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The Kathmandu Municipal Corporation is providing free vehicle parking services in the Dharahara premises in Sundhara of Kathmandu from today.

Free parking service will be available from today on the first floor of the parking building built next to the Dharahara tower, according to the KMC. It may be noted that the KMC has declared the blacktopped roads in New Road as the parking prohibited zone.

Head of KMC Police, Senior Superintendent Rajunath Pandey, said along with the free parking service in Kathmandu Tower (former bus park), parking will also be provided free at Dharahara premises.

An area of 50,000 square feet will be available for free parking at the Dharaha premises, which can be reached from the road leading to Khichapokhari from Kathmandu Mall.

Do you want to learn about fashion, history, politics, and economics?  There are many brilliant podcasts on each of the subjects, and more are regularly being made. The good news is that podcasting shows no signs of slowing down. You can discover amazing content on anything you are curious about. What you consider to be the ‘best’ depends on what you are looking for but here are our top five picks.

The Daily

The Daily is the second most popular podcast in the world after the Joe Rogan Experience. It has 25 to 45-minute-long episodes on the latest, most relevant news. It is hosted by American journalists Michael Barbaro and Sabrina Tavernise. The podcast was launched in 2017. Through conversations with the New York Times journalists, their sources, and other newsmakers, the podcast covers compelling issues and stories. There is also music and necessary audio clips to enhance the episodes. News doesn’t have to feel dry and rushed when you make it a habit to tune into The Daily podcast.

Stuff You Should Know

If you are curious about the world and how things work in general then this is the perfect podcast for you. Started in 2008, the podcast has over 1400 episodes and covers a wide range of topics. You will get to learn about how police interrogation works, what money laundering entails, schizophrenia, mummies, and many other interesting things. There are also short episodes, that are 10 minutes long, on boba tea, evil eye, etc. that you can listen to during your daily commute to work. The two hosts have great banter which makes for easy, fun listening.

On Purpose

If you want to improve your life and be inspired to change, this podcast, hosted by Jay Shetty, British podcaster, author, and life coach, might be what you are looking for. It’s one of the most popular self-development podcasts available today. Shetty interviews renowned personalities like Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Drew Barrymore among others, covering a hoard of topics like productivity, relationships, parenting, conquering fear, etc. There are episodes on how to create the perfect morning routine, manage sleep, interact with toxic family members, and other helpful tips and tricks that can go a long way in making your life better.

Huberman Lab

Andrew Huberman, the 48-year-old Stanford University neuroscientist, hosts the Huberman Lab podcast. The podcast consistently ranks among the top 10 podcasts on Spotify and Apple and has more than 4.8 million subscribers on YouTube. The first episode was aired in 2021. Since then, Huberman has gone on to sell tickets to live shows and even signed a two-book deal with Simon & Schuster. The first book is supposed to be out this year. It speaks volumes of the show’s popularity. The podcast is informative and unbiased. Huberman also brings in experts to talk about different things related to science. The result is incredible insight on how we can use science to improve our lives, and perhaps even live longer.

Incredible Women

In the Incredible Women podcast, you meet successful women from all walks of life who will talk you through their ups and downs. These are women who are bringing radical change in the fields of fashion, art, films, and music. The podcast is about celebrating some global heroines while inspiring the listeners to do and be their best. It’s currently in its seventh season. Some topics of discussion include redefining beauty standards and challenging social media; courage, hope, and raising women’s rights; fashion, technology, and the future of design, among others. Each episode is around 30 minutes long, making it just right for when you are bored and need a recharge. The conversations are enlightening and don’t, at any point, feel dragged out.

Three people have so far died of viral fever at Purumuru village of Soru Rural Municipality-6 in Mugu.

The deceased have been identified as Hari Bahadur Shahi (72), Kriti Chantyal (75) and Kushum Dholi (24), according to local resident Karnajit Bumi. The prevailing fever is suspected to be viral.

The outbreak has affected multiple areas, including Jima, Bhiee, Natharpu, Sipa, Khyalcha, and Bumcha, in addition to Purumuru.

The District Hospital in Mugu is grappling with an influx of patients, and locals have raised concerns about the lack of medical and other support from the government. Karnajit Bumi expressed the desperation of the people in seeking assistance.

Reports indicate that local health posts are running out of essential supplies, including basic medications like paracetamol. In response to the situation, the District Health Office officials visited Purumuru and Jima on Tuesday, and conducted health checkups for over 150 individuals.

District Hospital's Dr Kamal Dhungana explained that the viral fever is exacerbated by the increasing cold and it is expected to take some time to bring the situation under control. Symptoms of fever include continuous sweating, headache, muscle pain, loss of appetite, and fatigue.

The Shree Swasthani Brata Katha, a popular ritual observed by the Hindus since Push Shuklapurnima (full moon day), is beginning from today. The festival ends a month after in Magh Shuklapurnima.

Nepalis, especially the Hindu women, observe the month-long festival worshiping four-handed deity Swasthani with Chakra, Trishul, Sword and Lotus in each hand at the center while Astha Matrika or eight deities of power Mahakali, Baishnavi, Brahmi Maheshwori, Kaumeshwari, Barahi, Indraayani, and Chamunda painted around her and reciting Swasthani Brat Katha (story) every day.

The month-long telling ritual is dedicated to the goddess and the stories that are mainly narrated are those of Swasthani Devi, God Shiva and other gods.

It is believed that goddess Swasthani helped goddess Sati overcome her troubles after she burnt herself at Dakhsya Prajapati’s Yagya, after hearing her husband, lord Shiva, being insulted.

As per this, goddess Swasthani helped Sati Devi overcome the troubles and then to reincarnate and win over Lord Shiva as her husband again.

During the Swasthani katha, Hindu married women observe Brata or fasting for the wellbeing of their husbands and unmarried women observe the Brata in order to get a good husband. Women wear red-colored clothes and bangles during the one-month period as it is believed that red is a sign of good luck.

The rituals associated with the Swasthani Katha take place on the bank of rivers in various Hindu shrines across the country.

In Kathmandu, the festival takes place at Shalinadi, a river associated with the Swasthani Brata Katha, situated in Sankhu. Devotees visit Salinadi bank near Sankhu, worship goddess Shree Swasthani, Navaraj Brahman, Goma Brahmani, Chandrawati by visiting different shrines.