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Former Nepali Ambassador to Spain and Oman Dr. Sarmila Parajuli Dhakal has launched Ambassadors Club, first of its kind in Nepal. The Club aims to serve as a neutral platform for resident and non-resident Ambassadors and heads of the mission.

In the program, it was announced that all resident and non-resident ambassadors credited to Nepal are honorary members of the Club.

The Club along with think-tank International Relations and Global Diplomacy Dialogue (IRGDD) and Nepal’s first diplomatic Magazine, The Diplomat was launched amid a special ceremony held in Kathmandu on May 18. Speaking at inaugural program, chief guest former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai said as global order is rapidly changing, Nepal cannot remain aloof from it. Bhattarai said the Club provides the soft space where trust is fostered and foreign policy influenced with vision and inclusivity.

Ambassador Parajuli said that this is not just the launch of an initiative — it is the beginning of a journey. “A journey that takes Nepal to the heart of global conversations. Nepal’s voice, rooted in peace and resilience, is stepping onto the world stage. In the global arena, Nepal carries the voice of hope, of clarity, and of courage. Small nations must rise — not in conflict, but in conviction. We must speak with clarity, engage with compassion, and continue forward with courage. In the face of global change, we must help shape it — not just react to it,” she said.

Sher further added, “We envision a circle of trust where ideas flow freely and voices, regardless of size, are heard equally. I am proud to announce that all ambassadors, heads of mission, and members of the diplomatic community are part of this shared vision. The IRGDD will ensure Nepal’s insights and ideals are shared with the world,” she said. “This moment highlights our unwavering commitment to peace, dialogue, and shared progress. As diplomats, Nepal must be a clear and confident voice—not just for itself, but for all who strive for equity and understanding.” Dr. Dhakal added, “Diplomacy must be inclusive. It does not follow colors, borders, or status. It follows values. We speak with one voice.”

UN Resident Coordinator to Nepal, Hana Singer Hamdy, said, “After days of devastation, it’s time to celebrate — and we bring you not one, not two, but three reasons to be inspired. Three powerful stories of creativity. Three bold glimpses into the future. This issue is rich with thoughtful articles and beautiful photographs — a visual and intellectual celebration of resilience and vision,” she said. “The cover story dives into the heart of global diplomacy, with a special emphasis on multilateralism in the context of climate change and diaspora engagement. It carries the energy and momentum of Sagarmatha Sambaad — a space where ideas flow freely, and voices, especially from the Global South, are amplified.”

The Nepal Geotechnical Society (NGS) marked its 31st anniversary with a symposium focused on disaster resilience and geotechnical challenges, reflecting on the decade since the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake. The event, held at The Plaza in Pulchowk, brought together engineers, geoscientists, urban planners, researchers, policy-makers, and representatives from government and professional institutions.

Themed “Geohazards and Geotechnics: Ten Years of Learnings and Rebuilding from the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake,” the symposium reviewed Nepal’s reconstruction efforts and emphasized the need for greater preparedness and innovation in geotechnical practices.

Key sessions included a presidential keynote by NGS President Mandip Subedi, who discussed lessons from the past decade and highlighted gaps in risk-sensitive development and seismic resilience. Technical memorial lectures by Lok Bijaya Adhikari and Narayan Marasini focused on seismic data trends, soil behavior, and engineering responses to recent disasters.

A high-level panel discussion moderated by Prof Netra Prakash Bhandary explored the theme “What have we learned and what do we still need to learn from the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake?” Panelists addressed progress in institutional and policy frameworks, while also cautioning against emerging risks such as unplanned urban expansion and climate-induced hazards.

The event also featured the announcement of GeoMandu 2026, the third edition of NGS’s international conference series. The second GeoMandu, held in 2024, saw participation from around 500 attendees, including 200 international delegates. Four volumes of conference proceedings, comprising over 120 technical papers, are being published by Springer.

Another key highlight was the launch of a new disaster report book, edited by Bhandary, Subedi, and Rajan KC. The book, dedicated to recent geo-disaster victims, analyzes the geotechnical dimensions of natural disasters in the past five years and aims to inform infrastructure planning and policy-making.

In the formal segment of the program, Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport Secretary Er. Keshab Kumar Sharma delivered closing remarks as Chief Guest. Prof Sushil Bahadur Bajracharya, Dean of the Institute of Engineering, attended as Special Guest. NGS General Secretary Er. Uday Raj Neupane presented the Society’s annual overview and announced a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Society of Consulting Architectural and Engineering Firms (SCAEF), aimed at enhancing technical collaboration.

The program included award distributions to professionals for contributions to geotechnical engineering, as well as remarks from senior officials, awardees, and institutional representatives. It concluded with a group photo session and a cultural dinner.

In addition, the event hosted poster and photography exhibitions on the theme of geohazards and geotechnics, with contributions from students and professionals. Selected entries will be featured in the upcoming NGS newsletter.

Organizers highlighted that as Nepal confronts increasing risks from climate change, urbanization, and aging infrastructure, platforms like NGS Day remain critical for fostering technical dialogue and promoting proactive disaster risk management.

In our day-to-day lives, we often cross paths with people whose work keeps our communities functioning—bus conductors, street cleaners, garbage collectors, security  guards, and others working behind the scenes. Yet, these are the very people we so  often ignore, look down upon, or treat with impatience. It’s time we asked ourselves: Why? 

There is a deeply rooted tendency in our society to equate respect with position, wealth, or educational qualifications. Those who wear uniforms, perform physically demanding  tasks, or work under the sun are often treated as if they are somehow “less.” But the  truth is this: every job has dignity and every person deserves respect. 

Consider this: Kathmandu Valley alone generates over 1,200 metric tons of solid waste  every day, much of which is managed by over 1,500 sanitation workers, many from  marginalized backgrounds. These workers rise before dawn, clean our roads, and  handle the very waste we throw without a second thought. Yet, a 2023 study by the  Centre for Labour and Social Studies Nepal found that 65 percent of sanitation workers  reported being treated with disrespect or ignored entirely by the public. 

Public transport workers, too—like bus conductors and microbus helpers, help tens of  thousands of people reach their destinations daily. Despite their essential service, they  are often met with rude behavior or treated as if their efforts have no value. This  behavior isn’t just unkind—it’s unjust. 

It reflects a societal gap in empathy and awareness. We must understand that dignity is  not tied to one’s income, title, or background, but to the fact that each of us contributes,  in different ways, to the collective good of our society. The health of our communities,  the smooth functioning of our cities, and even our personal comfort depends on the  labor of these hardworking individuals. 

What we need is a culture shift. A shift that starts with something simple: respect. Meet the people we usually ignore. Let us teach our children to thank those who serve us—not just doctors and teachers, but also the cleaner who makes their school safe and  the driver who takes them home. Talk to the street vendor and parking attendant. These small acts can build a more inclusive and humane society. But the real change begins with us—how we think, how we speak, and how we treat those  around us. 

In a just society, no one is “too small” to be seen or heard. Let us remember that the  hands that sweep our streets and carry our garbage are just as important as the hands  that sign documents and sit in offices. Respect should not be a luxury for the privileged.  It should be a shared value that defines who we are as a people. 

Ayushma Budhathoki 

St Xavier’s College, Maitighar

So I was very tired after … Oh sorry! I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Jammy and today I’m going to tell you about my adventure. So let’s begin. I was very tired after school, so I went to my room, tossed my bag aside, and went to the washroom to freshen up. I then had my snacks and entered my room to watch TV. As I laid down in my bed, I couldn’t stop my eyelids from drooping. 

After a while I heard some noise. The noise was coming from the attic. Then I realized I was home alone. I was scared, but I mustered the courage to go up. I opened the door to the attic and followed the screeching sound coming from the corner. There I discovered a cat playing with my old rocket toy. I sat down and stroked the cat. Suddenly it started talking to me. “Thank you for petting me and showing love,” it said, and handed me a shiny coin.

I thanked the cat and it told me that the coin can make tiny objects larger. “Just hold the coin in your hand and touch the object you wish to enlarge and say the spell ‘bibbidi bobbidi boo you’ll be big woohoo’,” the cat told me. I burst out laughing after hearing the silly spell—but the cat vanished before I could say anything. 

I touched the rocket toy and said the spell while holding the coin. To my surprise, the rocket toy became a real rocket. I went inside, and found myself floating. I made my way into the cockpit and pressed some random buttons. Suddenly the rocket started to take off. I held tight to my seat, as I left the earth. I was so thrilled to be in space. Then suddenly an asteroid hit my rocket. I was screaming as I was about to crash. Unexpectedly, my magical rocket landed on an unknown planet. I got out of the spaceship to investigate where I was. I left my craft behind and started walking, and suddenly I spotted an alien. Frightened, I ran toward my spaceship. But the creature got a hold of me. As I was flailing and screaming, my captor told me: “Don’t worry, I won’t harm you. I just want to know why you are here.” “I was flying to the moon, but an asteroid hit my rocket and I crashed,” I explained. 

Then the alien, who told me he was named Ales, asked me if he could see my rocket. I agreed. “You seem to have run out of fuel,” he told me after inspecting the rocket. I began to panic, but Ales told me he would help me. 

Ales showed me around his planet. It was called “S21”, and Ales and his kind have been inhabiting the place for thousands of years. My extraterrestrial friend gave me a tour of his beautiful planet. He also showed me his home and met his friend Meshel. Ales and Meshel communicated in their language, which I found very funny. Now I had two alien friends, and they took me on a walking tour of planet S21. They took me to a mountain made of diamonds and a lake filled with liquid gold. I also had the honor of joining Ales’ family for dinner, but I was shocked by the sight of the meal on the table. Residents of S21 ate slugs and worm juice. I didn’t want to appear churlish, so I ate what was offered to me. Ales insisted that I spend the night at his place. The bed was made of the fluffiest animal. It was so comfy that I fell asleep in no time. When I woke up I saw a nice sunrise and it made my day. But I was missing my home, so I told Ales that I have to leave. So he offered to prepare fuel for my rocket. He knew the ingredients for fuel. He brought some fossils, heated them up, and poured some chemicals on them. As the chemical reaction was underway, we played games. I showed him the games played on my planet like tic-tac-toe played, and he showed me the games played on S21.  Once the fuel was ready, we refueled my spaceship. Ales gave me a gift during our emotional goodbye. Just as my rocket left S21, I heard a familiar voice calling my name. “Jammy, Jammy, Jammy wake up , Jammy.” I opened my eyes, my mom staring down at my face. So it was all a dream. “Time for dinner,” she told me. Blearily I went to the kitchen, remembering the dinner of slugs and worm juice at Ales’ home.

Shreyashi Sigdel 

Class: VI

Euro School, Chhauni

Government's Chief Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal has said international cooperation against climate change could be further strengthened through a collective partnership.

During his address to a concluding session of the three-day "Sagarmatha Sambaad" themed Climate Change, Mountains and the Future of Humanity, today, the Chief Secretary said he was confident that the Sagarmatha Sambaad played a role in strengthening a wider cooperation to minimise climate crisis.  

The encouraging presence of senior personalities from neighboring and friendly countries, representatives from regional and international organisations, and of various stakeholder concerns contributed to making the multi-stakeholder dialogue a success, he said. 

"The Sagarmatha Sambaad remained memorable, providing an opportunity to amplify our voices for rapid and effective actions for mitigating adverse impacts of climate change. 

"We have no excuse to make any delays in taking measures for addressing the climate crisis.  Dialogue and collaboration may inspire us for implementing collective actions," he said, adding that the Sagarmatha Sambaad is expected to bring out issues relating to water, biological diversity, food and health crisis and disasters along the mountain region and the status of glaciers, promoting us to enhance the coping mechanism.  Specifically, it has highlighted that the citizens of mountain regions and the indigenous communities are affected by the climate crisis disproportionately.

Stating that snow melting in the Himalayas remains as one of the significant impacts of the climate crisis, he said such impacts have been extended to the hills, Terai and the coastal areas. He voiced prompt climate crisis response measures based on scientific evidence.

"Through this dialogue, we laid an emphasis on the promotion of climate science, improved access to technology, the promotion of innovation, and the exchange of knowledge and best practices for minimisation of impacts. We also highlighted the need to ensure simple and just access to climate finance and to provide greater support to vulnerable countries and communities," he added.

According to the Chief Secretary, Nepal utilised the forum to clearly voice the need to strengthen climate resilience, investment, and innovative financial mechanisms, underline the need of prioritizing efforts to advance clean energy transition, promote green energy, and ensure sustainable development.

The Chief Secretary further added that the energy transition not only promotes nature-based solutions but also supports investment in robust early warning systems for mountain risk reduction and mitigation.

"We once again call for the establishment of a dedicated fund for mountain nations and the building of a global platform specifically focused on climate change and mountain issues," he said.

"Standing on the global stage, we have voiced a collective call to action for a just, resilient, and sustainable future—from the Himalayas to the seas, from the hills to the islands," the Chief Secretary added.

We exist in relation to others—as sons, husbands, brothers, daughters, wives, and sisters. We work to take care of our families. Our days are shaped by what our family life demands from us. In this hustle and bustle, looking after our own well-being often takes a backseat. This leads to burnout and has many other repercussions in the long run.

Self-care shouldn’t be an option. It should be a conscious act that is non-negotiable. Taking care of yourself and your mental health will make you better able to take care of others as a happier person is always able to be kind and give more.

So make no excuses and take out some time to indulge in some pampering. There are many little things that you can do to feel better physically and mentally. Here we bring to you some random acts of self-care that are simple and easy to follow even when you are hard pressed on time.

Spend time in nature 

Studies have shown that early morning sun exposure not only sets your body’s biological clock but also keeps your vitamin D levels in check and boosts mood. Make sure you get your morning dose of sunlight as soon as you wake up. Go for a short walk or read the morning papers in the garden while soaking up the sun. If your mornings are rushed, try getting up 15 minutes earlier. Alternatively, try to spend some time outdoors whenever you can. It could be an evening stroll with your mother, a short hike with your friends during the weekend, or some gardening activity by yourself. Nature has calming effects and can soothe a tired mind while giving you some time to reflect on things as well.

Go on a solo date

We’re always surrounded by people, whether it be at work or at home. Rarely do we get the chance to be by ourselves. Most of us have become so habituated of being with people that we think we won’t enjoy our own company, but you’d be surprised. Spending time alone can be a wonderful way to reconnect with yourself and figure out just what you want. Try going on a solo date. It could be to get a cup of coffee at your favorite coffee shop, or for brunch, or just a stroll around the mall by yourself. Aim to spend at least a couple of hours. This time by yourself can be extremely relaxing and recharging. It’s necessary to spend time by yourself to cut out all the noise around you and give yourself the space and the luxury to think. You might think of new ideas and come up with innovative solutions to problems by being alone and allowing your mind to wander.

Indulge in a spa session

A nice, healing spa session is just what your body and mind need after a long work week. This is a great couples’ activity as well. Book a spa session for you and your partner. There are many spas in town that offer different packages to suit your needs. You can choose from a wide range of services that include specialized Ayurvedic massages to deep tissue treatments. You can also choose to make it a whole day affair by coupling a salon session along with a massage hour. Get a manicure, pedicure, and a hair treatment along with the massage. Trust us, you will feel like a new person after an invigorating therapy session. If you can’t manage a weekly spa session because of your hectic schedule, try to book yourself one at least once every two weeks.

Buy yourself something nice

We generally buy things that we need or those that serve a practical purpose. But when was the last time you bought something that made you happy? For instance, a bunch of flowers, a pretty scarf, or a lavender scented candle. Little things can bring joy but we often fail to see it, considering them to be a waste of money. A really great self-care ritual is to buy yourself something nice every once in a while. It doesn’t have to serve a practical purpose, and can be something as silly as a Disney character keychain. The point is it has to bring a smile to your face. We recommend browsing through the farmer’s markets as there are usually many stalls that sell cute items ranging from jewelry and art to decor and crafts. Practice giving gifts to yourself and not just to others. It can change the way you feel about yourself.

Change things up

While a routine life is great for discipline, it can also bore you in the long run. So consider changing things up every once in a while. Take a midweek break and have a leisurely lunch with your friends. Plan an impromptu date with your partner. Try a new cuisine instead of ordering in from your regular restaurant. Self-care can come in the form of little acts of love that you extend to yourself. Changing your routine and doing little things that make you happy is one of the easiest ways of showing love to yourself. A simple change can make a whole lot of difference in elevating your mood and making you feel better about yourself.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 3. 77 points to close at 2, 608.07 points on Sunday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 1. 48 points to close at 438. 51 points.

A total of 16,907,737-unit shares of 309 companies were traded for Rs 8. 50 billion.

Meanwhile, Om Megashree Pharmaceuticals Limited (OMPL) was the top gainer today with its price surging by 10. 00 percent. Likewise, Corporate Development Bank Limited (CORBL) was the top loser with its price dropped by 9. 78 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 34 trillion.

Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba has said that the Sagarmatha Sambaad has been successful in voicing about the issues arising from climate change from the mountains to the islands.

Addressing the closing session of the Sambaad today, she said, "This edition of the Sagarmatha Sambaad has brought together the voices of leaders, policymakers, experts, scholars, youth, civil society, international organisations and the community from the high mountains to island nations in the spirit of a genuine dialogue."

Emphasising that collective efforts are necessary for the implementation of the dialogue's conclusions and achieving targeted goals, Minister Rana stated that the dialogue is not just a program but a celebration of the confluence of ideas and shared responsibility.

"Just as Sagarmatha (Mt Everest) stands firm reminding us of our determination, may the result of this dialogue remind us of our resolve," she added.

Stating that the topics and suggestions discussed in the dialogue will be raised at various international forums, the Foreign Minister informed the session that this topic will be raised at the high-level international conference on glacier conservation to be held in Tajikistan at the end of this month, in the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, and the UN climate change conference COP-30 to be held in Brazil this year.

The Foreign Minister informed that the second edition of the Sagarmatha Sambaad will take place in 2027.