Submit your Article

A team including Madhes Province chief minister has warned Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal of waging a struggle if the federal laws are not formulated pronto.

The team led by Madhes Province Chief Minister Saroj Kumar Yadav held a meeting with Prime Minister Dahal at Baluwatar on Sunday morning and drew his attention towards formulating the federal laws immediately as per the Constitution.

Clarifying that he and his party CPN (Maoist Center) brought the concept of federalism, the Prime Minister said that the government is serious about enacting the laws, according to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat.

“The party that fought the most for federalism is our party. You have seen the struggle and initiatives that I have taken for the federal democratic republic,” Prime Minister Dahal said, adding, “Even now, I have been working hard to formulate the federal laws on time. You have been supporting me for the same. You should also start taking initiatives in your respective parties to make the implementation of federalism effective.”

Saying that the government has already taken the bills related to federalism forward, he urged the leaders to postpone the programs of struggle as the bills should be endorsed from the Parliament.

Chief Minister Yadav said that they have taken the request of the Prime Minister positively.

Two persons died in a truck accident in Sitaganga Municipality of Arghakhanchi on Saturday.

The accident occurred when the driver lost control of the vehicle (Ba 6 Kha 2739) near the Rapti Bridge in Satmara along the Mahendra Highway.

Truck driver Sanjay Kumar Chaudhary (31) of Ramgram Municipality-18, Nawalparasi Paschim and his helper Bhola Kurmi died in the accident, police Inspector Bikram Rijal of the District Police Office said.

They succumbed to their injuries during treatment at the Zeus Hospital in Butwal.

Two people died when a jeep hit a motorbike on the bridge over Chitai Khola at Chitai Khola in Madi Municipality-1, Chitwan on Saturday.

Police identified the deceased as bike rider Surya Adhikari, accountant of the Someshwar Secondary School, and pillion rider Beg Bahadur Khatri, teacher of the same school.

Another teacher Bhawani Prasad Poudel was injured in the incident, Chief of Madi Area Police Office, Deepak Rijal, said.

The incident occurred when the four-wheeler (Lu 2 Cha 2508) hit the two-wheeler (Bagmati Province 06001P 4093) last evening.

Khatri died during the treatment at the Bagouda Hospital while Adhikari died at the Bharatpur Hospital this morning.

Adhikari was a resident of Madi Municipality-1 and Khatri was from Agrigaon of Sinta Rural Municipality-3, Surkhet.

Poudel, who was injured in the accident, is undergoing treatment at the Old Medical College in Bharatpur. His condition is reported to be stable.

Police said that they are looking into the case.

I’m in my early 40s and have recently lost someone very dear to me, a close family member. The grief has become this heavy, complex emotion that I find myself wrestling with daily sadness, anger, and an overwhelming sense of emptiness. Simple, everyday activities feel like monumental tasks, and there are moments when waves of sorrow hit me unexpectedly. What can I do to manage this pain?

Answered by Rishav Koirala, researcher and physiatrist

Grief is a complex and deeply personal experience, and the emotions you’re feeling whether it’s the weight of sadness, the intensity of anger, or the overwhelming sense of emptiness are entirely understandable. Facing such a significant loss in your early 40s adds another layer of complexity, as life transitions and responsibilities might already be demanding.

It’s crucial to recognize and embrace the spectrum of emotions that accompany grief. This multifaceted journey often involves navigating through different stages, and it’s entirely normal to feel a mix of emotions at various times. In your mourning process, seeking support is paramount. Whether you turn to friends, family, or a mental health professional, sharing your thoughts and feelings can be therapeutic. It creates a space for understanding and empathy, helping to alleviate some of the emotional burden.

Taking care of your well-being is a vital aspect of coping with grief. The toll that grief can take on your physical and mental health is substantial. Prioritize self-care by ensuring you get sufficient sleep, maintaining a balanced diet, and engaging in activities that bring you comfort or joy, even if they are small or simple.

Recognizing that grieving is a gradual process is important. There’s no set timeline for healing, and every person navigates this journey uniquely. Setting realistic expectations for yourself allows room for the ebb and flow of emotions. Establishing meaningful rituals or routines to honor the memory of your loved one can provide a sense of connection and continuity.

If the weight of grief becomes overwhelming, considering professional help is a valid and beneficial option. Therapists or counselors can offer specialized guidance tailored to your specific needs, providing coping strategies and emotional support. Additionally, joining support groups where individuals share similar experiences can be a source of comfort, understanding, and shared wisdom.

Remember that it’s entirely acceptable to mourn at your own pace, and seeking professional guidance doesn’t diminish your strength but rather enhances your ability to navigate through this challenging period. In your journey through grief, be patient with yourself, allow for moments of reflection, and embrace the support available to you as you work towards healing.

In numerous instances, former President of Nepal Bidya Devi Bhandari has underscored the interconnectedness of the country's education policy with its overall security. The security issues of Nepal are mentioned within the realm of national interest in the Constitution of Nepal, 2015.

Article 5 of the constitution states, “Independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, nationality, autonomy, self-respect, protection of rights and interest of Nepali people, protection of boundaries and economic progress and prosperity shall be fundamental subjects of Nepal’s national interest.”

President Bhandari's assertion that undermining a country involves compromising its education system prompts an exploration of its security implications for Nepal. 

While territorial integrity relies mainly on military defense, the broader facets of independence and sovereignty include the citizens' psyche, national perception and global image—elements constituting non-traditional security concerns globally. Against this backdrop, there exists a compelling rationale to consider the education curriculum, system and policy as integral components of the state's security policy. 

On Oct 7 this year, when Hamas attacked Israel, numerous foreign citizens, including 10 Nepali citizens, lost their lives. Many were initially stranded in the crossfire but have since been rescued and safely brought home. Unfortunately, one Nepali citizen is still missing and believed to be in Hamas’ captivity. The emotional toll on their families is unimaginable. In the aftermath of this tragic event, it became evident that citizens tend to hold only their country of citizenship accountable for their situations.

There is palpable resentment against the government and the state, not just for their perceived lack of strength in responding swiftly, but also for the fact that Nepali citizens are compelled to outmigrate for job opportunities. Recently, six Nepali citizens died fighting for the Russian army in the Russia-Ukraine war, and some have been reported as taken captive by Ukrainian forces. Many Nepali citizens are drawn to join various private army groups globally for employment opportunities.

While these instances represent literal war scenarios, the broader narrative involves a multitude of Nepali workers facing perilous conditions abroad, especially in West Asian countries. Their plight is no less than that in a battleground. The Nepali diaspora of about 2.2m bears witness to a growing trend of migration, primarily for jobs.

Since a majority of this workforce is unskilled, they have no option but to work in a precarious environment. The inherent link between job migration and national interest, as outlined in the charter, reveals a critical situation. Nepali citizens forced to seek opportunities abroad often face perilous conditions, prompting reflection on the state's responsibility in providing adequate employment domestically. The assertion that education is a non-traditional security concept gains traction as it becomes apparent that the state-provided formal education system does not cater to the needs of the society or the present job market. 

Examining the case of Nepali citizens migrating to Israel for work in agriculture underscores three dimensions of non-traditional security issues: Food security, acute dependency on other countries and a widening gap between societal needs and the workforce produced by the state. Despite having a significant agriculture-based economy, Nepal's import of food items worth over a billion dollars annually raises concerns about food security. According to the National Agricultural Census of 2021, the cultivated land has decreased by 300,000 hectares in the past decade, making it clear that a substantial portion of cultivable land has been lying fallow. Consequently, our citizens are seeking opportunities abroad as agricultural workers and students.

While bona fide defense systems address traditional security threats, there is a notable gap in tackling non-traditional security issues in Nepal. Citizens' distrust in the state, eroding self-respect and the well-being of those working abroad constitute security threats for Nepal. To address these challenges, Nepal must employ non-military strategies to bolster the population's capacity and build a resilient economy, with education curricula and the education system emerging as a plausible defense system.

Although no explicit references of countries designating education policy as part of their security policy has been found, resource-rich nations with vibrant economies prioritize research and feedback to shape education systems to align with the society and the economy. In the light of this, Nepali policymakers, educationists and security strategists should revisit the curricula. Considering education as a tool to defend Nepal's national interest and as an integral part of the national security policy could provide a forward-thinking solution to address the evolving challenges facing the nation.

In recent months, there has been a notable surge in foreign travels by ministers, parliamentarians, heads of constitutional bodies, security agencies and senior government officials for bilateral visits, and for participation in multilateral forums. These activities, which were restricted for three years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, have resumed, both from Nepal to other nations and vice-versa. While bilateral visits and international engagements are inherent to diplomatic practices, the level of transparency surrounding these visits has become a growing concern.

One key aspect to address is the lack of transparency in communicating the details of these visits. When ministers, heads of security agencies and constitutional bodies embark on foreign visits, there should be transparency regarding their agendas, meetings and discussions with foreign counterparts. 

The current practice of issuing brief and vague press releases just before the visits, without providing adequate information on the purpose and agenda, is insufficient. Since major powers seek to influence the state for their own interests, it becomes imperative to ensure transparency in these interactions. Sometimes, even the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nepali embassies abroad remain uninformed about high-level visits.

There is a considerable influx of visits from major countries to Nepal, but many of these visits are not disclosed to the public, and even when they are, the agendas remain undisclosed. The foreign ministry is often bypassed in such meetings. While the government had previously introduced a policy requiring high-level officials to submit reports to the Prime Minister's Office after foreign visits, this policy is often disregarded. It is now essential to revisit and reinforce such provisions to guarantee adherence.

There have been instances where high-level officials have entered agreements with foreign countries without informing relevant agencies, raising concerns about the potential compromise of Nepal's national interests. To safeguard against such risks, it is imperative to establish a comprehensive policy ensuring transparency in all high-level official visits.

The government on Thursday formed a high-level probe panel under former auditor-general Tanka Mani Sharma to investigate the suspicious Ncell share purchase deal. 

Phanindra Gautam, Baburam Bhandari, Hrydesh Shakya and Sujan Kumar Kafle are members of the panel. According to government spokesperson and Minister for Communication and Information Technology Rekha Sharma, the panel has been instructed to submit its report within a month after a thorough study of the matter. 

Amid reports about the controversial transaction came to the fore, the finance committee of the parliament on Wednesday urged the government to take measures to intervene in the ongoing share purchase deal. The government’s decision follows a series of meetings among the top leaders of the ruling coalition.  

Meanwhile, Ncell has said that the pricing and structure of the transaction was determined through a willing buyer and seller basis. As per the agreed deal structure, Axiata is set to receive a base payment, along with additional benefits in the form of profit-sharing for the next five years, extending until 2029, Ncell said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Appellate Court Patan has issued an interim order to halt the purchase of Ncell shares. A single bench of justice Purushttom Dhakal has also instructed the government to submit all details, including the shared details.

Earthquake activity increased in 2023 due to the activation of the Almora fault in western Nepal, India’s Ministry of Earth Sciences has said.

The ministry told the Lok Sabha that there have been 97 earthquakes of magnitudes 3.0 to 3.9 in 2023 compared to 41 in 2022 . The activation in the Almora fault triggered significant earthquake incidents on Jan 24, Oct 3 and Nov 3. All these three earthquakes were over magnitude 5.8.  "These main shocks, accompanied by subsequent aftershocks, have led to an increased frequency of earthquakes in the year 2023. However, the background seismicity remained unchanged during this period," the ministry informed the parliament.

It is common for northern India and Nepal to occasionally experience moderate earthquakes, and fluctuations in seismic activity. Nepal and the neighboring northern parts of India, situated near the active faults of the Himalayan region, are highly seismically active areas prone to frequent earthquakes due to collision tectonics, where the Indian plate subducts beneath the Eurasian Plate," the statement reads.

On Nov 3, a powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.4 hit Jagarkot and Rukum West districts, killing 154 people and injuring hundreds. After that more than 382 aftershocks have been reported. Experts say western Nepal remains vulnerable to bigger earthquakes as there has not been a big earthquake in the region for at least 520 years.