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Foreign Minister NP Saud, who is in New York to participate in the United Nations General Assembly, held a meeting with UN Under-Secretary-General for Politics and Peacekeeping Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo.

During the meeting held on Sunday, they discussed matters related to world peace and security. Various other initiatives to be taken for the establishment of peace were also discussed, according to the Permanent Mission of Nepali to the United Nations.

Foreign Secretary Bharatraj Paudyal and Head of the Permanent Mission to the United Nations Lok Bahadur Thapa among others were present in the meeting.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who is currently in New York to attend the 78th United Nations General Assembly, held a meeting with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in the UN Headquarters earlier today.

During the meeting, matters related to different issues including Nepal's peace process, peacekeeping, climate change, Sustainable Development Goals, Least Developed Countries and development financing were discussed.

"We agreed to further enhance Nepal-UN engagements and partnership", tweets the Prime Minister, while expressing delight to have met the UN Secretary General at the sidelines of the 78th session of the UNGA.

The 'Teej' festival, also known as the 'Haritalika', is being observed by Nepali Hindu women throughout the country on Monday.

Women fast and wish for a prosperous life for their spouse on this festival which falls on the third dark day of the lunar month according to Nepali month Bhadra. Women rejoice with various delicious dishes known as 'Dar' a day before 'Teej' and fast on the next day as per the tradition.

The three-day festivity begins with 'Dar' on the second day of the fortnight in the month of Bhadra and is marked with fasting and cultural programs the next day.

Women on this day take ritual baths in the morning and offer worship while in the evening. They pay homage to Lord Shiva, light lamps and spend the night awake.

The festivity comes to an end on the fifth day of fortnight after worshiping the legendary 'Saptarishi' (seven sages).

This unique festival of Nepali women is also a celebration of sisterhood as sisters gather at their natal home and indulge in jubilant dancing and singing.

The legend has it that Parbati, the daughter of Himalayas, was on her maiden fast, wishing for the health and the wellbeing of her spouse, Lord Shiva.  Since then the same day has been recognized as the Haritalika Teej.

Married women put on bangles, ‘Pote’ (a necklace made of glass beads), ‘Tilahari’ and ‘Sindur’ (crimson powder) considered the symbols of good luck and dress themselves up in red saris or other red outfits and adorn themselves with different kinds of ornaments.

Both married and unmarried women perform various ‘pujas’ (worships) and observe fasting, praying for fulfillment of their wish for a happy and prosperous conjugal life.

The Pashupatinath Temple in the capital sees an overwhelming number of women devotees this day.

Art can feel intimidating, especially if you feel like you don’t know the context of what you are looking at. Sometimes, you might feel like you lack the vocabulary to understand and discuss visual arts. It could be because you aren’t aware of the different mediums or techniques used. Or you feel you don’t have the knowledge about the different cultures and backdrops that inspire art. It’s not unusual for people to be intimidated by museums and art galleries, thinking it’s a place reserved for professors, gallery owners, and artists. But you needn’t have taken up a course on art appreciation in college to be able to view and enjoy art. Some simple techniques can help you view art with a more critical eye.

First up, take your time

At an art gallery or museum, don’t rush from one piece to the next. Take your time to properly look at an artwork. According to studies, a person spends roughly 15 to 30 seconds looking at a piece of art. This isn’t enough for you to be able to grasp the concept of the art. Read the wall text that accompanies the art and think it over. It helps if you do a little research before visiting an exhibition. You will know the artist and his/her style and be able to make an informed opinion. Don’t overthink it. Let your thoughts flow. How does the work of art make you feel? Does it calm your anxious mind or do you feel overwhelmed? What might be going on in the artist’s mind when working on the piece? These are some things you can reflect on as you look at art.

Focus on the shape and color

Artists often use the flow of shapes to show you what’s important in their pieces. If something catches your eye, it’s possible that this is where the artist wants to draw your attention. So, look for possible shapes and lines and figure out what it’s trying to convey. Different colors evoke different feelings. Try to look at the colors used by the artist. Are they bold or are they subtle? What emotion does it stir in you? Do you feel there is a color there shouldn’t be in the subject matter? Are there any hues that stand out from the other colors in the piece? Notice the play of light as well. Do some colors appear darker or paler than others? The use of colors is often an artist’s way of delivering certain messages.

Don’t be shy to voice your opinion

Art is all about perspective. What appeals to you might not have the same effect on your friend. It’s always a good idea to go to exhibitions alone or at least move about alone so that someone else’s opinion doesn’t cloud yours. Then, when something strikes you or you feel a certain emotion while looking at a painting, don’t be afraid to let that thought come. Don’t try to think or feel a certain way because you know the artist’s history and feel obliged to like the work. You can like or dislike a certain work without having to justify why. But it helps if you have some knowledge about artists so you can be more critical in your judgment.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 42. 14 points to close at 1,964.91 points on Sunday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 8. 12 points to close at 378. 68 points.

A total of 5,659,458-unit shares of 278 companies were traded for Rs 2. 02 billion.

Meanwhile, Shuvam Power Limited was the top gainer today with its price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Likewise, Molung Hydropower Company Limited was the top loser as its price dropped by 9. 21 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 2. 94 trillion.

The government has formed a talks team to hold a dialogue with the protesting Nepal Medical Association.

Minister for Health and Population Mohan Bahadur Basnet formed a five-member talks team with the Ministry's additional Secretary Dr Bikash Devkota as coordinator, Joint Secretary at the Ministry Tulasinath Gautam said.

A joint secretary each from the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and the Ministry of Health and Population is the member of the team.

The talks team has immediately called the doctors for talks.

The Association has shut down all the services, except the emergency, at the health facilities throughout the country today, calling for action against those responsible for assaulting doctors.

The NMA decision comes as an organized pressure to seek action against those involved in the physical assault on two doctors at Sancho Hospital in Hetauda on September 13.

A powerful bomb exploded in Banke along the East-West Highway on Saturday.

DSP Narayan Dangi, spokesperson at the District Police Office, Banke, said that the bomb exploded on the road in Rapti Sonari Rural Municipality last night.

Dangi said that it could be the mine of the insurgency period. 

“It was the mine of the insurgency period. No one knew about the explosion. There were no human casualties. Nepal Army personnel found the pieces of iron while searching for more mines,” he said.

A team of security personnel including the Nepal Army inspected the bomb explosion site this morning.

I’m a 30-year-old woman and I have trouble managing my emotions. I get hurt easily and I tend to lash out and say mean things in response. I get angry often and that too at the drop of a hat. I want to control myself but I’m easily agitated. What can I do to manage my emotions better and not react to everything that happens in a negative way?  

Answered by Rishav Koirala, psychiatrist and researcher

Effectively managing emotions, especially when they tend to lead to impulsive reactions like hurtful comments and heightened anger, is a multifaceted endeavor. It starts with developing a deep sense of self-awareness, involving an honest examination of your emotions and their triggers. Keeping a journal to track these triggers can provide valuable insights. Practicing deep breathing and mindfulness techniques can help you stay grounded in the present and mitigate the physiological effects of strong emotions. Additionally, employing a pause, such as counting to ten, before responding to emotional triggers can prevent impulsive reactions.

Identifying and challenging negative thought patterns, possibly with the assistance of cognitive behavioral therapy, is pivotal in changing the way you interpret and respond to situations. Seeking professional help, especially if these emotional challenges significantly affect your life and relationships, can provide you with specialized strategies and support. Healthy outlets like physical activities, creative expressions, and learning conflict resolution skills are vital tools in managing emotions constructively. Cultivating empathy and understanding for others’ perspectives, coupled with positive coping mechanisms and patience with yourself during the learning process, can contribute to more effective emotional management and a healthier outlook in life.

Treatment options may include a combination of psychotherapy, such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which can equip you with better emotional control and coping strategies. You might also need to be on medication if there is an underlying mood or anxiety disorder contributing to your emotional struggles.

Additionally, I would recommend establishing a holistic approach to emotional well-being, which may include lifestyle modifications such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and stress management techniques. Developing a support network and learning communication and conflict resolution skills can further enhance emotional regulation.

Ultimately, my goal as a psychiatrist would be to work collaboratively with you to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses the root causes of your emotional challenges and helps you achieve better emotional control and well-being.