Home – Page 195 – South Asia Time

Home

Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari Sacks All Seven Province Governors on Govt’s Recommendation

Posted on by SAT News Desk

PTI, Kathmandu: Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari has sacked the governors of all seven provinces at the recommendation of the government, his office said on Sunday.

The President relieved the governors from their posts in accordance with the constitutional provisions at the recommendation of the Council of Ministers, the President’s office said in a statement.

A cabinet meeting held earlier on Sunday had recommended the president to relieve the governors from their posts.

Those who were relieved from the posts are Govinda Bahadur Tumhang, chief of Province 1, Ratneswor Kayastha of Province 2, Anuradha Koirala of Province 3, Baburam Kunwar of Province 4, Umakant Jha of Province 5, Durga Keshar Khanal of Province 6, Ratneshwor Malla of Province 7.

The province chiefs were appointed two years ago by then Sher Bahadur Deuba government.

Support Nepal organises a charity event to build a Welfare Centre in Syangja

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Jagan Karki, London – A UK-based charity, Support Nepal, successfully organised an event on Saturday to raise funds to build a Welfare Centre in Syangja, West Nepal.

The programme, organised at the Radnag Village Hall, High Wycombe, was attended by visiting Tourism Minister of Nepal, Yogesh Bhattarai, as well as British friends of Nepal.

The event successfully raised approximately £10k and still requires to raise additional £30k.

 

Patron of Support Nepal, Navin Gurung, said, “The Welfare Centre in Nepal will not only suport local community, it will also allow new generations of British youth to go and volunteer in Nepal. It will also help promote voluntourism.”

The project will support the initiative of Support Nepal to promote sports, health and educational activities at Kolmabhakot village of Syangja.

President of Supoort Nepal, Polly Scott, welcomed and thanked all the supporters for helping to make the charity event a great success.

More than 100 British friends of Nepal along with members of Nepali community in the UK attended the event,

“Nepal is celebrating Visit Nepal Year 2020 and I urge all British friends to support this campaign by visiting Nepal,” said Minister Bhattarai adding, “Nepal is a safe and secure tourist destination and we are willing to welcome all our friends and well-wishers.”

Nepal’s ambassdor to the UK, Dr Durga Bahadur Subedi, and Deputy Chair of the ruling Conservative party, David Lelington,  highlighted the historic relations between the two countries and said there was much room to further strengthen it through people-to-people interactions.

HSBC apprentice Khaliqa wins the Asian Apprentice award 2019, full list of the winners

Posted on by SAT News Desk

London — Khaliqa Amani was named as the Apprentice of the Year at the Asian Apprenticeships Awards at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham last night. Dedicated learning providers are encouraged to enter their talented apprentices and themselves as the Asian Apprenticeship Awards return for a fourth year.

The awards recognise and celebrate talent within the British Asian community and the support they receive from their employers and learning providers.

Khaliqa works for HSBC UK Head Office in Birmingham as a Wealth Insights Proposition Manager, having completed her Apprenticeship in just eight months.

A British National who spent most of her life in Pakistan, Khaliqa achieved top grades for her GCSEs and A Levels. Her goal was to become a heart surgeon. Moving to the UK with the dream of studying medicine, she gained a place at medical school but then received the devastating news that she did not qualify for a tuition fee loan as she had not lived in the UK for three years.

Khaliqa was determined to build a successful career in the UK. She researched different industries and learnt about the apprenticeship programme with HSBC UK. The opportunity to study and work without incurring university debt appealed to Khaliqa and she gained a place on the Apprenticeship in Providing Financial Services.

Starting as a Cashier and Customer Service Officer at the Birmingham New Street branch, Khaliqa passed her apprenticeship exams with merit status within eight months, instead of the recommended 18 months. She was promoted on completion of the apprenticeship programme and has more recently been promoted again, this time to a management role. Her success in the workplace enabled her to buy her first home aged just 21, and to support her siblings and her mother.

Khaliqa is also an HSBC Apprenticeship Ambassador, delivering talks in schools and colleges, answering students’ queries so they can make informed decisions, and coaching students in interview skills. She is an extremely active member of HSBC Muslim Network and produced a video on ‘Ramadan and the workplace’ to help her colleagues understand the significance of the Holy month of Ramadan in Islamic culture.

Her line manager Christine Foyster said: “Khaliqa’s success at HSBC UK throughout and since her apprenticeship really speaks for itself. Two big promotions within less than two years is a rare occurrence at this organisation and is testament to the hard work Khaliqa has put into building her personal brand, proving her worth and growing a diverse and strong network of stakeholders throughout the business.

From over 300 nominations, awards were presented in 7 sector categories, 2 employer categories and the overall Learning Provider of the Year. Nearly 500 people attended the event which was hosted by Suzi Mann and comedian Eshaan Akbar. Entertainment was provided by Aston Performing Arts Academy. Guest speakers included Jasmine Kundra, from last year’s BBC The Apprentice line up and Iasha Masood from this year’s series, alongside the overall Asian Apprentice of the Year 2018 Marjana Uddin and Shakil Butt from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

The full winners list is as follows:

Judges’ Choice Award and overall Apprentice of the Year – Khaliqa Amani, HSBC

Finance, Legal & Professional Services category

Winning Apprentice    Shamaila Khalid, Ernst & Young LLP

Winning Employer      Arvato CRM Solutions UK

Health, Medical & Social Care category

Winning Apprentice    Ahmar Iqbal, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Winning Employer      PBL Care

Retail, Hospitality & Tourism category

Winning Apprentice    Ahmed Alkhkfaji, Blade Barber Shop

Winning Employer      Travis Perkins

Charity, Voluntary Organisations & Public Services category

Winning Apprentice    Nardesh – Samra Burhm, Babington

Winning Employer      Salesforce.org

Construction Services category

Winning Apprentice    Alyssia Samra, HS2

Winning Employer      NG Bailey

Engineering & Manufacturing category

Winning Apprentice    Aamir Adam, Siemens

Winning Employer      Bombardier Transportation

Creative & Digital category

Winning Apprentice    Ismail Abdul Ghafoor, HM Revenue & Customs

Winning Employer      Facebook

Learning Provider of The Year – PTP Training

Small, Medium Employer of the Year – BootCamp Media

Large Employer of the Year – Lloyds Banking Group

British cricket Club MCC to play with Nepali National team in Kathmandu from 3rd November

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Kathmandu — Cricket Association of Nepal has  announced squad(s) for upcoming MCC matches to be held in Kathmandu from November 3-9.

Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) from the United Kingdom is touring to Nepal and is playing across multiple formats against Nepalese side in Kathmandu. On November 3, MCC will take on Nepal U19 for 50-over match, followed by 50-over match against Nepal senior team on November 4 at Tribhuvan University International Cricket ground, CricNepal writes.

MCC will also feature in a first class match against Nepal senior team, starting from November 6-8. The three-day match will be played for the first time in 14 years in Nepalese soil. Meanwhile, International Cricket Council has approved this match to be played at TU Cricket ground.

On November 9, a twenty20 match will be played between MCC and Nepal’s senior & U19 players.

Gyanendra Malla will lead the side across all formats. However, Paras Khadka, the former captain, has been named in 50-over squad only.

T20 squad
Gyanendra Malla (C), Aarif Sheikh, Amit Shrestha, Avinash Bohara, Binod Bhandari, Dipendra Singh Airee, Karan KC, Kushal Bhurtel, Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi, Nandan Yadav, Pawan Sarraf, Sandeep Jora, Sandeep Lamichhane, Sompal Kami.

50 overs squad
Gyanendra Malla(C), Aarif Sheikh, Basant Regmi, Bikram Sob, Binod Bhandari, Dipendra Singh Airee, Ishan Pandey, Karan KC, Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi, Paras Khadka, Rohit Kumar Paudel, Sandeep Lamichhane, Sharad Vesawkar, Sompal Kami.

First Class squad
Gyenendra Malla(C), Aarif Sheikh, Basant Regmi, Binod Bhandari, Dipendra Singh Airee, Karan KC, Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi, Pawan Sarraf, Raju Rijal, Rohit Kumar Paudel, Sandeep Lamichhane, Sharad Vesawkar, Sompal Kami.

Fixtures
November 3: Nepal U19 vs MCC (50 Overs)
November 4: Nepal Vs MCC (50 Overs)
November 6-8: Nepal Vs MCC (3 Days Match – First Class)
November 9: Mixed National / U19 Team Vs MCC (T20)

MCC LAUNCHES LEGACY TOUR PROGRAMME IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MCC FOUNDATION

According to the LORDs official website,  As announced in the summer of 2018, MCC has introduced into its overseas touring programme a series of Legacy Tours, aimed at leaving a sustainable and meaningful impact in developing cricket nations.

The first of these is Nepal, with the Club committing to touring Nepal for three years from 2019 to 2021 inclusive. The MCC Foundation will support MCC in this objective, by funding programmes off the pitch which includes laying nets in five government schools, upskilling local coaches and teachers, and broadening access to the game for Nepali boys and girls.

A strong 13-man squad will be departing London for Nepal on 1st November, and will play six matches in the two-week trip including a three-day match against the Nepal national side, which has been granted first-class status.

John Stephenson, MCC Head of Cricket, said: “MCC has strong cricketing links with Nepal, having hosted them at Lord’s twice in recent years and toured to the country in both 2009 and 2015.

“This upcoming tour begins part of the new Legacy Tour agreement, with the MCC Foundation supporting this major project which further reiterates MCC’s global influence on the game.

“We have selected a strong squad with both international and domestic experience who will provide tough opposition for Nepal’s talented players. They will also be fine ambassadors for MCC and prove valuable assets to the Club when coaching youngsters on the tour.”

Abi Carter, Director of the MCC Foundation, said: “This is the Foundation’s first major overseas project, and we are aiming not just to provide opportunities for both boys and girls to learn and play the game, but also to use cricket for broader good, like breaking down perceptions around gender roles, and building young people’s confidence and aspirations.

“This should be a great example of MCC and the Foundation working hand in hand to develop all levels of the game in Nepal. MCC tourists will kick the project off in November, MCC and Foundation coaches will run “coach the coaches” courses in December, and our funds will go towards facilities, kit and training sessions until June next year.

“We are delighted to be working with Kidasha, who already do incredible work with some of the most vulnerable young people in Pokhara, to bring the benefits of sport to what we hope will be over 1,000 young people.”

MCC SQUAD TO TOUR NEPAL:

Jimmy Adams (Captain)
Yasir Arafat
Billy Godleman
Miles Hammond
Oliver Hannon-Dalby
Callum Jackson
Will Rhodes
Alex Spencer
Alex Thomson
Will Vanderspar
Ed Young
Tom Westley
Chris Wright

Richard Greatorex (Tour Manager)
Owen Dawkins (Coach)
Jeff Evans (Umpire)
Alan Jones (Scorer)

MATCH SCHEDULE

Matches to be played at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kathmandu:

Sunday 3rd November:  v Nepal Under-19s (50 overs)
Monday 4th November: v Nepal (50 overs)
Wednesday 6th – Friday 8th November: v Nepal (first-class three-day match)
Saturday 9th November: v Mixed National Side/Under-19s (T20)

Matches to be played at the Pokhara Rangasala Cricket Ground, Pokhara:

Monday 11th November: v Pokhara Invitational XI (T20)
Tuesday 12th November: v Chief Minister’s XI (T20)

ABOUT THE NEPAL LEGACY TOUR PROGRAMME

In the first year of this three-year programme, the Foundation will be funding a £56k project in Pokhara, between November 2019 and June 2020. It will be delivered by Kidasha, a UK charity which undertakes work purely in Nepal, and runs life skills lessons around building confidence and resilience in Pokhara schools.

The Project encompasses:

– The laying of nets in five schools (Cricket Resource Schools)
– MCC and MCC Foundation coaches travelling to Nepal to December to upskill five local coaches and 15 local teachers (five in the cricket resource schools and ten in feeder schools) to deliver cricket
– The provision of kit for pupils in the fifteen schools
– Cricket coaching based at the five CRSs, six days a week
– The establishment of a new schools league, with both boys’ and girls’ teams

Both MCC and the Foundation aim to uncover and nurture cricketing talent at both elite and grassroots levels. The Foundation is also aiming to bring about broader socio-economic benefits by introducing cricket in schools e.g. around improving perceptions of gender, increasing confidence, and encouraging schools attendance.

Lahore’s air quality worst in the world, Delhi second

Posted on by SAT News Desk

London — Most South Asian cities have been struggling with air pollution, according to a real-time air quality ranking report by IQ Air Visual.

On Friday, November 2, Lahore became the most polluted city in the world with an Air Quality Index (AQI) rate of 383. As of today, it’s almost reached an AQI rate of 540, which makes it ‘hazardous’ according to the report. Additionally, in some districts, the AQI rate has reached more than 600.

Lahore  is followed by New Delhi, the Indian city with an overall AQI rate of 255. Similarly other South Asian city Kathmandu has ranked 13th with 127 points.

The index measures the air quality of the cities based on live tracking of the AQI all over the world. The AQI takes into account five main pollutants – particulate matter with a diameter less than 10 micrometres (PM10), PM2.5, ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and carbon monoxide (CO).

Based on the classification of tracked data, AQI determines the quality of air in seven categories.

0-50: Good

51-100: Satisfactory

101-200: Moderate

201-300: Poor
301-300: Very Poor
401-500: Severe
500 and above: ‘Severe-plus emergency’

Amnesty International Raised the concern on air quality of Lahore :

The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Lahore reached 484 at 10am Pakistan time today. The threshold for “hazardous” levels of air quality is 300, where people are advised to “avoid all physical activity outdoors”.

“The high level of smog is neither a new problem, nor one that came without warning. The government of Pakistan needs to do much more to adequately address such a severe public health crisis – one that endangers people’s health and even their lives,” said Rimmel Mohydin, South Asia Campaigner at Amnesty International.

There is something very wrong when the air becomes so toxic that you cannot breathe without hurting yourself
Rimmel Mohydin

Prolonged or heavy exposure to hazardous air can result in severe health issues including asthma, lung damage, bronchial infections and heart problems and shortened life expectancy – putting at risk people’s rights to life and to health, as well as the right to a healthy environment.

The so-called “smog season” is where poor fuel quality, uncontrolled emissions and crop burning worsens the quality of the already unhealthy air, from October to December.

According to the 2015 findings of the medical journal Lancet, a whopping 22 percent of annual deaths in Pakistan are caused by pollution, and the majority of those are due to air pollution.

Low income workers, such as labourers, construction workers and farmhands, and marginalized groups are particularly vulnerable as the nature of their work forces them to be exposed to hazardous air throughout the day. The fact that health care is not easily affordable to all means that only those who can afford it will be able to access health care and other preventative measures to mitigate the effects of breathing in hazardous air. Low visibility can also result in accidents and loss of life.

Warmer temperatures, a direct result of climate change, create an environment for smog formation and can lead the air to stagnate – preventing dirty air from leaving an area.

“Air pollution and the climate crisis are intricately linked. It exacerbates existing inequalities and paves the way for human rights violations. If authorities continue to stall making concerted efforts to address the smog crisis, it will continue to devastate human life,” said Rimmel Mohydin.

The court-appointed Smog Commission made a number of recommendations in May 2018 including the immediate adoption and implementation of the Punjab Clean Air Action Plan, establishing Smog Response Desks at district levels, adoption of appropriate technologies that reduce emissions of harmful pollutants from brick kilns. Those have only been partially implemented, if at all. Real-time data from the Environment Protection Department on air quality remains unavailable to the public and no efforts are being made to switch to higher quality fuel.

A fundamental shift needs to take place across Pakistan’s industrial, agricultural and transportation practices, to make sure they are consistent with people’s human rights.

“There is something very wrong when the air becomes so toxic that you cannot breathe without hurting yourself. The government can no longer afford to waste time while people are choking to death,” said Rimmel Mohydin.

Tourism Minister of Nepal to promote Visit Nepal Year at the WTM

Posted on by SAT News Desk

London —Culture,Tourism and Civil Aviation minister of Nepal, Yogesh Bhattarai,  is arriving London to promote Nepal at the World Travel Market (WTM), officials said.

WTM is held every year at the world-renowned business exhibition centre at Excel, London.

“Bhattarai, along with senior officials of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), will arrive London on Saturday on a 5-day-visit,” Sharad Raj Aran, Deputy Chief of Mission and spokesperson of the Nepali Embassy in London told South Asia Time.

 

According to the Embassy, Bhattarai and his team will participate in WTM and will have a meeting with British government official and other stakeholders in order to promote Visit Nepal 2020 year campaign and other tourism related issues.
Minister Bhattarai will also have an interaction program with Tourism entrepreneurs of the U.K. at the Nepali Embassy on 5th of November.

 

WTM is being organised from 4th to 7th of November at Excel. More than 50,000 participants from 182 countries are expected to take part in the exhibition. The exhibition is considered  as the second biggest travel fairs after ITB, Berlin.

 

The Non-Resident Nepali Association UK chapter has organised an interaction program at Aldershot on Sunday with the visiting Minister, General Secretary of the NRNA UK, Phadindra Bhattarai, said.

Nepal offers both opportunities and challenges: Ms Pollitt

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Jagan Karki, London – British Ambassador-designate to Nepal, Ms Nicola Pollitt, said Nepal today offered both opportunities and challenges. “Challenges included geography, mountainous region, new federal system and unfortunately, widespread corruption,” said Pollitt adding, “opportunities included the government of Nepal which looked pretty stable than the British one.”

Saying that she was just back from Nepal after visiting projects supported by the Gurkha Welfare Trust (GWT), Ms Pollitt said she had first visited Nepal in 1999 for trekking and spent three weeks there. Ms Pollitt recalled how she was coordinating the British government’s response to Nepal’s earthquake in 2015 at 10 Downing Streetwhile her husband, Mark Perrin—a British marine–  was in fact deployed to Nepal to help on the ground.

Addressing an interaction organised by the Britain-Nepal Chamber of Commerce (BNCC) in London on Wednesday, Ms Pollitt said, “The British public’s extraordinary response to Nepal earthquake appeal reflects deep love and affection British citizens’ holds towards Nepal.”

She also thanked the BNCC for organising the event and advised them to bring people and ideas together to promote trade and investment between the two countries. “As Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Nepal, I will work in a way that both countries’ interests are served.”

Responding to a query, Mrs Pollitt lauded the historic contributions of Gurkhas in maintaining British security. “Their concerns are important,” she said, but did not elaborate.

President of the BNCC, Dr Kapil Rijal, said the Chamber was working on to promote and facilitate British investment in Nepal. He said the Chamber was organising a trade mission to Nepal early next year. Former President of the BNCC, Rajen Kandel, said this was right time to invest in Nepal. Welcoming all the guests  VP and tourism entrepreneur , Mr Biraj Bhatta stated the greater scope of tourism and urge to invest in Nepal.

Photo : Shiva Bhandari

David Thomas, President of the Britain-Nepal NGO Forum (BRANNGO), said nearly 800 British  non-profit organisations were working in Nepal. He called upon the private sector to collaborate with NGOs to bring about socio-economic changes in Nepal.

A career diplomat, Ms Pollitt will replace Richard Morris as British envoy to Nepal next month. She is the first female British ambassador in over two-century-old relations between the two countries.  She had also worked as a Senior Policy Advisor for Afghanistan, Pakistan and India at the Cabinet Office.

Fire on moving train kills 65 passengers in central Pakistan

Posted on by SAT News Desk

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, MULTAN, Pakistan–A massive fire caused by a cooking gas stove erupted on Thursday on a train traveling in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province, killing at least 65 passengers, officials said.

Flames roared through the train cars as the train approached the town of Liaquatpur in Punjab, they said, the latest tragedy to hit Pakistan’s dilapidated, poorly maintained and mismanaged rail system.

Deputy Commissioner Jamil Ahmed said the death toll had risen steadily since the early morning. The fire broke out when a gas stove exploded as breakfast was being prepared on board, he added.

Several of the injured had jumped off the train–many to their deaths–after the fire broke out, said Ahmed. The train eventually screeched to a halt.

Poor passengers often bring their own small gas stoves on the trains to cook their meals, despite rules to the contrary, according to Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed. Safety regulations are often ignored in the overcrowded trains.

Through the morning hours, rescue workers and inspectors sifted through the charred wreckage, looking for survivors and aiding the injured. Local Pakistani TV footage from the scene showed a huge blaze raging as firefighters struggled to get it under control.

Authorities said they were still trying to identify the victims and that the lists of fatalities and those injured were not ready yet. Another train has been dispatched to bring the survivors to the city of Rawalpindi, they said.

Yasmin Rashid, a provincial minister in the Punjab, told reporters that the medical staff were providing the best possible treatment for the injured at a hospital in Liaquatpur.

Those critically injured will be taken ambulances to the city of Multan, the largest city nearest to the site of the accident.

The train was on its way from the southern port city of Karachi, the capital of southern Sindh province, to the garrison city of Rawalpindi when the blaze erupted, said Ahmed, the deputy commissioner.

Pakistan’s military said troops were also participating in the rescue operation. President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan issued statements expressing grief over the tragedy.

Train accidents in Pakistan are often the result of poor railway infrastructure and official negligence. Media reports on Thursday suggest that railway officials did not notice when passengers boarded the train carrying individual gas stoves.

More than half of South Asian youth are not on track to have the education and skills necessary for employment in 2030

Posted on by SAT News Desk

KATHMANDU/NEW YORK/MUMBAI, 30 October 2019 – An estimated 54 per cent of South Asian youth leave school without the necessary skills to get a decent job in the next decade, according to data produced by the Global Business Coalition for Education (GBC-Education), the EducationCommission, and UNICEF.

According to the data, South Asia lags behind several other regions in preparing the next generation of young people with the skills they will need for 21st century work. Projections place South Asia well below the global average. This builds on the estimates UNICEF produced with the Commission last year on the projected learning outcomes in 2030 for all South Asian countries.

“Every day, nearly 100,000 young South Asians – a large sports stadium of young people – enter the labour market, almost half of them not on track to find 21st century jobs,” said Henrietta Fore, UNICEF Executive Director. “South Asia is at a critical juncture, with a limited window during which it can reap significant demographic dividends from its talented and capable youth. Get it right, and millions could be lifted out of poverty. Fail to do so, and economic growth will falter, youth despair will rise, and further talent will be lost to other regions.”

Special edition of GBC-Education’s 2030 Skills Scorecard: School age children on track to complete secondary AND reach the learning benchmarks, per cent[1]
Country Today 2030 Projection
Bangladesh 26% 55%
Bhutan 47% 81%
India 19% 47%
Maldives 16% 46%
Nepal 13% 46%
Pakistan 18% 40%
Sri Lanka

 

With almost half of its population of 1.8 billion below the age of 24, led by India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, South Asia will have the largest youth labour force in the world until 2040.This offers the region the potential to drive vibrant and productive economies. If strong investments in skills development are made, the region is poised to maintain strong economic growth as well as an expansion of opportunities in the education and skills sectors in the coming decades.

However, a recent UNICEF ‘Voices of Youth’ survey conducted among 32,000 young people in South Asia reveals concerns among these under 24-year-olds about how well they are being prepared for the modern economy. According to the poll, many young people in South Asia feel their education systems are outdated and do not prepare them for employment. They cite lack of work experience (26%), inadequate support services to improve employability (23% received no support and most received limited and not comprehensive support), and bribery demands/discriminatory and unfair hiring practices (44%) as key barriers to finding employment even after they have graduated.

“This is a crisis,” said Justin Van Fleet, Executive Director of the Global Business Coalition for Education. “Addressing the youth skills gap in South Asia requires government investments, commitments from the business community, contributions from civil society, and the perspective of young people to best equip the next generation to successfully enter the rapidly changing job market.”

A separate new report commissioned by UNICEF identified major obstacles to addressing the youth skills gap in the region. These include the low quality of education and suboptimal vocational training which do not give students the desired skill levels the labour market demands, among others. Compiled by Ernst & Young India, this report identifies a total of 30 already-in-operation solutions to the youth skills crisis.

UNICEF, the Global Business Coalition for Education, and Generation Unlimited are convening a major forum from October 29-31 in Mumbai to bring together leaders from government, youth and the business community to address the education and skills crisis and showcase solutions. Representatives from Accenture, Britannica, Grameenphone, Tata STRIVE, Google, Maruti Suzuki, ILO, Capgemini Technology Services, Ooredoo, Jetwing, etc. will also attend.

“In my travels, I have heard the voices of young people — their ideas, their enthusiasm, their vision for the future. I have also heard their worries about not getting the education or skills they need, and not being able to find a job,” Fore said. “The world of work is changing fast. If governments invest in better and modern education, and businesses create better opportunities for young people to enter the job market, South Asia can set an example for the world. But this can only be done if we act smart, and act together.”

Former British soldier, a Nepali man breaks record for climbing world’s highest peaks

Posted on by SAT News Desk

AP, KATHMANDU – A Nepalese man shattered the previous mountaineering record for successfully climbing the world’s 14 highest peaks, completing the feat in 189 days.

Nirmal Purja scaled the 8,027-meter (26,340-foot) Mount Shishapangma in China on Tuesday, which was the last of the 14 peaks that are more than 8,000 meters (26,240 feet) in height.

The previous record for climbing the 14 peaks was seven years, 10 months and six days. It was set by South Korean climber Kim Chang-ho in 2013.

Mingma Sherpa of Seven Summit Treks in Kathmandu, which equipped the expedition, said the 36-year-old Purja was in good health and safely descending from the summit.

Climbing experts called the record a momentous achievement in mountaineering history.

“It is a great achievement for mountaineering and mountaineers and a milestone in the history of climbing,” said Ang Tshering, who previously headed the Nepal Mountaineering Association.

A former soldier in the British army, Purja began his mission on April 23 with a climb of Mount Annpurna in Nepal.

In Nepal, he climbed Mount Annapurna on April 23, Mount Dhaulagiri on May 12, Mount Kanchenjunga on May 15, Mount Everest on May 22, Mount Lhotse on May 22, Mount Makalu on May 24 and Mount Manaslu on Sept. 27.

In Pakistan, he climbed Mount Nanga Parbat on July 3, Mount Gasherbrum 1 on July 15, Mount Gasherbrum 2 on July 18, Mount K2 on July 24 and Mount Broad Peak on July 26.

In China, he scaled Mount Cho You on Sept. 23 and Mount Shishapangma on Oct. 29.

He struggled to get permission from the Chinese government for his last climb and was allowed only after getting help from the Nepalese government.

Purja’s photo of a long line of climbers just below the Mount Everest summit was widely circulated on social media in May. It raised concerns about overcrowding and the safety of climbers spending so much time on the highest point of the earth for hours stuck on a traffic jam.

Purja joined the British army in 2003 and quit earlier this year to begin his mission of climbing all the highest peaks in record time.

UK general election is on: how it happened and what to expect now

Posted on by SAT News Desk

The UK is heading for an election on December 12, following a series of votes in the House of Commons. The House of Lords must approve the move, but its backing seems almost certain, meaning the campaign for a pre-Christmas poll will formally begin within days. This followed hours of intense discussions and attempted amendments in the Commons, and a failed attempt by the opposition Labour Party to bring the vote forward to December 9.
When he first moved into Downing Street as prime minister, Boris Johnson was adamant that he did not want an election. But more recently he has effectively been daring the opposition parties to allow him to have one. This u-turn comes as a result of his inability to secure a majority for his Brexit plans and a desire to repopulate parliament with MPs who would vote for his deal by the new deadline of January 31. He hopes that a “get Brexit done” platform can deliver him the majority he needs.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn had been calling for a general election when Johnson first became prime minister. But he soon shifted position, blocking a vote until the government guaranteedthat it wouldn’t take the UK out of the EU without a deal. Corbyn now says that this condition has effectively been met, at least for the time being, because the EU has granted a Brexit extension until January 31 2020.

However, the threat of a no deal has merely been delayed, not removed. A no-deal scenario is still very possible come February 2020 or indeed if Johnson’s Brexit deal is passed but no new trading arrangements are agreed before the end of a transition period.

A big gamble for both sides

It is hard to ignore the fact that political expediency – as well as Brexit concern – has been a key motivator in Labour’s delay tactics. Polls suggest that Corbyn’s party might not fare all that well in this election and it is not necessarily in its interests for one to happen now.

However, there is a sense that Corbyn has run out of excuses. Despite being very unsuccessful in the legislature, Johnson and his team have been very good at controlling the narrative. Their criticisms of Labour have resonated, leaving Labour with little room to manoeuvre. The opposition has thus decided to risk an election, perhaps hoping for a repeat of its late surge in the 2017 election. There is also a chance that the increased pressures that winter puts on public services can play into Labour’s hands as it challenges a governing party that has enacted severe cuts to public spending since 2010.

Corbyn has been unable to argue consistently or convincingly on Britain’s departure from the EU. His best shot, then, will be to focus on policy issues other than Brexit. With that in mind, he is already promising a “radical, hopeful” campaign, with an emphasis on running the country “for the many, not the few”.

That said, Labour also needs Johnson to be damaged by his failure to take the UK out of the EU on October 31 as promised, so it can’t afford to ignore the issue entirely. It can marry the two themes by highlighting how Johnson’s Brexit deal would be bad for ordinary people.

A big moment for small parties

It was, in the end, a manoeuvre by the firmly anti-Brexit smaller parties the Liberal Democrats and the Scottish National Party (SNP) that secured this election. Both had been hesitant about voting in favour of a poll until a no-deal scenario is well and truly off the table.

The logic of this is that an election could return a parliament that would be more amenable to their preferred Brexit outcomes and perhaps even facilitate a second referendum. However, it is a risky strategy. The Liberal Democrats did well in the European Parliament elections but this is no guarantee that they will do as well in a national election. Despite bold dreams of a Liberal Democrat majority, it is more likely that the best the party could hope for is a coalition or deal with other parties to take control of the Brexit narrative. That will need Labour to do well too, and it is far from certain voters will deliver success for both parties.

Electoral gamble

This election is a big gamble for everyone involved. Johnson needs a good majority if he wants to “get Brexit done”. While the polls look good for him at the moment, a lot can and often do change once the campaigning begins. Anything short of a Tory majority could see the opposition parties band together to frustrate the Conservatives and perhaps even form a coalition. The Conservatives have very few allies with which they could do the same.

However, if the opposition parties can’t win enough seats, they may no longer have the power to stop Johnson and stall Brexit. The stakes could not be higher for the country or the party system itself.

From : the Conversation

UK’s CDC Group to invest into Nepal’s largest private sector ISP

Posted on by SAT News Desk

London– CDC Group plc, the UK’s development finance institution wholly owned by the UK Government, has announced its investment in WorldLink, the largest private sector internet service provider in Nepal. The investment will help fund WorldLink’s ambitious expansion throughout Nepal, reaching further remote territories and connecting hundreds of thousands of households and small enterprises to the internet.

“Compared to other countries in Asia, access to digital services remains low in Nepal and presents a real challenge for most of the country’s communities and the development of businesses. Improving access to affordable and quality internet is central to Nepal’s development and economic growth, and a key part of UN Sustainable Development Goal 9,” said a statement issued by the CDC.

WorldLink has grown into Nepal’s largest internet service provider, laying over 8,000 km of fibre and reaching some of the country’s most remote places such as Chhatrakot Rural Municipality and Ruru Rural Municipality. It is also participating in a government subsidy scheme to extend internet services to Karnali, the most  mountainous and underdeveloped province in Nepal.

CDC’s investment of NPR 135 crores (approximately $12 million) will accelerate its expansion, helping WorldLink to provide even more small businesses and families with a reliable internet source. This advanced connectivity will help stimulate the growth of businesses and the local economy as they open commercial communications on a global platform.

WorldLink is already a large employer, particularly of young people, with nearly 3000 employees. CDC’s investment will support its hiring of over 1,000 additional employees; CDC will also help develop a skills and training programme for all staff and progress health and safety standards.

Srini Nagarajan Managing Director and Head of Asia at CDC commented: “We firmly believe in the power of connectivity to help bring communities out of poverty. Advancing the internet to MSMEs across Nepal gives them access to global trade and markets. It also brings families into contact in Nepal and overseas. WorldLink’s expansion has been impressive, led by its experienced founding and management teams. CDC’s capital will help accelerate this, helping it reach further remote regions. It will also support a meaningful increase in the employee base, providing all staff with learning and development skills.

This is CDC’s second investment in Nepal this year. We are delighted to be creating long term partnerships in a country where our capital will make a meaningful difference to people’s lives.”

 

Dileep Agrawal, Managing Director, WorldLink said, “We feel honoured to be the first CDC equity investment in Nepal. It is a recognition of our 24 years’ hard work and commitment to Nepal’s internet and telecoms industry. With CDC’s backing, our ambition is to transform Worldlink into a world-class company that will serve as a model and inspiration to other companies in Nepal. Our partnership will accelerate our pursuit to connect everyone, anywhere, all the time.”

Lisa Honan, Head of Office, DFID Nepal said, “DFID has a long history of helping connect Nepal’s most remote villages to the rest of the country through roads and bridges, to support Nepal’s economic growth. I know that this access has worked wonders to unlock the potential of these places. The benefits of dependable internet access in rural Nepal are immense, ranging from improved health services, education, access to information and financial services and connection between people and businesses. I’m excited to see what changes this new initiative between CDC group and WorldLink will bring for Nepal.”

Earlier this year, CDC provided a US$15 million, three-year loan to NMB Bank, one of the country’s leading commercial banks.

I’m genuinely a dream come true Shah Rukh Khan

Posted on by SAT News Desk

New Delhi, (PTI) — Shah Rukh Khan has always counted his blessings and the Bollywood superstar wants people to have faith in the power of dreams, just as he did.
The 53-year-old Delhi-born actor was all nostalgic in his city. He was here for the closing ceremony of the city’s iconic cinema complex, PVR Anupam. India’s first multiplex, PVR Anupam closed for renovation on Thursday night.

“Some of the things that you don’t think about will happen to you and they are the best things of life. You just don’t know it yet. I don’t want to show off but I’m genuinely a dream come true.
“I’m a lower middle class boy without his parents bound to the city of glamour and become a movie star. The world has showered me with their love. This happens in only dreams but I never thought of it. I haven’t believed it, I am still that Delhi boy,” Shah Rukh said.
The actor said he never thinks of himself as a star in Delhi but sometimes has to behave like one.
“It bores me to be a star that way. I love my job and promise to everybody that as Ajay Bijli and Sanjeev Kumar Bijli keep on making cinema theatres, I’ll keep on making movies to fill them,” he added.
The actor said it was his life’s dream to own a theatre in a five-star hotel.

“This was the business I wanted to do, I didn’t think I’ll become a movie actor,” he said.
Asked when was the first time he saw himself on the big screen, Shah Rukh said it was the rushes of 1992 film “Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman”, directed by Aziz Mirza, at Mumbai’s legendary RK Studios.
“I found myself so ugly. I had such bad hair. I was doing such bad acting in front of Nana Patekar, Amrita Singh and Juhi Chawla. I took the late 4.15 am flight ticket that our producers used to get for us at 25 per cent off and went to the airport, thinking I can’t work in films.
“Aziz and Juhi convinced me that it’s not that bad. The final cut would be better. Just like Ajay Bijli lied and got ‘Yes Boss’ to play at this theatre, those two lied to me. I never looked better, I looked just the same,” he recalled.
The actor said he used to stand outside PVR Anupam hoping to manage a ticket.
“I used to roam around on the roads like guys do… My wife Gauri used to live here in Panchsheel. I have roamed around this place a lot to impress her. When I had to really woo her, I borrowed my uncle’s Vespa (scooter).”
Shah Rukh said he is fortunate to be so loved, especially by the people of the city.

“I remember initially one of the big things for me was ‘Main Dilliwala hoon, dilwala hoon’ (‘I am a Delhiite, I have a big heart). Even today whoever meets me, it’s still the same.
“My team asks me, ‘You know him?’ I say ‘I don’t but I’m related to him 100 per cent somehow’. Because everybody treats me like their own,” he said.
The festival of Diwali begins Friday and the actor said he is in the city to enjoy some family time, but will be rushing back soon as the culture of Mumbai’s Diwali parties is an important part of his life.
“I’ve got my little son (AbRam) here. I feel the way Dussehra, Diwali and Holi are celebrated in Delhi, they aren’t celebrated anywhere else. Or maybe it’s because I feel that way.”

Shah Rukh said he feels the most nostalgic when he visits his late parents’ resting place.
“Whenever I sit in a plane from Mumbai to come to Delhi, I have one thought in my heart that my mom and dad are here. I visit them in their graveyard late at night. When they say I’ve become a Mumbai person, I don’t know how to express it… But as much as I can leave Delhi, Delhi can’t leave me because my parents are here. The biggest memory for me is here,” he said.

“Sometimes when I give it a miss or become lazy, I pray from afar because parents will understand. Going and seeing them whenever I come here is the most nostalgic (feeling) for me,” he added. PTI RDS BK DIV BK
BK

Every dog has its day in Nepal; with crow, cow, oxen and self prayer, Festival of Light begins

Posted on by SAT News Desk

London — “Kukur Puja” or worshipping dogs is part of the five days of the Tihar or Deepawali festival in Nepal.

Dog owners put red tika, made from rice, on the dogs’ foreheads and garlands around their necks; owners also feed them before they have their own food. Families without dogs have to settle with canines belonging to their relatives, neighbours or even local stray dogs.

At the festival, the strays and pets are treated well with garlands in order to show them respect. The dogs are also adorned with red tika or tilak, with kumkum or gulaal along with rice and yogurt, very similar to any tilak ritual in Hindu tradition. After the puja, the dogs are given special treats and a lot of food to eat, which includes milk, eggs, meat, high-quality dog food or anything that one likes.

Here’s why dogs are worshipped on this day:

As per the Hindu mythology, Bhairava, an avatar of Lord Shiva, has a dog as his vahana (vehicle) known as Shvan. Yamraj or the God of Death also has two watchdogs, who guards the gates of Narak (hell). Owing to this belief, the festival is observed on this day that is also known as Naraka Chaturdashi or Bhoot Chaturdashi.

It is also believed that dogs can sense danger especially death and are worshipped on this day.

Another reason associated with it is that dogs also have special mention in Mahabharta. At the end of the epic, when the Pandavas started their final voyage, a dog followed them on their journey towards the Swarga. While in the journey, Yudhishtir lost all his brothers and wife, however, the dog continued with him till the gates of heaven. In the religious text, it is said that he refused to enter heaven without the dog. It is believed that it was Yama himself who disguised as a dog and followed him throughout the journey.

The five-day  festival that begins today, known as Tihar honors Yama, the God of Death, meanwhile the worship of Laxmi, the Goddess of Wealth dominates the festivities.

On the first day Kaag Tihar, is the day of the crow, the informant of Yama is worshipped. The second day Kukur Tihar is for worshipping the dogs as the agents of Yama. On the third day is Gai Tihar and Laxmi  Puja. On this day cow is offered prayers and food in the morning, and Goddess Laxmi is offered elaborate prayers and puja in the evening.

The fourth day is for the draught animal, oxen,when members of the Newar community perform Mha Puja dedicated to oneself. The fifth day is Bhai Tika  when sisters put tika on their brothers’ foreheads and give blessings. This festival is noted for lighting up homes with candles, oil-wick lamps and electric lights.

Houses all over the country are lit up with extra lights and decorated with garlands. A great view can be had of the brightly lit-up Kathmandu city from the Swoyambhunath Stupa. The celebrations begin with the adoration of crows and dogs. Dishes of rice, incense and light are set out for the dark messenger, while dogs are worshipped and offered goodies.

Kilian Jornet wins Golden Trail Series with first place finish in Nepal

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Kathmandu — Kilian Jornet and Judith Wyder sealed victories in the 2019 Golden Trail World Series with wins at the final race in Nepal.

In a lightly raced season, Jornet has focused on this seven-race series and, at the Annapurna Trail Marathon, he picked up his fourth win out of four, by a margin of 13 minutes in four hours 46 minutes six seconds, TrilRunningMag reported.

With more than 3200m of vertical gain in its 42km, the new race saw runners set out at 1200m and ascend to a maximum altitude of 3753m.

It was David Magnini of Italy who set out to establish a one-minute lead over the Spanish trail great up to checkpoint two in the first 46 minutes of running.

Jornet then halved the lead over the next half-hour before moving ahead and stretching away, adding to wins in the 2019 edition of this series at Zegama, Sierre-Zinal and Pikes Peak Marathon.

Magnini came into the final third in the standings but moved up one place as he finished more than eight minutes ahead of third-placed Stian Angermund-Vik of Norway. Britain’s Tom Owens was 13th in 6:02:01.

Wyder covered the course in 5:42:04, placing 10th overall. Fellow Swiss Maude Mathys was within three and a half minutes of her at checkpoint five – more than four hours into the race, but she was eventually a DNF.

Italy’s Sylvia Ramapazzo came through for second in 6:13:12., while South Africa’s Meg Mackenzie was third in 6:33:28.

From : trailrunningmag.co.uk

City Hall and TfL launch competition to improve ethnic diversity in advertising

Posted on by SAT News Desk
  • Brands challenged to develop adverts featuring authentic portrayals of Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities
  • Winner will receive advertising space on the TfL network

London — City Hall and Transport for London (TfL) have today joined forces to launch an innovative competition that challenges brands to make their advertising more representative of the capital.

This year’s competition is designed to combat the sometimes superficial representation of people of colour in advertising by inviting brands to create campaigns that authentically reflect London’s Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. It follows the success of last year’s competition aimed at better representing the capital’s women in advertising, a press release form TFL stated.

London is one of the most diverse cities in the world, with 40 per cent of its population identifying as Black, Asian or minority ethnic. However, while there has been improvement in the visibility of people from varying ethnic backgrounds in adverts, representation has too often been stereotypical, one-dimensional or tokenistic.

Ethnic minority representation in advertising has increased from 12 per cent to 25 per cent between 2015 and 2018, but more than 60 per cent of adverts still feature only or majority white people[1]. Studies have repeatedly shown that where representation exists, communities do not always feel those portrayals are relatable or realistic. In 2018, 34 per cent of Black people said they felt they were inaccurately portrayed in advertising[2].

This year’s contest challenges brands and advertising agencies to develop adverts that market their product while offering nuanced and authentic portrayals of people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

The winning campaign will receive £500,000-worth of advertising space across the TfL network – one of the most valuable advertising estates in the UK. As with last year, the advertising space has been provided by TfL, working with its advertising partners, JCDecaux UK and Global. The winner and up to two runners-up will be announced in February 2020.

Deputy Mayor of London for Social Integration, Social Mobility and Community Engagement, Debbie Weekes-Bernard said: “Advertising is a powerful force but too often the images we are presented with provide very limited impressions of the people they portray.

“This competition provides a fantastic opportunity for brands to reject generic depictions of minority communities and tell stories that resonate with Londoners who currently may not feel properly represented.

“I hope it sparks further debate around diversity and representation in the sector and challenges advertisers to continue to make their industry truly inclusive.”

Chris Macleod, Director of Customer and Revenue, Transport for London said: “We are proud to serve one of the most diverse cities in the world and it is only right that the advertising displayed on our estate reflects that.

“We are excited to be running the competition again with the Mayor of London, encouraging brands and advertisers to use their creativity to produce campaigns that better represent people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities.

“It was heartening to see how brands embraced the challenge last year and I look forward to seeing how they will do so again.”

Selma Nicholls, Founder, Looks Like Me said: “It is critical that we continue to represent society fairly, so people from all backgrounds see advertising content that authentically represents them.

“It’s time to celebrate our brilliant diverse city, create inclusive content that resonates with our audiences, so people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities can proudly say this looks like me.”

Nick Collard, Chief Customer & Digital Officer, Holland and Barrett said: “After reading the ‘The Women We See’ research and discovering that Londoners feel the women they see in advertising are not truly representative of the diversity of the city, we instantly knew that as a leading high-street retailer we wanted to try and help change this.

“We were delighted that the judges recognised the positive and empowering messaging of our Me.No.Pause Campaign and winning the competition provided us with prominent advertising space to break the taboos around menopause and convey an important message to audiences across the network.”

Liz Day, Parenting Consultant, Mothercare said:“We’re immensely proud of our Body Proud Mums campaign; a series of honest photos showcasing the diverse reality of the post-birth body.

“We wanted to help mothers feel more positively about their bodies by combating unrealistic ideals and societal pressures. The campaign had an overwhelmingly amazing response, reassuring many mums that every body is beautiful, unique and worth celebrating.

“We look forward to seeing what this year’s competition brings in terms of ground-breaking campaigns that will help shine a light on and improve ethnic diversity in advertising”

Claire Beale, Global Editor-In-Chief, Campaign said:“Advertising has a tremendous power to shape society and culture.

“With that power comes responsibility and hopefully this competition will encourage the ad industry to properly up its game when it comes to the authentic portrayal of Black, Asian and minority ethnic people in its work.”