Submit your Article

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has reaffirmed the government's commitment to discouraging anarchy. He stated that there are ongoing attempts to promote disorder and communal disharmony, adding that such activities will be thwarted.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony for Armed Police Force (APF) inspectors at the National APF Training Academy, Matatritha today, the Prime Minister expressed the government's commitment to resisting unlawful activities.

He congratulated the graduates and promised to amend existing laws to improve facilities for APF personnel and enhance their performance.

The Prime Minister commended the APF's role in strengthening border security and emphasized the need to expand the organization's capacity.

Among those present at the ceremony were Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, Chief Advisor to the Prime Minister Bishnu Prasad Rimal, Chair of the Public Service Commission Madhav Prasad Regmi, Chief Secretary Eaknarayan Aryal, Chief of Army Staff Ashok Raj Sigdel, Home Secretary Gokarnamani Duwadi, Inspector General of Nepal Police Basanta Bahadur Kunwar, and APF Inspector General Raju Aryal.

A total of 45 individuals graduated as APF inspectors during the event. 

With Tihar season approaching, Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu offers a chance to shop for flowers at the Tihar Flora Expo, which runs until Tuesday. The expo, which started on Sept 25 under the theme “Festival of Tihar, Festival of Flowers,” features 65 stalls from flower and nursery businesses and includes consultation booths.

At the expo’s inauguration on Friday, Bagmati Province Minister for Forests and Environment, Krishna Prasad Silwal, highlighted the recent damage to nursery businesses due to October’s continuous rainfall and assured that relief assistance would be provided. He also committed to including provisions in future policies to allocate barren community forest land for nurseries, with budgetary support to promote the flower industry.

Minister Silwal emphasized the importance of producing indigenous varieties like rhododendron and wild orchids for the global market, which he believes could create employment for youth in Nepal. He advocated for a ban on plastic flowers in favor of natural ones.

Director General of the Department of Botany, Sanjeev Kumar Rai, pointed out that imported plastic flowers have disrupted the domestic market. He stressed the need to promote local flowers, including marigolds, velvet flowers, and Godavari blooms. Last year’s marigold imports inspired the department’s Natural Research Laboratory to produce food supplements and beauty products, which led to the registration of three new industries.

Mohan Katwal, Vice-president of the Federation of Nepal Cottage and Small Industries (FNCSI), expressed concerns over the lack of government support for small and cottage industries, which make up more than 80 percent of Nepal’s industries. Naresh Lal Shrestha, FNCCI executive committee member and Chair of the Export Promotion Committee, added that arranging concessional loans in agriculture, energy, and tourism could support domestic employment.

Ramji Prasad Timilsina, President of the Nursery Association of Nepal, described the fair as a platform to discourage foreign flower imports and promote domestic flowers, nurseries, and herbs.

On the expo’s first day, coordinator and Nursery Association Vice-president, Laxmi Maharjan, shared their expectation for transactions to exceed Rs 7m over the five-day event. Entry fees are Rs 100 for the public and Rs 50 for students and seniors. The opening day drew crowds of flower enthusiasts and visitors.

To foster competition and improve skills among entrepreneurs, the fair honored the best in seven categories with certificates, cash prizes, and shields.

Gold price has set a new record in the domestic market today.

According to the Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 168, 500 per tola. It was traded at Rs 167, 000 per tola on Monday.

Likewise, the silver is being traded at Rs 2, 105 per tola.

The Lumbini province government is set to launch the ‘Ghumna Jau Bardiya’ campaign on Nov 14, aiming to promote Bardiya as a prime tourism destination. The main attraction in Bardiya is its tiger population, drawing increasing numbers of tourists eager to see these majestic animals. Bardiya National Park, the district’s top tourist destination, offers jungle safaris where visitors can spot a variety of wildlife, including tigers. Daulatpur Ghat, known for its rare dolphin sightings, has also become popular among international visitors, and the district’s Krishnasar (blackbuck) population is protected within a dedicated conservation area. Additionally, Bardiya’s homestays add appeal by offering authentic local experiences.

This campaign is part of the province’s policy initiatives to boost tourism and economic growth in the region. Minister of Industry, Tourism, and Transport Prachanda Bikram Neupane stated that the Ghumna Jau Bardiya campaign aims to increase tourism and contribute to economic prosperity in Bardiya. The campaign will launch on Nov 14 in Thakurdwara, further establishing Bardiya as a premier tourism destination within Nepal.

“Bardiya is the main tourist destination in Lumbini province,” Minister Neupane remarked. “This year, we aim for the economic prosperity of the entire province by attracting more visitors to Bardiya. Promotional programs will be held to increase tourist awareness.”

Minister Neupane explained that promotional efforts will focus on attracting foreign tourists through collaboration with relevant stakeholders to enhance visitor experiences. “We will organize promotional programs to inform tourists about Bardiya’s attractions and ensure smooth coordination with all parties for their convenience,” he added.

Tourists visiting Bardiya can sample local cuisine at homestays and observe innovative agricultural practices. The district offers unique opportunities for agricultural study, making it an appealing destination for both ecotourism and cultural exploration.

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has pledged to uphold a strict, uncompromising approach to criminal investigations.

During a meeting of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the House of Representatives on Monday, MPs questioned the arrest of former Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane. In response, Minister Lekhak assured that all individuals accused of corruption, fraud or other criminal activities will be brought under probe regardless of political affiliations. “There is no discrimination; the ruling party does not differentiate between the opposition or any other party,” he said. “We base our actions on facts.”

He emphasized that evidence guides the direction of investigations and that the government will not misuse the law to target, harm or harass anyone. “Investigations are fair and independent. We seek court approval as per the need,” he said, urging the public to trust the government’s adherence to legal boundaries.

Meanwhile, Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa has also urged the government to initiate an immediate investigation into Congress leader Dhanraj Gurung and CPN-UML MP Rishikesh Pokharel for their alleged involvement in a cooperative scam. Thapa stated that the Parliamentary Investigation Special Committee on the Misuse of Cooperative Savings found evidence implicating Congress Vice-president Gurung and UML MP Pokharel in the case, stressing that the government must promptly investigate and bring them to justice if they are found guilty.

Addressing a festive greeting exchange program organized by Nepal Rastra Bank in Kathmandu on Monday, Thapa argued that timely action against anyone involved in fraud will help build public trust. “The embezzlers of cooperatives number in the hundreds. Around 500 to 600 people are under prosecution, while another 500 to 700 have been absconding. Bring all of them under investigation, whether the case is new or old,” he urged. “The committee supports this approach, and we call on the government to handle these matters thoroughly. This also concerns the credibility of the common citizen.”

He added, “There is ongoing public discussion about the involvement of Congress Vice-president Dhanraj Gurung. I urge the government to conduct a thorough probe. CPN-UML’s Rishikesh Pokharel has also been named. Investigate thoroughly and prosecute if wrongdoing is found. Punish those responsible.”

The people from Dom community are busy making bamboo baskets for the approaching Chhath festival in the district.

The community is swamped with the activities to produce varieties of bamboo baskets such as doko, dalo and nanglo which are consumed much during the Chhath, celebrated in Tarai with much fanfare and devotion, immediately after the Tihar.

Making bamboo items is an inherited skill and knowledge of our community, said Bhogindra Dom from Jaleshwor municipality-2. "We manage our food, shelter and clothes by selling wicker baskets of various kinds," he added.

The traditional homemade items are in high demand during the festival. The earning also helps the Dalit community celebrate festivals in a relative comfort.

Jaleshwor, Matihani, Pipara, Aurahi, Gaushala, Sonama, Ram Gopalpur, Yekdara, Manral of the district have Dom settlements.

A 70-year-old Bechani Dom from Manrasiswa Municipality-1, said, "We are swamped with the activities to weave cleft slices of bamboo for dalo, nanglo, talu and tapari when the month Kattik begins. From early morning to late evening, we're immersed."

She further said it was a good opportunity for them to make money. The wicker baskets are used to carry fruits to offer to the Sun God during the Chhath festival in Tarai.

Every house buys at least five such wicker baskets for the festival purpose.

Bikau Dom from Pipara-1 informed that even the Dom people believe that the Sun God and Chhathi Mata arrive at their doorsteps with the onset of the festival. The traditional bamboo items are prepared for devotees.

Bijay Dom from Sonam Rural Municipality-3 shared that a Dom household earns as high as Rs 100 thousand by selling the bamboo trays and baskets in a month.

As the number of people celebrating the Chhath festival has increased in Tarai/Madhes in recent years, demand for such goods also peaked.

The government has sought suggestions and feedback on the draft of a procedure made on nominating chairpersons and members to the Commission on Investigation of Enforced Disappeared Persons and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The time to furnish suggestions and responses to the draft is 48 hours.

The selection procedure, 2081 was prepared to pick the chairpersons and members to the two transitional justice bodies as per the decision of recommendation committee made on 27. Earlier, the government had formed a recommendation committee on the appointment of the officials for those bodies.

A notice regarding the same was published on the websites of both of the commissions on Monday. It has also been available in the notice board of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.

One can submit the suggestions and responses via the email addresses of the ministry or commissions, according to a press statement issued by section officer Ram Krishna Pathak at the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.

The email addresses are [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; and [email protected]. 

In honor of Tihar, one of Nepal’s most cherished festivals, DP Dahal has released a new Deusi song, ‘Deusi geet Tihar ko ramailo’, designed to revive and celebrate the rich traditions of the festival. Known for its lively Deusi-Bhailo performances, Tihar is a time of song, dance, and togetherness, and the newly released track aims to rekindle these festive customs among Nepali audiences worldwide.

The song, penned by lyricist Dahal, combines traditional Deusi elements with modern composition by Dahal himself and Sabin Limbu, while vocals are brought to life by Sabin Limbu, Rozina Basnet, and Dahal. Directed by Krishna Dev Rupakheti, the video showcases a colorful representation of Tihar’s cultural elements. It features intricate choreography by Rawal Baraili and cinematography by Gyanendra Sharma, Smarika Dhakal, Suresh Koil, and other talented artists, capturing the festive spirit of Tihar celebrations.

Through vibrant visuals, the music video highlights how Tihar is cherished by people of all ages, whether they are children, youth, or the elderly, emphasizing the enduring love Nepalis have for their culture and traditions, whether at home or abroad. The song and video portray Tihar’s unique cultural heritage, including the significance of Deusi-Bhailo songs in bringing communities together during the festival.

Ranjan Rai mixed and mastered the audio, while Silan Lamsal handled editing. Filming took place at Alankar Studio, with post-production by Like Minds Nepal.

The song, now available on the DP Dahal (Delighted Nepal) YouTube channel, has already garnered positive reactions from listeners, with many praising it for capturing the spirit of Tihar and bringing back memories of traditional celebrations.