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Minister for Health and Population Pradeep Paudel said that the existing health insurance amount of Rs 100,000 will be increased to Rs 500,000.

At a program organized in Bhaktapur on Sunday, Minister Paudel said, "I will arrange Rs 500,000 for health insurance, which will tangibly help the patients in need."

He stressed the need to operate insurance services only through an integrated and one-door system.

The minister further shared that he was moving ahead with the goal of raising the insurance amount to Rs 500,000 and managing it in a way to benefit the patients.

Jagdish Khadka is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of eSewa. He has an experience of more than a decade in the digital banking field. Shreya Shrestha of ApEx talked with him regarding eSewa as a key player in Nepal’s digital landscape and its journey over the years. Excerpts:

eSewa has been a key player in Nepal’s digital transformation. How do you assess its impact on financial inclusion over the years?

Over the years, eSewa’s most significant achievement has been building trust among users by demonstrating that digital payment is not only possible but also secure, reliable, and convenient. We have focused on raising awareness and promoting digital literacy, which has made digital payments accessible and practical for everyone. To reach this stage, our efforts as a company have been pivotal. However, inclusivity has been a core principle—ensuring that our services extend beyond urban areas to every corner of the country. We are proud to be present in all 753 local bodies through our network of agents. These agents actively advocate for digital payments, addressing questions of trustworthiness and security while showcasing the convenience of mobile transactions. As a result, we are now witnessing payments being made seamlessly across the country. This reflects the trust and credibility we've built, proving that mobile-based digital payments are a reality for all, bridging gaps and empowering users nationwide.

Given Nepal’s economic landscape, what challenges did eSewa face in encouraging people to adopt digital payments, and how were these addressed?

First and foremost, for anyone providing a service, it is essential to embrace digitization. When it comes to payments, preparation is key—understanding what you’re selling or paying for is crucial. This was our biggest challenge in the beginning. Initially, we manually handled processes, such as scratching recharge cards, recording numbers in Excel, and uploading them later. That’s how it all started. Over time, merchants and businesses began recognizing the importance of digitization, leading to integration and gradual adoption of digital tools. This shift marked the beginning of a more organized and civilized approach to transactions. Alongside this, we focused on raising awareness about the use of digital platforms for merchants, which presented its own challenges. To address these challenges, we implemented strategies such as cashback offers, roadshows, campaigns, gifts, incentives, and mobilizing our agents and field staff. Our efforts extended to institutional collaborations, local bodies, and media partnerships, which played a significant role in disseminating our message. These initiatives not only raised awareness but also encouraged merchants to enhance their offerings, making digitalization more appealing and practical. In summary, awareness, service digitization, and building trust were our three biggest challenges. Despite these hurdles, we overcame them, and today, we stand here to the progress that can be achieved with persistence and innovation.

How does eSewa contribute to sustainable economic practices in Nepal while supporting efforts to reduce carbon emissions and promote eco-friendly financial solutions?

In the context of sustainability, eSewa embodies a paperless and cashless service model, significantly contributing to reducing carbon emissions and promoting efficient business practices. By transitioning from traditional methods to digital solutions, eSewa has enhanced business efficiency and environmental sustainability. For instance, tasks that previously required manual oversight, such as cash handling or bill clearance, are now seamlessly managed through digital devices, eliminating the need for physical presence and paper-based transactions. This shift has improved operational efficiency, financial processes, and capital mobilization. Additionally, the convenience of real-time money transfers and digital billing reduces the reliance on physical resources, such as paper and transportation, which indirectly lowers energy consumption and carbon emissions. For example, previously, paying an electricity bill required individuals to travel to offices, consuming time, energy, and fuel. With eSewa, such tasks are now completed digitally, reducing both the carbon footprint and the effort involved. Overall, eSewa not only drives business and operational sustainability but also aligns with environmental goals by promoting digital transformation. Its inclusive platform addresses diverse needs, offering sustainable solutions for businesses and individuals alike.

Could you elaborate on eSewa’s most groundbreaking innovation to date?

One of the most groundbreaking innovations introduced by eSewa is the top-up feature, which has revolutionized convenience in digital platforms. Additionally, we have continuously expanded our range of services, building trust among users by enabling seamless payments anytime, from anywhere. Our focus has been on providing an easy and smooth user experience, ensuring that customers feel confident and comfortable using our platform. Beyond this, we have also made significant strides in improving internal technologies and enhancing our service delivery methods to meet evolving user needs effectively. These efforts collectively reflect our commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.

As digital payment systems evolve, how is eSewa leveraging technology to improve its services and user experience?

We can describe this era as the AI breakthrough period, where we have been actively integrating cutting-edge technologies. One key innovation is EVA, our AI-powered chatbot, which leverages machine learning to deliver intelligent and efficient customer interactions. Additionally, we have enhanced customer service by introducing personalized solutions, where AI and machine integration play a critical role in driving efficiency and improving user experience. By embracing these impactful advancements, we are creating a significant positive impact on our services and redefining customer engagement.

How does eSewa ensure inclusivity, particularly for rural populations and marginalized groups, in its services?

It is remarkable to note that a significant portion of our users comes from rural and marginalized communities. This is likely because, for many, our service is one of the few accessible options available. We’ve designed eSewa to be inclusive and user-friendly, recognizing that mobile phones are now a common tool for transactions, even in remote areas. To cater to diverse users, our app is localized with a Nepali language option, making it accessible to those with limited literacy. In addition, we operate 13 branches across the country to extend our services further, build trust, and educate users about digitization. These branches are instrumental in raising awareness and supporting users in embracing digital financial solutions. We have also prioritized inclusivity for merchants and specific groups. Over time, we’ve introduced various incentives tailored to female entrepreneurs, students, and marginalized communities. To ensure greater impact, we’ve conducted region-specific campaigns and programs in local languages, often collaborating with local influencers to connect more deeply with these communities. Through these efforts, we continue to foster inclusivity and accessibility in Nepal’s digital landscape.

Could you share examples of partnerships that have significantly boosted eSewa’s impact?

In our company culture, the ‘tiger on a cliff’ embodies our core values, where the C in cliff stands for collaboration. Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do at eSewa. Our long journey of success would not have been possible without the partnerships we’ve cultivated along the way. Our agent network has been pivotal in this growth. Initially, 10 percent of users were brought in by the company and 90 percent by agents, but over time, this dynamic reversed, thanks to the dedication of our agents. They played a crucial role in raising awareness about eSewa, introducing both users and merchants to our services, and helping establish our brand in the market. Beyond agents, we have built strong partnerships with local governments, organizations, and development agencies like DFIs. Together, we have successfully implemented numerous impactful projects. These collaborations have allowed us to educate, motivate, and create meaningful change within the digital financial ecosystem. By working hand in hand with these partners, we have not only expanded our reach but also strengthened the digital payment infrastructure, ensuring eSewa continues to empower individuals and communities across Nepal.

With rapid advancements in digital finance globally, where do you see eSewa in the next five to ten years?

At the core of eSewa lies our commitment to payments, around which we aim to integrate a wide range of services such as insurance, finance, savings, and investments. These offerings are designed to address the evolving lifestyles and financial needs of people in a holistic manner. Looking ahead, we envision incorporating cutting-edge AI innovations to enhance our services, making them smarter, more intuitive, and user-friendly. Our aspiration is to become an exemplary company that not only serves Nepalis but also becomes the go-to digital payment solution for anyone visiting Nepal. We strive to make eSewa a symbol of trust, convenience, and innovation in the digital financial landscape.

Santiago fell in love with the merchant’s daughter 

But as for this dream, needed to be slaughter 

Something great was destined by the universe 

He wondered as if his life was nothing but a curse 

On his way, he had to cross lots of hurdle 

And win the game, slowly like a turtle 

After a long journey, he finally got his treasure 

And Fatima, then everything got filled with pleasure

Shakshi Ojha

Grade XI

St Xavier’s College, Maitighar

With today’s breakneck pace of the world, the phrase ‘worry less, live more’ sounds no less than a distant dream; worry has become our constant companion. As per Elena makovac.et.al in the verbal nature of worry in generalized anxiety: insights from the brain, “worry describes repetitive thoughts about potentially negative events in the future”. These negative thoughts often lead to restlessness and overwhelming feelings which have a direct impact on our day to day living. The endless news updates, social media notifications, and deadlines that we’re bombarded with, in addition to personal challenges, drain our souls leading to the development of our worries. Financial stress, family issues, social circle, job challenges, comparison of achievement and happiness further adds into the mixture turning our life into a pressure cooker of worry and stress that threatens to boil over. But what if we could loosen its grip? What if the key to a more fuller and meaningful life lay in understanding our worries and learning how to live beyond them.

Even though our worry seems to be intensified with constant pressure and uncertainties, it is important to remember that worrying is not contemporary, it has deep evolutionary roots. As per Hanevik and Hessen, in their paper IVF and Human Evolution, “Humans are shaped by evolution through natural selection, as are all species”. This evolutionary shaping suggests that the tendency of worrying once played a crucial role in anticipating and avoiding potential danger. This article delves into the evolutionary and biological foundations of worry and suggests practical ways to mitigate its impact. We can call worry a ‘survival mechanism’ from an evolutionary point of view. Early humans who engaged in worry-based planning likely had better survival rates and more success in passing the gene to the next generation than the rest. Worry compels us to plan, anticipate danger and seek timely solutions. Individuals who were concerned about predators while hunting would have been more cautious and hence less likely to fall victim. Worry inspired proactive behaviors such as securing shelter, storing food and possibly even developing weapons for protection. 

While worry fairly had an advantage in prehistoric times, it might not have the same effect in the present moment. Today we fret over deadlines, social interaction, hypothetical scenarios- not saying these are less worry-some matters but these situations are far off from life and death. Worrying about an ‘evolutionary tool’ that once ensured survival now often disturbs our piece of mind. 

Worry is a result of the brain trying to predict and get ready for possible dangers. As per Meisner et.al in her research “the amygdala is crucial in a wide array of affective and motivation-related behaviors”. The amygdala, a small almond-shaped structure, has a central role in fear processing and initiates the “fight or flight” response in the body.  The prefrontal cortex- front part of the frontal lobe in the brain, located just behind the forehead- subsequently participates in evaluating the identified threat, frequently resulting in strategies to reduce risk, whereas the hippocampus utilizes previous experiences to provide context to the current scenario. At a physiological level, anxiety stimulates the hypothalamic- pituitary—adrenal (HPA) axis, leading to the secretion of cortisol, known as the stress hormone which enhances alertness but may adversely affect memory and emotional control over extended periods. The autonomic nervous system may also be involved, particularly the sympathetic division which could result in superficial breathing and muscle tension. Chronic worry can lead to anxiety, insomnia and even physical health issues like high blood pressure. Studies in neuroscience such as a research done by Molecular Brain, shows “Chronic stress is a psychologically significant factor that impairs learning and memory in the hippocampus”.

There are practical strategies backed up by research and expert insights that can help reduce the impact of worry. One effective approach is practicing mindfulness meditation as it helps us to focus in the present moment, reducing the mental chatter that fuels anxiety. As noted by the American Psychological Association, mindfulness can significantly decrease stress and improve emotional resilience. Setting aside a specific “worry time” each day and telling yourself that you will only think about that problem on that specific allocated time, a concept supported by cognitive behavioral therapy practices, can also help distinguish concerns, allowing you to focus on solutions rather than just being overwhelmed.

The book ‘How to Stop Worrying and Start Living’ by Dale Carnegie offers insight on this topic. He reminds us: “Our main business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance but to do what clearly lies at hand.” Similarly, engaging in physical activities such as walking or yoga is another powerful way to tackle worry, as it reduces cortisol levels, ‘stress hormone’ and boosts endorphins, ‘feel-good chemicals’. In addition to these strategies, limiting our exposure to stress-inducing media and seeking support from trusted friends, family or therapists are some other crucial steps. By embracing these and many other insights, we can transform our relationship with worry, enabling us to live a life beyond it.

Esha Dangol 

BA IIIrd Year

St Xavier’s College, Maitighar

The 76th Republic Day of India was celebrated amidst a special ceremony at the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu on Sunday.

Ambassador of India to Nepal Naveen Srivastava inaugurated the program by unfurling India's national flag.

During the event, the Indian ambassador conveyed his greetings to the members of the Indian diaspora in Nepal. This was followed by a telecast of the address to the nation from President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu.

A large number of members of the Indian community attended the function.

On the occasion, Ambassador Srivastava honored the widows and next of kin of deceased soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces by disbursing their dues worth Rs 5 Crore, reads a statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.

In addition, an amount of Rs 23.29 crore was also disbursed to the widows and next of kin of 219 deceased members of Indian Armed Forces. This payment covers benefits under the Army Group Insurance (AGI) program, including death-in-service benefits, extended insurance benefits, and AGI maturity payments in the year 2024.

The ambassador also unveiled the Bhu Puu - 2025 magazine covering the welfare initiatives of the Government of India for ex-servicemen domiciled in Nepal.

The Embassy also donated books amounting to Rs 23.5 Lakh to 29 educational institutions spread across six provinces in Nepal, according to the statement. This initiative is designed to provide educational materials to students in remote areas, responding to their specific needs and requests.

During the program, the top 50 scorers from Nepal in the Bharat Ko Janiye (BKJ) Quiz, held from November 11 to December 11, were felicitated by awarding them Certificates of Achievement.

The BKJ Quiz aims to inspire foreign nationals and the Indian community living abroad to deepen their knowledge and understanding of India. As part of the prize, the top 30 winners of the quiz from around the world were invited to India for a two-week BKJ Yatra earlier this month.

Among the winners was Nikhil Kumar Das from Nepal, who had the honor of being part of this special Yatra to India.

A video detailing the progress made in India-Nepal relations in the past years was played at the event.

The celebrations also witnessed cultural performance by students of Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre of the Embassy and Kendriya Vidyalaya, Kathmandu.

The event was live-streamed on Mission's social media platforms.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 10. 41 points to close at 2,643.93 points on Sunday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 3. 20 points to close at 443. 60 points.

 A total of 15,720,367-unit shares of 318 companies were traded for Rs 9. 12 billion.

Meanwhile, Upakar Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (ULBSL) and Mathillo Mailun Khola Jalvidhyut Limited (MMKJL) were the top gainers today with their price surging by 10. 00 percent. Likewise, Bottlers Nepal (Balaju) Limited (BNL), 11% NIC Asia Debenture 082/83 (NICAD8283), Dolti Power Company Limited (DOLTI) and Janaki Finance Company Limited (JFL) were the top losers as their price fell by 10. 00 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 38 trillion.

The CPN-UML called its Parliamentary Party meeting on January 28.

UML's Chief Whip in the House of Representatives (HoR), Mahesh Bartaula, informed that a meeting of the Parliamentary Party has been called at 1 pm in the Lhotse Hall of the Parliament Building, New Baneshwar on January 28 (Tuesday).

He said that the agenda of the meeting is preparations for the winter session of the Parliament starting from January 31.

The Disaster Authority of the Ministry of Home Affairs has called attention of the Chief District Officers (CDOs) towards the effective implementation of the action plan to be safe from cold.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA)'s directive comes in the wake of increasing cold wave in most of the districts in the Tarai and snowfall taking place in the mountainous region as well.

Stating that the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has even issued a special bulletin noting intensifying cold wave in the Tarai region which will continue for some more days, NDRRMA spokesperson Dr Dijan Bhattarai said letters have been sent to all the CDOs for implementing in a more effective way the Cold Wave and Snowfall Preparedness and Risk Reduction Action Plan, 2081 BS.

The Meteorological Forecasting Division of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said a mild cold wave is prevalent in the eastern region of Madhes Province and the Tarai region of Koshi Province at present. Fog and haze have occurred in many places of the Tarai while snowfall is taking place in several places of the mountainous region.

The NDRRMA has issued and executed the Action Plan.

According to the meteorologists, there is a possibility of cold waves and snowfall in various parts of the country from mid-November to mid-March.

According to NDRRMA spokesperson Dr Bhattarai, there is a risk of cold wave in Tarai and inner-Tarai districts during this period, while in the high hilly and mountainous districts, the temperature decreases significantly and there is snowfall, increasing cold.

The Action Plan states that the poor are most affected by the cold wave, extreme cold and snowfall and there may be an outbreak of respiratory diseases during this period; therefore, especially the elderly, children, new mothers, persons with disabilities, chronic patients need special protection in the areas affected during the cold wave and snowfall, and so the necessary relief and rescue materials and the required preparations and response should be planned targeting the affected population.