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Doctors and representatives of concerned agencies said dengue control has appeared to be a challenge in Koshi Province.

As many as 582 people have been infected with dengue in the province in the last four months. 

This information was shared at a program on dengue control organized by the Province Health Ministry on Wednesday in the presence of chiefs and deputy chiefs of local governments of Morang and stakeholders.

A person has so far died due to dengue in the province.

A total of 334 people have been infected with the virus in the province from July 16 to August 13.

According to Director of Dhankuta-based Health Directorate, 199 people have been infected in Morang, 33 in Jhapa, 32 in Dhankuta, 30 in Sankhuwasabha, 25 in Bhojpur, 10 in Okhaldhunga, three in Khotang and two in Tehrathum.

Number of infected people in Letang Municipality of Morang has reached 310, informed Deputy Mayor Krishna Kumari Niraula.

Ambassador of Pakistan to Nepal Abrar H Hashmi said Pakistan is committed for continued support to strengthen cooperation and understanding with Nepal.

At a reception hosted on the occasion of the 78th Independence Day of Pakistan featuring Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav as the chief guest on Wednesday evening, Ambassador Hashmi said Pakistan would continue its support to Nepal.

"Our collaboration in education, defense, banking, health and other technical sectors is yielding good results. Over 7,000 strong alumni, including doctors, engineers, journalists, bankers, pilots, defense personnel and others were contributing to the progress and development of Nepal in their respective fields", he noted.

Both Pakistan and Nepal are vulnerable to climate change, he said, adding, "We share ecologically fragile Himalayas; glaciers are melting at a faster pace causing Glacial Lake Outburst Floods, and in the medium to long term, could lead to water and food shortages".

Ambassador Hashmi stressed that it was crucial to address these challenges for welfare of the communities and sustainable development of the region.

Pakistan is committed to establish peaceful and cordial relations with all the countries of the world, he said, adding, it contributes to global peace, through diplomatic efforts to UN peacekeeping.

"Nepal is a close friend of Pakistan. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1960: mutual respect, trust, cordiality and understanding remained the hallmark", he added.

Pakistan and Nepal share a unique tapestry from geography to religious and civilizational linkages – from the peaks of Everest to K2, to rich Gandhara heritage and cultural similarities, the ambassador mentioned.

"As partners, we work together at regional and multilateral forums especially at UN and SAARC", he further highlighted.

Pakistan's approach to its partnership with Nepal is also underpinned by the desire to maturity benefit, he noted, adding the two countries have inked a number of agreements such as trade, air services, cultural, tourism and cooperation in agriculture and a number of bilateral mechanisms exist.

Also present on the occasion were Deputy Speaker Indira Rana, former Prime Minister Madhav Kuamr Nepal, former ministers, parliamentarians, diplomatic missions chiefs in Kathmandu, high-ranking government officials, entrepreneurs, journalists and distinguished people.

A documentary reflecting Pakistan's progress in social-economic, technological and defense sectors was also screened on the occasion.

The BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Business Summit, first of its kind, took place in New Delhi from Aug 6-8. For Nepal, the summit was an opportunity to showcase commitment to regional collaboration and to engage with key stakeholders; a pivotal moment for exploring new avenues for economic and educational partnerships.

Founded in 1997, BIMSTEC was designed to promote collaboration among South Asian and Southeast Asian countries. The event attracted a diverse range of leaders, policymakers, and industry experts, all gathered to discuss and strategize on the future of economic cooperation in the region, underscoring the increasing importance of regional partnerships and collective action in driving sustainable development.

A highlight of the summit was the presence of the Nepali delegation, which included the Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, Damodar Bhandari, and leading Nepali businesspeople such as President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Chandra Dhakal, Senior Vice-president Anjan Shrestha, former president Bhawani Rana and Shesh Raj Bhattarai, President of the Educational Consultancy Association of Nepal (ECAN) among others.

Bhattarai says, “The summit was a pivotal event, gathering some of the most influential figures and thought leaders from South and Southeast Asia.”

While Rana highlighted the urgent need to enhance women’s access to capital, skills development, and mentorship and advocated for leveraging the full potential of women to drive regional economic growth and foster inclusive development.

Similarly, senior Vice-president Shrestha detailed strategies to improve educational infrastructure by advocating for advanced institutions and regional collaboration to enhance learning outcomes and innovation. Shrestha also proposed significant advancements in healthcare, emphasizing the potential of telemedicine and digital health solutions. 

They offered insights into the blue and mountain economies, discussing how sustainable practices in managing marine and mountainous resources could drive economic growth for Nepal, Bhutan, and India. They proposed establishing an MSME Development Center within BIMSTEC to support micro, small, and medium enterprises with resources and training, thus enhancing their growth and contribution to the regional economy.

One of the summit’s major accomplishments was the establishment of the BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce, a development that promises to enhance economic collaboration and integration among member countries. 

In the summit, Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal emerged as a central figure, delivering a presentation that emphasized India’s growing role as a global economic leader. Goyal’s address outlined a vision for how Nepal could enhance its role within the BIMSTEC framework, particularly in the tourism sector. He emphasized the potential for Nepal to become a leading destination in the region, leveraging its unique assets to drive growth and collaboration among BIMSTEC countries. 

Bhattarai of ECAN addresses some areas that could benefit from improvement to enhance Nepal’s future participation, such as the noticeable absence of experts and financial commentators from Nepal. He suggests their presence could enrich discussions and provide valuable insights, showcasing Nepal’s engagement with global economic issues. Additionally, the Nepal Embassy in New Delhi could play a more proactive role in facilitating Nepal’s involvement.

Bhattarai also suggests holding better pre-event briefings that would ensure delegates are well-aligned with the summit’s objectives and post-event follow-ups that would help capitalize on the opportunities and connections created. “This approach would also facilitate better evaluation and planning for future engagements,” he says.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 34.29 points to close at 2,957.75 points on Wednesday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 8.34 points to close at 519. 49 points.

A total of 51,230,340-unit shares of 332 companies were traded for Rs 23. 43 billion.

Meanwhile, Central Finance Co. Ltd. (CFCL), Samriddhi Finance Company Limited (SFCL), Progressive Finance Limited (PROFL), Matribhumi Lagubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (MATRI) and Hydorelectricity Investment and Development Company Ltd (HIDCL) were the top gainers today, with their price surging by 10. 00 percent. Likewise, Mandakini Hydropower Limited (MHL) was the top loser as its price fell by 10.00 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 69 trillion.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has directed the Kathmandu University (KU) and Dhulikhel Hospital to maintain collaboration between them for the next five years.

At the 97th Senate meeting of the university held today at the Prime Minister's Residence, Baluwatar, PM Oli, also Chancellor of the university, gave instructions to discuss and resolve the misunderstandings and problems between the university and the hospital.

"Since the university cannot immediately open a new hospital and the government cannot invest for it, the relationship and cooperation with Dhulikhel Hospital should be continued for at least five years," Prime Minister Oli said, adding that within that period, the university will prepare to establish its own hospital.

Another meeting of the university within the next month will take appropriate decisions to this end and the same meeting will also discuss other challenges and difficulties, PM Oli said.

Dhulikhel Municipality Mayor Ashok Byanju expressed the opinion that the university should not suddenly break its relations with the hospital.

Prime Minister Oli, who is also the chancellor, took the opinion of the former vice-chancellor Dr Suresh Raj Sharma and instructed KU to continue the cooperation as it is considered necessary to maintain the relationship between the two institutions.

Prime Minister Oli also suggested creating a situation where students are admitted to the university according to the capacity of the seats.

He made it clear that in the last fiscal year, the revenue was 24 percent less than the estimate and the government could not give more subsidies to the university even if it wanted to.

In the meeting held in the presence of the Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Bidya Bhattarai, the budget of Rs 4.30 billion presented by university registrar Dr Achyut Wagle was endorsed.  The education minister is the Pro-Chancellor of the University.

Similarly, the Senate has passed the 'grace list' of 2,314 students who will be graduated from various colleges affiliated to KU for the upcoming 29th convocation ceremony.

Police have apprehended two foreign nationals in possession of 1.40 kg cocaine.

A team from the Narcotics Control Bureau of Nepal Police held Tanzanian national Zuma Abdulla Maji and Indian national K Juchobeni Tasopoi on the charge of their involvement in trafficking the narcotics substance.

Police made them public today.

The Bureau's team confiscated 80 capsules of cocaine concealed inside a bag belonging to the Tanzanian national Zuma who has been staying in a hotel at New Baneshwar, Kathmandu Metropolitan City-10.

The Indian citizen has also been arrested when Zuma was selling the cocaine to him, said Deputy Inspector General Dan Bahadur Karki, the spokesperson at the Police Headquarters.

According to the Bureau, the price of the confiscated cocaine is around Rs 38.7 million in the black market.

Police said investigation is under way against the two arrested persons on narcotics drugs trafficking case, extending their custody remand by taking permission from the Kathmandu District Court.

Australian Ambassador to Nepal, Felicity Volk, had a farewell meeting with CPN (Maoist Center) Chair and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Wednesday.

In the meeting at Dahal's residence in Khumaltar today, Ambassador Volk congratulated Nepal on the completion of the remaining works of the peace process as well as transitional justice, according to Dahal's private secretariat.

Ambassador Volk said that the dignity of Nepal in the international arena has increased due to this initiative.

Former Prime Minister Dahal praised Ambassador Volk's role in strengthening Nepal-Australia relations and wished her success in her further diplomatic career.

A barely two percent population growth in the country and a huge outmigration of the country’s youth has sections of the Nepali society deeply worried.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli shared this worry at the concluding session of the Nepal Youth Summit 2024 while acknowledging, at least partially, that a not-so-conducive environment for jobs was also to blame for the exodus.

Nepal’s population growth rate is quite low, he said, offering the youth an idea for a ‘beautiful future’: Get married in your 20s and procreate without delay. Otherwise, Nepal may become a country of senior citizens with the youths leaving the country in large numbers citing a lack of job opportunities.

If one were to read Nepal’s Marriage Registration Act, the minimum legal age for marriage in Nepal is 20 years for girls and boys. However, they can marry at 18 years with parental consent.

The onus is on our young people to think about this alarming scenario (a low population growth and a high rate of youth out migration), he said, striking a chord with sections of the Nepali society that often express concerns about the youth exodus and a low population growth rate in a country with a population of around 29m.

The country has problems, but it is not the sole reason behind this exodus, he said in reference to a grim reality in which senior citizens, women and children have been left to fend for themselves.

“There is also a wave and a youthful desire to go abroad,” he said. 

A large number of youths have gone abroad and there’s a need to stop this outflow, PM Oli said at a time when successive governments have drawn flak for their failure to create a conducive environment for employment and retain the youths within the country, and reap the demographic dividend amid talk of Nepal’s graduation to a developing country status from the club of least developed countries. 

The government is making plans to promote entrepreneurship, PM Oli sought to assure, adding that his administration was thinking of bringing about a wave of development by introducing micro-entrepreneurship programs that provide jobs to a significant number of youths. 

Twenty percent of the national population lives below the poverty line, he said, stressing the need to reduce poverty by two percent each year for 10 consecutive years. 

Will these concerns be followed by some concrete action, making way for a great future every Nepali has been dreaming about, which goes well beyond marriage at a certain age? Who knows it better than the PM himself?