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U.S. Embassy in Nepal hosted a Summit for Democracy supporting event on the eve of the Summit, which will bring together leaders from government, civil society, and the private sector to set forth an affirmative agenda for democratic renewal December 9-10.

U.S. Ambassador to Nepal, Randy Berry, USAID Mission Director Sepideh Keyvanshad, Nepali leaders, activists, civil society members, and youth advocates discussed opportunities and challenges for social, political, and economic inclusion in Nepal and other democratic countries.

Addressing the event, Ambassador Berry highlighted the achievements Nepal made in the recent years, “In many ways Nepal serves as a model for the region and the world.  Within the last 15 years, Nepal has progressed through a violent Maoist conflict, subsequent peace process, the return of democratic governance, and the ratification of a constitution that defined Nepal as a secular, democratic, and federal government.”  Participants also discussed the historical and recent events within the United States that have tested–and reaffirmed–the strength of its democracy.

U.S. President Joe Biden will commemorate Human Rights Day by convening the first Summit for Democracy. 

The Summit will focus on three pillars and shared values of democratic nations:  fighting corruption, countering authoritarianism, and promoting human rights.  Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba will represent Nepal at the invitation of President Biden, said the Embassy in a statement. The Summit will be a part of a series of programs supporting the resilience of democracy and overcoming challenges throughout the year 2022.

Nepali Congress, the party that has led every major political change in the country in the past seven decades, now appears to be a shell of its former self.  Perhaps for the first time in the party’s history, going into its General Convention, there has been zero debate on its future ideological course or the country’s burning issues. All the debates rather seem centered on which of the many candidates vying for leadership, largely based on their ability to dispense patronage, will prevail. Things couldn’t be more dispiriting.

Right now, the country is mired in some bitter ideological questions, regarding the future of its federal and republican structure, the judiciary’s independence, a long-running pandemic that is still not under control, a sinking economy and growing inequality—and all that the party traditionally at the vanguard of the Nepali democratic process is concerned about is choosing a new leader. That would not be such a bad thing if the top NC leaders were contesting based on their ideological differences and differing visions for the party and the country. No, all they seem concerned about is getting elected in any which way possible.

Also read: Editorial: Exclusionary UML 

Whosoever becomes the next Nepali Congress head, he—and it will be a ‘he’—will fail to inspire broader confidence. All the candidates in the fray are old faces, and people, more than anything else, would like to see a fresh face at the top. Also, the weakening of the political parties across the board could translate into another fractured mandate in the next set of elections, with all its attendant problems.

The election of Rajendra Lingden as the RPP chief is, in this way, a breath of fresh air, for he is both a new generation leader and has a solid ideological footing. Yet he leads a political party that wants to take the country back decades by reviving monarchy and Hindu state. It is ironic that the RPP should be teaching our more mature democratic parties the way to elect a new leader.

After being stalled for over a year by the pandemic, the producers of ‘Mantra’ have announced a release date of January 11. The movie, directed by Khil Bahadur Gurung, features Saugat Malla, Diya Pun and Buddi Tamang in lead roles.

The film, produced under the banner of Gorkha Siran Chowk and Liglig Kot Films, captures the beautiful scenery of the Himalayas and has been touted as a ‘Himalayan love story’. Director Gurung says Mantra is an organic film which was partly shot at the base camp of Manaslu at an altitude of over 5,100 meters.

The film also stars Namita Ghising, Bir Bahadur Lama, and Pasang T Sherpa.

Nani’s Kitchen offers a delightful combo of taste that is foreign yet homely. Situated near Labim Mall, Lalitpur, Nani’s—a branch of the eatery by the same name in Boudha—serves a variety of Japanese curry dishes and affordable bakery items.

After exploring different tastes and food arts all over the world, the restaurant owners were particularly fascinated by Japanese flavors—and they wanted to bring something completely new to the Nepali food scene.

Japanese curry is smooth and sweet, which is much different to the traditional South Asian offerings. With a chill outdoor seating, the ambiance only adds to the restaurant's lively vibe.

Nani’s Kitchen

Chef’s special dishes:

Japanese curry
Pistachio financier
Grilled spicy chicken sandwich

Opening time: 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM
Location: Pulchowk
Meal for 2: Rs 1,000
Phone pay: Yes
Delivery: Yes

The Ministry of Health and Population on December 6 informed of two cases of Covid-19 infections with the ‘Omicron’ variant in Nepal.

The new variant of the infectious virus was imported by a 66-year-old foreign national who in turn transmitted it to a 71-year-old who was accompanying him to Nepal. Both were fully vaccinated and had entered Nepal with PCR-negative reports. Reportedly, both of them are in isolation even though neither shows severe symptoms.

According to the ministry, a total of 66 persons who came close to the infected duo have been traced. All of them are tested negative with no health complications.

The “2nd Krishi Tara” award function is being organized on Thursday, December 9 at Kathmandu Marriott Hotel, Nagpokhari Naxal. It is being organized by the Embassy of Israel and the AVSAR Foundation.

It is an annual national level award that is given to a deserving farmer or Agri-entrepreneurs from among the returnee students of Advanced Agricultural Training in Israel under “Learn and Earn Program”. The nominees are selected as per their goals and accomplishments based on how they are able to bring changes in the society and agriculture through the use of technologies, innovations and skills learned in Israel. 

Vote of thanks

The Annapurna Express would like to thank all esteemed panelists, speakers, and moderators (pictured alongside) who made the first edition of our signature ‘The Triangle Conference’ (Nov 25-27) a roaring success. You were the beating heart of the event that was aimed at getting the stakeholders in government, business, and academia talking, with the ultimate goal of harmonizing their work for the greater good of the country and the people.

This conference would also not have been possible without the generous help from our sponsors—Standard Chartered Bank, Global College, and the National Democratic Institute—who wholeheartedly supported our novel venture. The Express team is also in Vote of thanks debt to Annapurna Media Network Chairman Capt Rameshwar Thapa (who so readily backed our vision), Group CEO Sanat Neupane (the brain behind the conference), and our Publishing Director Sachan Thapa (for his enormous help with the event’s live TV broadcast).

A big thanks to all our other AMN colleagues who helped us with the event as well as the many more of our friends from outside the organization for their invaluable feedback and guidance. In the end, The Express would like to reiterate its commitment to the AMN’s ‘Unity for Sustainability’ campaign and vows to make all its events as climate-friendly as possible.

Thank you, everyone.

The Annapurna Express Editorial team

Day 1

Session 1: Nepal 2030

Nepal’s national capabilities. What do we have? What do we need? Our progress on SDGs and development.

Panelists:

Kewal Bhandari, Secretary, National Planning Commission

Indra Adhikari, Political Analyst

Bishal Chalise, Assistant Professor, TU

Pawan Tuladhar, Tourism Entrepreneur, Dharma Adventure

Sunaina Ghimire Pandey, MD, General Technology Pvt. Ltd.

Session 2: Post-pandemic mental health, youth and workforce

Nepal was already burdened by a growing mental health epidemic. The pandemic made it worse. How do we get them, and the youth in particular, in a better shape and again contributing to the national economy?

Panelists:

Manoj Gajurel, Comedian/Mental Health Campaigner

Dr Rishav Koirala, Psychiatrist, Grande Hospital

Bhawana Shrestha, Co-founder, My Emotions Matter

Shreeya Giri, Founder/MD, Happy Minds

Session 3: Nation-building and leadership

Kulman Ghising, MD, Nepal Electricity Authority

Dr Sanduk Ruit, Senior Eye Surgeon

Day 2

Session 1: The triangular relationship gaps

Why are Nepal’s Government, Academia and Economy not in harmony? How do we get them talking and collaborating more?

Panelists:

Bhim Prasad Subedi, Chairperson, UGC Board

Manushi Yami Bhattarai, Politician, JSPN

Suman Dahal, Researcher/Lecturer, Apex College

Sohan Sha, Education Researcher, Martin Chautari

Kushum Shakya, Economist

Session 2: Political parties and electoral governance

Heading into the next set of elections, how are our political parties gearing up? How is the election commission?

Panelists:

Bishnu Dahal, Political Analyst

Neel Kantha Uprety, Former CEC/Electoral Finance Researcher

Lokesh Dhakal, Politician, Nepali Congress

Yogesh Dhakal, Senior Journalist

Bimala Rai Poudel, MP, National Assembly

Day 3

Session 1: Leadership: What’s missing?

What are we missing in leadership development? How do we create leaders, in every field?

Panelists:

Prakash Chandra Pariyar, Secretariat Member, Bibeksheel Sajha Party

Malvika Subba, Media Personality

Dr Tshering Lama, Co-founder, Idea Studio

Anjana Bishankhe, MP, HoR, CPN (Maoist Center)

Devendra Pokharel, Director, Cocina Mitho Chha

Session 2: Workforce 2025

The traits, ideas, characteristics, competencies, concepts of the workforce Nepal needs by 2025.

Panelists:

Namrata Pandey, Regional Director, Bangladesh International Mediation Society

Daniel D. Shrestha, CEO, Cogent Health

Jeevan Baniya, Researcher/Assistant Director, Social Science Baba

Anil Muni Bajracharya, Deputy Director, Research Division, CTEVT

A fraud case has been filed against Century Commercial Bank and Greenhill City, a housing company, for allegedly embezzling over Rs 10 million while selling a housing unit.

According to Beema Post, the bank, the housing company, and Shanta Sharma signed an agreement under which Century provided Greenhill a loan of Rs 13.1 million on 13 January 2019 for Sharma to buy the house, valued at Rs 32.2 million. Sharma paid Rs 10.3 million as an advance in cash. The bank, which handed over the loan amount to Greenhill, made Sharma pay the monthly installments for it.

On 21 October 2021, Sharma received a letter from Greenhill saying that she has only paid Rs 10.3 million for her house and that she needs to pay up the rest of the amount. The company, in its letter, didn’t acknowledge its receipt of Rs 13.1 million from the bank.

Also read: NB Group ‘unfit’ to buy NBB shares 

The victim now says that Century and Greenhill have colluded to embezzle the Rs 13.1 million the bank issued to the company following the agreement on January 13. Greenhill has also not completed all construction-related works of the house.

Sharma recently moved the high court seeking action against the bank and the company stating that her repeated complaints filed at the central bank remained unheard.

This is not the first time that Century has been involved in a controversy. Recently, it lost Rs 50 million due to unscrupulous business practices by signing a remittance agreement with a mysterious overseas company, but the central bank is yet to take action against its employees