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Author Indra Chaudhary has been honored with the ‘Nebashasa Children’s Book Writing Award.’ The award was presented on Sunday during the Second Children’s Book Exhibition and Valley-wide Children’s Story Writing Competition held at the Nepal Academy in Kamaladi. The award was jointly conferred by Chancellor Bhupal Rai, Member Secretary Dhan Prasad Subedi, and Nepal Children's Literature Society President Pramod Pradhan.

Chaudhary received the award for his illustrated children’s book ‘Naya Banpale’, which was published by Room to Read in 2022 and was recognized as the best book for children under eight years of age.

With a background of five years in children’s literature translation and writing, Chaudhary has published four illustrated children’s storybooks and translated dozens of children’s stories from English to Nepali, as well as into Tharu and Rana Tharu languages. Expressing his joy at receiving the award in such a short span, Chaudhary said, “I had not expected this achievement so soon. This recognition has inspired me to contribute even more to children’s literature.”

A former journalist who later ventured into theater, Chaudhary is now a teacher. He credited senior children’s writer and editor Ananta Wagle and illustrator Anushree Lama for their significant contributions to making his book exceptional. “Editor Ananta Wagle and illustrator Anushree Lama played a crucial role in refining my book. I sincerely thank them,” he said, also extending gratitude to the award selection committee for recognizing his work.

Alongside Chaudhary, Srijana Rai won the award in the 8+ age category for 2022, while poet Mitralal Pangeni and Hari Khanal received awards for 2021 in the under-8 and 8+ categories, respectively. In the illustration category, Kalagraj B (2021) and Krisha Tamrakar (2022) were honored. Additionally, publishing houses were also recognized during the event.

The 10th Cancer Awareness Cycle Rally, organized by Annapurna Media Network in collaboration with Nepal Cancer Care Foundation, was successfully held on Saturday. The rally, inaugurated at Annapurna Corporate Tower, Tinkune, was flagged off by Minister for Health and Population Pradeep Paudel and Capt Rameshwar Thapa, Chairperson of Annapurna Media Network. The event saw an overwhelming response, with 5,000 registered participants cycling a total distance of 22 kilometers to raise awareness about cancer prevention.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Minister Paudel emphasized the need for public awareness to prevent cancer and reduce the increasing number of patients. “The growing number of cancer cases in Nepal demands urgent attention. We need to work towards a future where cancer does not become a threat to Nepali lives,” he said. He also stressed the importance of preventive measures over curative treatments, noting that the government is working with the Ministry of Education to make health education mandatory in schools.

Highlighting the seriousness of cancer in Nepal, he revealed that 14,000 people died from cancer last year. “This is not a small number. Cancer is becoming a major public health challenge, and the government must prioritize investments in advanced treatment facilities,” he added.

Capt Thapa reiterated the organization's commitment to promoting public health through awareness campaigns. “For a healthy nation, a healthy population is crucial. Through our decade-long collaboration with Nepal Cancer Care Foundation, we have continuously worked to educate and inform the public about cancer prevention,” he said. He also praised the foundation’s efforts in saving thousands of lives, particularly young girls, from cancer.

The Cancer Awareness Cycle Rally has been organized annually for the past 10 years under the theme ‘Ride for Life’. It remains a key initiative in the fight against cancer, encouraging a healthier lifestyle and raising awareness about early detection and prevention.

The preparations for the ‘Ride for Life 2025’ cancer awareness cycle rally, organized in collaboration with Annapurna Media Network and Nepal Cancer Care Foundation, have been completed. The rally will kick off on Saturday at 6:30 am, with the goal of raising awareness about cancer. A total of 5,000 participants have registered for the event, and 33 corporate houses are supporting the initiative to make it a grand success. Annapurna Media Network has been organizing this rally annually to mark World Cancer Day, and this year marks its 10th edition.  

Speaking about the event, Manoj Basnet, General Manager of Annapurna Media Network, stated that the rally is an effort to spread awareness about cancer and encourage unity in the fight against the disease. He emphasized that the campaign aims to send a positive message to society, urging collective action against cancer. This year, the rally also highlights environmental sustainability under the theme "Climate-Friendly Action for a Cancer-Free Life." Over the past nine editions, more than 20,000 people have participated in this campaign.  

This year’s rally has received support from 28 corporate partners. The event’s main sponsor is KEI Nepal Laxmi E-Mobility Pvt. Ltd., while EV Nepal Motors and Ncell Foundation are power sponsors. Other key sponsors include Nepal Investment Mega Bank Ltd and Siddhartha Bank Ltd as banking partners, Shikhar Insurance as the insurance partner, DishHome as the internet partner, and eSewa as the payment partner. NAMI College is the education partner, while Upendra Devkota Memorial National Institute of Neurological and Allied Sciences is the medical partner. Additional support comes from companies like Quest Pharmaceuticals, Asian Paints, Mahalaxmi Bikas Bank, Muktinath Bikas Bank, Nepal Bank Ltd, Creative Abroad Studies, PABSON Nepal, Pankh Bike, Quality Durbar Banquet Restaurant, MIT College, Nepal Jaycees, Annapurna Ventures, and Simrik Air. Mato Nepal is the hydration partner, Fruit Agro is the beverage partner, and Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort Dhulikhel and Dusit Princess Kathmandu are the recreation partners. Nepal Cycling Association, Nepal Cycle Society, and Cycle City Network Nepal are providing technical support for the event. Basnet highlighted that collaborating with corporate houses provides unique and attractive exposure for advertisers.  

The rally will feature several key highlights. The ‘Climate-Friendly Action for a Cancer-Free Life’ Deck will be led by Miss Nepal 2023, Srichha Pradhan, and Shilshila Acharya, who was recognized among the BBC 100 Influential Women. Several renowned medical professionals will also participate, including Dr Manisha Ghimire from OAKMED Hospital, USA, and Dr Narayan Adhikari, a cancer specialist from Medanta Hospital, India. All participants will receive jackets and breakfast as part of the event.  

An additional attraction of the rally is the AMN-USA Deck, where the AMN-USA YouTube channel will host a video contest. Participants who subscribe to the channel and submit videos will have the chance to win cash prizes: $1,000 for first place, $500 for second place, and $250 for third place. The rally will also include an exciting lucky draw, with prizes such as a Pankh bicycle, a one-night stay for a couple at Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort Dhulikhel, a one-night stay and dinner package at Dusit Princess Kathmandu, a Tranquility Spa annual membership worth Rs 250,000, a 32-inch Panasonic TV, and 4K streaming devices from DishHome for three winners.  

The entire event will be broadcast live on AP1 TV, Annapurna Post Online (annapurnapost.com), Radio Annapurna Nepal 94 MHz, Annapurna Post’s Facebook page, and the AMN-USA YouTube channel, which is operated from the US. With its strong message of cancer awareness and environmental sustainability, the Ride for Life 2025 cycle rally aims to inspire a healthier, more conscious society.

Nepal’s first-ever young women-led Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) Shadow Report was unveiled at an event in Kathmandu. Organized by Yuwalaya, a youth-led organization advocating for gender equality, in collaboration with Plan International Nepal, the initiative highlights the challenges young women face across the country.

Young women aged 18-25 from all seven provinces played a key role in leading the report, which was developed through provincial discussions. The findings expose gaps in Nepal’s gender policies, particularly affecting marginalized communities, and call on the government and global stakeholders to take action.  

Key stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the National Women Commission, the National Youth Council, and the National Human Rights Commission, attended the event alongside national and international civil society organizations and embassies.  

Speaking at the event, Yuwalaya President Dharma Raj Rimal emphasized the need for immediate action. “We don’t need to wait for ministers to start the equality movement. Change can begin in our workplaces, homes, and classrooms,” he said.