For how long should our ruling politicians be tested? And who subjects them to the test? What criteria determines whether they have become successful or not? What qualifications does one need to become a minister? Do politicians need to possess some knowledge or skills as well for landing ministerial berths? Should we entrust those who merely make noise and cover up their mistakes? Shouldn’t we give opportunities to ethical and competent politicians? Are positions of power only for wealthy individuals or also for capable people from all walks of life? It’s but natural for a conscious citizenry to ask these and similar other questions to the rulers, including politicians and bureaucrats. On questions like these, experts, consultants, civil society groups, human rights advocates and consumer rights activists should also come clean. Politicians and bureaucrats are under increased public scrutiny in Nepal also but the latter seem pretty much unfazed, perhaps confident that they can get away with anything. In several other countries, ministers and prime ministers resign even over things we may take for granted. But their Nepali counterparts continue to pursue their petty interests instead of resigning even after the dereliction of duty. The series of questions does not end here. Why is no action taken even when development plans and projects miss original and extended deadlines for completion? Why do leaders give opportunities to their own associates at the expense of more deserving candidates? And why do they continue to protect them even when they fail to deliver on their promises? Why do the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority and other government agencies remain silent even when corruption is rife? Why aren’t relevant authorities or individuals held accountable for human rights violations? Why does the government turn a deaf ear to public concerns? Why aren’t traders and service providers punished for fleecing the consumer? Why can’t passengers or regulatory agencies challenge the transporters for charging exorbitant fares? Why doesn't the government provide quality education to students? Why is it producing an unskilled workforce by investing billions in education? And why are hundreds of students seeking education abroad even when Nepal has fairly good educational institutions? Why are the youth fleeing the country, feeling that they cannot achieve anything in life here? Why are there so many potholes on the road? The questions are coming from near and afar. Why has table salt become a luxury for the people of Karnali? Why is it so difficult to get? Drought conditions have forced people to leave their dear villages in the Koshi region. Why is a region known for abundant water resources suffering from drought? Why are hospitals outside the capital lacking facilities, forcing people to travel to the capital for medical treatment, which is time-consuming and costly as well? Why are the capital’s hospitals always crowded? Why do patients not get better even after receiving treatment? Why can't the government ensure the peoples a good education and a healthy environment even after subjecting them to all sorts of taxes? Why is there inequality in government services? Why don't leaders go to the villages and provide services after getting elected, instead of only asking for votes every five years? There is a mountain of questions, and the questions keep piling up. These questions point to myriad problems we face. The failure on the part of the state to resolve these problems will cost the country and the people dear. These questions should inspire some serious thinking on the part of the government, which seems ill-prepared to deal with them, what with the lack of proper plans and policies. What’s more, the government does not appear to have institutional capacity to implement whatever plans and policies it has formulated. With the adoption of federalism, people had hoped to find the government at their doorsteps, literally. Three tiers of government (totalling 761 in number) have failed to make decisions on time, ensure speedy service delivery, make the country stronger and exude optimism among the people by bringing peace, delivering justice and the bounties of development. Sooner than later, our rulers will have to stand ready to answer a bevy of questions like these from the public. They better get prepared before it’s too late.

Aditya Mokshya Dhaam, a spiritual center, is currently under construction in Kavre district, as envisioned by 12-year-old Aadi Chandra Yogi (Yogi Aditya). It is not yet known when the center will be completed, but it is estimated that around Rs 1bn will be required to build all the structures imagined by Yogi Aditya. The spiritual center, Aaditya Mokshya Dhaam, is located in a beautiful area 31 km away from Koteshwar, Kathmandu, and 5 km from Panauti, specifically at Darimbot, which is situated on the boundary of wards 2 and 12 of Panauti Municipality. To develop the center as a model spiritual pilgrimage site in the world, a sacred ritual was conducted at Aaditya Mokshya Dham for three days last week. Various religious and spiritual activities were organized, and over a dozen temporary shelters were built in the forest to accommodate participants. The event provided a conducive environment for those seeking spiritual experience. Raj Kumar Sapkota, the project director of Aditya Mokshya Dham, stated that the construction of the Aadi monument is expected to cost Rs 100m. Likewise, over 100 other structures will be built at the Moksha Dham, according to Sapkota. Additionally, two crystal serpents, each with five hoods, will be created and positioned to rise from the pond to the top of the Aadi monument. Sapkota also mentioned that the marble used in the construction will be similar to the marble used in the Taj Mahal in India, and it will be sourced from Makrana in Rajasthan. “We won’t seek any donation. The followers of Yogi will contribute the necessary resources to build the Aadi monument. The center will spread over 200 ropanis of land, and the objective is to develop it as the 8th wonder of the world,” he said, adding: “While no specific timeframe for construction has been set, the project is expected to cost around Rs 10bn.” The three-day ritual was organized on a grand scale, with Brahmins reciting Vedic verses and hawan (fire rituals) conducted at 108 sites. Furthermore, some were worshiping 1,008 Shivalingas while all 18 Puranas were recited during the event. Rita Chaulagain from Chapgaun, Lalitpur, stated that reciting all four Vedas for three days is a challenging task. She witnessed seven Puranas being recited during the event, along with participants meditating with their waists buried underground. "I have never witnessed such a rigorous ritual in my life," she added. Yogi Aditya is fluent in four languages, namely Hindi, English, Nepali, and Sanskrit. He is organizing 18 rituals for the welfare of the world and its people. According to the organizers, this three-day ritual is the sixth in the series. The organizers have stated that Yogi Aditya employs different methods in each ritual. In the ritual organized at Aadi Moksha Dham, he used some methods that had never been seen before. Additionally, most of the verses recited during the ritual, such as the Dharti Mantra or the Earth Hymn, were created by Yogi Aditya. "The plan is to install the 'Prithvi Yantra' at the center. Yogi Aditya himself will install nine energies and build the Yantra using rare metals and methods. The Yantra will initially have water and soil from 27 countries. Gradually, it will have soil and water from all countries," stated Dr Raju Adhikari, the spokesperson for the Om Adi Foundation. "According to Yogi Aditya, the 1,008 Shivalingas are the special guests of this ritual." Two aspects of Yogi Aditya are irrefutable: his written speech and the time given. He is said to possess knowledge of all the events happening around the world. Captain Rameshwar Thapa, the coordinator of Aditya Mokshya Dham, explained that the installation of the Prithvi Yantra by the 12-year-old Yogi Aditya is in line with the vision of drawing together spiritual energy from all over the world to Nepal, making the country a spiritual hub. "Through the Om Adi Foundation, Yogi Aditya envisioned and realized Aditya Mokshya Dham as a means of contributing to the spiritual well-being of the world. In addition to the Prithvi Yantra, Navratna Nagamani, Mahakali, and Makar Yantra will also be installed," he added. Shreekrishna Prasai, a former civil servant from Anamnagar, Kathmandu, who attended the ritual, said the location chosen for building Mokshya Dham is sacred due to its status as the abode of serpents. "Acquiring 200 ropanis of land for the religious center is a Herculean task. The organizers have plans to build many temples here," Prasai said, adding, "It feels amazing to hear about the plans." Prasai was amazed by Yogi Aditya's fire and water meditation techniques. He also found it surprising that Yogi Aditya has acquired so much knowledge without ever attending school. "He can tell the name and other details of anyone just by seeing them. Additionally, he can provide telephone numbers of their friends living in foreign countries," Prasai said, adding, "It is truly miraculous." Dr Upendra Mahato, the chairman of the foundation, expressed belief that Mokshya Dham will become a model for the entire world, stating that spirituality links everyone and Nepal is the origin of spiritualism. "Now, spiritualism will link Nepal with the world," he added. Ram Krishna Koirala from Bode, Bhaktapur, shared his experience of witnessing astonishing rituals he had never seen before. "I felt a new energy after coming here," he said. Shyam KC from Bidur, Nuwakot, also spoke about the positive energy he felt from the recitation of the four Vedas at the four corners of the center. He suggested building similar ritual centers in different parts of Nepal to draw the attention of the world toward the country. Meanwhile, Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and former Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, along with other leaders, visited the Mokshya Dham on Friday to observe the rituals performed there.

There is a village in Nepal called ‘Lukeko Gaun’,  which means a hidden village. I was curious about the origins of its name, who chose it, and why it was selected. These questions crossed my mind when we arrived at a crossroads just after Lele in Lalitpur. The road to the right led to the Pathibhara Temple, while the left went to Gotikhel. Several signboards showed different destinations and estimated distances: Lukeko Gaun (25 km), Pathibhara Temple, Simba Waterfall (27 km), and Gotikhel (31 km). Although I was born and raised in Gauradaha of Jhapa, it took me a few years to visit the Pathibhara Temple in Taplejung. I visited the Pathibhara Temple in Lalitpur with my partner a few months ago.  This time, my son Anchit and I were on our way to Baitarni Dham in Gotikhel. Anchit wanted to visit Simba Waterfall, as he has recently been drawn to village life, despite growing up in the city. During the shooting of the Nepali movie ‘Premganj’, where he played the protagonist's friend, he spent about a month in Kattike Deurali in Kavre and became attracted to the waterfall. On the other hand, I was more intrigued by the village, perhaps due to its enigmatic name. Anchit, who is currently in high school, wanted to explore rural areas during his extended holiday, and I decided to accompany him. Of the so many options available from Lele, we decided to make our way to Gotikhel, driven in part by our emotional attachment to the village. Hari Kaphle, a close friend of mine from the high school years through graduation, taught in this village. Unfortunately, he broke his leg in a bus accident a few years ago. When we reached Chapagaun, where he now serves as a headmaster of a local school, I was able to meet up with him. He gave us a tour of his school and introduced us to some of his friends. Witnessing firsthand the incredible work he is doing to produce a skilled workforce for the country, I have a great deal of admiration for him.  If we visited the Simba Waterfall first, we would not make it to Gotikhel. Additionally, we did not have enough time to visit the famous Kaleshwar Temple. Therefore, we decided to proceed straight towards the hidden village. According to Google Maps, it was a 55 km journey from our home in Gatthaghar, Bhaktapur, with a road full of ups and downs. However, Anchit, the novice driver, navigated it with ease. Finally, we arrived in Gotikhel. Despite being so close to Kathmandu, the surrounding areas resembled remote villages in Karnali. The hidden village was just another three kilometers away from here. Just before reaching Lukeko Gaun, I asked an elderly local about the reason behind the name "hidden village." He explained that it was because the village is situated in a narrow valley surrounded by hills. However, upon reaching the village, we discovered its true name—Katban Besi. When I asked Gitamaya Ghimire, a 70-year-old resident, about the name of the village, she confirmed that it was indeed Katban Besi and expressed her confusion over why it had been called a hidden village. The elders we met in the village were uncertain about whether life there was easy or hard. According to Gitamaya, "It must be hard; even we elderly have to work. We haven't experienced the comfort of city life. We have to travel to the city for medical treatment if someone gets sick." Khil Prasad Ghimire (73) expressed his dissatisfaction with the lack of development in the village, and as a former chairperson of his ward in the 1990s, he blamed the performance of people's representatives, including former lawmaker Nawaraj Silwal and the incumbent Udaya Shamsher Rana. During conversation with local elders, the reason behind the village's name became clear. Despite its potential for tourism development and its natural beauty, the village lacks the necessary infrastructure and facilities. Anchit, who has visited countries like Belarus and Australia and explored various villages through YouTube, compared this village with villages in other countries, such as Switzerland, which offer all necessary amenities. As I compared this hidden village with other remote villages in Dolpa, Humla, and Jumla, I realized that geographical difficulties cannot be an excuse for the lack of development. Countries like China have successfully attracted millions of tourists to their villages by providing necessary infrastructure and facilities. It is clear that our country lacks a vision and commitment to develop and promote tourism in rural areas. Lukeko Gaun: A Dream Project We spoke with a young man named Gopal (Bhawani) Aryal, who had recently returned to the village after spending 16 years in the city. As someone involved in community theater, Aryal had traveled to a remote African village in 2015 as part of the Dragon Dreaming Project, an artistic approach to project design. He stayed in a deserted house on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean for seven days and experienced the closeness of being with isolated nature. Aryal expressed his vision for an art village in the mountains and forests, where residential workshops could be held. He mentioned that although Nepal may not have a sea, it has an abundance of mountains and forests that could serve as a stunning backdrop for such a village. This vision was shared by all others in the team, who were mostly Europeans. While registering his venture, he was denied the name 'Lukeko Gaun Pvt Ltd'. As a result, he had to settle for 'Lukeko Gaun Arts and Farming Pvt Ltd'. He wants to link the village life, culture, tradition, and nature with the global village; he wants to heal the underprivileged people of the area. He and other helping hands are working to make this happen. There are three ways to reach Lukeko Gaun. The first is from Lele via Dalchowki, Shanku, Bhakari Danda, and Bhukhel. The second is the old trail from Lele via Nallu, Bhardeu, Chaughare, and Kataban Bhanjyang. The third one is a new track from Lele which goes along Nallu Khola to Chaughare, Thosne Khola, and Unyu Chaur. Article 26 (13) of the Constitution of Nepal, 1990, states that the State shall pursue a policy of creating conditions for accelerating rural development, keeping in view the welfare of the majority of the rural population. But people in this part of Lalitpur have yet to experience the fruits of development, though 32 years have passed since the promulgation of that charter. For the state, blacktopping the Lele-Gotikhel road is not a huge undertaking. But the state doesn't feel it is necessary. As for the locals, they neither have access to the corridors of power nor the technology and the resources to blacktop the road.

Development projects are designated as ‘national pride’ in Nepal to ensure that they are implemented on time. However, a national pride project that began 25 years ago still remains incomplete. The National Planning Commission, responsible for the country's overall development over the past 66 years, is the government's top policy-making agency. It works under the National Development Council which advises on the country's development plans and policy formulation. Nepal started implementing five-year periodic plans in the 1960s. If an agency with six decades of experience can't complete a project in two decades, how can Nepal's development be possible? This question will continue to challenge Nepal's development efforts. Around  2,000 development projects in the country have ended in failure. It is not clear who is responsible for this situation. The government has not taken any action to address these projects and this issue has persisted for years without any significant improvement. People had low expectations from the government during the Panchayat period. But the introduction of multi-party democracy in 1990 raised hopes for development. However, despite changes in the political system, including the adoption of federalism and the republican system, little progress has been made in the past three decades. While the world economy has undergone major transformations in the past seven decades, the people of Nepal have not seen the benefits of such changes. The slow pace of development after the political change in 1990 is a disappointment to the citizens of the country. Data from the past decade reflects the sorry saga of development in Nepal. It shows that corruption has become widespread and persistent. Whenever a new government is formed, people become hopeful that their development aspirations will now bear fruits. Leaders talk about zero tolerance for corruption. But when their term ends, people feel that the corruption has increased further. Therefore, stability is not possible unless political leadership improves its conduct. Corruption cannot come down unless there is political stability in the country. Nepal's ranking of 110th in the 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index further highlights this issue. The 15th plan is currently underway. The NPC recently conducted a mid-term review of the periodic plan. The results are disappointing. This raises concerns that the 15th plan may not make a significant impact on the overall development of the country. Albeit late, the government has put forth the concept of a project bank. The creation of a national project bank can be a step in the right direction for the overall development of Nepal. In order to compete globally, Nepal must improve various aspects of development. The NPC-run project bank has the potential to bring a new dimension to development and help achieve economic prosperity. The projects in the project bank must prioritize balanced development and do not compromise on good governance. Successful implementation of these projects requires careful planning that takes into account policies and budgets. Otherwise, they may meet the fate of similar other projects. Necessary studies must be conducted to identify potential problems or obstacles before a project is initiated. The hope is that these projects will have positive socio-economic outcomes. Projects will only be added to the project bank after all preparatory work is completed and resources are secured. Feasibility studies and detailed project reports will have been completed before the project is implemented. While the government prepares to implement the project bank, financial data of the first half shows the government is suffering a budget deficit of nearly Rs 90bn. Stating that the government might not be able to service foreign loans, the finance ministry has decided to lower the budget of all state agencies by 20 percent and advised them to cut their expenses. The Financial Comptrollers General Office puts the budget deficit at Rs 109bn. How is the government running when it is earning Rs 511bn and spending Rs 620bn? How is development possible in this situation? When will the parties take responsibility for this? Development projects cannot gain momentum unless there is a strong political motivation. Making development plans, allocating budget and setting targets are the normal functions of the government. However, it is not easy to complete these tasks in a professional manner within the specified time, unless the human resources involved are competent. In addition to having one opinion, everyone should also have a strong will. The correct identification of the project determines the fate and future of the country. This may sound like a normal issue, but this is the first condition. Therefore, there is a need to put in place a certain criteria for selection of development projects and work without compromise. The immaturity seen in project selection in the past should not be repeated. Such projects won’t deliver expected results even if they are completed. Lessons must be learned from this. But we don’t seem to improve. First, not all of the 500 projects registered in the project bank as per the prescribed format. Second, the project bank, which was expected to be functional in 2018, is still to come into operation. Before starting the projects from the project bank, there is a need to complete the national pride projects in the current fiscal year. If not possible, arrangements should be made to ensure their completion date, secure the necessary budget, and remove any obstacles to implementation. Otherwise, even the projects in the project bank may suffer from this ‘chronic disease’. As corruption is prevalent in development projects, the Prime Minister, as the chairman of NPC, should guarantee 100 percent fiscal discipline in these projects. The concept of project banks has existed for over seven decades around the world. Many countries have seen significant development through the implementation of project banks. Nepal also started preparing to start a project bank about a decade ago. But despite its formal establishment in 2018, the project bank has yet to gain significant traction. This has caused some concerns. Countries like China, Singapore, Japan, and South Korea in Asia have set a benchmark in development. This happened because political parties and leaders there put their nation’s interest ahead of their vested interests. As a result, these nations are often named with pride when the world talks about Asia. It is therefore imperative that the projects in the project bank are picked without political bias. The focus should be on serving the interests of the nation and its people. A systematic and scientific approach should be followed to ensure the completion of projects within a specified time frame and to the highest quality standards, taking into account the principles of sustainable development. This will help build a brighter future for the country and its citizens.

The government has prepared a second master plan that aims to highlight the international significance of Pashupatinath Temple. While the temple is primarily associated with the Hindu religion, the government aims to create a welcoming environment for people of all faiths to visit and experience the temple's rich tangible and intangible assets. Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT), an autonomous body formed in 1988, has been overseeing the task of protecting, managing and developing the tangible and intangible heritage of the temple area. Last week, PADT approved the second master plan, which focuses on promoting the international significance of the most revered temple in the country. Ramkumar Phuyal, a member of the National Planning Commission (NPC), says the second master plan for the Pashupatinath temple area is a national pride project. He believes the Pashupatinath temple area has the potential to gain an international renown due to its rich heritage. To promote the temple on the international stage, the PADT is undertaking the first-ever excavation of seven important sites in the temple area. These sites include Pashupatinath, Kailash, Bhashmeshwar Ghat, Navagraha, Karmuka Suvarnapuri, and Devpattan, and places with references to the Gopal dynasty and Kirant period. The Pashupati Area Conservation and Management Master Plan, which was prepared two years ago but not approved at the time, has now been revised and completed by a nine-member technical committee consisting of experts such as Chandramani Adhikari and Damodar Gautam, among others. The plan has been approved by the PADT board of directors. The master plan states that historical and cultural heritages in the Pashupatinath temple area will be protected and managed. Culture experts say Pashupatinath temple is located in the ancient settlement known as Devpattan, and it reflects the architecture of the Lichchhavi era. The temple area is also considered an archeological site and an open museum. The master plan will protect over three dozen Lichchhavi-era inscriptions discovered in the area. PADT Member-Secretary Milan Kumar Thapa says the implementation of the master plan will transform the entire Pashupatinath area. The master plan, he says, prioritizes the study, research, exploration, and excavation of seven key areas and references, including Pashupatinath and Kailash, with the assistance and coordination of the Department of Archeology. The main objective of the master plan is to protect and manage the archeological and cultural heritage sites in the Pashupatinath area, including Devpattan, various ghats, sacred caves, religious river, forests, and the local flora and fauna. The government is preparing to invest Rs 1.3bn in the first five years to implement the master plan. The plan is to spend Rs 300-350 million annually thereafter. This does not include regular development expenses of the PADT. Pashupatinath is renowned for its distinctive art and architecture. As the most important of the 12 Jyotirlingas, or Maha Jyotirlinga, it is considered a highly sacred site by Hindus the world over. Hindus believe that a pilgrimage is not complete unless one visits the Pashupatinath temple. Cultural expert Bhim Nepal notes that the various forms of art and architecture at Pashupatinath reflect different periods in Nepal’s history, and they must be conserved. The master plan also aims at protecting and managing the Guthi, a committee that has been preserving the tangible and intangible heritage of the Pashupatinath area since the Lichchhavi period. Nepal, who is also a former director general of the National Archives, says there is an international significance of conserving and managing Pashupatinath as one of the oldest recognized sites in Kathmandu Valley. He adds the references to Pashupati in the context of Nepal in the Himavat Khanda, an ancient scripture, further highlighting the importance of Pashupatinath. The master plan also seeks to revitalize the fairs and festivals that are integral to the Pashupatinath area's intangible culture and heritage. Some of these fairs have disappeared, while others are at risk of disappearing. The master plan aims to make fairs such as the Akashbhairav Jatra, Bachhaleshwari Jatra, Bajreshwari Jatra, Sri Jayavageshwari Jatra, Ropai Jatra, Khadga Jatra, Gaijatra, Shiva-Parvati Jatra, Shri Krishna Jatra, Indra Jatra, Ganesh Jatra, Guheshwari Jatra, and Madhavnarayan Jatra more managed.   Sitaram Risel, deputy director of the PADT, adds major festivals that take place at the temple, such as Mahashivaratri, Bala Chaturdashi, Dhanurmas, Navratri, Dashain, Teej and Chhayan Darshan, will also be promoted.   Suresh Adhikari, secretary of the Ministry of Culture, says that the master plan will be sent to the National Planning Commission, as it is a national pride project. The budget for the plan will be included in the multi-year system once the commission approves it. The Ministry of Finance will then allocate the budget accordingly.   Meanwhile, the PADT board of directors has decided to prohibit new construction, except when necessary, at the core Pashupatinath area.   Under the master plan, new structures would be allowed to be built only on the land next to the Tilganga Eye Hospital. The board has also incorporated plans to build a Sanskrit university, international research center, hospital, old age home, and a religious center on 534 ropani of land in Gothatar. Pashupatinath attracts a large number of visitors, with numbers reaching as high as 700,000 on Maha Shivaratri, 400,000 on Teej, and around 200,000 on Bala Chaturdashi and Mondays of the Nepali month of Shravan (mid-July to mid-August). On other days, the visitor footfall is around 25,000. What’s in the master plan? The government has developed a master plan with seven strategies to make Pashupatinath a destination for all. These include strategies to promote Shaiva philosophy and eternal form and belief in religion, faith, sanctity, and spirituality; protect the cultural, archeological, and historical heritage of both tangible and intangible nature; develop Pashupatinath as an international pilgrimage site; provide human, social, and public welfare services; protect and promote natural resources and biological diversity; manage disaster risk in the Pashupatinath area; and organize, coordinate, monitor, and evaluate the work in the area.