👀 Balen Sir takes on Bollywood

Namaste! It's that time of the year again—Mental Health Awareness Month is here! So, let's take a moment to check in on each other and make sure we're all soaking up that glorious sunlight, guzzling water like champs, and surrounding ourselves with the warm embrace of loved ones. Now that we've got the intro covered, brace yourselves for some news that might not exactly boost your mental health.

La Eta Hernus

Desh

Balen sir takes on Bollywood: Last week, all eyes were on Balen sir as he took on Bollywood and ignited a heated debate surrounding the origin story of Sita in the film Aadipurush (we don’t recommend watching it). This iconic character, who endured immense hardships and even walked through fire to prove her purity, has become the epicenter of a Nepal-India battle. Balen sir threatened to halt the screening of Aadipurush unless a line claiming Sita's Indian birth was removed, receiving both praise for protecting Sita from foreign influence and criticism for diverting attention from pressing issues like statelessness.

However, the Patan High Court intervened, declaring, "No, dude, you can't simply ban Bollywood, wtf?" In response, Balen sir took to social media to express his outrage, even criticizing the court and government for being "slaves" to neighboring India. Legal experts cautioned that Shah's remarks could have legal repercussions, as they may be deemed unconstitutional and potentially contemptuous. Concerns were raised about the impact on public trust in the judiciary and the implications of elected officials openly defying the rule of law.

What are your thoughts on this contentious issue? Feel free to send us a carrier pigeon with all your notes.

Prem Nachalaune: Assistant Professor Prem Chalaune from Tribhuvan University found himself in custody on Monday, just as he was preparing for a hunger strike protest at Kathmandu District Court. His aim was to express his outrage regarding the government's decision to drop charges against student leaders accused of assaulting him. Having endured severe injuries from the attack, the professor has resorted to the drastic measure of a hunger strike as the court's verdict looms on Tuesday. It's a distressing battle between a determined academic and a government that has left him feeling betrayed.

In a country where a professor can be brutally beaten and his pursuit of justice can be dismissed at the whims of politicians, it's hard not to feel disheartened. But what is new?

Tech 

• Jack Ma has made an unexpected appearance in Nepal, leaving everyone scratching their heads in wonder. Rumor has it that his visit might have something to do with his ownership stake in the popular Nepali online retailer, Daraz. Not sure what you will do with this piece of news, but now you know. He’s also meeting Prachanda..let them BRI conspiracy theories commence, we’re here for it!

• Hold onto your seats fight fans, because it seems like we may witness the ultimate showdown between tech titans! UFC president Dana White recently revealed that Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg are dead serious about stepping into the cage. It all started with a tweet from Musk challenging Zuckerberg to a "cage match," to which the Facebook founder responded with a defiant "Send Me Location." The excitement escalated as Musk confirmed his choice of venue, suggesting the Vegas Octagon. With White offering to promote the event and even boxer and YouTuber Jake Paul throwing his hat in the ring, we might just witness the biggest fight in the history of the world!

Bidesh tira hernus

• The latest marine mystery that had the world on the edge of its seat has reached a tragic end. Authorities have confirmed the discovery of shattered remains from the ill-fated OceanGate Titan submersible near the legendary Titanic wreckage it set out to explore. As a result, the five brave souls aboard, including OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, intrepid explorer Hamish Harding, Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and the daring father-son duo, Shahzada Dawood and Suleman Dawood, have tragically lost their lives in this underwater quest gone wrong. The Titan vessel's catastrophic implosion left a scattered debris field, found just a stone's throw (or, well, 1,600 feet) from the Titanic's bow, according to Rear Admiral John Mauger of the US Coast Guard.

• This weekend, a gang of Russian mercenaries decided to throw a coup, but it was over before you could finish a cricket match. The whole thing could've been resolved with a simple email, according to one witty Twitter user. The rebel leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, aka "Putin's chef," accused the defense minister of bombing his troops and declared a "march for justice" to Moscow. Chaos ensued, popcorn was popped, and the world held its breath. In the end, they called a truce, shipped Prigozhin off to Belarus, and left Putin with a serious case of rebellion-induced indigestion. Talk about a recipe for disaster!

Fatafat

Quote: “Are we constructing an airport in Nijgadh for buffaloes to graze on?” - MP Amresh Kumar Singh

Amresh sir wasn't referring to murras; he simply wanted to inquire why we need an airport in Nijgadh when airports in Bhairahawa and Pokhara are already struggling to attract flights.

Stat: Tribhuwan International Airport is taking decisive action to tackle the chaotic airport situation by implementing a restriction on the number of individuals permitted to bid farewell or welcome passengers. That's right, only three fortunate souls will be granted VIP access from now on. It appears that the overwhelming increase in flight volumes has resulted in traffic nightmares and transformed the drop-off zone into a complete disaster area. Therefore, if you have any plans for a Bollywood-style airport proposal (reminiscent of "Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na"), as your loved one sets off to Australia, make sure to plan ahead.

Read: The Case Against Travel - It turns us into the worst version of ourselves while convincing us that we’re at our best (New Yorker)

Kahi Nabhako Jaatra

Three news briefs and a lie

Three of these news briefs are real, and one is faker than the . Can you spot the odd one out? (Scroll all the way to the bottom for the answer).

1. Birendra Prasad Mahato, the Minister for Forests and Environment, has lodged a complaint with the Forum for Protection of Consumer Rights against Summit Hotel. The complaint arises from the alleged exorbitant charge of 3,500 rupees for a packed lunch consisting of two samosas, 100 grams of pasta, and a bottled water, served to Mahato during a climate change awareness meeting organized by UNDP at Hotel Summit. The total cost of the event amounted to 3 lakhs and 45 thousand rupees.

2. A man seeking passport services was left high and dry by the District Administration Office in Kavrepalanchok, all because he had the audacity to wear shorts. The bewildered man stood there, shorts and all, as the office denied him the services he desperately needed. It seems like the dress code policy took the "short" part a little too seriously!

3. Three individuals from Bardiya, namely Raju Shahi, Geeta Shahi, and Nisha Nepali, have found themselves behind bars. Their alleged crime? Convincing a concerned father that his sick eight-year-old child needed admission to an organization called Satya Bachan Param Ishwariya Margdarshan, instead of receiving medical treatment. They claimed that repentance and prayer would miraculously cure the child, relying on divine intervention to set things right.

4. In a comical tale of uncles gone astray, the Non-Residential Nepali Organization, which had experienced a messy breakup due to some uncle squabbles, has finally found its way back to unity. The twist? They've decided to embrace their unconventional nature by appointing not one, not two, but four different presidents to lead the organization. Looks like they're taking the saying "the more, the merrier" quite literally!

Together with The Learning Centre

Are you tired of your super productive work sessions at home being constantly interrupted by surprise visits from relatives? Or perhaps you find it impossible to concentrate due to the relentless noise of a nearby furniture store or, even worse, a party palace? Are missed deadlines piling up because the blaring “dhoom machale” music from the fohor uthaune truck refuses to let you focus? Or maybe you simply crave an escape, a place where you can sit undisturbed, feeling refreshed and flourishing?

Look no further, as the ultimate haven for knowledge seekers and productivity enthusiasts awaits you at The Learning Centre. Conveniently located on the 2nd floor of the Rastriya Banijya Bank Building in Tangal, this versatile establishment offers a wide range of services tailored to your needs. Whether you seek a tranquil study café, a collaborative co-working space, a professional meeting room, or even an enchanting venue for intimate events, The Learning Centre has it all. Indulge in a serene reading environment, unleash your productivity, connect with like-minded individuals, and broaden your horizons.

If you happen to know little Noor from Twitter, you might even come across him there on a good day. So, there's an additional perk to visiting The Learning Centre. Keep an eye out for an exciting giveaway for this space on our Twitter page this weekend!

A request

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(Answer to three newsbriefs and a lie: The first one is a lie.)