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Inspector General of Police (IGP) Basanta Bahadur Kunwar has left for France.

He had left for Leon, France last night to participate in the 19th Head of NCB Conference to be held there on April 23-25.

As many as 196 countries affiliated to Interpol on the control of international crime are participating in the conference.

According to the Police Headquarters, discussions will be held on contemporary incidents at the international level, crime investigation and capacity building of police personnel.

Nepal is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with representatives of India, China, Japan and Malaysia during the conference.

Additional Inspector General of Police Tek Prasad Rai, Deputy Inspector General of Police Bhim Prasad Dhakal and other police officials saw off Kunwar.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 1, 100 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 138, 200 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 139, 300 per tola on Sunday.

Similarly, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 137, 550 per tola. It was traded at Rs 138, 650 per tola.

Meanwhile, the price of silver has dropped by Rs 35 and is being traded at Rs 1, 705 per tola today.

Krishna Bahadur Kumal was appointed as Nepal's First Accredited Assessor (AA) for Hydropower Sustainability Standards (HSS), marking a significant milestone for the nation's hydropower industry.

With over a decade of experience in the hydropower sector, Kumal underwent specialized training and field assessments in hydropower sustainability standards, establishing himself as a highly qualified expert in the field.

Currently serving as a Technical Coordinator at Bizbell and an Executive Member of the Nepal Hydropower Association (NHA), Kumal's appointment signifies a significant advancement for sustainable hydropower development in Nepal.

Alain Kilajian, Deputy Executive Director of the Hydropower Sustainability Alliance, expressed pride in Kumal's appointment, stating, "We are proud to see Kumal become the first HS Accredited Assessor in Nepal. Nepal has ambitious plans to develop its hydropower potential, and this must be done sustainably. Having local assessors like Mr. Kumal will help ensure Nepal’s hydropower resources are developed responsibly and according to international ESG standards like the Hydropower Sustainability Standard."

In his new role, Kumal will play a crucial role in independently evaluating hydropower projects, verifying their scope, collecting evidence, and identifying any gaps through a comprehensive assessment of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) aspects.

Expressing his commitment to promoting sustainable hydropower in Nepal, Kumal stated, "My dedication to promoting sustainable hydropower in Nepal has strengthened with my new role. Development Financial Institutions (DFIs) now evaluate projects based on ESG criteria, and as an accredited assessor, I'm committed to ensuring compliance. I also aim to enhance investment opportunities in the Nepalese hydropower sector while prioritizing environmental and social sustainability."

Kumal's appointment marks a significant step towards aligning Nepal's hydropower sector with global best practices, thereby promoting sustainable hydropower development. This advancement elevates Nepal's hydropower industry onto the global map, attracting foreign investment.

This is a guided approach to be taken ‘very seriously’ by the readers. I shall not be liable for any injuries from the daring stunts done on Kathmandu roads (that is if you find some space).

Step 1

Locate where even the zebra crossing is. Maybe walk even a few kilometers just to find a faded white longitudinal line. If it is too far, you can cross from anywhere and jump on the dividing ropes and broken brownish-orange barriers, as the traffic police are busy cutting the chits for speeding bikes. The overhead bridge is always a safer option but you seem daring. 

Step 2

Your hand-most important of it all. With a flick of the wrist, have your hand upright with the palm facing directly to the eyes of the driver. Now you can even talk on the phone or have a frivolous chat with your fellow mate beside you. The hand does all the talking while you romanticize about staying abroad. The driver may retort with a yawn but you’re just walking with your eyes closed. 

Tread lightly and confuse the driver even more by freezing in the middle of the road and doing the shammy-shake of who goes first.

Step 3

Don’t be scared. Just cross. There is civility left in some drivers. Some will swerve behind you as you wait. But if you see a tipper zooming towards you, then make way for the guardians of the unpaved road. Micros and buses see no crossings or people in their path, so consider wisely. 

Step 4

Halfway there but keep straight as the lines will fade as you move along. Oh and check for the waiting signal. I guess you’ve already jumped and crossed the woeful traffic. 

Don’t look at the driver or the wait signal as a homage to your genetically modified stupidity. It is just an endemic spread around the country. Not to be alarmed– herd mentality is absolute. Following the crowd is a fool-proof choice.

Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has decided to declare the valley as a ‘no horn zone’, you might be eased off with the noise pollution but you now are encountered with light pollution with high beams beaming on your pretty face. The symbols of the moon and sun live as long as the country unless you can see any visible stars up in the sky.

Pro tip

Try thanking the drivers by giving a courtesy nod for their patience to bear your courage (or stupidity).

Aditya Khare

BA in Journalism and Mass Communication 

St Xavier’s College, Maitighar

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the government has made serious diplomatic efforts for the safe repatriation of students in the captivity of Palestinian rebels to Nepal.

Addressing the Fourth Convocation Ceremony of the Far-West University here today, PM Dahal, who is also the Chancellor of the University, expressed sorrow over the Nepali students who lost their lives in the attacks by Palestinian insurgents in Israel on October 7, 2023.

"I am deeply saddened by the incident in which our students who had gone to Israel as part of the 'Earning while Learning' program of the Far-West University's Institute of Agriculture lost their lives in the attacks by the Palestinian rebels," he said, and extended tribute to those students killed in the incident as well as expressing condolences to their family members.

The Prime Minister stated that the government has been fulfilling with alacrity the responsibility it has to undertake to bring back to Nepal the students who were injured and affected by the incident, and to repatriate the bodies of those killed in the attack. 

"Even now a student is in the captivity of the rebels. Necessary diplomatic initiatives are going on for returning him to Nepal," the PM said.

Bipin's release will also be agenda during Qatari Emir's visit to Nepal, says PM

Speaking in the same program, Prime Minister Dahal said the topic of taking initiatives for securing the release of Bipin Joshi, a Nepali student who is under the captivity of Hamas militants, is included in the agenda during the State visit to Nepal.

He said that the role that the Qatari Emir can play in Joshi's release is also included in the agenda of his visit.

"The government is vigorously playing its role in bringing the affected students’ home from Israel. Only this morning in an interview to a Kuwaiti television channel, I spoke on Qatar's role in securing Joshi's release and also requested to take the initiative to that end," PM Dahal said on the occasion.

PM Dahal also on the occasion handed medals to the University students who won various medals.

Minister for Education, Science and Technology and the University Pro-Chancellor, Sumana Shrestha and Professor of the Kumaun University of Uttarakhand State, India, Prof Diwan Singh Rawat also expressed their views.

Three hundred and seventy-six students were graduated in the convocation ceremony, according to the Far-West University.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said the production of scientific and technical human resources is vital for accelerating economic transformation in the country.

In his address to the Fourth Convocation of the Far-West University on Sunday, the Prime Minister and the University Chancellor said such human resources are the demand of the time.               

Pressing an idea for utilizing universities as a supporting tool for behavioral, social, and economic transformations, the Prime Minister urged the University to prioritize the production of human resources who can deliver with a sense of responsibility towards the nation and citizens.

Youths are the future of the nation and they should have qualities such as integrity, discipline, and a high sense of responsibility while passing out from universities as graduates.  Scientific, advanced, and creative human resources are warranted to further strengthen a democratic system and achieve a rapid economic transformation, according to him.

He advised the University to ensure educational and managerial reforms so as to produce graduates capable of competing in the global education sphere, commending its role to increase citizens' access to education specifically in the far-west Nepal.

Stating that the University that has already started teaching medical science under the Faculty of Medical Sciences towards the technical stream should now expand its services, he assured of the government's required support for the same.

'Govt will provide support in establishment of the National Medical Sciences University'

PM Dahal believed that access to specialist medical services could be ensured in the Far-west region with the establishment of the National Medical Science University in Geta of Kailali.

"The government has decided to set up the Sahid Dasharath Chand National Medical Science University in Geta of Kailali, realizing the lack of access to higher technical education in this region," he said, adding that works like the formulation of laws for the establishment of the University have been expedited.

He expressed the confidence that the University to be established in Geta would prove to be a milestone in the development of this region.

Academic standard of universities needs to be improved

The Prime Minister underscored the need of maintaining a high academic quality of the university. He insisted that the university should be the center of attraction for study and research for all.

"There is a need for the university teachers, employees and students all to strengthen mutual collaboration, cooperation and goodwill for the uplift of the universities' academic standards. The Government of Nepal is ever ready to provide the necessary support to improve the universities' standard," he reiterated.

PM Dahal pointed out the need of the University developing itself into an excellent institute of learning and education with the university's leadership carrying out the physical and educational improvement of the university and also expanding student welfare activities through collaboration with other prestigious universities around the world.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has assured of a shift from the conventional approach while bringing the policies and programs, and the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Talking to the media at Dhangadhi Airport today, the Prime Minister highlighted the government's preparations for coming up with advanced, objective, and citizen-friendly programs, policies, and the budget. The PM had transited at Dhangadhi Airport while en route to Kanchanpur.

The government head took time to make it clear that the existing government does not reflect the power equation among the leftists.  Instead, it should be considered as a political power equation, he said.  According to him, the incumbent government coalition will complete its full term and there is no issue within it as rumored outside.

Stating that the government is preparing to welcome the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, who is arriving here for his two-day formal visit beginning on April 23. "This opportunity is historic," he said.

Similarly, preparations for the third Nepal Investment Summit scheduled to take place on April 28-29 are near completion, according to him.

"We receive widespread positive and encouraging responses regarding the Summit," he said, adding the government is preparing to introduce some Acts through the ordinances to build an investment-friendly atmosphere.

On the occasion, the PM also shared with the media that Nepal will be hosting an international conference of mountain countries on climate change.

At the cordial invitation of President Ram Chandra Paudel, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, is arriving in Nepal on 23 – 24 April, 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release today.

During the visit, the Emir of the State of Qatar will meet with the President of Nepal at Sheetal Niwas.

President Paudel will host a State Banquet in honor of the Emir of the State of Qatar.

Similarly, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on 24 April 2024.

Following the talks, both leaders will witness the signing ceremony of bilateral Agreements and Memorandums of Understanding.

His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar will depart for Qatar from Kathmandu on 24, April 2024.