The gravitas of cricket diplomacy: Way to formal engagements between nations

The gravitas of cricket diplomacy: Way to formal engagements between nations

In recent years, the concept of sports diplomacy has gained attention as a means to foster international relations and promote peace. Perhaps for the first time, Nepal has a prime minister who is interested in cricket and understands it well.

In recent years, the concept of sports diplomacy has gained attention as a means to foster international relations and promote peace. Perhaps for the first time, Nepal has a prime minister who is interested in cricket and understands it well.

Opinion 23 Jun, 2026

Homelessness in Kathmandu: A policy gap we can no longer ignore

Homelessness in Kathmandu: A policy gap we can no longer ignore

A child in Kathmandu is heard saying, “Keep on playing, but I will beg money for food in the evening.” Such moments are no longer hidden in the city—they appear on streets, under bridges, and in public spaces across the capital. Despite continued infrastructure expansion and visible development, homelessness remains an unresolved and persistent urban reality.

A child in Kathmandu is heard saying, “Keep on playing, but I will beg money for food in the evening.” Such moments are no longer hidden in the city—they appear on streets, under bridges, and in public spaces across the capital. Despite continued infrastructure expansion and visible development, homelessness remains an unresolved and persistent urban reality.

Opinion 22 Jun, 2026

The intellectual blindfold: Adhering unconditionally to the ruling faction

The intellectual blindfold: Adhering unconditionally to the ruling faction

Recently, an op-ed article published in a reputed national daily initiated a debate whether the traditional intellectual community is perturbed with Prime Minister (PM) Balendra Shah’s unconventional leadership style or have some prominent intellectuals shifted their allegiance towards the ruling faction.

Recently, an op-ed article published in a reputed national daily initiated a debate whether the traditional intellectual community is perturbed with Prime Minister (PM) Balendra Shah’s unconventional leadership style or have some prominent intellectuals shifted their allegiance towards the ruling faction.

Opinion 19 Jun, 2026

Trade, tourism, and connectivity diplomacy: Converting Nepal into a consistent international hub

Trade, tourism, and connectivity diplomacy: Converting Nepal into a consistent...

Nepal has spent decades defining itself as a country that others should want to engage with on account of its mountains, its geography, and its spiritual heritage.

Nepal has spent decades defining itself as a country that others should want to engage with on account of its mountains, its geography, and its spiritual heritage.

Opinion 18 Jun, 2026

Houses for poor families: Bagmati Pradesh takes the lead

Houses for poor families: Bagmati Pradesh takes the lead

The provincial governments are often portrayed as white elephants that a poor country like Nepal can ill afford.

The provincial governments are often portrayed as white elephants that a poor country like Nepal can ill afford.

Opinion 17 Jun, 2026

From political symbolism to smart diplomacy: Engage widely, align selectively, and decide independently

From political symbolism to smart diplomacy: Engage widely, align selectively, and...

Nepal’s relationship with India has long been described as special, unique, and indispensable. Yet despite this reality, Nepal-India relations have often oscillated between excessive optimism and unnecessary suspicion, frequently shaped by domestic political calculations rather than long-term national interests.

Nepal’s relationship with India has long been described as special, unique, and indispensable. Yet despite this reality, Nepal-India relations have often oscillated between excessive optimism and unnecessary suspicion, frequently shaped by domestic political calculations rather than long-term national interests.

Opinion 16 Jun, 2026

Indefinite sit-in protest of Tribhuvan University professors: Day 57

Indefinite sit-in protest of Tribhuvan University professors: Day 57

Education is the strongest foundation of modern development, and teachers are the strongest foundation of education. Roads, buildings, technology, industries, and commerce may transform a nation's outward appearance, but education alone has the power to shape human consciousness, character, judgment, work ethic, and the future of a nation.

Education is the strongest foundation of modern development, and teachers are the strongest foundation of education. Roads, buildings, technology, industries, and commerce may transform a nation's outward appearance, but education alone has the power to shape human consciousness, character, judgment, work ethic, and the future of a nation.

Opinion 15 Jun, 2026

Migrant workers need more than promises: Nepal's policies, budget, and diplomacy must protect them

Migrant workers need more than promises: Nepal's policies, budget, and diplomacy must...

Migrant workers remain central to Nepal’s public and political discourse. Political parties have promised jobs, governance reform, social protection, and economic transformation.

Migrant workers remain central to Nepal’s public and political discourse. Political parties have promised jobs, governance reform, social protection, and economic transformation.

Opinion 15 Jun, 2026

What a 1,400-kilometre walk through the Himalayas revealed about climate decision-making

What a 1,400-kilometre walk through the Himalayas revealed about climate...

After walking 1,400 kilometres across the Great Himalaya Trail and speaking with communities living alongside retreating glaciers and growing climate risks, I found that the challenge was no longer whether local people were being heard, but whether their knowledge was shaping the decisions made about their future.

After walking 1,400 kilometres across the Great Himalaya Trail and speaking with communities living alongside retreating glaciers and growing climate risks, I found that the challenge was no longer whether local people were being heard, but whether their knowledge was shaping the decisions made about their future.

Opinion 14 Jun, 2026

An energy budget with bigger ambitions: The real test lies in execution

An energy budget with bigger ambitions: The real test lies in execution

Nepal’s latest federal budget offers an important opportunity to reposition the country’s development trajectory.

Nepal’s latest federal budget offers an important opportunity to reposition the country’s development trajectory.

Opinion 13 Jun, 2026

Moral dilemmas: In the age of hope and fear

Moral dilemmas: In the age of hope and fear

We are today, perhaps, much more than any time before, struggling with moral questions.

We are today, perhaps, much more than any time before, struggling with moral questions.

Opinion 12 Jun, 2026

Balen's statement about Indo-Nepal border: An unwarranted outburst

Balen's statement about Indo-Nepal border: An unwarranted outburst

The Parliament was virtually up in flames when Prime Minister Balen Shah said that it was not only India but also Nepal that has encroached neighbouring territory in response to a question by Aaren Rai, a parliamentarian representing the Shrama Sanskriti Party.

The Parliament was virtually up in flames when Prime Minister Balen Shah said that it was not only India but also Nepal that has encroached neighbouring territory in response to a question by Aaren Rai, a parliamentarian representing the Shrama Sanskriti Party.

Opinion 10 Jun, 2026

Commercialisation alone will not transform agriculture: The participation of smallholder families is important

Commercialisation alone will not transform agriculture: The participation of...

Having grown up in a smallholder farming family in rural Nepal and spent my career studying smallholder agriculture across Asia and Africa, I read this year’s agricultural budget with mixed feelings.

Having grown up in a smallholder farming family in rural Nepal and spent my career studying smallholder agriculture across Asia and Africa, I read this year’s agricultural budget with mixed feelings.

Opinion 09 Jun, 2026

Redefining schooling and classroom learning in Nepal: Moving beyond memorisation towards independent thinking

Redefining schooling and classroom learning in Nepal: Moving beyond memorisation...

As the school year here in Massachusetts comes to an end, parents have already begun preparing for the next one.

As the school year here in Massachusetts comes to an end, parents have already begun preparing for the next one.

Opinion 08 Jun, 2026

Post Gen Z movement budget: Overambitious, little realistic

Post Gen Z movement budget: Overambitious, little realistic

The much-awaited budget has finally come to the fore. Expectations were high among the people partly because it was the one being presented by the Gen Z supported government.

The much-awaited budget has finally come to the fore. Expectations were high among the people partly because it was the one being presented by the Gen Z supported government.

Opinion 06 Jun, 2026

When the monsoon returns, so do preventable diseases: The fight begins before the outbreak

When the monsoon returns, so do preventable diseases: The fight begins before the...

Every year, Nepal welcomes the monsoon with hope. Rain revives fields, replenishes springs and softens months of heat and dust. But the same season reopens an old public health wound.

Every year, Nepal welcomes the monsoon with hope. Rain revives fields, replenishes springs and softens months of heat and dust. But the same season reopens an old public health wound.

Opinion 05 Jun, 2026

Diplomacy is not surrender: Balen's border remarks are strategic

Diplomacy is not surrender: Balen's border remarks are strategic

Few issues evoke stronger emotions in Nepal than questions of sovereignty and territory.

Few issues evoke stronger emotions in Nepal than questions of sovereignty and territory.

Opinion 04 Jun, 2026

Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Nepal: The inevitable shift

Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Nepal: The inevitable shift

Indigenous Peoples in Nepal have long faced discrimination. Despite the constitutional provisions of Nepal’s rich cultural diversity, indigenous communities have faced socio-economic inequality, land tenure insecurity, and political exclusion for centuries.

Indigenous Peoples in Nepal have long faced discrimination. Despite the constitutional provisions of Nepal’s rich cultural diversity, indigenous communities have faced socio-economic inequality, land tenure insecurity, and political exclusion for centuries.

Opinion 02 Jun, 2026

Domestic and foreign remittances in Nepal: Contributions, disruptions, and policy implications

Domestic and foreign remittances in Nepal: Contributions, disruptions, and policy...

Remittances have become one of the most notable economic lifelines for Nepal. Remittances provide foreign exchange that strengthens the balance of payments, support consumption in households across the country, and help reduce poverty.

Remittances have become one of the most notable economic lifelines for Nepal. Remittances provide foreign exchange that strengthens the balance of payments, support consumption in households across the country, and help reduce poverty.

Opinion 01 Jun, 2026

Rethinking Balen Shah's silence in Parliament: It is not a weakness but a political skill

Rethinking Balen Shah's silence in Parliament: It is not a weakness but a political...

In recent weeks, Nepal’s political discourse has been dominated by a single, polarising question: Why is Prime Minister Balen Shah so silent in Parliament?

In recent weeks, Nepal’s political discourse has been dominated by a single, polarising question: Why is Prime Minister Balen Shah so silent in Parliament?

Opinion 29 May, 2026