Nepal must now understand where the world is heading

Nepal must now understand where the world is heading

For decades, Nepal has viewed its rivers primarily through the lens of how many megawatts of electricity they can generate.

For decades, Nepal has viewed its rivers primarily through the lens of how many megawatts of electricity they can generate.

Opinion 01 Sep, 2026

The agony of climate injustice and Nepal's economic self-reliance: Policy proposals for LDC graduation and national reconstruction

The agony of climate injustice and Nepal's economic self-reliance: Policy proposals...

In terms of annual global carbon emissions, China ranks first, followed by the United States second, and then India, Russia, and the European Union (EU).

In terms of annual global carbon emissions, China ranks first, followed by the United States second, and then India, Russia, and the European Union (EU).

Opinion 31 Aug, 2026

When upstream construction and secrecy becomes downstream risk

When upstream construction and secrecy becomes downstream risk

Across the Himalayan arc, where mountains rise like ancient arbiters of destiny and where nations have long mistaken altitude for insulation, Nepal’s recent catastrophe has become a summons that no government in the region can afford to disregard.

Across the Himalayan arc, where mountains rise like ancient arbiters of destiny and where nations have long mistaken altitude for insulation, Nepal’s recent catastrophe has become a summons that no government in the region can afford to disregard.

Opinion 30 Aug, 2026

Nepal is owed restitution, not aid

Nepal is owed restitution, not aid

I was in a village above the Trishuli valley some years ago, watching a district officer explain to a group of foreign donors why the road they had funded had washed away twice in three monsoons.

I was in a village above the Trishuli valley some years ago, watching a district officer explain to a group of foreign donors why the road they had funded had washed away twice in three monsoons.

Opinion 30 Aug, 2026

Revitalising the jute industry: A call for thorough examination

Revitalising the jute industry: A call for thorough examination

The government’s recent move to form a committee to examine and propose measures for reviving the long-ailing Biratnagar Jute Mills (BJM) deserves close scrutiny.

The government’s recent move to form a committee to examine and propose measures for reviving the long-ailing Biratnagar Jute Mills (BJM) deserves close scrutiny.

Opinion 30 Aug, 2026

Look within before looking outside: Why Nepali industry should embrace decarbonisation

Look within before looking outside: Why Nepali industry should embrace...

For many factory owners, the word "decarbonisation" conjures images of climate summits, foreign pledges, and government red tape, one more burden imposed from outside the factory gate.

For many factory owners, the word "decarbonisation" conjures images of climate summits, foreign pledges, and government red tape, one more burden imposed from outside the factory gate.

Opinion 27 Aug, 2026

Geopolitics in Nepal: It's incredible twists and turns

Geopolitics in Nepal: It's incredible twists and turns

Geopolitics has long been a buzzword in international politics, and it has now entered the realm of Nepali politics as never before.

Geopolitics has long been a buzzword in international politics, and it has now entered the realm of Nepali politics as never before.

Opinion 26 Aug, 2026

Nepal must leapfrog the internet: Stop measuring yesterday's internet. Build tomorrow's digital economy

Nepal must leapfrog the internet: Stop measuring yesterday's internet. Build...

I spent three years inside government trying to make this argument. I could not convince many of my government brothers then. Today, however, the question has become much bigger than the price of an internet package. Nepal must decide whether it wants to build tomorrow’s digital economy—or continue investing in yesterday’s physical infrastructure.

I spent three years inside government trying to make this argument. I could not convince many of my government brothers then. Today, however, the question has become much bigger than the price of an internet package. Nepal must decide whether it wants to build tomorrow’s digital economy—or continue investing in yesterday’s physical infrastructure.

Opinion 25 Aug, 2026

Nepal's formalisation machinery is there: Now make it work

Nepal's formalisation machinery is there: Now make it work

Nepal does not suffer from a shortage of formalisation policy. What it needs now is a way of making the many institutions it has already built work together as one, and a clearer sense of what would make ordinary workers and small enterprises want to step into those systems on their own.

Nepal does not suffer from a shortage of formalisation policy. What it needs now is a way of making the many institutions it has already built work together as one, and a clearer sense of what would make ordinary workers and small enterprises want to step into those systems on their own.

Opinion 25 Aug, 2026

Real teaching for a disabled child: What a bottle cap taught me that the classroom couldn't

Real teaching for a disabled child: What a bottle cap taught me that the classroom...

Nepal's classrooms are entering their biggest technology push yet. The government has promised high-speed internet, digital materials, and AI-based learning in 10,000 community schools, backed by a budget of more than 200 billion rupees. Smart boards are coming.

Nepal's classrooms are entering their biggest technology push yet. The government has promised high-speed internet, digital materials, and AI-based learning in 10,000 community schools, backed by a budget of more than 200 billion rupees. Smart boards are coming.

Opinion 24 Aug, 2026

Why every school should be a living laboratory: Rethinking environmental education

Why every school should be a living laboratory: Rethinking environmental education

At Kopila Valley School in Surkhet, Nepal, learning goes far beyond traditional classroom walls.

At Kopila Valley School in Surkhet, Nepal, learning goes far beyond traditional classroom walls.

Opinion 23 Aug, 2026

We federalised the State: But we forgot to federalise the universities

We federalised the State: But we forgot to federalise the universities

Ten years ago Nepal tore up a centralised state and rebuilt itself as a federation –seven new provinces, each with real say over planning, budgets, service delivery.

Ten years ago Nepal tore up a centralised state and rebuilt itself as a federation –seven new provinces, each with real say over planning, budgets, service delivery.

Opinion 20 Aug, 2026

One goat at a time: Rethinking livelihood programmes for poor people

One goat at a time: Rethinking livelihood programmes for poor people

A little over 10 years ago, after the 2015 earthquake, I met a woman in Rasuwa, one of the hardest-hit districts, supported by a post-earthquake livelihood programme, who had built a small herd of goats.

A little over 10 years ago, after the 2015 earthquake, I met a woman in Rasuwa, one of the hardest-hit districts, supported by a post-earthquake livelihood programme, who had built a small herd of goats.

Opinion 20 Aug, 2026

The Chief Justice: Guardian of Justice

The Chief Justice: Guardian of Justice

The Constitution, the judiciary and the law together shape the path of justice, its interpretation and its precedents. Debate about Nepal’s judiciary is not only legitimate; it is essential to a healthy democracy.

The Constitution, the judiciary and the law together shape the path of justice, its interpretation and its precedents. Debate about Nepal’s judiciary is not only legitimate; it is essential to a healthy democracy.

Opinion 19 Aug, 2026

Deuba's return to Nepal: Its possible political implications

Deuba's return to Nepal: Its possible political implications

The return of Sher Bahadur Deuba, former prime minister of Nepal and president of the Nepali Congress (NC), last week has become not only the talk of the town but also a subject of national interest.

The return of Sher Bahadur Deuba, former prime minister of Nepal and president of the Nepali Congress (NC), last week has become not only the talk of the town but also a subject of national interest.

Opinion 19 Aug, 2026

Kathmandu once knew how to live with rain: Can it learn again?

Kathmandu once knew how to live with rain: Can it learn again?

Urban flooding has been the story of every monsoon in Kathmandu. Flood arrives following a rainfall, and every commuter struggles with severe waterlogging.

Urban flooding has been the story of every monsoon in Kathmandu. Flood arrives following a rainfall, and every commuter struggles with severe waterlogging.

Opinion 18 Aug, 2026

Good governance: The cure Nepal's health sector needs

Good governance: The cure Nepal's health sector needs

Nepal has demonstrated it can overcome difficult public health challenges. Child deaths have declined, life expectancy has improved, and the country has made major gains towards health-related Sustainable Development Goals.

Nepal has demonstrated it can overcome difficult public health challenges. Child deaths have declined, life expectancy has improved, and the country has made major gains towards health-related Sustainable Development Goals.

Opinion 17 Aug, 2026

Democracy's cruel paradox: The systematic triumph of takers over those who serve

Democracy's cruel paradox: The systematic triumph of takers over those who serve

Democracy is often discussed as a political ideal—a system of elections, representation, constitutional rights and popular sovereignty.

Democracy is often discussed as a political ideal—a system of elections, representation, constitutional rights and popular sovereignty.

Opinion 16 Aug, 2026

Sunsari episode: From political warning to national-security signal

Sunsari episode: From political warning to national-security signal

The political responses to the Sunsari episode point to a broader and more consequential question: what happens when a localised communal incident begins to acquire wider political meaning?

The political responses to the Sunsari episode point to a broader and more consequential question: what happens when a localised communal incident begins to acquire wider political meaning?

Opinion 14 Aug, 2026

Hope is a useful antidote: More so in a chaotic world

Hope is a useful antidote: More so in a chaotic world

It goes without saying that history, or war, is not a thing of the past. The reason is simple. We haven’t turned up yet at the enchanted T-junction, the assured land-dwelling of joy, or tuneful co-habitation, as divined by space-age mavens, or up-to-the-minute mystics.

It goes without saying that history, or war, is not a thing of the past. The reason is simple. We haven’t turned up yet at the enchanted T-junction, the assured land-dwelling of joy, or tuneful co-habitation, as divined by space-age mavens, or up-to-the-minute mystics.

Opinion 13 Aug, 2026