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Farmers in Palpa district have produced more than 9,000 tons of orange this year.

This year saw a slight increase in orange production, said Agriculture Knowledge Center, adding that the district had produced 8,861 tons of citrus fruit last year.

Center's Chief Santosh Kumar Chaudhari informed that the farmers sold the oranges, fetching Rs 527.84 million. Last year, the earning had stood at Rs 460.7 million.

The orange farmers are happy to see a good harvest. The fruit production has increased and even the market is eased, he added.

Rainadevi Chhahara produced 3,639 metric tons of the fruit, while Ribdikot measured the harvest at 1184 metric tons, Bagnaskali 910 metric tons, Purvakhola 728 metric ton, Tansen 546 metric tons, and Mathaghadi 91 metric tons.

Six out of 10 local levels in the district are doing commercial farming of oranges.

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has announced that there will be disruption in supply of power in Kuleshwor, Baneshwor, Jorpati, and Kirtipur distribution centers in Kathmandu for eight days starting from today.

The electricity supply to these areas is being cut off in order to underground the electrical distribution lines, NEA stated.

NEA Project Management Directorate has stated that electricity supply will be cut off from 11 am to 4 pm in the locations under those feeders today.

According to the Directorate, there will be power outages in the areas around the Bhatkekopul bridge (Chabahil) on Monday, the areas around the Kalanki Land Revenue Office on Tuesday, the areas of Balkumari, Imadol, and Lubhu on Wednesday, the areas from Naikap to Balambu on Thursday, the areas from Balkhu to Chobhar Gate on Friday, and the areas under the Jorpati feeder from Baba Chowk to the Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Similarly, it has been announced that the area from Gaushala Chowk to Old Baneshwor on Monday and the area from Ratopul to Gaushala on Tuesday will experience power outages.

Apologizing for the disruption of electricity supply over eight days, the authority has stated that there will be no 'shutdown' if the weather remains unfavorable.

The six-lane expansion of the 16-km stretch of the Araniko Highway from Suryabinayak to Dhulikhel is now gaining some momentum. The project, which began on 8 Jan 2023, was divided into two sections—Suryabinayak to Sanga and Sanga to Dhulikhel—with a target completion within 36 months. However, only about 30 percent of the work has been completed so far, according to the project authorities.

The government had awarded contracts worth Rs 3.88bn for the 7.5 km Suryabinayak-Sanga section and Rs 4.05bn for the 8.4 km Sanga-Dhulikhel section. However, budget constraints have slowed progress on the main road and service lanes, according to the Sindhuli-Bardibas Road Project Office.

Currently, the construction of retaining walls, drainage systems, and culverts is in its final stage. However, the expansion work in the Sanga area has faced challenges due to steep terrain, making construction difficult.

Despite an agreement of over Rs 8bn for the project, the government has allocated only Rs 540m this fiscal year, which is just seven percent of the required budget. Officials say the lack of funds has caused delays in hiring workers, purchasing materials, and overall progress. They maintain that if the government releases the budget on time, the road can still be completed within the initial deadline.

The project also requires the construction of three new bridges, including those near Jagati and Mahadev Khola petrol pump, at an estimated cost of Rs 1bn. The feasibility study suggests each meter of bridge construction will cost Rs 1.5m.

A separate 1.5 to 2 km section in Sanga, where the road lanes are at different elevations, will not include service lanes due to challenging topography. Instead of constructing a tunnel, the expansion will proceed with modifications to the existing structure. The study also estimates that Rs 1bn will be required to compensate for acquiring 17 ropani of land for the project.

The Araniko Highway was initially constructed in 1960, with a right-of-way of 22.86 meters on either side. The same legal framework was upheld in 1964, and many houses along the road were built following this regulation.

With the reopening of the Tatopani border crossing with China, traffic on this highway is expected to increase further. Currently, over 1,000 long-distance vehicles depart from Koteshwor daily. The road is a crucial link connecting Kathmandu with the Mid-Hill Highway (BP and Pushpalal highways) to the east, as well as with the Koshi and Madhes provinces.

In the realm of Nepali music, one name stands out as a beacon of talent, dedication, and artistic excellence—Prajwal Lama, an extraordinary pianist and keyboardist. With over 13 years of experience and an impressive presence from Nepal to the global stage, Prajwal’s mastery of the keyboard transforms any melody into an extraordinary masterpiece.

I first encountered his prodigious talent during the inaugural season of Nepal Idol, where I was involved as a director and project head. His presence in the backup band not only reassured the contestants but also the judges. This is why he has remained a top choice for renowned Nepali musician and Nepal Idol judge Nhyoo Bajracharya.

Beyond Nepal Idol, Prajwal has collaborated with celebrated artists such as Sajjan Raj Vaidya and performed in the Ghum Phiri Tour across the United States and Canada. His music has graced some of the world’s most iconic stages, including the Eventim Apollo in London, the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney, and the Festival Hall in Melbourne.

A true bridge between traditional and contemporary music, Prajwal has worked with international artists like Ani Choying Drolma, infusing modern world music with Nepal’s rich cultural heritage. However, his expertise extends far beyond the piano and keyboard—he is a multi-instrumentalist, proficient in guitar, bass guitar, tabla, recorder, madal, damphu, nagara, and vocals. His ability to seamlessly adapt to various musical genres makes him an ideal collaborator for artists across different styles.

Prajwal’s contributions to Nepali music have been recognized on numerous occasions. In 2022, he won the ASP Muzic Community Piano Challenge, showcasing his technical brilliance. In 2019, he was featured on Aimee Nolte Music’s YouTube channel, marking his recognition on an international platform. His performances have also been integral to the Hits FM Music Awards, Tuborg Open Sessions, and The Voice of Nepal.

In addition to his live performances, Prajwal has paid tribute to legendary artists such as Michael Jackson, Queen, Rajesh Hamal, Bon Jovi, Narayan Gopal, and Tara Devi, reinterpreting their music through his unique artistic lens.

Committed to taking Nepali music to the global stage, Prajwal has performed in the UK, Australia, Malaysia, India, and beyond, earning widespread acclaim. Notably, his performance alongside Ani Choying Drolma at the Feel the Heal concert in Malaysia and collaborations with Indian music legends like Asha Bhosale, Anuradha Paudwal, Sanjeevani Bhelande, and Deepa Jha have further cemented his reputation as a versatile and accomplished musician.

Having begun his professional journey as a teenager, Prajwal holds a Bachelor’s degree in Ethnomusicology from Kathmandu University and has earned special qualifications from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), UK, as well as Nepal Sangeet Level 5. Following Nepal Idol Season 5, he has continued his musical education in the United States, further refining his craft.

With relentless dedication and passion for music, Prajwal Lama is poised to reach even greater heights in the international music industry. His melodies will continue to resonate across Nepal and beyond, leaving a lasting imprint on the world of music.