March 6: Qatar's princess Asma Al-Thani has arrived in Myagdi in course of her expedition to the Annapurna…
March 6: Qatar's princess Asma Al-Thani has arrived in Myagdi in course of her expedition to the Annapurna…
March 6: Despite the increase in demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in Nepal, its use is in question due to the lack of charging stations.…
March 6: The Supreme Court has said the cases of serious human rights violation relating to the armed conflict cannot be extended for a long time on various…
March 6: Amid the slowdown of economic activities and its repercussions on the economic indicators, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Sunday held a meeting with stakeholders and bankers to help identify the challenges and solution to the issues faced by the economy at…
March 6: Fagu Purnima, popularly known as the festival of Holi, is being observed with much fanface in the capital and hill districts of Nepal…
March 5: IME Group, one of the largest business conglomerates in the country, which has invested in various sectors including banking, finance, insurance, hydropower, automobiles, and tourism, has started operating a technical school that provides all kinds of skill training under one…
National flag carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) will start direct flight to South Korea from Tribhuvan International…
March 5: It has been found that 32 percent of the Demat accounts opened for share transactions are…
March 5: The government has increased the price of milk against the National Dairy Development Policy.…
March 5: Durga Prasai of Jhapa is currently in the limelight for campaigning against the banking and financial…
March 5: Tourists visiting Nepal for hiking and trekking will no longer be allowed to go to their destinations…
March 5: Two earthquakes were recorded to have taken place in two different parts of the country this…
March 5: The Mardi Himal trek, a lesser-known trekking route in the Annapurna region, is getting popularity of late by attracting both domestic and foreign…
March 4: Foreign tourists are gradually starting to appear in Thamel, the major tourist hub in the federal capital,…
March 3: A special programme has been scheduled to take place at Syangboche of Solukhumbu on coming March 8 on the occasion of the International Women's…
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The 8,091 metres tall peak is the world's tenth highest mountain and it lies in the Annapurna Rural Municipality-1 in the district. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Her expedition is managed by the Elite Trekking Company. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Al-Thani's team landed at Dana of Annapurna-3 via a helicopter of Simrik Air and the expedition is led by Nirmal Purja (Nims) who holds a world record for successfully climbing 14 peaks above 8,000 meters in the world. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Two members in our team will be arriving from Pokhara via the land route. The Qatari princess and I will be staying in Dana, which is my birthplace, for two days," Purja said and added that the expedition logistics have been already transported to the Annapurna base camp and the team aides are preparing for the expedition. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The squad hopes to complete the mission by this month (March). Al-Thani is an experienced climber and she has already successfully scaled Mt Everest, the highest peak in the world, Dhaulagiri, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Manaslu, and Mt K2 in Pakistan. Upon her arrival here, the team was accorded a warm welcome by the people's representatives in Dana and the Dana folks. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A civic felicitation was organised for them, according to Annapurna-3 ward chair Ramesh Purja. The local representative said they were happy to welcome the princess from Qatar and Nirmal Purja who has really a significant contribution to introduce Dana and Myagdi to the world and promote Nepal's identity internationally. "Nirmal is one of the world's courageous personalities." </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Dana-based tourism entrepreneur Indra Singh Sherchan said the visit by the Qatari princess would obviously help promote the local tourism and in the promotion of the Annapurna base camp. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">French national Maurice Herzog, was the first person to climb Annapurna I along with Louis Lachenal on June 3, 1950. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-06', 'modified' => '2023-03-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16928', 'image' => '20230306042608_1678094910.SG_Myagdi-IMG_8454.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-06 16:25:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17189', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Use of EVs in Question due to Lack of Charging Stations', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 6: Despite the increase in demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in Nepal, its use is in question due to the lack of charging stations. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">March 6: Despite the increase in demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in Nepal, its use is in question due to the lack of charging stations. Experts say that regular EV users are also using petroleum vehicles to travel outside the main cities.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Dhubra Thapa, president of NADA Automobiles Association of Nepal, says that users are now making electric vehicles their second choice due to the lack of charging stations. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“The number of EV users is high only in the main cities. Even now, most of the people consider the vehicle that runs on petroleum as their first choice. If charging stations can be increased, EVs can be made their first choice vehicle,” he said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the data of the Department of Transport Management, 8,552 electric vehicles were imported from mid-July to mid-February of the current fiscal year. With this, the number of electric vehicles in Nepal has reached 29,200.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Looking at the data, it seems that the attraction towards electric vehicles among Nepali consumers is increasing. Considering the abundant potential of electricity production, the situation where the hydroelectricity produced is wasted due to lack of market and the necessity of making the environment pollution-free, there is no alternative than to widely increase the use of EVs.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Thapa, “Increasing the use of EVs will bring two benefits to Nepal. Firstly, by increasing the consumption of produced electricity, the money spent abroad on the import of petroleum products is saved. Secondly, the pollution caused by vehicles running on petroleum products is reduced.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Most of the countries in the world are encouraging the use of electric vehicles to reduce pollution. Automobile manufacturing companies are also introducing new brands and models of electric vehicles in the market. At a time when the interest in EVs is increasing worldwide, stakeholders say that the government should develop the necessary infrastructure and create an environment for this sector to flourish.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Businessmen complain that the government is working at a snail's pace even though they have already made necessary arrangements for charging stations and trained manpower.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Nirmal Khatri, senior product manager of Sipradi Trading, says that EV operation is challenging. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Khatri pointed out the need to increase the subsidy given to EVs by the government. Even though the government has given sufficient customs concessions to EVs compared to other vehicles, businessmen in this sector say that concessions should be further increased. They argue that the government will benefit from electric vehicles in the long run. Businessmen suggest that the government should maintain concessions and customs exemptions for at least 10 years for the rapid development of the EV sector.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-06', 'modified' => '2023-03-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16927', 'image' => '20230306025638_electric-car.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-06 14:55:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17188', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Conflict-Era Cases Can't be Prolonged Indefinitely: SC ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 6: The Supreme Court has said the cases of serious human rights violation relating to the armed conflict cannot be extended for a long time on various pretexts. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">March 6: The Supreme Court has said the cases of serious human rights violation relating to the armed conflict cannot be extended for a long time on various pretexts. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A division bench of Justices Ishwar Prasad Khatiwada and Hari Prasad Phuyal on Sunday issued an order, asking for the registration of a case against Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The victims of armed conflict deserve the right to justice, true information and reparation as per the Comprehensive Peace Accord, Constitution of Nepal, court verdicts and international law and principles. Therefore, the cases on these issues cannot be perpetuated forever on different pretexts.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Taking into account the seriousness and sensitivity of the issue, the rejection of writ petition from getting registered for a court process is inappropriate," said the court order, adding that the order issued by SC Registrar on November 10, 2022 to not register the case is therefore scrapped. So, it can be registered as per the due procedure. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The SC further reminded that at a time when the transitional justice bodies are not functional, hearing from such bodies in the absence of effective law cannot be termed constitutional, just and logical and the victims should not be denied entry to court for justice. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the order, the justices further reminded that the petitioners had argued that expected results from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and the Commission for Investigation of Enforced Disappeared Persons were still awaited and these commissions were now nearly dysfunctional. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As the petition was filed at such time, the law on criminal offense cannot be left ineffective, the justices stressed. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-06', 'modified' => '2023-03-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16926', 'image' => '20230306015142_Supreme Court.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-06 13:50:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17187', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Private Sector Pins Hope on Government to Bring Economy on Track ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 6: Amid the slowdown of economic activities and its repercussions on the economic indicators, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Sunday held a meeting with stakeholders and bankers to help identify the challenges and solution to the issues faced by the economy at present. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">March 6: Amid the slowdown of economic activities and its repercussions on the economic indicators, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Sunday held a meeting with stakeholders and bankers to help identify the challenges and solution to the issues faced by the economy at present. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Government expenditure and revenue collection are lower than the target but the inflation rate is high and the private sector that suffered after the COVID-19 pandemic is yet to regain its strength. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the recent times, liquidity crunch and higher interest rate and crisis in the microfinance and cooperatives have posed more pressure on the country's economic activities, leaving the poor people at the receiving end. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">After the discussions with the representatives of the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), private sector and BFIs, PM Dahal assured the private sector of forming a high-level commission pledging to troubleshoot the economic challenges. He said the government was serious towards the prospect of a bleak economic outlook. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"I am informed and conscious to the people's grievances towards banks and microfinances. I have been taking feedback from all sectors to resolve the challenges," the PM Dahal assured. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, PM Dahal said he was serious to the attempts made by some elements to create fiscal anarchy. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Talking to the RSS after holding talks with the PM, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) Shekhar Golchha said that the debtors, who have suffered badly, should be supported through some policy-level interventions. The troubled debtors should be sympathized and the state should address their problems but disobeying to pay the loan deliberately is anarchy, the FNCCI president said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Chairman of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries Vishnu Kumar Agrawal said that they urged the PM to address the economic woes of the country as liquidity crunch, high interest rate and production costs have increased in the country. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Agrawal said that the production cost could be reduced if the price of the petroleum products was slashed down. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chairman of Nepal Chamber of Commerce Rajendra Malla said that the PM has given assurance to address the challenges. He, however, said that the private sector has not felt any changes despite the government's efforts. "The government is doing something. But, that’s inadequate. We are optimistic about the government’s efforts," he concluded. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-06', 'modified' => '2023-03-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16925', 'image' => '20230306124147_PRO_KTM-6F8A5302.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-06 12:40:17', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17186', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Festival of Colours being Celebrated with Much Fanfare', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 6: Fagu Purnima, popularly known as the festival of Holi, is being observed with much fanface in the capital and hill districts of Nepal today.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">March 6: Fagu Purnima, popularly known as the festival of Holi, is being observed with much fanface in the capital and hill districts of Nepal today.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This festival is also known as the festival of colours as people smear colours to each other and throw water balloons to celebrate the arrival of the spring season.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The festival begins on the eighth day of the new moon in the month of Falgun as per the lunar calendar and ends on the full moon day today with the burning of the 'Chir', a tuft of colourful strips of cloth tied to the top end of a ritualistic pole, installed on the first day of the festival. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Hindu mythology, demon king Hiranyakashyapu, who was unhappy with his son Prahlad for his wholehearted devotion to Lord Vishnu, ordered his sister Holika to kill Prahalad. Following her brother's instruction, Holika, who had a boon from the God of Creation – Lord Brahma – that fire would not harm her, sat on a pyre with Prahlad on her lap. But she was herself burnt to death while Prahalad remained unhurt due to the blessing of Lord Vishnu, the protector of the world. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">From then onwards, the festival is also known as Holi and is celebrated by smearing colour with enjoyment. It is believed that Lord Vishnu had warned Holika that the boon she had received would be meaningless if she misused it. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This festival is celebrated in the Terai districts tomorrow.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-06', 'modified' => '2023-03-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16924', 'image' => '20230306115726_aaa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-06 11:56:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17184', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'IME Group Operates Technical School', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 5: IME Group, one of the largest business conglomerates in the country, which has invested in various sectors including banking, finance, insurance, hydropower, automobiles, and tourism, has started operating a technical school that provides all kinds of skill training under one roof.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">March 5: IME Group, one of the largest business conglomerates in the country, which has invested in various sectors including banking, finance, insurance, hydropower, automobiles, and tourism, has started operating a technical school that provides all kinds of skill training under one roof.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Upendra Sharma Ghimire, chief executive officer (CEO) of the school, promoted by IME Group, shared that the school provides training in hospitality and tourism, commercial management, entrepreneurship, professional development, engineering and health.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Under the hospitality and tourism category, trainings under different topics such as hospitality management, assistant, bartender, waiter, commercial cook/baker, and barista training are available. Ghimire said that under the business management section, training is provided on cooperative management, enterprise development facilitators, library assistants, salespersons and savings and loan mobilization.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Under the professional development section, training is provided on topics such as computer hardware and network technicians, electricians, LCD, LED television repair, plumbers, and telecom technicians.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, Ghimire informed that training for backhoe loader operation, excavator operation and mobile crane operation are available under engineering and caregiver training segment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The school located in Sukedhara in Kathmandu has the infrastructure, including a skill lab. The school has already started training in hospitality and care-giving segments. Ghimire informed New Business Age that other trainings will also be started soon. Trainees who have received training at the school will receive a CTEVT certificate.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to CEO Ghimire, the school will also provide training as per the requirements of the industry. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"We are ready if they (industry) come and say that our workers/employees need this kind of training. We have the appropriate trainers and resources."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Ghimire claimed that the trainees of the school will be able to do internships in banks, financial institutions, hotels, and commercial establishments under the IME Group after completing the training. Ghimire also said that in the initial phase, efforts will be made to employ the trainees in various organizations, industries, institutions and schools under the IME Group.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Shiva Chaudhary, the program coordinator of the school, said that 'customized training' is also provided according to the individual's wishes. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"We also provide services to those who pay a fixed fee and take training on the subject they want for just a day," Chaudhary said. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He informed that individuals have to pay a fee of Rs 2500 for it. He said that the training of the school will be very fruitful not only in the country but also for individuals going abroad.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to CEO Ghimire, this may be the first technical school in Nepal where all fields of training can be trained under one roof and is equipped with all the required infrastructure.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The fee for the training at the school is Rs 60,000 per person. Chaudhary said that one can participate in a short-term financial sector management and efficient leadership development class by paying Rs 2500 per day.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-05', 'modified' => '2023-03-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16922', 'image' => '20230305073353_Untitled.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-05 19:32:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17182', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NAC to Operate Direct Flight to South Korea ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'National flag carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) will start direct flight to South Korea from Tribhuvan International Airport. ', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">March 5: National flag carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) will start direct flight to South Korea from Tribhuvan International Airport. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal Airlines Corporation has commenced the process to start direct flight to Incheon International Airport, Seoul in South Korea, according to Spokesperson Archana Khadka of the Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A ten-member safety audit sub-committee has been formed led by Deputy General Manager Engineer Bikram KC for the direct flight to Seoul. The safety sub-committee has been tasked to study about on launching direct flight to South Korea. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“Civil Aviation Authority under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport South Korea will audit for the direct flight. And the sub-committee has been formulated to facilitate the audit work,” said spokesperson Khadka.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As part of its plan to expand international destinations, the NAC has started the preparation for direct flight to South Korea. With the NAC’s direct flight to Seoul, the fare from Nepal to South Korea will come down and the national flag carrier’s responsibility will be fulfilled, NAC believes. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal Airlines Corporation has been making international flights to ten destinations of eight countries, including three places in India. NAC has two narrow body A-320 aircrafts and two wide body A-330 aircrafts. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-05', 'modified' => '2023-03-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16920', 'image' => '20230305050506_collage - 2023-03-05T162919.876.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-05 16:59:23', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17181', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '1.7 million Demat Accounts are Inactive', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 5: It has been found that 32 percent of the Demat accounts opened for share transactions are inactive.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">March 5: It has been found that 32 percent of the Demat accounts opened for share transactions are inactive. According to CDS and Clearing Limited (CDSC), more than 1,763,000 of the total 5,577,000 Demat accounts opened so far are inactive. CDSC spokesperson Suresh Neupane said that there are no shares of any company in those accounts and such accounts have not been renewed for a long time. According to him, one person can open up to two Demat accounts.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Neupane, if any investor has opened two Demat accounts, both accounts should be in operation. Neupane informed that 32 percent of Demat accounts which are currently inactive have not been in operation since 2073 BS. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Neupane says that according to the provision of renewal by paying Rs 100 per year, the renewal cost for the re-activation of the accounts that are currently inactive will be quite high. He suggests that only closing those accounts will be cost-effective. According to him, investors are not interested in the operation of those accounts which have not been renewed for a long time even though there is a system that renewal can be done from home. He stated, “There is no point in increasing the number of inactive accounts just to maintain the numbers.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As per the regulatory body, Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON), CDSC may close inactive Demat accounts as deemed necessary. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Muktinath Shrestha, the spokesperson of the board, speculated that 32 percent of the Demat accounts mandated for securities transactions may have been opened in the name of several members of the same family. Shrestha speculates that even though the accounts were opened in the of name of several members of the same family, only some members may have participated in the transaction. He said that keeping the inactive account without closing it will not have much effect. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Demat account was made mandatory when applying for the purchase of securities of public shares within the valley from July 16, 2016 and from January 14, 2017 throughout the country. The number of Demat accounts started to increase as it became mandatory. According to CDSC, only 100,000 Demat accounts were opened till January 15, 2017. More than 5,400,000 such accounts have been added in the last six years. CDSC informed that the Demat account was opened for the first time in Nepal on July 16, 2012.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-05', 'modified' => '2023-03-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16919', 'image' => '20230305041419_20190416021131_aaaa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-05 16:13:34', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17180', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Price of Milk Increased against Government Policy', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 5: The government has increased the price of milk against the National Dairy Development Policy. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">March 5: The government has increased the price of milk against the National Dairy Development Policy. A cabinet meeting held on Friday decided to increase the price of milk by Rs 9 per liter. According to the National Dairy Development Policy 2078, the price of milk can be revised every two years based on the study report of the Diary Development Board. However, due to the collusion of the businessmen and the government, the price has been increased in just one year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the decision of the Council of Ministers, the price of milk per liter has been fixed at Rs 65 for the farmers. Earlier, farmers were selling milk at Rs 56 per liter. The government increased the price due to the complaints of milk producing farmers and dairy businessmen that they are not getting the price of milk according to the cost of production. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Executive Director of the national Dairy Development Board (DDB) Rajendra Prasad Yadav said that currently only the minimum price of milk that the farmers get has been increased. The profit of dairy dealers is yet to be increased. According to him, the profit earned by the dairy will be determined in coordination between the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, the DDB and other relevant agencies. Now, consumers are buying milk at Rs 83 per liter.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On February 14, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development was recommended to increase the price of milk by Rs 10 per litre. Some businessmen demanded to increase the price of milk by up to Rs 14 per litre. Earlier in December, under the leadership of the Dairy Industry Association, the price of milk was unilaterally increased by Rs 14 per litre. The price hike was withdrawn after widespread protests.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The dairy businessmen had put pressure on the government to increase the price of milk saying that the price of grain, bran, straw and transportation costs have increased. They said that they were forced to increase the price of milk against the policy. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Raj Kumar Dahal, president of the Dairy Industry Association, said that since the prices of grain, bran and medicine have more than doubled, the cost of production of farmers is difficult to meet. Earlier, the government had adjusted the price of milk about 1 year ago during the tenure of the then Agriculture and Livestock Development Minister Mahindra Raya Yadav.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-05', 'modified' => '2023-03-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16918', 'image' => '20230305033412_milkkkkkkk.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-05 15:33:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17179', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Who is Durga Prasai, an Outspoken Critic and Campaigner against the Banking Sector?', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 5: Durga Prasai of Jhapa is currently in the limelight for campaigning against the banking and financial institutions.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">March 5: Durga Prasai of Jhapa is currently in the limelight for campaigning against the banking and financial institutions. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">"If the representatives of microfinance and financial institutions come to the villages, catch them and smear black soot on them. If you enter a bank for vengeance because a bank employee has tortured you, you will face a robbery case, but you can wait for them outside the bank and smear black soot,” said Prasai. His extreme view is spreading on social media like a wildfire.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">He is also inciting people to not pay their bank loans.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">At the meantime, Prasai’s act of calling and harassing the banks’ top level employees is also going viral on social media networks. People related with the financial sector have demanded that the state should create a working environment as they feel uncomfortable with Prasai's expressions and activities.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">After Prasai's statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs has sent letters to the chiefs of all district administration offices and instructed them to keep the security agencies on high alert. Home Ministry officials say that no person should be allowed to spread rumors or raise slogans in such a way so as to disturb the peace, harmony (ethnic and communal) and cause riots. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">After all, who is Prasai who keeps coming into the limelight such tantrums and controversial statements? It has become a subject of curiosity everywhere. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Prasai, a permanent resident of Birtamod, Jhapa, is best known as the director of B&C Medical College. Those who know him closely say that Prasai has invested in areas beyond medical colleges.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Prasai's family, which settled in the plains of Jhapa from Tehrathum in the hills of eastern Nepal, was of a humble economic background. He earned his living by farming. Prasai has not studied past the eighth grade. He got married at a young age. He worked in Prasai Grill Factory for some time and went to Europe for employment. Unable to stay for a long time in Europe, he returned to his country. With the experience of working in buffalo farms abroad, Prasai started raising buffaloes professionally in Birtamod.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Locals say that Prasai started the farm by buying advanced breed of buffaloes from Haryana, India. At that time, Prasai had about a hundred buffaloes. Prasai sold milk as well as buffaloes. The milk produced in his farm used to reach as far as India across the Mechi River. His buffalo farm, which he started with bank loan, went well for some time, but financial crisis started appearing later. Prasai struggled to pay the bank loan and interest in regular interval. When he went to the bank to ask for more loans, the bank did not believe him. Finally Prasai's buffalo business crumbled.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">It is said that Prasai, who was initially affiliated to the Nepali Congress, joined the then rebels CPN Maoists, which was an underground outfit at that time, after the collapse of his business. Those who know him say that Prasai used Maoist cadres against his father-in-law to help his brother-in-law who was fighting a case for family property. Due to the Maoist threat, Prasai’s father-in-law was ready to give a share in the case that had not been settled in the court for a long time and Prasai's brother-in-law got his share of land.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Locals say that Prasai's fortunes brightened after getting the land. Experts say that he made a lot of money after plotting the land together with his brother-in-law and selling it for up to Ra 500,000 per dhur. After making a good fortune, Prasai started dealing in land in Kathmandu. He built a luxurious house in Bhaktapur. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">It was the same house where he raised quite a few eyebrows by serving red rice to the then chairmen of Communist Party of Nepal KP Sharma Olin d Pushpa Kamal Dahal.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">It is said that he is involved in many businesses besides the B&C Medical College. Prasai, who joined the CPN (UML) after the dissolution of the CPN, was given the responsibility of central member by the UML leadership. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">After that, he started criticizing the Maoist Chairman Dahal, and said that he would encourage 500,00 people join the UML before the elections. Although he tried to run a medical college, he has not been able to get a medical college license due to the agitation of Dr Govind KC, a medical crusader who has been demanding reforms in the medical sector.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Prasai was also in the limelight when he brought the prince of the United Arab Emirates on a visit to Nepal and received a golden stick as a gift from him. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">On February 1, Prasai announced that he had started a campaign from Mechipul for the restoration of the monarchy, with members of the former royal family as witnesses. Prasai, who criticized the banks and financial institutions in that program, repeated the same issue and context in a program held in Kathmandu on Saturday.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Prasai is viewed with suspicion due to the wealth he has acquired in a short period of time as well as his relationship with the UAE prince. Although he has been abusing banks and financial institutions, he has taken loans from the same financial institutions for his business. Although some people think that it is difficult for him to pay the bank loan, he claims that he is paying the loan interest as per the schedule.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-05', 'modified' => '2023-03-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16917', 'image' => '20230305021805_1677978782.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-05 14:17:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17178', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Foreign Tourists Barred from Solo Trekking in Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 5: Tourists visiting Nepal for hiking and trekking will no longer be allowed to go to their destinations alone.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">March 5: Tourists visiting Nepal for hiking and trekking will no longer be allowed to go to their destinations alone. The decision of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) to suspend the provision of Free Individual Trekker (FIT) now mandates tourists to have a guide while trekking.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The board is closing FIT from April 1. The board has amended the Nepal Tourism Act-2053 and Trekking Information Management System Operation Guidelines-2066 to make it compulsory to have a guide. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">With this decision taken on Friday, foreigners going for a trek now have to take a guide along with them through a trekking company. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Chief Executive of NTB Dhananjay Regmi said that this decision was taken to guarantee the safety of the tourists during their trip.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Regmi, both tourists and guides going on a trek will be insured. At present, the tourists who go on foot-trails travel alone with the 'Tourist Information Management System (TIMS)' card. However, after seeing the problem of tourists getting lost, the board decided to prohibit tourists from going on a trek alone. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">"This matter has been discussed and we reached a conclusion that Nepal should be made a safe tourist destination in every aspect," he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Former President of Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) Khem Bahadur Subedi said that the board had taken a good decision and emphasized on its implementation. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">He said that as this decision will increase employment and also give equal importance to the safety of tourists.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“The board must pay attention to the implementation of its decision,” he said. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Subedi, the number of trekking companies in Nepal is currently more than 2,000.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">After the board implements this decision, the employment and income of trekking guides in Nepal will also increase. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the data of the board, before the onset of Covid-19 pandemic, 46 tourists used to arrive in Nepal annually as 'Free Individual Trekkers (FIT)'. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">NTB Director Maniraj Lamichhane said that after the board decided to discontinue the TIMS card issued for FIT, it will now distribute the same type of TIMS card to all tourists. Previously, those going on a group tour would pay Rs 1,000 per person and those going on a solo tour would get a card by paying Rs 2,000 per person.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the board, now the fee of TIMS card for all tourists will be Rs 2,000 per person. In case of citizens of SAARC countries, it will cost Rs 1000 instead of the previous fee of Rs 200. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Suman Prasad Parajuli, president of Unitravels, the safety concerns of Nepal's mountain tourism has been addressed by the NTB’s deision. According to the Nepal Tourism Statistics - 2021 prepared by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the number of tourists visiting Nepal to spend holidays is the highest followed by tourists who come here for adventure tourism (trekking and mountain climbing). </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the data, the total number of tourists who arrived in Nepal for trekking in the year 2019 before the Covid-19 was 197,786. In the year 2021, this number was 15,549.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-05', 'modified' => '2023-03-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16916', 'image' => '20230305123213_mardi-himal-peak.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-05 12:31:30', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17177', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tremors Recorded in Achham and Kavre', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 5: Two earthquakes were recorded to have taken place in two different parts of the country this morning.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">March 5: Two earthquakes were recorded to have taken place in two different parts of the country this morning. The epicenters of the earthquakes were located at Patalkot of Achham and Kashikhand of Kavrepalanchok districts, according to the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Center, Lainchaur, Kathmandu. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The earthquake measuring 4.4 in the Richter scale occurred at 8:35 am in Achham while a magnitude 4.3 earthquake occurred in Kavrepalanchok at 8:03 am this morning (Sunday). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">There has been a rise in incidents of earthquakes in different parts of the country of late. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-05', 'modified' => '2023-03-05', 'keywords' => 'earthquake, quake, tremor, Richter, scale, measure, Nepal, Kavre, Achham, rising, epicentre', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16915', 'image' => '20230305113159_earthquake-richter.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-05 11:31:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17176', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Mardi Himal Trek Getting Electricity Facility ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 5: The Mardi Himal trek, a lesser-known trekking route in the Annapurna region, is getting popularity of late by attracting both domestic and foreign tourists. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">March 5: The Mardi Himal trek, a lesser-known trekking route in the Annapurna region, is getting popularity of late by attracting both domestic and foreign tourists. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The trekking route that offers majestic views of the Himalayan mountain range was almost forgotten until almost a decade ago. Its popularity has been lately increasing across the globe for being one of the best and challenging treks in the world. The trek is lined up with hospitality facilities including around 80 small and big hotels and restaurants to serve visiting tourists. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">However, there is a lack of variety of other facilities like electricity, internet and telephone. As a result, tourists and local people visiting the area have to suffer a lot. They have to face various problems like not getting their gadgets and electrical appliances charged. But, efforts are on to equip the trekking route with electricity, the locals said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The transmission line has reached up to Kalimati of Mardi, Ghalel and Pritam Daurali. The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is at work to expand electricity along the trek under the initiative of the local tourism entrepreneurs and the Machhapuchre Rural Municipality. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The NEA Gandaki Provincial Office has called for a bid to expand electricity up to the upper area of Mardi, said Ram Gurung, ward chair of the rural municipality-8.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"We had for long been demanding the electrification of Mardi. The NEA has started the process of expanding electricity. This will contribute to the local tourism," he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Pokhara distribution centre had last year carried out a study on expanding electricity to the upper camp through a high tension line from the transformer at Kalimati or Siding in the rural municipality. The NEA has prioritised the electricity expansion. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The tourists have to face various problems without electricity ranging from not getting their gadgets charged, said owner of the local Mardi Himal eco village, Shiva Prasad Bhandari, also the founding secretary of the Mardi Himal trek management committee. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Some areas of the village are provided with solar power and internet. But, they do not work properly when the weather is bad, he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The main problem here is lack of electricity. Tourists have been deprived of facilities without power. With the increasing inflow of tourists, the number of hotels has increased. But, many facilities are lacking. We are now encouraged by the NEA's initiatives to expand power," he said. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-05', 'modified' => '2023-03-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16914', 'image' => '20230305101707_20230304102843_20220718030551_fishtail-seen-from-mardi-himal-base-camp.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-05 10:16:02', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17173', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Increase in Hotel Bookings Signals Revival of Tourism Sector', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 4: Foreign tourists are gradually starting to appear in Thamel, the major tourist hub in the federal capital, Kathmandu. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">March 4: Foreign tourists are gradually starting to appear in Thamel, the major tourist hub in the federal capital, Kathmandu. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">With the reappearance of large number of tourists in the streets of Thamel, tourism entrepreneurs are hoping for a revival of their business, severely hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The tourism sector of Nepal, which has been suffering since the coronavirus pandemic for a long time, is happy with the arrival of tourists," said President of Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN), Nilhari Bastola. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The months of March, April and May are considered as the start of tourist season in Nepal. The number of hotel bookings by foreign tourists has increased with the start of the tourist season, said Gopal Pangeni, the owner of a four-star hotel, Ramada Encore, in Thamel. He said that 70 percent rooms in his hotel with 92 rooms, have been booked for March and 90 percent for April and May. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This shows that that the tourism sector of Nepal will gradually gain momentum in the months to come. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">More than 80 percent of the tourism business in Thamel relies on foreign tourists while 20 percent of the business comes from domestic tourists. There are more than a thousand hotels in and around the Thamel area. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Foreign tourists have gradually started to be seen in the inner streets of Thamel," said President of Thamel Tourism Development Council Bhaviswar Sharma. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, the guests coming for late-night entertainment have also started getting crowded. During the weekends on Friday and Saturday, there is more activity in Thamel. Night clubs in Thamel have also started to return to usual business. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Proprietor of the Shot Station Restaurant and Bar, Dharmaraj Paneru, said that the number of foreign guests who come to Thamel for entertainment at night has increased. "Since the last 15 days, the night business is gradually getting better, which has made us happy," he says. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Director of Nepal Tourism Board Maniraj Lamichhane says that the arrival of foreign tourists is encouraging in recent days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A total of 73,255 tourists visited Nepal by air in the month of February 2023. In January the number was 55,074. Last year in February only 19,766 tourists had arrived in Nepal while it was just 9,146 tourists in 2021, according to records maintained by the NTB. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-04', 'modified' => '2023-03-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16911', 'image' => '20230304100605_20200306100011_20200130020146_hotels.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-04 22:05:37', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17172', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => ' Event on Climate Change to Take Place at Syangboche on March 8 ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 3: A special programme has been scheduled to take place at Syangboche of Solukhumbu on coming March 8 on the occasion of the International Women's Day. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">March 3: A special programme has been scheduled to take place at Syangboche of Solukhumbu on coming March 8 on the occasion of the International Women's Day. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The event aims to draw the global attention towards the impact of climate change on mountain life and call for climate justice to the affected community. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> The event to be organised by 'Sath Saathai' a women-focused non-profitable organisation, is supported by the Ministry of Forest and Environment, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, UNDP, ICIMOD, NTNC, and Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> The organisation hosted the 'Mission to Kalpathhar' campaign last year on the occasion of International Women's Day and it concluded by issuing the 10-point Kalapaththar declaration. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to organisation chair Prajeeta Karki, following the Kalapaththar declaration, the organisation has decided to reach the site each year with programme aiming to advocate for and promote climate justice. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Deputy Speaker Indira Rana Magar, Supreme Court judge Sapana Pradhan Malla, National Assembly member and former Minister Dr Bimala Paudyal Rai, representatives from the UAE Embassy and climate experts are among those attending the event. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Through the event, we want to create pressure on the bodies concern and the government to raise the issues about climate change impact on mountain life seriously during 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), 2023 to be hosted by the UAE. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The organisation has planned another seminar at Namche of Solukhumbu aiming to highlight the impact of climate change on women's life. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The objectives of programes are to empower women for climate change-resilient societies, to seek support from the international community for the empowerment of target groups and to draw the global attention towards challenges caused climate change in the mountainous and low-lying areas and snow melting as a consequences of climate change. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> In addition to this, a national level dialogue on the 'Gravity of Climate Change and Climate Justice' has been scheduled to take place in Kathmandu on coming March 17. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-03', 'modified' => '2023-03-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16910', 'image' => '20230303055602_a19d4bd5373c6d71741e191658b7bee2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-03 17:55:40', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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The 8,091 metres tall peak is the world's tenth highest mountain and it lies in the Annapurna Rural Municipality-1 in the district. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Her expedition is managed by the Elite Trekking Company. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Al-Thani's team landed at Dana of Annapurna-3 via a helicopter of Simrik Air and the expedition is led by Nirmal Purja (Nims) who holds a world record for successfully climbing 14 peaks above 8,000 meters in the world. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Two members in our team will be arriving from Pokhara via the land route. The Qatari princess and I will be staying in Dana, which is my birthplace, for two days," Purja said and added that the expedition logistics have been already transported to the Annapurna base camp and the team aides are preparing for the expedition. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The squad hopes to complete the mission by this month (March). Al-Thani is an experienced climber and she has already successfully scaled Mt Everest, the highest peak in the world, Dhaulagiri, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Manaslu, and Mt K2 in Pakistan. Upon her arrival here, the team was accorded a warm welcome by the people's representatives in Dana and the Dana folks. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A civic felicitation was organised for them, according to Annapurna-3 ward chair Ramesh Purja. The local representative said they were happy to welcome the princess from Qatar and Nirmal Purja who has really a significant contribution to introduce Dana and Myagdi to the world and promote Nepal's identity internationally. "Nirmal is one of the world's courageous personalities." </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Dana-based tourism entrepreneur Indra Singh Sherchan said the visit by the Qatari princess would obviously help promote the local tourism and in the promotion of the Annapurna base camp. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">French national Maurice Herzog, was the first person to climb Annapurna I along with Louis Lachenal on June 3, 1950. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-06', 'modified' => '2023-03-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16928', 'image' => '20230306042608_1678094910.SG_Myagdi-IMG_8454.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-06 16:25:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17189', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Use of EVs in Question due to Lack of Charging Stations', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 6: Despite the increase in demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in Nepal, its use is in question due to the lack of charging stations. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">March 6: Despite the increase in demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in Nepal, its use is in question due to the lack of charging stations. Experts say that regular EV users are also using petroleum vehicles to travel outside the main cities.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Dhubra Thapa, president of NADA Automobiles Association of Nepal, says that users are now making electric vehicles their second choice due to the lack of charging stations. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“The number of EV users is high only in the main cities. Even now, most of the people consider the vehicle that runs on petroleum as their first choice. If charging stations can be increased, EVs can be made their first choice vehicle,” he said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the data of the Department of Transport Management, 8,552 electric vehicles were imported from mid-July to mid-February of the current fiscal year. With this, the number of electric vehicles in Nepal has reached 29,200.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Looking at the data, it seems that the attraction towards electric vehicles among Nepali consumers is increasing. Considering the abundant potential of electricity production, the situation where the hydroelectricity produced is wasted due to lack of market and the necessity of making the environment pollution-free, there is no alternative than to widely increase the use of EVs.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Thapa, “Increasing the use of EVs will bring two benefits to Nepal. Firstly, by increasing the consumption of produced electricity, the money spent abroad on the import of petroleum products is saved. Secondly, the pollution caused by vehicles running on petroleum products is reduced.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Most of the countries in the world are encouraging the use of electric vehicles to reduce pollution. Automobile manufacturing companies are also introducing new brands and models of electric vehicles in the market. At a time when the interest in EVs is increasing worldwide, stakeholders say that the government should develop the necessary infrastructure and create an environment for this sector to flourish.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Businessmen complain that the government is working at a snail's pace even though they have already made necessary arrangements for charging stations and trained manpower.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Nirmal Khatri, senior product manager of Sipradi Trading, says that EV operation is challenging. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Khatri pointed out the need to increase the subsidy given to EVs by the government. Even though the government has given sufficient customs concessions to EVs compared to other vehicles, businessmen in this sector say that concessions should be further increased. They argue that the government will benefit from electric vehicles in the long run. Businessmen suggest that the government should maintain concessions and customs exemptions for at least 10 years for the rapid development of the EV sector.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-06', 'modified' => '2023-03-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16927', 'image' => '20230306025638_electric-car.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-06 14:55:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17188', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Conflict-Era Cases Can't be Prolonged Indefinitely: SC ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 6: The Supreme Court has said the cases of serious human rights violation relating to the armed conflict cannot be extended for a long time on various pretexts. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">March 6: The Supreme Court has said the cases of serious human rights violation relating to the armed conflict cannot be extended for a long time on various pretexts. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A division bench of Justices Ishwar Prasad Khatiwada and Hari Prasad Phuyal on Sunday issued an order, asking for the registration of a case against Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The victims of armed conflict deserve the right to justice, true information and reparation as per the Comprehensive Peace Accord, Constitution of Nepal, court verdicts and international law and principles. Therefore, the cases on these issues cannot be perpetuated forever on different pretexts.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Taking into account the seriousness and sensitivity of the issue, the rejection of writ petition from getting registered for a court process is inappropriate," said the court order, adding that the order issued by SC Registrar on November 10, 2022 to not register the case is therefore scrapped. So, it can be registered as per the due procedure. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The SC further reminded that at a time when the transitional justice bodies are not functional, hearing from such bodies in the absence of effective law cannot be termed constitutional, just and logical and the victims should not be denied entry to court for justice. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the order, the justices further reminded that the petitioners had argued that expected results from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and the Commission for Investigation of Enforced Disappeared Persons were still awaited and these commissions were now nearly dysfunctional. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As the petition was filed at such time, the law on criminal offense cannot be left ineffective, the justices stressed. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-06', 'modified' => '2023-03-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16926', 'image' => '20230306015142_Supreme Court.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-06 13:50:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17187', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Private Sector Pins Hope on Government to Bring Economy on Track ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 6: Amid the slowdown of economic activities and its repercussions on the economic indicators, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Sunday held a meeting with stakeholders and bankers to help identify the challenges and solution to the issues faced by the economy at present. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">March 6: Amid the slowdown of economic activities and its repercussions on the economic indicators, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Sunday held a meeting with stakeholders and bankers to help identify the challenges and solution to the issues faced by the economy at present. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Government expenditure and revenue collection are lower than the target but the inflation rate is high and the private sector that suffered after the COVID-19 pandemic is yet to regain its strength. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the recent times, liquidity crunch and higher interest rate and crisis in the microfinance and cooperatives have posed more pressure on the country's economic activities, leaving the poor people at the receiving end. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">After the discussions with the representatives of the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), private sector and BFIs, PM Dahal assured the private sector of forming a high-level commission pledging to troubleshoot the economic challenges. He said the government was serious towards the prospect of a bleak economic outlook. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"I am informed and conscious to the people's grievances towards banks and microfinances. I have been taking feedback from all sectors to resolve the challenges," the PM Dahal assured. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, PM Dahal said he was serious to the attempts made by some elements to create fiscal anarchy. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Talking to the RSS after holding talks with the PM, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) Shekhar Golchha said that the debtors, who have suffered badly, should be supported through some policy-level interventions. The troubled debtors should be sympathized and the state should address their problems but disobeying to pay the loan deliberately is anarchy, the FNCCI president said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Chairman of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries Vishnu Kumar Agrawal said that they urged the PM to address the economic woes of the country as liquidity crunch, high interest rate and production costs have increased in the country. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Agrawal said that the production cost could be reduced if the price of the petroleum products was slashed down. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chairman of Nepal Chamber of Commerce Rajendra Malla said that the PM has given assurance to address the challenges. He, however, said that the private sector has not felt any changes despite the government's efforts. "The government is doing something. But, that’s inadequate. We are optimistic about the government’s efforts," he concluded. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-06', 'modified' => '2023-03-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16925', 'image' => '20230306124147_PRO_KTM-6F8A5302.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-06 12:40:17', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17186', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Festival of Colours being Celebrated with Much Fanfare', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 6: Fagu Purnima, popularly known as the festival of Holi, is being observed with much fanface in the capital and hill districts of Nepal today.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">March 6: Fagu Purnima, popularly known as the festival of Holi, is being observed with much fanface in the capital and hill districts of Nepal today.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This festival is also known as the festival of colours as people smear colours to each other and throw water balloons to celebrate the arrival of the spring season.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The festival begins on the eighth day of the new moon in the month of Falgun as per the lunar calendar and ends on the full moon day today with the burning of the 'Chir', a tuft of colourful strips of cloth tied to the top end of a ritualistic pole, installed on the first day of the festival. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Hindu mythology, demon king Hiranyakashyapu, who was unhappy with his son Prahlad for his wholehearted devotion to Lord Vishnu, ordered his sister Holika to kill Prahalad. Following her brother's instruction, Holika, who had a boon from the God of Creation – Lord Brahma – that fire would not harm her, sat on a pyre with Prahlad on her lap. But she was herself burnt to death while Prahalad remained unhurt due to the blessing of Lord Vishnu, the protector of the world. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">From then onwards, the festival is also known as Holi and is celebrated by smearing colour with enjoyment. It is believed that Lord Vishnu had warned Holika that the boon she had received would be meaningless if she misused it. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This festival is celebrated in the Terai districts tomorrow.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-06', 'modified' => '2023-03-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16924', 'image' => '20230306115726_aaa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-06 11:56:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17184', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'IME Group Operates Technical School', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 5: IME Group, one of the largest business conglomerates in the country, which has invested in various sectors including banking, finance, insurance, hydropower, automobiles, and tourism, has started operating a technical school that provides all kinds of skill training under one roof.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">March 5: IME Group, one of the largest business conglomerates in the country, which has invested in various sectors including banking, finance, insurance, hydropower, automobiles, and tourism, has started operating a technical school that provides all kinds of skill training under one roof.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Upendra Sharma Ghimire, chief executive officer (CEO) of the school, promoted by IME Group, shared that the school provides training in hospitality and tourism, commercial management, entrepreneurship, professional development, engineering and health.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Under the hospitality and tourism category, trainings under different topics such as hospitality management, assistant, bartender, waiter, commercial cook/baker, and barista training are available. Ghimire said that under the business management section, training is provided on cooperative management, enterprise development facilitators, library assistants, salespersons and savings and loan mobilization.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Under the professional development section, training is provided on topics such as computer hardware and network technicians, electricians, LCD, LED television repair, plumbers, and telecom technicians.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, Ghimire informed that training for backhoe loader operation, excavator operation and mobile crane operation are available under engineering and caregiver training segment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The school located in Sukedhara in Kathmandu has the infrastructure, including a skill lab. The school has already started training in hospitality and care-giving segments. Ghimire informed New Business Age that other trainings will also be started soon. Trainees who have received training at the school will receive a CTEVT certificate.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to CEO Ghimire, the school will also provide training as per the requirements of the industry. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"We are ready if they (industry) come and say that our workers/employees need this kind of training. We have the appropriate trainers and resources."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Ghimire claimed that the trainees of the school will be able to do internships in banks, financial institutions, hotels, and commercial establishments under the IME Group after completing the training. Ghimire also said that in the initial phase, efforts will be made to employ the trainees in various organizations, industries, institutions and schools under the IME Group.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Shiva Chaudhary, the program coordinator of the school, said that 'customized training' is also provided according to the individual's wishes. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"We also provide services to those who pay a fixed fee and take training on the subject they want for just a day," Chaudhary said. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He informed that individuals have to pay a fee of Rs 2500 for it. He said that the training of the school will be very fruitful not only in the country but also for individuals going abroad.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to CEO Ghimire, this may be the first technical school in Nepal where all fields of training can be trained under one roof and is equipped with all the required infrastructure.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The fee for the training at the school is Rs 60,000 per person. Chaudhary said that one can participate in a short-term financial sector management and efficient leadership development class by paying Rs 2500 per day.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-05', 'modified' => '2023-03-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16922', 'image' => '20230305073353_Untitled.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-05 19:32:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17182', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NAC to Operate Direct Flight to South Korea ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'National flag carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) will start direct flight to South Korea from Tribhuvan International Airport. ', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">March 5: National flag carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) will start direct flight to South Korea from Tribhuvan International Airport. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal Airlines Corporation has commenced the process to start direct flight to Incheon International Airport, Seoul in South Korea, according to Spokesperson Archana Khadka of the Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A ten-member safety audit sub-committee has been formed led by Deputy General Manager Engineer Bikram KC for the direct flight to Seoul. The safety sub-committee has been tasked to study about on launching direct flight to South Korea. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“Civil Aviation Authority under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport South Korea will audit for the direct flight. And the sub-committee has been formulated to facilitate the audit work,” said spokesperson Khadka.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As part of its plan to expand international destinations, the NAC has started the preparation for direct flight to South Korea. With the NAC’s direct flight to Seoul, the fare from Nepal to South Korea will come down and the national flag carrier’s responsibility will be fulfilled, NAC believes. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal Airlines Corporation has been making international flights to ten destinations of eight countries, including three places in India. NAC has two narrow body A-320 aircrafts and two wide body A-330 aircrafts. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-05', 'modified' => '2023-03-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16920', 'image' => '20230305050506_collage - 2023-03-05T162919.876.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-05 16:59:23', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17181', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '1.7 million Demat Accounts are Inactive', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 5: It has been found that 32 percent of the Demat accounts opened for share transactions are inactive.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">March 5: It has been found that 32 percent of the Demat accounts opened for share transactions are inactive. According to CDS and Clearing Limited (CDSC), more than 1,763,000 of the total 5,577,000 Demat accounts opened so far are inactive. CDSC spokesperson Suresh Neupane said that there are no shares of any company in those accounts and such accounts have not been renewed for a long time. According to him, one person can open up to two Demat accounts.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Neupane, if any investor has opened two Demat accounts, both accounts should be in operation. Neupane informed that 32 percent of Demat accounts which are currently inactive have not been in operation since 2073 BS. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Neupane says that according to the provision of renewal by paying Rs 100 per year, the renewal cost for the re-activation of the accounts that are currently inactive will be quite high. He suggests that only closing those accounts will be cost-effective. According to him, investors are not interested in the operation of those accounts which have not been renewed for a long time even though there is a system that renewal can be done from home. He stated, “There is no point in increasing the number of inactive accounts just to maintain the numbers.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As per the regulatory body, Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON), CDSC may close inactive Demat accounts as deemed necessary. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Muktinath Shrestha, the spokesperson of the board, speculated that 32 percent of the Demat accounts mandated for securities transactions may have been opened in the name of several members of the same family. Shrestha speculates that even though the accounts were opened in the of name of several members of the same family, only some members may have participated in the transaction. He said that keeping the inactive account without closing it will not have much effect. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Demat account was made mandatory when applying for the purchase of securities of public shares within the valley from July 16, 2016 and from January 14, 2017 throughout the country. The number of Demat accounts started to increase as it became mandatory. According to CDSC, only 100,000 Demat accounts were opened till January 15, 2017. More than 5,400,000 such accounts have been added in the last six years. CDSC informed that the Demat account was opened for the first time in Nepal on July 16, 2012.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-05', 'modified' => '2023-03-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16919', 'image' => '20230305041419_20190416021131_aaaa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-05 16:13:34', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17180', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Price of Milk Increased against Government Policy', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 5: The government has increased the price of milk against the National Dairy Development Policy. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">March 5: The government has increased the price of milk against the National Dairy Development Policy. A cabinet meeting held on Friday decided to increase the price of milk by Rs 9 per liter. According to the National Dairy Development Policy 2078, the price of milk can be revised every two years based on the study report of the Diary Development Board. However, due to the collusion of the businessmen and the government, the price has been increased in just one year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the decision of the Council of Ministers, the price of milk per liter has been fixed at Rs 65 for the farmers. Earlier, farmers were selling milk at Rs 56 per liter. The government increased the price due to the complaints of milk producing farmers and dairy businessmen that they are not getting the price of milk according to the cost of production. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Executive Director of the national Dairy Development Board (DDB) Rajendra Prasad Yadav said that currently only the minimum price of milk that the farmers get has been increased. The profit of dairy dealers is yet to be increased. According to him, the profit earned by the dairy will be determined in coordination between the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, the DDB and other relevant agencies. Now, consumers are buying milk at Rs 83 per liter.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On February 14, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development was recommended to increase the price of milk by Rs 10 per litre. Some businessmen demanded to increase the price of milk by up to Rs 14 per litre. Earlier in December, under the leadership of the Dairy Industry Association, the price of milk was unilaterally increased by Rs 14 per litre. The price hike was withdrawn after widespread protests.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The dairy businessmen had put pressure on the government to increase the price of milk saying that the price of grain, bran, straw and transportation costs have increased. They said that they were forced to increase the price of milk against the policy. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Raj Kumar Dahal, president of the Dairy Industry Association, said that since the prices of grain, bran and medicine have more than doubled, the cost of production of farmers is difficult to meet. Earlier, the government had adjusted the price of milk about 1 year ago during the tenure of the then Agriculture and Livestock Development Minister Mahindra Raya Yadav.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-05', 'modified' => '2023-03-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16918', 'image' => '20230305033412_milkkkkkkk.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-05 15:33:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17179', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Who is Durga Prasai, an Outspoken Critic and Campaigner against the Banking Sector?', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 5: Durga Prasai of Jhapa is currently in the limelight for campaigning against the banking and financial institutions.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">March 5: Durga Prasai of Jhapa is currently in the limelight for campaigning against the banking and financial institutions. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">"If the representatives of microfinance and financial institutions come to the villages, catch them and smear black soot on them. If you enter a bank for vengeance because a bank employee has tortured you, you will face a robbery case, but you can wait for them outside the bank and smear black soot,” said Prasai. His extreme view is spreading on social media like a wildfire.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">He is also inciting people to not pay their bank loans.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">At the meantime, Prasai’s act of calling and harassing the banks’ top level employees is also going viral on social media networks. People related with the financial sector have demanded that the state should create a working environment as they feel uncomfortable with Prasai's expressions and activities.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">After Prasai's statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs has sent letters to the chiefs of all district administration offices and instructed them to keep the security agencies on high alert. Home Ministry officials say that no person should be allowed to spread rumors or raise slogans in such a way so as to disturb the peace, harmony (ethnic and communal) and cause riots. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">After all, who is Prasai who keeps coming into the limelight such tantrums and controversial statements? It has become a subject of curiosity everywhere. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Prasai, a permanent resident of Birtamod, Jhapa, is best known as the director of B&C Medical College. Those who know him closely say that Prasai has invested in areas beyond medical colleges.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Prasai's family, which settled in the plains of Jhapa from Tehrathum in the hills of eastern Nepal, was of a humble economic background. He earned his living by farming. Prasai has not studied past the eighth grade. He got married at a young age. He worked in Prasai Grill Factory for some time and went to Europe for employment. Unable to stay for a long time in Europe, he returned to his country. With the experience of working in buffalo farms abroad, Prasai started raising buffaloes professionally in Birtamod.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Locals say that Prasai started the farm by buying advanced breed of buffaloes from Haryana, India. At that time, Prasai had about a hundred buffaloes. Prasai sold milk as well as buffaloes. The milk produced in his farm used to reach as far as India across the Mechi River. His buffalo farm, which he started with bank loan, went well for some time, but financial crisis started appearing later. Prasai struggled to pay the bank loan and interest in regular interval. When he went to the bank to ask for more loans, the bank did not believe him. Finally Prasai's buffalo business crumbled.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">It is said that Prasai, who was initially affiliated to the Nepali Congress, joined the then rebels CPN Maoists, which was an underground outfit at that time, after the collapse of his business. Those who know him say that Prasai used Maoist cadres against his father-in-law to help his brother-in-law who was fighting a case for family property. Due to the Maoist threat, Prasai’s father-in-law was ready to give a share in the case that had not been settled in the court for a long time and Prasai's brother-in-law got his share of land.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Locals say that Prasai's fortunes brightened after getting the land. Experts say that he made a lot of money after plotting the land together with his brother-in-law and selling it for up to Ra 500,000 per dhur. After making a good fortune, Prasai started dealing in land in Kathmandu. He built a luxurious house in Bhaktapur. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">It was the same house where he raised quite a few eyebrows by serving red rice to the then chairmen of Communist Party of Nepal KP Sharma Olin d Pushpa Kamal Dahal.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">It is said that he is involved in many businesses besides the B&C Medical College. Prasai, who joined the CPN (UML) after the dissolution of the CPN, was given the responsibility of central member by the UML leadership. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">After that, he started criticizing the Maoist Chairman Dahal, and said that he would encourage 500,00 people join the UML before the elections. Although he tried to run a medical college, he has not been able to get a medical college license due to the agitation of Dr Govind KC, a medical crusader who has been demanding reforms in the medical sector.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Prasai was also in the limelight when he brought the prince of the United Arab Emirates on a visit to Nepal and received a golden stick as a gift from him. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">On February 1, Prasai announced that he had started a campaign from Mechipul for the restoration of the monarchy, with members of the former royal family as witnesses. Prasai, who criticized the banks and financial institutions in that program, repeated the same issue and context in a program held in Kathmandu on Saturday.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Prasai is viewed with suspicion due to the wealth he has acquired in a short period of time as well as his relationship with the UAE prince. Although he has been abusing banks and financial institutions, he has taken loans from the same financial institutions for his business. Although some people think that it is difficult for him to pay the bank loan, he claims that he is paying the loan interest as per the schedule.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-05', 'modified' => '2023-03-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16917', 'image' => '20230305021805_1677978782.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-05 14:17:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17178', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Foreign Tourists Barred from Solo Trekking in Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 5: Tourists visiting Nepal for hiking and trekking will no longer be allowed to go to their destinations alone.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">March 5: Tourists visiting Nepal for hiking and trekking will no longer be allowed to go to their destinations alone. The decision of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) to suspend the provision of Free Individual Trekker (FIT) now mandates tourists to have a guide while trekking.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The board is closing FIT from April 1. The board has amended the Nepal Tourism Act-2053 and Trekking Information Management System Operation Guidelines-2066 to make it compulsory to have a guide. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">With this decision taken on Friday, foreigners going for a trek now have to take a guide along with them through a trekking company. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Chief Executive of NTB Dhananjay Regmi said that this decision was taken to guarantee the safety of the tourists during their trip.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Regmi, both tourists and guides going on a trek will be insured. At present, the tourists who go on foot-trails travel alone with the 'Tourist Information Management System (TIMS)' card. However, after seeing the problem of tourists getting lost, the board decided to prohibit tourists from going on a trek alone. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">"This matter has been discussed and we reached a conclusion that Nepal should be made a safe tourist destination in every aspect," he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Former President of Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) Khem Bahadur Subedi said that the board had taken a good decision and emphasized on its implementation. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">He said that as this decision will increase employment and also give equal importance to the safety of tourists.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“The board must pay attention to the implementation of its decision,” he said. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Subedi, the number of trekking companies in Nepal is currently more than 2,000.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">After the board implements this decision, the employment and income of trekking guides in Nepal will also increase. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the data of the board, before the onset of Covid-19 pandemic, 46 tourists used to arrive in Nepal annually as 'Free Individual Trekkers (FIT)'. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">NTB Director Maniraj Lamichhane said that after the board decided to discontinue the TIMS card issued for FIT, it will now distribute the same type of TIMS card to all tourists. Previously, those going on a group tour would pay Rs 1,000 per person and those going on a solo tour would get a card by paying Rs 2,000 per person.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the board, now the fee of TIMS card for all tourists will be Rs 2,000 per person. In case of citizens of SAARC countries, it will cost Rs 1000 instead of the previous fee of Rs 200. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Suman Prasad Parajuli, president of Unitravels, the safety concerns of Nepal's mountain tourism has been addressed by the NTB’s deision. According to the Nepal Tourism Statistics - 2021 prepared by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the number of tourists visiting Nepal to spend holidays is the highest followed by tourists who come here for adventure tourism (trekking and mountain climbing). </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the data, the total number of tourists who arrived in Nepal for trekking in the year 2019 before the Covid-19 was 197,786. In the year 2021, this number was 15,549.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-05', 'modified' => '2023-03-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16916', 'image' => '20230305123213_mardi-himal-peak.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-05 12:31:30', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17177', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tremors Recorded in Achham and Kavre', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 5: Two earthquakes were recorded to have taken place in two different parts of the country this morning.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">March 5: Two earthquakes were recorded to have taken place in two different parts of the country this morning. The epicenters of the earthquakes were located at Patalkot of Achham and Kashikhand of Kavrepalanchok districts, according to the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Center, Lainchaur, Kathmandu. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The earthquake measuring 4.4 in the Richter scale occurred at 8:35 am in Achham while a magnitude 4.3 earthquake occurred in Kavrepalanchok at 8:03 am this morning (Sunday). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">There has been a rise in incidents of earthquakes in different parts of the country of late. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-05', 'modified' => '2023-03-05', 'keywords' => 'earthquake, quake, tremor, Richter, scale, measure, Nepal, Kavre, Achham, rising, epicentre', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16915', 'image' => '20230305113159_earthquake-richter.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-05 11:31:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17176', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Mardi Himal Trek Getting Electricity Facility ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 5: The Mardi Himal trek, a lesser-known trekking route in the Annapurna region, is getting popularity of late by attracting both domestic and foreign tourists. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">March 5: The Mardi Himal trek, a lesser-known trekking route in the Annapurna region, is getting popularity of late by attracting both domestic and foreign tourists. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The trekking route that offers majestic views of the Himalayan mountain range was almost forgotten until almost a decade ago. Its popularity has been lately increasing across the globe for being one of the best and challenging treks in the world. The trek is lined up with hospitality facilities including around 80 small and big hotels and restaurants to serve visiting tourists. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">However, there is a lack of variety of other facilities like electricity, internet and telephone. As a result, tourists and local people visiting the area have to suffer a lot. They have to face various problems like not getting their gadgets and electrical appliances charged. But, efforts are on to equip the trekking route with electricity, the locals said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The transmission line has reached up to Kalimati of Mardi, Ghalel and Pritam Daurali. The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is at work to expand electricity along the trek under the initiative of the local tourism entrepreneurs and the Machhapuchre Rural Municipality. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The NEA Gandaki Provincial Office has called for a bid to expand electricity up to the upper area of Mardi, said Ram Gurung, ward chair of the rural municipality-8.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"We had for long been demanding the electrification of Mardi. The NEA has started the process of expanding electricity. This will contribute to the local tourism," he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Pokhara distribution centre had last year carried out a study on expanding electricity to the upper camp through a high tension line from the transformer at Kalimati or Siding in the rural municipality. The NEA has prioritised the electricity expansion. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The tourists have to face various problems without electricity ranging from not getting their gadgets charged, said owner of the local Mardi Himal eco village, Shiva Prasad Bhandari, also the founding secretary of the Mardi Himal trek management committee. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Some areas of the village are provided with solar power and internet. But, they do not work properly when the weather is bad, he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The main problem here is lack of electricity. Tourists have been deprived of facilities without power. With the increasing inflow of tourists, the number of hotels has increased. But, many facilities are lacking. We are now encouraged by the NEA's initiatives to expand power," he said. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-05', 'modified' => '2023-03-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16914', 'image' => '20230305101707_20230304102843_20220718030551_fishtail-seen-from-mardi-himal-base-camp.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-05 10:16:02', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17173', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Increase in Hotel Bookings Signals Revival of Tourism Sector', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 4: Foreign tourists are gradually starting to appear in Thamel, the major tourist hub in the federal capital, Kathmandu. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">March 4: Foreign tourists are gradually starting to appear in Thamel, the major tourist hub in the federal capital, Kathmandu. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">With the reappearance of large number of tourists in the streets of Thamel, tourism entrepreneurs are hoping for a revival of their business, severely hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The tourism sector of Nepal, which has been suffering since the coronavirus pandemic for a long time, is happy with the arrival of tourists," said President of Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN), Nilhari Bastola. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The months of March, April and May are considered as the start of tourist season in Nepal. The number of hotel bookings by foreign tourists has increased with the start of the tourist season, said Gopal Pangeni, the owner of a four-star hotel, Ramada Encore, in Thamel. He said that 70 percent rooms in his hotel with 92 rooms, have been booked for March and 90 percent for April and May. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This shows that that the tourism sector of Nepal will gradually gain momentum in the months to come. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">More than 80 percent of the tourism business in Thamel relies on foreign tourists while 20 percent of the business comes from domestic tourists. There are more than a thousand hotels in and around the Thamel area. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Foreign tourists have gradually started to be seen in the inner streets of Thamel," said President of Thamel Tourism Development Council Bhaviswar Sharma. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, the guests coming for late-night entertainment have also started getting crowded. During the weekends on Friday and Saturday, there is more activity in Thamel. Night clubs in Thamel have also started to return to usual business. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Proprietor of the Shot Station Restaurant and Bar, Dharmaraj Paneru, said that the number of foreign guests who come to Thamel for entertainment at night has increased. "Since the last 15 days, the night business is gradually getting better, which has made us happy," he says. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Director of Nepal Tourism Board Maniraj Lamichhane says that the arrival of foreign tourists is encouraging in recent days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A total of 73,255 tourists visited Nepal by air in the month of February 2023. In January the number was 55,074. Last year in February only 19,766 tourists had arrived in Nepal while it was just 9,146 tourists in 2021, according to records maintained by the NTB. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-04', 'modified' => '2023-03-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16911', 'image' => '20230304100605_20200306100011_20200130020146_hotels.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-04 22:05:37', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17172', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => ' Event on Climate Change to Take Place at Syangboche on March 8 ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 3: A special programme has been scheduled to take place at Syangboche of Solukhumbu on coming March 8 on the occasion of the International Women's Day. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">March 3: A special programme has been scheduled to take place at Syangboche of Solukhumbu on coming March 8 on the occasion of the International Women's Day. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The event aims to draw the global attention towards the impact of climate change on mountain life and call for climate justice to the affected community. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> The event to be organised by 'Sath Saathai' a women-focused non-profitable organisation, is supported by the Ministry of Forest and Environment, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, UNDP, ICIMOD, NTNC, and Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> The organisation hosted the 'Mission to Kalpathhar' campaign last year on the occasion of International Women's Day and it concluded by issuing the 10-point Kalapaththar declaration. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to organisation chair Prajeeta Karki, following the Kalapaththar declaration, the organisation has decided to reach the site each year with programme aiming to advocate for and promote climate justice. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Deputy Speaker Indira Rana Magar, Supreme Court judge Sapana Pradhan Malla, National Assembly member and former Minister Dr Bimala Paudyal Rai, representatives from the UAE Embassy and climate experts are among those attending the event. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Through the event, we want to create pressure on the bodies concern and the government to raise the issues about climate change impact on mountain life seriously during 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), 2023 to be hosted by the UAE. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The organisation has planned another seminar at Namche of Solukhumbu aiming to highlight the impact of climate change on women's life. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The objectives of programes are to empower women for climate change-resilient societies, to seek support from the international community for the empowerment of target groups and to draw the global attention towards challenges caused climate change in the mountainous and low-lying areas and snow melting as a consequences of climate change. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> In addition to this, a national level dialogue on the 'Gravity of Climate Change and Climate Justice' has been scheduled to take place in Kathmandu on coming March 17. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-03', 'modified' => '2023-03-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16910', 'image' => '20230303055602_a19d4bd5373c6d71741e191658b7bee2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-03 17:55:40', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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The 8,091 metres tall peak is the world's tenth highest mountain and it lies in the Annapurna Rural Municipality-1 in the district. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Her expedition is managed by the Elite Trekking Company. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Al-Thani's team landed at Dana of Annapurna-3 via a helicopter of Simrik Air and the expedition is led by Nirmal Purja (Nims) who holds a world record for successfully climbing 14 peaks above 8,000 meters in the world. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Two members in our team will be arriving from Pokhara via the land route. The Qatari princess and I will be staying in Dana, which is my birthplace, for two days," Purja said and added that the expedition logistics have been already transported to the Annapurna base camp and the team aides are preparing for the expedition. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The squad hopes to complete the mission by this month (March). Al-Thani is an experienced climber and she has already successfully scaled Mt Everest, the highest peak in the world, Dhaulagiri, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Manaslu, and Mt K2 in Pakistan. Upon her arrival here, the team was accorded a warm welcome by the people's representatives in Dana and the Dana folks. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A civic felicitation was organised for them, according to Annapurna-3 ward chair Ramesh Purja. The local representative said they were happy to welcome the princess from Qatar and Nirmal Purja who has really a significant contribution to introduce Dana and Myagdi to the world and promote Nepal's identity internationally. "Nirmal is one of the world's courageous personalities." </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Dana-based tourism entrepreneur Indra Singh Sherchan said the visit by the Qatari princess would obviously help promote the local tourism and in the promotion of the Annapurna base camp. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">French national Maurice Herzog, was the first person to climb Annapurna I along with Louis Lachenal on June 3, 1950. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-06', 'modified' => '2023-03-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16928', 'image' => '20230306042608_1678094910.SG_Myagdi-IMG_8454.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-06 16:25:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17189', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Use of EVs in Question due to Lack of Charging Stations', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 6: Despite the increase in demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in Nepal, its use is in question due to the lack of charging stations. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">March 6: Despite the increase in demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in Nepal, its use is in question due to the lack of charging stations. Experts say that regular EV users are also using petroleum vehicles to travel outside the main cities.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Dhubra Thapa, president of NADA Automobiles Association of Nepal, says that users are now making electric vehicles their second choice due to the lack of charging stations. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“The number of EV users is high only in the main cities. Even now, most of the people consider the vehicle that runs on petroleum as their first choice. If charging stations can be increased, EVs can be made their first choice vehicle,” he said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the data of the Department of Transport Management, 8,552 electric vehicles were imported from mid-July to mid-February of the current fiscal year. With this, the number of electric vehicles in Nepal has reached 29,200.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Looking at the data, it seems that the attraction towards electric vehicles among Nepali consumers is increasing. Considering the abundant potential of electricity production, the situation where the hydroelectricity produced is wasted due to lack of market and the necessity of making the environment pollution-free, there is no alternative than to widely increase the use of EVs.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Thapa, “Increasing the use of EVs will bring two benefits to Nepal. Firstly, by increasing the consumption of produced electricity, the money spent abroad on the import of petroleum products is saved. Secondly, the pollution caused by vehicles running on petroleum products is reduced.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Most of the countries in the world are encouraging the use of electric vehicles to reduce pollution. Automobile manufacturing companies are also introducing new brands and models of electric vehicles in the market. At a time when the interest in EVs is increasing worldwide, stakeholders say that the government should develop the necessary infrastructure and create an environment for this sector to flourish.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Businessmen complain that the government is working at a snail's pace even though they have already made necessary arrangements for charging stations and trained manpower.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Nirmal Khatri, senior product manager of Sipradi Trading, says that EV operation is challenging. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Khatri pointed out the need to increase the subsidy given to EVs by the government. Even though the government has given sufficient customs concessions to EVs compared to other vehicles, businessmen in this sector say that concessions should be further increased. They argue that the government will benefit from electric vehicles in the long run. Businessmen suggest that the government should maintain concessions and customs exemptions for at least 10 years for the rapid development of the EV sector.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-06', 'modified' => '2023-03-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16927', 'image' => '20230306025638_electric-car.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-06 14:55:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17188', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Conflict-Era Cases Can't be Prolonged Indefinitely: SC ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 6: The Supreme Court has said the cases of serious human rights violation relating to the armed conflict cannot be extended for a long time on various pretexts. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">March 6: The Supreme Court has said the cases of serious human rights violation relating to the armed conflict cannot be extended for a long time on various pretexts. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A division bench of Justices Ishwar Prasad Khatiwada and Hari Prasad Phuyal on Sunday issued an order, asking for the registration of a case against Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The victims of armed conflict deserve the right to justice, true information and reparation as per the Comprehensive Peace Accord, Constitution of Nepal, court verdicts and international law and principles. Therefore, the cases on these issues cannot be perpetuated forever on different pretexts.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Taking into account the seriousness and sensitivity of the issue, the rejection of writ petition from getting registered for a court process is inappropriate," said the court order, adding that the order issued by SC Registrar on November 10, 2022 to not register the case is therefore scrapped. So, it can be registered as per the due procedure. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The SC further reminded that at a time when the transitional justice bodies are not functional, hearing from such bodies in the absence of effective law cannot be termed constitutional, just and logical and the victims should not be denied entry to court for justice. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the order, the justices further reminded that the petitioners had argued that expected results from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and the Commission for Investigation of Enforced Disappeared Persons were still awaited and these commissions were now nearly dysfunctional. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As the petition was filed at such time, the law on criminal offense cannot be left ineffective, the justices stressed. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-06', 'modified' => '2023-03-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16926', 'image' => '20230306015142_Supreme Court.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-06 13:50:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17187', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Private Sector Pins Hope on Government to Bring Economy on Track ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 6: Amid the slowdown of economic activities and its repercussions on the economic indicators, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Sunday held a meeting with stakeholders and bankers to help identify the challenges and solution to the issues faced by the economy at present. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">March 6: Amid the slowdown of economic activities and its repercussions on the economic indicators, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Sunday held a meeting with stakeholders and bankers to help identify the challenges and solution to the issues faced by the economy at present. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Government expenditure and revenue collection are lower than the target but the inflation rate is high and the private sector that suffered after the COVID-19 pandemic is yet to regain its strength. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the recent times, liquidity crunch and higher interest rate and crisis in the microfinance and cooperatives have posed more pressure on the country's economic activities, leaving the poor people at the receiving end. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">After the discussions with the representatives of the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), private sector and BFIs, PM Dahal assured the private sector of forming a high-level commission pledging to troubleshoot the economic challenges. He said the government was serious towards the prospect of a bleak economic outlook. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"I am informed and conscious to the people's grievances towards banks and microfinances. I have been taking feedback from all sectors to resolve the challenges," the PM Dahal assured. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, PM Dahal said he was serious to the attempts made by some elements to create fiscal anarchy. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Talking to the RSS after holding talks with the PM, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) Shekhar Golchha said that the debtors, who have suffered badly, should be supported through some policy-level interventions. The troubled debtors should be sympathized and the state should address their problems but disobeying to pay the loan deliberately is anarchy, the FNCCI president said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Chairman of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries Vishnu Kumar Agrawal said that they urged the PM to address the economic woes of the country as liquidity crunch, high interest rate and production costs have increased in the country. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Agrawal said that the production cost could be reduced if the price of the petroleum products was slashed down. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chairman of Nepal Chamber of Commerce Rajendra Malla said that the PM has given assurance to address the challenges. He, however, said that the private sector has not felt any changes despite the government's efforts. "The government is doing something. But, that’s inadequate. We are optimistic about the government’s efforts," he concluded. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-06', 'modified' => '2023-03-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16925', 'image' => '20230306124147_PRO_KTM-6F8A5302.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-06 12:40:17', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17186', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Festival of Colours being Celebrated with Much Fanfare', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 6: Fagu Purnima, popularly known as the festival of Holi, is being observed with much fanface in the capital and hill districts of Nepal today.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">March 6: Fagu Purnima, popularly known as the festival of Holi, is being observed with much fanface in the capital and hill districts of Nepal today.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This festival is also known as the festival of colours as people smear colours to each other and throw water balloons to celebrate the arrival of the spring season.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The festival begins on the eighth day of the new moon in the month of Falgun as per the lunar calendar and ends on the full moon day today with the burning of the 'Chir', a tuft of colourful strips of cloth tied to the top end of a ritualistic pole, installed on the first day of the festival. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Hindu mythology, demon king Hiranyakashyapu, who was unhappy with his son Prahlad for his wholehearted devotion to Lord Vishnu, ordered his sister Holika to kill Prahalad. Following her brother's instruction, Holika, who had a boon from the God of Creation – Lord Brahma – that fire would not harm her, sat on a pyre with Prahlad on her lap. But she was herself burnt to death while Prahalad remained unhurt due to the blessing of Lord Vishnu, the protector of the world. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">From then onwards, the festival is also known as Holi and is celebrated by smearing colour with enjoyment. It is believed that Lord Vishnu had warned Holika that the boon she had received would be meaningless if she misused it. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This festival is celebrated in the Terai districts tomorrow.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-06', 'modified' => '2023-03-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16924', 'image' => '20230306115726_aaa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-06 11:56:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17184', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'IME Group Operates Technical School', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 5: IME Group, one of the largest business conglomerates in the country, which has invested in various sectors including banking, finance, insurance, hydropower, automobiles, and tourism, has started operating a technical school that provides all kinds of skill training under one roof.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">March 5: IME Group, one of the largest business conglomerates in the country, which has invested in various sectors including banking, finance, insurance, hydropower, automobiles, and tourism, has started operating a technical school that provides all kinds of skill training under one roof.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Upendra Sharma Ghimire, chief executive officer (CEO) of the school, promoted by IME Group, shared that the school provides training in hospitality and tourism, commercial management, entrepreneurship, professional development, engineering and health.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Under the hospitality and tourism category, trainings under different topics such as hospitality management, assistant, bartender, waiter, commercial cook/baker, and barista training are available. Ghimire said that under the business management section, training is provided on cooperative management, enterprise development facilitators, library assistants, salespersons and savings and loan mobilization.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Under the professional development section, training is provided on topics such as computer hardware and network technicians, electricians, LCD, LED television repair, plumbers, and telecom technicians.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, Ghimire informed that training for backhoe loader operation, excavator operation and mobile crane operation are available under engineering and caregiver training segment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The school located in Sukedhara in Kathmandu has the infrastructure, including a skill lab. The school has already started training in hospitality and care-giving segments. Ghimire informed New Business Age that other trainings will also be started soon. Trainees who have received training at the school will receive a CTEVT certificate.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to CEO Ghimire, the school will also provide training as per the requirements of the industry. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"We are ready if they (industry) come and say that our workers/employees need this kind of training. We have the appropriate trainers and resources."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Ghimire claimed that the trainees of the school will be able to do internships in banks, financial institutions, hotels, and commercial establishments under the IME Group after completing the training. Ghimire also said that in the initial phase, efforts will be made to employ the trainees in various organizations, industries, institutions and schools under the IME Group.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Shiva Chaudhary, the program coordinator of the school, said that 'customized training' is also provided according to the individual's wishes. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"We also provide services to those who pay a fixed fee and take training on the subject they want for just a day," Chaudhary said. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He informed that individuals have to pay a fee of Rs 2500 for it. He said that the training of the school will be very fruitful not only in the country but also for individuals going abroad.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to CEO Ghimire, this may be the first technical school in Nepal where all fields of training can be trained under one roof and is equipped with all the required infrastructure.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The fee for the training at the school is Rs 60,000 per person. Chaudhary said that one can participate in a short-term financial sector management and efficient leadership development class by paying Rs 2500 per day.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-05', 'modified' => '2023-03-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16922', 'image' => '20230305073353_Untitled.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-05 19:32:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17182', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NAC to Operate Direct Flight to South Korea ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'National flag carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) will start direct flight to South Korea from Tribhuvan International Airport. ', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">March 5: National flag carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) will start direct flight to South Korea from Tribhuvan International Airport. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal Airlines Corporation has commenced the process to start direct flight to Incheon International Airport, Seoul in South Korea, according to Spokesperson Archana Khadka of the Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A ten-member safety audit sub-committee has been formed led by Deputy General Manager Engineer Bikram KC for the direct flight to Seoul. The safety sub-committee has been tasked to study about on launching direct flight to South Korea. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“Civil Aviation Authority under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport South Korea will audit for the direct flight. And the sub-committee has been formulated to facilitate the audit work,” said spokesperson Khadka.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As part of its plan to expand international destinations, the NAC has started the preparation for direct flight to South Korea. With the NAC’s direct flight to Seoul, the fare from Nepal to South Korea will come down and the national flag carrier’s responsibility will be fulfilled, NAC believes. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal Airlines Corporation has been making international flights to ten destinations of eight countries, including three places in India. NAC has two narrow body A-320 aircrafts and two wide body A-330 aircrafts. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-05', 'modified' => '2023-03-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16920', 'image' => '20230305050506_collage - 2023-03-05T162919.876.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-05 16:59:23', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17181', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '1.7 million Demat Accounts are Inactive', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 5: It has been found that 32 percent of the Demat accounts opened for share transactions are inactive.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">March 5: It has been found that 32 percent of the Demat accounts opened for share transactions are inactive. According to CDS and Clearing Limited (CDSC), more than 1,763,000 of the total 5,577,000 Demat accounts opened so far are inactive. CDSC spokesperson Suresh Neupane said that there are no shares of any company in those accounts and such accounts have not been renewed for a long time. According to him, one person can open up to two Demat accounts.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Neupane, if any investor has opened two Demat accounts, both accounts should be in operation. Neupane informed that 32 percent of Demat accounts which are currently inactive have not been in operation since 2073 BS. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Neupane says that according to the provision of renewal by paying Rs 100 per year, the renewal cost for the re-activation of the accounts that are currently inactive will be quite high. He suggests that only closing those accounts will be cost-effective. According to him, investors are not interested in the operation of those accounts which have not been renewed for a long time even though there is a system that renewal can be done from home. He stated, “There is no point in increasing the number of inactive accounts just to maintain the numbers.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As per the regulatory body, Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON), CDSC may close inactive Demat accounts as deemed necessary. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Muktinath Shrestha, the spokesperson of the board, speculated that 32 percent of the Demat accounts mandated for securities transactions may have been opened in the name of several members of the same family. Shrestha speculates that even though the accounts were opened in the of name of several members of the same family, only some members may have participated in the transaction. He said that keeping the inactive account without closing it will not have much effect. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Demat account was made mandatory when applying for the purchase of securities of public shares within the valley from July 16, 2016 and from January 14, 2017 throughout the country. The number of Demat accounts started to increase as it became mandatory. According to CDSC, only 100,000 Demat accounts were opened till January 15, 2017. More than 5,400,000 such accounts have been added in the last six years. CDSC informed that the Demat account was opened for the first time in Nepal on July 16, 2012.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-05', 'modified' => '2023-03-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16919', 'image' => '20230305041419_20190416021131_aaaa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-05 16:13:34', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17180', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Price of Milk Increased against Government Policy', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 5: The government has increased the price of milk against the National Dairy Development Policy. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">March 5: The government has increased the price of milk against the National Dairy Development Policy. A cabinet meeting held on Friday decided to increase the price of milk by Rs 9 per liter. According to the National Dairy Development Policy 2078, the price of milk can be revised every two years based on the study report of the Diary Development Board. However, due to the collusion of the businessmen and the government, the price has been increased in just one year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the decision of the Council of Ministers, the price of milk per liter has been fixed at Rs 65 for the farmers. Earlier, farmers were selling milk at Rs 56 per liter. The government increased the price due to the complaints of milk producing farmers and dairy businessmen that they are not getting the price of milk according to the cost of production. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Executive Director of the national Dairy Development Board (DDB) Rajendra Prasad Yadav said that currently only the minimum price of milk that the farmers get has been increased. The profit of dairy dealers is yet to be increased. According to him, the profit earned by the dairy will be determined in coordination between the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, the DDB and other relevant agencies. Now, consumers are buying milk at Rs 83 per liter.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On February 14, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development was recommended to increase the price of milk by Rs 10 per litre. Some businessmen demanded to increase the price of milk by up to Rs 14 per litre. Earlier in December, under the leadership of the Dairy Industry Association, the price of milk was unilaterally increased by Rs 14 per litre. The price hike was withdrawn after widespread protests.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The dairy businessmen had put pressure on the government to increase the price of milk saying that the price of grain, bran, straw and transportation costs have increased. They said that they were forced to increase the price of milk against the policy. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Raj Kumar Dahal, president of the Dairy Industry Association, said that since the prices of grain, bran and medicine have more than doubled, the cost of production of farmers is difficult to meet. Earlier, the government had adjusted the price of milk about 1 year ago during the tenure of the then Agriculture and Livestock Development Minister Mahindra Raya Yadav.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-05', 'modified' => '2023-03-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16918', 'image' => '20230305033412_milkkkkkkk.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-05 15:33:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17179', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Who is Durga Prasai, an Outspoken Critic and Campaigner against the Banking Sector?', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 5: Durga Prasai of Jhapa is currently in the limelight for campaigning against the banking and financial institutions.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">March 5: Durga Prasai of Jhapa is currently in the limelight for campaigning against the banking and financial institutions. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">"If the representatives of microfinance and financial institutions come to the villages, catch them and smear black soot on them. If you enter a bank for vengeance because a bank employee has tortured you, you will face a robbery case, but you can wait for them outside the bank and smear black soot,” said Prasai. His extreme view is spreading on social media like a wildfire.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">He is also inciting people to not pay their bank loans.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">At the meantime, Prasai’s act of calling and harassing the banks’ top level employees is also going viral on social media networks. People related with the financial sector have demanded that the state should create a working environment as they feel uncomfortable with Prasai's expressions and activities.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">After Prasai's statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs has sent letters to the chiefs of all district administration offices and instructed them to keep the security agencies on high alert. Home Ministry officials say that no person should be allowed to spread rumors or raise slogans in such a way so as to disturb the peace, harmony (ethnic and communal) and cause riots. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">After all, who is Prasai who keeps coming into the limelight such tantrums and controversial statements? It has become a subject of curiosity everywhere. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Prasai, a permanent resident of Birtamod, Jhapa, is best known as the director of B&C Medical College. Those who know him closely say that Prasai has invested in areas beyond medical colleges.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Prasai's family, which settled in the plains of Jhapa from Tehrathum in the hills of eastern Nepal, was of a humble economic background. He earned his living by farming. Prasai has not studied past the eighth grade. He got married at a young age. He worked in Prasai Grill Factory for some time and went to Europe for employment. Unable to stay for a long time in Europe, he returned to his country. With the experience of working in buffalo farms abroad, Prasai started raising buffaloes professionally in Birtamod.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Locals say that Prasai started the farm by buying advanced breed of buffaloes from Haryana, India. At that time, Prasai had about a hundred buffaloes. Prasai sold milk as well as buffaloes. The milk produced in his farm used to reach as far as India across the Mechi River. His buffalo farm, which he started with bank loan, went well for some time, but financial crisis started appearing later. Prasai struggled to pay the bank loan and interest in regular interval. When he went to the bank to ask for more loans, the bank did not believe him. Finally Prasai's buffalo business crumbled.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">It is said that Prasai, who was initially affiliated to the Nepali Congress, joined the then rebels CPN Maoists, which was an underground outfit at that time, after the collapse of his business. Those who know him say that Prasai used Maoist cadres against his father-in-law to help his brother-in-law who was fighting a case for family property. Due to the Maoist threat, Prasai’s father-in-law was ready to give a share in the case that had not been settled in the court for a long time and Prasai's brother-in-law got his share of land.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Locals say that Prasai's fortunes brightened after getting the land. Experts say that he made a lot of money after plotting the land together with his brother-in-law and selling it for up to Ra 500,000 per dhur. After making a good fortune, Prasai started dealing in land in Kathmandu. He built a luxurious house in Bhaktapur. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">It was the same house where he raised quite a few eyebrows by serving red rice to the then chairmen of Communist Party of Nepal KP Sharma Olin d Pushpa Kamal Dahal.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">It is said that he is involved in many businesses besides the B&C Medical College. Prasai, who joined the CPN (UML) after the dissolution of the CPN, was given the responsibility of central member by the UML leadership. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">After that, he started criticizing the Maoist Chairman Dahal, and said that he would encourage 500,00 people join the UML before the elections. Although he tried to run a medical college, he has not been able to get a medical college license due to the agitation of Dr Govind KC, a medical crusader who has been demanding reforms in the medical sector.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Prasai was also in the limelight when he brought the prince of the United Arab Emirates on a visit to Nepal and received a golden stick as a gift from him. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">On February 1, Prasai announced that he had started a campaign from Mechipul for the restoration of the monarchy, with members of the former royal family as witnesses. Prasai, who criticized the banks and financial institutions in that program, repeated the same issue and context in a program held in Kathmandu on Saturday.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Prasai is viewed with suspicion due to the wealth he has acquired in a short period of time as well as his relationship with the UAE prince. Although he has been abusing banks and financial institutions, he has taken loans from the same financial institutions for his business. Although some people think that it is difficult for him to pay the bank loan, he claims that he is paying the loan interest as per the schedule.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-05', 'modified' => '2023-03-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16917', 'image' => '20230305021805_1677978782.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-05 14:17:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17178', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Foreign Tourists Barred from Solo Trekking in Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 5: Tourists visiting Nepal for hiking and trekking will no longer be allowed to go to their destinations alone.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">March 5: Tourists visiting Nepal for hiking and trekking will no longer be allowed to go to their destinations alone. The decision of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) to suspend the provision of Free Individual Trekker (FIT) now mandates tourists to have a guide while trekking.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The board is closing FIT from April 1. The board has amended the Nepal Tourism Act-2053 and Trekking Information Management System Operation Guidelines-2066 to make it compulsory to have a guide. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">With this decision taken on Friday, foreigners going for a trek now have to take a guide along with them through a trekking company. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Chief Executive of NTB Dhananjay Regmi said that this decision was taken to guarantee the safety of the tourists during their trip.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Regmi, both tourists and guides going on a trek will be insured. At present, the tourists who go on foot-trails travel alone with the 'Tourist Information Management System (TIMS)' card. However, after seeing the problem of tourists getting lost, the board decided to prohibit tourists from going on a trek alone. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">"This matter has been discussed and we reached a conclusion that Nepal should be made a safe tourist destination in every aspect," he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Former President of Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) Khem Bahadur Subedi said that the board had taken a good decision and emphasized on its implementation. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">He said that as this decision will increase employment and also give equal importance to the safety of tourists.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“The board must pay attention to the implementation of its decision,” he said. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Subedi, the number of trekking companies in Nepal is currently more than 2,000.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">After the board implements this decision, the employment and income of trekking guides in Nepal will also increase. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the data of the board, before the onset of Covid-19 pandemic, 46 tourists used to arrive in Nepal annually as 'Free Individual Trekkers (FIT)'. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">NTB Director Maniraj Lamichhane said that after the board decided to discontinue the TIMS card issued for FIT, it will now distribute the same type of TIMS card to all tourists. Previously, those going on a group tour would pay Rs 1,000 per person and those going on a solo tour would get a card by paying Rs 2,000 per person.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the board, now the fee of TIMS card for all tourists will be Rs 2,000 per person. In case of citizens of SAARC countries, it will cost Rs 1000 instead of the previous fee of Rs 200. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Suman Prasad Parajuli, president of Unitravels, the safety concerns of Nepal's mountain tourism has been addressed by the NTB’s deision. According to the Nepal Tourism Statistics - 2021 prepared by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the number of tourists visiting Nepal to spend holidays is the highest followed by tourists who come here for adventure tourism (trekking and mountain climbing). </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the data, the total number of tourists who arrived in Nepal for trekking in the year 2019 before the Covid-19 was 197,786. In the year 2021, this number was 15,549.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-05', 'modified' => '2023-03-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16916', 'image' => '20230305123213_mardi-himal-peak.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-05 12:31:30', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17177', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tremors Recorded in Achham and Kavre', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 5: Two earthquakes were recorded to have taken place in two different parts of the country this morning.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">March 5: Two earthquakes were recorded to have taken place in two different parts of the country this morning. The epicenters of the earthquakes were located at Patalkot of Achham and Kashikhand of Kavrepalanchok districts, according to the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Center, Lainchaur, Kathmandu. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The earthquake measuring 4.4 in the Richter scale occurred at 8:35 am in Achham while a magnitude 4.3 earthquake occurred in Kavrepalanchok at 8:03 am this morning (Sunday). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">There has been a rise in incidents of earthquakes in different parts of the country of late. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-05', 'modified' => '2023-03-05', 'keywords' => 'earthquake, quake, tremor, Richter, scale, measure, Nepal, Kavre, Achham, rising, epicentre', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16915', 'image' => '20230305113159_earthquake-richter.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-05 11:31:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17176', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Mardi Himal Trek Getting Electricity Facility ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 5: The Mardi Himal trek, a lesser-known trekking route in the Annapurna region, is getting popularity of late by attracting both domestic and foreign tourists. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">March 5: The Mardi Himal trek, a lesser-known trekking route in the Annapurna region, is getting popularity of late by attracting both domestic and foreign tourists. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The trekking route that offers majestic views of the Himalayan mountain range was almost forgotten until almost a decade ago. Its popularity has been lately increasing across the globe for being one of the best and challenging treks in the world. The trek is lined up with hospitality facilities including around 80 small and big hotels and restaurants to serve visiting tourists. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">However, there is a lack of variety of other facilities like electricity, internet and telephone. As a result, tourists and local people visiting the area have to suffer a lot. They have to face various problems like not getting their gadgets and electrical appliances charged. But, efforts are on to equip the trekking route with electricity, the locals said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The transmission line has reached up to Kalimati of Mardi, Ghalel and Pritam Daurali. The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is at work to expand electricity along the trek under the initiative of the local tourism entrepreneurs and the Machhapuchre Rural Municipality. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The NEA Gandaki Provincial Office has called for a bid to expand electricity up to the upper area of Mardi, said Ram Gurung, ward chair of the rural municipality-8.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"We had for long been demanding the electrification of Mardi. The NEA has started the process of expanding electricity. This will contribute to the local tourism," he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Pokhara distribution centre had last year carried out a study on expanding electricity to the upper camp through a high tension line from the transformer at Kalimati or Siding in the rural municipality. The NEA has prioritised the electricity expansion. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The tourists have to face various problems without electricity ranging from not getting their gadgets charged, said owner of the local Mardi Himal eco village, Shiva Prasad Bhandari, also the founding secretary of the Mardi Himal trek management committee. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Some areas of the village are provided with solar power and internet. But, they do not work properly when the weather is bad, he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The main problem here is lack of electricity. Tourists have been deprived of facilities without power. With the increasing inflow of tourists, the number of hotels has increased. But, many facilities are lacking. We are now encouraged by the NEA's initiatives to expand power," he said. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-05', 'modified' => '2023-03-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16914', 'image' => '20230305101707_20230304102843_20220718030551_fishtail-seen-from-mardi-himal-base-camp.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-05 10:16:02', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17173', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Increase in Hotel Bookings Signals Revival of Tourism Sector', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 4: Foreign tourists are gradually starting to appear in Thamel, the major tourist hub in the federal capital, Kathmandu. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">March 4: Foreign tourists are gradually starting to appear in Thamel, the major tourist hub in the federal capital, Kathmandu. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">With the reappearance of large number of tourists in the streets of Thamel, tourism entrepreneurs are hoping for a revival of their business, severely hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The tourism sector of Nepal, which has been suffering since the coronavirus pandemic for a long time, is happy with the arrival of tourists," said President of Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN), Nilhari Bastola. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The months of March, April and May are considered as the start of tourist season in Nepal. The number of hotel bookings by foreign tourists has increased with the start of the tourist season, said Gopal Pangeni, the owner of a four-star hotel, Ramada Encore, in Thamel. He said that 70 percent rooms in his hotel with 92 rooms, have been booked for March and 90 percent for April and May. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This shows that that the tourism sector of Nepal will gradually gain momentum in the months to come. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">More than 80 percent of the tourism business in Thamel relies on foreign tourists while 20 percent of the business comes from domestic tourists. There are more than a thousand hotels in and around the Thamel area. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Foreign tourists have gradually started to be seen in the inner streets of Thamel," said President of Thamel Tourism Development Council Bhaviswar Sharma. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, the guests coming for late-night entertainment have also started getting crowded. During the weekends on Friday and Saturday, there is more activity in Thamel. Night clubs in Thamel have also started to return to usual business. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Proprietor of the Shot Station Restaurant and Bar, Dharmaraj Paneru, said that the number of foreign guests who come to Thamel for entertainment at night has increased. "Since the last 15 days, the night business is gradually getting better, which has made us happy," he says. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Director of Nepal Tourism Board Maniraj Lamichhane says that the arrival of foreign tourists is encouraging in recent days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A total of 73,255 tourists visited Nepal by air in the month of February 2023. In January the number was 55,074. Last year in February only 19,766 tourists had arrived in Nepal while it was just 9,146 tourists in 2021, according to records maintained by the NTB. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-04', 'modified' => '2023-03-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16911', 'image' => '20230304100605_20200306100011_20200130020146_hotels.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-04 22:05:37', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17172', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => ' Event on Climate Change to Take Place at Syangboche on March 8 ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 3: A special programme has been scheduled to take place at Syangboche of Solukhumbu on coming March 8 on the occasion of the International Women's Day. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">March 3: A special programme has been scheduled to take place at Syangboche of Solukhumbu on coming March 8 on the occasion of the International Women's Day. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The event aims to draw the global attention towards the impact of climate change on mountain life and call for climate justice to the affected community. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> The event to be organised by 'Sath Saathai' a women-focused non-profitable organisation, is supported by the Ministry of Forest and Environment, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, UNDP, ICIMOD, NTNC, and Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> The organisation hosted the 'Mission to Kalpathhar' campaign last year on the occasion of International Women's Day and it concluded by issuing the 10-point Kalapaththar declaration. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to organisation chair Prajeeta Karki, following the Kalapaththar declaration, the organisation has decided to reach the site each year with programme aiming to advocate for and promote climate justice. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Deputy Speaker Indira Rana Magar, Supreme Court judge Sapana Pradhan Malla, National Assembly member and former Minister Dr Bimala Paudyal Rai, representatives from the UAE Embassy and climate experts are among those attending the event. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Through the event, we want to create pressure on the bodies concern and the government to raise the issues about climate change impact on mountain life seriously during 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), 2023 to be hosted by the UAE. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The organisation has planned another seminar at Namche of Solukhumbu aiming to highlight the impact of climate change on women's life. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The objectives of programes are to empower women for climate change-resilient societies, to seek support from the international community for the empowerment of target groups and to draw the global attention towards challenges caused climate change in the mountainous and low-lying areas and snow melting as a consequences of climate change. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> In addition to this, a national level dialogue on the 'Gravity of Climate Change and Climate Justice' has been scheduled to take place in Kathmandu on coming March 17. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-03', 'modified' => '2023-03-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16910', 'image' => '20230303055602_a19d4bd5373c6d71741e191658b7bee2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-03 17:55:40', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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The 8,091 metres tall peak is the world's tenth highest mountain and it lies in the Annapurna Rural Municipality-1 in the district. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Her expedition is managed by the Elite Trekking Company. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Al-Thani's team landed at Dana of Annapurna-3 via a helicopter of Simrik Air and the expedition is led by Nirmal Purja (Nims) who holds a world record for successfully climbing 14 peaks above 8,000 meters in the world. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Two members in our team will be arriving from Pokhara via the land route. The Qatari princess and I will be staying in Dana, which is my birthplace, for two days," Purja said and added that the expedition logistics have been already transported to the Annapurna base camp and the team aides are preparing for the expedition. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The squad hopes to complete the mission by this month (March). Al-Thani is an experienced climber and she has already successfully scaled Mt Everest, the highest peak in the world, Dhaulagiri, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Manaslu, and Mt K2 in Pakistan. Upon her arrival here, the team was accorded a warm welcome by the people's representatives in Dana and the Dana folks. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A civic felicitation was organised for them, according to Annapurna-3 ward chair Ramesh Purja. The local representative said they were happy to welcome the princess from Qatar and Nirmal Purja who has really a significant contribution to introduce Dana and Myagdi to the world and promote Nepal's identity internationally. "Nirmal is one of the world's courageous personalities." </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Dana-based tourism entrepreneur Indra Singh Sherchan said the visit by the Qatari princess would obviously help promote the local tourism and in the promotion of the Annapurna base camp. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">French national Maurice Herzog, was the first person to climb Annapurna I along with Louis Lachenal on June 3, 1950. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-06', 'modified' => '2023-03-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16928', 'image' => '20230306042608_1678094910.SG_Myagdi-IMG_8454.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-06 16:25:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17189', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Use of EVs in Question due to Lack of Charging Stations', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 6: Despite the increase in demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in Nepal, its use is in question due to the lack of charging stations. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">March 6: Despite the increase in demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in Nepal, its use is in question due to the lack of charging stations. Experts say that regular EV users are also using petroleum vehicles to travel outside the main cities.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Dhubra Thapa, president of NADA Automobiles Association of Nepal, says that users are now making electric vehicles their second choice due to the lack of charging stations. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“The number of EV users is high only in the main cities. Even now, most of the people consider the vehicle that runs on petroleum as their first choice. If charging stations can be increased, EVs can be made their first choice vehicle,” he said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the data of the Department of Transport Management, 8,552 electric vehicles were imported from mid-July to mid-February of the current fiscal year. With this, the number of electric vehicles in Nepal has reached 29,200.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Looking at the data, it seems that the attraction towards electric vehicles among Nepali consumers is increasing. Considering the abundant potential of electricity production, the situation where the hydroelectricity produced is wasted due to lack of market and the necessity of making the environment pollution-free, there is no alternative than to widely increase the use of EVs.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Thapa, “Increasing the use of EVs will bring two benefits to Nepal. Firstly, by increasing the consumption of produced electricity, the money spent abroad on the import of petroleum products is saved. Secondly, the pollution caused by vehicles running on petroleum products is reduced.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Most of the countries in the world are encouraging the use of electric vehicles to reduce pollution. Automobile manufacturing companies are also introducing new brands and models of electric vehicles in the market. At a time when the interest in EVs is increasing worldwide, stakeholders say that the government should develop the necessary infrastructure and create an environment for this sector to flourish.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Businessmen complain that the government is working at a snail's pace even though they have already made necessary arrangements for charging stations and trained manpower.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Nirmal Khatri, senior product manager of Sipradi Trading, says that EV operation is challenging. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Khatri pointed out the need to increase the subsidy given to EVs by the government. Even though the government has given sufficient customs concessions to EVs compared to other vehicles, businessmen in this sector say that concessions should be further increased. They argue that the government will benefit from electric vehicles in the long run. Businessmen suggest that the government should maintain concessions and customs exemptions for at least 10 years for the rapid development of the EV sector.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-06', 'modified' => '2023-03-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16927', 'image' => '20230306025638_electric-car.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-06 14:55:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17188', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Conflict-Era Cases Can't be Prolonged Indefinitely: SC ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 6: The Supreme Court has said the cases of serious human rights violation relating to the armed conflict cannot be extended for a long time on various pretexts. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">March 6: The Supreme Court has said the cases of serious human rights violation relating to the armed conflict cannot be extended for a long time on various pretexts. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A division bench of Justices Ishwar Prasad Khatiwada and Hari Prasad Phuyal on Sunday issued an order, asking for the registration of a case against Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The victims of armed conflict deserve the right to justice, true information and reparation as per the Comprehensive Peace Accord, Constitution of Nepal, court verdicts and international law and principles. Therefore, the cases on these issues cannot be perpetuated forever on different pretexts.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Taking into account the seriousness and sensitivity of the issue, the rejection of writ petition from getting registered for a court process is inappropriate," said the court order, adding that the order issued by SC Registrar on November 10, 2022 to not register the case is therefore scrapped. So, it can be registered as per the due procedure. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The SC further reminded that at a time when the transitional justice bodies are not functional, hearing from such bodies in the absence of effective law cannot be termed constitutional, just and logical and the victims should not be denied entry to court for justice. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the order, the justices further reminded that the petitioners had argued that expected results from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and the Commission for Investigation of Enforced Disappeared Persons were still awaited and these commissions were now nearly dysfunctional. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As the petition was filed at such time, the law on criminal offense cannot be left ineffective, the justices stressed. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-06', 'modified' => '2023-03-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16926', 'image' => '20230306015142_Supreme Court.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-06 13:50:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17187', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Private Sector Pins Hope on Government to Bring Economy on Track ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 6: Amid the slowdown of economic activities and its repercussions on the economic indicators, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Sunday held a meeting with stakeholders and bankers to help identify the challenges and solution to the issues faced by the economy at present. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">March 6: Amid the slowdown of economic activities and its repercussions on the economic indicators, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Sunday held a meeting with stakeholders and bankers to help identify the challenges and solution to the issues faced by the economy at present. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Government expenditure and revenue collection are lower than the target but the inflation rate is high and the private sector that suffered after the COVID-19 pandemic is yet to regain its strength. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the recent times, liquidity crunch and higher interest rate and crisis in the microfinance and cooperatives have posed more pressure on the country's economic activities, leaving the poor people at the receiving end. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">After the discussions with the representatives of the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), private sector and BFIs, PM Dahal assured the private sector of forming a high-level commission pledging to troubleshoot the economic challenges. He said the government was serious towards the prospect of a bleak economic outlook. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"I am informed and conscious to the people's grievances towards banks and microfinances. I have been taking feedback from all sectors to resolve the challenges," the PM Dahal assured. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, PM Dahal said he was serious to the attempts made by some elements to create fiscal anarchy. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Talking to the RSS after holding talks with the PM, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) Shekhar Golchha said that the debtors, who have suffered badly, should be supported through some policy-level interventions. The troubled debtors should be sympathized and the state should address their problems but disobeying to pay the loan deliberately is anarchy, the FNCCI president said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Chairman of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries Vishnu Kumar Agrawal said that they urged the PM to address the economic woes of the country as liquidity crunch, high interest rate and production costs have increased in the country. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Agrawal said that the production cost could be reduced if the price of the petroleum products was slashed down. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chairman of Nepal Chamber of Commerce Rajendra Malla said that the PM has given assurance to address the challenges. He, however, said that the private sector has not felt any changes despite the government's efforts. "The government is doing something. But, that’s inadequate. We are optimistic about the government’s efforts," he concluded. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-06', 'modified' => '2023-03-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16925', 'image' => '20230306124147_PRO_KTM-6F8A5302.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-06 12:40:17', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17186', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Festival of Colours being Celebrated with Much Fanfare', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 6: Fagu Purnima, popularly known as the festival of Holi, is being observed with much fanface in the capital and hill districts of Nepal today.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">March 6: Fagu Purnima, popularly known as the festival of Holi, is being observed with much fanface in the capital and hill districts of Nepal today.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This festival is also known as the festival of colours as people smear colours to each other and throw water balloons to celebrate the arrival of the spring season.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The festival begins on the eighth day of the new moon in the month of Falgun as per the lunar calendar and ends on the full moon day today with the burning of the 'Chir', a tuft of colourful strips of cloth tied to the top end of a ritualistic pole, installed on the first day of the festival. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Hindu mythology, demon king Hiranyakashyapu, who was unhappy with his son Prahlad for his wholehearted devotion to Lord Vishnu, ordered his sister Holika to kill Prahalad. Following her brother's instruction, Holika, who had a boon from the God of Creation – Lord Brahma – that fire would not harm her, sat on a pyre with Prahlad on her lap. But she was herself burnt to death while Prahalad remained unhurt due to the blessing of Lord Vishnu, the protector of the world. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">From then onwards, the festival is also known as Holi and is celebrated by smearing colour with enjoyment. It is believed that Lord Vishnu had warned Holika that the boon she had received would be meaningless if she misused it. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This festival is celebrated in the Terai districts tomorrow.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-06', 'modified' => '2023-03-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16924', 'image' => '20230306115726_aaa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-06 11:56:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17184', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'IME Group Operates Technical School', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 5: IME Group, one of the largest business conglomerates in the country, which has invested in various sectors including banking, finance, insurance, hydropower, automobiles, and tourism, has started operating a technical school that provides all kinds of skill training under one roof.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">March 5: IME Group, one of the largest business conglomerates in the country, which has invested in various sectors including banking, finance, insurance, hydropower, automobiles, and tourism, has started operating a technical school that provides all kinds of skill training under one roof.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Upendra Sharma Ghimire, chief executive officer (CEO) of the school, promoted by IME Group, shared that the school provides training in hospitality and tourism, commercial management, entrepreneurship, professional development, engineering and health.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Under the hospitality and tourism category, trainings under different topics such as hospitality management, assistant, bartender, waiter, commercial cook/baker, and barista training are available. Ghimire said that under the business management section, training is provided on cooperative management, enterprise development facilitators, library assistants, salespersons and savings and loan mobilization.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Under the professional development section, training is provided on topics such as computer hardware and network technicians, electricians, LCD, LED television repair, plumbers, and telecom technicians.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, Ghimire informed that training for backhoe loader operation, excavator operation and mobile crane operation are available under engineering and caregiver training segment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The school located in Sukedhara in Kathmandu has the infrastructure, including a skill lab. The school has already started training in hospitality and care-giving segments. Ghimire informed New Business Age that other trainings will also be started soon. Trainees who have received training at the school will receive a CTEVT certificate.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to CEO Ghimire, the school will also provide training as per the requirements of the industry. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"We are ready if they (industry) come and say that our workers/employees need this kind of training. We have the appropriate trainers and resources."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Ghimire claimed that the trainees of the school will be able to do internships in banks, financial institutions, hotels, and commercial establishments under the IME Group after completing the training. Ghimire also said that in the initial phase, efforts will be made to employ the trainees in various organizations, industries, institutions and schools under the IME Group.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Shiva Chaudhary, the program coordinator of the school, said that 'customized training' is also provided according to the individual's wishes. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"We also provide services to those who pay a fixed fee and take training on the subject they want for just a day," Chaudhary said. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He informed that individuals have to pay a fee of Rs 2500 for it. He said that the training of the school will be very fruitful not only in the country but also for individuals going abroad.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to CEO Ghimire, this may be the first technical school in Nepal where all fields of training can be trained under one roof and is equipped with all the required infrastructure.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The fee for the training at the school is Rs 60,000 per person. Chaudhary said that one can participate in a short-term financial sector management and efficient leadership development class by paying Rs 2500 per day.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-05', 'modified' => '2023-03-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16922', 'image' => '20230305073353_Untitled.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-05 19:32:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17182', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NAC to Operate Direct Flight to South Korea ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'National flag carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) will start direct flight to South Korea from Tribhuvan International Airport. ', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">March 5: National flag carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) will start direct flight to South Korea from Tribhuvan International Airport. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal Airlines Corporation has commenced the process to start direct flight to Incheon International Airport, Seoul in South Korea, according to Spokesperson Archana Khadka of the Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A ten-member safety audit sub-committee has been formed led by Deputy General Manager Engineer Bikram KC for the direct flight to Seoul. The safety sub-committee has been tasked to study about on launching direct flight to South Korea. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“Civil Aviation Authority under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport South Korea will audit for the direct flight. And the sub-committee has been formulated to facilitate the audit work,” said spokesperson Khadka.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As part of its plan to expand international destinations, the NAC has started the preparation for direct flight to South Korea. With the NAC’s direct flight to Seoul, the fare from Nepal to South Korea will come down and the national flag carrier’s responsibility will be fulfilled, NAC believes. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal Airlines Corporation has been making international flights to ten destinations of eight countries, including three places in India. NAC has two narrow body A-320 aircrafts and two wide body A-330 aircrafts. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-05', 'modified' => '2023-03-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16920', 'image' => '20230305050506_collage - 2023-03-05T162919.876.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-05 16:59:23', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17181', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '1.7 million Demat Accounts are Inactive', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 5: It has been found that 32 percent of the Demat accounts opened for share transactions are inactive.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">March 5: It has been found that 32 percent of the Demat accounts opened for share transactions are inactive. According to CDS and Clearing Limited (CDSC), more than 1,763,000 of the total 5,577,000 Demat accounts opened so far are inactive. CDSC spokesperson Suresh Neupane said that there are no shares of any company in those accounts and such accounts have not been renewed for a long time. According to him, one person can open up to two Demat accounts.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Neupane, if any investor has opened two Demat accounts, both accounts should be in operation. Neupane informed that 32 percent of Demat accounts which are currently inactive have not been in operation since 2073 BS. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Neupane says that according to the provision of renewal by paying Rs 100 per year, the renewal cost for the re-activation of the accounts that are currently inactive will be quite high. He suggests that only closing those accounts will be cost-effective. According to him, investors are not interested in the operation of those accounts which have not been renewed for a long time even though there is a system that renewal can be done from home. He stated, “There is no point in increasing the number of inactive accounts just to maintain the numbers.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As per the regulatory body, Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON), CDSC may close inactive Demat accounts as deemed necessary. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Muktinath Shrestha, the spokesperson of the board, speculated that 32 percent of the Demat accounts mandated for securities transactions may have been opened in the name of several members of the same family. Shrestha speculates that even though the accounts were opened in the of name of several members of the same family, only some members may have participated in the transaction. He said that keeping the inactive account without closing it will not have much effect. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Demat account was made mandatory when applying for the purchase of securities of public shares within the valley from July 16, 2016 and from January 14, 2017 throughout the country. The number of Demat accounts started to increase as it became mandatory. According to CDSC, only 100,000 Demat accounts were opened till January 15, 2017. More than 5,400,000 such accounts have been added in the last six years. CDSC informed that the Demat account was opened for the first time in Nepal on July 16, 2012.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-05', 'modified' => '2023-03-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16919', 'image' => '20230305041419_20190416021131_aaaa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-05 16:13:34', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17180', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Price of Milk Increased against Government Policy', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 5: The government has increased the price of milk against the National Dairy Development Policy. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">March 5: The government has increased the price of milk against the National Dairy Development Policy. A cabinet meeting held on Friday decided to increase the price of milk by Rs 9 per liter. According to the National Dairy Development Policy 2078, the price of milk can be revised every two years based on the study report of the Diary Development Board. However, due to the collusion of the businessmen and the government, the price has been increased in just one year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the decision of the Council of Ministers, the price of milk per liter has been fixed at Rs 65 for the farmers. Earlier, farmers were selling milk at Rs 56 per liter. The government increased the price due to the complaints of milk producing farmers and dairy businessmen that they are not getting the price of milk according to the cost of production. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Executive Director of the national Dairy Development Board (DDB) Rajendra Prasad Yadav said that currently only the minimum price of milk that the farmers get has been increased. The profit of dairy dealers is yet to be increased. According to him, the profit earned by the dairy will be determined in coordination between the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, the DDB and other relevant agencies. Now, consumers are buying milk at Rs 83 per liter.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On February 14, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development was recommended to increase the price of milk by Rs 10 per litre. Some businessmen demanded to increase the price of milk by up to Rs 14 per litre. Earlier in December, under the leadership of the Dairy Industry Association, the price of milk was unilaterally increased by Rs 14 per litre. The price hike was withdrawn after widespread protests.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The dairy businessmen had put pressure on the government to increase the price of milk saying that the price of grain, bran, straw and transportation costs have increased. They said that they were forced to increase the price of milk against the policy. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Raj Kumar Dahal, president of the Dairy Industry Association, said that since the prices of grain, bran and medicine have more than doubled, the cost of production of farmers is difficult to meet. Earlier, the government had adjusted the price of milk about 1 year ago during the tenure of the then Agriculture and Livestock Development Minister Mahindra Raya Yadav.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-05', 'modified' => '2023-03-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16918', 'image' => '20230305033412_milkkkkkkk.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-05 15:33:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17179', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Who is Durga Prasai, an Outspoken Critic and Campaigner against the Banking Sector?', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 5: Durga Prasai of Jhapa is currently in the limelight for campaigning against the banking and financial institutions.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">March 5: Durga Prasai of Jhapa is currently in the limelight for campaigning against the banking and financial institutions. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">"If the representatives of microfinance and financial institutions come to the villages, catch them and smear black soot on them. If you enter a bank for vengeance because a bank employee has tortured you, you will face a robbery case, but you can wait for them outside the bank and smear black soot,” said Prasai. His extreme view is spreading on social media like a wildfire.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">He is also inciting people to not pay their bank loans.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">At the meantime, Prasai’s act of calling and harassing the banks’ top level employees is also going viral on social media networks. People related with the financial sector have demanded that the state should create a working environment as they feel uncomfortable with Prasai's expressions and activities.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">After Prasai's statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs has sent letters to the chiefs of all district administration offices and instructed them to keep the security agencies on high alert. Home Ministry officials say that no person should be allowed to spread rumors or raise slogans in such a way so as to disturb the peace, harmony (ethnic and communal) and cause riots. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">After all, who is Prasai who keeps coming into the limelight such tantrums and controversial statements? It has become a subject of curiosity everywhere. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Prasai, a permanent resident of Birtamod, Jhapa, is best known as the director of B&C Medical College. Those who know him closely say that Prasai has invested in areas beyond medical colleges.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Prasai's family, which settled in the plains of Jhapa from Tehrathum in the hills of eastern Nepal, was of a humble economic background. He earned his living by farming. Prasai has not studied past the eighth grade. He got married at a young age. He worked in Prasai Grill Factory for some time and went to Europe for employment. Unable to stay for a long time in Europe, he returned to his country. With the experience of working in buffalo farms abroad, Prasai started raising buffaloes professionally in Birtamod.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Locals say that Prasai started the farm by buying advanced breed of buffaloes from Haryana, India. At that time, Prasai had about a hundred buffaloes. Prasai sold milk as well as buffaloes. The milk produced in his farm used to reach as far as India across the Mechi River. His buffalo farm, which he started with bank loan, went well for some time, but financial crisis started appearing later. Prasai struggled to pay the bank loan and interest in regular interval. When he went to the bank to ask for more loans, the bank did not believe him. Finally Prasai's buffalo business crumbled.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">It is said that Prasai, who was initially affiliated to the Nepali Congress, joined the then rebels CPN Maoists, which was an underground outfit at that time, after the collapse of his business. Those who know him say that Prasai used Maoist cadres against his father-in-law to help his brother-in-law who was fighting a case for family property. Due to the Maoist threat, Prasai’s father-in-law was ready to give a share in the case that had not been settled in the court for a long time and Prasai's brother-in-law got his share of land.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Locals say that Prasai's fortunes brightened after getting the land. Experts say that he made a lot of money after plotting the land together with his brother-in-law and selling it for up to Ra 500,000 per dhur. After making a good fortune, Prasai started dealing in land in Kathmandu. He built a luxurious house in Bhaktapur. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">It was the same house where he raised quite a few eyebrows by serving red rice to the then chairmen of Communist Party of Nepal KP Sharma Olin d Pushpa Kamal Dahal.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">It is said that he is involved in many businesses besides the B&C Medical College. Prasai, who joined the CPN (UML) after the dissolution of the CPN, was given the responsibility of central member by the UML leadership. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">After that, he started criticizing the Maoist Chairman Dahal, and said that he would encourage 500,00 people join the UML before the elections. Although he tried to run a medical college, he has not been able to get a medical college license due to the agitation of Dr Govind KC, a medical crusader who has been demanding reforms in the medical sector.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Prasai was also in the limelight when he brought the prince of the United Arab Emirates on a visit to Nepal and received a golden stick as a gift from him. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">On February 1, Prasai announced that he had started a campaign from Mechipul for the restoration of the monarchy, with members of the former royal family as witnesses. Prasai, who criticized the banks and financial institutions in that program, repeated the same issue and context in a program held in Kathmandu on Saturday.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Prasai is viewed with suspicion due to the wealth he has acquired in a short period of time as well as his relationship with the UAE prince. Although he has been abusing banks and financial institutions, he has taken loans from the same financial institutions for his business. Although some people think that it is difficult for him to pay the bank loan, he claims that he is paying the loan interest as per the schedule.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-05', 'modified' => '2023-03-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16917', 'image' => '20230305021805_1677978782.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-05 14:17:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17178', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Foreign Tourists Barred from Solo Trekking in Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 5: Tourists visiting Nepal for hiking and trekking will no longer be allowed to go to their destinations alone.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">March 5: Tourists visiting Nepal for hiking and trekking will no longer be allowed to go to their destinations alone. The decision of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) to suspend the provision of Free Individual Trekker (FIT) now mandates tourists to have a guide while trekking.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The board is closing FIT from April 1. The board has amended the Nepal Tourism Act-2053 and Trekking Information Management System Operation Guidelines-2066 to make it compulsory to have a guide. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">With this decision taken on Friday, foreigners going for a trek now have to take a guide along with them through a trekking company. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Chief Executive of NTB Dhananjay Regmi said that this decision was taken to guarantee the safety of the tourists during their trip.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Regmi, both tourists and guides going on a trek will be insured. At present, the tourists who go on foot-trails travel alone with the 'Tourist Information Management System (TIMS)' card. However, after seeing the problem of tourists getting lost, the board decided to prohibit tourists from going on a trek alone. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">"This matter has been discussed and we reached a conclusion that Nepal should be made a safe tourist destination in every aspect," he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Former President of Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) Khem Bahadur Subedi said that the board had taken a good decision and emphasized on its implementation. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">He said that as this decision will increase employment and also give equal importance to the safety of tourists.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“The board must pay attention to the implementation of its decision,” he said. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Subedi, the number of trekking companies in Nepal is currently more than 2,000.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">After the board implements this decision, the employment and income of trekking guides in Nepal will also increase. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the data of the board, before the onset of Covid-19 pandemic, 46 tourists used to arrive in Nepal annually as 'Free Individual Trekkers (FIT)'. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">NTB Director Maniraj Lamichhane said that after the board decided to discontinue the TIMS card issued for FIT, it will now distribute the same type of TIMS card to all tourists. Previously, those going on a group tour would pay Rs 1,000 per person and those going on a solo tour would get a card by paying Rs 2,000 per person.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the board, now the fee of TIMS card for all tourists will be Rs 2,000 per person. In case of citizens of SAARC countries, it will cost Rs 1000 instead of the previous fee of Rs 200. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Suman Prasad Parajuli, president of Unitravels, the safety concerns of Nepal's mountain tourism has been addressed by the NTB’s deision. According to the Nepal Tourism Statistics - 2021 prepared by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the number of tourists visiting Nepal to spend holidays is the highest followed by tourists who come here for adventure tourism (trekking and mountain climbing). </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the data, the total number of tourists who arrived in Nepal for trekking in the year 2019 before the Covid-19 was 197,786. In the year 2021, this number was 15,549.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-05', 'modified' => '2023-03-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16916', 'image' => '20230305123213_mardi-himal-peak.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-05 12:31:30', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17177', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tremors Recorded in Achham and Kavre', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 5: Two earthquakes were recorded to have taken place in two different parts of the country this morning.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">March 5: Two earthquakes were recorded to have taken place in two different parts of the country this morning. The epicenters of the earthquakes were located at Patalkot of Achham and Kashikhand of Kavrepalanchok districts, according to the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Center, Lainchaur, Kathmandu. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The earthquake measuring 4.4 in the Richter scale occurred at 8:35 am in Achham while a magnitude 4.3 earthquake occurred in Kavrepalanchok at 8:03 am this morning (Sunday). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">There has been a rise in incidents of earthquakes in different parts of the country of late. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-05', 'modified' => '2023-03-05', 'keywords' => 'earthquake, quake, tremor, Richter, scale, measure, Nepal, Kavre, Achham, rising, epicentre', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16915', 'image' => '20230305113159_earthquake-richter.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-05 11:31:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17176', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Mardi Himal Trek Getting Electricity Facility ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 5: The Mardi Himal trek, a lesser-known trekking route in the Annapurna region, is getting popularity of late by attracting both domestic and foreign tourists. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">March 5: The Mardi Himal trek, a lesser-known trekking route in the Annapurna region, is getting popularity of late by attracting both domestic and foreign tourists. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The trekking route that offers majestic views of the Himalayan mountain range was almost forgotten until almost a decade ago. Its popularity has been lately increasing across the globe for being one of the best and challenging treks in the world. The trek is lined up with hospitality facilities including around 80 small and big hotels and restaurants to serve visiting tourists. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">However, there is a lack of variety of other facilities like electricity, internet and telephone. As a result, tourists and local people visiting the area have to suffer a lot. They have to face various problems like not getting their gadgets and electrical appliances charged. But, efforts are on to equip the trekking route with electricity, the locals said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The transmission line has reached up to Kalimati of Mardi, Ghalel and Pritam Daurali. The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is at work to expand electricity along the trek under the initiative of the local tourism entrepreneurs and the Machhapuchre Rural Municipality. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The NEA Gandaki Provincial Office has called for a bid to expand electricity up to the upper area of Mardi, said Ram Gurung, ward chair of the rural municipality-8.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"We had for long been demanding the electrification of Mardi. The NEA has started the process of expanding electricity. This will contribute to the local tourism," he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Pokhara distribution centre had last year carried out a study on expanding electricity to the upper camp through a high tension line from the transformer at Kalimati or Siding in the rural municipality. The NEA has prioritised the electricity expansion. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The tourists have to face various problems without electricity ranging from not getting their gadgets charged, said owner of the local Mardi Himal eco village, Shiva Prasad Bhandari, also the founding secretary of the Mardi Himal trek management committee. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Some areas of the village are provided with solar power and internet. But, they do not work properly when the weather is bad, he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The main problem here is lack of electricity. Tourists have been deprived of facilities without power. With the increasing inflow of tourists, the number of hotels has increased. But, many facilities are lacking. We are now encouraged by the NEA's initiatives to expand power," he said. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-05', 'modified' => '2023-03-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16914', 'image' => '20230305101707_20230304102843_20220718030551_fishtail-seen-from-mardi-himal-base-camp.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-05 10:16:02', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17173', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Increase in Hotel Bookings Signals Revival of Tourism Sector', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 4: Foreign tourists are gradually starting to appear in Thamel, the major tourist hub in the federal capital, Kathmandu. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">March 4: Foreign tourists are gradually starting to appear in Thamel, the major tourist hub in the federal capital, Kathmandu. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">With the reappearance of large number of tourists in the streets of Thamel, tourism entrepreneurs are hoping for a revival of their business, severely hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The tourism sector of Nepal, which has been suffering since the coronavirus pandemic for a long time, is happy with the arrival of tourists," said President of Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN), Nilhari Bastola. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The months of March, April and May are considered as the start of tourist season in Nepal. The number of hotel bookings by foreign tourists has increased with the start of the tourist season, said Gopal Pangeni, the owner of a four-star hotel, Ramada Encore, in Thamel. He said that 70 percent rooms in his hotel with 92 rooms, have been booked for March and 90 percent for April and May. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This shows that that the tourism sector of Nepal will gradually gain momentum in the months to come. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">More than 80 percent of the tourism business in Thamel relies on foreign tourists while 20 percent of the business comes from domestic tourists. There are more than a thousand hotels in and around the Thamel area. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Foreign tourists have gradually started to be seen in the inner streets of Thamel," said President of Thamel Tourism Development Council Bhaviswar Sharma. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, the guests coming for late-night entertainment have also started getting crowded. During the weekends on Friday and Saturday, there is more activity in Thamel. Night clubs in Thamel have also started to return to usual business. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Proprietor of the Shot Station Restaurant and Bar, Dharmaraj Paneru, said that the number of foreign guests who come to Thamel for entertainment at night has increased. "Since the last 15 days, the night business is gradually getting better, which has made us happy," he says. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Director of Nepal Tourism Board Maniraj Lamichhane says that the arrival of foreign tourists is encouraging in recent days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A total of 73,255 tourists visited Nepal by air in the month of February 2023. In January the number was 55,074. Last year in February only 19,766 tourists had arrived in Nepal while it was just 9,146 tourists in 2021, according to records maintained by the NTB. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-04', 'modified' => '2023-03-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16911', 'image' => '20230304100605_20200306100011_20200130020146_hotels.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-04 22:05:37', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17172', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => ' Event on Climate Change to Take Place at Syangboche on March 8 ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'March 3: A special programme has been scheduled to take place at Syangboche of Solukhumbu on coming March 8 on the occasion of the International Women's Day. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">March 3: A special programme has been scheduled to take place at Syangboche of Solukhumbu on coming March 8 on the occasion of the International Women's Day. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The event aims to draw the global attention towards the impact of climate change on mountain life and call for climate justice to the affected community. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> The event to be organised by 'Sath Saathai' a women-focused non-profitable organisation, is supported by the Ministry of Forest and Environment, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, UNDP, ICIMOD, NTNC, and Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> The organisation hosted the 'Mission to Kalpathhar' campaign last year on the occasion of International Women's Day and it concluded by issuing the 10-point Kalapaththar declaration. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to organisation chair Prajeeta Karki, following the Kalapaththar declaration, the organisation has decided to reach the site each year with programme aiming to advocate for and promote climate justice. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Deputy Speaker Indira Rana Magar, Supreme Court judge Sapana Pradhan Malla, National Assembly member and former Minister Dr Bimala Paudyal Rai, representatives from the UAE Embassy and climate experts are among those attending the event. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Through the event, we want to create pressure on the bodies concern and the government to raise the issues about climate change impact on mountain life seriously during 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), 2023 to be hosted by the UAE. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The organisation has planned another seminar at Namche of Solukhumbu aiming to highlight the impact of climate change on women's life. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The objectives of programes are to empower women for climate change-resilient societies, to seek support from the international community for the empowerment of target groups and to draw the global attention towards challenges caused climate change in the mountainous and low-lying areas and snow melting as a consequences of climate change. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> In addition to this, a national level dialogue on the 'Gravity of Climate Change and Climate Justice' has been scheduled to take place in Kathmandu on coming March 17. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-03', 'modified' => '2023-03-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16910', 'image' => '20230303055602_a19d4bd5373c6d71741e191658b7bee2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-03 17:55:40', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
| Currency | Unit |
Buy | Sell |
| U.S. Dollar | 1 | 121.23 | 121.83 |
| European Euro | 1 | 131.65 | 132.31 |
| UK Pound Sterling | 1 | 142.47 | 143.18 |
| Swiss Franc | 1 | 124.29 | 124.90 |
| Australian Dollar | 1 | 71.69 | 72.05 |
| Canadian Dollar | 1 | 83.90 | 84.32 |
| Japanese Yen | 10 | 10.94 | 11.00 |
| Chinese Yuan | 1 | 17.17 | 17.26 |
| Saudi Arabian Riyal | 1 | 32.27 | 32.43 |
| UAE Dirham | 1 | 33.01 | 33.17 |
| Malaysian Ringgit | 1 | 27.36 | 27.50 |
| South Korean Won | 100 | 9.77 | 9.82 |
Update: 2020-03-25 | Source: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB)
| Fine Gold | 1 tola | 77000.00 |
| Tejabi Gold | 1 tola | 76700.00 |
| Silver | 1 tola | 720.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
Source: Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association
| Petrol | 1 Liter | 106.00 |
| Diesel | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| Kerosene | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| LP Gas | 1 Cylinder | 1375.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
