Nepal's economic reality and the politics of illusion

Nepal's economic reality and the politics of illusion

It is uncomfortable but necessary to acknowledge that Nepal remains among the poorest countries in South Asia.

It is uncomfortable but necessary to acknowledge that Nepal remains among the poorest countries in South Asia.

Opinion 24 Feb, 2026

Bangladesh has voted: Stability will be earned through delivery, not declarations

Bangladesh has voted: Stability will be earned through delivery, not declarations

The sweeping victory of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the return of Tarique Rahman after 17 years in exile mark the most consequential political transition since the 2024 uprising that ousted Sheikh Hasina.

The sweeping victory of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the return of Tarique Rahman after 17 years in exile mark the most consequential political transition since the 2024 uprising that ousted Sheikh Hasina.

Opinion 24 Feb, 2026

Jeopardising financial standing: Slipping towards FATF blacklist

Jeopardising financial standing: Slipping towards FATF blacklist

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has listed Iran, Myanmar, and North Korea in its blacklist due to their strategic deficiencies in anti-money-laundering, counter-terrorist financing, and proliferation financing frameworks.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has listed Iran, Myanmar, and North Korea in its blacklist due to their strategic deficiencies in anti-money-laundering, counter-terrorist financing, and proliferation financing frameworks.

Opinion 23 Feb, 2026

India-EU Free Trade Agreement: And its implications for Nepal

India-EU Free Trade Agreement: And its implications for Nepal

In a world where geopolitics increasingly shapes economics, the new trade agreement between India and the European Union is more than a routine free-trade deal, it is a strategic signal.

In a world where geopolitics increasingly shapes economics, the new trade agreement between India and the European Union is more than a routine free-trade deal, it is a strategic signal.

Opinion 20 Feb, 2026

Mathemagic: The beauty and truth of maths

Mathemagic: The beauty and truth of maths

Mathematics is abstract, objective, and brusquely devoid of sentiment. Right? Wrong. Maths divulges to have the astonishing power to teaching us how things work and what the universe could reveal if we would only listen.

Mathematics is abstract, objective, and brusquely devoid of sentiment. Right? Wrong. Maths divulges to have the astonishing power to teaching us how things work and what the universe could reveal if we would only listen.

Opinion 19 Feb, 2026

A political crash course for the new voter (from a non-voter)

A political crash course for the new voter (from a non-voter)

I still remember the smell of the classroom and the chalk dust in the air when my social studies teacher, Chudamani (CM) Kharel sir, gave us an assignment that felt impossibly large for our teenage brains. It was 15 years ago. He asked the whole class to draft a political manifesto.

I still remember the smell of the classroom and the chalk dust in the air when my social studies teacher, Chudamani (CM) Kharel sir, gave us an assignment that felt impossibly large for our teenage brains. It was 15 years ago. He asked the whole class to draft a political manifesto.

Opinion 19 Feb, 2026

Time for a decision: Whom to vote?

Time for a decision: Whom to vote?

The election fever has virtually gripped the country with almost all the parties releasing their manifestos. Consequently, many people have known what are going to be the vision, mission, and goal of the political parties for propelling the country towards peace and prosperity.

The election fever has virtually gripped the country with almost all the parties releasing their manifestos. Consequently, many people have known what are going to be the vision, mission, and goal of the political parties for propelling the country towards peace and prosperity.

Opinion 18 Feb, 2026

Artificial intelligence: And the future of brain health

Artificial intelligence: And the future of brain health

When someone in a family begins to forget familiar names, develops a tremor, or suddenly has trouble speaking after a stroke, questions arise quickly. What is happening inside the brain? Could this have been noticed earlier? And if it had been, could the outcome have been different?

When someone in a family begins to forget familiar names, develops a tremor, or suddenly has trouble speaking after a stroke, questions arise quickly. What is happening inside the brain? Could this have been noticed earlier? And if it had been, could the outcome have been different?

Opinion 16 Feb, 2026

Nepal's crisis demands democratic renewal, accountable leadership, not romanticised monarchy

Nepal's crisis demands democratic renewal, accountable leadership, not romanticised...

Every few years, just when one assumes Nepal’s monarchy has been safely buried, it rises again like an ancestor refusing to stay in the portrait.

Every few years, just when one assumes Nepal’s monarchy has been safely buried, it rises again like an ancestor refusing to stay in the portrait.

Opinion 16 Feb, 2026

Kathmandu's silent killer: The air we cannot escape

Kathmandu's silent killer: The air we cannot escape

For a short time in December 2025, people in Kathmandu Valley allowed themselves to feel something rare hope. The mountain peaks, usually hidden behind thick haze, became visible again.

For a short time in December 2025, people in Kathmandu Valley allowed themselves to feel something rare hope. The mountain peaks, usually hidden behind thick haze, became visible again.

Opinion 15 Feb, 2026

Democratic sustainability: Election economics cannot be ignored

Democratic sustainability: Election economics cannot be ignored

Our multiparty democracy is indeed vibrant. Despite numerous flaws, the system allows people to participate in the political process, elect representatives, and express grievances.

Our multiparty democracy is indeed vibrant. Despite numerous flaws, the system allows people to participate in the political process, elect representatives, and express grievances.

Opinion 13 Feb, 2026

Receding glaciers: World's hidden water banks at risk

Receding glaciers: World's hidden water banks at risk

Glaciers – the world’s hidden water banks - are a source of life for billions.

Glaciers – the world’s hidden water banks - are a source of life for billions.

Opinion 12 Feb, 2026

The old versus the new: The slogan of the forthcoming election

The old versus the new: The slogan of the forthcoming election

The debate of the forthcoming election appears to be revolving around the antagonism between the old and new political parties.

The debate of the forthcoming election appears to be revolving around the antagonism between the old and new political parties.

Opinion 11 Feb, 2026

AI in healthcare can amp up our care

AI in healthcare can amp up our care

For as long as I can remember, I have been curious about technology. Not as a gadget, but as a tool. A tool that, when used right, can reduce human error, save time, and, most importantly, improve outcomes.

For as long as I can remember, I have been curious about technology. Not as a gadget, but as a tool. A tool that, when used right, can reduce human error, save time, and, most importantly, improve outcomes.

Opinion 11 Feb, 2026

From the World Governments Summit to Nepal's ballot box: Ray Dalio's Three Tests for Prosperity

From the World Governments Summit to Nepal's ballot box: Ray Dalio's Three Tests for...

At the World Governments Summit on February 3, in the main plenary hall during the session titled “Decisions That Shape Future Governments,” global investor and Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio offered a strikingly simple framework for understanding why some countries prosper while others stagnate.

At the World Governments Summit on February 3, in the main plenary hall during the session titled “Decisions That Shape Future Governments,” global investor and Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio offered a strikingly simple framework for understanding why some countries prosper while others stagnate.

Opinion 10 Feb, 2026

What AAP, Aragalaya and Bangladesh Teach RSP

What AAP, Aragalaya and Bangladesh Teach RSP

Rastriya Swatantra Party risks becoming a South Asian sequel no one wanted, repeating Aam Aadmi Party’s early days in Delhi, mixed with Sri Lanka’s Aragalaya disappointment and Bangladesh’s one-party drama, all unfolding in Nepal’s already strained democracy.

Rastriya Swatantra Party risks becoming a South Asian sequel no one wanted, repeating Aam Aadmi Party’s early days in Delhi, mixed with Sri Lanka’s Aragalaya disappointment and Bangladesh’s one-party drama, all unfolding in Nepal’s already strained democracy.

Opinion 10 Feb, 2026

Political romanticism: Pre-election pantomime at its peak

Political romanticism: Pre-election pantomime at its peak

The upcoming election set on the spirit of the violent Gen-Z movement is less than one month away. The political parties and their candidates have reverted to their voters with their agenda and are convincing the people to vote in their favour.

The upcoming election set on the spirit of the violent Gen-Z movement is less than one month away. The political parties and their candidates have reverted to their voters with their agenda and are convincing the people to vote in their favour.

Opinion 09 Feb, 2026

Responsible business in a changing world: The case for Nepal

Responsible business in a changing world: The case for Nepal

For many, ESG, which stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance, sounds like a corporate buzzword: polished, technical, and distant from everyday realities.

For many, ESG, which stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance, sounds like a corporate buzzword: polished, technical, and distant from everyday realities.

Opinion 07 Feb, 2026

India's budget: What it means for Nepal's economic future

India's budget: What it means for Nepal's economic future

India’s latest Union Budget goes beyond an annual fiscal exercise – it is a statement of intent.

India’s latest Union Budget goes beyond an annual fiscal exercise – it is a statement of intent.

Opinion 06 Feb, 2026

When losers refuse to lose: Nepal's dangerous talk of rejecting election results

When losers refuse to lose: Nepal's dangerous talk of rejecting election results

Nepal is once again standing at the edge of a constitutional cliff, and the ones kicking away the ground beneath its feet are the very politicians Gen Z chased out of power only months ago.

Nepal is once again standing at the edge of a constitutional cliff, and the ones kicking away the ground beneath its feet are the very politicians Gen Z chased out of power only months ago.

Opinion 06 Feb, 2026