also the source of Shaligram, the Muktinath area, Panchakot, Galeshwordham and the Kalika temple have made the Dhaulagiri region special, earning reputation of scared land, he explained. Addressing a religious event underway at Sarbasiddhidham Panchkot of Baglung municipality-6 since Wednesday, the President today viewed significance of Panchakot was increasing lately. He said he was happy to see the construction of significant infrastructures at Panchakot. According to the Head-Of-the-State, Nepali are connected and united by culture, traditions, norms and values. The President said he noticed influx of tourists at Panchakot and expected that it would contribute to promotion of religious tourism and to the enhancement of economic status of entire Baglung. On the occasion, Sarbasiddhadham Panchakot founder Swami Kamalnayanacharya welcomed the President at Panchakot. The religious event entitled 'Anantash ree Brahmandiya Mahayagya' is being organised at the initiation of spiritual guru Kamalnayanachaya. The President also took part in the hawan as part of the Mahayagya. According to the organiser, the event is first of its kind in Nepal and will run till February 25. It was informed that the proceeds generated from the Mahayagya would be used for concluding the remaining works of construction at Panchakot. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Kathmandu: Cricketer Sandip Lamichhane has lodged a case at the Patan High Court on Thursday challenging the verdict of the Kathmandu District Court that convicted Lamichhane on a rape case. According to Registrar of Patan High Court Man Bahadur Karki, the petition was lodged to make the appeal without being held in detention as per the Section 137 of the Criminal Procedure (Code) Act 2074 BS. A single bench of Kathmandu District Court's Judge Shishir Raj Dhakal on January 10 had slapped Rs 300,000 in fine and Rs 200,000 in compensation against Lamichhane convicting him in a rape case on Gaushala 26. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Kathmandu: The CPN (Maoist Centre) has held discussions on preparations for the Tarai-Madhes (Postal Highway) awareness campaign aimed at connecting the party with the people in the southern plain area. The standing committee meeting presided over by party chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' at the party headquarters in Parisdanda today discussed about the second phase of the campaign to be conducted on March 14-28, party secretary Ganesh Sah told RSS. General discussions were also held on the route of the campaign, he said. The campaign will start from Chandragadhi, Jhapa and reach western Nepal via Birgunj, Thori, Madi Chitwan. The Maoists are preparing to launch the campaign on the basis of postal highway. The Maoists had decided to launch an awareness campaign targeting the Tarai-Madhes after drawing a conclusion that the 'Maoist Transformation Special Campaign with the People', conducted across the country from August to December last year, went successful. In the meeting, in-charges of seven geogra phical and three non-geographical provinces reported on the campaign. The standing committee meeting is scheduled to resume at 1.00 pm tomorrow. Source: National News Agency Nepal

A school in Kapilvastu district has been temporarily closed due to mass hysteria among students. Nepal Adarsha Higher Secondary School based at Shivapur of Shivaraj municipality-1 has been shut for two days as numerous students displayed symptoms such as fainting, restlessness, and screaming, according to Shivaraj municipality education section chief, Dinesh Chaudhary. School principal Muktinath Pokhrel said students showed these symptoms during regular school hours. On Wednesday alone, over 10 girls showed these symptoms and the school sought the help of psychoanalysts to address the situation. After showing such symptoms for sometimes, the students get normalized. Sometimes ago, the local Saraswoti Basic School also witnessed the similar situation. As per doctors, this is the case of mass hysteria and it will be normalized if students are separated by closing schools for some days. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Kathmandu: A session of the House of Representatives (HoR) today failed to proceed with the presentation of the bill to amend the Political Parties Act in absence of quorum. As Speaker Devraj Ghimire was about to propose the meeting to decide on a notice of protest presented by Prem Suwal of Nepal Workers and Peasants' Party demanding to not present the bill, Mahesh Bartaula demanded the House to determine the number of lawmakers present in the meeting. In response, the Speaker allotted times for three times to confirm the number of lawmakers present in the meeting and it was found that presence of at least one fourth of the total member (69) was missing. The schedule of presenting the bill in the meeting was postponed thereafter. Only 65 members were present in the meeting. As per Article 94 of the Constitution, quorum is a must to present a bill or a proposal for decision in a meeting of either House of the Federal Parliament. Source: National News Agency Nepal

President Ramchandra Paudel has said that Nepal is a source country for eastern traditions of knowledge adding that unity and solidarity of diverse cultures and civilizations could be seen in such knowledge and traditions. Inaugurating the Mahakumbha along with Kotihom Mahayagya at Baidhanath Dham in Achham district on Thursday, the President said that harmony and unity among different castes, religions and ethnic and religious communities is the main goal of the federal democratic republic added that the constitution has envisioned the protection of all religions and cultures. The President mentioned that this pious day of beginning of the Kotihom may inspire one and all to materialize this very philosophy of the federal democratic republic. President Paudel added that the State's social and cultural objectives should be translated by maintaining social harmony, solidarity and assimilation while respecting the cultural diversities and developing a healthy and civilized culture. The President also express ed the pleasure towards the reconstruction of a temple from the government and public participation after the formation of Baidhanath Area Development Organization in the past for the Area's development, protection and promotion. On the occasion, President Paudel emphasized the need for developing infrastructures by preparing the master plan for the overall development of the Area. President Paudel was of the view that contribution in the nation building process could be made by developing such religious and historical sites as the attractive touristic sites after including in the budget and policy and programmes of all three levels of the government. In his speech, the President drew attention of all to work further to unleash tourism potential of this site. Likewise, the President said he was extremely happy to visit such a holy place, the site of deities' temples and the penance place of Rishi. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba said the recommendations received from the Mahasamiti are the base of far-reaching significance. Concluding the Mahasamiti meeting of the NC at Sunrise Conference Centre in Godawari, Lalitpur today, he said that important suggestions and recommendations had been received from the participants. "The central committee will complete the recommendations received. On the basis of this, the upcoming central committee will publish its report," Deuba said, adding that the suggestions received from the Mahasamiti have become the basis of far-reaching importance. In the past, the party had led movements and campaigns, from now onward the NC will lead the policy for development and prosperity. Stating that NC has always been the centre of Nepali politics, he said it would move ahead in a more effective manner in the days to come. Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka said crucial suggestions were received in the Mahasamiti meeting in regard to the operation of the party and the government. "NC has always been established as a centrist party in the country. We will not allow this trend to be left and right," he said. Khadka asserted the NC should take the lead in amending the constitution. Stating that the Mahasamiti meeting had given a message of unity, he said the party was always active in favour of national interests. Another Vice-President and Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Dhanraj Gurung stressed the need for NC leaders and cadres to work towards building the party's organisation. "The party should move ahead with clarity in principles and ideology," he said. NC should work in the coming days to provide food, food and shelter to all Nepalis living below the poverty line, he said, adding the matter of investigating the assets of all those who have reached the office of benefits should be put into practice. Gurung said that the party should formulate a road map to realize the sentiments of the people Source: National News Agency Nepal