During this trip, the Nepali General will be honored with an honorary general of the Indian Army. Indian President Ram Kovind would confer the title.

This has been an ongoing practice between the two countries as both of them have been conferring honorary top ranks to Chiefs of the other.

Nepal Army’s Lieutenant General Bal Karki gave the send-off to General Sharma at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.

General Sharma will be having meetings with Indian Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar and Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat.

He will also confer with Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane and Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhary.

General Sharma will return to Nepal on Friday.

Stay Tuned to NepaliSansar for Latest Nepal Govt News Updates!

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The Nepalis had to flee Afghanistan as the Taliban threat has resurfaced and has effectively destabilized the country. The fleeing Nepali nationals reached Kuwait after being assisted by U.S. Air Force.

Nepali’s foreign ministry has confirmed that 118 Nepal nationals arrived in Kathmandu aboard Jazeera Airways. The ministry has an additional item of bringing back 134 Nepalis back to Nepal. The ministry commented that they are already working on bringing them back home.

A team compromising of Nepal Army personnel arrived at Tribhuvan Airport to receive this 118 Nepali populace. The same populace will be sent to isolation centers in Samakushi. After their isolation termination, they will be allowed to go home.

The foreign ministry urged the Nepalis stranded in Afghanistan to contact the ministry administration by filling up a form.

Stay Tuned to NepaliSansar for Latest Nepal World News Updates!

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During an emergency Cabinet meeting on Sunday morning, Oli’s Administration, in a drastic move, decided to recommend President Bidya Devi Bhandari to dissolve the Federal Parliament.

As per PM Oli’s recommendation, President Bhandari on Sunday evening dissolved the nation’s House of Representatives (HoR), the lower house of Parliament, two years short of its five-year tenure. The President also announced mid-term elections on April 30 and May 10, 2021.

“On Sunday (December 20, 2020), the Honorable President Mrs. Bidya Devi Bhandari, in accordance with Article 76, Clauses (1) and (7) of the Constitution of Nepal and Article 85 and the basic essence and values ​​of the parliamentary system and the practice of different countries, has announced to dissolve the current House of Representatives of the Parliament and go to the Nepali people for a fresh mandate,” stated President’s Office in a statement.

“The meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Government of Nepal has decided to hold the first phase of the election of the House of Representatives on April 30, 2021, and the second phase of election on May 10, 2021.”

The unprecedented move to dissolve the Parliament was proposed after a non-trust motion, signed by as many as 90 NCP leaders against PM Oli, was registered at the Parliament Secretariat on Sunday Morning. The non-confident motion proposed NCP Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” as the next Prime Minister.

PM Oli alleged that some of the party members are planning to file an impeachment motion against President Bhandari with the one-third majority.

However, with the dissolution of the HoR, the proposals became unviable.

PM Oli’s decision to dissolving the HoR comes on the heels of a deepening crisis in his Nepali Communist Party, where he fell into the minority with the opponent faction demanding his resignation for failing to abide by party decisions.

Lately, the NCP rivalry factions and main opposition party Nepali Congress have upped their ante against Oli, especially after he intimidated an Ordinance to amend the Constitutional Council Act. The Ordinance allows the Constitutional Council to convene a meeting with the presence of the majority of its members.

The controversial Ordinance also empowers PM to take decisions even in the absence of key council members, including the Parliamentary leader of the main opposition, the Speaker of the HoR, and Deputy Speaker of the HR.

Following the Ordinance approval, Oli filled 45 vacant posts in 13 constitutional commissions with the support of just one member in the six-member constitutional council to bring key commissions under his control. This further heightened the intraparty rift.

With the dissolution of the Parliament, supporters and leaders of the Prachanda-Nepal faction of the ruling NCP and the opposition Nepali Congress held protests across the country, calling it a “constitutional coup”.

“This is against the democratic values, norms, and spirit of the constitution. This decision of the government has undermined the federal democratic republican constitution and has led the country towards instability, uncertainty, and chaos that might result in the failure state,” said the NC party.

Meanwhile, seven cabinet ministers announced their resignation by organizing a press conference in Singha Durbar on Sunday afternoon. They are:

• Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation Shakti Basnet
• Minister for Energy Barsha Man Pun
• Minister for Labor Rameshwar Ray Yadav
• Minister for Education Giriraj Mani Pokharel
• Minister for Drinking Water Bina Magar
• Minister for Industry Lekha Raj Bhatta
• Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa

Meanwhile, PM Oli has instructed all security chiefs of Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and National Investigation Bureau to stay alert to ensure law and order in the country.

Stay Tuned to NepaliSansar for Latest Nepal Political News!

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General Naravane has received a sword, insignia, and a certificate of conferment order from President Bhandari during an investiture ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on November 5, 2020.

General Naravane reached Kathmandu on November 4, 2020, at the official invitation from General Purna Chandra Thapa, Chief of the Army Staff, Nepali Army.

After the award ceremony, General Naravane expressed his gratitude for the honor bestowed upon him and discussed measures to strengthen the bilateral relationship.

Other Dignitaries at the Ceremony Include:

• Nepali Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli
• Indian Ambassador Vinay M. Kwatra
• Nepali Defence Secretary Reshmi Raj Pandeand

According to the Directorate of Public Relations and Information of Nepal Army, the practice of conferring army chiefs of each other’s country with the Honorary Rank of General is a seven-decade-old tradition. Commander-in-Chief General KM Cariappa was the first Indian Army Chief to be honored with the title in 1950. Lately, in January last year, General Purna Chandra Thapa was conferred with the Honorary General of the Indian Army by Indian President Ram Nath Kovind.

This long-held tradition symbolizes the close ties between the Nepali and Indian Armies.

Stay Tuned to NepaliSansar for Latest News!

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In a bid to train the concerned personnel, the Nepal Army has started upgrading and equipping the Kavre-based Birendra Peace Operations Training Center (BPOTC) on par with the ‘Center for Excellence’ approach.

The BPOTC is being upgraded in order to meet the latest security challenges encountered by the army personnel at their workplace.

According to the Colonel Manoj Baidawar, the commandant at the Center, a pre-deployment training can also be provided to foreign army personnel after the development of the BPOTC.

“We have been working  more on equipping the center in all ways so that the center can be hailed as one of the best training centers,” said Colonel Manoj.

Moreover, the Nepal Army is planning to expand the BPOTC and has already appealed the Defense Ministry to coordinate in land acquisition.

Nepal has been contributing to the UN Peacekeeping Missions across the world for over 60 years.

The country has sent 129,890 Nepali soldiers for UN Peacekeeping Mission since the first sent Old Gorkha Battalion in 1974.

Currently, over 5,700 Nepali soldiers are serving in more than a dozen countries under the UN Missions, making Nepal the fifth largest contributor to the UN Peacekeeping.

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In one of the most important festivals for Hindus, devotees worship and offer prayers to their most-revered deity Lord Shiva at the Pashupatinath temple.

Lord Shiva is fondly known as ‘Pashupatinath’ – Master of Animals!

The History of Maha Shivaratri?

In Nepal, the festival is celebrated on the 14^th day of the Magha month according to the Hindu Lunar calendar.

The name ‘Maha Shivaratri’ translates to ‘Great Night of Shiva’, which is celebrated in honor of the confluence of Shiva and Shakti. It also marks the night when Lord Shiva performed ‘Tandav’, a dance form.

There are several reasons behind the celebration of Maha Shivaratri but the famous of them all is the marriage of Shiva and Shakti.

After Sati’s self-immolation, Lord Shiva went into seclusion at the Himalayas and underwent deep penance.

However, Sati was reborn as Parvati (Shakti) in Lord Himalaya’s family. The goddess then underwent severe penance to win back Lord Shiva.

With her deep devotion & love and the persuasion of sages, Shiva left asceticism to marry Parvati. Lord Shiva & Parvati married a day before Amavasya in Phalgun month (as per the Hindu Calendar). This day of love and reunion is celebrated as Maha Shivaratri, every year.

Maha Shivaratri Celebrations in Nepal

Thousands of devotees from around the world throng to the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, one of the holiest shrines for the Hindus. Pashupatinath/Lord Shiva is considered as the ‘Guardian’ of the Kathmandu Valley and Nepal in general.

Devotees chant ‘Om Namah Shivay’ and the ‘Mahamritunjaya Jaap’, throughout the night for the victory of light over darkness.

Believers also offer ‘Bael’ to Lord Shiva and fast from morning to evening. Thousands of worshippers take part in a grand celebration at the Pashupatinath temple.  As per spiritual belief, yoga and penances are performed to gain boons.

Single girls pray to Lord Shiva for a groom, while married women pray for the well-being of their husband.

On the first day of the celebration, devotees including sages and ascetics fill the temple area to participate in the festivities.

The Nepal Army organizes an official program to celebrate this festival at Tundikhel.

Preparations at Pashupatinath Temple

The Pashupati Development Trust (PDT) has arranged five routes for the devotees to reach Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu.

The routes include:

• Mitrapark-Gaurighat-Umakunda-Rudragareshwor-Uttardhoka
• Jayabegeshwori-Itapakha-Bhuwaneshwori-Pashchimdhoka
• Battisputali-Gaushala
• Airport-Tilganga-Pingalasthan-Sumargi Building-Panchadewal-Dakshin Dhoka
• Via Ram Mandir

According to the PDT, it is expected that around 1.3 million devotees from across the world will visit the temple. Some 3,000 saints and sadhus have already arrived ahead of the festival.

The management unit has already made arrangements at the temple to facilitate hassle-free devotional experience.

So Nepalis, what delicacies are being prepared for the festive?

Nepali Sansar wishes you all A Happy Maha Shivaratri!

The post ‘Maha Shivaratri’ in Nepal 2020: The Divine Night Of Shiva appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

At the event, American Ambassador Randy Berry handed over the aircraft to Nepal Chief of General Staff Sharad Giri.

According to Berry, the US Government is also providing spare parts of the sky trucks, pilot and maintenance training, and support services.

Nepal Chief of Army Staff Purna Chandra Thapa said that the aircraft have further expanded the collaboration between Nepal and USA.

The two planes are offered under the Foreign Military Fund Program (FMFP) and are worth equivalent to USD 15 million.

Skytruck Specifications:

• Payload Capacity – 2,300 kg
• Flying Height – 25,000 feet
• Seating Capacity – 18 people including 3 pilots
• Fuel Consumption – 620 lb/hr

Owing to the Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) feature, the aircraft are meant for disaster rescue operations and humanitarian assistance.

With the addition of these two sky trucks, Nepal Army now has 7 aircraft and 15 helicopters.

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The army brought in 2.5 tons of tools and resources to enable one of the biggest clean-up campaigns.

All the biodegradable dirt (one ton) collected from the mount will be transported to Kathmandu for disposal, which is being carried out by the Blue Waste to Value group.

Meanwhile, the other one ton of non-biodegradable trash is now being disinfected for treatment.

The initiative was conducted as part of the 24^th Annual Wildlife Week, organized by the regional Sagarmatha National Park Office.

According to the Nepal Army press release, the clean-up drive will continue until May 19, 2019.

“We take pride in Mount Everest but we are often accused of not being able to clean it… We have now come together to clean the mountain,” said Dandu Raj Ghimire, Nepal’s Tourism Department Chief.

Earlier in March 2019, the UN in association with Nepal organized the Everest Clean-up Campaign 2018. Through the campaign, Nepal collected around 5000 kgs of waste.

The initiative was done as part of UN’s commitment to support Nepal in achieving sustainable development.

Kudos to the Nepal Army!

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Here is a list of participants who received medals for various sports at the Eighth National Games:

• Tennis

Non Residential Nepali Association’s (NRNA) Samrakshyak Bhusan Bajracharya won gold in Men’s Singles Lawn Tennis Finals. Bajracharya, former national champion, defeated his opponent Pranab Khanal from Tribhuvan Army club at 6-1 and 6-2 at the Debinagar tennis court, Butwal as part of the national games.

Gandaki Province’s Pradip Khadka and APF Club’s Santosh Khatri won bronze medals.

In the Women’s Singles, APF’s Prerana Koirala defeated Army Club’s Abhilasha Bista at 6-0 and 6-2, respectively. Nepal Army’s Ira Rawat and Province 3’s  Rayana Shah clinched bronze medals for their respective teams.

• Judo

Nepal Army (NA) bagged the highest number of medals for Judo at Nepalgunj, this Monday. This was followed by Nepal Polic Club (NPC) winning two gold medals and APF clinching one gold medal.

Akriti Joshi, Suryaman Lama, Nirmala Gharti Magar and Punam Shrestha were behind NA’s high streak of gold medals.

• Lama defeated NPC’s Sriram Makaju in the men’s below 90 kg category in title bout
• Joshi beat Province 5’s Dipa Gurung in the women’s below 78 kg final
• Gharti Magar defeated NPC’s Renuka Thapa in the women’s below 63 kg final
• Shrestha beat Province 5’s Samjhana Chaudhary in the women’s below 78 kg final

Sanjit Dangol and Rabin Shrestha won two gold medals for NPC. Likewise, Devika Khadka won the women’s below 52 kg gold medal defeating NPC’s Dil Kumari Chhantyal in the final.

• Cycling

NA’s Okeshraj Bajracharya won gold for Men’s cycling cross country gold medals at Gabhar in Nepalgunj on April 10, 2019. On the other hand, Province 3’s Laxmi Magar won gold in the women’s category. Bajracharya finished his 4.6 km five-lap course in 1 hour, 25 minutes and 9 seconds.

Following close behind was his own team mate Himal Tamata, who finished the aforementioned distance in 1 hour, 26 minutes and 06 seconds. Gandaki Province’s Hikmat BK finished third within a time span of 1 hour, 26 minutes and 44 seconds.

In the women’s cross cycling category:

• Magar finished her laps in a record time of 1 hr, 20 mins, 52 secs
• Gandaki’s Usha Khanal finished second within 1 hr, 33 mins, 38 secs
• Province 3’s Nirjala Tamrakar finished third in 1 hr, 35 mins, 56 secs

• Badminton

In badminton, APF’s women team won gold in Ghorahi. Farwest and Province 1 has a tie with the bronze medal.

In the men’s singles:

• Purna Bahadur Bohara beat Province 3’s Bhoj Bahadur Gurung
• Province 5’s Bishwa Nepal defeated Farwest’s Priyanshu Singh Chetri
• NPC’s Jivan Acharya beat Province 3’s Nischal Basnet

• Squash

The squash championship under the Eighth National Games was held at Satdobato squash court on April 08, 2019.

Gandaki’s Krishna Thapa clinched gold for the women’s singles. Thapa beat Province 3’s Bhawana Sunwar 7-11, 11-5, 13-11, 7-11 and 11-7 in the final showdown of the round robin league.

Province 3’s Bipana Blon and Swasthani Shreshta shared the bronze medal.

In the men’s singles, Amrit Thapa Magar won the title. Province 3 won gold in the squash men’s team event after defeating Gandaki 2-1. Province 1 and APF won bronze medals for the same category,

• Hockey

NPC won the semi-final hockey match against Province 2 at the Mangal High School Grounds, Nepalgunj. Province 2 faced a crushing 6-0 defeat at the hands of NPC.

• Basketball

The semi-final lineup of women’s basketball was completed on April 8, 2019.

• Province 3 defeated Province 5 at 47-12
• NA defeated Province 4 at 59-31
• Sudhurpaschim beat Province 1 at 33-29

Province 3 will take on NA and Sudhurpaschim will battle it out with NPC in the last four matches under the women’s basketball category of the Eighth National Games.

In the men’s basketball category, Province 3, Army, NPC and Gandaki secured their position in the semi-finals in Ghorahi.

• Province 3 defeated APF 60-54
• NA beat Province 1 76-55
• NPC beat Province 5 68-42
• Gandaki defeated Sudhurpaschim 77-44

NPC will face NA and Province 3 will take on Gandaki in the semi-finals of the men’s basketball category.

Nepalisansar Congratulations to all the winners!

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The cost quoted by Korean-based Soosung Engineering and Consulting Detailed Project Report (DPR) is almost double the amount estimated by earlier project builder, Infrastructure Leading & Financial Services (IL&FS).

The Indian consortium estimated the total project cost to be around NPR 112 billion if it were to be built on a soft loan, which would further increase if it were to be built on a commercial loan. The cost estimate, however, did not include land acquisition, supervision and consulting charges.

According to Project Chief Major General Yogendra Khand, the estimated cost of NPR 213 billion includes all expenses and not just construction expenses.

As per the Nepal Army, there will now be three tunnels, contrary to the plan of one tunnel. This is also one of the factors for the increased project cost. As per the earlier plan, there would be a 1.35 km tunnel along the said expressway but as per the revised plan, the three tunnels will have a total length of 6 km.

Khand says that the improvisation to the project would mean that the length of the expressway will be shortened by around 4 km to 72.5 km, from 76.2 km due to the three tunnels and change in alignment.

According to the Army, the change in alignment not only shortened the road but also decreased the number of high bridges. It opines that having tunnels instead of bridges is safer for earthquake-prone countries such as Nepal.

Scope of the Project

The expressway aims to reduce the travel time to Kathmandu from Nijgadh to less than one hour. According to the Korean firm’s DPR, the project will include three toll plazas in Khokana, Budhune and Nijgadh, which are also the exit points. The Kathmandu-Terai expressway will have 98 bridges in total, covering 11.17 km (over 15 percent of the roadway).

Controversy Around Kathmandu-Terai expressway

The project had initially received opposition from Khokana locals and conservationists.

Residents of Khokana, a Newar settlement in Lalitpur, charged the government of assaulting their religious heritage, livelihood and indigenous identity by acquiring the land for plenty of development projects, besides the expressway.

Although 50 percent of the locals have received compensations, the remaining of them are demanding that the expressway’s entry way be shifted to Farsidol from Khokana.

Background

The idea for the Kathmandu-Nijgadh expressway first surfaced in the 1990s. But the project hardly made any headway in the next 15 years. Then in 2013, the Nepal Government reinstated the project, after which it was assigned to IL&FS in February 2015.

However, following a writ that the project was going against Nepal’s national interests – adding to the government’s financial burden in the long run, the Supreme Court ruled that the it should not assign the project to the IL&FS in December 2015.

In the following year, the Nepal Government cancelled all deals concerning the project with the Indian firm.

In May 2017, the project was handed over to the Nepal Army, who approached the Korean firm for a DPR in September 2018, after IF&LS refused to hand over its DPR to them.

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