Nepali Gorkha soldier martyred in Jammu and Kashmir

Posted on January 7, 2020 by SAT News Desk

New Delhi — Indian Gurkha Arjun Thapa Magar, 25, who hailed from Thulo Rip village of Gorkha Municipality, was killed in an exchange of fire with militants in a forest in Naushera sector of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday night, according to Indian media.

Rifleman Arjun, who had joined the Indian army four years ago, was talking to his wife Sarita in Gorkha on Tuesday night at around 11:00 pm when he told his wife that he had to rush to counter an enemy attack and hung up, according to Arjun’s nephew Sujit Thapa Magar.

Sarita then tried to call her husband, but his phone was switched off. She slept worrying about the fate of her husband. The next morning she received a message on her phone that there was bad news for the family. “It got everybody in the family worried. After a while somebody from the Indian army called the family and said Arjun had attained martyrdom in the line of duty,” Sujit said.

Family members have gone to Kakarbhitta to receive Arjun’s body. They have been told that the body would arrive tomorrow morning. “I heard that the Indian army helicopter could not fly the body of my uncle today to Kakarbhitta due to bad weather and they would try to bring it to Pani Tanki, Kakarbhitta, tomorrow,” Sujit said. He added that the family had not decided yet whether they would cremate the fallen solider in Kakarbhitta or at his birth place in Gorkha.

“My uncle had dreamt of becoming a Lahure all his childhood. He got the job on the second attempt and was glad to be an Indian Gurkha,” Sujit said.

Arjun had married seven months ago and had returned to duty 12 days ago after spending a month with his family in Gorkha.

According to Hindustan Times, Naik Sawant Sandip Raghunath, 29, from Maharashtra and Arjun were injured in the exchange of fire and succumbed to their injuries

Right time to resolve Indo-Nepal border dispute as both countries have strong and stable governments: Nepal

Posted on January 6, 2020January 6, 2020 by SAT News Desk

Kathmandu — A senior leader of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) has asked the government to settle border disputes with India soon.

Addressing the media on Sunday, Madhav Kumar Nepal said: “It is a good time to resolve the border dispute when both Nepal and India have strong and stable governments,” The Himalayan Times reported.

His remarks come after India released a new map in November 2019 of its geographical area laying claim to a 35 sq.km area known as Kalapani on the country’s border with Nepal, which New Delhi has said that it was its territory.

Kalapani, located 18 km from Lipulekh pass, is a transit route for the Kailash-Mansarovar yatra and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.

Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Oli on November 17, 2019 said the Kalapani area belonged to Nepal and India should “immediately withdraw its Army from there”.

The map has led to protests in both the neighboring countries.

Nepal to open the Satellite Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management (GTRCM) Centre in April

Posted on January 6, 2020 by SAT News Desk

KATHMANDU — Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett says April 2020 is the date earmarked to officially open the Satellite Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management (GTRCM) Centre in Nepal.

The announcement follows the minister’s visit to Nepal to conclude discussions for a memorandum of understanding to establish the centre.

“The establishment of this new satellite centre in Nepal is another exciting step towards global resilience building through research and real time information sharing. The centre will be located at the Tribhuvan University, which houses approximately 200,000 students who will contribute greatly to the knowledge base and development of best practices for the region,” Bartlett said.

According to the ministry, the aim of establishing global satellite tourism resilience centres is to create a network of think tanks that will develop solutions to global disruptions that impact the tourism industry. These disruptions, the ministry noted, include climatic events such as hurricanes and earthquakes, terrorism and cybercrimes, among others, the Jamaica Observer reported.

“I am also pleased that the GTRCM has been receiving calls from other countries such as China, Cambodia, Myanmar and India to establish more of these satellite centres and we will now begin discussions for the framework to open these centres. The calls for these centres to be established, speaks to a global need to ensure the viability of the tourism industry through resilience building,” Bartlett added.

Nepal government to deport 122 Chinese for alleged cross border cyber crimes

Posted on January 6, 2020 by SAT News Desk

PTI — The Nepal government has initiated the process to deport 122 Chinese nationals detained for alleged cross border cyber crimes and criminal activities last month from different parts of Kathmandu, authorities said. On Sunday, the Kathmandu District Court imposed a fine of Rs 1,000 each on the Chinese nationals for their ‘indecent behaviour’ and ordered their release.

The Department of Immigration has started the process of screening the documents in an attempt to deport 122, who were arrested on charges of attempting to commit cyber crime and cross border criminal activities. Of those arrested, 92 Chinese do not have any valid travel documents and the authorities here have asked the Chinese Embassy to provide the necessary travel document, according to official sources.

They will be deported after the immigration department completes all the legal procedures, Senior Superintendent of Police Teku was quoted as saying by the Himalayan Times on Sunday. Director General of Department of Immigration Eshwor Raj Poudel said the Chinese would be deported to China within two days.

“Since police investigation has shown that the arrested Chinese were not involved in crime related to Nepal, we will have to deport them from the country after recording their statement,” added Poudel. The 122 Chinese were arrested on December 23 on suspicion of using social media to swindle money from the rich, single and divorced Chinese women, running an illegal online gambling racket, operating Ponzi scheme and blackmailing the Chinese by hacking their private information from phones and computers, the report said.

The police arrested them from 10 different locations in Kathmandu.

Pakistan declares Hindu temple “Panj Tirath“ as heritage site

Posted on January 5, 2020 by SAT News Desk

Islamabad : The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government in Pakistan declared the ancient Hindu religious site of ‘Panj Tirath’ in Peshawar as a national heritage site on Wednesday. Social media users praised the move as one towards tolerance and unity.

‘Panj Tirath’ is named for the five pools of water present at the site, as stated in a report by The News International, the largest English newspaper in Pakistan. It also houses a Hindu temple and a lawn with date palm trees.

The announcement was made under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Antiquities Act of 2016 by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, according to Pakistani media outlet Tribal News Network. Additionally, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has announced a fine of 2 million Pakistani rupees and five years imprisonment for anyone found guilty of damaging the historic site.

Religious significance

The site holds religious significance to local Hindus who believe that King Pandu from the Mahabharata, a Hindu mythological epic, bathed in the pools and worshipped under the date palm trees for two days, as stated in a report by The Hindu, an Indian daily newspaper.

The temple has faced deterioration according to Pakistani news reports, and parts of the Panj Tirath site were cleared in the 1970s to make area for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Chacha Yunus Park.

Nepal aims to bring in 100,000 British tourists in 2020

Posted on January 5, 2020January 5, 2020 by SAT News Desk

Jagan Karki, London – The Embassy of Nepal in the UK has set a target of sending at least 100,00 British tourists to Nepal in the year 2020, officials said.

Inaugurating the year-long campaign to kick-start the ‘Visit Nepal Year 2020’ in the UK on Saturday, Nepal’s ambassador to the UK, Dr Durga Bahadur Subedi, said the target was achievable if all Nepalese living and working in the UK sent at least one British friend to their motherland.

“It is estimated that some 150,000 Nepalese live in the UK. So, the target is achievable,” said Dr Subedi.

According to Nepal’s Tourism Ministry, a total of 63,466 British tourists had visited Nepal in 2018 up from 51,058 who visited Nepal in 2017. The figures for the year 2019 were not immediately available.

Photo: Narendra Basnet/Gurkha Radio

Ambassador Subedi also urged Nepali restaurants in the UK to help promote the Visit Nepal Year (VNY) campaign.

There are around 300 Nepali restaurants all over the UK employing thousands of people.

Deputy Chief of Mission at the Nepali embassy in London, Sharad Raj Aran, said in coordination with Nepal Tourism Board, Visit Nepal messages were displayed on 50 double decker buses in London in July and November last year. “We are planning similar advertisement campaigns this year too,” he added.

Mr Aran said tourism contributes around 3 percent to Nepal’s GDP and the government aims to raise to 10 percent of the GDP. “This is an ambitious target and we must join hands to achieve it,” he added.

The embassy has formed around two dozen committees to promote the VNY campaign in the UK. Coordinators/representatives of those committees made presentations at the event organised at the Nepali embassy in London on Saturday.

Nepal aims to bring in some two million tourists in the year 2020 by launching the VNY campaign. But analysts say poor connectivity remains as a major bottleneck for this ambitious campaign.

A leading Nepali tour and travel entrepreneur based in the UK, Biraj Bhatta, told South Asia Time, “Nepal should persuade the British government to allow the national flag carrier, Nepal Airlines, to operate direct flights to London as soon as the UK leaves the EU.”

Nepal’s tourism minister, Yogesh Bhattarai, who was visiting London in December to take part in the WTM, told that the government was lobbying with the European Union to lift the ban on Nepali airlines.

But the EU has extended the ban for Nepali airlines from flying to the European skies for another six months.

Bhatta, however, said Nepal should seize the opportunity and hold direct talks with the UK government as soon as Britain leaves the EU.

Movie to tell the tale of VC Kulbir Thapa

Posted on January 4, 2020January 5, 2020 by SAT News Desk

London— Descendants of brave Gurkhas who fought in the First and Second World War are now making a film on late Kulbir Thapa, who fought in the First World War and was the first Gurkha to be awarded the Victoria Cross in recognition of his bravery.

Pradeep Shahi, an award winning British-Nepali filmmaker, is leading the project GURKHA: BENEATH THE BRAVERY, a first ever Gurkha movie, which tells the tale of legendary Sgt. Kulbir Thapa. “It is a non-profit project and we aim to raise fund via crowdfunding to get the entire community involved in this historical project. Any revenue from the movie will be donated to Gurkha Welfare Trust,” said Shahi.

“This project has immense potential for our community, to highlight our ancestors’ bravery, sacrifice and most importantly to restore honour of elderly Gurkha veterans who are struggling to find their identity in this modern British community,” he added.

During a press conference organised at Aldershot , Nesha Gurung, PR Manager of the Project, informed that 80% of the filming had been completed. The trailer of the film is now available at

The Story of Action

Born on 15 December 1889 in Palpa, Nepal, Kulbir Thapa was a 26 year old Rifleman in the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Gurkha Rifles of the Indian Army when he became the first Nepali recipient of the Victoria Cross.

On 25 April 1915, Thapa was at Fauquissart, France in a diversionary attack at the start of the Battle of Loos. He was in one of the leading companies attacking the German positions, and it was the first time he had been under fire. He found himself alone and wounded over the German lines when he carried out the heroic deeds which led to his award. His citation reads:

For most conspicuous bravery during operations against the German trenches south of Fauquissart: When himself wounded on September 25, 1915, he found a badly wounded soldier of the 2nd Battalion, the Leicestershire Regiment behind the first-line German trench and although urged by the British soldier to save himself he remained with him all day and night. In the early morning of September 26, in misty weather, he brought him out through the German wire and, leaving him in a place of comparative safety, returned and brought in two wounded Gurkhas one after the other. He then went back in broad daylight for the British soldier and brought him in also, carrying him most of the way, and being at most points under the enemy’s fire.

He was awarded Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace, and is still remembered by the Royal Leicestershire Regiment at their regimental museum. Thapa survived the war and retired achieving the rank of Havildar, (equivalent of Sergeant). He died in Nepal in 1956.

Gurkha Satyagraha Joint Struggle Committee has threatened to obstruct Gurkha recruitment

Posted on January 4, 2020 by SAT News Desk

Kathmandu—The Gurkha Satyagraha Joint Struggle Committee has threatened to obstruct Gurkha recruitment possess scheduled for next week in Pokhara to exert pressure on the Governments of Nepal and the United Kingdom to push for their long-standing demands.

A press release issued by Krishna Bahadur Rai, chief coordinator of the Committee, warned that they were also going to launch series of campaigns in Nepal and the UK, simultaneously. “Issues raised by ex-Gurkhas are not just related to the retired servicemen, but to Nepal and all Nepalis. They are also related with dignity of the nation. We will continue our protest until both the governments form a high-level talks team and hold dialogue to address the demands of ex-Gurkha servicemen,” The Himalayan Times newspaper quoted Mr Rai as saying.

It has served an ultimatum until 15 February 2020 to the Government of Nepal and the Government of the UK to form a high-level talks team. The committee said a prompt dialogue between the two governments on the Report of Technical Committee that comprised the ambassador of Nepal to the UK, minister of defence (UK) and representatives of British Gurkha ex-servicemen’s associations, should be started without further delay. The dialogue should be held in line with the report of the International Relations Committee of the Federal Parliament of Nepal as guiding instrument, said the press release.

According to the committee, imposition of Indian Pay Code on British Gurkhas after 1948, popularly known as Tripartite Agreement-1947, but with mutual understanding between India and Britain, was unfair and against the national sovereignty and independence of Nepal.

It also warned that the movement of equality and dignity spearheaded by Gurkha veterans against the British government would be advanced at national as well as international level in the form of patriotic movement and a campaign dedicated to human rights and dignity of Nepali people.

The ex-Gurkhas have demanded an end to what they call discrimination and injustice imposed on Gurkha veterans and on their families and pay compensation to the families of thousands of soldiers who had lost their lives in world wars.

572 Nepali girls who went to India through Nepalgunj border are missing in 2019

Posted on January 4, 2020January 4, 2020 by SAT News Desk

Nepalginj — A new report has shown that many women and girls, who left the country through Nepalgunj border-point are missing. Of the total number of the women who cross the border 572 went missing in 2019.

According to Maiti Nepal, Nepalgunj, of the 869 women, who embarked on perilous journey, only 297 were found in 2019. A total of 869 families have registered missing complaints with Maiti Nepal, Neplagunj, Himalayan News service reports.

The whereabouts of these missing girls and women are yet to be known.

Maiti Nepal, Nepalgunj, Chief Keshav Koirala said his office received missing complaints with request to search the missing ones. “We do everything possible to rescue the missing women in Nepal and India,” Koirala said.

South Asia Time Successful British Nepalese Entrepreneurs 2020

Posted on January 4, 2020April 18, 2021 by SAT News Desk

It is our great pleasure to announce SOUTH ASIA TIME List of Successful British Nepalese in the UK 2020 on the occasion of the New Year that also coincides with the first anniversary of the www.southasiatime.com.

On the occasion of our first anniversary, we have made a small effort to recognize and highlight British Nepalese who have been doing extraordinary work in the United Kingdom in their respective fields.

The editorial board of the South Asia Time first short-listed individuals and companies and later finalised the list. There will, however, no award ceremony because this is just a humble effort to recognise those who are serving our community selflessly. We look forward to continue this tradition in the years ahead based on the feedback and comments from our valued readers.

■ Editorial Board

www.southasiatime.com

South Asia Time Successful British Nepalese Entrepreneurs 2020

Mr Uttam Nepal – Mr Nepal is an entrepreneur through-and-through. In Nepal, he began selling souvenirs to tourists at a very young age. He now heads a highly successful and growing multi-channel, multi-brand, global business with leading brands Yumi, Uttam Boutique and Mela Loves London. More about Uttam Click here

Mr Yogen Chhetri – A former Gurkha soldier, Yogen Bahadur Chhetri, established the YBC Services in 1996. Today, Aldershot-based YBC is one of the most successful independent companies in the facilities management sector, training and employing more than 500 staff across Hampshire, Berkshire, Sussex, Surrey, Kent and Thames Valley. Former President of the NRNA UK, Mr Chhetri is also active in social and community activities. Read More about Yogen

Mr Kul Acharya – Chairman of the Holy Cow Group, Mr Acharya is a well-known Nepali entrepreneur in the UK. The Group runs eight take-aways and a fine dine restaurant at Putney, London. Former Vice President of the Non Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) ICC, Acharya has supported many charitable causes in Nepal and the UK. Read More about Kul

Mr Ravi Jung Lamichhane – Mr. Ravi Jung Lamichhane is the Director of R Famous Ltd – a manufacturing and wholesale of young ladies fashion supplying to the world leading brands for more than a decade.

He has donated generously to various religious Foundations and charity organisations. He played a leading role in building half a dozen Hindu temples in Nepal and the UK. He donated NRs 51 lakhs to PM’s Relief Fund after the disastrous earthquake that hit Nepal in 2015.

Mr Mahanta Shrestha – Founding President of the Britain–Nepal Chamber of Commerce (BNCC), Mr Shrestha runs the well-known Monty’s Restaurant and is also Director of the Khukuri Beer UK Ltd. He also runs M Hotel at Thamel, Kathmandu. More about Mahanta

Mr Pashupati Bhandari: Chairman of the award winning the Everest Inn Group, Bhandari is the former Honorary Public Relations Representative (HPRR) of the Nepal Tourism Board to the UK. He is also Chairman of Young’s Travel and other companies in the UK. Committed to promote Nepal in the UK together with his brother, Yadav Bhandari, Pashupati is a former member of the Non Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) ICC. Follow Mr Bhandari

Mr Rajen Kandel – Former President of the Britain-Nepal Chamber of Commerce (BNCC), Mr Kandel is the Director of the Kandel Group and its subsidiaries. The Group is successfully running The British College, Kathmandu, E-Works UK, Neem Tree Pharmacy and Woolwich Late Night Pharmacies, Yak & Yeti Restaurant Group UK and Global NepaliPatra Publication, among others. More about Rajen

Major (Retd.) Tikendra Dal Dewan— CEO of GnERGY- Major Dewan is heading the first energy company launched by ex-Gurkhas in the UK’s competitive market. The Company provides electricity and gas to its customers and is now offering competitive gas and electricity tariff rates for SMEs throughout the UK. He is also President of the British Gurkha Welfare Society (BGWS) that champions the cause of the Gurkhas. More about Tikendra

Mr Muchhetra Gurung – CEO of Himalayan Travels and Tour Ltd., Mr Gurung is one of the Directors of the Oriental China Super Market . He also has got stakes in the real state and remittance. He is the former president of the NRNA UK chapter.

Mr Krishna Timalsena – Mr Timalsena is the Director of Krish Food Ltd. He is also an executive chef. He was recently elected as Deputy Regional Coordinator of the NRNA for Europe region. More about Krishna and his business

Mr Manoj Mehta – CEO of City Clean, Mr. Mehta leads one of the top cleaning agencies in central London employeeing more than 100 staff. He also maintains strong interest in socio-political activities in Nepal and supports a number of charities. More about Manoj

Mr Deepak Shrestha – Mr Shrestha is the Director of Best Price Retail and Wholesale Ltd., and Balloon Nepal. He is also President Buddha Foundation UK and is currently President of England State Committee of the NRNA UK. More about Deepak

Mr Surya Gurung – Mr Gurung is the Managing Director of Peepal Mortgages – a mortgage broker based in the UK. The Company now has four branches in London, Ashford , Swindon and Farnborough and offers mortgage related advice to its customers – mainly Gurkhas and their families. More about Surya

Mr Krishna Bhatta – Mr Bhatta is the Director of ABI College Ltd. The College was incorporated 15 years ago. An educational entrepreneur, he is involved in the property business also. More about Krishna

Mr Kamal Poudel –Mr Poudel is the Managing Director of IME Ltd., London. Poudel is in remittance business for more than a decade now. He has investments in real estate and other sectors in Nepal as well.

Mr Biraj Bhatta – Managing Director of the WORLD TRAVEL, Travel Consol Ltd., Bhatta has been active in travel business for more than 20 years. His company World Travel ltd has been incorporated in UK since 2004. Vice President of the Britain Nepal Chamber of Commerce (BNCC), he is also coordinator of Travel and Tour committee of the Visit Nepal Year 2020 organising committee in the UK. More about Biraj

Mr Prakash Gautam– Director of the Paragon Academy, Mr Gautam has been involved in the educational sector for quite long. He is also Director of the London Paragon College that was incorporated in 2012. More about Prakash

Mr Min Darlami – An independent financial advisor, Mr Darlami is Managing Director of the A Star Financial Solutions UK Ltd. He is also involved in the real state sector. The company has its head office in Hangar Lane, London and two more branches in Ashford and Farnborough. More about Min

This year’s Identity Award goes to Nepali writer Khagendra Sangraula

Posted on January 4, 2020 by SAT News Desk

London– This year’s Identity Award has been awarded to progressive writer Khagendra Sangraula.

Sangraula is regarded as one of the strong critics of the Communist government of Nepal and leaders for their lavish lifestyle and for allegedly promoting ‘crony capitalism.’

“Sangraula is continuously raising his voice against injustice and discrimination based on casteism. He is praised due to his activism and writing in favour of peasants and workers and indigenous people. Hence, he has been selected for the award,” said Naresh Kangmang Rai, a London-based writer and founder of the Award.

A sum of NRS 402,002 (approx 2770 Pounds) is given along with the “Identity Honour” award to prominent writers who strongly raise their voices in favour of indigenous people of Nepal, their rights and stories, Mr Rai said.

Greenwich borough is looking for community champions from Nepalese community

Posted on January 3, 2020 by SAT News Desk

London — Greenwich borough is looking for members of its Nepalese community to come forward and help them raise issues about the private housing market.

Greenwich are looking for what they call Live Well community champions.

The project, which has received funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, aims to support the diverse existing and new migrant communities in Greenwich and challenge rogue landlords.

Houses in multiple occupation (HMO) are properties where the occupants do not form a single family and are typically separate households with shared facilities. Some of these HMOs are unlicensed and lack adequate facilities.

The champions will help the town hall talk to with the Nepalese community, raise awareness of housing issues and help the community to recognise and report unsafe housing conditions, londonnews online reported.

To be involved, the following phone number and email address has been published : 020 892 15496 or residentialservices@royalgreenwich.gov.uk

Sovereign right lies in Nepal to accept or reject the US Government’s grants :Chinese Envoy to Nepal

Posted on January 3, 2020 by SAT News Desk

RSS, Kathmandu — China has made it clear that it does not defend its citizens involved in illegal activities in the host country and also expressed commitment of its cooperation in bringing the criminals to book.

Similarly, China said there is no threat to its security and national interests from Nepal. It however maintained that there was risk from some elements who did not like the cordial relations between China and Nepal, and China’s prosperity, pointing out the need of observing caution against such undesirable elements.

Noting petty issues will not much impact the Sino-Nepal relations based on mutual trust and cooperation, China has publicly expressed that the common responsibility of the need to remain alert against those attempting to hurt the centuries-old bilateral friendship should not be forgotten.

“The Nepali government and people always adhere to the one-China policy which China highly appreciates. We hope that our Nepali friends can know better the nature of the incident, work with us to resist and oppose any words and deeds that interfere in Hong Kong and Xinjiang affairs, defend the basic norms of international relations, including non-interference in internal affairs, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries,” Ambassador of China to Nepal, Hou Yanqi said, organising a news conference at her office today.

The Chinese Ambassador said some Western countries that did not want to see China prospering were persistently attacking China by exaggerating the Hong Kong and Xinjiang issue, stressing that the Chinese government has been working for the peace and unity of these territories by adopting the basic national policy of ‘One Country, Two Systems’ as per the Chinese constitution.

Stating a notable progress was made in 2019 in expansion of the contacts and relations between the two countries in the economic, social, political, trade and the public aspect, ambassador Hou remarked that China has remained as the country making the maximum investment in Nepal continuously since four years and that the expected success was achieved in the expansion of China-Nepal trade as well.

The Chinese envoy said, “The outstanding highlight of China-Nepal relations this year is the exchange of visits between the two heads of state.. President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Nepal in mid-October is the first time of the Chinese President’s visit to Nepal in the last 23 years.

During this visit, the two leaders have witnessed the signing of 20 cooperation documents concerning various areas of the national interest and people’s livelihood, announced the establishment of China-Nepal strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity, agreed to align the joint building of the Belt and Road Initiative by China and Nepal with Nepal’s national development strategy of transforming itself into a land-linked country and to accelerate the building of the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network.”

The Chinese Ambassador said the Year 2019 witnessed the addition of a new dimension to the China-Nepal relations, successful exchanges of bilateral visits at the Head-of-the State level, signing of 20 documents: agreements and Memorandum of Understanding concerning bilateral partnership, cooperation and assistance during Chinese President Xi Jingping’s historic and maiden visit to Nepal in mid-October.

According to the Ambassador, they are working closely with bodies concerned of the Nepal Government for the implementation of the agreements as soon as possible.
It may be noted that this was the first of the Chinese President’s visit to Nepal in the last 23 years.
China-Nepal’s everlasting strategic partnership and cooperation featured bilateral interests, she said, expressing her hope that ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ centered on prosperity and development would turn to be effective by transforming the land-locked Nepal to a land-linked country.

Both neighbours are stepping up to implement the important consensus reached by the state leaders, and some projects have also made positive progress. Feasibility study is going on at an accelerated pace in regard with projects of long-term importance such as the cross-border railway and expansion of road connectivity.

“Regarding the 25 post-disaster reconstruction projects concerning people’s livelihood of Nepal, we have completed 10 projects including the first phase of Kathmandu Ring Road Improvement and Earthquake Monitoring Network Project. In near future, we will also have several new projects completed, approved or commenced,” she added.
A feasibility study has commented to construct a tunnel way connecting Syafrubesi.

On a different note, the Chinese Ambassador was of the view that ‘Two plus One’ or the partnership with China and India or other countries be focused on enhancing prosperity of the respective nations and improving the people’s livelihood. Size should never be an issue and have its bearing on such efforts, the Ambassador argued.
The Chinese Ambassador was also of the view that sovereign right whether to accept the US Government’s grants for the causes of Nepal’s physical infrastructure lies within Nepal, adding that the Nepal Government was capable to take a positive decision towards that end.
“International economic assistance is unavoidable for Nepal’s development, such assistance, as I believe, should ensure the national interests of Nepal and China welcomes the foreign assistance to be achieved for Nepal’s development,” Ambassador Hou said.

Forbes listed Nepal’s only one Billionaire Opens First Luxury Hotel In Dubai

Posted on January 3, 2020January 3, 2020 by SAT News Desk

Pearl Yan

Over the past 13 years, CG’s fast-growing hospitality wing has joined ventures with Taj, Jetwing and Radisson to expand its hotels and resorts across 11 countries. With 15 years of presence in Dubai through its other businesses, the multinational has established its CG Hospitality headquarters in Dubai to cover the Middle East, Europe and Africa markets.

With an ambition to set a new benchmark for ‘Business Luxury’ in the region, CG Hospitality has opened Taj Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT), the first five-star hotel in the world where Nepal’s national flag flies with pride.

Featuring 200 contemporary rooms and suites in the heart of Dubai, Taj JLT will bring with it two unique firsts—the soon-to-open Paros, a Mediterranean inspired rooftop pool bar and restaurant, and the first pillar-less ballroom in the Jumeirah Lakes Towers neighbourhood which can hold up to 250 guests.

The group also pays homage to its Indian heritage by introducing the ceremonial Shamiana (Indian tent) from the Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai at the Shamiana restaurant, serving a pan-Indian menu accompanied by live entertainment.

From : Thailand Tatler

A Nepali youth on the Forbes top young entrepreneur of the world 2020

Posted on January 3, 2020January 3, 2020 by SAT News Desk

London — Simanta Gautam, 24 along with his friend, Bruno Faviero, 27, have been included in the Top Young Entrepreneurs Of The Forbes Under 30 2020 list.

They have been listed for the success of their start up company Synapse Technology. Gautam and Bruno are the cofounder of Synapse technology.

The Forbes magazine said, “Synapse Technology Corporation combines computer vision with X-ray machines at security checkpoints to better identify weapons and other prohibited items. Bruno Faviero and Simanta Guatam, first-generation immigrants from Brazil and Nepal respectively, started the company in 2016 with third cofounder Ian Cinnamon (who made the Under 30 list in 2015 for a different company). The team of 14 has raised $6 million to-date and their software, which retrofits onto existing machines, is deployed at airports, courthouses and military bases.”

Nepal to celebrate 2020 as Visit Nepal year to attract 2 million tourists

Posted on January 2, 2020 by SAT News Desk

Kathmandu — President of Nepal Bidya Devi Bhandari launched much-awaited Visit Nepal Year 2020 campaign amidst a spectacular ceremony held at historic Dasaratha Rangashala in Kathmandu on Wednesday evening.

Chief Justice, National Assembly Chairman, former Prime Ministers and political party leaders from Nepal and dignitaries from various countries including India’s Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism and Culture, Prahlad Singh Patel also graced the occasion.

The ambitious campaign is aimed to promote tourism in Nepal and attract 2 million tourists during the year 2020. In his address Nepal’s Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Yogesh Bhattarai said the government has a goal of making tourism one of the key pillars of Nepali economy. He said Visit Nepal Year 2020 will create a new image of Nepal in the hearts and minds of the world community.

On this occasion India’s Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism and Culture, Prahlad said India and Nepal have age old cultural and social ties. He said participation and enthusiasm among youths will make the campaign successful, Newsonair Reported.

Visit Nepal 2020 campaign was also launched in all the seven provinces of Nepal from Wednesday. During the campaign a large number of programmes will be organized in various parts of Nepal throughout the year.