Book entitled “Religious & Spiritual Circuits Nepal & India” released

The Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NICCI) launched a Coffee Table Book “Religious & Spiritual Circuits Nepal & India” by organizing a program in the Capital on Monday. Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Sudan Kiranti, Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava, Foreign Secretary Bharat Raj Paudyal and NICCI President  Shreejana Rana launched the book. Experts from India and Nepal, who have contributed their research, have also shared their experience and the subject matter incorporated in the book. On the occasion, NICCI President Rana said that Nepal and India share a heritage and relationship that goes back for thousands of years. “This book came about from a wish to share more than the remarkable diversity and beauty of Nepal and India,” she said, adding, “We wanted to showcase our incredible religious sites and further promote bilateral tourism between our two nations," read a statement issued by the NICCI. “There are always challenges in promoting a new destination or theme. But one thing is certain: It is not enough to say “come visit our countries”. We must show “why”. This book does that,” she further said.

Ruling alliance meeting tomorrow to discuss cabinet expansion

A meeting of the ruling alliance is scheduled for Tuesday. A meeting of top leaders of the ruling alliance parties held at the official residence of the Prime Minister at Baluwatar today agreed to summon the meeting of the ruling alliance on Tuesday at 4 pm, said Manahari Timilsina, Press Expert of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Centre) Chair Dahal, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba and Chairperson of the CPN (Unified Socialist) Madhav Kumar Nepal were present in today’s meeting. Discussion would be held on different issues including cabinet expansion in the meeting scheduled for tomorrow, it is said. Although it was said that the net would be expanded today, it is delayed as parties associated to ruling alliance failed to forge consensus in this regard. NC, CPN (Maoist Centre), Rastriya Swatantra Party, Janata Samajbadi Party, Janamat Party, Nagarik Unmukti Party, Loktantrik Samajbadi Party, among other parties are the members of the ruling alliance.

Politics should be guided by service motive: President Paudel

President Ram Chandra Paudel has said politics should be guided by service motive towards the society and people. He said so while speaking at a program to unveil a bust of Nepali Congress leader and former Minister late Nabindra Raj Joshi, constructed at Yatkha Kumari Temple premises of Kathmandu Metropolitan City-19, on the second memorial day. The Head-of-State stressed that politics should be motivated by the highest determination, commitment and dedication to serve the people understanding their joy and sorrow along with continuous closeness. President Paudel shared, "Late Joshi was a personality who had a close relation with the people and had understood their joy and sorrow." The untimely demise of Joshi is an irreparable loss to the country, Nepal's democratic movement, the party, Joshi family and himself, he mentioned. The President expressed the view that Joshi was successful to build an image of a simple, honest, friendly, helpful and capable politician, adding good moral and honesty were the characteristics of late Joshi. "I got the opportunity to not only know and understand Nabindra from close quarters but also as a guardian to show the way all through his life to always motivate him towards building a a conscious, enthusiastic and conscientious personality by providing him suggestions, support and cooperation," the President said. He opined that installation of Joshi's statue will always keep alive the contribution he made for the country and people, inform the future generations of an honest and good leader and encourage them to carry out moral deeds. Nepali Congress leader and former Deputy Prime Minister, Prakash Man Singh remembered Joshi as a person who practiced the politics of values and principles for bringing change in the country. "Nabindra was the person who waged a struggle through the Nepal Students Union for reinstating the rights that were hijacked in 1960," Singh said. Joshi's spouse and lawmaker Sapana Rajbhandari expressed the commitment to work for fulfilling the political goal adopted by the late leader. She believed that the construction of the statue will keep Joshi alive. President Paudel also garlanded the statue of Nirgun Sthapitm, a martyr of the 1990 People's Movement, on the occasion. Born on January 6, 1963, Joshi died on March 26, 2021. He was the Constituent Assembly member, Minister for Industry, deputy mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, founding president of Ganeshman Singh Study Foundation. He was also associated with various social organizations.

3 held for chanting slogans against PM Dahal sent to jail

Three persons, who were arrested for chanting slogans against Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, have been sent to jail. According to Niranjan Bhatta, deputy speaker at the District Police Office, Teku, Uddhav Basent (23) of Solukhumbu, Biplab Khadka (18) of Bajhang and Som Sharma of Baglung were sent to jail. A case was filed against them at the District Administration Office. Some cadres of Swatantra Abhiyan Nepal had chanted slogans against PM Dahal in a program held on Tuesday. They staged a demonstration putting forth various demands like slashing the bank interest rate among others. The District Administration Office on Monday issued an order to release them on bail of Rs 5, 000 each. Bhatta said that they were sent to the jail after they failed to post the bail amount. They have been sent to the Dillibazar Prison Office.