Category: General

A cultural museum has been established at Jalapa of Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi municipality -12 in Khotang district in order to preserve the household items used by ancestors of the residents here. Established in the building of then village development committee, the museum was inaugurated on February 18. It features over 200 ancient household gizmos as old as 200 years, shared Dan Bahadur Rai, Chairperson of ward no 12. The items kept in museum are leather thaili (traditional ladies' purse), wooden ladle, cane basket, grinding stone, spear, sword, wooden repousse, fishing net, wooden glass, spoon and spatula, sickle, cradle, and plough, among others. The ward office collected the materials from the houses of local residents, mostly constituting the communities as Brahman, Chhetri, Dalit, Rai, Tamang and Sherpa. The courtesy and name of the users or donors (dead or alive) of such gizmos are clearly mentioned in the materials showcased in the museum, said ward chair Rai. More near-extinct traditional g izmos would be added to the museum, shared Rai, adding that they set up museum to conserve the old-time appliances and to educate the new generation about those materials. "These household devices connects us our history as solid proofs. We hope to make our village suitable place for study, visit and observation through museum," he said, expressing hope that the newly inaugurated museum would help in tourism promotion of the place. Similarly, a Kirati museum is also in the offing at Ribdung Mahenshwori of Aishelu Kharka rural municipality in the district. The museum is aimed at displaying, preserving and promoting Kirati community's language, art, artifacts and household items, weapons, attires, jewelries and musical instruments, among others. The construction of indigenous museum at Alchedhunga of ward no 2 of Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi municipality, however, is in limbo due to irregularities reported during the construction of the museum. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Kathmandu: Group-wise discussion on conceptual action plan presented in the seventh plenary meeting of the CPN (UML) Central Committee was held on Wednesday. Participants were divided into nine groups to reach to conclusion on the concepts presented in the meeting. Kashinath Adhikari and Pemba Lama has been selected to present the issues raised in group-wise discussion as the conclusion in the meeting, said UML Central Publicity and Publication Department, Gagan Bista. Senior Vice-Chairperson Ishwor Pokharel, Vice-Chairperson Bishnu Prasad Poudel, General-Secretary Shankar Pokhrel and Deputy General-Secretary Pradeep Kumar Gyawali presented conceptual action plans in the meeting held at party headquarters, Chyasal, on Wednesday. Issues related to positive impacts of Jhulaghat-Chiwabhanjyang 'Samriddhi ka lagi Sankalpa Yatra', party's organisational strengthening and expansion campaign 'Mission Grass Roots' would be reviewed in the meeting. The seventh plenary meeting of UML is taking place from Tuesday. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Kathmandu: The country has experienced ballooning trade deficit of Rs 811 billion 110 million while making a foreign trade of Rs 984 billion 770 million in the first seven months of the current fiscal year 2080/81 BS. According to the foreign trade data of the reporting period, made public by the Department of Customs, import amounting to around Rs 897 billion 944 million was made while export amounted to Rs 86 billion 831 million was recorded as of mid-February (end of Nepali month Magh. In comparison to the first seven months of the last fiscal year, import has decreased by 2.31 and export dropped by 7.07 percent. According to the Department, trade deficit has decreased by 1.77 percent when overall trade dropped by 2.75 percent compared to the last year. India is the largest trading country for Nepal. Imports from India amounted to Rs 554.75 billion, while only Rs 58.72 billion was exported. With this, Nepal has suffered a trade deficit of Rs 496.36 billion with India alone in the seven months of the cur rent fiscal year. Similarly, Nepal has suffered a trade deficit of Rs 171.23 billion with China, which is the second largest trading country. Goods worth Rs 173.91 billion were imported from China till mid-February and export worth Rs 1.85 billion was made. Similarly, the United Arab Emirates is at number three in the list of countries with high trade deficit for Nepal. During the seven months of the current fiscal year, the import from UAE is Rs 15.69 billion and export is worth Rs 1.58 billion. The trade deficit with this country is Rs 14.11 billion. Nepal has the highest trade surplus with the United States among the countries having foreign trade. In the reporting period, import from the US amounted to Rs 9.17 billion while export was Rs 9.54 billion. The trade surplus with the US amounted to Rs 364.7 million. As reported, Nepal has the trade deficit with Denmark, Norway, Afghanistan and the Maldives among other countries. The highest import during the reporting period was petroleum products. In the f irst seven months, diesel amounting to Rs 77.41 billion, petrol Rs 38.82 billion and LP Gas Rs 30.31 billion were imported. Likewise, iron-related materials worth Rs 22.66 billion and smart phone worth amounting to Rs 17.38 billion were imported in the reporting period. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Kathmandu: Three members of the same family at Bhairabtole of Nagarjun municipality-6 in Kathmandu were found dead this morning. Ishwori Shrestha, 38, from Dudhkunda of Solukhumbu district and currently staying at Bhairabtole, daughter Anisha Shrestha, 8, and two and half year old granddaughter Shivani Shrestha were killed, according to the District Police Office, Kathmandu. Spokesperson at the DPO, Kathmandu, DP Nawaraj Adhikari, shared that police's preliminary investigation showed the deceased's husband might have involved in the carnage. Deceased's husband Kaji BK, also known as Raju Ghimire, was found hanging in a tree in a nearby jungle. Police have already launched investigation into the carnage, assuming BK as a suspect of the murder, said SP Adhikari. Locals had informed the police after they found dead bodies inside the room of Shrestha at around 9:30 am. The locals also notified police after they found BK hanging in a tree. By the time police arrived at the accident site, BK had already breathe d his last. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Kathmandu: Nepal lost to Namibia by 2 wickets in its third match of the triangular series under the ICC Men's World Cup Cricket League-2. In the match held today at TU cricket ground, a modest victory target of 169 runs set by Nepal for Namibia was achieved by the visitors at the loss of 8 wickets in 40 overs. Gerhard Erasmus top scored for Namibia with 52 runs. Similarly, JJ Smith scored an unbeaten 34 while Michael Van Lingen scored 31 runs. For the bowling side, Kushal Bhurtel took three wickets while captain Rohit Kumar Paudel, Dipendra Singh Airee, Lalit Rajbanshi and Kushal Malla took one wicket each. Earlier, invited to bat first after losing the toss, Nepal lost all its wickets in 37.1 overs with only 168 runs on the board. Aashif Sheikh scored 58 runs while Kushal Malla scored 38, Bhim Sarki 26, Kushal Bhurtel 18 and Karan KC scored 12 runs. For Namibia, Bernard Scholtz and Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton took four wickets each, while Jack Brassel and Gerhard Erasmus took one wicket each. This is Nepal' s second straight defeat against Namibia, after losing the inaugural match of the series, also including the Netherlands, by 4 wickets. Nepal however won its second match against the Netherlands by 9 wickets. With this win, Namibia has added a total of four points while Nepal and the Netherlands have two points each. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Members of the Nepali Congress are continuing to express their views and opinion at the party's Mahasamiti (general council) meeting that kicked off on February 19. On the third day of the meeting held at Sunrise Conference Centre in Godawari of Lalitpur today, discussions are being held in four different halls on the policy proposal of Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka, organizational proposal of General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa, contemporary political proposal of General Secretary Bishwa Prakash Sharma, Spokesperson Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat's report on country's current economic situation, prospects and future direction, audit report of accounts committee coordinator Shyam Ghimire, informed NC publicity department chief Min Bahadur Bishwakarma. "Mahasamiti members of the Koshi and Sudurpaschim provinces have been divided into Godavari Hall, Bishankhunarayan Hall for Karnali and Madhes provinces, Phulchoki Hall for Bagmati and Gandaki provinces and Lumbini and fraternal and well-wisher organisations a nd public relations committees at Konjyosom Hall to discuss the report," he said. According to Bishwakarma, the remaining members of the committee will express their views tomorrow as well. "The office-bearers and central members representing the respective provinces in all the four halls are taking the notes of the suggestions of Mahasamiti members," he said. According to him, the Mahasamiti members have also submitted some suggestions for improvement in all the five reports submitted to the Mahasamiti. A total of 110 Mahasamiti members at Godavari Hall, 95 at Bishankhunarayan Hall, 90 at Phulchoki Hall and 90 at Konjyosom Hall expressed their views during the discussion, according to Bishwakarma. The members who participated in the Mahasamiti meeting expressed their views on the need for the NC to play an effective role in the implementation of the constitution, abide by the party statute, give authority to strengthen the province structure, play a leadership role to prevent the threat to the republic, ac tivate the party organization and complete the sister and well-wisher organizations, he said. The Mahasamiti members further said the party should establish linkage with social movement for social justice, emphasize modern agricultural system, emphasize on tourism promotion by protecting the environment, accelerate infrastructure development, make international relations balanced and enable environment for foreign investment. Among other recommendations were expanding employment opportunities to check brain drain, increasing coordination between the party and the government, taking initiative to stop trade in education and health and devising effective measures against climate change impacts, among others. "The presidents of all the seven provinces are scheduled to present the issues raised in the group discussion before the delegates. After that, the hall will jointly discuss all those proposals and pass them," said Bishwakarma. He informed that the closing ceremony will be held from 2:30 pm on Thursday. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Kathmandu: President Ramchandra Paudel has said the objectives of judiciary could be achieved only if victims get justice on time. President Paudel said so while receiving the annual report of fiscal year 2079/80 of the Supreme Court, Judicial Council and Judicial Service Commission submitted by Chief Justice, Bishowambher Prasad Shrestha at a programme held at Sheetal Niwas on Wednesday. Stating that the judiciary could win people's faith in coming days, the President stressed on easy access of poor, helpless and marginalized communities to justice. "I believe that independence, integrity and competence of judiciary will be maintained if victim gets justice on time and if it becomes victim-friendly", he mentioned. President Paudel said that it will be easy to guarantee rule of law if policy reforms, plan and reports of judicial sectors are fully implemented. He laid emphasis that judiciary should play an independent role in making people's faith stronger, adding, "Present situation of pressure of cases a nd their settlement is the big challenge of the Supreme Court and a solution should be sought. Necessary reforms in laws is a must to solve it." Source: National News Agency Nepal

Kathmandu: The draft of the Film Censor Working Procedure 2080 BS prepared by the Central Film Censor Board has drawn concerns from the film producers' fraternity. In a discussion programme held here recently, film director Dayaram Dahal said the proposed draft of the procedure failed to encourage filmmakers. As he said, the filmmaking community doesn't entertain the term censor. The matter should be simplified. It should be kept within the jurisdiction of the Film Development Board instead of the Ministry. "The classification of films is needed instead of censor. The concept of film censor itself prevents film makers to work on the project freely. Instead of the external censorship, self-censorship is needed," he reminded. On the occasion, film director Manoj Pundit argued that the State's direct surveillance in film is unwarranted. He said the proposed draft prevents the production of film in a creative, realistic and independent way in compatible as per time and relevance. Member of the Central Film Ce nsor Board of Nepal, Rishiraj Acahrya, however, claimed the draft was prepared in accordance with the relevant law. It is for time being- until a dedicated Act is formulated- and it would be taken ahead on the basis of wider consensus. During the discussions, Film Development Board member Rabi Adhikari demanded the inclusion of experts in the censor board, while the term of each board members should have at least for five years. "The issues in the Film Censor Board have implications in the FDB. These are different bodies and the FDB is authorized for recommending the film censor," he viewed. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Discussions in five separate reports presented on Tuesday at the Nepali Congress (NC) Mahasamiti Meeting are scheduled to take place from today. Coordinator of NC's Information, Communications and Publicity Department Min Bahadur Bishwakarma told RSS that four groups have been formed to hold discussions on the reports put forth by party the Vice President, two general secretaries, spokesperson and accounts committee coordinator. Five separate reports were presented on Tuesday in the NC Mahasamiti Meeting that began on Monday at Godavari, Lalitpur. As shared by the NC, Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka shared the Policy Report while General Secretary Gagan Thapa presented the Organizational Proposal. Another General Secretary Bishow Prakash Sharma put forth his report on contemporary political situation while party Spokesperson and Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat presented the Report on Nepal's Present Economic Status, Possibilities and Future Course. Similarly, Accou nts Committee Coordinator Shyam Kumar Ghimire tabled the party's Audit Report sharing the state of party's economic status, source of income and expenses. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Kathmandu: The government is launching an immunization campaign from February 25 to March 20 across the country in view of the risk of measles and rubella infection. Spokesperson at the Ministry of Health and Population, Dr Prakash Budhathoki, shared that the vaccination against measles and rubella is going to be launched for all children below 15 years. He mentioned that all children from nine months to below 15 years of 24 districts--21 districts bordering with India and three in Kathmandu Valley, would be immunized. Similarly, children from nine months to five years of other 51 districts would also participate in the vaccination campaign. Budhathoki added that however, the immunization campaign was launched in Jajarkot and Rukum West districts after Jajarkot earthquake occurred in November, 2023. Chief of Child Health and Immunization Section, Dr Abhiyan Gautam, said children who missed to get regular vaccines would also be immunized in course of vaccination campaign. Sharing that all preparations for t he immunization campaign have been completed, he added that health workers have already been imparted with training about the vaccine in all seven provinces. Dr Gautam shared that 6.330 million doses of vaccines have already been brought for the campaign, stating that a target has been set to immunize vaccine against measles and rubella to around 5.7 million children during the campaign. The government has launched the immunization campaign with an objective of eliminating measles and rubella by 2026. Outbreak of measles and rubella was reported in 19 districts last year. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Kathmandu: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has said the government has been able to reclaim its ownership to public land worth Rs 800 billion. During his meeting with a delegation led by Rastriya Prajatantra Party today, the PM Dahal reminded the recent court verdict against the Lalita Niwas land grab. As he said, due to the government's initiation, the government retrieved its ownership to the Lalit Niwas area. In the meeting, the delegation led by party Chair Rajendra Lingden acknowledged 'good initiations' of the government, urging him to further improve the performance. PM Dahal emphasized that all political parties should extend thankfulness to the government for its actions and investigation into the fake Bhutanese refugee scam, Lalitawa Niwas land grab scam and gold smuggling case. "This verdict was possible since the incumbent government took a serious step in connection to the fake Bhutanese refugee scam, Lalita Niwas land embezzlement and gold smuggling scam. The government had arr ested the accused ones in these scams and presented the file in the court after concluding investigation. The court, due to this, has given a good verdict. Lalita Niwas's land worth Rs 800 billion has been brought back to the ownership of the government," PM Dahal explained. On a different note, the PM refused to comment on the Rastriya Prajatantra Party's (RPP) decision to take to street with its agenda and said, "May your struggle be peaceful. We are trying to conclude peace process. In the meeting, the RPP had handed over a memorandum to the PM including the party's viewpoint. Source: National News Agency Nepal

A total 1,051 local people in Sindhupalchowk have taken services in the free eye camps organized by Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology, Kathmandu, and Tilganga Community Eye Centre, Melamchi. The eye camps were conducted in seven places including at Melamchi, Panchpokhari Thangpal, Indrawati and Helambu in Sindhupalchowk district. It is said that 190 people received services in the eye camp organized at Piple of Melamchi Municipality-4; 150 at Melamchi Municipality-7; 166 at Melamchi Municipality-11 and 116 at Indrawati of Melamchi Municipality-12. Likewise, 73 people of Kiyul in Helambu Rural Municipality-2 got treatment for their eyes and 184 people of Gunsa village in Panchpokhari Thangpal Rural Municipality-5 and 172 people of Tipeni village got the services for free. Of the locals visiting the eye camps, 122 were diagnosed with cataract and the surgeries for the cataract were performed, Chief of Tilganga Community Eye Centre at Melamchi Ashish Bhatta said. Senior Ophthalmologist from Tilganga Inst itute of Ophthalmology, Dr Sushma Duwal, and other specialists carried out the surgeries of the patients. The eye camps were run in collaboration with Melamchi Municipality and other local levels, Bhatta said. Source: National News Agency Nepal