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‘Gumraah’, available on Netflix, is a captivating whodunit in which the identity of the killer is unveiled right at the start. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes evident that there is more to it than meets the eye. Two individuals, both identical, vehemently deny their involvement in the murder, leaving the audience perplexed. The Hindi-language thriller ‘Gumraah’ is an official remake of the Tamil sleeper hit movie ‘Thadam,’ starring Arun Vijay, which was also remade into Telugu as ‘Red,’ featuring Ram Pothineni. Drawing inspiration from true stories of similar crimes, the movie retains its mind-boggling suspense until the end. As I had watched both the South Indian versions, I approached Gumraah with a sense of skepticism. Bollywood has, on one too many occasions, failed to do justice to remakes, diluting the essence of the original movies. But I’m delighted to share that the makers of ‘Gumraah’ have not only succeeded in adapting the movie effectively but have also managed to preserve its intrigue, thrill, and suspense. The outstanding performance of Aditya Roy Kapoor, who is seen in the lead role, deserves a special mention. Kapoor, an underrated talent of Bollywood, has yet to find his rightful place in Hindi cinema. In ‘Gumraah’, he seizes the opportunity to showcase his acting prowess, convincingly playing the tricky doppelganger suspects, Arjun Saigal and Ronnie. He effortlessly navigates the complexities of these two contrasting characters, infusing them with distinct emotions that leave a lasting impact on the audience. Director Vardhan Ketkar’s sharp vision and meticulous execution, combined with the screenplay by Aseem Arora and Magizh Thirumeni, successfully recreate the drama and suspense of the original Tamil movie. ‘Gumraah’ effectively uses flashbacks to build its narrative, keeping the viewers on the edge of their seats. While there may be a few instances where certain scenes feel a little sluggish, the overall impact is overshadowed by the commendable performances and skillful filmmaking. Furthermore, Vineet Malhotra’s cinematography adds another layer of depth to the storytelling. His adept use of lighting, shadows, and framing enhances the mood of the movie, creating an atmosphere of tension and uncertainty. The juxtaposition of vibrant colors with somber tones further intensifies the visual experience, perfectly complementing the narrative’s dark and mysterious nature. Malhotra'’ contribution significantly elevates the overall quality of ‘Gumraah’, making it a visually captivating thriller. The movie’s focus on two suspects who bear an uncanny resemblance poses a unique challenge for the writers and director in maintaining the delicate balance of guilt and innocence. However, they skillfully navigate this challenge, masterfully crafting a narrative that keeps the audience guessing until the climactic revelation. For viewers who have not watched the earlier versions, ‘Gumraah’ offers a special treat as the unexpected outcome makes an unnerving impact. In addition to Kapoor’s standout performance, the supporting cast delivers commendable portrayals. Mrunal Thakur shines as Sub Inspector Shivani Mathur, a headstrong and determined cop assigned to investigate the case. Thakur embodies the role with conviction, portraying a character who refuses to back down in the face of adversity. Ronit Roy impresses as ACP Dhiren Yadava, a conniving officer with a personal vendetta against Arjun, willing to compromise his morals and ethics to ensure his incarceration. Who should watch it? ‘Gumraah’ is a gripping thriller that appeals to both those unfamiliar with the earlier versions and those who have seen the Tamil or Telugu adaptations. With Aditya Roy Kapoor’s stellar portrayal of the doppelgangers, coupled with the movie’s engaging storyline and skillful direction, it offers a riveting cinematic experience. The added dimension brought by Vineet Malhotra’s cinematography further enhances the movie’s visual appeal. If you’re in search of an enthralling whodunit with a captivating climax, ‘Gumraah’ should be at the top of your watchlist. Gumraah Rating: 3.5 stars Genre: Crime thriller Director: Vardhan Ketkar Actors: Aditya Roy Kapoor, Mrunal Thakur, Ronit Roy Rune time: 2hrs 7mins  

Monsoon rains provide a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and viruses. Therefore, with the onset of the monsoon there is always a risk for a rise of infectious diseases. If the public is unaware, the risk for the outbreak of the infectious diseases will take a toll on the lives of people. There are chances of vector- and water-borne diseases appearing during the monsoon season, but they can be prevented through protective measures and community mobilization, health experts say. Diarrheal diseases With the rainfall water sources get polluted and as a result a large number of people could suffer from diarrheal diseases. There is a risk of diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, and salmonellosis breaking out during the rainy season. Such outbreaks are usually caused by  polluted water resources. Flooding sweeps decayed particles, dead animal carcasses, sewage and several other pollutants with them polluting clean water. “Consumption of such water and food washed and prepared using such polluted water causes diarrheal diseases,” says Dr Sher Bahadur Pun, chief of the Clinical Research Unit at Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital. Last year as of 5 Sept, a total of 76 cases of cholera were reported in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Nuwakot and Dhading districts. Case investigation revealed that the cause of the cholera outbreak was use of tap water for drinking purposes and use of commercial drinking water. Four samples of stored tap, jar and ground water from the index case household and workplace were found to be contaminated with coliform, according to the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division. Besides diarrheal diseases, health experts warn people are also likely to suffer from Hepatitis A and E during the monsoons, as the viruses can transmit to humans through contaminated water. Vector-borne diseases According to the World Health Organization, vector-borne diseases account for more than 17 percent of all infectious diseases, causing more than 700,000 deaths annually. They can be caused by either parasites, bacteria or viruses. Every year hundreds of people are infected by diseases such as malaria, dengue, chagas disease, Japanese encephalitis, the WHO says. Mosquitoes are common during summer. As stagnant water is necessary for mosquitoes to breed, monsoon creates a favorable environment for mosquitoes to breed. “Rainwater gets collected in flowerpots, pots, tires of vehicles and puddles, where mosquitoes lay their eggs. This is why there are high chances of dengue during the monsoon season,” says Dr Gokarna Dahal, chief of vector borne disease control section, EDCD. Transmitted from the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, the symptoms of dengue range from mild fever to high grade fever, headache and pain behind the eyes. It also includes muscle and joint pain, and skin rashes. In Nepal, dengue is a rapidly emerging disease. Endemic across most provinces, dengue incidence has increased in recent years, largely due to expansion of the vector Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, as well as the movement of people and the introduction of imported cases, the EDCD says. The disease is quite common in Tarai region in the country. A total of 54,784 dengue cases were identified from across the country last year; 88 dengue-related deaths were reported. According to the WHO, there is no specific treatment for dengue/severe dengue, but early detection and access to proper medical care lowers fatality rates below one percent. In Nepal, monsoon season occurs during June—August. The dengue season closely follows this period with cases occurring between September and November. Given the presence of a largely susceptible human population, human movement, the presence of both Aedes vectors and all four dengue serotypes, this trend is unlikely to reverse over the coming decades. Indeed, the burden may continue to increase, likely resulting in an increasing number of severe dengue cases, particularly in and around Kathmandu, as per the EDCD. The highest numbers of cases were reported from Kathmandu (14375), Lalitpur (9614), Bhaktapur (6145), Makawanpur (5837), Chitwan (3213), Dang (2428), Dhading (1683) and Rupandehi (1215). The mosquitoes that spread dengue are active during the day. Change in the season also increases the risk of viral influenza. Health experts advise seeking medical attention in case of persistent and severe flu-like symptoms. Scrub typhus is another disease that the public need to be aware of during the monsoon season. Also known as bush typhus, Scrub typhus is an acute, febrile, infectious disease caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi. It is spread to people through bites of infected chiggers (larval mites). The most common symptoms of scrub typhus include fever, headache, body aches, and sometimes rash. Most cases of scrub typhus occur in rural areas. This is an infectious bacterial disease caused by Leptospira—bacteria found in rodents. “Whenever there is flooding, these bacteria get mixed with water and enter the human body through cuts in feet. Those working in fields are prone to the disease as they work bare feet. So, people working in fields and villages need to be aware about the disease,” says Dr Pun. Besides vector-borne diseases, snakebite cases also go up during the summer/monsoon period. In the fiscal year 2021/22, some 8,000 people came for treatment of snakebites at government health facilities around the country, according to the Ministry of Health and Population. Seven in eight of these cases involved non-venomous bites, its data showed. Only about 1,000 patients actually needed anti-venom treatment, according to the data. Of them, 100 snakebite patients lost their lives—either because they reached hospital too late or because they could not get the right treatment. To prevent snake bites

•         Never play with snakes, or irritate them. Do not provoke them
•         Use a torch light if you have to walk in the dark
•         Keep the household clean: cut grasses and bushes, fill holes, and close doors and windows properly
•         Use a stick and hit on the earth surface when walking in the dark. Snake will move away because of its vibration
•         Control rodents to prevent snake bites
•         Avoid sleeping on the floor. If it is unavoidable, use a mosquito net and tuck it well
•         Check shoes and clothes before wearing if you are in areas where snakes are abundant
•         Wear shoes

To prevent mosquito bites

•         Clothes that cover as much of your body as possible
•         Mosquito nets if sleeping during the day
•         Window screens
•         Mosquito repellents
•         Coils and vaporizers

To prevent the dengue and malaria

•         Search and destroy mosquitoes and their breeding areas
•         Keep environment clean
•         Use nets and apply mosquito repellents
•         Wear long sleeves and pants to cover arms and legs
•         Remove water from flower/plant pots and plates
•         Change water in vases/bowls
•         Remove water from tyres
•         Take medicines only on doctor’s advice

The rapidly evolving landscape of technological advancements and the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) have brought forth a paradigm shift in the financial industry, specifically within the realm of trading. Investment banks, renowned for their pioneering spirit, have swiftly harnessed the immense potential of AI to revolutionize their operations. With its unparalleled capacity to swiftly analyze massive volumes of data, make precise predictions, and automate mundane tasks, AI has emerged as an indispensable asset in the dynamic and data-centric domain of finance and trading. Leveraging advanced analytics empowered by machine learning (ML), industry leaders can evaluate risks based on a diverse range of variables, including those that may not be immediately apparent. Take, for instance, the profound impact of climate change on construction projects and borrowers’ loan repayment capacity. This necessitates banks and mortgage companies to incorporate these intricate dynamics into their lending decisions. In the insurance sector, the ability of underwriters to accurately predict the ramifications of climate change is poised to become a pivotal factor determining success or failure. Deloitte’s research has revealed that retail banks have the potential to significantly reduce processing expenses by up to 25 percent and record management costs by as much as 70 percent through the elimination of paper-based processes. This underscores the vast opportunities for digital innovation within the financial services sector, paving the way for transformative advancements. The widespread adoption of AI and ML in the financial sector has brought about numerous benefits, but it has also introduced new challenges and risks. There are unique cybersecurity threats, privacy concerns, and the need for robustness in AI/ML systems within the finance industry. Recognizing these issues is crucial for building trust, ensuring financial stability, and developing effective governance frameworks to mitigate potential harm. AI/ML systems are vulnerable to cyber threats and attacks. Manipulating data within the AI/ML lifecycle can exploit algorithm limitations, allowing attackers to evade detection, manipulate decisions, or extract sensitive information. Vigilance and constant oversight are necessary to detect and manage these threats effectively. Data poisoning attacks aim to influence ML algorithms by injecting malicious samples during training, leading to incorrect classifications or recognition of false information. Input attacks involve introducing subtle perturbations to mislead AI systems, such as manipulating images to provoke mislabeling. Model extraction or inversion attacks attempt to recover training data or the model itself, breaching privacy and copyright concerns. Membership inference attacks aim to identify if specific data instances were part of the training set. To build public trust in an AI-driven financial system and safeguard financial stability, robustness is vital. ML models need to be adaptable to structural shifts, especially in volatile environments. The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the limitations of ML models that were not trained to handle unprecedented events. New governance frameworks should focus on quality control, performance monitoring, separation of duties, and adherence to software development best practices. As AI/ML continues to revolutionize the financial sector, addressing the cybersecurity, privacy, and robustness challenges becomes imperative. Financial institutions, regulators, and AI/ML service providers must work together to enhance oversight, fortify cybersecurity measures, safeguard privacy, and develop robust governance frameworks. By doing so, the finance industry can navigate the risks and leverage the potential of AI/ML to drive innovation while ensuring the integrity and stability of the financial system. These challenges, alongside others specific to AI implementation in financial services, necessitate diligent attention as data management practices adapt to accommodate new AI solutions. It is imperative for organizations to proactively anticipate and address these challenges in order to maintain the positive trajectory of progress. Regulators are increasingly recognizing the need to address AI/ML-specific cyber threats in the financial sector. Mitigation strategies should be incorporated into existing cybersecurity frameworks, including detection and reporting systems, protection of training data feeds, and safeguarding model and data privacy. Strengthening the regulatory framework will help maintain the integrity and trustworthiness of financial institutions. Additionally, security and regulatory considerations hold tremendous significance for financial services firms. By harnessing ML-enabled streaming data analysis, organizations can bolster fraud detection capabilities at the point of sale and swiftly adjust credit terms to enhance customer satisfaction. A unified data platform offers a comprehensive view of customer data, facilitating privacy protection, regulatory reporting, and compliance with information retention protocols. The incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) in Nepal’s technological landscape has primarily revolved around the implementation of weak AI. The realm of AI extends to encompass ML, as evidenced by the utilization of digital platforms, smartphones, and applications such as SMS banking, internet banking, and e-wallets within the banking sector worldwide. With the increasing adoption of these applications in Nepal, they serve as additional illustrations of AI integration within the country. Nevertheless, Nepal is gradually progressing toward the advancement of AI-based programs, with educational institutions and universities actively offering courses in artificial intelligence. Notably, pioneering startup companies like Fusemachine Nepal and Paaila Technology have been at the forefront of AI and ML ventures within the Nepali market. Paaila Technology, for instance, engineered a remarkable robot dubbed Pari, which was deployed at the SBI Bank’s Dubarmarg branch in Kathmandu. Boasting facial recognition capabilities, Pari can even identify the bank’s customers. Similarly, Naulo Restaurant in Dubarmarg, Kathmandu, has also introduced Ginger, another remarkable robot deployed for various tasks. The digital transformation of Nepal’s governance system is gaining momentum, necessitating the establishment of a robust cloud storage mechanism to securely store data. This has attracted prominent international IT companies such as Deerwalk Inc, Leapfrog Technology Inc, Cotiviti Nepal, and numerous others to Nepal’s thriving tech landscape. These industry players possess immense potential to drive the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) within the nation, primarily focusing on software product development related to health management, data management, digital healthcare solutions, and even customized AI offerings for the Nepali clientele. Simultaneously, the escalating adoption of AI in Nepal underscores the pressing need to establish regulatory frameworks and ethical guidelines for its development. To address this concern, the Nepali government sanctioned the Digital Nepal Framework 2019, which outlines a comprehensive five-year vision aimed at fostering digitalization, good governance, and overall prosperity. While this framework is a positive step forward, Nepal faces a shortage of knowledgeable experts and stakeholders capable of engaging in in-depth discussions surrounding the merits and pitfalls of AI implementation. Consequently, Nepal must rely on external support and assistance from countries possessing advanced AI expertise, as domestic awareness of AI ethics remains limited. In light of constitutional provisions and the Privacy Act 2019 of Nepal, which enshrine the right to privacy as a fundamental right, it is imperative to acknowledge that these regulations primarily focus on safeguarding citizens’ data rights. However, the existing legal framework fails to address the ethical considerations associated with the utilization of AI within the country. Additionally, Nepal lacks comprehensive legal systems specifically designed to combat the misuse of technology. In order to foster the widespread adoption of AI, the government must undertake a comprehensive reform of existing laws while simultaneously establishing new ones, aimed at promoting responsible AI practices in the nation. However, the burgeoning presence of AI-driven companies and software solutions within Nepal underscores the imperative for the government to establish proper regulations governing AI. By doing so, the government can ensure the responsible and ethical development and deployment of AI technologies within the country’s flourishing digital ecosystem.  A cybersecurity enthusiast, the author is associated with Agricultural Development Bank of Nepal

Former diplomat and presidential adviser Henry Kissinger marks his 100th birthday on Saturday, outlasting many of his political contemporaries who guided the United States through one of its most tumultuous periods including the presidency of Richard Nixon and the Vietnam War. Born in Germany on 27 May 1923, Kissinger remains known for his key role in American foreign policy of the 1960s and 1970s including eventual attempts to pull the US out of Vietnam, but not before he became inextricably linked to many of the conflict’s most disputed actions. David Kissinger, writing in The Washington Post on Thursday, said his father’s centenary “might have an air of inevitability for anyone familiar with his force of character and love of historical symbolism. Not only has he outlived most of his peers, eminent detractors and students, but he has also remained indefatigably active throughout his 90s.” The elder Kissinger will celebrate this week with visits to New York, London and his hometown of Fürth, Germany, David Kissinger wrote. In recent years Kissinger has continued to hold sway over Washington’s power brokers as an elder statesman. He has provided advice to Republican and Democratic presidents, including the White House during the Trump administration, while maintaining an international consulting business through which he delivers speeches in the German accent he has not lost since fleeing the Nazi regime with his family when he was a teenager. As recently as this month, Kissinger opined that the war in Ukraine is reaching a turning point with China entering negotiations. He told CBS News that he expects negotiations to come to a head “by the end of the year.” He has called for peace through negotiation to end the conflict. Kissinger also coauthored a book about artificial intelligence in 2021 called “The Age of AI: And Our Human Future.” He has warned that governments should prepare for the potential risks associated with the technology. During eight years as a national security adviser and secretary of state, Kissinger was involved in major foreign policy events including the first example of “shuttle diplomacy” seeking Middle East peace, secret negotiations with China to defrost relations between the burgeoning superpowers and the instigation of the Paris peace talks seeking an end to the Vietnam conflict and the US military’s presence there. Kissinger, along with Nixon, also bore the brunt of criticism from American allies when North Vietnamese communist forces took Saigon in 1975 as the remaining US personnel fled what is now known as Ho Chi Minh City. Kissinger additionally was accused of orchestrating the expansion of the conflict into Laos and Cambodia, enabling the rise of the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime that killed an estimated 2m Cambodians. Among his endorsements, Kissinger was recognized as a central driver in the period of detente, a diplomatic effort between the US and the Soviet Union beginning in 1967 through 1979 to reduce Cold War tensions with trade and arms negotiations including the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks treaties. Kissinger remained one of Nixon’s most trusted advisers through his administration from 1969 to 1974, his power only growing through the Watergate affair that brought down the 37th president. Gerald Ford, who as vice president ascended to the Oval Office following his predecessor’s resignation, awarded Kissinger the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977, saying Kissinger “wielded America’s great power with wisdom and compassion in the service of peace.” Others have accused Kissinger of more concern with power than harmony during his tenure in Washington, enacting realpolitik policies favoring American interests while assisting or emboldening repressive regimes in Pakistan, Chile and Indonesia. AP