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Maya Ko Pahichan Nepal, a non-profit organization advocating for the rights of the sexual and gender minorities, has announced Rehan Shrestha as the ambassador for the First International Pink Tourism Conference to be held on April 20-21.

Earlier, he was appointed as the ambassador for Visit Nepal 2020.

Organizing a press conference on Friday, the MKPN announced content creator and blogger Parakram Rana and woman entrepreneur Dr Mausam Bohara as the star promoters for the conference, according to Pahichan, an online news portal.

Blogger Lex Limbu has already been appointed the star ambassador for the conference.

Maya Ko Pahichan Nepal the Nepal Tourism Board are jointly organizing the conference.

Dr Bohara, as a successful woman entrepreneur, is expected to play a supportive role in promoting pink tourism.

During the program, Dr Bohara urged people to come together to make the event a grand success while Rana said that Nepal is a safe country for sexual and gender minorities. “Nepal is a safe country,” Rana said, adding, “I invite you to come to Nepal.”

Asia’s first openly gay former lawmaker of Nepal and also Executive Director for the Mayako Pahichan Nepal Sunil Babu Pant believes that the conference will play an important role in promoting Nepal’s tourism.

Pant, who is the pink tourism Cultural Ambassador for the Nepal, expressed the hope that Nepal’s gross domestic product would be boosted through pink tourism.

Maniraj Lamichhane, the NTB director underlined the importance of the conference saying travel companies have shown interest after training 24 people from the sexual and gender minority communities as trekking guides with the financial support of UNDP. The trained people have already started the jobs.

Lumbini Conclave, an international summit on 'Global Peace for Prosperity’ organized by Honorary Consular Corps Nepal (HCCN) in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, started in Lumbini on Thursday.

As the contemporary world is marred by geopolitical tensions, war and economic crisis, there is a growing need for dialogue, understanding and cooperation among nations. The conclave has been organized aiming to unite high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Honorary Consuls, and Ambassadors representing Honorary Consular Corps Nepal (HCCN) countries to foster peace, tourism, better relationship to work on peace and areas of mutual benefits, and investment opportunities in Nepal.

HCCN is a non-profit and non-political organization representing all Honorary Consulate General/Honorary Consulates in Nepal. With its 61 members, the organization is actively working to strengthen relations between Nepal and the represented country. These countries associated with HCCN represent five continents of the world which bring over 15 percent tourists to Nepal and have consolidated economic size worth $18.64trn. It facilitates diplomatic relations, cultural exchange, and economic cooperation between Nepal and these countries.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Hit Bahadur Tamang, along with other high officials from the Investment Board, Nepal Tourism Board, and Lumbini Development Trust, are scheduled to participate in the conclave. The other attendees include ambassadors and representatives from 18 countries without embassies in Nepal, honorary consuls of various countries, high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, experts in foreign affairs, and cultural heritage.

The gathering aims to promote Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, as a tourist and religious site, attract investment to Nepal, and foster global unity. Discussions and presentations on investment opportunities in Nepal and its tourism potential will also be featured during the course of the conclave.

The conclave symbolizes HCCN’s commitment to peace and prosperity. It’s an opportunity to reflect on our shared responsibilities and to forge pathways for a harmonious and prosperous future. 

The HCCN, alongside MoFA, envisions this conclave as a stepping stone towards a more peaceful and prosperous world, states the release issued.   

During the conclave, there will be an art exhibition by Ujay Bajracharya and presentation by Sumnima Udas, founder and executive director of Lumbini Museum Initiative on Leveraging Lumbini's 'Soft Power,' and a presentation by Prof. Naresh Shakya, on 'Of Buddhist Art on Nepalese Art'.

Also, there will be a presentation on investment opportunities and proposed Nepal Investment Summit by Ramesh Adhikari, along with a presentation by Santosh Panta, director Nepal Tourism Board, on the tourism opportunities in Nepal.

Additionally, there will be a briefing from Prof Basant Bidari about various important sites in Lumbini and five precepts by venerable Bhikshhu. Meanwhile the participants will also be visiting various heritage sites in Lumbini Premises.

Bishnu Kumar Agarwal, the dean of HCCN, stated that the event is organized to connect Lumbini with nearly one billion Buddhists worldwide and to underscore its cultural and religious significance.

The event will conclude on March 23. 

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has underlined the need of eliminating all sorts of discrimination against humanity.

In his address to a function organized to mark the 59th International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination here today, the Prime Minister announced that until discrimination is not eliminated, the accomplishments of change could not be safeguarded. 

The Prime Minister said that despite the constitutional guarantee of the fundamental rights of the Dalit community, they continue to suffer from caste-based discrimination. The expected outcomes have remained unmet.

According to him, it is a matter of concern that cases of insult, suppression, exploitation, social exclusion, beating and murder against the Dalit community are not mitigated due to the social practice of caste-based discriminations.

The government head also urged one and all to contribute to eliminating all forms of bias including the gender-based and linguistic discriminations and regional suppression to build an inclusive and discrimination-free society.

Acknowledging the significant contribution of the Dalit community to bringing political transformations in the society, the Prime Minister stressed the need of mainstreaming the involvement of Dalit community in the building of a federal inclusive democratic republic and discrimination-free society along with the guarantee of a proportional representation system.

The Prime Minister asserted that it is the responsibility of the state to legally prosecute anyone indulging in caste-based discrimination and untouchability. "It is an unalienable right of every citizen to live with equality and independence. However, the Nepali society is yet to be freed from the slavery mindset in this modern era of human civilization."

He also took time to highlight the necessity of another phase of struggle for an effective implementation of the Constitutional and legal provisions that promote the rights of Dalits. PM Dahal pressed an idea of launching a social awakening and political campaign along with the strong enforcement of law to eliminate the caste-based discrimination, a crime against humanity.

The Home Ministry has issued a 21-point directive to the District Administration Offices of all 77 districts of the country.

As per the ministerial decision of March 20, the Ministry issued the directives to the DAOs, as the representative of the government of Nepal, to increase the trust of citizens by playing an active role on the issues of peace, security, service delivery, good governance, regulations, coordination and facilitation.

The Ministry issued such directives as per the instructions by Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane to make improvement in work execution of local administration making the people feel about it, according to Minister Lamichhane's Secretariat. 

Various issues including maintaining peace and security, controlling crime, cybercrime, financial crime, disciplined use of social media, road safety and reducing road accidents, controlling revenue leakage, effective service delivery, complaints management, employees’ behavior and discipline, protection of government and public property, coordination and felicitation in development activities are incorporated in the 21-point directives.

Home Minister Lamichhane urged the high-level officials to evaluate whether the Ministry's directives were implemented or not.

He also instructed the inline employees not to be influenced by anyone while delivering services.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal announced that diplomatic efforts have been initiated with China to convert a loan for Pokhara International Airport to a grant as it failed to garner income, instead piled up more debt.

This came after opposition lawmaker Chanda Chaudhary raised questions about the increasing loss and piling debt, Nepal Prime Minister said that talks are underway to convert the loan into a grant.

“In order to operate the flights to and from the Pokhara International Airport, a committee has already been formed to study government-private sector cooperation. On the basis of the report prepared by the committee, necessary preparations would be made for the operation of the airport. The loan acquired for the construction of Pokhara International Airport, diplomatic talks are underway to convert it into a grant. Necessary coordination would be made for all the necessary financial management,” PM Dahal said.

The Pokhara International Airport, opened on 1 Jan 2023, hasn’t seen any frequent international flights except for chartered Chinese flights, which appear on rare occasions.

On 21 March 2016, Nepal and China reached a loan agreement stipulating a total loan amount of 1.37bn Chinese yuan, out of which 355.9m Chinese yuan were constituted as interest-free-loans. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), the aviation regulating body of the Himalayan nation, is responsible for paying the loan amount by the year 2036.

Earlier, Nepal PM Dahal, upon returning to Kathmandu last year after his visit to China, announced that Chinese flights would come to Pokhara, helping to cover the loss.

While no such flights have commenced, the Prime Minister, referring to the visit, claimed, "During my recent visit to China (22 Sept 2023), a theoretical agreement was reached about commencing connecting flights from various cities of China to Pokhara, and I believe that international flights would land at Pokhara International Airport and help recover the loss.”

Days before the inauguration of the airport last year, the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal claimed in a tweet that the airport was a part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) which was rejected by the Nepal Government.

But soon after the handover, the Pokhara airport exemplified the perils that came with importing China’s infrastructure-at-any-cost development model, disproportionately benefiting Chinese firms at the expense of the borrowing nation.

China CAMC Engineering, the construction division of state-owned conglomerate Sinomach, played a pivotal role in the Pokhara airport project. It imported building materials and machinery from China, and the airport itself was brimming with Chinese-made security and industrial technology. Despite China’s claims about the project’s quality, an investigation by The New York Times revealed an unsettling narrative.

Multiple individuals involved in the project and a thorough examination of thousands of documents indicated that China CAMC Engineering had consistently dictated terms to maximize profits and protect its interests. Simultaneously, it systematically dismantled Nepali oversight.

As a consequence, Nepal found itself entangled in significant debt to Chinese creditors without the expected influx of passengers to repay the loans.

The Finance Ministry of the Himalayan nation had signed a memorandum of understanding supporting CAMC’s proposal in 2011, even before an official bidding process had started. The Chinese loan agreement exclusively allowed Chinese firms to bid for the project.

CAMC initially submitted a bid for $305m, nearly double Nepal’s cost estimate

for the airport. This drew criticism from Nepali politicians, who accused the process of being rigged and the price inflated. Following the outcry, CAMC lowered its bid to $216m, reducing the cost by approximately 30 percent.

In 2016, China and Nepal formalized a 20-year agreement for the project, with a quarter of the funding provided as an interest-free loan. Nepal intended to borrow the remainder from China’s Export-Import Bank at a two percent interest rate.

As construction progressed, glaring issues came to light. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal was responsible for overseeing the Chinese contractor, but the lack of experienced personnel, combined with the inadequate allocation of funds for consultants, hampered the project.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 15. 37 points to close at 2, 048.57 points on Thursday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 2. 61 points to close at 365. 42 points.

A total of 18,552,705-unit shares of 315 companies were traded for Rs 4. 31 billion.

Meanwhile, Dhaulagiri Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (DLBS) was the top gainer today with its price surging by 10. 00 percent. Likewise, Buddha Bhumi Nepal Hydropower Company Limited (BNHC) was the top loser as its price fell by 10. 00 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 3. 24 trillion.

Fire incidents have escalated with the start of the dry season.

Four hundred and eighty-eight fire incidents were reported in 14 districts of Koshi Province in the last three months, according to the Koshi Province Police Office.

Superintendent of the Office Deepak Pokharel said 12 people were killed and 24 others injured in the fire incidents in a period of three months from December 17, 2023 to March 21, 2024.

According to him, the fire incidents have mostly occurred due to electric short circuit and when fire lit in the kitchen and cow sheds go out of control.

Stating that wildfires have also broken out in local forests, SP Pokharel warned of the bush fires sometimes spreading to human settlements if not doused in time.

The 3rd Edition of the “Prospects for North Bengal – Investments in Sustainability” an initiative of the Bangal Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BNCC&I) held in Siliguri, India on Thursday with the objective to understand, discuss and initiate dialogues for business opportunities and investments in the sectors which are thriving in North Bengal and also the one which have more potential for accelerating the growth of North Bengal.

Delivering a keynote remark in the inaugural session of the event, Vice President of Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NICCI) Sunil KC underscored the untapped opportunities for economic cooperation between Nepal and India, particularly in the context of North Bengal. He emphasized the need for a holistic approach to development, prioritizing sustainability and inclusivity while leveraging the region's natural resources and strategic location, reads a statement issued by NICCI.

KC proposed key recommendations for economic growth, including further investments in infrastructure development, which he deemed essential for unlocking North Bengal's full economic potential. He emphasized the necessity of increased investment in improving road, rail, and air connectivity along the Siliguri corridor, a crucial transit route linking Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal (BBIN). Upgrading existing infrastructure and establishing logistics hubs were identified as priorities to facilitate the seamless movement of goods and people across borders.

Secondly, he advocated for facilitating cross-border trade and investments, which emerged as a central theme of discussions. KC stressed the importance of simplifying customs procedures and reducing trade barriers to promote greater economic integration within the BBIN region. He also proposed the creation of special economic zones (SEZs) and industrial parks along the Siliguri corridor to attract foreign investments and spur economic growth.

Furthermore, KC emphasized recognizing the imperative of sustainable development. Participants underscored the need to integrate environmental considerations into business operations and investment decisions, including promoting the adoption of green technologies, supporting renewable energy initiatives, and implementing environmentally friendly practices across industries. By prioritizing sustainability, North Bengal can position itself as a responsible and attractive destination for investors committed to long-term environmental stewardship, the statement reads.

Gautam Deb, Mayor of Siliguri Municipal Corporation, Andalib Elias, Deputy High Commissioner, People’s Republic of Bangladesh in Kolkata, Eshor Raj Poudel, Consul General of Nepal in Kolkata, Bhaskar Roy, and Vice President Techno India Group also spoke at the event, representing their respective organizations.

The event successfully brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to explore avenues for investment and development in North Bengal, with a particular focus on leveraging the region's strengths and potential for sustainable growth.

Throughout the event, stakeholders engaged in fruitful discussions and networking sessions aimed at identifying collaborative opportunities and forging partnerships for mutual benefit. The importance of innovation, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing emerged as key drivers of economic growth and sustainability in North Bengal, according to the statement.

Angana Guha Roy Chowdhury, Assistant Director-General of the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, expressed gratitude to all participants for their valuable insights and contributions. She reaffirmed BCCI's commitment to supporting initiatives promoting sustainable development and inclusive growth in North Bengal, underscoring the organization's role as a catalyst for positive change in the region.