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

Climate risk, development, and election manifestos

Climate risk, development, and election manifestos

An election manifesto is a formal social contract between political parties and citizens in a democratic system.

An election manifesto is a formal social contract between political parties and citizens in a democratic system.

Opinion 05 Feb, 2026

Prime ministerial debate: Harbinger of a good political culture

Prime ministerial debate: Harbinger of a good political culture

The forthcoming parliamentary election has indeed been marked by several notable features.

The forthcoming parliamentary election has indeed been marked by several notable features.

Opinion 04 Feb, 2026

Nepal between power and proximity: Sphere, buffer, or strategic actor?

Nepal between power and proximity: Sphere, buffer, or strategic actor?

Small states like Nepal rarely get to choose their geography, but they do choose how to respond to it and what they make of it.

Small states like Nepal rarely get to choose their geography, but they do choose how to respond to it and what they make of it.

Opinion 03 Feb, 2026

Planning before budgeting: A missing link in public projects

Planning before budgeting: A missing link in public projects

It is said that “Failing to plan is planning to fail”. This is something that we often come across in development projects. Most planning works executed by the government for infrastructure works, such as roads and buildings, are limited to the Detailed Project Report (DPR). To start with, DPRs often have a bad reputation.

It is said that “Failing to plan is planning to fail”. This is something that we often come across in development projects. Most planning works executed by the government for infrastructure works, such as roads and buildings, are limited to the Detailed Project Report (DPR). To start with, DPRs often have a bad reputation.

Opinion 02 Feb, 2026

Universal Health Coverage: The decisive election agenda

Universal Health Coverage: The decisive election agenda

Ensuring Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is one of the defining policy challenges of the 21st century. In election periods, few issues resonate more powerfully with voters.

Ensuring Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is one of the defining policy challenges of the 21st century. In election periods, few issues resonate more powerfully with voters.

Opinion 30 Jan, 2026

In a region of shrinking democracy, Nepal's elections still matter

In a region of shrinking democracy, Nepal's elections still matter

Nepal is heading into elections at a moment when democracy is shrinking in much of its neighbourhood, and the contrast should concentrate minds in Kathmandu. What looks like routine electoral scheduling in Nepal is, in fact, an important asset in a region where ballots are increasingly managed, muted or simply cancelled.

Nepal is heading into elections at a moment when democracy is shrinking in much of its neighbourhood, and the contrast should concentrate minds in Kathmandu. What looks like routine electoral scheduling in Nepal is, in fact, an important asset in a region where ballots are increasingly managed, muted or simply cancelled.

Opinion 30 Jan, 2026

A roseate apotheosis: The enduring allure of 'The Celestine Prophecy'

A roseate apotheosis: The enduring allure of 'The Celestine Prophecy'

Picture this. Over 23 million copies of James Redfield’s debut novel have sold worldwide since it was first published more than 30 years ago. Not only that. It was a spiritual novel, capitalising on Americans’ quest for the sacred, and topping the fiction list—the true barometer of the cultural marketplace—which is really something. Call it spiritual activism, or what you may.

Picture this. Over 23 million copies of James Redfield’s debut novel have sold worldwide since it was first published more than 30 years ago. Not only that. It was a spiritual novel, capitalising on Americans’ quest for the sacred, and topping the fiction list—the true barometer of the cultural marketplace—which is really something. Call it spiritual activism, or what you may.

Opinion 29 Jan, 2026

Manifesto for the upcoming election: The essence of Gen Z movement should be its spine

Manifesto for the upcoming election: The essence of Gen Z movement should be its...

The election for choosing members of the Parliament is taking place as scheduled, bringing an end to the uncertainties that loomed on the political horizon for almost four months of its announcement.

The election for choosing members of the Parliament is taking place as scheduled, bringing an end to the uncertainties that loomed on the political horizon for almost four months of its announcement.

Opinion 28 Jan, 2026

The prime ministerial projection: A strategic masterstroke or an electoral fraud?

The prime ministerial projection: A strategic masterstroke or an electoral fraud?

In the volatile environment of Nepali politics, an old trend has resurfaced: projecting the 'face of the prime minister' before the election. As the upcoming general election on March 5 approaches, the major parties are seeking votes by making not only the party flag but also the person a 'brand'.

In the volatile environment of Nepali politics, an old trend has resurfaced: projecting the 'face of the prime minister' before the election. As the upcoming general election on March 5 approaches, the major parties are seeking votes by making not only the party flag but also the person a 'brand'.

Opinion 27 Jan, 2026

SPCC, Leave No Trace Korea partner to promote environmental education in Everest region

SPCC, Leave No Trace Korea partner to promote environmental education in Everest...

The Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Leave No Trace Korea to strengthen environmental education and promote sustainable practices among climbers, Icefall Doctors and SPCC staff in the Everest region.

The Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Leave No Trace Korea to strengthen environmental education and promote sustainable practices among climbers, Icefall Doctors and SPCC staff in the Everest region.

Opinion 26 Jan, 2026

Free, healthy and nutritious school meals: An investment in Nepal's future

Free, healthy and nutritious school meals: An investment in Nepal's future

Nepal has made impressive strides in expanding access to education, and classrooms across the country are filled with students eager to learn and succeed.

Nepal has made impressive strides in expanding access to education, and classrooms across the country are filled with students eager to learn and succeed.

Opinion 26 Jan, 2026

Nepal's tourism narrative: Long on optimism but short on honesty

Nepal's tourism narrative: Long on optimism but short on honesty

Nepal’s tourism sector is often celebrated through headline arrival figures, but a closer look reveals inconsistencies that deserve serious public scrutiny. While official narratives highlight success, the data and policies behind them tell a more troubling story.

Nepal’s tourism sector is often celebrated through headline arrival figures, but a closer look reveals inconsistencies that deserve serious public scrutiny. While official narratives highlight success, the data and policies behind them tell a more troubling story.

Opinion 26 Jan, 2026

2026: The year I missed writing a New Year resolution

2026: The year I missed writing a New Year resolution

New Year resolutions are often dismissed as a ‘faulty system’. Many make resolutions with immense enthusiasm, only to break them within weeks.

New Year resolutions are often dismissed as a ‘faulty system’. Many make resolutions with immense enthusiasm, only to break them within weeks.

Opinion 24 Jan, 2026

From hydropower to a high-value economy: Think of absorbing power within the domestic economy

From hydropower to a high-value economy: Think of absorbing power within the domestic...

Nepal is often described as hydropower-rich but economy-poor. That description no longer reflects current realities. Nepal is not short of natural resources, generation potential, or even electricity capacity.

Nepal is often described as hydropower-rich but economy-poor. That description no longer reflects current realities. Nepal is not short of natural resources, generation potential, or even electricity capacity.

Opinion 22 Jan, 2026

SGN-triggered political scenario: Renaissance of the NC and democracy in Nepal

SGN-triggered political scenario: Renaissance of the NC and democracy in Nepal

The Guru Raj Ghimire-initiated and Gagan Thapa-Biswa Prakash Sharma-supported Special General Convention (SGN) has incredibly transformed the image of the Nepali Congress (NC) in the same manner as a rather ugly looking caterpillar turns into a stunningly beautiful butterfly.

The Guru Raj Ghimire-initiated and Gagan Thapa-Biswa Prakash Sharma-supported Special General Convention (SGN) has incredibly transformed the image of the Nepali Congress (NC) in the same manner as a rather ugly looking caterpillar turns into a stunningly beautiful butterfly.

Opinion 21 Jan, 2026

Gagan-Biswa's historic revolt: A testament for contemporary politics

Gagan-Biswa's historic revolt: A testament for contemporary politics

The first Special Convention of the Nepali Congress (NC) was held in May 1957 following the resignation of then President Subarna Shumsher Rana.

The first Special Convention of the Nepali Congress (NC) was held in May 1957 following the resignation of then President Subarna Shumsher Rana.

Opinion 20 Jan, 2026

A generation demands change - and the ballot must deliver

A generation demands change - and the ballot must deliver

Nepal’s shifting political context finally offers a realistic opening for renewal: the realignment now underway, driven by young citizens and emergent forces, is the most serious challenge yet to the country’s entrenched gerontocracy.

Nepal’s shifting political context finally offers a realistic opening for renewal: the realignment now underway, driven by young citizens and emergent forces, is the most serious challenge yet to the country’s entrenched gerontocracy.

Opinion 19 Jan, 2026

Madhes: The land of sacrifice and the persistence of the colonial shadow

Madhes: The land of sacrifice and the persistence of the colonial shadow

Madhes is the evolved form of the Sanskrit word Madhyadesh or the Pali term Majjhim Desh, signifying the Middle Land.

Madhes is the evolved form of the Sanskrit word Madhyadesh or the Pali term Majjhim Desh, signifying the Middle Land.

Opinion 19 Jan, 2026