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The CPN (Unified Socialist) has made it clear that it would not forward the unification bid with any political party for now.

The ongoing Standing Committee meeting of the party concluded that it would not be unified with any other parties until there were similarities in future action plan and principles.

The meeting passed the proposal presented by General Secretary Ghanashyam Bhusal.

The party further decided to field party leaders as candidates in the coming election across the country. It also underlined the need for consolidating party organisation. Bhusal presented a report on the party's future programs and policy.

The meeting continued at the party central office, Aloknagar, since December 11 witnessed views from all leaders on the action plan the party needs advancing.

Vice Chairman Jagannath Khatiwada shared the information that the party would conduct a programme named ‘party with village people’ in a bid to consolidate party organization.

The taskforce led by party Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal will present the division of portfolios among leaders, which would be endorsed by the meeting, said Khatiwada. It is said the only competent leaders would be picked for heading various departments and sister organizations.

The government has announced to honor 35 people from the sports fraternity for their stellar victory in various international competitions.

Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung shared this while unveiling the decisions of the cabinet meetings convened last Thursday and Friday.

Among the key decisions made in the meetings, the government decided to honor award winning players and their coaches, managers and physiotherapists who brought home medals in the international-level football, karate and beach volleyball competitions.

Minister Gurung, also the Spokesperson of the government, informed that the government has approved in-principle for advancing the compensation and addressing problems related to the under-construction Nagdhunga Tunnel Project.

The other notable decisions of the last two cabinet meetings are accepting the grant assistance worth USD 100 million from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for Green, Resilient and Inclusive Development Programme, ADB's USD 170 million concessional loan and USD 15 million grant assistance for the project related to improvement of drinking water supply in the Kathmandu Valley.

The meeting also decided to accept USD 3 million grant assistance from the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific in addition to the USD 85 million from the ADB for the project concerning modernization of irrigation.

Other important decisions included appointing Devraj Dgungana in the Executive Director of the Security Print Press Centre and nominating Dr Rajendra Prasad Baral and Deepakraj Sapkota as the Board of Directors of the Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre.

The government approved the fourth period report to be submitted by Nepal to the Committee of the Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Furthermore, the MoU to be signed between the governments of Nepal and India for projects related to the development of water, sanitation and hygiene has been approved.

Additionally, the meeting approved the Electronic Good-Governance Commission (Formation and Operation) (First Amendment) Order and Guideline on the usage of domestically produced goods in the public offices.

The government also approved the Micro, Cottage and Small Enterprises Promotion Policy, the Industrial and Investment Promotion Fund Operation Procedure and National Urban Development Policy-2081 BS.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, addressing the 30th convocation ceremony of Kathmandu University in Dhulikhel, highlighted the historical contributions of the Himalayan region to education and scientific discovery. He compared the ancient Nalanda University, established in 427, with renowned Western universities like Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard and Columbia, which were founded much later.

“Nalanda and 10 other universities in the Himalayan region existed over a thousand years ago,” he said. “Many Western nations have not even reached a millennium of existence.” While Nalanda University in India was established in 427, Oxford was founded in 1096, Cambridge in 1209, Harvard in 1636 and Columbia in 1754. He urged students to recognize their heritage as descendants of pioneers in research and innovation.

Referring to the achievements of ancient scholars, Oli emphasized that professors like Aryabhata at Nalanda had discovered the principles of gravity as early as the fifth century, long before Newton (in the 16th century). He pointed out that ancient Himalayan scholars were pioneers in science, mathematics and medicine, with Aryabhata and Bhaskaracharya making groundbreaking contributions, such as calculating the earth’s circumference and distance to the sun centuries ago.

“Bhaskaracharya, in 1150, calculated the Earth’s shape, circumference, distance to the sun and weight—discoveries later confirmed by modern science,” he said. “While the world was shrouded in darkness, our ancestors were exploring nature, philosophy, life and science.” He cited ancient texts and debates in Janakpur from nearly 4,000 years ago as evidence of this intellectual heritage.

Oli further asserted that ancient Himalayan sages made significant advances in surgery, astronomy and philosophy. He mentioned Maharishi Charaka, regarded as the father of medical science, who authored the ‘Charaka Samhita’ about 3,000 years ago. He also spoke of Sushruta, a pioneer in surgery, who hailed from eastern Nepal but had to move to Varanasi to expand his practice. Oli expressed pride in these historical achievements, emphasizing the need for modern students to rediscover their heritage and identity.

PM Oli expressed disappointment that such ancient innovations were overshadowed over time, leaving the region lagging in global progress. He called for revitalizing Nepal’s education system to focus on practical, technical and life-oriented learning, urging universities to design curricula fostering self-reliance and job creation instead of producing job-seekers. “Education must shape capable citizens through character and ethics, not just certificates,” he said.

The Prime Minister also addressed the modern-day challenges of climate change, noting how Nepal’s mountains are turning into barren rocks due to environmental degradation. He called for practical and self-reliant education systems that focus on creating jobs rather than merely seeking them. Oli urged Kathmandu University to incorporate practical, technical and life-oriented subjects into its curriculum to prepare students for real-world challenges. Highlighting the role of education in character-building and ethical development, he suggested that competency is defined not just by degrees but by behavior, values and responsibility.

Kathmandu University Vice-chancellor Bhola Thapa shared the institution’s commitment to promoting educational excellence, innovation and social impact. He highlighted the university’s efforts to democratize education through accessible digital platforms and tailor programs to meet the evolving demands of global and local markets. The university, he said, has focused on strengthening its brand internationally by fostering research, collaboration and innovation.

For the first time in its history, Kathmandu University awarded degrees to students from new programs like Master in Urban Studies, Master in Media Studies, Master of Fine Arts, Master in Indigenous Education and Development, and Master in Health Informatics. The convocation ceremony marked a milestone with 1,256 students graduating, including three PhD scholars. Among the graduates, 51.04 percent were female, and six percent were international students from nine countries, including India, China, France, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Iran, the UK, the US and Bhutan. Since its inception, the university has graduated 46,693 students, with 5,542 of them being international students from 57 countries. 

The convocation ceremony also underscored the strong historical and cultural ties between Nepal and India. Triloknath Singh, director of the Indian Institute of Technology in Patna, lauded the collaboration between the two nations in education and research, highlighting its potential to drive sustainable development. 

PM Oli stressed the government’s commitment to fostering collaboration between universities to enhance employability, innovation and self-reliance among students. He highlighted Nepal’s vulnerability to climate change, calling for environmental justice and student engagement in addressing these challenges. “Education should empower youth to create jobs and contribute to the nation’s identity and progress,” Oli concluded.

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Nepal organized the ‘2024 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Forum’ on Dec 14 in Kathmandu to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Nepal. The forum highlighted the enduring partnership between the two countries, focusing on the contributions of Korean companies to Nepal’s social and economic development.

The seminar’s guest of honor, Baburam Adhikari, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, praised South Korea’s significant support in Nepal’s development, especially in the areas of social progress and investment. He described the 50-year journey as a shared tale of mutual respect and values, which has contributed to both personal and economic development in Nepal.

Park Taeyoung, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, underscored the importance of policy development and investment in key potential areas. He reaffirmed Korea’s commitment to supporting Nepal as a ‘RAMRO SATHI’ (Good Friend) and emphasized the need for collaboration to foster sustainable development.

In his speech, Ambassador Park stated, “This year holds special significance as we mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Nepal. This milestone reflects the depth of friendship, cooperation, and shared aspirations between our peoples.”

He highlighted the significant contributions of Korean companies in supporting Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and CSR activities in Nepal. These initiatives, including sustainable development projects and community empowerment programs, reflect the unwavering commitment of Korean companies to positively impact the environment and society.

The ambassador expressed gratitude to the visionary Korean companies whose donations and capacity-building efforts have not only strengthened economic ties but also improved the lives of many Nepalis. He also called for continued cooperation from the Government of Nepal to ensure a favorable environment for foreign investment.

“This forum represents an opportunity to deepen our understanding of how CSR initiatives can drive sustainable growth and inclusive prosperity,” Park added. “It also symbolizes the enduring friendship between Korea and Nepal, built on mutual respect and shared goals. Let us work together to make the next 50 years of our partnership even more remarkable.”