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The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has projected a 4.1 percent economic growth rate in Nepal in 2023 while inflation is forecast to be at 7.4 percent. According to the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) April 2023, Nepal's economic growth rate is projected to decelerate in 2023 as compared to last year due to under tight monetary policy, slackened domestic demand, the unwinding of pandemic stimulus, and persistent global headwinds. GDP growth is expected to pick up to 5.0% in 2024, however, with the dissipation of inflation, increased infrastructure spending, and further recovery in tourism and related services. The successful conclusion of the International Monetary Fund’s Extended Credit Facility reviews on 28 February 2023 showed Nepal’s economy on a sustainable path, with fiscal risks mitigated, external risks largely contained, and sustainable debt management ensured. The report says average inflation accelerated to 8.0% in the first 6 months of 2023. Food inflation edges up to 5.6% and non-food inflation climbed to 8.6% as prices rose for housing, utilities, and transportation. Inflation is expected to moderate to an average of 7.4% in 2023 as tighter monetary and fiscal policies take further hold in the second half of the fiscal year. Inflation is expected to decelerate to 6.2% in 2024, assuming a normal harvest, subdued oil prices, and a decline in Indian inflation. The report assesses the main downside risk to the outlook is a global downturn hitting Nepal’s tourism and remittance receipts. A drastic tightening of global financial conditions to tame rising inflation would require tighter domestic monetary policy, which would erode investment and domestic consumption, dragging down growth. Intensified geopolitical turmoil and any natural hazards such as landslides or floods would further dampen growth prospects. Similarly, as per the ADB, growth in all production sectors in Nepal is forecast to moderate in 2023. Agriculture growth will likely ease from 2.3% in 2022 to 2.0% in 2023. Preliminary estimates show that rice output increased by about 7.0%, but winter rainfall has been scanty, likely affecting winter crop yield and overall agriculture output. Despite a boost to industry expected with 700 megawatts of hydroelectricity added to the national grid, sector growth will likely decelerate by half from 10.2% to 5.1% as manufacturing and construction are hit by higher interest rates, import restrictions, a slowdown in domestic consumption, and dampened external demand. Growth in services will moderate from 5.9% to 4.4% after credit controls and a hike in interest rates slow real estate, wholesale, and retail trade. While tourism growth has been strong, international tourist arrivals are still only half of their pre-pandemic numbers, according to the report.  

Naba Raj Lamsal is a Nepali author, poet, and former radio journalist who was also awarded the Madan Puraskar for his epic, ‘Agni’. In total, he authored three epics—‘Karna’, ‘Dhara’, and ‘Agni’—along with eight more publications, four of which were recognized at the national level. Babita Shrestha from ApEx interviewed Lamsal to learn more about his reading and writing journey. What inspired you to become a writer? I started writing before I even knew what it entailed. I loved reciting poems and used to read classical poetry and verses written in Sanskrit. I think that influenced me to pursue writing. I used to win numerous prizes at competitions as well, and readers seemed to enjoy my writing, which has been my driving force ever since. I consider my favorite writer, Laxmi Prasad Devkota, as my greatest inspiration. His work, especially ‘Shakuntala’ gave birth to modern poetry which started a new trend in Nepali literature. Do you have a particular theme/topics you usually work on?  I prefer historical, geographical, and cultural writings. In terms of literature, I’m more inclined to write about marginalized communities, diverse races, identities, and cultures, and primarily about Nepal. I feel it’s my job to chronicle the history of my nation. Besides, I write about the need to provide a platform for the voiceless, so they can speak for themselves. In my opinion, a writer shouldn’t limit themselves to just one theme. They need to be versatile. What is your writing process like? I like to do my research before I begin to write. Once I have read every text there is to read on the subject I’m working on only then do I sit down to write. I like to write, revise, and review my work thoroughly. For instance, I have dedicated 20 years to ‘Agni’. The book was supposed to be published first in the epic series. But I had to suspend my work and begin writing other pieces because there was a research gap. I waited and looked for material that would help me complete this book. I just wanted to make sure that my readers understood what I had and wanted to say. And it ultimately got published after my other two epics. Patience and research are very important in writing. What legacy do you hope to leave behind? Recently, I’ve noticed that authors are more focused on creating works that are appealing to the readers. My ideology is different. I write to impart knowledge. I wouldn’t mind if fewer people read my books, but it has to have the potential to educate and empower them. Without a doubt, I want my readers to get some knowledge about Nepal. I hope to inspire aspiring writers to include our culture and identity in their writings. What’s your opinion on the future of Nepali literature? I’m very optimistic about it. I believe that writers from every generation, especially new ones, have and will contribute a lot to the progress of Nepali literature in their own way. I also think that the younger generation is very intelligent and has a lot of potential. I’m sure that these aspirant young minds will do a good job, or maybe even better than what we have seen so far. What books do you recommend to the readers? Books are good teachers. I can’t recommend one or two books. I would suggest people read books that impart historical, cultural, and geographical knowledge. These books will help you to enrich your critical thinking and help you to understand ideologies better. Having said that, a few books have inspired me in the past. They are ‘Shakuntala’ by Laxmi Prasad Devkota, ‘Narsingh Avatar’ by Jagadish Shamsher Rana, and ‘Tarun Tapasi’ by Lekhnath Paudyal. I think people should read these masterpieces. Lamsal’s Picks Shakuntala by Laxmi Prasad Devkota This is one of the greatest works of Laxmi Prasad Devkota, which was published in the year 1945. Narsingh Avatar by Jagadish Shamsher Rana  Narsingh Avatar is a poetry epic written by Jagadish Shamsher Rana that was awarded Madan Puraskar in 1981. Tarun Tapasi by Lekhnath Paudyal  Tarun Tapasi by Lekhnath Paudyal was published in 1953. The epic is divided into 19 cantos and is written in ‘shikharini chhanda’.

Seven persons including three Nepalis died in an avalanche at Chomgo in East Sikkim of India. According to a statement issued by the Sikkim government, the avalanche hit the Gangtok Natula JNM road at 11:10 am on Tuesday. The deceased Nepalis have been identified as Shiva Prasad Lamichhane and Ashika Dhakal (22) of Chitwan and Muna Sah (29) of Rupandehi. Similarly, Shaurav Raya Chaudhary (29), Pritam Matte (38) of West Bengal, Bal Singh (32) and six-year-old Rebika Singh also died in the incident, SP Tenzing Loden Lepcha of Sikkim said. All of them were tourists. Likewise, three Nepalis were injured in the incident. The injured have been identified as Gita Sapkota (40), Jyoti Gurung (38) and Ramesh Khanal (43). They are undergoing treatment at the Gangtok-based STNM Hospital.    

Dr Bijay Raj Neupane has been appointed the Chair of the Board of Directors at the BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital in Chitwan. A meeting of the Council of Ministers decided to appoint him to the post. Prior to this, he was the deputy director of the Hospital. Newly appointed Chair Neupane said he is committed to ensuring quality service and promoting the Hospital as a research hub for cancer across the country.