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In ‘Sex, Desire, and Taboo in South Asia: Religion, Culture of Ability, and Patriarchy,’ the author Dr Tulasi Acharya delves into the complex interplay of sexuality, societal norms, and religious doctrine that shape the sexual taboos in South Asia, especially Nepal and India. 

With a profound academic understanding, the book explores how historical shifts—particularly the rise of patriarchy and the evolution of religious perspectives—have led to a societal repression of sexuality, despite South Asia’s rich heritage of erotic art and literature.

The author offers a fascinating juxtaposition between the open depiction of sexuality in religious art—such as the vivid erotic sculptures found in temples—and the conservative societal attitudes that repress discussions of sex. This paradox, which has perplexed many scholars and travelers, is tackled with precision. The book explains that historically, South Asian societies were more open to discussions of sex and desire. However, over time, as patriarchal structures tightened their grip on women’s bodies and sexuality, these open expressions were overshadowed by moral and religious frameworks that associated sex with immorality and family dishonor.

The text emphasizes that, in contrast to European traditions where sexual taboos also exist but with a different societal framework, South Asian cultures have a more pronounced disconnect between public restraint and private religious expression. Temples, art, and ancient texts like the Kamasutra celebrate eroticism as a part of human life. But this stands in stark contrast to how sex is perceived in daily life. The author identifies this cultural schizophrenia as a product of both religious reinterpretation and patriarchal control, particularly the imposition of rigid gender roles and the regulation of women’s sexual freedom.

The book also discusses how these sexual taboos evolved. The author suggests that these shifts didn’t stem from economic or capitalist pursuits but rather from patriarchal norms that emerged and became institutionalized over centuries. This transformation is further compounded by religious interpretations that often serve to reinforce male power dynamics. As a result, sex became not a natural part of human existence to be explored and celebrated, but something to be controlled, particularly in relation to women and marginalized groups.

What makes the book particularly compelling is its exploration of the intersections of gender, religion, and power. The author provides a nuanced critique of both religious and secular texts, suggesting that while religion offers powerful narratives that could empower women (such as the reverence of goddesses like Kali and Durga), the dominant religious narratives overwhelmingly reflect male-centric values. 

By drawing on feminist scholars like Gayatri Spivak and exploring local subaltern perspectives, the author offers a refreshing and insightful critique of how patriarchal structures have influenced the perception and regulation of sexuality, despite Foucault’s sexual theory which helps understand the discourse of sex.

The book proposes that the key to breaking these taboos lies in education. A recurrent theme is the necessity for improved sexual education and awareness, especially in South Asia, where societal conditioning often stifles discussions about sex. The author argues that a better understanding of sexuality, its significance for human pleasure, and its role in society could lead to a more informed, tolerant, and accepting approach to sex, even within the religious contexts that traditionally promote its repression.

Despite these enlightening arguments, one question that lingers is whether the shift away from taboo and repression can truly happen within the religious framework itself or if it would require a broader secular movement to challenge these deeply ingrained norms. While the author doesn’t claim to have a definitive answer, he emphasizes that change will likely need to start from the grassroots—beginning with schools and educational systems that promote open discussion and understanding of sexuality. Only then, the author suggests, can South Asia move toward a future where sexual freedom and expression are no longer deemed taboo.

Sex, Desire, and Taboo in South Asia is a provocative and timely contribution to the ongoing discourse about sexuality, power, and culture in the region. It challenges readers to rethink the complex relationship between religion, culture, and patriarchal structures, offering new insights into how societal change may be achieved through education and greater awareness. 

Article 93(1) of the Constitution of Nepal, 2015 states that the interval between the two consecutive sessions of the federal parliament shall not be more than six months. The budget session was prorogued in mid-September 2024, meaning that the deadline for convening the winter session has not passed.

Notwithstanding this provision, the winter session should already have begun in accordance with a prevailing practice of convening the session within three months after the prorogation of the budget session.

With over 20 bills pending, lawmakers have their hands full. The parliament will need ample time for deliberations on each bill and for incorporation of concerns coming from lawmakers as law-making in a democracy is not done at the crack of a whip.

So, what is stopping the government from recommending the President to summon the winter session?

Some existential crisis, fear of criticism or some other factor?  

What’s exactly cooking in the corridors of power?

Media reports point out that the government has some other designs. Rather than stepping up preparations for the session, the two major ruling parties—the CPN-UML and the Nepali Congress—are in talks to introduce an ordinance that will actually ‘facilitate’ the splitting of political parties.

 These dark-room negotiations and delay in convening the session have not gone unnoticed. Speaking at a program of the Federal Parliament Secretariat recently, the Speaker of the House of Representatives expressed dissatisfaction over the delay in convening the session. Describing the government as the child of the parliament, he accused the child of sidestepping, undermining and even boycotting the mother.

Lawmakers from the opposition parties have objected to this style of functioning, accusing the government of seeking to rule through ordinances, ignoring the voices of the people and trying to avoid criticism.

On their part, some ministers and ruling party leaders have conceded that inter-party talks on whether or not to present the bill on splitting of political parties during this session are in progress, indicating that the winter session may convene in about a fortnight.

Summing up, the government should learn some bitter lessons from similar misadventures instead of trying to ‘facilitate’ the split of parties for temporary gains, rule through ordinances and undermine the concerns of the opposition and the people if it indeed wants the polity to stabilize and deliver.

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Board of Directors has approved $50 million of additional funding for the Nepal Compact. This Board action underscores the shared commitment between MCC and the Government of Nepal to advancing Nepal’s development priorities through transformative, high-quality infrastructure projects.

“The additional funding reaffirms our mutual dedication to ensuring the compact’s success in strengthening Nepal’s electricity grid and supporting long-term economic growth,” said MCC Vice President of Compact Operations Cameron Alford.

The Millennium Challenge Corporation is an independent U.S. government development agency working to reduce global poverty through economic growth. Created in 2004, MCC provides time-limited grants that pair investments in infrastructure with policy and institutional reforms to countries that meet rigorous standards for good governance, fighting corruption and respecting democratic rights.

Bhinda Swari Shah, a pioneering diplomat, education advocate, and champion of gender equality, passed away on Thursday morning at the age of 91. A trailblazer in every sense, Shah was the first Nepali woman to earn a bachelor’s degree in the United States, Nepal’s first female ambassador, and a relentless advocate for women’s empowerment and social reform.  

Shah’s diplomatic career was marked by historic firsts and an unwavering commitment to advancing Nepal’s global standing. At the behest of BP Koirala, Nepal’s first democratically elected prime minister, Shah joined the Foreign Ministry and quickly established herself as a trailblazer in the male-dominated field of diplomacy.  

She played a pivotal role in establishing Nepal’s first embassy in Bangladesh, demonstrating exemplary leadership during the political turbulence that followed Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s assassination in 1975.  

In 1988, she made history as Nepal’s first female ambassador to India, skillfully navigating strained relations during the economic blockade imposed by India.

Her dedication and expertise earned her widespread respect. Reflecting on her impact for the ‘ApEx Pioneers’ column in The Annapurna Express, her colleague and former foreign secretary Madan Kumar Bhattarai remarked, “She was not only a person but an institution. Her ability to prepare diplomatic agendas, negotiate agreements, and master protocols set the bar for Nepal’s Foreign Ministry.”  

Shah’s legacy extended beyond diplomacy. She was a tireless advocate for gender equality and education, using her groundbreaking achievements to inspire and pave the way for future generations of Nepali women.  

“It is my duty to be the voice of tens of thousands of Nepali women who didn’t have the opportunity to get the kind of education I received,” she said in a May 2022 interview with ApEx.

Her resilience extended into her personal life, where she faced societal challenges, including prejudice for being a working woman and marrying outside her caste. These struggles only strengthened her resolve to break barriers and inspire others.  

Born on 13 Feb 1933, in Kurseong, India, where her father lived in exile due to the Rana regime, Shah’s early years were shaped by resilience and determination. After attending St Helen’s Secondary School in Kurseong, she became the first Nepali woman to earn a bachelor’s degree in the United States, graduating from Barnard College, Columbia University, in 1956.  

Later, she pursued a master’s degree in international relations at Johns Hopkins University, funding her education by working as a caretaker. Her academic accomplishments were groundbreaking for Nepal, inspiring countless young women to dream of global opportunities.  

Shah’s professional life demanded immense personal sacrifices, including extended periods of separation from her family. Yet her commitment to her work and the greater cause of national and social progress never wavered.  

In the ‘ApEx Pioneers’ column, her granddaughter Aarya Shah said, “She would always tell me, ‘Don’t follow in my footsteps; start your journey where my footsteps end.’ Her life was a testament to courage and resilience, inspiring me and many others to overcome challenges with confidence.”  

From establishing the American Library in Nepal to mentoring countless diplomats and women leaders, Shah’s contributions were monumental. Her lifelong friend, Helga Bendix, shared for ‘ApEx Pioneers’: “She lived a life that could be an epic movie in which she is the hero. For 70 years, we shared our joys and sorrows, bound by an unbreakable friendship.”  

Shah’s story is a beacon of hope and empowerment. Her courage, determination, and groundbreaking achievements have left an indelible mark on Nepal’s history and society. She is survived by her son, Anil Keshary Shah, a prominent former banker, and other family members who carry forward her legacy.

“People see my life and say, wow, it’s a fairy tale. But there was a series of struggles and pain in this fairy tale. I fought against these challenges because I wanted to be a catalyst for change,” she had said in an interview with ApEx.

Her life remains an inspiration for generations to come.