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I’m 15 years old and I’m studying in the ninth grade. I've been going through a lot lately. I’m struggling academically, and my teachers constantly compare me to my friends which only adds to my stress. Despite my efforts, I can’t meet their expectations and that makes me sad and I lose motivation. I have repeatedly requested my parents to put me in a different school but they don’t listen to me.  I feel so alone and helpless. I just want someone to understand that this is hurting me. What can I do?

Answered by Dristy Moktan, psychosocial counselor

The teenage phase is often a challenging stage of self-discovery. We are constantly trying to figure out who we are, and a supportive environment is crucial for expressing ourselves freely. It’s a good thing that you put the effort into writing this message to reach out for help. This shows a great deal of self-awareness and your willingness to deal with the challenges from your end.

Academic struggles can feel overwhelming, but it’s important to remember that academic excellence isn’t for everyone, and that’s perfectly okay. Let’s normalize the idea that success can come in many forms. We all have unique strengths and abilities. Instead of just focusing on areas of difficulty, why don’t we explore our passions and interests?  Delving into your hobbies can bring a sense of comfort, acceptance, and the very self-worth you seem to be seeking.

Sometimes, parents and teachers, in their desire to motivate, might make comparisons or comments that might feel harsh on young people leading them to become disappointed and self critical. For readers who are parents and teachers, the key is listening to them. When young people express struggles, it’s crucial to listen and validate their feelings, rather than dismiss their concerns.

It’s never an ideal way to make comparisons instead embrace their individuality and work together to find solutions. Parents and teachers might be their only support system and when they don’t get that support it’s likely that they might end up not trusting other people around their circle too.

And for children and students who are facing this, it’s very important to discover who you are.  Reflect on who you are, not just who others expect you to be. Let’s take the opportunity to know ourselves better because that’s when we can communicate our needs better with the people around us. Knowing oneself also empowers us to communicate our needs assertively—expressing our thoughts and feelings directly without holding back, respectfully, and without fear of disappointing anyone.

About the conversation that you had with your parents about changing schools, do you think you could be more expressive about why you’re requesting this by assertively addressing your concerns?

One technique that you could use while communicating your needs could be: I feel [emotion] when [situation] because [impact] and I need you to [your needs along with what can be done to make it better]

In your case with your parents the wordings may look something like “I’m feeling overwhelmed when my teachers compare me to my friends because my efforts aren’t acknowledged, even though I’m trying my best in school which is impacting my motivation. I believe a new school that caters to my needs could be a better fit for me.”

Despite your efforts if you still think your needs aren’t met, consider building a broader support system apart from your parents. A trusted adult can be a listening ear and an advocate for you. They might even help you communicate your concerns to your parents.

The Nepali Congress has said that the governments in Lumbini and Sudurpaschim Provinces were formed in an unconstitutional way.

The Congress said that the Constitution has not given the right to the province chief to take decisions for any political party.

“Governments are currently being formed in the provinces in an unconstitutional way. The process of forming the government in Gandaki and Sudurpaschim Provinces was unconstitutional. The Congress has strong objections to the governments being formed in an constitutional way,” Congress spokesperson Prakash Sharan Mahat said.

He said that the province government has even violated the order of the Supreme Court.

In the case of the Gandaki Province government, the Supreme Court had issued an interim order not to take a decision that would have long-term effects.

The Gandaki government has been splitting the ministry and making important appointments against the same, the NC said.

“The coalition has even breached the order of the Supreme Court. Appointments are also being made in an illegal way,” leader Mahat said.

Defying the Supreme Court’s order, the province government’s decision was against the interim order, he viewed.

Similarly, Mahat said that the CPN-UML-CPN (Maoist Center) took a wrong step in the Koshi Province also.

He said that the UML-Maoist Center alliance was unnatural. The Congress leader further said that the unnatural coalition will collapse soon.

The Ministry of Health and Population has reminded the doctors and health workers working under it that it is illegal for them to work full-time in the private health institutions.

Issuing an appeal, Ministry Secretary Madhusudan Burlakoti has urged the doctors and health workers working with the Ministry not to work full-time in private health facilities, stating doing so is illegal.

"The Ministry's serious attention is drawn towards the complaints that doctors and health workers working under the Ministry are working full-time in the private health institutions operating in the country, and in the government-run and private health institutions abroad, either by getting or not getting their leave approved," reads the appeal.

It further states: "The Ministry requests the doctors and health workers as well as medical staff involved in such employment to abide by the law and refrain from involvement in illegal activities, as working full-time in private health institutions is against the existing laws and statutes."

A new book titled ‘Kathmandu Chronicle: Reclaiming India-Nepal Relations’ will cover in depth significant aspects of Nepal’s democratic movements, its transition from an absolute monarchy to a federal democratic republic and from a Hindu state to a secular one, the Maoist insurgency, framing of a new constitution, its foreign policy choices, China expanding footprint—and most importantly India-Nepal relations.

Written  by K.V. Rajan, Former Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and  Former Ambassador to Nepal, and Atul K. Thakur, a renowned policy professional, columnist and writer, the book combines first-hand experience with deep research to throw new light on key events including the hijacking of IC 814,  the Palace Massacre that wiped out King Birendra and his entire family,  the coup by King Gyanendra against democracy, and explains why the much-vaunted India–Nepal ‘special relationship’ has repeatedly experienced setbacks, some of them with long-term implications.

Based on in depth analysis and new resource materials, ‘Kathmandu Chronicle: Reclaiming India–Nepal Relations’ is important not only in explaining the how's and why's of the past but because of its relevance to the geopolitical uncertainties of the post-COVID world, as India asserts its aspirations on the global stage and China and other major countries raise their own profiles in the region.

Both at the level of government as well as civil society, Nepal and India urgently need to come to terms with the past, understand comprehensively and objectively the unique challenges and opportunities offered by the present, and to ‘repurpose’ their relationship if it is to achieve its exceptional potential in the coming years.

K.V. Rajan, to date India's longest serving Ambassadors to Nepal and author of the book, said that “India and Nepal must learn from the past but not live in it. They can build a model cooperative relationship for the needs and expectations of tomorrow's generations, building on their unique common civilizational ties combined with new mindsets and innovative approaches.”

Atul K. Thakur, a long-time Nepal scholar, public intellectual and co-author, said, “Many books on Nepal and its relations with India have been written by scholars and foreign policy practitioners, Nepalese as well as Indian. Yet too many unanswered questions remain, about the how's and why's of the past, the depth and challenges of present trends, and prospects for the future, in an increasingly uncertain post-COVID world.

Premanka Goswami, Associate Publisher, Vintage & Head, Backlist, Penguin Random House India, said, “Historically and culturally, India and Nepal have shared special relationship. Nevertheless, this association has experienced ups and downs.  What are the reasons for these issues?  Why is there so much mutual distrust between two nations?  Kathmandu Chronicle by KV Rajan, India’s longest serving Ambassador to Nepal to date (1995 to 2000) and Atul K Thakur, brings to light many stories of India-Nepal relationship that mostly remained untold and therefore unknown till date. We’re glad to publish the book from Penguin.”  

Nepal’s dream of playing in the Asia Cup has been shattered for the second time.

In the semi-finals of the ACC Premier Cup today, the UAE defeated Nepal by six wickets.

Nepal’s leading batsmen could not perform well in front of the defending champion.

The UAE achieved the target of 120 runs set by Nepal in 17. 2 over losing four wickets.

Alishan Sarafu scored unbeaten 55 runs for the UAE. Similarly, Bishnu Sukumuran made 28, Syed Hyder 14 and Mohammad Wasim and Asif Khan contributed 10 runs each.

Gulsan Jha claimed two wickets while Sompal Kami and Lalit Rajbansi took one wicket each for Nepal.

Earlier, Nepal, who were invited to bat first after losing the toss, scored 119 runs losing all the wickets.

Sandeep Jora scored highest 50 runs for Nepal. Likewise, Gulsan Jha and Karan KC made 20 and 17 runs respectively. The other batters failed to score in double digit.

Nepal were undefeated in the group stage match. Nepal thrashed Malaysia, Qatar, Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia.

Over 400, 000 tourists visited Mustang by road from April 14, 2023 to April 12, 2024, according to data with the Ghasa police station located on the transit point to Myagdi-Mustang.

The statistics show that 414, 280 domestic and foreign tourists visited Mustang during that period.

The number of domestic visitors entering Mustang via road is 335, 466, including 220, 724 men and 114, 742 women, said Deputy Superintendent Bhojraj Pandey, the Chief of the District Police Office Mustang.

Similarly, DSP Pandey said 78, 814 foreigners visited Mustang during that period. Among them, 72 thousand 756 are from the SAARC countries while 6058 are from countries other than the SAARC member states.

According to him, 38, 821 males and 33, 935 women from SAARC countries visited Mustang during the period. Similarly, 3,648 male and 2,410 female visitors from countries other than the SAARC member countries visited Mustang in the same period.

The data shows that 11, 484 tourists arrived in Mustang via air. Among them, 1,679 are domestic tourists (1,134 males and 545 female), 8,055 including 3,767 male and 4,288 females are from the SAARC countries and 1,750 visitors (886 male and 864 female) are from countries other than the SAARC member countries.

Known as the district beyond the Himalayas, Mustang is a prime tourism destination known for its iconic desert-like landscape. The bare mountains, Himalayan climate, culture and lifestyle, lakes, monasteries, Muktinath temple, caves are the attractions of Mustang.

Inflow of tourists to the religious and tourist places of Mustang including Muktinath, Jomsom, Kagbeni, Lomanthang, Marpha, Thini, Dhumba Lake has gradually started increasing since last year, according to local tourism entrepreneurs.

Chemical fertilizer imported from China is being transported to Kathmandu from Tatopani Customs Office.

The fertilizer, which was stored in a warehouse for the past 11 months, is being transported to Kathmandu after Trans Silk, the company getting contract to import fertilizer, completed the necessary process.

According to the Tatopani Customs Office, a total 3,500 tons of chemical fertilizer has been sent to Kathmandu after the agreement between Agriculture Materials Company and Trans Silk.

Chief of Tatopani Customs Office, Dayanand KC, said out of 3,500 tons of chemical fertilizer, more than 1,200 tonnes of fertilizer has reached Kathmandu so far.

The remaining amount of chemical fertilizer would reach Kathmandu soon. 

The price of gold has increased by Rs 700 per tola in the domestic market on Friday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 139, 300 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 138, 600 per tola on Thursday.

Similarly, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 138, 650 per tola. It was traded at Rs 137, 950 per tola.

The price of silver, however, dropped by Rs 5 and is being traded at Rs 1,720 per tola today.