Rain brings respite to farmers in Siraha, paddy plantation begins
Farmers in Siraha district who had been worried of long spell of drought felt a sigh of relief after rainfall last night.
The rain has brought cheers to the farmers as nearly 50 per cent paddy field has yet to be planted due to short of rainfall.
Farmers had witnessed their farmlands drying up, seedlings turning yellowish and paddy plantation becoming almost impossible due to lack of water. However, last night's rain has brought some hope, said Birendra Chaudhary, a local farmer, of Lahan-8.
"There is hope the seeds that had turned yellowish could be transplanted. Although the water for plantation is still insufficient," he mentioned.
Badri Narayan Yadav, Agriculture Coordinator at Lahan Municipality, also echoed the same notion. According to him, even the recent rainfall was not adequate. "If it rained continuously for a day or two, planting paddy would be easier. But looking at today's weather, it does not seem likely," mentioned Yadav.
In southern part of Siraha, underground water source were used for paddy plantation, but most of the farmers in the northern side of the district were not able to do so.
According to the Agriculture Knowledge Centre Siraha, only 50 per cent of the paddy plantation had been undertaken as of last Friday.
Monsoon active in Madhesh but rainfall still inadequate
According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the monsoon's low pressure line is currently shifting towards Nepal. This has caused light to moderate rainfall in some areas.
However, this system remained active in India for a long time resulting in dry conditions in Madhesh region.
The Department recorded light to moderate rainfall in various areas across the Madhesh Province in the past 24 hours.
The data unveiled by the Department showed that Siraha and Saptari recorded the highest amount of rainfall with 99.4 mm and 91.8 mm, respectively, while Sarlahi reported lowest rainfall with 48 mm in the Province.
Continuous rainfall over the next few days is still necessary to complete paddy plantation for the remaining farmlands in Siraha and other districts across the Province.
It may be noted that the cabinet meeting on July 23 had declared Madhesh Province a disaster-hit zone for a period of three months, citing acute water shortage caused by prolonged drought. (RSS)
Narayangadh-Butwal road project's timeline extended by one year
The deadline of the Narayangadh-Butwal road project under the East-West Highway has been extended by a year.
The deadline of the national pride project has been extended up to 23 July 2026, when the road construction saw only 70 per cent progress by the end of the timeline, extended for the third time.
Public Information Officer at the Narayangadh-Butwal Road Project, Engineer Shiva Khanal, confirmed the extension of the project deadline fourth time.
"The period extended for the fourth time is the final one", he said, adding that the timeline has been extended when the contractor has pledged to complete the road project during the period.
Sharing that blacktopping has been completed in all areas apart from Daunne in the eastern section of the road stretch, he said the remaining works would be completed in a year.
"The contractor has intensified the road widening works of late", Khanal said, adding the human resources deployed are being focused on placing RCC on Daunne road and building two remaining bridges.
In the extended timeline, construction of around 65-km four four-lane road in the eastern section, dividers in the middle of the road and 17.5 km service road would be completed, he said. (RSS)
PM Oli congratulates Bantamweight Champion Rabindra Dhant
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has congratulated Nepal's athlete Rabindra Dhant for winning the Matrix Fight Night (MFN 17) Bantamweight Championship.
Taking to his social media today, PM Oli congratulated and celebrated the remarkable achievement of Bantamweight Champion Rabindra.
The PM wrote, "Rabindra Dhant has succeeded in becoming the Bantamweight Champion in the Matrix Fight Night (MFN 17) by defeating India's Chungreng Koren. Heartiest congratulations to Rabindra for bringing the title home for the first time."
It may be noted that Rabindra secured the historic victory by defeating defending champion Chungreng Koren in the MFN 17 Bantamweight Championship, which was held in Greater Noida in India, last night. (RSS)
George John Foundation honors education activists
The George John Educational Foundation, established by senior professor Dr. George John and his wife Dr. Eliama John—who played a significant role in the academic development of Prithvi Narayan Campus, one of the leading campuses in Gandaki Province—has honored several education personalities and activists from various fields this year.
On the occasion of the foundation’s 29th anniversary, a special ceremony was organized on Saturday at the Gandaki Academy of Literature and Culture, where five education service contributors were honored with special certificates of appreciation.
This year’s honorees included Narendra Man Lalchan, Chairperson of Pokhara Multiple Campus Management Committee; Prof. Dr. Lekhnath Bhattarai and Prof. Dr. Yadav Gaudel from Prithvi Narayan Campus; Chhabilal Acharya; and health service contributor Sakun Singh. They were honored by Gandaki Province Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey with certificates, ceremonial shawls, and cash prizes.
The George John Educational Foundation is a social organization established 30 years ago in Pokhara dedicated to educational development. It conducts programs such as educational contributor honors, capacity building, scholarships for meritorious students, and support for underprivileged and needy students.
On the occasion, Chief Minister Pandey praised the honored individuals, stating that their continuous service in the field of education is a source of inspiration for the entire community. Educational activist George John emphasized that the development of the education sector should be embraced as the fundamental basis for the overall development of society.
Speakers at the event included Prithvi Narayan Campus Chief Hari Pathak; former president of the George John Educational Foundation Bishnuraj Parajuli; current president Gehendra Shwar Koirala; honorees Narendra Man Lalchan and Prof. Dr. Lekhnath Bhattarai; Pokhara Multiple Campus Chief Shishukala Parajuli; Foundation Secretary Aruna Sherchan; and student representative Vivek Tiwari, among others.
On this occasion, students from Prithvi Narayan Campus who achieved outstanding results this year in the faculties of Science and Technology, Management, Humanities, and Education were also honored and awarded. They were Kriti Bhattarai, Bijay Subedi, Vivek Tiwari, and Amrit Poudel, respectively.
