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In a quest to delve into the seldom explored, a journey commenced several months ago to the southernmost regions of Nepal. Despite the frequent mention of “Madhes” and “Tarai” in popular discourse, the true essence of these places remains elusive, only truly grasped through direct experience.

While often in the headlines for their relentless protests demanding basic state facilities, the reality of these regions is one of profound vulnerability and isolation. As one local poignantly expressed, “Vulnerability is still a better state for us than the condition where even feeling something is a luxury for some of us.”

The level of isolation in Madhes communities is so intense that they are willing to share everything they have with anyone who visits. They would offer the last bit of food in their kitchen and even give up their only bed for a guest, despite their own desperate needs.

My research trip to the southern parts of Bara and Parsa became a journey of profound realization and sorrow. Growing up in one of Madhes cities, I had never truly comprehended the depths of daily struggle. Their laughter, tinged with misery yet radiating hope, contrasted sharply with my own sense of hopelessness. 

With the intention of researching the social, agricultural, and legal conditions in the Bara and Parsa regions of Nepal, my team and I embarked on an ethnographic study, aiming to confine our focus to specific areas. Being my home province, I was particularly eager to visit and work within these communities. Our journey began with a bus ride from Kathmandu to Birgunj, and everything proceeded as anticipated until we ventured further south. There, the eerie silence, isolation, and lack of visible population across vast expanses became unsettling. Fields, capable of producing abundant harvests for generations, lay barren, devoid of any human presence.

With a myriad of questions and growing confusion, we made our way to the local market. There, we were struck by a scene of profound despair: tons of vegetables being sold for as little as Rs 10, 20, or 40, many of them destined to rot unsold. A man shouted that a buyer from Bihar was willing to pay Rs 2,000 for all the produce, but the pervasive sense of disappointment and resignation among the vendors was palpable.

What was intended as structured interview-based research soon revealed itself to be unnecessary; the brutal reality of our observations spoke volumes.

As our journey continued, we uncovered an even darker reality, one we could barely imagine. The land was barren and silent, almost haunting. Water pumps were installed by various embassies, NGOs, and other organizations, but none of them worked. Women had to travel miles for a single bucket of water, and farmers worked without basic tools like tractors. Even owning a bicycle for transportation is a luxury only the wealthy can afford, forcing many to walk long distances. Life here feels like it is stuck in the 1900s.

When we asked the locals about their municipality’s budget and the lack of basic facilities, one local responded with palpable frustration. He recounted seeing the mayor only during election times and explained that reaching the municipal office took one or two days. He added, “We cannot sacrifice a day’s wage only to be met with hopelessness upon arrival. These officials are corrupt; they do not acknowledge our suffering. It has always been this way. My grandfather was poor, my father was hopeless, and I, without education, am dreamless.”

This grim portrait painted a vivid picture of enduring hardship—a cycle of poverty and despair that seemed inescapable.

To put it simply, there are no schools here, so no one is educated. Yet, the people possess courtesy, hospitality, and good manners. They don’t have much money, but they still give generously from the little they have. Many of them believe that having access to even a few basic amenities is enough because they haven’t traveled beyond their community, given that there isn’t even a single public transport option available. Constitutionally speaking, their right to a dignified life is miserably exploited.

With lost hope in the government and the state, people in southern Madhesh are enduring a life of neglect. The place is vulnerable, and their situation is dire. Their frustration, often misrepresented as a threat by political propaganda, portrays "Madheshis" unfairly. They seek recognition from the state, just as Kathmandu and other towns are acknowledged. They want the basic dignity of three meals a day. The constant disregard by the state is driving them to a rebellious stance for the sake of their loved ones. The political narrative framing this vulnerability as a national security threat is misleading. If the state continues to ignore these people as its own, the consequences could affect not just the southern Madhes, but all of Nepal.

Dikshya Adhikari

BA LLB

Kathmandu School of Law

Mental health is not just the absence of mental illness. It encompasses overall well-being that allows individuals to work effectively, manage stress, and contribute to their communities. Workplace stressors, such as excessive workload, bullying, and harassment can significantly harm mental health. This is especially true in high-pressure fields like healthcare, where long hours and emotional strain increase the risk of burnout.

Globally, depression affects 264m people. It’s one of the leading causes of disability. Depression and anxiety disorders together cost the global economy approximately $1trn annually in lost productivity. In demanding professions like healthcare, workplace stressors exacerbate these challenges, negatively impacting those responsible for caring for others.

In one of the studies from Nepal, it was found that the Covid-19 pandemic highlighted significant mental health challenges in the workplace. The same study found that 86 percent of respondents reported moderate stress levels, and 5.2 percent experienced high stress. Additionally, 24.6 percent of participants screened positive for anxiety, while 33.3 percent showed signs of depression. Poor sleep affected 17.5 percent of individuals, and 15.8 percent noted a decrease in their work efficiency.

These findings point to a critical need for regular stress management programs in the workplace.

The stress and mental health issues faced by corporate employees underscore the importance of addressing workplace conditions. A toxic work environment can lead to physical and mental health problems, substance abuse, absenteeism, and reduced productivity. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), promoting mental health in the workplace and providing support to employees can reduce absenteeism, boost productivity, and contribute to economic benefits.

Excessive workloads, long hours, and administrative burdens often leave professionals, particularly doctors, with little time to rest and recover. This ongoing pressure can lead to burnout, diminished job satisfaction, and an increased risk of mistakes. Similarly, toxic workplace behaviors, such as bullying and harassment, contribute significantly to poor mental health. These issues, often unaddressed, can lead to anxiety, depression, and even cause professionals to leave their jobs. This not only affects individual well-being but also disrupts team dynamics and reduces the quality of work.

On the other hand, maintaining a healthy balance between work and personal life is essential for well-being but is particularly challenging in demanding careers. Professionals often struggle to find time for rest, family, or hobbies, which further contributes to stress and burnout. However, achieving a balance is possible through regular exercise, meditation, and setting clear boundaries between work and personal time.

Maintaining mental health, especially in high-stress industries, requires both individual and organizational efforts. Prioritizing mental health by taking regular breaks, engaging in hobbies, and seeking therapy when necessary can help prevent burnout. Professionals must learn to set boundaries to avoid overwork, such as turning off work emails after hours or taking vacations. Organizations should create environments where employees feel safe discussing mental health without fear of judgment. Access to mental health resources, flexible work hours, and peer support networks are crucial for maintaining a healthy work environment.

The theme for World Mental Health Day 2024 is ‘It’s Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace’. This theme emphasizes the urgent need for businesses, governments, and individuals to take action to improve mental well-being in professional settings. With over 60 percent of the global population engaged in employment, the workplace has a significant impact on mental health, both positively and negatively.

This year’s campaign focuses on fostering supportive, stigma-free environments where mental health is treated with the same importance as physical health. Mental health in the workplace is a crucial factor for maintaining a productive and engaged workforce. By addressing stress, bullying, and promoting a healthy work-life balance, organizations and employees can work together to create a supportive environment that fosters well-being and success.

The author is a psychiatrist

The continuous conflict between Israel and Iran has serious geopolitical, military, and humanitarian consequences and has emerged as one of the Middle East’s instability and critical conflicts. In recent years, this conflict which has its roots in decades of hatred and ideological conflicts has become worse to a disastrous level. The cycle of bloodshed has been increased by Iran’s Oct 2024 launch of more than 180 ballistic missiles toward Israel, which has carried both countries and their allies into a destructive cycle. 

Questions concerning the direction of this conflict and the world at large shade big as everyone watches with eagerness. We need to examine the historical background of Israel and Iran’s relationship in order to understand the present conflict between them. It may surprise you to learn that Israel and Iran were not always enemies. Both countries had friendly connections before the Iranian Revolution in 1979. Iran recognized Israel and supplied it with oil throughout the Arab-Israeli wars during Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi’s secular reign. However, the dynamics of their relationship had been drastically changed by the 1979 Iranian revolution. 

After the revolution, Iran became an Islamic Republic and Ayatollah Khomeini came to power. As a result of this change, Iran adopted an anti-Israel and anti-Western foreign policy. Iran started backing anti-Israel militant organizations like Hezbollah and Hamas that called for the annihilation of Israel after Khomeini declared Israel to be an illegitimate state. This was the start of a long-running hostility that has had a significant impact on the region’s geopolitics. Since then, both nations have been fighting a proxy war through middlemen like Hamas and Hezbollah. 

However, Israel has been focusing on stopping Iran from getting nuclear weapons, frequently using illicit methods such as the murder of Iranian nuclear scientists. Iran perceives Israel as a tool of Western hegemony in the Middle East, while Israel considers a nuclear-armed Iran as a mortal danger. These conflicts continue to grow worse over time. When Iran fired more than 180 ballistic missiles at Israel in Oct 2024, the conflict escalated to another level. Israel’s killings of important Hamas and Hezbollah leaders prompted this retribution. Although various of the missiles were stopped by Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system, the attacks, which targeted Israeli communities and military infrastructure, caused extensive damage and casualties. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Israel reacted quickly and harshly, directing airstrikes against Iranian forces. The war quickly spread throughout the region, attracting Hezbollah, which attacked Israeli targets in southern Lebanon. In response, Israeli troops increased their strikes in Gaza, the West Bank, Syria, and Iraq while executing ground operations along the Israel-Lebanon border. Air and naval forces are engaged in a regional struggle for supremacy along several fronts in the conflict. Despite its longstanding involvement, the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) attempts to mediate and settle the tensions between Israel and Iran have frequently been failed by the geopolitical interests of its permanent members.  

In order to resolve tied issues, the UNSC has approved a number of resolutions. For example, Resolution 1701 in 2006 tried to end the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, while Resolution 2231 in 2015 supported the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also referred to as the Iran nuclear agreement. However, the Israel-Iran dispute has caused significant division inside the UNSC. As a strong supporter of Israel, the United States has backed resolutions that seek to limit Iran’s regional influence. 

On the other hand, resolutions that are detrimental to Tehran have frequently been rejected by China and Russia, both of whom have strong relations to Iran. No real progress has been made in the Security Council’s attempts to resolve the crisis because of this split. The UNSC has demanded a cease-fire in the most recent escalation, but neither Israel nor Iran seem prepared to back down. Nepal is the only nation that has been conspicuously silent during this international confrontation. Nepal, which has been a member of the UN since 1955, has historically avoided taking sides in international disputes by pursuing a non-alignment foreign policy. 

Nepal’s long standing adherence to neutrality and peace serves as the foundation for this position. Nepal’s foreign policy has always been careful to strike a balance given its strategic location between two regional giants, India and China. Nepal also has close commercial relations with the Middle East. Gulf countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, with which Nepal maintains diplomatic ties, employ hundreds of thousands of Nepali workers. 

Nepal’s commercial ties with the area could be difficult and the livelihoods of these workers put at risk if it takes an aggressive position on the Israel-Iran conflict. Nepal is afraid to get involved in international wars in part because of its own internal problems, such as governance and economic recovery. The region’s civilian populations have suffered greatly as a result of the Israel-Iran conflict. The most recent wave of violence has murdered almost 40,000 Palestinians in Gaza alone. Hezbollah has been attacking the area around the northern border with Lebanon, which has resulted in the displacement of thousands of Israelis. 

Many people lack access to basic essentials including food, water, and medical care, making the humanitarian crisis dire. The conflict’s effects on the economy are also world. Due to the conflict’s threat to interrupt the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial chokepoint for the world’s oil trade, the price of oil has increased by five percent. Rising energy prices are worsening the effects of inflation, which are already an issue for many economies healing from the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Major world powers including the US, Russia, and China have become involved in the conflict, which has raised concerns about a wider regional or possibly global conflict. The war between Iran-supported Hezbollah and Israel grew worse dramatically yesterday. Hezbollah commanders in Beirut were the target of major attacks by Israeli troops, which caused significant damage and casualties. 

Israel said Iran launched a missile attack on its military bases, which prompted this escalation. Ayatollah Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, threatened dire consequences if Israel’s military actions continued in a rare public declaration. Four soldiers were killed in a drone attack on an Israeli army camp by Hezbollah in retaliation. The continuous violence has resulted in nearly 2,000 casualties in the last two weeks, according to the Lebanese authorities. Both sides are getting ready for more conflicts, and the situation is still extremely unstable. 

Notwithstanding continuous international efforts to negotiate and de-escalate the conflict, a peaceful resolution is difficult due to the parties' continuing disagreements and strategic objectives. The Israel-Iran conflict acts as a harsh reminder of the world’s uncertain state of peace and security. The Middle East and the entire world are at risk as the conflict escalates. Major nations like China, Russia, and the United States are involved, which makes a peaceful outcome less probable. The situation does not appear to be de-escalating, and the United Nations is still divided despite its attempts. 

Nepal has a historical foreign policy perspective on which is shown in its neutrality and non-alignment in the conflict. But the entire globe is at a turning point. There is an urgent need for diplomatic involvement and a long-term peace process to stop more deaths and heal an area that has already suffered too much. The future of global order will be shaped by how the entire world handles the current situation, and the risks are extremely high. In these unpredictable and dangerous illustrations, one thing is clear: the globe is on edge, and where it goes from here depends on leaders’ decisions and diplomacy’s ability to map a road toward peace.

Prabin Kumar Yadav

BA LLB 

Kathmandu School of Law

Every day, when I see schoolkids trudging toward their school, I am filled with nostalgia. However, I am not one of those people who say, “Those days were the best days of my life.” One would definitely not utter that sentence if they had been made naked in a classroom filled with forty-odd students. A chill still runs through my body when I remember that day from around twelve years ago.

This is my candid account of the harassment I faced when I was in grade 7. Now, after all these years, I have decided to recount the event that marred my confidence and affected me psychologically. It’s not that I made a huge blunder; I, along with two classmates, didn’t submit our assignment on time, and the teacher decided to punish us by exposing our bodies to the class. Thankfully, he was sitting at the back of the classroom, and we were asked to remove our clothes there. I remember bowing my head and refusing to follow his instruction. At first, I thought it was just a reprimand, but only when I looked into his eyes did I realize that he was serious. The other boys were also reluctant to undress, and that is when it dawned on the teacher that we wouldn’t comply on our own. 

Three students were called out, and at the teacher’s insistence, they began to tear our clothes, leaving only our underwear. The playfulness on the teacher’s face and his evil smile still haunt me. Tears coursed down my cheeks as I stood frozen on the cold ground, unwilling to move an inch. “Oe Bahun!” the teacher called out, pointing at me. My eyes, blurred with tears, were not ready to meet his gaze. It was my first year at that school, and as I approached him, I imagined spending three more years until my SLC examination under his dark scrutiny. When I stood near him, he made an angry face and ordered me to walk to the front of the classroom. Not believing what the teacher was saying, all the students turned to look at me, and my eyes met countless pairs of eyes. At fifteen, I was not daring enough to protest that he was in the wrong; I was not brave enough to tell him that I would not walk to the front of the classroom. My powerless legs dragged my body slowly and tentatively. To my surprise, I heard the teacher shout “stop” when I had crossed two rows of students. The naked boy standing at the end of our line had literally joined his palms submissively, pleading with the teacher to stop sending us to the front of the classroom. I don’t know what triggered the teacher, but he called us three out and made us stand in a semi-circle. “I am forgiving you all now. Repeat this next time, and I know what to do,” he said. Those words echoed in my ears not just until the end of that day but for years, and I still remember them vividly, along with the twitching of his facial muscles as he proudly forgave us.

It was the only time I was made naked during my school days. However, that does not mean the teacher stopped imposing that very punishment on others. The following year, when I was in grade 8, one of my classmates became the victim of his rage. This time, he did not choose the back of the classroom. The boy was made naked in front of the entire class. It goes without saying that it was for a petty reason. Plastic pipes and bamboo sticks were his main weapons; that’s how he dealt with students. The whole school committee endorsed his actions, and perhaps the parents were also assured that it was the best way to treat students. As for me, I never broached the topic of punishment at home. At school, I began to feel insecure and, for days, couldn’t hold anyone’s gaze. I couldn’t stand the sympathetic looks my friends offered. I started overthinking. From that incident, I now remember that I feared going to the front of the classroom and facing my fellow students. 

Whenever the teachers would ask me to stand up and answer a particular question, I would feel everyone’s eyes boring into me, and I couldn’t voice a word. If something came out of my mouth, it never sounded clear because my voice was always shaky. My legs were just as shaky. Without realizing it, I shied away from participating actively in the classroom. I kept my interactions to a minimum, and I became an introvert, an overthinker, a shy boy with extremely low confidence. The person I am today is partly a result of that incident. I never knew that its repercussions would be so long-lasting. I know it’s not an excuse when I blame that incident for my inability to speak in public. The memory of my naked body, of students peering into my downcast eyes, always lingers in the back of my mind. That teacher, who punished me, also didn’t hesitate to shout “Oe Bahun” when the atmosphere was filled with non-Brahmin students and staff. I could never complain or express my discomfort to anyone. But then, it wouldn’t have mattered. The school backed him and his methods, and the students were fearful of his shadow.

I often wonder what he is like today and how that school functions now. I suppose I am not the only person who faced harassment in school. Instead of promoting fun learning, teachers are instilling fear in students’ minds. 

Why do teachers think they can treat students the way they want, overlooking the laws and disregarding students’ sentiments? A mistake made by students, whether knowingly or unknowingly, should not be deemed a crime. Yes, students do not commit crimes; they don’t deserve punishment involving bamboo sticks, plastic pipes, and insulting threats. When teachers are recruited, school management should not only focus on qualifications but also monitor their temperament. Additionally, parents must closely track the teacher-student relationship to ensure that their children are being educated in a healthy environment. When I grow older and become a parent, I will not allow my children to face the harassment I endured as a child. If my kids are physically punished in school, I might just give the teacher a tight slap across the face before seeking legal recourse.