Author: space4knews

Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle. File photo. April 6, Kathmandu. Members of Parliament from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) today are engaging in a pre-budget discussion with Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle and Physical Infrastructure Minister Sunil Lamsal regarding the upcoming fiscal year’s budget. The discussion is scheduled for 4 PM this afternoon at the parliamentary party office in Singha Durbar.

The conversation will involve a comprehensive review of policy priorities and budget allocations. Additionally, MPs are preparing to inform the ministers about budgetary and program needs specific to their constituencies. The government plans to present the budget for Fiscal Year 2083/84 on May 29.

Preceding the formal budget presentation, arrangements have been made for consultations between ministers and parliamentarians. The Rastriya Swatantra Party believes that this dialogue will support the inclusion of plans, policies, and budgets that align with the public’s needs.

The Nepali Congress has expanded its Central Policy Research and Training Institute by appointing 39 new members. Vice Chairperson Bishwaprakash Sharma announced the appointment of disaster management expert Manbahadur Thapa and nuclear scientist Dr. Yadav Pandit as members of the institute. The members also include film director Min Bhama, poet Shravan Mukarung, human rights activist Mohana Ansari, and former cricket captain Binod Das. Kathmandu, 23rd Baishakh.

Nepali Congress has broadened the Central Policy Research and Training Institute by incorporating experts from various fields. Vice Chairperson Bishwaprakash Sharma appointed 39 individuals to the training institute, ensuring representation from a range of disciplines. Appointees range from disaster management experts to film directors. Manbahadur Thapa, an expert in disaster management, has been appointed as a member. Thapa holds a postgraduate degree in Agricultural Economics from the Philippines and specializes in Natural Resource Management with a postgraduate degree from Cornell University in New York, USA. He has practical experience working in disaster management across Turkey, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and India.

Similarly, nuclear scientist Dr. Yadav Pandit has been appointed as a member of the Congress training institute. Dr. Pandit works as a nuclear scientist at the Watson Health Science University in Tennessee, USA. He previously served as General Secretary while Sharma was president of the Nepal Student Union (NSU). Nepali Congress has also appointed film director Min Bhama as a member of the training institute. Bhama is known for his direction and production of the films “Kalo Pothi” and “Sambala,” which were nominated for the Oscars.

The institute’s membership also features Dolraj Bhusal and Dr. Krishnaprasad Paudel, who had served under former Vice Chairperson Purnabahadur Khadka’s leadership. The full list of members includes: 1. Madhu Acharya – Kavrepalanchok 2. Dr. Gopal Dahit Tharu – Bardiya 3. Anju Jha – Rautahat 4. Umesh Shrestha – Lalitpur 5. Prof. Dr. Govindraj Pokharel – Pyuthan 6. Min Bhama – Mugu 7. Dr. Anjanikumar Jha – Mahottari 8. Dr. Yadav Pandit – Overseas 9. Badri Sigdel – Bardiya 10. Gopal Prasad Pokharel – Sunsari 11. Shravan Mukarung – Bhojpur 12. Mohana Ansari – Banke 13. Mahendra Prasad Yadav – Saptari 14. Shriprasad Bhalami Magar – Gulmi 15. Binod Das – Bara 16. E. Dipesh Bist – Kathmandu 17. Dr. Krishnaprasad Paudel – Kaski 18. Prakash Lamichhane – Surkhet 19. Suryamaraj Rai – Morang 20. Manbahadur Thapa – Chitwan 21. Vimala Rai – Khotang 22. Rakesh Singh – Parsa 23. Narendra Paswan – Rautahat 24. Daksh Paudel – Kathmandu 25. Kanchan Jha – Parsa 26. Sumit Sharma ‘Sameer’ – Dhanusha 27. Khagendra Acharya – Kathmandu 28. Dr. D. B. Sunar – Achham 29. Roshni Giri – Kathmandu 30. Janak Chatout – Darchula 31. Dolraj Bhusal – Syangja 32. Amrit Gyawali – Gulmi 33. Eliza Dhakal – Tanahun 34. Prakriti Bhattarai – Kathmandu 35. Kailash K.C. – Solukhumbu 36. Swikriti Paudel – Kathmandu 37. Umang Lohani – Chitwan 38. Gokul Limbu – Taplejung 39. Pramesh Khanal – Kathmandu.

April 23, Kathmandu – Nepal Police School Shantipur, Chitwan, has conducted disaster management training for students and teachers at the beginning of the new academic session. The training was aimed at reducing potential damage caused by disasters for the students and staff studying and working at the school. The sessions covered how to stay safe during possible disasters such as earthquakes, fires, lightning, and storms, including practical drills.

During the drills, a simulated earthquake scenario was created to teach students how to protect themselves in the classroom and the roles that teachers must undertake. Participants practiced selecting safe areas, safe evacuation routes, and procedures for gathering students in designated classrooms. The training also covered treatment of injured students, search and rescue operations, and coordination methods with other agencies. The exercise was conducted with prior preparation, involving experienced trainers from the Nepal Police Disaster Management Office, healthcare workers, and the school’s security personnel. On the first day of the new academic session, Shantipur Police also carried out a health screening program for students under the motto “Service Like Home, Care Like Family.”

काठमाडौँ – कालिमाटी फलफूल र तरकारी बजार विकास समितिले आजको लागि कृषि उत्पादनको थोक मूल्य घोषणा गरेको छ। ठूलो भारतीय टमाटरको मूल्य प्रति किलो NPR 95, साना स्थानीय टमाटर NPR 60, साना भारतीय टमाटर NPR 48, साना तराई टमाटर NPR 50, रातो आलु NPR 28, भारतीय रातो आलु NPR 24, र सुख्खा भारतीय प्याज NPR 42 प्रति किलो रहेको छ।

त्यसैगरी, स्थानीय गाजर NPR 60 प्रति किलो, तराई गाजर NPR 35, स्थानीय बन्दागोभी NPR 40, आयातित बन्दागोभी NPR 40, स्थानीय फूलगोभी NPR 70, जापु फूलगोभी NPR 80, स्थानीय सेतो मूली NPR 20, हाइब्रिड सेतो मूली NPR 20, लामो बैगन NPR 55, र छोटो बैगन NPR 70 प्रति किलोमा बिक्री हुनेछन्। अन्य मूल्यहरूमा लामो फलफूल NPR 110 प्रति किलो, मकैको फल NPR 90, मटर NPR 60, स्थानीय बटर बिन NPR 85, हाइब्रिड बटर बिन NPR 100, राजमा बटर बिन NPR 100, सोयाबिन NPR 170, र काक्रो NPR 70 प्रति किलो रहेका छन्।

फलफूलको मूल्यमा, जhole प्रकारको स्याउ NPR 250, फुजी स्याउ NPR 300, नींबू NPR 380 प्रति किलो, अनार NPR 450, हरियो अंगुर NPR 300, कालो अंगुर NPR 450, र एवोकाडो NPR 800 प्रति किलोमा बिक्री हुनेछन्। अदुवा NPR 100 प्रति किलो, सुख्खा मिर्च NPR 450, हरियो मिर्च NPR 80, र हरियो लसुन NPR 200 प्रति किलोमा उपलब्ध हुनेछ।

April 6, Biratnagar – Police have seized an ambulance with Indian number plates loaded with cannabis in Barahakshetra, Sunsari. Two individuals aboard the ambulance have also been arrested. According to the police, 148 kilograms of cannabis were found packed in plastic bags inside the ambulance bearing the registration number BR 07 PC 4765, which was intercepted on Tuesday in Barahakshetra Municipality-2, Pulthegaun.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Chandrabhadur Khadka of the Sunsari District Police Office confirmed that the ambulance driver, 18-year-old Dharmendra Kumar Yadav from Virpur, Supaul district, Bihar, India, and 21-year-old Mohammad Sadam, also from Virpur, were taken into custody.

The police suspect that the ambulance was being used as a means to smuggle cannabis into India. Further investigations are underway concerning those arrested, the police added.

Nepal Rastra Bank announced today an increase in the exchange rates for the US Dollar, Euro, Pound Sterling, Swiss Franc, Australian Dollar, Canadian Dollar, and Singapore Dollar. The US Dollar’s buying rate is set at NPR 152.16 and the selling rate at NPR 152.76. The central bank has stated that exchange rates may be adjusted as necessary, and commercial banks may set different rates. Kathmandu, 23 Baisakh.

According to the foreign exchange rates set by Nepal Rastra Bank today, the value of the US Dollar, Euro, and Pound Sterling has risen. The value of the Swiss Franc, Australian Dollar, Canadian Dollar, and Singapore Dollar has also increased. Currently, the US Dollar’s buying rate is NPR 152.16 and the selling rate is NPR 152.76. Yesterday, the US Dollar’s buying rate was NPR 151.85 and selling rate NPR 152.45.

The Euro’s buying rate is NPR 177.92 and selling rate NPR 178.62 today. Yesterday, the buying rate was NPR 177.68 and the selling rate NPR 178.38. Similarly, the Pound Sterling’s buying rate today stands at NPR 206.11 and selling rate NPR 206.92. Yesterday, the buying rate was NPR 205.65 and the selling rate NPR 206.46.

The Swiss Franc’s value has also increased. Its buying rate is NPR 194.22 and selling rate NPR 194.98 today, compared to yesterday’s buying rate of NPR 193.70 and selling rate of NPR 194.46. The Australian Dollar’s value has risen as well, with a buying rate of NPR 109.15 and selling rate of NPR 109.58 today versus yesterday’s NPR 109.04 buying rate and NPR 109.47 selling rate. The values of the Canadian Dollar and Singapore Dollar have also increased compared to yesterday. Nepal Rastra Bank has indicated that these exchange rates can be revised at any time as needed. Commercial banks may offer different rates, and the updated rates are available on the central bank’s website.

Film actor C Joseph Vijay has come close to leading a new government in Tamil Nadu’s political arena in southern India. Defying critics’ predictions, his party, Tamilaga Veetri Kazhagam (TVK), secured a clear majority in the recently held State Assembly elections on Monday. Vijay’s leadership has caused a significant stir in the established political framework. His political rise has been compared to the celebrated actor-turned-politician M.G. Ramachandran, who left the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in 1977 to form his own party and became Chief Minister.

While Vijay’s success has energized supporters and admirers alike, he still faces challenges before assuming the office of Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister. The state assembly consists of 234 seats, requiring a minimum of 118 wins to form a government. So far, Vijay’s party has won 108 seats, 10 short of a majority. This means he must form alliances with smaller parties and independent members to secure a ruling majority. Only then will he be able to stake a claim to govern Tamil Nadu.

The DMK and its main rival, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), have long dominated Tamil Nadu politics. In this context, TVK’s impressive performance signals a significant shift in the political landscape. Some analysts attribute Vijay’s success largely to his personal appeal. Social scientist Shiva Viswanathan remarked, “Vijay possesses exceptional zeal; he is driven by charisma, confidence, and personal competence, which gives him a unique energy.” After the elections, Vijay has been carefully cultivating his public image by addressing gatherings at temples, churches, and other venues, with images of his tours frequently appearing on television and mobile screens.

Tamil Nadu is well-known for its dramatic political transformations, where cinema and politics have been deeply intertwined. From Ramachandran to Jayalalithaa, actors have made successful forays into politics. Vijay is following this path, although his campaign differs in approach. Analysts note that while the influence of DMK and AIADMK remains strong, how personalities like Vijay convert popularity into political power is yet to be fully seen. Despite his success, the path ahead is challenging. The party faced a major setback in 2023 when a rally turned deadly, resulting in dozens of fatalities, yet voters appear to have forgiven him.

Vijay announced his entry into full-time politics in the film ‘Jananayagan’ (Leader of the People), which was scheduled for release in January but remains uncertain due to a hold by the Indian film certification board. Although he formally launched his party TVK in 2024, his political journey began much earlier. Since 2009, he has reorganized his ‘fan clubs’ to undertake relief, education, and welfare activities. In 2011, he tested his popularity by supporting coalitions of major parties to see if it translated into votes.

According to poll expert Pradeep Gupta, Vijay enjoys strong backing from young voters and women. The 18-to-39-year-old age bracket, which makes up around 42% of Tamil Nadu’s voter base and includes many first-time voters, largely supports him. Women are also increasingly drawn to his party. His support base includes marginalized communities as well. Political strategist Prashant Kishore stated, “Vijay is the new hope of Tamil Nadu.”

Social justice and welfare-oriented politics have also shown results in Tamil Nadu, with an 11.2% economic growth in the 2024/25 fiscal year. However, this progress has not diminished the demand for change. Stability brings its own challenges in attracting young voters seeking innovation. Vijay maintains a distinct standing compared to other film stars turned politicians like Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. Citizens of Tamil Nadu admire film heroes not only for their on-screen persona but also for their ideals of justice.

His supporters say that people disillusioned with the two major parties are longing for change. A party spokesperson noted, “People see TVK as a symbol of change.”

Dharan, Sunsari, April 23 – Suwas Gandharva has spent 25 years playing the sarangi and singing melodiously. His companion, Sujan Gandharva, has also been singing along to the sweet rhythms of the sarangi for eight years. Every day, they perform together from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Shram Sanskriti Park in Dharan, blending sarangi and madal beats with song. One plays the madal while the other accompanies on the sarangi and sings, making this musical collaboration an integral part of their daily lives. Their melodious sarangi performances entertain park visitors and provide a source of livelihood as well. Spectators and tourists often offer financial support voluntarily, based on their appreciation.

Suwas Gandharva shared, “I have been involved in this profession since childhood, following my family tradition. My father raised us while playing the sarangi, and I have continued this legacy.” He added, “In the past, transportation was limited in the village, so we used to travel long distances to perform. Now, travel is easier.” He recounted his experience performing in all major cities across Nepal from east to west, as well as in Sikkim and Darjeeling in India. Most of their income comes from spontaneous contributions made by passersby and audiences during street and public space performances.

According to Suwas, he reached the battle rounds stage by participating in the ‘Voice of Nepal’ competition and also had the opportunity to perform on the ‘Indreni’ program. However, due to limited earnings from these appearances, he returned to earning a living by playing the sarangi. He has experience performing in various alleys in cities such as Kathmandu and Pokhara. Sujan Gandharva, after working for a long time in Darjeeling, India, returned to his village and has sustained his livelihood playing the sarangi and singing for the past eight years. He continues this traditional craft with the intent to preserve it.

“Playing the sarangi and singing is the ancestral profession of the Gandharva community; it is our culture and identity,” Sujan said. “But nowadays, the new generation is turning towards other professions, putting this traditional art at risk.” He also noted that developments in modern technology and changing entertainment mediums present additional challenges in preserving the Gandharvas’ traditional occupation. Both musicians expressed hope to continue their craft as long as their health permits. The Gandharva caste, considered endangered in Nepal, primarily resides in districts including Bhojpur, Kaski, Tanahun, Lamjung, Gorkha, Chitwan, Baglung, Palpa, Dailekh, and Surkhet. Known as carriers of folk life, the Gandharva community has long protected, promoted, and developed Nepali folk music and theater. Their traditional musical instruments, the sarangi and madal, symbolize their cultural heritage. Today, Gandharvas are embracing folk singing as a sustainable profession and continuing their ancestral vocation.