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My parents divorced before I turned ten, and my father was mostly absent from my life. Recently, he tried to reconnect, promising to support my future, but I fear he might abandon me again. This lingering hurt creates a barrier between us, built from years of disappointment. I’m torn between giving him a chance and protecting myself from potential hurt. Should I rebuild our relationship or keep my guard up?

Answered by Kapil Sharma, counseling psychologist, Nepal Institute of Mental Health

Despite the challenging circumstances, you have bravely shared your feelings, and I’m grateful that you have taken this important step towards seeking help. Many people go through similar emotions due to factors like parental absence and emotional distance during their childhood and it’s natural to want to protect yourself.

Psychologically, this fear of abandonment and hesitancy to form attachments is a common struggle, particularly among those whose parents have divorced. Rest assured that you aren’t alone in feeling this way. Many people face these same fears.

Developing self-awareness is a key step in your healing journey. You can begin with self-reflection and introspection, in order to understand your needs, for instance start by journaling about yourself, your expectations from your father, the possibility of reconnecting, and what triggers you emotionally. This will help you gain clarity and understand the root of your fears and desires.

Prioritizing self-care is essential. Engage in activities that nurture your well-being, such as journaling or exercise. When you’re facing challenges, focusing on self-care is a way to support yourself through those tough times.

After delving into self-care, communication emerges as another crucial aspect for you to address. The prospect of reconnecting may evoke confusion and uncertainty due to a fear of being abandoned again. To address these concerns, it’s important to have an open conversation with your father about your expectations, emphasizing the need for consistency. Be honest in all forms of communication with your father to establish realistic expectations.

Naturally, resolving things won’t happen instantly. After sincere communication, gradual reconnection is vital. Take small steps to build your relationship by observing your father’s consistency and efforts. As you start to feel trust, through activities like meetups and phone calls, your bond with him will gradually strengthen.

If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by these new experiences, it’s perfectly acceptable to seek therapeutic support. Therapists can provide coping strategies and assist you in making decisions, offering valuable help during this process.

The choice to reconnect or remain guarded is entirely yours, based on what feels right for you. Trust your instincts, focus on awareness, emotional healing, communication, and take things one step at a time.

Khurkot: In a significant environmental effort, CREASION Nepal, in collaboration with Golanjor Rural Municipality, local Youth Cohorts, the Armed Police Force (APF), Nepal Police, Traffic Police, and other stakeholders, conducted a river cleanup campaign that removed a staggering 24,575 kg of waste from the banks of the Sunkoshi River and nearby waste hotspots.

On May 31, over 100 individuals gathered in Khurkot, Golanjor-7, to participate in the cleanup initiative organized by Project CAP (Collaborative Approach for Preventing Plastic Leakages in Rivers). 

Ujjwal Upadhay, team lead for Project CAP, highlighted the significance of this event as part of a broader initiative to conduct at least 12 river cleanup campaigns across seven municipalities that have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CREASION.

“In collaboration with Golanjor Rural Municipality, we successfully relocated 24,575 kg of waste from the riverside to a designated landfill site using a loader, an excavator, and two trucks, each making 20 trips with a load capacity of 1.2 tons per trip,” Upadhay shared. “This effort not only opened a path to the new landfill site but also managed the remaining waste at the previous hotspot using standard waste management practices.”

Aanand Mishra, founder and president of CREASION, emphasized the importance of individual responsibility in conserving natural resources. “We should not rely solely on external motivation or funding for crucial work like nature conservation. This commitment should come from within, ensuring a better future for Nepal. However, in some cases, such incentives are necessary for innovative solutions.”

He added, “It depends on whether we leave clean hills and mountains or polluted ones. We must understand that our actions today are for ourselves, our country, and our community, ensuring a better environment for future generations.”

Similarly, Shankar Baral, Chairperson of Golanjor Rural Municipality, expressed his gratitude for CREASION’s support in tackling the municipality’s waste management challenges exacerbated by rapid urbanization. “Plastic waste is a severe issue in Golanjor, with plastic bottles and other debris scattered everywhere. We are fully committed to supporting CREASION Nepal in its mission to keep our rivers clean through collaborative efforts,” Baral affirmed.

Sujata Koirala, General Secretary of CREASION, representing the VFC-Youth Cohort initiative within Project CAP, emphasized the importance of engaging young people in sustainable practices. “Through various campaigns, advocacy programs, and community outreach, we aim to instill a sense of responsibility and enthusiasm for recycling among the youth and the larger community,” Koirala explained.

CREASION Nepal, established in 2005, is a not-for-profit organization focusing on Environment and Sustainability, Disaster Risk Reduction, Youth, and Volunteerism. Project CAP aims to divert plastic waste from landfills and rivers into the product value chain by enhancing plastic waste collection mechanisms and promoting recycling through technological innovations. This project is part of the PLEASE (Plastic Free Rivers and Seas of South Asia) initiative, implemented by the South Asia Cooperative Environment Program (SACEP) and supported by the United Nations Procurement Services Secretariat (UNOPS) and the World Bank.

A tourist guide died due to altitude sickness at Langsisa in Gosaikunda Rural Municipality-4 of Rasuwa district.

The deceased has been identified as Bijay Tamang (24) of Melamchi Municipality-6, Sindhupalchowk district.

He died while a group of six to seven persons, who had come to explore a new trekking route of Langtang-Kyanjin Valley-Langsisakharka from Panchpokhari, were descending the lower altitude.

Tamang had returned after reaching 5, 800 meters above Langsisa while going to Tilmand Pass in search of a new route.

He had a problem while descending the Langsisakharka.

Relatives of Tamang, a guide of Take on Nepal, said that he could have been saved had he received treatment on time.

Inspector Netra Paudel, Information Officer at the District Police Office, Rasuwa, who had returned after reaching the incident site, said that he could have died of altitude sickness. The postmortem report is yet to come.

Kathmandu is gearing up for a spectacular event as Heritage Garden transforms into a biker’s paradise for The Annapurna Express Nepal Bike Day. Set to attract biking enthusiasts from across Nepal, this event promises an unforgettable experience with a lineup of exciting activities and attractions.

Bikers from every corner of Nepal will converge on Kathmandu, joined by six daredevil riders from India, who will showcase their impressive bikes. As the sun sets, the roar of engines will fill the air, creating a thrilling atmosphere for attendees.

The event will feature a stunning display of bikes, including iconic models like the Suzuki 750 GSXR, Ducati V4, BMW S1000, Ducati Monster, CBR 6000, and a variety of Kawasaki super bikes. This spectacle is sure to captivate motorcycle aficionados and casual fans alike.

Adding to the excitement, live music performances will energize the crowd. The lineup includes The Honeycombers, DJ Khatra, Sid, Rolex, and a special live set by Bizen. The highlight of the evening will be a performance by Carl Wine from the Netherlands, promising to set the stage ablaze.

Attendees can indulge in a variety of culinary delights from numerous food stalls and quench their thirst with refreshing drinks. Biking stalls will feature the latest models from top brands such as Honda, SH Moto, Bajaj, and KTM. The event is proudly sponsored by RIVA Natural Spring Water.

While the event promises high-octane fun, it also carries a vital message about road safety. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of wearing protective gear, particularly helmets. The event will also celebrate women riders, encouraging them to embrace the thrill of biking.

In a bid to promote responsible behavior, the organizers urge against drinking and driving. They have partnered with Tootle, a ride-share service, to offer attendees safe transportation alternatives.

Tickets for the event are priced at Rs 500 and are available through Khalti, the official ticketing partner.

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has honored Nepali peacekeeper Bhupajit Rai posthumously with the Dag Hammarskjold medal. Rai had served the UN stabilization mission in Congo.

At a ceremony organized at the UN Headquarters to mark the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers on Thursday, Secretary-General Guterres handed over the honor presented to Rai to Permanent Representative of Nepal to UN Lok Bahadur Thapa.

Highlighting the bravery, dedication and devotion of Rai who laid down his life in the course of discharging the duty, the Secretary-General expressed his confidence that Rai would remain an inspiration for all those deployed in peacekeeping missions.

Rai had passed away in Congo on October 13 last year.

The International Day of UN Peacekeepers has been observed since 1948 which marks the deployment of military observers to the Middle East to supervise the implementation of Israel-Arab Armistice Agreements, in what became the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization.

Since then, more than two million peacekeepers from 125 countries have since served in 71 operations around the world. Today, some 76,000 women and men are serving in 11 conflict zones across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Nepal is the largest contributor of military and police personnel to UN peace operations with more than 6,000 now serving in Abyei, the Central African Republic of the Congo, Cyprus, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Kosovo, Lebanon, Libya, the Middle East, Somalia, South Sudan, Western Sahara and Yemen.

The Nepal government has been deploying the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police personnel as peacekeepers.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 1, 700 per tola in the domestic market on Friday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 142, 200 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 140, 500 per tola on Thursday.

Similarly, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 141, 500 per tola. It was traded at Rs 139, 800 per tola.

Meanwhile, the silver is being traded at Rs 1,875 per tola today.

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said that currently the country has witnessed partial influence of local and westerly winds along with low- pressure systems prevailing around Bihar of India.

The weather according to the department will be generally cloudy in Koshi, Madhes and Bagmati Provinces while it will largely remain clear in the rest of the country.

Light rain accompanied by thunder and lightning is taking place at one or two places in Koshi Province. The weather will be partly to generally cloudy in the hilly regions of the country including Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces and fair in the rest of the country this afternoon.

Light rain accompanied by lightning is likely to occur at a few places of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces and at one or two places of the hilly regions of Madhes and Lumbini Provinces.

Light snowfall is likely to occur at one or two places of the high hilly and mountainous regions of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces.

Similarly, the weather will be partly to generally cloudy in Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces tonight. Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at a few places of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces and at one or two places of Lumbini province, according to the weather forecast bulletin published by the Department at 6.00 am today.

In the next 24 hours, light to moderate rain accompanied by thunder and lightning is likely to occur at a few places of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces and at one or two places of Lumbini Province.

There is a possibility of light snowfall at one or two places of the high hilly and mountainous regions of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces.

According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, there will be light rain accompanied by thunder and lightning in the Kathmandu Valley this afternoon. The maximum temperature of Kathmandu will remain between 31 and 33 degrees Celsius.

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in Tibet, an autonomous region of China, can now be completed in six days.

Simrik Air has brought a six-day package of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra that starts from Nepalgunj in southern western Nepal and ends in Nepalgunj.

It has been learnt that Simrik Air brought this package after China resumed the Kailash Yatra, which was closed after Covid-19 pandemic. The Yatra has remained closed since 2020.

Simrik Air, which has been providing this service to the Indian tourists, has now decided to provide this service to Nepalis also.

The package targeting Nepali tourists was brought as China has not opened visas for Indian tourists.

The package to Kailash, a religious pilgrimage of Hindus, has been brought to facilitate the Nepali pilgrims, said Muralidhar Joshi, General Manager of Simrik Air.

Simrik Air is launching this package on June 24. The interested visitors have to book the seat till June 5 for the same.  

It has been said that 15 persons will be taken at one time.

The Simrik Air has an aim to take 500 people to Kailash Mansarovar in three months—from June to August.

Simrik Air has collaborated with various local hotels, tour guides and other organizations to make the package successful.

The total cost of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is Rs 250, 000.

This amount will cover the entire travel expenses from visa fee to food and accommodation.

The visa to China should be applied 15 days before the journey.

Simrik Air will arrange everything. One has to pay Rs 50, 000 in advance to book the seat.

How to get to Mansarovar?

According to the package of Simrik Air, one has to reach Nepalgunj from any corner of the country.

The flight from Nepalgunj is the shortest route for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. That is why, Nepalgunj has been the baseline.

Simrik Air has collaborated with Diamond Hotel in Nepalgunj.

The travel desk of the hotel will provide all the information about the trip.

After staying one night at the hotel, the helicopter of the Simrik Air will take you to Simikot the next day. Simrik Air has partnered with Tara and Summit Air for the flight.

It will take 40 to 45 minutes from Nepalgunj to Simikot.

Simrik Air has collaborated with Vijay Hotel in Simikot for the Mansarovar package.

The dinner for that night will be arranged in the Vijay Hotel.

After spending one night at Simikot, which is situated at an altitude of 3, 000 meters, the Simrik Air chopper will take you to Hilsa the next day.

It will take around 20 minutes to reach Hilsa, the China-Nepal border.

After reaching Hilsa, the Nepali agent Sunrise Kailash Travel will complete the immigration process.

Following the completion of the immigration process, the tourist bus will take you to Taklakot, 27 km from Hilsa.

It has been said that Nepali food will be served as lunch and dinner there.

You will reach Kailash Mansarovar, on the fifth day of the journey.

The bus journey from Taklakot to Mansarovar will be of around one-and-half hours. After reaching Mansarovar, one can take a holy bath and perform puja.

It will take around three hours to encircle the pristine 98 km Mansarovar lake in the bus, which is also included in the package.

After a 25 to 30 km drive from the lake, the pilgrims will be taken to Yamadwar, located at an elevation of 5, 000 from sea level, from where you can see a clear and close view of Mt Kailash Parbat.

After providing packet foods to pilgrims at Yamadwar, they will be taken to Taklakot again.

On the sixth day of the package, they will be taken to Nepalgunj via Hilsa, Simikot from Taklakot.

Attraction of this package

The Mansarovar Yatra package brought by Simik Air is shorter than other packages. Another thing is that the insurance is also included in this package.

Simrik Air General Manager Joshi said that the insurance will cover medical expenses up to Rs 500, 000 and Rs 1 million in case of accident and death in collaboration with Sagarmatha Lumbini Insurance Company.

Similarly, the helicopter will take the pilgrims to the nearest health post and hospital if they experience any health problems.

Another attraction of the Mansarovar Yatra package is that you can pay travel expenses in bank installments.

Simrik Air has made an agreement with Machhapuchhare, Nabil, Himalaya and Nepal Investment Mega Bank for the bank installment facility.

The Himalaya Bank will provide you a time of one year and the remaining three banks will provide you a time of three months to pay the installment.