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The price of gold has increased by Rs 500 per tola in the domestic market on Sunday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 112, 300 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 111, 800 per tola on Friday.

Meanwhile, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 111, 750 per tola. It was traded at Rs 111, 250 per tola.

Similarly, the price of silver has increased by Rs 5 and is being traded at Rs 1,400 per tola today.

The number of people suffering from influenza infection is found to be increasing in Banke district.

The number of people being confirmed with influenza infection has been increasing since the past two weeks, said Influenza Focal Person Consultant Physician of the Bheri hospital, Dr Khagendrajung Shah.

The hospital has sent the samples collected from the patients to the National Public Health Laboratory for testing.

People with influenza suffer from cold, fever, headache, fatigue, runny nose, sneezing, and body aches. Similarly, there are symptoms such as sore eyes, headache, nasal congestion, sore throat, breathing problems, and diarrhea in children. The number of patients is increasing as the weather changes.

"Seasonal influenza is a type of virus infection, it is also called flu, and is transmitted through breathing", said, Chief of the hospital's laboratory Prasanna Mishra, "it is very contagious and the risk of transmission from one family member to another and among school students is high."

Every day around 30 to 35 people who come to the outpatient service of Bheri Hospital for check-up are found suffering from cold and Influenza is confirmed in most of them, said chief consultant physician and head of the medicine department of the hospital, Dr Rajan Pandey.

The flu affects the elderly, chronically ill, malnourished children, diabetic, high blood pressure and heart patients who are on regular medication. Dr Pandey suggests that it is advisable to get vaccinated against influenza to avoid various types of viral infection.

Nepal Medical Association has decided to shut down all medical services except emergency care in all the health institutions across the country on Sunday.

The Association said that it has decided to halt all services except emergency after the government did not take action against those involved in attacking the doctors of Sancho Hospital in Hetauda despite giving an ultimatum to take necessary action within 72 hours.

“The Nepal Medical Association had demanded legal action against the culprits by issuing an ultimatum of 72 hours on September 13. The Association was forced to make public the protest programs from September 17 after the Nepal government did not bring all the culprits involved in the incident to justice,” reads a statement issued by the Association.

It has been mentioned in the statement that all the services except emergency care will be shut down in all the government health institutions, hospitals, medical colleges, private hospitals and clinics across the country.

“All the health institutions, hospitals and medical colleges and all the branch offices of Nepal Medical Association among others are urged to pile pressure on the government to address all the demands by making the protest programs organized in compulsion fully successful,” the statement further reads.

The Association has demanded that all the culprits involved in the attack on the doctors be booked at the earliest.

Dr Bikash Thapa and Dr Prashant Bidari of Sancho Hospital were attacked while they were treating patients on September 13.

The kith and kin of a man, who was referred to Chitwan from Sancho Hospital for the treatment of dengue infection, attacked the doctors after he died in the course of treatment on August 10.

Most of us would like to join a gym but with a gazillion things to do, we just don’t seem to have the time. So we make do with home workouts. After all, YouTube has made exercising accessible and easy. There are even quick 10-minute workouts that you can do when you are in a rush. But joining a gym has its perks. You are more likely to be consistent with your workouts and reach your fitness goals when someone is guiding you. 

Prashant Maharjan, who runs Evergreen Fitness in Lalitpur, is a qualified personal trainer with eight years of experience in helping people achieve their fitness goals. Babita Shrestha from ApEx spoke to Maharjan who believes going to the gym is always a good idea if you want to become healthy and fit. 

What are the benefits of working out at a gym compared to exercising at home?

Home workouts and gym workouts serve different purposes. Home workouts typically focus on flexibility, whereas working out at a gym involves weight training, cardio, and muscle toning. It’s multi-faceted. It’s also always a good idea to work out with a professional guiding you so that you don’t make mistakes that can result in injuries. 

Gyms are equipped with trainers who can help you figure out what works for you as well as keep you motivated. Having a trainer by your side will ensure that your approach, form, and technique are correct. Additionally, trainers will also be able to give you information about your lifestyle and diet so that you can make better choices outside the gym as well. 

Why is form and technique important while exercising?

Every piece of equipment has a specific purpose and if it’s not used properly, it can lead to injuries. A good understanding of form can help avoid strains and injuries. You have to make sure your posture is right as that prevents unwanted twisting of muscles. Also, proper usage of exercise equipment can result in enhanced physical strength and help people reach their fitness goals. Good form and technique are crucial for a pain-free exercise session. 

How do you make sure your exercise session is safe? 

It’s vital to warm up before starting an intense workout. Make sure you don’t push yourself too much, only do as much as your body allows. I would also recommend drinking enough water 30 minutes before working out and then taking little sips in between to avoid dehydration and fatigue. At the gym, don’t try to copy other people. Figure out what works for you. Asking the trainer for help is always a good idea. 

What’s the right way to increase muscle mass and lose weight?

Eighty percent of muscle gain depends on your diet. Only 20 percent of it is exercise-related. You want to focus on a nutrient-dense diet with enough lean protein. Chickpea can be a great substitute for protein powder in your diet, given that it’s more cost-effective. Bananas are regarded as the fruit of paradise because they help in muscle growth and weight gain. You might want to use weights and resistance equipment in addition to doing exercises like squats and weightlifting. To lose weight, you must cut down your calorie and carb intake. Exercises that increase cardiovascular activity, such as running, cycling, aerobics, and high-intensity interval training can help burn calories while preserving muscle mass.

What are some common fitness myths?

The most common fitness myth is diet-related. People believe they have to eat less to lose weight. It’s not about how much you eat but what you eat. Your diet should be rich in the right kind of nutrients depending on your fitness goals. Then, people tend to believe that taking a break from exercising can lead to weight gain but that’s not true at all. It’s important to have rest days to allow your body to recover. 

Talking about rest days, how can you achieve the right balance between training and recovery? 

Recovery typically takes 48 hours, which is why four to five days of working out is enough for everybody. When you workout, you create microscopic tears in your muscles and rest days are important for your muscles to heal and grow back stronger. During rest days, your body gets the chance to remove the excess lactate from the muscles and that can help relieve muscle pain and soreness. Rest days are also important because overexercising can tire your mind along with your body. I’d also advise people to get at least eight hours of sleep to achieve mind-body harmony. 

How important is goal-setting in fitness and how can you be realistic about it?

Goal-setting is important as it helps you understand what you want to achieve. Take pictures and videos before and after your workout sessions, say every week or so, to monitor your progress. To monitor muscle mass and fat reduction, use a measuring tape. These days, it’s possible to measure calories burnt and pulse rate using wearable devices. One thing you shouldn’t do is weigh or measure yourself every day. Have fixed days for it. Be consistent with your routine and don’t be too hard on yourself if and when you miss a few sessions.

BHUPI: A Daughter’s Memoir

Kavita Sherchan

Non-Fiction | Memoir

Bhupi Sherchan, a revered poet and widely read figure in Nepal, was a man of intriguing complexities. While he passionately embraced communist ideals and championed social justice, he was unapologetically flamboyant and indulgent. This paradox fueled the rumors and tales that overshadowed his literary contributions.

In A Daughter's Memoir , Kavita Sherchan reflects on her upbringing, plagued by conflicting narratives about her father, who passed away too early, leaving her with unanswered questions. Now, decades later, she embarks on a journey to unravel the enigma that was her father—a man tormented beneath a facade of rakish charm.

The book offers an intimate portrayal of Bhupi Sherchan, an iconic figure whose profound influence transcends the mystifying persona surrounding him. 

I Fell in Love with Hope

Lancali

Romance | LGBT

Against the unforgiving landscape of a hospital, I fell in love with a mischievous, sun-eyed boy who became my only joy in that desolate place. That’s what made it all the more soul-crushing when he committed suicide in front of me.

Before death inevitably knocks down our doors, my thieves and I have one last heist planned. A great escape that will take us far from abusive parents, crippling loss, and the realities of our diseases. So what happens when someone else walks through the door? What happens when a girl joins our party and renders me speechless with her mischievous smile? What happens when she has suns in her eyes, and as terrified as I am to lose again, I start to fall? 

Dotcom Secrets

Russell Brunson

Business | Entrepreneurship  

If you are currently struggling with getting traffic to your website, or converting that traffic when it shows up, you may think you’ve got a traffic or conversion problem. In Russell Brunson’s experience, after working with thousands of businesses, he has found that’s rarely the case. Low traffic and weak conversion numbers are just symptoms of a much greater problem, a problem that’s a little harder to see (that’s the bad news), but a lot easier to fix (that’s the good news). Dotcom Secrets will give you the marketing funnels and the sales scripts you need to be able to turn on a flood of new leads into your business. 

All these titles are more are available at Bookverse, 4th floor, Civil Mall, Sundhara, Kathmandu

They have a special offer of 20% off on all books and 10% off on the rest of the items for today, September 15. 

Amidst the country’s economic downturn, there has been a sharp upswing in banking offense cases in the last fiscal year. Both large and small businesses, along with individuals, have encountered difficulties in meeting their financial responsibilities on time, which according to Nepal Police has resulted in a rise in banking offense cases. 

The statistics of Nepal Police show such cases increased by 124 percent in terms of number and 386 percent in terms of amount in FY 2022/23. A total of 12,128 cases of banking offenses with the amount equal to Rs 69.15bn were registered in the last fiscal year. 

The majority of banking offense cases were related to cheque bounce, followed by denial by cooperatives to withdraw depositors' money.

Out of all the banking offense cases, an overwhelming 99 percent were associated with bounced or dishonored cheques. According to the Banking Offense and Punishment Act of 2008, failing to honor a written check three times due to insufficient funds in the account is considered a banking offense. Police records indicate that a staggering 12,030 cases were filed for bounced cheques, involving a total sum of Rs 47.50bn.

The second-highest number of registered banking offense cases pertains to cooperative institutions, where depositors have faced difficulties accessing their deposited funds. A total of 53 cases related to cooperative fraud have been recorded, involving a substantial amount of Rs 18.82bn.

The data reveals a significant spike in both bad check cases and cooperative fraud cases in the last fiscal year compared to the preceding one. In FY 2021/22, there were 5,370 cases involving bad cheques, amounting to Rs 6.71bn, and 15 cases related to cooperative fraud, totaling Rs 7.39bn.

In most cooperative fraud cases linked to defaults, promoters have gathered deposits by enticing depositors with the promise of substantial returns. They then invested these funds in unproductive sectors such as real estate. When depositors sought to retrieve their money, the promoters were unable to fulfill their obligations.

Out of the 32,000 cooperatives operating in the country, the bulk of the problematic ones belong to the category of savings and credit cooperatives. The Department of Cooperatives has identified issues in approximately 125 cooperatives.

Thousands of individuals who entrusted their hard-earned money to these cooperatives are now facing difficulties as the operators have become unreachable. In cases where contact is still possible, depositors are being informed that an immediate return of their deposits cannot be facilitated.

Experts link the increase in banking fraud to the ongoing economic turmoil. The market has experienced a disruption in the circulation of money, primarily due to an extended liquidity shortage and a decrease in overall demand. Furthermore, the higher interest rates imposed by banks and financial institutions have had a severe impact on small businesses.

Companies and individuals issue cheques of a certain date to settle their business and personal transactions. However, due to the recent downturn in business, the ability of companies and individuals to pay their creditors has weakened. People often issue bad cheques to their creditors to avoid a difficult situation.

.Both companies and individuals commonly use dated cheques to settle their commercial and personal transactions. Nevertheless, owing to the recent decline in business conditions, the capacity of both companies and individuals to meet their financial obligations has diminished. As a means of circumventing a challenging predicament, individuals frequently end up issuing insufficient funds checks to their creditors. Nepal Police Spokesperson Kuber Kadayat said that the number of banking fraud cases has increased due to the recent economic crisis.

According to police data, cases related to banking fraud have been increasing every year. There were only 755 banking offense cases registered by the Nepal Police in FY 2017/18 which continued to surge in the next two fiscal years. However, there was some decline in the registration of fraud cases in FY 2020/21. However, in the last two years, banking offense cases have again started to increase. Along with the cases, the monetary amount of banking fraud has also surged.

According to police statistics, instances of banking fraud have been on a consistent upward trend over the years. In the fiscal year 2017/18, Nepal Police recorded just 755 banking offense cases, but this number steadily rose over the following two fiscal years. However, there was a slight reduction in the incidence of fraud cases during FY 2020/21. Nevertheless, over the last two years, the occurrences of banking offenses have once again started to climb, and concurrently, the monetary value associated with these fraud cases has also surged.

Banking Offense Cases

Road upgrading work is underway on the Surkhet section of Madan Bhandari Highway. While work is progressing satisfactorily in the eastern part of the district, delays in obtaining clearance for tree felling have affected upgrading efforts in the western part of the district.

Work on the 45-kilometer section between Baddichaur and Balde in the western part of the district has been impacted. Since the road traverses through forested areas, clearance from the federal cabinet is mandatory to fell trees. Due to the delay in getting approval to fell trees, the contractor is focusing on sections where tree felling is not required. This road connects the western parts of the district to the district headquarters, Birendranagar. Local residents have been experiencing significant hardships due to the delays in road upgrading work.

The western section of the highway has been divided into three segments. The Baddichaur-Khambagade segment spans 13 km, with approximately 7 km passing through forested areas. Progress in this segment is sluggish due to the lack of forest clearance. Nevertheless, the construction company is actively working on other components such as drainage and culvert construction, Gabion wall installation.

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the 22-km second segment between Bidyapur and Balde has already received approval. However, the proposal for forest clearance for this segment is also pending in the cabinet. The third segment, spanning 10 kilometers from Khambagade to Bidyapur, is being managed by the Karnali Province government, and work has not yet commenced on this portion.

“Work on the eastern section is progressing according to plan as we have already received forest clearance for that section. However, work on the western section has been hindered by the delay in obtaining forest clearance,” Shambu Prasad Acharya, the project’s chief, said.

The project office is currently opening and widening tracks on this section. According to the project office, the project can still be completed on time if clearance is obtained promptly.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Nanda Chapain, who recently visited the site, expressed her commitment to removing obstacles in the road upgrading project. “I will take the necessary steps to secure forest clearance at the earliest,” she affirmed.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has apprised the Parliament of his New York and China visit.

Dahal is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Hangzhou.

Prime Minister Dahal, who is leaving for Hangzhou of China straight from New York on September 22, is scheduled to call on Chinese President Xi on September 23.

After meeting the Chinese President, he will take part in the Asian Games.

The next day, he will meet his Chinese counterpart, Li Qiang.

Prime Minister Dahal said that bilateral agreements will be signed between Nepal and China during the meeting with his Chinese counterpart.

He, however, did not reveal anything about the agreements to be signed in the meeting.

Prime Minister Dahal said that Nepal and China have had a close relationship for a long time.

Saying that Nepal and China are development partners, he said that China’s role is very important in Nepal’s development.