Encounter with death

Encounter with death

I clearly remember that incident in childhood. One summer, I had gone swimming with a few friends in a deep stream. All of my friends were very good at swimming except me. Blind courage took me to the deepest part of the stream, but my poor swimming skill would drown me soon.

I clearly remember that incident in childhood. One summer, I had gone swimming with a few friends in a deep stream. All of my friends were very good at swimming except me. Blind courage took me to the deepest part of the stream, but my poor swimming skill would drown me soon.

Blogs 19 Nov, 2021

Rural sanitation

Rural sanitation

In rural areas, lack of familiarity with new technologies is often compounded by financial constraints, making unhealthy or inefficient practices persistent—even when it comes to toilets.

In rural areas, lack of familiarity with new technologies is often compounded by financial constraints, making unhealthy or inefficient practices persistent—even when it comes to toilets.

Blogs 19 Nov, 2021

Gender equality

Gender equality

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced businesses to rethink how they interact with workers, customers and the wider community.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced businesses to rethink how they interact with workers, customers and the wider community.

Blogs 17 Nov, 2021

Preventing disaster

Preventing disaster

Climate-related disasters are frequent and severe, but there is encouraging evidence that we can prepare for and manage them.

Climate-related disasters are frequent and severe, but there is encouraging evidence that we can prepare for and manage them.

Blogs 16 Nov, 2021

Rising poverty

Rising poverty

The global economy is beginning to bounce back from the economic ravages of the coronavirus pandemic, with growth of 5.6 percent expected for 2021. But this recovery is not being experienced equally. Poorer countries are contending with a deeper, longer-lasting crisis that has increased global poverty and is reversing recent trends of shrinking inequality.

The global economy is beginning to bounce back from the economic ravages of the coronavirus pandemic, with growth of 5.6 percent expected for 2021. But this recovery is not being experienced equally. Poorer countries are contending with a deeper, longer-lasting crisis that has increased global poverty and is reversing recent trends of shrinking inequality.

Blogs 12 Nov, 2021

Census is indispensable

Census is indispensable

Census, which is usually taken every decade, is in vogue in all countries in recent years. Although all persons may not know the importance of taking a census, it is indispensable for overall development, which has been a focus of attention in every country in recent times, and Nepal is not an exception in this regard.

Census, which is usually taken every decade, is in vogue in all countries in recent years. Although all persons may not know the importance of taking a census, it is indispensable for overall development, which has been a focus of attention in every country in recent times, and Nepal is not an exception in this regard.

Blogs 12 Nov, 2021

Letter to mayors

Letter to mayors

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has glorified his post through his work and persona.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has glorified his post through his work and persona.

Blogs 11 Nov, 2021

Carbon pricing

Carbon pricing

The recent economic downturn reduced global greenhouse gas emissions by a scale larger than that seen during the financial crisis of 2009- 10.

The recent economic downturn reduced global greenhouse gas emissions by a scale larger than that seen during the financial crisis of 2009- 10.

Blogs 11 Nov, 2021

Tweet and tolerate: Our cup of tea!

Tweet and tolerate: Our cup of tea!

A few weeks ago, amidst Dashain, I could barely sleep when the whole country was rejoicing in a festive mood. When the beautiful colours of Dashain were set ablaze, my mind was distraught. The reason: the sound of bhajan-kirtan beaming from a bhandara conducted right next to my house.

A few weeks ago, amidst Dashain, I could barely sleep when the whole country was rejoicing in a festive mood. When the beautiful colours of Dashain were set ablaze, my mind was distraught. The reason: the sound of bhajan-kirtan beaming from a bhandara conducted right next to my house.

Blogs 10 Nov, 2021

Current climate crisis in Nepal

Current climate crisis in Nepal

Climate change has now turned into a climate crisis for countries like Nepal. The global climate model shows climate change impacts may be severe at high elevation and in a complex topography like Nepal.

Climate change has now turned into a climate crisis for countries like Nepal. The global climate model shows climate change impacts may be severe at high elevation and in a complex topography like Nepal.

Blogs 09 Nov, 2021

Climate priorities

Climate priorities

Tackling climate change will require major social, economic and technological changes, many of which are costly and will require large investments.

Tackling climate change will require major social, economic and technological changes, many of which are costly and will require large investments.

Blogs 09 Nov, 2021

Festival to illuminate our hearts

Festival to illuminate our hearts

The festival of lights and illumination, Tihar or Deepawali, is just around the corner.

The festival of lights and illumination, Tihar or Deepawali, is just around the corner.

Blogs 04 Nov, 2021

Green recovery

Green recovery

High in the Hindu Kush Himalayas of northern Pakistan, the residents of Hassanabad keep a watch on a wall of black ice almost 700 feet high that perches menacingly above their tiny village.

High in the Hindu Kush Himalayas of northern Pakistan, the residents of Hassanabad keep a watch on a wall of black ice almost 700 feet high that perches menacingly above their tiny village.

Blogs 02 Nov, 2021

Our climate commitments

Our climate commitments

Until a few days ago, my wife was suggesting we own a motorbike to add luxury to our daily commute. It was only after I told her about my climate commitment at the personal level that she readily gave up the idea.

Until a few days ago, my wife was suggesting we own a motorbike to add luxury to our daily commute. It was only after I told her about my climate commitment at the personal level that she readily gave up the idea.

Blogs 02 Nov, 2021

Fishing in Nepal

Fishing in Nepal

Traditionally, Bengalis from Bangladesh and the Indian states of West Bengal, Tripura and Assam’s Barak Valley have shown intense passion and love for fish. No matter where a Bengali lives, the fish will pull them closer.

Traditionally, Bengalis from Bangladesh and the Indian states of West Bengal, Tripura and Assam’s Barak Valley have shown intense passion and love for fish. No matter where a Bengali lives, the fish will pull them closer.

Blogs 01 Nov, 2021

Methane emissions

Methane emissions

As the P5 Sentinel Satellite floated overhead, no one could see the clouds of methane from below – but the satellite could. We can no longer claim that we cannot see this potent greenhouse gas anymore.

As the P5 Sentinel Satellite floated overhead, no one could see the clouds of methane from below – but the satellite could. We can no longer claim that we cannot see this potent greenhouse gas anymore.

Blogs 01 Nov, 2021

Asia's cities

Asia's cities

Today’s cities face many challenges. They include rapid urbanisation, aging societies, infrastructure deficits, climate change and disaster risk.

Today’s cities face many challenges. They include rapid urbanisation, aging societies, infrastructure deficits, climate change and disaster risk.

Blogs 28 Oct, 2021

Distance learning

Distance learning

When schools in Sierra Leone closed last March, the Government was more ready than many to respond. With the school closures due to the Ebola epidemic all too recent a memory, the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education acted fast to mobilise a national distance learning programme via radio.

When schools in Sierra Leone closed last March, the Government was more ready than many to respond. With the school closures due to the Ebola epidemic all too recent a memory, the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education acted fast to mobilise a national distance learning programme via radio.

Blogs 27 Oct, 2021

Dashain – then and now

Dashain – then and now

Time brings change, and while that is mostly good and perhaps the only way forward, we wish something would remain the same.

Time brings change, and while that is mostly good and perhaps the only way forward, we wish something would remain the same.

Blogs 27 Oct, 2021

Privatisation of SOEs

Privatisation of SOEs

State owned enterprises (SOEs) have long had a poor reputation in many countries. These government owned or controlled companies often are unprofitable, poor service providers, and sources of corruption and inefficiency.

State owned enterprises (SOEs) have long had a poor reputation in many countries. These government owned or controlled companies often are unprofitable, poor service providers, and sources of corruption and inefficiency.

Blogs 26 Oct, 2021