Kathmandu: President Ramchandra Paudel has called for standing firmly against caste-based untouchability and discrimination.



The President stated this in his message of best wishes on the occasion of the National Day on the Abolition of Caste Discrimination and Untouchability today.



On this occasion, the President has wished happiness, peace, and prosperity to all Nepali sisters and brothers residing in the country and abroad, stating that caste-based discrimination is a crime against social, moral, and human dignity.



In the message, he emphasized the need to strengthen national unity with equality by fostering mutual understanding, harmony, and cooperation among all castes and communities to promote social awakening and the development of equality, while firmly standing against caste discrimination and division to make the democratic state system meaningful.



The Head of the State has called on every individual, family, society, government bodies at all three levels, political parties, national and international non-governmental organizations, civil society, and journalists to be more sensitive against untouchability and racial discrimination.



Reminding of the constitutional provisions ensuring the building of society based on social equality and justice, he has stated that may the National Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and Untouchability inspire the relevant bodies to create a significant basis for the gradual end of all forms of discrimination and oppression based on economic, social, political, cultural, and ethnic grounds.



The President expressed that positive changes can be brought about in thinking, working style, customs, and social practices, as well as in behavior, by enhancing mutual unity, reconciliation, and harmony, to reduce the existing racial discrimination and untouchability in social behavior.



President Paudel has expressed his best wishes in the message for everyone to be inspired to build a cultured and equality-based prosperous nation free from racial discrimination and untouchability on the occasion of the National Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and Untouchability.



The National Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and Untouchability is marked on the 21st of the Nepali month of Jeth every year to commemorate the day when the government declared the country a 'caste discrimination-free nation' on Jeth 21, 2063 BS (June 4, 2006).

President Paudel calls for standing firmly against caste discrimination and untouchability

Kathmandu: Hinduism remains the dominant religion in Nepal, followed by 81.2% of the population, according to the 2078 BS (2021 AD) National Census. However, the proportion of Hindus has declined steadily from 86.5% in 2048 BS.



Buddhists make up 8.2% of the population, followed by Muslims at 5.1%, Kirat at 3.2%, and Christians at 1.8%. Other religions include Prakriti (0.3%), Bon (0.2%), Sikhism and Jainism (0.01% each), and the Baháʼí faith, followed by just 537 individuals.



The Terai region has the highest concentration of Hindus and Muslims, while Buddhists and Kirat followers are mostly found in the Hills and Himalayas. Christians are spread across all provinces, with the highest numbers in Bagmati.



Child marriage is most prevalent among Muslims, with nearly half of Muslim women married before 18. Literacy rates among Muslims are the lowest, at 61.7%, compared to the national average of 76.2%.

Hindus make up 81.2% of Nepal’s population, census shows declining proportion

Kathmandu: Nepal received more than 500,000 foreign tourists in the first five months of 2025.



As per the data of the Nepal Tourism Board, 501,264 foreign tourists landed in Nepal from January to May.



Of them, 79,991 tourists visited in January, 96880 in February, 121,800 in March, 116,480 in April and 86,216 in May, according to the Board.



Nepal welcomed the highest number of foreign tourists from India (28,160) in May followed by US (9,074), as well as 8824 from China, 4280 from Bangladesh and 3,473 from the UK.



Likewise, 34,350 tourists visited Nepal from Asian countries and 18069 from other countries in May as well as 13,330 from Europe and 1,515 from Middle-East countries.



The number of foreign tourists visiting Nepal in May 2025 increased by 95.6 per cent as compared to corresponding period of previous year.

Over 500,000 foreign tourists visit Nepal in five months

Kathmandu: In a bid to ease transportation for arriving air passengers, the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) is operating a free shuttle bus service today between Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) and major hotels across Kathmandu.



According to NTB, the shuttle buses will depart directly from the airport’s arrival area, where NTB representatives have been stationed to assist travelers. The initiative is aimed at facilitating smooth transit and offering a welcoming experience to visitors entering the country.



The service is available throughout the day and targets both domestic and international tourists arriving at TIA.



NTB officials said this move is part of a broader effort to improve the country's tourism infrastructure and enhance the first impression of Nepal for incoming travelers.

NTB provides free shuttle service for air passengers at TIA today

Kathmandu: The District Administration Office, Kathmandu, has issued an order today preventing the folks to stage sit-in, protests and demonstrations in other areas except the certain sites. The administration's notice comes by considering the law and order of the valley and public service delivery to the people.



Issuing a notice today, Chief District Officer of Kathmandu, Rishiram Tiwari, said that demonstration, sit-in, encirclement, rallies and protest programmes have been restricted in other areas expect the Sifal Chaur, Balkhu area and Balkumari area in the valley.



The administration stated that such an order was issued on the basis of recommendation from the District security Committee, Kathmandu, considering the public opinions that essential services, public service delivery and public transportation were affected due to the protest programmes including the assemblies in the public places along and inside the ring road.



Issued as per the Clause 6 (3A) of the Local Administration Act, 2028 BS, the order will be in place for two months effective June 2.

Protest programmes restricted in some areas in Kathmandu Valley

Kathmandu, June 1: Eight persons including Chairman of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Nepal, Kamal Thapa, has been arrested from Narayanchaur of Kathmandu. They were arrested in course of demonstration.



The Police arrested Chairman Thapa, and leaders and cadres of his party, as they breached the restricted area, according to Apil Raj Bohara, spokesperson at Kathmandu Police Sector. They are currently kept at the Sector, he added.



Those arrested are Member of the House of Representatives, Dipak Singh, and Shila Rana, Rakesh Basnet, Ramchandra Lamichhane, Binod Kapali, and Saroj Timilsina.



The RPP and RPP-Nepal have been demonstrating in the capital city for some days.

Eight including RPP Nepal Chair Thapa held

Kathmandu: The centuries-old Bhoto Jatra festival was celebrated today at Jawalakhel, drawing large crowds as the sacred bhoto (vest) of Rato Machhindranath was publicly displayed in a grand ceremony steeped in tradition and mystique.



Amid the beating of traditional music, and religious chants, the ornate bhoto was shown from all four sides of the chariot, continuing a ritual that has fascinated generations. The event was attended by government officials and members of the public, as well as representatives of the Head of State.



The festival, held annually, marks the culmination of the Rato Machhindranath Jatra — a month-long chariot procession honoring the god of rain and harvest. The display of the bhoto symbolizes gratitude and devotion, though the true ownership of the Bhoto remains a mystery, adding intrigue to the ceremony.



Bhoto Jatra not only reflects the rich cultural heritage of the Kathmandu Valley but also serves as a reminder of the region's deep spiritual connection to agriculture and seasonal cycles.

Bhoto Jatra celebrated at Jawalakhel with traditional display of sacred Bhoto

Kathmandu: Eighteen years have passed since the country practiced republican system of governance as an outcome of the epochal April Uprising of 2006.



The first-ever meeting of the people-elected Constituent Assembly (CA) held on 28 May 2008 had officially announced the Federal Democratic Republic by abolishing the autocratic regime of the monarchy prevailing over 240 years in the country.



The Republic Day has been observed across the nation to commemorate the historical day the republican system was proclaimed on the backing of the People's Movement of 2006.



It is the Day when the Nepali people obtained civic supremacy having inclusive proportional democratic republican systems with freedoms and liberal social justice.



The Federal Democratic Republic has guaranteed the people with entire political rights to move ahead for prosperous future in an organized manner. The primary responsibility of the democratic republic is to elevate the dignity of Nepal and Nepali people in global arena while ending poverty, along with ensuring education, health, public transportation, and social security for citizens.



Adhering to public aspirations is the core essence of a republican Constitution – which makes it equally essential to establish this day as a promoter of democracy, while maintaining unwavering faith in the rights of all citizens.



The Democratic Republic is considered not just a political system but the forms of governance and a lifestyle, thus is regarded as an outcome of liberal ideals.



Among the governance systems practiced worldwide, democracy is the best, serving as a strong weapon for improving life standards of the people and ensuring the prosperity of the nation.



Meanwhile, the 18th Republic Day is being celebrated across the country with various programmes in a fanfare.



Distinguished personalities, including President Ramchandra Paudel will participate in the special ceremony organized by the Republic Day Main Celebration Committee at the Nepal Army Pavilion in Tundikhel.



On this occasion, tributes will be offered to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for epoch-making change, and the contributions of the seniors who struggled and sacrificed for democracy will be remembered.



Several Nepali citizens had to endure imprisonment and torture in the movements and struggles for social justice, freedom, and prosperity in the country, and largely for reinstating democracy.



Leaders of various parties have expressed their belief that today's celebration signifies a stronger commitment to unite all in the campaign for happiness of the citizens by enhancing their status and empowering their rights within a democratic culture.



The leaders also assert that there is a shared responsibility to improve the citizens' living standards through production growth, fair distribution of opportunities, promotion of employment, and establishing good governance within a democratic environment.



In their messages, it is stated that the present generation must be ensured with prosperity characterized by a strong economy, whereas there is an obligation to hand over the next generation a strong, united, and liberal State and enhanced democratic culture.



"If we can move ahead in unison and cohesion in accordance with the mandate, electoral rights, and constitutional provisions, the federal democratic republican governance system in Nepal can be strong, robust, and functional", reads the messages delivered by political leaders on the occasion.



It is inevitable to foster a democratic lifestyle at all sections of society and raise awareness to institutionalize democracy at the citizen level. The democratic republican governance system must keep development, good governance, prosperity, and national pride at the center to bring together the strengths of every Nepali citizen to nation-building efforts.

Nepal marks 'Republic Day' today

Kathmandu: The High Court benches in Janakpur and Birgunj have acquitted former Nepali Congress lawmaker Aftab Alam, overturning a life sentence handed down by the Rautahat District Court in a high-profile murder case linked to the 2008 Constituent Assembly elections.



Alam had been convicted of orchestrating a bomb-making operation in Rajpur, Rautahat, during which a device exploded. He was accused of subsequently killing the injured survivors, including Trilok Pratap Singh and Oshi Akhtar, by burning them alive in a brick kiln to destroy evidence.



The explosion and alleged killings took place on April 9, 2008, the eve of the elections.



More than a decade later, police arrested Alam on October 9, 2019.



The Rautahat District Court found him guilty and sentenced him to life in prison.



However, the High Court ruled in his favor, citing insufficient evidence to uphold the conviction.

High Court acquits former NC lawmaker Aftab Alam in 2008 Rautahat bombing case

Kathmandu, Pabitra Guragain/RSS : The need of considering abortion from a rights-based approach and removing it from the legal framework of criminalization has been stressed.



Speaking at a recent discussion themed "My Body: My Right – Safe Abortion and Decriminalization," organized here on Tuesday, the participants dubbed abortion as a fundamental need, not a privilege, and called for its full decriminalization.



They advocated for the explicit inclusion of the right to abortion in the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Rights Act, arguing that a woman should possess the right to terminate unwanted pregnancy.



The event brought together medical professionals, rights activists, legal advocates, and journalists to highlight the legal barriers hindering the advancement of women's bodily autonomy in regard to the abortion rights.



In his presentation, Forum for Women, Law and Development (FWLD) Executive Director and Advocate Sabin Shrestha underscored the urgent need to fully decriminalize abortion, particularly in three critical circumstances –pregnancy on rape, fetus non-viable or having severe abnormalities, and a serious risk to the woman’s life.



While abortion up to 12 weeks on consent of the pregnant woman is already legalized in Nepal. The Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Rights Act 2018 allows for abortion up to 28 weeks under specific circumstances—such as threats to the woman's physical or mental health, fetal impairment, or cases of rape or incest. However, the Penal Code 2017 decriminalizes abortion up to 18 weeks in cases of rape or incest.



Advocate Shrestha highlighted the discrepancies between the two laws, calling it a source of confusion and legal ambiguity.



Presenting the case of a 12-year-old rape survivor who was forced to give birth to a child due to decriminalization of termination of the fetus up to 28 weeks, he pressed the need for totally decriminalizing abortion in some specific conditions.



Chairperson of Nepal Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Dr Padam Raj Panta said it is a grave challenge to improve the maternal mortality rate when a single woman dies of pregnancy complications. Speaking as a panelist, he shed light on the need for decriminalization of abortion in specific conditions.



“Abortion is legally allowed up to 28 weeks in special cases, but sometimes, out of a sense of humanity, medical professionals are compelled to prioritize the life of the mother over that of the fetus,” he stated.



Advocate Sonali Regmi, a reproductive health rights specialist, emphasized that abortion is a matter of self-dignity, personal decision-making, bodily autonomy, and security of woman. She argued that abortion must be treated as part of women’s reproductive health care and broader life cycle rights.



Regmi also challenged prevailing ‘myths’—particularly those spread by media—that underage or unmarried girls are the primary seekers of abortion services. In contrast, researches reveal that 55% of abortion seekers are women who already have numbers of children. Regmi affirmed that denying abortion access violates fundamental human rights, including the rights to dignity, equality, education, and employment of woman.



Prabhakar Shrestha, legal advisor to the Center for Reproductive Rights, stressed the essence of policy reforms regarding abortion facility in accordance with the constitutional and international commitments on women's rights.



Sancharika Samuha Chair Kamala Panthi concluded that most women seek abortions simply because of their need. “It's not a choice, but sensitively rooted in necessity,” she asserted.



The gathering echoed the need for addressing legal ‘gaps’ regarding rape when it comes with minor girls, and rape survivors and the woman with disabilities. Some of the participants raised concern over the prevalence of sex-selective abortion and lack of safe abortions including in the rural areas.



The programme was jointly organized by Sancharika Samuha Nepal, the Center for Reproductive Rights, and the Forum for Women, Law and Development (FWLD).

'Abortion is a need, not a privilege, and should be fully decriminalized'

Kathmandu: As many as two million people of 450,000 households are likely to be affected from this year's monsoon. The 32nd meeting of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Executive Committee, chaired by Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, has made this assessment here today.



The meeting has also approved the Monsoon Preparedness and Response National Action Plan, 2082 BS prepared by analyzing all the related factors based on the data of the Department of Meteorology.



Spokesperson of the National Disaster Risk Response and Management Authority (NDRRMA), Ram Bahadur KC told RSS that the action plan was charted out with estimation that 10 percent of the affected people might require rescue and relief.



A committee led by the NDRRMA with representatives from various stakeholder ministries and departments has reported that this year's monsoon disasters are estimated to affect approximately 457,145 households and a population of 1,997,731 across the country.



In the meeting, the Executive Chief of the NDRRMA and the Secretary of the Executive Committee, Dinesh Prasad Bhatta, presented a review of the decisions made at the 31st meeting of the Executive Committee and the monitoring report on the implementation status of the Emergency Warehouse Operation Procedure, 2081 BS (First Amendment), the National Strategic Action Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction (2018–2030), and the proposals including the management of the natural flow of the Bagmati river at Chobhar gorge.



NDRRMA spokesperson KC said the meeting approved the 'Monsoon Preparedness and Response National Action Plan, 2082 BS', which includes the forecast of this year's monsoon, the estimated caseload affected by disasters, responsibilities of relevant ministries, departments, and bodies regarding disaster preparedness and response, the monsoon preparedness and response action plans of specific sectors and relevant bodies, the necessary contact details for preparedness and response, an inventory of materials, and the details of skilled human resources to respond to the disasters.



KC further informed that the proposed action plan has put forth the actions, including monthly monitoring, evaluation and review of the disaster.



According to the monsoon forecasts unveiled by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, there would be extreme rainfall with lower minimum and higher maximum temperature.



Being based on the forecasts, the NDRRMA has prepared the disaster response national action plan considering recommendations of the stakeholders and organizations.

Around 2 million people likely to be affected from upcoming monsoon-induced disasters

Kathmandu: The Nepali Embassy in Thailand has rescued and repatriated two Nepali citizens who had been stranded in Cambodia for a long time.



The two, including a woman and a man returned home on Friday. Meanwhile, the Embassy has once again requested all concerned to go for foreign employment only after obtaining a labour permit as per the criteria set by the government and not to get lured to come for foreign employment in countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand.



The embassy has also sought the support of the mass media and civil society to spread this message and prevent Nepalis from being trapped in the foreign employment scams.

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