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Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Prakash Saud has said that approximately 100 Nepalis who are serving in the Russian army remain missing and some have been injured. Speaking at a programe in the Capital, the foreign minister said the ministry is receiving complaints from the family members of the missing.

Saud said approximately 200 Nepalis who went to Russia on student, working and visit visas have joined the Russian army. However, the number could be bigger given the growing number of complaints.

According to him, the ministry has already summoned the Russian ambassador and conveyed Nepal’s concern to Moscow. The government has also ordered the Nepali Embassy in Moscow to reach out to Russian authorities. 

Foreign Minister Saud also said that the government was in constant touch with Ukraine to free the Nepalis being held hostage by the Ukrainian army. The government has also requested the International Committee of Red Cross to help to rescue Nepalis in Ukraine.

To date, seven Nepalis have been confirmed dead and four are under captivity in Ukraine. According to the ministry, four Nepalis are under Ukraine’s captivity. They have been identified as Bibek Khatri, Sidhartha Dhakal, Bikas Rai and Pratik Pun. Nepal has communicated with the Ukraine government about the matter.

According to the Foreign Ministry, Nepal has told the Russian side to provide compensation to those who were killed in war with Ukraine and facilitate the process of repatriating the bodies.

In order to stop the recruitment process, Nepal has made the provision of no objection letter mandatory. The provision also applies to those flying to Russia from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain.

I’m a 15-year-old girl and I must admit that I’m very lazy. I put things off till the last minute and sometimes don’t even do important tasks. This makes me look bad at school and people don’t trust me when I say I will do something. I want to change but I have no motivation whatsoever. I just want to sleep or watch TV all the time. Please help.

Answered by Kapil Sharma, counseling psychologist, Nepal Institute of Mental Health 

In the journey of cultivating a positive mindset, it’s vital to integrate practices that foster self-compassion and understanding. When reflecting on your emotions, practice self-compassion by acknowledging that facing challenges is a universal part of life; it’s entirely okay to experience them. This approach helps create a space for acceptance and growth, recognizing that emotions, including those tied to demotivation, are natural aspects of the human experience.

As you move forward and seek healing through the process, extend the same kindness to yourself that you would offer to a friend facing similar challenges. Celebrate your strengths and acknowledge the progress you make, emphasizing the positive steps you take on your journey. This self-celebration contributes to building a nurturing environment, fostering resilience and self-love.

When exploring the causes of demotivation, maintain a gentle curiosity. Adopting this approach allows you to understand the factors at play without engaging in self-blame. By focusing on understanding rather than judgment, you pave the way for a constructive analysis that can lead to effective solutions.

Crafting a daily routine is an additional facet of fostering a positive mindset. In your routine, incorporate self-care activities such as mindfulness, exercise, or engaging in hobbies you enjoy. Prioritize your mental and emotional well-being, recognizing that a balanced routine contributes significantly to overall positivity and motivation.

By intertwining these practices of self-compassion, a celebration of progress, curiosity, and a mindful routine into your journey, you lay the groundwork for a positive mindset. Remember, each step you take in this direction contributes not only to personal growth but also to increased resilience and motivation in both academic and personal pursuits.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has announced to expand the scope of health insurance.

In an address to the nation on the occasion of the completion of one year of his government today, Prime Minister Dahal said the insurance scheme has not proceeded according to the spirit of the National Health Insurance Act introduced during his previous tenure in 2074.

But the current government will improve it to realize the constitutional right of citizens to health with a high priority, he said. For this, policy and procedural reforms for the effective implementation of insurance, capacity building of the insurance board, strong monitoring and evaluation mechanism, increasing the scope of insurance coverage and comprehensive improvement in the structure and quality of services, he informed that the government is taking care of the insurance.

The Prime Minister also expressed the commitment to increase the current ceiling in insurance coverage, while all the free health programs will be included in the health insurance in an integrated manner.

With a focus on health insurance, the health system will be developed according to the integrated health infrastructure development standards, he said.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the coming decade will be a decade of rapid development.

In an address to the nation on the occasion of the completion of one year of his government, Prime Minister Dahal said at least two shifts working model will be guaranteed in infrastructure development to be carried out in a 'barrack model'. "Development will be carried out in a way that the citizens can feel it."

Outlining the achievements of the previous year in the field of infrastructure development, the Prime Minister said 776.61 kilometers of black-topped roads were constructed along with 587.5 kilometers of gravel roads. Another 181.29 kilometers of new tracks have been opened.

Stating that the under-construction Narayangadh-Butwal or the Muglin-Pokhara road sections could be taken as an example, Dahal said negative comments are being made by the public because the projects are not completed on time, which not only lead to increased cost but also inflict a lot of suffering on the people.”

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the government shall change its style of working.

In an address to the nation on the occasion of the completion of one year of his government today, he said that the legal, policy and procedural complexities of infrastructure development will be solved based on a work schedule and time table.

He also announced making structural changes in the Prime Minister's Office, to give an indication of the way forward.  "Though the government did not fail but the outcome is not as per my willingness to deliver during this term," he said while pledging to self-assess on the basis of not about how much the country has achieved but how much it could have achieved.

The Prime Minister pledged not to spend time attending to programs except that are already pre-scheduled and unavoidable. "I have come to the conclusion to start working on the new policy and program, and the budget, while addressing the problems in development and governance," he said. This will be the start of changing the working style of the government.

Pointing out complications in clearing hurdles in infrastructure development, including in using forest land and land acquisition, he said. "I will put an end to the tendency of obstructing the country's development by pointing fingers at one another. I believe that if needed infrastructure development should be given top priority even by declaring an emergency."

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has claimed that the country has the highest foreign currency reserve in history.

Addressing the nation on the occasion of the completion of one year in office, Prime Minister Dahal claimed that the foreign currency has increased by Rs 157 billion.

Prime Minister Dahal said that he made public the report card of one year as per the commitment he made while being appointed as the prime minister.

In the meanwhile, he  claimed that the public institutions have also become profitable.

He went on to claim that Nepal Oil Corporation, Nepal Electricity Authority and Nepal Airlines Corporation have managed to make profit.

The prime minister, however, said that the country’s economy did not grow as he expected.

Prime Minister Dahal said that he will take responsibility of it.

Prime Minister Dahal claimed that Nepal has exported electricity worth over Rs 15 billion in one year.

Addressing the nation on the occasion of the completion of one year in office, Prime Minister Dahal said that Nepal earned Rs 15. 27 billion by exporting 700 megawatt of electricity in one year, which is 31.28 percent more than the same period of the previous year.

Saying that Nepal was bearing the brunt of 18 hours of load shedding until he was appointed as the prime minister for the second time, he made it clear that Nepal has now become able to export the power.

“Nepal, which had to import the electricity during the monsoon season also, has reached the position to export the electricity,” he said.

Nepal’s power generation capacity has increased to 2892 megawatt in the seven years. Among which, around 541 megawatt was added in this year only, the prime minister stated.

During his visit to India this year, a long-term power trade agreement was signed with an objective to export 10, 000 megawatt of electricity in 10 years.

So far 11,336 temporary houses have been constructed for the earthquake survivors in five districts. More than 67, 000 beneficiaries have been registered in Jajarkot, Rukum West and Salyan districts of Karnali province and Bajura and Bajhang of the Sudurpaschim Province until now.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said 10,118 more temporary houses are being built. NDRRMA Chief Executive Officer Anil Pokharel said the beneficiaries have been taking the grant amount meant for building temporary shelters entering into agreement and constructing the temporary houses.

According to him, 5,202 temporary shelters have been built in Jajarkot and 5,798 in Rukum West. Similarly, 193 temporary houses have been built in Salyan, 13 in Bajhang and 130 in Bajura districts.

Over Rs 2.26 billion has been allocated to the affected districts and more budget will be needed as the number of beneficiaries rises. Of this amount, Rs 1.53 billion has reached the local levels from the districts. Pokharel added that Rs 587 million 800 thousand has been transferred to the bank account of the beneficiaries verified by the local level.

There are 35,140 beneficiaries in Jajarkot followed by 23, 608 in Rukum West; 4,576 in Bajhang; 2,729 in Bajura and 1,730 in Salyan, according to the Authority.

NDRRMA, Policy and Planning Division Chief Bharat Mani Pandey said grant agreement still remains to be signed with nearly 50 thousand additional beneficiaries and the signing of agreement is ongoing. It is estimated that the number of beneficiaries will reach 80 thousand and the Authority is making its preparations accordingly, Pandey added.

He said the NDRRMA is preparing to manage Rs 4.75 billion that would be required for building temporary shelters for the estimated 80 thousand beneficiaries.

The November 3 earthquake with its epicenter at Ramidanda of Jajarkot affected Rukum West, Salyan, Bajhang and Bajura as well. Now the constructions of temporary shelters for the affected are going on.