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The government has announced a public holiday tomorrow on the occasion of Eid-ul Fitr, the festival of the Islam community.

The Ministry of Home Affairs stated this, issuing a press release today.

The government has been giving a public holiday every year on the occasion of the Eid-ul Fitr (Eid) festival.

The followers of Islam said the final day of Eid had to be postponed to Thursday this year, as the moon was not seen today. Today marks the completion of the month-long Roja, a rigorous fasting that is observed in the month of Ramadan.

The people from the Islam community tomorrow will gather at the Mosque and Idgah, a place set for public prayers on the occasion of Eid, and read the Namaj.

After the recitations of Namaj, they hug each other and exchange Eid-ul Fitr greetings. Back home, they enjoy delicacies. The month of Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. 

In the 70 days of the Eid-ul-Fitr, the Muslim people observe the Baker-Eid or Eid-ul-Ajaha. During this festival, they depart for Hajj, a pilgrimage to the Mecca Medina in Saudi Arabia.

Have you heard about turmeric latte? If not, it’s a milk drink with turmeric powder, ground cinnamon, honey, or maple syrup that reduces inflammation, aids digestion, and lowers cholesterol levels. Essentially, it’s a slightly tweaked version of ‘besar dudh’, providing similar benefits.

Another popular product these days is Carecumin, a liquid turmeric supplement with fruit flavor. It claims to lead to significant reductions in aches and pains, boost immunity, and improve gut health.

These are modern marketing gimmicks to sell the knowledge of our forefathers on turmeric.

Now, let’s embark on a journey to explore the fascinating world of turmeric, tracing its roots back to ancient times and following its path to kitchens around the globe.

Turmeric’s tale begins in South Asia, particularly in Nepal and India. For thousands of years, turmeric wasn’t just a flavor enhancer, it was a revered medicinal herb. People used its vibrant yellow powder to soothe aches and pains, fight infections, and add a touch of sunshine to their dishes.

But how did this golden goodness travel the world? It all comes down to the ancient spice routes. Imagine bustling marketplaces filled with exotic treasures. Traders carried turmeric along these routes, introducing it to new cultures and palates. From Arabia to China, Africa to Europe, turmeric’s unique flavor and medicinal properties spread like wildfire.

You might wonder why turmeric isn’t a star player in Chinese cuisine. While some Chinese dishes do incorporate turmeric, other spices like ginger and Sichuan peppercorns tend to dominate. This difference reflects the diverse flavor profiles that have developed in different regions around the world. Just like how some countries love the heat of chili peppers, others might prefer the earthy tones of turmeric.

Now, let’s get to the heart of the matter: Why is Nepali turmeric so special? Food enthusiasts swear by its quality. Grown in the fertile foothills of the Himalayas, Nepali turmeric boasts an intense aroma, earthy flavor, and higher content of curcumin. Curcumin is the golden hero within turmeric, packed with potential health benefits.

This exceptional quality comes at a premium. Nepali farmers use sustainable methods, nurturing their crops without harsh chemicals. This translates into a higher price for exporters, but it also means a more rewarding experience for those seeking the finest turmeric on the market.

So, what makes Nepali turmeric so expensive?

First is the high altitude at which it’s cultivated. The crisp mountain air and well-drained Himalayan soil create ideal growing conditions for turmeric, contributing to its intense aroma and flavor. Then there’s the case of sustainable practices. Nepali farmers often rely on traditional methods, avoiding chemical fertilizers and pesticides. This eco-friendly approach ensures a purer product but requires more labor, impacting the cost.

As we delve into the world of turmeric, let’s not forget its intriguing cousin, white turmeric, also known as Curcuma aromatica or mango ginger. Primarily grown in the monsoon regions of Nepal’s Himalayas, white turmeric offers a unique twist on the golden spice.

While both yellow and white turmeric share curcumin as a key component, white turmeric boasts a higher concentration of other beneficial compounds, including vitamin A, protein, fatty acids, and minerals. This unique profile translates to potential health benefits similar to yellow turmeric, with a focus on skincare and throat infections.

Traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine, white turmeric is believed to help brighten and lighten the skin. Its anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties might aid in easing throat infections and congestion.

Unlike its yellow counterpart, white turmeric has a milder, more citrusy aroma and flavor, making it versatile for various culinary uses. It can be consumed raw, dried and powdered, or even enjoyed in tea form.

While research on white turmeric is ongoing, its potential health benefits and unique flavor profile make it an exciting addition to the turmeric family.

Interestingly, the limited availability of white turmeric due to its specific growing conditions also contributes to its value. This, along with its potential health benefits, positions white turmeric as a niche but promising player in the world of spices.

Let’s talk about the promising potential of turmeric in managing inflammation, a key player in various conditions. Studies suggest turmeric may help alleviate symptoms of arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease, and even ease muscle soreness after exercise.

Furthermore, early research indicates turmeric’s potential role in boosting the immune system, potentially aiding in defense against common colds and flu. Additionally, some studies explore its possible involvement in weight management and even cancer prevention.

Unlike some other turmeric-growing regions, Nepal has a smaller production capacity, leading to higher prices due to limited supply and high demand.

Beyond these factors, the future of Nepali turmeric looks bright. As people become more aware of ingredient quality and origin, the demand for authentic Nepali turmeric is likely to rise. This can empower Nepali farmers and contribute to preserving their valuable agricultural heritage.

Turmeric’s journey is a testament to the power of taste and tradition. From its South Asian roots to its global presence, this golden spice continues to add vibrancy and potential health benefits to dishes around the world. So, the next time you savor a curry or sprinkle turmeric on your veggies, remember the long and fascinating journey this wonder spice has taken.

The author is a UK-based R&D chef

At a time when only six years are left to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs), the global efforts towards sustainable development have witnessed severe setbacks resulting in crisis.

A UN report released yesterday asserted that financial challenges are behind the present sustainable development crisis, while countries are not only slow off the mark but also deviated to realize 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

The 'Financing for Sustainable Development Report, 2024' prepared by the UN Inter-agency Task Force on Financing for Development, stated, "Countries are off track on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with around half of the 140 SDG targets for which sufficient data is available deviating from the required path."

According to the report, it is a present projection that almost 600 million people- more than half of them women- will languish in extreme poverty in 2030.

Importantly, the UN report has pointed to a dearth of finance to cope with pressing problems such as the climate crisis along with SDGs. "The unmet financing needs for SDGs and climate action are estimated to be in the trillions of dollars annually," the report reminded.

Moreover, acute financing needs are seen in developing countries in particular, which the report argues, "They face higher costs of capital and significantly worse terms of access to financing. Due to misaligned incentives, both public and private actors still invest in brown activities and have not yet fully aligned their decision-making and financing with the SDGs."

The technological change, especially digitalization has been mentioned as a factor affecting the financial area. Fragmentation of the global economy is taken as an equally increasing threat. The new trends, despite creating some opportunities for development, are major stressors in national and the international financial fronts.

It is worth noting that the SDG Summit in September 2019 had called for 'Decade of Action', promising to channel financing and boost national implementation along with the reinforcement of institutions to realize the goals. But, the global health crisis caused by COVID-19 and subsequent effects on the world economy resulted in slow progress toward this end.

Chair of the Inter-agency Task Force, and Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, UN, Li Junhua, observed, "Financing challenges—including an investment crisis, driven by a sluggish global economy and tight financing conditions—have hampered our progress, preventing the urgently needed investment push in the SDGs."

He, however, sees opportunity in the challenges, arguing, "Amid these challenges there lies opportunity. If we can address the big financing challenges of today— close the growing financing gaps, fix the international financial architecture, and create enabling environments at all levels to finance the ambitious transformations we need—then we can still succeed. It will be difficult, but it is doable."

To this report, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres underlined, "Our proposed SDG Stimulus of USD$500 billion per year of additional investments in sustainable development and climate action includes concrete steps that global leaders can take right now."

The UN defines 'sustainable development' as: 'Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.' It underlines the need for concerted efforts so that an inclusive, sustainable and resilient future would be created for the people and planet.

After wrapping up the millennium development goals (MDGs), the UN member states had launched 17 SDGs in 2015. Since then, every UN member has been setting targets and implementing action plans and monitoring and evaluating these at national level, and sharing achievements at regional and global forums.

The national budgets and periodic plans are aligned with SDGs in order for their better localization.

The 5Ps focused by the SDGs are- people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Raghubhir Mahaseth inaugurated the charging station established in the premises of Sajha Yatayat in Pulchowk, Lalitpur.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Minister Mahaseth said that the government has trusted the Sajha Yatayat in the expansion of public transport, according to HimalKhabar. 

He expressed his hope that the service of Sajha will be more effective in the future.

Speaking at the same program, Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation Balram Adhikari said that the Sajha Yatayat has been established as an organization which has won the trust of people since the past.

He also hoped that Sajha’s electric journey would be sustainable and long-term.

On the occasion, Sajha Yatayat Chairman Kanakmani Dixit said that forty electric buses and a charging station were brought into operation with Rs 3 billion provided by the government in the first phase as per the policy to spend the amount in three phases.

He also informed that there are 24 charging mechanisms consuming 1.2 megawatt electricity in the charging station installed in the premises of Sajha Yatayat.

Similarly, saying there is a lack of space for the buses to be brought in the future, Dixit said that they are coordinating with 14 municipalities of the Kathmandu Valley to expand charging stations.

He said that the country will witness significant changes if the public vehicles are transformed into electric. Chairman Dixit further added that the public vehicles will not be expanded in Nepal without participation of the private sector.

He went on to say that the Sajha has started a process to learn technology by converting diesel buses into electric in collaboration with Solution Plan.

Meanwhile, he announced to give two buses of Sajha to the Pokhara International Airport.

Currently, the Sajha has been operating 111 buses including 71 diesel buses with 50-passenger capacity and 40 electric buses.

Dixit added that the Sajha has been planning to bring a 12-meter-long bus in the near future and to expand the service between Kathmandu and provinces under ‘provincial service’ like in the past.

Also speaking at the program, Lalitpur Metropolitan City Mayor Chiribabu Maharjan said that Lalitpur has made a huge investment in Sajha Yatayat after Kathmandu Metropolitan City. He said that the Metropolitan City has a plan to expand the bus services soon in the inner roads.

Likewise, Nepal Electricity Authority Managing Director Kulman Ghising said that the electric vehicles have replaced fossil fuel consumption of around Rs 20 million per day.

“The operation cost will be reduced from 10 to 15 percent if the public vehicles are converted to electric,” Ghising said.

He said that around Rs 5 billion will be saved if the public vehicles are transformed into electric.