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The Lumbini Development Trust has canceled all the contracts made with the Promised Land Pvt Ltd in relation to the controversial construction project in the Ramagram area.

The executive committee meeting held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of the fund’s chair and Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sudan Kirati, decided to cancel all the works including the agreements made with the company.

The Lumbini Development Trust had inked a deal with he Promised Land Pvt Ltd, a private company owned by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s landlord Sharada Prasad Adhikari’s son Nikesh Adhikari for the excavation and construction of stupa within Gautam Buddha’s ossuary mausoleum in Nawalparasi’s Ramagrama area.

It was revealed that the trust Vice-chair Lharkyal Lama had initiated the Rs 7bn project despite objections from various authorities. Concerns over transparency were raised after it was revealed that the project proceeded without due procedures.

The contract was awarded without a competitive bidding process as per the procurement laws.

Earlier, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) under the House of Representatives (HoR) had directed the authorities concerned to repeal the agreement to acquire a piece of land in Ramagrama area in Lumbini and lease it to a private company for 99 years.

The committee, in its meeting on Sunday, had looked out for financial resources for the research, development and conservation related to the Ramgram area and directed the government to scrap the deal between the Lumbini Development Trust and the Promised Land Pvt Ltd.

The committee also decided to direct the government to scrap the agreement related to the Ramgram area and inked by the Lumbini Development Trust effective from Sunday.

The committee instructed the government to take forward further investigations on this issue and ensure that this kind of act does not get repeated in other places.

I’m a 47-year-old woman and a mother of two children. I’ve raised my children alone for the past two decades since my husband and I separated. His recent passing hasn’t drastically changed our lives, but societal expectations weigh heavily on me. People don’t understand what I have been through. While I find accepting things easier now than when he left, I’m grappling with the pressure to conform to societal norms. I’ve agreed to participate in rituals for him but I question their necessity. I’ve become more conscious of how I should present my emotions as I fear judgment. How do I navigate these complex feelings?

Answered by Kapil Sharma, counseling psychologist, Nepal Institute of Mental Health

Your journey as a single mother over the past two decades reflects your remarkable strength and unwavering acceptance. However, navigating the passing of an estranged spouse while also balancing societal expectations can be disheartening.

First and foremost, it’s imperative to recognize and honor your feelings, irrespective of any external pressures or societal norms. Your emotional well-being must be the main priority, and it’s crucial to validate your experience fully. Remember, every emotion you’re experiencing is valid, and you possess the resilience and inner strength necessary to navigate this challenging journey while staying true to yourself.

Grieving is a deeply personal process, and you have every right to mourn in your unique way, free from the constraints of societal expectations. Your journey as a single mother, marked by resilience and fortitude, speaks volumes about your ability to overcome adversity. It’s entirely natural to feel a myriad of emotions, ranging from relief to sadness and even a sense of closure, following the passing of your estranged spouse.

You owe no one an explanation for your emotions or how you choose to process them. It’s crucial to prioritize your emotional well-being and permit yourself to grieve at your own pace and manner. While participating in rituals or ceremonies may offer solace and closure to some, remember that it’s entirely your choice whether to partake in them. Trust your instincts and honor what feels right for you. Surround yourself with supportive individuals who genuinely understand and respect the complexities of your journey.

Self-compassion is paramount during this challenging time. Be gentle with yourself and practice self-compassion regularly. Remind yourself that it’s perfectly acceptable to prioritize your own well-being and emotional needs. Grant yourself the grace to feel whatever emotions arise, without judgment or self-criticism.

Should you find yourself facing judgment or criticism from others, consider seeking solace in the company of a trusted friend, family member, or mental health professional. These people can offer you a safe and non-judgmental space to process your emotions and find comfort amidst the storm.

The death toll in a jeep accident in Palpa has reached 10.

Eight people died on the spot while two breathed their last during the course treatment at the Lumbini Medical College.

Eighteen people were injured in the accident.

According to the District Police Office (DPO), Palpa, the accident took place at Masyam of Tinau Rural Municipality-6 in the district on Tuesday. The injured have been sent to Lumbini Medical College in Palpa for treatment.

The tragedy occurred when the jeep (Lu 1 Ja 2371) heading towards Chidis, Kusumkhola in Palpa from Dumre in Tanahun district veered off the road and fell some 300 meters down the road near Eco Farm House at Masyam.

The deceased have been identified as 60-year-old Yan Kumari Panta, 39-year-old Ram Bahadur Aslami, 67-year-old Krishna Bahadur Aslami and 28-year-old Urmila Aslami of Masyam, Tinau Rural Municipality-6.

Chandra Ranapal (70) and Chuna Ranapal (60) of Tamnagar, Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City-14, Rupandehi district also died in the accident.

Similarly, the casualties include 20-year-old Gita Sunar of Khursane, Tinau-2, 66-year-old Bishnukala Kami and 65-year-old Dil Kumari Sunar of Khyaha, Ribdikot rural municipality-1, and 29-year-old Dilmaya GC of Devdaha Municipality-5, Rupandehi, said Inspector Sugandha Shrestha, the Information Officer at the District Police Office, Palpa.

According to him, the jeep driver, 45-year-old Dan Bahadur Chidi of Tansen Municipality-10, has been arrested for investigation.

Nepal Police have arrested 89 people on the charge of human trafficking in the period of six months of current fiscal year from July 17, 2023 till January 14, 2024. Among the arrestees, 67 are men and 22 women.

Similarly, police filed 79 cases while 149 individuals have faced prosecution during the same period. The Human Trafficking Investigation Bureau, Babarmahal has been working as a specialized unit of the Nepal Police for the prevention and control of crimes related to human trafficking.

The Bureau said 236 persons have been rescued from being trafficked in that period. Among those rescued, 150 are women, 26 are men and 60 are girls.

Nepal is the most affected from both internal and cross-border human trafficking. Nepal Police central spokesperson, Deputy Inspector General Bhim Prasad Dhakal, said a large number of Nepali fall victim to human trafficking due to the allurement of employment or illegal settlement in various countries, including in India, Malaysia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, America and different European and African nations.