👀 Buddha was born in Nepal

Ashoka Pillar is the proof

Author

Eta Hernus
March 17, 2024

Namaste! How are those New Year's resolutions holding up as we navigate through the year? We know we've been a bit like a long-lost friend popping in and out lately, but bidhya nasta, we're gearing up to be your regular inbox guest. A nasty bug had half our team playing tag with their bed, but we're bouncing back, stronger and more determined! The country's been the same, your resolutions might be hanging by a thread, and with Chait around, weddings and parties take a backseat - it all seems a bit grim. But here's some not-so-grim stuff to brighten up your week.

La Eta Hernus

Desh

The political landscape has seen quite the shuffle (surprise, surprise!), with Prachanda ditching Deuba to join forces with Oli, adding some serious spice to the mix. The Congress party, feeling slighted, is reacting like a scorned lover on the warpath. Meanwhile, RaSwaPa's latest alliance with both Oli and Prachanda is turning heads, especially given their previously unwavering stances. Amid the chaos, new faces like Sumana Shrestha and Rabi Lamichhane stepping into the ministry are offering a ray of hope.

However, the Congress party's antics, akin to those of a jilted lover out for revenge, have disrupted sessions and called for Rabi Lamichhane's resignation, despite their recent overture to him for the PM seat. It's a political drama that has everyone on edge, wondering, "What's next?" Joke garya, noone’s saying what’s next?

Meter Byaaz: The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Meter Byaaz andolankaaris have struck a four-point agreement to combat financial exploitation. Spearheaded by Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Ravi Lamichhane, this pact promises the formation of a three-member investigative commission within three months to offer long-term solutions to usury issues. Celebrating this step towards justice, Lamichhane met with the victims, sharing chocolates (hey prabhu) as a symbol of the shared joy. After a determined 42-day protest by the victims, this agreement marks a hopeful turn in their fight against financial predators.

Balen sir: Balen sir was spotted shaking a leg at Trisara, the celeb hotspot, and yes, in a government vehicle! Maybe we're being a tad harsh on the guy? Sure, we've had our beef with some of his decisions, but come on, everyone deserves a break to boogie down the blues, right?

Tech 

More AI: This week, Cognition AI rolled out a demo of Devin, their new AI whiz, doing the magic usually reserved for the high-flyer software engineers. Imagine a bot that doesn't just spit out code but also plans, writes, tests, and launches it - that's Devin for you, flexing as the latest "AI software developer." It even made a website to show off its skills after benchmarking Meta’s Llama 2 model, and let me tell you, the tech world is shook! Devin's debut got folks on X dropping likes, creating memes, and sparking debates about our future overlords in the tech industry. Stay tuned, 'cause AI agents like Devin are just the start of a revolution in how we tackle tasks, both in gaming and beyond. Google's even training AI to play Goat Simulator 3, so who knows what's next?

Desh ko Tech: Kathmandu just dropped a privacy bomb! From now on, sharing any chit-chat, signals, or conversations that happened electronically between two or more folks is a big no-no, unless you're up for coughing up to 300k or chilling behind bars for up to three years. So, think twice before you spill the digital tea – unless it's about a public speech, because that's still fair game. Twitter Spaces ko beef record garera timeline ma haalne uncle haru lai dukhako khabar.

Daraz: The e-commerce kid on the block backed by Alibaba and strutting its stuff across South Asia, is hitting the refresh button with a new round of layoffs. CEO James Dong, in a heartfelt memo, was like, "It's not you, it's us," as they part ways with some Daraz fam to stay agile in the e-commerce jungle. With no word on the headcount sent packing or how this drama plays out in Nepal and the gang (Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar), it's a plot twist in the Daraz saga. Stay tuned as they navigate through the market's wild ride with a leaner crew onboard.

Fatafat

Stat: The government is proposing a hefty hike in traffic fines, talking numbers from a chill 50% to a whopping 150%! Apparently, they're trying to play catch-up with inflation or something. And for the car mod enthusiasts? Better think twice before turning your ride into a Fast & Furious extra without the green light from the authorities, or you might have to fork out up to 15k!

Watch: Nepali comedy might not be on the same fast track as India's, but hey, we're making moves! Think of it like our local chiya versus the usual cuppa – it's got its own flavor. If you're curious to dip into some genuinely good Nepali laughs, why not give "Comedy Champions" a whirl? It's brewing some decent humor!

After big successes in Africa, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, China's Transsion Holdings sets its sights on India.

Kahi Nabhako Jaatra

Sports

In a groundbreaking moment for Nepali sports, Vinita Pun becomes the first visually impaired female cricketer to hit a century, proving that vision lies not in the eyes but in the heart and determination. Growing up in the shadows of Machhapuchhre, Vinita turned her dreams into reality, transforming the initial despair of her parents into pride. Her explosive batting in a recent match against India, where she scored an unbeatable 111 runs off 57 balls, has set social media abuzz, making her the toast of the town in Kathmandu. This trailblazer's story is not just about cricket; it's a testament to breaking barriers and seeing beyond the visible.

Three news briefs and a lie

Three of these news briefs are real, and one is faker than Aayush when he says “Timi mero true ho!”. Can you spot the odd one out? (Scroll all the way to the bottom for the answer).

  1. Tribhuvan University just tried to schedule a Macroeconomics exam for BBS second-year students on Chaitra 31st, but here's the catch - Chaitra only has 30 days! Looks like someone's calendar was trying to pull an April Fool's prank a day early. Better luck next time with the scheduling, folks!

  2. At the NRN annual meeting in Lisbon, Portugal, things took a turn for the carnivorous when two NRNs got into a beef over the lack of meat on the menu. Who knew a meatless gathering could lead to such rare tempers flaring up?

  3. In Parsa, a wedding almost turned into a "no fish, no deal" situation when the groom's squad didn't see any maachha on the menu. Drama unfolded, but don't worry, the day was saved when fish made a grand comeback to the menu. Talk about a real "scale" of commitment!

  4. A local ward office turned into an impromptu guest house for a wedding party in Janakpur, leading to a government-declared holiday for Ward No. 25! The groom's entourage found a cozy spot in the office for the night, sparking a holiday declaration. The ward chief explained it away, citing a staff wedding and a sick secretary as reasons for the closure. However, residents weren't too thrilled about their ward office doubling as a wedding venue.

Eta Hernus Quiz

Last week, the government unexpectedly declared a public holiday for a festival. Here's the kicker, though: the festival had already occurred a month earlier, leaving everyone bewildered. Which festival was it?

Bidesh Tira Hernus

Kate rajkumari: When the royal fam drops a casual Mother's Day pic, you'd expect awws, not flaws, right? But this snap, taken by Prince Wills and shared by Princess Kate, turned into a 'spot the edit' game faster than you can say 'Photoshop faux pas.' Cue Princess Kate, breaking the royal silence with a my bad on X, apologizing for any pic mix-up and hoping everyone still had a fab Mother's Day. Folks were quick to point out the absolute bizarreness of the picture, and many conspiracy theorists have gotten alarmed. Kate hasn’t been seen since December, when she apparently underwent abdominal surgery, and now the royal family releases this picture. You can imagine what the conspiracy theorists are saying.

More on the UK: Brits have snagged the silver medal in the global gloom games, earning the title of the world's second most miserable folks. But hold your tea, because the latest 'Mental State of the World' report is shaking up the happiness leaderboard, challenging the old 'rich equals bliss' mantra. It turns out cash isn't always king for contentment, with folks in the Dominican Republic and Sri Lanka out-smiling those in the UK.

Together with Rebelle

Are you tired of Nepali brands that just import clothing from China, slap on a Nepali label, and then charge you exorbitant prices? Of course, you are. Why wouldn't you be? That's why Rebelle should be your next fashion destination. Here are three reasons why:

  • Their chic collection won't have your wallet playing hide and seek.

  • Quality? Top-notch. Every piece is a love letter from Nepal to your wardrobe.

  • Supporting local? Check. Empowering young female entrepreneurs? Double-check.

So, guys, level up your gifting game with Rebelle and become her new favorite. Dive into the Rebelle revolution, where style meets substance and savings.

Best of Twitter/Switter

Proud Gorkhali Moment

(Answer to three newsbriefs and a lie: The second one is a lie. Answer to Eta hernus Quiz: It’s Gyalpo Lhosar.)

Our newsletter includes images from online platforms for illustrative purposes only, with no implied ownership or endorsement.