- Tuesday, 4 November 2025
TRN Online
Gokarneshwor Municipality uses new technology for waste management
By Nagendra Sapkota, Kathmandu, Apr. 13: At a time while waste management is becoming a challenge in the urban areas, Gokarneshwor Municipality of Kathmandu has initiated managing waste with modern technology.In order to manage the household waste in a pollution-free manner, the municipality has installed a waste incinerator machine of Japanese technology and brought it into operation. Gokarneshwor Municipality informed that the work of burning out the garage coming out of the houses in a smokeless manner has been initiated with the financial support from the municipality itself and Hita Heavy Machinery and Recycle Pvt. Ltd. “Gokarneshwor Municipality has become the first municipality to manage garbage in such a manner,” claimed Santosh Chalise, Mayor of the Gokarneshwor Municipality said with this initiation, “Full operation of the Incinerator machine is underway.” He said that if the other three such machines can be installed in other different areas then it will bring the overall solution to waste management in the municipality. The machine has been installed in a non-settlement area of Gokarneshwor Municipality-6. The waste incinerator machine was brought at 50 million two years ago with the support of Japan. Mayor Chalise, said, “The machine was brought to Nepal by looking at the efficacy with which it is managing wastage in Japan.” According to him, in this method, all the waste, that can be burnt, from each household will be asked to store in a garbage bag provided by the municipality. Then, vehicles from the municipality will collect waste door to door. All the waste collected by the vehicles will be put in the waste Incinerator machine along with the garbage bag, which then will burn waste pollution-free. Waste will be burnt at 960 degrees Celsius without smoke. The machine will filter the smoke from waste and let it out as a form of vapour after purifying smoke. One kilo of ash will come out while burning 100 kilos of waste and that waste can be used for making bricks, after mixing it with cement and sand. He said, "Bricks made from this way can be stronger than the slope when spread on the road. Similarly, vapour can also be used, for that, a different technology is needed. However, that technology is not brought as of now".Darshan Pudasaini, Manager at the Hita Heavy Machinery and Recycle Pvt. Ltd said that hot water coming out from the 1.5-inch pipe from the machine can be used as seasonings in the swimming pools and furniture industry. He said, "Machine can burn 25 tons of both compostable and non-compostable waste. The machine works by drying waste and then burning it. However, it will not impact the environment." Baikuntha Sapkota, Chief Administrative Officer at the Municipality said that at times when managing waste has become difficult, this new method definitely can manage waste pollution-free."He said that the municipality conducted a trial and the result have been effective.
Let Women Lead Local Levels
Namrata SharmaWhile the political leaders are engaged in infighting to acquire seats for the upcoming elections, numerous examples of Nepali women leadership at home, office, nation and the world were showcased by Nari, a woman magazine, via their one-day conference entitled Nirvik Nari, meaning fearless women, in Kathmandu the other day. Many women leaders, who have proven their leadership qualities as Deputy Mayors and Vice Chairpersons during their current terms, are at present struggling to get party tickets to contest for Mayors and Chairpersons’ seats. The general lack of networking with the more powerful male leaders, the inability to spend large amounts of cash during elections, and the prevalent mindset that women cannot perform are the major hindrances to women candidates’ easy access to party tickets even if they are the best candidates.Whether strategically or not, Nirvik Nari was organised at such a time that it has been able to show that there should be no reasons for anyone to say that women cannot perform. There were a number of elder generation women speakers who have become excellent examples of supporting the overall progress in the country’s democratic struggle both as party cadres and pillars at home to support the male leaders and their children. An equal number of such women have been involved in setting up strong and quality educational institutions from where now young generation is getting quality education inside the country itself. The combination of experiences from homemaker women of substance and professional leaders in medicine, business and technology together with judiciary and politics including both elite and rural women shows that Nepal now has ample number of women in all wakes of life who can lead their families, communities, nation and the world, too.Inspiring womenThe sharing of experiences of young Nepali women like Anchal Kunwar, Managing Director of Daraj Nepal, who had made it big in the USA with Amazon but has decided to come back to Nepal and work here; Shailaja Acharya who commenced her business in Nepal when she was 20 and now owns a number of companies and manages it as Managing Director of ICE Group speaks volumes of how Nepali women have made their mark at both national and international levels and have contributed to the economic and educational growth. Kamala Thapa, on the other hand, comes from Butwal and has made a mark as agency manager with Citizen Life Insurance. She proudly shared that due to early marriage and economic conditions of her home, she had to shelve her study. However no matter how much jeering she got, she completed grades 10, 11 and 12 in her early 40s and is now inspiring women to study no matter how late it is. She is actually preparing women to work in the insurance sector but for that she is also initiating a process for them to complete till grade 12.Life experiences and achievements of women like Judge Sapana Malla Pradhan; Dr Rita Gurung, CEO of Tilganga Eye Hospital; Shristi KC of Blind Rockes and Professor Durga Rizal of Apex College, among others, are examples that can be given to people who says there are no women that we can field. These are just some women. There are thousands all over the country.Starting from the First Lady Dr Arzu Rana Deuba to Pasang Lhamu Sherpa, the first Nepali woman mountaineer, there were 25 speakers at Nirvik Nari out of them only three were men. All these speakers showed that sex of a person is not an obstacle in achieving any goal human sets. It’s the gender perspective that the society, culture, tradition, religion and politics that discriminates people to achieve what they can. The conference lacked in one aspect as they missed the opportunity to get a transgender speaker as Nepal has recognised them as equal citizens of the country and there are several individuals from their community and LGBTQI community who have been raising voices for their respect and identity in the society.Equal opportunity With the long history of Nepal’s struggle for democracy and the establishment of a federal democratic republic, there have been several changes in the constitution, laws and systems of the country. There have been several changes in the faces of leaders in several sectors including the stock market, finance, industry, science and technology. The time has now come to recognise this and accept it as a fact so the society moves ahead where there does not need to be quotas for female and disadvantaged groups. It should be an automatic process where all citizens of Nepal get equal opportunity to excel in any sector they have the capability of engaging their energy. Obstructing citizens from excelling in their field is actually obstructing the country from progressing.South Asia as a region has similar social, cultural, religious and traditional practices which prevent their citizens in engaging equally in the progress of their nation by utilising their full potential without discrimination. In all South Asian countries, women and people from disadvantaged communities have showed that they are capable of being leaders in all areas. However, the political scenario is still dominant by people who exercise power in the basis of their muscles and mafia where women, transgender and people from minority communities fall behind. This is why Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan are now immersed in never ending political instability while the people are struggling to march ahead by stabilising their livelihoods. Even their powerful neighbour India cannot boast of a stable development for all her citizens.Until the time comes where automatically all citizens of a country can participate in whichever sector they can excel in specific movements, programmes like Nirvik Nari needs to be continued. (Namrata Sharma is a journalist and women rights advocate. namrata1964@yahoo.comTwitter handle: @NamrataSharmaP)
Harisiddhi Dance Staged In Panauti
By Our Correspondent, Kavre, Apr. 13: The religiously significant Harisiddhi Dance has arrived in Panauti after a dozen years.The dance, brought to the Panauti Municipality from Harisiddhi of Lalitpur once every 12 years, was last staged here in 2010. That was the first time the dance had been staged in the city in 60 years; the long gap was caused by a lack of funds and resources.The religiously significant Harisiddhi DanceThe dancers arrived in Panauti on Monday. According to Suresh Sainju, coordinator of Harisiddhi Jatra Main Ceremony Committee, a team led by Purushottam Karmacharya of Panauti brought the dancers from Harisiddhi. The first performance of the dance was held on Tuesday and the second performance will be held on Wednesday, he informed.The Harisiddhi Dance is performed by 29 priests of the Harisiddhi Temple. They showcase various tales related to the eight mother goddesses (Astamatrika) and other deities. They also act out sections of King Bikramaditya’s life as well as parts of the Ramayan.The dance was staged in Dhulikhel from April 1 to April 4. From there, the dance went to Dolakha where it was presented for the first time in nearly a century. Then, it came to Jaybageshwori, Kathmandu and finally went to Panauti.The Harisiddhi Dance is performed in Harisiddhi thrice a year and in Pashupati, Dolakha, Dhulikhel and Panauti once every 12 years.
Health Experts say to be cautious of spread of coronavirus amid elections
Kathmandu, Apr.13: Public health experts have suggested that the election campaign should be cautious even though COVID-19 cases have slowed down, other strains like the Omicron XE variant of Coronavirus are emerging which can spread across borders.According to Dr Rabindra Pandey, Public Health Expert, while looking at the history of the spread of coronavirus, it is observed that SARS-CoV-2 in all three phases has been spread from the neighbouring border, India, as there is a regular flow of people across Nepal and India borders said that even if the new variant is confirmed, it is more likely to move from one place to another sooner or later.He said that as the election draws near, public gatherings, parties, and ceremonies are being held regularly in different places. Public health experts have suggested that attending large gatherings must be minimized saying that COVID-19 is still around. “One must follow all the public health standards of those who are participating in the local elections,” said Dr Pandey, saying that the risk of spread of coronavirus is not over yet.The new variant, the Omicron XE variant of SARS-CoV-2, is being observed in India and other variants in countries. According to the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) Delhi, the first case of the Omicron XE variant was found in a man in Mumbai on April 6. It is said that the Omicron XE variant seen in India can spread 10 times more than the Omicron variant, but, further studies are yet to be conducted about it.Dr Sher Bahadur Pun, the coordinator of the clinical research unit in the Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Hospital (STIDH), said, “In recent days, the use of masks has not been found in the outer districts except the capital. People are less likely to use masks and adhere to the health safety standard amid local elections as it can spread a virus in the country.”Shaligram Sharma Poudel, Spokesperson to the Election Commission (EC) said that instructions have been given to ensure compliance with public health standards while conducting elections in all local level polling stations.He said that Election Commission (EC) was preparing to deliver masks and sanitisers to the polling stations. He further informed the TRN Online that the commission has directed the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) to make vaccination compulsory for those participating in the election. He said, “If the current situation prevails, then there is no need for vaccination, however, if the COVID-19 cases rise then it will be necessary to vaccinate. The decision will be done by looking at the situation.”
Dr Deuba urges EC to manage electoral quotas for women based on proportional inclusion
Kathmandu, April 13 : Nepali Congress leader Dr Arju Rana Deuba has urged the Election Commission (EC) to manage electoral quotas for women on the basis of proportional inclusion. Stating that the EC does not have any authority to breach the Article 38 (4) of the constitution, she urged it to correct its decision on the subject of electoral candidacy for the poll. For the election, the EC has provisioned that a political party should prioritise women representation in any one position of chief and deputy chief or chair and vice chair at local levels while nominating election candidates. But this provision goes against the Article 38 (4) of the constitution that guarantees women's right to participate in all bodies of the state on the basis of proportional inclusion, she argued while taking to a social site. So, she appealed to the EC to make correction in the election directives it has issued recently for the election.
Follow election code of conduct: EC
By TRN Online, Kathmandu, Apr. 12: Election Commission has reminded all the political parties and others concerned to fully follow the code of conduct for the local level election.The election code of conduct prohibits people participating in rallies or those involved in publicity from using materials and things that show election symbols of the political parties. "As all the political parties have expressed commitment to follow the election code of conduct 2078 has, EC is in the belief that the parties will abide by the rule about the size of the party's flag and the election symbol," EC stated in its statement today.
Police focus on van renter in Brooklyn subway shooting probe
By JIM MUSTIAN, JENNIFER PELTZ, MICHAEL R. SISAK and MICHAEL BALSAMO , NEW YORK Apr 13 , (AP) — A gunman in a gas mask and construction vest set off smoke grenades and fired a barrage of bullets in a rush-hour subway train in Brooklyn, wounding at least 10 people Tuesday, authorities said. Police were trying to track down the renter of a van possibly connected to the violence.Chief of Detectives James Essig said investigators weren’t sure whether the man, identified as Frank R. James, 62, had any link to the subway attack.Authorities were looking at his apparent social media posts, some of which led officials to tighten New York Mayor Eric Adams’ security detail. Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell called the posts “concerning.”The attack turned the morning commute into a scene of horror: a smoke-filled underground car, an onslaught of at least 33 bullets, screaming riders running through a station, bloodied people lying on the platform as others tended to them.In the train, Jordan Javier thought the first popping sound he heard was a textbook dropping. Then there was another pop, people started moving toward the front of the car, and he realized there was smoke, he said.When the train pulled into the station, people ran out and were directed to another train across the platform. Passengers wept and prayed as they rode, Javier said.“I’m just grateful to be alive,” he said.Five gunshot victims were in critical condition but expected to survive. At least a dozen people who escaped gunshot wounds were treated for smoke inhalation and other injuries.Sewell said the attack was not being investigated as terrorism, but that she was “not ruling out anything.” The shooter’s motive was unknown.Sitting in the back of the train’s second car, the gunman tossed two smoke grenades on the floor, pulled out a Glock 9 mm semi-automatic handgun and started firing, Essig said. He said police found the weapon, along with extended magazines, a hatchet, detonated and undetonated smoke grenades, a black garbage can, a rolling cart, gasoline and the key to a U-Haul van.That key led investigators to James, who has addresses in Philadelphia and Wisconsin, the detective chief said. The van was later found, unoccupied, near a subway station where investigators determined the gunman entered the train system, Essig said.Rambling, profanity-filled YouTube videos apparently posted by James, who is Black, are replete with Black nationalist rhetoric, violent language and bigoted comments, some of them directed at other Black people.One, posted April 11, criticizes crime against Black people and says drastic action is needed to change things. Another, from March 20, says the nation was “born in violence, it’s kept alive by violence or the threat thereof and it’s going to die a violent death.”A Feb. 20 video says the mayor and governor’s plan to improve safety in New York City’s subway system “is doomed for failure” and refers to himself as a “victim” of the mayor’s mental health program. A Jan. 25 video — called “Dear Mr. Mayor” — is somewhat critical of Adams’ plan to end gun violence.Investigators believe the shooter’s gun jammed, preventing him from continuing to fire, said two law enforcement officials who weren’t authorized to discuss the investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.The attack unnerved a city on guard about a rise in gun violence and the ever-present threat of terrorism. It left some New Yorkers jittery about riding the nation’s busiest subway system and prompted officials to increase policing at transportation hubs from Philadelphia to Connecticut.The Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced last fall it had installed security cameras in all 472 subway stations citywide, saying they would put criminals on an “express track to justice.” But cameras weren’t working at three stations where police went to look for evidence Tuesday, Essig said.MTA system chief Janno Lieber told TV interviewers he didn’t know why the cameras malfunctioned.A riders’ videos show a person in a hooded sweatshirt raising an arm and pointing at something as five bangs sound.Rider Juliana Fonda, a broadcast engineer at WNYC-FM, told its news site Gothamist that passengers from the car behind hers started banging on the connecting door.“There was a lot of loud pops, and there was smoke in the other car,” she said. “And people were trying to get in and they couldn’t, they were pounding on the door to get into our car.”As police searched for the shooter, Gov. Kathy Hochul warned New Yorkers to be vigilant.“This individual is still on the loose. This person is dangerous,” the Democrat said at a news conference just after noon.After people streamed out of the train, quick-thinking transit workers ushered passengers to another train across the platform for safety, transit officials said.High school student John Butsikaris was riding that other train and initially thought the problem was mundane until the next stop, when he heard screams for medical attention and his train was evacuated.“I’m definitely shook,” the 15-year-old said. “Even though I didn’t see what happened, I’m still scared, because it was like a few feet away from me, what happened.”In Menlo, Iowa, President Joe Biden praised “the first responders who jumped in action, including civilians, civilians, who didn’t hesitate to help their fellow passengers and tried to shield them.”Adams, who is isolating following a positive COVID-19 test on Sunday, said in a video statement that the city “will not allow New Yorkers to be terrorized, even by a single individual.”New York City has faced a spate of shootings and high-profile bloodshed in recent months, including on the city’s subways. One of the most shocking was in January, when a woman was pushed to her death in front of a train by a stranger.Adams, a Democrat a little over 100 days into his term, has made cracking down on crime — especially in the subways — an early focus of his administration, pledging to send more police officers into stations and platforms for regular patrols. It wasn’t immediately clear if any officers were in the station when the shootings occurred. “It is going to take the entire nation to speak out and push back against the cult of death that has taken hold in this nation,” Adams said by video Tuesday night.
Price of oil, vegetables, milk products goes soaring
By A Staff ReporterKathmandu, Apr. 13: The economic crisis has its toll on price inflation of goods and services. Consumer price inflation more than doubled to reach 7.14 per cent in the eighth month (mid-March) of Fiscal Year 2021/22 compared to 3.03 per cent a year ago, according to the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation report of the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).Food and beverage inflation stood at 7.51 per cent whereas non-food and service inflation stood at 6.84 per cent in mid-March. In mid-April 2021, food and beverage inflation was 3.80 per cent and non-food and service inflation stood at 2.42 per cent.Price of ghee and oil went up by 26.34 per cent, vegetable by 13.96 per cent, milk products and eggs by 11.30 per cent, and pulses and legumes rose by 10.30 per cent on year-on-year basis. Likewise, under the non-food and services category, the prices of transportation, miscellaneous goods and services and education sub-categories rose by 16.27 per cent, 9.01 per cent and 8.79 per cent respectively.In the review month, hill area experienced the highest inflation of 7.69 per cent. The Kathmandu Valley, Terai and Mountain witnessed inflation of 6.31 per cent, 7.36 per cent and 7.56 per cent respectively. Inflation in these regions was 2.50 per cent, 3.25 per cent, 3.40 per cent and 1.31 per cent respectively in mid-March 2021.Remittances continue to slumpRemittance inflows decreased by 1.7 per cent to Rs. 631.19 billion by the end of the eighth month of the fiscal year against an increase of 8.7 per cent of the previous year. Number of Nepali workers taking approval for foreign employment increased significantly to 227,900 in the review period. It had decreased by 82.9 per cent in the same period of the previous year. The number of Nepali workers taking approval for making re-entry for foreign employment increased by 240.9 per cent to 178,262. It had decreased by 70.2 per cent in the same period of the previous year.Net transfer decreased by 2.0 per cent to Rs. 704.33 billion in the review period. Such a transfer had increased by 7.2 per cent last year.Current account deficit reaches Rs. 463 billionThe report states that the current account remained at a deficit of Rs. 462.93 billion in the eighth month of this year compared to a deficit of Rs. 151.42 billion in the same period of the previous year.Likewise, capital transfer decreased by 41.2 per cent to Rs. 7 billion and net foreign direct investment (FDI) increased by 60.0 per cent to Rs. 16.30 billion. In the same period of the previous year, capital transfer and net FDI amounted to Rs. 11.91 billion and Rs. 10.18 billion respectively. BOP deficit continues to growBalance of Payments (BOP) remained at a deficit of Rs. 258.64 billion against a surplus of Rs. 68.01 billion of the previous year. Similarly, gross foreign exchange reserves decreased by 16.3 per cent to Rs. 1171 billion in mid-March 2022 from Rs. 1399.03 billion in mid-July 2021.The central bank said that based on the imports of eight months of 2021/22, the foreign exchange reserves of the banking sector is sufficient to cover the prospective merchandise imports of 7.4 months, and merchandise and services imports of 6.7 months.Similarly, deposits at Banks and Financial Institutions (BFIs) increased by 4.1 per cent in the review period compared to an increase of 11.0 per cent in the corresponding period of the previous year. Private sector credit from BFIs increased by 12.8 per cent this year compared to an increase of 17.4 per cent last year.
Preparations for CAN Infotech 2022 in final stage
By A Staff ReporterKathmandu, Apr. 13:Preparations for the IME Pay CAN Infotech 2022 slated for April 20-25 have reached final stage. The six-day event will be held at the Bhrikuti Mandap Exhibition Centre in Kathmandu.CAN Federation, organiser of the event, said that 27th edition of the country's only exhibition on information and communication technology and entertainment products is being held three months later from the traditional date in January and February.It has been postponed twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic but exhibitors and entrepreneurs are enthusiastic as it is happening for the first time after the outbreak of the pandemic, said Narayan Thapa, General Secretary of CAN Federation.The organiser expects that the project will provide relief and assistance to all information and communication technology practitioners and stakeholders affected by COVID-19.The show has been organised regularly since 1995 and the 26th edition was organised successfully in 2020."The event will help all ICT entrepreneurs and stakeholders affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We will try to bring in new innovations and developments in the sector of infotech," said Nawaraj Kunwar, President of CAN Federation. A virtual exhibition is also being arranged through caninfotech2022.com so that this edition of CAN Infotech could be participated from anywhere around the globe. Mandala Systems has partnered with CAN Federation as a Virtual Exhibition Partner to create the facility.CAN Infotech 2022 will have different segments, with branding, fintech, startups and innovation, ICT accessories and product launches and e-governance being the main ones. In the branding section, there will be participation of CAN member organisations as well as various national and international ICT-related companies and products in the information technology exhibition.The Fintech section will include services and products related to the use of information and communication technology of banks and financial, and related institutions in Nepal. In the Startup and Innovation Section, 26 startup and innovation related individuals or organisations will showcase their new products and ideas. CAN Federation has partnered with the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) to showcase innovations.To promote new and innovative ideas in the field of information and communication technology, CAN Federation has given special priority to startups and innovations. It also aims to develop the capacity of students studying and working on information technology, providing a platform for their ideas, helping to turn innovative ideas into businesses, and contributing to practical learning. In the ICT Accessories and Product Launching Segment, entrepreneurs will be able to use business expansion as a place to showcase new technologies, while observers will be able to view and purchase new information and communication technology and future technologies, and equipment in one place.In addition to it, CAN Infotech 2022 will feature robotics, emerging technologies, WiFi and the internet, as well as software, networking and cloud solutions, electrical and electronics, security solutions, solar power systems, inverter, computer, UPS, LPT products such as solutions, computer accessories, antivirus software, banking solutions, CCTV and hard disks.
Integrated law on urban development in offing: PM Deuba
By A Staff ReporterKathmandu, Apr. 13: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on Tuesday said that integrated laws would be enacted to tackle the problems that may arise in urban infrastructure development in absence of such laws. Duplication in such legal provision related to urban infrastructure development would also be ended, Prime Minister Deuba, who is also the president of the ruling Nepali Congress, said while speaking at a consultative seminar held on formulating National Urban Policy, Urban Development Act and Utility Corridor Act.Prime Minister Deuba stressed on the need for drafting an urban development bill comprising utility corridor to push forward the development works in a coordinated manner. He said that the government has planned to implement some roadmap projects in the upcoming fiscal year in some big cities of the country to translate the concept of national city policy and urban development into action.Urban infrastructure development concept should be expanded to the hills and mountain regions to discourage unorganised and unmanaged migration of people from the hills to the Terai and the major city areas, he said. Terming Nepal as one of the fast urbanising countries in the world, PM Debua said although the government had been trying to control unmanaged urbanisation since the second five-year plan it had failed to develop cities as expected.Expressing his disappointment at not being able to seek long-term solution to the solid waste generated in the Kathmandu Valley, he said that gas and electricity can be produced from solid waste. “To help us towards that endeavour, some foreign envoys have pledged needed support,” he added. He also said that the vacant and public land in the valley is in the possession of land mafias and that there will be neither public nor government land left in Kathmandu in future should this go unchecked.Former Prime Minister and Chairman of CPN Maoist Centre Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ said that Nepal’s development programme should be taken forward in our own traditional model and practices, rather than copying other nation’s development formula based on mechanical process. Similarly, Former Prime Minister and leader of CPN Unified Socialist Jhalanath Khanal said that time has come to seriously think about how to manage the growing urbanisation. Leader Khanal stressed on enacting long-term and effective laws while planning cities in ways that will not invite problems in the long run. Likewise, Minister for Home Affairs Bal Krishna Khand said the malpractice of constructing road by one office and then digging out by another must end and that infrastructural development should be taken to rural areas.Minister for Communication and Information Technology Gyanendra Bahadur Karki said that rural and urban infrastructure development programmes should be implemented in a balanced and sustainable manner. Minister Karki stressed on enacting policy helping people stay in their own places rather than migrating elsewhere to control haphazard urbanisation.Minister for Urban Development Ram Kumari Jhankri said that the government was facing a hard time to prevent encroachment of public lands, and that there should be proper coordination and communication among the concerned ministries like Drinking Water, Energy, Road, Communication and the Home for controlling unmanaged urbanisation and haphazard practice of digging roads.
Lhakpa Sherpa to climb Everest for 10th time
By A Staff ReporterKathmandu, Apr. 13: Lhakpa Sherpa is set to break her own record and climb Mount Everest for the 10th time. Sherpa, who already holds the record for the highest number of successful Everest ascents by a woman, arrived in Kathmandu from the United States of America on Friday and was feted by the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) on Monday. The Association wished her the best for her attempt at scaling the world’s tallest mountain a historic 10th time and handed her an NMA flag to hoist at the top.Born in the then Makalu Village Development Committee (now part of Makalu Rural Municipality), 48-year-old Sherpa first climbed Everest from the Nepal side in 2000. After that, all her other attempts were made from the Chinese side and this year will be her second time scaling the mountain from Nepal.This year though, she has something special planned. “I will follow the original style of climbing that Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary had followed during the very first ascent of Mount Everest,” she shared.That means that she will first travel to Salleri, Solukhumbu and then trek to the Everest basecamp with a team of porters.Sherpa also said that she wanted to dedicate her climb to the cause of women empowerment. “Nepali women are hardworking and can do anything they want,” she said.
Samjhana Birsana to be released on May 20
By A Staff ReporterKathmandu, Apr. 13: With the lifting of lockdown, film producers have started announcing the release dates of their films. Samjhana Birsana is the latest movie to announce its release date.The film starred Aakash Shrestha and Pooja Sharma is scheduled to be released on May 20.One of the songs of the film was made public recently.Anju Pant and Nimesh Pradhan have sung the song Pareli which was shot in Darjeeling, India. The film was produced by Rebecca Pradhan.Film director, singer, songwriter and composer of the film Nimesh said that it was a love story film and it would entertain the audience.Actress Pooja said that she was very happy to work with the Samjhana Birsana team. She also added that she felt comfortable to work with actors Akash Adhikari and Paul Shah. “The audience also wants to see me and Akash on the screen once again that is why I am very fond of this film,” the actress added. Similarly, actor Akash said that Samjhana Birsana is a film worth remembering and expressed his belief that he would be loved by the audience as he was coming to the screen through this film after COVID -19 pandemic.Producer Rebecca said that she has expected encouragement and love from everyone as they have made the film with great effort. Choreographer Kamal Rai claimed that audiences from all walks of life would love the film.Sunil Thapa, Shisir Rana and Chulthim Gurung have also done in the film distributed by RR Films.The film was shot in Darjeeling, Siliguri and Sikkim of India.Shisir Rana has assisted him in writing the dialogues in the film.It was shot by Shiv Dhakal and edited by Tara Thapa. Director Nimesh has informed that the trailer of the film will be made public soon.
Mahuwa collection season begins
By Our CorrespondentDhangadhi, Apr. 13: With the onset of spring, the season to collect the flowers of Butter Tree, locally called Mahuwa, has begun. People of Kailali have started flocking to the forests to collect the flowers which fall from the tree in the months of March and April. These flowers are then used to make fragrant liquor. This is also the time to harvest wheat, so senior citizens, children and others who are not involved in field work use their time to gather Mahuwa. Bikram Chaudhary of Bhajani Municipality–3 said, “This is the time of the year when our forests come to life. People from all walks of life enter the woods to collect as many Mahuwa flowers as they can.”Butter Tree can be used to make medicines as well, according to conservationist Bijay Raj Shrestha. However, the locals only use it to make alcohol, he complained. “If we study the plant and utilise its properties adequately, this can provide a path to economic prosperity.”Butter Tree is also considered an energy-giving plant. People put the tree’s flowers in milk or hot water and drink the solution to boost immunity. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this belief.According to Ganga Datta Bhatta, head of the Plant Research Centre, Kailali, Butter Tree is a non-woody tree specially used by the Tharu community. Stating that the tree could be used for various purposes, Bhatta stressed the need to protect it.
Students display culinary skill at cookery competition
By Laxmi Chaudhary Janakpurdham, April. 13: Mithila people have a robust appetite for delicious cuisines and the students of Premier College of Hospitality have proved how delicious Maithili cuisines are. Mithila cuisines, the provincial skill competition in Maithili cookery was organised in Janakpurdham, provincial capital of Province-1 on Monday to promote the traditional Maithili cuisine and to showcase the talent of those engaged in the hospitality sector.The students of Premier College of Hospitality Management, Damak of Province-1 won the competition after they served delicious Maithili Cuisine Thali to the guests from home and abroad.Similarly, Premier Hotel Management School of Itahari and Sunrise Hotel Management College Itahari secured second and third position in the competition.The event garnered participation of hotel management students from six colleges of Itahari and Damak of Province-1.The students of six schools prepared 56 varieties of Maithil cuisines and served the guests.The judging panel of the competition included winner of BBC MasterChef 'Rematch' Santosh Sah and finalists of BBC Master Chief and chef Mahesh Sah.An array of mouth-watering Mathili Thali, filled with Taruwa, Kadhi, fried bitter gourd, soybean curry, mango pickles, lentils with butter, lotus seeds pudding and rice-were prepared by the winning team and put on display.President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Janakpur Jitendra Kumar Mahaseth professionals and students from the hospitality industry and people from different walks of life attended the event with great fanfare.The event was organised by New Mithila Foundation in collaboration with Janakpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Prez Approves Army Mobilisation For Local Poll
By TRN Online, Kathmandu, Apr. 12: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has approved mobilization of the army for the purpose of the local level election slated for May 13.The mobilization of the army will be made as provisioned in the 'unified security plan for local level election, 2078'.Sagar Acharya, spokesperson of the Office of the President, stated in the press release that the army mobilization was approved in order to hold the local level election in free, fair and impartial manner.There will be a security circle of the army, armed police force, and temporary police under Nepal Police.The army mobilization has been approved as per the recommendation of national security council, Council of Ministers and the Prime Minister, according to the press release.
