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A total of 42 percent of people living in Karnali Province are found to be suffering from anxiety and 23 percent from depression. Similarly, 11.7 percent of people here are suffering from some kind of mental health ailments.

This fact was shared at the Mid-term Review and Interaction on Mental Health and Psychosocial Strategy and Action Plan 2079-2087 organized by the Karnali Province Ministry of Social Development with the financial and technical support of the Swiss Government and the Center for Mental Health and Counseling (CMC Nepal) in Surkhet Birendranagar on Wednesday.

The data from the National Health Research Council says that 42 percent of people in Karnali suffer from anxiety and 23 percent from depression, CMC Nepal Director Dr Pashupati Mahat said while giving his presentation on mental health, national policy and strategy. Stating that 11.7 percent of people are reported to be suffering from some kind of mental health issues, he stressed that governments at all levels should invest in its prevention.

At the program, Minister for Social Development Ghanashyam Bhandari said that a joint effort is needed to solve mental health problems. Karnali Province has developed and implemented a mental health and psychosocial strategy and action plan. This is the first of its kind among the seven provinces of the country, he added.

Psychiatrist Dr Sushil Samdarshi presented the future direction of the Karnali Provincial Government's Mental Health and Psychosocial Strategy and Action Plan, the policies adopted and the progress made so far, and Public Health Officer Kiran Kumar Sharma gave a presentation on the mental health of Karnali and the activities and activities being undertaken by the provincial government for its improvement.

Himal Gaire, Head of Policy, Strategy and Good Governance at CMC Nepal, said that the program aims to cover the issues left out by conducting a 'Mid-Term Review of the Mental Health and Psychosocial Strategy and Action Plan 2079-2087' and to include the problems of Upper Karnali in particular in the strategy and action plan.

According to him, the mental health condition of citizens of districts like Rukum Paschim who migrate for foreign employment and return home has become even more alarming.

Vishal Limbu (name changed), from Pokhara, arrived in South Korea on a student visa three years ago with dreams of a bright future. He hoped to build his life through international education, but today he is living under the stress of illegal residence and underground work after losing his student visa due to consultancy fraud.

He now risks his safety to pay off the debt he incurred before leaving Nepal. “The visas of the three friends who came with me were also not extended. We are working in Korea without valid visas. Anything can happen when we work underground. Two of our friends were arrested by immigration officials while working and were deported to Nepal. So far, only two of us have managed to avoid detection,” he said.

Limbu, once a top student with ambitions of studying technical subjects, has been forced into hardship. “When I came here, the loan taken by mortgaging my house was still unpaid. How could I return home without clearing the debt? That is why I am staying here even without a visa. My family does not even know the reality of my situation,” he shared.

The consultancy had charged him Rs 1.7m, telling him it would cover one year’s tuition at a Korean college. Only after arriving did he discover that the language course lasted just six months. When he asked for the remaining money back, the consultancy claimed it had already been paid to the college.

Another student, Mohan Timalsina (name changed), says he too was deceived. “Our consultancy sent 115 of us to the same college at once. I came to study AI, but instead I was made to take taekwondo classes. I paid Rs 1.9m, but the subject I chose is not taught here. When I complained, the consultancy told me I hadn’t secured a proper visa and should just work to earn money instead,” he said.

Language barriers have made matters worse. “If a student comes without proper language preparation, getting a job is almost impossible. We didn’t prepare well in Nepal. In our college, everyone was Nepali, and even the teacher was Nepali. At first it felt comfortable, but because the classes were in Nepali, it became very difficult to actually learn Korean,” he added.

For others, even temporary jobs are hard to keep. Meena Acharya (name changed), who recently completed her language course, found a job washing dishes at a hotel two months after arriving. But after just a few days, she was dismissed because her Korean was not good enough. Now, she is stressed and seeking help from the Nepali community to find work.

The experiences of Limbu, Timalsina, and Acharya reflect the growing challenges faced by Nepali students in South Korea. What begins as a journey for quality education and better opportunities often turns into financial hardship, stress, and exploitation.

Many consultancies in Nepal lure students with false promises, charging exorbitant fees and sending them abroad without adequate preparation. Students, burdened with debt, are often placed in universities with limited study hours and an emphasis on part-time work, making academic progress difficult. Those who fail to secure jobs frequently suffer from mental health problems.

The Nepali Embassy in Korea confirms that students on both D2 and D4 visas are struggling. D2 visa holders can enroll directly in universities, while D4 visa holders must complete six months to a year of Korean language training before applying to another university. However, some of these universities are blacklisted by the Korean government, and credit hours are reduced, leaving students in limbo.

The embassy also reports that consultancies often assure students they can work illegally if necessary. In practice, many students find themselves unable to secure jobs, forcing them into precarious and stressful situations. Complaints are filed daily at the embassy about consultancies charging multiple fees, promising services they never deliver, and leaving students helpless once they arrive in Korea.

Language remains one of the biggest hurdles. Most Koreans prefer speaking Korean, and those with weak language skills face difficulties in academics, workplaces, and daily life. At the same time, students without scholarships must manage high tuition fees, rent, transport, and living expenses while also repaying heavy loans. Many, overwhelmed by pressure, drop out and live illegally while working in secret.

Most undergraduate students are very young, between 18 and 20 years old, and face huge financial responsibilities. With no family support abroad, many choose to live together with friends to share expenses and cope with cultural and emotional challenges.

Until about 15 years ago, only a handful of Nepalis studied in South Korea. Today, according to embassy records, there are more than 13,700 Nepali students in the country—a dramatic rise from just 900 in 2017 and 3,500 in 2018.

One of the biggest festivals of Sudurpaschim Province, Gaura, has begun today. 

On the first day of the festival, it is customary for women who fast today to start Gaura by soaking Biruda (five types of grains and legumes). Therefore, today is also known as Biruda Panchami. Biruda is considered as the prasad and used in the worship of Gaura Devi.

“One should follow a strict vegetarian diet and celibacy for a month to take part in this ritual,” said Khageshwari Saud, an expert on Gaura festival. After observing the fast the Gaura festival will begin formally. 

 “It is believed that by fasting and worshiping Gaura, the partner and family members will be healthy, live long, and be happy and prosperous,” Saud said.

From this day on, it is also customary to play the Deuda (dance) with men and women of all ages coming together in a circle. 

Since ancient times, it has been a tradition under this festival to worship Parvati, the spouse of Lord Shiva, as the Gaura Devi.

There is a possibility of heavy rainfall in one or two places in the Tarai region of Lumbini, as well as in the hilly areas of Sudurpaschim and Karnali Provinces today.

In addition, moderate rainfall is likely in some places in the hilly areas of the country including Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini and Sudurpaschim Provinces, and in a few places in the rest of the country, according to the Meteorological Forecasting Division. 

The weather will be generally cloudy in the hilly areas of the country including Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini and Sudurpaschim Provinces and partly cloudy in the rest of the country.

Tonight, it will be generally cloudy throughout the country. 

There is a possibility of moderate rainfall in many places in the hilly areas of the country. Heavy rainfall is likely in one or two places in the hilly areas of Gandaki, Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces, as well as in the hilly areas of Lumbini and Koshi Provinces.

With the low pressure line of the monsoon located around the usual location, the influence of monsoon winds from the Bay of Bengal has increased to some extent, adds the Division.