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India’s prime minister Narendra Modi has a particular fondness for a mushroom known as ‘Phuikhane chyau’ in our local language. For thousands of years, shepherds in the foothills of the Himalayas have been barbecuing (phui) and eating (khane) this mushroom, and that is how it got its name. This mushroom is also called ‘Guchi’ in Hindi.  It’s reported that the Indian PM regularly enjoys guchi curry. Whenever Indian media covers these guchi mushrooms (known commonly as morel mushrooms), they often associate it with their prime minister and label it as ‘one of the most expensive vegetables.’ There are several stories of how the Indian PM might have acquired a taste for this particular mushroom. There are reports that during his teenage years Modi lived as a monk in the caves of the Himalayas for two years. This may be where he first encountered or developed a taste for the mushroom. Alternatively, he may have started consuming it during his tenure as the in-charge of party affairs in Himachal Pradesh (where these mushrooms are found aplenty) in the mid-1990s. Morel mushrooms are found in the wild in different parts of the world. They are said to be found in temperate climates near coniferous forests in various areas such as the USA, China, Bhutan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, etc. The months of March and April mark the season for foraging Morel mushrooms in Nepal, which are known locally as khoya chyau, guchi chyau, phuikhane chyau, and chhohada chyau within different communities. But what makes this mushroom so special, and what significance does it hold for Nepal? Well, it happens to be Nepal’s most highly exported wild edible mushroom. Due to its unique taste and texture, there is a substantial demand for morel mushrooms in the European market, making morel foraging a lucrative source of income for rural communities. Currently, Nepal exports approximately nine tons of these mushrooms annually. However, by implementing sustainable foraging practices, there is potential to greatly increase export. Morchella esculenta, the variety of Morels commonly found in Nepal, is known by various names: morel, common morel, true morel, morel mushroom, yellow morel, sponge morel, Molly Moocher, haystack, and dryland fish. It gets its various eccentric names due to its unique appearance—it looks like a honeycomb with hollow white insides. Morels have many health benefits. They are rich in vitamin-D, and also contain carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and organic acid while being low in cholesterol. They can be substituted for meat items in a diet as they are very nutrient dense and have been known to decrease cholesterol levels and give more energy. They are said to have tumor-inhibiting properties, and also have antioxidants that protect the body from free radicals which cause heart diseases, Parkinson’s disease, type 1 and type 2 diabetes etc. Morel mushrooms are highly prized for their unique flavor and meaty texture. It can be consumed fresh and dried as well. However, they cannot be eaten raw as they cause stomach cramps. The flavor of morels is valued highly in French cuisine, and there is a huge demand for morels in the European market. Morels are great with sauteed vegetables, or cooked in butter to be made into sauces for grilled meats and pastas. It’s also used as a pizza topping. Dried morels are best used in cooking risottos, or for making sauces. Their availability is often seasonal. While March to April is considered morel season, back in the day we used to call looking for morels ‘hunting’ but I have since learned that the correct term is ‘foraging’. These wild mushrooms are foraged from wooded areas during the spring months, while March to June is usually morel foraging season in Nepal. They typically grow in areas that have recently experienced forest fires, and are found in the springtime when temperatures begin to warm. Morels are typically found in temperate climates and can be found in a variety of habitats, including wooded areas, grasslands, and even in urban areas. A study done in 2019 by Nepali scientists found that in Nepal morel foraging is mostly done in the far western region. The foragers take months to forage morels, dry them and sell them to local shopkeepers who then sell them at regional markets. These morels are then exported via Nepalgunj and Mahendranagar routes to other countries. The foragers have to sell them at a meager price compared to what the mushrooms fetch in international markets. Due to its versatility, these morels fetch a high price in international markets. It is reasonable to assume that foragers who do much of the hard work must be given a fair price. If you are interested in foraging for morels in Nepal, it’s important to be aware of the local regulations and laws related to foraging. You may also want to consult local experts or experienced foragers to learn more about where to look for morels and how to identify them. It’s also important to take precautions when foraging for mushrooms, as some varieties can be poisonous or have adverse effects if consumed in large quantities. Always be sure to properly identify the mushrooms you collect and only consume those that are safe for consumption. We have been hearing time and again of families dying of poisoning caused by consuming poisonous mushrooms. This creates a precarious situation where foraging for mushrooms requires expertise in land and plants as well. Foraging for any type of mushroom can be dangerous, so people who forage have to be able to distinguish between edible and non-edible mushrooms. Overall, morel foraging can be a fun and rewarding activity, but it’s important to approach it with caution. It can be dangerous if overexploitation leads to unsustainable practices and turns harmful to the environment. The practice of morel foraging in Nepal has not had a significant environmental impact, unlike in China, where Morel exports have nearly quadrupled in recent years. Indian media outlets have criticized the Chinese, alleging them of cultivating and selling morels as ‘wild’ mushrooms. However, the viability of these claims remains uncertain. Nonetheless, we can raise concerns regarding the sustainability of this process. Shifting homewards, the potential of these mushrooms for the benefit of Nepal’s economy has often been overlooked. Nepal is home to more than 22,200 Community Forestry Users Groups, which have primarily focused on timber production. However, there is an opportunity to shift their attention toward Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs), including foraging for Morel mushrooms. This shift in focus can serve as a pathway to prosperity, opening up new avenues for sustainable livelihoods and economic growth.

According to the STEPS Survey of Nepal 2019, around 27,000 deaths occur annually from tobacco use, which comprises about 14.9 percent of all deaths. Despite this huge loss of life, tobacco related law and taxation policy remain dismal. The government is reluctant to increase tobacco tax due to the pressure from big tobacco companies. This year too, Finance Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat did not heed the experts’ suggestion to increase the tobacco tax by 40 percent. Today, tobacco products are readily available to anyone including the minors, and they are being openly consumed in public places. The Tobacco Control and Regulation Act 2011 law bars tobacco use in public places, but the law is hardly followed or enforced. The law also prohibits sales and distribution of tobacco products within a 100-meter radius of health and educational institutions. Again, there is no one to implement the rule. Shops and tea stalls outside hospitals, schools and colleges openly sell tobacco products. Health journalist Kalpana Acharya says it is common to see shops and street vendors selling cigarettes and other tobacco products outside major hospitals such as Kanti Children’s Hospital, TU Teaching Hospital, Bir Hospital, and Patan Hospital, among others. Public health experts say there is no designated agency to implement the anti-tobacco laws and regulations. Ideally, the Ministry of Health and Population should be coordinating with the Ministry of Home Affairs and its subordinating bodies to implement the laws on tobacco use. But this has not been happening. There is also a lack of awareness among the public about the laws that are in place, because the government has not taken any initiative to let people know. Journalist Acharya says running campaigns on the health risks of tobacco use alone will not help. She says many shopkeepers and street vendors she talked with didn't know that there was an anti-tobacco law in the country, and that it was illegal to sell cigarettes and other tobacco products near hospitals and educational institutions. It shows that the government simply is not bothered to discourage the use of tobacco products, because it runs against the interest of tobacco companies. This is also why tobacco tax in Nepal is among the lowest in the whole of South Asia. Global experiences show that increasing tobacco excise taxes and prices is the most effective, cost-effective, and result-oriented measure for reducing tobacco use. But the government is not ready to take the path. Health experts and stakeholders that ApEx talked to as part of the Annapurna Media Network’s ‘No Tobacco Drive’ also agree that substantially increasing the tobacco tax is the sure-fire way to discourage tobacco use and save lives. They say doing so would also help generate more revenue in the form of tobacco tax. But government officials fear that raising the tax on tobacco will only promote illicit trade. However, studies have shown that tobacco blackmarket will not be that big of a problem if the tobacco tax is raised significantly. Nepal is also obliged to raise its tobacco tax as per the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, of which it is a party. The framework talks about raising tobacco excise taxes so that they account for at least 70 percent of retail prices.  So by setting low tax on tobacco, the Nepal government is flouting the rules set by the WHO. The UN health agency has also suggested the MPOWER policy package for country-level implementation of effective interventions to reduce the demand for tobacco. The six evidence-based components of MPOWER are: monitoring tobacco use and prevention policies; protect people from tobacco smoke; offer help to quit tobacco use, warn about the dangers of tobacco; enforce ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; and raise taxes on tobacco. Nepal has failed to comply with most of these intervention measures. Experts say for the effective implementation of the anti-tobacco law, there should be a proper interaction between government agencies and the tobacco industry, which is not happening now. To improve the situation, there is also a need for sensitization among the political parties. Our lawmakers rarely speak about those matters in the Parliament to press the government to increase taxes and implement the law. They are more focused on securing development projects in their core constituency and less on the issues related to public health. It takes commitment and cooperation from all sides if we are to create a tobacco-free, healthy society. HIghlights

• Monitoring tobacco use and prevention policies
•  Protect people from tobacco smoke
•  Offer help to quit tobacco use,
•  Warn about the dangers of tobacco;
• Enforce ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship
• Raise taxes on tobacco.

An essential realization I’ve had with time is that although we would ideally opt to live drama-free lives, we somehow contribute to the same problems that create drama instead.  For instance, we tell our family members to remain calm and deal with things patiently whenever they go wrong, but it doesn’t even take us a minute to lash out at the very same people we advise about staying mindful. Many might think that the problem here is behavior. If we changed our behavioral approach, things would automatically improve. Well, maybe. Are we missing out on the bigger picture here, though? As far as I’ve learned and experienced, it’s not behavioral change that can help us improve things but something more significant. It’s what we call ‘mindset.’ Let me illustrate this with an example. Until a couple of years ago, when I had to travel in an overcrowded public bus, I dreaded the process. Even before getting into the vehicle, I thought about how it would ruin my day. I thought, “I never signed up for this,” “I don’t have to go through this again!” When these thoughts accompanied me on my commute, I would naturally get triggered because of the inconveniences I had to go through. “Idiot, idiot, idiot!” that is what my inner voice would ask me to tell the driver who sped through the road to overtake another bus, to the co-driver who called out to people to get down at their bus stops in a shrill and loud voice, and to the passengers who pushed past me. I used to get so triggered that even if I could help some co-passengers, I didn’t do so on purpose. Some people would sometimes enter with heavy backpacks, and although I would be seated occasionally, I would not take those from them. I used to start acting out of vengeance, “If they don’t take my bag when I hardly manage to stand properly, why should I do them a favor?” It wasn’t all too bad all the time. I used to catch myself when I had such toxic thoughts. I reminded myself that all the other passengers faced as much inconvenience as I did. Even the driver and the co-driver must deal with so many people throughout the day, so was there any point in perpetuating bitterness and seeing people around me as my enemies? Hence, I left seats for fellow passengers whenever I could endure standing. I would offer to hold a struggling passenger’s bag while I got a seat. But, despite these, it was just so easy to slip and go down that negative spiral the very next day. Mindset drives behavior Now, if we look at the above example, although I tried to change my behavior, I could not bring sustained changes in my thought process and approach toward people. It happens because of a simple yet complex reason. It’s our mindset that drives behavior and not the other way around. So, no matter how often I tried to remain positive, I would always hate the commute because I never entirely developed the mindset to persevere. And, when I talk about mindset, we must acknowledge Martin Buber’s philosophical wisdom on the ways of being. Buber demonstrated that at all times, no matter what we’re doing or communicating, we are always in the world in an ‘I-It’ way or ‘I-Thou’ way. Based on Buber’s philosophy, we can consider that there are two mindsets: self-focused and impact-focused. The two mindsets With a self-focused mindset, we perpetuate the ‘I-It’ way of being. We see other people not as people but as objects. Unlike the self-focused mindset, when we operate with an impact-focused mindset, we’re in the ‘I-Thou’ way of being. With an impact-focused mindset, we see people like ourselves with needs, objectives, and challenges like ours. Catching yourself in the self-focused mindset Learning about this concept opened me to seeing other people as people on the commute. Honestly, so many instances still disgusted me when things didn’t go a certain way and when I saw public transportation mismanaged. However, this concept has helped me catch myself quickly when I become self-focused. It helps when I ask myself, ‘On a scale of 1 to 10, how self-focused I am right now?’ The higher the score, the more effort I put in to consider the ‘needs, objectives, and challenges’ of the individuals I don’t see as people during that time. There have still been times when I have been unmistakably self-focused—at home, at work, with friends and loved ones. Despite the challenges to remain impact-focused, what helps stick to it is a simple self-reminder: “How can I not contribute to making things worse?” Implications of an impact-focused Mindset I know what you must be thinking, does an impact-focused mindset mean stepping down and letting the other person have things their way? It certainly isn’t, but think about this: when two people are self-focused, they see each other as objects. Neither of them would listen to each other’s perspectives. Neither would be alive to the other person’s needs, objectives, and challenges. What would such patterns lead to? Perhaps it will sabotage the relationship for good. It’s essential that even if other people are self-focused, we take a step forward to understand what’s really troubling them instead of taking things personally. Of course, it’s easy to tell ourselves so. But if we think about it—most of the things people tell us aren’t because certain things are wrong with us. Inward expressions come from unmet needs, unfulfilled objectives, and unyielding challenges. If we can open our eyes to spotting these in the other person, we will be less concerned about proving ourselves right and more about having peace in relationships. As Byron Katie – an American speaker and author who teaches a method of self-inquiry known as ‘The Work of Byron Katie’ or simply as ‘The Work,’ says, “Placing the blame or judgment on someone else leaves you powerless to change your experience; taking responsibility for your beliefs and judgments gives you the power to change them.” The author is the Linchpin at My Emotions Matter, an education initiative that helps individuals and teams learn the mindset and skills of Emotional Intelligence. You can learn more at myemotionsmatter.com

The rapidly evolving landscape of technological advancements and the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) have brought forth a paradigm shift in the financial industry, specifically within the realm of trading. Investment banks, renowned for their pioneering spirit, have swiftly harnessed the immense potential of AI to revolutionize their operations. With its unparalleled capacity to swiftly analyze massive volumes of data, make precise predictions, and automate mundane tasks, AI has emerged as an indispensable asset in the dynamic and data-centric domain of finance and trading. Leveraging advanced analytics empowered by machine learning (ML), industry leaders can evaluate risks based on a diverse range of variables, including those that may not be immediately apparent. Take, for instance, the profound impact of climate change on construction projects and borrowers’ loan repayment capacity. This necessitates banks and mortgage companies to incorporate these intricate dynamics into their lending decisions. In the insurance sector, the ability of underwriters to accurately predict the ramifications of climate change is poised to become a pivotal factor determining success or failure. Deloitte’s research has revealed that retail banks have the potential to significantly reduce processing expenses by up to 25 percent and record management costs by as much as 70 percent through the elimination of paper-based processes. This underscores the vast opportunities for digital innovation within the financial services sector, paving the way for transformative advancements. The widespread adoption of AI and ML in the financial sector has brought about numerous benefits, but it has also introduced new challenges and risks. There are unique cybersecurity threats, privacy concerns, and the need for robustness in AI/ML systems within the finance industry. Recognizing these issues is crucial for building trust, ensuring financial stability, and developing effective governance frameworks to mitigate potential harm. AI/ML systems are vulnerable to cyber threats and attacks. Manipulating data within the AI/ML lifecycle can exploit algorithm limitations, allowing attackers to evade detection, manipulate decisions, or extract sensitive information. Vigilance and constant oversight are necessary to detect and manage these threats effectively. Data poisoning attacks aim to influence ML algorithms by injecting malicious samples during training, leading to incorrect classifications or recognition of false information. Input attacks involve introducing subtle perturbations to mislead AI systems, such as manipulating images to provoke mislabeling. Model extraction or inversion attacks attempt to recover training data or the model itself, breaching privacy and copyright concerns. Membership inference attacks aim to identify if specific data instances were part of the training set. To build public trust in an AI-driven financial system and safeguard financial stability, robustness is vital. ML models need to be adaptable to structural shifts, especially in volatile environments. The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the limitations of ML models that were not trained to handle unprecedented events. New governance frameworks should focus on quality control, performance monitoring, separation of duties, and adherence to software development best practices. As AI/ML continues to revolutionize the financial sector, addressing the cybersecurity, privacy, and robustness challenges becomes imperative. Financial institutions, regulators, and AI/ML service providers must work together to enhance oversight, fortify cybersecurity measures, safeguard privacy, and develop robust governance frameworks. By doing so, the finance industry can navigate the risks and leverage the potential of AI/ML to drive innovation while ensuring the integrity and stability of the financial system. These challenges, alongside others specific to AI implementation in financial services, necessitate diligent attention as data management practices adapt to accommodate new AI solutions. It is imperative for organizations to proactively anticipate and address these challenges in order to maintain the positive trajectory of progress. Regulators are increasingly recognizing the need to address AI/ML-specific cyber threats in the financial sector. Mitigation strategies should be incorporated into existing cybersecurity frameworks, including detection and reporting systems, protection of training data feeds, and safeguarding model and data privacy. Strengthening the regulatory framework will help maintain the integrity and trustworthiness of financial institutions. Additionally, security and regulatory considerations hold tremendous significance for financial services firms. By harnessing ML-enabled streaming data analysis, organizations can bolster fraud detection capabilities at the point of sale and swiftly adjust credit terms to enhance customer satisfaction. A unified data platform offers a comprehensive view of customer data, facilitating privacy protection, regulatory reporting, and compliance with information retention protocols. The incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) in Nepal’s technological landscape has primarily revolved around the implementation of weak AI. The realm of AI extends to encompass ML, as evidenced by the utilization of digital platforms, smartphones, and applications such as SMS banking, internet banking, and e-wallets within the banking sector worldwide. With the increasing adoption of these applications in Nepal, they serve as additional illustrations of AI integration within the country. Nevertheless, Nepal is gradually progressing toward the advancement of AI-based programs, with educational institutions and universities actively offering courses in artificial intelligence. Notably, pioneering startup companies like Fusemachine Nepal and Paaila Technology have been at the forefront of AI and ML ventures within the Nepali market. Paaila Technology, for instance, engineered a remarkable robot dubbed Pari, which was deployed at the SBI Bank’s Dubarmarg branch in Kathmandu. Boasting facial recognition capabilities, Pari can even identify the bank’s customers. Similarly, Naulo Restaurant in Dubarmarg, Kathmandu, has also introduced Ginger, another remarkable robot deployed for various tasks. The digital transformation of Nepal’s governance system is gaining momentum, necessitating the establishment of a robust cloud storage mechanism to securely store data. This has attracted prominent international IT companies such as Deerwalk Inc, Leapfrog Technology Inc, Cotiviti Nepal, and numerous others to Nepal’s thriving tech landscape. These industry players possess immense potential to drive the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) within the nation, primarily focusing on software product development related to health management, data management, digital healthcare solutions, and even customized AI offerings for the Nepali clientele. Simultaneously, the escalating adoption of AI in Nepal underscores the pressing need to establish regulatory frameworks and ethical guidelines for its development. To address this concern, the Nepali government sanctioned the Digital Nepal Framework 2019, which outlines a comprehensive five-year vision aimed at fostering digitalization, good governance, and overall prosperity. While this framework is a positive step forward, Nepal faces a shortage of knowledgeable experts and stakeholders capable of engaging in in-depth discussions surrounding the merits and pitfalls of AI implementation. Consequently, Nepal must rely on external support and assistance from countries possessing advanced AI expertise, as domestic awareness of AI ethics remains limited. In light of constitutional provisions and the Privacy Act 2019 of Nepal, which enshrine the right to privacy as a fundamental right, it is imperative to acknowledge that these regulations primarily focus on safeguarding citizens’ data rights. However, the existing legal framework fails to address the ethical considerations associated with the utilization of AI within the country. Additionally, Nepal lacks comprehensive legal systems specifically designed to combat the misuse of technology. In order to foster the widespread adoption of AI, the government must undertake a comprehensive reform of existing laws while simultaneously establishing new ones, aimed at promoting responsible AI practices in the nation. However, the burgeoning presence of AI-driven companies and software solutions within Nepal underscores the imperative for the government to establish proper regulations governing AI. By doing so, the government can ensure the responsible and ethical development and deployment of AI technologies within the country’s flourishing digital ecosystem.  A cybersecurity enthusiast, the author is associated with Agricultural Development Bank of Nepal