Submit your Article

Street vendors staged a demonstration in the Capital on Sunday.

They staged a protest after the Kathmandu Metropolitan City removed the street vendors and small traders without giving them an alternative.

Saying that the street vendors were oppressed, they staged the demonstration in front of the National Assembly Hall in Bhrikutimandap.

They have demanded that the metropolis manage an alternative to carry out business.

During the demonstration, the street vendors carried placards and banners with various slogans like strict laws only to the poor, how to teach children? We are facing difficulties to eke out a hand-to-mouth existence among others.

They also displayed pamphlets comparing the street business of Bangkok and Kathmandu.

Watercress, a humble yet extraordinary vegetable, holds not only a rich history but also an abundance of nutritional and culinary benefits. Its value is not only evident in the UK, where 100 grams of watercress micro herb can be purchased online for £5.50, approximately Rs 900, and regular watercress costs £6.95, equivalent to Rs 1171. These microgreens have made their way into salads, garnishing seafood, and adding a sharp bite to sandwiches. Additionally, micro cress water can enhance soups, sauces like pesto, pasta dishes, and even roasted meats. Meanwhile, traditional watercress is a staple in salads, pasta dishes, casseroles, and sauces.

One might assume that watercress holds tremendous value as an herb. However, there’s more to the story. Watercress is not any herb. It doesn’t hold any special place in Nepali cuisine. It’s a neglected vegetable as it is grown everywhere in Nepal from 60 to 2000 meters from the sea level. 

It’s known as sim saag, khole saag, sim rayo, or kanchhi saag. For too long, this unassuming leafy green has been overlooked, but now it’s finally receiving the recognition it deserves. Watercress is a nutritional powerhouse, loaded with essential vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium and iron, making it a truly valuable addition to any diet. Its arsenal of antioxidants effectively fights free radicals, boosts immunity, and helps reduce inflammation, making it an exceptional choice for promoting overall well-being. It’s time to discover the transformative power of watercress. Your body will thank you.

Growing up, my mother used to refer to watercress as ‘hilesaag,’ which translates to ‘muddy spinach.’ We often found this wonderful green in neglected areas around our house. Different communities in Nepal have their own names for it. Watercress is found growing wild in Nepal, and some people even indulge in foraging to gather this nutritious gem.

This rapidly growing aquatic or semi aquatic perennial plant has been tantalizing taste buds for centuries, thanks to its fiery flavor profile.Often found in muddy areas and near water sources like streams, rivers, and ponds, watercress has been an integral part of Nepali cuisine for generations. It has quietly contributed to the health and well-being of the Nepali people, despite remaining relatively unknown to many.

But what truly sets watercress apart from the rest is its exceptional nutritional profile. This humble herb is a treasure trove of vital nutrients, boasting more vitamin C than oranges, more calcium than milk, more iron than spinach, and more folate than bananas—all packed into a remarkably low-calorie package. This makes watercress an excellent addition to any diet, especially for those looking to bolster their immune system, improve bone health, and guard against chronic diseases.

Studies have also shown that watercress is abundant in antioxidants, which play a crucial role in reducing the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer. Embracing the rejuvenating powers of watercress can indeed be a life-changing choice for one’s health journey.

The culinary possibilities of watercress are just as abundant as its health benefits. This versatile herb adds a spicy kick to soups and smoothies, complements cheese dishes and sandwiches, and makes a refreshing summer salad a pure delight with its succulent leaves.

Watercress is a versatile and nutritious leafy green that can be enjoyed in various ways. Its peppery taste makes it a delightful addition to salads, either on its own or mixed with other greens, providing a refreshing and nutritious dish. Additionally, watercress can be used to create flavorful soups, whether blended into a creamy concoction or added to vegetable-based soups for added taste and nutrition.

Furthermore, its unique flavor pairs exceptionally well with fish stews, enhancing the overall taste and nutritional value of the dish. Along with its delightful taste, watercress is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making it a valuable addition to any diet and offering a wide range of health benefits.

Traditionally, watercress was cultivated in waterlogged areas or streams. However, the ingenious gardeners of Nepal have discovered a more accessible way to grow this delightful green—in plastic plant pots. This simple method has made it possible for families to grow watercress at home, expanding its reach far beyond the water’s edge.

While watercress has been a hidden gem in Nepal, there is an exciting opportunity for the country to harness its potential and introduce it to the global market. With the increasing global interest in health-conscious foods, watercress could become a sought-after crop in Middle Eastern and European markets.

With the rising interest in health-conscious foods worldwide, watercress can become a sought-after crop in international markets. By establishing watercress farms and increasing its production, Nepal can export this nutritious gem to other countries, generating revenue and boosting the country’s export sector. Such a venture would not only boost the Nepali economy but also strengthen its agricultural sector, providing new avenues for prosperity and growth.

However, cultivating, harvesting, and processing watercress require a skilled labor force. Expanding watercress farming can create employment opportunities for rural communities, particularly in areas where agriculture is the primary source of livelihood. This, in turn, can help reduce rural-urban migration and alleviate poverty. Apart from fresh watercress, there is an opportunity to create value-added products such as dried watercress powder, watercress-based sauces, or watercress-infused oils. These products can fetch higher prices in both domestic and international markets, further contributing to economic growth.

Encouraging Nepalis to embrace this nutritious saag becomes even more important when considering that watercress is pesticide and chemical-free. Consuming it not only promotes good health but also supports sustainable and eco-friendly practices. So, the next time you take a leisurely stroll along a serene riverbank or spot a floating and creeping plant with its lush oval-shaped leaflets, take a moment to appreciate the unsung hero of nutrition and taste.

The author is a UK-based R&D chef

In 2009, when Rumi Rajbhandari joined Burn Violence Survivors–Nepal (BVS-Nepal), an organization working for the rehabilitation of burn survivors, she thought of it as her first step in the world of social work. She thought she would eventually move on to other ‘more lucrative’ jobs. But fast forward 15 years later, she now runs her own organization, Astitwa, that helps burn survivors find their footing back in society.

“I never planned this. But working at BVS-Nepal made me realize how neglected the issue of gender-based violence was in our country and I wanted to do something to change that,” says Rajbhandari. When she met burn victims and heard their stories, during the course of their treatments, an intense rage, fueled by the injustice of it all, would take over. Most women were set on fire by their husbands and in-laws. Others by scorned lovers. “There weren’t strict laws for the crime and most of the time the incidents were swept under the carpet as ‘domestic’ issues,” she says, adding even the police would try to get the victims to compromise and go back home.

The women were more often than not financially dependent on the men, and this compelled them to live with their abusers. The more Rajbhandari saw, the more she realized how dire the situation was. As the program coordinator for BVS-Nepal, she had to work closely with the victims and their families and that also made her bond with them. “Eventually, it became unthinkable that I could or would ever do anything else,” she says.

Now, through Astitwa which was established in 2018, she is determined to provide burn survivors first the medical aid they need and then empower them through vocational and skills training. Astitwa runs a project called Sakchyam which provides jewelry-making training to survivors. The stunning pieces of jewelry made by the didis have found markets in the UK, US, Germany, Australia, and India.

However, Sakchyam, Rajbhandari says, will now focus on the local markets as well. “We see a lot of scope for it as our pieces are well-made with good quality materials. And they are beautiful. Oftentimes, the team doesn’t want to sell the pieces. We would rather keep them for ourselves,” she says, with a laugh that lights up her eyes.

Archana Ranjit, sister in-charge, burn ward, at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Maharjgunj, Kathmandu, says Rajbhandari is a dedicated social worker. Ranjit has known Rajbhandari since her BVS-Nepal days and says she is compassionate and driven by the need to make a difference. She says Rajbhandari is able to connect with the survivors and they open up to her.

Rajbhandari’s colleagues at Astitwa agree that she has a presence that puts people at ease. The office environment isn’t formal and overwhelming because Rajbhandari isn’t strict despite being a go-getter. She knows what she wants but she doesn’t impose her ideas on others. This gives people the mental freedom and the clarity that comes with it to come up with their own ideas and solutions to problems. The team can regularly be seen discussing work over chatpate and chiya.

This has made it possible for Astitwa to achieve quite a lot of its goals in the six years it has been in operation. All their Kathmandu-based survivors have jobs, which is a big feat. When Rajbhandari first started working, no one would give jobs to burn survivors. One look at their scars and they would be rejected. But now, people are coming around and taking it upon themselves to help burn survivors by giving them the opportunities they desperately need.

“Many survivors are working as housemaids and are able to fend for themselves. This gives them an immense morale boost, and they can live free of their abusers,” says Rajbhandari.

Additionally, Astitwa has been able to fund the education of 24 students. These are all survivors or children of survivors. Rajbhandari considers this a major achievement as education will empower them and they will be able to break from the vicious cycle of poverty and the abuse that seems to be linked to it. “We have some kind sponsors who have made it possible for many of these students to stay in school,” she says, adding interested people can contact Astitwa and sponsor a child’s education. They would be making a huge impact, she says.

Rajbhandari is happy with all that Astitwa has been able to accomplish but the work sure does have its pitfalls. She recalls not being able to eat or sleep after seeing women suffering from severe third-degree burns. One would assume it would get easier with time and experience but that’s not true for her. It’s a traumatic line of work. Rajbhandari still shudders while talking about some cases. Her eyes welled up. Despite most of these women having recovered, what they had to go through continues to haunt her.

“Many perpetrators are still walking free. The survivors live in fear of their abusers. They also can’t move on because they never got justice so there is no sense of closure,” she says. There need to be stricter laws to lessen, if not put an end to, gender-based violence. Rajbhandari laments the government hasn’t given as much attention as it should to the matter. The media too doesn’t write about burn violence unless there is a new incident to report.

“Through Astitwa, I hope to bring change in our society’s attitude towards burn violence survivors and empower victims of violence. And I’m determined to do everything I can for it,” says Rajbhandari. 

The Constitution of Nepal 2015 has granted the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) the authority to examine allegations of abuse of authority against public office-holders and their aides.

In its early years--before the 1990s—the CIAA had played an effective role in curbing corruption. Over the years, the effectiveness of the constitutional anti-corruption agency has taken a beating, thanks to its rampant politicization. This has increased distrust, of the ‘small fry’ in particular, toward the agency.

Apart from a shortage of qualified personnel, CIAA also faces financial and technical limitations. Notably, it relies on support from the Nepal Police as it does not have an independent enforcement team of its own. I don’t oppose political appointments within the CIAA, but it is crucial to appoint competent and trained individuals to boost its performance. The emphasis should be on appointing officials who can act fearlessly and produce results.

The author is a former CIAA commissioner