Utpal is a Senior Assistant Editor based in Guwahati. He covers seven states of North-East India and heads the editorial team for the region. He was previously based in Kathmandu, Dehradun and Delhi with Hindustan Times.
Articles by Utpal Parashar
Controversy over Govt R-Day awards
Controversy ensues as displeasure is expressed over the government’s decision to honour 269 personalities for ‘distinctive contribution to the country’, as part of the second Republic Day celebrations in Nepal. Utpal Parashar reports.
Updated on May 31, 2010 02:45 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu
Maoists ultimatum to PM to resign
The PM’s resignation was part of a three-point deal reached between the ruling Nepali Congress and CPN (UML) and Maoists that led to consensus on extending the tenure of the constituent assembly by a year.
Updated on Jun 01, 2010 08:28 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu
Exchange rate status quo helps Nepal more
Nepal’s relation with India has witnessed ups and downs in past decades. But one thing that has remained constant over 17 years is the exchange rate between currencies of the two nations, reports Utpal Parashar.
Updated on May 31, 2010 08:06 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu
Everest boy wants to scale more heights, join army
Six years ago when he started trekking in Pune at the age of 10, Arjun Bajpayee wouldn’t have imagined that his passion for adventure would lead him to the top of Mt. Everest.
Updated on May 30, 2010 11:52 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu
Trekking in Pune to top of Mt Everest
Six years ago when he started trekking in Pune at the age of 10, Arjun Bajpayee could not have imagined that his passion for adventure would lead him to the top of Mt Everest. Utpal Parashar had a chat with India's youngest Everest hero. Excerpts..
Updated on May 30, 2010 05:37 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu
Tough road ahead for Nepal
Nepal heaved a sigh of relief at 1:25 am on Saturday when the country’s leaders temporarily buried their differences and amended the interim constitution to give a one-year breather to the constituent assembly.
Updated on May 30, 2010 12:15 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu
Tough road ahead for Nepal
Nepal heaved a sigh of relief at 1:25 am on Saturday when the country’s leaders temporarily buried their differences and amended the interim constitution to give a one year breather to the constituent assembly.
Updated on May 29, 2010 01:30 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu
Nepal’s leaders battle to avert political crisis
Nepal continued to wait with baited breath as ruling parties and opposition Maoists remained deadlocked on extending the Constituent Assembly’s tenure to enable drafting of the new constitution.
Updated on May 29, 2010 01:03 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu
Kathmandu at crossroads
Constitutions have short lifespan in Nepal. The country was to get its new constitution — the seventh in 62 years — on Friday. But differences between political parties didn't let it happen. Constitutional Milestone
Updated on May 28, 2010 12:59 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu
Nepal parties fail to forge consensus on CA term extension
Nepal seems headed for a crisis with the much-expected meeting of the three main political parties failing to forge a consensus on extending tenure of the Constituent Assembly on Friday evening.
Updated on May 26, 2010 11:52 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu
Finns shed kilos to fund education in Nepal
Adipose and education have found a common platform at the Embassy of Finland in Nepal. Seventeen employees of the embassy shed 82 kilograms over past three months and generated 1230 Euros (NRs 123,000) to improve education in Nepal.
Updated on May 24, 2010 04:52 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu
Blast outside Constituent Assembly
A low intensity ‘explosive’ got detonated outside the Nepal Constituent Assembly building in Kathmandu today afternoon.
Updated on May 22, 2010 07:20 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu
13-year-old becomes youngest to top Mount Everest
A 13-year-old from USA, Jordan Romero, became the youngest person atop the world’s highest peak. He reached the 8848 metres high summit early on Saturday morning with his father Paul and three Sherpa guides.
Updated on May 22, 2010 02:23 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu
Nepal on alert as Maoists refuse to budge
Security forces in Nepal have been put on high alert in view of possible violence on May 29 when opposition Maoists will declare the country’s new constitution from streets.
Updated on May 20, 2010 11:13 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu
Constitution by street power, say Nepal Maoists
Having failed in their attempt to dislodge the government despite a six-day strike earlier this month, opposition Maoists in Nepal are now planning to adopt the country’s new constitution from the streets.
Updated on May 18, 2010 01:08 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu
Nepal Govt plans to extend CA term by a year
With just 11 days remaining for Nepal to adopt its new constitution, the ruling coalition government on Monday moved a bill seeking extension of the Constituent Assembly by a year.
Updated on May 17, 2010 06:44 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu
Now Nepal Maoists plan to adopt constitution from the streets
Politburo members of UCPN (Maoist) decided on Sunday to declare the new constitution unilaterally on May 29—the day Nepal marks as Republic Day after abolition of monarchy two years ago.
Updated on May 17, 2010 03:40 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu
Chasing a rainbow in rainbow nation
Pressure to conform to societal norms and be ‘normal’ affects our lives significantly. Not surprisingly as a teenager growing up in an orthodox Hindu family in rural Nepal, Basant also tried to fit in — but something was amiss.
Updated on May 17, 2010 01:34 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu
Nepal Maoists return to hard line on troop integration
Change of stance by opposition Maoists regarding integration and rehabilitation of former People’s Liberation Army rebels continues to affect the fragile peace process in Nepal.
Updated on May 15, 2010 12:54 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu
Nepal Maoists flip-flop on rebel integration continue
Change of stance by opposition Maoists regarding integration and rehabilitation of former People’s Liberation Army rebels continues to affect the fragile peace process in Nepal.
Updated on May 14, 2010 05:45 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu
Talks intensify to solve Nepal crisis
After their six-day strike failed to oust the government, opposition Maoists in Nepal are now seeking change through a series of informal meetings, reports Utpal Parashar.
Updated on May 13, 2010 12:22 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu
Indian gang held responsible for Nepal tycoon’s murder
A judicial probe into the murder of a Nepali media entrepreneur has held Indian criminal gangs linked to underworld don Chota Rajan responsible for the crime.
Updated on May 12, 2010 05:36 PM IST
None | Utpal Parashar/HTC, Kathmandu
Post strike, talks intensify to solve Nepal crisis
After their six-day strike failed to oust the government, opposition Maoists in Nepal are now seeking change through a series of informal meetings.
Updated on May 12, 2010 05:33 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu
Tagore’s paintings hang incognito in Nepal
A painting by Rabindranath Tagore would be a prized treasure for its owner and kept under immense care. But some of the Nobel laureate’s works are lying unrecognized and neglected in Nepal.
Updated on May 10, 2010 05:23 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu
Nepal Maoists suffer a setback
The indefinite strike called by Nepal’s main opposition party from May 2 seeking the government’s removal and setting up of a national government saw citizens suffering.
Updated on May 10, 2010 01:08 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu
Maoists reject Nepal PM’s call to ‘Prachanda for talks
Opposition Maoists in Nepal who are agitating to remove the government on Sunday rejected an invitation by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal to resolve the ongoing political deadlock through talks, reports Utpal Parashar.
Updated on May 09, 2010 11:15 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu
Maoists block seat of Nepal government; dozen injured
A dozen persons including three policemen were injured in clashes during a blockade of Singha Durbar—the seat of Nepal government—by thousands of opposition Maoist cadres on Sunday.
Updated on May 09, 2010 05:04 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu
Life returns to normal in Nepal
Life across Nepal began limping back to normalcy on Saturday, a day after Maoists called off their indefinite strike that had crippled the Himalayan nation for six days.
Updated on May 08, 2010 11:36 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu
Life slowly returns to normal in Nepal after strike
Life across Nepal began limping back to normal on Saturday, a day after opposition Maoists called off their indefinite strike that had crippled the Himalayan nation for six days, reports Utpal Parashar.
Updated on May 08, 2010 05:43 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu
End deadlock within 48 hrs; public ultimatum to Nepal parties
Defying the strike called by opposition Maoists, thousands of Nepalese came out to the streets on Friday and urged political parties to end the ongoing deadlock within the next two days.
Updated on May 07, 2010 06:30 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu