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At ActionAid, we highly value partnerships built on the principles of equality and respect, where shared values guide our collaborative efforts. We firmly believe in the power of partnerships, recognizing the crucial role that communities, partners, and various stakeholders play in driving transformative change within the communities we serve. We view ourselves as facilitators, understanding that real impact can only be achieved when communities take ownership of the process and drive the initiative. The voices of those facing challenges should be at the forefront, raising awareness and advocating for their rights. That's why we emphasize building partnerships with communities, using participatory approaches to earn their trust, address their concerns, mobilize them, amplify their voices, and foster solidarity to resolve their issues and ensure they receive their rightful entitlements as citizens. Consequently, garnering widespread support and collaborating with like-minded organizations are crucial in holding duty bearers accountable and guiding them in addressing the concerns of the people they serve. Effective communication is vital throughout the program cycle to raise awareness, foster solidarity, engage communities and supporters, and ensure a participatory process. Sustainable impact can only be achieved when an issue or agenda becomes a shared concern, prompting people to take ownership and work towards justice. We believe that the communities we serve should experience the change or impact directly and be an integral part of our efforts. We don't simply claim impact based on reporting processes; instead, we center our work around feminist principles, placing the rights of people living in poverty and facing exclusion at the core of everything we do. ActionAid operates within a federal structure, allowing countries to set their own priorities while aligning them (partially or fully) with the global strategy of ActionAid International. Countries prioritize issues and campaigns based on their specific contexts, and interventions are planned and executed accordingly. To collectively raise voices on global issues, countries implement interventions aligned with their planned activities. They may also develop their own program intervention plans and campaigns, working independently but with communities as the driving force in addressing issues and concerns. To ensure effective communication, we develop comprehensive communication, monitoring, and evaluation plans that convey authentic information while considering branding and visibility. Through periodic community and cluster reviews, we provide opportunities for communities to share their perspectives on the program approach and the changes they have experienced. We also encourage feedback and opinions during partners' annual social audits, capturing the voices of communities and stakeholders through various communication channels, social media platforms, and our global communication team. By involving local communities in the planning process and aligning global perspectives with local contexts, we enable communities to prioritize issues based on their importance and sensitivity. ActionAid's primary communication focus is amplifying the agenda of impoverished and marginalized communities, ensuring their voices are heard and their concerns are addressed. We actively engage with different levels of government to develop and amend policies that better serve these communities, aiming to ensure their rights are respected, protected, and fulfilled at all levels. In the past, we have organized dialogue forums to engage policymakers in constructive debates about policy gaps and the way forward. Drawing from our past experiences, we have collaborated with government counterparts to enhance technical capacity in key areas that require attention. We strive to make public services more accessible and gender-responsive, and we have made significant progress in that regard. These various processes create an enabling environment for prioritizing identified issues within government plans and policies. ActionAid has been working in Nepal since 1982, and our success is largely attributed to the indispensable role played by our partners and communities. By partnering with people living in poverty and exclusion, we have recognized the importance of shifting power dynamics in their favor. This realization led us to form groups that actively participate in savings and credit initiatives, empowering themselves and mobilizing their communities to tackle shared issues and challenges. To capture the voices and stories of communities and frontline workers, both our partner staff and ActionAid personnel play a critical role in regularly documenting evidence that demonstrates the positive changes in the lives of the people we work with. We conduct periodic evaluations of program areas, seeking anecdotes, stories, and the perspectives of government authorities and other stakeholders. During organizational events, we prioritize the voices of community members, enabling them to share their reflections and experiences regarding our program interventions. These stories and anecdotes are shared through various communication platforms, showcasing our efforts to transform the lives of communities and individuals. ActionAid is widely recognized as a human rights-based organization. In Nepal, we have pioneered the REFLECT Circle and organized social audits, garnering admiration for these initiatives. We rely on these processes to showcase the quality of our work. However, measuring program impact and assessing empowerment are challenging tasks that require collective efforts. ActionAid acknowledges that impactful results require collaboration among many individuals and organizations, networks, and alliances. Positive change is brought about through a collective and mindful endeavor, where lessons are learned from both successes and failures. Through our interventions, we have witnessed activists, staff members, community group facilitators, and beneficiaries rising to leadership positions within local government organizations, some even attaining regional and national roles. This success speaks to ActionAid's ability to adapt and integrate valuable lessons and experiences, influencing our identity and priorities in a positive way. Our approach to activism and social mobilization is grounded in praxis mode, where we take action, reflect, learn, and strategize to improve our work. Learning from both successes and failures is essential in our continuous efforts to create a meaningful impact. Narayan Pd Sitaula Narayan Pd. Sitaula is a highly accomplished professional leading the Organizational Impact and Communication department at ActionAid Nepal. With a robust background in strategic planning and communication, Narayan brings a wealth of experience to his role, fostering positive change and creating substantial impact within the organization. His expertise lies in designing and executing innovative communication strategies that effectively engage stakeholders and raise awareness about critical social issues. Narayan's visionary leadership and unwavering commitment contribute to ActionAid Nepal's mission of promoting social justice, equality, and sustainable development. Guided by his exceptional communication skills and a deep passion for driving social change, Narayan Pd. Sitaula continues to play a pivotal role in advancing ActionAid Nepal's mission and building a more equitable and just society. Saroj Pokhrel   Saroj Pokhrel, a highly regarded professional, currently holds the position of Head of Program Policy at ActionAid Nepal. With an impressive background in policy formulation and program management, Saroj brings extensive knowledge and expertise to his role. His unwavering dedication to social justice and sustainable development is evident through his strategic leadership in designing and implementing impactful programs. Saroj's visionary approach to program policy development ensures that ActionAid Nepal's initiatives align with the organization's mission and effectively address pressing social issues. With a strong commitment to empowering marginalized communities and promoting gender equality, Saroj spearheads transformative projects that bring about positive change. Leveraging his exceptional analytical skills and deep understanding of local contexts, he identifies key areas for intervention and develops evidence-based policies that create lasting impact. Through his relentless efforts, Saroj Pokhrel continues to propel ActionAid Nepal's mission, making a significant difference in the lives of vulnerable populations and contributing to the realization of a just and inclusive society.

I’m a 35-year-old woman in a toxic marriage. My husband and I fell in love and got married a few years ago. But things soon went wrong. He even admitted that he has been cheating on me. Unfortunately, for some reason, I’m unable to let him go. We’ve come such a long way. I don’t know what I will do without him, or how I will be able to move forward alone. I want to make things right, and I’m willing to forgive him. But it seems like he doesn’t want that. I think he wants to leave me. The thought of separating is overwhelming me. I’m scared of not having him in my life. I don’t know what it is but it doesn’t feel natural. What should I do?—A troubled wife Answered by Kapil Sharma, counseling psychologist, Nepal Institute of Mental Health It’s not easy to compromise your feelings every step of the way and be there for the person you love even when he has treated you harshly. So, it’s commendable that you have been trying to mend the relationship despite having so many issues. From what you’ve told me, I can see that you’re in a dilemma about what to do next. The uncertainty of what’s going to happen has overwhelmed you and made you anxious. But going on like this, and letting yourself struggle mentally and emotionally is only going to make things worse. With relationship issues, the most important thing is communication. You’ve mentioned that you have tried talking to him and are willing to let things go if he’s willing to be with you. So maybe you need to have that one last conversation with him that will help you figure out what you need to do next. I know it’s easier said than done. The thought of separating is already difficult for you, and to think that that might be one of the two outcomes of this conversation terrifies you. But it’s the conversation you will have to have someday. So why wait and suffer? You deserve better than that. Sometimes hearing each other out can solve a lot of problems. Maybe he has a different perspective than you do. It doesn’t mean that his cheating on you wasn’t wrong, but if you’re willing to let that go then I think you should hear him out to get a clear answer about his feelings. You can also talk about what might happen if you two are together for the next five-ten years. The answer to that will also help you be certain about what to do next. If communicating on your own is difficult, couples counseling is always a good option. There, you will have someone to guide you through the process. Either you guys will be together or you’ll have to go separate ways. That’s something you’ll have to prepare yourself for since being in a toxic relationship isn’t good for either of you. Who’s going to take care of your well-being if not you? If he doesn’t want to communicate, then you know you have a clear answer on what to do next. That’s the time when you think of yourself. Being afraid of going separate ways is natural. But that’s something you might have to do. So, it’s good to surround yourself with people who will understand and support you. Going through this alone will be difficult. If you aren’t comfortable with sharing your situation with friends and family, you can always seek help from a professional. Dealing with emotions as heavy as this can be difficult. So having someone guide you will be nice. Initiating a conversation will be difficult. And the thought of going separate ways will be scary. But you have to take a step back and think about how this situation will hamper your mental peace and well-being. You will get better with time.

The main opposition CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has said that the Citizenship Bill should be tabled in Parliament. Saying that the Citizenship Bill is a question of Parliament’s rights, the former Prime Minister, while speaking at a Parliament meeting on Monday, said that the Citizenship Bill should be tabled in the Parliament anyhow. “This bill should be brought to the House again. Anyhow, this should be brought to the Parliament. The bill should be discussed in the Parliament. This is a new Parliament,” he said, adding, “Will the President ever bring a bill at the request of the Cabinet? The government should present the draft in the House.” “The bill will be stopped if the law is not formulated. It should be brought to the Parliament again for discussion,” he said.  

Sujeeta Mathema has more than 22 years of experience working in the development sector and has rich experience working in the field of human rights, especially on women’s rights. She is now working in the capacity of Executive Director of ActionAid Nepal. Sujeeta’s engagement with Kamaiya movement, women’s rights movement, land rights movement, and Dalit movement have given her solid experiences and encouragement to pursue the idea of how social movements can deliver social justice. She has been involved in many other different networks and alliances such as the Child Network Alliance. She is also a board member of Sishu Baal Bikas Kendra (ECD learning centers). How is ActionAid International Nepal helping climate-impacted communities to adapt and mitigate climate change in Nepal? ActionAid International Nepal is actively engaged in developing resilience and addressing the challenges posed by a changing environment through a diverse range of programs. Key areas of focus include the promotion of agroecology, which supports environmentally friendly and climate-resilient agricultural practices to enhance food production and adapt to climate change. Recognizing the importance of gender equality in climate resilience, the organization emphasizes creating inclusive marketplaces and empowering women entrepreneurs in the economy. We encourage community-led disaster mitigation and preparedness initiatives, enabling local communities to design and implement their own measures. Environmental protection measures are promoted at both community and school levels, fostering environmental awareness and sustainable behaviors. Collaboration with local government bodies aids in the development of climate change adaptation and mitigation policies and programs, ensuring preparedness at the local level. Through advocacy work and partnerships, ActionAid International Nepal works to reform policies and improve systems at various levels. By implementing comprehensive strategies encompassing structural change, advocacy, empowerment, and education, the organization significantly contributes to helping climate-affected communities adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change. What motivated ActionAid International Nepal to begin the Climate Justice Campaign? What impact do you think this effort will have on the larger climate justice movement in Nepal and beyond? ActionAid International Nepal has initiated the Climate Justice Campaign in response to compelling circumstances. The campaign underscores the urgent need for action, recognizing climate change as a fundamental human rights issue. The increasing number of climate-affected communities and families in Nepal highlights the criticality of finding solutions to this pressing problem. Moreover, marginalized groups face a disproportionate impact, exacerbating poverty cycles and widening societal disparities. The campaign also seeks to amplify the voices of those affected by climate change, providing strong evidence of its consequences in national, regional, and international forums. Fostering national unity is essential to effectively advocate for the rights of the affected population at federal, provincial, and municipal levels. What role do you envision private and governmental finance having in the move to greener and more sustainable solutions in the context of low-income countries like Nepal? Public and private finance play integral roles in driving the adoption of sustainable practices in low-income countries like Nepal. The private sector holds the potential to expand the market for eco-friendly goods and agroecological solutions, approaching them through lenses of adaptation, mitigation, readiness, and compensation for loss and damage. It is crucial for the private sector to prioritize investments in sustainable practices, equitable development, and green technologies. Government spending, particularly the development budget, should take climate risks into account, demonstrating a commitment to prioritize climate-sensitive and adaptable development. Effective monitoring of policy implementation is essential, as is the undertaking of comprehensive climate risk assessments for development projects. Opposition to loans for humanitarian aid or restitution from organizations such as the World Bank or ADB is important. Instead, a push for funds based on the ‘polluters pay’ principle should be emphasized. Access to international climate finance mechanisms should be improved, and both public and private sectors should invest in evidence-based strategies, early warning systems, and the enhancement of resource mobilization capacities. Besides the global climate justice campaign, what are some of the other important sector-specific platforms ActionAid International Nepal developing or using to spread knowledge and awareness about climate change? ActionAid International Nepal employs diverse platforms to effectively disseminate information and raise awareness about climate change. These initiatives encompass a wide array of activities and engagement methods. At the community level, the organization integrates climate change education into its local rights program to ensure widespread understanding. Furthermore, youth hubs and mobilization initiatives are established, recognizing the pivotal role of young people in shaping the future. These platforms empower youth to actively participate in climate change discussions and become agents of change. This engagement at regional, national, and global levels facilitates dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and advocacy. By contributing to collaborative platforms, the organization shares best practices, innovative ideas, and policy recommendations, thereby supporting global efforts to address climate change. What are the further plans of ActionAid International Nepal in climate justice? ActionAid Nepal has developed a comprehensive campaign plan for the next three years to empower and engage those affected by climate change. The organization’s strategy focuses on building resilience and driving positive change through a commitment to learning and research. ActionAid Nepal plans to undertake extensive research projects and support knowledge-building activities to generate evidence-based ideas. The organization aims to translate this knowledge into practical solutions, supporting local communities in navigating the challenges posed by climate change. The organization’s holistic approach not only promotes resilience but also advocates for long-term solutions that enhance communities, reduce risks, and secure their future. ActionAid Nepal seeks to amplify the voices of affected communities, protect their rights, and advocate for their urgent needs through compelling and impactful advocacy efforts.  

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal claimed that the Constitution has come into track by authenticating the Citizenship Bill. The Prime Minister was responding to the questions floated by lawmakers in the Parliament on Monday. He said that the bill was sent to the President for authentication by completing all the due process. Prime Minister Dahal, who is also the Chairman of the CPN (Maoist Center), said that the government requested for the authentication of the Citizenship Bill which was endorsed by both the Houses keeping in mind the interests of the people. He opined that the bill sent by both Houses in a legal way should not be rejected by another Parliament. Similarly, the Prime Minister said that various issues were discussed during his recent visit to India, underlining that the government is serious about national interest and sovereignty. He said that both sides should sit for talks to resolve the Nepal-India border issues.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 17. 38 points to close at 1,901.99 points on Monday. Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 2. 88 points to close at 362. 22 points. A total of 5,620,381-unit shares of 277 companies were traded for Rs 1. 97 billion. Meanwhile, River Falls Power Limited was the top gainer today with its price surging by 10. 00 percent. Likewise, Shivam Cements Ltd was the top loser with its price dropped by 4. 50 percent. At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 2. 77 trillion.

After signing a memorandum of understanding to develop the 480MW Phukot Karnali Hydropower Project in the Kalikot district, Nepal’s Vidyut Utpadan Company Limited (VUCL) and India’s NHPC Limited will sign a joint venture agreement. The state-owned companies of the two countries signed the MoU on developing the project during Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s visit to India from May 31 to June 3. VUCL is the current license holder of the project. After establishing a joint venture company in Nepal, the new company will be issued the license to develop the project. “We will now work towards signing a joint venture agreement and establishment of the joint venture company in Nepal,” said an official of VUCL. “We plan to do all these works within a year.” As per the MoU, the Indian company will have a 51 percent stake in the company while the VUCL will have a 49 percent stake. According to the official, the Indian company has also sought to increase the capacity of the project because it will be able to sell more power in the wet season in the Indian market. “A condition of the MoU says that the capacity of the project will be updated,” said the official of VUCL. “Currently, the project has been designed by taking into consideration the domestic market. With the involvement of an Indian company, it wants to optimize the capacity in line with the market needs of India.” The capacity of the 900MW Arun 3 project was also increased from 300MW. According to the VUCL official, there has not been a concrete agreement on whether all the power produced by the company will be exported or parts of the energy will be sold within Nepal. The official said the joint venture company producing as much power as possible would be in the interest of the company if all the power could be sold. The project will use the flow from the Karnali River for power generation and the generated power will be fed into the integrated power system of Nepal. This project is conceived as a Peaking Run-of-River (PRoR) type scheme. It is the second state-owned Indian company to venture into Nepal’s hydropower project after SJVN Limited, which is developing three power projects in Nepal’s eastern Arun river—Arun-3, Lower Arun, and Arun-4 hydropower project. NHPC Limited has also bagged the 740MW West Seti and 450MW Seti River-6 project. The Investment Board Nepal bundled these two projects in a single package to make them attractive to investors. Four years after China’s Three Gorges Corporation pulled out from the West Seti Project in 2018, an Indian company has moved ahead to develop this project. Now, one state-owned Indian company will be developing a number of projects in the eastern region of Nepal while another state-owned Indian company will be developing several projects in the western side of Nepal. NHPC jumped into investment in Nepal after Nepal and India issued a joint vision statement on power sector cooperation in April last year. With India not willing to buy electricity generated from the project employing Chinese investors or contractors, Nepal has been forced to seek Indian investors if it wants to export surplus power to its southern neighbor, which has so far been the only external buyer of the electricity. Currently, India’s state-owned entities are increasingly involved in hydropower development in Nepal, there is a scope for attracting the private sector too, according to private sector representatives. An office bearer of the Independent Power Producers' Association (IPPAN) said that the private sector of India has also been closely watching how the state-owned companies will develop the project in Nepal. “The state-owned companies are offering a certain portion of electricity that will be generated from the Phukot Karnali project to Nepal free of cost. But I doubt if the private sector will be able to do so because they have to raise financial resources from the market,” the IPPAN official said.  

After Bajaj and TVS, Royal Enfield has also started assembling motorbikes in Nepal. The Indian two-wheeler brand on Friday said its assembly plant in Birgunj, set up in collaboration with the Triveni Group of Nepal, has become operational. The complete knocked-down (CKD) assembly unit has an annual capacity of 20,000 units. Royal Enfield also launched its first set of locally assembled motorcycles—the new Classic 350 and the SCRAM 411. The Classic 350 will be available at Rs 499,000 and the Scram 411 will be available at Rs 660,000. The new facility is Royal Enfield’s fifth CKD assembly unit in the world after Brazil, Thailand, Colombia, and Argentina. “This new CKD facility in Nepal is in line with our ambitious global expansion strategy of investing in markets with huge potential to grow,” said B Govindarajan, CEO of Royal Enfield. The motorcycle market in Nepal is on a confident rebound journey, and Royal Enfield sees huge potential for the market to grow substantially, the company said in a press statement. With the market expected to grow at 10-15 percent in upcoming years, the company believes that the trend of premiumization of motorcycles will only increase in the country. The local partner of Royal Enfield in Nepal is Triveni Group. The group's subsidiary company Alfa Automotive Pvt. Ltd. is the official dealer of Royal Enfield in Nepal. Triveni had registered a company named TG Auto Group Pvt Ltd for motorcycle assembly at the Department of Industry. As of now, Golchha Group's Hulas Auto Craft has been producing Bajaj motorcycles in Nepal at its assembly plant in Nawalparasi. Similarly, Shankar Group has also started assembling TVS motorcycles in Nepal at its Simara-based plant. After the government incentivized the establishment of automobile assembly plants in the country, Nepali business houses having authorized dealerships of international motorcycle brands have shown their interest in setting up such assembly plants in Nepal. A year ago, the government led by the then Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba through a substitution bill announced a 50 percent excise duty exemption on two-wheelers, four-wheelers, and assembly kits imported by companies to be assembled in Nepal. The government, however, increased the excise duty on 125cc to 250cc two-wheelers by 10 percent while those with engine capacity between 500 cc and 800 cc by 20 percent. This has forced major automobile dealers to set up assembly plants in the country. The authorized dealers of Yamaha, Hero, Honda, and Suzuki motorcycles have also already started the process to set up an assembly plant. MAW Enterprises, the authorized dealer of Yamaha motorcycles in Nepal, has registered MAW Auto Industry to assemble Yamaha two-wheelers. MAW has planned to set up a plant in Tankisinwari, Morang for the purpose. Meanwhile, Syakar Trading, the authorized distributor of the leading Indian motorcycle brand Honda has started the process to set up assembly plants in Nepal. Syakar has registered Himal Moto Pvt. Ltd. to assemble Honda two-wheelers in Nepal. Likewise, NGM Pvt. Ltd., the authorized distributor of Hero two-wheelers in Nepal, has registered NGM Engineering and Sales Pvt. Ltd. to assemble Hero motorcycles and scooters. Not to be left behind in this race, Vishal Group is also stepping into the automobile assembly business. The group, which is the official dealer of Suzuki motorcycles in Nepal, has recently registered Global Automobiles Pvt Ltd for the assembly of motorcycles, scooters, and three-wheelers.