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Kathmandu, 8 Chaitra – The construction of the chariot for Seto Machhendranath, the deity of rainfall and wellbeing, begins from Chaite Dashain day at Tin Dhara School located on Durbar Marg in preparation for the annual chariot festival.

According to the Guthi Institution, the chariot construction work started from Chaitra Shukla Pratipada. Institution spokesperson Janak Pokharel informed Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) that the chariot will be completed by Chaitra Shukla Saptami, which is Chaitra 11.

The chariot procession will commence at 4 PM on Chaitra 12 from Tin Dhara School. Every year, the Seto Machhendranath chariot festival is held in the capital from Chaitra Shukla Ashtami to Dashami.

This year, the chariot will be taken to Asan on the first day, Chaitra 12, where worship will be performed. The procession will continue through the inner parts of the capital for three days, covering Asan, Basantapur, Jaysideval, Lagan, and concluding back at Machhendranath Bahal. The institution traditionally arranges all materials, including the wood, for the chariot construction.

Pujari of Seto Machhendranath, committee coordinator, and former Chairman of Kathmandu Metropolitan Ward No. 25, Neelakaji Shakya, mentioned that bringing the Kumari to the Tin Dhara School premises on Chaitra Shukla Ashtami, Chaitra 12, to start the chariot procession is a longstanding tradition.

President to View Chariot on Night of Chaitra 12

On the night of Chaitra 12 at around 10 PM, President Ramchandra Paudel is scheduled to view the chariot and receive prasada after the chariot has been pulled to Asan.

It is a tradition for the President to attend the chariot at Asan, offering worship and viewing the deity after the chariot is brought in.

The chariot, 32 haath (approximately 19 meters) long, is built in front of Tin Dhara School and pulled starting from Chaite Dashain. It symbolizes the serpent king (Nagaraja). Religious belief holds that this festival brings rainfall and prosperity every year.

On the second day, Chaitra 13, the chariot is taken from Asan to the Kal Bhairav Temple in Basantapur.

On the third day, Chaitra 14, the procession moves from Basantapur to Lagan. At Lagan, it is customary to circle the temple of Seto Machhendranath’s mother three times around the chariot. After completing the Seto Machhendranath chariot festival in the capital, the procession for Rato Machhendranath also takes place.

March 21, Kathmandu – Iran has issued a strong rebuttal to the United States’ warning to attack its nuclear facilities if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened within 48 hours.

Iran stated that any attack on its energy centers would be met with retaliation targeting all US-related energy infrastructure across the Middle East.

Earlier on Saturday, Trump commented that he had already achieved his military objectives ahead of schedule and emphasized issues he was unwilling to negotiate with Iran on.

Trump had given Iran a 48-hour ultimatum to open the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to destroy Iranian energy facilities if the strait remained closed. Iran responded with threats of retaliation.

Under normal circumstances, approximately 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments pass through this waterway, making it critical to global energy supplies.

Trump’s ultimatum is set to expire at 3:14 AM Tehran time on March 24.

According to Iranian state media, in the event of an attack, energy centers associated with the United States in the Gulf region will be targeted.

Trump stated, “If Iran does not fully open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours exactly at this time, the United States will strike and destroy their largest energy facilities.”

Meanwhile, more than 100 people have been injured following Iran’s attack on the cities of Dimona and Arad in southern Israel. The attack reportedly targeted a nuclear facility located approximately 13 kilometers from the city of Dimona.

In response, Israel has warned of further retaliatory actions against its adversaries.

Simultaneously, the UAE has responded to Iran’s recent missile and drone attacks. Qatar’s Ministry of Defense reported that it is conducting a search for a helicopter that crashed off its coastline during a “routine duty” mission.

Iran’s blockade and attacks on vessels have contributed to a significant rise in oil prices over recent weeks.

March 21, Kathmandu – The Central Bureau of Statistics has announced preparations to conduct a nationwide survey of private health institutions (hospitals).

Director Teerthraj Baral of the bureau stated that the survey aims to assess the contribution of private health institutions to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

According to him, enumerators will conduct the survey in private community hospitals nationwide. Data collection is scheduled from mid-April (Baisakh) to the end of July (Ashad).

“Currently, the process to hire contractual staff is underway. These staff members will receive training,” he said. “After that, they will be deployed to hospitals to collect data.”

The survey will gather information on the financial status of hospitals and the employment opportunities they provide.

Although the bureau has a policy to conduct surveys of private health institutions every ten years, there has been a delay in recent years.

Director Baral noted that the 2013 survey found that private health institutions contributed less than one percent to the national GDP.

At that time, only about one hundred hospitals were surveyed, whereas this time data will be collected from 2,551 hospitals across the country.

March 21, Kathmandu – After Kuwait closed its airspace, 33 Nepalis stranded in transit have been dispatched to their destinations through Saudi Arabia. This transfer via land routes was facilitated by the Nepali Embassy in Kuwait.

Following the disruption of air travel, Nepalis who were stuck while en route to various countries via Kuwait were coordinated with the Nepali Embassy in Saudi Arabia and sent onward to their destinations, the embassy confirmed.

As air services to Saudi Arabia remain operational, this route has been utilized to ensure the travelers reach their final destinations.

Previously, 69 Nepalis stranded during transit in Kuwait were sent via land routes in cooperation with the Nepali Embassy in Riyadh.

With air services between Kuwait and Qatar both affected, the authorities are managing a two-step process whereby Nepalis stranded in transit are first transported by land to Saudi Arabia and then flown onward to their final destinations.

For this purpose, Nepalis in Kuwait and Qatar were requested to obtain Saudi transit visas. Affected travelers applied online for these visas and, upon approval, the embassy has been facilitating their onward transfer through Saudi Arabia.

Image source, Getty Images

21 March 2026

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Is Ground Force Deployment Being Planned?

CBS, citing anonymous sources, reports that US military officials are making extensive preparations for a potential deployment of ground forces in Iran.

The report states that senior Pentagon officials have specifically requested planning for the proposed action.

Image source, Reuters

On Saturday, President Trump hinted at the possibility of halting action against Iran, which was the basis of the news leak.

However, Trump told journalists that, so far, there is no plan to deploy ground troops.

The Pentagon has not opened a path for commenting on reports regarding military intervention.

The US Central Command, which manages US military operations in the Middle East, has denied the issue of potential ground troop deployment.

Energy Market Pressure: What Is Happening?

In his latest message, Trump stated that countries using the Strait of Hormuz should be responsible for its security, while emphasizing that the US is not present in those countries.

Earlier, when Britain launched attacks on sites targeted by Iran, it allowed the use of US military bases, but Trump said this decision came too late.

Image source, EPA

Iran’s Foreign Minister accused British Prime Minister Keir Starmer of “putting British citizens at risk,” stating that “Iran will exercise its right to self-defense.”

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical passageway for approximately 20 percent of the world’s oil shipments.

To manage the current tensions in the energy market, the US has temporarily lifted sanctions on Iranian oil present at sea.

Relief will be provided for 30 days on oil loaded onto tankers before March 20.

According to US Treasury Secretary Scott Adair, this will add 140 million barrels of oil to the global market.

Previously, the US had also lifted sanctions on Russian oil at sea.

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March 21, Nepalgunj: Unseasonal rainfall over two consecutive days has caused significant damage to raw bricks valued at roughly NPR 90 million.

According to brick industry representatives, a large quantity of raw bricks prepared for firing was destroyed by the rain, resulting in losses totaling around NPR 87.5 million. Deepak Adhikari, Vice President of the Brick Industries Association for Lumbini Province and operator of PBC Brick Industry in Banke, provided this information. He also noted that a single factory experienced damage to raw bricks worth approximately NPR 500,000.

He explained that across 70 brick factories in the district, raw bricks valued at NPR 35 million were lost due to the rainfall, culminating in a total estimated economic loss of NPR 87.5 million.

Mr. Adhikari stated that the price of one raw brick is NPR 2.50.

Industry members highlighted that many freshly prepared bricks left to dry in open spaces were soaked by the rain and turned into mud. Additionally, snowfall in Karnali followed by rainfall in Banke has exacerbated the economic damage sustained by local businesses.

Dev Bahadur KC, President of the Brick Industries Association, Banke, mentioned that each year unseasonal rains cause substantial financial setbacks to local manufacturers.

He raised concerns that the government neither insures raw bricks nor offers compensation for damages, leaving industry operators in a dire situation. Rastriya Samachar Samiti

March 21, Kathmandu – A total of 350 incidents related to child rights violations have been recorded during the 2082 House of Representatives election, with most occurrences linked to pre-election campaigns and political activities.

According to a study report released by the Child-Friendly Peace Zone National Campaign (CJP), 286 incidents were registered before the election and 19 after. The report was compiled through field observations, regional networks, media, and monitoring of digital platforms.

The study reveals widespread practices during election campaigns involving children bearing flags in rallies, chanting slogans, distributing campaign materials, and participating in songs and dances. Additionally, there is a noted trend of children producing promotional content on social media to solicit votes.

The report includes tragic incidents such as the death of a 4-year-old girl in a vehicle accident during campaigning in Rautahat and injuries to two children caused by an explosion in Dhanusha.

Furthermore, election activities conducted within school premises, students participating in rallies wearing uniforms, and security personnel entering schools armed, have challenged the neutrality of educational institutions.

Tilottama Paudel, chairperson of the campaign, stated that such activities are direct violations of the election code of conduct. Shriram Adhikari of the National Child Rights Council emphasized the need for stringent legal measures to prevent the misuse of children.

The Election Commission reported sanctions on several cases, including fines of NPR 25,000 imposed on the Labor Culture Party and candidate Shaktibahadur Basnet.

The report calls on political parties, state agencies, families, and communities to take responsibility, refrain from involving children in election campaigns and digital content, strictly monitor adherence to the code of conduct, and adopt child rights-friendly practices.