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Japanese Ambassador to Nepal KIKUTA Yutaka signed two grant contracts under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) of the Government of Japan for the provision of a total of 12 recycled fire engines.

The signing ceremony was held at the Embassy of Japan in Kathmandu today.

The GGP contract with Dhana Lama, Executive Director of United Mission to Nepal (UMN), was signed to provide six recycled fire engines to six municipalities: Khijidemba Rural Municipality of Okhaldhunga District in Koshi Province, Tansen Municipality, Rainadevi Chhahara Rural Municipality of Palpa District, Sunwal Municipality, Pratapapur Rural Municipality of Parasi District, and Mayadevi Rural Municipality of Kapilbastu District in Lumbini Province with a grant of USD 259,035, reads a statement issued by the Embassy of Japan in Nepal.

Similarly, the other GGP contract with Deepak Chapagain, President of Volunteer Corps Nepal (VCN), is to provide six recycled fire engines to Barahathawa Municipality, Chakraghatta Rural Municipality of Sarlahi District in Madhesh Province, Bahrabise Municipality of Sindhupalchok District, Kageshwori Manohara Municipality of Kathmandu District, Godawari Municipality of Lalitpur District in Bagmati Province, and Walling Municipality of Syangja District in Gandaki Province with a grant of USD 282,614.

In Nepal, only a few municipalities own fire engines. Considering this situation, the Japanese government decided to support 12 recycled fire engines through UMN, which is one of the oldest NGOs serving the society for 70 years, and VCN, which continues to specialize in disaster relief including fire.

The fire engines to be provided by the projects have been faithfully operated and maintained throughout Japan.

These fire engines will play the active role in protecting the communities in Nepal as their second life.

The Embassy of Japan believes that these projects will contribute to the safety of the people in the 12 municipalities and their surrounding areas against fire incidents.

Foundation stone was laid by  Bhairav Bahadur Saud, Chairman, Badikedar Rural Municipality, Doti and  Shri Prashant Kumar Sona, Second Secretary, Embassy of India, Kathmandu for the construction of  Shree Kedar Jyotipunja Multiple Campus School Building at Badikedar Rural Municipality, Doti District. 

 Being built with Government of India’s financial assistance at the tendered cost of NRs.28.90 million under ‘Nepal-India Development Cooperation’. Political representatives, government officials, social workers, representatives of the Campus management,  lecturers, parents and students  were also present on this occasion. 

The grant under ‘Nepal-India Development Cooperation’, will be utilized for the construction of double storied campus building with other facilities for this campus.  The project is taking up as a High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP), under an Agreement between Government of India and Government of Nepal and being implemented through Badri Kedar Rural Municipality, Doti. The project is an important example of the very robust development partnership between India and Nepal. 

Chairman, Badikedar Rural Municipality in his remarks appreciated the continue developmental support of the Government of India in upliftment of the people of Nepal in its priority sectors. Once the construction of this campus building completed, this new infrastructure  will help to provide better education facilities for the students of Shree Kedar Jyotipunja Multiple Campus and would create an improved environment for learning and contribute to the development of the education in this area.  

Since 2003,  India has taken up over 550 HICDPs in Nepal in various sectors and has completed 488 projects. Amongst these, 40 Projects are in Sudurpashcum Province in various sectors, which includes 4 projects in Doti. In addition to these, Government of India has gifted 974 ambulances and 234 school buses to various hospitals, health posts and educational institutions in Nepal on the occasion of Independence Day and Republic Day of India. Amongst these, 60 Ambulances and 20 School Buses have been gifted in Sudurpashcum Province, which includes 8 ambulances and 2 school buses provided in Doti District. 

According to a press statement issued by Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, as a close neighbours, India and Nepal share wide-ranging and multi-sectoral cooperation. The implementation of HICDPs reflects the continued support of the Government of India in bolstering the efforts of the Government of Nepal in upliftment of its people, augmenting infrastructure in the field of priority sector especially in the education sector in Nepal, the statement says. 

Media rights advocates and women journalists of Nepal have sought to address the pressing need for dismantling entrenched newsroom stereotypes to promote greater gender diversity in media. They were speaking in a roundtable discussion organized by Media Action Nepal in collaboration with the Working Journalists Association (WOJAN) on Sunday in Kathmandu to mark the International Women's Day.

Emphasizing the critical role of the media in shaping societal perceptions and narratives, Laxman Datt Pant, Chairperson of Media Action Nepal, underscored the importance of creating inclusive newsroom environments where women are empowered to take on leadership roles. Pant highlighted a crucial thing: editors are picked through contacts and affiliations rather than open competition in Nepali media. Were there open calls, women would have a chance of reaching the top, as would other capable individuals.

Priyanka Jha, Vice-Chairperson of Media Action Nepal, spoke about how it was not a lack of capacity keeping women out of the top level but a lack of trust. The inherent patriarchy in the structure of Nepali media, she said, does not view women as capable of leading newsrooms. The same structure also does not consider women as “having sufficient expertise” to be quoted in news. This prevents female voices from being heard on pertinent issues like climate change that ironically affect them most. Jha also noted the physical, professional, and sexual insecurities women in the media faced. “But they do not have a mechanism or authority they can approach when they face dangers or harassment. This affects their morale and mental health,” she highlighted.

Senior Journalist Poonam Poudel shared her experiences working in state-owned and private media and how female personnel were passed over for junior male colleagues. She shared how decision makers did not trust women enough to execute duties and chose to keep them as assistants while promoting less experienced men to higher roles.  An “attitude of doubt,” as she explained, prevailed against women media persons, an attitude that always doubted women’s abilities to deliver results. In Poudel’s observation, this was not the case of men who were readily trusted.

Poudel also felt that a lack of proper and regular payment discouraged women to develop a lengthy career in media. “We have no money, no time (as we have to be ready to work 24/7) and no encouragement, so why should we stay?” she questioned. Building on this, Jha made a poignant point, “Women have to prove their performance while men are automatically assumed to be able to perform.”

Journalist Manisha Awasthi shared that women are only editors in media they own. Others have not sought to make women for editorial positions. She further elaborated on the “attitude of doubt,” saying it was particularly directed against married women with children. “The higher-ups in the media think that such women will prioritize their families over their job responsibilities.”

Sangeeta Lama, Acting President of the organization Working Women Journalist, raised that women were “gate kept” out of leadership. They are always relegated to softer beats that do not lead to promotions or editorial positions.

Similarly, Bimala Tumkhewa, President of Sancharika Samuha, emphasized that women journalists faced additional obstacles than their male counterparts that necessitated additional organizations and redressal mechanisms. She also shared the tragic situation of relatively junior male journalists having become editors while senior and better skilled women journalists are on the verge of quitting the profession altogether. She further believed that advancing GESI in newsrooms would go a long way in increasing inclusivity.

Sancha Kumari Lama Tamang, Central Committee Member of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) said the root of this problem was conservative mindset and noted that there was much to do to ensure women leadership in Nepali media.

Janmadev Jaisi, Chairperson of WOJAN, highlighted the need for acknowledgement and awareness. Acknowledgement that there are problems in the Nepali media sector and problems hindering the progress of women media persons. And awareness among journalists and editors about their rights.

The roundtable served as a platform for robust dialogue, with over 25 participants sharing insights, experiences, and best practices for promoting gender equality within the media industry. Everyone agreed that the interaction was fruitful and hoped it would facilitate further discussions on challenges facing women and gender minorities in Nepali media.

The Sherpa community across the country is celebrating Gyalpo Lhosar today by organizing various programs.

The festival celebrated by the community as their new year falls on Shukla Pratipada in the Nepali month of Falgun.

On the occasion, people of the Sherpa community clean up houses and villages, cook and eat various delicacies, organizes various cultural programs and exchange best wishes with each other.

The festival that is divided into 12 years, mouse, cow, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, bird, dog and pig is observed for almost two weeks.

Observed in 12 mountainous districts previously, the celebration has now extended to 22 districts.