Author: space4knews

March 21, Kathmandu – The launch ceremony of the Maithili travel memoir Jaganmukti, authored by outgoing Executive Chairman of the National News Agency (RASAS) Dharmendra Jha, was held recently. The book was inaugurated by Surendra Raj Pande, Chief Minister of Gandaki Province, during the ‘Baglung Media Mela 2082’ organized by the Nepal Journalist Federation Baglung.

Known in literary circles by the pen name Bihwal, Dharmendra Jha’s book chronicles the journey from Muktinath, a shared pilgrimage site of Hindu and Buddhist devotees located in Mustang district beyond the Himalayas, to Jagannath, located on the seashore. He noted that Jaganmukti is the first book written in Maithili about Muktinath and expressed confidence that it will help Maithili speakers learn about and understand Muktinath better.

Highlighting the recent increase in the number of Maithili speakers visiting Muktinath, Jha stated, “Every Maithil household worships Shaligram. Muktinath is the primary center for Shaligram worship.” The book covers various experiences from the journey within its total 102 pages and includes important photographs. Dharmendra Jha has previously published numerous works including Rasta Takait Jingi, Ek Srishti Ek Kavita, Ek Samayak Bat, Shahark Bheedme Esagar Hum, Vyomak Ohi Paar, Maithila Mithak, Nepaliyai Maithili Chhapa Patrakaritako Itihaas, Bhramarka Utkrisht Natakharu (translation), and Gonu Jhaka Kathaharu, among others.

March 21, Kathmandu: A Bolero jeep carrying passengers met with an accident in Lamjung, resulting in the deaths of two individuals. Additionally, 12 others sustained injuries in the incident. Among the injured, three are reported to be in critical condition, according to Chief Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Jitendra Kumar Basnet of the District Police Office, Lamjung.

The jeep bearing the number plate Ga 1 Kha 6470, which departed from Besisahar heading towards Ustha, crashed near Ngabi in Marsyangdi Rural Municipality-7 at approximately 5:45 PM. The vehicle, ascending uphill, fell roughly 50 meters off the road, police stated. DSP Basnet confirmed that 14 people, including the driver, were onboard the jeep.

All passengers were injured at the scene of the accident. While transporting the injured for medical treatment, two individuals succumbed to their injuries. The deceased have been identified as 40-year-old Tribeni Gurung and 34-year-old Pushpa Ghale, both residents of Ustha, Marsyangdi-7. Of those injured, three critically wounded individuals have been referred to Chitwan Hospital, DSP Basnet reported. The driver, Karan Adhikari, is also among the injured, and authorities have yet to determine the exact causes of the accident.

The film Snow Leopard, directed by Pema Choden, was screened at the Nepal International Film Festival (NIFF). This film had its premiere at the Venice International Film Festival 2023. Under the ‘Sichuan Panorama’ segment at NIFF, four films were showcased, including Home Away Home Close, Learners from the Top of the World, and Sunrise Over the Plateau.

Snow Leopard portrays the life of a Tibetan herder and explores the coexistence between humans and the environment. The film was well received in Venice as well. On Saturday, alongside Snow Leopard, the other three films—Home Away Home Close, Learners from the Top of the World, and Sunrise Over the Plateau—were shown at the Tourism Board Hall located in Bhrikuti Mandap.

Directed by Guo Yifei, Home Away Home Close tells the story of a young man overcoming geographical challenges to launch a public service initiative called ‘Mobile Photo Studio’ for local herders. Learners from the Top of the World, directed by Jack Malatere, highlights educational themes. The film Sunrise Over the Plateau, directed by Xiao Xiaowei, depicts significant changes in education, economy, and culture within a typical family.

Within this panorama, two additional films, Warrior King and Discovering Sichuan 2026, are scheduled to be screened on Sunday. The ‘Sichuan Panorama’ at NIFF is a special showcase outside of the competition. On Saturday, films in competition were screened at Civil Mall, Chhaya Center, and the Russian House. Additionally, the Tourism Board hosted the ‘NIFF Feature Pitch’ event, where emerging writers presented story ideas to producers.

March 21, Rukum East – A water tanker accident in Thawang Rural Municipality of Rolpa has resulted in one fatality. The water tanker with registration number RA 1 T 3834 crashed near Thawang Bazaar around 6:10 PM on Saturday evening. The identity of the deceased has not yet been disclosed.

Following the accident, a team led by Police Inspector Ramchandra Bagale from the Thawang Area Police Office arrived at the scene. The police are currently gathering further details about the incident.

Mahesh Vikram Singh has stated, “The current puppet government installed in the country is posing a serious threat to national interest, and concerns over this are increasing.” He strongly criticized the working style of the present government, asserting that it raises serious questions about the country’s independence and nationalism.

March 4, Kathmandu – Mohan Bikram Singh, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Nepal (Masal), has alleged that the Genji movement that took place in September was hijacked by elements supporting an independent Tibet and those operated by the United States. Singh made this claim during an interactive program organized by the National People’s Front in Kathmandu on Saturday, focusing on “Evaluation of Elections and the Relationship with Nepal’s Foreign Policy,” where he presented a concept paper highlighting this issue.

In the concept paper, Singh endorsed the Genji movement’s protests against corruption and restrictions on social media as just and rightful. However, he stated, “That movement was spontaneous, unorganized, and lacked a defined policy, program, or leadership. Many domestic and foreign forces attempted to exploit it for their own interests.”

Singh specifically pointed to the United States as the most prominent actor behind such exploitation. He clarified, “The movement was genuinely initiated by the Genji themselves. However, in practice, individuals over the age of 28 hijacked the movement, and these individuals were either supporters of an independent Tibet or agents affiliated with the United States.” He further added that these groups have long been working to fulfill the US strategy towards Nepal.

“To achieve that objective, the spontaneous movement of the Genji was hijacked. What was that strategy? Once it becomes clear, we will understand why the then House of Representatives of Nepal was dissolved and the need for new elections arose,” Singh explained. He also criticized the elections held on February 21, stating they do not meet the current needs of the country.

March 21, Kathmandu – The Nepali Congress has released the list of central representatives assigned to all 77 districts to advance the process of its 15th General Convention. On Saturday, the party held an interaction program in Sanepa with the central representatives who will be deployed in the districts starting from the upcoming month of Baisakh (April/May).

According to General Secretary Pradeep Paudel, the central representatives will stay in the districts throughout Baisakh, organizing membership distribution campaigns, updating existing members, enrolling new members according to the party’s constitution, and fulfilling other related responsibilities.

For the General Convention, the Congress has scheduled active membership distribution and updates at the ward level from Baisakh 1 to the end of the month. A one-month membership update drive will be conducted during Baisakh. After this campaign, wards must send the updated active membership lists to their respective parliamentary constituencies and districts by Jestha 15. Following this, constituencies and districts will enter the membership data and send it to the central office by Jestha 25. The central committee will conduct a thorough verification of the membership and finalize decisions by Ashad 15.

By the end of Ashad, the updated membership lists will have been submitted to the Central Election Committee. After the parliamentary elections, the Central Working Committee meeting held on Chaitra 10-11 approved the schedule to conduct the 15th General Convention in Aswin (September) 16-19. According to this timeline, from Chaitra 21 until the end of the month, the central office will distribute membership forms to the wards and deploy representatives in all 165 electoral constituencies for membership distribution.

March 21, Kanchanpur – Additional English-medium classes have been initiated for children from extremely impoverished Dalit families studying at the basic level at Shree Krishna Secondary School in Jhalari, Ward No. 10, Shuklaphanta Municipality. These classes have been organized with the support of the ward office to enhance learning outcomes. Currently, 66 Dalit and extremely disadvantaged children from grades 1 through 3 are enrolled in these additional classes, according to Ward Chairperson Lal Bahadur Air.

According to him, many children drop out of school because their economically disadvantaged parents migrate for daily wage work and take their children along. To address this, the ward office has arranged supplementary classes for these children once they return after a few months of labor migration in order to improve their learning. “When parents go away for work, children accompany them and end up leaving school,” he said. “Upon returning, children find that the syllabus has advanced significantly, so we have started these extra classes to help them catch up.”

The ward has currently arranged qualified teachers for students up to grade 3 and plans to extend the program to include students up to grade 5 from the next academic session. The ward office has allocated NPR 400,000 for conducting additional classes. Children from Dalit communities attend regular school during normal hours and then receive supplementary instruction in these extra classes. Chairperson Air also stated that the ward provides educational materials throughout the year, including English textbooks, school bags, uniforms, tracksuits, shoes, and socks for these children.

According to Bharat Bahadur Air, a teacher at the school, the children are divided into two groups for instruction, and since the introduction of additional classes, there has been a significant improvement in their academic progress. – RASAS

March 4, Khotang – The Physical Infrastructure Development Office has directed 19 construction companies that have not started construction work even two months after signing contracts to submit written explanations. These companies had signed contracts for 26 projects but failed to commence work within the stipulated timeframe, prompting the office to demand written clarifications within seven days.

The office has sent notices to the following companies: Yunan Construction Service Udayapur, Vishwashikhar Construction Service Udayapur, Arjun Point Engineer Developers Pvt. Ltd. Kathmandu, Right Brother RTD JV, Imo Builders Pvt. Ltd., Shilanyas Engineering Consulting Pvt. Ltd. Dhading, Shantibhoomi Construction Pvt. Ltd. Khotang, Ansubi-Nepal-Phulbari-Pingla JV, SR Construction Khotang, Nirma Construction and Suppliers Pvt. Ltd. Khotang, Ranasampang Construction Pvt. Ltd. Khotang, Bhishanhang Construction Pvt. Ltd. Bhojpur, Barahpokhari Construction and Suppliers Pvt. Ltd. Kathmandu, Pathibhara Construction Service Udayapur, Dhansuna Construction, B and B Construction Service Udayapur, Khokchilipa-Salme RTD JV, DB Construction Udayapur, and Digi Construction Service Khotang.

Shantibhoomi Construction Pvt. Ltd. Khotang has contracts for three projects, while Vishwashikhar Construction Service Udayapur, Pathibhara Construction Service Udayapur, B and B Construction Service Udayapur, DB Construction Udayapur, and Arjun Point Engineer Developers Pvt. Ltd. Kathmandu each have contracts for two projects. Chief Engineer Binam Dahal of the Physical Infrastructure Development Office stated that the companies have been asked to provide a detailed written explanation within seven days, including the reasons for not initiating work as per the agreements.

“When work does not start on time, the rainy season begins, which affects construction quality, especially for projects started towards the end of the fiscal year,” he explained. “Failure to commence work promptly results in incomplete projects. Moreover, the budget allocated for these projects risks being frozen. Therefore, we have requested written responses within seven days.” The office also warned the contractors to immediately begin work, highlighting that project delays cause hardships for local consumers and the general public.

Construction companies have been instructed to complete all work according to quality and volume standards within the specified timeframe under the direct supervision of technical staff deployed by the office. Accounting Officer Sitaram Raut added that if work is not started by the deadline, the office will forfeit bank guarantees without granting unnecessary extensions, as per the law. “Initially, we will request written answers. If satisfactory replies are not received, further legal action will be initiated,” he said.

This year, the Koshi Province Government, through the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development and the Infrastructure Development Directorate via the Physical Infrastructure Development Office, has signed contracts for 123 projects in the district. Apart from the 26 projects with delayed work starts, the remaining projects are progressing rapidly, according to Chief Engineer Dahal.