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Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has identified several economic challenges Madhes Province has been facing and also proposed reforms aimed at addressing these issues.

Unveiling a study report focused on the region, the central bank emphasized the need to formalize economic activities in Madhes and enhance revenue collection mechanisms.

One of the key findings of the report highlighted that Province citizens along the Nepal-India border are compelled to cross into India to access healthcare services due to the lack of quality health facilities locally. This situation has significantly increased the demand for Indian currency in the province, presenting a notable economic challenge.

Other critical issues identified include the need to improve government and community-run schools, prioritize vocational and technical education, and strengthen rural health centers by providing adequate resources.

The report further recommended developing cities like Janakpur and Birgunj into educational hubs, with a strong focus on improving the quality of education. Additionally, it has stressed the need for effective waste management and maintaining clean streets to enhance the overall appeal of the province as a beautiful and pleasant region.

Agriculture-related concerns were also highlighted. Due to limited market access, many farmers are forced to rely on intermediaries to sell their produce. The report stressed the urgent need to connect farmers directly to fair agricultural markets and ensure they receive just prices for their products.

Similarly, a study by the central bank has shown that it is necessary to enhance fish production capacity in areas such as Janakpur and Parwanipur, which are known for fish farming.

It is essential to modernize and commercialize the traditional subsistence agriculture, provide easy access to fertilizers to make the agricultural sector competitive, ensure fair pricing and management of produced crops, as well as manage the market to attract youth to agricultural activities.

As the trend of skilled human resources from the province migrating abroad has increased, creating an environment for employment by arranging for technicians, health workers, teachers, and IT experts for the operation of the service sector also appears to be challenging, the NRB report stated.

It is essential to invest the remittances received from youths working in foreign employment into the productive sector in coordination with the local authorities.

The central bank has emphasized the need to enhance economic activities by properly conserving and promoting geographical and religious heritages, biological diversity, and developing areas such as Janaki Temple, Parsa Wildlife Reserve, the nearby Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, the Sindhuli War Museum, and Bharat Tal (Lake).

The study concludes that it is challenging to complete nationally significant projects such as the Postal Highway, the Kathmandu–Nijgadh Fast-track, the President Chure Terai Madhes Conservation Programme, and Nijgadh International Airport which have been started in the Madhes Province within the determined cost and schedule while maintaining coordination among various stakeholders and sectors.

The study has shown that it is essential to enhance financial literacy in the region, increase financial access for marginalized groups, and encourage the formalization of economic activities to expand the revenue base.

Thirty-five youths from various districts of Nepal held captive under the lure of jobs have been rescued from Kashipur, Uttarakhand, India.

The Nepali Embassy in New Delhi has stated that they were rescued as per the directives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after receiving information that they were held captive, beaten and tortured and extorted money under various pretexts. 

The embassy rescued them Thursday with the help of Uttarakhand Police and a community-based organization called KIN India.

The Uttarakhand Police has arrested some people related to the incident and is conducting further investigation, the Embassy stated.. 

The rescued ones will be sent to Nepal after completing the due legal process.

One of the most renowned British Officers in the history of the Brigade of Gurkhas Lieutenant Colonel J P Cross OBE has reached 100 years of lifetime and the extraordinary occasion was marked with a fervent celebration at the British Gurkhas Nepal camp in Pokhara. 

Lieutenant Colonel John Philip Cross OBE, popularly known as JP Cross, served together with the Gurkhas in the British Army for nearly 40 years, when he earned legendary respect because of his experience, leadership and devotion to his units. 

Following retirement from a very rich service accounting numerous deployments, he has been living in Nepal for the last 49 years, the latter years as an official Nepali citizen. Now fond of being called a ‘Nepali born in Britain’, the retired Officer recalls his first arrival in Nepal with the British Army 80 years ago at the age of 21. 

He has authored 19 books on his lifelong military service and knowledge and in his remarks and recollections, has always held the Gurkhas in high esteem. His passion for Nepal, its people and the Gurkhas has cemented his name in Nepal and the Gurkha community, while his knowledge expressed in his writing has gained good recognition in the wider military world.

Addressing the event attended by Mrs Julia Fenn, wife of the British Ambassador to Nepal, Gurkha veterans and serving officers and staff, Colonel Dan Rex MVO, Commander British Gurkhas Nepal urged all to reflect how the milestone celebration resonated beyond the camp in Pokhara to all of the Brigade of Gurkhas and British Army. “It is also a moment being closely watched and related by many Nepalis who are proud of their association with JP Saheb,” he said. 

In addition to his distinguished career as an officer and author, Lt Col (Retd) J P Cross OBE is recognised as an expert in jungle warfare and counter-insurgency, with experience as a police officer, defence attaché, and Gurkha recruitment officer. He is also a highly skilled linguist, fluent in Nepali and its dialects. His military service spans Burma, Indo-China, Malaya, Borneo, Pakistan, India, Hong Kong, and Nepal, among other regions. He now lives a settled life in Pokhara, Nepal—the home of Gurkha recruitment—with his godson and family. Back when 93 years, with his sharp sense of humour, he had quipped: "Call me old when I am 100." Maybe it’s time to dig more humour out of J P Saheb

The weather today will be partly to generally cloudy across the country. 

There is a possibility of light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning at many places in the hilly regions of the country including Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces.

According to the Weather Forecasting Division, there is also a possibility of heavy rain at one or two places in the hilly regions of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces. There is a possibility of light rain and snowfall at a few places in the high-hilly and mountainous regions of the country.

Later tonight, the weather will continue to remain partly to generally cloudy across the country. There is a possibility of light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning at many places in Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces and at some places in the rest of the country. 

There is a possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places in Koshi, Madhesh and Bagmati Provinces and heavy rainfall at one or two places in Gandaki, Lumbini and Sudurpaschim Provinces. Light to moderate rainfall and snowfall is likely at a few places in the high-hilly and mountainous regions of the country.