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Monu Shah is a successful model and event organizer, known for his work in the glamor and pageant industry in Nepal. He hosts events as well and is great at it. He’s also the face behind nearly 50 Nepali music videos, featuring in hit tracks like ‘Chakhewa Jodi’, ‘Fasayo’, ‘Timro Yaad Bhulauna’, ‘Prem Na Hundo Ho’, ‘Saash’, and many more. He’s also the proud owner of  ‘Shah Studio and Company Pvt Ltd’ which not only hosts modeling events but is also involved in music, advertisement, and movie production.

After completing school in his hometown Dhanusha, Shah moved to Kathmandu for further studies. While in Kathmandu, he got interested in acting and decided to pursue it, and he has been doing so for the past seven years. Shah says that the more he explored, the more he got enraptured with acting and modeling. Watching Nepali actor Najir Husen’s performances on theater and screen was a turning point for him. “It ignited something deep within me and I knew there was no going back,” he says. 

Husen’s acting career became Shah’s guiding light. He aspired to follow in his footsteps. Shah enrolled himself in a theater group. Following that, he also participated in the Mr Teen competitions. This, he believes, was what later paved the way for him to become the showstopper at various fashion shows in Nepal. 

As his popularity grew, he landed roles in various music videos and advertisements for brands like Budweiser and some dairy products. He also got the chance to collaborate with different industries. With time and experience, he is now able to organize fashion runways and pageant events with ease. He is happy with the place he has managed to carve for himself in theater and the music industry. Now, his heart is set on doing cinemas where he can showcase his talents as a performer.

As someone in the public eye, he’s no stranger to challenges. He says he approaches them with optimism. For him, authenticity is the key to success. He stays true to himself without getting caught up in comparisons or competition with anyone. “I deal with every challenge with a positive mindset and I use them as valuable lessons to improve myself,” he says.

He works hard to stay updated, comes up with new ideas, and is always open to learning. Shah says, “Each experience teaches me something valuable, making me better at what I do.” Two years ago, he organized an event called ‘Face of Rajdhani’ which became a big success and helped him learn and grow. He considers it to be a turning point that boosted his event management career. 

He comes from the Tarai and feels stories need to emphasize inclusiveness so that our society can embrace uniqueness rather than fear it. He confesses he has struggled with stereotyping and that if he had let it stop him, he would have gotten nowhere. But it can dampen your spirits, he says. 

He says that he wants his achievements to go beyond personal success. He wants to be a role model to those who want to build a career in the entertainment industry. As for his work in the fashion scene, he is intent on supporting local and sustainable brands and showcasing the talents of Nepali artisans. 

“I’m selective about the work I do. I want it to inspire and uplift people and communities, especially the younger generation,” he says. Shah has plans to organize events that match international standards so that new faces and talents get the opportunities they need to grow. 

As of now, he’s working on plans to host an award event called ‘Kollywood Night’ to celebrate the hard work of Nepali artists and producers. He’s also gearing up to step into the global spotlight as an organizer for some big international events.

The consumer price inflation in Nepal is expected to remain high at 6.7 percent in Fiscal Year 2024, close to the central bank's 6.5 percent ceiling, due to VAT exemptions removal, India's food export restrictions, and increased paddy minimum support prices.

However, inflation is forecasted to decline to 6 percent in FY25 and 5.5 percent in FY26, driven by global commodity price moderation and domestic price containment through monetary policy. Projected lower inflation in India may also help reduce domestic inflation via the currency peg, mitigating imported inflation, the World Bank (WB) stated in its Nepal Development Update (April 2024) it unveiled on Tuesday.

According to the WB, Nepal's economic growth is set to rebound, from 1.9 percent in FY23 to a forecast 3.3 percent in FY24. Growth is then projected to further accelerate to 5 percent on average, over FY25-26. This recovery is largely attributed to the easing of monetary policy, assuming productive use of private sector credit. Additionally, reforms to improve the business environment could attract more private investment, further boosting medium-term growth prospects.

The services sector is expected to be the key driver of growth in the coming years. Accommodation and food services are poised to benefit significantly from the rise in tourist arrivals. The ongoing construction of new five-star hotels and government policies supporting real estate loans are expected to further stimulate the accommodation sub- sector.

Meanwhile, the industrial sector is expected to grow, buoyed by significant expansions in electricity generation capacity, fostering a more conducive environment for industrial activities. However, agricultural growth is projected to slow down due to various factors, including the outbreak of lumpy skin disease among livestock and a decrease in paddy production growth.

The current account balance is forecasted to return to surplus in FY24, driven by robust remittance growth and a narrowing trade deficit, but is expected to narrow subsequently as remittances taper off and the trade deficit expands.

The trade deficit is expected to improve in the medium term, falling below its FY23 level. This is due to a projected decline in goods imports in FY24, although imports are expected to rebound in FY25 and FY26. Goods exports, particularly in electricity, are expected to increase. While services exports could rise with tourism recovery, services imports may surpass exports due to continued emigration. Despite efforts to attract more foreign direct investment, inflows are likely to remain modest.

Nepal's fiscal deficit is poised to decrease significantly from its peak in FY23 (about 6 percent of GDP), stabilizing around 3 percent of GDP in the medium term, despite a projected higher deficit in FY24 compared to the government's revised forecast. Revenue is expected to rise to 20.1 percent of GDP by FY26, supported by robust GDP growth and increased goods imports. Meanwhile, spending is expected to increase to 22.8 percent of GDP by FY26, driven by enhanced execution of public investment.

The National Project Bank’s integrated guidelines, introduced in March 2023, aim to streamline project development and prioritization, contributing to more effective capital spending by FY25. Financing for the fiscal deficit will likely come from external concessional borrowing and domestic sources. However, public debt is projected to decline to 40.8 percent of GDP by FY26 from its FY23 peak because of higher economic growth.

The forecast is subject to both domestic and external risks. Externally, geopolitical uncertainty could trigger a rise in commodity prices, impacting all sectors. A growth slowdown in partner countries might also lead to a drop in remittances and tourism, hindering economic growth. Persistent inflation expectations and lower domestic demand could further dampen economic activity. Natural disasters pose additional risks to sustaining welfare gains.  Finally, frequent political changes, a top headwind for businesses for over a decade, could continue to deter private investment.

Nepal's poverty rate fell due to migration and remittances, alongside consumption increases. The recent nationally household survey data from the Nepal Living Standard Survey 2022/23 shows a large decline in poverty from 25 percent to just 3.6 percent between 2011 and 2023 (using the 2011 National Poverty Line). The prosperity gap and inequality also reduced over the same period. However, challenges persist with a weak labor market and limited social assistance, posing risks amid economic and climate shocks.

Overall, H1FY24 data corroborated the structural challenges facing Nepal's economy.

On the fiscal front, the Nepal Development Update highlighted the need to strengthen the execution and efficiency of capital expenditure to boost economic growth, as well as the importance of reducing dependence on imports tax revenue.

Sound and consistent monetary policy will also be key to boosting confidence and stimulating economic growth. Addressing the increasing level of non-performing loans in the financial sector is crucial to strengthen financial stability and support private investment. On the external side, the high dependency on remittance inflows exposes the country to external shocks. Thus, there's a need to strengthen Nepal's international competitiveness for other sources of external earnings, such as tourism and foreign direct investment, by boosting exports of goods.

Bel fruit, scientifically known as Aegle marmelos, offers a multitude of health benefits. Studies suggest that bel possesses antimicrobial properties, potentially aiding in the fight against certain bacteria and fungi. Its anti-inflammatory effects have also been noted, providing potential relief from bodily inflammation.

Moreover, bel is believed to harbor hepatoprotective properties, which could contribute to liver health, along with anti-diarrheal effects to alleviate digestive discomfort. Its anti-mutagenic properties may help prevent DNA damage.

When you delve into the study of bel, you can uncover many more claims about its health benefits. But did you know that bel patra once cooled down Lord Shiva? If it could cool down the God of Gods, then the pulp of the bel fruit can cool us down during summer. How? Let’s begin with the story of Mahadev or Shiva during the time of the churning of the ocean.

But first, let’s address the false story of bel bibaha—the misinformation about Newar girls marrying the bel fruit. The ceremony is called Ihi, and the girls are married to Suvarna Kumar, which symbolizes Lord Vishnu. It probably started to save Newar women from ‘Sati Pratha,’ where widows were forced to sacrifice themselves in the burning fire. During Ihi, bel fruit is given as a witness, as bel fruit (wood apple) has a peculiar quality of not rotting and remaining fresh forever.

Due to the release of poison during the churning of the ocean, the entire world became unable to bear its heat. Even the Sura and Asura (gods and demons) were troubled by the heat. Then everyone worshiped Lord Shiva and asked him for his help in getting rid of the heat created by the poison.

Lord Shiva drank the poison to free everyone from it. The heat of the poison was so intense that its effect did not diminish, and Mahadev’s throat turned blue. Then the Sura and Asura offered bel patra and water to Mahadev. Due to the effect of bel patra, the temperature of the poison started decreasing. Lord Shiva’s fever subsided after the offering of bel patra, and he became happy and blessed everyone, saying that from now on he would fulfill every wish of those who offer bel patra to him. Since then, the tradition of offering bel patra on Lord Shiva or one of his forms—the Shiva linga—has been ongoing.

According to another story, the leaves are dearest to Lord Shiva because the Purana mentions that once Goddess Parvati’s sweat droplets fell on the Mandrachal Mountain. It led to the growth of the bel plant. So, the Goddess is considered to reside in the bel tree in all her forms.

Bel is known as Bengal quince, stone apple, curd fruit, elephant apple, Adhararutha (Sanskrit), Iyalbudi (Tamil), Sriphalamu (Telugu), Billi (Gujarati), and Bel in Nepali, Hindi, and Bengali.

Bel possesses many medicinal values and is therefore used as an ingredient in Ayurvedic herbal medical preparations. The fruits, bark, leaves, seeds, and roots of bel contain bioactive compounds such as coumarin, xanthotoxol, imperatorin, aegeline, and marmeline.

Bel sharbat is traditionally made during summer. It’s said that if you drink bel sharbat in the morning, it will protect you from outside heat throughout the day. The plant is highly edible, and the fruit is eaten raw or made into marmalades, jams, jellies, and drinks.

In Indonesia, the fruit is opened and dressed with palm sugar for eating at breakfast. Young leaves and shoots are cooked as a vegetable in Thailand or used as a condiment in Indonesia. An infusion of the flowers is used to make a refreshing beverage. The fruit is also processed to make candied fruit and fruit toffees.

In Nepal and India, bel sharbat is quite popular during summer. There are many ways of making it. The seeded pulp is beaten also with milk and sugar to make sharbat. In the Indian state of Odisha, bel fruit pulp is mixed with fresh cheese, milk, water, sugar, crushed black pepper, and ice, and it becomes the great drink called bela pana.

During their New Year’s Day, Maha Bishuba Sankranti (on Baishakh 1 of the Nepali New Year’s day), Odia people prepare special bela pana with ripe bel, milk, black pepper, cheena (cheese curd), tiny pieces of peeled banana and honey or jaggery, yogurt, cardamom, ground cashews, and freshly grated coconut.

One popular method of making bel sharbat is to wash wood apples, cut them, and take out their pulp. Mix it with double the volume of water and mash it. Run this mashed pulp through a strainer and extract the juice by pressing it with the help of a spoon.

Add sugar to the juice. When it’s mixed in the juice properly, pour cold water or put some ice cubes in it. You can mix salt and cumin (jeera) powder as per your requirement. You can make four to five glasses of squash from one kg of wood apples.

Efforts to conserve the Bel tree are crucial as over-exploitation and habitat degradation have led to its classification as ‘near threatened’ on the IUCN Red List. To safeguard this vital aspect of culture and tradition, initiatives to plant and conserve bel trees are necessary.

 The author is a UK-based R&D chef

Nehru Joshi is the program coordinator at Genius IB World School. ApEx talked to her about Nepal’s education system, students and teaching-learning process and more. 

How can we create a more children-friendly learning environment in schools? 

The notion of education has significantly evolved beyond the traditional confines of textbook-centric learning. We're currently witnessing an exhilarating transformation phase within our education system, where learning extends far beyond the pages of textbooks and four walls of a classroom. Today’s education models are child-friendly and immersive, focusing on holistic development, hands-on experiences, and real-world application. We’re integrating technology into our classrooms, not just for the sake of using gadgets, but to make learning interactive, engaging, and relevant. We focus increasingly on experiential learning—taking learners outside the traditional settings to learn through experience.This approach encourages creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence, ensuring learners are not merely carrying book bags, but are actively engaging with the knowledge and skills necessary for the 21st century. It’s an exciting time for education, as we ensure that every child feels supported, challenged, and inspired in our education system, not just academically but in all facets of their development.

What are the ways to make our education more practical oriented? 

Integrating hands-on learning experiences, applying real-world contexts, and fostering interdisciplinary learning within educational curriculums are crucial steps toward making education more applicable and engaging for learners. Such an approach not only cultivates critical thinking and problem-solving skills but also encourages learners to analyze and understand concepts deeply. By adopting inquiry-based learning, we can encourage learners to examine context from both local and global perspectives. This engagement helps become a lifelong learner and fosters an international-mindedness. This educational method facilitates engagement with complex issues beyond traditional subject boundaries, potentially improving academic outcomes.

 There are views that private sector education is too expensive and so they should be converted into public schools. What are your views on it? 

Private-sector education, while often associated with higher costs, plays a crucial role in the broader educational ecosystem. One of the core strengths of private schools is their ability to provide highly personalized education. This is due in part to smaller class sizes, which enable teachers to engage more deeply with each student, understanding their unique learning styles, challenges, and strengths. Moreover, private schools often have the flexibility to adopt innovative teaching methods and pedagogies. This agility allows them to adapt to the latest educational research and technological advancements, offering students a relevant and forward-thinking education that prepares them for the complexities of the modern world. In addition, the diverse extracurricular programs contribute to the holistic development of students. These programs, ranging from performing arts, mental and emotional wellness, visual arts, design and technology to sports and beyond, are essential for nurturing well-rounded individuals who excel not only in their academic pursuits but also in their personal growth.

In Nepal, where education is a pivotal element for development, the partnership between private and public schools can be particularly impactful. Private institutions can bring in their expertise in curriculum development, teacher training, and the integration of technology in education. This synergy can help uplift the overall quality of education, making it more accessible and inclusive. Such partnerships can serve as a bridge, ensuring that the advantages of private education are not confined to those who can afford it but are extended to a wider population, ultimately strengthening Nepal’s education system.

Do you agree that SEE should be canceled? 

My perspective is that while standardized assessments have their place in evaluating certain academic achievements, they shouldn’t be the sole measure of a child’s progress or potential. The real essence of education extends far beyond what can be captured in a standardized test. We’re preparing students not just academically but for life, which involves a myriad of skills and attributes that standardized tests simply cannot assess. Instead, we should prioritize ongoing assessment strategies that monitor a child’s holistic development, including language proficiency, interpersonal skills, creative thinking, critical thinking, emotional skills, and problem-solving abilities. This approach recognizes and nurtures the diverse strengths and challenges of each child, offering continuous feedback for timely support. It respects the fact that learning is a process, not a destination, and that each child progresses through this process at their own pace and in their own way. Unlike standardized tests that capture a mere snapshot, ongoing assessments provide a comprehensive view of a child’s capabilities, fostering well-rounded individuals ready to face complexities with confidence.

There are preparations to keep school education under the local government, is it justifiable?

In my opinion, decentralizing education to keep it under local government control can significantly contribute to country development and economic growth by tailoring education to local needs, cultures, and economic conditions. This approach allows for more agile implementation of educational programs, closer quality assurance, and more effective monitoring of outcomes. By involving local communities in decision-making, it not only enhances democracy in education but also ensures that educational strategies are more aligned with local priorities, which can lead to increased relevance and effectiveness of education. This relevance can drive better educational outcomes, leading to the local economic context, thereby stimulating economic growth. Moreover, local control can foster innovation in teaching methods and curriculum design, as local authorities can more easily experiment and innovate based on immediate feedback and results, contributing further to the overall development of the country’s education system.