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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.

You can manifest the life you want, say Instagram gurus and those who believe in numerology, astrology, and the like. And while it might all seem hogwash, having you roll your eyes, there is actually science behind the power of positive reinforcement and gratitude. When you choose to think positively and be grateful, your actions will be aligned with your goals. Some choose to call it the power of manifestation. But, in reality, it’s as simple as honing in on your goals and ambitions and doing what it takes to make them come true. Here are five ways to make gratitude a part of your daily life and harness the power of positivity.

Create a mood board

A mood board is a great visual organizing tool. While professionals, especially interior decorator, graphic designers, and project managers, frequently use this to develop ideas, you can also use a mood board to give your life a general sense of direction. Put up pictures and quotes that inspire you. Want to be fit? Put up a photo of your ideal fitness situation. Need a vacation? Photos of the place you want to go next should be up on the board. Seeing something can act as a constant reminder of what you need to do.

Get into journaling

Journaling is the practice of regularly writing down your thoughts, feelings, experiences, and reflections. It serves multiple purposes, including personal reflection, goal setting and planning, creative expression, and gratitude development. You don’t need to be a writer to journal. Anyone can do it. All you need is a notebook and pen. It’s a great way to track personal growth as well as remind yourself of all the things you are grateful for in life. If you are new to journaling, start by taking five minutes in the morning to write down three things you are grateful for, three things you want to change, and three things you want to do that day.

Mantra meditation

Mantra is a Sanskrit term, ‘man’ meaning mind and ‘tra’ meaning release. Think of a mantra which is basically a word or phrase you repeat during meditation as a tool to help release the stress in your mind. It can make a lot of difference, especially if you have trouble concentrating or getting in the right frame of mind. You will find that using a mantra can boost awareness and improve concentration. Play some mantras on Spotify or YouTube and meditate to it. It will make you calmer and more aware of your surroundings.

Follow a ritual

A morning and/or evening ritual is a great way to give structure to your day. It can set the tone of your day or help you unwind after a stressful one. Morning rituals are a simple way to start every single day full of energy and ready to take on the challenges thrown your way. Evening rituals, on the other hand, are a simple way to finish every single day peacefully, to fall asleep easily and to have a great night of sleep. It can make you more in tune with your inner self, instilling a sense of peace, harmony, and gratitude.

Break down your plans

Most of the times, we lose sight of what’s important and wallow in self-pity because we have big ambitions and goals and it overwhelms us. Breaking your goals into bite-sized tasks can help you feel more accomplished and positive about achieving them. A to-do list comes in handy for this. Get into the habit of writing down all the things you need to do to achieve what you have set out to and give yourself deadlines for each task. Finishing a task will leave you feeling upbeat and motivated while making even the wildest of dreams seem attainable.

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

This is the first time that Misri paid an official visit to Nepal after assuming the charge of Foreign Secretary on July 15.

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.

The Foreign Secretary of India is also scheduled to call on the high lev 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.

Tal Bahadur Kunwar, a folk of Kathekhola Rural Municipality-7, Resha, who has ventured out the hotel business for the last 20 years after quitting teaching profession, has spurred his investment with the rise in the inflow of tourists in the district.

His hotel has been popular as a 'VIP' one in Baglung. He had initiated the hotel business from four rooms in a small house. Now, he has 24 rooms in the hotel and investment has increased to Rs 20 million.

With the rise in the arrival of domestic and foreign tourists, other entrepreneurs here have also started operating well-equipped hotels. Another hotel with 30 rooms is in final preparations of its operation in Baglung Bazaar.

Investors claim that this will be the most convenient hotel here.

Entrepreneur Kunwar saw the need of star hotels in the district after tourists' influx increased in a gradual manner.

Arjun Chokhal, who has been running hotel enterprises in Baglung since 2065 BS, has already invested Rs 40 million in the hotel business.

Tourism destinations like Kalika Temple, world's second longest suspension bridge, Banji Bridge, Panchakot and Shalgram Museum have attracted a large number of domestic tourists here. 

Floods and landslides triggered by incessant rainfall left 50 families displaced in Badigad of Baglung district.

As many as 50 households of Badigad Rural Municipality-9, Nayabasti and Arupta, Patle, Clabjhing, Khor and Salle in ward 10 have been displaced due to recent landslides. 

At least 11 people have been killed so far and the status of one is still unknown. The displaced families are surviving a hapless life. There has been no supply of drinking water and electricity in the landslide-hit areas. Children and the elderly are facing more problems.

Bhim Bahadur Budha, a local, commented that several houses in the village are still at risk of landslides. He further said the settlements around his house are facing vulnerable conditions.

Badigad Rural Municipality Vice Chair Bhimsen Ban said the displaced families are being managed in schools and public places. The rural municipality is distributing relief in the initial phase, he said.

Noting that the municipality has provided food and tarpaulin sheets, lamps and other essential items, he said discussions are underway with the higher-level governments for long-term management.

The Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) on Saturday signed a memorandum of understanding to provide grant assistance for the launch of Munal satellite.

Anurag Srivastava, Joint Secretary (North) from MEA and Arunachalam A, Director from NSIL signed the MoU.

Dr Rabindra Prasad Dhakal, Secretary, Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), Dr. Surendra Thapa, Chargé d'affaires of Nepali Embassy and Dr. Abhas Maskey, Founder, Antarikchya Pratishan Nepal (APN) were also present on the occasion.

During the visit of External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar to Nepal to co-chair the 7th JCM meeting, he witnessed the exchange of this Launch Service Agreement for the launch of Munal Satellite between NSIL and NAST, on 04 January 2024.

Munal Satellite is an indigenous satellite developed in Nepal, under the aegis of NAST.

APN, a Nepali space startup, has assisted Nepali students in the design and fabrication of this satellite. The satellite aims to build a vegetation density database of the Earth’s surface.

This satellite is expected to be launched soon on NSIL’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle.

The government of China has showed readiness to provide assistance to Nepal in establishing a fertilizer plant. According to Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, the Chinese government was ready to complete all the works related to the establishment of a fertilizer plant within the next year.

In a discussion with editors of mainstream media including the Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) on Thursday evening, Chinese Ambassador Song reiterated that the works related to fertilizer plant would be launched as soon as the Investment Board Nepal approves the proposal related to it. "Our aim is to run a fertilizer plant utilizing the electricity and water resources abundantly available in Nepal. Our priority is relationship with Nepal and its betterment," the Chinese envoy reiterated, adding that China always wants to support for socio-economic development of Nepal.

He also informed the editors that a team of Chinese technicians were currently in Nepal to conduct feasibility study of the Nepal-China cross-border transmission line. Song argued that the development of hydro power and cross-border power trade would be instrumental in fulfilling the national aspiration of 'Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali'.

Reaffirming China's commitment for utmost support in Nepal's national goal to graduate from the Least Developed Countries status to the middle-income country (by 2026), he informed that the recently held third meeting of the Communist Party of China (CPC) had opened China's labour market for employment for other countries in the world, including Nepal.

In the wake of the third meeting of the CPC, a high-level American delegation is visiting China to identify the investment opportunities, according to him. Song further shared the CPC's third meeting presided by Chinese President Xi Jinping had announced over 300 reform measures. He pledged to bolster bilateral cooperation for the development of Nepal. The electricity produced in Nepal could be consumed in Chinese market as well.

On a different note, he said that Nepali students pursuing higher studies in China would get employment opportunities with the provision of internship. Ambassador Chen expressed the view that reforms announced by China would further deepen China-Nepal partnership and Nepal could also utilize results of development achieved by China. He showed confidence that Nepal's development would get momentum within next five years.

The Chinese Ambassador laid emphasis on maximum tourism infrastructures to attract Chinese tourists. He explained that China was ready to transfer technology. Moreover, Ambassador Chen reminded that the 'Road and Belt Initiative' forwarded by President Xi Jinping with an objective of preparing infrastructures of the development would benefit all member countries. He, however, made it clear that BRI implementation document was not signed with Nepal in lack of completion of some technical activities, adding BRI agreement between Nepal and China would be signed within few months.

The Chinese Ambassador mentioned, "We have given importance to the development of Nepal-China relations. We are ready to further strengthen Nepal-China comprehensive cooperation with everlasting friendly relations for the welfare of the people of both countries."

The number of dengue and cholera is climbing up in the country in the recent times. According to the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division under the Ministry of Health and Population, the number of dengue patients reached 3,084 last Friday with 722 new cases recorded in the past four days alone.

Dengue was confirmed in 2,365 people as of August 5. Mosquito-borne infection has spread all over the country except Mustang, Dolpa, Jumla and Humla district, shared Dr Gokarna Prasad Dahal, Chief of the NTD and Vector Borne Disease Control Section. Tanahu district has the highest number of dengue infected patients- 583, while 307 cases of dengue have been confirmed in Kathmandu district followed by 166 in Kaski and 135 in Jhapa district.

With the rise in dengue patients, the Ministry has urged all public and private offices to launch 'Larva search and destroy' campaigns and maintain essential hygiene and sanitation. Also, the government has announced to provide free treatment to the dengue patients in the public healthcare facilities, it was told.

Likewise, cholera cases are also going up lately. There are 47 cases of cholera detected across the country till date.

Dr Dahal shared that cholera cases were confirmed in Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Pyuthan, Kailali and Rupandehi districts with Lalitpur having the highest cases- 34 cases and Rupandehi the lowest- one.