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Crafted by lyricist DP Dahal and composed by Santosh Shrestha, Anju Pant, the vocalist, has unveiled a track titled “Aama Timi Chhodera Gaigayeu”. The accompanying music video, produced by Rita Simkhada Dahal, has been skillfully directed by the renowned filmmaker Nikesh Khadka.

The song conveys the universal truth that everyone must eventually part ways with their mother. It reflects on the shared experience of enduring this poignant separation, while also emphasizing the profound reverence for mothers. The song is brought to life through the compelling rendition of Smarika Dhakal. 

The mixing and mastering have been skillfully executed by Kishore Thapa, with cinematography by Uttam Humagai and editing by Bikas Dhamala.

The music video is released from DP Dahal YouTube channel.

Nepali Congress leader Shekhar Koirala has demanded the formation of a high-level probe committee to investigate the one quintal gold smuggling case.

Speaking at the Parliament Party meeting, leader Koirala was of the opinion that the high-level probe committee should be formed to take the investigation to a logical conclusion.

CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal became the Prime Minister with the support of the Nepali Congress.

Prime Minister Dahal himself is not positive towards forming a high-level probe committee to investigate the latest gold smuggling scam.

The CPN-UML has been obstructing Parliament proceedings for a long-time demanding formation of a high-level probe committee.

Last week, Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha had responded to the questions about the gold smuggling in the Parliament.

He had said that another committee is not necessary until the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Nepal Police submits the report.

The UML lawmakers have been obstructing Parliament after they were not satisfied with the answers of the Home Minister.

Congress leader Koirala has also demanded the formation of a high-level probe committee to investigate the gold smuggling case like that of the UML.

On the occasion, Koirala said that Nepali has been turning into a hotbed for international smugglers.

Meanwhle, he expressed his dissatisfaction over the arrest of lawmaker Sunil Sharma.

The CPN (Maoist Center) leaders are engaged in an internal discussion before the Cabinet reshuffle.

The Maoist leaders have reached the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar to discuss Cabinet reshuffle and contemporary political issues.

Maoist Center Chairman and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Home Minister NarayanKaji Shrestha, Energy Minister Shakti Bahadur Basnet, Local Administration Minister AmanLal Modi, Tourism Minister Sudan Kiranti and Deputy General Secretary duo Barshaman Pun and Janardan Sharma are present in the discussion.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is preparing to expand the Cabinet by roping in the CK Raut-led Janamat Party.

The Katari-Gaighat road section of the Madan Bhandari Highway has been obstructed due to a landslide triggered by incessant rainfall near the bridge over the Mauwasi rivulet at Udayapurgadhi Rural Municipality-6.

Deputy Superintendent of Police at the Area Police Office Katari Rabin Karki said that the Katari-Gaighat section of the highway has been fully blocked since the morning today due to the landslide.

"It is raining continuously and works for opening the road by removing landslide debris has been hampered by the incessant rain," he said. The landslide has washed away more than 50 meters of the road.

With the disruption of the road, vehicles coming from east have been diverted towards Bardibas via Gaighat and Lahan while the vehicles coming from west have been diverted from Katari via Mirchaiya of Siraha.

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has demanded the formation of a high-level judicial commission to investigate the 100 kg gold smuggling case.

The investigation required a judicial commission to reach the root in the scam, said the former Prime Minister at a press conference organized here today in the party office.

It was not possible to smuggle the gold of such a big amount without the involvement of people in higher ranks, he claimed.  

In another context, Chair Oli blamed that the government arrested lawmaker Sunil Sharma in a fake academic certificate case in its attempt to lessen the protest against it.

The UML has been obstructing the Parliament demanding the formation of a high-level commission to investigate the gold smuggling.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 14.81 points to close at 2,080.86 points on Sunday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 3.91 points to close at 398. 07 points.

A total of 9,718,754-unit shares of 271 companies were traded for Rs 3. 01 billion.

Meanwhile, Three Star Hydropower Limited was the top gainer today, with its price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Similarly, Ghorahi Cement Industry Limited was the top loser as its price fell by 9.99 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 3. 09 trillion.

Pranab Kharel is a sociologist associated with Martin Chautari, who likes to read. He mainly prefers writings that talk about history, sociology, anthropology and politics. ApEx caught up with Kharel to know more about his preferences when it comes to books and writings. 

What genre of books do you mostly enjoy reading and why?

I mostly prefer non-fiction. I enjoy reading non-fictions that are historically grounded. However, I do read certain fictions as well, those that support and align with my interest. Some of the books that I have really enjoyed reading are the three volumes of ‘Capital’ by Karl Marx. I read this when I was a student. The others were ‘The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order’ by Samuel P Huntington, ‘Hitler Ra Yahudi’ by BP Koirala, and ‘Annihilation of Caste’ by Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar. 

How do you think reading has shaped you?

Reading books has definitely helped me grow a lot as an individual. I wasn’t an avid reader before I pursued my Master’s degree. I read occasionally, but back then I used to read newspapers a lot. That’s when, I think, I started reading seriously. It was around 2004 when I began following the articles published on ‘The Hindu’ regularly. And as I began studying for my masters, I was expected to read more. That is when I read a lot of books, and I realize that it has helped shape my opinions on a lot of things I saw around me. It compelled me to question my own assumptions and helped me gain a lot of different perspectives. 

How do you choose what book to read next?

My interest primarily lies in reading books that include history, sociology, anthropology, political science, and international developments in politics. So if I am to pick a book, I choose one that caters to my interest. There are a few friends who are voracious readers, and they suggest good books. So sometimes I pick one based on their recommendations. 

What do you usually do when you don’t like the book you’re reading? 

There have been many instances where a book I’m reading doesn’t meet my expectations. Some of the books I started reading didn’t have much to say. So it feels like reading them would be a waste of time. So I generally stop reading it mid-way. But sometimes I need to refer those books to someone, or use it as teaching material for my class. In that case, I will complete the book anyhow. I think there are two books that I compelled myself to read despite not liking it. But usually I stop reading it. 

Which books/authors inspire you?

I’m someone who gets influenced by a lot of things, and quite quickly at that. So I don’t think I can pinpoint just one book or author that has inspired me. There are works of both Nepali and foreign scholars that have inspired me in many ways. In the case of Nepali writers, I like the works of historians Yogesh Raj and Pratyoush Onta. 

Secondly, I have been moved by the works of BP Koirala. Reading his works has helped me understand how a single person can be so different as a politician, and a literary figure. I also like some of the works of Chaitanya Mishra, and I look up to the works of Mahesh Chandra Regmi and Ludwig Stiller. In terms of non-Nepali authors, I have been inspired by the writings of many scholars like Dipankar Gupta, Surinder Singh Jodhka, André Beteille, Walter Mignolo and Boaventura de Sousa Santos.

Do you think people who don’t read books are missing out on something great?

I think they are missing out on the act of reading itself but not in terms of knowledge or information. In today’s digital era, there are many ways for an individual to learn what’s going on in the world. People can easily get information online. Even if they don’t read, they might get their information from videos online and other means like Ted Talks. So no, I don’t think they’re missing out if I look with a broader perspective.

Kharel’s Picks

Imperial Gorkha by Mahesh Chandra Regmi

This book deals with the conquest of Kumaon Garhwal by the Gorkhali empire and its aftermath.

Nepalko Sandarvama Samajsashtriya Chintan by Pratyoush Onta and Mary Des Chene

This book, edited by Pratyoush Onta and Mary Des Chene, deals with many facets of post-1990 Nepal. I recommend this book for anyone who is keen on understanding the Nepali society on a deeper level. 

History As Mindscapes: A Memory Of The Peasants’ Movement Of Nepal by Yogesh Raj

Written by Historian Yogesh Raj, this book helps readers understand the mid-twentieth century of Nepal. I recommend this book to those who are interested in understanding the political economy of land and something related to that spectrum. 

The main opposition CPN-UML has demanded the arrest of former prime minister duo Madhav Kumar Nepal and Baburam Bhattrai in the Lalita Niwas land grab case.

Though the Supreme Court had ordered to carry out an investigation, the UML has objected that they have not been interrogated so far.

During a press conference organized at the party office on Sunday, UML Publicity Department Chief Rajendra Gautam said, “Though the Supreme Court had issued a directive, the government has not been able to take the statement from former prime ministers Bhattarai and Nepal, who played a role from the Cabinet in the Lalita Niwas land scam till today.” “Because of the same reason also, we have demanded the formation of a high-level probe committee to investigate the recent gold smuggling case and punish the guilty.”

He said that the government has behaved the ruling and opposition parties differently.

When Nepal was the prime minister, the Cabinet on April 11, 2010 had decided to expand the residences of special persons on the land of Lalita Niwas.