Submit your Article

India on Tuesday handed over the first tranche of election-related assistance to Nepal during a ceremony held at the Ministry of Home Affairs in Kathmandu.

The assistance was formally received by Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal. 

India’s Charge d’Affaires in Kathmandu, Dr. Rakesh Pandey, handed over more than 60 double-cab pickup vehicles along with other logistical supplies for use in preparations for Nepal’s upcoming elections, reads a statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu. 

Home Minister Aryal thanked the Government of India for the support and said it reflected the longstanding cooperation between the two countries.

India has been providing election-related assistance to Nepal since 2008 at the request of the Nepali government. 

According to officials, the support has included the supply of around 2,400 vehicles to various government bodies, including the Election Commission, the statement further reads. 

For the forthcoming elections, India has committed to providing about 650 vehicles, which will be delivered in phases over the coming weeks.

Officials said the assistance is part of broader bilateral cooperation between India and Nepal.

The Ambassadors Club Nepal honoured United Nations Resident Coordinator to Nepal, Hanaa Singer-Hamdy, with the ‘Recognition Award 2025’ at a special ceremony organized at its office premises in Bishalnagar on Monday.

Ambassadors Club Nepal President Amb. Dr. Sarmila Parajuli Dhakal, announced the award to Hanaa.

“In recognition of her (Hanaa’s) distinguished leadership, dedicated service, and lasting contribution to Nepal’s development journey, the Ambassadors Club Nepal will present the Recognition Award 2025 to Her Excellency Hanaa Singer-Hamdy,” President Dhakal added, who is also a former ambassador to Spain and Oman.

Pushkar Sapkota, Law and Human Rights Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, presented the award to Hanaa on behalf of the Ambassadors Club.

After receiving the award, UNRC-Nepal Hanaa thanked the Ambassadors Club Nepal and President Amb. Dr. Parajuli. 

“Thank you very much for honouring me. This is amazing—what you’ve done, always so graceful and always so appreciative,” Hanaa said.

Hanaa further added, “Nepal for me is my Maitighar (mother’s home). I have been coming to Nepal since 1997. I have visited Nepal around seven or eight times, and I have lived and worked in Nepal for around six years. I have travelled to over 54 districts, and I have been overwhelmed by emotions.” 

She further said that  she will always come back to Nepal because there is a kind of magic found only here—and a big part of that magic is the people.

Ambassadors, diplomats, Government of Nepal officials, officials from other diplomatic missions, and leaders of the private sector were also present on the occasion. 

The waterbird census carried out this year shows that there are 42 species of birds in the Narayani River area. 

The bird census the previous year had found 41 species of birds and it was 42 species this year in the Narayani River area, said DB Chaudhary, Bird Census Coordinator of Chitwan National Park West Sector.

More birds have been found in the Narayani River and the surrounding wetlands of the western sector of Chitwan National Park than last year. 

According to the integrated data of the bird census conducted by a group of experts in the Narayani River and surrounding areas, 12,887 birds of 42 species have been found in the Narayani area this year

In 2024, 9,548 birds of 41 species were counted and in 2023, 10,257 birds of 41 species were counted. This year, one more species of bird has been found compared to the past few years and the number has also increased.

It may be noted that a total of 903 species of birds have been listed in Nepal. Of these, 162 species of birds are found in the aquatic area. 

The birds were counted in five groups, from Sighrauli to Amaltari, from Sighrauli to Pithauli, from Pithauli to Amaltari, and from Amaltari to Triveni Gandak Barrage. Coordinator Chaudhary shared that the initial estimate is that the overall number of birds has increased by 3,339 this year compared to last year. 

According to him, the largest number of migratory birds that come here are from Siberia and other northern hemispheres to escape the cold.

The Tamang community is celebrating Sonam Lhosar, New Year, by organizing various programs today.

Sonam Lhosar festival is celebrated every year on the occasion of Magh Shukla Pratipada with various programs.

Sonam Lhosar is divided into 12 categories: rat, cow, tiger, rabbit, dragon (cloud), snake, horse, sheep, monkey, bird, dog and pig.

The festival is specially celebrated in different districts of Bagmati region where Tamang caste is predominant. The government has given a public holiday across the country on the occasion.