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Eminent ophthalmologist Prof Dr Sanduk Ruit has been awarded with this year's Shreepati Social Service National Award in Pokhara.
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The award, instituted by Shreepati Koirala Guthi based in Pokhara Metropolis-9, Mahendrapul, has been conferred on Ruit in recognizing his contribution to keep the country's name high at international level in the area of health and humanitarian services.

Chairperson of Pokhara Ward-9 Chair Dipendra Marsani among others presented Rs 222,222 along with Shreepati Social Service Medal and copper plaque to Dr Ruit, who is also the Executive Director and founder of the Tilganga Eye Foundation, at the 32nd Annual General Meeting of Guthi on Saturday.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ruit said that the award motivated him to become further responsible and pursue more social service.

Similarly, senior journalist Narayan Karki has been honoured with the Social Journalism Award.

In recognition of his contribution to social service through journalism, he was honoured with a cash prize of Rs 22,222 along with a shawl and a letter of appreciation.

Secretary of Shreepati Koirala Guthi, Nawaraj Koirala said that Shreepati Social Service National Award has been given to personalities working in the fields of disaster relief and relief assistance, education, culture, health services, science technology, social awareness, humanitarian service and community development for the country and people.

"Dr Ruit has been honoured for his contribution in the field of humanitarian services, especially in eye treatment," he said.

A six-member committee comprising social workers and intellectuals was formed under the coordination of Guthi Chair Phanindra Raj Koirala to select the awardees.

Earlier, Maiti Nepal, National Innovation Centre, Padma Bhawani Model Vidyashram of Sarlahi and Bindhyavasini Religious Area Development Committee of Pokhara have received the award. 

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli commended the activism of women people's representatives in enhancing the legitimacy of local government and ensuring effective public service delivery.

Addressing the 'She Leads Icon' programme organized by an organization, Kalpa, to honour women people's representatives on Friday, PM Oli further praised the representatives' leadership in upholding the dignity.

He asserted, "While the literacy rate among women was dismal in the past, we see them in the leadership position in the present. It is a huge achievement of political changes."

Stating that 40 per cent of the people's representatives in the local level are women, the Head of the Government observed, "It is a progressive representation, which needs further increase."

On the occasion, PM Oli honoured 27 women representatives for their excellence in delivery of public services.

Likewise, three women representatives were conferred on the 'Icon Award'. 

Kathmandu, Jan 3: Minster for Foreign Affairs, Arzu Rana Deuba, paid tributes to former US President and Nobel Laureate, Jimmy Carter, by expressing grief over his demise.

Reaching the US Embassy in Kathmandu today, Foreign Minister Rana signed the Book of Condolence opened in memory of former President Carter.

She extended heartfelt condolence on the behalf of the government, the people of Nepal and her own on the passing of Carter.

The Foreign Minister said Carter was a true friend and well-wisher of Nepal as well as exemplary figure in philanthropy, peace and democracy.

"Carter's contributions were widely admired for their lasting impact on upholding human rights and democratic values. His legacy of peace, benevolence will forever be cherished and will continue to serve as an inspiration to the people around the world", writes Minister Rana.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has expressed grief over the demise of a child singer Sachin Pariyar.

PM Oli took to social media and shared his sorrow over Pariyar's death. "I'm aggrieved over the death of child singer Sachin Pariyar.

This incident reflects adverse impact of family discord and viral trend of social networks on a talent child, giving a message that we need to be cautious while responding to sensitive issues of social relations.

Heartfelt tribute to child singer, Sachin!" Pariyar aged 13 died at TU Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu on Thursday morning at 10:45am. ----

A 4.8 magnitude earthquake shook Kathmandu on Thursday.

​​​According to the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Center, Lainchaur, Kathmandu, the tremor occurred at 1: 02 pm with its epicenter in Sindhupalchowk.

Center's spokesperson Monika Jha said that today's earthquake was an aftershock of the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 500 per tola in the domestic market on Thursday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 151, 500 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 150, 000 per tola on Wednesday.

Similarly, the price of silver had increased by Rs 25 and is being traded at Rs 1, 790 per tola today.

The government has blacklisted 12 contractor companies and suppliers.

Issuing a notice today, the Public Procurement Monitoring Office (PPMO) said the companies and suppliers have been blacklisted as per the decision of the office on Wednesday.

The decision was taken being based on the statement in writing of the public agencies/bodies.

According to section 63 (1) of the Public Procurement Act, 2063 BS, 12 companies have been blacklisted. The PPMO has stated in the notice that blacklisted contractors and suppliers will not be able to participate in any procurement or bidding process for one to three years.

Some companies and suppliers have been blacklisted for three years; some for one year and some for six months, the PPMO stated in the notice.

Twelve public bodies, including the Transport Infrastructure Directorate at Phidim in Panchthar, Nepal Telecom Central Office, the Department of Roads at Chaurjahari in Rukum West, the Federal Road Supervision and Monitoring Office and the Nepal Forest Corporation Limited, have been blacklisted. 

The English Year 2024 was recorded as a catastrophic time in terms of civil aviation internationally.

The year witnessed crash of big aircrafts with several human casualties.

On December 29, two days prior to the end of 2024, a plane with 181 people on board crashed in Muan, South Korea leaving 179 people dead.

Two passengers were rescued alive from the debris.

Earlier on December 25, an Embraer ERJ 190AR aircraft of Azerbaijan Airlines crashed near Aktau Airport in Kazakhstan.

A total of 38 people were killed in the accident.

As many as 217 people were killed in two major plane crashes in the second half of the year.

In 2024, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Malawi's Vice President Saulos Chilima were among the prominent people killed in a plane crash.

The Iranian President died in a helicopter crash on May 20, while Malawi's Vice President Chilimi died in a military plane crash in the same month.

On December 22, 10 members of a family were killed when a private plane crashed in the southern Brazilian city of Gramado.

Brazilian businessman Luiz Claudio Galeazzi's wife, three daughters and other relatives died in the crash.

Likewise, the Air Canada's aircraft caught fire while trying to land on December 24.

On December 22, a plane crashed in Papua New Guinea, killing all five people on board.

An islander operated by north coastal aviation crashed in Papua New Guinea. In Argentina, the Bombardier Challenger 300 crashed near Argentina's San Fernando Airport, killing both pilots.

An American plane crashed near Daniel International Airport, killing both pilots. All 62 people on board were killed when the plane crashed in Sao Paulo, Brazil on August 9.

As the New Year 2025 began, the year 2024 proved to be a tragic for airlines.

A huge number of planes, including big ones, crashed this year.

In December alone, six major plane crashes took place where a total of 234 people were killed.

Frequent plane crashes have raised questions about safety protocols and technical problems in the aviation sector. The year 2024 could not remain exception for Nepal.

Eighteen people were killed when a Sourya Airlines plane crashed on July 24. Similarly, five people were killed when an Air Dynasty helicopter crashed in Kathmandu's Shivapuri area on last August 7.

The Yeti Airlines ATR-72 had crashed in 2023 killing all 72 on board.

This accident is the biggest domestic flight so far. Captain RK Sharma, operational director of Buddha Air, said that although the year 2024 was sad in terms of air accidents worldwide, there has been some improvement in Nepal. "The year 2024 should be considered a happy year for Nepal. However, globally, the whole year is considered sad in terms of air accidents due to the continuous big crashes nearing the end of the year," he said.

However, the solar air and air dynasty helicopter crash has once again shocked. Captain Sharma said that it is important for the airlines to pay attention to aviation safety and security as well as increase managerial capacity.

In 2024, the number of air passengers worldwide was on the rise. The ever-increasing air passenger flow has created pressure to strengthen safety and security along with rise in the attraction to the sector.

Aviation expert Achyut Pahadi also said that 2024 proved to be a tragic year in terms of aviation.

Likewise, former director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), Sanjeev Gautam said that some air accidents occurred in the last month of 2024 have created doubts in the aviation sector.

Overall, aviation has suffered badly while bidding farewell to 2024, he said. "Although it has been a good year in the context of Nepal in aviation, it has been a sad year looking at globally," Gautam said, adding that the state and the concerned bodies should pay attention how to strengthen air safety by learning from accidents.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aims to reduce human-related accidents to zero by 2030.

Currently, air passengers are increasing by 10 percent annually. Quoting data from the International Air Transport Association, former Director General Gautam said that the number of air passengers worldwide has reached about five billion.

CAAN's Information Officer Gyanendra Bhrul said that the flight safety and passenger growth are improving.

The number of air passengers in Nepal is constantly increasing. According to the CAAN data, the number of domestic and international air passengers has increased by 13 percent and 7.9 percent in 2024 as compared to the previous year.

A total of 8,760,302 passengers have travelled in domestic flights till November 2024. By November 2023, a total of 7.7 million air passengers had travelled.

Similarly, the number of international air passengers had reached 4,449,133 by November 2024.

So far, 959 people have died in 108 air accidents in Nepal. India's Kalinga Air had crashed in Simara for the first time some 70 years ago.

Two major plane crash incidents that took place in South Korea and Kazakhstan at the end of the year have disappointed the aviation sector as a whole.

The incident raises the question on the safety of aviation globally. RSS