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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.

The Global Shapers Kathmandu Hub concluded its two-day political imagination workshop, “Power, Process, Structure, and Discourse,” in collaboration with Karkhana Samuha. The workshop is part of the hub’s project Shaping Political Futures, which won the World Economic Forum (WEF) Innovation Prize in 2024. Bringing together over 30 young leaders, policy thinkers, and civic actors from across Nepal, the event explored themes of politics, federalism, governance, and civic participation. Sessions were led by experts including Kailash Rai, Hari Sharma, Binaya Mishra, and Meena Sharma, offering insights into political transitions, nation-state concepts, federal restructuring, and conflict resolution.

The second day featured reflections on mental health through Mero Mansik Yatra, followed by discussions on education, entrepreneurship, and policy-making with contributors such as Sumiran Shrestha, Surath Giri, and Neha Shrestha. Interactive elements, such as a strategic social deduction game and a civic action session titled “Letter to the Representative,” encouraged participants to reflect on leadership, inclusion, and public accountability.