PM for internationalizing issues related to climate change adverse impact on Nepal
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said the problems suffered by Nepal due to climate change impact would be internationalized.
Addressing a public assembly organized at Maikot of Rukum East today, he said Nepal will clearly put its views claiming for compensation keeping in mind the huge damage the country has been bearing although its role is negligible in climate change.
PM Dahal made it clear that he has urged the international community time and again to significantly increase the funds provided by the International Fund to Nepal for alleviating the suffering from the climate change as it has so far received only a small amount in that connection.
He claimed that upon his invitation the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Gutteres paid a visit to Nepal recently and observed from close the impact the climate change is having in Nepal.
According to him, the relief that Nepal is entitled to get from the international community as compensation for bearing the brunt of the impact of climate change is Nepal's right. Stating Nepal is getting punishment for the mistake it has not committed, the PM said the high government officials have been directed to prepare a document on behalf of the government claiming for a large amount of relief from the Climate Fund.
He assured of the government's support and cooperation in declaring Maikot as an ‘Open Museum’ and forwarding the necessary process for this. The PM said initiatives would be taken for pursuing a special project for the promotion of medicinal herbs and development of the agriculture sector in the region.
Saying that agreement has been reached during his official visit to China to operate special projects in some mountainous districts, he said a project would be run in Putha Uttarganga as well since it is also a municipality located in mountainous region.
He assured of managing the budget on behalf of the federal government for developing Maikot as a 'Living Museum'. The government has kept this region in special priority since it has made big sacrifices and contributions for the revolution. Importance has been given equally to the development of health, education and employment sectors.
Recalling that Nepal has been mentioned as a socialism-oriented economy, the Head of the Government said the government has taken initiatives for social justice, good governance and prosperity, and works have also been started in line with this very resolution. He informed that hundreds of thousands of farmers in the Tarai-Madhes have been freed from extortion by loan sharks. He added that the present government has also provided citizenship certificates to the Nepali bereft of citizenship cards, keeping them in priority.
Hundreds of thousands of youths who have gone abroad have been brought under the social security cover in order to ensure their rights and interests; so, have been the workers in the informal sector and those in self-employment, the PM asserted.
Stating that the government is vigorously working to prepare the basis for socialism, he also presented some facts related to this. The government is equally at work towards controlling corruption and a situation has been created in which high officials as ministers and leaders will have to go to jail, he added.
The PM stated that the government is equally actively working for checking the smuggling of gold, stressing the government will also continuously work towards maintaining good governance.
On a different note, PM Dahal asserted that the present ruling coalition will last for a full five-year term and demonstrate that it works in favor of the country and the people.
Gold being traded at Rs 115, 500 per tola today
The gold is being traded at Rs 115, 500 per tola in the domestic market on Sunday.
According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 114, 950 per tola.
Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 1,450 per tola today.
Miss Nicaragua wins 2023 Miss Universe pageant
Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua was crowned the 2023 Miss Universe at the culmination of the annual beauty pageant, which took place on Saturday night in El Salvador’s capital, San Salvador. Anntonia Porsild of Thailand placed as first runner-up, CNN reported.
The winners of 84 countries’ national pageants had competed at this year’s Miss Universe, judged by a panel including model Halima Aden, “Queer Eye” star Carson Kressley, TikTok influencer Avani Gregg and two former Miss Universe winners, Janelle Commissiong of Trinidad & Tobago (Miss Universe 1977) and Iris Mittenaere of France (Miss Universe 2016).
Twenty semi-finalists were announced at the beginning of Saturday night’s proceedings following the results of the preliminary competition (and a global fan vote). After the swimsuit round, the field was narrowed to 10 — seeing the elimination of the first “curvy” contestant to make the pageant’s semi finals, Miss Nepal, as well as the first contestant to choose a burkini as their swimsuit, Miss Pakistan. The evening gown round cut the number of contestants in half again.
Two rounds of hot topic Q&As then left just three women in contention: Palacios, Porsild and second runner-up Moraya Wilson of Australia, according to CNN.
Asked in the final round who she would choose to spend a day in the life of, Palacios chose the 18th-century British philosopher and feminist Mary Wollstonecraft, who she said broke boundaries and “gave an opportunity to many women.”
“There are no limitations for women today,” she added, via a translator.
Miss Colombia, Camila Avella, and Miss Puerto Rico, Karla Guilfú, rounded out the top five, while another member of the top 10, Spain’s Athenea Pérez, was crowned the pageant’s Miss Congeniality.
Palacios succeeds the 2022 Miss Universe, R’Bonney Gabriel of the USA, CNN reported.
Chhath will inspire us to embrace values of good governance: PM Dahal
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has expressed the hope that the Chhath festival will inspire all of us to embrace the values of good governance, prosperity and social justice.
Extending his best wishes to the entire Nepali sisters and brothers on the occasion of the Chhath, the Prime Minister hoped that the festival would contribute to further strengthening national unity, mutual trust and ties, empowering us to overcome prevailing challenges in the country.
"The festivals celebrated in Nepali society carry a historic significance and background, and serve as the foundation for human civilization and development," the head of the government said on the occasion of the festival dedicated to the Sun god.
Stating that this festival is established as the festival forging a lively practical connection between nature and human life, he said it played an important role in terms of respect and preservation of goods useful in human life and also for the development of a culture of production and work.
The PM said although small in terms of territory and area, Nepal is big and prosperous in terms of diversity of languages, cultures, festivals, costumes and civilization.
The Prime Minister stated that our culture, rituals and historic facts very much vindicated to the richness of our cultural diversity, adding the Constitution of Nepal has adopted the unity with diversity as the national dignity, internalizing the multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic, multi-cultural and regional uniqueness of Nepali society.
Prime Minister Dahal expressed the belief that the Chhath festival inspired us all towards fulfilling the national mission of prosperity by converting the challenges into opportunity, infusing hope in the people's and social life and coalescing unity in the nation.
Nepal secure third position in Women's T20 Quadrangular Series
Nepal defeated Japan by 45 runs to secure third position in the Women's T20 Quadrangular Series held in Hong Kong.
Batting first after winning the toss, Nepal scored 115 runs for the loss of five wickets. Pooja Mahato top-scored with 43 runs followed by Roma Thapa who scored 22 runs while Rubina Chhetri scored 21 runs.
In reply, Japan could muster only 70 runs by losing six wickets in the allotted 20 overs.
For Nepal, Sangita Rai, Indu Burma, Sita Rana Magar, Khushi Dangol and Soni Pakhrin took one wicket each.
Earlier, Nepal had defeated Japan by 67 runs in the last match of the group stage held on Saturday.
Nepal, Tanzania, Japan and Hong Kong are participating in the four-nation series. After coming up as winners and runners-up of the group stage, Tanzania and Hong Kong will play for the title later this afternoon.
Led by captain Indu Burma, the Nepali team comprises vice-captain Bindu Rawal, Rubina Chhetri, Sita Ranamgar, Asmina Karmacharya, Kajol Shrestha, Kanchan Shrestha, Khushi Dangol, Sangeeta Rai, Soni Pakhrin, Somu Bista, Pooja Mahato, Roma Thapa and Samjhana Khadka.
India, Australia locking horns today for World Cup title
In a cricketing spectacle of grand proportions, India, the unbeaten hosts, are set to carry the hopes of billions when they face off against Australia in the highly anticipated World Cup final at the majestic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
The 130,000-capacity stadium, named after the Indian Prime Minister, is not only the battleground for this high-stakes encounter but also the canvas for pre-match extravaganzas, the Time of India reported.
A pre-match fly-past by the Indian Air Force and meticulously choreographed displays featuring dancers and light shows during innings breaks are all part of the pageantry, underscoring India's status as the economic powerhouse of the cricketing world.
India's cricketing dominance in the tournament has been nothing short of spectacular winning all 10 games leading up to the final.
Virat Kohli, the tournament’s leading batsman, has been in sublime form, setting a new record of 50 ODI hundreds in the semi-final victory over New Zealand. Mahammed Shami, leading the tournament bowling charts with 23 wickets at an impressive average of 9.13, has been a potent force for the hosts, according to The TImes of India.
Captain Rohit Sharma, acknowledging the immense pressure, stated, “Playing for India is as good as playing any World Cup game because there is so much pressure. There is so much expectation.” He added, “ Not many have played the finals, but like I said, playing for India is as good as playing any World Cup game.”
Australia, bidding for a record-extending sixth World Cup title, enter the final with a team boasting survivors from their triumphant 2015 World Cup campaign. Captain Pat Cummins emphasized the team’s experience, saying, “We know that feeling and won’t be afraid to go out there and be brave and take the game on.”
Chhath, a festival of social and cultural harmony: Deuba
Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that all festivals of the country are the heritage of our social relations and cultural harmony.
In a message of best wishes on the occasion of Chhath festival, he said that festivals help to develop a spirit of collectivism and help to build the foundation of unity and harmony.
Extending his best wishes for happiness, peace, prosperity and success to all on the occasion of this festival, Deuba said that Nepal is a country with diverse festivals, religious and cultural traditions and with a harmonious tradition of respecting and honoring one another's religious and cultural traditions.
Leader Deuba has also wished that the Chhath festival may inspire all everyone to promote social harmony by creating an atmosphere of happiness, peace and prosperity.
Chhath festival being observed today
Chhath festival, one of the major festivals of the country and predominantly observed in the Tarai region, is being celebrated today by worshiping the sun.
As a major part of the festival, the setting sun is worshiped by offering argha while the same process is followed to worship the rising sun on Monday morning to bring the festival to an end.
Tonight, the revelers observe a fast and stay awake all night and offer prayers to the rising sun tomorrow morning.
Banks of rivers, streams and ponds across the country are decorated for the Chhath festival.
It is widely believed that observing a fast in obeisance of Chhathi goddess will bring desired results and well-being for the family and all of their sorrows and troubles will vanish away.
Meanwhile, the federal government has announced a public holiday today to mark the festival.