Submit your Article

Police have confiscated 363 kg marijuana from Parsa. Acting on a tip-off, police seized the contraband from a truck (Na 4 Kha 6555) heading towards Bijayabasti of Parsa from Hetauda of Makwanpur. The marijuana packed in 22 cartoons were hidden by making a false bottom in the truck. It has been learnt that the driver fled the scene soon after he saw the police. The confiscated marijuana and truck have been handed over to the Area Police Office, Thori for investigation.    

Women from the Chepang community have qualms over undergoing check-up for reproductive health. Although the women health volunteers are raising awareness in villages on reproductive health, the Chepang women are still showing unwillingness to undergo necessary tests. They hardly visit health posts for pregnancy tests. ANM at Pamdanda Health Post, Richa Hitanga, said, "The Chepang women do not come to undergo health check-ups. As they do not undergo pregnancy test on time, they suffer various problems later." Hitanga further informed that until the Chepang women get their bellies bulged and others know about it, they do not visit the health facility. "It is mainly because they feel ashamed," he explained. The Chepang community is an indigenous community. Tradition of child marriage is prevalent in this indigenous group. According to ANM Hitanga, the women from this indigenous community must be made aware about reproductive health from the very school level. Most of the women have similar problems. Maya Chepang from Jaigaira said they do not go to health post until they become five-month pregnant. "I also became a mother at an early age," she said. She shared that she was repeating that the daughter-in-laws must be taken to a health facility on time for a pregnancy test, otherwise they could face risk- both in mother and child. She also recounted the plight that she lost two children. If she had tested her health on time, she could not face the tragedy. Shila Chepang has a similar plight. She lost her child as she failed to undergo a pregnancy test on time. She divulged that she, getting ashamed, did not go to the health post despite recurring health problems during pregnancy. She suggested that not only women but also the men must be made aware to ensure timely health checkup of Chepang women. In the background, Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality has been conducting an awareness program. Health section coordinator at the rural municipality, Basudev Sapkota, said they were preparing to distribute calcium to the pregnant women for at least four months. Even the ultrasound service was launched in the rural areas. He informed that the rural municipality had reached every village to raise awareness and provide health service. As per the plan of federal government, a plan was afoot to introduce 'Nutrition for Chepang' program at Ichchhakamana of Chitwan and Chepang settlement of Rapti. Sapkota however admitted that complete change was still awaited. He pointed out the need for better collaboration and coordination of all sides including the local levels to bring change in the life of Chepang women in terms of reproductive health.

The Biratnagar Metropolitan City (BMC) has begun a feasibility study in a bid to seek a long term resolution to the inundation problem here. The study began with the assistance of Asian Development Bank. The BMC city is inundated every year during monsoon for lack of proper outlet. Mayor Nagesh Koirala informed that BMC would seek a scientific solution to the problem it has been facing for a long time.  The feasibility study team is now inspecting various wards that suffer much during monsoon rains. He further said the consultants from ADB were now studying how the inundation in BMC could be given an outlet to Singhiya and Keshliya streams. The BMC is mulling how the water from old canals as Ghoga, Basta, Dhuduwa, Chyangbari, and Marli could be drained at major streams.  "Along with the ADB team, I'm visiting the areas that are most affected during rains. The team would prepare the report in two weeks which would pave the way for the works ahead," Koirala informed. The technical team leader for the feasibility study from SCHEMES DM, Dr Sheikh Javed Mohammad, also said they had begun the inspection of the inundated areas. A detailed report would be prepared after the feasibility study. The team had the field inspections of ward no 3, 15, 17, 18 and 19 of BMC.  

At least 11 persons died when a jeep met with an accident in Jajarkot on Monday. The deceased have been identified as Bir Bahadur Khatri of Jajarkot, Jaya Bahadur Buda, Nainsara Adhikari, Ram Bahadur Buda, Devisara Buda, Amar Adhikari, Nisha Adhikari and Deepa Adhikari of Lewa, Chedagad-5, jeep driver Man Bahadur Raut of Rum Dailekh, Bhagwati Rural Municipality-2, Birendra KC and Amar Bahadur Khadka of Dailekh, Bhagwatimai Rural Municipality-3. Amar and Nisha, who were critically injured in the incident, breathed their last on the way to a hospital. Jaiwan Adhikari is said to be critical condition. He has been sent to Surkhet for further treatment. The incident occurred when the jeep (Karnali Province 02-001 Cha 0429) heading towards Lewa from Jews fell some 200 meters down the road at Bhirbati in Chedagad Municipality-4 of West Jajarkot. Chief District Officer of Jajarkot Janak Prasad Bhandari said that police are looking into the case.