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Rivers and mountains have been and will continue to be an enduring feature of Nepal-China friendship. Rugged terrains and rare rough patches in bilateral relationship notwithstanding, people-to-people exchanges between the two countries have thrived and will, in all likelihood, continue to thrive in the coming days, years and ages. The visit of Faxian to Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, in the fifth century, the visit of Xuanzang in the seventh century, the marriage of Nepali Princess Vrikuti with King Songtsen Gampo in the seventh century and the visit of Nepali monk Buddhabhadra, the first Nepali monk to visit China, in the fifth century and the contributions of Nepali artist Arniko in China, including the construction of the White Pagoda, are among the key highlights of these exchanges.

Nepali people, including those living in the Himalayan region, have thriving relations with the Chinese people. They get their supplies from nearby Chinese markets, graze their cattle in pastures across the border in accordance with mutual arrangements, sell their products across the border and often find their soulmates there.

About 70 years ago, our two ancient countries established (updated, rather) their diplomatic relations. These years have also been marked by peace and amity between the two neighbors, with no major dispute, border or otherwise. This relationship achieved a key milestone during this time with the construction of the Kodari highway that has played a key role in improving connectivity between our two countries. Yet another highlight of this relationship is increasing Chinese investment in infrastructure projects. 

Against this backdrop, recent times have seen a disturbing tendency of dragging China’s flagship BRI project into controversy. They are as strong as the soaring mountains and as dynamic as the rivers born there. 

China can help Nepal tap the potential of her rivers for injecting life into her economy by investing in or providing assistance for the construction of multipurpose projects with hydropower, irrigation, navigation, fisheries and drinking water as components. There is also a huge scope for transformation of fossil fuel-run transport systems into green energy-run systems.  It can also help make sure that Gautam Buddha International Airport and Pokhara International Airport take off in a real sense.

On its part, Nepal will continue to be sensitive toward Chinese security concerns and abide by the principle of Panchsheel.      

In summary, Nepal-China relationship has a huge scope. Let’s hope that Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s upcoming visit to China will be yet another step in realizing that scope. 

A meeting of the Council of Ministers held this evening approved Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's visit to the People's Republic of China.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey said that the Cabinet meeting held at the Office of the Prime Minister approved PM Oli's visit to China taking place from December 2-5.

"Agendas are being discussed about the PM's China visit. The agendas have not been finalized. Members of the PM's delegation and the PM's (China) visit have been approved," Minister Pandey said.

The private sector's presence will be significant during the visit but the government will not have any financial burden, Minister Pandey stated.  

He shared that the next meeting of the Council of Ministers will finalize the agenda of the China visit.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 8. 30 points to close at 2,748.05 points on Thursday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 3. 38 points to close at 477. 50 points.

A total of 16,663,355-unit shares of 307 companies were traded for Rs 8. 54 billion.

Meanwhile, Bishal Bazar Company Limited (BBC) and Wean Nepal Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (WNLB) were the top gainers today with their price surging by 10. 00 percent. Likewise, Manushi Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (MLBS) was the top loser as its price fell by 10. 00 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 55 trillion.

The National Information Commission (NIC) submitted an annual report of the fiscal year 2080/81 to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Thursday.

Chief Information Commissioner, Mahendra Man Gurung, submitted the report to the PM at the latter's residence in Baluwatar. The document will be presented at the federal Parliament through the PM later.

On the occasion, PM Oli released the 'collection of important orders' that were issued during the five-year term of the current office bearers at NIC.

PM Oli observed that there should be cooperation between the government and NIC in providing necessary information to the concerned parties. He emphasized that anarchy should not run while working for democracy.

Chief Commissioner Gurung informed that a total of 5,182 appeals were received during his five-year term and of which, 95% were resolved.

Gurung and Information Commissioners Kamala Oli Thapa and Ratna Prasad Mainali's tenure is ending on December 8.

Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba left for China on Thursday.

He left Kathmandu for China this afternoon at the friendly invitation of Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi.

It is the first visit of Foreign Minister Dr Rana to China since her appointment.

Officiating Secretary at Foreign Ministry, Amrit Bahadur Rai, and Ministry officials bade farewell to Minister Dr Rana at Tribhuvan International Airport.

She is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with her Chinese counterpart Yi at Chengdu city of Sichuan Province, China on Friday.

The Foreign Minister is visiting China as part of the preparation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's imminent visit to China. 

PM Oli is scheduled to embark on a China visit next week, while Foreign Minister Rana is returning home on November 30.

To make farmers self-reliant, underground irrigation systems are being constructed in various parts of Nuwakot to provide much-needed convenience. Construction has commenced in Bidur Municipality-9, 10 and Panchakanya Rural Municipality-1, aiming to irrigate 8,000 ropanis of land across four locations.

The initiative follows a study conducted by a technical team to address the challenges faced by farmers in irrigating cultivable land situated above continuously flowing rivers. An on-site inspection at Sukkhatars, Nuwakot, involving people's representatives and technicians, laid the groundwork for this project. Ramesh Kumar Mahat, a member of the Bagmati Province Assembly, laid the foundation stone for the project at Gerkhu, Bidur Municipality-10, stating that it would facilitate vegetable and crop production for local farmers. 

Mahat emphasized maintaining quality in the construction work and highlighted the initiative as a solution to Nuwakot’s ‘dry tars’ problem, where fertile lands lie dry despite rivers flowing below. Mayor Rajan Shrestha of Bidur Municipality shared plans to drill 102 meters deep to extract water for irrigation. The cost for digging stands at Rs 11,000 per meter, and the work is being carried out under the Federal Ministry of Energy and Irrigation.

Simultaneous construction of underground irrigation systems is underway in Colony of Bidur-9, Gerkhutar of Bidur-10, and Aapchaur of Panchakanya-1. The Integrated River Basin Irrigation and Water Resources Management Program, in coordination with the Department of Water Resources and Irrigation, is spearheading the deep boring construction to alleviate irrigation challenges faced by farmers.

The project, currently in its first phase, will expand in the second and third phases to include additional irrigation canals, tanks, pipelines, irrigation ditches, and reserve tanks, ensuring water reaches farmers’ fields. The comprehensive plan aims to increase agricultural productivity, enhance self-reliance, and create self-employment opportunities for local farmers. 

Mayor Shrestha noted that the lift technology irrigation system would address the depletion of fertile lands due to a lack of water, significantly benefiting general farmers. With continuous efforts from the technical team and support from the government, the initiative is expected to bring transformative change to the dry lands of Nuwakot, advancing agricultural self-sufficiency in the region.

Durga Rana of Mallarani Rural Municipality-2, who typically spends her days tending to hay, firewood, and farming, now finds herself rushing to the ward office to learn and play the Panche Baja. She is one of 26 women participating in a six-day training program aimed at mastering the traditional Nepali musical ensemble.  

The training, organized by the ward office under a women’s empowerment initiative, seeks to preserve the cultural heritage of the Panche Baja while providing participants with a potential source of income. “This initiative not only helps protect our culture but also empowers women economically,” said Ward Chairman Lekh Bahadur Thapa.  

The Panche Baja, a set of traditional instruments including the damaha, jhyali, tyamko, dholki, and sahanai, is deeply rooted in Nepali art and culture. Women in Pyuthan have been earning an income by performing with these instruments, helping preserve the art form. The Matribhumi Tole Bikas Sanstha in Pyuthan Municipality-2 previously trained women to play the Panche Baja with financial support from various organizations.  

According to Tara Bahadur KC, Chairperson of the organization, the training program and the purchase of instruments were made possible through assistance from the Cottage and Small Industries Office and the ward office. There is growing demand for Panche Baja performances at weddings, fairs, pujas, and festivals, creating a viable income stream.  

The Naumati Baja, an extended version of the Panche Baja, has also gained popularity. A group of nine performers—seven women and two men—has been playing the Naumati Baja for three years. “The men play the narasimha and sahana, while the rest of the instruments are played by women,” said Chairperson KC. Their service fees range from Rs 10,000 to Rs 30,000, depending on the duration of the event.  

The group, led by coordinator Sukmaya BK, now owns two sets of Naumati Baja. Pyuthan Municipality has provided them with uniforms, which BK said has boosted their enthusiasm. The group is always ready to perform whenever called upon.  

Since July, they have also formed a bhajan (hymn) team, which participates in fairs, temple inaugurations, and various puja programs. Meanwhile, another women’s group from Jumrikada in Pyuthan Municipality-5 has also been earning by performing with the Panche Baja. Local resident Parbati Damai shared that they charge Rs 1,000 per day for their services.  

Police have arrested the main accused in connection with the murder of Haribhusam Kushawaha, Chief at the Ramraja Mohan Bikram Sah Multiple Campus in Kalaiya, Bara.

Kushawaha was shot dead at Khajuriya in Adarshakotwal Rural Municipality-2, Bara on June 14, 2024.

Surendra Kushawaha (41) of Adarshakotwal Rural Municipality-2 was apprehended six months after the murder.

DSP Prakash Sapkota informed that Kushawaha, who had been hiding in India after the incident, was nabbed from Morang on Wednesday.

Kushwaha is also a fugitive from the Nepali Army, according to police.

Earlier, police had detained 10 persons for their alleged involvement in the murder of the campus chief.

Among them, two were released on bail and eight are in jail.

Police had recovered a pistol, seven rounds of bullets, four motorbikes, four sets of mobile phones, two laptops and seven sim cards used in the murder of Kushawaha.