Author: space4knews

Summary: KP Sharma Oli, Chairperson of the CPN-UML, has emphasized the necessity of party unity to overcome current challenges. Sending a message on the Nepal Communist Party’s founding day, Oli highlighted the party’s leading role in ending autocracy and establishing the republic. The message was read by party Vice-Chair Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Bhadal’ as Oli is currently unwell and recuperating at home. April 22, Kathmandu.

CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli stressed that unity within the party is indispensable for overcoming today’s challenges. Delivering a message for the Nepal Communist Party’s foundation day event, Oli conveyed these remarks. Being unwell, he remained at home but sent the message for the day’s program, which was read aloud by Vice-Chair Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Bhadal’.

“The various movements led by the party have achieved notable successes but have also endured hardships repeatedly. The party has played a leading role in ending autocracy and establishing the republic,” Bhadal said while reading Oli’s message. “It has steered the country towards a prosperous and happy Nepal. Despite numerous adversities, CPN-UML has persevered to reach this point. We must unite to overcome these glorious and historic challenges.” He further remarked that at present, it is imperative to build party unity and move forward to face the challenges.

April 22, Kathmandu – Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Coordinator of the Nepal Communist Party (NCP), recently stated that the communist movement in Nepal has temporarily suffered a significant setback. Speaking at a ceremony held at the Central Office of the NCP in Parisdanda on the occasion of the party’s foundation day, he emphasized the need to review this setback from a progressive and realistic perspective.

“Currently, the communist movement has experienced a temporary blow. We must conduct a materialist review to identify where the weaknesses lie,” Prachanda expressed. “I believe such setbacks are inevitable from time to time and provide an opportunity to manage the internal dirt and filth.” He also noted that during their time in government participation, much internal cleaning within the party was undertaken.

While he did not explicitly mention that the people have shown hatred towards them, Prachanda conveyed a sense that the public has essentially told them to “wash, cleanse, and come back clean.” He stressed the importance of utilizing this moment to rectify the wrongdoings within the communist party.

“First, the party needs to be reorganized. When the new general convention is held, we are planning to prioritize new, young, and dynamic leadership from the grassroots to the top levels. We, the older generation, are also discussing how to present ourselves in new roles and forms,” Prachanda informed. He mentioned plans to hold the general convention within the next six months, aiming to complete the process by October if possible.

Home Minister Sudhan Gurung has resigned from his position on “moral grounds” amidst questions regarding the source of his assets. Elected as a member of the House of Representatives from Gorkha 1, Gurung stated on social media that he resigned “to ensure an impartial investigation related to issues concerning me and to avoid any conflict of interest while holding the position.”

Prime Minister Badendra Shah’s Press and Research Officer Deepa Dahal confirmed that Gurung met the Prime Minister on Wednesday to submit his resignation letter. According to her, the Prime Minister has temporarily taken charge of the Home Ministry. Gurung was appointed Home Minister on the very day the cabinet under Shah’s leadership was formed.

Following the public disclosure of his asset details, various questions arose about the sources of his income and investments. Gurung tendered his resignation on the 27th day after becoming a minister. He is the second person to resign from the current cabinet; Dipak Kumar Sah resigned within two weeks amid controversy over his wife’s appointment.

In a Facebook post, Gurung expressed, “Questions, comments, and public expectations raised from the citizens’ level regarding my shares and related matters have deeply concerned me. Morality is greater than any position for me, and there is no power greater than public trust.” Clarifying his resignation for an impartial investigation, he added, “If we truly seek change, everyone must stand on the path of truth, integrity, and self-purification.”

April 22, Kathmandu – Prime Minister Balen Shah has temporarily assumed responsibility for the Ministry of Home Affairs. This follows the resignation of Sudhan Gurung from the Home Minister position earlier today. The Prime Minister’s Secretariat announced that the responsibilities of the ministry will now be under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister.

Sudhan Gurung became embroiled in controversy after revelations surfaced about his business partnership with the contentious businessman Deepak Bhatt. Amid these allegations, Gurung demanded a fair investigation into the matter and subsequently tendered his resignation. This resignation comes just 26 days after the formation of the current government.

Questions regarding Gurung’s assets prompted him to meet the Prime Minister and submit his resignation. Earlier, he had disclosed his asset details publicly. However, concerns were raised over the unnatural nature of the disclosures, which led to additional examination of his investments, including those in microinsurance and other sectors.

Further scrutiny emerged when transactions involving donations received by the social organization ‘Hami Nepal,’ run by Gurung, were reportedly conducted through his personal accounts. This revelation increased pressure from various quarters to remove Gurung from his position. In the midst of this mounting pressure, Gurung resigned from his post on Wednesday.

9 Baishakh, Kathmandu – The Nepali Congress has expressed concern over the arrest of Nepal Student Union (NSU) leaders who were detained while protesting inside Singha Durbar against the government.

Congress spokesperson Devaraj Chalise issued a statement highlighting the arrests made on Tuesday of NSU leaders Bhuvan Bhatt, Kumbharaj Deuba, Navin Bisht, Akash Devkota, Sushil Aidi, and Bishal B.C. He described the incident as a serious matter of concern.

“In a democratic system, freedom of speech and expression, the right to peaceful assembly, and the freedom to express dissent are fundamental rights of citizens,” the statement said. “Arresting and detaining citizens for exercising these rights raises significant questions about the core values of democracy, the rule of law, and the guarantee of civil liberties. The government’s approach of suppressing dissent through control and repression contradicts democratic principles and the spirit of the constitution.”

Congress has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the arrested Nepal Student Union leaders.

Journalist and photographer Jaynarayan Shah is set to hold a solo photo exhibition titled ‘Witnesses of Time’ on Jestha 11 and 12 in Nepalgunj. The exhibition will showcase significant moments of time, society, nature, and daily life through photography, aiming to highlight Nepali society and cultural heritage. The organizer, Antaral, invites the entire community, including artists, students, and the general public, with the goal of inspiring a new generation’s interest in photography and portraying a vivid image of society.

Organized and managed by Antaral, the ‘Witnesses of Time’ solo photography exhibition presents important snapshots of time, society, nature, and everyday life captured by Jaynarayan Shah. Scheduled for Jestha 11 and 12 in Nepalgunj, the exhibition intends to reveal scenes, characters, traditional clothing, culture, daily life, and nature within Nepali society through evocative images. The photographs on display are expected to offer viewers an immersive experience of the diverse dimensions of human civilization and natural environments.

‘Sometimes certain moments do not remain just memories; they become history,’ says journalist and photographer Jaynarayan Shah. ‘This exhibition is an effort to keep those moments alive.’ Over the past decade and a half, the country has witnessed various political events, shifting landscapes, numerous protests and conflicts, as well as hardships caused by earthquakes, blockades, the COVID-19 pandemic, and lockdowns. Photographer Shah has captured glimpses of all these periods.

‘During my travels, wherever I went, I preserved images of the local people’s lives, customs, traditional attire, settlements, nature, flowers, captivating scenes, and people I met along the way through my camera,’ Shah explains. ‘Now, I am sharing these photos through this exhibition.’ Antaral notes that the exhibition aims to foster greater interest in photography among the younger generation and present a lively portrayal of society’s realities. The organization warmly invites artists, students, media professionals, and the general public to experience these photographs, which tell stories of time, society, and memory.

The responsibility for directly monitoring the quality and hygiene of food products has now been assigned to provincial and local governments. The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development is activating provincial and local bodies based on the Food Hygiene and Quality Act, 2081. The ministry has instructed local governments to appoint food inspectors according to their own laws and to establish systems for quality inspection.

From now on, provincial and local governments will be responsible for directly monitoring and regulating the quality and hygiene of food products. The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development is mobilizing these bodies to actively oversee markets in line with the Food Hygiene and Quality Act, 2081. Provinces will inspect and regulate food products distributed within their territories, while local governments will supervise those sold within their own municipalities.

This decision by the ministry aims to effectively implement the provisions of the Act and ensure consumers’ health rights at the local level. To enforce this right, local governments are now authorized to appoint food inspectors according to their own laws. The ministry has also directed arrangements to appoint qualified individuals as food inspectors.

In Tarkeshwar Municipality-10, Manmaiju Shivnagar Tole, 22-year-old Sanshri Shrestha died after suffering an electric shock. On Tuesday night, she was critically injured while checking a geyser at her home. She was taken to Shubham Hospital for treatment, but her condition worsened and she passed away, police reported. The incident occurred on the 9th of Baishakh in Kathmandu. Authorities are conducting the necessary investigation regarding the case.