The 10-day country: Why Nepal must legislate its way out of the energy crisis

The 10-day country: Why Nepal must legislate its way out of the energy crisis

Every time the price of fuel rises in Nepal, the country performs a familiar ritual. Taxes are cut. Allowances are slashed. A longer weekend is announced.

Every time the price of fuel rises in Nepal, the country performs a familiar ritual. Taxes are cut. Allowances are slashed. A longer weekend is announced.

Opinion 13 Apr, 2026

One-stop service reform: Must walk the talk

One-stop service reform: Must walk the talk

The country’s push for one-stop service delivery is being presented as a bold new reform in public administration. It is a key part of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP)-led government’s 100-day agenda, conceived in the wake of the Gen Z movement that called for more accountable, transparent, and citizen-centric governance.

The country’s push for one-stop service delivery is being presented as a bold new reform in public administration. It is a key part of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP)-led government’s 100-day agenda, conceived in the wake of the Gen Z movement that called for more accountable, transparent, and citizen-centric governance.

Opinion 10 Apr, 2026

Verifiable Credentials: A digital lifeline Nepal can no longer ignore

Verifiable Credentials: A digital lifeline Nepal can no longer ignore

In a remote village of Nepal, Sharmila a bright young graduate sets out before sunrise. Her destination is not a workplace, but a government office miles away. She needs stamped copies of her academic certificates to apply for a job in Kathmandu.

In a remote village of Nepal, Sharmila a bright young graduate sets out before sunrise. Her destination is not a workplace, but a government office miles away. She needs stamped copies of her academic certificates to apply for a job in Kathmandu.

Opinion 09 Apr, 2026

Multiple problems facing the county: Need of government, opposition to work together

Multiple problems facing the county: Need of government, opposition to work together

The country is agog with excitement following the formation of a government which is just a spark away from a two-thirds majority, falling short by only two seats.

The country is agog with excitement following the formation of a government which is just a spark away from a two-thirds majority, falling short by only two seats.

Opinion 08 Apr, 2026

The Ice Axe Economy: Young Prime Minister Balendra Shah and economist Dr. Swarnim Waglé

The Ice Axe Economy: Young Prime Minister Balendra Shah and economist Dr. Swarnim...

Nepal does not need another promise—it needs a breakthrough. In the high Himalayas, an ice axe is not a symbol of aggression; it is a tool of survival, discipline, and ascent.

Nepal does not need another promise—it needs a breakthrough. In the high Himalayas, an ice axe is not a symbol of aggression; it is a tool of survival, discipline, and ascent.

Opinion 07 Apr, 2026

Between strategy and geography: Nepal's foreign policy in the shadow of India-China competition

Between strategy and geography: Nepal's foreign policy in the shadow of India-China...

Nepal’s foreign policy challenge is often framed in familiar terms – a small state navigating between two giants.

Nepal’s foreign policy challenge is often framed in familiar terms – a small state navigating between two giants.

Opinion 07 Apr, 2026

Economic growth and carbon emissions: The link is beginning to weaken

Economic growth and carbon emissions: The link is beginning to weaken

Global carbon emissions from fossil fuels reached a new record in 2025. According to the Global Carbon Project’s 2025 report, carbon dioxide emissions increased by 1.1% to 38.1 billion tonnes.

Global carbon emissions from fossil fuels reached a new record in 2025. According to the Global Carbon Project’s 2025 report, carbon dioxide emissions increased by 1.1% to 38.1 billion tonnes.

Opinion 06 Apr, 2026

You Won This Round, Nepal. Now Build the Scoreboard.

You Won This Round, Nepal. Now Build the Scoreboard.

Nepali Prime Minister Balendra Shah took office just days ago, and his government has wasted no time.

Nepali Prime Minister Balendra Shah took office just days ago, and his government has wasted no time.

Opinion 06 Apr, 2026

Rethinking development in Nepal: Beyond roads and buildings

Rethinking development in Nepal: Beyond roads and buildings

We often say that education, health, and per capita income show how developed a country is.

We often say that education, health, and per capita income show how developed a country is.

Opinion 05 Apr, 2026

Adversaries and the forefront of the Prime Minister Balen Shah: Reframed and extended narrative

Adversaries and the forefront of the Prime Minister Balen Shah: Reframed and extended...

When a new government takes office in a country like Nepal—young in its democratic maturity, institutionally evolving, and deeply shaped by perception—the market does not merely react; it anticipates.

When a new government takes office in a country like Nepal—young in its democratic maturity, institutionally evolving, and deeply shaped by perception—the market does not merely react; it anticipates.

Opinion 05 Apr, 2026

Time to reinvigorate diplomatic engagement: Russia provides opportunity for new avenues of cooperation

Time to reinvigorate diplomatic engagement: Russia provides opportunity for new...

Diplomacy remains a fundamental instrument of a nation’s political direction. At a time when global diplomacy appears to be weakening, Nepal and Russia are approaching a significant milestone – 70 years since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations on July 20.

Diplomacy remains a fundamental instrument of a nation’s political direction. At a time when global diplomacy appears to be weakening, Nepal and Russia are approaching a significant milestone – 70 years since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations on July 20.

Opinion 02 Apr, 2026

Meteoric rise of Premier Balen Shah: Need to avoid hurry and the subsequent nosedive

Meteoric rise of Premier Balen Shah: Need to avoid hurry and the subsequent nosedive

Prime Minister Balen Shah has seen a meteoric rise in Nepali politics.

Prime Minister Balen Shah has seen a meteoric rise in Nepali politics.

Opinion 01 Apr, 2026

Reforming Nepal's universities: From challenges to opportunity

Reforming Nepal's universities: From challenges to opportunity

The recent parliamentary elections in Nepal have delivered a renewed mandate for leadership after years of public frustration with governance.

The recent parliamentary elections in Nepal have delivered a renewed mandate for leadership after years of public frustration with governance.

Opinion 01 Apr, 2026

Nepal's silent capital: And inactive missions in intergovernmental processes

Nepal's silent capital: And inactive missions in intergovernmental processes

Intergovernmental bodies such as the World Health Assembly adopt a wide range of resolutions and decisions on matters concerning global health.

Intergovernmental bodies such as the World Health Assembly adopt a wide range of resolutions and decisions on matters concerning global health.

Opinion 31 Mar, 2026

From balancing acts to bold moves: Economy needs real action

From balancing acts to bold moves: Economy needs real action

Nepal has spent too long pretending that geography is a substitute for strategy.

Nepal has spent too long pretending that geography is a substitute for strategy.

Opinion 30 Mar, 2026

Mountaineering at the intersection of Climate Change in the Nepal Himalaya

Mountaineering at the intersection of Climate Change in the Nepal Himalaya

Climate change is real, and glaciers in the Himalayas are melting at a much faster rate than anywhere else in the world. On higher altitudes, meltwater pools on the Everest Base Camp account for conspicuous changes in the physical landscape of the mountains. Due to the extreme elevation of the region’s glaciers, ice at higher altitudes is more vulnerable to rapid melting.

Climate change is real, and glaciers in the Himalayas are melting at a much faster rate than anywhere else in the world. On higher altitudes, meltwater pools on the Everest Base Camp account for conspicuous changes in the physical landscape of the mountains. Due to the extreme elevation of the region’s glaciers, ice at higher altitudes is more vulnerable to rapid melting.

Opinion 30 Mar, 2026

Nepal's remittance money is flowing in: But is it building anything that lasts?

Nepal's remittance money is flowing in: But is it building anything that lasts?

Walk through any village in the mid-hills or Tarai region, and you will notice something peculiar.

Walk through any village in the mid-hills or Tarai region, and you will notice something peculiar.

Opinion 30 Mar, 2026

From clear public mandate to measurable government action

From clear public mandate to measurable government action

A government with a clear mandate can't afford to settle in slowly. In Nepal, public patience has been tested repeatedly. Disappointment is almost institutional. Here, the first few weeks matter more than the first few speeches.

A government with a clear mandate can't afford to settle in slowly. In Nepal, public patience has been tested repeatedly. Disappointment is almost institutional. Here, the first few weeks matter more than the first few speeches.

Opinion 26 Mar, 2026

Global cosmopolis: A peek into 'what was' to 'what is'

Global cosmopolis: A peek into 'what was' to 'what is'

What is the most ideal, resplendent mosaic of our global economy today, notwithstanding conflicts, wars, dissonance, hatred, racism, and whatever there is for one to think of — viz., the other word for suffering, or destruction?

What is the most ideal, resplendent mosaic of our global economy today, notwithstanding conflicts, wars, dissonance, hatred, racism, and whatever there is for one to think of — viz., the other word for suffering, or destruction?

Opinion 26 Mar, 2026

The Kathmandu calculus: Restoring the institutional logic of Himalayan prosperity

The Kathmandu calculus: Restoring the institutional logic of Himalayan prosperity

Nepal’s history is too often framed through the lens of struggle, overlooking a more instructive truth. For over a millennium, the Kathmandu Valley functioned not as a peripheral state but as a central engine of Himalayan productivity.

Nepal’s history is too often framed through the lens of struggle, overlooking a more instructive truth. For over a millennium, the Kathmandu Valley functioned not as a peripheral state but as a central engine of Himalayan productivity.

Opinion 25 Mar, 2026