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In the last six months, Gorkhapatra Corporation has accomplished important tasks with a far-reaching impact on the institution and its employees. The Corporation has approved an O&M for the first time in its history. The total workforce has been downsized to 442 from 547 earlier.

This has paved the way for career growth of the employees working with the Corporation. After eight years, 280 employees have been promoted, generating hope and enthusiasm, and 91 vacancies have been opened to recruit fresh talent.

A total of 178 employees and journalists working on contract and wage-labour basis have been brought under the aegis of Social Security Fund to be compensated through their personal contribution. Similarly, the Working Journalist Act has been enforced with a guarantee of minimum wage to journalists as prescribed by the Act. It also applies to other employees working on contract and wage-labour basis.

Another notable achievement is the establishment of Gorkhapatra Academy,whose main goals are research, innovation, and capacity-building for journalists and employees through training and outreach. It has already started working to enhance the quality of the entire journalism sector and augment media literacy. Recently, it has also published a notice with an offer of fellowships to eligible candidates.

On 18 Dec 2025, the Corporation organized Gorkhapatra Discourse on Recovery and Resilience, offering a platform for interaction between the government and the private sector and generating hope among the concerned stakeholders. This not only generated income for the Corporation but also promoted its publications among the public.

Gorkhapatra Welfare Fund Directive 2025 has been enforced and the work procedure thereof has been prepared. It has ended uncertainty among those whose savings had been blocked for long and paved the way to release the fund of retired employees and give continuity to the scheme in case of working employees.

Lately, the Corporation has introduced the AI policy, embracing the use of AI in view of its ubiquity and using it systematically.

Gidde Press has been returned to the Corporation, which will have a positive impact on the operation of the press and publication museum.

The Corporation has initiated the process to integrate the newsroom by building a network of reporters and editors from the Gorkhapatra and The Rising Nepal. It will have a long-term positive impact on production and dissemination of news and exchange of materials between the two dailies.

The Corporation has also started disseminating news and public-service related content through WhatsApp, Viber and Messenger. This has widened readers’ access to news and begun circulating audio-visual content though social media targeting youth preparing for Public Service Commission examinations.

The Corporation has also launched a campaign to connect with the broader public. Under this initiative, the Gorkhapatra Literary Festival was organized by the Sailung Rural Municipality on 21-22 Nov 2025 with the slogan ‘Literature for Tourism. Under the policy of inclusive publication, it began publishing matters in Kulung language from 2 Nov 2025 and launched the page amid the community. Similarly, Sudurpaschim region-specific Madhupark was released from Dhangadi.

All these initiatives have been guided by the principle of ‘citizens’ voice first’ in Gorkhapatra publications. The editors enjoy clarity in editorial policy and full autonomy in their work. The Corporation has been constantly working to improve the layout and design of its publications.

As an example, all the pages of The Rising Nepal have been colored coinciding with its 61st anniversary on 1 Dec 2025 which has enhanced the quality of the newspaper.

Meanwhile the business of the Corporation has doubled in the last couple of years while the profits have gradually increased as demonstrated by the Public Enterprises Evaluation report published by the Ministry of Finance. This has been possible through direct MoUs, mostly in the G2G model, including with the Supreme Court and Public Service Commission.

The leadership plays a crucial role in steering an institution successfully and it’s no exception in case of Gorkhapatra Corporation. General Manager Lal Bahadur Airi deserves appreciation for executing these tasks successfully and leading the Corporation on the path of change and progress. Appointed to the position through an open competition in 2022, Airi is the youngest person to have reached the high post in the history of the Corporation. As the executive chief of the Corporation, he has practiced a policy to reform the state-owned publication house and make its publications citizen friendly.

Airi completed his four-year term on March 30 this year.

I have to admit I spend a lot of time thinking about big questions. Sometimes it feels a little ridiculous. I’ll sit thinking about how human history went from fire and foraging to agriculture, industry, and the infosphere. We have even left the Earth and started exploring the Moon and Mars, searching for a parallel Earth somewhere in the multiverse. And yet we are still asking the same questions our ancestors asked: What is happiness? What is a good life? Why do we suffer? Who are we? 

It sounds abstract, but it keeps coming back to me because it connects to my own country: Nepal. Our country is at a moment of enormous possibility. Young, aspiring leaders with fire inside, citizens eager to engage, and natural resources that could change lives. Yet, like the rest of human history, we face a paradox. The same curiosity, energy, and ambition that can lift us up can also trip us up if we are not careful. Human history is fascinating and ironic at the same time. Look at what we’ve done. We learned to farm, build cities, sail oceans, split atoms, and send machines to Mars. We’ve built medicine, created art, and written literature that lasts millennia. 

Progress seems unstoppable. And yet, the same questions about meaning, happiness, and the human condition remain. We build more, learn more, control more, and still we are restless, dissatisfied, always wondering what comes next. It is a pattern that repeats. We expand, we dominate, we exploit, we destroy, and then, often too late, we start chasing what we have damaged. Think of environmental crises, social inequalities, or even personal burnout. The very intelligence and curiosity that allow us to advance also make us aware of the consequences, and then we try to fix them. Sometimes we even compete over who is happier or whose peace is deeper. Human, all too human, as Nietzsche said.

Nepal is entering that story on its own scale. Young leaders, many without decades of political experience, are stepping forward. There is energy, imagination, and ambition. They see opportunities in our rivers, forests, and mountains. They see potential in our youth. They want to harness resources, create jobs, build infrastructure, and raise living standards. And they should. We cannot shy away from progress or development. Lack of education, healthcare, and employment opportunities are urgent problems. 

But here is the catch. Progress without reflection risks repeating the same patterns humanity has experienced for thousands of years. If we only chase GDP growth or short-term gains, we might achieve development in the narrow sense, but we could end up asking again in ten or twenty years: What is happiness? What is development? What kind of society have we really built? The balance between curiosity and caution is key. Curiosity is our engine. It drives innovation, ambition, and improvement. But without grounding it can become restless, compulsive, and destructive. Ambition must be paired with awareness: awareness of social consequences, environmental limits, and ethical responsibilities. 

Nepal has an advantage. We have traditional wisdom rooted in communities, culture, and history, alongside access to global knowledge and technology. If we can blend the two, there is a chance to build something unique—a society that progresses and grows, but in a humane and sustainable way. Education is a good place to start. It is not just about literacy or technical skills. We need schools and training, but we also need education that teaches curiosity alongside responsibility. Young people should learn to ask: How does this choice affect my community, my environment, my generation, and the next? Education should cultivate reflection, not just productivity. Healthcare and employment are equally foundational. People cannot innovate or think deeply if they are hungry, sick, or unemployed. 

There is also a global lesson embedded here. The Limits to Growth, the 1970s book from the Club of Rome, warned the world that unlimited growth without considering resource limits could lead to overshoot and collapse. Many dismissed it at the time. Today, climate change, deforestation, and biodiversity loss show the warning was not exaggerated. Nepal, if it grows thoughtfully, can learn from this. We can pursue development without overshoot, but only if ambition is tempered with awareness. 

Young leaders in Nepal today are experimenting with how to combine speed, technology, and engagement. Social media allows them to connect directly with citizens, bypassing slow, cumbersome traditional structures. They are learning to act quickly, make decisions, and mobilize people. This is exciting. It shows Nepal can leap forward. But governance is slower than campaigning. Building institutions, enforcing policies, and nurturing equitable development requires patience, reflection, and care. The challenge is to match curiosity and energy with deliberate, humane action. 

I like to think of this as a microcosm of the human story. The same energy that allows us to invent AI or harness hydropower can also create environmental disasters or social inequality if not guided by reflection. Nepal has a chance to get ahead of the curve. We can be ambitious without being reckless, and we can progress without repeating humanity’s mistakes. The key is integrating traditional wisdom with modern approaches. That is a rare opportunity. From my perspective, this is Nepal’s moment. We have young people who want to act, innovate, and change the world. We have resources and opportunities. We have pressing social challenges.

And we have the chance to harness curiosity responsibly. We can integrate traditional wisdom with global knowledge, speed with reflection, and ambition with ethics. It will not be easy. Mistakes will happen, frustration will arise. That is part of the process. Yes, we will continue to ask the old questions: What is happiness, what is a good life, what is progress? That is okay. That is what makes us human. Nepal has a chance to answer them in a practical, human, and sustainable way. That is a story worth telling. Because we may not fully resolve the human paradox, but we can live with it consciously, shape our societies consciously, and create spaces where curiosity, ambition, and care coexist. Right now, Nepal has that chance.

Sudan Gurung, Nepal's youngest Home Minister, was appointed on March 27 and has quickly emerged as one of the most talked-about figures in the country. He is also the founder of the organization Hami Nepal. His appointment to the Home Ministry came as a surprise to many observers.

Since taking office, he has worked efficiently toward his stated goals and made decisions that have captured public attention. On his very first day after taking the oath, he ordered the arrest of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, a move that is rare in political history anywhere in the world.

The arrests were made over their alleged role in the deaths of dozens of people during the GenZ protests that toppled the government in September last year. The move has been widely praised by those who view it as a strong stance on accountability.

Gurung also personally visited Nepal Police Headquarters, where he directed officers to adopt a policy of zero tolerance against corruption and irregularities, stating that no one involved would be spared. Following this, several arrests were made in connection with money laundering cases. He has since been seen visiting police offices, meeting victims, and closely monitoring law enforcement operations. He has also reinforced a no-VIP-treatment policy on the road system.

His work has drawn comparisons to Anil Kapoor’s character in the Bollywood film Nayak. However, his positive attitude and unconventional approach have sparked debate. On social media, he faced criticism over older photos from when he was a DJ. More recently, his frequent unusual posts—sometimes consisting of numbers only, possibly representing arrest figures—have added to the conversation.

According to Hemanta Malla Thakuri, former Deputy Inspector General of Nepal Police, “Maturity is essential for someone holding a position like this. While the actions he has been taking may appear proactive, many of these tasks are actually the responsibility of the police, not the minister. Traffic management, for example, is not a minister's role—it requires trained traffic police personnel. When a minister steps into such operational duties, it does not necessarily send a positive message to the public.”

Abhinash Nagaju,26, from Bhaktapur said, “Based on his recent actions, I would say he's doing a good job. But at the same time, I feel a bit unsure. While his work appears positive, it sometimes feels like it might be staged, done more for show than substance.” He added that Gurung's social media posts are a good idea, as long as the information shared is not sensitive or related to national security. “It helps people like us understand what's actually going on,” he said. “I think he's trying to win public trust for now, and perhaps he’ll gradually evolve and raise his level as he goes.”

Sushila Hada from Suryabinayak said Gurung has been doing well, but the real challenge is whether he can sustain it. “He is still in a learning phase, and it seems like he is learning and working at the same time.” On his social media presence, she noted that while updates are not always consistent, he must now be more cautious than ever as a public figure. “His platforms can become a source of truth not just for the Nepali public, but also for international media and observers.” She added that there is no fixed rulebook for how a Home Minister should conduct himself, so he should follow his own moral compass while staying within proper boundaries and not being overly influenced by others.

A woman who did not wish to be named offered a similar perspective: “He doesn’t need to rush or try to do everything at once. He should take a moment to breathe. It feels like he’s acting out of excitement right now, which is understandable. But if he continues at this pace, there may come a point where, if he slows down or fails to deliver something significant, he could end up facing criticism or controversy.”

Spokesperson at the Armed Police Force of Nepal, Bishnu Prasad Bhatta, expressed optimism: “We have a lot of hope in our new Home Minister. He is very action-oriented, and we truly appreciate his efforts. He has past experience working with national organizations and has been helpful in the past.” Bhatta added that while Gurung demonstrates strong teamwork, working without coordination could hamper his effectiveness. “He has been actively involved in conducting training and programs with the team, and has urged us to be prepared for future challenges and rescue operations. Overall, he is expected to address our problems and find effective solutions.”

Divya Shrestha, 21, described Gurung as a confident and outspoken political figure who makes a visible effort to stay connected with the public. “On social media, his bold and engaging presence helps him connect with supporters, though his tone can occasionally feel overly informal for someone in such a senior role. He shows clear promise, but a more measured, disciplined, and professional approach will be important as he grows into the responsibilities of the position.”

Shiva Tamang, 25, from Swayambhu echoed similar thoughts: “His actions reflect practical, ground-level engagement, though questions sometimes arise around consistency and long-term vision. His communication is bold and direct, but can occasionally come across as emotional or confrontational. For a role as significant as Home Minister, a higher degree of professionalism, discipline, and balanced communication is essential. He has clear potential, but a more refined and consistent approach will be crucial as he settles into this responsibility.”

Ayush Basnet from Nala offered a measured take: “Gurung is a capable politician, though he appears to lack experience at this stage. His actions come across as very straightforward, sometimes in ways we haven’t been accustomed to seeing. It also feels like he may be signaling intentions ahead of bigger moves. For now, his style of working is gradually making me more appreciative of his approach.”

Amid his recent activities, Gurung was also linked to a controversy over land he leased near Phewa Lake in Pokhara for an adventure tourism project worth Rs 15–20m. The work was halted after authorities identified the site within a restricted 65-metre buffer zone, with conflicting claims emerging between Gurung and the landowner.

He held a meeting with Swiss Ambassador Danielle Meuwly, requesting Switzerland’s cooperation in investigating whether illicit funds from Nepal have been deposited in Swiss banks. He also conducted an on-site inspection of flood-prone areas along the Roshi River in Kavrepalanchok, assessing risks to settlements and infrastructure and directing authorities to strengthen preparedness and coordination ahead of the monsoon season.

Gurung's first two weeks in office have been marked by bold decisions, high visibility, and an unconventional style that has quickly set him apart. While many praise his energy, accountability-driven actions, and direct engagement with the public, others raise concerns about consistency, experience, and the need for a more measured approach.

As he navigates the responsibilities of one of the country’s most critical ministries, Gurung stands at a defining moment, where sustaining momentum, refining his leadership style, and balancing action with strategy will determine whether his early promise translates into lasting impact.

The New Year of Nepali calendar, 2083BS, has begun today. The day is being celebrated across the country and abroad with special fervor. 

The New Year is a special occasion to make a new beginning and exchange greetings. 

Bikram Sambat (BS) is regarded as the oldest calendar and the year changes on Baisakh 1 every year.  It is also called Baisakh Sankranti.

BS is further regarded as an eternal and scientific calendar, reasoning it is determined as per solar movement.

Nepali people make new resolutions on this occasion. They review the last year and vow for success. The Nepali people also visit temples, chant hymns and hold events for exchanging greetings. The Nepalis living in various parts of the world celebrate the New Year 2083 with fanfare.

On this special occasion, President Ram Chandra  Paudel, Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav and other dignitaries have extended messages of best wishes.