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Senior correspondent of Annapurna Post Mamata Thapa has been honored with cash by Kamala Karki Memorial Foundation.

Thapa has been honored for her contributions in journalism and is encouraged for her work as the fourth organ of the state and making the Chandragiri municipality proud.

The foundation had also honored national players, journalists, artists, and those who have made contributions to the nation from different angles and the senior female citizens of the Chandragiri Municipality ward number 14 and 15 in commemoration of Kamala Karki during an event held in Naikap, Kathmandu.

Along with journalist Thapa, the foundation honored Anjana Maharjan, gold medalist in SAF Karate Championship in 2023, Namrata Shrestha, former Miss Nepal 2020, Tinthana Baja Khala Sanstha, and senior women Dhanmaya Maharjan of Ward No. 14 of Chandragiri Municipality and Bhagwati Khatri of Ward No. 15.

All the honorees have been given a certificate of appreciation along with a cash prize of Rs 10,001.

A certificate of honor was presented by Bhadrakumari Ghale, a former minister and director of Bhadra Kumari Ashram and the one who gained fame in the fields of politics, literature, social service, artistry and painting in Nepal.

Ghale explained about the importance of mothers during the event. On the occasion of the Rastriya Ekta Diwas Ghale said, “Prithvi Narayan Shah with the unification of the state and taking control over the baise and chaubise states he preserved the culture and tradition.This institution has also contributed to promote mother culture. It is an admirable thing to honor various national heroes in the name of the late mother.”

Poems, songs and other compositions celebrating the glory of the mother were presented at the event. In addition to this, a painting exhibition was also held that showcased the culture, tradition, geography and history of Chandragiri municipality.

The Research Management Cell of Bishwa Shanti Chiran-Milan Campus is going to organize an international conference on “Peace and security concern of Nepal and Role of Nepali Diaspora” on Jan 20 in Kathmandu.

The conference will be held in hybrid (online and in-person) mode .The conference includes a mix of keynote speeches or addresses, panel discussion, and paper presentations. The first session of the conference will be formal and the second session will cover paper presentation, panel discussion and final session will be certificate and memento handover.

The conference is relevant as a look into three main issues. Firstly, it aims to elucidate the concept of a small state to seek to define; secondly, it delves into exploring the security challenges that Nepal faces as a small state and; finally, the conference seeks to suggest or recommend addressing the challenges. Realizing the paucity of substantial research regarding security threats to Nepal in the changed global and regional security domain, this conference attempts to address the existing limitation.

 The conference is expected to strengthen the research culture in academic institutions like community campuses and introduce the fundamental characteristics of small states and analyze how Nepal fits into the picture. The event will illuminate the primary security threats, both internal and external, confronting Nepal in the changed domestic and international scenario and explore the possible strategies Nepal can take to effectively deal with the security threats. It will also help to establish the public relation among the researcher/academician.

The convener of the conference Satya Raj Joshi said, “The event will bring together leading experts, researchers, academicians and professionals from around the world to share insights, exchange knowledge, and discuss the latest advancements in the sector of peace promotion and security concern.”

The participants will get the opportunity to observe the session as they interact, share their views regarding research subject matter. The conference will be conducted through a participatory approach.

Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City has achieved 54 percent of its annual revenue target in the first half of the current fiscal year. 

The local government in Lumbini Province had set a target of collecting internal revenues amounting to Rs 190m for the fiscal year, and as of now, Rs 102.07m has been collected. 

The information about the revenue collection was shared during the 14th Convention of the Sub-metropolis Municipal Assembly, which concluded on Saturday.

Mayor Prashant Bista presented various agendas during the event, seeking approvals for plans for the current fiscal year, budget transfers, additional projects under the Prime Minister’s Employment Programme, public-private partnerships for waste management, and regulations for tobacco products in the town.

All proposed agendas were unanimously passed during the convention, according to Chief Administrative Officer Om Bahadur Khadka. The event was attended by ward chairs from all 23 wards, municipal executive assembly members, and local government employees. 

The sub-metropolis has made financial progress of 32.7 percent towards recurrent expenditure, of 13.42 percent towards capital expenditure and of 43.81 percent towards financial management. 

Likewise, it is stated in the progress report that provisions have been made for direct payment to the related bank account through the EFT system with the objective of making the payment process smooth and transparent.

A total of 250 persons have benefited from the 24-hour free ambulance service from home to hospital. 

Among other works mentioned in the progress report include: design and implementation of local curriculum, promotion of IT-friendly teaching and learning, conduction of continuous campaign for the sustainability of the Sub-metropolis as the child marriage-free sub-metropolis, monitoring of cooperatives, market monitoring, distribution of the social security allowances through the EFT and the operation of the weekly evening-time Maha Aarati rituals at Bageshwori Temple premises with support from the Sub-metropolis.   

Also included in the progress report are activities like the regular cleaning of the main roads in the city, the management of medical waste in an effective manner, conduction of various disaster prevention drills at ward number 3 and 7,  retrofitting of the vulnerable physical infrastructures and the formulation of several guidelines and policies related to public service.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that the Nepal government has been effortful to provide safe and sustainable drinking water service to the growing population of the Kathmandu Valley.

In his address to the inauguration of Melamchi drinking water diversion and redistribution held at Singhadurbar this morning, PM Dahal said the second phase of Yangri and Larke rivers diversion will be taken ahead with a specific action plan for sustainable arrangement of drinking water.

On the occasion, PM Dahal stressed the need to resolve the issue of drinking water in view of its growing demand with the rise in the Kathmandu populace.

"The government is effortful to provide safe and sustainable drinking water service. The construction of the head box of Melamchi drinking water project will be completed soon and the concrete action plan will be placed to take ahead the second phase of Yangri and Larke rivers diversion.

A comprehensive study and concrete action plan will be placed to reconstruct the project as a long-term solution of the project, the PM said, adding he had directed the concerned authorities to make arrangements to operate the existing alternative systems throughout the year.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 300 per tola in the domestic market on Monday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 119, 500 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 119, 200 per tola on Sunday.

Meanwhile, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 118, 950 per tola. It was traded at Rs 118, 650 per tola.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 1,420 per tola today.

The Election Commission on Sunday announced a code of conduct for the election of 19 National Assembly members slated for Jan 25, to be effective from Jan 16 till Jan 26.  

The code bars the use of public resources or assets for or against any party or candidate from Jan 16 to 26; use of government or public institutions or educational institutions for conducting poll-related gatherings or campaigns; production as well as use of materials with symbols of any party or candidate and publication as well as sharing of promotional contents through social media. 

It also prohibits officials of central, provincial and local executive bodies from using government resources and equipment for electioneering. 

In Nepal’s bicameral parliament, NA or the upper house consists of 59 members, of which 56 members are elected through the electoral college while three, including at least one woman, is nominated by the President on the recommendation of the government.

Ideally, NA is distinct from the lower house, which is dominated by politicians. It serves as an eclectic council of experts and scholars that advise the lower house or the House of Representatives during the lawmaking process. It plays a vital role in holding the HoR and the government to account. The upper house is also a permanent body, and the term of its member can last for a maximum of six years. One-third members retire every two years and elections are held accordingly. 

Much-awaited Melamchi water distribution is starting in Kathmandu Valley from today.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is scheduled to inaugurate the Melamchi drinking water diversion and redistribution from the premises of the Prime Minister's Office at Singha Durbar.

Secretary at the Ministry of Drinking Water, Suresh Acharya, said that water would be gradually distributed in Anamnagar, Minbhawan, Mahankalchaur, Rigni, Bhaktapur, Khumaltar, Balaju and Bansbari areas.

He said the water released into the tunnel from Ambathan of Sindhupalchowk reached Sundarijal last Wednesday and the quantity of drinking water will be measured and distributed to all areas of Kathmandu gradually.

PM Dahal had directed Minister for Drinking Water Mahendra Ray Yadav to make arrangements to bring Melamchi water to the capital.

Following the directives of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Drinking Water has taken initiative to bring water by repairing the Melamchi Drinking Water Project. Melamchi water, which was disrupted due to floods and landslides, has been brought back to Kathmandu.

On December 19, the Melamchi Drinking Water Development Committee and construction company, Sino Hydro, had reached an agreement to bring Melamchi water to Kathmandu within 28 days.

Around 170 million liters of water are being brought to Kathmandu daily from Melamchi. The source area of the project was damaged after a flood and landslide occurred in Melamchi rivulet on June 15, 2021.

Since then, Melamchi water has not been distributed regularly in Kathmandu.

The government has continued its efforts to bring Melamchi water to Kathmandu on a regular basis.

Maghe or Makar Sankranti is being observed throughout the country today.

On the day, people of Hindu communities take holy dips into rivers and ponds, worship at various temples and relish delicacies like ghee, yam, Khichadi and sweets like Chaku and sweets made of sesame and molasses.

As per the astrological chart, this day is called Makar Sankranti since the sun moves towards the northern hemisphere from this day onwards. On this day, the sun moves from the tropic of Capricorn to the tropic of Cancer. Likewise, the days get longer from today onwards.

A large number of devotees throng Devghat, Trishuli, Kaligandaki, Bagmati, Indrawati, Ridi, and other places on the river banks to take a holy bath and perform Shraddha.

The Tharu Community observes this festival as the Maghi with much fanfare and gaiety for five consecutive days.

Likewise, the people in the Tarai belt mark this day as the festival of bath known as Nahan. It is also celebrated by the Tharus as Maghi or the New Year with much fun fare.