Submit your Article

The meeting of the transitional justice mechanism held on Monday ended inconclusively.  

The meeting held at the Ministry of Home Affairs at Singha Durbar this morning in participation of the stakeholders including the members of the mechanism ended without making a concrete decision.

Nepali Congress leader and Minister for Home Affairs Ramesh Lekhak, CPN-UML Chief Whip Mahesh Bartaula and CPN (Maoist Center) Deputy General Secretary Janardan Sharma attended the meeting aimed at finalizing the issue of the transitional justice bill.

UML Chief Whip Bartaula said that today's meeting ended with the decision to meet again on Thursday.

"The main Act, bills and reports of sub-committees on transitional justice related issues will be studied and reviewed. The questions raised on them will be collected and the next meeting will be held Thursday with full preparations," he pledged.

He said that the mechanism will also prepare the draft of all discussions held so far on the matter and focus on them in upcoming meetings, he said.

Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ajay Kumar Chaurasiya, President of the Law, Justice and Human Rights Committee Bimala Subedi and Attorney General Ramesh Badal among others were present in the meeting.

Earlier on Friday, a meeting of the mechanism held at the Ministry of Home Affairs had discussed the issue of building consensus on the transitional justice bill.

The Lekhnath area of the Pokhara Metropolitan City is famed as a city of seven lakes, and all seven lakes there are enlisted in Ramsar sites. Not just of the lakes it has, the small valley that lies to the northeast of the Prithvi Highway in Kaski district is equally popular for the fish recipes.

The businesspersons argue that touristic activities have increased there due to the fish recipes that tempt the visitors. A large number of hotels and eateries on the banks of Begnas Lake, Majhikuna, Piple, and Damside offer a variety of fish recipes to a large number of visitors every day.

Most of the visitors throng the city of seven lakes to enjoy the fish dishes. The local people residing around Begnas, Rupa, and other lakes are engaged in commercial fish farming. Most of the households in the small village of Piple near Begnas Lake have fully relied on fishing in the lake.

Likewise, the number of fisheries has increased in Dipang, Khaste, Neureni, and Maidi lakes too.

According to Tek Bahadur Jalari, the owner of The Fisherman Restaurant, the area is popularly known as a common destination for fish lovers. It is said that each household makes from Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000 in a month from fishing.

Jalari said that grilled fish is one of the most famous food items, and the recipe includes marinating fish with a blend of local spices, grilling, and serving with a side of aromatic and fresh vegetables.

According to Jalari, publicity on social networking sites including YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, and other platforms has further promoted the publicity of fish recipes from Majhikuna, Piple, and other vicinities.

The Rupa Lake Reinstatement and Fishery Cooperative Limited is also proactively working for the conservation and utilization of fish in the Rupa Lake, Chairman Shivaraj Adhikari said. “This has increased economic and touristic activities,” he said, adding that more than 1,030 members are engaged in the cooperative organization now and that it has offered direct jobs to 24 individuals. The cooperative has produced fish worth Rs 20m in a year, Adhikari shared.

A person died and 26 others were injured in a school bus accident in Pokhara on Monday.

The deceased has been identified as Arati BK (33), helper of the Birauta-based LP Devkota Memorial English Boarding School.

The bus (Ga 1 Kha 6219) heading towards Pokhara from Ramdi met with an accident at Gudku in Pokhara Metropolitan City-21 at 8:55 am today.

The bus fell some 50 meters down the road.

Kaski police said that the injured students are undergoing treatment in various hospitals of Pokhara.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 400 per tola in the domestic market on Monday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 146, 100 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 145, 700 per tola on Sunday.

Similarly, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 145, 400 per tola.

Meanwhile, the price of silver has increased by Rs 10 and is being traded at Rs 1,750 per tola today.

Sajina Rai, the Program Director of the Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (AIDIA), has joined the Scientific Council of COP29 Presidency as a Board Member.

"Program Director and Research Fellow of the AIDIA, Sajina Rai, has joined the Scientific Council of COP29 Presidency as a Board Member at the invitation of ADA University of Azerbaijan," reads a statement issued by the AIDIA on Sunday.

Rai has long been working for the AIDIA, a foreign policy think-tank headquartered in Kathmandu.

The US Embassy in Kathmandu concluded its two-day Creator’s Mela on Saturday. This conference was designed to sharpen and develop the skills of Nepali digital creators and influencers, helping them launch and grow their online presence or businesses. The event was themed ‘Build, Brand, and Boost’.

Every session in the program provided information to inspire and transform young people in the context of our rapidly changing digital society. Influential speakers such as Priyanka Karki, Elise Hu, Oshin Sitaula, Shrinkhala Khatiwada, Shanta Nepali, Lemi, and Parakram Rana, among others, were invited to share their insights.

Journalist Hu emphasized the importance of prioritizing the audience over the content itself while Sitaula discussed the Instagram algorithm, the significance of watch time, and her own experiences blogging about food.

Addressing critical remarks, Karki stated, “I try to turn every negative controversial topic into positive points so that it won’t affect my health. But, after all, we are all human beings, and it does affect me at some point.”

Former Miss Nepal Khatiwada expressed her unease about the future of social media. “If you are involved in any type of social platform, you need to be true to yourself, be honest, and have the right intentions. Despite that, if someone judges you badly, that’s beyond your control, so you can voice it and move on,” she commented.

Sizzu, setting an example for young women, stated that everyone must exercise caution and never misuse their newfound freedom. She noted the changes and advances she has witnessed in the places she has traveled, which greatly motivate her. As a solo female traveler, she received the Solo Travel Award 2024.

More than 1,000 content creators attended the event over two days. This year, there were 31 sessions and acts, including 12 main stage sessions and 19 interactive sessions on topics such as podcasting, brand-building, monetization, and mental health. Performances, including fashion shows and music concerts, were also held on the main stage.

Sessions covered various topics, including podcasting, growing social media presence across different platforms, leveraging AI for social media success, visual storytelling, addressing social media regulations, attracting sponsors, Q&A sessions, food vlogging, Instagram stories and reel workshops, comedy writing workshops, travel vlogging, building personal brands, boosting presentation skills, and protecting online businesses.

Climate change is a global crisis wreaking havoc on our planet, from intensifying natural disasters to disrupting ecosystems and economies. As the world grapples with this urgent challenge, young people are emerging as powerful catalysts for change. Their passion, innovation, and unwavering determination are reshaping the climate movement and inspiring hope for a sustainable future.

Youths activists at forefront

Young people are at the forefront of the fight against climate change. They understand the immediacy of the climate change emergency more than ever. Consequently, they have organized major demonstrations on climate-related issues and are introducing environmentally friendly policies so that the way people relate to their environment will never be the same again. Their determination is driving us closer to a world with cleaner sources of power production, saving various plants and animal species from extinction as well as ensuring that neighborhoods are better connected.

In the last few years, the upsurge of the youth-driven climate movements has brought about real change. The global movement such as Fridays for Future, which stands out as the ones that are being led by youth like Greta Thunberg, brought together millions of people from all over the world demanding governments respond to climate change and invest now in prevention and recovery. The movement began as school strikes but turned into a global action where young people plan and participate in protests, calling for better climate policies. 

Aside from Thunberg, youth organizations co-founded by young activists such as Zero Hour, Sunrise Movement, and Youth Climate Strike have already mobilized young individuals from one corner of the globe to another to demand stronger climate policies. These movements focus on the ethical obligation of preventing the coming generations from destructive climate change and require countries and companies to eco-friendly behaviors.

Young people are not just talking about change; they are making it happen. They are creating new, green tech, like better solar power and ways to catch carbon, pushing us towards a cleaner world. They also choose to live in ways that don’t hurt the planet, preferring to buy things that are kind to Earth. This push from the youth is changing how we think about our daily choices and the things we buy. They are taking initiatives sustainably and are coming up with measures to deal with and adapt to the effects of climate change. The innovations, especially from solar energy technologies, are drastically changing the course of energy production and leading to a low-carbon economy. Young consumers who are more aware of the negative consequences of their consumption and are ready to sacrifice for the common good are the ones promoting sustainable consumption patterns and demanding eco-friendly products and services.

Challenges confronting the youth in climate activism

While youth are leading the charge on climate action, they are also the most affected. Illnesses occur more often among them due to excessive heat and poor air quality while their education and future job opportunities are disrupted by severe weather patterns. Young people living in low-income areas suffer most from economic challenges, particularly those who live on natural resources as their mainstay. 

What also affects these youth is the constant anxiety about climate change which leads to strain and depression. Noting these impacts, youth-led initiatives focus on climate justice calling for policies that are attentive to the needs of vulnerable communities and ensure adaptation measures are equitable. 

Furthermore, though youths make up a great population, whose efforts are impactful, many challenges exist along their journey of advocacy on matters of climate. Access to resources is limited, there are institutional barriers and skepticism from the older generation. Besides, activism on climate change may be emotionally draining due to the gigantic task ahead and the slow political process. However, these challenges also bring along great opportunities for teamwork and collaboration in action. 

As climate change is a global concern, different groups from governments to businesses, schools, and communities, can collaborate with young activists to develop new ideas and ensure that young voices are heard while coming up with fair rules that benefit the planet and everybody living on it. 

Supporting youth leadership for environmental policy

Empowering young people to become climate advocates does not just require encouragement but calls for proper support and education. This advanced knowledge, skill, and values in mitigating climate change can be imparted to these young minds by schools and colleges. Such school programs possess a critical opportunity to set a generation of informed citizens on the right path by introducing climate science at schools and promoting environmental literacy via enhancing critical thinking on matters of sustainability. 

It is also important to open up channels for youth participation at other levels of decision-making. Indeed, young people should be recognized by governments, the private sector, and civil society as major stakeholders in climate policy decisions. Active involvement of young people, and valuing their inputs, will enhance not only climate governance but also foster among the youth a sense of ownership and responsibility to take good care of our environment. Such efforts will help build a strong foundation for the growth of generations of young people who not only possess knowledge about many climate-related issues but are capable and empowered to make a difference at home and globally.

Lastly, youths from all around the world who are resolute, and leading the climate justice movement must take immediate action. Their resilience and strong ideas inspire hope for future generations to join them in the fight against climate change. Raising awareness, and collaborating may significantly impact the pursuit of a sustainable, equitable, and ecologically sound future for everyone. The engagement of youth in the battle against climate change presents a difficulty as well as a chance for change. For the sake of many future generations, we must band together in support of their activism and innovative pace.

Kenisha Adhikari

St Xavier’s Jawalakhel

SEE Batch 2023/24

Three persons have been detected with cholera in Kathmandu on Sunday.

The persons from Kalimati area were tested positive for cholera bacteria at the National Public Health Laboratory, Teku.

Chief of Health Office in Kathmandu, Dr Arjun Sapkota, informed that those suffering from the disease were receiving treatment at Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital.

"A team has been mobilized to study how the bacteria-borne disease was spread. We're alert on not letting it spread further," Dr Sapkota added.

Earlier, seven persons were detected with cholera in a correction center of Lalitpur.

The disease might have spread due to consumption of contaminated water in the wake of monsoon rains.

A few days back, polio was found at Teku, a confluence of Tukucha rivulet and the Bagmati River in the Kathmandu Valley.

The doctors have urged everyone to maintain proper hygiene with consumption of pure drinking water and sanitation in place.

Diarrhoea, nausea, dehydration, yellow urine, and sunken eyes are some of the symptoms of cholera. If the persons suffering from these symptoms are not treated on time, they may succumb to it.