The NRNs are back in town

(The short edition)

Namaste! Ever get that feeling that Dashain just doesn't quite hit the same anymore? The air lacks its usual crispness (is it climate change?). Plus, have you noticed there are fewer goats in the markets these days? Where have they gone? Are the vegans winning? And the kids, well, they don't seem as excited about counting down the days to tika and eagerly anticipating dakshinas. Even the beloved selroti is drawing concern for being a tad too unhealthy.

All of this has got us pondering – where are our culture and traditions headed? As we all gear up for Dashain, we're right there with you. We're just as busy as you are, so we've put together a shorter version of our newsletter this week. Think of it as your quick dash of information to keep you in the loop. Let's dive in!

La Eta Hernus

Desh

  • The Nepali government has initiated the process of granting Nepali citizenship certificates to non-resident Nepalis (NRNs), also known as NRN citizenship. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal presented these certificates to Badri KC, the Executive President of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), and President Kul Acharya during a ceremony at the Prime Minister's Residence in Baluwatar. These certificates were issued in accordance with Article 14 of the Constitution of Nepal, with further facilitation from an amendment to the Nepal Citizenship Act, 2063. This change allows NRNs to enjoy economic, social, and cultural rights in Nepal, marking a significant development long sought after by the NRNA.

    On another note, our intern has been pondering whether this change might lead to increased NRN investments in Kathmandu's property market, potentially driving up prices. However, we haven't had the heart to break it to them that, as a zoomer, buying a house in Kathmandu might remain an unattainable dream.

  • A New York Times investigation has uncovered that China CAMC Engineering consistently took control to increase profits and protect its interests, all the while diminishing Nepali oversight of its projects at Pokhara's Airport. Read the full article here.

Tech 

  • X, previously known as Twitter, might give you a "risqué" impression, but it's cracking down on adult content faster than a jwaain opening his dashain ko dakshina envelope. While it's still tackling its fair share of misinformation and online chaos, this platform seems more concerned with covering up nudity than addressing the whole geopolitical whirlwind.

  • Recently, Kathmandu's police cracked down on 86 rogue drivers associated with popular ride-hailing apps Pathao and inDrive. Authorities have advised the public to steer clear of these rogue operators. This action comes in response to an increasing number of complaints, such as riders being stranded and reports of harassment by these offline drivers. It underscores the urgent need for improved regulation of ride-sharing services in Nepal.

  • Linkedin is doing linkedin things, check it out.

Fatafat

Quote: "Renu Dahal is well-known in India, America, Italy, and China," stated Prachanda. Just a quick reminder, he's her father. Dashain ko bela cha, aba yo statement ko bishleshan hamile garera tapaaile padhera hune kei hoina, chhod dim.

Make: Looking to dazzle your kaka with your culinary prowess but not sure where to start? We've got you covered with two scrumptious goat recipes (that we did not come up with)– one for a mouthwatering curry and another for flavorful pakku. Give these a whirl and don't forget to tag us in your Instagram stories when you upload them photos. Even our own writer managed to whip up a decent meal with these recipes, so you’ll definitely be able to!

This article from TIME magazine explores entrepreneur Bryan Johnson's quest to extend his life by algorithmically optimizing his biology and diet, striving to make his 46-year-old organs function like those of an 18-year-old.

Kahi Nabhako Jaatra

Bidesh

  • President Joe Biden is currently in Tel Aviv meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Their discussions primarily revolve around reaffirming U.S. support for Israel and exploring ways to deliver humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza, following a recent hospital explosion. The blast in Gaza has sparked a debate about its cause, with Palestinians attributing it to an Israeli airstrike, while Israel claims it was a failed rocket launch by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group. The U.S. intends to pressure Israel to implement a humanitarian plan for Gaza and prevent a ground invasion. Furthermore, Biden's presence is intended to send a message to Iran regarding its allies in the region. If the situation escalates, it may require a shift in U.S. foreign policy attention from Russia and China to the Middle East, as they have redirected military assets in preparation. In the coming days, Biden is expected to request a substantial $100 billion funding package from Congress, which includes support for various countries, including Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan.

  • The Nepali government, with support from the Indian government, has successfully rescued 18 more Nepali citizens from Israel. This group includes four students, 13 workers, and one tourist visa holder. They departed from Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport on an Indian Spicejet flight and are set to reach Kailali district via New Delhi. This operation follows the repatriation of 254 Nepali students from Israel earlier, and it's part of ongoing efforts to assist Nepali citizens in the region.

  • The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has taken action to halt a suspected fraud targeting the Indian American community, which has garnered approximately $130 million since April 2021. The alleged fraud involves Nanban Ventures LLC and its three founders, Gopala Krishnan (aka GK), Manivannan Shanmugam, and Sakthivel Palani Gounder. They are accused of overstating investment profitability and making fake profit distribution payments to investors. The SEC's complaint also asserts that the defendants violated their fiduciary duties. The SEC is seeking permanent injunctions, disgorgement of gains, and civil penalties from the defendants.

  • India's Supreme Court unanimously rejected the legalization of same-sex marriage, deferring the decision to parliament for potential legislative action. Although this was seen as a setback for the LGBTQ+ community, the court did expand anti-discrimination provisions and called on the government to ensure basic protections for gay citizens. This ruling follows the Supreme Court's repeal of a colonial-era law criminalizing same-sex relations five years ago.

A request

If you’ve enjoyed the (short) journey with us thus far, please help us spread the word about this newsletter by asking your friends, dads, maijus, neighbors, and your fupajus to sign up by forwarding them this email! If this email was forwarded to you, please consider signing up using this link! We've also got a discord server, you can join us here.