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Eleven containers loaded with molasses for exports to Bangladesh have been stuck along the eastern transit point, Kakarbhitta.

Protest that began last month over a 'controversial' quota system for governmental jobs has now escalated to nationwide unrest. Its direct impact has been seen on Nepal's trade as well.  

The trade with Bangladesh that had come to a total halt in mid-July resumed a few days ago. But again, the border has been closed for the next three days.

According to Nepal Transit and Warehousing Management Company Limited, branch office, Kakarbhitta, some containers have remained stuck in the Phulbari-Banglabandh transitional transit point of Nepal, India, and Bhutan.

Similarly, containers en route to Nepal from Bangladesh have failed to cross the transit.

Office Chief Subash Pandey said the supplies were disrupted with the unrest becoming intense.  "We have no idea how long it will take to return to normalcy."

According to the Office data, in the first 11 days of the current fiscal year 2081-82 BS (2024-25), Nepal exported goods worth over Rs 13.5 million to Bangladesh while the value of imports exceeded Rs 206.5 million.

The Mechi Customs Office, Kakarbhitta said Nepal exports pulse, herbal products, molasses, foodstuff, animal feed, Khayar (Black catechu), and coloring agents to Bangladesh.

It imports jute, soybean husk, allopathic medicines, lead-acid batteries, garments, fruit juice, glass sheets, biscuits, and chocolates from Bangladesh.  Nepali students who had been in Bangladesh in the course of pursuing higher degrees in various universities have returned home following the unrest.

The World Vlog Challenge premiered ‘The Challengers: Game of Himalayas’, one of the first global reality shows directed and produced by Nepali filmmakers, on Saturday in Kathmandu. The show features 11 vloggers from six countries aged 19 to 30 and their adventurous journey and activities during their 12-day trek from Lukla to Sagarmatha Base Camp.

The premiere was attended by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, his spouse Radhika Shakya, Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey, officials from the US Embassy in Nepal, as well as renowned artists and other prominent figures.

Speaking in the premiere, Prime Minister Oli invited tourists worldwide to visit Nepal to witness its breathtaking natural beauty. He expressed confidence that once people visit Nepal, they will be compelled to return. Oli highlighted that the show will help the world better understand the Himalayas and Nepal’s natural beauty. 

Addressing concerns raised by the show about Lukla Airport’s safety, he reassured that while the airport is located in a challenging terrain, it is managed by highly skilled and experienced aviation professionals. “I have flown to Lukla many times. Despite its narrow landscape and short runway, there are 85 flights daily without any accidents due to the expertise of the pilots,” he said, adding that the airport is safe.

Oli also noted that, in addition to Sagarmatha, Nepal has many other mountains like Kanchanjunga, Makalu, Choyu, Manaslu, Annapurna, and Dhaulagiri which are worth discussing across the globe.

Similarly, Minister Pandey said, “The government will support projects that promote Nepal globally. Collaboration between the government and project stakeholders will be crucial in creating such initiatives.”

The show was completed in 1.5 years with an investment of $1m. Director/producer Shree Gurung shared, “This show features 11 prominent vloggers with a combined international following of approximately 40m. The show showcases the reality of surviving in harsh conditions.”

The show is now set for global release and has already been available on Amazon Prime Video in the United States. It consists of eight episodes depicting the vloggers’ journeys through the Himalayas in challenging conditions.

Gurung reflected on the production process, stating, “While the show is thrilling, the filming was expensive, difficult, and rushed. There were times when I felt like giving up. Initially, no one was willing to invest or believe in the project. However, I pushed through with my team and supporters, and I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished.”

The primary goal of including vloggers in the show is to promote Sagarmatha and global tourism through social media platforms, with a focus on raising awareness about climate change in the Himalayas. Gurung concluded, “This is just the beginning. We plan to undertake more projects to showcase different regions of Nepal and their unique realities.”

Ten persons were injured when a tree fell on a moving micro bus at Khahare in Gajuri Rural Municipality-5, Dhading on Monday.

Among the injured, nine are undergoing treatment at the Gajuri Hospital and one has been referred to Kathmandu, DSP Makendra Mishra, spokesperson at the District Police Office, Dhading informed.

The bus (Bagmati Province 01-006 Kha 6512) was heading towards Kathmandu from Dhading when the incident occurred.

There were 15 passengers onboard the microbus.

The Kathmandu University (KU) is beginning a course in Aviation Management at Bachelor's Level.

The School of Management of KU is running classes in Aviation Management under the partnership of Simrik Venture and Siddhartha Banasthali School. This will be the first of its course at the university in Nepal.

It is shared that 33 students will be enrolled in the first year of the Bachelor's Level this year. 

The four-year program is aimed at providing knowledge and skills on aviation operation and effective management of airlines and airports, Venture's Chairman Rameshwor Thapa shared.

The curriculum of the program will include aviation laws, aviation security, airport planning and management, aviation marketing, airline operations, aviation and economics, the importance of tourism and human resource management and other related topics.

"These courses will provide practical training on management of aviation activities," Thapa said. 

The Vice Chancellor of KU, Dr Bhola Thapa, said that the Bachelor's Level course on Aviation Management is aimed at producing skilled human resources in the country. "This is the first attempt in Nepal. We are confident in producing skilled human resources in Nepal in this subject," Vice Chancellor Dr Bhola Thapa added.