Angur Baba Joshi is known as Nepal's first female college principal. She was a pioneer whose life and work opened the door for women to learn and lead in the country. She worked at Padma Kanya College from 1953 to 1973, where she led the school for more than 20 years with vision, dedication, and a desire to help young women become strong.
Life and Schooling in the Past
Angur Baba Joshi was born in 1992 B.S. (1935 A.D.) and showed great promise as a student from a young age. She went to college at a time when women in Nepal had very few options. She got her Master's degree in Political Science from Banaras Hindu University. Then she got her law degree (B.L.) from Patna University and her B.Litt. from Oxford University.
At a time when few Nepali women could study abroad, her education there was groundbreaking. She also learned a lot about literature, religion, philosophy, political science, and Sanskrit, which made her an incredibly well-rounded thinker.
Becoming the first woman to be the principal of a college in Nepal
In 2011 B.S. (1953 A.D.), Angur Baba Joshi started her career as a teacher at Padma Kanya College. She was named the first female principal of Padma Kanya College, Nepal's first women's college, in 2019 B.S. because she was a great leader, did well in school, and had a vision for women's education.
This was a historic moment when she was named principal. She showed that women could not only go to college, but also run institutions with skill and foresight. She led by encouraging women to study a wide range of subjects, promoting academic excellence, and creating an environment of empowerment and opportunity.
Leadership and Giving
Angur Baba Joshi had an impact that went far beyond the classroom. She was very important in women's rights, education, and social progress.
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In 2033 B.S., the United Nations declared it the International Women's Year. The first chairperson of the Women's Year Nepal Committee was elected.
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He started the Taragaon Development Committee and the Taragaon Hotel to help people and communities grow.
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As a member of the International Women Lawyers Organization from 2031 to 2033 B.S.
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Nominated to the National Panchayat (2032 B.S.)
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Chairperson of the Community Service Coordination Council, which helps grassroots social projects
People saw her as more than just a scholar; they also saw her as a social reformer and visionary leader who helped women in Nepal take on more important roles.
Inspiration and Legacy
The legacy of Angur Baba Joshi is huge. She made it possible for women to go to school and lead at a time when society didn't want women to do those things. Many Nepali women have been inspired by her life to get more education and become leaders.
People remember her as a brave, visionary, and dedicated woman who opened doors for future generations. Her story is still a strong reminder of how education, determination, and leadership can change the world, and women all over Nepal still look up to her as a role model.
Historic Victory: RASAPA Changes Nepal’s Political Scene
The recent political changes in Nepal have shaken up long-standing political strongholds. The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RASWA) has won big in several constituencies, with margins of more than 50,000 votes. These results show not only individual wins, but also how much the people trust this new political party.
Former journalist Ravi Lamichhane started RASWA on Ashad 7, 2079 (June 21, 2022). In just five months, the party became the fourth largest in the 2079 general elections, which got a lot of attention. Over the next four years, RASWA not only earned the trust of local voters, but it also showed that it could become a major political force in the country.
Top Candidates Surging Past 50,000 Votes
| S.N. | Candidate Name | Constituency | Votes Received | Main Opponent | Opponent Votes | Approx. Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Balendra Shah (Balen) | Jhapa 5 | 68,348 | KP Sharma Oli (UML) | 18,734 | 49,614 |
| 2 | Indira Ranamagar | Jhapa 2 | 60,110 | Devaraj Ghimire (UML) | 11,368 | 48,742 |
| 3 | Sovita Gautam | Chitwan 3 | 59,277 | Renu Dahal (Maoist) | 20,615 | 38,662 |
| 4 | Dr. Lekhjung Thapa | Rupandehi 3 | 58,814 | Sushil Gurung (Congress) | 8,435 | 50,379 |
| 5 | Hari Dhakal | Chitwan 1 | 58,208 | Rajendra Prasad Burlakoti (Congress) | 13,033 | 45,175 |
| 6 | Sulabh Kharel | Rupandehi 2 | 56,550 | Vishnu Prasad Paudel (UML) | 12,861 | 43,869 |
| 7 | Rubina Acharya | Morang 6 | 55,513 | Dr. Shekhar Koirala (Congress) | 12,850 | 42,663 |
| 8 | Sunil Lamsal | Rupandehi 1 | 54,845 | Hirabahadur Khatri (Congress) | 12,447 | 42,398 |
| 9 | Ravi Lamichhane | Chitwan 2 | 54,402 | Minakumari Kharel (Congress) | 14,564 | 39,838 |
| 10 | Badan Kumar Bhandari | Kavre 2 | 53,344 | Madhup Prasad Acharya (Congress) | 17,868 | 35,476 |
| 11 | Rajan Gautam | Nawalpur 1 | 50,945 | Balakrishna Ghimire (Congress) | 16,293 | 34,652 |
Note: In Jhapa-5, Balendra Shah beat former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli by almost 50,000 votes, which is the biggest "upset" of the election.
The Main Reasons Why This Miracle Happened
- Balen–Ravi Equation: Balendra Shah's popularity as mayor of Kathmandu and Ravi Lamichhane's media presence and delivery made the party very popular with the public.
- Gen Z and Youth Rebellion: Young people who didn't like the old "musical chair" politics spoke out on social media and in the streets, which led to votes.
- New Agenda: A strong stand against corruption, a promise to good governance, and a debate over a directly elected executive got a lot of public support.
- Madhesh–Hills Unity: Balendra Shah helped RASWA win even in the Terai-Madhesh region by calling himself both "the son of Madhesh" and "the pride of Nepal."
This result makes it clear that the old way of doing things in Nepalese politics is no longer possible. Winning by more than 50,000 votes does not just give RASWA a "license to govern"; it also gives the party the duty to get things done without making excuses. RASWA will face both challenges and opportunities in the next five years.
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Kathmandu: Have you ever wondered why most people wear a watch on the left hand? It’s not just for convenience; the reason is deeply rooted in history, science, and practicality. In this article, we’ll explore the journey from pocket watches to modern wristwatches and how the tradition of wearing a watch on the left hand evolved.
Early Days: Pocket Watches
In the beginning, people didn’t wear watches on their wrists. From around the 16th to the early 19th century, watches were primarily kept in pockets. These were called pocket watches. Due to their large size, heavy weight, and complex mechanical construction, it wasn’t practical to wear them on the wrist.
Pocket watches were fully mechanical, containing delicate parts like gears, springs, and balance wheels. They had no batteries or automatic mechanisms, and even a small jolt could damage them. Keeping a watch safe was a challenge. Men usually carried them in a coat or trouser pocket with a small chain attached for security.
Why Was the Crown Placed on the Right?
Mechanical watches required regular winding to store energy in the spring. This was done using a small knob on the side of the watch called the crown. Watchmakers placed the crown on the right side so that users could easily wind and set the time using their dominant hand. When a watch was worn on the left hand, the crown was easily accessible without removing the watch.
The First Modern Wristwatch
It wasn’t until the early 1900s that men started wearing wristwatches. The first modern wristwatch was reportedly made in 1904 by Louis Cartier for his pilot friend Alberto Santos-Dumont. During flights, it was inconvenient to check a pocket watch, so Cartier designed a watch that could be strapped to the wrist. This innovation laid the foundation for men’s wristwatches.
After this, brands like Cartier standardized the right-side crown design, which is still common in mechanical wristwatches today.
First World War and the Rise of Wristwatches
World War I (1914–1918) further popularized wristwatches. Soldiers needed to check the time frequently for attacks, safety, and coordination. Pulling a pocket watch out of a pocket during combat was risky. Soldiers started strapping watches to their wrists, sometimes in leather pouches, giving birth to the wristwatch in its early form. Early wristwatches were still fully mechanical and hand-wound.
Why the Left Hand?
Most soldiers used their right hand for handling weapons. Wearing a watch on the right hand would make it prone to knocks, shocks, scratches, and damage. The delicate mechanical movements inside could easily be affected.
The left hand, being less used for heavy tasks, protected the watch from damage, increasing its lifespan.
Thus, the combination of crown placement, right-hand dominance, and the delicate nature of mechanical watches led to the practice of wearing watches on the left wrist. Over time, this practical habit became a social norm.
By the 1900s, watch manufacturers began designing straps, buttons, and ergonomics with the left wrist in mind, making left-hand placement the default for most wristwatches.
Is it necessary to wear it on the left?
Modern watches are much more durable. Most are automatic or battery-powered, eliminating the need for daily winding. Shock-resistant watches have significantly reduced the risk of damage from everyday knocks.
Technically, a watch can be worn on either wrist. Left-handed individuals often wear watches on their right wrist for convenience. However, most people worldwide still wear watches on the left wrist because it’s a long-standing tradition rooted in history, design, and social habits.
Wearing a watch on the left hand is not a coincidence. Its origins go back centuries to mechanical watch engineering, crown placement, and practical use of the right hand. What started as a convenience and safety measure has become a global tradition.
Even in today’s age of advanced technology, the wristwatch on our left hand remains a silent witness to that long history.
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The majority of watches on the market today have labels like "Waterproof" or "Water Resistant." Customers frequently get the idea from these words that the watch is safe to use in water in any situation. But the truth is different.
No consumer watch is completely waterproof all the time. Rather, watches are made to withstand a certain amount of water pressure under carefully monitored testing conditions, as indicated by their water resistance levels. These levels are shown as ATM (atmospheres) or WR (water resistant) ratings.
It is crucial to comprehend these ratings prior to submerging your watch in water.
Waterproof vs Water Resistant: What’s the Difference?
The term "waterproof" implies total protection from water, this assertion is untrue. The ability of a watch to keep out moisture is impacted by environmental factors, aging materials, and seal degradation over time.
Because of this, trustworthy manufacturers refer to their timepieces as water resistant, which indicates that they can withstand water up to a certain point—but not forever or in every situation.
In short:
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The term "waterproof" is primarily used in marketing.
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Water resistance is a quantifiable technical requirement.
What Are the Meanings of ATM and WR?
In laboratory testing, pressure resistance is measured using the symbols WR (water resistant) and ATM (atmospheres).
WR 30M, for instance, does not imply that you can dive 30 meters. Only static pressure equivalency is reflected.
Levels of Water Resistance
- WR 30M: Hand washing and splashes
- WR 50M: Exposure to light water and rain
- WR 100M: Light snorkeling and swimming
- WR 200M+: Recreational diving and water sports
Can You Shower or Swim With a Water Resistant Watch?
A common misconception is that WR 50M indicates that a watch is safe to use at 50 meters below the surface. Static pressure, not movement, is actually the basis for ratings.
Pressure is greatly increased when you swim, jump into the water, or wave your arms. Water can enter watches that seem to be properly rated because this dynamic pressure can be higher than laboratory ratings.
Because of this, even in shallow water, a WR 30M watch may malfunction.
Can a Water Resistant Watch Be Worn While Swimming or Showering?
Showering introduces heat, steam, soap, and chemicals, all of which can weaken seals, even if your watch has a respectable WR rating. Hot water causes materials to expand, resulting in microscopic openings that let moisture in.
Additionally, swimming pools contain chlorine, which gradually deteriorates rubber gaskets. Even more corrosive is saltwater.
Avoid hot showers unless specifically authorized by the manufacturer, and rinse watches with fresh water after exposure for maximum longevity.
Is Water Resistance Permanent?
No.
Over time, water resistance declines because of:
- Gaskets that age
- Variations in temperature
- Shocks to the body
- Frequent exposure to water
After a few years, a watch that was water resistant when it was first manufactured may no longer be so. Maintaining resistance requires routine maintenance and gasket replacement.
Crucial Advice Before Purchasing a Water-Resistant Watch
When buying a watch:
- Don't depend just on the term "waterproof."
- Verify WR or ATM ratings at all times.
- Adapt the rating to your way of life.
- Examine the box and the instructions.
- Unless otherwise indicated, do not press buttons while submerged.
- Keep in mind that resistance to water is temporary.
The word "waterproof" can be deceptive. WR and ATM ratings, construction quality, and appropriate maintenance are all necessary for true protection.
Selecting the appropriate watch requires knowing how you use it, whether it's for swimming, water sports, rain, or daily splashes and picking a rating that fits your needs.
Understanding water resistance guarantees your watch will function dependably and last longer.
