The 13th edition of the ‘Nepal Tattoo Convention’ is currently being held at the Heritage Garden in Lalitpur. The event, which began on Friday, will continue until tomorrow. According to information released by the organizers, this year’s edition features participation from over 250 artists. Approximately 250 artists are involved, with 40 percent being domestic artists and 60 percent international artists. Photo: Vikas Dware
The oxygen plant in Palpa, which had been shut down for two years, has been repaired and brought back into operation. With the plant running again, supplying oxygen cylinders to Palpa Hospital and other district hospitals will become more convenient. In Jestha 2078 (May/June 2021), the federal government allocated a budget of NPR 15 million for purchasing equipment to operate the plant.
The plant was restarted through proper management of skilled personnel and maintenance work. Originally constructed at Palpa Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic with federal funding, the oxygen plant had fallen into disrepair over recent years. Locals have expressed happiness that the reopening of the plant will resolve oxygen shortages.
Previously, in the absence of a local oxygen plant, hospitals had to rely on supplies transported from Butwal and Bhairahawa. With the new oxygen plant operational in the district, it will now be easier for not only other hospitals but also all patients to access oxygen, said Pratiksha Gaha Sinjali, Deputy Mayor of Tansen Municipality. She also expressed confidence that the plant will facilitate the supply of oxygen cylinders not only to patients admitted at Palpa Hospital but also to Lumbini Medical College, Mission Hospital, Rampur Hospital, and private medical facilities and clinics in the district.
The district typically consumes between 400 to 500 oxygen cylinders monthly. According to Ajayman Karmacharya, Chairperson of the Palpa Hospital Development Committee, small cylinders are bought and sold at NPR 350 and large cylinders up to NPR 650 at the plant. Local production of oxygen will also reduce transportation costs and save time for district hospitals, he added.
Chairperson Karmacharya emphasized that the oxygen plant is vital to making Palpa Hospital well-equipped, reliable, and trustworthy. He stated, “Our main goal is to ensure that no patient loses their life prematurely due to lack of oxygen.” With the plant now operational, Dr. Rajendra Paudel, Acting Medical Superintendent of the hospital, shared that surgical services are planned to resume within the second week of Baishakh (late April/early May).
Under the federal Ministry of Finance, the budget of NPR 15 million was approved in Jestha 2078 for the operation of the oxygen plant. The funds were used to purchase equipment to produce oxygen, facilitating the plant’s reopening. A building adjacent to the hospital, costing NPR 2.6 million, was constructed for the plant. While the plant had been functional during the COVID-19 period, its closure afterward led to hardships for patients with chronic illnesses.
On April 11, the United States and Iran concluded a 21-hour negotiation in Islamabad, marking the first direct high-level dialogue since 1979. Pakistan facilitated the talks by mediating and delivering a 15-point US proposal to Iran, organizing the schedule to promote a ceasefire. Although the talks did not result in an immediate agreement, they successfully reestablished communication and highlighted Pakistan’s credibility as a mediator.
The talks ended early morning on April 12 after 21 hours of deliberation. While no accord was reached, the day will be remembered as a historic milestone. The dialogue was spurred by escalating tensions and suffering caused by the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which drew both parties to the negotiating table.
Leading the American delegation was Vice President JD Vance, while the Iranian side was headed by Speaker of the Parliament Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, accompanied by a delegation of over 70 members. Both sides presented their proposals, yet significant differences persisted on key issues.
Despite the lack of success in finalizing an agreement, the talks restored dialogue and laid the groundwork for future negotiations. The current ceasefire period is set to expire on April 22, with prospects for renewed talks underway. Pakistan has committed to continuing its role in facilitating engagement and smoothing the negotiation process in the coming days.
Image source, JioHotstar
In India, where marital rape has consistently been denied classification as a crime, a new web series has brought this grave issue back into the spotlight.
The web series titled ‘Chirainya’ was released in March on the ‘Jio-Hotstar’ streaming platform. ‘Chirainya’ is a Hindi word meaning ‘small birds’. To date, millions have viewed the series, making it one of the most popular web series on the network in recent months.
Critics have praised the series for tackling a typically taboo subject. It has sparked debates on social media around consent and misogynistic attitudes. However, some commentators have criticized it as “anti-male” and an attempt to “weaken the sanctity of the marital relationship.”
According to the series’ writer Divya Nidhi Sharma, the story revolves around two women, Kamlesh and Pooja.
Actress Divya Dutta plays Kamlesh, a middle-aged housewife who believes that women should be interested in cooking and household chores. Meanwhile, Prashanna portrays Pooja, an educated and socially aware young woman who advocates for gender equality and respect.
After Pooja marries Arun, the brother-in-law whom Kamlesh raised like her own son, their world turns chaotic. Arun was considered a perfect match for Pooja, but on the wedding night he rapes her, shattering her dreams of a happy married life.
When Pooja protests, Arun claims that he was “taking his right.”
“Why do you keep saying I raped you?” he asks, adding that in India marital rape is not considered a crime and there is no law to address it.
Image source, JioHotstar
According to actress Dutta, the central theme of this web series is “consent,” especially within marriage — a relationship many regard as highly special.
“Talking about marital rape is still very difficult. Many women who experience this think it is a personal ordeal, and fear that speaking out will bring social stigma and disrupt family life,” she said.
In the series, when the traumatized Pooja raises her voice against her husband Arun’s behavior, everyone including her mother advises her to endure silently, warning that speaking out will lead only to shame and dishonor.
Dutta explains that Kamlesh initially believes that sexual consent is automatic after marriage.
However, as the plot unfolds and she is forced to choose between her “comfort zone” and standing by a woman she doesn’t particularly like, her perspective begins to change.
“Ultimately, she chooses the right path,” Dutta says, becoming a trusted ally to Pooja.
Government statistics indicate that approximately 6.1% of married Indian women have experienced sexual violence. Yet, despite years of advocacy, India remains one of three dozen countries—including Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia—where marital rape is not legally recognized as a crime.
Activists have filed several petitions in the Supreme Court demanding that marital rape be criminalized. However, the government, religious groups, and men’s rights activists have opposed any amendments to the colonial-era law, which under certain circumstances exempts husbands from prosecution for non-consensual sex with their wives above the age of minority.
Last year, nationwide outrage was sparked when a man convicted of raping his wife was released on appeal. The case involved alleged forced intercourse that resulted in the wife’s death within hours, but the judge cited the lack of legal recognition of marital rape in India as grounds for the husband’s release.
Writer Sharma states: “This injustice happens right inside our homes and neighborhoods.”
“What worries me most is that there is neither legal nor social redressal. As a writer, I felt compelled to do something about it.”
Image source, JioHotstar
Adapted from the Bengali program ‘Sampurna,’ ‘Chirainya’ was reimagined for North India, a comparatively more patriarchal region.
“The main character in ‘Sampurna’ is a feminist,” Sharma explains. “Our lead, Kamlesh, is a woman who doesn’t even know how to spell ‘misogyny.’ She is so deeply immersed in patriarchal thinking that her ability to discern right from wrong is distorted.”
“But in the end, she is willing to fight against injustice.”
Director Shah on Kamlesh: “We wanted to present a woman whom millions of women in India can relate to.”
“She is a woman who trusts the family system, but gradually you begin to see her transformation. As her world starts to collapse, she perceives it as false and like a drama where people inside the family are victims.”
He adds that ‘Chirainya’ wasn’t created to question the government or laws.
“We wanted to raise the question in society: how do you view this? Our aim was to raise awareness among people.”
Pooja’s story is fictional, but it reflects the reality of millions of women, he says, and the character Kamlesh represents the sisterly bond between the two women.
Although the narrative centers on female characters, director Shah emphasizes that men are not depicted as exaggerated villains.
“They are not monsters, just ordinary people from our daily lives. Patriarchy is so deeply rooted that most people are unaware they are perpetuating misogyny,” he says.
Image source, JioHotstar
Actress Dutta says the audience response to the web series has been “quite remarkable.”
“I have received messages, calls, and personal notes on Instagram and Twitter. Everyone is watching it. Prominent artists have been calling to thank me for the series. Some have sent gifts with heartfelt messages, others have shared their own poems. I feel it has genuinely touched everyone’s hearts.”
Some negative feedback has also emerged. Sharma said some viewers were “angered” and that some men’s groups claimed that the series presents men in an unfair manner.
“But our goal was only to start a conversation. We are artists — we cannot make laws, control crime, or rapidly change society. But we can use art to bring taboo topics into the mainstream,” she explains.
Dutta says she focuses on the positive feedback and ignores the rest. “I don’t want to read the 1% negativity and prefer to focus on the 99% who love it and are thankful. Let’s focus on gratitude.”
According to the actress, potent works like ‘Chirainya’ have the power to bring about change.
“It shows us where we might be making mistakes and, in my view, will make a difference in many ways. It emphasizes starting change at home rather than blaming others.”
“That is the first but a very strong step.”
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Erika Gurung was defeated 2-1 by Kazakhstan’s Sofia Beretseva in the final of the Karate One Premier League. Erika advanced to the final by defeating Italy’s Ferakutti Clelia 8-3 in the semifinals. In the quarterfinals, she had an 8-0 victory over Slovakia’s Maria Jibret Jala. 29 Chaitra, Kathmandu.
At the Karate One Premier League, Erika Gurung secured another silver medal. In the final held on Sunday, Erika lost 2-1 to Kazakhstan’s Sofia Beretseva. She had reached the final by beating Italy’s Ferakutti Clelia 8-3 in the semifinal. Previously, at the Karate One Premier League held in Turkey, Erika was also defeated by Sofia in the final.
In the quarterfinals, Erika defeated Slovakia’s Maria Jibret Jala 8-0. During the group stage, she won three consecutive matches. She beat Montenegro’s Jomana Damjanovic 2-0, lost to WKF’s Maria Malakhava on senyu basis in the second match, and after a 1-1 draw with Maria, secured victory based on senyu rules. In her third match, she defeated Germany’s Johanna Kanir 2-1.
March 13, Kathmandu – The Supreme Court has indicated the presence of complex legal questions regarding the Attorney General’s decision to amend the charges in cases against National Independent Party Chairperson Ravi Lamichhane, which are being heard in various district courts. Cases involving such complex legal matters must be presented before a full bench comprising three or more justices. A joint bench of Justices Vinod Sharma and Abdul Aziz Muslim concluded that this case indeed raises complicated legal issues.
Two recent decisions by Attorney General Savita Bhandari Baral were challenged through separate writ petitions filed in the Supreme Court by senior advocate Dinesh Tripathi and two others, arguing that the decisions conflict with constitutional and legal provisions. Accordingly, the Supreme Court has identified complex legal questions within the case. While the Constitution grants the Attorney General the authority to withdraw cases and the Criminal Procedure Code permits amendments to charge sheets, the court noted ambiguity has emerged because cases involving money laundering cannot be withdrawn.
“A clear interpretation and judicial standpoint have not been established by this Court regarding the amendment of the charge sheet that renders a full claim under a special act non-existent,” the Supreme Court order stated. It further directed that “since this legal question requires adjudication by a full bench, the present writ petitions should be placed before the full bench.”
Ravi Lamichhane and several others face charges related to cooperative fraud at the Chitwan District Court, while cases involving cooperative fraud, organized crime, and money laundering have been filed against them at district courts in Kathmandu, Rupandehi, Kaski, and Parsa. During the trial process, the respective courts reportedly disregarded the Money Laundering Act, 2007 (2064 BS), and the Organized Crime Control Act, 2013 (2070 BS), proceeding to investigate cases and file charge sheets that effectively nullify the existence of these laws, oftentimes without conducting further concrete investigations.
Supplementary charge sheets were also filed, adding allegations of cooperative fraud, organized crime, and money laundering against individuals not employed by cooperative institutions. These amendments to the charges were made under Section 36 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 2017 (2074 BS). However, misapplication of this provision led to the amendment of the charge sheet on January 14, 2026 (Poush 30, 2082 BS) by the Attorney General’s Office, purportedly withdrawing even money laundering cases—which under Section 116 of the same code are not allowed to be withdrawn.
Summary: Dr. Vikas Devkota, Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Population, has stressed the importance of reducing the gap between policy formulation and implementation. He highlighted the need to coordinate research, implementation, and monitoring within a unified structure. Dr. Devkota also emphasized that change should begin with personal behavior improvement and that research must align with the government’s 100-point agenda and manifesto. Kathmandu, March 29.
Dr. Vikas Devkota, Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Population, underscored the necessity to minimize the gap observed between policy-making and its execution. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the ‘National Summit of Health and Population Scientists’ organized by Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC), he urged a stronger focus on policy implementation. He pointed out that as the country approaches a phase of stability, there is an opportunity to introduce systems with fresh perspectives.
He stressed the importance of formulating policies and regulations related to good governance and ensuring their implementation for effective service delivery. Highlighting that change starts from small steps, he urged everyone to improve their personal behavior. “We are currently in a different situation; the country is moving toward stability. New opportunities have emerged, we have accomplished and reviewed many tasks. Now, a new system has arrived with fresh thinking, and we must build evidence based on it,” Secretary Devkota remarked.
“The NHRC has been performing well, and outstanding work can be expected annually from everyone involved here. However, it is essential to coordinate research, implementation, and monitoring under a single umbrella that spans from the central to the provincial level,” he added. He further emphasized the need to focus on service expansion even as young people engage in research. “We must have ambitious plans and ideas, but the start must be small,” he said. “The foremost requirement is to change our own behavior. Future research should be based on the government’s 100-point agenda and the manifesto, which will assist in improving services.”
Nepka village, located in Chhankheli Rural Municipality-5 of Humla district, has been without communication services for almost a week. Due to a malfunction in the Nepal Telecom tower, the residents of 67 households in the area have been cut off from all communication services. (29 Chaitra, Humla)
Communication services in Nepka have been significantly impacted. Mangala Tamang, a resident of Chhankheli Rural Municipality-5, expressed grievances about the disconnection from relatives who have been unreachable since the telecom tower went out of service. Harkadhan Tamang, chairperson of Ward No. 5, also reported that all 67 households are currently without communication facilities.
They stated, “Although there have been occasional network issues before, the network has been completely non-operational for nearly a week.” Ward Chairperson Tamang highlighted the difficulty in obtaining information on the network problem as attempts to reach the Nepal Telecom chief in Humla proved unsuccessful.
Suman Kulung of Nepal claimed second place in the men’s 69 km race at the Istria 100 by UTMB event held in Croatia. He completed the race in 5 hours, 40 minutes, and 17 seconds, finishing just one minute behind the winner, Italy’s Gianluca Ghiano. Currently training in Austria, Suman is sponsored by the Sigrid Foundation. (29 Chaitra, Kathmandu)
In the 69 km men’s race, part of the Istria 100 by UTMB under the UTMB World Series held in Europe, Suman delivered an outstanding performance by completing the course in 5 hours, 40 minutes, and 17 seconds. The race’s first-place finisher, Gianluca Ghiano from Italy, completed the distance in 5 hours, 39 minutes, and 8 seconds.
Suman also competed in this race last year. In the 69 km men’s category of the 2025 Istria 100 by UTMB, he secured second place as well. Now based in Austria, Suman actively trains and competes in various international trail races. Earlier this year, he participated in the World Mountain and Trail Race Championships held in Spain in Ashoj (September/October) and also competed in the TransLantau Hong Kong by UTMB race held in Kartik (October/November).
The Sigrid Foundation in Austria has been supporting Suman. He met foundation officials in 2022 while working as a tourist guide. Impressed by his potential to become one of the world’s top runners, the foundation decided to provide him with support. Suman continues to train in trail running and other sports in Austria, including skiing and various other disciplines.
March 12, Kathmandu – Health Minister Nisha Mehta has announced that a digital reporting system will soon be implemented across all government hospitals. During an inspection at Bir Hospital in Kathmandu on Sunday, Minister Mehta listened to complaints from patients and their relatives regarding delays in receiving health examination reports and revealed plans to introduce the digital reporting system during treatments.
Patients visiting hospitals had expressed difficulties due to the delayed availability of health test reports. Hospital administration clarified that delayed report preparation is attributed to the outpatient services catering to approximately 5,000 patients daily. Minister Mehta emphasized that soon, patients will no longer need to visit hospitals to collect their health examination reports as the new system will facilitate easier access.
Additionally, she urged hospital administration to ensure arrangements are in place so that patients receiving treatment at the hospital do not have to purchase medicines externally. After the inspection, speaking briefly to reporters, the minister announced that comprehensive plans for overall health sector improvements will be disclosed soon. In line with government directives, outpatient services continue to operate even on public holidays such as Sunday.
Texas College recently hosted a dynamic and inspiring program, the Transformative Leadership Training Session 2026. The event saw the participation of principals, vice principals, teachers from 200 schools, and 400 educational experts. According to Texas College, the gathering aimed to provide leadership-focused training, meaningful discussions, and professional development opportunities. The event was held on 29th Chaitra in Kathmandu.
The session was attended by school leaders, principals, vice principals, teachers, and personalities in teaching and learning from various schools. With participation from 200 schools, the program brought together principals, program heads, and 400 passionate educators committed to enhancing excellence in education. “This event focused on transformative leadership and featured engaging training sessions, vital discussions, and ample professional development opportunities,” a statement from Texas College noted.
The Aathparhiya community, primarily residing in Dhanusha Municipality, celebrates the Bisu festival for eight consecutive days. On the first day of the festival, a ritual called Bhumi Puja is performed to worship the land considered the foundation of agriculture. Throughout the festival, events such as bow and arrow competitions, community feasts, ancestral worship, and various cultural programs are organized. On 29th Chaitra in Dhanusha, the festival brings vibrant festivities to the Aathparhiya, a marginalized community mainly settled only in the municipality of Dhanusha across the country.
Known for marking the New Year, the Bisu or Baishakhe festival is celebrated with wishes for prosperity, peace, and harmony among community members. The Aathparhiya observe this eight-day celebration as the most significant festival of the year with great enthusiasm. Due to shifts in lunar dates this year, the festival falls in the Chaitra month.
According to Ashtbahadur Aathparhiya, central president of the Kirati Aathparhiya society, the festival begins on the second Monday after Ram Navami and lasts until the third Monday, spanning eight days. On the first day, Monday, Bhumi Puja is performed to honor the earth, the basis of farming. Tuesday is dedicated to cleaning and repainting the community’s sacred place called Margathan. The third day features traditional animal sacrifices of chickens and pigs at Margathan. On the fourth day, a communal feast with buffalo and pork dishes is held, followed by ancestral worship on the fifth day.
On the sixth day, elderly villagers and youth from Vallopallo village gather for a communal picnic to joyfully celebrate the festival together, although this tradition has seen a decline recently. The seventh day hosts a “Taraa Apma” or bow and arrow competition, held especially near the Margathan area close to the Thursday market in Dhanusha. Young men and women demonstrate their archery skills, adding excitement to the celebrations. In previous years, winners received a money garland as a prize, but currently, other awards have replaced this tradition, explained President Aathparhiya. Despite some changes over time, the cultural significance of the event remains strong.
The eighth and final day concludes with a special ceremony at Margathan, praying for a good harvest and abundant crops throughout the year, shared Surya Aathparhiya, the society’s central vice president.
Additionally, until the full moon of Baishakh, traditional games called Roteping and Lingeping are played, and ancestral worship rituals are performed to complete the festivities, though these practices have become less common recently. During the festival, youths originally from the village but living abroad or elsewhere often return to their homeland, helping to keep the community vibrant. Women, in particular, perform household and room worships for their domestic happiness and prosperity during Bisu.
Following Bisu, the Aathparhiya community also celebrates Bhadaure (Nwagi) and Mansire (Wadangmet) festivals with distinct enthusiasm. Among these, Wadangmet is regarded as the biggest festival. It is celebrated joyously as a rite of passage for the birth of the first child, where the child is taken on a three-day pilgrimage by foot to the Kokaha River near Barahkshetra in Sunsari for hair-shaving and ritual offerings. During this time, men wear their traditional Ishtakot and Daura Suruwal attire, while women don Myakhli, Sin, and Hari garments.
The Aathparhiya community, mainly residing in Dhanusha Municipality, has a population of approximately 6,000 people.
The final of the National Rugby Sevens Men’s Championship will feature a showdown between Tribhuvan Army Club and APF Club. In the semifinals, Tribhuvan Army Club defeated Koshi Province by a wide margin of 41–5, while APF Club triumphed over Gandaki Province with a 24–0 victory. The final match is scheduled for 2 PM at Dashrath Rangashala, where the winner will receive a prize of 50,000 rupees. The event takes place on 29 Chaitra in Kathmandu.
The lineup for the men’s final in the National Rugby Sevens Women’s and Men’s Championship–2026 is now complete. Two departmental teams, Tribhuvan Army Club and APF Club, will compete head-to-head for the title. Organized by the Nepal Rugby Association at Dashrath Rangashala in Tripureshwor, both teams delivered outstanding performances in the semifinals to secure their places in the final. In the first semifinal, Tribhuvan Army Club overwhelmed Koshi Province 41–5, with Dinesh Dhakal scoring two tries and contributing 10 points, leading his team to a dominant victory. In the second semifinal, APF Club bested Gandaki Province 24–0. The final between these two departmental teams will take place at 2 PM. During the group stage, Army topped Group ‘A’, with Gandaki Province as runner-up advancing to the semifinals. Meanwhile, APF won Group ‘B’, and Koshi Province qualified as the runner-up. The competition awards 50,000 rupees to the champions and 30,000 rupees to the runners-up in both the women’s and men’s categories. Additionally, the best female and male players will receive individual awards of 5,000 rupees each.
The Supreme Court, on Chaitra 12, has officially designated 348 Bigha 5 Kattha 15 Dhur of land within the Sardu watershed area as watershed land, invalidating illegal land transactions conducted by land mafias in collusion with land revenue and surveying offices. Following this verdict, a registration process involving approximately 10,000 families across 4,000 households in Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City has been halted, causing significant tension.
Chaitra 27, Sunsari — With the Supreme Court’s recognition of the Sardu watershed area, a concrete and authoritative basis has been established to end the exploitation and manipulations of the land mafia active within the watershed region. Sardu serves as the primary source of drinking water for Dharan, where land mafias had been extensively involved in corrupt activities. More than 15 legal cases concerning the watershed land progressed through district and high courts to the Supreme Court. On Chaitra 12, the full bench annulled references dating back approximately 24 years, resolving all issues definitively.
The full bench of Supreme Court Justices Saranga Subedi, Tek Prasad Dhungana, and Balkrishna Dhakal has confirmed the establishment of Sardu watershed land and ruled in favor of protecting the watershed. The full text of the verdict is yet to be released.
According to Haribahadur Karki, coordinator, and Tikaram Rai, co-coordinator of the “Baadgara 9 K, Ghopa 7 and Ng Rokka Fukuwa and Sardu Watershed Delimitation Initiative Committee,” the Supreme Court has issued a prohibition order on 348 Bigha 5 Kattha 15 Dhur of land located in various plots of Baadgara 9 (Kh, Ga, Gha, Nga, and Cha) and 7 sections of Ghopa, dismissing the related cases.
Coordinator Karki stated, “This Supreme Court ruling plays a decisive role in stopping the activities and schemes of land mafias. No one will be able to claim illegal rights anymore. The court has completely declared illegal the illicit land purchases and sales carried out in collusion with land revenue, surveying officials, and some political leaders, thereby confirming the watershed. This is a major victory for Dharan.”
Authorities have arrested 20 individuals from Rupandehi on charges of involvement in online gambling. The police took nine and eleven people into custody from Tilottama Municipality wards 7 and 15, respectively. Materials used for online gambling were also seized from them. Kathmandu, 29 Chaitra. According to police, the suspects were apprehended from the Kotihawa areas of wards 7 and 15 in Tilottama Municipality, Rupandehi, for engaging in online betting activities. The authorities confirmed that alongside the individuals, items used in online gambling were confiscated. Further investigations are currently underway.