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The word “toxic” has recently become a social media buzzword. While the term may be trending, toxic personalities and their ability to create dysfunctional relationships have been a persistent issue. Recognizing these toxic traits and knowing when to say "goodbye" is crucial. But how can we tell if we're dealing with a truly toxic person or just someone who’s occasionally difficult?

It's no secret that toxic people are a serious problem. They can hijack our self-esteem, disrupt our mood, stress us out, make us question our sanity, distance us from healthy relationships, and drain our mental and emotional energy faster than a phone battery at 1%.

The quality of our relationships is one of the most significant factors in our health, happiness, and success. The healthier our relationships, the healthier our lives. Conversely, problematic people can create problematic lives. Whether it's a dysfunctional friend or a difficult partner, their toxicity likely affects us to the point where it may even trigger toxic responses within ourselves.

Spotting a toxic relationship

We all have an instinct for recognizing difficult personalities, but when does someone's behavior cross the line from merely annoying to genuinely toxic? Toxicity can be somewhat subjective—everyone has different tolerance levels and values regarding conflict and loyalty. However, there are clear signs that a person or relationship has become objectively toxic and needs to be addressed.

It's also important to remember that there's a difference between toxicity and dysfunction. The word "toxic" is often used casually these days, but conflict doesn't automatically equate to toxicity. Problematic behavior isn’t always poisonous, self-interest isn't always predatory, fighting isn't always hurtful, and being challenged isn't always manipulative.

For example, a friend who challenges your opinion, a partner who refuses to validate your behavior, a peer with a different worldview, or a family member who questions your life choices—these people aren't necessarily toxic, even if they occasionally come across as tough or overbearing.

Five clear signs of a toxic person

1. They disrespect your boundaries

Toxic people see boundaries like a challenge on a reality TV show as if it’s there to be tested and crossed upon. They see the firm “no” as an invitation to turn up the drama. The thought of not having access to you is intolerable, and they’ll fight tooth and nail to keep the connection.

2. They are manipulative

Toxic people are grandmasters of manipulation. They’re not interested in mutual respect or love; they’re in it for power, control, and their own gratification. If you ever feel like a pawn in someone else’s game, it’s a clear sign to trust those gut feelings and cut them loose.

3. They always have to be right

For toxic people, admitting they are wrong is like Superman being exposed to kryptonite, it’ll make them weak. They will do everything in their power to twist your words and shift blame. Arguing with them is pointless, they are never wrong. They are always one step ahead to point out others’ mistakes while ignoring their own. 

4. They are always the victim

Toxic people love playing the victim card. Instead of owning up to their part in a setback, they shift into self-pity mode to gain sympathy and avoid accountability. If someone is constantly shifting the blame and seeking validation, they’re likely a toxic presence.

5. They leave you feeling drained

The ultimate sign of spotting a toxic person is to pay attention to that ‘icky’ feeling. It is your body’s way of telling you something is off. If you consistently feel exhausted after being around someone, it is high time to cut ties for the sake of your own well-being.

Occasional turbulence on a flight doesn’t mean we need to jump out with a parachute, but if the plane is perpetually on fire, It is time to find the nearest exit. So, the next time we find ourselves entangled with someone who disrespects our boundaries, manipulates like a puppeteer, always plays the victim card, or leaves us feeling like a deflated balloon, know that it is time to cut them off. Life is too short to be spent walking on eggshells or in the company of people who dim our light.

Aishwarya Koirala

BA IIIrd Year

St Xavier’s College, Maitighar

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri paid a courtesy call on President Ram Chandra Paudel on Sunday.

Various issues of bilateral relations were discussed in the meeting held today at Rashtrapati Bhawan, Sheetal Niwas, the Office of the President's Office said.

On the occasion, President Paudel said that Nepal and India should work together to reduce the impact of climate change.

"Since the safety of the mountains and water depends on the safety of mankind, it is necessary for both countries to work together to reduce the effects of climate change", said President Paudel's press advisor Kiran Pokharel.

President Paudel mentioned that Nepal and India have centuries-old bilateral relations and it will further be strengthened during the tenure of Secretary Misri.

President Paudel thinks that the friendship and cooperation between the two countries should be strengthened for mutual benefit and prosperity.

His press advisor Pokharel said that modernization of agriculture, infrastructure development, hydropower, trade, investment, tourism and human resource development are the priorities of Nepal.

President Paudel mentioned that Nepal has a huge potential for hydropower development, sustainable and easy energy trade.

On the occasion, Indian Foreign Secretary Misri expressed his commitment to work together on the issue of reducing the effects of climate change as it is a challenge for both countries.

He said that India is also willing to work on the priority of Nepal, such as energy, agriculture, and tourism, among the many priorities of the Nepal government. He also informed that India is willing to work in new and priority areas by completing the ongoing projects as soon as possible.

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, who is currently on a two-day official visit to Nepal, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli at the latter’s office in Singha Durbar on Sunday.

During the meeting, they discussed strengthening bilateral and friendly relations between Nepal and India.

Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal and high-level officials also attended the meeting.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has urged the Lumbini provincial government to focus on increasing production and employment along with infrastructure development.

In a discussion held today at the Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar with the Lumbini Province Chief Minister Chet Narayan Acharya, PM Oli suggested expanding the market through agriculture industrialization, planting advanced varieties of crops on suitable soil.

"There is no immediate increase in production by spending on the construction of physical structures such as buildings and offices. We have fertile lands, water and a suitable climate. There are many bases where production and employment can be increased by hard work," Prime Minister Oli said, adding, "Organizations and workers of our political parties should also be involved in such work. Everyone should focus on solving the problems of the citizens together."

He drew attention not to export and import impure and poisoned foods/vegetables, and suggested to those concerned to make arrangements to ban the import/export of impure and contaminated foods, saying that food should be healthy to keep the people healthy.

Mentioning that the current equation and the government was warranted due to the special situation of the country, Prime Minister Oli said that this government is working with a plan to identify the common problems in the country and come up with a solution.

He said that the government is currently running on a deficit budget and asked everyone to work to end this situation. Prime Minister Oli asked to take into consideration the main issues of consensus, cooperation and results for the people without arguing about who will participate and how much while running the government.

Chief Minister Acharya had expected the support of the federal government in managing the budget and overall infrastructure development to shift the provincial capital from Rupandehi to Dang. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel, CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel and others participated in the discussion.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 94.53 points to close at 2,860.91 points on Sunday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 18. 23 points to close at 501. 91 points.

A total of 60,321,323-unit shares of 330 companies were traded for Rs 25. 77 billion.

Meanwhile, National Hydro Power Company Limited (NHPC), Nerude Mirmire Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (NMLBBL), Hydorelectricity Investment and Development Company Ltd (HIDCL), Khanikhola Hydropower Co. Ltd. (KKHC) and Ankhu Khola Jalvidhyut Company Ltd (AKJCL) were the top gainers today with their price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Similarly, Kutheli Bukhari Small Hydropower Limited was the top loser as its price fell by 10. 00 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 54 trillion.

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Secretary at the Ministry of Rural Development Maniram Golal jointly inaugurated the newly constructed building of the Kathmandu-based Nepal Bhasha Parishad.

The building was built with the support of the Government of India's post-earthquake reconstruction grant.

Foreign Secretary Misri arrived in Kathmandu on a two-day official visit to Nepal on Sunday.

Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal welcomed him at the Tribhuvan International Airport.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two foreign secretaries will discuss various matters on further strengthening Nepal-India relations and advancing mutually beneficial cooperation.

During his stay in Nepal, Misri is also scheduled to call on the high level dignitaries of Nepal.

Foreign Secretary's visit continues the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries and reflects the priority India attaches to its relations with Nepal under its Neighborhood First policy, says India's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

India and Nepal share an age-old civilizational, cultural and people-to-people connect, and bilateral cooperation between the two countries has further strengthened in recent years with continued momentum in high level exchanges and major infrastructure and connectivity projects in Nepal having been completed and new ones undertaken with Government of India’s assistance. This visit of Foreign Secretary will be an opportunity to further advance our bilateral ties, said India in a press statement.

The Foreign Secretary of India is scheduled to leave Kathmandu on August 12.

Life insurance companies mobilized over Rs 3bn in premiums from foreign employment term insurance in the fiscal year 2023/24.

Ten life insurance companies collected Rs 3.12bn during the review year, according to data compiled by the Nepal Insurance Authority (NIA). In the previous fiscal year, 2022/23, life insurance companies had collected Rs 3.21bn in premiums from foreign employment term insurance.

Existing laws require migrant workers to purchase a foreign employment term insurance policy before leaving for overseas job destinations. Currently, 10 out of 13 life insurance companies in the country sell foreign employment term insurance policies. More than 2m foreign employment term insurance policies sold by these companies are currently active.

Data compiled by the NIA shows that Sun Nepal Life Insurance Company collected Rs 843.04m by selling foreign employment term insurance policies in 2023/24. This represented 26.96 percent of the total premium collected from this policy. In the previous fiscal year, the company had collected Rs 1.08bn in premiums from foreign employment term insurance.

Nepal Life Insurance Company Ltd and IME Life Insurance Company Ltd followed with premium collections of Rs 620.8m and Rs 353.57m, respectively, in 2023/24. In 2022/23, Nepal Life and IME Life had collected Rs 475.05m and Rs 436.63m, respectively, in premiums from this policy.

These three companies enjoyed a market share of nearly 60 percent in this business in 2023/24.

Data shows Asian Life, National Life, and SuryaJyoti Life collected Rs 303.14m, Rs 270.11m, and Rs 250.08m in premiums from foreign employment term insurance policies in 2023/24.

Similarly, Sanima Reliance, Reliable Nepal, Citizen Life, and Prabhu Mahalaxmi Life mobilized Rs 205.61m, Rs 178m, Rs 100.5m, and Rs 25.6m, respectively.

A total of 741,297 Nepalis left for foreign employment in fiscal year 2023/24. Of them 353,163 left for foreign employment through institutional channels, according to the Department of Foreign Employment. 

Migrant workers sent Rs 1,327bn in remittances over the first 11 months of 2023/24, according to the Nepal Rastra Bank. 

The price of gold has increased by Rs 700 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 148, 800 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 148, 100 per tola on Friday.

Similarly, the price of silver has increased by Rs 10 and is being traded at Rs 1,720 per tola today.