Filmmakers for resumption of industry

It is still unclear when the film industry will be allowed to resume its business. Although everyone is optimistic about the reopening of the film industry, which has been stalled for over seven months, no one knows when the government will allow its opening. However, there is no clear indication that the film industry could be reopened as the COVID-19 cases are on the constant rise. Filmmakers have been urging the government to reopen the sector at the earliest. The Indian government has also...

Democracy Needs Civic Competence

Civic competence is measured by a great amount of self-awakening of citizens, their degree of politicisation and sense of confidence that their voting and participatory actions affect the course of decision-making in the polity. The cognitive and affective traits structure a set of expressive characteristics that enable citizens and leaders to weave each other together, act responsibly and interact peacefully in a non-sectarian way. Obviously, civic refers to the ethics of common good which is gained...

Implementing Federalism In True Spirit

Ever since the endorsement of federalism by the Interim Constitution of Nepal 2007 that was promulgated after the end of the Maoists insurgency in Nepal, the debate around federalism as a suitable political system for the country continues. Purported as a panacea for the socio-economic and political evils grappling the nation, federalism was established as a predominant political narrative in Nepali polity. Against the backdrop of a deescalating civil war and the constitutional breach of powers by...

Pandemic's Effect On Poverty Eradication

Nepal can be proud of its track record on poverty reduction. In 1995, more than 40 per cent of the country’s population lived in poverty. Twenty-five years later, we have succeeded in bringing that number down to 18.6 per cent. At this rate, our aim to have ‘zero poverty’ by 2043, as set by the Poverty Alleviation Policy 2019, looked very achievable. But all that now risks being undone by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the World Bank’s Nepal Development Update bi-annual report, almost...

‘E-Token’ planned to manage crowd in transport offices

The Bagmati State government has decided to issue online ‘e-tokens’ to manage the crowd and the unmanaged queues seen in the transportation offices. As the Constitution of the country transferred the rights of transportation management to the states, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development has decided to issue the online e-tokens for the quality services in public transportation.

FNCCI elections in November last week

The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has decided to hold its elections for the various posts at different locations. Issuing a notice regarding the annual general meeting and election schedule, the organisation's Election Committee on Friday said that the elections would be held at different places due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The inauguration of the general meeting will kick off online on November 26 at 4:00 PM. The closed meeting will be organised on 27 and elections...

Pilgrims viewing Mansarovar, Kailash from Nepal

The number of pilgrims observing the holy Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake from Nepali territory has increased this season. The increase is due to the closure of the Hilsa border crossing with China due to the coronavirus pandemic. Funjok Tamang, who has been running a hotel in Tumling, Namkha Gaunpalika-6, informed that 335 people had come to Lapcha to view Kailash and Mansarovar since the first week of September. This is a sharp rise from last year when only 100 pilgrims came to Lapcha in the...

House owners in Manakamana Bazaar waive rent

Bhimlal Shrestha of Manakamana Bazaar in the district has announced to waive the house rent to three shopkeepers running business in his house. He said that since Manakamana Bazaar had not re-opened despite the lifting of lockdown a few months ago, he decided not to charge the rent of the entire period right from the day one. "Shops are their main sources of income and they pay my rent from that income. If there is no business, how can they pay me the rent? I have said them that once the situation...

Zero tolerance policy against corruption top priority: PM

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Friday denied corruption allegations made by former Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai against him and other former prime ministers.Speaking at a programme organised at the Police Headquarters on the occasion of the 65th Nepal Police Day, Prime Minister Oli said that there was no truth in the allegations. In a programme organised in Gorkha district a few days ago, former Prime Minister Dr. Bhattarai had claimed that he had evidence that the Prime Minis

Ghatasthapana today, Dashain begins

Hindus across the nation are observing Ghatasthapana, the first day of Dashain, on Saturday, by sowing “Jamara” at their houses. Seeds for Jamara are sown according to Vedic rituals at Dashain Ghar, Hanumandhoka. The Calendar Determination Committee (Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Samiti) has decided that the auspicious time for Ghatasthapana is at 10:35 AM on Saturday morning. Navaratri, the nine days, when goddess Durga is worshipped, commences from Saturday.