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Khusbu Oli, a young politician from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, which holds 14 seats in Parliament, is making significant strides in national politics. As a young woman, she is actively engaged in party and national affairs, particularly through social media, where she debates and discusses with top politicians. Currently, she serves as a Central Committee member and deputy head of the party’s training department. ApEx spoke with her about her experiences and vision for Nepal. Excerpts.

It has been two years since you joined active politics. What has your experience been so far?

Before entering politics, I was involved in agricultural projects, leading national-level initiatives and witnessing firsthand the struggles of farmers, especially women. These experiences inspired me to represent them. My political journey has been a mix of challenges and achievements. As the first female candidate from my constituency.  There has been a significant shift, with women's representation in decision-making rising from five percent to over 30 percent. Despite challenges, my acceptance in both party and national politics is growing, and I am hopeful for continued progress. I advocate for servant leadership concepts and believe in the importance of youth involvement in politics.

You travel extensively and interact with people in the grassroots. What are their expectations from a young politician like you?

People have a high level of mistrust and disappointment with the state and political leadership. Society is deeply divided along political lines, and national priorities often take a backseat to partisan interests. However, there is a desire for politicians who prioritize national interests and unity.

Your party advocates for the restoration of monarchy and a Hindu state. Do you believe this is achievable?

There are misconceptions about our stance. We do not support an active monarchy but believe in a constitutional monarchy within the current democratic framework. We think that a monarchy can enhance national unity and reduce foreign intervention. Our party believes that the Nepali people should decide their country’s future without external influence.

As a youth politician, what is your blueprint for economic growth and development?

The main problem of this country is excessive political influence in bureaucracy, media and intellectual groups. The views, perspectives and policy they offer therefore are dominated by partisan interests. This is hindering Nepal’s overall development. If I could address this issue, it could correct the course of this country. We can do a lot for the country but our politicians are serving their own interests. In order to sprout hope and optimism among the public, our politicians should develop a noble thinking and mend their ways.

There is an alarming trend of brain-drain, labor migration, and capital flight. Everyone in both the skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled population is either going or planning to go abroad for employment. Over the past one year, around 700,000 people have left the country. Businesses in bordering towns are shutting down and moving to India. To turn around Nepal’s economy, there should be significant policy reform, but we do not have the educated human resource to formulate a sound policy.

As far as the specific areas are concerned, the key areas of focus should be industry, agriculture, tourism, and Information Technology (IT). The IT sector has immense potential, but it lacks government support. In agriculture, we need fertilizer industries, subsidies, better irrigation, and digitization. Tourism, particularly religious tourism, also has untapped potential. Additionally, there is a need to overhaul the education system to ensure quality education, health, and justice for all citizens. But there is a knowledge crisis to make any substantial headway in those areas. 

What are your future plans?

I believe politics is in my blood. I am preparing to run in the national elections in 2027, aiming to inspire and represent grassroots people. My goal is not personal gain but national development. Before that, I plan to contest for an office bearer position in my party’s upcoming general convention, focusing on the areas I have highlighted.

The Indian government’s budget for the Ministry of External Affairs for the fiscal year 2024/25 has increased allocations for Nepal and Sri Lanka while reducing support for other neighboring countries. Nepal stands out as a major beneficiary, poised to receive InRs 7bn, a substantial increase of InRs 1.5bn from the previous year’s revised budget of InRs 6.5bn. 

Sri Lanka’s allocation has also risen significantly to InRs 2.45bn, an increase of InRs 0.95bn from the previous year’s InRs 1.5bn. This boost is crucial for Sri Lanka’s ongoing economic recovery, supported by India’s previous $4bn aid. 

Afghanistan and the Maldives maintain their allocations at InRs 2bn and InRs 4bn, respectively. Afghanistan’s allocation remains stable despite last year’s revised budget of InRs 2.2bn. 

The Maldives saw a notable increase in its revised budget to InRs 7.7bn, indicating ongoing support for infrastructure projects. 

Meanwhile, Bhutan and Myanmar have seen reductions in their aid. Bhutan’s allocation decreased by InRs 3.3bn—yet it still receives the largest share at InRs 20.68bn. Myanmar’s allocation dropped by InRs 1.5bn to InRs 2.5bn, compared to last year’s InRs 4bn, with InRs 3.7bn utilized. Bangladesh’s allocation decreased by InRs 0.8bn to InRs 1.2bn, with only InRs 1.3bn of the previous year’s InRs 2bn utilized. 

Similarly, Iran’s Chabahar port project continues to receive a steady allocation of InRs 1bn, unchanged for the past three years, highlighting its strategic importance for India as a gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan.

Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the first full-fledged budget of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led coalition government on Tuesday. From India Inc to the middle class and job seekers, everyone has high hopes for this budget. Additionally, some policy interventions could significantly boost the country’s economic growth and tackle the growing unemployment issue.

Ahead of the budget, Prime Minister Modi asserted that this budget will lay the foundation of ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India). He also said that this is an important budget for ‘Amrit Kaal’, which means ‘great leap’, and could propel India forward on all fronts.

Vishnu Kumar Agarwal is the Managing Director of the MAW Group of Companies and the Honorary Consul General of the Czech Republic in Kathmandu. He actively supports the bilateral relationship between Nepal and the Czech Republic. Agarwal is also the dean of the Honorary Consular Corps-Nepal (HCC-N), an organization of non-residential consuls. In this interview, Pratik Ghimire of ApEx talks to Agarwal about the role and work of Honorary Consuls. Excerpts:

What are the key responsibilities of Honorary Consuls?

Honorary Consuls play a crucial role in diplomacy. As the Honorary Consul General of the Czech Republic in Nepal, I represent the Czech Republic, which is a significant responsibility. If any Czech citizen encounters issues in Nepal, they should contact us for assistance. This is our primary objective. Additionally, we facilitate visits for Czech delegations and embassy officials.

Our role also includes developing relations between the Czech Republic and Nepal for mutual benefit. We promote cultural exchange, showcasing each country’s culture in the other. Furthermore, we foster trade, investment, and tourism between the two nations.

How do Honorary Consuls help in trade, investment, and tourism?

Honorary Consuls facilitate bilateral and multilateral agreements that promote regular discussions on trade and investment. Individually, we promote trade and investment through various means. For instance, my office has many Czech-related books and catalogs that we promote in Nepal.

For the Nepal Investment Summit 2024, we invited all Honorary Consuls and embassies. Through them, invitations reached the business community, resulting in significant participation from the sending countries. We also organize events to promote trade, investment, and tourism. Honorary Consuls in Nepal represent 63 countries, and about 15-20 percent of tourists visiting Nepal come from these nations. These countries also participate in trade fairs, education consultancy, and investment activities.

What were the key takeaways from the peace conclave in Lumbini in March 2024?

The two-day event, ‘Global Peace for Prosperity,’ in Lumbini was organized by HCC-N and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Our goal was to highlight Nepal’s advocacy for peace and the importance of peaceful conflict resolution for a sustainable future.

We invited all ambassadors from the sending countries, and around 20 attended, along with 45 Honorary Consuls and Foreign Ministry officials. This gathering significantly improved diplomatic relations.

The event also aimed to showcase Lumbini, a significant yet underexposed tourist and historical site in Nepal. Many delegates visited Lumbini for the first time and were captivated by the Maya Devi Temple and the story of Lord Buddha’s birth in Nepal. We believe this exposure will boost tourism in the region.

Another objective was to attract participants for the Nepal Investment Summit. Sushil Bhatta, CEO of the Investment Board of Nepal, presented at the event, providing attendees with insights into the summit.

What are the key objectives of the gathering on July 23?

The 17th General Assembly and Charter Day of HCC-N will take place on July 23, where we will hand over leadership. HCC-N, established on July 23, 2007, brings together all Honorary Consuls and Honorary Consul Generals and is affiliated with FICAC, a global network of consular associations. This network allows us to collaborate effectively and address common challenges.

HCC-N has been very successful, especially in facilitating aid during the Covid-19 pandemic and the 2015 earthquake. The Dean serves a one-year term based on seniority among Honorary Consuls.

How are you coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA)?

Our engagement with MoFA is extensive. We work closely with MoFA whenever delegates arrive or when individuals from the sending countries need assistance or coordination. MoFA acts as our patron, and we collaborate closely with them. We have received excellent support and assistance from MoFA. Our work indirectly supports and complements MoFA’s efforts.

What are your expectations with the new Minister for Foreign Affairs?

I believe the new Minister is highly experienced in foreign affairs. She has been in public service for a long time and understands diplomacy well. I am confident that under her leadership, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will achieve new heights in both bilateral and multilateral relationships. Her extensive experience in dealing with people will likely be transformative for MoFA.

Eating healthy reduces your risk of heart disease, stroke, and many other diseases. But it’s not something most of us are able to do, given our busy schedules and the one too many cravings that seem to hit us when we are bored and uninspired. But it’s not impossible or even that difficult to make the right kind of food choices. This week, we bring you five basic ideas that you can incorporate in your lifestyle with minimal effort. Before you know it, you will be making healthy choices and enjoying its many rewards.

 Eat home-cooked meals

We all know this but we push the thought to the corner of our minds as we go about our days. Who has the time to pack lunch or snacks every single day? It’s much easier to step into the local sandwich shop and grab a bite to eat. But if you are serious about eating healthy and staying fit, make it a priority to eat at home or home-cooked food as much as possible. You have control over the ingredients, can ensure the food is fresh, and prepared the way you like it. A bonus is that you will save quite a bit of money. Learn to make simple meals from some basic ingredients that you always have in your pantry and you will be sorted. Celebrity chef Ranveer Brar recommends always having boiled potatoes in your fridge. You can whip up a delicious meal in minutes with this one ingredient. Brar has plenty of recipes on his YouTube channel.

 Check your portions

Most of the time what leads to weight gain is not what you eat but how much you eat. We don’t mean you can eat anything but even healthy foods can lead to weight gain if you have too much of it. So, portion control is important. Get a smaller plate so that you don’t heap food when you serve yourself. Learn about portion sizes so that you can measure and thus control how much you eat. Also, if you are craving something, have it. But have a small piece. You don’t have to eat an entire bar of chocolate to satiate your craving for something sweet. Have a small piece and take time to savor it.

Have fruits, seeds, and nuts daily

Nuts and seeds are a powerhouse of vitamins and antioxidants. The fiber in them will also keep you feeling full for longer. Have a handful of nuts and seeds every day. Carry a small ziplock bag with some raisins, dates, cashews, almonds etc. and snack on them when you aren’t really hungry but want to munch on something. Let’s be honest, we all have those moments. Have soaked nuts first thing in the morning. It’s the healthiest habit you can adopt. Most dieticians advise eating a fruit every day and trying to eat it in the afternoons, as a snack, if possible. Have the whole fruit instead of juices so that the fiber can keep you full and help regulate your bowels as well.

Check the package label

As far as possible, refrain from buying anything that comes in plastic or cardboard packages. But if you must, compare nutrition facts labels on food products and select products with the lowest amounts of sodium, added sugars, saturated fat and trans-fat, and no partially hydrogenated oils. The food label will provide information on what you are putting into your body. You must also learn to read the labels and educate yourself. For example, there are many sources of sodium. Ingredients can contain ‘hidden’ sources of sodium such as monosodium glutamate (MSG) or trisodium phosphate. You will only be able to make good choices if you know what you are looking for and what to avoid.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate

Many a times we tend to mistake thirst for hunger so make sure you are drinking enough water. If you suddenly have a craving, try drinking a glass of water. Chances are the craving will go away. It’s also important to replenish your body from time to time so add some lemon and salt or some electrolytes in your regular water. Carry a water bottle with you so that you always have water on hand and don’t find yourself reaching for a can of soda or ordering some other sugary drink like lattes and iced teas when you feel hot and want something to drink.