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In recent years, Nepali society has witnessed the rise of a troubling phenomenon: the conversion of social work into a stepping-stone for publicity, wealth, and political clout. What once symbolized sacrifice and service has now become a strategic entry point for individuals seeking personal gain. These pseudo-social workers, equipped with smartphones, cameras, and clever messaging, masquerade as reformers while exploiting society’s trust. Their actions raise an urgent question: are we being served, or merely deceived?

The new breed of social worker is less a servant of the people and more a performer for the public eye. Social media has amplified this shift, turning compassion into a commodity. With every post, video, and reel, these individuals craft an image of benevolence. But behind the carefully staged acts lies a motive far removed from public good—building a base of followers to leverage in the pursuit of political power or business advantage.

This culture of spectacle-driven social work reduces serious societal issues to photo opportunities. It prioritizes visibility over substance, popularity over impact. In doing so, it not only trivializes the meaning of service but also entrenches cynicism in a society already disillusioned by corruption and betrayal.

The pathway from pseudo-social work to politics is well established. Figures across Nepal have used their social presence to launch themselves into the political sphere, where power multiplies opportunities for wealth. The formula is simple: gain public sympathy through visible gestures of service, translate that sympathy into votes, and then leverage political office for personal or partisan gain.

The case of Kathmandu Metropolitan Mayor Balen Shah exemplifies both the promise and the peril of this phenomenon. He rose to prominence as an outsider, admired for his energy and reforms. Yet, his conduct during recent Gen Z protests and shifting political dynamics has sparked suspicion about his long-term ambitions. Some now question whether his mayoral role is merely a springboard for larger political goals. Others even speculate—however conspiratorially—that his rise is tied to foreign interests. Regardless of the truth, the doubts underscore a wider problem: when leaders rely on image rather than transparency, public trust inevitably erodes.

At the core of pseudo-social work lies a profound illusion. On the surface, these individuals appear to champion causes—healthcare, education, environment, or culture. In reality, their contributions are often superficial. Schools, for instance, invest in glossy infrastructure and fleets of buses to impress parents, while neglecting essential laboratories, libraries, and trained staff. Doctors promote wellness on social media while failing to make healthcare affordable or accessible in their own communities. Business magnates donate for public visibility but rarely tackle systemic issues such as pollution, unemployment, or inequality.

This illusion is dangerous. It diverts attention from what truly matters—sustainable reforms, accountable governance, and long-term investment in communities. Worse, it conditions people to mistake performance for progress. Nepalis clap for social media heroes while overlooking genuine reformers who, away from the limelight, are quietly building schools, innovating in technology, and building roads for the community. Speaking of genuine reformers, my heart brims over with pride and joy at the thought of Chandrabir in Dang, who built a community road manually toiling for years for the convenience of his blind wife and blind children.

When pseudo-social workers ascend into politics, the costs are borne by ordinary citizens. Their shallow understanding of social needs translates into shallow policies. Their hunger for publicity fosters divisive rhetoric. Their networks of followers create personality cults that discourage criticism. And once in power, their reliance on crony capitalism ensures that decisions serve a narrow elite rather than the broader public.

This cycle is not new. It echoes decades of Nepali politics where populism has repeatedly trumped principle. But in the age of social media, the scale and speed are unprecedented. Today, a viral video can launch a political career. Tomorrow, that career can shape laws, allocate budgets, and influence generations. The stakes could not be higher.

The question, then, is not whether pseudo-social workers exist—they clearly do—but how we, as citizens, respond to them. Should we continue to idolize every charismatic figure who claims to serve us? Should we mistake Instagram reels for real reforms? Or should we demand evidence, transparency, and accountability before extending our admiration?  

Across Nepal, business tycoons and professionals alike have found in “social work” a convenient platform to polish their image and prepare for a political career. In Dang, a doctor has become famous through morning-walk videos with locals, preaching fitness while ignoring the more pressing community needs around him—garbage burning, lack of public parks, and absence of infrastructure for exercise. He could have lobbied for cleaner air or built walking trails, yet he has chosen the easier route of self-promotion.

The wiser course is clear: take every self-proclaimed social worker and politician with a pinch of salt. Celebrate their achievements when they are real, but interrogate their motives when they are not. Separate spectacle from substance. Learn to distinguish between those who build institutions and those who merely build images. Nepal today stands at a crossroads. Our politics is fragile, our institutions are weak, and our youth are restless. In such a context, pseudo-social workers thrive, exploiting hope and disillusionment alike. But their rise is not inevitable. If citizens remain vigilant, if we question before we clap, if we demand action over appearance, we can ensure that service regains its true meaning.

Let us not be fooled by the holy grail of publicity, power, and money. Let us judge our leaders—and our social workers—not by the noise they make, but by the lives they transform. Only then can we break the cycle of deception that has for too long defined our politics and society.

Ganesh P Paudel

The author is a teacher

Have you ever wondered how simply touching a screen on your smartphone instantly opens the phone app, or how tapping your fingers on the keys of a keyboard displays a letter on the computer screen? It feels like magic that it knows what you are trying to do and seamlessly executes the command. However, reality is far more fascinating than magic. It’s the power of two numbers. Behind all these processes and complex devices lie just two numbers: 0 and 1.

0 and 1 are collectively known as the binary number system. It is the language of the digital world and all electronics. Similar to how we use decimal numbers (0 to 9) as our basic number system, computers use the binary system to store data, perform tasks, and run operations. For simplicity, 0 and 1 can be considered as True and False values; 0 represents False while 1 represents True. Another analogy for these numbers is sending an electrical pulse (on state) and not sending one (off state); 0 being the off state whereas 1 is the on state.

To manipulate these two numbers, different electrical components are used, such as transistors, switches, and logic gates. Collections of thousands of components are used to make processors and circuit boards, which are later engineered into sophisticated systems. Most electrical components are designed to operate on 0’s and 1’s, specifically in the on/off state.

The concept of binary is not new. It was first formalized in the 17th century by mathematician Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, who saw the potential of using two symbols to represent all numbers. Centuries later, with the invention of transistors, this abstract idea became the backbone of modern computing.

This binary foundation explains how even the simplest digital tasks take place. When you send a message, the computer first converts your text into its language, i.e., binary numbers, and then processes it to send to another user, converting the binary back into human language. Similarly, a smartphone responds to your touch on the screen through changes in electrical signals and their positions, and performs those calculations using only 0’s and 1’s, which triggers the application to open.

An inevitable question emerges: how are these two numbers doing all the tasks so fast, within the blink of an eye? Devices have become so fast and intricate that binary operations are performed at incredible speed. For instance, the fastest computer, El Capitan, has been benchmarked at about 1.742 exaFLOPS (1.742 × 10¹⁸ floating-point operations per second) using the standard High-Performance Linpack (HPL) test. To put this in perspective, El Capitan can perform in a single second what 125 billion people would collectively do if each performed one floating-point operation per second. This astonishing scale demonstrates the efficiency of binary at its peak.

Binary’s role is not limited to speed; it also underpins how data is stored and secured. A QR code or barcode, with its patterns of black and white spaces, is an image storing 0’s and 1’s. Scanning the QR code or barcode means receiving that stored binary data into our devices, which is subsequently decoded into human-readable form to give us the required information. Similarly, biometric features such as fingerprint and facial recognition rely on binary principles. The biometric data provided by the user is stored in cryptographic form, which can only be decrypted by the device’s key. When the data matches the scanned biometric data, you gain access to the device’s interface. In short, it is the work of binary numbers and data. Likewise, streaming music or videos is also transmitted and played in the form of binary. The musical and video data are stored in the form of binary.

From calculators that rely on binary calculations to users calling each other, to ChatGPT responding to your inputs, all of it relies on just those two foundational digits. With the growth of digital devices and the number of users accessing the digital world, along with increasingly intensive tasks and the demand for faster operations, one may ask: can just 0 and 1 handle everything? An article published by Federica Laricchia suggests that in 2021, the number of mobile devices operating worldwide stood at almost 15bn. And yes, everything is possible by 0 and 1. This underscores the potency of binary numbers.

Binary is powerful because its two-state system is ideal for electronic implementation, allowing for reliable and simple hardware that can store and process data, perform calculations, and represent any type of information. The simplicity of binary enables the creation of complex logic gates, which form the foundation of all modern digital systems, from basic on/off switches to powerful computers. It is the most efficient way to store and process data using electronic components. The precise, discrete nature of binary digits (bits) also makes it easier to identify and correct errors during data processing and transmission. Additionally, changing binary digits (base-2) to another base would require all electronic components to be redesigned. Thus, binary numbers are likely to remain as the future language of computers.

Even as we move into the advanced age of artificial intelligence and quantum computing, binary remains indispensable. Qubits (Quantum Bits) may introduce new dimensions of power, but they will undoubtedly coexist with binary rather than replace it.

Binary may appear deceptively simple, but its influence is universal. From the smallest sensor to the most advanced supercomputer, our digital universe runs on two digits. Our identities, from banking records to biometric profiles, are increasingly translated into streams of 0s and 1s. This dependence makes societies more efficient and interconnected, but also more vulnerable. Cyberattacks, data theft, and digital surveillance exploit the very binary systems that empower us. In this sense, binary is not merely a technical language; it has become a social and political force shaping trust, security, and even democracy in the digital era. The next time you unlock your phone or send a message, remember: the foundation of our modern world is built not on complexity, but on the elegant simplicity of 0 and 1.

Saksham Adhikari

St Xavier’s College

Out of three Italian nationals, who were trapped in Pangbari Mountain of Gorkha district for the past five days, one has been rescued and search for the other two is underway.

Deputy Superintendent of Police, Raj Kumar Shrestha, shared that Velter Paralion (65) was rescued from the base camp at an altitude of 5,000 meters by a helicopter this morning. He has been brought to Chumanubri-1, Samdo, at 10 am. 

Similarly, Pemba Renzi Sherpa, Dawa Chhiri Sherpa and Pasang Tamang were also rescued along with the Italian climber.

Search for other two Italian nationals, who were at Camp-1 located at 5,500 meters height, is underway, said police.

The three Italians and three Nepali helpers were trapped at the base camp from Wednesday.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 30. 75 points to close at 2, 631. 14 points on Sunday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 4. 41 points to close at 457. 22 points.

A total of 29,738,139-unit shares of 319 companies were traded for Rs 9. 20 billion.

Meanwhile, Samudayik Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (SLBSL), Gurkhas Finance Ltd. (GUFL), Panchakanya Mai Hydropower Ltd (PMHPL), People's Power Limited (PPL) and Terhathum Power Company Limited (TPC) were the top gainers today, with their price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Likewise, Khanikhola Hydropower Co. Ltd. (KKHC) was the top loser as its price fell by 4. 76 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 39 trillion.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 700 per tola in the domestic market on Sunday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 239, 700 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 239, 000 per tola on Friday.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 3, 055 per tola today.

A man killed his father in Gulmi on Saturday.

Bhot Bahadur BK (23) of Malika Rural Municipality-3, Gulmi killed his father Dhan BK (50) by attacking with a sharp weapon, DSP Ganga Bahadur Saru of the District Police Office, Gulmi said.

Police said that Bhok Bahaur attacked his father and mother Dil Maya BK with a sharp weapon over a family dispute. Dil Maya was injured in the incident.

Dhan BK died on the spot while Dil Maya sustained deep injuries on her head. Her condition is critical.

Police said that they have arrested Bhot Bahadur for investigation.

Four persons died and two others were injured when a bus and an auto rickshaw collided with each other in Dhanusha along the East-West Highway on Saturday.  

The deceased have been identified as rickshaw driver Dambar Rai (40) of Ganeshman Charnath Municipality-1, Dhaunsha and passengers—Dhan Bahadur Purbachane Magar (40), Shambhu Purbachane Magar (35) and Nisha Magar (35), Area Police Office, Dhalkebar Inspector Laxman Toshi informed.

Except for the rickshaw driver, all those who lost their lives in the accident are from the same family, it has been learnt.

The bus (Su Pra 01-001 Kha) en route to Dhangadhi from Biratnagar collided head-on with the rickshaw (Pradesh 2- 01-001 Ha 1230) at Birendra Bazaar in Ganeshman Charnath Municipality-1 at around 7 pm yesterday.

Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah has posted an offensive status targeting major political parties as well as the United States, and neighboring countries—India and China.

In his late-night post on Saturday, Mayor Balen said, “Go to hell, you guys all combined can do nothing.”  The status was deleted shortly afterward. But he was widely criticized for his post.

He named the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, CPN (Maoist Center), Rastriya Swatantra Party, Rastriya Prajatantra Party, India, the US and China in the statement.

Earlier also, he was embroiled in controversy saying that he would set fire to Singha Durbar.