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A visionary idea conceived by a Russian engineer in the mid-1950s—envisioning an elevator  connecting Earth to space via a concrete cable—has inspired a new era in construction. This  concept, known as the “Space Elevator,” may have sounded far-fetched at its inception, yet it laid the foundation for a revolution in material science. Central to this evolution is Ultra High  Performance Concrete (UHPC), a modern marvel with the potential to transform how we build our  future.

A leap from vision to reality 

The idea behind the space elevator is elegantly simple: anchor a mass in outer space, tether it to an  Earth station, and maintain constant tension along a 25,000 km cable that guides an elevator  between the two realms. Although such a structure demands materials of extraordinary strength—a challenge that even today remains partly unsolved—the emergence of nanotechnology has  opened up the possibility of fabricating ultra-strong nanotubes. It is within this framework that UHPC finds its entry, offering strength and durability that could someday make such futuristic projects a reality. 

Historically, concrete has evolved significantly. In the early 1950s, Otto Graf’s 70N/mm² concrete  barely sparked interest in the construction industry. It wasn’t until 1966, when Kurt Walz  introduced a 140N/mm² variant using special production methods, that the idea of enhancing  concrete properties began to take hold. By integrating stronger aggregates, microsilica, water reducing agents, and incorporating steel and polypropylene fibers, engineers gradually pushed the  boundaries of what concrete could achieve.

Engineering excellence with UHPC 

Ultra High Performance Concrete distinguishes itself by achieving compressive strengths between  150 and 200N/mm²—comparable to the strength of steel. Reinforced with fine steel fibers, UHPC  not only becomes ductile, reaching tensile strengths exceeding 15N/mm², but also achieves flexural tensile strengths up to 50N/mm². Its dense microstructure, virtually devoid of capillary pores, renders it highly resistant to liquids, gases, and corrosion. This property allows UHPC to serve as a protective wearing course for bridge decks without the need for additional safeguards  against chlorides, alkalis, or de-icing salts.

“The superior durability and strength of UHPC not only ensure longer-lasting structures but  also promise considerable savings in materials and maintenance over the lifespan of a project.” 

Despite its remarkable compression capabilities, UHPC remains primarily a compression material. To harness its full potential, engineers are exploring hybrid solutions such as integrating carbon fiber mats to bolster its tensile and shear capacities. Such innovations could lead to the creation of  lightweight yet robust girders and even enhance the performance of large-diameter precast  concrete piles.

Overcoming cost and workability challenges 

Even as UHPC stands out for its technical merits, widespread adoption faces two major hurdles: cost and workability. The intricate production and handling process make mass production of  UHPC less economical compared to conventional concrete. Historically, advancements like the  Bessemer and Open Hearth steel processing in the 1850s dramatically reduced costs and spurred  innovation. UHPC, too, awaits a breakthrough in construction technology that can bring down its  price and simplify its application. 

Quality remains paramount. UHPC demands specialized attention and equipment to ensure  consistency, a constraint that challenges its integration into conventional construction methods where dimensions and workability are critical. In light of these issues, the future of UHPC depends  on rethinking and reimagining how we approach design and application.

Innovating beyond traditional concrete 

The true promise of UHPC lies in its potential to foster entirely new structural concepts rather than  merely replacing regular concrete in existing designs. The historical trajectory of construction  materials teaches us that innovation often stems from “thinking outside the box.” Just as high strength wires revolutionized long-span suspension bridges and prestressed structures, UHPC may  well pave the way for novel architectural forms that fully exploit its exceptional properties. 

The cements typically used for UHPC, such as CEM I low-alkali Portland cements, offer high  sulphate resistance and low heat of hydration. These features, combined with a fine-grained mix that ensures homogeneity, contribute to UHPC’s impressive performance under external stresses.

A call for future innovation 

As engineers and architects continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, UHPC stands as a beacon of potential for the construction industry. Its high strength, durability, and innovative  applications signal a shift toward more sustainable and efficient building practices. To fully harness the capabilities of UHPC, the industry must develop new design paradigms—ones that  move beyond traditional structural forms and embrace the material’s groundbreaking properties. 

The journey of UHPC from a novel concept to a practical material reminds us that innovation is  an evolving process. With continued research and technological breakthroughs, UHPC may soon  become the cornerstone of next-generation infrastructure, echoing the visionary dreams of the past  while building the future of construction.

In the face of global trade uncertainties, Nepal must proactively adapt to geopolitical shifts while diversifying its economic partnerships. Strengthening regional ties, investing in domestic industries, leveraging supply chain shifts, and prioritizing digital transformation will be key to sustaining economic growth and reducing external dependencies. A well-calibrated trade strategy, backed by strong governance and infrastructure development, can enable Nepal to navigate the evolving global trade landscape with confidence.

Adapting to geopolitical realities

Nepal should reduce dependence on major powers like the US and China by expanding trade partnerships within South Asia and beyond. Strengthening economic ties with regional and interregional platforms such as BBIN, SAARC, BIMSTEC, ASEAN, IORA, and the African Union can provide alternative markets and enhance economic resilience. Additionally, closer engagement with EU agencies and Middle Eastern economies can help diversify Nepal’s trade and investment sources.

However, deepening foreign trade relations demands strong governance and accountability. Nepal must implement stricter scrutiny on foreign aid to ensure effective fund utilization, while also building trust with international donors.

Overcoming institutional challenges

A major roadblock to regional trade integration is bureaucratic inertia and political unwillingness to implement complex initiatives. Keay challenges include:

• Limited political commitment to advancing regional economic cooperation.
• Under-resourced institutions that lack the capacity to negotiate and implement effective trade policies.
• A shortage of skilled professionals with expertise in international trade and economics.

To overcome these obstacles, Nepal must prioritize institutional reforms and invest in building a capable workforce equipped to navigate the intricacies of global trade.

Solution: Invest in human capital

Nepal must empower its workforce with skills in IT, AI, and fintech to make the economy more adaptable to global shifts. Skilled labor will be a critical factor in leveraging the ongoing supply chain shifts from China to South Asia, where Nepal can benefit through IT outsourcing and low-cost manufacturing.

Diversification and self-sufficiency

To strengthen its economic base, Nepal must focus on domestic revenue generation. Key strategies include:

• Taxation reforms to enhance revenue collection and reduce reliance on foreign aid.
• Industrial growth and public-private partnerships (PPPs) to boost productivity and innovation.
• Regulatory simplification to eliminate bureaucratic red tape and foster a business-friendly environment.
• Digitization of trade and business processes to minimize corruption and improve efficiency.

Strengthening domestic industries

Nepal must reduce reliance on imports by fostering growth in agriculture, manufacturing, and services. Instead of exporting raw materials, Nepal should develop processing and manufacturing capabilities to create value-added products. Agro-based, herbal, natural fiber, and bamboo industries hold significant potential to generate employment and exports.

FDI and trade policy reforms

To attract FDI, Nepal should offer incentives in manufacturing, energy, and technology sectors. Simultaneously, tracking global trade policies—especially tariffs imposed by the US on China, the EU, and India—can help Nepal identify trade opportunities and capitalize on shifting market dynamics. Key considerations include:

• Analyzing how global firms and markets are adjusting to US tariffs and leveraging these shifts to Nepal’s advantage.
• Assessing the impact of rising consumer costs in the US and negotiating preferential market access for Nepali products.
• Capitalizing on the supply chain shift from China, which is expected to redirect five percent of global production to South Asia. Nepal can position itself as a hub for IT services and cost-effective manufacturing, provided it reforms labor laws to ensure fair wages and job security.
• Rather than pursuing retaliatory trade measures, Nepal should adopt a strategic diplomatic approach, negotiating preferential market access while quietly building trade capabilities.

Infrastructure and trade facilitation

The government must focus on policy reforms, trade facilitation, and accreditation to ensure that Nepali products meet international standards. Key infrastructure investments include:

• Developing transshipment ports to enhance access to international markets.
• Strengthening logistics and port-road connectivity to reduce trade bottlenecks.
• Enhancing trade-related services to streamline export and import processes.

Nepal must also maximize economic diplomacy by leveraging the Hub and Spoke Mission approach. Appointing trade specialists and improving foreign policy foresight and scenario planning within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can strengthen Nepal’s position in international trade negotiations.

Conclusion

Given the shifting geopolitical landscape and evolving US trade policies, Nepal must tread carefully to safeguard its trade interests. The US’s increasing reliance on tariffs and sanctions as economic tools, along with rising tensions between major global economies, calls for a strategic and diversified approach in Nepal’s trade policies. To strengthen resilience, Nepal must focus on regional cooperation, trade diversification, and digital transformation while ensuring robust governance and policy reforms.

Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, the founder of the Tughlaq dynasty in India, heard about Simraungarh, a flourishing settlement deep inside the jungle. While returning from Bengal, he ordered his army to conquer it. The last king of the Karnata dynasty, Harisingh Dev, didn’t attempt to resist. Upon hearing of the approaching Tughlaq army, he abandoned the fort and fled, carrying his goddess, Tulja Bhawani, with him.

Sometime in 1324, while escaping northward, his army grew hungry. The goddess Tulja Bhawani instructed them to eat the first animal they saw in the morning, which happened to be a water buffalo. Later, Harisingh Dev’s dynasty ruled the Kathmandu Valley, integrating and establishing Newar culture.

This is the story we often hear about how the water buffalo became a staple in Nepali cuisine.

According to Bikram Vaidya, a renowned US-based chef, researcher, and writer, Harisingh Dev’s ancestors came from southern India, where the tradition of sacrificing water buffalo and consuming its meat was already well established. He suggests that they brought this practice with them. For over 2,000 years, water buffalo has remained the most prized and primary source of protein for the Newar people.

Throughout the history of the Indian subcontinent, the water buffalo has held deep cultural and ritualistic importance. Archaeological evidence from the Harappan civilization (dating back 5,000 years) depicts the sacrifice of water buffalo, highlighting its role in both sustenance and spirituality. This practice spread across regions, taking on unique expressions among different communities, including the Newars.

The tradition of eating buffalo meat, popularly known as ‘buff’, is also linked to the Mahesh Pal dynasty, which ruled parts of the Kathmandu Valley. Historical accounts suggest that buffalo meat consumption was institutionalized during their reign to promote sustainable food practices. Male buffaloes, which were not useful for dairy production, became a primary source of meat, ensuring that no part of the animal went to waste.

During the Malla dynasty (12th to 18th centuries), the Newars flourished as a community deeply engaged in trade, art, and culture. The Malla kings’ patronage of festivals and rituals reinforced the role of water buffalo in religious offerings. Male buffaloes, in particular, were used in sacrificial ceremonies during major festivals such as Dashain, Indra Jatra, and Pachali Bhairav Jatra. This tradition continues today, symbolizing the connection between the buffalo and divine appeasement.

This philosophy aligns with the modern ‘nose-to-tail’ culinary movement, which emphasizes using every part of an animal. For the Newars, this approach was both practical and celebratory. Each organ and cut of the buffalo was transformed into a delicacy, enriching their cuisine with a diverse range of flavors and textures.

According to Bikram Vaidya, when animals are slaughtered during special occasions, over 30 different dishes are prepared using various parts of the buffalo. Newar cuisine exemplifies the principle of zero waste, ensuring that every part of the male buffalo is utilized. Here is a glimpse into some of the most remarkable buffalo dishes in Newar cuisine:

• Nhyapu (Buffalo Brain): A delicacy cooked with spices, creating a creamy and rich dish.
• Tisya (Buffalo Meat): Tender cuts cooked in a variety of ways, from grilling to stewing.
• Mye (Buffalo Tongue): Marinated and grilled, valued for its chewy texture.
• Swan (Buffalo Lungs): Often stuffed and fried, showcasing innovative cooking techniques.
• Sapumhicha: A celebrated dish of buffalo tripe stuffed with bone marrow and then fried.
• Go (Stomach): Cooked in curries or stir-fried with spices.
• Sen (Buffalo Liver): Prepared with mustard oil and garlic for a rich flavor.
• Hi (Blood): Coagulated and spiced to create a savory dish.
• Chwahi (White Blood): Another unique preparation of buffalo blood.
• Dayekagu La (Cooked Meat): A staple in every feast, featuring richly spiced buffalo meat.
• Takha La (Jellied Meat): A winter delicacy made by slow-cooking meat and allowing it to set into a jelly.
• Sanya Khuna: A spiced, jelly-like preparation made from buffalo soup.
• Haku Chhwela: Smoky grilled meat marinated in spices.
• Mana Chhwela: Boiled and marinated buffalo meat.
• Bhutan: Stir-fried intestines, a crunchy and flavorful dish.
• Chhyala (Head Meat): A flavorful preparation using meat from the buffalo’s head.
• Mikha (Eyes): Cooked and spiced, exemplifying the true nose-to-tail philosophy.
• Bosyanndra (Blood-Filled Intestine): A sausage-like preparation made with seasoned blood.
• Kachila (Raw Meat): Seasoned raw minced meat, often served with toasted flatbread.
• Chyakula: A unique dish made from specific cuts of buffalo.
• Khaya Chhwela (Chicken Chhwela): An adaptation using chicken.
• Nyaya Chhwela (Fish Chhwela): A version made with fish, adding diversity to the spread.
• Jan La (Back Meat): A prized cut prepared with care.
• Takula (Large Cuts): Often slow-cooked for a tender texture.
• Twanang: Another specialty cut prepared in traditional ways.
• Hyakula: A key part of the feast, highlighting specific cuts.
• Nhyepang (Tail): Cooked with spices for a chewy delight.
• Sapu (Tripe): Used in various dishes, often paired with spicy sauces.
• Amphi Chhyala: Meat prepared using a unique method involving aged spices.
• Kaa Kwa (Meatball): Meatballs made from buffalo meat and herbs.

When I set out to discuss buffalo dishes in Newar cuisine, I knew my knowledge and language skills were limited. Additionally, I haven’t tasted many of the dishes I have described here. However, as American writer Maya Angelou once said:Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better. With this in mind, I have made an attempt, and I encourage young Nepali food lovers and food scientists to document and preserve the rich variety of buffalo dishes in Newar cuisine.

The author is a London-based R&D chef

The sixth summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), taking place from April 1 to 5 in Thailand, is set to be a defining moment for the regional bloc. At the heart of the discussions will be the adoption of BIMSTEC Vision 2030, a strategic roadmap aimed at expanding and strengthening collaboration among member-states.

Adding to the summit’s significance, leaders are expected to approve a comprehensive report by the Eminent Persons’ Group (EPG), which proposes sweeping reforms to reinvigorate and redefine the organization’s role in the region. Indra Mani Pandey, Secretary-General of BIMSTEC, underscored the importance of this gathering in an interview with ANI, highlighting that it will be the first in-person summit since Kathmandu hosted the event in 2018.

One of the key outcomes will be the formalization of BIMSTEC Vision 2030, a forward-looking framework designed to guide future cooperation. Additionally, leaders will adopt rules of procedure, building on the momentum of the BIMSTEC Charter’s enforcement in May 2023. The summit will also witness the signing of a Maritime Transport Cooperation Agreement, a crucial step toward enhancing regional connectivity. Another major highlight will be the virtual inauguration of the BIMSTEC Energy Centre in Bengaluru, an initiative aimed at fostering knowledge-sharing in energy sector reforms, regulations, and best practices among member nations.

Despite being established in 1997, BIMSTEC only adopted its foundational charter in 2022, reflecting its historically slow progress. However, with the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) remaining inactive due to persistent India-Pakistan tensions, BIMSTEC has emerged as a potential alternative for regional collaboration. India, in particular, has been actively working to elevate BIMSTEC’s role, though officials maintain that SAARC could still be revived in the future.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli will lead Nepal’s delegation to the summit, reiterating the country’s support for BIMSTEC while emphasizing that it should not be seen as a replacement for SAARC. The 2018 Kathmandu Summit, held during Oli’s previous term, produced an 18-point declaration, setting a precedent for ambitious outcomes this year.

On the sidelines of the summit, Prime Minister Oli is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings, including with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, raising prospects for progress on regional diplomacy.

As BIMSTEC seeks to move beyond years of sluggish progress, this summit could mark the beginning of a new chapter in regional cooperation, one that bridges South Asia and Southeast Asia more effectively than ever before.