Kalpit Parajuli

A growing number of non-Christians are drawn to Catholicism because of the principles of equality and dignity upheld by the Church. Reading the Bible and Pope Francis' words are playing a crucial role in this, as they did on World Mission Sunday. Forced to change her surname to escape persecution, a convert tells her story.

More and more children and teenagers are converting to Catholicism "tired" of inequality and abuses by Hindus on the lower castes and the poor. Twenty young people attend catechism at Kathmandu's Assumption Cathedral. "I want to become Catholic to spread the message of God's equality," said 12-year-old Diko.

Fr. Rabin Rai calls on the faithful to fight inequalities: "youth and their parents should use God's message to avoid every form of oppression and injustice." All the country's churches join the appeal of the pastor from Kathmandu.

Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Muslim leaders launch a campaign to raise awareness in an initiative that includes nation-wide radio and television ads against the harmful practice.

The training centre in Mustang is located near the border with Tibet, one of the most sensitive areas in the world. Beijing is concerned about the presence of officers and soldiers from other countries, and points out that the CIA provided aid to Khampa rebels from this district. Nepal appears ready to accommodate the Chinese, but its army offers alternative solution.

The celebrations in honor of the goddess Parvati and her marital devotion to Shiva increasingly show the gap between rich and poor. Traditionally, the women, dressed in a red sari , exchange gifts and jewelry, a day before the holy fasting .

The measure, which was to "preserve the sanctity of the soil near the Hindu shrine of Pashupatinath" compels a minority to seek burial sites concealed in the forest or near the rivers. Christian leader: "We fear that the Nepalese Hindu faith profane our graves." The government does not respond to the requests of the faithful.

Over the next three months, Malaysia will stop and deport illegal immigrants who work in the Kingdom, about half a million people. In 2011, the government had granted a mass amnesty, but many do not have the opportunity to be regularized. In 2012-2013 an estimated 156,770 Nepalese arrived.

India's currency hit its all-time low against the US dollar, followed closely by that of Nepal. Indian Finance Minister tries to discourage imports to protect the country's foreign currency reserves.

Nepalis working abroad get the virus through unprotected sex and pass it on to their wives when they return home. Thus, because of poverty, a large number of people get HIV, mostly women and children. "In some districts, almost half of the population could be sick," health worker says.

Nepali authorities detain 22 senior Nepali officials as well as 2 Chinese suppliers who worked with the state electricity company following an unprecedented operation by Anti-Corruption Commission. The identity of the Chinese company involved is still unknown, but Beijing is concerned the story might discredit its electrical product exports.

The murder of the Indian, who fought against black magic, leads activists to fear for their safety. In Nepal fake witchcraft is widespread and targets mainly the elderly and widows. In August, five women forced to drink urine and ingest human feces.