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Dhruba Maharjan of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party has filed his nomination to contest the mayoral position of Kirtipur Municipality.

Maharjan filed his candidacy for the local level by-election slated for December 1.

Likewise, Surendra Uprety and Bijesh Basnet of the RPP filed their nominations for the post of chairperson in ward 1 and 4 respectively.

Earlier, Surendra Manandhar of CPN-UML had filed his candidacy for the post of mayor.

Surendra Manandhar has registered his nomination from the CPN-UML for the post of mayor in Kirtipur Municipality. The local level by-election is going to be held on December 1.

Similarly, Harsha Maharjan and Badri Budhathoki of the UML have also registered their candidacies for the post of chairperson in ward 1 and 4 respectively.

Along with Manandhar, Krishna Man Dangol of the Nepali Congress, Shiva Sharan Maharjan of the CPN (Maoist Center) and Dhruba Maharjan of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party have registered their nominations for the post of mayor in Kirtipur.

Nepal's participation in the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, under President Ramchandra Paudel's leadership has been fruitful, as the nation strongly voiced its major agendas on addressing climate change consequences.

Addressing a news conference organized at the VVIP lounge of Tribhuvan International Airport today upon President Paudel's arrival home after attending the COP29 in the Azerbaijani capital, Joint Secretary and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amrit Bahadur Rai, said the President's participation has further augmented the topics on climate change like 'the climate has to be protected with the unified sentiments from the Himalayas to the seas' that Nepal has been raising over the years.

"The President's visit has further supported in highlighting Nepal's view that the world community should increase the assistance in terms of technology and funds for the climate financing, reducing loss and damage and minimizing the sufferings of the least developed countries due to climate change impact," he said.

Spokesperson Rai said the President gave the message that Nepal is to host the 'Sagarmatha Sambad' or the 'Everest Dialogue' to forge a single voice calling for addressing the relationship from the Himalayas to the Oceans in an integrated way, and invited the world community to participate in the Dialogue.

According to him, the topic 'Protection of the Himalayas is Protecting the Earth' that the President raised in every forum, representing the common sentiment of the mountainous countries, has been found to be effective.

While in Azerbaijan, President Paudel participated in the inaugural session of the World Leaders Climate Action Summit on November 12 and addressed the event as the leader of the Nepali delegation.

Delivering the national statement at the Summit, the President reminded the global community that Nepal has been facing terrible consequences of global warming and climate change despite its negligible emissions.

He also underlined the importance of climate justice, adequate climate finance, and reparations for loss and damage.

The President underlined the importance of integrated approach and broader collaboration among mountainous and coastal countries as there is a linkage from mountains to the sea.

He highlighted that protecting the Himalayas is protecting ourselves and the entire humanity across the planet.

Besides, in the margins of the Summit, the President also held a meeting with his Maldivian counterpart, Dr Mohamed Muizzu.

Matters related to strengthening the bilateral relations, as well as cooperation on regional and multilateral issues were discussed at the meeting.

On November 13, the President addressed the 'High Level Dialogue: Advancing the Mountain Agenda and Mainstreaming Mountains and Climate Change within UNFCCC'organized by Kyrgyz Republic at the sidelines of COP29.

In his address to the High Level Dialogue, President Paudel stressed that integrated programs on poverty reduction and climate action should be implemented in the mountain region.

He underscored the importance of the Himalayas in ecological and environmental balanced and urged for mainstreaming mountain issues in global mountain agenda.

In the afternoon the same day, he chaired a high-level event titled 'Mountains in Peril: Loss and Damage in the Himalaya,' organized by the Government of Nepal, the Ministry of Forests and Environment.

Delivering his concluding remarks in the event, he stressed on the fact that mountains, particularly the Himalaya, are facing higher loss and damage due to their fragility. He also emphasized the need to build unity among mountainous nations and to raise unified voice in global forums for addressing the problem.

President also participated in a meeting of Heads of Delegation of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) with the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the sidelines of COP29.

In the meeting he urged the United Nations to intensify efforts for availing financial, technological and other forms of support to the LDCs and other developing countries to fight the impacts of global warming and climate change.

The President utilized the meeting to urge the UN Secretary-General to make the developed countries serious about the impact of climate change. President Paudel and President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan held a bilateral meeting on November 14.

On the occasion, President Poudel thanked his Azerbaijani counterpart for organizing the COP29 successfully.

The two Presidents also exchanged views on strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries.

Spokesperson Rai said that the Nepali delegation, under the leadership of the Ministry of Forests and Environment, will actively participate in the dialogues and discussions on thematic issues related to climate change and the documents to be passed therein, ensuring Nepal's national interest.

COP29 commenced on November 11 and it will continue until November 22. President Paudel had reached Baku on last Monday, leading the high-level delegation to the conference at the invitation of the Azerbaijan President Aliyev.

8:00 am, Nov 14

New Baneshwor

The tea shop was buzzing with energy, but I managed to find an open seat amid the crowd. A lively group of around ten people had already gathered, deeply engrossed in conversation on various societal issues, including the latest political developments. They were discussing the recent passing of Bimala Gauchan, a Gandaki Province Assembly member who had succumbed to dengue. Some shared personal stories, recounting how family members and friends had also fallen victim to this spreading disease.

One man remarked, “Dengue has even reached the hill districts now. Back in 1992, I spent a year in Mustang, and there wasn’t a mosquito in sight because of the cold.” Another chimed in, “With more roads connecting remote areas, dengue is spreading even to the mountains.” Predictably, the group began criticizing the government’s inability to control the outbreak in Kathmandu Valley and beyond. The mention of Manang and Mustang brought the discussion to another familiar topic. “People in Manang are incredibly wealthy. If the rest of Nepal were as prosperous, we’d be the richest country in South Asia,” someone declared.

The group briefly touched on the recent arrest of Deepak Manange, a member of the Gandaki Province Assembly, though no one seemed eager to dive into his controversies. Meanwhile, a man near the entrance, buried in a newspaper, interrupted loudly, “Every page is filled with stories of corruption, crimes, and road accidents!” This drew the group’s attention. They began talking about a recent tragic accident in Kageshwori Manohara, where one person had died in a collision involving a car driven by Prakash Bhujel, a self-styled shaman with a social media following, and a motorcycle.

The conversation shifted to shamanism. Some argued that such beliefs were outdated and harmful, while an older gentleman, likely in his seventies, shared how a shaman had treated his paralysis 30 years ago. Another participant admitted he didn’t believe in shamanism but respected those who did. They noted that Bhujel had promised to cooperate with authorities—something, one remarked, that many politicians might not be so quick to do.

After a short lull, talk shifted to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s upcoming trip to China. “The Western countries will be watching his every move,” someone stated bluntly. They mentioned China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the projects it entails but didn’t delve deeply into it. A participant speculated that Oli would likely avoid any major agreements with China, though few seemed interested in exploring the topic further.

Out of nowhere, someone brought up the rising trend of love marriages in Nepal. An older man expressed disapproval, claiming that such marriages often lead to divorce. “Eighty percent of love marriages end in separation,” he said, “inviting new societal problems.” This sparked a debate about the “right” age to marry. “Decades ago, people married at 18 or 20; now, they’re waiting until their 30s,” someone observed. Soon, the discussion broadened to cover the declining population trend in Nepal and beyond, linked to delayed marriages. Another man spoke about the growing empowerment of women in Nepali society, noting that women now play key roles in household decisions, with men ceding some of their traditional authority.

By 8:30, the group began to disperse, each heading off to start their day. As the tea shop slowly emptied, I lingered over my black tea, debating whether to order another cup or leave. Just then, two young men entered, looking like they were in their twenties. One ordered tea with milk, while the other opted for black. Curious, the one with milk asked why his friend preferred it plain. “I have gastritis,” he replied. They soon fell into a conversation about their hectic college and work schedules, complaining that they barely had time to eat properly.

In lowered voices, they shared their financial struggles. “I earn just Rs 8,000 a month, working from 11 am to 7 pm, but it barely covers rent and food,” one said, as they lamented the rising prices of tea and snacks. “I spent all my savings during Dashain and Tihar; I have nothing left now,” he added. Their conversation turned to their future plans—whether to stay in Nepal or try their luck abroad. They looked visibly worried, the uncertainty of their future weighing on them. Just then, four students entered, asking the shopkeeper for cigarettes, who politely pointed them to the designated smoking area.

Last week, I began a weekly column titled Teashop Gossip, where I’ll be capturing and sharing these vibrant exchanges that unfold in Nepal’s local tea shops. For years, these spots have been more than just places for tea—they’re forums where people from all walks of life come together to discuss the pressing issues of our time. In this column, I aim to present these conversations as they happen, preserving the raw voices, views, and insights of the people