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Dirgha Raj Upadhaya’s journalistic journey began in the far-western town of Dhangadhi in the late 1990s. The technological landscape of that time stood in stark contrast to today’s digital world. The text of the newspaper was first composed by hand using individual letters. It would then be engraved into a plate which was used to print. The coffee culture had not yet begun and people would sip tea while reading newspapers. It took three days for newspapers from Kathmandu to reach Dhangadhi. Upadhayay used to go to different places on a bicycle to collect news. 

After preparing his report, he would submit it to the editor who often found the information lacking. Unfazed, Upadhaya used to run multiple times to collect additional information and rewrite the news. After working a year at a local Seti Samachar daily, Upadhaya started reporting for Kathmandu-based Naya Sadak daily. Simultaneously, he contributed to a local newspaper. Two years later, he was promoted to the position of desk editor at Nepal Times daily. In 2001, he joined Rajdhani daily—another Kathmandu-based paper. After a few years, he assumed the role of Sudurpaschim Bureau chief for the daily.

His daily routine involved navigating the streets of Dhangadhi on a bicycle to look for interesting stories. He used to file up to eight news stories daily, wielding his pen with equal prowess across politics, economy, sports, education, and society beats. In an era devoid of computers and laptops, news reports were transmitted via fax machines to Kathmandu. The cost of sending a fax was Rs 20-25 per page in those days. Yashica camera and Kodak films bore witness to arduous journeys of the bygone era when, at times, an entire film had to be sacrificed to get one good photograph.

Then came the era of the Internet. Maya’s Computer first provided Internet service in Dhangadhi using the connection from Nepalgunj. The cost was Rs 15-20 per minute. But the Internet was so slow that it would often take 20 minutes to send a single photograph. A major share of the salary would go to foot Internet bills. But the satisfaction derived from printing the front-page news byline with accompanying photos would have been incomparable. Eventually, digital cameras and computers emerged, followed by laptops and the advent of the offset press.

Meanwhile, the country grappled with extreme conflict as the armed struggle initiated by the Maoists reached its zenith. Maoists infiltrated cities, and even in Dhangadhi, gunfire echoed across the bridge of the District Police Office in broad daylight. Employing guerrilla tactics, the Maoists targeted police and politicians within the market. Upadhaya found himself in the  crossfire while covering the intensity of clashes between Maoists and security forces for his media. He witnessed the attack on the Ward Police Office and the Jaukaku District Jail in Dhangadhi. 

However, his journalistic integrity remained intact despite threats from both sides. He traveled to numerous places, including Pandaun, Khimdi, Chisapani, Lamki Police Station, Bankhet, Shankarpur, and Kanchanpur to cover news stories. He reached Achham following the Maoist attack on Sanfe and the headquarters of Mangalsen in Achham. He also prepared news reports about the wives and children of police personnel killed in the Maoist attack at Banbehda in Kailali. He traveled from Bajura to Rolpa during the insurgency, becoming a firsthand witness to the Maoist armed struggle.

Simultaneously, he served as the Sudurpaschim Bureau chief for Image Television and Communication Corner from Dhangadhi. He contributed articles to publications like Himal, Nepali Times and Nepal showcasing his versatility across various journalistic platforms. Additionally, he assumed the role of a regional editor at Sancharika Group. In the 60s, Upadhyay ventured into the daily newspaper publishing business alongside fellow journalists in Dhangadhi. In the late 2000s, he started his own newspaper named Paschim Today. He is serving as the chairman and chief editor of Sudurpaschim, the only broadsheet daily of the province, a FM radio station with a capacity of 1,000 Watt and PashchimToday.Com online news portal.

From 2013 to 2023, his extensive travels took him to various countries worldwide for reporting and programs. He brought compelling stories from Bangladesh, China and Jordan. As a delegate of the UNMISS mission, he reported on the impacts of conflict on children and delved into the intricacies of ethnic conflict. His reports covered the role played by peacekeeping forces in maintaining stability and scrutinizing Ethiopia’s developmental progress. He traveled to Myanmar to cover its first general election. He has traveled to 20 countries for reporting. In 2022, he participated in a three-week-long IVLP program of the US government which further enriched his understanding of global dynamics and strengthened his commitment to international journalism.

Throughout his journalism career, Upadhaya assumed various roles within the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), advocating for freedom of the press and expression. While serving as the president of the Kailali district committee of FNJ, he played an active role to secure the release of Lucky Chaudhary, abducted by the Maoists. Under Upadhaya’s initiative, all newspapers that had shut during the insurgency reopened. He also helped secure the release of journalist Nagendra Upadhyay from military custody. 

Following the disappearance of Jagat Prasad (JP) Joshi, a journalist working for the Maoist mouthpiece Jandisha, Upadhaya urged the police to initiate a search. Those responsible for Joshi’s kidnapping and subsequent disappearance were eventually arrested. Recognizing his work, FNJ bestowed ‘Best President Award’ on him in  2009.

He played a pivotal role in establishing the Rotary Club in Dhangadhi in 2013. After the 2015 earthquakes, he led distribution of relief materials from Dhangadhi to affected districts. He also initiated a water supply project in Godavari Municipality for over 1000 households. During the Covid pandemic, he supported over 30,000 Nepalis arriving from India through the Humanity Foundation. He helped bring PCR machines for government hospitals and distributed hygiene packs to 1,500 women in quarantine.

During the second wave of covid, his team launched a free oxygen campaign and established an oxygen bank for the common people. He also helped raise Rs 1.2m for the treatment of late journalist Karna Bohra’s wife. For him, the true meaning of life lies in the ability to save others.

Recent research indicates that zoonotic diseases will continue to grow and become a leading cause of animal and human casualties. Thus, healthcare workers, including animal health workers, will increasingly face substantial challenges in controlling such diseases, as these zoonotic diseases will continue to evolve and develop into new strains of pathogens or completely new pathogens along with complex disease dynamics. This complex nature of diseases underpins the importance of an integrated One-Health Approach (OHA) to address zoonotic diseases. Thus, this approach has emerged as a specified field of disease prevention and control that aims to promote the overall well-being of humans, animals and the environment.  

Although OHA has got a boost in many countries, it is rarely institutionalized. The lack of translation of scientific studies for the benefit of local communities has made people reluctant to follow OHA. It received greater attention from prominent organizations such as WHO, OIE, FAO, CDC and EU, leading to the development of a joint plan of action for the integration of OHA into national disease prevention and control strategies, giving rise to one-health organizations and integrated disease control models. Furthermore, many developed and developing countries have started to work on a one-health approach and developed legislations and laws to guide OH actions. Now, the gradual integration of the OHA is occurring across the various areas of prevention and control of diseases. 

Despite the acknowledged importance of the one-health approach for effective prevention and control of diseases, the barriers to the implementation of OHA persist in many Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs). These barriers include a lack of qualified one-health professionals, funding constraints, a silo mentality among all concerned stakeholders, lack of intersectoral collaboration and political will, absence of collaboration among all stakeholders and inadequate investment by the government to promote OHA. Furthermore, there exists a dearth of research that involves the cost-effectiveness of OHA. This absence of information is a serious limitation for assessing the usefulness of OHA, whose application in the field condition is extremely poor. This paucity of data might be due to several factors, including wildlife professionals being excluded from multidisciplinary one-health action committees or lacking resources/measures to effectively account for sociocultural systems. However, despite having such challenges, these challenges represent opportunities for better integration and implementation of OHA involving all stakeholders, ranging from policymakers to wildlife and environmental professionals.

The OH activities have historically been disregarded in many developed and developing countries. In addition, factors that affect the implementation of OHA are poorly understood. Lack of collaboration and communication among all concerned stakeholders are pervasive, and wildlife and environmental professionals are neglected in OH action policies. Furthermore, due to a limited understanding of OHA among ground-level stakeholders, implementation of OHA has not yielded intended results. Lack of qualified one-health professionals in the field conditions, coupled with inadequate infrastructure, has prevented instant action in the field conditions. Lack of awareness among the public regarding the OHA has led to a low level of public acceptance of OHA.

Effective prevention and control of diseases needs a comprehensive and systematic approach involving all stakeholders with multidisciplinary interventions. A growing body of knowledge has shown that an integrated OHA is a cost-effective way to prevent and control diseases. Thus, integration of OHA across all disciplines of governance in all three tiers of government as well as research in institutions is essential for effective OH action.

Long-term investments in awareness campaigns for stakeholder behavioral change, research on the cost-effectiveness of OHA, and collaborative partnerships are necessary if OHA is to be effective.  A constant effort should be made to promote better knowledge and understanding of one-health issues in society either through awareness campaigns, rallies, seminars, and dissertation groups or through social media platforms. As there is an acute lack of one-health experts in many developing countries, the training of non-specialists under the supervision of one-health experts and strengthening their capacity in prevention and control of zoonotic diseases, disaster response, and risk reduction, data collection, and communication would be an effective approach. To raise awareness among public, school and university curricula should be updated with the inclusion of OHA. 

Those students in school and university then can teach their parents about one-health issues through lessons learned in school. And, the parents by being aware of OH issues, can apply preventive and control measures to prevent disease occurrences. Therefore, students should be educated and supported to facilitate the implementation of one-health activities. Using education platforms could be a cost-effective method involving little or no financial resources, raising awareness to convey a message about one-health systems.

Healthcare professionals working in field conditions should be trained on OHA. Now, it is time for all countries to act together to achieve the goal of disease control and elimination as envisioned by One-Health policy documents by building a strong intersectoral collaboration, funding allocation, infrastructures, human resources as well as political commitments.

This OHA should be spearheaded by professional OH actors and/or societies to provide needed expertise to address OH issues. Furthermore, WHO, OIE and FAO should provide support for regional cooperation among countries to build a robust system of OHA plans for better preparedness in dealing with epidemics and preventing as well as controlling zoonotic diseases. Thus, it is high time to implement OHA to tackle infectious diseases.

The author is a Veterinary officer at the Department of Livestock Services (DLS)

Fifty years ago, our countries embarked on a journey of friendship, understanding, and collaboration. Today, as we reflect on the past five decades, we can take pride in the progress we have achieved together. The journey of the last 50 years is a story of shared values, mutual respect, and a commitment to building a better future for our people.

The emblem is a symbol of the enduring friendship between our nations as well as collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Nepal and our Embassy in shaping a meaningful representation of this significant milestone. Today, as we unveil the result of cooperation between the Ministry and the Embassy, we can witness the strong bonds that have flourished over the past five decades. 

This book stands not only as a testament to their individual journeys but also as a powerful symbol of the fruitful outcomes of bilateral employment cooperation. The 26 businessmen featured in this book are living proof that the exchange of skills and experiences can yield personal growth and substantial contribution to the economic landscape of Nepal. These 26 business owners are heroes to create jobs in Nepal and to inspire other returnees to have a dream. Each success of 26 heroes also started from their dream. Their stories exemplify the spirit of bilateral employment cooperation, demonstrating that collaboration between Korea and Nepal can be a powerful catalyst for personal and economic development. Thanks for your contribution for this book and joining today here.

As we celebrate this golden anniversary, we must also look ahead to the future. Our diplomatic ties have weathered the test of time. Now, more than ever, it is crucial for us to strengthen our cooperation for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The global landscape is ever-changing, and by deepening our collaboration, we can navigate together these changes with resilience and solidity.

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the leaders and people of both Korea and Nepal for reaching this historic milestone. It is a testament to the dedication and commitment of countless individuals who have worked tirelessly to build bridges, foster understanding, and promote cooperation between our nations.

As we stand at the threshold of the next 50 years, let us envision a future where our nations continue to grow and prosper together. May the spirit of friendship and cooperation that has characterized the last five decades guide us in creating a world of shared prosperity, peace, and mutual understanding. May the next 50 years be filled with even greater achievements and closer collaboration between Korea and Nepal. 

Statement delivered at the launching ceremony of commemorative log and book on success stories under EPS program

The Public Account Committee of the House of Representatives has started investigating the decision of the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) to lease Gautam Buddha’s ossuary mausoleum located in Ramgram of Nawalparasi district, bypassing the public procurement regulations. The committee wrote to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) and LDT on Tuesday “to provide all the documents related to this matter within seven days”.

The committee has specifically sought to know as to why LDT initiated the lease process despite a disagreement in writing on the part of the Ministry of Finance, MoCTCA and the Department of Archeology.

Ignoring the public procurement regulations, LDT has inked a deal with the Moksha Foundation and the Promised Land Pvt Ltd for the excavation and construction of structures, including stupas, within Gautam Buddha’s ossuary mausoleum in Ramgram. It has been revealed that LDT Vice-chair Lharkyal Lama initiated the Rs 7bn project despite objections from various authorities. 

According to the terms of the agreement, the excavation of the ossuary and the construction of the stupa, Buddhist monasteries and other structures representing different countries will take place in Ramgram. 

“To facilitate this, approximately 116 bighas of private land, 75  kathas of land owned by the Trust, and 10 kathas of land owned by the Department of Archaeology will be integrated and leased to the private company,” the agreement states.

Per the agreement, LDT will be responsible for acquiring the land from locals, while Moksha Foundation will conduct land pooling and the Promised Land Pvt Ltd will manage it. 

Nikesh Adhikari, the owner of the Promised Land, is the son of Sharada Prasad Adhikari, the landlord of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s Khumaltar-based residence.

The project had reportedly remained stalled for years due to a lack of transparency in investment. It eventually got the green light after Lama assumed the position of LDT Vice-chair on 6 Aug 2023.