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Tilak Bahadur Rana Magar of Udayapur, who spent 30 years carrying heavy loads for a living, is now busy cultivating cardamom. Poverty forced him into labor work from the age of 15, but with the expansion of road networks and the arrival of tractors and mules in villages, his profession became obsolete. As traditional load-carrying work disappeared, Tilak Bahadur transitioned to cardamom farming.

He began by converting around 15 ropanis of land—once overgrown with wild plants like banmara and titepati, where not even maize or millet could grow—into a cardamom farm. With no other source of income, he turned to this crop after learning about it from television programs and friends. Today, Magar is a leading cardamom farmer in his area, and his economic transformation stands as a testament to the power of hard work and persistence. He proudly says that he no longer needs to go abroad to fund his children’s education.

Magar is just one example. Across eastern Nepal, many farmers are now cultivating cardamom as their main crop, turning it into a reliable source of income. What began as a means to cover household expenses has evolved into large-scale commercial farming for many.

The Cardamom Development Center, located in Pandam, Suryodaya Municipality-9 of Ilam district, has played a key role in this transformation. Established on 31 Oct 1976, on 345 ropanis of land, the center began the Cardamom Research and Development Program. In 1982, the districts of Ilam, Panchthar, and Terhathum were officially declared Cardamom Development Zones, and both government and private sectors began promoting its cultivation at scale.

Cardamom has become a major export commodity. It is estimated that cardamom accounts for 17 to 25 percent of Nepal’s agricultural export income. Nepal reportedly contributes more than 50 percent to the global large cardamom market. India is the primary export destination, but Nepal also exports cardamom to countries like Singapore, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the UAE. In fact, 98 percent of Nepal’s cardamom is exported, with only two percent consumed domestically. Government figures estimate that annual cardamom exports are worth Rs 4bn to Rs 5bn.

This high export value has significantly benefited Nepal’s agricultural sector, helping to reduce the trade deficit and strengthen the national economy. While the eastern region remains the heart of production, cardamom farming is gradually spreading to western districts as well. Taplejung, Panchthar, Ilam, and Sankhuwasabha in Koshi Province are recognized as key production hubs.

The growing demand has led to a steady rise in the area under cardamom cultivation. Initially confined to a few eastern districts, the crop is now grown in around 42 districts, involving some 67,000 farming households. For many, cardamom is the main source of cash income, improving livelihoods through better employment, education, and healthcare.

One hectare of cardamom farmland can yield between 300 and 600 kilograms of dried pods annually, with market prices ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000 per kilogram—making it a highly profitable crop even for smallholders.

Cardamom is Nepal’s top agricultural export and a significant contributor to foreign exchange earnings. The value chain—from cultivation to processing, packaging, and export—has created jobs at various levels. Local laborers involved in harvesting and drying can earn over Rs 30,000 per month in wages.

As a high-value cash crop, cardamom has become a beacon of hope for farmers in Nepal’s mid-hills and eastern regions. What once began as a subsistence activity has now matured into a fully commercial enterprise, offering not just economic opportunities but also contributing to rural development and national revenue.

Russian President Vladimir Putin led a grand parade in Red Square to commemorate Victory Day, the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's defeat over Nazi Germany.

The event, held under strict security amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, was attended by 27 foreign leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, CNN reported.

Putin addressed troops and international dignitaries, describing Russia's intervention in Ukraine as a continuation of the Soviet fight against fascism. Thousands of soldiers marched alongside new weapons and foreign contingents, including 102 Chinese troops, as Moscow and Beijing's military and political ties strengthened.

Putin and Xi held bilateral discussions ahead of the parade, highlighting their growing partnership. Despite EU reservations, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was the sole EU leader attending. Venezuelan, Serbian, and Vietnamese leaders were also in attendance, according to CNN.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously stated that he could not guarantee the safety of anyone attending the event and encouraged heads of state not to travel to Moscow.

With less than two months remaining in the current fiscal year, the government has managed to spend only 32.78 percent of its allocated capital budget. This chronic underperformance in capital expenditure is not new. Rather, it is part of a concerning pattern that has plagued the national development trajectory for years.

The failure to effectively utilize the capital budget affects Nepal’s economic prospects. In the last fiscal year, only 63.47 percent of the Rs 302bn capital allocation was spent. Worse still, capital spending has averaged around 60 percent over the past four years, a steep decline from the pre-covid average of 70 percent and a sharp fall from highs of over 80 percent in 2017-18. These figures reflect a system that struggles with efficiency, planning and execution.

The consequences of low spending are multifaceted. On the surface, infrastructure development is delayed or left incomplete. More deeply, low capital spending restricts job creation, depresses local economic activities and drives a surge in labor migration. The country’s inability to create sufficient employment opportunities has forced millions to seek work abroad. This clearly shows that the domestic economy is not growing fast or inclusively enough.

The root causes of this underperformance are well known. Bureaucratic delays, poor project readiness and ineffective implementation continue to hit development projects. Moreover, a recurring trend of accelerated spending in the final months of the fiscal year leads to rushed projects and compromised quality, which affects project outcomes and diminishes the long-term value of public investments. While recurrent expenditures are being met at a higher rate, capital spending has remained dismal. This imbalance not only undermines developmental aspirations but also affects fiscal credibility and the government’s ability to deliver on its promises at a time when some sections of society are questioning the relevance of the federal republican system. 

The government must prioritize structural reforms to speed up spending. Streamlining bureaucratic procedures, strengthening project planning and financial oversight and directing funds toward shovel-ready projects are critical steps that it must take. Moreover, enhancing accountability mechanisms will ensure that public resources are used effectively and transparently. Persistent underutilization of capital budgets is not just a fiscal statistic, it is a roadblock to progress. Until this foundational flaw in public expenditure stays, long-term growth will remain elusive, and the dream of a self-reliant, prosperous Nepal will continue to drift further away.

Law Day is observed on May 9 and serves as a timely reminder of the foundational role that law plays in building an equitable and democratic society. In Nepal, Law Day offers an opportunity to reflect on the achievements and shortcomings of our legal system while fostering dialogue about the reforms necessary for a stronger future. It’s a time to honor legal professionals, acknowledge the importance of the rule of law, and commit ourselves to improving access to justice for all. ApEx spoke to three women law students to talk about the importance of law and how it can be improved in the education system.

Sadiksha Nepal

Fourth year, BA LLB, Chakrabarti College of Law

Over the years, I’ve learned a lot—about our legal system, our laws and regulations, and the structure of governance. But I haven’t had the chance to apply what I’ve learned. Sometimes, I feel like a bookworm—filled with theory but lacking real-world experience. The reality is our legal education system is still outdated. Most law colleges don’t have proper libraries, updated books, digital resources, or even well-functioning moot courts. Students often rely on personal copies of old materials. While some colleges offer internships and legal clinics, they are limited and not accessible to everyone. Most of our time is spent memorizing theory and preparing for exams instead of working with real clients or learning how the system functions outside the classroom. Workshops or mentorship to help us handle real-life moral challenges are extremely rare. Our textbooks are often outdated, and recent legal developments rarely make it into our syllabi on time. Colleges offer almost no career counselling or placement support so we’re left to build networks on our own. On top of that, the fees are so high that it’s a struggle for students from middle- or lower-income families.

Sanjita Khadka 

Third Semester, BA LLB, National Law College

The future of Nepal’s legal system is likely to be bright as AI and technology plays in e-filing and digital record-keeping, but cyber security will be a challenge. Environmental and climate laws are expected to be expanded to address Nepal’s risk of catastrophes and to align with international conventions such as the Paris Accord. To attract investment, Nepal may further make its business and intellectual property laws compatible with international standards. Emerging trends such as ADR and better legal education will help ease court overcrowding and prepare practicing lawyers for the real world. Legal education in Nepal can be enhanced by revising curricula to include practical skills (e.g., moot courts, drafting of laws). Developing teaching capabilities through training and international collaboration, technology integration (e-learning platform, online research tools), would enhance quality and accessibility. Partnerships with law firms, NGOs, and courts for internships and clinics bridge theory-practice gaps. Stricter accreditation by the governing bodies like the Nepal Bar Council is needed to bring about uniformity and accountability.

Puja Basnet

Fifth year, BA LLB, Kathmandu School of Law

With the adoption of the Constitution of Nepal 2015, Nepal is transitioning to a democratic and federal structure, and the legal system will be more inclusive and accessible than ever. The rapid technological advancement, however, will be a challenge for Nepal’s conventional legal framework, but with reform and modernization, embracing the technology will pave the way for ensuring timely justice and further strengthening the rule of law. Nepal needs to better train the available human resources and adopt technology-driven solutions to efficiently and effectively manage the caseload. As a law student, I have felt that the current legal education doesn’t adequately prepare us to meet the practical demands of the legal profession. The current academic structure is designed primarily to foster theoretical knowledge, and while it’s equally important, in the absence of essential practical skills, the transition from students to lawyers becomes difficult. To bridge this gap, legal education should be upgraded and skill-based training, such as moot court, internships, and clinical education, needs to be prioritized.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has overtaken Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to become the world’s second-richest person, according to The Times of India. A recent surge in Meta’s stock, driven by investor optimism around AI and tech innovation, significantly boosted Zuckerberg’s net worth.

Bezos, now ranked third, has long been a major contender among the world's elite. The move highlights the unpredictable nature of tech-driven wealth, in which fortunes fluctuate in response to market trends and corporate performance.

Zuckerberg’s rise reflects Meta’s renewed momentum, while Bezos continues to lead through Amazon and his broader business interests. The latest reshuffle marks another chapter in the ongoing rivalry among tech’s wealthiest figures, The Times of India reported.

US President Donald Trump has applauded Robert Francis Prevost's election as the first American pope, calling it a "great honour" for the country. The 69-year-old Chicago native will be referred to as Pope Leo XIV.

Pope Leo studied near Philadelphia and later worked as a missionary in Peru. His unprecedented appointment has sparked admiration from political leaders across the United States, BBC reported.

With the US being home to the fourth-largest Catholic population in the world, congratulations poured in following the announcement.

Bill Gates has pledged to donate $200bn through the Gates Foundation by 2045, after which the foundation will close. The funds will focus on disease eradication, maternal and child health, and poverty reduction, with an annual budget of $10bn, Financial Times reported.

Gates made the announcement amid major US foreign aid cuts led by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, which is set to slash nearly 80 percent of USAID programs. Gates accused Musk of contributing to preventable deaths in poor countries.

“The image of the world’s richest man killing the world’s poorest children is not a pretty one,” Gates told the Financial Times. He warned that the cuts could reverse decades of progress in global health.

He emphasized that philanthropy cannot replace government help, but he hoped that public priorities would change back to saving lives.

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago has been elected as the 267th pope, making history as the first American to lead the Roman Catholic Church. The 69-year-old will be known as Pope Leo XIV, BBC reported.

He appeared before thousands in St. Peter’s Square Thursday evening, greeting them with the words, “Peace be with you all.” In his first address, delivered in Italian, Leo XIV honored his predecessor Pope Francis and called for a Church “that builds bridges and dialogue.”

“We must show our charity and be in dialogue with love,” he said, as stated by BBC.

Leo XIV was elected by 133 cardinals in just two days of conclave, indicating rapid and widespread support. He is anticipated to continue many of Francis' reforms, with an emphasis on unity and global participation.