Author: space4knews

March 11, Kathmandu – The Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology has launched a new initiative to address incidents of harassment and abuse faced by students from schools to universities. Minister Sasmita Pokharel has made a public appeal, urging students who have experienced any form of abuse to directly register their complaints with the ministry. Through social media, she has asked students enrolled in schools and universities to report any abuse they have faced or are currently facing.

Minister Pokharel emphasized that the ministry aims to create a safe educational environment and will promptly investigate and take action on complaints received. She further stated that the ministry has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment and exploitation occurring within educational institutions. Students can file their complaints using an online form provided by the ministry.

When submitting a complaint, students are required to include: 1. The name of the educational institution where they are studying; 2. The nature of the abuse; and 3. Detailed description of the incident. This mechanism allows students to report issues related to ethnic and gender discrimination, verbal or physical abuse, sexual violence, psychological pressure, bullying, and online harassment, among other concerns.

President Dhanishwar Gautam of the Nepal Construction Industry Council in Gulmi reported that the costs of petroleum products, bitumen, cement, iron materials, and labor have surged by 30 to 36 percent. Construction professionals have called on the government to immediately address this price increase as a ‘price escalation’ and to eliminate unnecessary administrative pressures. They warn that the rising costs and supply instability in the construction sector are directly affecting project progress and could hinder the national development process. (March 27, Gulmi)

The abnormal price increases of essential materials across development and construction projects nationwide have impacted the overall construction sector. According to Gautam, persistent rises in the costs of petroleum products, bitumen, cement, iron materials, transportation, and labor have driven construction expenses up by an average of 30 to 36 percent. Businesspersons indicate that the instability in supply and external factors have had a direct adverse effect on the progress of most projects under these circumstances.

They emphasized that this issue is not limited to a single project or company, but a shared nationwide challenge. Despite the sensitive situation, various agencies have continued applying unnecessary administrative pressure, repeatedly requesting clarifications, making inquiries, and causing mental stress. Business leaders have highlighted these concerns as significant. They argue that the decision-making process must adopt transparency and fairness, asserting that informal and unethical expectations undermine good governance.

Construction industry professionals demand that the government immediately address the price increases by acknowledging them as ‘price escalation,’ recognize external and uncontrollable conditions as ‘force majeure’ or ‘exceptional conditions,’ end unwarranted pressures on businesses, and conduct all procedures transparently and fairly. In a press release, President Gautam emphasized that disregarding the true state of the construction sector will further impact projects. He warned that obstacles to national development could arise, potentially forcing the industry to take formal actions with relevant authorities.

Prime Minister Balen Shah is en route to attend the parliamentary party meeting. The meeting has commenced at the Rastriya Swatantra Party’s parliamentary party office located in Singh Durbar. According to RSWPA, the agenda includes discussions on today’s deputy speaker election and various other topics. Both Prime Minister Balen Shah and party chairman Ravi Lamichhane are participating in the meeting. Kathmandu, 27 Chaitra – The parliamentary party meeting of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSWPA) has started. The meeting is taking place at the RSWPA parliamentary party office in Singh Durbar. As per the party, the discussion will focus on the upcoming deputy speaker election and other diverse issues. Leaders including Prime Minister Balen Shah and party chairman Ravi Lamichhane have joined the meeting. The candidates for deputy speaker are Rubikumarī Thakur from the Labour Culture Party and Saraswati Lama from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP). On Thursday, 25-year-old Thakur officially registered her candidacy with the support of RSWPA. The RSWPA holds nearly a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives; with their backing, Thakur’s election as deputy speaker is virtually assured.

Nowadays, the use of induction stoves is rapidly increasing as an alternative to gas stoves in many households. Their popularity stems from faster cooking, lower electricity consumption, and relatively enhanced safety. However, many users mistakenly consider the circular mark visible on the induction stove surface as merely a decorative or design element. In reality, this simple circle is the most crucial indicator of the stove’s heating zone. This circle shows the optimal placement for cookware to ensure the best heat transfer. Incorrect placement of pots or pans results in slower cooking, higher electricity costs, and reduced stove efficiency. Therefore, this small circle plays a vital role in cooking speed, electricity savings, safety, and even the longevity of the induction stove.

What is beneath the circle? Directly under this circular mark lies a coil made by winding copper or aluminum wire multiple times into a circular shape, which is connected beneath the stove’s surface. When electricity flows through the stove, this coil generates a magnetic field. This magnetic effect directly heats the bottom of the cookware. That is why even though there is no visible flame, cooking is faster on an induction stove. The pot itself heats up before the stove’s surface does. Proper placement of the cookware within this circular heating zone maximizes heat transfer, speeding up cooking. If the pot is shifted partially out of the circle, heat does not reach it effectively, increasing cooking time. Hence, it is important to place cookware centrally within this circle for faster cooking.

The induction stove’s biggest advantage is energy efficiency, and the circular mark plays a big role in electricity savings. When cookware of the correct size is positioned inside this circle, approximately 90 percent of the energy is directly used to heat the pot. This prevents unnecessary heat loss and reduces electricity bills. Using cookware that is too small or too large causes uneven heat distribution, wasting energy and potentially lowering the stove’s efficiency over time. For safety, sensors in the induction stove detect whether the pot is correctly placed. If the cookware is removed or wrongly positioned, the stove can automatically shut off, reducing the risk of accidents. Correctly placing the pot also extends the life of the stove by reducing stress on the external and internal electrical components. This prevents overheating and helps the stove last longer. Thus, this seemingly small circular mark is actually crucial for the durability and efficient operation of the induction stove.