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Sanjay Upadhya is an author, journalist and analyst. ApEx talked to him regarding the recent GenZ movement in Nepal. In this interview, he talked about the new political course after the protest, foreign policy priorities and geopolitical factors. Excerpts:

How do you view the GenZ protests and their aftermath?

The protests held on Sept 8–9 marked a significant awakening among a new generation of Nepalis eager for change, driven by frustration with corruption, misgovernance, and stifling politics. Despite the tragic violence that overshadowed the event, the resilient spirit of the movement remains evident. Subsequently, there has been a noticeable lack of clear leadership within GenZ, leading to some division. Various groups are articulating diverse demands and ideas, thereby confounding the average Nepali. If Nepal’s youth succeed in bridging these divisions and presenting a unified platform, the movement has the potential to evolve into a stable political force rather than a transient social phenomenon. Whether through electoral participation or sustained civic pressure on traditional parties, this generation bears the responsibility of redefining Nepal’s political discourse, shifting from mere power preservation to principles of accountability, inclusion, and innovation.

Do you see any geopolitical factors behind the GenZ protests?

The primary causes of the protests were deeply entrenched in local concerns and had been increasingly intensifying over time. Geopolitical considerations also contributed, reflecting the priorities and aspirations of various external groups active within Nepal. Certain factions emphasized the importance of Nepal avoiding the adoption of authoritarian tendencies and practices influenced by foreign powers and their financial and developmental assistance. Others sought to defend their traditional spheres of influence within the nation. Additionally, some parties aimed to prevent instability in Nepal from impacting their own borders and sensitive regions. Although tell-tale signs abound, the full extent of external involvement in these protests may remain forever uncertain.

What are your thoughts on the foreign policy priorities of the new government?

Given the interim nature of the current administration, its foreign policy must remain rooted in continuity rather than experimentation. So far, it has acted prudently by reaffirming Nepal’s traditional diplomatic principles such as non-alignment, peaceful coexistence, and sovereign independence. With a government primarily focused on maintaining law and order, restoring public trust, and creating a conducive environment for elections, these priorities are sufficiently broad to occupy its efforts and resources. In this context, implementing any drastic measures would not be practical or prudent.

How might major powers such as India, China, and the United States view the recent political developments in Nepal?

Each of these major powers is likely to interpret recent political developments through the lens of its aspirations for Nepal. India anticipates observing Nepal confidently advancing along a pathway toward a stronger parliamentary democracy that can safeguard New Delhi’s primary political, diplomatic, and security interests. The United States seeks assurance that Nepal remains committed to democratic values, human rights, and transparent governance, while resisting undue external influence. 

In an era of intensifying competition between democratic and authoritarian models of governance, Nepal’s ability to maintain its independence and pluralism carries symbolic importance beyond South Asia. China’s emphasis is on maintaining Nepal’s stability and security. Beijing supports Nepal’s efforts to adhere to commitments such as the One China policy and hopes that Nepal can maintain its independence and remain free from unnecessary external pressures. Beijing’s broader strategic vision views a stable Nepal as essential for regional security and as a buffer against external interference in Tibet.

What approach should Nepal take to maintain balanced and cordial relations with all major powers in this evolving context?

The interim government must prioritize its fundamental obligation to ensure that elections are conducted on 5 March 2026. Subsequently, upon assuming office, the new administration may concentrate on overseeing Nepal’s foreign policy, guided by principles such as non-alignment, sovereign equality and mutual respect. Traditionally, these tenets have allowed Nepal to maintain cordial relations with all major powers without becoming overly dependent on any single one. Overall, Nepal should exercise caution to prevent actions or statements that could disrupt the nation’s fragile geopolitical stability amid the swiftly evolving global landscape.

It is unsurprising that it is getting hard for the members of GenZ to channel a unified, coordinated voice. After all, while I am not, in any way, minimizing or downplaying the role of youths on Sept 8, I am not completely sure that we are dealing with a real movement.

We are talking about something very loose, not even a network but a “dynamic” that, though super powered by social media enabled connectivity, is itself disconnected and divided on many instances. A movement requires organization, a vision, precise and articulated goals and a unifying leadership.

GenZ, at least for now, has no organization but has some vague though important goals. Certainly, there is a common thread bringing all youths together, the dream of a country free of corruption and nepotism, a nation that can tap into its immense potential by offering opportunities to all.

But it appears divided on many key issues like the direct election of the prime minister. It also lacks, at least in the traditional sense, a real leadership. Some personalities have emerged and they have taken a more prominent role but they cannot legitimately proclaim to represent the great diversity of the whole GenZ.

There are several groups representing different interests, each assuming the responsibility of bringing forward certain voices, channeling particular perspectives and views that reflect the complex reality on the ground. In a way, such division mirrors the fragmentation of Nepali society where caste and ethnicity still have a huge role.

But there is an opportunity for a shared leadership that could help turn GenZ into a real movement with a loose structure but clear objectives and common messages. Such a type of leadership would not be centered on charismatic individuals but rather it would reflect a more inclusive and egalitarian approach.

In a way, social media that have been correctly criticized for enabling misinformation and disinformation, spreading chaos and confusion, could play a positive role in ensuring that the less visible voices can be finally heard.

Yet, at the end of the day, GenZ might need something different and more powerful and it is here that deliberative practices could become useful. I imagine a sort of “States General” of the GenZ or a “General Assembly” where the diverse voices can find a common platform.

Let’s call this idea the GenZ Civic Forum. Such a proposition would be based on the best practices stemming from deliberative democracy where, in general terms, citizens come together to listen to each other, reason together and then deliberate.

The GenZ Civic Forum could come alive both in the online sphere but also in person. Both processes would be complementary to each other with the former offering an opportunity to individual youths or groups of them to elaborate proposals in an initial stage.

An online platform, in essence a web site, could be created for this purpose where new ideas and propositions would be uploaded and visible to other users. It would be essential that each proposition would entail a certain level of details and specifics rather than generic and simplistic ideas just being thrown out.

Basically, while the format should not be overly complex, users would be requested to make an effort at elaborating and elucidating their propositions, including by bringing in some comparative examples from other nations. Each proposition, once uploaded, could be assessed and even scored by other users in what could be a scoring system.

To simplify the experience, propositions could be made in different categories. One, at macro level, related to the biggest issues like the nature and shape of political systems, for example about direct or indirect election of the Prime Minister or issues related to the electoral system. Then at a lower level, propositions could be fielded through sub-categories in areas like basic education, science and innovation, health, business and commerce, social protection.

In a second phase, online discussion forums could be organized around the above issues. It would be improbable that consensus would emerge on every single issue but at least, the participants would educate each other by listening to each other. Clear moderation rules should be set in order to ensure that everyone would have an opportunity to share her idea and the principles of inclusion and equalities are fully respected and upheld.

With some creativity and ingenuity, it is very possible to imagine in person gatherings at local levels wherever feasible and possible. There would be common rules that would follow the key cornerstones of deliberative democracy where participants set aside for a moment their held positions and genuinely try to understand others’ views.

Local experts could be called to share their opinions and expertise.

For example, professionals with a health background could share their thoughts about how to improve the public health system and fully regulate private hospitals. Experts from education would share their considerations on ways to strengthen community schools.

Imagine a local GenZ Civic Forum where in one session participants delve on matters related to one particular area while in the next one, they focus on another area. At the end, common propositions would be forged once the participants would spend time to reflect and talk to each other in an open, unbiased and respectful manner.

We could even envision a central level Civic Forum with representatives from the local forums. I do understand that many readers might find these ideas excessively naïve or idealistic but deliberative democracy is a reality and it is being practiced around the world, both in the Global South and Global North.

Is it going to be easy? Is it going to be that simple to run GenZ Civic Forums local and at national level? There will be challenges and difficulties and many details must be sorted out but the bottom line is that a different way of doing politics is not only imaginable, it is also possible.

In the end, even if all the challenges are sorted out, the dream of a deliberative democracy wave powered by GenZ might not happen. The incoming elections are pushing many members of the GenZ to make a choice and take a side, often by deciding to run themselves.

Rather than trying to find a common position, they will be under pressure to differentiate each other and try to emerge from the pack. Having members of the GenZ running for elections is a very good thing but let’s not forget that politics as usual are ineffective and traditional election based democracy is in crisis and not only in Nepal.

It is a pity and a missed opportunity but the good news is that deliberative democracy can co-exist with elections… This means that the GenZ Civic Forum can become a reality even if there will be a big number of GenZ elected in the next parliament.

At the end of the day, politics should not happen only in the chambers of powers but also in the chambers full of unelected citizens. Also because the new crop of MPs will be always in need of a reality check and it will not harm them to stay quiet and listen to the citizen peers, not only once in a while but periodically and in a structured fashion where deliberative democracy will reign. 

Nepal has made one of the fastest leaps to electric mobility anywhere in the world. Customs data of fiscal year 2024-25 show that electric cars, jeeps and vans accounted for around 73 percent of all newly-imported four-wheeler passenger vehicles, placing Nepal among the global frontrunners in EV market share for new imports. More than 13,500 EVs got imported in the country that year alone, reflecting not a niche trend but a mainstream consumer shift. The momentum is driven as much by economics as by environmental goals: competitive pricing from international manufacturers, preferential tax structures and a national grid powered over 90 percent by domestic hydropower have combined to make going electric the logical and cost-efficient choice for many Nepali households.

Nepal’s advantage is structural. With roughly 90 percent of electricity coming from hydropower, most EV kilometers run on domestic renewable energy. Installed capacity reached more than 3,600 MW by mid-July 2025, almost all from clean sources. This alignment of energy and transport strengthens energy security, eases the import bill, and turns decarbonization into a practical development strategy.

Nepal’s EV journey has deep roots. The Kathmandu trolleybus launched in 1975, offering an early template for electric public transport. In the 1990s, battery-powered Safa Tempos entered the scene and by 1999 the government phased out diesel three-wheelers in the valley, accelerating the switch to cleaner electric three-wheelers. Today’s momentum stands on these foundations.

Across South Asia, progress is uneven. In India, EVs reached 4.1 percent of new passenger vehicle sales in May 2025, up from 2.6 percent a year earlier, strong growth but still below Nepal’s current pace. Bangladesh has only a small, registered EV car base, yet millions of electric rickshaws operate informally, revealing latent demand. Pakistan remains at an early stage for passenger EVs, with policy targets of 30 percent of new car sales by 2030 and 90 percent by 2040, while charging infrastructure expands from a low base. Sri Lanka’s adoption stalled during its 2020 to early 2025 vehicle import ban and is now easing. Bhutan’s push has focused on public fleets and taxis, in line with its carbon neutral policies. 

Clean electricity is no longer a distant dream for Nepal; it is already moving across borders. The 25-year power trade agreement with India, signed in January 2024, set a target of 10,000 MW of exports within the next decade, giving long-term certainty to Nepal’s hydropower sector. That commitment was reinforced in June 2025 when Nepal exported its first 40 MW of electricity to Bangladesh through India’s transmission network, marking a historic tripartite breakthrough in regional energy trade.

The road ahead is clear. First, heavy transport: buses and trucks need targeted financing and dependable high-capacity charging to electrify at scale. Second, infrastructure depth: reliable public charging in cities and along highways will sustain consumer confidence beyond early adopters. Third, policy stability: clear, multi-year signals on tariffs, standards and incentives will de-risk private investment across vehicles, charging and grid upgrades. With a hydro-dominant grid and one of the world’s highest EV shares for new four-wheelers, Nepal is well-positioned to convert today’s momentum into durable economic, environmental and strategic dividends.

Looking ahead, Nepal should move from adoption to systems design. Set clear multiyear targets with public reporting, mobilize concessional finance for buses and freight, and build corridors charging on every major highway. Grow local assembly, components, battery second life and recycling to anchor jobs and cut import exposure, while smart charging and time of use tariffs keep the grid stable. Pilot vehicles to grid, electrify public transport in secondary cities, and green logistics. With disciplined execution and regional power trade, Nepal can set South Asia’s playbook for clean mobility.

Nepal has shown that clean mobility is possible today. The task now is to make it routine by setting clear yearly targets, supporting buses and trucks with affordable finance, expanding reliable charging, and encouraging local assembly and battery reuse. Through smart policies and consistent execution, Nepal can turn its early momentum into a lasting national advantage and a model for the region.

Skies are turning blue and the morning sunbeams in my city are gradually becoming tolerable. During the morning assembly time in my school I could catch the sights of a V-shaped flock of migratory birds flying across the valley. It’s a true reminder that winter is coming. But watching those birds glide away from our skies makes me think of the hobby ‘birdwatching’ and the joy it brings to us. It has its benefits for a nation like ours which is blessed with unmatched natural beauty.

Birdwatching is done for various purposes such as for the sake of a hobby or some research as an ornithologist. It is done in their natural habitats and environment. I am sure watching a bird is more fun in its candid natural setting than in a cage. That is why birdwatchers across the globe are attracted to our country every year. As our country lies geographically between two extreme climatic zones it can be a hub for birdwatching activity. Our country can take some initiatives to create a favorable environment for both migratory and native birds. In fact, birds know no political boundaries and if we fail to offer them what they need naturally, they will gradually disappear from our land. For example, even our national bird Daphne (lophophorus) will cease to exist in our land if we continue to remain apathetic about the problems it is facing due to various man made causes.

Birds are full of wonders. Seeing them fly, humans first fancied flying. I sometimes intently look at birds perched in our school's famous guava tree. The sight of them pecking on ripe guavas is so fascinating. They offer us quite some lessons—focus, agility and natural food behavior.

Recently, man made radiations, uncontrolled pesticide use and deforestation have put the population of birds under threat all over the world. Birds have a very important role in sustaining our earth's ecosystem and natural food chain. The population of insects and worms which are harmful to crops are kept in balance by birds.

So, promoting birdwatching hobbies is equal to promoting tourism and paying respect to Mother Nature. This justifies why it is a rewarding hobby.

Darshan Oli

Grade: VII

Sanskar Pathshala, Dang