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Ghode Jatra, also known as the Horse Racing Day which falls on the Nepali month of Chaitra, is being celebrated in the Kathmandu Valley with much gusto on Monday.

The Ghode Jatra is known as the oldest festival celebrated in the country's cultural hub of the Valley.

The festival is being celebrated annually as per a mythology which relates the genesis of the festival after the death of a demon named Tundi.

Legend has it that the demon who lived on a meadow, which is now at Tundikhel, used to instigate terror among the Kathmandu denizens. After his death people rejoiced by dancing on his body by riding horses.

There is a belief that the parade of horses at Tundikhel keeps the demon's spirit away. The faster the horses run, the better Tundi's spirit is dispelled. As per another legend, the Ghode Jatra is held to mark the start of the New Year.

The festival is celebrated on the day of Krishna Aunsi, as per the lunar calendar, which is a day before the Chaitra Shukla Pratipada and this day is taken as the start of the New Year.

The horse parade, known religiously as Aswa Yatra, is organized to welcome the New Year.

The day before Ghode Jatra is also known as Pichas Chaturdarshi, as per lunar calendar.

On the day, the Nepali Army cavalry team performs different artistic stunts riding on their horses.

A Nepali national drowned while another has gone missing in the sea in Portugal. The incident took place at Montijo, close to Lisbon, in the night on April 6.

The deceased has been identified as 30-year-old Dhana Bahadur Tamang of Katunje, Netrawati Dabajong Rural Municipality-5, Dhading district of Nepal. The missing one is Tek Bahadur Tamang (38) of the same place.

The incident happened when the Tamang duo were searching for sea food in the sea at Montijo, said Gopal Yonjan, Chairman of Tamang Society Portugal. According to Yonjan, a rescue team recovered Dhana Bahadur's body on Sunday while Tek Bahadur is still reported missing.

The Nepal Army is to collect waste from Mt Everest, Mt Lhotse and Mt Nuptse under the Clean Himalaya Campaign-2024 this year.

The Army plans to collect 10 tons of waste and as many as five dead bodies from the mountains, the Army informed the media through a press conference on Sunday.

It said trained army personnel will collect trash from the Base Camp up to the Fourth Camp on Mt Everest.

Director of the Clean Himalaya Campaign, Brigadier General Sanjaya Deuja said that 12 trained army personnel will be mobilized for this campaign. Of them, 10 will mobilize above the Base Camp while two will coordinate remaining in Namche.

Similarly, 18 Sherpas will be mobilized for facilitating in the waste collection, it is stated. The leader of the Campaign, Major Aditya Karki said the waste would be collected up to a height of 8,000 meters on Mt Everest.

The waste collection drive would commence from April 11 and will run for 50 days. The campaign will conclude on June 5, 2024 on the day of the World Environment Day.

The Indian National Congress (INC) has outlined its commitment to prioritize relations with neighboring countries, including Nepal, in its election manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. 

“We will re-establish the primacy of our special relationship with Nepal and Bhutan and strengthen them to our mutual benefits,” the manifesto states.

Furthermore, the INC manifesto pledges to enhance economic and cultural ties with Bangladesh, as well as address political issues in Sri Lanka, particularly concerning the Tamil community. Additionally, it aims to mend relations with the Maldives and support Myanmar in protecting the political and human rights of its people.

The party also emphasizes bolstering India’s role in multilateral institutions, collaborating with other Global South countries on key issues, and advocating for reforms to address transnational challenges.

Asserting a commitment to continuity in India’s foreign policy, the manifesto underscores the influence of historical figures like Jawaharlal Nehru. 

“Congress affirms and will uphold continuity of India’s foreign policy. Our approach was profoundly shaped by the freedom movement and developed through the wisdom of visionary leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru,” the INC says in its manifesto. 

The party has criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party and the National Democratic Alliance (BJP/NDA) government for deviating from this consensus, particularly regarding the Gaza conflict, and pledged to restore India’s reputation as a proponent of peace and moderation on the global stage.

In the quiet symphony of my life’s decree,

A squinted path, a canvas, bold and free.

Awakening with hope, a morning’s cheer,

Yet shadows loom, whispers of fear.

Surgery’s embrace, a dance with the blind,

Veiled days in darkness, resilience I find.

Through the void, tactile whispers trace,

A journey of courage, an intricate grace.

Beneath the surgeon’s hands, in the blindfolded mist,

A metamorphosis, a tale to enlist.

Blindfolded days, a world unknown,

Yet within that darkness, strength was sown.

In the realm of shadows, bullying’s sting,

Mocking whispers, laughter’s cruel swing.

Squinted eyes, a target for jest,

Yet resilience grows in the wounded nest.

Through the corridors of hurtful gaze,

A spirit tested in bullying’s blaze.

Squinted eyes, not a flaw to bear,

But a testament to the strength I wear.

So, in the echoes of dental dread and blindfolded strife,

A masterpiece emerges, a resilient life.

Squinted eyes, once a source of pain,

Now a symbol of courage, a triumph to gain.

Yusuf Shrestha 

BBM VI Semester

United College, Lalitpur 

Recently, former US President Donald Trump was found guilty in a $350 million fraud case by a court. It's noteworthy that six out of the nine judges in the Supreme Court were appointed by Trump. Similarly, Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan was jailed earlier this year in a corruption case. In developed countries, everyone, regardless of their power or position, is held accountable for their crimes.

However, in Nepal, it appears that those who have contributed to democracy are granted impunity to commit various crimes. In our democratic context, powerful personalities often seem immune to prosecution, elevating them above ordinary citizens. This acceptance of impunity has become a hallmark of Nepal’s governance system.

The era of Panchayati rule was marked by autocracy, as was the Rana period, with Jung Bahadur Rana standing out as one of the most tyrannical rulers. Notably, Jung Bahadur's visit to Britain showcased his arrogance when he demanded a higher cannon salute than his Indian counterpart, arguing Nepal's independence compared to India's British colonial status. Despite his authoritarian rule, Jung Bahadur was stringent against bribery, corruption, and profiteering, even resorting to hanging profiteers during times of crisis.

The legacy of the Rana rulers included a strict stance against the depletion of national wealth, advocating instead for internal investment. Yet, ironically, many of the palaces they built, including Singha Durbar, are now utilized by the so-called democratic government.

Throughout history, the Shah kings of Nepal demonstrated a deep commitment to the country's development. Despite controversies, King Mahendra's initiatives such as the construction of the East-West Highway and division of the country into development zones significantly contributed to Nepal's progress.

In the border region of Tarai, former soldiers are employed to safeguard the borders, while King Birendra advocated for a zone of peace to shield the nation from external manipulations, although progress has been hindered by India's opposition.

During the reign of Nepali Congress under BP, notable diplomatic strides were made, including holding firm against Indian claims on Nepal's northern border and fostering relations with China and Israel, showcasing Nepal's independent decision-making.

Subsequently, in response to allegations of corruption within his own ranks, BP took decisive action by banning his personal secretary from his residence during festive seasons and encouraging open criticism through support for a popular magazine, Samiksha.

The tenure of the first elected Prime Minister BP Koirala saw Nepal asserting itself on the global stage, making independent decisions, and facing challenges head-on, all while prioritizing national honor and dignity.

Even amidst external pressures, leaders like Koirala upheld ethical standards, as evidenced by Prime Minister Kirtinidhi Bishta's resignation following the Singhdarbar fire incident.

In a bold move, Nepal removed 17 out of 18 Indian military camps stationed in its northern region, demonstrating a commitment to sovereignty.

Tragedies like the Dashrath Stadium stampede prompted accountability, with officials like sports minister Keshar Bahadur Bista resigning, highlighting a commitment to responsibility and transparency.

Despite historical achievements and instances of accountability, there remains a pervasive attitude among some contemporary leaders, viewing past leaders solely through the lens of criticism. It begs the question: when will our leaders learn from both the mistakes and accomplishments of their predecessors?

Saroj Bhattarai 

Kathmandu School of Law, Bhaktapur

Newly appointed Chief Minister in the Lumbini Province Jokh Bahadur Mahara took the oath of office and secrecy on Sunday.

Province Chief Amik Sherchan administered the oath of office and secrecy amidst a function held at the Butwal-based Office of the Province Chief.

The Province Chief appointed Mahara to the post per Article 168(2) of the Constitution. He is the fifth chief minister of the Lumbini Province.

The post of chief minister remained vacant with the resignation of Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary on April 4.

The following day on April 5, Mahara presented his claim for the chief minister with the support of 48 PA members: 47 from five political parties and one independent.

Mahara, who is also serving as the standing committee member of the CPN (Maoist Centre), was born on October 18, 1963, in Sunil Smriti Rural Municipality-5 in Rolpa to Ramita Mahara (mother) and Khal Bahadur Mahara (father).

He represents the Rolpa constituency-1(A) in the Lumbini PA. He was the Minister for Economic Affairs in last year's government led by UML's Parliamentary Party leader for the province, Lila Giri.

Meanwhile, the chief minister formed a small Cabinet today itself, inducting CPN-UML's Chet Narayan Acharya, CPN (Maoist Center)'s Dipendra Bahadur Pun, and Janata Samajbadi Party's Bhandari Lal Ahir as ministers without portfolio.

The newly appointed ministers also took the oath today.

Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun has vowed to maintain transparency while determining the rate of revenues in the budget statement for the next fiscal year 2024/25.

Addressing an interaction on 'revenue consultations and budget preparation' organized by the Ministry of Finance and the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry today, he said since increasing and decreasing the tax rates through the budget statement courted controversy in the previous years, clarifications with reasons for the fluctuation in the tax rate would be included in the upcoming fiscal year's budget statement.

Finance Minister Pun also expressed the commitment that he would not change the tax or revenue rates to benefit a particular person or industry. "We are preparing to carry out works so that there is no controversy in the tax rates this year. We will clearly determine our threshold and work accordingly," he added.

He assured of his facilitation in establishing Birgunj as an 'economic city' as demanded by the industrialists and businesspersons of Birgunj. He reiterated the federal government's support to developing Birgunj as an industrial city.

"Pokhara has been recently declared as the tourism capital. The Prime Minister himself attended the declaration program organized under the leadership of the local level of Pokhara and the Gandaki Province, and announced Pokhara as a tourism capital. The demand of the industrialists and businesspersons of Birgunj to declare it as an 'economic city' is extremely positive. The federal government shall support if the Birgunj Metropolitan City and the Madhes Province propose the same," the finance minister said.

He described Birgunj as an industrial city as well as the economic capital city, stating that they would take initiatives to develop Birgunj as a special economic zone in this context.

According to him, the government will move ahead in deference to the desire and aspiration of the people.

Calling upon the politicians, the business community, civil society and bureaucrats to work hand in hand and contribute from their respective places for the country's development and prosperity, he reiterated that the government shall bring forth policy for protecting the industrial sector.