Integrated diplomacy stressed for Nepal’s tourism promotion

Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs jointly organized a workshop on 'Partnership for Nepal Promotion'.

The workshop was organized with an aim to strengthen the common commitment to promote Nepal in an integrated manner through public, economic and cultural diplomacy.

Addressing the workshop, Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai said that tourism is the key to Nepal’s development, underscoring that confident, coherent and authentic 'story-telling' is indispensable for branding Nepal to the world.

He believed that tourism and public diplomacy will contribute to national dignity, international reputation and prosperity.

Also speaking at the program, Nepal Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer Deepak Raj Joshi mentioned that public diplomacy is important in tourism promotion,  expressing the opinion that it is necessary to strengthen institutional coordination and cooperation.

He added that Nepal can be established as a strong tourism destination in the long term if government agencies, diplomatic missions, private sector and policy research institutes move ahead with common goals.

 

 

 

 

 

National Earthquake Safety Day being observed today

The 27th National Earthquake Safety Day is being observed by organizing various programs. 

It has been observed since 2055 BS in commemoration of the great earthquake that occurred on Magh 2, 1990 BS (16 January 1934 AD). 

The purpose of observing this day is to raise awareness about earthquakes and increase preparedness. 

The earthquake on Baisakh 12, 2072 BS (25 April 2015) caused significant damages to life and property.

 

 

Weather to remain stable; mist forecast in Tarai

The Weather Forecasting Division has stated that currently there is no influence of a remarkable weather system in the country.

This afternoon some areas of the Tarai region will experience mist.

According to the Division, there will be partly cloudy weather in the high hill and mountainous areas of Koshi and Sudurpashchim Provinces, while the rest of the areas will remain mainly fair.

Similarly, some areas in the Tarai region will experience mist tonight.

In Karnali Sudurpashchim Provinces, the weather will be partly cloudy, while the rest of the areas will remain mainly clear.

The Division has urged one and all concerned to take necessary precautions as the mist may have partial effects on daily life, tourism, health, as well as air and road transportation.

Understanding PCOS: A growing health concern beyond fertility

Many people may have heard the term PCOS, which stands for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, although its exact cause is still not fully understood. Today, PCOS is recognized as the most common hormonal and metabolic disorder affecting women of reproductive age, impacting 6-20 percent of women worldwide. PCOS is mainly characterized by high levels of male hormone (androgens) in women, irregular or absent ovulation, and the presence of multiple small cysts in the ovaries, which can be detected through ultrasound.

Originally described in 1935 as Stein-Leventhal Syndrome, PCOS was once viewed only as a reproductive problem, causing missed periods, irregular menstruation, and difficulty in becoming pregnant. However, decades of research have revealed that PCOS affects far more than fertility. It is now known to be a serious whole-body condition, closely linked to weight gain, abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, insulin resistance, and chronic low-grade inflammation—all of which significantly increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

The most widely used diagnostic method for PCOS is the Rotterdam criteria, which requires the presence of at least two of the following: excess male hormones, irregular ovulation, and polycystic ovaries.

In Nepal, limited studies indicate that about 5-7 percent of women aged 20-30 are diagnosed with PCOS during medical checkups, while data on other age groups remain scarce. Unfortunately, public awareness of the condition is still very low, and access to reliable diagnostic services is limited. As a result, many women are diagnosed only when they seek medical help for infertility. Once pregnancy is achieved, follow-up care often ends, even though the health risks associated with PCOS continue throughout a woman’s life.

What is most concerning is that long-term exposure to high androgen levels in women with PCOS can lead to serious metabolic health problems over time. Emerging research also suggests that these effects may even influence the health of children born to mothers with PCOS, highlighting the need for further studies.

PCOS is therefore not just a fertility issue; it is a lifelong health condition that requires early diagnosis, continuous care, and greater public awareness to protect the long-term health of women and future generations.