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The Department of Postal Services has issued a postage stamp featuring the image of Sardar Bhim Bahadur Pande.

Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, affixed the first cancellation mark on the latest issue of the Department during a program held here today.

On the occasion, the Minister, who also serves as the government spokesperson, said, "Postage stamps are a means of preserving our history, and they help the nation's servants gain both national and international recognition."

Pande, a diplomat, bureaucrat, and author, is the sixth-generation descendant of Kaji Kalu Pande.

He was the first Nepali to earn a master’s degree in commerce from India. The newly issued postage stamp commemorates his significant contribution to Nepal’s administration, diplomacy, literature, and social service. The Minister added that this practice would inspire the younger generation to honor the achievements of those from earlier generations.

The Department has recently been issuing postage stamps featuring individuals who have made significant contributions to the nation and politics, while also highlighting the country's indigenous crops, culture, traditions, and everyday life.

Himalaya Pande, Pande's middle son, who was present at the event along with other relatives and family members, expressed that the moment was one of pride and joy for the entire family, stating that it felt like a recognition for all of them.

Radhika Aryal, Secretary at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, said that the life, struggles, and contributions of Pande had always served as a source of inspiration for her.

Manamaya Pangeni Bhattarai, Director General of the Department, stated that the issuance of the postage stamp in Pande’s honour was part of the Department’s effort to promote the country’s historic legacy.

Vehicular movement along Hetauda-Bhimphedi-Sisneri-Kathmandu road section has resumed from this morning. 

According to Spokesperson at the District Police Office, Makawanpur, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Shyamu Aryal, the road section has come to full operation after removing dry landside at Jyamire in Indrasorobar Rural Municipality-3, Makawanpur along the road section.

The road section was obstructed due to the landslide from Saturday.

Most homes lack proper storage space or you soon run out of space to stash your stuff especially if you have been living in the same apartment or house for a number of years. The things we buy over the years accumulate and though we could do with donating some of the stuff, most of us like to have them around just in case. So we have multiples of blankets, pillows, cushions, electronic items etc. Clothes and shoes also take up a lot of space in most homes as we can never have enough of these. 

As a result, our homes are full of things and there are times when we know we have something like a spare windcheater or a pair of rainboots but we can’t find them when we need them. The solution to making your home look less cluttered and organizing your things properly so that you know where what is and can find them with ease lies in having a meticulous storage system. This week, we are here to show you three ways you can build a smart storage system that works for you so that your things find the home they need. 

Furniture with storage underneath

An ottoman or bench with storage underneath is a great way to add storage space without it taking extra space. You can use these to store extra blankets and cushions in your living room or bedroom. These days you can customize sofas and beds to double as storage as well. It’s great for stowing heavy clothes and duvets. If you have free space above your closet, consider building a cabinet there. You can use this space to store your suitcases. Make sure you fill the suitcase with out-of-season clothes or other items you don’t use on a daily basis. 

If you have a window space that is unused, build a seating area with drawers underneath the space. This can be a great reading nook that doubles as a place to keep things like cleaning supplies, medical files, and other documents, etc. 

Boxes and baskets

One of the most inexpensive things you can do to stow away stuff you don’t use or even do use or need on a daily basis like chargers, pens, and bills among others is to invest in pretty boxes or baskets. This hides visual clutter and makes things easily accessible as well. You can buy baskets in all sizes, shapes, and colors in any department store in town. Bhatbhateni Supermarket and Salesberry have a good collection of decent, inexpensive baskets that you can use to store all kinds of things. You can even choose to get transparent ones in similar sizes and stack them together so that you can easily see what’s inside. Otherwise, consider putting labels on them. Another aesthetic option is to get large wicker baskets or patterned cardboard boxes from handicraft stores like Dhukuti in Kupondole or one of the many places in Thamel. These can be displayed wherever there is space in your house. A stack of cardboard boxes can also act as a really cool side table. 

Vertical space

Most homes have too many things on surfaces and tabletops giving them a cluttered feel. We don’t make much use of vertical space. The walls might have a few paintings or decor items but other than that they serve no practical use. Consider using your walls as storage solutions in a way that it doesn’t look out of place or untidy. Floating shelves are a great way to display your books. You can use pretty boxes, which as you know are great to store all kinds of knick-knacks, as bookstoppers. Beautiful tote bags strung on pegs can also look aesthetic while keeping things away from sight. The same can be said for macrame file and trinket holders that double as decor. If you explore a little, you will find many ideas on how to use vertical space for storage without compromising on aesthetics. 

For many people with disabilities, the everyday reality is filled with obstacles that remain invisible to most. Inaccessible roads, unreliable public transport, and poorly implemented laws create barriers that restrict opportunities, independence, and dignity. 

Take the story of Pustika Prajapati. She lost her vision after completing grade 12 due to corneal problems. “When I step outside, I walk carefully,” she explains. Her vision started deteriorating in grade 8, but she learned to adapt. “The roads have potholes and living in Bhaktapur is even hard because of the brick roads and gallis, but I have been managing till now,” she says.

Transportation and negotiating with city traffic, however, is another story. Zebra crossings are particularly dangerous because there is no voice system to assist. “Once, I asked a man to give me a reserved seat on the bus. He refused, and the conductor didn’t help either,” she recalls.

For Nar Bahadur Bista, a member of the Dwarf Association of Nepal, daily life comes with physical challenges that most people take for granted. Public transport, stairs, and even simple furniture like chairs or toilets are not designed for someone of his stature. “Getting on and off buses is difficult. Stairs, public toilets, chairs, and even kitchens are not made for people like me,” he says.

Hospital visits are also a challenge for Bista, as beds, counters, and chairs are not accessible.

These are not isolated cases. Across Nepal, inaccessible roads, vehicles, buildings, and services create an invisible prison for people with disabilities. These stories reveal the hidden cost of inaccessibility—lost education, lost jobs, and opportunities. 

Sugam Bhattarai, general secretary of the National Federation of the Disabled Nepal (NFDN) and a person living with macular degeneration—a condition that causes blurred or no vision in the central visual field—points out how poor infrastructure creates daily struggles. “Nepal’s roads are very bad,” he says. “They are too narrow for wheelchairs or four-wheeler scooters, and people are scared to use them on the main roads. Public infrastructure must be equipped with the latest accessibility features so that people with disabilities can move independently and with dignity.”

According to the Nepal Census 2021, 2.2 percent of Nepal’s population live with some form of disability. Among them, 2.5 percent are men and 2.0 percent are women. The prevalence of various types of disabilities is as follows: physical disabilities (36.75 percent), low vision (16.88 percent), blindness (5.37 percent), deafness (7.85 percent), hard of hearing (7.87 percent), combined deaf and blind (1.56 percent), speech impairment (6.36 percent), psycho-social disabilities (4.2 percent), intellectual disabilities (1.73 percent), hemophilia (0.75 percent), autism (0.75 percent), multiple disabilities (8.78 percent), and cases not specified (1.07 percent).

Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that excluding people with disabilities from education and employment can cost countries 3–7 percent of their GDP. In India, billions are lost annually because talented workers are sidelined. For Nepal, the cost of exclusion is staggering.

Binita Regmi, chairperson of National Association of the Physical Disabled (NAPD), says that a lot has changed within months as people have been aware, many people have been coordinating well.

For visually impaired persons like Prajapati, college presents another battlefield. “I study in a normal classroom, but the noise and disturbances make it hard to focus,” she says. “My friends say that I ask too many questions. I also need a writer for exams, but it’s hard to find one, and extra time isn’t provided.” 

She emphasizes the need for tactile pavements–designed with raised lines, domes, or other textured patterns to convey safety information to people who are blind, have low vision, or experience other visual impairments or guiding tiles, sound systems at crossings, and accessible educational materials—resources that are rarely available. 

“Laws exist, but they are not implemented. We have rights, but they are not enforced,” she says.

Nepal has legal frameworks intended to protect and empower persons with disabilities. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2017 mandates accessible public buildings, transport, and services. Building codes require ramps, accessible toilets, and inclusive designs.

Section 15 guarantees access to education, housing, workplaces, transportation, and electronic services for people with disabilities. It also states that disabled individuals have the right to move freely with the assistance of aides or devices of their choosing.

Section 12 of the 2020 Regulations on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities mandates a 50 percent discount on public transport fares and reserved seats for people with disabilities. The National Policy on Persons with Disabilities, 2023, further emphasizes that transportation must be accessible and disabled-friendly.

But implementation remains weak. An audit of government buildings in Kathmandu revealed steep ramps too narrow for wheelchairs, lifts without Braille buttons, and toilets lacking sufficient turning space.

Bista says dwarfism is simply grouped under disability without special consideration. “Rules and regulations are made without consulting us, so facilities fail to meet our needs,” he adds. 

Bista advocates for inclusive planning, where persons with dwarfism and other disabilities are consulted to create fair and functional solutions.

His case highlights that accessibility is not only a matter of physical infrastructure but also of thoughtful policy-making that considers the diversity of disability experiences. Without inclusive planning, even minor design decisions—like the height of a counter or step of a bus—can become insurmountable barriers.

Government and transport officials acknowledge the gaps. Bhupendra Aryal, CEO of Sajha Yatayat, says the company has 111 buses in operation and 65 of them are disability-friendly. He admits some buses still need to be replaced or reformed. “As a new CEO, I have received many complaints highlighting these issues. We have two types of buses—A and B grade—where disabled passengers can travel more freely, but they need to become more accessible and relevant. We are actively working to address these concerns,” he says.

Similarly, Saligram Poudel from the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport (MoPIT) says the ministry has been working with the concerned agencies to make public transport more disability-friendly. “A specific fleet of buses with proper facilities will be introduced soon to address these needs,” he says. Kamala Ghimire, under secretary at the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens (MoWCSC), acknowledges that accessibility remains a major challenge in Nepal due to poor infrastructure. She notes while about 2.2 percent of the population is living with disabilities, many of them are not visibly disabled, yet still face significant difficulties—particularly when using public buses. She stresses that traffic authorities, bus staff, and coordinators must ensure proper management of seats and respect the rights and regulations that guarantee accessibility for persons with disabilities.

Dharma Raj Bhandari, general secretary of Nepal Transport Workers’ Association, says they are actively trying to address the concerns of passengers with disabilities.  

“The Vehicle and Transport Management Act is in the process of being amended, and I believe that with proper planning and consultation with people with disabilities, we can create meaningful improvements,” he says.

Meanwhile, experts suggest a multi-pronged approach to improve accessibility. This includes strict enforcement of accessibility codes for all new buildings and public transport, as well as incentives for businesses that invest in inclusive infrastructure. They say low-cost smart solutions, such as portable ramps, voice-assisted apps, tactile paving, and audio announcements, can also make a significant difference.
Alongside these measures, community awareness campaigns are essential to reduce stigma and promote accessibility as a shared social responsibility.

Rame Dhakal from NAPD stresses the importance of awareness. “People need to be educated about the words they use. Many still use inappropriate or insensitive terms when referring to persons with disabilities,” he says. “The real change starts with an attitude change.”