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The Ministry of Health and Population has urged the public to take precautions in the aftermath of the detection of J.N 1 variant of COVID-19 in India.

Ministry Spokesperson Dr Prakash Budhathoki has called for taking precautionary measures to prevent the potential spread of this variant in Nepal.

He urged the public to observe social distancing, wear masks while joining a mass including feast and other social gatherings and practice regular hand hygiene.

While the J.N 1 variant, a sub-variant of the Omicron strain, is already spreading in neighboring China and India, there have been no confirmed cases in Nepal so far. Despite this, heightened concerns about the variant's potential entry into the country have led to increased screening and surveillance at various entry points, according to Budhathoki.

The Ministry is well-prepared for prevention and treatment management in case the J.N 1 variant surfaces in Nepal and it is coordinating with relevant bodies accordingly.

Urban population has increased by about five percent because of migration in the last decade in Nepal, a report from the National Statistics Office states. 

Released on Tuesday, the report titled the ‘Degree of Urbanization in Nepal’ has revealed that the urban population increased to 27.07 in 2021 from 22.31 in 2011, peri-urban population increased to 39.75 percent from 39.19 percent whereas rural population decreased from 38.5 to 33.19 percent. 

“While the rural population still constitutes one-third of the national population, the trend of migration from rural to peri-urban and urban areas offers an insight into pressure on the urban areas to accommodate an increasing population and for the rural areas to retain their existing population,” said Hem Raj Regmi, spokesperson for the office.

Nepal has 753 local units or municipalities—293 urban municipalities (metropolitan and sub-metropolitan areas) and 460 rural municipalities.

The report offers interesting glimpses of population distribution in the mountains, the hills and the southern plains (the Tarai). 

The mountain region is sparsely populated with a majority (88 percent) residing in areas of rural characteristics and the remaining 12 percent residing in areas of urban characteristics marked by high population density, per the report.

The report, offering a breakdown of the total population in the hills, states that 55 percent are living in settlements of rural characteristics, 36 percent in urban characteristics (skewed due to high population density in Pokhara and Kathmandu) whereas only nine percent are living in peri-urban areas. 

Peri-urban areas are mainly in the inner Tarai and the Tarai. In inner Tarai, 43 percent of the population resides in peri-urban areas, 30 percent in urban areas and 27 percent in rural areas. In the Tarai region, 69 percent of the population lives in peri-urban areas, 22 percent in urban areas and only nine percent in areas having rural characteristics.

The report points at a rapid urbanization with agglomeration of population in peri-urban and urban areas. 

The comparative analysis between 2011 and 2021 shows an increase in urban population from 62.93 percent to 66.02. Between hierarchies of urban administrative units, urban municipalities have seen a significant increase in population (2.58 percent), followed by sub-metropolitan cities (0.82 percent). While the population has increased in metropolitan cities and rural municipalities, their share in the total population has fallen by 0.3 percent and 3.09 percent, respectively.

Based on the degree of urbanization methodology endorsed by the United National Statistical Commission to standardize the definition of urban and rural areas globally, the report has analyzed 2011 and 2021 census data to derive inferences by classifying settlements at the ward level into urban, peri-urban and rural areas.

The ecological region classification shows that rural population is concentrated in the Hill (66 percent) and Mountain regions, peri-urban population in the Tarai region (85 percent) whereas urban population is concentrated in the Hill region (53 percent)—skewed due to high population density in Pokhara and Kathmandu valley—followed by the Tarai region (39 percent)

In rural municipalities, 58 percent of the population is in the rural cluster, whereas 36.1 percent is mostly in peri-urban areas (664 wards), states the report. In urban municipalities, only 28.4 percent of population is in urban areas (591 wards), while a majority (46 percent) is in peri-urban areas (1,285 wards) and 25.4 percent is still in the rural cluster (within 1,244 wards).

In sub-metropolitan cities, 39 percent of the population lives in peri-urban areas and 53 percent in areas categorized as ‘urban’. In metropolitan cities, 17 percent is in peri-urban areas, 2.3 percent in areas of rural characteristics and a whopping 80.7 percent in urban areas.

Though they are home to only 33 percent of the national population, rural municipalities have a higher number of wards (3,685) compared to urban and peri-urban areas.

At the provincial level, the distribution of urban population (66.8 percent) is relatively skewed with the highest in Madhes Province (19.9 percent), followed by Bagmati Province (14.6 percent) and the Karnali Province (1.2 percent) The data show imbalance in distribution of urban population with highest concentration in the Tarai in Madhes and Lumbini.

Based on provincial distribution of districts in relation to the degree of urbanization, 93.51 percent of Bagmati Province’s population resides in urban areas. Districts without urban population include Sankhuwasabha and Terathum of Koshi Province, Manang and Mustang of Gandaki Province, Rukum East of Lumbini Province and Dolpa and Humla of Karnali Province.

Per the report, the number of urban municipalities increased from 58 in 2013/2014 to 293 in 2017/2018, with a corresponding increase in urban municipal population to 66 percent from 17 percent.

Unveiling the report, Chief Secretary Baikuntha Aryal stressed the need for relevant offices of three-tier governments to make policies and programs based on data and evidence.

Infographics 

Population in Ecological Regions in 2011 and 2021 (in percent)

Source: National Statistics Office

The Third International Investment Summit, initially scheduled for April 21-22, has been rescheduled to take place on April 28 and 29.

Sushil Bhatta, the Chief Executive Officer of the Investment Board and member secretary of the Investment Summit Steering Committee, said that the date for the Summit has been rescheduled. The revised schedule is set to be endorsed during the second meeting of the Steering Committee at the Finance Ministry today.

The Steering Committee, led by Finance Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat, is responsible for approving the schedule and format of the Summit, identifying areas for policy reforms to enhance the investment atmosphere, and overseeing all aspects of the Summit. Its members include ministers from various sectors such as foreign affairs, energy, water resources and irrigation; physical infrastructure and transport; culture, tourism and civil aviation; industry; agriculture; urban development; federal affairs; and general administration.

It also includes the vice-chair of the National Planning Commission, chief secretary, governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the finance secretary, industry secretary, and representatives from the private sector.

The first meeting of the Steering Committee, held on November 26, directed the government to facilitate discussions with potential investors, identify likely investors, call for project proposals, and secure their endorsements.

In preparation for the Summit, the Implementation Committee and the Technical Committee have been formed to undertake legal and structural reforms and to inform investors about the event.

The Implementation Committee, coordinated by the chief secretary, recently issued a circular through the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration to province and local levels, seeking details of viable projects to be presented as showcase projects during the Summit.

While exploring the streets of Istanbul, Turkey, I stumbled upon a charming sweetshop. Intrigued, I gestured towards one of the displayed sweets and placed an order. The friendly shopkeeper handed it to me with a big smile. Upon taking the first bite, a familiar taste reminiscent of my home country brought a smile to my face.

Later, I discovered that the sweet was Sekerpare (sheh-kehr-PAH-rih), a pastry that evoked the flavors of our own Aaitha (Lha) Mari, and Khurma Roti. So, what’s the connection between Turkish Sekerpare and Nepali Aaitha Mari? Sekerpare came to Turkey from Iran, where it is known as Shekarbura. The Persian words ‘shekar’ means sugar and ‘bura’ means to carve, cut, or split. In India, it’s called Shakharpara, with Northern India naming it Khurma, the same sweet made in our country during the Tihar festival.

The term ‘khurma’ translates to dates in Persian, indicating its Persian roots. Dates are a common ingredient in Northern Indian Khurma, providing a subtle sweetness and a soft texture to this delicacy. Over time, Khurma made its way into the kitchens of various Indian regions, each contributing its regional flavors and techniques to this beloved treat.

The basic ingredients for making Khurma include all-purpose flour, semolina, ghee, sugar, and various aromatic spices. These elements come together to create a deep-fried, pastry-like sweet, characterized by its crispy yet melt-in-your-mouth texture.

While the basic recipe remains consistent across India, variations of Khurma can be found in different states. In Rajasthan, for instance, a variation called Rajasthani Shakarpara incorporates the use of milk along with traditional ingredients, giving it a softer texture and appealing to those who prefer a chewier treat.

In South India, Khurma is often referred to as ‘Nei Urundai’ or Ghee Balls. Here, the sweet is prepared by rolling small portions of dough into round shapes, which are then coated with powdered sugar or coconut flakes. These bite-sized delights are perfect for festive occasions and are often enjoyed with a cup of aromatic filter coffee.

As Khurma entered Nepal, it took two separate paths. One followed the North Indian tradition, leading to the creation of Khurma Roti. The other path involved more experimentation with Shakarpara, resulting in the development of Aaitha Mari. The basic ingredients were changed, and an artistic touch was added, giving rise to Lakhamari.

Lakhamari is associated with marriages in the Newar community. In Kathmandu, Newars replace all-purpose flour with rice and lentil flour. Lakhamari is prepared by molding the mixture into various shapes and frying them in ghee or oil. After frying, they are immersed in chasni (sugar syrup) until ready.

The process begins with soaking rice and lentils throughout the day, usually left to soak overnight. The next day, the mixture is ground into a paste to make dough. Mixing water and ghee, the dough is kneaded well. Once it becomes soft, small balls are made and wrapped in cloth pieces. Following this, the Lakhamari dough is shaped in a pan and cooked.

During various festive occasions of Newars, 84 types of bread are prepared, with Lakhamari holding special significance. It serves as a symbol given by the boy’s side to confirm the completion of the marriage to the girl’s side.

The allure of Lakhamari extends beyond its flavors. Its presence in significant life events, especially marriage ceremonies, signifies reverence. It’s showcased prominently as part of the groom’s gifts to the bride’s family, known as ‘sagun.’ The name Lakhamari epitomizes its central role, prominently displayed alongside other ceremonial items, marking its integral place in Nepali traditions.

This revered sweet, with its extended shelf life of three to four months in sealed packets, holds immense export potential for the Nepali diaspora. Its popularity within the Nepali community worldwide provides an opportunity to introduce and showcase Nepali culinary heritage on a global stage. The rising global demand for authentic ethnic foods creates a favorable climate for Lakhamari’s integration into international markets.

The Nepali diaspora can serve as ambassadors for Lakhamari, championing its authenticity and cultural significance. Collaborating with local distributors, employing innovative packaging for prolonged freshness, and strategic marketing emphasizing its rich heritage could facilitate successful export endeavors. Additionally, diversifying flavors and shapes to cater to varied tastes while preserving its essence could broaden its appeal among international audiences.

My experience of treating myself to these delicious snacks, especially Lakhamari, which served as my all-day bites, highlights the enduring connection between food and cherished memories. Food possesses a remarkable ability to evoke emotions and transport us back to moments filled with joy and contentment, reminding us of special times in our lives.

Even after all these years, the flavors and experiences associated with Lakhamari and the meals from Lakhamari Chhen at Sorha Khutte, Kathmandu, remain a nostalgic and treasured part of my past, symbolizing not just a culinary delight but a portal to cherished memories from my college days.The author is a UK-based R&D chef