Submit your Article

Indian Embassy in Kathmandu has said that it is deeply saddened by the tragic death of a Nepali student at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

The Embassy extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased during this difficult time, the Embassy of India, Kathmandu said in a press release on February 17.

The Embassy has been in touch with the authorities of KIIT as well as the Odisha State Government.

The Embassy has been informed that the local authorities have initiated an investigation into the unfortunate incident.

KIIT has also issued an appeal to the Nepali students to return to the campus, resume their classes, and stay in the hostels.

It has also assured that academic losses of the students will be taken care of by the Institute, according to the press release.

"Nepali students studying in India form an important facet of the enduring people to people links between the two countries. The Government of India will continue to take all necessary steps to ensure the well-being of the Nepali students in India," the Embassy has stated.

Effective enforcement of existing law and policy has been underlined for ending child marriage in Nepal.

During a discussion organized by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on 'Marriage age: Legal provision and implementation status' in the federal capital on Monday, the speakers said in addition to strict implementation of laws and policies, public awareness campaigns should be continued.

Rather than revising laws to lower the marriage age from the current 20 years to 18 years, it needs to be continued as it is. Programs on physical and mental health of adolescent girls and quality enhancement of their education are equally important to ensure their decision making capacity, and self-dependency in future. Present legal provision of at least 20 years for marriage helps reduce child and maternal mortality rate, the speakers argued.

Speaker Indira Rana Magar said the children need to be catered to education on social aspects to reduce child marriages. Gender inequality is one of the reasons behind early child marriage, she said, adding that collective efforts from all sides is required to work for ending this social ill.

NHRC secretary Murari Kharel presented a working paper on present status of child marriage and measures to reduce this social ill.

He informed that the highest number of child marriages were reported in Dhanusha district while the least in Manang district.

During the group discussion organized as part of the program, lawmaker Ranju Jha, however, reminded that the interaction the lawmakers' team including experts held witnessed the demand that current minimum age for marriage, 20, needs to be lowered to 18 years in Sudurpaschim, Madhes and Lumbini provinces.

The parliamentary committee on justice and human rights had held discussions with civil society, people's representatives and legal experts, according to her.

It was shared in the program that the factors behind child marriage were least awareness on punitive measures, weak enforcement of existing law, poverty, low social awareness, prevailing traditional thoughts and customs, gender inequality, etc.

The speakers suggested mobilization of traditional healers and priests against early marriage which have taken a toll, especially on girls. It is also a social blight.

A right advocate, Mina Sharma, informed that 36 percent of Nepali women in the age group of 20 to 24 years are married before 18 years, while it is 11 percent in case of male for the same category.

The program chaired by NHRC Member Lily Thapa was attended by Speaker Rana, chiefs of constitutional commissions, members of the parliament committees, political representatives, legal practitioners, right defenders, social activists and media persons.

Three persons died and four others were injured when a car they were travelling in met with an accident on Monday. They were returning home after attending the Kumbh Mela in India.

The deceased have been identified as Ganga Sharma, Ganesh Khanal and Deepa Khanal of Devdaha Municipality-9, Rupandehi, SP Ranjit Singh Rathore informed.

According to him, Ganesh and Geepa are husband and wife.

The injured have been taken to the Maharajgunj District Hospital after receiving primary treatment at the Ajmagadh-based local hospital.

There were eight persons including the driver in the vehicle.

The administration of Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in India has allegedly suppressed protests demanding justice for Nepali student Prakriti Lamsal, who was found dead in her hostel room. Nepali students protesting for a thorough investigation were reportedly expelled from the college. A student sharing photos and videos from the college, told ApEx, “We were demanding an investigation, but instead, the administration expelled us.” KIIT has around 1,500 Nepali students.

Lamsal had previously filed a complaint with the International Relations Officer (IRO) against a fellow student for prolonged harassment, but no serious action was taken. Following her death, the college issued a statement claiming it was a suicide, though the exact cause will be confirmed after a post-mortem examination at Capital Hospital.