Submit your Article

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal held a meeting Tuesday. During the meeting took place at the official residence of the Prime Minister at Baluwatar, they discussed various issues including cabinet expansion. Significant discussion was held between them on the issue of cabinet expansion, said PM Dahal's Press Expert, Manohari Timilsina. The meeting of the ruling alliance is taking place at 4 pm today. CPN (Unified Socialist) leader Jhalanath Khanal, General Secretary Ghanshyam Bhusal and Deputy General-Secretary Prakash Jwala were present in the meeting.

Life and non-life insurance companies now need to establish their provincial offices. While some insurance companies are already operating regional offices, the Nepal Insurance Authority (NIA) has made it mandatory for the insurance companies to operate provincial offices in all seven provinces of the country. Issuing the Insurance Branch Office Directive, 2079 on Sunday, NIA instructed the companies to coordinate their activities from branch and sub-branch offices through their provincial offices. As per the directive, insurance companies must delegate various authorities to their provincial offices. These authorities include the right to inspect branch and sub-branch offices and transfer employees, among others. Provincial offices should also be given authority related to insurance claims, insurance marketing, and office management. The establishment of provincial offices is expected to provide respite to customers who have to travel to Kathmandu-based central offices of insurance companies for insurance claims. This problem is especially prevalent in the non-life insurance sector. According to NIA officials, the provincial offices will make the claims process more accessible and convenient for customers. Rajuraman Paudel, executive director of NIA, said that the directive has been issued to make insurance services more accessible and easier for customers. He added that the directive will also simplify the process of paying insurance claims. Once established, payments on insurance claims can be carried out through provincial offices. This means that customers will no longer have to travel to Kathmandu-based central offices to make insurance claims. Additionally, the directive states that branch offices can also make payments on insurance claims of smaller amounts. With the new directive, NIA has made it more difficult for insurance companies to open branches in the Kathmandu valley. As many insurance companies are still city-centric, the NIA has tightened its permission to open branch offices, especially in urban areas. Although there has been growth in the number of insurance company branches outside Kathmandu, few have been opened in rural areas and districts. As per the directive, insurance companies will be allowed to open branches in Kathmandu only after opening three branches outside the valley. Furthermore, when branches are opened within the Kathmandu valley, they must be located outside the Ring Road area. Priority should be given to opening branches in municipalities of the three districts of the valley. NIA has also stated that for every three branches opened outside Kathmandu, two branches must be opened in a municipality or rural municipality. NIA has also paved the way for insurance companies to establish branches and contact offices abroad, provided they receive approval from the authority. However, the regulator has set certain conditions in this regard. According to the directive, insurance companies with a paid-up capital of at least Rs 5bn (for life insurance) and Rs 2.5bn (for non-life insurance) will be eligible to open such offices. NIA has now allowed insurance companies to open extension counters, similar to banks. Under the new directive, insurance companies can open extension counters in various locations such as transport management offices, foreign employment promotion offices, international airport complexes, customs checkpoints, and industrial complexes. However, insurance companies must obtain prior approval from NIA to open such extension counters, through which they can collect insurance fees and conduct insurance-related publicity.  

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 1, 000 per tola in the domestic market on Tuesday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow bullion is being traded at Rs 108, 000 per tola today. The yellow metal was traded at Rs 109, 000 per tola on Monday. Meanwhile, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 107, 500 per tola. Similarly, the price of silver has dropped by Rs 5 and is being traded at Rs 1,355 per tola today.

Property worth around Rs 1 million was reduced to ashes when a fire destroyed six houses and sheds at Ranibas Bazaar in Simraungadh of Bara on Tuesday. Ward Chairperson Arabind Mukhita said that the fire started from the house of Rampreet Hajara and spread to the houses and sheds of Ramsurat Hajara, Lalbabu Paswan, Rajesh Paswan, Ramesh Paswan and Gagan Dev Paswan. The fire that broke out at 3 am today gutted cash, crops, clothes and utensils in the houses and sheds, Inspector Surendra Sah of the Area Police Office, Simraungadh said. Police took the inferno under control with the help of a fire engine after an hour.  

The Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NICCI) launched a Coffee Table Book “Religious & Spiritual Circuits Nepal & India” by organizing a program in the Capital on Monday. Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Sudan Kiranti, Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava, Foreign Secretary Bharat Raj Paudyal and NICCI President  Shreejana Rana launched the book. Experts from India and Nepal, who have contributed their research, have also shared their experience and the subject matter incorporated in the book. On the occasion, NICCI President Rana said that Nepal and India share a heritage and relationship that goes back for thousands of years. “This book came about from a wish to share more than the remarkable diversity and beauty of Nepal and India,” she said, adding, “We wanted to showcase our incredible religious sites and further promote bilateral tourism between our two nations," read a statement issued by the NICCI. “There are always challenges in promoting a new destination or theme. But one thing is certain: It is not enough to say “come visit our countries”. We must show “why”. This book does that,” she further said.

I’m a 21-year-old international student and my anxiety has gotten worse ever since I left Nepal. I feel like I’m not making much progress. There is always this feeling of heaviness whenever I think about my future. Classes, work, and assignments have pressured me a lot. I’m not sure if it’s because of my social isolation, homesickness, or cultural shock, but I know my anxiety is getting worse. It’s not that I don’t carry out my responsibilities well. I do all my work. But still, something is missing. How do I deal with this? Please help!—A worried student Answered by Dristy Moktan, psychosocial counselor, Happy Minds Being away from home is never easy. There’s always a chance of being overwhelmed by homesickness. Usually, we feel lost and incomplete when we find ourselves in a new environment. But this is completely normal. You are in the adjustment phase. Some people can easily cope with this but for some, it takes a while. So give yourself some time to process this change.  In situations where we get out of our comfort zone, we usually expect too much from ourselves. Sometimes, even our close ones expect too much from us. This could be a little pressurizing, especially in a completely new place. But remember that you’re doing your best. Don’t let negative thoughts consume you. You’re single-handedly doing all your work even when you’re having such a hard time. That’s quite brave of you. Give yourself some credit for that.  Usually, in cases like these, people have a need to prove to themselves that they can take on any new opportunities. What often happens is that they end up having a lot on their plate. The same might be happening to you. Going beyond your limit all the time is quite stressful. It will drain you physically and mentally and things might spiral out of control. At times like these, it’s best to focus on yourself, ask what you really want and try taking one step at a time. You don’t have to do everything at once. Work on one task at a time.  Being in a new place means you’re introduced to new culture and beliefs. It gets difficult to adjust. But you shouldn’t hesitate to ask questions. If you don’t make an effort to understand and adjust, the situation might get even worse. Try socializing with people from all backgrounds, which might eventually become your comfort zone too. I understand that opening up with someone there might be difficult, since you don’t know many people. But there might be other international students going through a similar experience. Try talking to them, and share how you feel. Maybe their empathy will help you take the first step towards healing. If not, you can always reach out to your friends and family. Writing your thoughts down can be therapeutic too.  Being overwhelmed can stop us from living in the moment. It’s important to prepare ourselves beforehand about the fact that things will be different in a new environment. That acceptance will help you process the changes well. Also, some of your experiences will be exciting, while some situations will be challenging. Try jotting down both of these experiences and the difficulties you might face in the future. This will prepare you to handle whatever comes next without being overwhelmed.  If none of these suggestions work and your mental health gets worse, it’s best to seek some professional help. Psychological counseling and therapy will guide you better through the healing process.

Nepal reported 69 new Covid-19 cases on Monday. According to the Ministry of Health and Population, 488 swab samples were tested in the RT-PCR method, of which 25 returned positive. Likewise, 778 people underwent antigen tests, of which 44 were tested positive. The Ministry said that no one died of the virus in the last 24 hours. The Ministry said that one person recovered from the disease. As of today, there are 66 active cases in the country.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 17.70 points to close at 1,906.00 points on Monday. Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 2.04 points to close at 358. 03 points. A total of 4,308,645-unit shares of 261 companies were traded for Rs 1. 38 billion. Meanwhile, Super Mai Hydropower Limited was the top gainer today, with its price surging by 10. 00 percent. Similarly, National Microfinance Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited was the top loser as its price fell by 10.00 percent. At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 2. 76 trillion.