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Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has underlined the need to exert all possible efforts to attract the students going abroad for education and employment in the home country.

In his address to the 12th general assembly of the Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU), Prime Minister Dahal stressed the need to introduce measures for creating employment opportunities and attracting students in the country.

Expressing pleasure over the rise in the enrolment of students in agriculture science, PM Dahal said the AFU should play a crucial role for the development of agriculture and forestry.

Noting that the targets of production and productivity could not be attained without cooperation from university teachers, agriculture scientists, students and technicians, he said, "Youths' attraction to agriculture has not increased. They should be brought to agriculture by adopting any measures. It is to spur productivity".

The Prime Minister further said he wished to see the effective role in technology production through the better education, research and extension system in the future.

The country's agriculture education, research system and agriculture and forestry university also have witnessed challenges, he said, adding, "The AFU can play a crucial role for the development of agriculture and forestry".

PM Dahal expressed happiness over the establishment and operation of eight agriculture faculties, colleges and two agriculture science centers in different provinces and suggested running educational programs in the approved colleges of Syangja and Gorkha.

He stressed the spectacular role of the university in increasing production and productivity, thereby promoting export and slashing national loss.

He said the university should provide evidence-based policy recommendations to improve economic conditions and employment through scientific forestry management.

The PM underlined the need to run constructive campaigns to sustainably operate teaching and research maintaining higher quality.

The AFU was established in Nepal in 2067 BS realizing the need of technical university for education and research in the areas of agriculture, livestock, veterinary, fishery and forestry.

Visiting British Army Chief General Sir Patrick Sanders today paid a courtesy call on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Purna Bahadur Khadka.

Welcoming the British Army Chief at his office in Singha Durbar today, the Minister expressed confidence that the visit would strengthen the ties between Nepal and the UK.

In the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister said Nepal and the UK long-standing bilateral ties have extended to people-to-people level.

Both countries, he said, share similar values in democracy, human rights, rule of law and independence, human values and dignity, he said. 

Reflecting on the centenary celebration of the Treaty of Friendship last year, Minister Khadka remarked that it solidified the foundation for strong bilateral ties for the next century. Recognizing the UK as a significant development partner, he acknowledged their support to Nepal during challenging periods.

While commending the contributions of the British Gurkhas to the UK Army, Minister Khadka urged a positive response to the concerns of the Gurkha armies, retired before 1997, who demand perks and pensions on a par with their British counterparts.

Citing that despite prolonged discussions on the matter, a substantive conclusion is still awaited, he called on the British government to adopt a more liberal approach to address these demands.

Underlining the significance of military exchanges between Nepal and the UK, Minister Khadka highlighted the participation of 10 Nepali armies in the Cambrian patrol in October 2023. He also commended the British government for establishing the 'Explosive Ordnance Disposal Holding Unit' for the Nepali Army.

During the meeting, Chief of the General Staff of the British Army, General Sir Patrick Sanders, stated that he has taken seriously the topic related to the British Gurkha soldiers which the DPM and Defence Minister Khadka had brought up. He said a situation has arisen in which the UK and Nepal have to work together in establishing international peace as the international security climate is becoming more complicated.

Stating that as the nation contributing the second largest number of troops to the United Nations peacekeeping mission Nepal's role in establishing international peace is significant, the Chief of the British Armed Forces said that Britain is willing to collaborate further with Nepal in the coming days. He also gave assurances that Britain shall continue to provide the cooperation that it has been giving to Nepal despite its adverse economic condition.

Defence Ministry Secretary Kiran Raj Sharma, Joint Secretary Baburam Adhikari, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as the British Ambassador and other officials were present during the courtesy meeting.

CoAS Sharma British Army Chief Sanders meet

Meanwhile, Chief of the Army Staff Prabhu Ram Sharma and Chief of the British Army Sanders held a meeting at the Army Headquarters today.

On the occasion, they held discussions on the mutual ties subsisting between Nepal and Britain for centuries, on promoting cordial relations between the armed forces of the two countries and on matters of mutual interest, according to the Nepali Army, Public Relations and Information Directorate.

Prior to the meeting, a contingent of the Nepali Army presented a guard of honor to the British Army Chief.

General Sir Patrick Sanders is currently on a six-day visit to Nepal.

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Nepal on Tuesday organized the Launching Ceremony of Commemorative Logo and Book on Success Stories at Hotel Yak and Yeti after the EPS program.

The commemorative logo to mark the 50^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and Nepal was unveiled by the high-level officials of the Government of Nepal and the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Nepal Park Taeyoung.

The logo shall be jointly used by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea and the Government of Nepal for the programs related to Korea.

The logo incorporates “50 Years” to mark the 50^th anniversary with the colors and elements of the flags of both countries - Korea and Nepal. The slogan “Everesting Friendship – Korea-Nepal 50^th Anniversary” is composed of a combination of “Mt. Everest,” representing Nepal, and the word “Everlasting” to promote the eternal friendship and partnership between the two countries, reads a statement issued by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea.

Furthermore, the Book includes the success stories of 26 Nepali returnees who have successfully established their businesses in Nepal with the help of the skills learned from the Republic of Korea through various programs such as Employment Permit System (EPS). The book is a collection of success stories of seven Nepali returnees in the manufacturing sector, six in agriculture sector, eight in service sector and five in the education sector. The Embassy firmly believes that this will further inspire and encourage more Nepali Returnees from the Republic of Korea.

The Republic of Korea and Nepal have established cordial relations with steady growth in exchanges of mutual cooperation in multiple areas including economy, infrastructure, development and employment since the establishment of diplomatic ties.

Ambassador Park Taeyoung announced that the Embassy will be organizing various programs in cultural, economic and development areas to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year in 2024. He also expressed that through the mutual cooperation programs, the close ties will be further deepened and the bilateral relation between the two countries will reach a new height, according to the statement.

During the event, Chief Guest, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Narayan Prakash Saud appreciated that the two countries have been closely cooperating in various fields, including the economy, employment, education, and people-to-people exchanges since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1974 and there shall be further cooperation between the two countries in the future.

A person filed a complaint at the District Police Office, Kailali against Social Development Minister Jhapat Saud of Sudurpaschim saying that the minister threatened to take his life when he asked for the money he lent to him.

Dhan Bahadur Bohara of Bungal Municipality-1 of Bajhang filed a complaint against Minister Saud.

“Minister Saud had taken money from me as loan on different dates saying that he is in grave trouble and when I asked to return that money, he threatened to kill me,” he said.

Bohara filed a complaint on Monday at the District Police Office, Kailali demanding security.

District Police Office, Kailali spokesperson Kuldeep Chand accepted that a complaint has been filed against Minister Saud.

Minister Saud, however, said that he has not done any financial transaction with Bohara.