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Police have arrested a Canadian national with 9 kg gold from the Tribhuvan International Airport on Wednesday. The Customs Department of the Airport detained Muhammad Kamal Mohagob (passport no. AAM 266548), who arrived in Kathmandu from Malaysia boarding a FlyDubai flight FZ-574 from Dubai, during a routine security check. TIA security police spokesperson Lal Mani Acharya said that the Canadian National was apprehended with 9. 135 kg gold He has been kept at the Metropolitan Police Circle, Gaushala for further investigation.    

Each year, the 31-day-long Swasthani Vrata begins on the day Purnima (the full moon of Pausha, the ninth month of the Nepali calendar) and ends on the Purnima of the next month (Magha). This period falls between January and February, the coldest days of a year in Nepal. The Swasthani Vratakatha, recited during this period, has 31 chapters. Reading a chapter every evening, devotees can complete the recital of the whole book within this period. Mentioned many times in the book, the following is the procedure for the Swasthani Vrata (fast) and the Puja. One should begin the Vrata on Pausha Purnima by parrying their nails a day before, take bath and cleanse oneself early morning, remain solely devoted to Sri Swasthani and also worship Lord Mahadeva each noon. Every evening, a person in a family should recite the story and others should listen to it with great devotion. At the beginning and the end of each chapter, generally each evening, the reader and the audience should offer water, flowers and fruits to the goddess with great respect. One can observe the Vrata and recite the story even if s/he is all alone, taking inanimate objects as the audience. On Magha Purnima, the concluding day of the Vrata, 108 pieces of Janai (the sacred thread), betelnut fruit, betel leaf, home-made Selroti, Akshata (rice grains), bellyflower and other flowers, barley grains, sesame seeds, sandalwood, papaya, sugarcane and various types of fruits and other items are offered. The symbol ‘Om’ is painted on a copper plate and Shivalinga installed on it, a sesame oil-fed cotton lamp lit, each of these sprinkled with waters from sacred rivers, fruits and coins are offered. Janai, Sindoor (the red vermillion powder) and other ingredients mentioned above are also offered to the goddess. Per the holy book, Lord Mahadeva has instructed devotees to worship him along with Sri Swasthani. The devotee reads some Sanskrit hymns dedicated to the goddess, thanking her for successful completion of the penance. The book has instructed giving eight of the 108 pieces of Selroti, Akshata, bellyflower, Janai (the sacred thread), betelnut fruits to the husband, the son in the absence of husband, to the son of Mit ( a very close friend bound by some oath), etc. If no one is around, these offerings should be flown into a river praying for the fulfillment of the wish s/he had in mind. The keeper of the Vrata is supposed to eat the 100 pieces of Selroti and remain awake throughout the night, meditating. Even poor people can observe the Vrata, the scripture points. It states that one can even take sand as puja materials and regard inanimate objects as their audience. The Vrata is supposed to bring good health to devotees suffering from diseases. It points how Chandrawati, a queen, who had fallen into misfortunes after disrespecting Goddess Swasthani, regained her health and fortunes. On a positive note, people breathing their last within six months beginning from Magha are considered lucky. It is believed that their soul goes to Swarga, the heaven. Scriptures point that the soul has to cross mega rivers and different tough terrains before liberation. Per scriptures, of these rivers, the river named Vaitarani is the most difficult to cross and it can be crossed only with the help of a cow. That is why a cow is gifted to the priest during rituals. The very cow is supposed to help the dead ones cross the river. In the month of Magha in particular, rainfall is quite rare. This makes seasonal rivers shrink and even dry out, making them easily crossable. The scripture has suggested chanting the glory of Sri Swathani, singing and dancing on the concluding night of the Vrata. Depending on physical health, one may just remain awake, seated and remember Sri Swasthani with deep devotion in their heart. Thus concludes the penance, but not without proper disposal of the remains of the ritual to a suitable place.

At least 14 people were charred to death and several others injured in a major fire at a multi-storey building in Jharkhand’s Dhanbad on Tuesday evening, The Times of India reported.

"Fourteen people, including 10 women and three children, were killed in the massive fire. Rescue operation is still under way at the site," news agency ANI quoted Dhanbad deputy commissioner Sandeep Singh as saying.

“14 people died and 12 others were injured in the fire. Several people were in the apartment to attend a marriage function. The cause of the fire is yet to be known. We are focusing on rescue. The injured were shifted to a nearby hospital,” Dhanbad SSP Sanjiv Kumar said.

“District officials have completed the rescue and search operation at the building. No one remains trapped and 14 injured people are being treated and they are in stable condition. The portion of the building damaged by fire has been cleared,” the deputy commissioner said. The blaze erupted at 6pm at Ashirwad Tower in Dhanbad's Joraphatak area, around 160km from state capital Ranchi.

Dhanbad deputy commissioner Sandeep Singh, who is monitoring the operation on the spot along with senior police officers, told PTI that the exact number of people who died and suffered injuries is yet to be ascertained, according to The Times of India.

"Several people are reportedly trapped ," a senior police officer said. Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren expressed grief over the loss of lives due to the fire.

Nepal has made an improvement by seven positions in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). In a report of 2022 unveiled by Transparency International Nepal, Nepal has been ranked in the 110th position by receiving 34 points out of 180 countries. It was in 117th position with 33 points in 2021. Organizing a program here today, Transparency International Nepal informed about the situation of the world and Nepal in CPI. "The import and export were decreased in 2022 as compared to 2021. Nepal got more points in the survey of World Economic Forum due to decline in corruption relating to import and export", said Padmini Pradhananga, Chairperson of TI Nepal. Denmark is in the first position with 90 points while Somalia is in the last position with 12 points. Of the 180 countries, 58 countries have received more than 50 points. Six different international organizations--- World Bank, World Economic Forum, Global Insight, Bartelesmann Foundation, World Justice and Varieties of Democratic Project (V-Dem) had carried out surveys of CPI in Nepal. The survey was carried out on various topics, including work performance of public office holders, access of civil society in information, import, export, public service, contract, judicial decision, trade, business, corruption, bribe, misuse of public post by the representatives of government, parliament, judiciary and security bodies for personal interest. Transparency Intentional unveils Corruption Perceptions Index every year.