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The promise of inclusion has become a cruel irony for many in Nepal. While opportunities are carved out for certain groups, Bahun-Chhetris, despite their qualifications, are left with empty hands. Merit alone is worthless here. What matters is who you know and which power center you serve.

We invested our youth in education, sacrificing leisure, comfort, and opportunity – only to discover our degrees offer little value. What matters more than talent or qualifications is your proximity to power, your influence, or your ability to navigate the system. In that race, we are far behind. We focused on earning university degrees and working hard, believing that merit would be enough for success. But we never imagined that we would also need someone’s favor or backing. If we had known, perhaps we would have tried to curry favor with influential people along the way. We believed that with knowledge and competence, we could contribute meaningfully. But those things alone count for nothing. Only now do we understand why hundreds of thousands of young Nepalis leave for foreign countries each year. A few go by choice, but most leave because they feel they have no future here.

In today’s Nepal, there is no space for those who think ideally. Without using every possible means—money, influence, manipulation and favoritism—or without serving someone in power, it is hard to achieve anything. 

Today, one of my students said something that made me think deeply. “What kind of society are we living in?” “Is it one where merit matters, or one ruled by favoritism and nepotism?” “How many people actually get opportunities based purely on their abilities?” Perhaps my student was speaking out of frustration—or perhaps his words reflect a deeper truth shared by many young people.

I spent much of my life campaigning for gender equality and inclusion. I raised bold slogans, cited constitutional rights, international principles, and both national and global precedents. But somewhere along the way, I failed to see the hidden reality—I was unknowingly using those tools in ways that worked against my own community. While we pushed for inclusion for one group, we failed to notice how the other group’s participation was gradually being left behind.

I am not against equality or inclusion. Nor am I against the principles they represent. What I seek is the genuine implementation of these ideals in practice. But while voices are raised in support of inclusion for all, ours has somehow been lost in the process. 

Only now do I fully realize how simply because we belong to the so-called upper caste, we have become minorities in our own way—pushed so far behind that it is hard to even imagine rising again. I vividly remember how when I tried to move forward based on my academic credentials and years of experience, decision-makers told me I do not fall under any inclusive category. At the time, I didn’t question them. I didn’t realize that despite having qualifications and capability, I was denied simply because I wasn’t part of a preferred group or ideology. Only after going through repeated setbacks have I come to see the harsh truth.

I have no complaints against any individual or community. My issue is with those who, while publicly advocating for women's rights and shouting slogans of equality, privately cling to narrow and self-serving views. When such individuals attain power, they often hesitate to extend those rights to other deserving women. Who will ever hold them accountable for this double standard? Perhaps no one ever will.

There is a large segment of society that genuinely wants inclusion based on merit and commitment—not inequality disguised as equality. In the name of inclusion, the state has established countless commissions and structures, many of which are hard to sustain and harder still to justify. Those who frequently cry out that their class has always been oppressed, how many among them have truly benefited?  Except for a few who have received opportunities and benefits time and again, many do not even know about their real rights. 

Are we now to gain our rights only through labels and classifications? Must we continue to live as minorities in our own country—compelled to go abroad just to gain respect and a sense of identity? Is this the equality we envisioned? True equality does not mean uplifting one group at the cost of another. We are human beings too. We wish to live with equal dignity—not just in theory, but in reality.
Isn’t it time to change our mindset? Isn't it time to stop hiding behind caste, religion, tradition or ideology? Shouldn't we move forward to build a society where everyone—regardless of background—can live with dignity, freedom, and mutual respect, and build a civilized society? These are the questions weighing on my mind more and more these days.

Unpredictable weather marked by intense heat and sudden rainfall has increased the risk of spread of communicable diseases like dengue and malaria, health experts warn. This year’s rainfall is expected to be heavier than usual, which could intensify the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses, particularly dengue.

Dengue fever is a viral illness transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, specifically one carrying the dengue virus (DENV). The illness is most prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, including parts of Asia, Central and South America, Africa, and the Pacific Islands. With the anticipated rise in rainfall, health authorities are urging the public to take preventive measures to avoid a potential outbreak.

This year the monsoon is expected to arrive in the third week of June, and the rainfall is estimated to be 5 percent above average. Eastern Nepal (Mechi, Koshi, Sagarmatha) is expected to receive 5–10 percent more rainfall, central Nepal (Janakpur, Bagmati, Narayani, Gandaki, and Lumbini) 4–6 percent more, and western and far-western regions are expected to receive average rainfall.

According to the World Health Organization, every year around 100–400m people get infected by Dengue from all around the world. In 2022, Nepal saw one of its worst dengue outbreaks in history: 52,557 confirmed cases and 60 deaths, according to official government statistics. While numbers dropped in 2024, the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) reported 34,385 cases and 13 deaths, affecting 76 districts across the country.

Since the first reported case of dengue in Nepal in 2004, the number of infections has been steadily increasing each year. To combat this growing health threat, early detection, diagnosis, management, and reporting have become essential. A regular surveillance and monitoring system has been implemented through an early warning and reporting mechanism.

Mosquito surveillance is also being strengthened through integrated vector management strategies. Integrated Vector Management (IVM) is a strategic approach to controlling vectors that transmit diseases like malaria, dengue, and Zika. It combines various control methods, including biological, chemical, environmental, and public health education, to optimize resource use and achieve sustainable vector control.

To support timely diagnosis, dengue rapid test kits have been made available free of charge at government health institutions. Furthermore, a comprehensive dengue prevention and control action plan has been approved and published by the EDCD on the occasion of World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day 2025.

Dr Sher Bahadur Pun, chief of the Clinical Research Unit at Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital said: “Dengue might break out at any time during the monsoon season. One should take necessary precautions and the authorities concerned should have a good preparedness plan to stop the outbreak.”

To prevent dengue, it is important to take both personal and environmental precautions. Personal protection methods include using mosquito repellents, electronic mosquito-killing machines, mosquito nets and electric bats. Maintaining a clean and hygienic environment is equally important.

Dr Pun emphasized that while using items like above can help prevent mosquito bites, people should not rely solely on them. “These methods only deter mosquitoes temporarily and do not eliminate them,” he said, stressing the need for long-term preventive measures, such as maintaining cleanliness and preventing water stagnation in and around homes that serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes. 

Province wise Dengue Cases (January-December 2024)

Source: Epidemiology and Disease control Division (EDCD)

The first edition of Sagarmatha Sambaad, Nepal’s initiative to draw global attention to the impact of climate change on the mountains and humanity, begins tomorrow. Themed Climate Change, Mountains and the Future of Humanity, one of the promotional materials for the summit features a nugget of wisdom in Sanskrit, in a smaller print: Vaade vaade jaayate tatwabodha. 

A rough translation of the line would be: Only through relentless deliberations can one get to the essence. It’s just like extracting butter by churning milk, though the process of getting to the essence can be a very long and excruciating, especially in this day and age of global warming, climate change and climate deniers. 

Despite a very small carbon footprint, Nepal has been bearing disproportionate effects of climate change and these effects are most severe on the Himalayas, one of the very few priceless sources of freshwater and a lifeline for billions of people living downstream.  

Notable absences from the neighborhood and beyond aside, diplomats, politicians, climate scientists and experts from around the world are gathering on the lap (literally) of the Sagarmatha, the world’s highest mountain, for the summit. Apart from possible shortcomings on the part of the host, these absences perhaps point out at an alarming level of indifference on the part of the political top brass of respective countries toward a smorgasbord of issues that have a most profound impact on the future of humanity. They seem to forget that while humanity can now explore the vastness of Space in fancy vessels, it cannot bring water from there to quench the thirst of parched living beings.  

Indeed, the summit has become all the more important as it is taking place at the time of a major withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and a fresh round of hostilities between two nuclear-powered countries in the immediate neighborhood and major wars in other parts of the world, activities that take a massive on the environment.
It comes barely a month after the host country nearly choked as air pollution worsened due to drought and raging wildfires, resulting mainly from climate change and global warming.     

As for preparations vis-a-vis the summit, some critics as well as skeptics argue that the government should have adopted a bottom-up approach, by initiating discussions at local, provincial and central levels, identifying issues and presenting them at the forum. Such a grounded approach, they say, would have prevented the conclave from becoming a purely academic exercise and a mere talk shop, taking it further away from the lived experiences of local communities. They are perhaps right, also in their stance that much more could have been done to rally the whole nation behind this common cause.
Criticism and a bit of skepticism aside, the dialogue is a good beginning and here’s hoping that those at the helm of affairs around the world get to the essence soon enough—and act—before this Living Planet ceases to be as a result of our climate-unfriendly ways of life. 

There is a glimmer of hope that the long-pending transitional justice process in Nepal might finally be moving forward. The government has recently appointed heads and members to both the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission of Investigation of Enforced Disappeared Persons. However, skepticism remains widespread regarding whether the new leadership will truly be able to navigate and resolve the deeply complex and often contentious issues inherent in this process. Concerns have been raised about the potential inexperience of some nominees, the possibility of undue political influence and the absolute necessity of providing these commissions with adequate resources to carry out their critical work effectively. It’s important to remember that over 60,000 complaints are currently awaiting thorough investigation, which underscores the magnitude of the task ahead.

In an effort to highlight the urgent issue of climate change and its impacts on the fragile Himalayan region, the government is preparing to host the Sagarmatha Sambaad from May 16 to 18 in Kathmandu. This event aims to draw global attention to the specific vulnerabilities of mountain ecosystems. The government has extended invitations to 175 foreign representatives, including environment ministers from various countries. The presence of these international figures is intended to foster dialogue and collaboration on addressing climate challenges. However, the government has failed to ensure participation of heads of government and state, which could impact the summit’s overall influence.

The government’s continuing delay in appointing a new governor for the Nepal Rastra Bank is drawing increased criticism from various sectors of society. While both the ruling Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML assert that there are no political disputes hampering the process, the appointment remains stalled. This delay has rendered the government-formed recommendation committee effectively obsolete. In a further development, one of its members, Biso Poudel, has recently resigned from the committee, amidst speculation that he himself hopes to be appointed as the governor. Speaking at a public event on May 15, Prime Minister Oli said that he does not have a preferred candidate in mind, but emphasized his desire to see a highly capable individual take on the crucial leadership role.

On the political front, royalist forces have announced their intention to launch street protests beginning May 29. Their aim is to pressure the mainstream political parties into considering the restoration of the monarchy and the reinstatement of a Hindu state. Last week, former King Gyanendra Shah met with a number of pro-monarchy leaders, reportedly to encourage them to mobilize an impactful movement. It is worth noting that while royalist forces have historically been divided, there have been recent attempts to project a unified front. In response to these preparations, major political parties, particularly the UML and CPN (Maoist Center), have issued strong warnings against any attempts to bring back the monarchy. These parties have also directed their respective youth organizations to actively counter the planned protests by the royalist factions.

In parliamentary affairs, discussions are currently underway in the lead-up to the annual budget. Lawmakers from across the political spectrum are using this opportunity to voice their views and priorities regarding the upcoming budget. The government’s policy and program have already been endorsed by the Parliament, setting the broad parameters for the fiscal year ahead. Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel is now focusing on securing support from not only the ruling parties but also the opposition to finalize the budget.
As Nepal anticipates the arrival of the monsoon season in the coming months, predictions indicate that the country is likely to receive higher than average rainfall this year. A recent incident in Kavre district is a stark reminder of the potential dangers. A heavy rain event caused temporary blockage of the BP Highway and resulted in damages in the Panauti area of Kavre. This incident should serve as a wake-up call for government agencies, highlighting the urgent need for thorough preparations to cope with possible monsoon-induced disasters. Authorities are urged to prioritize critical infrastructure, particularly the main highways, in their mitigation efforts.

On a more positive note, the banking sector in Nepal is currently experiencing a steady rebound in credit growth. This positive trend is largely attributed to the rise in foreign trade and the increased demand for loans across key sectors of the economy. A recent report from the Nepal Rastra Bank indicates that private sector credit from banks and financial institutions grew by seven percent, reaching Rs 5,534.77bn, during the first nine months of the current fiscal year 2024-25. This growth reflects a credit disbursement of Rs 361.3bn between mid-July 2024 and mid-April 2025. To put this in perspective, credit growth was 5.1 percent during the same period of the previous fiscal year, with a total credit portfolio of Rs 5,167.17bn in mid-April of last year. On a year-on-year basis, credit disbursement grew by 8.3 percent in mid-April.

Lastly, China’s Deputy Speaker and Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, Ziao Jie, who arrived in Nepal on May 14 to participate in the Sagarmatha Sambaad, is taking the opportunity to engage with Nepali leaders and Parliament. He has already met with Prime Minister Oli and is scheduled to meet with Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire, National Assembly Chairman Narayan Dahal, and various cross-party leaders. 

Parliamentary cooperation between Nepal and China formally began in 2022.