Nepal's uneasy relationship with dissent: What it means for the future of open dialogue in the country

Nepal's uneasy relationship with dissent: What it means for the future of open...

In Nepal, speaking out through music and comedy is no longer just about entertainment, it has become a risky act of defiance. Comedians crack jokes that expose social taboos, and rappers spit verses that challenge corruption and injustice. Far from applause, many find themselves facing legal and societal backlash.

In Nepal, speaking out through music and comedy is no longer just about entertainment, it has become a risky act of defiance. Comedians crack jokes that expose social taboos, and rappers spit verses that challenge corruption and injustice. Far from applause, many find themselves facing legal and societal backlash.

Opinion 21 Aug, 2025

Deliberate targeting of healthcare: Yet we've stopped feeling outrage when hospitals are bombed

Deliberate targeting of healthcare: Yet we've stopped feeling outrage when hospitals...

A doctor in Gaza bends over a child, wrapping a bandage that’s already soaked with blood. The hospital generator, battered by daily blackouts, grinds out a last burst of energy before falling silent once again.

A doctor in Gaza bends over a child, wrapping a bandage that’s already soaked with blood. The hospital generator, battered by daily blackouts, grinds out a last burst of energy before falling silent once again.

Opinion 15 Aug, 2025

Resonance eternal: The essence of consciousness

Resonance eternal: The essence of consciousness

According to Philip Goff, a professor of philosophy at Durham University, UK, understanding our consciousness goes beyond exploring brain chemistry.

According to Philip Goff, a professor of philosophy at Durham University, UK, understanding our consciousness goes beyond exploring brain chemistry.

Opinion 14 Aug, 2025

Debris flow tragedy in Uttarakhand: Many in the past, more likely in the future

Debris flow tragedy in Uttarakhand: Many in the past, more likely in the future

The world, in general, and India, in particular, were shocked by the massive debris flow which swept the Dhaleri Kheer Ganga riverside township in a matter of just 34 seconds on that unfortunate afternoon last Monday.

The world, in general, and India, in particular, were shocked by the massive debris flow which swept the Dhaleri Kheer Ganga riverside township in a matter of just 34 seconds on that unfortunate afternoon last Monday.

Opinion 13 Aug, 2025

Hridayendra Shah's Jumla Vlog: Echoes of a royal past

Hridayendra Shah's Jumla Vlog: Echoes of a royal past

Kathmandu was set to host the fifth national games that were scheduled to begin on June 2, 2001.

Kathmandu was set to host the fifth national games that were scheduled to begin on June 2, 2001.

Opinion 12 Aug, 2025

No need to 'act your age': Let's accept our vulnerabilities

No need to 'act your age': Let's accept our vulnerabilities

The saying ‘you’re never too old to learn’ is accurate when it comes to the quest for knowledge and self-improvement.

The saying ‘you’re never too old to learn’ is accurate when it comes to the quest for knowledge and self-improvement.

Opinion 08 Aug, 2025

Envisioning a public welfare state in South Asia: A paradigm of inclusive progressivism

Envisioning a public welfare state in South Asia: A paradigm of inclusive...

South Asia is a region of immense cultural diversity and intricate socio-economic dynamics.

South Asia is a region of immense cultural diversity and intricate socio-economic dynamics.

Opinion 07 Aug, 2025

The silent sufferers: A strain on Nepal's BFIs

The silent sufferers: A strain on Nepal's BFIs

The financial landscape for Banks and Financial Institutions (BFIs) in Nepal has become increasingly challenging in recent years.

The financial landscape for Banks and Financial Institutions (BFIs) in Nepal has become increasingly challenging in recent years.

Opinion 05 Aug, 2025

Path to resilience must begin now: Before Tarai's groundwater is irretrievably exhausted

Path to resilience must begin now: Before Tarai's groundwater is irretrievably...

Madhes Province, Nepal’s agricultural breadbasket, is enduring one of the most worrying droughts in recent memory.

Madhes Province, Nepal’s agricultural breadbasket, is enduring one of the most worrying droughts in recent memory.

Opinion 04 Aug, 2025

Six months since FATF grey list: Inching towards the blacklist

Six months since FATF grey list: Inching towards the blacklist

In February 2025, the Asia-Pacific Group (APG) on Money Laundering – an inter-governmental body of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) – identified significant weakness in enforcement, investigation and prosecution of financial crimes in Nepal.

In February 2025, the Asia-Pacific Group (APG) on Money Laundering – an inter-governmental body of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) – identified significant weakness in enforcement, investigation and prosecution of financial crimes in Nepal.

Opinion 01 Aug, 2025

The great Nepali detour: Why all roads lead everywhere (and nowhere)

The great Nepali detour: Why all roads lead everywhere (and nowhere)

There’s a growing chorus among Kathmandu’s self-appointed intellectuals, a trend that’s become almost fashionable in certain circles: the assertion that Nepal’s destiny lies northwards, that the future is to be found in a pivot away from the familiar southern plains and towards the promise of the high plateaus beyond the Himalayas.

There’s a growing chorus among Kathmandu’s self-appointed intellectuals, a trend that’s become almost fashionable in certain circles: the assertion that Nepal’s destiny lies northwards, that the future is to be found in a pivot away from the familiar southern plains and towards the promise of the high plateaus beyond the Himalayas.

Opinion 31 Jul, 2025

43rd BP Memorial Day: Literary contribution superseding the political

43rd BP Memorial Day: Literary contribution superseding the political

Bishweswor Prasad Koirala's (BP) Memorial Day was observed last week throughout the country highlighting his multi-faceted contribution to Nepali society.

Bishweswor Prasad Koirala's (BP) Memorial Day was observed last week throughout the country highlighting his multi-faceted contribution to Nepali society.

Opinion 30 Jul, 2025

The Perils of a Bad Bank for Nepal

The Perils of a Bad Bank for Nepal

A Bad Bank is a specialized financial entity created to take over and manage the troubled or non-performing assets (NPAs) of a financial institution. It can be established as a separate entity or structured within the existing bank by segregating toxic assets.

A Bad Bank is a specialized financial entity created to take over and manage the troubled or non-performing assets (NPAs) of a financial institution. It can be established as a separate entity or structured within the existing bank by segregating toxic assets.

Opinion 29 Jul, 2025

Eliminating viral hepatitis in Nepal: It's time to break down the barriers

Eliminating viral hepatitis in Nepal: It's time to break down the barriers

As the world prepares to mark World Hepatitis Day on July 28, we are reminded of both the progress made and the challenges that lie ahead in the fight against viral hepatitis.

As the world prepares to mark World Hepatitis Day on July 28, we are reminded of both the progress made and the challenges that lie ahead in the fight against viral hepatitis.

Opinion 28 Jul, 2025

Revival of the RIC dialogue: Implications for South Asian stability

Revival of the RIC dialogue: Implications for South Asian stability

The Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral dialogue, originally conceived by Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov in the late 1990s, was designed to foster Eurasian solidarity and promote a multipolar world order in response to US-led Western dominance.

The Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral dialogue, originally conceived by Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov in the late 1990s, was designed to foster Eurasian solidarity and promote a multipolar world order in response to US-led Western dominance.

Opinion 25 Jul, 2025

Plumber of the mind: Freud peeled the layers of our self

Plumber of the mind: Freud peeled the layers of our self

Sigmund Freud was a frail kid. He was, however, a bright student — a child with endless curiosity.

Sigmund Freud was a frail kid. He was, however, a bright student — a child with endless curiosity.

Opinion 24 Jul, 2025

Domination of the big three: How long will it last?

Domination of the big three: How long will it last?

The façade of Nepali politics has been appearing irritatingly similar with the same three faces of Sher Bahadur Deuba, K P Oli and Prachanda projecting in the political panorama, one after another.

The façade of Nepali politics has been appearing irritatingly similar with the same three faces of Sher Bahadur Deuba, K P Oli and Prachanda projecting in the political panorama, one after another.

Opinion 23 Jul, 2025

Between two worlds: A decade of becoming

Between two worlds: A decade of becoming

This August marks ten years since I left Nepal to pursue higher education in the United States.

This August marks ten years since I left Nepal to pursue higher education in the United States.

Opinion 22 Jul, 2025

Nepal's bold step forward: Unpacking the PM's WASH commitments

Nepal's bold step forward: Unpacking the PM's WASH commitments

June marked a pivotal moment for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector in Nepal.

June marked a pivotal moment for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector in Nepal.

Opinion 21 Jul, 2025

Supreme Court verdict: A missed opportunity for constitutional justice

Supreme Court verdict: A missed opportunity for constitutional justice

Four years ago, then Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli issued an ordinance amending the Constitutional Council Act, citing non-cooperation and issues in convening council meetings.

Four years ago, then Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli issued an ordinance amending the Constitutional Council Act, citing non-cooperation and issues in convening council meetings.

Opinion 20 Jul, 2025