Submit your Article

Two separate reports have been tabled in the Parliament on Monday.

In the Parliament meeting held today, Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma, presented the "Annual Report of the Government of Nepal, Fiscal Year 2079-80BS". She tabled the report on behalf of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

Similarly, Ramhari Khatiwada, the President of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee, presented the committee's report relating to the "Constitutional Council (Duties, Functions, Powers and Procedures) (first amendment) Bill-2081 BS".

Presenting the report, President Khatiwada briefed the House about the need to bring the bill and its relevance.

He said that once the bill gets endorsed by the House, the appointments in the constitutional bodies will take place based on qualifications and competency instead of political sharing.  

Transport services have been fully operational on Kanti Highway from today.

The highway was closed for vehicular traffic from March 14 for carrying out repair and maintenance.

Kantilokpath Project Information Officer and Engineer Ravindra Maharjan informed that the road has been repaired and the transport services have been operational from today.

"Cliff cutting works to expand the road has been completed in the narrow part of Karkibas from Ward-3, Bagmati Rural Municipality of Lalitpur to Chhapeli. Similarly, the work has also been completed in Kalche area, in some places where there is a single lane towards Lalitpur, the road expansion bid is yet to be completed due to lack of budget this year.

However, the rest of the work will be completed by next year.  Despite some hindrances in proper completion of the extension works, Kantilokpath is now fully operational for vehicular movement.

It has been 67 years since the construction of this road, which is considered suitable and short in terms of distance, to connect Kathmandu with Hetauda.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 1000 per tola in the domestic market on Monday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 141, 000 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 142, 000 per tola on Sunday.

Similarly, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 140, 300 per tola. It was traded at Rs 141, 300.

Meanwhile, the price of silver has dropped by Rs 15 and is being traded at Rs 1,835 per tola today.  

The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has started preparations to submit a periodic report of the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage to the United Nations for the first time.

The UN General Assembly had endorsed the Convention on October 17, 2003.

Nepal ratified the convention in 2010 that had come into effect since 2006. Six years after the approval, the member-nation was obliged to submit the report and Nepal was making necessary preparations for the same. Later, the UN changed the guidelines in regard to the reporting.

Chief of the Culture Division at the Ministry, Dr Suresh Shrestha said that the Ministry was going to submit the report this year as per the provision of submitting the report after six years of amendment to the guidelines.

The Ministry has organized a three-day national consultation workshop in the Capital from Sunday for the preparations of the report.

Three dozen representatives and experts from government and non-government sectors working in the field of intangible cultural heritage are participating in the workshop, said archaeological officer at the Ministry, Bhishma Baskota.

He informed that the report would be submitted to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) from June 15 onward.

By December 15, Nepal will submit the details of the works carried out in the intangible cultural heritage area to UNESCO.

The policies and programs of the Lumbini Province for the upcoming fiscal year 2024/25 is to be unveiled today.

According to Lumbini Province Assembly Secretary Durlav Kumar Pun, Province Chief Amik Sherchan is scheduled to present the annual policies and programs of the provincial government.

Secretary Pun informed that the Province Assembly meeting is scheduled to take place at 11 am today.  

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayankaji Shrestha expressed the government's commitment to develop Nepal as a tourism hub.

He said this at a dinner reception hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nepal Tourism Board, Gandaki Province Office to welcome the ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions of different countries on the occasion of 74th Annapurna Day in Pokhara on Sunday.

A target has been set to attract 1.6 million tourists next year, he said the government was working to identify and promote new tourism destinations.

"The government is planning to develop a tourism circuit along with the identification of new destinations and trekking routes", the DPM noted.

He urged the ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions to promote Nepal's tourism in their communities and the country.

DPM Shrestha said the Nepali people are known all over the world in terms of spiritual culture. Tourists from all over the world come to Nepal to see many natural and cultural heritages, including Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha and Mount Everest, the world's highest peak.

DPM Shrestha said Pokhara, the tourism capital, is also being developed as an important destination for adventure tourism activities.

On the occasion of Annapurna Day, ambassadors of various countries and representatives of diplomatic missions marched from Dhampus to Astam in Kaski.

The trekking expedition was organized in memory of the ascent to the 8,000-meter-high mountain for the first time in the world.

On June 3, 1950, French climbers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachnal scaled the 8,041-meter-high Annapurna First mountain.

Annapurna Day is celebrated every year in memory of this day. The 74th Annapurna Day was celebrated in tourism capital Pokhara today by organizing several activities.

The Chairperson of Press Council Nepal, Balkrishna Basnet, emphasized that false and misleading content should not be published in the media as news. He highlighted the confusion such content causes among the general public and its detrimental impact on media credibility.

Addressing a code of conduct orientation program organized by the council on Sunday, focusing on YouTube management, Basnet advised against engaging in journalism that perpetuates falsehoods. “Let’s not pollute journalism by spreading false content,” he stated. He underscored the need for mature journalism, regardless of the medium, emphasizing the importance of working in a non-controversial, accountable, and responsible manner. “Everyone can raise questions,” he added.

Basnet noted a tendency among some YouTube channels to propagate falsehoods, questioning the professional value of such journalism. He expressed concern that current journalism is too focused on insults, suggesting that maintaining professional dignity requires healthy and controversy-free journalism.

“If we don’t uphold standards, this field will never be respected. It is up to us to decide how to conduct ourselves. If we are to do journalism through YouTube, we must adhere to its dignity,” he stated. Basnet also mentioned that the Press Council of Nepal has been conducting orientation programs for YouTube operators who are weak in following the journalistic code of conduct.

The program saw the participation of 30 publishers and editors from various YouTube channels.

Animal Save Nepal hosted an event on the first Saturday of June, bringing together animal rights activists, vegans, and compassionate individuals from across the country. The event aimed to honor, celebrate, and educate the public about animal rights.

The day commenced with a peaceful and silent march from the Swoyambhu gate to Bhagwan Pau Park, where participants united to advocate for the rights of animals and raise awareness of their conditions. The march, led by activists, demonstrated the community’s desire to address animal welfare issues.

Upon reaching the venue, the atmosphere shifted to one of commemoration as attendees engaged in heartfelt performances, sharing stories and poems that highlighted the suffering endured by animals worldwide. A solemn memorial ceremony followed, marked by two minutes of silence, the offering of flowers, and the symbolic lighting of diyos in remembrance of the billions of animals lost to human actions over the past year. The reading of the Declaration of Animal Rights served as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle and the need for collective action.

Transitioning into a celebration of progress, the event spotlighted achievements in the global animal rights movement, with a focus on Nepal’s contributions. From the establishment of animal shelters and sanctuaries to the rise of vegan restaurants and shifts in public attitudes, milestones were celebrated as signs of positive change. Attendees indulged in vegan cuisine, listened to inspiring speeches, and enjoyed captivating performances that underscored the spirit of unity and resilience.

The celebration concluded with a special performance by KathaGhera Productions, featuring a song from their adaptation of ‘Animal Farm’, leaving a lasting impression on all participants. As the event came to an end, participants left with a renewed resolve to advocate for animal rights and care, motivated by a common vision of a more compassionate world.

“This event marks a huge step in our mission to expose animal exploitation. We are delighted by the public support. Each voice raised today echoes the call for dignity, rights, and liberation for all beings,” said Animal Save Nepal.