Listening to children: To shape Nepal's SDG journey

Listening to children: To shape Nepal's SDG journey

As world leaders gather in New York for the UN Summit for the Future to discuss progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), review major achievements and suggest course corrections, there is one perspective that must be considered if we are to truly achieve the SDGs and ensure that no one is left behind – listening to and engaging with children.

As world leaders gather in New York for the UN Summit for the Future to discuss progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), review major achievements and suggest course corrections, there is one perspective that must be considered if we are to truly achieve the SDGs and ensure that no one is left behind – listening to and engaging with children.

Opinion 23 Sep, 2024

AmCham Nepal at the India Ideas Summit 2024: Forging a New Pathway to LEARN, UNLEARN, and RELEARN

AmCham Nepal at the India Ideas Summit 2024: Forging a New Pathway to LEARN, UNLEARN,...

Recently, I read an article about Alvin Toffler’s book Future Shock. The article highlighted his statement: “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”

Recently, I read an article about Alvin Toffler’s book Future Shock. The article highlighted his statement: “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”

Opinion 19 Sep, 2024

Freezing the impact: Tackling glacial melt with resilient solutions

Freezing the impact: Tackling glacial melt with resilient solutions

Glaciers are indispensable to regional climate, ecological balance, cultural heritage and socio-economic development in the Asia Pacific region.

Glaciers are indispensable to regional climate, ecological balance, cultural heritage and socio-economic development in the Asia Pacific region.

Opinion 19 Sep, 2024

SC verdict on Valley's rivers: Good for future indeed

SC verdict on Valley's rivers: Good for future indeed

The Supreme Court has virtually ignited a spark by directing the concerned authorities to provide a setback of 20 meters on either side of the rivers in addition to a similar provision already made in the past, which, however, yet remains to be implemented in totality.

The Supreme Court has virtually ignited a spark by directing the concerned authorities to provide a setback of 20 meters on either side of the rivers in addition to a similar provision already made in the past, which, however, yet remains to be implemented in totality.

Opinion 18 Sep, 2024

Taxes and immigration: Last ideological gridlock in American domestic policy

Taxes and immigration: Last ideological gridlock in American domestic policy

The American political season is in full swing, with the presidential, local and state elections set for November 2024, as mandated by the Constitution. This grand spectacle of the world’s "greatest" democracy presents a unique opportunity to analyse the significant policy differences between the Republican and Democratic parties—ironically, the two dominant political forces representing one of the most pluralistic nations for nearly 200 years.

The American political season is in full swing, with the presidential, local and state elections set for November 2024, as mandated by the Constitution. This grand spectacle of the world’s "greatest" democracy presents a unique opportunity to analyse the significant policy differences between the Republican and Democratic parties—ironically, the two dominant political forces representing one of the most pluralistic nations for nearly 200 years.

Opinion 17 Sep, 2024

Unjust power dynamics: Behind failure to address nation's challenges

Unjust power dynamics: Behind failure to address nation's challenges

What was supposed to be a conversation about climate activism and the impact that climate warming is having on local indigenous populations of Nepal turned out instead to be a much deeper discussion about democracy, good governance and, yes, climate change. It was also about inequalities and unjust power dynamics in the country that underpin the way the country is fighting one of its biggest challenges.

What was supposed to be a conversation about climate activism and the impact that climate warming is having on local indigenous populations of Nepal turned out instead to be a much deeper discussion about democracy, good governance and, yes, climate change. It was also about inequalities and unjust power dynamics in the country that underpin the way the country is fighting one of its biggest challenges.

Opinion 16 Sep, 2024

From chaos to harmony: The onion and kite effect

From chaos to harmony: The onion and kite effect

We all go through certain phases in life — ups and downs. While most of us may have an innate tendency to suppress painful emotions, or fail to remember them until they emerge anew to bother us, the outcome is that you not only feel the pain, but also its clumsy scar with amplified intensity.

We all go through certain phases in life — ups and downs. While most of us may have an innate tendency to suppress painful emotions, or fail to remember them until they emerge anew to bother us, the outcome is that you not only feel the pain, but also its clumsy scar with amplified intensity.

Opinion 13 Sep, 2024

The 111th anniversary of B P Koirala: Democratic socialism in spotlight

The 111th anniversary of B P Koirala: Democratic socialism in spotlight

The 111th anniversary of Bisheswor Prasad Koirala (BP) is being celebrated with incredible fanfare all around the country.

The 111th anniversary of Bisheswor Prasad Koirala (BP) is being celebrated with incredible fanfare all around the country.

Opinion 12 Sep, 2024

Bioremediation adoption: Safeguarding Nepal's natural resources

Bioremediation adoption: Safeguarding Nepal's natural resources

The Bagmati River, once a symbol of purity and spirituality, now symbolises severe ecosystem degradation.

The Bagmati River, once a symbol of purity and spirituality, now symbolises severe ecosystem degradation.

Opinion 11 Sep, 2024

Nepal's persistent digital divide: From high penetration to inclusion

Nepal's persistent digital divide: From high penetration to inclusion

In 2024, access to digital technology is not a luxury; it has become imperative for improving lives. However, the situation in Nepal portrays a very complicated scenario.

In 2024, access to digital technology is not a luxury; it has become imperative for improving lives. However, the situation in Nepal portrays a very complicated scenario.

Opinion 10 Sep, 2024

Political appraisal of Bangladesh: Some lessons to be learnt

Political appraisal of Bangladesh: Some lessons to be learnt

The political upheaval that rocked the 15-year-old establishment of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was an accumulated effect of political conditions prevailing there.

The political upheaval that rocked the 15-year-old establishment of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was an accumulated effect of political conditions prevailing there.

Opinion 09 Sep, 2024

The disappearing youth of Nepal: A national dilemma

The disappearing youth of Nepal: A national dilemma

Nepal is grappling with a significant challenge: the widespread exodus of its young population.

Nepal is grappling with a significant challenge: the widespread exodus of its young population.

Opinion 08 Sep, 2024

David Vs. Goliath: The epistemological challenge and the myth of strategy

David Vs. Goliath: The epistemological challenge and the myth of strategy

The pursuit of human knowledge is inherently retrospective. On a macro scale, our understanding of the universe begins with the Big Bang, the most credible theory of its origin.

The pursuit of human knowledge is inherently retrospective. On a macro scale, our understanding of the universe begins with the Big Bang, the most credible theory of its origin.

Opinion 05 Sep, 2024

Maoists' People's War: Armed struggle or violent action?An unwarranted argument

Maoists' People's War: Armed struggle or violent action?An unwarranted argument

The lawmakers of both the government and opposition, otherwise caught napping on several occasions in the Parliament, were up on their toes when the Secretary of the Unified Marxist-Leninist, Yogesh Bhattarai, labelled the Peoples War waged by the Maoist Centre as unfortunate violence.

The lawmakers of both the government and opposition, otherwise caught napping on several occasions in the Parliament, were up on their toes when the Secretary of the Unified Marxist-Leninist, Yogesh Bhattarai, labelled the Peoples War waged by the Maoist Centre as unfortunate violence.

Opinion 04 Sep, 2024

Transforming urban mobility: It is about re-imagining cities

Transforming urban mobility: It is about re-imagining cities

Back in June, one of my pieces in this newspaper focussed on the power of rethinking urban transportation, starting from cycling.

Back in June, one of my pieces in this newspaper focussed on the power of rethinking urban transportation, starting from cycling.

Opinion 03 Sep, 2024

Sensory overload and technostress: Mindfulness holds the key to bringing balance

Sensory overload and technostress: Mindfulness holds the key to bringing balance

It is a matter of routine; also, clockwork. From the time we get up each morning until the time we go to bed each night, we are like a parched mop.

It is a matter of routine; also, clockwork. From the time we get up each morning until the time we go to bed each night, we are like a parched mop.

Opinion 29 Aug, 2024

Monsoon-induced disaster in Nepal: Need of strengthening local government

Monsoon-induced disaster in Nepal: Need of strengthening local government

The country does not seem to be getting any respite from the monsoon disasters in view of several of them occurring in quick succession.

The country does not seem to be getting any respite from the monsoon disasters in view of several of them occurring in quick succession.

Opinion 28 Aug, 2024

Activating the TRC beyond its mandate of Commission: Transcending regular consciousness

Activating the TRC beyond its mandate of Commission: Transcending regular...

Feels like yesterday, but we are soon going to complete the three decades since the civil war started in 1996 in Nepal. We have undeniably achieved many milestones.

Feels like yesterday, but we are soon going to complete the three decades since the civil war started in 1996 in Nepal. We have undeniably achieved many milestones.

Opinion 26 Aug, 2024

Dabbling in diplomacy in Asia: The focal point of the world

Dabbling in diplomacy in Asia: The focal point of the world

S.D. Muni’s book ‘Dabbling in Diplomacy’, otherwise a very specialised book but written lucidly with his life intertwined with teaching, research and diplomacy combined with brushings with politicians and revolution, is interesting to read.

S.D. Muni’s book ‘Dabbling in Diplomacy’, otherwise a very specialised book but written lucidly with his life intertwined with teaching, research and diplomacy combined with brushings with politicians and revolution, is interesting to read.

Opinion 27 Aug, 2024

Bangladesh: Secular culture under attack

Bangladesh: Secular culture under attack

After the shocking fall of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh enters a new era with a non-partisan government headed by US-backed businessman and Nobel laureate, banker Muhammad Yunus. The Hasina regime fell in a massive student-led uprising. Following the end of her rule, the country experienced widespread destruction of sculptures, academies, museums and libraries.

After the shocking fall of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh enters a new era with a non-partisan government headed by US-backed businessman and Nobel laureate, banker Muhammad Yunus. The Hasina regime fell in a massive student-led uprising. Following the end of her rule, the country experienced widespread destruction of sculptures, academies, museums and libraries.

Opinion 23 Aug, 2024