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Nepali mercenaries are fighting for Russia in Ukraine, lured to kill far from their Himalayan homeland by promises of a passport and cash, but wounded returnees warn anyone tempted to join the war: “Do not come.”

While Nepali soldiers-for-hire can bank in a month nearly double what they could earn in a year back home, conditionsare brutal and many have been killed or wounded.

 “I watched my friends die in front of me,” said Surya Sharma, who asked to use a pseudonym for legal reasons.

 “Nepalis going probably cannot even imagine how horrific the war is.”

 Shortly after the 24-year-old underwent basic training with Russian forces, his unit was attacked on their way to a frontline in eastern Ukraine.

 “When the bombs and bullets were raining, I thought my life was ending, that was it,” he said. “I was there to die.”

 Combining tough Himalayan terrain with grinding poverty, Nepal has long been a source of ferocious soldiers to fight others’ wars, with the British army’s Gurkhas the best-known example.

 But it is only legal for Nepalis to sign up for combat with a foreign military if there is a government agreement in place—which only applies to Britain and India.

 From early on in its war in Ukraine, Russia has used mercenaries, including the paramilitary group Wagner, before its aborted mutiny last June.

 Neither Russia nor Ukraine will provide figures for how many foreign fighters are in their militaries, nor the number they are holding as prisoners of war.

 But the Nepali government says more than 200 of the country's citizens have enlisted in the Russian army since it invaded Ukraine two years ago.

 Sharma believes there could be 10 times as many, including students, ex-soldiers and even former Maoist combatants.

 “We were among the early ones to join, but now there are many Nepalis, there must be 2,500 to 3,000,” he said.

 At least 12 Nepalis have been killed and another five are prisoners of war in Ukraine, the foreign ministry in Kathmandu said.

 Returnees say the true number of dead is also much higher, and according to local media Nepalis have fought for Ukraine too.

 To attract fighters, Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered Russian citizenship—which allows recipients to work—on top of monthly salaries as high as $2,200.

 That tempts some in a country with a GDP per capita of little more than $1,300, according to the World Bank—one of the lowest in Asia.

 ‘Like a movie’

Videos by Nepali recruits undergoing military training in Russia started to surface on TikTok last year, prompting one former veteran to enlist in July.

 “It is a war, and we are taking a risk,” the 39-year-old told AFP, asking not to be named because of the illegality of his actions.

 The man, who had served for more than a decade in Nepal’s army before working for the police in Dubai, accumulated about $15,000 in six months before being wounded and having to return to Nepal, and is using it to build a house.

 “If there were good employment opportunities in Nepal, no one would go,” he added.

 Sharma, the 24-year-old, suffers searing pain every step he takes from the metal fragments buried in his legs.

He says he was duped by a Nepali agent.

 Every year, hundreds of thousands of Nepalis seek employment abroad—400,000 officially, many others illicitly—and many pay agents thousands of dollars to facilitate their journeys.

 Sharma borrowed money to go to Russia on a student visa but discovered he was not allowed to work, and the only job he found was to fight.

 “I had loans to pay at home and couldn't send money,” he said in his rented room in Kathmandu.

 Despite having no prior military experience, he “chose to join the army because I had heard that the money was good. It was not because I wanted to, but my situation forced me to.”

 He underwent a medical check-up before two months of basic training.

 “I was employed with the government, but I’ve heard there are Nepalis fighting in private forces too,” he said.

 The recruits—15 of them Nepalis—woke at six to start the drills.

 “We learnt firing positions, how to make bunkers and how to target drones,” he said.

 But “the language is also a problem,” he added. “We cannot understand the instructions they give, and in the battleground that can be dangerous.”

 Sent to the frontlines in Ukraine, Sharma’s unit—mostly Russian, with six Nepalis—was ambushed even before they reached Kupiansk in the east.

 Explosions killed several of Sharma’s comrades and he was wounded in the legs and hand.

 “Sometimes it felt like a movie.”

 He spent months in hospital before deserting as he neared recovery to seek help from Nepal’s embassy in Moscow.

 “I just couldn’t return” to the front, he said. “So, I took a risk to return to Nepal, thinking I will either go to jail or home.”

 ‘Do not come’

Nepal has banned its citizens from working in Russia or Ukraine in any capacity, to try to prevent their recruitment.

 At least 12 people have been arrested in Nepal for sending people to fight for Russia.

 The men are often taken via India or the United Arab Emirates and taught elaborate lies to dupe authorities, say police.

 “Nepal is a country that believes in non-alignment and in peace,” Nepal’s Foreign Minister NP Saud told AFP.

 “We do not have an agreement with Russia and have requested immediate return of those people.”

 The Russian embassy in Kathmandu did not respond to requests for comment.

 Speaking to AFP by phone from his Russian hospital bed, one wounded Nepali warned his countrymen to resist the lure.

 “No matter how much you prepare, it does not work when the bombs fall and the drones attack,” said the 27-year-old.

 “I request others—do not come.”

A poem can be pretty. But it can also be daunting. We know many people would love to read poetry but they often don’t know how to. The words are beautiful and it feels lovely but it doesn’t stick to you the way prose tends to. Never fear, we’re here to break it down for you.

Let go of preconceived notions

Most of us approach a poem thinking we won’t understand it and are seldom surprised when we don’t (or we are shocked when we do). The first step to understanding poetry is to approach it with an open mindset. Let go of what you know or have heard of a certain poet or writer. Begin with an empty mind. The only rule is not to rush or skip over words and sections.

Then, read it aloud

Poems are meant to be read aloud so don’t hesitate to do so. Consider the sound of each word as you hear it. Take pleasure in them. Is there anything that stands out? Do any of the words rhyme? Are there sounds that seem similar? Does any section of the poem have a rhythm? The first step to understanding a poem is to hear what’s going on. Sometimes, you can have a friend read out a poem to you. Allow yourself the chance to read it a few different ways so that you can settle into the natural flow of the poem. If it’s a poem you want to ruminate on, record yourself reading it and listen to it a few times.

Now re-read it for meaning

The second read is where you should look up definitions and pronunciations of words you don’t know and go through the footnotes (if there are any). You can’t fully understand a poem if you don’t understand all the words. If there’s historical context or the poem is referencing a specific event you aren’t familiar with, look that up too. For instance, if you are reading a piece that seems overtly political, you will benefit from some knowledge of the poet’s life and times. Having some background knowledge about the context will add to the gravity of the poem. It can make reading the poem seem sacrosanct.

Look out for clues

Keep your eyes out for clues you might have missed while reading the poem out loud. Are there words that are used as a metaphor? Is there repetition to hit home a deeper theme? Who is the poet writing about and who is s/he writing for? Mulling over these will help you find the meaning behind the words. What is the mood that’s evoked in the poem? And how does the poet accomplish it? Read the poem a few more times to consider how not only the meanings of words but also their sound and the poem’s rhythms help to set the mood.

Foster a connection (and don’t worry if you can’t)

Poetry is all about connection, about how you feel while and after reading it. If you sometimes feel you can’t connect with a poem no matter how hard you try, put it away and come back to it later. Don’t force yourself to feel things. You might come back to a poem several months or even years later to find that it resonates in a way it never did before. But don’t just give up because the stanzas look intimidating. Almost every poem has an element of surprise that will change how you look at it or what you take away from it. Sometimes just letting the words wash over you can have an extremely cathartic effect.

Sparks of Phoenix

Najwa Zebian

Poetry 

In Sparks of Phoenix, Najwa Zebian takes her readers on a powerful journey of healing. The book is divided into six chapters, and six stages—Falling, Burning to Ashes, Sparks of Phoenix, Rising, Soaring, and finally, A New Chapter, which demonstrates a healthy response to new love as the result of authentic healing. With her characteristic vulnerability, courage, and softness, Zebian seeks to empower those who have been made to feel ashamed, silenced, or afraid; she urges them, through gentle advice and personal revelation, to raise their voices, rise, and soar. 

Chiniyamha Kisicha

Durga Lal Shrestha

Poetry 

First published in 1965 by Rama Prakashan, Chiniyamha Kisicha by Durga Lal Shrestha went on to become one of the most beloved collections of children’s poems in Nepal Bhasa. In its latest edition, published by Safu, the original Nepal Bhasa poems are accompanied by their translation into English by Professor Kritish Rajbhandari. Readers old and new will rediscover the joys of the poems in both languages.

Failure to Make Round Rotis

Mehak Goyal

Poetry 

In this powerful debut collection, Mehak Goyal writes vividly about the experiences of young Indian women today. She explores the doubt that you carry while adulting, the toxic relationships you chase because you deem yourself unworthy, the guilt and insecurity that haunts you when you finally find that deserving love, the tug and pull of love and hate with yourself, the dark reality of arranged marriage and the unfair expectations and casual discrimination that women face every day. Every poem will resonate. Every line will draw blood.

All these titles and more are available at Bookverse, 4th Floor, Civil Mall, Sundhara, Kathmandu, Nepal

• 10% off on four or more Books
• 15% off on all Nepali Books

One of the narrow-body aircraft of Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has remained grounded for nearly two months now. NAC has already lost revenue of Rs 600m so far from the aircraft alone. Instead of repairing the aircraft and operating its entire fleet, the focus of NAC management seems to be on other things.

NAC on Tuesday opened a global tender to induct two narrow-body aircraft into its fleet on ACMI (aircraft, maintenance, crew, and insurance) lease for a year. The past leasing history of NAC hasn’t been free from controversy. The airline has become a hotbed of corruption and irregularities. Knowledgeable sources say a big money game is involved in the leasing process this time as well.

The narrow-body aircraft with call sign 9N AKX first developed a problem in one of its engines in the last week of December. The aircraft was sent for repairs to the Israeli company Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). NAC signed an MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) agreement with the Israeli firm in September last year. Although the aircraft was flown for some time using the other engine, the engine hasn’t been repaired yet.

NAC’s total debt is around Rs 48.03bn. The interest rate on the loan is more than 10 percent. To alleviate this debt burden, NAC should have increased business and found ways to seek cheaper loans. However, sources say officials are bent on destroying NAC by making personal gains on the leasing agreement yet again.

NAC mobilized revenue of Rs 2.19bn from international flights in the last two months of the fiscal year 2022/23. During the period, NAC operated only half of the scheduled flights, according to its in-house publication ‘Shwet Bhairav’.

Minister for Sudan Kirati, a few days ago, wrote a post on his social media page stating that NAC was inducting two aircraft on lease for international flight operations. NAC is using wide-body aircraft for flights to Tokyo, and it is preparing to launch scheduled flights to Sydney and Korea as well, according to a statement issued on Tuesday. Since both wide-body aircraft will be deployed on long-haul flights, NAC has said that the two narrow-body aircraft would be insufficient to operate flights to other routes. NAC has said that it would add flights to New Delhi, Dubai, Doha, and Malaysia, among other sectors, and also start scheduled flights from Bhairahawa after inducting new aircraft.

NAC Spokesperson Ramesh Poudel said the new aircraft are being brought as its fleet is insufficient for international flight expansion. “Since NAC is adding scheduled flights to Sydney, there is a need to add aircraft to serve existing routes,” he added.

The latest study committee commissioned by the government stated that NAC’s neglect towards market management had weakened its presence in the flight services and was therefore negatively affecting its brand. The committee led by former Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Dipendra Bahadur Kshtry suggested that the market presence of NAC should be made effective as it appears to lack a clear strategy regarding market management. For this, it suggested expanding its fleet.

A former general manager of NAC said that although it is necessary to buy aircraft for market expansion, bringing aircraft on wet lease could be fatal for NAC. “Large companies lease aircraft only for a period of one or two months in their peak season, or to ensure that their flight schedule is not affected when the aircraft go on scheduled maintenance,” the former general manager said. “There are several other hidden costs in the ACMI leasing agreement which makes it very expensive.”

He said NAC shouldn’t overlook past precedents while leasing aircraft. He also added that the tendency of leasing aircraft on ACMI for a long time would affect the professional development of manpower and that NAC could face a shortage of skilled workforce in the future.

Falling market share

NAC’s market share in Nepal’s international flights is around 16 percent. In 2020, it enjoyed a market share of 25 percent.

NAC has two wide-body and two narrow-body aircraft for international flights. It currently flies to 11 international destinations including New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Doha, Kuala Lumpur, and Dubai.

The national flag carrier procured the four aircraft borrowing Rs 34bn from Citizen Investment Trust and Employees’ Provident Fund. A wide-body aircraft can fly up to 18 hours, while a narrow body can operate for up to 15 hours. However, wide-body aircraft of the NAC are operational for only 8-10 hours a day, while narrow-body aircraft are flying for an average of 12 hours a day.

These aircraft are grounded very often largely due to a lack of technical and managerial weaknesses of NAC. The aircraft have been grounded 21 times between February and September last year due to delay in maintenance, technical issues, and managerial weaknesses.

Last year, NAC’s narrow-body with call sign 9N-AKW remained grounded in Doha for 45 days. It also remained grounded for 52 days, 27 days, and 21 days in Kathmandu. The aircraft remained grounded for such large spells due to a delay in arranging spare engines. The narrow-body with call sign 9N AKX has been grounded since the last week of December. It was sent to Israel on Jan 9 for engine repairs.

Leasing scams of the past 

In Sept 2000, NAC signed a leasing agreement with Australian company Lauda Air to induct a Boeing 767 aircraft into its fleet. The decision was taken after signing a leasing agreement with China South West for a Boeing 757 aircraft even though NAC was not able to maximize the operation of its two Boeing 757. The Lauda Air leasing agreement cost NAC a loss of Rs 2bn. Then Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and then tourism minister Tarini Dutta Chataut, among others, were allegedly involved in the scandal. The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authorities filed a corruption case against seven including Chataut. 

In 1999, NAC signed an agreement to lease a Boeing 757 from the Chinese company China Southwest Airlines without going for global bidding. NAC suffered a loss of Rs 220m from the agreement.

In 1998, NAC signed an agreement to take a Boeing 757 aircraft on lease from a company named Chase Air which had neither an office nor an aircraft. NAC sent advance money to the company but the aircraft didn’t land in Kathmandu. NAC suffered a loss of $9m in the deal. 

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has directed federal government ministers to promptly address concerns relating to the implementation of federalism coming from provincial governments. 

Addressing a meeting of chief ministers of all seven provinces with the Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar on Thursday, the PM said, “Full implementation of federalism is our collective responsibility. You (ministers at the Center) have well understood the worries and concerns of chief ministers. Take them seriously.”

He expressed confidence that active and energetic chief ministers will make a significant contribution toward implementation of federalism, adding that his government has accorded it special priority.

Chief Minister of Gandaki Province Surendra Raj Pandey said federal ministers and lawmakers should be equally responsible for the implementation of federalism by taking the PM’s steps toward that end seriously. He thanked the PM for his initiation in operating the Korala transit point and drew the attention of the Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport toward a prompt construction of Muglin-Pokhara and Narayangadh-Butwal roadways.

Madhes Province’s Chief Minister Saroj Kumar Yadav urged the Ministry of Finance for the operation of Chhoti customs offices on the border with India. Pointing out to the acute problem of irrigation and drinking water in Madhes, he urged the federal government to take initiatives for resolving these problems. “Let us run irrigation projects with joint investment from the Center and provinces, and increase the productivity in Tarai-Madhes,” he suggested.

Karnali Province’s Chief Minister Raj Kumar Sharma sought a review regarding delays in the implementation of federalism.  

Stating that Karnali is still grappling with problems of electrification, reliable irrigation facilities and weak telecom services, Sharma advised all federal ministries to focus more on addressing these problems.

Chief Minister of Sudurpaschim Province Kamal Bahadur Shah, lauding the ‘PM’s initiatives in implementing federalism’, said federal ministers should match the PM’s efforts with theirs. He said a centralized mindset is mainly responsible for the delay in implementing federalism.

“Important agreements have been made regarding the development of Sudur Paschim during the Prime Minister’s official visit to India. Development of the province has been given due priority in the incumbent government’s term alone. I thank the Prime Minister for this,” he said.

Bagmati Province Chief Minister Shalikram Jamkattel said federal ministries should delegate powers to provinces sooner than later, urging the bureaucracy to unlearn the ‘unitary mindset’ while implementing federalism.

Lumbini Province Chief Minister Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary applauded the PM’s initiation toward effective enforcement of federalism. “Federalism is our collective achievement and we have to shoulder the responsibility of implementing it.” 

Koshi Province Chief Minister Kedar Karki urged federal ministers to internalize the PM’s spirit regarding the implementation of federalism. He urged the ministers not to hesitate to devolve power to the provinces.

Provincial wants

• Shedding of unitary mindset and devolution of powers
• Steady electricity supply, reliable irrigation, telecom and water supply services
• Irrigation projects with joint investment from the Center and provinces 
• Revival of Chhoti customs offices

West Nawalparasi ranks fourth in terms of the prevalence of child marriage within the Lumbini Province.

It is said that early marriage remains as one of the major social issues in the district.  In response to this concern, the Susta Rural Municipality in the district has launched a program aiming to discourage child marriage. The program titled ' Daughter, Bright Future Programme' has been launched to contain early marriage within the locality.

Under this initiative, the local government provides a financial incentive to new born baby girls within the locality. Rural municipality Vice-Chair Gita Chaudhary said that every newly born daughter in the area is eligible for a cash offering of Rs 25,000. This assistance is specifically intended to support the girl's education and prevent early marriages.

However, the offering comes with certain conditions to ensure its effectiveness. The birth registration must be completed within 35 days of the baby's birth, expectant mothers should undergo health check-ups at least eight times during pregnancy, child's delivery is required to take place within a health institution, there must be a commitment to ensuring the child's education up to class 12 and the couple should have maximum two offspring.

Furthermore, the monetary assistance can only be withdrawn after a period of 20 years from the initial deposit.

The government has decided to celebrate the National Democracy Day, 2080 BS in a grand manner.

A meeting of the National Democracy Day Main Program Committee chaired by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal at Singha Durbar this morning, decided to organize various programs on February 18, 19 and 20 in this context.

The meeting has decided to request the media to design National Democracy Day-centered public awareness raising programs as special talk shows, panel discussions and radio dramas and broadcast them on February 18. Similarly, the national print media houses have been requested to publish special publications/ souvenirs and compilation of various articles highlighting the multi-faceted dimensions of democracy on the occasion.

The national flags of the stipulated size would be flown on the roofs, verandah, and the premises of all the government bodies, institutions and organizations on the eve of the Democracy Day. Similarly, lights will be lit at the mandalas, the squares and at houses in the evening.

As per the government's decision, blood donation camps would be organized in all the districts with the support of governmental and non-governmental organizations while educational and sports materials would be distributed to the differently-abled students at their schools at the district-level.

On February 19, the National Democracy Day, the Nepal Army will play trumpet at sunrise, fire celebratory cannon salvoes and rifles at the Army Pavilion, Tundikhel. It will display a huge banner marked with 'National Democracy Day, 2024' from a helicopter around the Ring Road area. Similarly, petals will be showered from a helicopter and flag display held at the Army Pavilion, Tundikhel.

The official National Democracy Day, 2024 main programme will be organized at the Army Pavilion, Tundikhel, where the elected people's representatives, civil servants, security personnel, the office-bearers of public bodies and community organizations, academic and educational institutions and dignitaries from the civil society and the general public would be invited.

Similarly, the government has decided to organize various programs at the provincial and district level throughout the country in celebration of the National Democracy Day.

Nepal and Australia have signed an agreement on trade and investment. The Nepal-Australia Trade and Investment Framework (TIFA) was signed during Foreign Minister NP Saud's ongoing visit to Australia, according to the Minister's Secretariat.

Nepal's ambassador to Australia, Kailash Raj Pokharel, and Australia's Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, Tim Watts, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides in the presence of Minister Saud and his Australian counterpart Penny Wong, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Following the signing-in ceremony, both ministers said the moment is significant in terms of taking the friendly relations between the two nations to a new height.

"Australia and Nepal are close friends and our relationship is underpinned by deep people to people links- Nepali Australians are our fastest growing migrant community," Watts tweeted after the signing of the agreement.  He said that the signing of the TIFA is just another demonstration of strong ties between the two countries.

On the occasion, he reminisced about his last year's visit to Nepal, adding that he had held talks with the representatives of the government of Nepal and leaderships from various sectors about opportunities and measures to further deepening mutual relations between Nepal and Australia.

He recalled the meeting with Minister Saud regarding further deepening the economic ties between the two countries and expressed his happiness for the opportunity to sign in the economic and investment framework.

Following the discussion, the high-ranking officials of the both countries had repeatedly discussed formal agreement so as to further strengthen the economic relations between the two countries.