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The Emperor’s New Clothes, one of the most enduring and insightful fairy tales by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, continues to resonate deeply with readers across generations. Originally published in 1837, the story is a sharp critique of vanity, deception, and the susceptibility of those in power to flattery and self-delusion. Despite its fairy-tale origins, its themes remain startlingly relevant in the context of contemporary political systems, especially in developing countries like Nepal.

This article draws a parallel between the allegorical tale of the emperor, who is deceived into believing he is wearing invisible clothes, and the current political climate in Nepal. The emperor’s blindness to reality, his vanity, and the fear of appearing foolish that paralyzes those around him mirror the behavior of many political leaders today. Much like the emperor’s advisers, who fail to speak the truth out of fear, Nepali citizens and officials often find themselves complicit in a system where hollow promises, corruption, and the illusion of progress prevail over tangible change. Through this comparison, this article explores how the lessons from Andersen’s story illuminate the challenges facing Nepal’s political landscape, offering a critique of both leadership and governance in the country.

Once upon a time, there was a foolish emperor who was very fond of fashion. He spent a lot of money on the finest clothes and always wanted to look more beautiful than others. The people of the city were often amazed by his elaborate attire.

One day, two clever swindlers arrived in the empire. They presented themselves as weavers of extraordinary fabrics and convinced the emperor that the clothes they made were not only beautiful but also had a unique quality. They told him that only wise and competent people could see these fabrics, while fools would see nothing at all.

Surprised by this idea, the emperor invited the swindlers to his palace. They presented themselves with grand gestures, and the emperor, eager to see these magical clothes, immediately hired them, giving them as much gold and silk as they requested to weave the garments.

However, the weavers were doing nothing but pretending to weave. Every day, the emperor sent his trusted advisers to check on the progress. Even though none of them saw any clothes being made, each of them, afraid of appearing foolish, reported to the emperor that the clothes were magnificent.

One day, the emperor himself went to see the weavers at work. He too saw them working on empty looms, but fearful of being thought of as a fool or incompetent, he praised the clothes, even though there was nothing to see.

Finally, the day of the grand parade arrived. The entire city gathered to see the emperor in his new clothes. The emperor, completely naked, proudly walked through the streets, confident that he looked magnificent. The people, too, afraid of being thought fools, began praising the invisible clothes.

But then a small child shouted, “The emperor is not wearing anything! The emperor is naked!” A hush fell over the crowd, and the emperor suddenly felt exposed. By then, the swindlers had long since disappeared with their sacks of gold.

In Nepal today, the emperor is no longer an individual; the country itself walks naked. The leaders, like the weavers, are weaving empty promises and walking away with sacks of gold, just like the Rajapaksas in Sri Lanka.

The story of The Emperor’s New Clothes resonates deeply in Nepal’s current political context, reflecting the widespread disillusionment and frustration many citizens feel toward their leaders. It serves as a powerful metaphor for the current situation, where many leaders, much like the swindlers in the tale, are focused only on their own personal gain and power.

In recent years, Nepal has faced significant political turmoil. Leaders often make grand promises about development, infrastructure, and social welfare. But these promises frequently remain unfulfilled, leaving citizens with unmet expectations. Many leaders are preoccupied with staying in power and engaging in corruption, while failing to address the problems of poverty, education, and healthcare. Like the emperor in the story, many of these leaders are disconnected from the reality of ordinary citizens. Political campaigns are often presented through catchy slogans and flashy rallies. These spectacles create an illusion of progress. However, beneath the surface, the daily struggles of the people continue: rising inflation, inadequate public services, and a lack of opportunities. Citizens, like the emperor’s advisers, hesitate to tell the truth, unsure of how to challenge the narrative being presented. Awareness is beginning to rise. Recent protests and waves of civic engagement reflect an increasing demand for reality and accountability. Citizens are no longer willing to accept the status quo. They are beginning to challenge the hypocrisy of their leaders. The innocent child in the story symbolizes this awareness, encouraging the public to see through the illusion and to challenge the ongoing deception.

Building a new society

This is a crucial moment for the citizens of Nepal to become actively involved in the political process. They must demand transparency from their leaders and advocate for policies that prioritize social welfare and real development, rather than hollow promises. Grassroots movements and civil society organizations are key to this struggle, as they can force leaders to be accountable. This will help cultivate a culture of civic engagement and participation. The final lesson is clear: true leadership is about service, integrity, and accountability. It calls for leaders who are ready to face the challenges of governance and put aside their personal ambitions for the well-being of the people. By adhering to core values, civil society can build an honest political environment that addresses the needs of the public. The story of The Emperor’s New Clothes serves as a cautionary tale of foolishness, but it also carries an important message for the citizens of Nepal. It underscores the importance of vigilance, participation, and the constant pursuit of truth. Citizens are waking up to the illusions spun by their leaders. They are raising their voices for a cleaner political character and demanding standards based on higher values. By rejecting deception and embracing reality, we can build a political system that is accountable to the people. A collective effort can ultimately lead Nepal toward a stronger, more responsive system that listens to the voice of the people.

Nineteen-year-old Nepali student Shakriya Pandey has developed Vayudrishti, an affordable air monitoring device aimed at tackling Kathmandu’s severe air pollution. Kathmandu frequently ranks among the world’s most polluted cities, with worsening air quality impacting public health.

Vayudrishti, currently in the patent process in Nepal, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, is set to retail at just $299, a fraction of the $30,000 cost of similar devices. The device monitors PM2.5, PM10, greenhouse gasses, temperature, and humidity and provides over 30 years of climate data to support informed decision-making.

With US distribution approval, Vayudrishti’s data capabilities will expand to include alarms for forest fires and transboundary pollution studies. In partnership with USAID Clean Air, the project also promotes climate literacy in Nepal.

Pandey has participated in over 100 exhibitions and led 500+ projects, training over 1,000 students and teachers in robotics. Vayudrishti’s future plans include a website and mobile app to integrate climate data for greater accessibility and action against climate change.

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