With the felicity of the government making the availability of the budget policy to raises and spends the public funds, Nepal’s rating on the list of global budget transparency index is improved.
As per the Open Budget Survey (OBS) 2017 — the international report published by International Budget Partnership (IBP) recently — Nepal scored 52 out of 100 points in budget openness and transparency, against 24 points that the country had bagged in the Open Budget Index (OBI) in 2015.
“Nepal’s score of 52 out of 100 is moderately higher than the global average, which means that there exist more chances for further improvement,” the report stated.New Zealand and South Africa have been regarded as the top most nations in providing sufficient budget information to enable the public to engage in budget discussions in an informed manner. Both the countries have scored 89 out of 100.
IBP considers countries that score above 60 in the OBI as providing sufficient budget information to enable the public to engage in budget discussions in an informed manner.
The OBS 2017 has stated that many governments across the world, including Nepal, are making less information available about how they raise and spend public funds. In addition to transparency challenges, the OBS 2017 assessment of budget oversight has also found that most countries have limited or weak legislative oversight practices, though most have the basic conditions needed for auditors to perform their roles.
The OBS 2017 has suggested Nepal to adopt different immediate measures to improve budget transparency, public participation in budget and improve budget oversights.
As per the report, Nepal should produce and publish a pre-budget statement and a Citizens Budget and provide detailed data on the macroeconomic forecast as well as data on the financial position of the government to improve budget transparency.
Similarly, OBS 2017 has urged Nepal to actively engage with individuals or civil society organisations representing vulnerable and under-represented communities during the formulation and monitoring of national budget implementation to ensure public’s participation in the process. The report has also suggested Nepal to establish formal mechanisms for the public to participate in relevant audit investigations.
Likewise, OBS 2017 has recommended Nepal to ensure executives’ budget proposal is approved by legislators before start of budget year to make budget oversight more effective. Nepal has also been recommended to consider setting up an independent fiscal institution to further strengthen its budget oversight.
The Nepal Police Club (NPC) has defeated Ruslan Three Star Club with 1-0 goal to become the winner of the 16th edition of Aaha Rara Gold Cup held in Pokhara on Friday.
The match was extended more 20 minutes as additional time after both the teams played a goal-less draw in the allotted time.
The extended time for NPCian’s Ram Baji became a golden opportunity and claimed the victory in the first half. NPC has got a cash prize of Rs 70, 000 along with a medal.
Minister for Commerce Min Bahadur Bishwokarma has setup an onsite tour of Rasuwagadhi border check point on Friday.
Minister Bishwokarma said that he visited the Nepal-China border point to inspect best trade route that could then be proposed in the cabinet meeting for necessary policy-level decisions.
Previously he had received a memo submitted by locals demanding construction of dry port soon, he said that he was positive to resolve problems related to compensation to the dry port-affected locals.
The Commerce Minister also inspected Rasuwagadhi Border Integrated Security Post and enquired about the different issues including exports and imports of goods and security provision with Chief District Officer, Chomendra Neupane and Chief Customs Officer Gopal Koirala, among others.
The 17-year-old schoolboy, John Tamang, who was found after 6 days he went missing in Phulchowki Hill was hospitalized. He is receiving a treatment in the ICU of B&B Hospital, Gwarko.
John Tamang, a sixth grader at Ajaya Shiksha Sadan in Thasikhel, was among the 11 students who went hiking led by school Principal Durga Bahadur Oli to Phulchowki Hill.
A group led by the professional rescuers and adventure tourism entrepreneurs Chandra Ale and Anil Bhattarai rescued the boy from a forested area of the hill at around 4:45pm yesterday. He was found leaning against a log.
Search operation was carried out from the very next day of John’s disappearance. Relatives, friends, locals, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, Nepali Army and around 200 volunteers were involved in the search operation, according to John’s uncle Deepak Rai.
Chandra Ale, 52, who has been working as a professional rescuer since 1995, was able to locate the boy the same day he went to search for him.
According to Ale, John had fallen into the gorge nearly 300 meters below. Ale runs a rescue organization called ‘Rescue 3 South Asia’.
“The area was so dense with trees that we could hardly see the sky from there. But we identified where the boy had slipped, we followed it and found a tiffin box and little further a water bottle, so we kept on moving until we found the boy,” Ale said
“Once I found the boy, I called him by his name that was still awake and aware. He looked at me in the face and started crying, I then hugged him,” he added. Ale said that the boy had injuries to the right part of his body and was possibly bleeding internally with a fractured right ankle.
Rai said, “John was found with the help of professional rescuers. Without their help, there was no way we could have found him.”
Deepak Rai and John’s father Gautam Tamang are adventure tourism entrepreneurs and had summoned their colleagues to search for the missing boy.
Police and family members rushed to the location with an ambulance and took the boy to the hospital. Doctors and the hospital refused to provide information regarding John’s health, saying they need his family’s consent before divulging anything.
Family, friends and well-wishers had gathered at the hospital to visit the rescued boy. Among them, John’s twin brother James Tamang was utterly happy to have his brother back. “We seldom go anywhere alone, but this time I couldn’t go with him. This won’t happen again,” said James.
John has a hearing loss in one ear, according to a family source.
John’s mother Reema Tamang has yet to come to terms with the incident. She advised all parents and mothers to be careful before sending their kids to unknown places.
School principal Oli, who had arrived at the hospital, apologized to John’s parents.
Ninety migrants, most were Pakistani nationals are feared drowned after a boat capsized off at the Libyan coast. Only three are surviving, says the UN’s migration agency.
Libya has been one of the major transit routes for migrants to reach southern Europe by sea.
But last year the EU reached a controversial deal to provide help to the Libyan coastguard to stop the flow of boats carrying migrants and refugees to Italy.
“Ten bodies are reported to have washed up on Libyan shores,” the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said in a statement.
A spokesperson said Pakistanis were increasingly trying to make the perilous crossing to Italy.
Unusually, there were also Libyans among the dead and survivors, reports the BBC’s North Africa correspondent Rana Jawad.
Libyans rarely attempt the dangerous and illegal boat journey from their country to southern Europe.
Some cases of illegal Libyan migration were documented last year, but they usually involved sturdier boats that were carrying few people.
Food is an important part of the attainment of healthy growth, functioning and balance of an organism. Man is no exception to this. The diet that we intake regularly has a direct impact on our overall health. Our cuisines have been designed in ways to replenish and nurture our health along with hunger satiation. The ingredients used in any dish play a vital role in contributing to its nutrient quotient.
Spices are an integral part of any meal. The use of these spices brings in a blast of flavor that not only tantalize our taste buds but also boost the nutritional value of the food we consume. Ayurveda has given an in-depth insight into the various activities that the spices have on our bodies.Turmeric commonly known as Besar is used on a daily basis in our meals. Basic nutritional aspects of turmeric include a 26% daily value in manganese and 16% in iron. It’s also an excellent source of fiber, vitamin B6, potassium and healthy amounts of vitamin C and magnesium. Curcumin is the main active component in turmeric. Studies have revealed that curcumin contains powerful anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, antiseptic, antibacterial effects and is a strong antioxidant. Chronic inflammation is one of the main factors that cause diseases like cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease and many other degenerative disorders.
The health benefits of turmeric include an improved ability to digest fats, reducing flatulence bloating, congestion, improve skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne, respiratory conditions (e.g., asthma, bronchial hyperactivity, allergy etc.) as well as for liver disorders, anorexia, rheumatism, wounds, cough and sinusitis. It is a bitter digestive and a carminative. It is a cholagogue, stimulating bile production in the liver which improves the body’s ability to digest fats.
Piperine, a component of black pepper, which has been shown to increase the absorption and effects of turmeric. Beta-carotene in carrots and pumpkins is better retained when those vegetables are cooked using recipes that include turmeric.
Ayurveda has classified Haridra in different categories according to its action. It has been put in Lekhaniya (scraping property), Kusthaghna (relieving skin ailments), Kandughna (relieving itchiness), Krimighna (de-worming action) and Shiro–virechan (relieving toxins from the head).It has TiktaKatuRasa, Ushna Virya, Katu Vipaka and Laghu, Ruksha Guna that help in removing blocks through channels of the body and enables free circulation of nutrients and oxygen. It is Tridosha hara (balances all the Doshas of the body).
Turmeric is the most beneficial herb in diabetes. It quickly heals wounds and improves skin complexion as it is a natural detoxifier. It is Pinasha hara, Aruchi nashaka and Visha hara.
Some useful tips for the use of turmeric
Mix 2 tablespoons of curd with 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric and 1 teaspoon of honey for a soothing and cooling face mask. Wash off before it dries off completely.
Apply a thick paste of castor oil, turmeric and a small amount of black pepper over the inflamed area.
Apply a thin paste of aloe vera gel and turmeric to help calm itchy or burned skin.
Consume a teaspoonful of turmeric roasted in ghee with milk to decrease episodes of congestion and coughing in bronchitis and allergic sinusitis.
Consume a teaspoon fro the equal mixture of cumin, turmeric, black pepper, fennel and sugarcandy to help in digestion and cure bloating.
Along with the conclusion given by the government to shut down National Trading Ltd (NTL), government’s plan to set up a new route to trade fuel has affected.
This situation lead as per government had earlier planned to allow NTL to enter into petroleum trading with China by making NTL a subsidiary company of state-owned Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC).
However, the government’s settlement to shut down NTL has not only end up the age-long legacy of NTL but has also deferred the country’s plan to enter into fuel trade with the northern neighbor.
Following acute shortage of petroleum products in the country in 2015-16 following trade disruptions caused by the border blockade in the southern plains of the country, the then government had initiated the process to start fuel trading with China and diversify the country’s petroleum industry.
As government-to-government talks between Nepal and China concluded with the possibility of starting fuel trade, the government had started the process to allow NTL, which had been incurring heavy losses since many years, to begin fuel trading with China.
The Cabinet meeting on Monday had given a nod to a proposal of the Ministry of Supplies (MoS) to shut down NTL citing that the government enterprise was not performing as expected.
MoS had tabled a proposal to this effect under the recommendation of the Ministry of Finance (MoF).
Moreover, MoS had then sought permission from MoF to allow NTL to import petroleum products from China. However, the Finance Ministry recently recommended MoS to shut down NTL instead of reoperating it.
Meanwhile, Supplies Secretary Anil Kumar Thakur said that the government’s decision to shut down NTL and the government’s plan to enter into petroleum trading with China should be viewed through separate lens.
“Allowing NTL to start fuel trade with China was one of the many options to revive NTL. NTL’s closure does not mean that the government is against diversifying the country’s petroleum industry,” stated Thakur.
He further said that though making China the country’s second fuel trading partner is in the government’s plan, both the countries have to work on developing new infrastructure and upgrading existing infrastructure accordingly for the plan to materialise.
“The government can assign the responsibility to any other state enterprise, including NOC itself, to start fuel trade with China. However, fuel trade with China is not possible with the current infrastructure,” he said, adding that there should be emphasis on connecting to Chinese fuel industry through petroleum pipeline like that with India.
A move to stop newly-wed brides from a nomadic tribal community having to take a virginity test has trending in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. The campaign is set up to stop such “humiliating” practice.
Anita*, 22, says the ordeal of her wedding two years ago still reduces her to tears every time she thinks about it.
This test is seen as an integral part of any wedding conducted within the community and is enforced by the highly influential panchayat (local village council).
The couple that is to be wed are given a white sheet and taken to a hotel room rented by the village council or one of the families. They are suspected to consummate the marriage while the two families and council members wait outside. If the bride bleeds during intercourse she is seen as a virgin, and if she does not, the consequences can be severe.
Grooms are allowed to annul their marriages if their wives have not “proven” their purity, and the women in question are publicly humiliated and even beaten by family members because of the “shame” they have caused.
This continues despite many experts having debunked the theory that a woman always bleeds the first time she has intercourse.
Like the other women in the Kanjarbhat community – made up of around 200,000 people and mostly found in Maharashtra – Anita was forced to undergo a “virginity test” on her wedding night in order to ascertain whether or not she was “virtuous”.
“There can be many reasons a woman will not bleed the first time she has sex,” Dr Sonia Naik, a Delhi-based gynaecologist,.
“If the woman in question has done a lot of sports or has masturbated there is a chance she will not bleed. Also a gentle partner can help prevent bleeding even if it is the first time the woman is having penetrative sex.”
In Anita’s case, she always knew that the virginity test would be a sham, as she already had a sexual relationship with her husband before their marriage. But she said she was not prepared for what happened next.
“I thought my husband would stand up for me in front of the village council, but when they asked if I was ‘pure or impure’, he pointed to the unstained sheet and called me a fake,” she said.
“I was stunned. I had been in an intimate relationship with him for six months on his insistence.
“The village council pronounced me ‘impure’ and went away and I was left alone. I just could not stop crying.”
Anita’s husband, who had initially wanted the marriage annulled because she had “failed” the test, was forced to continue with the marriage after some social workers who had heard about the incident got the police involved.
But she claims that he made her life a living hell, beating her regularly and humiliating her.
Matters were made worse because the village council had banned the “fake” couple from attending any community events. “Things did not improve even after I got pregnant. My husband kept asking me repeatedly: ‘Whose child is this?’ The council members still ask him that as well,” Anita said.
Two months ago she was thrown out of her marital home along with her newborn son and is living again with her parents. But she says the stigma of failing the virginity test has impacted her whole family, with her sisters unable to find husbands because of it.
Vivek Tamaichekar, 25, started the campaign among youth in his community to reject the virginity test. He insists that the “regressive” practice must end.
“It’s a complete violation of a couple’s right to privacy and the way it is done is very crude and traumatising. They are forced to consummate the marriage with many people sitting outside the room, and the groom is often given alcohol and shown pornography in order to ‘educate’ him,” he says.
“The next day he is called for a ceremony and is asked in very derogatory terms to answer if his bride was pure or impure.”
When he was 12, Mr Tamaichekar attended a wedding where suddenly people began attacking the bride with their shoes and slippers. “I didn’t understand then what was going on,” he says. “It was only when I was much older I realised what had happened.”
Due to get married later this year, Mr Tamaichekar and his fiancée have already informed the panchayat in the city of Pune, where they live, that they will not undergo the test. But he also wants other youth from his community to take a similar stand and break what he calls the “conspiracy of silence”.
He has started a WhatsApp group called “stop the V ritual” which has around 60 members, of which roughly half are women. Together, they try and convince other people in the community to put a stop to the practice.
But this stand has come at a heavy social price.
Some members of his group were attacked by irate wedding guests when they attended a community wedding in Pune. The panchayat has already warned that families of the group’s members will be subject to a “social boycott” unless the group is disbanded and they apologise for trying to “defame” the Kanjarbhat community.
But Mr Tamaichekar is determined to continue with his campaign. The attack on his group received wide coverage in Indian media, and as a result, the virginity test itself has become a topic of discussion in the country.
He now hopes that the spotlight on the issue will help put an end to it once and for all.
On 31st January, Wednesday, the country would have chance to witness the phenomenal view of Super Blue Moon and the total lunar eclipse after 152 years. The same lunar event had last occurred on March 31, 1866.
Nepalis across the country would get to witness the phenomenal triad of supermoon, blue moon, and total lunar eclipse on Wednesday, January 31.
“The moon will rise at 5:37 pm in Nepal. The eclipse will start at 5:33 pm as per the local time and end at 8:57 pm. The total lunar eclipse will occur at 6:36 pm and will last for a span of one hour sixteen minutes,” said the Chairperson of Nepal Astronomical Society, Suresh Bhattarai.
“During the partial phase, the moon will be seen blood red,” he added.
BLUE MOON
“People call NASO and ask whether the moon will be seen blue in colour. That is not true. It is just two full moons happening in a single month,” expressed Bhattarai.
Blue moon is a lunar event that normally occurs once every two and a half years. According to the Gregorian calendar, when two full moons occur in the same month it is termed as blue moon. Earlier, the full moon was on January 1 this year.
The supermoon is seen in Istanbul, Turkey November 14, 2016. REUTERS/Umit Bektas TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
SUPERMOON, BLOOD MOON
While revolving in its elliptical path, the moon would be at a distance of 384,000 kilometres. It would look 30 times brighter and 14 times closer than the average full moon, hence providing a visual treat to the skygazers tomorrow.
It is also a ‘blood moon’ because the portion of the moon will be seen blood red when covered by the shadow of the Earth.
ECLIPSE
The lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes in the earth’s shadow.
“It is also a good opportunity for the astrophysicists to research. Also, for the general public, it will be a treat to witness the rare phenomenon,” stated Bhattarai.
The eclipse can be observed with naked eyes as well. We do not need binoculars, telescopes and other equipment to see the celestial event, claimed the NASO Chair. “You can just go to your rooftop and gaze at the north-east direction to watch the lunar event.”
Some parts of the eclipse can also be seen from the US, Europe, Australia, Canada and the northern Polar Regions.
COINCIDING WITH SWASTHANI PURNIMA
This rare celestial phenomenon has coincided with the concluding day of Swasthani Purnima, one of the greatest festivals among Hindus in the country. The festival begins on Poush Shukla Purnima as per the lunar calendar and lasts for a month.
This year, the concluding day befalls on the eclipse day, which has raised doubt among the general public reciting the holy book of Swasthani regarding concluding day of the month-long festival.
Talking to THT Online, Associate Professor at the Nepal Sanskrit University Amoda Acharya, who holds a PhD in Vedic Studies said, “Well, there are no such restrictions mentioned in the Vedic principles. But, one can conclude it on ‘purvanga’, the eve of Swasthani Purnima. “Purvanga is the time when even Sutak(the period of abstention observed by the Hindus after the death or birth of a family member) does not come into effect.”
However, according to astrologer Dil Raj Padhyaye, the ‘Sutak’ period starts from 8:22 am tomorrow and lasts till the eclipse at 8:57 pm.
“Eclipses are a good time for performing puja, reciting ‘paath’ (holy scriptures), and donating goods among others. One can easily recite the holy book. But during the eclipse, they cannot receive tika and prasad as the Sutak period begins,” he added.
The eclipse will not hamper elderly, children and people with ailments, he stated.
Many might believe that devotees are not allowed to receive the tika and prasad on the concluding day of the Bratakatha due to the eclipse. However, Padhyaye assured that after the penumbral eclipse ends, the devotees are allowed to carry on with the normal proceedings of the Bratakatha including the tika and prasad as it will not have any adverse effect on them.
Meanwhile, if some of the devotees do not feel comfortable with concluding the Bratakatha on the day of the eclipse, then coming Monday, panchami of the lunar calendar, will be favourable to conclude the one-month long festival.