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Researcher and children’s author Indra Chaudhary’s new book ‘Sudurpaschimka Tharu Sanskriti ra Lokkatha’ (Tharu Culture and Folktales of Sudurpaschim) was officially launched on Sunday. The event coincided with the 212th birth anniversary of Adikavi Bhanubhakta Acharya and was held in Dhangadhi. Published by the Sudurpaschim Academy, the book was jointly unveiled by Meghraj Khadka, Minister for Social Development of Sudurpaschim Province, and the academy’s Vice-chancellor TN Joshi, among others.

Speaking at the event, VC Joshi expressed delight over the publication, highlighting the Tharu community as a key ethnic group in the province. He stated, “Sudurpaschim Academy has been dedicated to preserving and promoting the art, culture, language, and traditions of various indigenous communities in the region. This book is a step in that direction, and we aim to publish similar works on other communities in the coming year.”

Minister Khadka also praised the Academy’s efforts in documenting and preserving local heritage. Author Chaudhary expressed gratitude to the Academy for entrusting him with the research project. “It was an honor to be given the opportunity to study Tharu culture in my own province. This collaboration with the provincial government has been truly fulfilling and has further motivated me to pursue deeper research,” he said.

The book is divided into three sections: an introduction to the Tharu community, a brief history of their folktales, and a compilation of twenty traditional Tharu folktales. Chaudhary mentioned that most of the stories included had never been published before. He collected narratives from elder community members, including 76-year-old Laughari Dagoura, 78-year-old Kalimaya Dagoura, and 55-year-old Rampyari Dagoura.

This is Chaudhary’s seventh publication, with his previous works also focusing on the folk culture of the Tharu and Rana Tharu communities. The book’s cover was illustrated by emerging artist Deepak Chaudhary.

Poet and professor Bandana Mishra ‘Madhu’ officially launched her debut poetry collection Kabitako Annaprashan on Sunday in Kathmandu. The book was jointly unveiled by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Indira Rana Magar, journalist Namrata Sharma, writer and journalist Rohit Bhandari, and publisher Roshna Subedi Mishra.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Speaker Magar said the book carries an inspiring message for women, especially with a daughter-in-law supporting her mother-in-law to publish a poetry collection. “Such mutual support among women fosters harmony, strengthens relationships, and encourages more literary pursuits,” she said, adding that Mishra’s effort to learn Nepali and publish a book after moving to Nepal from India was truly commendable.

She also shared her own passion for writing poetry and songs but admitted she has yet to publish them. “This book is a personal inspiration for me,” she added. “If Bandana ji can learn the language and bring her thoughts to life in a book, so can I—and so can many others.”

Author Mishra shared that she moved to Nepal from India in 1986 and gradually learned the Nepali language, which enabled her to express herself through poetry. “This book is just the beginning. I will continue contributing to literature,” she said, crediting her family’s support for helping turn her words into a published collection. Journalists Sharma and Bhandari also offered critical reflections on the book during the launch event.

A flag-hoisting ceremony is set to take place at the Ram temple in Ayodhya in November with thousands of special guests expected to attend and Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to be the chief guest.

An official of the temple trust, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told PTI that the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust has shortlisted two dates in November for this significant event. Preparations for the ceremony are gaining momentum.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi might be present as the chief guest on this auspicious occasion,” the official said. According to sources within the temple, the Ram flag will be hoisted atop the 161-foot-high spire of the temple. In addition, flags will also be hoisted on the spires of all other temples within the complex, marking a major milestone towards the completion of the temple’s construction.

Anil Mishra, a trustee of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra told PTI, “The final program is still being prepared. As soon as it is ready, it will be shared.”

Temple sources further told PTI that the flag-hoisting ceremony is expected to be as grand as the consecration of Lord Ram. The trust is preparing an extensive guest list that includes saints, religious leaders, distinguished dignitaries and devotees from across India and abroad. The trust estimates that thousands of guests will witness this second historic occasion following the consecration ceremony of the deity Ram Lalla.

A senior official from the Ayodhya administration confirmed that preparations are in full swing to welcome the guests. The temple trust and the administrative machinery have started booking rooms in hotels, while arrangements are also being made in major dharamshalas and guest houses across the city, the official added. According to temple sources, astrologers are determining the most auspicious time for the ceremony in November. Discussions are underway to finalise one of the two proposed dates—Nov 16 or Nov 25.

Lord Vishnu took birth on earth in the Treta Yuga as a prince in the royal household of King Dashrath in Ayodhya (now, also referred to as Ram Janmabhoomi) to his first queen, Kaushalya. His eighth avatar was nothing short of a challenge as he endured all the hardships, despite being a man of great principles. Centuries have passed, but his life continues to inspire millions of people across the globe. And the man, blessed with divine powers was none other than Shri Rama, the one who is hailed as Maryada Purushottam. The story of Shri Rama’s birth is a fascinating one. Read on to know how the divine powers planned Lord Rama's arrival on earth.

A youth-led side event titled ‘Architects of Equitable Financing’ was held at the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Seville. Organized by Bagmati UNESCO Club in collaboration with BPW International and the Bagmati Province Youth Council, the session aimed to highlight the role of youth in promoting inclusive and innovative financing approaches toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The event was chaired by Nishchal Baniya, Chairperson of Bagmati UNESCO Club. The session focused on integrating grassroots, youth-driven innovations into broader financing systems and emphasized the need to address barriers faced by young changemakers—such as limited capital access, bureaucratic hurdles, and lack of mentorship. Keynote addresses included Jenny Elmaco, UN Representative to UNESCO and UN Vienna for BPW International, who spoke on ‘Gender-Based Climate Finance: Ensuring Equitable Access and Impact for Young Women’, and Adonis Cortes, Youth Advisor for UNOPS’s Youth Engagement Platform, who discussed youth-led innovation in his talk, ‘Local Innovations: Global Impact’.

A panel discussion followed, featuring Elmaco, Cortes, and Emmanuel Ohiri, Development Strategist from the FfD4 Youth Constituency of UN MGCY. The discussion was moderated by Nakita from the same constituency and focused on local innovations and their potential to scale globally.

The event, led by a three-member delegation from Bagmati UNESCO Club, including Savyata Poudel and Yubraj Bajgain, aimed to promote inclusive financing models tailored to youth entrepreneurship, foster knowledge-sharing among stakeholders, and introduce practical digital tools to support projects such as cultural heritage preservation.