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The Embassy of Nepal in Ottawa has advised Nepali students planning to study in Canada to exercise caution and thoroughly prepare before embarking on their educational journey. 

The embassy’s advisory comes at a time when international students in Canada are facing unprecedented hardships due to a lack of jobs and rising accommodation prices. The Nepali mission has advised students to carefully study the notice that the embassy published in the last week of April. “Prospective students are advised to conduct thorough research about their chosen college, field of study, associated costs, and the city where the institution is located. Don’t rely on unrealistic, insufficient, or exaggerated promotional materials, as this may lead to various problems upon arrival,” the advisory reads.

The embassy has advised students to gather information from relatives, friends, senior or former students, social media networks and Nepali diaspora organizations in the relevant cities before departing for Canada. This, according to the embassy, will help students better understand the local environment, education system, expenses, housing availability and employment prospects.

The Nepali mission has also advised parents to make adequate arrangements for their children’s tuition, accommodation and living expenses before sending them off to Canada. It added that the misconception that employment can be easily secured immediately upon arrival has landed many students in trouble.

Stating that there is increasing pressure on student housing and employment opportunities across Canada due to a growing number of international students, the embassy has advised students to secure accommodation before arrival and warned against making advance payments based solely on social media advertisements.

The embassy has advised students to be prepared for extreme cold during the winter months and gather information about the local climate beforehand. “Students also need to familiarize themselves with local customs and practices related to daily life in Canada to ease their transition,” it added.

Furthermore, the embassy has emphasized the importance of being well-informed about the quality and credibility of educational institutions before paying tuition fees. Students are also advised to verify landlord information before making any rental payments to avoid falling victim to scams, it added.

Canada has decided to reduce the intake of international students by 35 percent for two years starting September to address pressure on its housing and health sector. It is also discontinuing work permits for undergraduate students enrolled in private-public partnership colleges starting September.

“Students should be aware of their rights and seek legal recourse if they face labor exploitation, abuse, or fraud in the workplace,” it added.

Canada had 1.04m international students in 2023, according to the Canadian Bureau of International Education. Nepalis accounted for two percent of the community that year, according to the Bureau. The number of Nepali students grew by a whopping 166 percent in 2023 compared to 2022.

The Bharatpur-based BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital has started providing 'CT Scan Service' in extra time. With this, patients do not need to wait for the 'CT Scan' service at the hospital.

Before this, patients had to wait for a week to access this service from the hospital that has been daily undertaking 60 to 70 CT scans of patients.

Chief of the Hospital's Radiology Department Dr Nitu Sharma said compulsion to wait for the turn has been ended when two vacant positions of radiologist got filled and mobilized for providing service in extra time. She said, "After new management was in place, the two vacant posts were fulfilled. With this, 12 hours of service from 8 am to 8 pm has begun", the Department Chief informed.

The department has a total of seven radiologists. Earlier, there was an issue of service delivery when only five radiologists had to provide service during office hours.

Now, the patients have to wait for just two days to access MRI service, she said, adding earlier the patients had to wait for two weeks to get MRI service.

There is no need to wait for the video X-ray now. Earlier, only one radiologist used to provide the video X-ray service, but now there are two dedicated persons to deliver the service, Dr Sharma added.

Four persons died when a landslide buried a house at Tumeda in Bungal Municipality-10, Bajhang in the wee hours of Monday.

Kali Dhami, Golki Dhami, Ashika Dhami and Laxmi Dhami lost their lives after a landslide buried their house at around 1 am today, according to police.

The District Police Office, Bajhang informed that the locals and a team of Jhapa Police Post retrieved the bodies of all of them at 7: 20 am.

The house was completely damaged in the incident.

There were nine people in the house when the incident took place.

Bira Dhami, Ujjwal Dhami, Roshan Dhami, Kamala Dhami and Shanti Dhami were rescued with the locals immediately after the incident.

Janai Purnima also known as the sacred thread festival is being observed across the country on Monday.

On the occasion, Hindu Brahmins and Chhetris who have undergone Bratabandha (hair shaving ceremony) change the sacred thread (janai) and also tie sacred thread around the wrist of the right hand.

It is also believed that this thread should be removed only on the day of Laxmi Puja that falls during Laxmi Puja in Tihar.

Janai Purnima is also popularly known as Rakshya Bandan.

On this day, sisters offer rakhi (a symbol of protection) to their brothers.