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Professional Educators Limited (Global Group) and Nepal Life Insurance Company Limited signed an equity investment agreement in line with the broader concept of institutional development on Sunday.

Dr Khagendra Prasad Ojha, Chairman of Professional Educators Limited, and Pravin Raman Parajuli, CEO of Nepal Life Insurance Company Limited, signed the agreement amidst a special ceremony held at the Royal Singi Hotel.

The event was attended by directors, CEOs, senior officials, chartered accountants, and legal advisors from both prestigious companies.

This unprecedented institutional collaboration marks a history making milestone in Nepal’s educational arena, being the first of its kind in the investment sector.

Through educational promotion initiatives and new experiments, Professional Educators Limited aims to establish a sustainable institutional structure in the education sector as it moves forward.

By demonstrating excellence in institutional governance and transparency, Professional Educators Limited proves its commitment to maintaining quality and securing the future of students. This initiative is expected to enhance the company's prestige, marking the investment agreement as a cornerstone for educational endowment and development in Nepal.

Embracing modern physical infrastructure, a technology-friendly educational environment, skilled manpower, clear and transparent policies, and consistently achieving excellent results in academics and students’ performance, Professional Educators Limited plans to offer investment opportunities to the general public bringing out an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in the near future.

The company has already initiated the process of security listing.

With the advance initiatives as these, both parties have pledged to advance collaboratively, anticipating a new epoch of development in Nepal’s educational sector.

Additionally, this partnership is seen as the beginning of a new chapter of prosperity in the institutional development of the education sector provided by Nepal’s private sector.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is scheduled to respond to the queries of lawmakers in the House of Representatives (HoR) today.

The meeting of the HoR has been scheduled for 1 today.

Prime Minister Oli is participating in a question-and-answer session with lawmakers as per the Chapter 9 of the HoR Regulations, 2079 BS.

According to the Chapter, the Speaker shall fix the first hour of a day in the first week of each month for lawmakers to ask questions on important matters directly related to the Prime Minister or ministers within his or her jurisdiction.

This is PM Oli's first question and answer session with lawmakers after he was appointed the PM for a fourth term on July 14.

The PM had secured a vote of confidence with two-third majority from the HoR on Sunday.

Former state minister Ram Chandra Raya has been murdered.

A group of unidentified persons murdered Raya by using a sharp weapon at Ratanpur in Chandranagar Rural Municipality-1 last night, the District Police Office, Sarlahi informed.

Though his house is in Malangwa Municipality-4, he often comes to Ratanpur.

Police said that they are searching for the perpetrators.

Vehicular movement along the Beni-Darbang road section has resumed after 10 days.

The road section was obstructed due to a landslide at Faparkhet, the border of Beni Municipality-4 and Mangala Rural Municipality-2 on July 12.

The 24-km road is considered the 'lifeline' of western Myagdi.

Due to the obstruction, there was a problem in the movement, construction and transportation of food items as well as transporting the patients to the hospital.

Chief District Officer Laxman Dhakal said, "The risk has not abated on the road section. The Beni-Darwang road section has been open since Sunday evening after the landslide debris was cleared".

Mangala Rural Municipality Chair Sata Prasad Roka said that contingency budget has been demanded for the alternative road and the concerned bodies have been requested to work in such a way that the passengers do not suffer from now on.

Landslides are considered the main challenges along the road section.

The road connects Dhaulagiri, Malika and Mangala rural municipalities of Western Myagdi with the district headquarters Beni.

As many as 76 wild animals of 15 species died at the Chitwan National Park (CNP) in the fiscal year 2023/24. Most of them were spotted deer.

According to Information Officer at CNP, Ganesh Prasad Tiwari, two spotted deer were killed by dogs and 22 others died due to natural causes in the last fiscal year.

Similarly, 21 rhinos died in the same period. Tiwari informed that 18 among them had died due to natural causes, two were killed by poachers and death of one has yet to be ascertained.

Likewise, eight tigers had died due to natural causes.

Six barking deer were found in natural dead condition, he shared. Five elephants and four deer had died of natural causes. In the same period, two ghariyal crocodiles died. Death of one was due to a natural cause and the cause of another has yet to be ascertained.

According to Information Officer Tiwari, two marsh crocodiles, one wild boar and three other species of animals died due to natural causes. Of those found dead, 70 were due to natural causes, two by poachers, two due to dog attacks and causes for two deaths unidentified, he said.

Last year, the CNP had rescued 222 animals. The highest number of pythons (141) were rescued. Likewise, 33 snakes, 11 tigers and an equal number of marsh crocodiles were rescued during the period. Among other animals rescued were six spotted deer, three rhinos, deer, boar and leopard (two each), tortoise and ghariyal crocodile.

Information Officer Tiwari shared that nine animals of other species were rescued in the period.  

Minister for Foreign Affairs Arzu Rana Deuba informed that all Nepali students in Bangladesh are safe.

She took to social media this morning to share the information about the status of Nepali students and other Nepalis living in Bangladesh.

"The Dhaka-based Nepali Embassy has been regularly in touch with local authorities, college administration and Nepali students regarding their safe stay, security and other assistance as required", the minister said.

The situation evolving due to the recent developments in Bangladesh has affected Nepali students living there, she said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also made proper arrangements for them to stay there safely and return to Nepal if needed. Minister Rana said that the Embassy has been instructed to make necessary coordination for the safety of students living there and facilitate their travel for those who want to return to Nepal.

On Sunday alone, 115 Nepali students had returned home by air and 305 through Kakadbhitta border point. Foreign Ministry officials welcomed 57 Nepali students who returned home on Sunday morning at the Tribhuvan International Airport.

A 'help desk' has been set up at the Ministry and a responsible office has been designated for necessary coordination, the minister further shared. The Nepali Embassy in Dhaka has been keeping regular contact to assist Nepali students after the news of their issues due to the recent developments in Bangladesh.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 1,200 students have returned home from Bangladesh till Sunday. The local students in Bangladesh have been protesting against the quota system in employment set by the government.

The Tanka Prasad Acharya Memorial Foundation organized a discussion program on Friday titled “Prisoners of Bhutan Unseen by the World.” During the event, Ram Bahadur Rai, Madhukar Magar, and Man Bahadur Magar, who were imprisoned for 32, 30, and 20 years respectively, shared their harrowing experiences of life in prison and the challenges they face post-release.

These former prisoners have no identity or permanent place to live, and their families have been torn apart. They are unable to live happily due to the severe torture they endured. “I felt like a bird flying out of a cage when I was released from prison,” said Ram Bahadur, 63. He spent half his life in prison without seeing any family members, although he eventually reunited with his daughter. However, his two sons, who went abroad, are still missing.

Man Bahadur, who was released before Ram Bahadur and Madhukar, also shared his experience. As an unidentified refugee, he said, “We suffered a lot as there is no foundation in the camp.”

Madhukar is currently alone, as his wife and children were resettled in the US. He expressed happiness that people were listening to him but also shared his pain from the injuries inflicted by the Bhutanese authorities. “We don’t belong to Bhutan, India, or Nepal. Where should we go?” Madhukar asked. “There is no one to support us in this situation. If we consider treatment today, it feels like we might live a few more years.”

These prisoners were transferred from Bhutanese jails in India to Nepal. Similarly, in the 1990s, Bhutanese refugees were allowed to reach Nepal through India, but many staying in refugee camps in Jhapa were not permitted to return to Bhutan.

Representatives from the National Human Rights Commission, activists, and others expressed their concern after hearing the stories of the Bhutanese prisoners. “As a Nepali, sitting here today is a shame, and the situation of the Nepal government should not be like this,” said human rights activist Charan Prasai. Another activist, Subodh Pyakurel, added, “Bhutan is a terrifying, autocratic country. According to international law, no one can be deported. It is evident from the letter given to them by Bhutan that they have been deported.”

Sanchahang Subba, secretary of the Refugee Management Committee of the Bhutanese refugee camp in Beldangi, highlighted the painful situation of being in a state of anonymity due to the government’s policies, despite receiving humanitarian assistance.

Nepali Congress (NC) President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said the NC and the CPN-UML, the two major political parties, aspire for a stable and strong government.

Backing a proposal put forth by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in the House of Representatives (HoR) session, seeking a vote of confidence, Deuba said the formation of the present government aims to promote stability, achieve rapid economic development, create jobs, and accelerate physical infrastructure development. The proposal was presented in accordance with Article 76 (4) of the Constitution.

It may be noted that the NC and UML formed a new political equation recently, leading to the formation of the government led by UML Chair Oli last Sunday.

According to the NC President, the constitution's amendment is a usual procedure in democracy and the consensus of all parties will be sought provided that the constitution is amended ahead. 

"It has been eight years since the promulgation of the Constitution. It is a usual process to amend the country's main law in democracy if it is warranted to strengthen the constitution. We are clear that it will be appropriate to proceed with the amendment through the wider dialogues and consensus at the political parties."   

He hoped that the new government would be able to accelerate economic activities and establish a durable peace by dispelling economic slowdown. "It will give priority to creating job opportunities within the country, scaling up revenue collections, and meeting the people's aspirations for development."

 Underlining the need for steering the nation towards good governance by preventing corruption, the NC President pledged to promote the rule of the law, full enforcement of the constitution, build an investment atmosphere, increase domestic production, and create jobs.

Terming Prime Minister Oli as a hardworking, studious, and experienced leader, he said the members of his cabinet are also competent. "I hope under the guidance of the Oli-led government, the nation will find a path to prosperity. The government formed to take the country towards political stability will succeed in its mission. "   

He said the NC is fully committed and will remain so regarding the implementation of the July 1 seven-point agreement reached with the UML.  He said the party would give a vote of confidence to Prime Minister Oli, urging other political parties in the parliament to support the Prime Minister.