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Dilip, age 24 from Godaita, Sarlahi was one among the millions of youth of the country with a dream to set up his life, but he had no clue what to do as he had no job and lacked skills for better job or employment opportunities. He was not from a well off family, thus it was hard for him to stay unemployed and live on his parent’s little earnings. He had completed his 12 grade and was still unemployed wandering around the district in search of some employment opportunities when he came to know about the vocational training on computer hardware and networking starting at Barhathawa Municipality of Sarlahi. He immediately joined the course and regularly attended the classes for three month. After completion of the course, he set up his own business and is now earning quite well and supporting his family. Now, he feels that not only has his living standard improved, he also gains respect from the people who earlier used to mock him for being worthless. His parents are also satisfied to see him working hard and progressing in life. Dilip is one among more than 1800 youth that have been provided technical and vocational training by Aide et Action international Nepal (now Action Education). In year 2010, Aide et Action commenced intervention in Nepal which successfully completed two phases at Baglung, Parbat, Saptari, Siraha and Kathmandu valley, finally concluding in the year 2018 and is currently implementing third phase at Sarlahi, Rautahat and Kathmandu Valley. With a tagline “Changing the World Through Education”, Aide et Action is primarily focused on two key themes in Nepal; Access & Quality Education (AQE) and Livelihood Education (LE), both that were crucial in the process of empowering the underprivileged and in nation building. Within livelihood education, the project has established iLEAD centers where the youth from underprivileged sections of the communities are provided training on various trades so as to develop their skills that supports them in income generation either through employment or entrepreneurship. The project is currently conducting training on tailoring, computer and hardware networking, motorcycle repair, Dhaka weaving, off-season vegetable farming in the implementation areas. The project not only provides them technical skills but develops their personalities through soft skill training. The trainers and the project staff provide full guidance and support to the trainees during and after the training period. The project supports them gaining practical experience through on-job-trainings, support in finding employers, job placement, getting decent wages, and hand holding support on the practical technical issues even after they are placed in employment or after starting their business. The alumni of these trained youth are formed so that they can support each other with any profession issues, share their learning and experience, support each other in finding jobs or starting business, and they even discuss various social issues that are helping in bringing positive social changes. The project also coordinates and collaborates with the local government to support these youth in income generation after the training. The local governments of the project areas are also very supportive and provide their assistance in various ways. The local government of Godavari Municipality has provided the weaving machines to the Dhaka weaving trainees so that they can start their own industry. The municipality had also provided advanced weaving training to some of these women. With the weaving machines of the project and the additional weaving machines from the local government, which are kept in the communal house for common use, the women of the Godavari municipality are now able to generate some income, along with their household chores. These women are happy that they need not depend upon their husbands or family members to fulfill their small needs and they could even contribute to household expenses. The training not only made these women economically independent and financially stable, but also they have gained confidence in dealing with the public, and participate in decision making at household and community level.  The project also changed the lives of the girls and women in Sarlahi and Rautahat districts after they were enrolled in tailoring training. The girls and women were primarily expected to do the household chores in the Madhesh communities. Especially girls are considered liabilities and parents hurry to marry their daughters even before the age of 20. In a significant number of families the vital documents such as citizenship and marriage registration certificate are of no priority for the girls and women. But the project has changed the whole dimension of the mindset when it conducted tailoring training to the girls and women. The training made the women economically active and when they started earning, families started treating them as assets and not liabilities. The project mandated the girls to have citizenship certificates for enrollment in the training, due to which more than 14 girls got their citizenship. The entitlement to citizenship not only helps them get the training but get the various benefits from the state, as well as they get their confidence, dignity and identity through the citizenship. Today, almost every girl and woman who has received the tailoring training has set a sewing machine at their home and sewing clothes of their families and neighbors. In this way, they are saving money by saving the cost of sewing clothes of their own and are earning extra income by sewing clothes of other people as well. Besides, the project is working in 30 schools with around 5000 children of Sarlahi and Rautahat to improve the quality of education and to ensure that no child is left behind to exercise their right to quality education. 

Query I am a 22-year-old employee in a private organization. I have been working there for two years and I don’t think I am being well paid for my level of expertise and skills. I thus feel unmotivated and guilty at the same time. I cannot share this with anyone. I need to get out of this rut I am in, but I have no idea where to start. Can you please help?—Anonymous employee Kapil Sharma, Counseling Psychologist, Nepal Institute of Mental Health It is understandable on your part to search for a work that matches your potential and skills with your pay. It is only natural to feel unmotivated when you are working in a setting where your potential is not being recognized and your expertise is unappreciated. Your feelings are perfectly valid. The very first thing you can do to get out of this situation is to communicate your feelings and thoughts. It is vital that your boss or supervisor knows about them. So establishing a clear line of communication is important.  You can start by asking for time with your supervisor for a meeting, where you can clearly share your experience at work. If you do not know how to broach the topic, you can rely on a rating technique. You can tell your supervisor, “I am on 3 (or any relevant score as per your status) on the scale of 1-10 in terms of job satisfaction. What do you suggest I do?”  Once you said this, you have overcome the first barrier to effective communication. The conversation will then follow accordingly.   When you share your feelings about your job, you may get your supervisor to look at your situation anew. Perhaps he or she will help you. If not, you will at least learn that it is time for you to look for an alternative—a job where your skills and qualifications are fittingly rewarded.   Communicate your feelings and you will surely find the step to take next. Also, keep exploring the job market to find a good company that can meet your pay expectations and better use your skills and expertise. Again, communication is the only way that can give you clarity of the situation and lift your guilt-burden.  If you still feel stuck and tongue-tied, you can contact professionals like psychologists and psychosocial counselors who can guide you out of your rut. 

Around 300, 000 security personnel will take up security responsibilities during the elections of the House of Representatives (HoR) and Province Assembly. The government has announced to hold the elections in a single phase and the voting for the twin elections will be taking place on coming November 20. The Nepal Police has planned to mobilize 71, 693 police personnel and 115, 000 temporary police for the elections while the Nepali Army and Armed Police Force are preparing to mobilize 71,000 and 35,000 personnel. Similarly, over 200, 000 will be there in the election from the National Investigation Department. In total, 294, 000 is the tentative number of security forces to be mobilized for the election purposes. However, the number could slightly change in accordance with the election's Central Security Plan according to security officials. It may be noted that the Home Ministry is yet to give a final shape to the election's Central Security Plan.

Nepal reported 269 new Covid-19 cases and one death on Thursday. According to the Ministry of Health and Population, 1, 732 swab samples were tested in the RT-PCR method, of which 180 returned positive. Likewise, 1, 835 people underwent antigen tests, of which 89 were tested positive. The Ministry said that 215 infected people recovered from the disease in the last 24 hours. As of today, there are 3, 158 active cases in the country.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 1. 08 points to close at 1,972.29 points on Thursday. Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 0.  66 points to close at 383. 93 points. A total of 3,955,886 unit shares of 225 companies were traded for Rs 1. 38 billion. Meanwhile, Himalayan Everest Insurance Limited was the top gainer today with its price surging by 10 percent. Likewise, Rapti Hydro and General Construction Limited was the top loser with its price dropped by 4. 38 percent. At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 2. 82 trillion.

A groundbreaking United Nations report published on August 31, 2022, says the Chinese government has committed abuses that may amount to crimes against humanity targeting Uyghurs and other Turkic communities in the Xinjiang region, Human Rights Watch said today, Human Rights Watch reported. The report by the outgoing UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, contains victim accounts that substantiate mass arbitrary detention, torture, cultural persecution, forced labor, and other serious human rights violations, and recommends that states, businesses, and the international community take action with a view to ending the abuses, and advancing justice and accountability. “The UN human rights chief for the first time lays bare the Chinese government’s grave abuses and concludes they may amount to crimes against humanity,” said John Fisher, Global Advocacy Deputy Director at Human Rights Watch. “Victims and their families whom the Chinese government has long vilified have at long last seen their persecution recognized, and can now look to the UN and its member states for action to hold those responsible accountable.” The high commissioner’s report challenges the Chinese government’s blatant disregard for its international human rights obligations, Human Rights Watch said. It calls on businesses to meet their responsibilities to respect human rights, and for follow-up by UN member countries and bodies, which could take the form of an investigation to interview victims and survivors, identify those responsible, gather evidence, and recommend strategies for accountability. Similar recent UN Human Rights Council mechanisms have included commissions of inquiry, fact-finding missions, and independent international monitoring missions. This could also lead to the identification of all those missing and forcibly disappeared so that they can be reunited with their families. The report should be formally presented to the Human Rights Council as a matter of priority, Human Rights Watch said, so that states can discuss the report’s findings and take the steps needed to implement its recommendations, according to Human Rights Watch. In the report, the high commissioner details widespread abuses, including targeting of cultural and religious practices, family separation, arbitrary arrests and detention, rape, torture, and enforced disappearances, across Xinjiang. The report concludes that “[t]he extent of arbitrary and discriminatory detention of members of Uyghur and other predominantly Muslim groups, pursuant to law and policy, in context of restrictions and deprivation more generally of fundamental rights enjoyed individually and collectively, may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity.” Detainees interviewed for the report described conditions in so-called “vocational training centres” that would amount to torture or other forms of ill-treatment, including “being beaten with batons, including electric batons while strapped in a so-called “tiger chair”; being subjected to interrogation with water being poured in their faces; prolonged solitary confinement; and being forced to sit motionless on small stools for prolonged periods of time.” The report noted that Chinese authorities continue to openly criticize victims and their relatives now living abroad for speaking about their experiences in Xinjiang, engaging in acts of intimidation, threats, and reprisals. In the words of one interviewee: “We had to sign a document to remain silent about the camp. Otherwise, we would be kept for longer and there would be punishment for the whole family.” The report also draws on analyses of Chinese laws, regulations, and policies. The findings are consistent with those of academics, journalists, and human rights organizations, published since 2017 documenting grave international crimes. In the past five years, Human Rights Watch has documented mass arbitrary detention, pervasive surveillance, and crimes against humanity across the region. The high commissioner has been systematically assessing a growing body of evidence regarding Chinese government human rights violations targeting Uyghurs and other Turkic communities. Treaty body reviews and reports from UN human rights experts also informed the new report, reinforcing concerns about secret detention and unlawful family separations, among other violations. In June 2020, 50 UN human rights experts urgedthe Human Rights Council to establish an independent UN mandate to monitor and report on human rights violations in China, partly in response to Chinese government resistance to UN human rights scrutiny. In June 2022, anothergroup of UN experts reiterated the 2020 statement and again urged Chinese authorities to grant them access to investigate “allegations of significant human rights violations and repression of fundamental freedoms in the country.” In May, Bachelet visited China, despite being unable to travel or engage with interlocutors freely, and had little direct engagement with affected communities. In an end-of-mission statement delivered on May 28, Bachelet underlined that the visit was not an investigation, which she noted would require “detailed, methodical, discreet work of an investigative nature.” The new report lays a solid foundation for further UN and Human Rights Council action towards accountability in China, Human Rights Watch reported. “Never has it been so important for the UN system to stand up to Beijing, and to stand with victims,” Fisher said. “Governments should waste no time establishing an independent investigation and taking all measures necessary to advance accountability and provide Uyghurs and others the justice they are entitled.”

Rural Education and Environment Development Center (REED Nepal), is a nonprofit organization that works in the sectors of quality education and environment conservation. It has been working in Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality (upper and lower   Khumbu region) of Solukhumbu district since 2019 through intervention of various activities related to environment conservation and climate change adaptation under Everest Youth Climate Initiative (EYCI) project funded by Australian Himalayan Foundation (AHF). After conduction of a scoping study and base- line survey, this Project was initiated in this Rural Municipality. As we all know that climate change is a global emerging issue and has adversely affected in different sectors (human health, agriculture and food security, general livelihood, forest and biodiversity, water sources, infrastructure and development, rainfall and livelihood etc.). In order to adapt and mitigate climate change impact, the Government of Nepal has introduced climate change policy 2076, National Adaptation Plan 2021-2050 and Local Adaptation Plan of Action (LAPA).  Building on all these national level policies and plans, the government has prioritized local adaptation plan of action. In the global scenario, Nepal ranks in 4th position in climate vulnerability. In addition to that, higher mountainous region is more vulnerable owing to fragile environment and higher rate of rise in temperature. Against this backdrop, a community based vulnerability assessment was carried out in ward no 1 of Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality to identify and point out the vulnerability magnitude and their adopting capacity. This assessment showed that climate change has adversely affected the local communities of the Ward, especially in the sector of livelihood. Taking into account the impacts of climate change on livelihood, REED Nepal supported 16 climate vulnerable households of the ward under EYCI project through livelihood support activities (organic vegetable farming and goat farming) to adapt with the impact of climate change. These households almost exclusively comprise Dalit and marginalized groups and were selected in close participation of elected representatives of the ward. REED Nepal supported a total of 10 households for undertaking organic vegetable farming with plastic tunnels and vegetable seeds. A total of 6 households were provided support for goat farming. The support was provided for building predator proof pen and training to enhance skill. The selected vulnerable households were supported for goat farming with NPR.40000 each. These households started to generate income and has increased the numbers of goat kept.  Besides it, they have been discouraged for open grazing in forests areas and motivated for biodiversity conservation which ultimately helps to conserve the forest and reduce the emission.  The organic vegetable farming groups are continuously growing up varieties of vegetables in their plastic tunnels without use of any chemical pesticides and applying green manure. On an average, an individual household made an earning of NPR.5000-8000 by selling vegetables to local market. This has contributed to their livelihood improvement. On other hand, the reduction and minimization of use of chemical pesticides has directly and indirectly helped in minimization of production of greenhouse gases and ultimately contributing to climate change adaptation. Besides, generated incomes were utilized for the education of their children. In addition to this, in order to generate general awareness on climate change and environment conservation, REED Nepal supported 14 schools of the region to orient teachers on climate change, orient school children. In all the supported schools, eco clubs of students were formed and these clubs were supported to form action plans and undertake identified activities in the plans. Plantation was done in 2 ha in two sites through these eco clubs in participation with the local communities.

Integrity Icon is a global campaign by Accountability Lab that is powered by citizens in search of honest government officials. When we talk about innovation we always look toward the ideas from foreign countries. It is the expected norm that innovation doesn’t start in Nepal. In 2014, Accountability Lab Nepal did the unexpected. A campaign that has revolutionized the way people fight corruption, which started in Nepal, has now been replicated in 15 other countries across the world and has now become a global campaign. Imagine the most difficult terrain in a village in Nepal. There are no roads, electricity is limited and vegetation is scarce. Access to good education and public services is miles away. Corruption is deep-rooted in societal values. There, a humble woman works in a small public health post, helping people however she can - delivering newborn babies, curing diseases, and saving lives. To the people of that community, she is a hero. It’s hard to believe that a public servant can become a hero for common people when the narrative is dominated by naming and shaming the bad ones, ignoring the good doers. Integrity Icon Nepal has been identifying such individuals and highlighting them since 2014. Every year, 5 amazing government officials are highlighted among over a thousand nominations from the public. And the winning 5 are absolutely inspirational. Take last year’s winners for example. Manamaya Pangeni was one of the very few female Chief District Officers in Nepal and was respected as a strong and inclusive leader by the people in the places she worked, not bowing down to anyone’s unethical pressures. Lok Bahadur Lopchan was passionately working towards preserving the languages in the verse of extinction and strongly advocated for languages of ethnic minorities to be taught in the schools. Shila Sharma, whose leadership as a covid focal person in providing efficient services at Bheri Hospital situated in one of the covid hotspots is impeccable. Chandrakant Chaudhary has been successful in raising the living standards of farmers by supporting them with loans and ensuring they get the prices they deserve for their produce through community cooperatives. And  Sumitra Gautam, who was able to completely change the face of Bhaktapur Hospital from a run-down old hospital to one of the best serving government institutions in the country. But, what’s important isn’t who wins or who is the best. It’s the conversation that it creates around integrity in Nepal - about what it means to be honest within a corrupt system. Nepal’s bureaucracy has been known to be mired in inefficiency, lack of accountability, and corruption. People’s hope in the public service had increased after the 2017 local elections but said hope didn’t take long to die out. Audits of the fiscal year 2021/22 show exorbitant arrears in the local units. Corruption has been a part of our public system for decades while the citizens and law enforcement have been trying to put an end to it by pointing out the wrong-doers. But, Integrity Icon has shown that fighting corruption isn’t all about enforcement and locking people up. It’s not about enforcing rules on its own because if those rules don’t correspond to the way that people interact, the way that they organize society, then they can’t be enforced. Instead of putting corrupt officials behind bars, Integrity Icon put honest officials in front of cameras. Instead of prosecuting the bad-doers, Integrity Icon celebrated the do-gooders. And in the eight years that it has existed, Integrity Icon has highlighted 40 outstanding government officials in Nepal, with the program being replicated in 17 other countries. The key isn’t just to catch people doing the right things. It’s bringing them together and helping them collectively push back against the negative dynamics. Through Integrity Alumni, the Icons continue to connect, engage and brainstorm ideas to build integrity within the institutions they work around the country. The network doesn't just comprise the Icons - it’s a hive of unlikely networks of business leaders, journalists, change-makers, activists, academicians, and philanthropists who all support and push each other to bring positive reforms in Nepal’s public service. This has helped create a virtuous circle of reforms. One’s efforts are being replicated in other areas. Shila’s leadership during the covid pandemic inspired many others in the health sector to work day and night in Nepalgunj Sub-metropolitan City. Manamaya’s grit and leadership have inspired many female officials to stand up against the patriarchy and their corrupt supervisors. Youths are the most critical part of this process. Over 50 percent of Nepal’s population is under the age of 30. They are more energetic and more connected than ever before. Integrity Icon helps this generation to stand up for their values and build integrity before they get sucked into the corrupt systems that exist. The older generation has been in power so long that they can’t be part of the change that needs to happen. Therefore, creativity around these issues is necessary. Through Integrity School, young and passionate government officials are brought together to discuss the challenges in their workspaces, learn from the practical experiences of honest government officials, and co-create solutions to navigate difficult and corrupt working environments. The school builds a network of fun-loving, dynamic, and like-minded young government officials who are striving toward building integrity within the bureaucratic system through creative ideas and innovative tools. Integrity Fellowship is a similar part of the campaign where young graduates outside the government are given the opportunity to work with and learn from the Integrity Icons. This facilitates the exchange of knowledge between young Nepalis and Integrity Icons and provides an immersive experiential inter-generational learning opportunity for young Nepalis in accountable and transparent government systems. The other end of the bargain offers key government reformers with committed and creative youth to support them in their efforts to build integrity in governance systems. These fellows are also exposed to the government sector which helps change their negative perceptions of Nepal’s public service. Through these initiatives, the young and bright youth of Nepal are constantly being mentored and molded into becoming honest, moral, and accountable public leaders in the future. This has brought creativity to the whole possess. People have started performing theater plays around the importance of integrity. Young people have displayed their understanding and need for integrity through art and poetry. The media is also slowly moving towards reports on success stories of government and organizations, and the amazing work they do, proving that the citizens' perceptions are now changing. The citizens, who are constantly conducting silent rallies and writing blogs around the value of integrity have been empowered to hold their government accountable through positive approaches. Hundreds of students painted bright pictures of Nepal’s gloomy bureaucracy in art competitions as well.  Still, the core value of Integrity Icon isn’t that corruption or lack of accountability shouldn't be called out. It doesn’t mean that justice isn't essential, rules aren’t enforced, and intuitions aren’t set up. But what it means is that the people doing the right thing should be supported even more. They have to be celebrated and encouraged to move forward. They have to be connected and supported with voices and provided with the tools they need to step up as role models. If the Integrity Icon has done anything, it has given the people hope. Hope that things can change, because individuals like the Integrity Icons are everywhere. They just need the recognition and motivation like the Integrity Icons have received. For that, the campaign needs support - to identify these amazing people, to spread the word, and to continue having conversations around the value of integrity. This can change the way people look at the world and give hope for a different kind of future that everyone can help to build.