Nima Rinji Sherpa, an 18-year-old mountaineer from Nepal, has officially conquered all 14 of the world's 8,000-meter peaks. He is the youngest to do it. The record was previously held by another Nepali climber, who achieved it in 2019, at the age of 30.

Nepali Becomes Youngest To Climb World's 8,000m Peaks

The family of Bipin Joshi, a Nepali student who was taken hostage by Hamas in Gaza, is now pleading&nbsp;international community for his release. The family arrived from over 500 km to the capital Kathmandu, to raise voice for their son.&nbsp;

Joshi's parents visited Kathmandu to meet Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, marking one of the several occasions they have met with him. At the meeting, the family handed over a letter to the prime minister, urging the Nepal government to take action for the safe release of their son, whom they have not heard from since October 7, 2023.&nbsp;

“Our son Bipin Joshi, who participated in the Learn and Earn programme from Sudurpaschim University, embarked on a journey to Israel on September 12, 2023. Tragically, less than a month into his stay, on October 7, he was taken captive by the Hamas group during an incident involving Israel and Hamas. It's important to bring this to your attention. Bipin, along with his fellow classmates, ventured to Israel last year as part of his university studies, supported by governmental supervision. Their goal was to contribute to the agricultural sector back home by applying the skills acquired in Israel,” Joshi’s parents— Mahanand Joshi and Padma Joshi wrote in the letter.

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“With no end in sight to the ongoing conflict and turmoil in the region since the incident, we find ourselves grappling with the bleak reality of our son's uncertain fate, both physically and emotionally,” the letter included.&nbsp;

Speaking to WION, the family of Bipin Joshi expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the Nepal government is not exerting sufficient pressure for his release.

“It has been over 7 months since the tragic incident unfolded. Despite reaching out to various Nepali authorities, we remain without any updates regarding his whereabouts. I urge the Nepali government and the international community to take action to secure his release,” said Prakash Joshi, brother of Bipin.&nbsp;

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Prakash further added they have not been able to get in contact with Bipin since the attack, “We became aware of his hostage situation through CCTV footage released by the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces). His health and well-being remain unknown to us.”

The family implores the authorities to ascertain Bipin's condition, expressing concern over his numerous health issues and questioning whether he is receiving adequate food and medication.

“For more than half a year, we've been tirelessly reaching out to various authorities. We've engaged with the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, President, and even the Israel Embassy. While the feedback has been encouraging, there has been tangible progress. Despite this, we persist in our daily meetings with officials, with hope and determination,” Pushpa Joshi, sister of Bipin Joshi told WION.&nbsp;

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Mahanand Joshi, father of Bipin Joshi is optimistic that during the upcoming visit of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Nepal on April 23, they may receive an update or some progress regarding the status of his son.

Nepal has earlier made several attempts seeking assistance from Qatar and the officials continue to meet with the Ambassador in Nepal.&nbsp;

On March 20, Qatar Ambassador Mishal Mohammed Ali Al-Ansari paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha, and the release of Bipin Joshi was discussed.&nbsp;

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani had told then Foreign Minister NP Saud that all efforts were being made for the release, during Saud’s visit to Doha to attend the 21st Doha Forum.&nbsp;

The October 7 attack left 10 Nepali students dead and four others injured, who had reached the West Asian country under the ‘Learn and Earn Programme’.&nbsp;

Joshi is one of the 17 Nepali students who were living at Kibbutz Alumim in southern Israel, close to the Palestinian enclave Gaza, and came under attack from the Islamist group that rules the strip, as per Nepal’s Foreign Ministry.

&nbsp;

The family of Bipin Joshi, a Nepali student who was taken hostage by Hamas in Gaza, is now pleading international community for his release. The family arrived from over 500 km to the capital Kathmandu, to raise voice for their son.

The family of Bipin Joshi, a Nepali student who was taken hostage by Hamas in Gaza, is now pleading international community for his release. The family arrived from over 500 km to the capital Kathmandu, to raise voice for their son. Joshi's parents visited Kathmandu to meet Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, marking one of the several occasions they have met with him. At the meeting, the family handed over a letter to the prime minister, urging the Nepal government to take action for the safe release of their son, whom they have not heard from since October 7, 2023. “Our son Bipin Joshi, who participated in the Learn and Earn programme from Sudurpaschim University, embarked on a journey to Israel on September 12, 2023. Tragically, less than a month into his stay, on October 7, he was taken captive by the Hamas group during an incident involving Israel and Hamas. It's important to bring this to your attention. Bipin, along with his fellow classmates, ventured to Israel last year as part of his university studies, supported by governmental supervision. Their goal was to contribute to the agricultural sector back home by applying the skills acquired in Israel,” Joshi’s parents— Mahanand Joshi and Padma Joshi wrote in the letter. Also Read | Israel to summon envoys for voting in favour of Palestine's full UN membership “With no end in sight to the ongoing conflict and turmoil in the region since the incident, we find ourselves grappling with the bleak reality of our son's uncertain fate, both physically and emotionally,” the letter included. Speaking to WION, the family of Bipin Joshi expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the Nepal government is not exerting sufficient pressure for his release. “It has been over 7 months since the tragic incident unfolded. Despite reaching out to various Nepali authorities, we remain without any updates regarding his whereabouts. I urge the Nepali government and the international community to take action to secure his release,” said Prakash Joshi, brother of Bipin. Also Read | IDF jets hit Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon overnight, kill operatives Prakash further added they have not been able to get in contact with Bipin since the attack, “We became aware of his hostage situation through CCTV footage released by the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces). His health and well-being remain unknown to us.” The family implores the authorities to ascertain Bipin's condition, expressing concern over his numerous health issues and questioning whether he is receiving adequate food and medication. “For more than half a year, we've been tirelessly reaching out to various authorities. We've engaged with the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, President, and even the Israel Embassy. While the feedback has been encouraging, there has been tangible progress. Despite this, we persist in our daily meetings with officials, with hope and determination,” Pushpa Joshi, sister of Bipin Joshi told WION. Watch | Israel war: US expected to sanction IDF's battalion for violations in West Bank: Report × Mahanand Joshi, father of Bipin Joshi is optimistic that during the upcoming visit of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Nepal on April 23, they may receive an update or some progress regarding the status of his son. Nepal has earlier made several attempts seeking assistance from Qatar and the officials continue to meet with the Ambassador in Nepal. On March 20, Qatar Ambassador Mishal Mohammed Ali Al-Ansari paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha, and the release of Bipin Joshi was discussed. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani had told then Foreign Minister NP Saud that all efforts were being made for the release, during Saud’s visit to Doha to attend the 21st Doha Forum. The October 7 attack left 10 Nepali students dead and four others injured, who had reached the West Asian country under the ‘Learn and Earn Programme’. Joshi is one of the 17 Nepali students who were living at Kibbutz Alumim in southern Israel, close to the Palestinian enclave Gaza, and came under attack from the Islamist group that rules the strip, as per Nepal’s Foreign Ministry.

Family of Nepali student held captive by Hamas turns to international community, as faith in Nepal govt wanes

The deaths of 14 Nepali guards in Afghanistan have highlighted the Himalayan nation&#39;s role as supplier of security forces to the world, an industry fuelled by poverty and built on the centuries-old reputation of its Gurkha troops for courage and loyalty. 
 
While the number of Gurkha soldiers Britain recruits annually in the impoverished nation has fallen in recent years, global demand for Nepalis as private security guards remains high. 
 
&quot;Everyone wants a Gurkha to protect their assets -- from a billionaire in Hong Kong to private firms in Kabul,&quot; said Mahesh Shrestha, Nepal country manager for British security giant G4S. 
 
&quot;Gurkhas have always been a big craze as far as the market for security (personnel) is concerned,&quot; Shrestha told AFP. 
 
The industry provides lucrative jobs for retired Gurkhas as well as former Nepal army and police staff willing to risk their lives in conflict zones around the world. 
 
Nepalis were first recruited overseas by the British East India Company after the Anglo-Nepali war that ended in 1816. 
 
Impressed by their bravery, the British struck a deal to hire their former foes as soldiers, using Gurkha troops to crush riots in 19th-century India and fight for Britain in World Wars I and II. 
 
The Gurkhas&#39; World War I exploits also secured the Himalayan kingdom&#39;s sovereignty via a 1923 treaty between Nepal and Britain. 
 
Famed for their ferocity and skillful use of razor-sharp curved kukri knives, the Gurkhas have fought in every British conflict for the last two centuries. 
 
More than 45,000 have died in action. 
 
They have also enlisted in the Singapore police force and the Indian army, whose former chief of staff Sam Manekshaw is reported to have said: &quot;If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or is a Gurkha&quot;. 
 
Today, private security firms seek to trade on that reputation when they advertise their recruitment of Nepalis -- including non-Gurkhas -- to prospective clients. 
 
As a result, Nepalis enjoy a virtual monopoly in the private security sector in countries like Malaysia, where companies are only allowed to hire them or locals as guards. 
 
&quot;Thanks to the Gurkhas&#39; fame... people think Nepalis are loyal, honest, hardworking men who can survive anywhere and cope with tough conditions,&quot; G4S&#39;s Shrestha said. 
 
Fuelled by desperation 
The hillside towns the Gurkhas come from are islands of relative prosperity in Nepal thanks to salaries and pensions which are substantially higher than local wages. 
 
Thousands of young men apply to join the British Gurkhas each year, but only around 230 make the final cut. Their tests include a 4.6-kilometre (2.9-mile) race up a steep hill while carrying a basket packed with rocks. 
 
The British army now employs around 2,500 Gurkhas, down from an all-time high of 112,000 during World War II, and many have taken jobs as security guards in conflict zones like Afghanistan, where 14 Nepalis working for the Canadian embassy were killed in a bomb attack this week. 
 
They are more expensive than Afghan security, but are seen as more reliable and their physical similarity allows them to blend in better than other foreigners. 
 
&quot;Young Nepali males don&#39;t really have many options at home and so they seek dangerous jobs overseas... because of their desperation,&quot; journalist Kunda Dixit told AFP. 
 
Nepali migrant workers play a critical role in propping up the country&#39;s economy: their remittances make up about 30 percent of gross domestic product. 
 
Authorities say some 3,300 Nepalis currently work in Afghanistan as security guards but accurate figures for the total number employed across the world are hard to come by. 
 
Despite the dangers, commentators say the deaths this week will do little to stop other Nepalis from venturing into war zones in desperate pursuit of work, as the country struggles to recover from last year&#39;s massive earthquake. 
(AFP)

Famed for their ferocity and skillful use of razor-sharp curved khukri knives, Gurkhas fight for the British, Indian and Nepalese armies

The deaths of 14 Nepali guards in Afghanistan have highlighted the Himalayan nation's role as supplier of security forces to the world, an industry fuelled by poverty and built on the centuries-old reputation of its Gurkha troops for courage and loyalty. While the number of Gurkha soldiers Britain recruits annually in the impoverished nation has fallen in recent years, global demand for Nepalis as private security guards remains high. "Everyone wants a Gurkha to protect their assets -- from a billionaire in Hong Kong to private firms in Kabul," said Mahesh Shrestha, Nepal country manager for British security giant G4S. "Gurkhas have always been a big craze as far as the market for security (personnel) is concerned," Shrestha told AFP. The industry provides lucrative jobs for retired Gurkhas as well as former Nepal army and police staff willing to risk their lives in conflict zones around the world. Nepalis were first recruited overseas by the British East India Company after the Anglo-Nepali war that ended in 1816. Impressed by their bravery, the British struck a deal to hire their former foes as soldiers, using Gurkha troops to crush riots in 19th-century India and fight for Britain in World Wars I and II. The Gurkhas' World War I exploits also secured the Himalayan kingdom's sovereignty via a 1923 treaty between Nepal and Britain. Famed for their ferocity and skillful use of razor-sharp curved kukri knives, the Gurkhas have fought in every British conflict for the last two centuries. More than 45,000 have died in action. They have also enlisted in the Singapore police force and the Indian army, whose former chief of staff Sam Manekshaw is reported to have said: "If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or is a Gurkha". Today, private security firms seek to trade on that reputation when they advertise their recruitment of Nepalis -- including non-Gurkhas -- to prospective clients. As a result, Nepalis enjoy a virtual monopoly in the private security sector in countries like Malaysia, where companies are only allowed to hire them or locals as guards. "Thanks to the Gurkhas' fame... people think Nepalis are loyal, honest, hardworking men who can survive anywhere and cope with tough conditions," G4S's Shrestha said. Fuelled by desperation The hillside towns the Gurkhas come from are islands of relative prosperity in Nepal thanks to salaries and pensions which are substantially higher than local wages. Thousands of young men apply to join the British Gurkhas each year, but only around 230 make the final cut. Their tests include a 4.6-kilometre (2.9-mile) race up a steep hill while carrying a basket packed with rocks. The British army now employs around 2,500 Gurkhas, down from an all-time high of 112,000 during World War II, and many have taken jobs as security guards in conflict zones like Afghanistan, where 14 Nepalis working for the Canadian embassy were killed in a bomb attack this week. They are more expensive than Afghan security, but are seen as more reliable and their physical similarity allows them to blend in better than other foreigners. "Young Nepali males don't really have many options at home and so they seek dangerous jobs overseas... because of their desperation," journalist Kunda Dixit told AFP. Nepali migrant workers play a critical role in propping up the country's economy: their remittances make up about 30 percent of gross domestic product. Authorities say some 3,300 Nepalis currently work in Afghanistan as security guards but accurate figures for the total number employed across the world are hard to come by. Despite the dangers, commentators say the deaths this week will do little to stop other Nepalis from venturing into war zones in desperate pursuit of work, as the country struggles to recover from last year's massive earthquake. (AFP)

Gurkhas to guards: Nepalis doing dangerous jobs abroad

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