Christopher Sharma

As they prepare for baptism on Easter night, they tell their stories. More and more people are interested in Christianity since Nepal became a secular state.

The first local elections in 19 years have raised great expectations but also generated a lot of tension. Madhesi parties are protesting, demanding changes to the constitution before the vote. Encouraged by victories in India, Nepal’s Hindu monarchists want to restore a Hindu monarchy. The government defends the country’s secular nature.

Fifty-eight years after Tibet’s uprising, protests continue in favour of the freedom of the Tibetan people and the return of the Dalai Lama. India and China are in a standoff over the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. Nothing is known of the conditions of Pema Gyaltsen, who sacrificed himself in a week-end protest.

The local elections will be held May 14. The four Christian political parties want to have more weight in the country. The election is the first in 19 years. Two problems to solve: who will lead the coalition and the symbol of the party.

The victims are sold for organs or as sex slaves for militant Islamists. Women from Nepal’s Tamang, Rai Thakuri ethnic groups are particularly at risk because of their "fair and beautiful" skin. The government's work is affected by the problem’s links to organised crime. Various women’s groups organised activities and events to mark the day.

Clash occurred during a campaign rally by an opposition Communist Party. The tribal minority complains of discrimination and wants an autonomous province. The first local elections in 19 years are set for May.

"Nepal Investment Summit 2017" underway, strongly supported by the local government initiative. More than 250 investors from around the world are discussing the fight against poverty, crime control and the growing Islamic terrorism. Continuous changes at the top do not create favorable conditions for funding; pockets of poverty are reservoir for the recruitment of extremists.

Some Christian and non-Christian students react to Pope Francis' Lent message. Some young people read the recently released message. Some “non-Catholics said that that the Pope's message about Lent is applicable to Nepal’s context,” says Catholic youth leader. “My friends and I would like to welcome God’s grace through conversion,” student says.

During the festival, Hindu holy men sell drugs and invite young people to smoke hashish and cannabis. Hundreds of young people have become addicts. The Hindu festival accused of driving many to crime. Attendance at the Pashupatinath Temple drops from 500,000 to 200,000.

Those arrested, migrants in Dubai, detained on charges of murder. They killed two Indians who had refused to work for international terrorism. The group planted the bomb that led to the recent rail disaster in India. Open borders between Nepal and India: the activities of the militants are a threat to both countries.

In 1993 she founded Maiti Nepal, an NGO that has saved hundreds of girls from prostitution abroad. Every year, at least 5,000 women end up in India, China, as well as Arab and African countries. The Padma Shri is India’s fourth highest award.

About 100 high school and university students spent their winter holidays bringing aid to the 14 most affected districts, fixing tents and providing hot meals. The government pledged funding in three installments, but not even the first has been provided.