Submit your Article

Presenting their debut exhibition, “What Once Was,” Katyani Rai and Sabita Gyawali explore the profound yet fragile nature of loss. Whether it’s the farewell of a loved one or the slow fading of love itself, their works invite viewers to contemplate the emotional weight of impermanence. Through distinct artistic styles and personal narratives, Rai and Gyawali craft a lasting testament to grief, attachment, and memory—transforming fleeting moments into something enduring.

How do you release the emotions you carry? Would you allow grief to take the shape of a melody? Through “What Once Was,” Rai and Gyawali remind us that art has the power to preserve, reshape, and reimagine loss. In their work, pain finds permanence, and what once felt lost is rediscovered in new and meaningful ways.

Katyani Rai: Etching Emotion into Art

How do you capture emotion in art? For Rai, the answer lies in the meticulous process of etching—a technique that transforms raw feeling into the tangible. Each line carved into the zinc plate is not just an action but a moment of release, an adrenaline-fueled act of creation where grief, love, and longing take on permanent form.

Stepping into “What Once Was,” one is immediately drawn into Rai’s world. Her works are deeply interconnected, seamlessly blending poetry and visual art. In pieces like “Maybe It’s Mercy, Maybe It’s Sin,” she explores the ache of holding on to someone who may never return. Paired with verses that speak to grief’s inevitable passage, her art becomes an intimate dialogue with the viewer:

“Maybe it’s mercy, maybe it’s sin

To keep holding on where we should have been

Maybe the earth just knows more than we do

That grief is a thing that must pass through.

The night takes what the night knows

What the hand can’t hold, the wind will sow.”

This poetic infusion enhances the emotional depth of her pieces, drawing audiences into a space of introspection. She explains, “The line is an inner conflict—perhaps it is ‘mercy’ to keep remembering, to cherish what was, but maybe it is also a ‘sin’, a form of self-punishment to dwell on something that no longer exists. Is the uncertainty kind to ourselves to hold on, or does it only deepen the wound?”

The quiet drift of things left behind evokes the universal experience of waiting, longing, and remembering. In contrast, works like” Forest of Unspoken Memories” and “Where Wild Ones Wait” convey a sense of hesitation—as if Rai is holding back her most intense emotions, while still allowing glimpses of her grief. This hesitation mirrors the common struggle of confronting one’s own feelings—a delicate balance between vulnerability and self-protection.

Her work “Untitled” reflects her belief that “life moves in a circle,” incorporating philosophical reflections on interconnectedness. Ravens, a recurring symbol in her art, appear as mournful figures of remembrance. In pieces such as “For I’m Grass, For I’m Stone, For I’m Dust That Longs for Home,” these birds serve as silent witnesses to loss, reinforcing themes of memory and impermanence. Titles like “New Moon 3:03 am,” “3:03,” and “Where the Blossoms Fell So Did We” suggest moments frozen in time—capturing a sacred stillness.

Meanwhile, in “Where Will You Go If the Stars Won’t Align,” “Towards the Field of Flowers,” “I Call It Mine,” Rai’s longing is palpable. Though lengthy, the title carries irony—an acceptance of fate woven with quiet hope. It subtly hints at the presence of the raven, reinforcing the ideas of solitude and lingering grief.

Her interconnected pieces, “Until I’m No Longer Flesh,” “But a Leaf, a Root, a Fading Shadow of Rain,” and “Tracing Silence,” are rich in symbolism, often incorporating lotus leaves. Rai describes the lotus as a flower that blooms in the most unexpected places—thriving in murky waters yet remaining untouched in its beauty. “Even in the dirtiest places, a diamond exists. And in my heart, I am still searching for it,” she reflects.

Through her work, Rai does not merely depict loss—she carves it, writes it, and transforms it into something permanent. Her piece Heaven Hangs Heavy conveys the experience of self-discovery, illustrating how Rai invites viewers to sit with their emotions, embrace fluctuations, and discover beauty in the most unexpected places.

Sabita Gyawali: The Softness of Memory

How gentle can a memory be? Are all memories light and delicate, or do some carry a quiet weight of longing? While grief is often seen as heavy, Gyawali approaches it differently—through softness, fragility, and the fleeting nature of recollection.

Gyawali captures the short-lived nature of memory through delicate paper and pastels. Her technique of pressing fabric into the medium gives her work a flowing, organic texture—adding a depth that ordinary paper cannot hold. The result is more than a surface; it becomes a metaphor for memory itself: fragile, passing, and deeply personal, slipping through our grasp even as we try to hold on.

Her piece, “Before the Winter Comes,” draws a poetic parallel between the inevitability of change and the migration of birds, reflecting the departures we experience in life. “Traces of Yesterday,” a series of five intricate works featuring pressed flowers, preserves fleeting beauty and offers a quiet meditation on nostalgia and the passage of time. In “Letters to the Unwritten,” Gyawali explores the weight of unspoken words. Handmade envelopes represent the letters never sent, the conversations never had.

“These empty envelopes hold the words I never wrote—and the ones that never reached me,” she shares, expressing the deep yearning and unresolved emotions that linger in silence.

Longing and absence are further explored in “Traces of You in the Wind,” which captures the quiet hope that someone who has gone might still find their way back. Similarly, “Window to Yesterday” consists of smaller works where windows and grill frames serve as gateways—opening up a vista to gaze outward. Much like her oil paintings, these blend sensory and visual memory through incense-burnt cutouts, where scent and sight merge to evoke both nostalgia and release.

Yet not all of Gyawali’s work centers on longing—some delve into identity and emotional entanglement. “Stirred by Your Touch” is meticulously crafted in pressed paper—a blend of fabric and incense-burned materials. This process becomes meditative, reflecting her signature approach of layering while still evoking softness and fragility. The work highlights the struggle of holding onto someone for so long that the boundaries between self and other begin to blur. It speaks to the push and pull of love, loss, and the search for self in the echoes of another’s presence.

Through her delicate yet vivid pieces, Gyawali reminds us that memory is not just something we recall—it is something we carry, something we feel, and sometimes, something we must learn to release.

A dialogue of emotion

Though Gyawali and Rai have distinct artistic styles, both navigate profound emotions through their work. Rai etches her grief into permanence, using the physical act of creation as catharsis, while Gyawali constructs memory through soft, layered textures that express its fleeting, ephemeral nature. One is marked by intensity, the other by delicacy—yet both seek to make sense of love and loss through their chosen mediums.

Rai’s art is raw and bold, allowing grief to take form as if carving sorrow into existence. In contrast, Gyawali’s work embodies the impermanence of memory, preserving delicate traces of what once was. Together, their works create a conversation—a balance between permanence and impermanence, between holding on and letting go.

“What Once Was” explores the deeply personal nature of sorrow, echoing works like Bharati Mukherjee’s “The Management of Grief,” where loss is experienced through both personal and societal lenses. Just as Mukherjee’s protagonist navigates grief in her own way, Rai and Gyawali transform emotion into art—bridging the space between absence and remembrance. In doing so, they do not merely share their grief; they invite us to find reflections of our own.

The High-Level Economic Reform Advisory Commission has identified a declining consumption growth rate and a reduction in investment as the primary reasons for the sluggish economic growth rate. The commission, formed under the leadership of former Finance Secretary Rameshore Khanal, has suggested that immediate policy interventions are necessary to improve the demand side. To achieve high economic growth, it has recommended structural reforms on the supply side to create an investment-friendly environment and reduce production costs to enhance competitiveness of Nepali goods.

According to the commission’s report, reduced credit growth, declining real estate transactions, millions of rupees trapped in cooperatives, delays in government payments, issues in recovering commercial credit, and a crisis in the construction sector have led to reduced consumption and investment. “Delays in balancing certain monetary tools used for relief during the pandemic, insufficient activation of fiscal policy, and import control policies caused the economy to face successive problems. As a result, the economy has experienced further stagnation over the past two fiscal years,” the commission said in its report.

It has recommended reducing barriers and expanding opportunities in sectors critical for economic growth, such as agriculture, forestry, land, mining, water resources, tourism and information technology. To create opportunities in these sectors, the commission has emphasized the need for policy interventions in physical infrastructure development, urban development, energy security, education and skill development, health and research and development.

The commission has urged the government to implement the suggestions provided by the High-Level Public Expenditure Review Commission and the High-Level Tax Reform Committee regarding public expenditure, revenue policy and administration. To create an industrial and business-friendly environment, the commission has proposed establishing a single registration entity where all types of businesses can register, and taking the entire registration process online. It has also suggested making all business registrations free and eliminating the need for renewals.

Likewise, the commission has proposed allowing up to 50 percent foreign investment based on the evaluation of investment proposals. It has suggested that Nepali firms or companies permitted to invest abroad should pursue double taxation avoidance agreements and bilateral investment agreements with approved countries. It has also called on the government to abolish the Department of Revenue Investigation Department and the Revenue Leakage Act, transferring investigations related to foreign exchange misuse to the Department of Money Laundering Investigation.

To make farm subsidies effective, it has urged the government to distribute subsidies to farmers through a single-window system through the local government. Likewise, it has suggested creating a Farmers’ Welfare Fund in collaboration with provincial and local governments to provide subsidized loans.

The commission also said in its report that businesses should not be restricted by setting a maximum profit ceiling. Likewise, it has urged the government to make bank interest rates stable, at least for productive sectors. “Since Nepal’s exchange rate is fixed with the Indian currency, it causes fluctuations in the external sector to impact domestic banking liquidity and lead to volatility in interest rates,” the commission said in its report.

Stating that the lack of collateral is preventing many, especially startups, from accessing bank loans, the commission has suggested that introduction of a personal credit scoring system would facilitate loan disbursements for small businesses.

Nepal’s political landscape has been in a constant state of flux, and finds itself at a critical juncture in its democratic journey. Over the past three decades, Nepal has transitioned from a monarchy to a constitutional monarchy, and eventually to a federal secular republic. However, the ongoing political turbulence—punctuated by protests, dissatisfaction, and competing ideologies—has left the Nepali people disillusioned with the political system they once hoped would deliver on its promises.

Nepal’s political transitions have always been marked by external influence, particularly from India, which has had a notable role in the country’s path to democracy. So, decoding the intent and what went about in the recent one-to-one bilateral meeting between Prime Minister KP Oli and PM Narendra Modi holds further portrayal.

Legacy of political transitions

New Delhi has constantly portrayed a notable share in Nepal’s transition to democracy. The absence of a twin pillar foreign policy of a constitutional monarchy and multiparty democracy in 2006 paved the way for the current federal secular republic.

On March 17 at the CPN-UML secretariat meeting chaired by PM Oli emphasized the importance of united efforts by republicans to counter the monarchist movement against the federal republic in addition to claims that India has played a role in the pro-monarchy movement. He also urged the party’s youth wing volunteers to “attack anyone trying to snatch away the rights that we fought for.”

Nepali Congress (NC) President and former PM Sher Bahadur Deba said that India does not support the royalist movement in Nepal.

Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba while in Delhi raised a question about potential Indian support to the pro-monarchy protest with her Indian counterpart S Jaishankar, who denied any backing for the protests. Though PM Oli has not been officially invited to visit New Delhi, he had a bilateral meeting with Indian PM Modi on April 4 on the sidelines of the Sixth Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) summit in Bangkok. 

The 35-minute one-to-one discussion came at a time when protests were going on in Nepal demanding the restoration of monarchy and a Hindu state with a catchphrase of anti-corruption drive and end of federalism. This was a second bilateral meeting between Oli and Modi after the sidelines meeting during the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York in Sept 2024. The difference is that the first was held with officials while the latter was one-to-one.

Complex political landscape

Nepal’s political arena is highly polarized, with three dominant ideological camps vying for influence. The first group consists of the status quoists, who advocate for the current federal secular republic. The second group is the reformists, who are pushing for structural political changes to address governance issues, corruption, and inefficiencies. Finally, the growing pro-monarchist movement that calls for the restoration of the monarchy, albeit in a symbolic role, with an elected Head of Government. These factions reflect a deep division in how the country’s future should be shaped.

This polarization, while enriching the political discourse, also makes it difficult to reconcile these opposing views. Each faction draws on different historical narratives, cultural values, and visions for Nepal’s national identity. The fundamental issue, however, is not about rejecting democracy but about the effectiveness of the system that was supposed to deliver a better future.

Governance crisis and public discontent

At the heart of the current dissatisfaction is poor governance. The public’s anger is not directed at democracy itself, but at the way it has been implemented. The promises made by the political leaders, from economic development to efficient governance, have largely gone unmet. Corruption remains rampant, institutions are weak, and political leaders are seen as more interested in maintaining their power than in serving the people.

This disillusionment is not just ideological; it is deeply pragmatic. The people are questioning whether the system can truly deliver. The notion of democracy, for many, has become synonymous with inefficiency, corruption, and political infighting. The failure to meet basic expectations has created a breeding ground for discontent, with many wondering whether the existing political framework can ever be fixed.

Global democratic backsliding

Nepal’s democratic challenges are not isolated; they are part of a global trend of democratic backsliding. Countries around the world—India, the US, Sri Lanka, Israel—are witnessing increased political polarization, the rise of populism, and the erosion of democratic norms. In this context, Nepal’s situation reflects a broader pattern of democratic disillusionment that is sweeping across many parts of the globe. This global backdrop, however, also provides an opportunity for Nepal. There is a chance to rethink democratic governance—not by retreating into authoritarianism but by rebuilding a more inclusive, accountable, and citizen-driven democracy. The key lies in re-establishing the connection between the people and their representatives, ensuring that the political system is genuinely responsive to the needs of the people.

What’s confidential about “boosting relations”? 

Headlines say: PM Oli and PM Modi agree to “boost Nepal-India relations” in their meeting on the sidelines of the Sixth BIMSTEC Summit. The one-to-one meeting is a strategic win for PM Modi and a purposeful attainment for PM Oli claiming that all officials including Minister of Foreign Affairs Arzu Rana Deuba encompassed a bilateral meeting that was changed at the last minute by the Ministry of External Affairs, India (MEA). 

What’s confidential about “strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as development partnership, energy, connectivity, and people-to-people relations”. The phrase “mutually beneficial cooperation” in public statements may obscure deeper strategic negotiations. The MEA statement said “They expressed satisfaction at the progress in enhancing physical and digital connectivity, people-to-people linkages, and in the domain of energy. They agreed to continue working towards further deepening the multifaceted partnership between our two countries and peoples”. Nepal is a priority partner of India under its Neighbourhood First Policy. This meeting continues the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries.” 

On X PM Modi posts “India attaches immense priority to relations with Nepal. We discussed different aspects of India-Nepal friendship, especially in sectors like energy, connectivity, culture and digital technology. We also talked about some of the key positive outcomes from this year’s BIMSTEC Summit, especially in areas of disaster management and maritime transport.”

In a post on X, PM Oli said that he was delighted to meet Modi, had a meaningful and positive conversation and described the meeting as intimate. “Had a warm and heartfelt meeting with my dear friend, Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji. Our discussions were highly meaningful and constructive. I express my appreciation over this cordial exchange.” 

During the same stretch of the secluded meeting, there are protests in the streets which have weakened all the political powers whether democratic forces or the communists in Nepal. In addition, the political powers behind the compelling of the 2015 constitution is ineffectual and ineffective. The focus could be with cultural ties, and geopolitical manoeuvring particularly China in view and the ongoing protests in the streets of Kathmandu.

Underlying strategic motives

Limiting China’s engagement that influences Indian security concerns—India is wary of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects and growing political ties. The discrete nature of the meeting could indeed involve such discussions. Renouncing anti Indian oratory as a slogan for nationalism-Anti-Indian sentiment has been weaponized politically. India may be seeking Nepalese leaders to dial this down in return for greater cooperation.

Strengthening of Nepal and India deep cultural, religious and ethnic ties with arrangements even through constitutional reform-This would resonate with India’s soft power diplomacy. Cultural diplomacy is a core part of the “Neighbourhood First” policy. Constitutionally and not physically owned map of Nepal embracing Kalapani-Limpiyadhura-Lipulekh region as an impediment in relationship during Oli’s premiership that transformed ‘territorial claim’ to ‘occupied’-This remains a sticking point. Modi-Oli’s rapport might open doors for de-escalation or reinterpretation of constitutional stances to ease tensions.

Political context and transformation

Nepal may undergo a major transformation but not a principled constitutional shift. There is growing momentum for systemic reform, but not necessarily a dismantling of the ideal framework. All major parties, from NC to UML to Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) to RPP to Madhes-centric alliances with eight parties on board, seem interested in functional reform over structural revolution—more governance efficiency than ideological upheaval. The idea of a "reformed federal secular republic" is gaining quiet traction—a way to appease conservative, nationalist, and regional groups without overturning the constitutional ethos.

PM Modi and Delhi will retain substantial influence over Nepal’s political-economic direction. India remains Nepal’s largest trade partner, transit route, and a soft power heavyweight. Nepal’s fragile economy and political flux create a strategic vacuum India is eager to fill, especially amid China's growing interest.

Conclusion: Balanced, yet urgent

The PMs’ meeting on the sidelines of BIMSTEC is not just a symbolic continuation of bilateral ties but potentially a strategic recalibration. The confidentiality, the exclusion of key Nepali diplomats, and diplomatic subtleties hint at unspoken understandings on contentious topics. The expected transformation in Nepal is likely to be governance-oriented, not ideological, possibly backed or influenced by New Delhi’s geopolitical imperatives.

The Meeting and its timing with one-on-one meetings were strategic and involved a late-stage change by MEA, suggesting high confidentiality. High-level bilateral talks between PM Oli and PM Modi have always been significant due to both nations intertwining cultural, economic, and strategic ties. The MEA and both PMs’ statements reinforce the notion that the meeting, while framed in diplomatic language, likely involved deeper strategic discussions. The late-stage restructuring (excluding the Foreign Minister) raises questions of trust, exclusivity, or sensitive content, especially amidst domestic unrest in Nepal.

The national challenges are both status quo defenders and the supporters of change to rethink what democratic governance means in practice and in Nepal. It implicitly asks:

• Can Nepal create a democracy that delivers?
• Can it preserve diversity without fragmentation?
• Can it reform without losing headway?

The answer lies not in returning to past systems, but in building a new democratic consensus—inclusive, accountable, and rooted in justice. Structural flaws remain with federalism without proper devolution of power; judiciary questioned for political bias; weak checks and balances in governance and institutional corruption; economic struggle; environment vulnerability; food security; infrastructure connectivity and chain of supply and political instability. 

Thus, a call for constitutional reform seems timely—but it must avoid top-down imposition. Instead, reform should be participatory, deliberative, and aimed at creating a more functional democracy, not just changing symbols or structures.

The author is a retired major general of the Nepali Army

Chairperson of the High-Level Economic Reforms Commission, Rameshwor Khanal, recently submitted the commission’s report to the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, suggesting a number of measures to boost the economy. 

The measures include suggestions like making the economy borderless to benefit from the global economy, a radical suggestion in a country like ours where the government does not admit that anything is wrong and the central bank paints a rosy picture even when there’s a 3-4 percent economic growth.
In our case, most economic forecasts are as reliable as weather forecasts, if not more.

What steps does a weak economy need to achieve a healthy growth? Before jumping into the report, let’s take some lessons: 

Investing in human capital

First, smaller countries like ours should identify what they have. If a country is small, it would be appropriate to increase human capital just like what Singapore did.

Having a good leader makes a great difference. Singapore is a shining example. The former prime minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, transformed a poor country into the world’s second richest in terms of GDP per capita in six decades by prioritizing education, infrastructure, services and industry.

Rwanda is another example. It spends 22 percent of its entire GDP on education, while Singapore spends up to 24 percent of its entire GDP.

Increased infra investment 

Take the example of China, whose public transport infrastructure is one of the best. Japan cannot match China's numbers but the quality of its public transportation, roads and high-speed rail makes it the best in the whole world!

Rails and roads should be a priority for poor countries too. The Covid-19 pandemic not only challenged human health, but also dealt the global economy a serious blow.

Emphasis on policy reforms

The above-mentioned report has presented a roadmap for economic reforms by suggesting steps for the creation of a private sector-friendly environment.

Economic policies should be formulated to create economic opportunities and build an economy where all sectors can compete equally, the report goes. In terms of monetary policy, the report recommends reducing the band of the interest rate corridor, reducing interest rate fluctuations by making liquidity management more active, confining inflation to a single digit by keeping it in a range of 4-6 percent. It has called for discussions, research and preparations on alternatives to a fixed exchange regime with the Indian currency. 

The report suggests radical changes aimed at institutional reforms. In particular, it suggests that every ministry, department and central-level body should formulate and implement a periodic improvement strategy by determining indicators to promote business-friendly and investment-friendly nature of its work and to provide services to citizens.

In the light of these suggestions, is it possible to not transfer secretaries deputed at federal ministries for at least two years in an unstable political situation?

Is it also possible to not transfer employees deputed at ministries for five years and let teams undertaking development projects work for five years?

Citing increased expenditure on social security, training and pensions, the report has recommended increasing the age for mandatory retirement of government employees to 60 from 58 years. This suggestion makes sense, given that the current average life expectancy is 73 years.

Against old and regressive acts

What’s more, the report recommends repealing 15 old and regressive acts, a demand that the private sector, especially the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), has been raising for a long time. They include Income Stamp Duty Act (2019), Black Market and Certain Other Social Offenses and Punishment Act ( 2032), Private Forest Nationalization Act ( 2013), Administrative Procedure (Regulation) Act (2013), Revenue Leakage (Investigation and Control) Act (2052), Foreign Investment Prohibition Act (2021), Nepal Agency Act (2014), Provincial Development Plans (Implementation) Act (2013), Import and Export (Control) Act (2013) and Social Behaviour Reform Act.  

The report is against increasing social security allowances for the next five years, recommending that the allowances should be reviewed every two years after that, on the basis of price inflation. The government is currently providing senior citizens a monthly old-age allowance of Rs 4,000, among others. Although this is a good suggestion in terms of treasury, it is difficult to implement before the elections.

On BFIs, derivatives market

The report recommends amending Banks and Financial Institutions Act to allow the operation of peer-to-peer lending institutions, allowing crowdfunding through the Securities Act and putting in place a licensing policy and regulatory arrangement for the same. It has suggested that the Securities and Exchange Board of Nepal (SEBON) should create necessary infrastructure for the development of the derivatives market. Legal and regulatory arrangements should be made for angel financing and arrangements made for registering potential angel investors, the report suggests: Since such investors invest in start-ups and bear the risk, only 10 percent income tax should be levied on the income received from such investments, it states. 

Furthermore, the report has suggested reducing transaction fees for large-scale share transactions while standing against the opening of a new stock exchange. It has recommended restructuring Nepal Stock Exchange and increasing its capital with the participation of the private sector.

The commission has expressed belief that the suggestions proposed in the report will be helpful in creating economic opportunities and expanding entrepreneurs’ access to available economic opportunities, expanding employment within the country, and achieving high and sustainable economic growth.

To what extent will the government be able to implement the suggestions given through the report? Let’s wait and watch.