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Prime Minister Pushpakamal Dahal has said that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Project is in the final stage of implementation.

Addressing the Nepal-China Business Summit on Sunday, Prime Minister Dahal said that Nepal joined the BRI Project in 2017 and is now in the final stage of its implementation.

The Prime Minister said that work is being done on cross-border economic zones, road corridors, railways and transmission lines between Nepal and China.

He said that Nepal had imported goods from third countries by using the Chinese port some time ago.

“Importing goods from third countries by using the Chinese port is the implementation of Nepal-China transit agreement.

Prime Minister Dahal said that Chinese President Xi Jinping and he discussed the issue of taking economic cooperation and partnership ahead.

The Prime Minister said that Chinese President Xi and he had a serious discussion on strengthening the cross-border connectivity.

Saying that Nepal is a suitable country for investment, he urged the Chinese businessmen to increase investment in the country.

“Nepal has become a very attractive destination for Chinese industry to invest,” he said.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Dahal also discussed the historical relationship between the two countries.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 18. 42 points to close at 2,010.35 points on Sunday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 3. 10 points to close at 385. 62 points.

A total of 9,003,941-unit shares of 285 companies were traded for Rs 2. 23 billion.

Meanwhile, Swarojgar Laghu Bitta Bikas Bank Ltd,  Himalayan Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited and Asian Hydropower Limited were the top gainers today with their price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Likewise, Shuvam Power Limited was the top loser with its price dropped by 10. 90 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 3. 04 trillion.

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Preparations for Indra Jatra, one of the biggest festivals of Kathmandu Valley, have begun.

As a part of the preparations, Gaddi Baithak in Hanumandhoka, Kathmandu is being painted for the Indra Jatra. Kumarighar and other temples are also being decorated for the festival.

Chariots of Kumari, Bhairav ​​and Ganesh are also kept ready for Indra Jatra while the wooden log, called Ya Sin in Nepalbhasa, has been brought to Hanumandhoka on Saturday.

The festival will begin after the erection of the wooden log outside Hanumandhoka Palace amidst a ritual in the morning of September 26.

Along with Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur on Kathmandu, the festival is also celebrated in Dulikhel and Dolakha among other places.

The festival will conclude on October 2.

Lawmaker of Texas State, US, Salman Bhojani, has shown keen interest in promoting tourism in Nepal.

Stating that he developed deep love towards Nepal and Nepali people, he would assist actively for promotion of tourism and Nepali community.

In his first ever visit to Nepal, Bhojani said, "I'm overwhelmed with unbound happiness."

At an interaction before heading to Mt Everest base camp on Saturday, he said, "I've arrived here today all because of the assistance of Nepalis living in the US. My love and good will continues in Nepal."

He is the first Muslim lawmaker with Pakistani origin in Texas State, USA. He is popular among Nepali community there. Bhojani reminded that he had visited Nepali community wearing a dhaka cap and daura suruwal while requesting to vote during the election.

"Nepali community is thriving in Texas, USA. I had communicated in Nepali language during the election campaign," he shared, adding that Nepal is rich in natural beauty and culture, which he believed would contribute to tourism and economic prosperity.

According to him, tourism can be a significant medium to prop up the economy. Nepal houses the Sagarmatha, Pashupatinath, Lumbini and other historic places. They are related to Nepal's prestige and glory.

Bhojani's life struggle and success is inspiring for others. The person who worked at a gas station in 2003 is now a Texas lawmaker and an attorney. He continued his study despite struggle.

He vowed to continue visiting Nepal along with family for the promotion of tourism and assisting for sustainable peace and development.

In Texas, he is very familiar with Nepali community. He played a role in observing Nepal Day in his State. Similarly, his leading role to recognize Nepalis' festivals as Dashain, Tihar and Teej for public holidays in Texas is equally unforgettable. Moreover, he is actively involved in solving problems such as citizenship and employment for Nepalis.

Bhojani is a successful business icon as well.

Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) bid farewell to the cricket players leaving for China to take part in the Asian Games.

Newly elected office bearers of CAN bid farewell to the cricket players amidst a function in Kathmandu on Sunday morning.

Newly elected Chairman Chatur Bahadur Chand and Secretary Paras Khadka were present in the program.

Sandeep Lamichhane did not take part in the farewell program as the hearing of the case against him at the Kathmandu District Court has been scheduled for today.

He will leave for China by Tuesday if the case is resolved or the hearing is postponed.

The Nepali cricket team is leaving for Hangzhou today by China Airlines flight.

Jumbahadur Budhathoki Magar (73) from Nisikhola Rural Municipality-5 of Baglung district has an apple orchard with 200 trees of both local and Italian species.

He had sold 15 quintals of apples last year, but the production slumped this time. The apple production declined sharply because hailstone occurred last March and April. Now, the orchard wears a dreary look.

Magar had been doing traditional apple farming since 2048 BS. He has the farm in 15 ropani of land at Masgaon. Although the Italian species of apple which began two years back gave good yield last year, it witnessed a slump this time. "I had planned to sell 20 to 25 quintals of apples this year, but in vain," he said, adding that hailstone damaged it in the beginning of the flowering season.

Even the farmers at Niseldhor area are worried over the meager product. With this, some of them have shifted to potato farming.

Magar had planted 200 saplings of Italian species of apple. He explained, "After I became Chairman of Dhorpatan Apple Bloc, we began collective apple farming. I'm leading the apple farmers of Neseldhoka as well. The Italian species of apple gave a good harvest last year, but the hailstone damaged it during flowering this year."

Although the farmers here were not attracted to apple farming because of snow, and rains in the Dhorpatan area, the Agriculture Knowledge Centre encouraged them to opt for it after successful test production of Italian species of apple.

Earlier, Dhorpatan valley, Sentung, Shyalpakhe, Niseldhor and Mas were conducting traditional farming, but at a minimum scale.

Farmer from Dhorpatan-9, Ram Bahadur Gharti, informed that he also had a good harvest from 181 trees last year. But the production declined much this time.

Preparations for the Indra Jatra are a vibrant and culturally rich affair that begins well in advance of the main event. The annual traditional festival begins on Bhadra Shukla Chaturdashi, according to the Nepali calendar. The main festival of Indra Jatra falls on September 28 this year.

The festival involves colorful masks and costumes. Tej Bahadur Chitrakar and Narendra Chitrakar seem busy painting the masks of deities including the ‘Halchok Bhairav’ and ‘Dee: Pyakhan’ dance mask, as well as ‘Pulukisi’ (white elephant). These masks are an essential part of the festival’s cultural performances, including the famous Lakhe.

Temples, shrines, and historic sites around the Kathmandu Valley are being given a makeover with repainting, and adorned with colorful decorations to create a festive atmosphere.

The neo-classical palace also known as Gaddi Baithak is also being given a facelift. Gigantic chariots, each dedicated to a specific deity like Kumari, Bhairav, and Ganesha, are kept outside the Gaddi Baithk ahead of the festival.

The performers, often from the local communities, have started practicing the traditional dances associated with different gods, goddesses, and demons for the festival.

Indra Jatra was started by King Gunakamadeva to commemorate the founding of Kathmandu city in the 10th century. The celebrations are held according to the lunar calendar.

As Indra Jatra approaches, the enthusiasm and excitement become palpable. The festival not only celebrates Nepal’s rich cultural heritage but also brings the community together in a spirit of unity and devotion.

It’s a time when locals and visitors can immerse themselves in the vibrant colors, rituals, and traditions that define Nepal’s unique cultural identity.

The Dark Beneath the Waves

Manan Karki

Fiction | Novel

The Dark Beneath the Waves is set in the hinterlands of the Nepali Himalaya, and it’s against this almost ethereal backdrop that the very human narrative unfolds—of treachery and deceit, of guilt and a desperate search for redemption. Marked by the poise and poetry of its language, and its evocation of the landscape in all its grandeur and desolation, the novel is a lyrical exploration of human frailty and of human despair. 

When Breath Becomes Air

Paul Kalanithi

Non-Fiction | Memoir

A profoundly moving, exquisitely observed memoir by a young neurosurgeon faced with a terminal cancer diagnosis who attempts to answer the question ‘What makes a life worth living?’ What do you do when the future, no longer a ladder toward your goals in life, flattens out into a perpetual present? What does it mean to have a child, to nurture a new life as another fades away? These are some of the questions Kalanithi wrestles with in this profoundly moving, exquisitely observed memoir. 

Age of Anxiety

Amrita Tripathi & Kamna Chhibber

Non-Fiction | Self Help

Through this book we will learn how to distinguish between anxiety as “an attack of the nerves” or something that will come and go, and anxiety as a disorder, which will need treatment, including possibly therapy or medication. Co-authored by writer Amrita Tripathi and clinical psychologist Kamna Chhibber,  Age of Anxiety features a foreword by leading psychiatrist Dr Achal Bhagat, and stories and interviews centered around lived experiences. It also features advice and insight from mental health professionals in India, drawing on their own expertise to share information that can help us move the needle on conversations that make a difference.