Submit your Article

The Hindu women across the country are observing the Rishi Panchami festival today as per the rituals. The festival, the concluding day of the Teej, is observed on the fifth day of the bright half-moon of the month of Bhadra.

Hindu women reaching their menstruation period observe this festival with due respect and importance by fasting and paying homage to the Saptarshis (seven powerful saints as per the Hindu mythology) with a belief that they will be blessed and forgiven for all sins they believed to have committed during the menstrual cycle.

On the day, those observing the festival wake up early in the morning, go to the nearby river, stream, pond and lake and take bath with established rituals. They clean their body with 365 stems of Apamarga, a medicinal plant; take bath with cow dung and soil collected from sacred places and ash.

The fasting ritual requires the devotee to take bath in the morning and carry out prayers after which the person is required to eat grains, vegetables, wild fruits, Kandamul, guava for a single meal and fast again.

On this day, women devotees throng the Shrisheshwar Temple in Teku of the capital city, Kathmandu, and other Rishi Temples across the country for homage and worship.

Defense and Martyrs Day of Pakistan was commemorated by organizing a program in Kathmandu on Thursday.

Nepal Army Chief Lt Gen Ashok Raj Sigdel graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

Senior Nepali military and civil officials, ambassadors, retired senior army officers including former Chiefs of Army Staff, academia, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Defense Attachés, UN agencies, media personnel and members of Pakistani community attended the event.

Chief Sigdel in his remarks highlighted that Pakistan and Nepal enjoy multifaceted bilateral relations including economic, commercial, education, technical assistance as well as military.

He also hailed assistance, especially in crisis, extended by Pakistan and acknowledged that assistance is helping in capacity building of Nepali institutions. He hoped for continuation of cordial and friendly relations between both the countries.

Pakistani Ambassador to Nepal Abrar H Hashmi, in his remarks, highlighted the significance of the day and paid rich tributes to the sacrifices of armed forces, law enforcement agencies and Pakistani citizens who laid down their lives to protect the motherland, as well as to ensure peace and stability of the country.

The ambassador said Pakistan remains steadfast in its commitment to peace and stability in the region, and has played a significant role in the global fight against terrorism and in United Nations Peacekeeping Missions.

However, Pakistan will never compromise on its sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity when faced with challenges. From wars to guarding against the menace of terrorism, the whole nation stood with gallant soldiers, pilots and sailors in defending the country and offered supreme sacrifice.

During the program, Col Muhammad Ali Alvi, Defence Attaché shed light on the importance of Defense & Martyrs Day and contribution of Pakistan Armed Forces & Law Enforcement Agencies for defense of Pakistan and global peace.

He also highlighted strong military ties between the two brotherly countries, guided by the shared vision of achieving peace and stability in the region.

Documentaries about the armed forces of Pakistan, defense production, and culture of Pakistan were also screened on the occasion.

I am 18 years old and recently joined a flight attendant class. In the past, I often felt numb and found myself overthinking about past and future events. I would feel like crying but couldn’t express it in front of others. I frequently regretted things, even when they weren’t wrong, and struggled to focus on work or study. Although I’m okay now, I still can’t figure out the reason for those feelings. Was it just a phase, or was I experiencing a mental health issue?

Answer by Dr Rika Rijal, consultant psychiatrist

Thank you for sharing your experience. What you described is something many people go through, especially during transitional periods in life. These emotional responses to stress are common when facing new situations. Significant life changes, like joining a class, can bring a mix of excitement and anticipation, which can intensify these feelings. It’s important to recognize that such experiences can be a normal part of adjusting to a new environment or situation.

However, if these symptoms persist for a month or longer, they could indicate a mental health issue, such as anxiety or a depressive disorder, particularly if they affect your daily functioning or cause significant distress. Overthinking, feelings of numbness, and difficulty focusing are common symptoms of anxiety, while persistent regret and the urge to cry without the ability to express it could be related to depression.

On a brighter note, the fact that you’re feeling better now is a positive sign, suggesting that what you experienced may have been an adjustment issue, possibly triggered by the changes in your life. Nevertheless, it’s essential to seek help if you notice these feelings returning or if they start to interfere with your daily life again. Talking to someone—a friend, family member, or mental health professional—can be helpful. Sometimes, understanding and processing your emotions with the support of others can make a significant difference.

Remember, mental health is as important as physical health, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Whether it was just a phase or something more, acknowledging your feelings and taking steps to care for your mental well-being is crucial. Fly high and continue to soar with grace! Wishing you endless adventures and smooth skies ahead. All the best in your journey as a flight attendant!

During the session titled ‘Rethinking Development and Diplomacy in the Digital Age’ at the Kathmandu Kalinga Literary Festival, former Indian ambassador to Nepal, Ranjit Rae, emphasized the importance of credibility in diplomacy. He noted that people play a central role in influencing government decisions, pointing to recent events in Bangladesh and the 2006 people’s movement in Nepal. “People are at the center of everything. Public diplomacy has played a huge role in India-Nepal relations, not always positively. It can work both ways,” Rae remarked.

Reflecting on his tenure as ambassador during a challenging period, Rae recalled, “I was in Nepal during the constitution-writing process and the protests in Tarai.” He also mentioned his book, ‘Kathmandu Dilemma: Resetting India-Nepal Ties’, which he wrote to address misconceptions about India’s role in Nepal.

In another session titled ‘Writing as Aspiration’, Rae stressed the importance of self-research on regional history and heritage. “What is written about us in the West need not align with our own narratives. It is up to us to research and write about our history,” he said.

The third edition of the Kathmandu Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF) commenced at Hotel Himalaya in Lalitpur. The event, themed “Nepal: The Gateway to Asian Art, Culture, and Literature,” was jointly inaugurated by Bhupal Rai, Chancellor of Nepal Academy, KLF Founder Rashmi Ranjan Parida, Kathmandu KLF Director Ranjana Niraula, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of India in Kathmandu, Shri Prasanna Shrivastava, Dr. Bhuwan Dhungana, Indian diplomat and novelist Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri, and Indian economist and writer Sanjeev Sanyal.

During the inaugural session, legendary poet Dr. Bhuwan Dhungana was honored with the Yashaswi Sahitya Samman. Additionally, the Yashaswi Book Award 2081 was presented to six books across five categories.

The awardees include Devvrat for his poetry collection ‘Aswasthamako Nidharbata Bagmati Bagchha’; Muna Chaudhary for her fiction ‘Laar’; and Momila Joshi for her non-fiction work ‘Prashnaharu Ta Baki Nai Rahanchhan’, an award she shares with Arun Gupta for ‘Sanskriti Chintan’. Additionally, Rohini Rana’s ‘The Nepal Cook Book’ (English) and Yagyaraj Upadhyay’s research work ‘Kali-Karnaliko Lok Sahitya Tatha Sanskriti’ were also recognized.

Each recipient received a prize of Rs 20,000 along with the award.

The festival brings together over 300 writers from Nepal, India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and other South Asian nations, fostering a rich exchange of literary and cultural traditions. It promises a grand celebration of literature, art, music, and culture, further strengthening Nepal’s role as a central hub for Asian cultural dialogues.

According to Ranjana Niraula, Director and Founding Member of KLF-Kathmandu, “The Kathmandu Kalinga Literary Festival will celebrate the longstanding cultural ties between Nepal, India, and South Asia, while offering a platform for deep discussions on the evolution of global cultures.”

Rashmi Ranjan Parida added that the festival serves as a common platform for cultural exchange between Nepal and India. He remarked, “It’s hard to pinpoint when Nepal and India’s shared journey began, and it continues today.”

Chancellor Bhupal Rai highlighted that the festival connects people globally through cultural interactions. He said, “This festival is an exercise in connecting the world with humanity through cultural activities and interactions. It bridges South Asian countries and brings people together across distances.”

Deputy Chief of Mission Shri Prasanna Shrivastava also emphasized the festival’s role in strengthening Nepal-India relations. “This prestigious Indian festival has been held in Kathmandu, a city rich in culture, for three years. India and Nepal share a longstanding relationship, with deep heritage ties. The festival’s main objective is to spread Nepal’s art, literature, and culture across Asian countries and to foster an exchange of ideas between Nepal and India,” he said.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 1, 300 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 153, 300 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 152, 000 per tola on Thursday.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 1, 795 per tola.

After 23 years of work, the Baglung Buspark is now officially operational. Gandaki Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey inaugurated the modern facility at Daavgara in Baglung Municipality-4 on Tuesday.

The project began in 2001 after 59 ropanis of land was allocated to Baglung Municipality for the buspark. However, only 17 ropanis were used for construction, with the remaining land set to be returned to the original landowners for residential use. While the foundation was laid in 2018, construction did not commence until 2021. Four years after its completion, the buspark was finally inaugurated.

The construction was funded by a Rs 90m loan from the Municipality Development Fund. Delays in repayment occurred because the buspark was not immediately operational after its completion. Disputes among local authorities, the buspark management committee, and Baglung Municipality contributed to the delays, along with challenges related to road access. According to Baglung Mayor Basanta Kumar Shrestha, the facility was opened using the existing road infrastructure, with plans to build a better connection to the main road later.

A 12-point agreement was reached between the municipality and landowners, outlining the return of the unused land. Alongside the buspark’s operation, the process of plotting and returning land to the original owners will begin. This has brought joy to locals and landowners, especially the 41 who had provided land for the project 23 years ago.

Subash Chandra Rajbhandari, chairperson of the buspark management committee, expressed his satisfaction with the buspark’s opening. However, he noted that transport operators have raised concerns about the current road’s narrowness for large buses. Rajbhandari said that a new access road has been opened, and plans are underway for its expansion.

According to Rajbhandari, half of the land contributed by landowners will be returned, with the municipality responsible for providing road access, drainage, drinking water, and electricity. Once the land is mapped, the management team will ensure its timely return to the owners, as stipulated in the agreement.

Mayor Shrestha confirmed that the process of returning land has already begun. He acknowledged the financial strain caused by the buspark’s delayed operation, as the municipality has been paying Rs 10m annually in loan principal and interest. With the buspark now functional, this financial burden is expected to ease.

The municipality is also required to develop 127 residential plots on the remaining land. Mayor Shrestha assured landowners that plans have been made to provide essential services like water, drainage, roads, and electricity as part of the agreement. Additionally, he has requested the provincial government to waive land ownership transfer fees, noting that many landowners may struggle to pay the taxes.

Chief Minister Pandey reaffirmed the Gandaki Province Government’s commitment to assisting with the construction of the access road. He also pledged to support tax exemptions for landowners within legal boundaries.

Press Council Nepal Chairman Bal Krishna Basnet has drawn the attention of all concerned not to misuse media as a tool to push the country towards instability and anarchy.

He said that the Council has been monitoring YouTube and online media that have been publishing and broadcasting irresponsible and baseless information.

Many have been found disseminating baseless information to fulfill various interests by introducing themselves as mediapersons.

He said so during a program organized at the office of the Press Council Nepal on Thursday.

Saying that publishing, broadcasting or disseminating false information in a planned manner is an abuse of the freedom of the press, Chairman Basnet informed that the Council has been engaged in a campaign to scrap the cards of such journalists and taking stringent action against them.   

He went on to say that the people will not trust the media misusing freedom.

YouTube and other social media networks should always be watchful about whether they are being operated by wrong elements or groups.

He said that the Press Council has developed a working procedure to organize YouTube.

The Council has taken action against 49 various YouTube channels in the last three months, Basnet further informed.