Author: space4knews

31st Shrawan, Kathmandu – A foundation has been established in memory of Khagendra Rai, a leader of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist). The Khotehang community residing in the capital formed the ‘Khagendra Rai Memorial Foundation’. Bimala Rai, Khagendra Rai’s wife, has been appointed as the foundation’s chairperson, and Bhawani Luintel has been selected as the general secretary.

At the meeting held to establish the foundation, UML central member Vishal Bhattarai highlighted Rai’s contributions to political and progressive literature. Rai, former central president of the People’s Cultural Federation and a former UML central member, had passed away on 20th Falgun during an election campaign. According to Devvikram Rai, UML Khotehang’s chairperson, the foundation has been created to keep alive the legacy of Rai, who had remained active in politics for 42 years.

“When Khagendra Rai passed away, his family was left in solitude. Our party also lost a guardian and a warrior,” Devvikram said at the meeting, “Through this foundation, we will continue to remember Khagendra Rai and introduce him to the new generation.” Bimala Rai, his wife, stated that Khagendra Rai’s honor would be upheld by the glow on a student’s face or the joy of a disadvantaged family. “He was not only the pillar of our family but also the axis of our consciousness,” she said. “But now he will not return, so bringing happiness to a helpless face will be the true tribute and memory of him.”

Members of the foundation include Ashish Rai, Mission Rai, Indra Limel Magar, and Sushila Timalsina. The remaining office bearers and members will be selected from Rai’s home district, Khotehang.

On Sunday, police recovered goods worth NPR 362,215 that were smuggled through customs from two locations in Barju Municipality, Sunsari. Near Durga Mandir in Barju-1, a City Safari vehicle carrying clothes valued at NPR 143,225 was seized. Additionally, customs-evaded items worth NPR 219,000 were confiscated from Janaki Chowk in Barju-6. The seized goods have been handed over to the Area Police Office in Duhabi.

According to the District Police Office of Inaruwa, the City Safari with license plate number प्र १–०२–००५ ह ०८५१ was intercepted near Durga Mandir in Barju-1 carrying clothes valued at NPR 143,225. Moreover, goods estimated at NPR 219,000, smuggled past customs, were recovered from Janaki Chowk in Barju-6. The confiscated items along with the vehicle are currently held at the Area Police Office in Duhabi Municipality.

The Nepal Foreign Employment Association has decided to suspend the process of sending workers abroad from tomorrow until their 15-point demands, including the adjustment of service fees, are met. Association President Dekbahadur Khatri emphasized that the main demand is the regulation of service fees and stated that offices of manpower agencies will remain closed until these demands are addressed. Pitambar Ghimire, spokesperson for the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, reported that talks have been positive and the ministry continues discussions to resolve the issues. (31 Shrawan, Kathmandu)

Manpower agencies have announced they will cease operations related to sending workers overseas starting from September 1 (1 Bhadra), as no consensus was reached on the government ultimatum. The Nepal Foreign Employment Association had previously presented 15 demands, including revisions to service fees. With no progress on these issues, the association has resolved to shut down manpower offices nationwide beginning tomorrow. President Khatri noted that all agencies will follow a pre-planned schedule to lock their offices and suspend worker deployment.

On July 22 (7 Shrawan), the association held a special meeting of manpower businesses to formally submit the 15-point demands to the government, urging concrete actions. These include setting standardized service fees payable by foreign employment workers and rescinding punitive measures imposed by the Department of Foreign Employment. The association has pursued negotiations and protest actions concurrently. A preliminary meeting with the Ministry of Youth, Labour and Employment took place last Friday, where the agencies presented their demands and ministry officials shared updates on progress and action plans.

“Our primary demand is service fees; though amendments to other laws are important, the government must take a firm stand on the service fee issue,” President Khatri stated. He also mentioned preparations to hold further discussions tomorrow with an aim to present conclusions to the minister. Ministry spokesperson Pitambar Ghimire expressed optimism that the initial talks created an environment conducive to agreement and that concrete outcomes are expected by tomorrow.

Regarding the manpower agencies’ announcement to halt deploying workers abroad from tomorrow, spokesperson Ghimire expressed confidence that such a drastic step would be avoided as dialogue continues. “Since the dialogue is moving forward constructively, we believe the agencies will not take harsh measures, and a conclusion is likely to be reached by tomorrow,” he said. With both the agencies and government sharing responsibilities, the ministry aims to play a coordinating role, expecting that the planned actions will be resolved following Monday’s meeting.

During the monsoon season, the mist, greenery, and shifting weather in Sukepokhari, Panchthar, attract numerous tourists. Located near the Mechi Highway, locals say that improved road access has increased the number of domestic visitors. Situated within the Falgunanda trekking route area, Sukepokhari is experiencing growing tourism potential with the development of homestays and hotel infrastructure.

On 31st Shrawan in Panchthar, the distant mountain ledge was visible from Sukepokhari in the morning’s fleeting sunshine. Soon after, mist covered the mountains, and clouds obscured the sky once again. This interplay of fog and sunlight made the surrounding scenery even more enchanting.

The beauty of Sukepokhari takes on a special hue during the monsoon. The lush greenery that extends all around, clouds racing across the hills, cool Lekali wind, and colorful flowers blooming at various spots compel visitors to immerse themselves in nature’s charm.

Located near Pauwa Bhanjyang market along the Mechi Highway, Sukepokhari is a notable tourist destination in Panchthar. The changing weather brings varied scenic views. Covered in mist and greenery during monsoon, the Himalayas— including Kangchenjunga and Kumbhakarna—appear clearly after a few weeks. In the months of Chaitra and Baisakh, the area blooms with rhododendron flowers.

The wide meadows around Sukepokhari are presently lush green. The sky’s reflection shimmers on both small and large ponds. Clouds chase each other across the hills, and the returning mist creates a picturesque landscape. Due to its Lekali geography, the climate here remains cool and refreshing.

Alongside the natural wonders, the rural lifestyle here is equally captivating. Farmers are busy in the fields; after harvesting potatoes, they are eager to plant radishes. Agriculture and animal husbandry form the main livelihoods in the area. The diverse vegetation and seasonal flowers reflect the region’s rich natural variety.

Visitors can enjoy both the scenic views and local cuisine. With an increasing number of domestic tourists, the number of homestays and hotels is also rising, according to local resident Ajay Rai. Areas such as Lohaki nearby have also become popular destinations. The Falgunanda trekking route passes through this region, further expanding tourism opportunities. This trail is a significant tourism project in Province One.

“The views vary with the weather but remain consistently attractive,” explained local Suresh Rai. As road access improves, locals report that more domestic tourists visit Sukepokhari even during the monsoon season.

At Sukepokhari, you don’t have to wait for perfect weather to enjoy mountain views. Sometimes mist veils the peaks; other times, sunlight brightens the hills. Clouds race above the ridges, and flowers smile amidst the greenery. These ever-changing scenes with shifting weather define Sukepokhari’s special allure during the monsoon.

August 15, Labuan Bajo – Rescue teams intensified their efforts on Sunday to locate people trapped under debris and landslides following a powerful earthquake that struck eastern Indonesia the previous day. The disaster has claimed at least 47 lives and injured over 100, with thousands displaced. According to the National Disaster Management Agency, 24 deaths were reported in Manggarai and 17 in East Manggarai. Human casualties were also reported in Sikka, Ngada, and Ende regions.

Rescuers are searching areas on Flores Island affected by landslides triggered by the quake. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the earthquake registered a magnitude of 7.7, with its epicenter located 68 kilometers north-northwest of Ende in East Nusa Tenggara province. The quake originated approximately 10 kilometers beneath the ocean’s surface. It shook most parts of Flores Island, with tremors felt in neighboring areas of West Nusa Tenggara and South Sulawesi.

The disaster management agency reported over 900 homes were destroyed and approximately 450 suffered damage. Nearly 5,000 residents have been forced to take shelter in temporary accommodations. Fear of strong aftershocks led thousands more to spend the night outdoors. At least 167 public infrastructures—including schools, health centers, and churches—were damaged. Relief workers have commenced distributing rice, ready-to-eat meals, drinking water, blankets, and medicines. Emergency shelters are also being constructed for the displaced population.

Officials identified restoring electricity and communication services and reaching remote villages cut off by landslides as major challenges. Labuan Bajo, known as the gateway to Komodo National Park, was also affected. Landslides have blocked several sections of the approximately 700-kilometer Trans-Flores Highway that connects various settlements across Flores.

Local farmer Anastasia Imad from Labuan Bajo described the earthquake’s tremors as intense and frightening. “We feared our homes would collapse on us during the aftershocks,” she said from a temporary shelter near her damaged residence. Rescue teams resumed their search operations on Sunday in hard-to-reach areas including Manggarai, East Manggarai, and Nagekeo. Fatur Rahman, head of the search and rescue office in Maumere, reported that most landslides have been cleared, restoring road access to some isolated villages. However, disruptions in communications and power are hindering the rescue efforts.

Indonesia, composed of over seventeen thousand islands, lies within the Pacific’s ‘Ring of Fire,’ a region with active volcanoes and fault lines, making the country highly susceptible to earthquakes and volcanic activity. In 1992, a powerful quake in the Flores area triggered a tsunami that killed nearly 2,500 people. In 2018, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake followed by a tsunami and liquefaction caused massive destruction in the city of Palu, resulting in over 4,400 deaths. In December 2004, a devastating 9.1 magnitude earthquake off Sumatra generated a tsunami that claimed around 230,000 lives across more than a dozen countries in the Indian Ocean region.

A news summary with an editorial review. KP Sharma Oli, Chairman of the CPN-UML, has warned leaders involved in the party’s reorganization campaign to leave the party, labeling them as ‘vagabonds.’ These remarks by Chairman Oli have been vehemently opposed by the party’s young leaders, who have launched the ‘I am Vagabond’ campaign on social media. Leader Navina Lama has stated that their demands for party leadership and generational transition have followed proper political practices and debate.

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli’s description of leaders engaged in the reorganization drive as ‘vagabonds’ has drawn strong objections from those leaders. The ‘I am Vagabond’ campaign has gained traction on social networks. They argue that those raising issues about reorganization should not be called vagabonds. Oli’s warning urging them to leave the party has sparked significant controversy. Leader Navina Lama was briefly interviewed on this matter.

After arriving in Ilam, Chairman Oli issued an unbeatable challenge. Was there a response to that? Instead of questioning individuals personally, our issues are legitimate. We have consulted party leaders and initiated a fresh style of debate on how to strengthen the party and preserve its history. However, we find it unacceptable that he dismissed our debate as ‘vagabond.’ It is inappropriate to call those debating party matters within the party office ‘vagabonds.’

Yesterday, if he liked someone, they were called children, but if not, gathering to label them vagabonds has no prosperous tradition. This method is not right. We respect him as ‘KP Ba,’ acknowledging his chairmanship. But dissatisfaction should not be expressed through the term ‘vagabond.’ It is time for new agendas and leadership in the UML. This issue deserves thoughtful discussion. We are not vagabonds; we are neither gangsters, contractors, nor involved in weekly extortion.

Were you hurt by the chairman’s words? We have only expressed the need to respectfully transfer leadership. We are not engaged in any anarchic activities. We have been active in the party committee for a long time. Certainly, he has contributed much to the party. He is senior to us, and we acknowledge that contribution. But we have also considerably contributed to the party. Genuine love sustains the party as well. He has urged us to leave the party, but we will not. If he is challenging us to quit, is he afraid? We have no reason for fear. We are here for political debate, discussion, and exchange of ideas.

We have never asked him to leave the party. It is leadership they want to pressure in stepping down because his leadership is currently failing. Who would leave the party? We won’t. He must pass on the leadership. He must resign as chairman. Leadership should be entrusted to the younger generation, and the party must be reorganized in a new way. Under his leadership, the party was defeated by 50,000 votes. Even the candidates he endorsed lost. There are many positive and negative aspects here. But we have firmly stated that the dissatisfaction of the people stems from him.

We do not desire positions. This debate is not for becoming a member of parliament or minister. But since the party is in crisis, we have initiated debate. Is KP Oli no longer capable? His leadership has failed. He held the positions of prime minister and party chairman for a long time. How long can the same leadership remain? There is now a prime minister under 35 in the country; new leadership must emerge. Strident remarks towards those who are dissatisfied are typical of KP Oli’s style. Why does it hurt? Even when leaders like Madhav Nepal left the party, there were never expressions like this.

We have not gathered signatures to make him leave the party. We have called for respectful boycott within the party’s structure. But calling us ‘vagabonds’ and telling us to quit the party is disrespectful. We cannot say the party is his alone or that the process is his to define. He says there is a process and method, so what is it? We former Akhil members are in discussion. We have had calm debates within the party. We all carry a political culture. What happens now? He holds the country’s chief executive post and is party chairman. Thousands of activists built the organization and brought him this far. That must be respected. The party has rules, principles, policies, and procedures, and committees. Now he must accept the questions and dissatisfaction raised within this structure and respectfully consider the views of the majority of activists and leaders. He is entitled to his opinions, and we have ours. Leadership must be transferred with respect through proper methods and procedures.