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Nepal has submitted its first-ever Child-Centered Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Report on Children and the Environment (Climate) to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR). The report contributes to the country’s Fourth UPR Cycle, highlighting children’s rights in the context of climate change and environmental challenges. The initiative was supported by DKA Austria and coordinated by the youth-led organization Yuwalaya. 

The report was finalized during a National Validation Workshop held in Kathmandu. The event brought together 48 participants in its initial session, including civil society representatives, development partners, technical experts, solidarity members, and the report consultant. In the second session, the report’s key findings and recommendations were formally presented to government representatives. 

The report reviews Nepal’s policy and legal frameworks and assesses the country’s implementation of its human rights obligations, particularly in relation to children’s rights to education, health, protection, a clean environment, development, and participation. A total of 24 recommendations were refined at the workshop, including suggestions for emergency education during crises, improved child protection systems in remote areas, enrollment protocols for environmentally displaced children, promotion of school gardening, and programs to build children’s resilience to climate change.

In addition, a Youth-Led UPR Report has also been submitted to the UNOHCHR for the 51st Session (Jan–Feb 2026). Developed in partnership with Plan International Nepal and IM Swedish Development Partner, the process involved collaboration with 68 organizations and civil society groups. The report draws on inputs from 279 young people aged 18–35 across all seven provinces through provincial consultations, focus group discussions, and a national validation workshop. It was led by four young women and incorporates feedback from consortium members.

The youth report focuses on issues such as employment, health, education, meaningful youth participation, climate change, equality, non-discrimination, and digital technology.

DeerHack 2025, a student-led hackathon organized by the Deerwalk Institute of Technology (DWIT), concluded on July 13 after three days of coding, collaboration, and technical workshops. Billed as Nepal’s largest student-organized hackathon, the event brought together aspiring developers, designers, and tech enthusiasts from across the country.

The hackathon opened with a pre-event session that included a keynote address by data consultant Mala Deep Upadhaya, followed by networking activities and team-building games. Participants from outside the capital were hosted near Bhaktapur Durbar Square, allowing them to experience the area's cultural heritage.

Throughout the main event at the DWIT Complex in Sifal, participants worked in teams to develop tech-based solutions. The program featured technical mentorship, interactive sessions, and workshops, including one on GitHub and version control. Several sponsors set up stalls, and brand activations were conducted by CF MOTO and other partners.

The final day of DeerHack 2025 focused on project presentations, where participating teams pitched their ideas to a panel of judges. After careful evaluation, winners were announced across various categories. Team SAGEA was declared the overall winner of the hackathon. Team NASCENT won in the Interactive Technology category, while Tech Tacticos was recognized for their work in Data Science and Machine Learning. The Open Innovation category was won by Techtonics, and Team Syntax was awarded in the Ed-Tech category.

The event was supported by multiple partners, including Nepal Investment Mega Bank (NIMB), Annapurna Media Network, Devfolio, and others. Organizers say DeerHack 2025 aimed to foster innovation and problem-solving skills among students while promoting a collaborative tech ecosystem.

Researcher and children’s author Indra Chaudhary’s new book ‘Sudurpaschimka Tharu Sanskriti ra Lokkatha’ (Tharu Culture and Folktales of Sudurpaschim) was officially launched on Sunday. The event coincided with the 212th birth anniversary of Adikavi Bhanubhakta Acharya and was held in Dhangadhi. Published by the Sudurpaschim Academy, the book was jointly unveiled by Meghraj Khadka, Minister for Social Development of Sudurpaschim Province, and the academy’s Vice-chancellor TN Joshi, among others.

Speaking at the event, VC Joshi expressed delight over the publication, highlighting the Tharu community as a key ethnic group in the province. He stated, “Sudurpaschim Academy has been dedicated to preserving and promoting the art, culture, language, and traditions of various indigenous communities in the region. This book is a step in that direction, and we aim to publish similar works on other communities in the coming year.”

Minister Khadka also praised the Academy’s efforts in documenting and preserving local heritage. Author Chaudhary expressed gratitude to the Academy for entrusting him with the research project. “It was an honor to be given the opportunity to study Tharu culture in my own province. This collaboration with the provincial government has been truly fulfilling and has further motivated me to pursue deeper research,” he said.

The book is divided into three sections: an introduction to the Tharu community, a brief history of their folktales, and a compilation of twenty traditional Tharu folktales. Chaudhary mentioned that most of the stories included had never been published before. He collected narratives from elder community members, including 76-year-old Laughari Dagoura, 78-year-old Kalimaya Dagoura, and 55-year-old Rampyari Dagoura.

This is Chaudhary’s seventh publication, with his previous works also focusing on the folk culture of the Tharu and Rana Tharu communities. The book’s cover was illustrated by emerging artist Deepak Chaudhary.

Poet and professor Bandana Mishra ‘Madhu’ officially launched her debut poetry collection Kabitako Annaprashan on Sunday in Kathmandu. The book was jointly unveiled by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Indira Rana Magar, journalist Namrata Sharma, writer and journalist Rohit Bhandari, and publisher Roshna Subedi Mishra.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Speaker Magar said the book carries an inspiring message for women, especially with a daughter-in-law supporting her mother-in-law to publish a poetry collection. “Such mutual support among women fosters harmony, strengthens relationships, and encourages more literary pursuits,” she said, adding that Mishra’s effort to learn Nepali and publish a book after moving to Nepal from India was truly commendable.

She also shared her own passion for writing poetry and songs but admitted she has yet to publish them. “This book is a personal inspiration for me,” she added. “If Bandana ji can learn the language and bring her thoughts to life in a book, so can I—and so can many others.”

Author Mishra shared that she moved to Nepal from India in 1986 and gradually learned the Nepali language, which enabled her to express herself through poetry. “This book is just the beginning. I will continue contributing to literature,” she said, crediting her family’s support for helping turn her words into a published collection. Journalists Sharma and Bhandari also offered critical reflections on the book during the launch event.