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Sukaram Tamang, a resident of Dhapakhel in Lalitpur originally from Panauti, Kavre, was severely injured when a tipper truck collided with his motorcycle at around 4 am on March 15. He succumbed to his injuries a few days later while undergoing treatment at the National Trauma Center. The pillion rider, Ramesh Tamang, sustained serious injuries.

In a separate incident on March 23, Sabina Gurung (25) died after a microbus traveling from Chitwan to Kathmandu crashed near Nagdhunga. Nine others were injured in the accident. The condition of three of them was said to be serious.

Similarly, on March 15, 18-year-old Riwaz Acharya was killed in a collision between two speeding motorcycles near Fulbari Gate in Tokha-1, Kathmandu. Road accidents have surged in Kathmandu, the capital city, in recent years. Traffic police data reveals that two to three people die daily in such incidents. Data shows the involvement of two-wheelers in road accidents is much higher compared to four-wheelers.

According to Binod Ghimire, chief of the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Office, nighttime accidents result in higher casualties than daytime crashes. Between mid-July last year and March-end this year, the valley recorded 4,267 accidents which claimed 135 lives. Of these deaths, 95 involved motorcycles or scooters, while 41 were linked to four-wheelers. Additionally, 167 people suffered serious injuries, and 4,903 sustained minor ones. During this period, 4,352 two-wheelers and 3,344 four-wheelers were involved in accidents.

Between mid-February to mid-March alone, 793 accidents were recorded in the valley. Seventeen people died in these accidents, while 19 were seriously injured and 719 sustained minor injuries. In the latter half of March, 10 fatalities were reported, along with seven serious injuries and 237 minor injuries.

Traffic police data shows 26 to 30 accidents occur daily in Kathmandu Valley on average. Over the past three years, the valley has witnessed 23,823 road accidents, resulting in 490 deaths and 718 serious injuries. Traffic police estimate that 30 percent of those critically injured may later die from their wounds.

Likewise, Nepal Police data shows 25,640 accidents were recorded across the country between mid-July last year and mid-February. A total of 1,633 people died in these accidents, while 4,451 were seriously injured. On average, 63 accidents are reported across the country every day, resulting in 7-10 fatalities and 80-90 injuries. Approximately 225 people die in road crashes across the country each month.

Ghimire attributes most accidents to driver negligence, particularly speeding and overconfidence. Common causes for two-wheeler crashes include reckless overtaking, unsecured helmets, drunk driving, mobile phone use, and traffic rule violations. Pillion riders without helmets face severe injury risks even in minor collisions, he added. “Fatalities are less likely at lower speeds. Many drivers are skilled but ignore rules; some treat roads like racetracks,” he added.

According to traffic police officials, it is difficult to provide treatment to victims, especially in cases involving uninsured vehicles. “Many motorcycles lack valid registration or insurance which delays medical care for victims,” Ghimire added. Deepak Giri, spokesperson for the Nepal Police Traffic Division, said that 70 percent of accidents involve two-wheelers, followed by jeeps, cars, vans, buses, and microbuses.

To curb accidents, the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Office recently launched the “Two Minutes with Two-Wheelers” campaign, engaging reckless drivers to educate them on traffic rules. Giri told ApEx that they have received positive feedback from the campaign. “Overconfidence among drivers still remains a significant issue,” he said, adding that 200–300 individuals are penalized for speeding or drunk driving every day.

Police say speeding, intoxication, vehicle defects improper overtaking and pedestrian negligence as leading causes. “Urban congestion, poor roads and mechanical failures are some of the causes of road accidents,” Dinesh Acharya, central spokesperson for Nepal Police, said. “Even educated people are flouting traffic rules. Responsible driving is key to reducing accidents.” Data shows more than 50 percent of road accidents involve drivers in the 26-40 age group. 

A verdant green garden is everyone’s dream but not everyone is able to achieve this for a simple reason: most of us don’t know the basics of gardening and try random things which don’t always yield the result we want. It’s important to arm yourself with some basic understanding of what plants want and how to get them to grow before you start working on your garden. Else, you will just be wasting valuable time and money. ApEx visited a nursery in Khumaltar, Lalitpur, to find out what are some important things to consider to create a perfect green space in your home.

Understand your space

Not every plant has the same light requirements so the first thing to do is to survey your space and see if it gets a lot of light or if there is limited exposure. Most outdoor plants thrive under direct sunlight while others benefit from indirect brightness. Depending on your space, you have to choose plants that can grow there. People often make the mistake of getting the wrong plants for their space and they can never grow to their full height or bear flowers as they are supposed to. Understanding your space and the plants’ needs can help you maximize yields ensuring you have a visually appealing garden.

Till the soil

Most soil is too hard for the plants’ roots to take proper hold, especially if you have moved into a new space and there are construction materials mixed with the soil. While adding a few fresh layers of new top soil can fix this, it’s often expensive and really not necessary either if you are willing to put in some time and effort. Water the soil or wait till it rains and then till the soil using simple plowing tools that you can get at your local nursery. Mix in some organic fertilizer and plow a few more times, letting the mix sit for a few days each. This should make your soil soft and fertile over time and thus ready for plants.

Space them out

When you start planting trees and shrubs, consider how tall or wide they will grow in a few months’ or years’ time. Since we get new plants mostly as saplings, it’s quite easy to underestimate how much space they will need later on. Make sure there is at least two feet distance between small plants and at least five feet if between two trees. A common mistake is not keeping enough space between two large plants that will result in stunted growth for both or one overcrowding the other. Proper spacing allows for good air circulation and light penetration as well. It’s okay for the branches to slightly overlap when they grow to their full size as this allows for healthy competition for nutrients, water, and sunlight.

Provide timely nutrients

Though less is always more when it comes to fertilizer, especially synthetic ones, you have to give the soil in your garden a nutritional boost time and again. It’s best if this is usually done through organic fertilizers or compost. Since it’s the soil’s environment that usually determines whether a plant will die, stagnate, or thrive, it’s a good idea to ensure it’s the right quality and has the required nutrients. Ensure the soil is wet before you add fertilizer to it. Over fertilizing can do more harm than good so it’s best to be cautious and dilute your fertilizers before using them. Water soluble fertilizers are fast acting but must be used more frequently than others. Also, make sure the fertilizers don’t get on the plant leaves to avoid burns and discoloration.

Educate yourself

Gardening is part art and part science and while it might seem like some people are born with natural green thumbs, it’s a skill that can be honed. There are lots of good books and even resources available online that you can use to learn more about plants and gardening. Over time, you will come to understand plant behavior and their needs and be able to tell what is wrong by just looking at them. Even learning one small thing every day will help you maintain a pristine garden in the future. 

Yes, it is back with a vengeance. MSG has sparked a comeback, weathering the storm. After enduring an undeserved bad rap for over five long decades as an unhealthy food additive that made you sick, it looks like it has finally resurrected itself. So, what’s MSG?

MSG, or monosodium glutamate, is a food enhancer additive produced by fermenting plant-based ingredients such as sugar cane, sugar beets, tapioca, cassava, or corn.

During the fermentation process, the protein containing glutamic acid turns into glutamate. This glutamate triggers our taste receptors, resulting in that quintessential savory taste called umami. You won’t believe it: a mother’s breast milk contains amino acid molecules—not just one but all nine essential amino acids! In addition to proteins, human milk contains free amino acids, glutamate, and glutamine, which are the most abundant.

Created in Japan by Ajinomoto Co Inc in 1908, MSG took the culinary world by storm for its inimitable umami kick, enhancing endless delectable dishes. MSG was the brainchild of a Japanese scientist, Professor Kikunae Ikeda. Over the past century, Oriental cuisine has used the wonder flavor enhancer for its umami zing.

MSG, a flavor enhancer, is frequently added to restaurant dishes, canned vegetables, soups, deli meats, and fried chicken to enhance their flavors. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified MSG as a food ingredient ‘generally recognized as safe’. However, the issue still faces a barrage of debates.

Ironically, in the late 1960s, MSG came on a hit list for allegedly being a toxic inclusion to a horde of favorite foods, from Chinese takeouts to soups and salad dressings, not sparing even the most cherished snack like French fries. It looked like the flavor enhancer used for centuries was doomed. MSG became so heavily stigmatized that scores of restaurants resorted to pitching that they’d removed it from their entire menu.

Next followed the ‘Chinese Restaurant Syndrome’ panic, fueling the fire. It demonized MSG as dangerous to humans, and evidently, Chinese dishes had to bear the brunt. The syndrome claimed that MSG causes ‘numbness of the neck, arms, and back with headache, dizziness, and palpitations’. However, further investigations uncovered it as a hoax, but the myth remained; the fallacious hype had already done the damage; the bullet had already left the barrel. People remained uncertain and suspicious. However, with this knowledge, righteous people felt informed and enlightened, understanding the truth about MSG.

Today, most of those myths and adverse anecdotal reports about MSG stand dispelled, and the US FDA and global food-regulating bodies like the Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have pronounced MSG ‘generally recognized as safe’. This reassurance should instill confidence in your food choices. Even fast-food chains like McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A, and KFC use MSG to season their hot-selling items, such as fried chicken, chicken nuggets, chicken sandwiches, and French fries.

MSG’s flavor-enriching effects are due to its umami taste, which induces salivary secretion. In other words, umami flavors make your mouth water, making the food taste better.

The bottom line

MSG is a flavor-enhancing seasoning that naturally occurs in many protein-rich foods, such as poultry, meat, cheese, fresh or hydrolyzed vegetable protein, and soy extracts.

‘The reality? You’re consuming far more glutamate from proteins than you ever could in added MSG. An average adult consumes approximately 13 grams of glutamate daily from protein in foods. In comparison, consumption of added MSG comes to about 0.55 grams per day,” writes Dr Andrea Love for the Genetic Literacy Project, an immunologist and microbiologist with over a decade of experience in basic sciences, translational medicine, and clinical research.

Further, “While 1 teaspoon of MSG contains 500 mg of sodium, 1 teaspoon of salt contains 2300 mg,” Kelsy Arndt, a credited dietician, said. “Using MSG can help decrease the total amount of sodium intake in our diet, which should be between 1,500 to 2,000 mg per day. And it can help aid in improving the overall nutritional status of the elderly.” (Source: bannerhealth.com).

Despite its past misplaced notoriety, current studies and evidence have debunked the myth that MSG is toxic. You can now feel secure and at ease, knowing that moderation is the key when enjoying food flavored with MSG. Remember, the US FDA and global food-regulating bodies like the Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have pronounced MSG ‘generally recognized as safe’. This knowledge empowers you to make informed and enjoyable food choices.

Those allergic to MSG may well avoid foods seasoned with the flavor enhancer. Some people may experience adverse effects from consuming MSG due to a condition called MSG symptom complex (MSC), which can cause symptoms such as headache, sweating, and numbness. However, it's estimated to affect people only skin-deep—less than one percent of the general population.

For those who love their food, remember that the small amounts of MSG in your favorite Chick-fil-A’s spicy chicken sandwich and waffle fries or a bowl of Chinese chicken noodle soup are safe. So, relish your meal, knowing that these popular dishes are not only toothsome but safe to consume. Bon appétit!

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the above text are solely research-based and intended for informative and educational purposes only: the author solicits reader discretion and cross-references or consulting a healthcare practitioner.

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The recently concluded Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit in Thailand saw several important sideline meetings between heads of state and government.  Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli held a bilateral meeting with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The two leaders discussed a wide range of issues:  economic cooperation, trade, aviation, tourism, culture, and development partnerships. 

During the visit, eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed—two at the government level and six between non-governmental entities. Among them, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba and Thailand’s Minister for Culture Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol signed an MoU to foster cultural collaboration. Deuba also signed an agreement on tourism cooperation with Thai Minister for Tourism and Sports Sorawong Thienthong.

Other MoUs were inked between Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh and Mahidol University, Janata Agro and Forestry Nepal and Kasetsart University, the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and the Board of Trade of Thailand, and Kathmandu University and Siam University. The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) also reached an agreement with the Federation of Thai Industries, and the Nepal Chamber of Commerce signed one with the Tourism Council of Thailand. These commitment partnerships are expected to enhance cooperation across various sectors.

 Prime Minister Shinawatra announced Thailand’s intention to increase investments in Nepal’s aviation and tourism sectors. She expressed interest in expanding Thai Airlines' flights to Kathmandu and launching direct flights to Lumbini. She further emphasized Thailand’s plans to prioritize investments in Nepal’s energy, hospitality, and aviation industries. Calling the visit historic, she highlighted the shared goal of deepening connectivity and trade relations.

PM Oli said the visit strengthened Nepal-Thailand relations. He voiced confidence in future collaboration in areas such as culture, tourism, education, and energy. Reflecting on six decades of diplomatic ties, he called for greater engagement, including stronger people-to-people connections. He also encouraged Thai investors to explore opportunities in Nepal’s hospitality and aviation sectors.

Overall, Prime Minister Oli’s visit to Thailand proved to be highly significant. One of the most notable events on the sidelines was his  one-on-one meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders met privately for 45 minutes, and Oli appeared pleased and content afterward—indicating the success of his visit.

Foreign policy must remain dynamic and responsive, as global geopolitics continues to evolve. It is crucial that Nepal reaches a national consensus on its foreign policy framework. Such a policy should transcend individual leaders or political parties. Whether led by Oli, Sher Bahadur Deuba, or Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Nepal’s foreign policy should remain consistent, reflecting the nation’s long-term interests rather than shifting with changes in leadership.

There are fundamental bases for foreign policy, and these should be discussed among all stakeholders to reach a consensus. This is a crucial time for such dialogue. While formulating our foreign policy, we must consider factors such as our geography, social norms, cultural and religious aspects, political system, international affiliations, and commitments under the United Nations Charter. If this approach is taken, the policy will be more broadly accepted.

Foreign policy may vary depending on the nature of a country’s relationship—whether we share borders, cultural and social ties, or strategic interests with major powers and donor nations.

Our foreign policy should be firmly aligned with the principles of Panchsheel and the Non-Aligned Movement. At this juncture, Nepal must prioritize sustainable development, peace and security, democratic governance by the people’s representatives, and overall national progress—guided by our geography, social structure, political system, and economic aspirations. As society advances, with improvements in education, healthcare, and global competitiveness, it is essential that our foreign policy reflects these changes.