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A nationwide vaccination campaign against measles-rubella is starting today. The vaccination campaign targeted on all children between nine months to 15 years of age will continue till March 20.

The first phase will cover 24 districts including 21 highly infected districts bordering India and three districts of Kathmandu Valley. Similarly, children from nine months to five years of age in the remaining 53 districts will also be vaccinated. Vaccination will take place in schools and vaccination centers from 10 am to 4 pm every day.

Around 2.1 million children between nine months to five years and 3.6 million between five years and 15 years will be vaccinated, said Chief of Department of Health Services, Child Health and Immunization Section, Dr Abhiyan Gautam.

A total of 48,798 vaccination centers have been set up across the country for the campaign. Similarly, 49,937 health workers and 59,906 volunteers are being mobilized

The vaccination campaign is being carried out with the goal of eliminating measles-rubella by 2026.

The Department of Immigration has started issuing route permits for domestic and foreign tourists going to restricted zones through an online system.

Prior to this, the DOI was providing permits to tourists going to restricted zones physically after completing the due procedures and paperwork. But since last week, arrangements have been made to issue route permits through electronic means.

With the provision of route permits online, now it will be easy for tourists to go to the upper Mustang, upper Dolpa, Tsum and Nuvri Valley of Manaslu region of Gorkha, Simkot, Changkheli and Namkha of Humla district as well as Kanchenjunga region of Taplejung, said Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) General Secretary, Binod Sapkota.

Likewise, TAAN President Neelhari Bastola said the more tourists can be facilitated the more they will come to visit Nepal. I believe that this online service will help promote the trekking industry, he said.

Meanwhile, Acting Director General Department of Immigration Krishna Bahadur Katwal said with the new system in place tourists can now easily get permits online by making 'QR payment' from a trekking company or their personal accounts.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 500 per tola in the domestic market on Sunday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 118, 500 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 118, 000 per tola on Friday.

Similarly, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 117, 950 per tola. It was traded at Rs 117, 450 per tola.

Meanwhile, the price of silver has increased by Rs 5 and is being traded at Rs 1,400 per tola today.

The Narayangadh-Muglin road, which was being closed for four hours every day in the afternoon, will not be closed from today.

Information Officer of Naghdhunga-Muglin Road Project West Section (Narayangadh-Muglin) Engineer Krishna Prasad Acharya said that since the work on cutting off the cliff for a bridge is almost complete it has been decided not to close the road from today.

The road was closed every day for four hours for the construction of a bridge over the Tuin River, since December 22 last year.

Engineer Acharya said that a 60-meter-long bridge will be built over the Tuin river. Four of the 19 bridges on this section of the road were constructed four years ago. The remaining 15 bridges were contracted simultaneously, of which eight bridges have been completed and are under operation.

While six bridges are nearing completion, the construction of the bridge over the Tuin River has faced a problem due to the hard rocks in the adjoining hill. The construction of the bridge started three years ago. The cost of the bridge is estimated to be 1.28 billion rupees.

With the widening of the road, this road section has become 9 to 11 meters wide. It is the main road connecting the Tarai with the federal capital, which sees thousands of vehicles pass through it every day.

A tiger was found dead and buried in Madhyabindu Municipality of Nawalparasi (Bardghat Susta East).

The male tiger was found dead in the Nawadurga Community Forest located in Madhyabindu Municipality-15 on Saturday, said Forest Officer at Chormara Range Post, Durgadatta Kandel.

"An adult male Royal Bengal tiger was found buried in the forest 500 meters south of the East-West Highway", he said.

This is the second wild tiger found dead in a span of a week in Madhyabindu municipality.

Earlier on February 16, a male tiger was found dead in Arunkhola forest area located in ward no 10 of the same Municipality.

Renowned in Nepali literature as Pradip Rodan, ghazal artist Pradip Pandey, 37,  originally from Gorkha, has written several famous ghazals, such as ‘Bhagawan Tapaile Aaja Samma Malai Ruwaunu Bhayo’, ‘Pithunma Dhap’, ‘Aafnai Nam ra Thar Ta Chhutiyera Baseko Chha’ and many more. In 2016, he received the ‘Lokpriya Ghazalkar Award’, followed by the ‘District Youth Literature Award’ two years later. In 2023, he was awarded the ‘Nagar Sahitya Samman-Gorkha’ and the ‘Uttam Best Poetry Award’ for his ghazal collection ‘Muffler’. In addition to his writing endeavors, Rodan teaches at Dharmodaya Secondary School in his hometown. Babita Shrestha from ApEx spoke to Rodan about his journey as a ghazal writer.

What drew you to ghazals?

I had no knowledge of ghazals until I was 30 years old. In 2003, I started teaching but I wasn’t satisfied with what I was doing. After four years, I ran a radio program for six years. But it didn’t fulfill me either. Later, I attended a program in Abu Khaireni and  I came across Ramesh Bhatta Sadhu’s ghazal. He graciously offered to help me perform ghazals. I used to sing lok dohori in the village so I gave it a shot. In 2016, one of the institutions dedicated to promoting ghazals, hosted a competition and I submitted a ghazal. It got selected among the top 12, earning me an award. The sight of the award motivated me to write more and eventually, ghazals became the purpose of my life. 

How do you approach ghazal-writing and choose the themes for it?

Things around me trigger me to write. For me, it’s not just about writing a ghazal but also expressing how I perceive things. Maybe because I grew up in a rural place, the surroundings inspire me, and I channel the imagery and emotions into my ghazals. In my work, I use simple words so that everyone can understand the emotion behind them. Mostly I write on the themes that revolve around the reality of society, the essence of life, and the inevitable sorrows. I don’t think too much when I write. I try not to rationalize my feelings. 

What do you enjoy the most about being a ghazal artist? 

The most enjoyable aspect is when I feel capable of capturing the essence and originality of life that transcends time. During recitations, I enjoy being able to captivate the audience with the intensity of emotions. I remember the time I performed for the first time at Gorkha bazaar when I presented some of my early ghazals like ‘Payena Bhaney Maya Manako’ and a few others. It was such a memorable experience. People were whistling, applauding, and appreciating my performance. I have to admit that the best part about being a performing artist is the love and appreciation you get from the audience. It is what sustains me and fuels me to write.

Can you tell us a little about the collection you’ve just launched? What was the inspiration behind it?

I have more than half a dozen collections that I have co-authored such as ‘Indreni’, ‘Akchyar Haruko Pyramid’, ‘Ek Kadam’ and many more but recently, I have authored my own ghazal collection called ‘Muffler’. ‘Bango Kadh ma Chadera Chora Hurkiyo’ is one of my favorites. It was inspired by my grandfather and was written on the day of his demise. Before he passed away, he put his arm around his son. He had always been strong and self-reliant. This scene shook me and I wrote about the incident in the ghazal. Another one ‘Chora Mareko Khabar Aama lai Nasunaidinus’ is based on a relative from my hometown who cries for her dead son even after three decades of his passing. Overall, the book is crafted with insights into the realities of life and stems from my observations and experiences, particularly in the face of increasing materialism and harsh traditions. 

How can one get into ghazal writing?

Ghazal writing isn’t easy. It requires focus, a sort of devotion, if I might say so, and perseverance. You have to be a student of life as it can teach you a lot, but you also need to learn from the works of other ghazal writers. Life, I believe, is a delicate equilibrium between joy and sorrow, action and consequence. When I write, I want to maintain harmony which is why I consciously keep my thoughts and emotions attuned to the rhythmic flow. I find comfort in expressing emotion through simple yet heartfelt words, sometimes humming them to match the tune. You have to find and develop your style. 

Query

I’m a 23-year-old man currently pursuing a BBS degree at a local college in my area. While I don’t consider myself an introvert by nature, circumstances have pushed me in that direction. During high school, I had a great friend circle and excelled academically. However, everything changed after I graduated from high school.

Moving to Kathmandu for further studies was a significant transition that proved to be quite challenging. I found it difficult to adjust. I struggled to connect with people as I had done before. Though I’ve managed to make friends, I haven’t found the sense of belonging or the family that I crave. My academic performance has also suffered, and living alone only worsens my struggles with mental health. I wish to reclaim the youthful energy and vibrancy that I used to have.

Answered by Aditya Dangol, professional counselor and psychologist

Leaving behind the familiarities of a lifetime, the place where you grew up with your family and where your cultural identity and essence were shaped, can be really tough. Departing from one’s roots isn’t easy and it’s common to feel disconnected. Adjusting to a new circumstance requires patience and time, you will get into it gradually.

There is a tendency to place the people of Kathmandu on a pedestal. While not always the case, common perception often characterizes Kathmandu as a progressive society. However, many individuals have encountered difficulties in expressing themselves and presenting their ideas in fear of judgment. Adjusting to such a significant change can indeed be challenging, but it’s encouraging that you’re aware of your feelings. It’s natural to experience a sense of longing for your old place during this adjustment period.

One helpful approach is to begin by discussing your feelings with friends, especially if there’s someone you feel particularly comfortable with. Expressing how you truly feel when you’re in their company can be quite therapeutic. Take note of your emotions and observe whether you’re missing your home or if you’re finding it difficult to resonate with the energy around your friends.

Consider reaching out to a trusted individual with whom you can openly discuss your concerns. Opening up in this way can provide valuable insight and support as you navigate through this period of adjustment.

If you bottle things up, assumptions can affect you more because they create manufactured scenarios, harming your self-esteem and ability to be yourself. Sharing these concerns with someone you trust can provide valuable support and perspective to navigate through them effectively.

When relocating, there’s a significant shift in routine, surroundings, and even the very place you sit or sleep. Personalizing your new environment with items that reflect your tastes and remind you of your home can be a helpful strategy for adjusting to the change. Additionally, staying connected with loved ones provides a sense of continuity and support during this transition.

Remember, even though you’ve physically moved, the essence of your past experiences and connections stays with you wherever you go. Sometimes it’s good to catch up with friends. You may eventually find someone who can be a supporter or even understand you.

Another aspect to consider is adjusting your routine to resemble the familiarity of your previous routine, fostering a sense of being at home. Additionally, if these strategies prove ineffective, seeking assistance from professionals can be beneficial. Remember, engaging in conversations with professionals doesn’t necessitate experiencing anxiety, it’s a proactive step towards holistic well-being.

Never Lie

Freida McFadden

Thriller

Newlyweds Tricia and Ethan are searching for the house of their dreams. But when they visit the remote manor that once belonged to Dr. Adrienne Hale, Tricia happens upon a secret room. One that contains audio transcripts from every single patient Dr Hale has ever interviewed. As Tricia listens to the cassette tapes, she learns about the terrifying chain of events leading up to Dr. Hale’s mysterious disappearance. And then Tricia reaches the final cassette. The one that reveals the entire horrifying truth.

100 Things We’ve Lost to the Internet

Pamela Paul

Essays |​​​​​​ Humor

In one hundred glimpses of that pre-Internet world, Pamela Paul, editor of The New York Times Book Review, presents a captivating record, enlivened with illustrations, of the world before cyberspace—from voicemails to blind dates to punctuation to civility. There are the small postcards, the blessings of adolescence largely spared of documentation, the Rolodex, and the genuine surprises at high school reunions. But there are larger repercussions, weaker memories, the inability to entertain oneself, and the utter demolition of privacy.

Sorrow and Bliss

Meg Mason

Contemporary

Martha knows there is something wrong with her but she doesn’t know what it is. Her husband Patrick thinks she is fine. Martha told Patrick before they got married that she didn’t want to have children. He said he didn’t mind. By the time Martha finds out what is wrong, it doesn’t matter anymore. It’s too late to get the only thing she has ever wanted. Or maybe it will turn out that you can stop loving someone and start again from nothing—if you can find something else to want.

All these titles and more are available at Bookverse, 4th floor, Civil Mall, Sundhara, Kathmandu. You will get 10% off on four or more books and 15% off on Nepali books