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The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 19.56 points to close at 2,698.03 points on Sunday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 3.54 points to close at 453. 42 points.

A total 20,984,440-unit shares of 309 companies were traded for Rs 9. 47 billion.

Meanwhile, Wean Nepal Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (WNLB), Gurans Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (GLBSL), Nepal Finance Ltd. (NFS) and Janaki Finance Company Limited (JFL) were the top gainers today, with their price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Likewise, Nyadi Hydropower Limited (NYADI) 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. 47 trillion.

For those of us who love books and music (and quite frankly, who doesn’t?) it’s always a good idea to be surrounded by them. It will make us want to read more, discover new artists and music, and thus live an inspired life. In most homes, despite housing voracious readers and music aficionados, books and music take up good space but aren’t really a part of the decor. They are there as essentials. But these elements can be incorporated in different parts of your house to make your home feel lived in, cozy, and like an extension of your personality. Here’s a quick guide on how you can use books and music seamlessly around the house.

Books make great coffee table decor

Coffee table books make an artistic statement. Choose one (or a few) you like and make sure it has a striking cover and place it on your center table as a focal point. You can choose to use multiple books and create a little stack with a decor item or a wooden box on top to hide your remotes and controllers.

Display your cookbooks

Every house, where books are loved, is sure to have a few cookbooks. Dedicating a corner of the spice rack to these treasure troves of recipes or even just putting them near the chopping board on the counter works as a stunning and functional decor idea. They will look nice and you will be inspired to whip up delicious meals.

Get a simple sound system

There’s nothing better than having soothing music playing in the background as you work or when you have guests over. These days, thanks to smartphones, we rely on our phones and tablets to listen to music. While there is nothing wrong with that, a good sound system however, with speakers in multiple rooms, can change the vibe of your space.

A wall of vinyls or covers

These work well with book covers too but a wall especially dedicated to old records or their covers adds a lot of intrigue to a space. Create a gallery with your favorite records or if you are still playing them, use a single shelf to display the cover of the record you are currently listening to.

Use books as stands and risers

Under a vase or a favorite decor item or as something to elevate a photo frame, books as stands can be a great way to store books as well as create a stunning display. You can stack books on your nightstand, shelves, and countertops to prop up other things like lamps, candle stands, or even plants. It adds an interesting dimension to the display.

Leave a book open

A super easy way to decorate with books is to leave one open. Whether it be in the bedroom or the kitchen, leave a book open to your favorite page. It could be a photo book or a page with something that resonates with you. You can also use a bookstand in the kitchen to keep a cookbook open on your favorite recipe or the one you are thinking of replicating.

Musical instruments as functional pieces

If you have a drum set or a tabla lying around or if you know someone who does and who is ready to part with it (or you can even check out online second hand deals), then you can repurpose these into coffee or side tables. You could also display vintage musical instruments as decorative items. These days you can also make musical instruments inspired furniture items like dining tables or consoles.

Add a pop of color with books

Books can be used to add a pop of color to a monochrome setting. If your living room has a neutral tone like white, beige, or brown, choose to create a pile of books in a particular color like royal blue or orange to add a pop of color to it. Choose books where the colors of the spines match but ensure they are of different sizes.

Flutes make a playful display

You can get these for cheap anywhere in town and they make for a great table arrangement. They are usually not that large so they can fit anywhere without getting in the way. They are also symbolic as they are tied to spirituality and transformation in many cultures. In Hinduism, we associate it with Lord Krishna. Consider displaying it with some peacock feathers to give a nod to your heritage.

Frame your favorite poster or lyrics of a song

This is perhaps the most underrated but impactful way to incorporate your favorite music and pay homage to your favorite artist. Simply get a poster of a band or an artist you like and frame it to hang somewhere in the house. The larger the poster, the better. You can also print the lyrics of your favorite song and get that framed. 

President Ram Chandra Paudel has inquired about the health condition of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel and Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya who are undergoing treatment at the Burn Hospital in Kirtipur.

DPM Paudel and Mayor Acharya were injured when a hydrogen balloon exploded while inaugurating a program organized for the promotion of tourism in Pokhara on Saturday.

Both are being treated at the intensive care unit in the Burn Hospital.

Health Minister Pradeep Paudel, Health Secretary Dr Roshan Pokharel and Director of the Hospital Dr Kiran Kishor Nakarmi, along with the doctors involved in his treatment, briefed the President about the health condition of DPM and Mayor.

Dr Nakarmi shared that though the health condition of Paudel and Acharya is becoming normal, they should be kept under the supervision of doctors for some time.

He further emphasized that the hospital should be equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and technology for the treatment of burns.

A Nepal Police Sub-Inspector Dhanraj Khatiwada was found dead at Bhadrapur-based District Police Office, Jhapa.

Khatiwada (49) of Temkemaiyung Rural Municipality-4, Bhojpur and currently residing at Kanepokhari Rural Municipality-7, Morang was found hanging from a ladder of the office.

Acting Information Officer and Inspector Bijay Chauhan of the police office informed that Khatiwada was found hanging in the police barrack this morning.

The cause behind his death is yet to be established.

The body has been sent to the Provincial Hospital in Bhadrapur for postmortem.

The death toll in a cooking gas cylinder explosion that occurred at a Kamalpokhari-based eatery has climbed to four.

According to the Spokesperson for the District Range Kathmandu and Superintendent of Police, Apil Raj Bohora, the latest victim is Chhiring Lama (25) of Dhunkharka, Bethanchok Rural Municipality, Kavre. He was temporarily residing in Kamalpokhari.

He succumbed to burn injuries last night.

Others seven injured in the incident that took place on February 5 are undergoinh treatment. 

Other deceased in the incident are Pradip Tamang (22) of Udayapurgadhi-7,  Udaypur, Rabin Rai (18) of Manahari Rural Municipality-5, Makawanpur, and Bhim Bahadur Ghale of Galtar of Katari Municipality-8, Udayapur.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 2,700 per tola (11.66 grams) in the domestic market on Sunday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 167,500 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 170,200 per tola on Friday.

Similarly, the price of silver has dropped by Rs 15 per tola and is being traded at Rs 1, 955 per tola.

The Hetauda Cement Industry (HCI) has faced a deepening financial crisis, causing adverse impact on production.

HCI management had shut down the factory since October 1, 2024, reasoning the need for repairing machines. Although it was expected to complete maintenance and resume production from mid-November, the administration argued it took more time for repair.

Administration chief and spokesperson, Hareram Aryal, however, said, "Only maintenance is not the reason behind delay in resumption of industry. As the economic crisis is deepening, it is not sure when to resume the industry."

Although the production is nil at present, the spending is regular- salary to employees and fuel costs. It further adds to the financial problems, according to him.

Aryal shared that the industry was in need of raw materials. "If it runs daily, at least 120 trucks of coal are required. It is not available now nor has money to purchase it. The previous payment is pending for a long time."

The employees are also not paid for their extra services.

Established at Lamsure of Hetauda city in 2033 BS, the industry had begun producing cement since 2043BS. The implements are old to use in full capacity for production.

Technical chief Kameshwor Mandal said, "Many equipment are overused and now not functioning well to ensure smooth production." He further said the maintenance was still going on.

When the industry is run in full capacity, it produces as many as 16,000 sacks of cement every day.

The Pathivara area saw snowfall with light rains last night. 

An employee at Pathivara Area Development Committee, Rajendra Mahat, informed that it was the third snowfall this season.

Earlier, the snowfall had occurred in December and January.

With the snowfall, the temperature dropped significantly in the religious site located at a height of 3,794 meters.

Executive Director at the committee, Prajin Hangbang, said the number of tourists increases after the snow every year.

The locals have said the scant rainfall this winter dented the growth of crops. To this, the snowfall was a huge relief, they added.