Each of us is unique: Yet not quite unique

Each of us is unique: Yet not quite unique

Individuality, as the dictionary puts it, is the quality, or character, of a particular person, or thing, that distinguishes them from others of the same kind.

Individuality, as the dictionary puts it, is the quality, or character, of a particular person, or thing, that distinguishes them from others of the same kind.

Opinion 30 Jan, 2025

Severe unemployment crisis: Pressing need for reforms

Severe unemployment crisis: Pressing need for reforms

Nepal is currently grappling with a severe unemployment crisis that has pushed many young workers to seek opportunities abroad. With an economy heavily reliant on low-productivity agriculture and struggling to diversify into manufacturing and services, the country’s growth has stagnated.

Nepal is currently grappling with a severe unemployment crisis that has pushed many young workers to seek opportunities abroad. With an economy heavily reliant on low-productivity agriculture and struggling to diversify into manufacturing and services, the country’s growth has stagnated.

Opinion 28 Jan, 2025

Proportional representation: And the issue of threshold

Proportional representation: And the issue of threshold

The concept of proportional representation (PR) was crystallised when the mixed parallel electoral system with 60 per cent seats for PR and 40 per cent seats for First Past-the Post (FPtP) segments was enshrined in the Interim Constitution for holding the Constitutional Assembly (CA) election, as there had been no provision of thresholds in our experiments with the FPtP in the 1959, 1991, 1994 and 1996 general elections.

The concept of proportional representation (PR) was crystallised when the mixed parallel electoral system with 60 per cent seats for PR and 40 per cent seats for First Past-the Post (FPtP) segments was enshrined in the Interim Constitution for holding the Constitutional Assembly (CA) election, as there had been no provision of thresholds in our experiments with the FPtP in the 1959, 1991, 1994 and 1996 general elections.

Opinion 27 Jan, 2025

Scrap tax conundrum: Seeking solutions in Nepal's waste management

Scrap tax conundrum: Seeking solutions in Nepal's waste management

Nepal’s waste management sector is standing at a critical crossroads, and the introduction of the controversial “scrap tax” has sparked fiery debates among policymakers, business owners, waste workers and recyclers.

Nepal’s waste management sector is standing at a critical crossroads, and the introduction of the controversial “scrap tax” has sparked fiery debates among policymakers, business owners, waste workers and recyclers.

Opinion 24 Jan, 2025

Shifting South Asian civic space: Opportunities for creative citizen engagements

Shifting South Asian civic space: Opportunities for creative citizen engagements

Crackdown on civic space is increasing globally amid gradual erosion of democratic principles and practices.

Crackdown on civic space is increasing globally amid gradual erosion of democratic principles and practices.

Opinion 23 Jan, 2025

Ending caste discrimination: A conversation is necessary

Ending caste discrimination: A conversation is necessary

Climate change and biodiversity are rightly on the top of the agenda in terms of key concerns felt and experienced by young people in Nepal.

Climate change and biodiversity are rightly on the top of the agenda in terms of key concerns felt and experienced by young people in Nepal.

Opinion 21 Jan, 2025

Tourist arrivals: Reality and tourism's future

Tourist arrivals: Reality and tourism's future

The Statistics Bureau of Nepal recently released the National Hotel and Restaurants Survey, which put the number of hotels at 14,563. Nepal Tourism Statistics 2023 shows there are 1,401 star and tourist standard hotels in the country with 53,365 rooms.

The Statistics Bureau of Nepal recently released the National Hotel and Restaurants Survey, which put the number of hotels at 14,563. Nepal Tourism Statistics 2023 shows there are 1,401 star and tourist standard hotels in the country with 53,365 rooms.

Opinion 20 Jan, 2025

Increasing vulnerability of survivors: The struggle of recounting trauma

Increasing vulnerability of survivors: The struggle of recounting trauma

In a survey I conducted with students and employees from both the private and public sectors, respondents shared that most workplace sexual harassment occurs between those in power and their subordinates, particularly targeting individuals in vulnerable, lower-ranking positions

In a survey I conducted with students and employees from both the private and public sectors, respondents shared that most workplace sexual harassment occurs between those in power and their subordinates, particularly targeting individuals in vulnerable, lower-ranking positions

Opinion 17 Jan, 2025

Acupuncture: More than needle healing

Acupuncture: More than needle healing

The Chinese have, for long, created a perestroika of sorts. They use acupuncture for stroke victims, among other conditions.

The Chinese have, for long, created a perestroika of sorts. They use acupuncture for stroke victims, among other conditions.

Opinion 16 Jan, 2025

The UML leadership: Virtually losing moral relevance

The UML leadership: Virtually losing moral relevance

The coalition of two diagonally opposite parties standing ideologically on different pages, the Nepali Congress (NC) and the Unified Marxist-Leninist (UML), came as a great surprise after they decided to tie the political wedlock at midnight.

The coalition of two diagonally opposite parties standing ideologically on different pages, the Nepali Congress (NC) and the Unified Marxist-Leninist (UML), came as a great surprise after they decided to tie the political wedlock at midnight.

Opinion 15 Jan, 2025

Women's economic empowerment: Policy innovations needed

Women's economic empowerment: Policy innovations needed

For nations to develop and prosper, the role of women in enhancing the economy is often acknowledged as crucial.

For nations to develop and prosper, the role of women in enhancing the economy is often acknowledged as crucial.

Opinion 14 Jan, 2025

Lessons from Odisha: And Nepal's journey to inclusive agriculture

Lessons from Odisha: And Nepal's journey to inclusive agriculture

The Indian state of Odisha and India’s northern neighbour, Nepal, are both rich in culture and share strong religious ties.

The Indian state of Odisha and India’s northern neighbour, Nepal, are both rich in culture and share strong religious ties.

Opinion 13 Jan, 2025

Intentional transformation: A gateway for lively governance in Nepal

Intentional transformation: A gateway for lively governance in Nepal

We all were taught that actions speak louder than words; however, have we ever examined the intentions behind our actions?

We all were taught that actions speak louder than words; however, have we ever examined the intentions behind our actions?

Opinion 10 Jan, 2025

The Youth Climate Justice project: How the "post-paternalistic" approach is being used

The Youth Climate Justice project: How the "post-paternalistic" approach is being...

Considering the challenges humanity is facing and looking objectively at difficulties in finding appropriate solutions to address them, activism and civic engagement should be considered the springboard to promote long lasting and sustainable changes.

Considering the challenges humanity is facing and looking objectively at difficulties in finding appropriate solutions to address them, activism and civic engagement should be considered the springboard to promote long lasting and sustainable changes.

Opinion 09 Jan, 2025

Elevating Chitwan's Tourism: Pioneering Luxury and Nature-Based Experiences

Elevating Chitwan's Tourism: Pioneering Luxury and Nature-Based Experiences

Tourism in Chitwan traces its roots back to 1876 AD when the Nepali rulers hosted a British royal hunting expedition.

Tourism in Chitwan traces its roots back to 1876 AD when the Nepali rulers hosted a British royal hunting expedition.

Opinion 08 Jan, 2025

The proposal for constitution amendment: Is this for the people?

The proposal for constitution amendment: Is this for the people?

The demand for constitutional amendment in Nepal has emerged as a multifaceted discourse, driven by converging pressures from intellectuals, public opinion leaders and, more recently, the governing political establishment.

The demand for constitutional amendment in Nepal has emerged as a multifaceted discourse, driven by converging pressures from intellectuals, public opinion leaders and, more recently, the governing political establishment.

Opinion 07 Jan, 2025

RFK Jr. as Health Advisor: Maverick or menace to public health?

RFK Jr. as Health Advisor: Maverick or menace to public health?

President-elect Donald Trump announced his nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in November 2024.

President-elect Donald Trump announced his nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in November 2024.

Opinion 06 Jan, 2025

'It's not necessary that one has to be treated by the latest generation antibiotic atthe outset' 

'It's not necessary that one has to be treated by the latest generation antibiotic...

Dr. Ranjeet Baral is a senior general physician, consultant cardiologist and senior aviation medical consultant.

Dr. Ranjeet Baral is a senior general physician, consultant cardiologist and senior aviation medical consultant.

Opinion 03 Jan, 2025

Census data: For evidence-based decision-making

Census data: For evidence-based decision-making

Census is the cornerstone of evidence-based decision-making and policy formulation, offering invaluable insights into the demographic, social and economic snapshot of the nation.

Census is the cornerstone of evidence-based decision-making and policy formulation, offering invaluable insights into the demographic, social and economic snapshot of the nation.

Opinion 03 Jan, 2025

Expectations, inflation and livelihood crisis: Visionary leadership and commitment needed

Expectations, inflation and livelihood crisis: Visionary leadership and commitment...

The gossip in many Nepalese households, including those of my own spouse and her peers, invariably centre around the affordability of essential groceries, food items, education for the children and health services for families.

The gossip in many Nepalese households, including those of my own spouse and her peers, invariably centre around the affordability of essential groceries, food items, education for the children and health services for families.

Opinion 02 Jan, 2025