Submit your Article

Presently there is a partial influence of the westerly low-pressure system and local winds in Nepal.

According to the Weather Forecasting Division of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at a few places of Koshi, Madhes and Bagmati Provinces and at one or two places of the hilly regions of other provinces.

The weather will be partly to generally cloudy throughout the country today with light rain accompanied by thunder and lightning at some places of Koshi and Madhes Provinces.

According to the Division, light snowfall is taking place at one or two places of the high hilly and mountainous region of Koshi Province.

The Kathmandu Valley has witnessed cloudy weather since this morning.

The weather will be partly cloudy in the hilly regions of the country including Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces tonight.

Nineteen individuals are in the running to become the next chairperson of the Securities Board of Nepal (Sebon). Acting chairperson Dr Navaraj Adhikari and executive directors duo Krishna Raj Pokharel and Muktinath Shrestha are among the 19 vying for the position.

The post has been vacant since Ramesh Hamal completed his term as the chairperson of the stock market regulator on Jan 5. Hamal was appointed for the remainder of the term after Bhishma Raj Dhungana was dismissed from the position.

Sebon chairperson is appointed for a four-year term. According to the Securities Act, 2007, the government can extend the term for another four years if it wishes. But Hamal did not receive approval for a second term.

Hamal was chosen for the position ahead of share market expert and former executive director of Nepal Rastra Bank, Dr Gopal Bhatta, and Krishna Prasad Pokharel.

Former Beema Samiti Chairperson Chiranjivi Chapagain, former CEO of Nepal Bank Ltd Krishna Bahadur Adhikari, CEO of Nepal Stock Exchange Krishna Bahadur Karki, former NRB Executive Director Dr. Gopal Bhatta, former executive director of Sebon Niraj Giri, former CEO of Nepal Stock Exchange Sitaram Thapaliya, and former CEO of Nepal Infrastructure Bank Ram Krishna Khatiwada have applied for the position.

Nine of the applicants—Chiranjeevi Chapagain, Krishna Raj Pokharel, Dr Navraj Adhikari, Dr Gopal Bhatta, Niraj Giri, Dr Keshav Prasad Shrestha, Sitaram Thapaliya, Khagendra Katuwal and Mukti Aryal—had applied for the position earlier also.

A three-member committee, led by an expert member of the National Planning Commission (NPC) and composed of finance secretary and an expert, recommends the chairperson of Sebon.

Although the committee, led by NPC Vice-chairperson Min Bahadur Shrestha, was formed in January, it could only finalize its work procedures after one and a half months only. A vacancy announcement notice was subsequently published on February 28 with a 15-day timeframe. Nineteen individuals have submitted their applications responding to the notice.

According to the work procedures, applicants are evaluated based on four criteria: the applicant's work plan, educational qualifications, presentation of the work plan, and interview. The committee shortlists five applicants based on their educational qualifications, experience, and work plan. These five applicants will be called for a presentation and interview.

Applicants are given 30 minutes for their presentations. The committee then recommends the three best candidates to the government, from which one will be appointed to the position.

List of 19 Applicants

         Chiranjivi Chapagain

         Krishna Raj Pokharel

         Santosh Narayan Shrestha

         Dr Navaraj Adhikari

         Dr Gopal Bhatta

         Niraj Giri

         Dr Keshav Prasad Shrestha

         Krishna Bahadur Adhikari

         Dr Raghuraj Kafle

         Muktinath Shrestha

         Pravin Pandak

         Surya Prasad Adhikari

         Ramdev Yadav

         Sitaram Thapaliya

         Dr Bimal Kumar Tiwari

         Ram Krishna Khatiwada

         Khagendra Katuwal

         Mukti Aryal

         Krishna Bahadur Karki

Mohammed Aftab Sheikh, an 18-year-old from Birgunj, Nepal, is an up-and-coming rapper. Sheikh, known by his stage name Afu Insane, believes talent and determination will take him a long way. When he was 10, Sheikh found solace at his uncle’s shop, where the mesmerizing beats of Yama Buddha’s ‘Saathi’ left an indelible mark. Inspired by the legendary rapper, a dream began to take shape. Currently pursuing a diploma in Civil Engineering at Birgunj Institute of Technology, Sheikh seamlessly blends academic pursuits with a dedication to his musical career.

During the Covid-19 lockdown, Sheikh had time on his side. He delved into the world of rap, sharpening his skills in both writing and delivery. His virtual mentor? “The internet, particularly YouTube, became my classroom,” he says. The journey, however, wasn’t without challenges. “Despite having the knowledge and ideas, turning my passion into reality was difficult due to financial constraints.” The pandemic added another layer of difficulty to Sheikh’s pursuit of producing music. Yet, undeterred by these hurdles, he navigated his musical journey with resilience, determined to overcome obstacles and share his voice with the world.

Despite financial limitations, Sheikh refused to let go of his dreams. Armed with nothing but his smartphone, he took matters into his own hands, recording his music and bravely sharing it with the world via YouTube. Sheikh adds, “I used to record with my smartphone in a peaceful area, then edit the recordings before uploading them to YouTube. I know it might not be considered professional, but everyone has to start somewhere.”

Things changed when Sheikh met a friend who happened to own a recording studio. Seizing the opportunity, he embraced the chance to take his musical career further. With access to professional equipment and guidance, he had the chance to refine and produce high-quality work.

In a society where tradition often decides the path you must follow, Sheikh chose to defy the norm. Many people from his community doubted his choices and intentions. Even his family didn’t want him to get into music. His father, he says, was always angry with him. Despite the negativity and the self-doubt it led to, Sheikh was determined to give music a chance.

“All the criticism made me question myself but I didn’t want to give up,” he says. “Despite societal pressure, I kept going. Deep down, I believed I could do what I set out to do.” He found support from unexpected sources, and society’s critical view gradually turned into admiration and respect.

He comes from the lively Madhesh region, where he gained a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and languages. Fluent in Nepali, Hindi, Maithili, and Bhojpuri, he embodies the essence of Madhesi identity, effortlessly connecting people from different backgrounds.

Sheikh has ventured into the Nepali film industry with his debut in the web series ‘Arati’. Sheikh’s involvement in it marks a significant milestone in his artistic journey. And he couldn’t be happier as the project is aimed at sparking conversations and driving societal change. “By using my platform to amplify the voices of survivors and advocate for justice, I try to exemplify the power of art to bring about social transformation,” he says.

Sheikh’s personal favorite, ‘Khukuri,’ holds a special place in his heart as it reflects his love and pride for his nation. Through this powerful piece of art, Sheikh expresses his profound connection to his Nepali identity. “As a proud Nepali, I use ‘Khukuri’ to honor my roots and pay tribute to the resilience and spirit of the Nepali people,” he says. With heartfelt lyrics and captivating melodies, he weaves a tapestry of love and admiration for Nepal, instilling a sense of patriotism and unity among listeners.

“Balancing the demands of engineering studies and pursuing my passion for rap has been no easy feat,” he says. “But when your vision is clear and you are passionate about something, you find a way to make time for it.”

Sheikh also challenges the stereotype surrounding Bhojpuri music with his unique approach to rap. In a genre often associated with less reputable themes, Sheikh’s Bhojpuri rap stands out for its depth and creativity. As one of the few creators rapping in Bhojpuri, he breaks new ground, captivating audiences with his innovative sound and thought-provoking lyrics.

Despite facing numerous challenges along the way, Sheikh’s unwavering belief in his dreams has helped him advance towards his goal. His resilience in the face of adversity, coupled with his fearless embrace of creativity and individuality, serves as an inspiration for others to pursue their passions with courage and conviction. As he continues to push boundaries and break barriers, his journey serves as a reminder that anything is possible with dedication, perseverance, and a steadfast belief in the power of one’s dreams.

The government has appointed Koshhari Niraula as the Director General of the Immigration Department on Tuesday.

The Home Ministry on Tuesday appointed Joint General Secretary Niraula as the Director General of the Immigration Department.

Niraula was appointed as the Director General of the Department of Immigration after the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority filed a corruption case against then Director General Rudra Singh Tamang.

The anti-corruption watchdog filed a case at the Special Court saying that he committed corruption while he was the board member of the Melamchi Drinking Water Development Committee.

The Home Ministry has also transferred chief district officers and other employees in various districts today itself.