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The gold is being traded at Rs 126, 000 per tola in the domestic market on Monday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 125, 400 per tola.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 1,475 per tola today.  

Media rights advocates and women journalists of Nepal have sought to address the pressing need for dismantling entrenched newsroom stereotypes to promote greater gender diversity in media. They were speaking in a roundtable discussion organized by Media Action Nepal in collaboration with the Working Journalists Association (WOJAN) on Sunday in Kathmandu to mark the International Women's Day.

Emphasizing the critical role of the media in shaping societal perceptions and narratives, Laxman Datt Pant, Chairperson of Media Action Nepal, underscored the importance of creating inclusive newsroom environments where women are empowered to take on leadership roles. Pant highlighted a crucial thing: editors are picked through contacts and affiliations rather than open competition in Nepali media. Were there open calls, women would have a chance of reaching the top, as would other capable individuals.

Priyanka Jha, Vice-Chairperson of Media Action Nepal, spoke about how it was not a lack of capacity keeping women out of the top level but a lack of trust. The inherent patriarchy in the structure of Nepali media, she said, does not view women as capable of leading newsrooms. The same structure also does not consider women as “having sufficient expertise” to be quoted in news. This prevents female voices from being heard on pertinent issues like climate change that ironically affect them most. Jha also noted the physical, professional, and sexual insecurities women in the media faced. “But they do not have a mechanism or authority they can approach when they face dangers or harassment. This affects their morale and mental health,” she highlighted.

Senior Journalist Poonam Poudel shared her experiences working in state-owned and private media and how female personnel were passed over for junior male colleagues. She shared how decision makers did not trust women enough to execute duties and chose to keep them as assistants while promoting less experienced men to higher roles.  An “attitude of doubt,” as she explained, prevailed against women media persons, an attitude that always doubted women’s abilities to deliver results. In Poudel’s observation, this was not the case of men who were readily trusted.

Poudel also felt that a lack of proper and regular payment discouraged women to develop a lengthy career in media. “We have no money, no time (as we have to be ready to work 24/7) and no encouragement, so why should we stay?” she questioned. Building on this, Jha made a poignant point, “Women have to prove their performance while men are automatically assumed to be able to perform.”

Journalist Manisha Awasthi shared that women are only editors in media they own. Others have not sought to make women for editorial positions. She further elaborated on the “attitude of doubt,” saying it was particularly directed against married women with children. “The higher-ups in the media think that such women will prioritize their families over their job responsibilities.”

Sangeeta Lama, Acting President of the organization Working Women Journalist, raised that women were “gate kept” out of leadership. They are always relegated to softer beats that do not lead to promotions or editorial positions.

Similarly, Bimala Tumkhewa, President of Sancharika Samuha, emphasized that women journalists faced additional obstacles than their male counterparts that necessitated additional organizations and redressal mechanisms. She also shared the tragic situation of relatively junior male journalists having become editors while senior and better skilled women journalists are on the verge of quitting the profession altogether. She further believed that advancing GESI in newsrooms would go a long way in increasing inclusivity.

Sancha Kumari Lama Tamang, Central Committee Member of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) said the root of this problem was conservative mindset and noted that there was much to do to ensure women leadership in Nepali media.

Janmadev Jaisi, Chairperson of WOJAN, highlighted the need for acknowledgement and awareness. Acknowledgement that there are problems in the Nepali media sector and problems hindering the progress of women media persons. And awareness among journalists and editors about their rights.

The roundtable served as a platform for robust dialogue, with over 25 participants sharing insights, experiences, and best practices for promoting gender equality within the media industry. Everyone agreed that the interaction was fruitful and hoped it would facilitate further discussions on challenges facing women and gender minorities in Nepali media.

The Sherpa community across the country is celebrating Gyalpo Lhosar today by organizing various programs.

The festival celebrated by the community as their new year falls on Shukla Pratipada in the Nepali month of Falgun.

On the occasion, people of the Sherpa community clean up houses and villages, cook and eat various delicacies, organizes various cultural programs and exchange best wishes with each other.

The festival that is divided into 12 years, mouse, cow, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, bird, dog and pig is observed for almost two weeks.

Observed in 12 mountainous districts previously, the celebration has now extended to 22 districts.

I’m a 21-year-old man from a middle-class family. I’m the kind of person who never rests. I can work all day without feeling tired. But sometimes it feels like no matter what I do, some unseen force is constantly undermining all my efforts, regardless of how hard I try. Despite my best attempts, I keep failing. I always find myself doing things the hard way and suffering more than others, even though I believe in my capabilities. This constant effort with no value of result makes me want to give up. But, in the end, I think about my career. However, it’s getting increasingly difficult. Something is amiss. What can I do to get out of this mental trap?

Answered by Aditya Dangol, professional counselor and psychologist

I would like to thank you for your willingness to share your experiences. I would like to start by saying that ‘failure’ is subjective and varies according to individual interpretations. What one person perceives as a failure, another might view as a minor setback or a valuable learning opportunity. Failure is not a fixed endpoint but rather a dynamic process that unfolds differently for each person.

You might occasionally be too critical of yourself. Sometimes, feelings of helplessness in achieving one’s goals arise when outcomes fall short of perfection. But it’s important to recognize that setbacks are integral to the learning process. Acknowledging and celebrating even the smallest achievement can foster a positive mindset and bolster personal growth.

Additionally, there may be unconscious beliefs or behaviors contributing to a fear of failure or tendencies towards self-sabotage. Addressing these underlying factors with compassion and self-awareness is crucial for overcoming obstacles and moving forward.

Understanding how you define yourself and approach problem-solving is key. Seeking guidance and support from mentors or trusted individuals can offer fresh perspectives and insights into overcoming challenges.

Ultimately, remember that mistakes are an inevitable part of life but they serve as valuable opportunities for growth and improvement. By reframing our perspectives on failure and being kinder to ourselves, we can cultivate resilience and work towards our goals with a positive outlook. If you feel like this isn’t something you can do by yourself, it might be a good idea to seek professional help.

You say its fate, I say it’s not

Maybe it was just a stroke of bad luck

When we met and our paths intertwined

You looked at me with that smile so divine

Now you are lost, never to be found

How could I have been so spellbound

How can life be so cruel

Maybe I was just a dense fool

Now I visit you at your grave

If only I had been a bit brave

That angelic smile I couldn’t save

I wish I could visit you beyond your grave

For the embrace of your warm arms I crave

Without your wits and guts

I am just a soul, lost

Within this darkness, I will stay

Thinking about this curse every day

With this immortality, I behold a blessing few might say

With this tragic ending that I could not foretell

My soul trapped by this unholy spell

With all this overwhelming guilt

Why am I crying over spilt milk?

This lost soul trapped in this plain

With no one to lose or to gain

Just left with all this suffering and pain

With no sun, just left with a lot of rain

A trapped soul wanting to be saved

From the mistake only I had made

Just keep going you always said

Now you lie there in your eternal bed

Trapped by that ray you hold

I am Just another trapped soul

Arnav Shrestha

A Level

LA College 

Joying and gracing being a woman, 

A monthly journey with cycle profound,

Painting lives in intricate lace, blooming to embrace. 

Women’s beauty of blood, legacies its pride 

Honoring this cycle divine, let us shine 

Finding the key of rhythm, assenting the femininity of life. 

Carrying secrets, joy and pains 

Mother’s flowing blood , a sacred sign 

A river of life , coursing through her veins 

Through cramps may come and mood may sway 

I choose to greet each moment, 

For in the cycle of its gentle sway,

I find gratitude in each passing day I go through my bliss.

Supriya Paudel

BBM III Semester, United College

Gold glittered to a new high of Rs 126,000 per tola (11.664 grams) in the domestic market on Sunday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Associations, the yellow metal was traded at Rs 125,400 per tola on Saturday.

The federation is the authorized agency to fix gold and silver prices in the domestic market. It publishes gold and silver prices every morning for the day’s trading. Since all the gold that Nepal consumes is sourced from the international market, any change in gold prices in the international market is directly reflected in the domestic market.

Gold prices had been setting new records in the domestic market since Tuesday. The price, however, remained stable on Friday. Gold was traded at Rs 125,000 per tola on the day.

The price of the precious metal climbed to a record high in the international market on Friday. Spot gold rose 0.5 percent to $2,170.55 per ounce, while US gold futures settled 0.9 percent higher at $2,185.50, Reuters news agency said, adding that bullion was set to post its biggest weekly percentage increase since mid-October.

The price of gold has gone up by over $300 per ounce since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war. Some analysts say the price could surge past the $2,300 mark very soon.

Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has designated commercial banks to import and sell gold in the domestic market. It has set a daily import quota at 20 kg. The new quota was set in September last year. The central bank had reduced the import quota to 10 kg per day in March 2022, citing increasing pressure on foreign currency reserves.

Jewelers, however, have been saying that the domestic demand is much higher than the central bank’s import quota. The increasing smuggling of gold in recent months substantiates jewelers’ claims that the government quota is too little to meet the demands in the market.

Gold imports fell by 59.3 percent over the first six months of 2023/24. According to the Export Promotion Center, Nepal imported around 1,300 kg of gold worth Rs 11.88bn during the review period. In fiscal year 2022/23, Nepal imported gold worth Rs 43.89bn. Gold was Nepal’s 11th largest import commodity with a 1.55 percent share in total imports in the six-month period of the current fiscal year.

While a large chunk of gold produced in the world is used to make jewelry, gold is regarded the world over as the most reliable investment in securing assets during political and financial uncertainty.

According to the World Gold Council, the gold demand was 8 percent ahead of its five-year average at 1,147 tons in the third quarter of 2023, excluding the over-the-counter market. The net central bank buying was reported around 337 tons, which was the third strongest quarter, according to the council.

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane has directed police personnel to deliver in a way that each citizen could feel safe and secured.

Following his inspection to the Nepal Police Headquarters today, the Home Minister directed them to sue anyone in any incident on the basis of evidence, instead of the command from anywhere.

He asserted that investigation into any incident should be result-oriented and law should be applied to all equally. 

On the occasion, he also laid a wreath on the Police Martyrs Memorial inside the Nepal Police Headquarters.

The Deputy Prime Minister also visited a museum based in the Nepal Police Headquarters.

He also acknowledged the roles of former and incumbent police personnel who contributed to the building the police institution and promoting its image.

Urging police employees to fulfill the given responsibilities by abiding by law, he urged the institution to ensure career enhancement opportunities for its staff.

He highlighted the need of seeking help from technology and producing a skilled workforce to address crimes assisted by the technology.

He also instructed the police administration to address cases affecting women, children, aged citizens and the people with disabilities with special priority to ensure prompt justice to them.

Acknowledging the issues relating to usury and mismanagement of cooperatives as a grave challenge, the Home Minister urged the police administration to focus on controlling economic crime, fraud, cyber-crime and drugs smuggling.

Inspector General of Police, Basanta Kunwar, said the Nepal Police is committed to implementing the Home Minister's direction.