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The Jhulaghat transit point along the Nepal-India border in Baitadi district is to remain closed from this evening in view of the Lok Sabha election in Uttarakhand of India.

Baitadi's Chief District Officer Bhimkant Sharma has said Jhulaghat will remain shut from 6 pm Tuesday until 7 pm on April 19 considering the Lok Sabha polls in Uttarakhand State in India. The election has been scheduled to take place on April 19.

However, in case of emergencies, the border can be reopened through a mutual agreement during the official closure. There is a practice for closing the transit points during an election in the neighboring country.

Ramesh Subedi, musician, music composer, and a teacher, has an indomitable spirit. Born visually impaired in 1979 in Kerabari Rural Municipality, Morang, his passion for music started during his formative years at Gyan Chachu School, a school catering to visually impaired students, where the air was always filled with melodies.

“From my earliest days at Gyan Chachu School, I found support and inspiration among fellow visually impaired students,” he says. “It was here that my interest in music began, nurtured by the supportive environment and the creative energy within the school walls.”

When Subedi was in grade five he composed his first song. The lyrics–Totey boli bolera, nana papa lyayi magne, kati ramro bani timro gyani bhayi basne–were penned by his friend Prem Rai. This was perhaps what marked the start of a lifelong pursuit of musical expression.

“I was drawn to politics at first. I aspired to become the chief justice and advocate for the rights of the underprivileged. I believed involvement in politics would provide me with a platform to be heard,” says Subedi. “But I soon discovered my true passion in music.”  

He recognized music had the potential not only for personal fulfillment but also for social impact. This realization led him to pursue formal music education at Lalit Kala Campus, specializing in vocal performance, and immersing himself in the study of various musical instruments.

Learning the guitar proved to be particularly challenging. He met several teachers who struggled to effectively communicate their knowledge with him. However, Subedi refused to give up. “After numerous attempts, I eventually found a teacher, Subash Mukhiya, whose professional teaching skills and patience proved to be invaluable,” he says. Under Mukhiya’s guidance, Subedi embarked on a four and a half year journey of learning the guitar. Mukhiya’s ability to adapt his teaching methods played a crucial role in Subedi’s learning journey and eventual success. 

“When you are truly passionate about something, don’t let it fade as a dream. Instead, keep working hard, and you will eventually find yourself where you are meant to be,” says Subedi.

Subedi’s journey of learning the keyboard was challenging. But he persisted in his efforts, attending music schools and seeking out instructors until he found one who was willing to take him on as a student. “That moment when the teacher said yes to teaching me was a turning point for me. The acceptance ignited a sense of confidence and determination that pushed me forward in my journey,” he says. 

As someone who was visually impaired , Subedi understands the difficulties of finding suitable teachers and resources for learning instruments. His struggles fueled his desire to pave a smoother way for future generations of visually impaired musicians. He became an advocate for actively working to raise awareness about the importance of accessibility and providing resources for visually impaired musicians.

Throughout his career, Subedi has balanced his roles as teacher at Laboratory Higher Secondary School in Kirtipur, Kathmandu, and also as a musician at Dohori Fewa Restaurant.

Joining the Laboratory Higher Secondary School was a pivotal moment in his career as an educator. In 2004, he started on a journey that would not only shape the lives of his students but also redefine the boundaries of what is possible in the realm of education. “Joining Laboratory School was the best decision for me because I have gained a lot of experiences. I have had the chance to enable my students to participate in various events to showcase their musical performances,” says Subedi.

Subedi’s tenure at Laboratory School is marked by his dedication to inclusivity. Teaching Braille to nearly 50 visually impaired students, he ensures equal access to education. His efforts to seamlessly integrate visually impaired students into the classroom alongside their sighted peers have created a truly inclusive atmosphere, where everyone feels valued and supported.

“As a music teacher, I bring my passion for music to every lesson, inspiring students to explore their creativity and express themselves,” he says. Subedi has further demonstrated his commitment to his students’ artistic growth by publishing a separate collection of their songs. This project showcases the talents of his students and provides them with a platform to share their musical creations with a wider audience.

Subedi’s songs have been sung by a variety of talented artists in the Nepali music industry. Some notable singers include Babu Bogati, Rajeshpal Rai, Swarup Acharya, Kamal Khatri, Purnakala BC, Krishna Bhakta Rai, and Reema Gurung among others. These singers have lent their unique voices and interpretations to Subedi’s songs, helping to bring his compositions to life and share them with audiences across Nepal and beyond.

Subedi’s contributions to the field of music and education have not gone unnoticed. He has received several awards including the Godhuli Sur-Sadhana Sewa Puraskar and the Kartikeya Children’s Literature Promotion Award, which highlight his significant impact on Nepali culture and society. 

His dedication to preserving Nepali music and culture is evident in his publication of a songbook containing a collection of 70 songs with lyrics and chords in 2005. This comprehensive resource serves as a valuable tool for aspiring musicians and educators, ensuring the continued legacy of Nepali music for future generations.

Subedi’s family plays an integral role in his life, providing love, support, and encouragement as he pursues his passion for music and education. “Despite the challenges I faced in my career, my family stands by me, they’re proud of my achievements and dedication” says Subedi. Subedi’s son looks up to his father with admiration. Seeing his father fills him with a sense of pride and wonder as he realizes the impact his father has had on the lives of others through his music and teaching.

Ten years ago, Nepali mountain guide Dawa Tashi Sherpa was fighting for his life after being hit by an avalanche on Everest which was then the deadliest disaster on the world’s highest mountain.

The accident, which killed 16 Nepali guides on 18 April 2014, shone a spotlight on the huge dangers they face to let high-paying foreign clients reach their dreams.

Without their critical work to carve out climbing routes, fix ropes, repair ladders and carry heavy gear up the mountain, few foreign visitors could make it to the daunting peak’s top.

A decade ago, a wall of snow barrelled through the Nepali guides as they heaved heavy kit up the treacherous high-altitude Khumbu icefall in the freezing dark.

The force of the avalanche tossed Dawa Tashi about 10 meters down, injuring his rib cage, left shoulder blade and nose.

Dawa Tashi, then aged 22, recalled his friends who died. Three of their bodies were never recovered.

“I was lucky to survive,” he told AFP. “In the hospital, whenever I tried to sleep, they would appear in front of my eyes.”

The disaster led to protests for improved benefits and conditions for the guides, and an unprecedented shutdown on the peak for a season.

‘Tipping point’

It sparked a debate about compensation for the families of injured or killed Nepali guides and mountain workers.

Many are forced to rely on the charity of Western climbers—despite being employed by expedition companies and being fundamental to the multimillion-dollar industry’s success.

“It was very difficult back then,” said Nima Doma Sherpa, who lost her husband Tsering Onchu, 33, in the avalanche.

“What can you do when the main pillar of your house is not there? The children were small, and I was worried how I will educate them and how we will sustain ourselves.”

The government reaps hefty revenues from the lucrative climbing industry—in the last season in 2023, it earned more than $5m from Everest fees alone.

Soon after the 2014 accident, it pledged a meager $400 to the families of those killed to cover funeral expenses.

The offer was rejected by angry Nepalis, whose families received only $10,000 then in life insurance.

The resulting furious dispute, with Nepalis clamoring for better death and injury benefits from the government, saw days of tension at the base camp.

Sherpa guides, grief-stricken over the deaths of their colleagues, threatened to boycott climbing, throwing mountaineers’ plans into disarray and canceling the season.

“It was a tipping point for young Sherpas who were frustrated,” said Sumit Joshi of expedition operator Himalayan Ascent, who lost three guides from his team in the avalanche that year.

Since then, his Everest teams have not climbed on the anniversary date.

“Ten years on, there is an improvement in their working conditions and the respect that they command,” he said.

Safety standards needed

In 2014, the protesters at Everest base camp made several demands.

They included an improvement in insurance payouts and a relief fund from mountain royalties.

“We were advocating for the Nepali climbers, ensuring they can get as much benefit as possible,” said Ang Tshering Sherpa who headed the Nepal Mountaineering Association at the time.

“But not all demands could be met as there were limitations.”

The insurance payout was increased by 50 percent to Rs 1.5m ($11,250) if someone is killed.

Helicopters are now allowed to fly in supplies to higher camps, decreasing the number of trips Nepalis make across the treacherous Khumbu icefall.

Nepali companies have displaced foreign operators to bring in the majority of climbers, and pay and conditions have improved for guides at larger firms.

But, guide Mingma G Sherpa said, little else has changed.

“They protested, but it was limited to the base camp,” he said. “The main thing is that the government policies are still not good... we really need to set a standard for climbers to make the mountains safer.”

‘Wives don’t agree’

In 2015, a powerful earthquake triggered an avalanche that killed 18 people at Everest’s base camp before the climbing season began.

Last year’s season started with the death of three Nepali climbers carrying expedition supplies, after they were hit by glacial ice fall and swept into a crevasse.

Mingma G Sherpa said many local guides have quit the industry.

“The number of Sherpas has gone down significantly. Now companies have to go look for Sherpas. In the past, Sherpas would have to go around looking for work,” he said.

“We want to go to climb because we know the environment there, but the family members don’t want to send. The mothers and wives don’t agree.”

Survivor Dawa Tashi, who began trekking when he was just 11, still guides climbers and returned to Everest in 2021.

He is preparing to guide six Americans up the 6,461-meter-tall central Mera peak.

“There were improvements after the disaster, but it is not enough,” he said, pointing to the $11,000 fee each foreigner pays to the government to climb Everest.

“The government... should make a fund to safeguard the manpower,” he said.

“The clients would also happily pay it, knowing that it will be used to take care of their team.” 

AFP

The Birgunj Metropolitan City (BMC) has collected more than Rs 360 million taxes in nine months of the current fiscal year.

In the last nine months of the current fiscal year, it was able to collect Rs 167 million in revenue.

The metropolitan city collected Rs 127 million from property tax and Rs 45 million house rent.

The city has been imposing tax under 24 headings.

Chief of revenue division at the metropolitan city, Manoj Karna, informed that they were able to collect Rs 29 million more tax than that collected last year. It is a good improvement, he said.