Rethinking clean cooking interventions in Nepal: Technology must align with user needs

Rethinking clean cooking interventions in Nepal: Technology must align with user...

Clean cooking has long been recognised as a cornerstone for mitigating household air pollution and, by extension, reducing ambient air pollution. It is also a key pillar of sustainable development, contributing directly to the achievement of SDG 3 (health), SDG 7 (clean energy), and SDG 13 (climate action).

Clean cooking has long been recognised as a cornerstone for mitigating household air pollution and, by extension, reducing ambient air pollution. It is also a key pillar of sustainable development, contributing directly to the achievement of SDG 3 (health), SDG 7 (clean energy), and SDG 13 (climate action).

Opinion 19 Mar, 2026

Electoral debacle of the old parties: Their likely response in the future

Electoral debacle of the old parties: Their likely response in the future

Many old political parties of Nepal have suffered a debacle in the recent election at the hands of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, which has won 182 seats in the House of Representatives, only two short of a two-thirds majority.

Many old political parties of Nepal have suffered a debacle in the recent election at the hands of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, which has won 182 seats in the House of Representatives, only two short of a two-thirds majority.

Opinion 18 Mar, 2026

Ethical practices are essential for both Public and Private Procurement in the context of Nepal with strategic negotiation and standard...

Ethical practices are essential for both Public and Private Procurement in the...

Procurement the process of acquiring goods, services, or works is a fundamental function for both government institutions and private organizations.

Procurement the process of acquiring goods, services, or works is a fundamental function for both government institutions and private organizations.

Opinion 17 Mar, 2026

A new moment for Nepal's health system: Basic health services to realise universal health coverage

A new moment for Nepal's health system: Basic health services to realise universal...

Some of the pre-election conversations with voters in villages of Syangja were about health care, and this is likely the case across the country, especially in remote areas. Some villagers spoke about the shortage of doctors, lack of essential medicines at local health facilities, and the difficulty of accessing specialised treatment.

Some of the pre-election conversations with voters in villages of Syangja were about health care, and this is likely the case across the country, especially in remote areas. Some villagers spoke about the shortage of doctors, lack of essential medicines at local health facilities, and the difficulty of accessing specialised treatment.

Opinion 17 Mar, 2026

Life Skills in shaping respectful future: Why boys must be part of this conversation.

Life Skills in shaping respectful future: Why boys must be part of this conversation.

A more equal and respectful world begins in classroom. Adolescence is important phase of life which shapes values, attitude a social behaviors. At this time, they are navigating complex social constructs and gender norms and stereotypes. Yet often they are left to navigate these challenges without any support or guidance.

A more equal and respectful world begins in classroom. Adolescence is important phase of life which shapes values, attitude a social behaviors. At this time, they are navigating complex social constructs and gender norms and stereotypes. Yet often they are left to navigate these challenges without any support or guidance.

Opinion 15 Mar, 2026

Nepal's election message: Rise of digital democracy and the power of public vigilance

Nepal's election message: Rise of digital democracy and the power of public vigilance

Prior to Nepal’s 2022 general election, this writer had an opportunity to meet Rabi Lamichhane, chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). During that conversation, I shared an electoral principle I have long advocated: the most meaningful vote a candidate can receive is the one cast by voters who do not personally know the candidate.

Prior to Nepal’s 2022 general election, this writer had an opportunity to meet Rabi Lamichhane, chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). During that conversation, I shared an electoral principle I have long advocated: the most meaningful vote a candidate can receive is the one cast by voters who do not personally know the candidate.

Opinion 13 Mar, 2026

Awaken your latent genius within: The power of flow experience

Awaken your latent genius within: The power of flow experience

There are two core branches of thinking: creative thinking and analytical thinking. Creative thinking pertains to thinking for new ideas and products — of seeing a new pattern of relationship between things that weren’t obvious before. This extends to finding new ways to expressing things and combining existing ideas to producing new and better alternatives.

There are two core branches of thinking: creative thinking and analytical thinking. Creative thinking pertains to thinking for new ideas and products — of seeing a new pattern of relationship between things that weren’t obvious before. This extends to finding new ways to expressing things and combining existing ideas to producing new and better alternatives.

Opinion 12 Mar, 2026

Nepal's health insurance system is on the brink: The new government has one chance to fix it

Nepal's health insurance system is on the brink: The new government has one chance to...

On March 5, 2026, Nepali voters delivered one of the most decisive electoral verdicts in the country’s democratic history.

On March 5, 2026, Nepali voters delivered one of the most decisive electoral verdicts in the country’s democratic history.

Opinion 11 Mar, 2026

Landslide victory of RSP: Way forward for both the victorious and vanquished

Landslide victory of RSP: Way forward for both the victorious and vanquished

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has created an electoral miracle by registering a two-thirds landslide victory, defying the well-established narrative of the impossibility of obtaining a majority under the present constitutional dispensation.

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has created an electoral miracle by registering a two-thirds landslide victory, defying the well-established narrative of the impossibility of obtaining a majority under the present constitutional dispensation.

Opinion 11 Mar, 2026

The forgotten illness: Alzheimer's disease is quietly rising in Nepal

The forgotten illness: Alzheimer's disease is quietly rising in Nepal

One winter morning in Pokhara, a retired schoolteacher left home to visit a nearby temple. He had taken the same path for decades. That day, he did not return. Hours later, relatives found him standing near a bus park, confused and frightened, unable to explain where he lived. The family did not call it a disease. They called it a forgetting problem.

One winter morning in Pokhara, a retired schoolteacher left home to visit a nearby temple. He had taken the same path for decades. That day, he did not return. Hours later, relatives found him standing near a bus park, confused and frightened, unable to explain where he lived. The family did not call it a disease. They called it a forgetting problem.

Opinion 10 Mar, 2026

Shock without occupation: The real test of Operation Epic Fury

Shock without occupation: The real test of Operation Epic Fury

Operation Epic Fury – the joint US-Israeli air campaign against Iran – is more than a regional confrontation. It is a test of whether the US can employ calibrated force to achieve decisive strategic results without occupation, and whether doing so frees Washington to focus on its primary strategic competitor, China.

Operation Epic Fury – the joint US-Israeli air campaign against Iran – is more than a regional confrontation. It is a test of whether the US can employ calibrated force to achieve decisive strategic results without occupation, and whether doing so frees Washington to focus on its primary strategic competitor, China.

Opinion 09 Mar, 2026

Women's rights depend on where a woman is born

Women's rights depend on where a woman is born

In some parts of the world, girls debate their rights in university classrooms. In others, girls debate whether they will be allowed to attend school at all. The discussion about women’s rights often assumes that progress is universal, but the reality is far more uneven.

In some parts of the world, girls debate their rights in university classrooms. In others, girls debate whether they will be allowed to attend school at all. The discussion about women’s rights often assumes that progress is universal, but the reality is far more uneven.

Opinion 08 Mar, 2026

Reclaiming space, safety, and sovereignty under Balen's leadership

Reclaiming space, safety, and sovereignty under Balen's leadership

Nepal sits precariously along a highly active seismic zone, yet decades of mismanaged urban planning have left our cities and administrative centers dangerously congested.

Nepal sits precariously along a highly active seismic zone, yet decades of mismanaged urban planning have left our cities and administrative centers dangerously congested.

Opinion 08 Mar, 2026

Human skills in an AI era: The new scarcity is judgement

Human skills in an AI era: The new scarcity is judgement

Recently, I reviewed a piece of AI-generated work that looked better than many human first drafts. It was clean, coherent, and confidently structured.

Recently, I reviewed a piece of AI-generated work that looked better than many human first drafts. It was clean, coherent, and confidently structured.

Opinion 06 Mar, 2026

Democracy and demagogy: The promises and pitfalls of March 5 elections

Democracy and demagogy: The promises and pitfalls of March 5 elections

One critical difference between democracy and demagogy is how disagreement plays its role in these two domains of a society.

One critical difference between democracy and demagogy is how disagreement plays its role in these two domains of a society.

Opinion 05 Mar, 2026

Post-democracy movements in Nepal: Their aspirations and achievements

Post-democracy movements in Nepal: Their aspirations and achievements

Nepal has witnessed several regime changes in its 3,000-long checkered political history beginning with the rulers of the Gopal dynasty, the cowherds back in 11th century BC.

Nepal has witnessed several regime changes in its 3,000-long checkered political history beginning with the rulers of the Gopal dynasty, the cowherds back in 11th century BC.

Opinion 04 Mar, 2026

Be counted, go and vote, this is your election

Be counted, go and vote, this is your election

Every few years, Nepal asks you to believe again. The flags come out of storage, party songs return to the streets, and familiar faces rediscover your neighbourhoods.

Every few years, Nepal asks you to believe again. The flags come out of storage, party songs return to the streets, and familiar faces rediscover your neighbourhoods.

Opinion 04 Mar, 2026

Engaging fathers for healthier families: Equity means sharing responsibility of raising children

Engaging fathers for healthier families: Equity means sharing responsibility of...

In Nepal, the journey of motherhood, from pregnancy to childbirth and childcare, is seen as solely a woman's responsibility. Fathers are often regarded as the provider of the family.

In Nepal, the journey of motherhood, from pregnancy to childbirth and childcare, is seen as solely a woman's responsibility. Fathers are often regarded as the provider of the family.

Opinion 03 Mar, 2026

Election proceedings in full swing: A test of voters' conscience

Election proceedings in full swing: A test of voters' conscience

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Bath in 2023 analysing cognitive trends during the Brexit found that individuals with lower cognitive ability were more susceptible to populist agendas and persuasive campaign rhetoric than those with stronger academic backgrounds and higher cognitive ability.

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Bath in 2023 analysing cognitive trends during the Brexit found that individuals with lower cognitive ability were more susceptible to populist agendas and persuasive campaign rhetoric than those with stronger academic backgrounds and higher cognitive ability.

Opinion 02 Mar, 2026

Absence of WASH in poll manifestos: Leaves the conversation half full

Absence of WASH in poll manifestos: Leaves the conversation half full

As Nepal approaches the March 5 elections, political parties are actively campaigning on employment generation, economic growth, political stability, infrastructure development, education, health care, and climate resilience.

As Nepal approaches the March 5 elections, political parties are actively campaigning on employment generation, economic growth, political stability, infrastructure development, education, health care, and climate resilience.

Opinion 02 Mar, 2026