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The Martyr Day is being celebrated by organizing various programs across the country today. The Day is observed in memory of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the country and people.

At different times of history, many people fought for liberty, freedoms and democracy and got martyrdom in Nepal. In commemoration and tribute to them, week-long programs are organized from Magh 10 to 16 every year.

In 2012BS, then Kathmandu Municipality began coordinating the programs organized in honor of the martyrs. It has continued till date.

In response to the demand of democracy, civic rights and liberty, Shukra Raj Shastri was executed by then autocratic Rana regime at Pachali, Kathmandu on Magh 10, 1997; Dharma Bhakta Mathema at Siphal, Kathmandu on Magh 13 and Ganga Lal Shrestha and Dasharath Chanda at Shova Bhagawati, Kathmandu on Magh 15 the same year.

A morning rally is being organized from Shanti Batika, Ratnapark to Lainchaur. Kathmandu Metropolis has informed that the event would be attended by the Prime Minister, ministers, high level officials of Nepal government, along with march-past from security bodies. The known and unknown martyrs would be paid tribute at the martyrs' monument, Lainchaur.

However, there is public concern that the dream of martyrs is not fulfilled.  

The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) is the highest academic institution for natural sciences in China. It is also a comprehensive research and development center for natural sciences and high technology. It aims to be a hub for innovative talent, a high-level national science and technology think tank, and an internationally renowned research institution.

Under CAS, there are different wings, including the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, and Xinjiang Tourism Research Academy. Recently, delegates from these different institutes visited Nepal for a two-week long trip.

Dr Zhaoping Yang led the team, who is a professor at the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research under CAS. She is also a Director of Xinjiang Tourism Research Academy and an expert of the World Heritage Expert Committee of National Forestry and Grassland Administration. Shristi Kafle sat with Dr Yang to talk about her tourism impressions. Excerpts:

We learned that this is the first visit of your team to Nepal, what is your impression of this country?

I have been to over 60 countries, but it took me a long time to visit neighboring Nepal. I had heard a lot about Nepal and the Himalayas, and it’s really very beautiful. I am deeply impressed by the heritage sites in the Kathmandu Valley and the artistic detailing of the monuments and ancient structures. We visited the famous Durbar Squares and were amazed by the spectacular traditional architecture. The history, art and designs are quite unique. Each piece of art is exclusive, which cannot be found elsewhere. Besides Kathmandu, we visited Chitwan National Park, Pokhara and the Buddha’s birthplace Lumbini. All these places have their own beauty and charm. We loved the food and warm hospitality too.

What is the major purpose of this visit? What are the key findings?

Under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, we are here mainly to study natural and cultural heritage protection and management and tourism planning and development. We did a preliminary study on trans-boundary natural heritages and tourism and plan to submit a report to the concerned authorities. I realized that the natural heritages of Nepal are of international standard, and they have huge potential of attracting more tourists. The richness of dense forests and variety of wildlife make the natural heritages stunning. We are amazed by the splendor of the Chitwan National Park. Similarly, the cultural heritage sites have unique features, which we realized aren't promoted enough. Nepal usually brands itself as a destination for mountaineering and trekking, but we felt that Nepal is much more than that. It shouldn’t limit itself as a destination for only outdoor adventures, which is seasonal. But it should brand other tourism areas too. For example, there could be heritage focused activities like heritage walks or culture tours and so on. Nepal can promote itself as an all-weather destination, as there are endless possibilities and choices.

Did the Chinese Academy of Sciences explore any areas of cooperation with the Nepali agencies?

We held meetings with different institutions focused on tourism, education and natural heritages in Nepal. The meetings dwelt on possible areas of cooperation through research and exchanges. There are many things that both countries can learn from each other.

For example, the academy inked an agreement with Himalayan White House College in Kathmandu to boost education cooperation between the two countries. We discussed various possible measures to incorporate students of BHM and Biotech faculty in the Chinese universities. We also agreed on conducting student exchange programs in the future. Besides, we can jointly conduct research on various areas covering tourism, archaeology and the education sector.

We also interacted with the national park officials and local government representatives to discuss ways on how to promote tourism. This trip is just a beginning, we plan to explore the ways and measures to work further on this front.

Since your team was more focused on tourism, what major gaps do you think need to be bridged to boost Nepal’s tourism industry?

The most important thing to boost the tourism sector is good planning and adopting the right strategies. It should be planned for the long-term instead of short ones, considering all the components and economic impacts to locals. I was directly engaged in tourism planning for the Xinjiang region of China a long time ago, and today the place has emerged as a popular tourism destination for domestic tourists. Though it snows for months, we have developed winter focused outdoor activities, and that is loved by the travelers. Nepal can also consider promoting itself in a similar way.

Though the destinations here are unique, the infrastructures are not intact. We mostly traveled via road, and the road condition is not that good in many places. The properties are gigantic in the hospitality sector, so Nepal can also promote itself as a destination for high-end tourists. The hospitality is warm but there are language barriers, which can be bridged. Nepal can attract more Chinese tourists through communication and promotion in different platforms in Chinese language. There is a need for aggressive marketing activities to cater to all kinds of tourists.

Despite the richness of Kathmandu valley, we found that there are some issues related to urban planning. For example, the jumbled black wires on the poles in the streets have made the city look ugly. It is not a big issue to deal with as it can be resolved with underground wiring with proper planning. The city would look more beautiful. Next is the haphazard construction of buildings in the heritage sites. These messy buildings have blocked the views in many places. The tall buildings have also blocked the beautiful mountain view. I believe these are minor issues and have solutions with proper planning. Kathmandu can be developed as a heritage city.

For natural heritages, the government authorities should work together with the private sector. The public-private model can be adopted for the smooth management of the national parks. Similarly, there is a huge scope for promotion of Buddhism. The holy land can be promoted among the Buddhist followers of all over the world, including that of China.

What are your suggestions to attract more Chinese tourists in Nepal?

As mentioned above, the first thing is Nepal can be developed as an all-season destination. The Chinese travelers are fond of rich culture and diverse food; thus the priority should be given to promotion of cultural heritage sites. New cultural and heritage tours can be developed. Since there is a language barrier, the Nepali guides should have proficiency in Chinese language which would make the stay in Nepal easy and smoother. Next is improving connectivity. More flights can be added between the Nepali and Chinese cities, and at affordable rates. Internally, the roads should be in good and safer condition to encourage road travels. There should be standard hotels and resorts too. Many Chinese people love luxury travel so the infrastructure should be built in a standard manner. Nepal can explore to attract high-end Chinese tourists, who can spend more and help the local livelihood. Lastly, the most important thing is well tailored marketing strategies and digital promotion in Chinese platforms.

The Karma band is set to launch a new album soon. The album not only marks a musical resurgence but also signifies the band’s dedication to reinventing themselves while staying true to their roots.

The band is gearing up to release a full album, breaking a ten-year hiatus despite intermittently unveiling singles. Known for their dynamic and evolving sound that resonates with the youth, Karma remains committed to preserving the essence of Newari folk music, the Band says.

In the musical odyssey that began over twenty years ago, Karma Band has been seamlessly blending Newari folk melodies with contemporary pop—giving a unique and a distinct musical experience with memorable numbers like—“Hukka Mero”, “Chaina Maile Timro”, “Kaha Hola Gharbar”, “Mauntama”, “Yanimaya” and others.

The current lineup of Karma includes Surendra Man Singh on vocals, Anil Shakya on drums, Firoz Bajracharya and Rigzin Wangyel Lama on guitar, and Ishwar Ghale on bass guitar.

The band’s album launch is supervised and undertaken by ASQ. Talking about the association with ASQ, Surendra Man Singh, Karma’s vocalist says, “There is a synergy that I wanted with our creative side and the disintegration that needed to happen on the managerial front. With ASQ coming in, we can now think of a bigger, better, and organized approach to our compositions also.”

Ashish Parajuli, Chairman of Adi Group and the founder of ASQ, underlines the importance of having a dedicated team for management, says, “Internationally, artist management isn’t just practiced, but is a must—which we take for granted sometimes. But with a band as big as Karma—the stark need of comprehensive artist management has been required, and hence we are here. We will now oversee every creative approach that Karma takes—from song’s release to concerts that will be organized nationally or internationally”.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal  said an investigation will be conducted on the royal massacre that took place in 2001.

Talking to journalists at Simara Airport, Bara on Monday, the Prime Minister said that the royal massacre wherein the dynasty of the then King Birednra was destroyed will be investigated, according to the Prime Minister's secretariat.

The federal democratic republic system has given rights to all, PM Dahal said, adding that no one has the right to stand against the system with conspiracy.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 10.26 points to close at 2,104.72 points on Monday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 0.86 points to close at 381. 06 points.

A total of 12,322,705-unit shares of 311 companies were traded for Rs 4. 56 billion.

Meanwhile, Union Hydropower Limited was the top gainer today, with its price surging by 10. 00 percent. Likewise, Garima Debenture, 2085 was the top loser as its price fell by 10.00 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 3. 30 trillion.

Former king Gyanendra Shah took an oblique swipe at the major political parties’ failure to bring peace, stability and progress in the country by saying that unrest is increasing among the general public.

Addressing a program in Birgunj on Saturday, Shah said 15 years have passed since he abdicated the throne, and today “discontent, frustration, worry, and anger are prevalent everywhere.”  

Nepal’s centuries old monarchy ended with Shah as a result of the people’s movement of 2006-07 led by major political parties and the then Maoist rebel group, calling for a republic. Shah’s reign lasted for seven years from 2001 to 2008. 

 Shah claimed that he assumed the responsibility of the head of the state at a time when the country was going through a challenging phase. “Even in such difficult circumstances, I worked to avoid further destruction to the country and maintain the credibility of democracy,” he said, emphasizing the urgent need for unity among all people and groups for the greater good of the country. 

He appealed to everyone to not engage in divisive, sectarian and confrontational politics.

“It must be acknowledged that our country is facing the extreme misfortune of becoming deserted and impoverished everywhere. The time has come to think about putting an end to this situation. Let’s rethink,” he said.

Shah said when he quit the royal duties in 2008 he had stated through the mass media that he wished to live in Nepal for the greater welfare and peace of the country. “I remain steadfast in my commitment,” he said. “The patriotic feelings, nationalism, democratic commitment and active participation in the development and upliftment of the country that I expressed that day still resonate with me today.”

The former king also spoke at length about the misinformation that is being peddled to the general public regarding the 2001 royal massacre in which the monarch of the time, Birendra Shah, his entire family and several other members of the royal family were killed.  

Shah said that it was unjust and unfortunate that he and his family members were being slandered and attacked for the incident that took place on the night of 1 June 2001. 

“There are direct witnesses among us and yet there are many of us who are running behind falsehood and conspiracy. Truth always remains true. The victory of falsehood is never permanent,” he said.

Gyanendra was a ‘dummy king’: Oli 

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has likened former king Gyanendra Shah to a dummy version of a monarch.

“Just like a Brahmin priest prepares a dummy priest by placing a halfa grass over rice grains, Gyanendra is also a dummy version of a king,” Oli told the media on Sunday. 

The UML leader was responding to a speech that Shah gave in Birgunj on Saturday. 

He also claimed that the 2001 royal massacre was a conspiracy, stating that crown prince Dipendra could not have perpetrated the slaughter.   

“Nepalis should not lose their wisdom. Does a person who is supposed to be a king die like that? Could he operate four rifles and a pistol together?” Oli said, rubbishing the findings of the investigation conducted after the incident. 

“There was an investigation, but the national and international situations were different back then. Our then General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal himself was part of the investigation committee, but we recalled him in order not to get involved in the drama,” said Oli.

“The first son of the king becomes the next king. But when the first son, the second son and even the daughter of the king are dead, the monarchy ends right there,” he said. “It was the weakness of the government at that time to coronate Gyanendra as the king.”

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has underlined the need of developing Nepal as a hub for higher education.

In his address to the ninth Senate of the Karnali Academy of Health Sciences here today, the Prime Minister said he is clear that Nepal should be established as a hub for higher studies.

On the occasion, the PM said he is happy to hear that Karnali Academy of Health Sciences (KAHS) is welcoming students from outside the country.  

He also expressed his hope that the Academy will gain new height ahead and it is rendering direct health services to the citizens of geographically backward communities in the Karnali and Far Western provinces.  "In addition to this, it has contributed to the production of a skilled health workforce."

"The KAHS is significantly working with a full sense of responsibility and preparedness in each health crisis either it was COVID-19 crisis, or during the earthquake," he said.

According to the Prime Minister, it is the responsibility of KAHS to further strengthen the quality of its services, making it wider accessible. The graduates of KAHS should be additionally competitive and skilled who could serve the nation with a high sense of integrity.

Stating that the Academy had significantly made great strides in recent years, PM Dahal expressed his confidence that the Academy would take serious initiatives for innovation-based studies, research and invention.

Karnali should take special initiatives for medicine production

Addressing the Senate of the Academy, PM Dahal suggested that the Academy should take special initiatives in medicine production by optimally utilizing the natural resources and heritages.

He also directed the Academy to undertake necessary homework for medicine production. Lauding the Academy for delivering well in spite of resource constraints, the PM pledged his support to the plan to tap the tremendous potential of Karnali in the coming days.

"There are problems such as inconvenience of roads, lack of skilled doctors and technicians which have created challenges in production of skilled human resources and service delivery. Appropriate initiatives will be taken by the government to address it in coming days," the Head of the Government said.

Stating that he was aware about the concerns and demands of the doctors, technicians and staff at the Academy, PM Dahal assured, "I assure you that your demands will be addressed gradually."

Nepal has asked Russia to send back hundreds of Nepali nationals who were recruited to fight against Ukraine and repatriate the bodies of those who died in the conflict, Nepal’s top diplomat said Thursday.

The Russian army is estimated to have recruited more than 200 Nepali nationals to fight in Ukraine and at least 14 of them have died there, Nepal’s Foreign Minister Narayan Prakash Saud said in an interview with The Associated Press.

“We have asked Russia to immediately stop the recruitment of Nepali nationals in their army, immediately return those who are already serving in the army, repatriate the bodies of those killed, and treat and return those who were wounded in the fighting,” Saud said.

Nepal is also seeking monetary compensation from Russia for the families of those Nepali nationals who were killed in the fighting, Saud said.

Among the 14 confirmed killed Nepali nationals, Russia has said it is in possession of 12 bodies. Most Nepali people want the bodies of their deceased relatives to be cremated following religious rituals.

“We have information that five of our citizens who fought on behalf of the Russians are being held captive by the Ukraine side. We are asking the Russian side to take initiatives to get them freed,” Saud said.

Russian officials have not commented on the recruitment of foreign nationals for military service in Ukraine, but media reports have said that along with Nepal the Russian military has recruited some people from Cuba.

Russian law allows foreign nationals to enlist in its army after they sign a contract with the Defense Ministry.

In September, Cuban authorities arrested 17 people in connection with what they said was a network to recruit Cuban nationals to fight for Russia in Ukraine.

Earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree that speeds up a path to Russian citizenship for foreigners who enlist in the country’s military as Moscow tries to replenish its troops in Ukraine by various methods, including the recruitment of migrants.

Ukraine is also believed to have hired some Nepalis to fight as soldiers, but Saud said he did not have more information on this.

Nepal’s government has banned its citizens from traveling to Russia or Ukraine for employment, saying many have been recruited by the Russian army to fight in the conflict in Ukraine.

Tens of thousands of Nepalis go abroad in search of work each year and are required to get a permit from the government before leaving the country for employment.

Saud met with Russian officials on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement conference in Uganda earlier this month and discussed the issues with them.

For centuries, Nepali nationals were recruited by the British army to fight as famed Gurkha soldiers and later by India when it gained independence from Britain. That arrangement was made in 1816 after signing a treaty between Nepal and Britain.  AP