Tourist arrival up in Parsa National Park
The arrival of domestic and foreign tourists has increased in Parsa National Park, officials said.
Information Officer of the National Park, Santosh Bhagat said the number of Indian along with the domestic tourists has increased compared to the past.
In the first eight months of the current fiscal year, the Parsa National Park witnessed the arrival of 613 tourists. During the same period in the last fiscal year, only 140 visitors had reached the Parsa National Park.
In order to ensure good hospitality services to the tourists there, a community homestay is run in the Sunakhari buffer zone area of the national park. The homestay has offered local cuisines and delicacies to the tourists arriving at Parsa National Park.
Besides the presence of endangered wildlife, the national park boasts of religious and natural heritages including Kaminidaha (lake), Halkhoriyadaha and Laukidaha. Religious sites Mayamandir and Dugdheshwor Mahadev Mandir are also there in the national park.
Availability of water sources in the national park, the number of Royal Bengal tiger and other animals has increased. As per the tiger census conducted in 2022, the number of tigers in the Parsa National Park has reached 41.
Considering the potential for touristic prospects and infrastructure development, the Parsa Wildlife Reserve was declared a national park in 2074 BS.
Gold shines to hit record high of Rs 135,600 per tola
The price of gold has increased by Rs 2, 900 per tola in the domestic market on Sunday.
According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 135, 600 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 132, 700 per tola on Friday.
Similarly, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 134, 950 per tola. It was traded at Rs 132, 050 per tola.
Meanwhile, the price of silver has increased by Rs 55 and is being traded at Rs 1,670 per tola today.
Simrik Ventures, KU sign agreement to teach aviation management in Nepal
Simrik Ventures and Kathmandu University signed an agreement to start a Bachelor in Aviation Management in Nepal.
Simrik Ventures CEO Sanat Neupane and School of Management, KU Dean Prof Dr Bijay KC signed the agreement on behalf of the respective institutions.
Both the institutions in 2021 had signed a letter of intent to start a Bachelor in Aviation Management in Nepal.
After the signing of the agreement, Dean KC expressed his hope that the program will bring a good result.
He said that the teaching of a new subject will be successful only with the cooperation and hard work of both sides.
On the occasion, Simrik Ventures CEO Neupane said that there is a crisis of human resources in the aviation sector.
He said that around 700 pilots and 5, 000 people are getting the jobs directly and 15, 000 indirectly in Nepal’s aviation sector.
Saying that the plane will not fly only with a single effort of the pilot, Neupane said that Nepal’s aviation sector is growing in Nepal with the joint efforts of the employees directly or indirectly.
Saying that the plan to start an Aviation Management program in Nepal has become successful with the continuous discussions and efforts of two years, CEO Neupane said that it should be taken forward as a model project.
The School of Management of the Kathmandu University is making preparations to start the course pertaining to aviation management from August, 2024.
A working committee has been formed to take decisions on curriculum development and teaching format among others prior to teaching the program.
KU Registrar Dr Achyut Wagle said that this is the first time that the Aviation Management program is being started in Nepal.
Stating that the KU has always played an important role in teaching new subjects in Nepal, he believed that the Aviation Management course will yield a good result.
Similarly, Captain Rameshwar Thapa, Chairman of Simrik Ventures, said that the KU has become successful in creating a different identity in the education sector.
He said that there is a crisis of human resources in the aviation sector as this sector is developing as a new industry in Nepal.
Though there are many people who understand airlines in this sector, Captain Thapa said that there are only a few who understand other aspects of aviation management.
At a time when the world has been giving priority to air safety, he said that it is important to teach this subject also in Nepal.
Saigrace announces Nepal tour
Popular storyteller Saigrace Pokharel has announced his Nepal tour under the banner of ‘CSC World Tour with Saigrace’, starting from April 27. The tour will span across six cities in Nepal, concluding on May 18.
The itinerary includes shows scheduled at Jhapa (Parshuram Party Palace) on April 27, Itahari (CSC Office, Dharan Road) on April 28, Chitwan (Chitwan Garden Resort) on May 4, Butwal (CSC Office, Traffic Chowk) on May 6, Pokhara (CIC Education, Mahendra Pool) on May 11, and Kathmandu (Nepal City Hall) on May 18, as per the organizer.
Free passes for the event can be obtained from Canada Study Center (CSC) branches. The event will include meet and greet sessions with Saigrace, as well as musical performances by Kuber Sunar and Anup Sunar, in addition to storytelling sessions.
Saigrace specializes in writing and reciting stories revolving around universal themes of love and struggle, which deeply resonate with his audiences, offering a sense of profound connection. His voice exudes an immense sense of solace.
In 2022, he embarked on a Word Tour encompassing the USA, UK, Australia, France, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, and Nepal.
Mind Matters | Undervalued and ignored
I’m a 46-year-old housewife. I wake up every morning to the same routine. I cook breakfast, clean the house, do the laundry, and run errands. My days blur together in a never-ending cycle of chores. Despite my efforts, I feel like I’m constantly overlooked and unappreciated by my family. The exhaustion is taking its toll on me, both physically and mentally. I long for a break from this monotonous life, but I feel trapped, unable to escape the demands of my daily responsibilities. I need to break free from this cycle and find some much-needed relief. Please help!
Answered by Shravasti Tuladhar, psychosocial counselor
It’s no easy feat to be a housewife. A home needs a lot of looking after and that you are doing everything you can is commendable and appreciable. The weight of managing a Nepali household—the endless cycle of cooking, cleaning, and errands—is something many homemakers can understand.
These countless tasks, often performed with unwavering dedication, can leave you feeling overlooked and undervalued. This constant pressure can lead to exhaustion, a sense of isolation, and the feeling of being trapped in a never-ending cycle.
It’s difficult but not impossible to get over the feeling you’re experiencing. First, acknowledge your worth. Start by recognizing the immense value you bring to your family by managing the household. It’s a demanding and often thankless job, but essential for your family’s wellbeing.
Communicate your needs. Start talking openly with your family about feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes, we carry the weight of the household because we feel responsible for everyone and everything. However, a healthy family thrives when everyone contributes. By delegating tasks, seeking help from others, and establishing healthy boundaries, you create space for yourself and empower others to take responsibility.
This not only reduces your burden but also adds value to your contributions to the family. The next step is to prioritize self-care. A woman works and cares for everyone but often fails to care for herself. Schedule time for activities you enjoy, even if it’s just a few minutes a day. This could be reading, taking a walk, or connecting with friends and family. You deserve a break. It's important to remember that self-care isn’t selfish. It’s essential for your well-being and the well-being of your family.
If you feel overwhelmed and feel like nothing is working, seek support. Reaching out to a professional is a great step. It acknowledges the need for support. Don’t hesitate to talk to a therapist or counselor. They can give guidance to manage stress, help you rediscover your passions, discuss your feelings in detail, and create a sense of fulfillment in your life.
Good Reads
Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection
Charles Duhigg
Psychology | Self-Help
Supercommunicators know the importance of recognizing—and then matching—each kind of conversation, and how to hear the complex emotions, subtle negotiations, and deeply held beliefs that color so much of what we say and how we listen. With his storytelling that takes us from the writers’ room of The Big Bang Theory to the couches of leading marriage counselors, Duhigg shows readers how to recognize these three conversations—and teaches us the tips and skills we need to navigate them more successfully.
The Lost Bookshop
Evie Woods
Historical Fiction
For too long, Opaline, Martha, and Henry have been the side characters in their own lives. But when a vanishing bookshop casts its spell, these three unsuspecting strangers will discover that their own stories are every bit as extraordinary as the ones found in the pages of their beloved books. And by unlocking the secrets of the shelves, they find themselves transported to a world of wonder where nothing is as it seems.
Maktub
Paulo Coelho
Short stories | Philosophy
An essential companion to the inspirational classic The Alchemist, filled with timeless stories of reflection and rediscovery. From one of the greatest writers of our age comes a collection of stories and parables unlocking the mysteries of the human condition. Gathered from Paulo Coelho’s daily column of the same name, Maktub, meaning ‘it is written,’ invites seekers on a journey of faith, self-reflection, and transformation. As Coelho explains, ‘Maktub is not a book of advice―but an exchange of experiences.’
All these titles and more are available at Bookverse, 4th Floor, Civil Mall, Sundhara, Kathmandu. Currently, they have a ‘buy one get one free’ offer on select titles.
Quartz crystal has added a new brick in promotion of tourism in Gorkha: PM Dahal
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the precious stone quartz crystal had added a new brick in promotion of tourism in Gorkha district.
At a program organized by Gorkha Municipality to place quartz crystal at Gorkha Palace today, PM Dahal reiterated that installation of precious quartz crystal in the district of historical and archeological significance would play an important role in tourism promotion.
Expressing his confidence that the precious stone's placement would widely establish the importance and role of Gorkha, the PM instructed the concerned authorities for security arrangement of the quartz crystal and further manage the historical place.
Prior to placing the quartz crystal in the room where the throne of erstwhile King Prithvi Narayan Shah is housed, it was worshiped in the premises of the palace.
"While the precious stone is being placed in the Gorkha palace of historical and archeological importance, I got an opportunity to visit the palace premises for the first time since the declaration of the Republic of Nepal," said PM Dahal, expressing his happiness for the opportunity.
Pledging to play his part in preservation of the historicity of Gorkha, the Head of the Government shared that he had prioritized development of infrastructures such as road and bridge in the district.
He added, "The citizens of Gorkha district want to witness some historic developmental works. There is a scope to deliver on the Budhigandaki Hydropower Project, Gorakhkali rubber industry and construction of industrial park among others."
Stating the uneasiness on the part of the government to include some issues of this area in the policy and programs and budget of the current fiscal year, he assured that the new budget would be development-oriented and it would excite the citizens.
Jokh Bahadur Mahara appointed as Lumbini Province Chief Minister
Jokh Bahadur Mahara of the CPN (Maoist Center) has been appointed as the Chief Minister of Lumbini Province.
Province Chief Amik Sherchan appointed Mahara as the Chief Minister in accordance with Article 168 (2) of the Constitution.
The Parliamentary Party leader of the Maoist Center, Mahara had staked the claim for the post of Chief Minister with signatures of 44 lawmakers.
With the change in the power equation in the center, Lumibini Province Chief Minister Dilli Raj Chaudhary resigned from his post on Thursday.
Soon after Chaudhary resigned from the post of Chief Minister, Province Chief appealed to the parties to stake claim for the post with the support of two or more than two parties.