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The country will see partial to general changes today due to the influence of monsoon wind. Heavy rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning is predicted in some parts of the country. According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, light to moderate rainfall is likely to take place in some parts of the country this afternoon. Heavy rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning is predicted to occur in some areas of Madhes, Lumbini and Sudurpaschim Provinces. There is also a chance of storms in a few plain areas of Lumbini and Sudurapschim provinces. Now, light to moderate rainfall is taking place in some places of Koshi, Madhes and Lumbini Provinces due to minor to complete changes in weather across the country. There is a likelihood of light to moderate rain in some areas in the night due to partial to general changes across the country. The Division said that there is a possibility of heavy rain with thunderstorms and lightning in some places of Lumbini and Sudurpaschim Provinces.

Bhupal Rai is a Nepali poet, lyricist, and the chancellor of the Nepal Academy. He began his journey in writing more than two decades ago. Some of his notable works are ‘Yaari’, ‘Dajai! Kavita Gaumai Chha’, ‘Simanta Soundarya’, ‘Bhumigat Prashna Haru’, ‘Pahilo Haraf Sirbandi’ and ‘Aago le Janmotsav Manaudaina’. Anushka Nepal from ApEx talked to Rai about his experience as a writer. You have been a writer for a long time. When did it all start? If I think about when I actually started writing, it would be during my school days. I was probably in the eighth or ninth grade. But I began pursuing writing professionally once I came to Kathmandu from Bhojpur, my hometown, after passing grade 10. Back then, coming from a village to Kathmandu was a big deal. It was a city with many opportunities. I was in Kathmandu to continue my studies, but at the same time, I wrote a lot. I mostly wrote poems. It was around 1997 that I published my poem in the news. It was the first work of mine that got published. The title was ‘Aama ko Samjhana’, and it was published in ‘Chhahara Daimashik’, a newspaper that came out every two months. That’s how it all started. What are your works mostly based on?  I believe I had two phases during my writing journey. The first one was where I expressed my feelings, experiences, and thoughts through my writing. Most of my work was based on myself and no one else. And that was how I wrote for almost 11 years. Writing, for me, became more like my own method of advocacy. I started writing about societal responsibilities, political, and caste discriminations, and other issues I often saw around me. I have been continuing with that ever since. How would you describe your writing style? I’m mostly into writing poems and lyrics. I think I’m able to be more expressive with poems and lyrics in comparison to other forms of writing. There is no particular way of writing poems. But it must have a particular opinion of a writer expressed in an imaginary way. And that’s what I do. Now and then, I also write essays. I was also a columnist for Kantipur. So I suppose I’m inclined to areas where I find myself the most expressive. Can you run us through your writing process?  I can never get anything done when I just sit down and prepare myself to write something. It needs to come naturally. That usually happens when I’m moved by particular incidents, people, or anything that makes me want to put down my thoughts on writing. When that happens, I already have a certain outline in my head and even words that I will be using in my work. But that doesn’t mean I get it done at once. I edit my work a lot. I rewrite it many times before I feel satisfied with what I’ve written. But I thoroughly enjoy it. What are you currently working on? Currently, I’m the chancellor of the Nepal Academy and because of that I haven’t been able to invest a lot of time in writing. It has been around four months since I last wrote. I will definitely publish more work but that has slowed down a bit due to my other responsibilities. So I’m not working on anything as of now. But I’m thinking of publishing a compilation of the essays that I have written for Kantipur Koseli. Are there any books/authors that have had an influence on your writing style? I have been influenced by the writings I have read since my school days. But I don’t think that has influenced the way I write. I believe no matter how much one reads, their work should always be unique. So I try my best not to bring the writing styles of other authors in my own work. But the books I have read have influenced me on many other levels. They have been huge inspirations. Rai’s favorite book  Aama by Maxim Gorky ‘Aama’ is a Nepali translation of a book called ‘Mother’ by Maxim Gorky, written in 1906 about revolutionary factory workers. It was first published, in English, in Appleton’s Magazine in 1906, then in Russian in 1907.  

Sometimes good restaurants are located in the most unexpected places. Ramsterdam Cafe in Ramhiti, Kathmandu, is right next to the main street, and looks quite small from outside. But the place is spacious, making it a perfect place to hangout with friends, or alone if you are so inclined. The decor of the place is quite random, but looks good altogether. And they have live music sessions in the evening. Seating areas are plenty, especially if you’re visiting during the day time. Finding a place to sit might be a struggle if you’re there in the evenings or on a weekend. It doesn’t matter if you’re sitting alone or with someone, you’ll thoroughly enjoy your time at the restaurant. Also, the cafe feels welcoming. One can easily have a conversation with the owner, staff or the customers sitting nearby. It’s a good place to visit if you like to read too. You’ll see shelves filled with books as you walk inside. You can grab one, find a corner, and be by yourself with no one else bothering you. When it comes to food, they have a variety of choices. We did find the food items to be a bit pricey, but their drinks are quite affordable. For a non-alcoholic drink, opt for a cold coffee. At most of the restaurants we’ve visited, cold coffees are disappointing. Here, it’s the exact opposite. It’s not too diluted, is quite milky, and they use cold milk instead of adding ice. But the vibe of the place calls for a glass of beer with some snacks on the side. Meal/drinks for two: Rs 2,000 Opening hours: 9:00 am to 9:00 pm Contact: 9841242224 Online payment: Accepted Parking: Not available 

The Medical Education Commission (MEC) has estimated that more than 250,000 human resources related to the health sector would be necessary till fiscal year 2087/88. The MEC made this projection on the basis of a study based on fiscal year 2077/78 BS. A total of 358,938 human resources related to health including female health volunteers and office assistants in government and private health institutions within the period would be needed, said the Commission. Of them, 257,091 would be doctors and health workers. Vice-Chairperson of the Commission, Prof Dr Sri Krishna Giri, said that such a large number of human resources in the health sector was estimated based on the human resource to be retired and going abroad during the period as well as basic health institutions the government has been constructing. As per the World Health Organization, it is considered good to have minimum 4.45 health workers per 1,000 populations. A total of 234,361 human resources were needed in health institutions in fiscal year 2077/78 BS, only 178,309 human resources were working during the period. The Commission projected that 16,784 MBBS doctors, 15,435 specialist consultants (MD) and 411 nursing professionals are needed till 2088 BS. Similarly, 3,359 Nursing Assistants (Bachelor level), 88024 Nursing and Obstetrics Assistants (Certificate level), 2,083 Traditional and Alternative Medicine professionals (Bachelor's and Master's level), 2,118 Traditional and Assistant Physicians Technical (Certificate level) will be required. Likewise, 2,688 human resources related to other health professions (Master's level), 23, 150 human resources (Bachelor's level) in the other health related auxiliary professions and 104, 39 human resources (Certificate level) in the other health related auxiliary professions have to be produced till that period. The MEC stated that 57, 043 Female Community Health Volunteers and office assistants, 44, 800 cleaning staff and drivers would be required. The Council said 245, 463 medical workforce, 54, 463 female health volunteers and 42, 777 office assistants, sanitary staff and drivers will be needed in 2083 BS. According to the MEC report, 7,659 medical human resources in the Bachelor's level, 1,684 in the Master's level and 109 in the higher than Master's level would be produced this year. Similarly, 12. 102 health workers would be produced in 11 medium and basic level subjects including nursing, general medicine, dental science, ayurvedic health science, physiotherapy, pharmacy, among others. 10, 139 health facilities, including 7,889 government hospitals, the basic hospitals the government is constructing at local level included and 2,250 hospitals in the private sector are in operation throughout the country at present.