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The year 2024 marked a significant electoral season across major nations, including the UK, the USA, Russia and India. However, global attention was particularly focused on the US presidential election.

Republican Party candidate Donald Trump made a stunning comeback to the White House, defeating Democratic candidate and incumbent Vice-president Kamala Harris. Trump, who lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden after serving his first term (2017-2021), began his 2024 campaign the day his defeat was confirmed. With years of preparation and relentless effort, his strategy paid off.  

Trump secured 312 electoral votes and 50 percent of the popular vote, surpassing the required 270 electoral votes to win leaving Harris with 226 electoral votes and 48.3 percent of the popular vote.

This election was of global importance also because it occurred amid significant global conflicts, notably the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, with Iran and Lebanon's involvement, and the Russia-Ukraine war surpassing 1,000 days. The United States played a pivotal role in these conflicts, both directly and indirectly.

These wars have had profound global repercussions, including soaring inflation rates, environmental degradation and widespread human suffering. The Democratic Party and President Joe Biden's strategies in addressing these crises have come under scrutiny, raising concerns among the American populace.

The American intelligence community, including the Central Intelligence Agency

(CIA), may have made miscalculations in assessing certain global situations. Amid these crises, the United States found itself in a precarious position, facing internal and external challenges. The repercussions of these failures were not only felt domestically but also reverberated across the globe, highlighting America’s struggles on the international stage. And these things did not go unnoticed among the Americans regardless of their political affiliations.

The American people not only elected Trump as president but also gave the Republican Party a majority in both the Senate and the House. This shift in power may reflect a desire among Americans for the US to step back from its involvement in ongoing wars. With Trump now in office, the world watches closely, hoping his first move will be to bring an end to these conflicts and restore peace.

During his election campaign, Trump clarified that he was not against immigrants but opposed illegal immigration, a stance that resonated with many. He also criticized the Democratic Party’s inability to control inflation, which had negatively impacted everyday Americans. Trump promised to tackle inflation by keeping production costs low, including pledging not to raise taxes on industrialists. Additionally, he vowed to restore America to a ‘golden age’ of prosperity. These appealing proposals during his campaign struck a chord with the American public, contributing to his victory.

It was clear that removing America from the ongoing wars would be a difficult task without Republican leadership, and even many Democratic supporters likely recognized this reality.  

Another challenge for the US comes from BRICS, the alliance of global leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. With new members continuing to join, there are growing discussions about creating a potentially gold-backed currency to compete with the US dollar. This proposed BRICS currency could help these nations assert their economic independence and challenge the dominance of the dollar, which currently accounts for about 90 percent of global currency trade. This emerging shift poses a significant headache for the US, and many speculate that Trump may take steps to counter BRICS’ growing influence.

Harris faced significant challenges in her campaign, particularly due to the limited time between her announcement for presidency and the election day. This short window left her with little opportunity to build momentum for her campaign by reaching out to the voters. Additionally, her light personality did not seem to convey the strong leadership needed to tackle the pressing global challenges. However, after her defeat, Harris delivered an extraordinary speech that showcased her grace and respect as a leader. Her acceptance of defeat, alongside her heartfelt congratulations to Trump, demonstrated her integrity. She also reaffirmed her commitment to the US citizens, the Constitution and the promises she made during her campaign, further solidifying her stature as a respected figure in American politics.

The elite class in the US played a significant role in helping Trump win the election, but there is hope that his administration will not solely represent the interests of the wealthy. People around the world, who view the US as a global guardian, hope that this perception will not be lost. Rhetorics aside, Trump may continue America’s support for the United Nations’ agencies and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as this is something the world desires as well.  

As a Nepali citizen, I extend my congratulations to Trump and hope that he will continue to uphold the hopes of people around the world.

The author is a member of the Supreme Court Bar and has been practicing corporate law for around three decades

Ranjan Adiga, whose debut short story collection ‘Leech and Other Stories’ was published by Penguin Random House India in April this year, says he has always felt like an outsider. Though his family has lived in Nepal for generations, a unique last name meant he was never Nepali enough. “My family moved to Bangkok when I was 10. I couldn’t speak in English properly, let alone Thai, and I felt out of place there too,” he says. Later, in college in India, despite having been mistaken as an Indian all his life, he struggled to fit in. Since then, he’s lived in Bahrain and the US but both these places never felt like home.  “My life story is that I’ve always been an outsider,” he says. 

In a conversation with Cilla Khatry of ApEx, he says perhaps that’s the reason why he is drawn to stories of outsiders—people who live on the margins of society, those who are trying to find their way or those who feel like they have been left out in some ways. Excerpts:

What is your writing process? Do you have a writing ritual?

I don’t wait for inspiration to strike. Over the years, I have tried to build a writing habit. I try to write every single day, even if it’s just for 15 minutes. Writing is a craft. You have to work on it. I don’t have the luxury of deciding when I’ll write. There is no fixed time so I’ll snatch whatever I can get. Sometimes, I just doodle or write rubbish but I’ll still sit at my desk and try to write. I believe the habit of writing has to be ingrained in your personality and for that a writer has to sit down and write every day. It’s okay even if you just stare at the screen for 15 minutes but you have to sit down and be thinking about the story and be willing to construct sentences.

How long do you take to write a story?

Every story is different. Some stories take time. Others come together really fast. Every story is several drafts in the making. Writing is rewriting. You have to keep chipping away at it. ‘A Short Visit’ was put together in two weeks as my agent didn’t like one of the stories I had submitted and my publisher wasn’t sure about it either. They gave me two weeks to write a new one. Usually, it takes me months to complete a story. I based it on my friend’s experience, changed the names, and tweaked the details. Surprisingly, it didn’t take long once I had the plot in my head. For others, where I have to build the plot as I go, it takes a while.

What compels you to write short stories?

I really love the concept of capturing the complexities of lives and characters in a shorter format. I also find it easier to write short stories than to write something longer. Some say writing short stories is difficult. You have to pack everything in a more concise form but I feel like I have much more control over the stories I’m telling. If something is not working, I can just scrap it. You have more chances to fail and pick yourself up again.

Why do you think stories are important in today’s society?

Stories are important because that is how people learn about other cultures and representation is so important. I think Nepal is underrepresented in South Asian literature. Most people have a stereotypical view of Nepal. Either they haven’t heard about the country or they start talking about Buddhism or the Himalayas. I wanted to represent the complex stories of Nepali life, and I was thinking about the western audience when I was writing my book.

We learn to be empathetic and connect with people who aren’t like us through stories. You can’t live multiple lives but you get a taste of what different lives feel like through fictional characters. And not to forget that knowledge comes through narratives, be it through TV shows, movies, or books.

In short stories, you don’t need to flesh out the characters as much as you would in a longer piece of fiction. What is your technique in getting people to care about these characters?

People relate to other people’s internal conflicts and vulnerabilities. No one likes someone who is perfect all the time. Those people don’t exist. It’s hard to relate to cardboard cutout characters, especially in this Instagram age where everyone is trying to put up their best faces in public. When I write, I try to tap into the character’s weaknesses and traits that make them human and relatable. Every character has some sort of inner turmoil that they are trying to navigate. It makes readers care about them even if they don’t like the character. I try to tap into the vulnerabilities to create an emotional bond that makes the readers connect with them.

Is writing cathartic?

Some stories can be cathartic and some stories give you more turmoil. Sometimes when I write a story, I feel like I need therapy after completing it. ‘Denver’ and ‘A Short Visit’ made me feel like that. On the other hand, writing some stories gives me a sense of release. It’s almost like writing a journal as you have communicated something that is deep within you. Writing is tough because it’s indirectly putting yourself on the page. But the good thing about fiction is you can render your thoughts and feelings through a different character, create a distance, and examine your emotions that way.

All writers draw from their own experience or from what they see around them. How do you toe the line between the stories being personal and fictionalizing them?

You have to confront your fears while writing. That is what gives humanity and power to your work. But the good thing about fiction is that it gives you the room to be imaginative and to add or make things up. Everything shouldn’t be taken as being the author’s point of view. I’m not writing to vent. I want my stories to be captivating so I have to think about them from the reader’s perspective. Only then will I be compelled to start playing around with a story. Even though a particular scene might mean a lot to me, it means nothing if it’s not serving the story. I try to make sure that even if the characters aren’t questioning and examining their biases, the story does that for them.

Are you afraid of feedback and criticism?

A writer has to be his/her own critic. You have to be able to look at your work objectively. It comes with experience and training. It’s something you develop. I workshop my stories with the students of the creative writing class I teach in the US. They read and give me feedback. Some of them have been really scathing but it has taught me to take criticism in my stride. Also, if you’re putting your work out there, you have to have a thick skin. I have faced so many rejections that it has taught me not to take things personally. A rejection doesn’t necessarily mean your work is bad. It might mean it’s not right for the publisher you have approached.

Do you have writer’s block? How do you deal with it?

Don’t all writers have writer’s block? I was writing for eight to 10 hours a day for about six months while working on my short story collection. There are 10 stories in the book but I must have written around 25. Some of the stories are new ones that I wrote from scratch while others are drafts that went through major revisions. Whenever I couldn’t work on a certain story, I let it be and worked on something else and went back to it later. That often did the trick. Other times, I wrote about not being able to write and got into the flow of writing that way.

What’s the best piece of writing advice you have been given?

I had a teacher who would always ask, “What’s at stake for the main character? What’s the big picture? Why should I care about your story?” It took a long time to understand what he meant. Initially when I started writing, I was immature and thus possessive about my stories. Now, I always try to ensure that a character has enough emotional frequency to be relatable. I’m not afraid of ‘killing my darlings’ or deleting lines or paragraphs that I think are absolute genius if they aren’t working for the story.

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

You don’t have to go to a creative writing college to learn how to write. It helps but it’s not necessary. But you have to read and do so indiscriminately. Read, revise, and reflect—these are the 3Rs of being a good writer. Read different genres, and authors of various nationalities and gender. Don’t be afraid of revisions. Your first draft should never be your final draft. If you can find someone, preferably a reader, to go through your work and give you feedback, there is nothing as valuable as that. Then, you have to reflect on things and analyze your thoughts and actions. You don’t learn from experience. You learn by reflecting on them. This is an invaluable tool to give your writing the nuance it needs.

Which are some of your favorite books? 

There are plenty but let’s start with short stories as most of my literary heroes are short story writers. There’s Anton Chekhov and Raymond Carver who are absolute geniuses. I love short stories by Bernard Malamud. He’s an American Jewish author whose works explore the immigrant experience. ‘How We Fight for Our Lives’ by Saeed Jones is a coming-of-age memoir. Jones is a poet and when a poet writes prose, it’s a whole other thing. A poet, I think, will spend days on a line and make it perfect.

I also enjoy reading Bhupi Sherchan. I think he was especially good at capturing character details. I like everything Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has written. Her writing is simple but she tackles important issues. ‘Purple Hibiscus’ is one of my favorites. It would be remiss if I didn’t mention Samrat Upadhay for telling stories about Nepal and inspiring me to do the same. ‘Dopesick’ by Beth Macy is a non-fiction book about the opioid addiction in America. This book taught me the value of research.

Plastic waste has long been an issue in Nepal, with plastic litter found everywhere—from the world’s highest peak, Sagarmatha, to the rivers of the Tarai plains. But who is responsible for managing this waste?

The Local Government Operation Act of 2015 mandates local governments to manage waste effectively. However, the lack of adequate budget, resources, and awareness at the local level hampers these efforts.

While the distribution of royalties from natural resources is clearly outlined, with 50 percent allocated to the federal government and 25 percent each to the provincial and local governments (as per Section 7 of the Intergovernmental Fiscal Management Act, 2017), local governments in domestic tourist destinations often miss out. They struggle to benefit from the center or the National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission (NNRFC).

The Constitution of Nepal (2015) grants the NNRFC the authority to recommend how investments and returns from natural resources should be shared among the three tiers of government. However, local governments in tourist hotspots do not receive sufficient budget or attention from the authorities.

Many local bodies lack essential infrastructure, such as landfills and garbage trucks. A 2019/20 survey by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) of 271 municipalities found that while 85.6 percent of municipalities reported having waste transportation services, rural municipalities have made minimal efforts to manage plastic waste, often citing budget constraints.

Ramhari Gyawali, spokesperson for the NNRFC, explained that all 753 local levels in Nepal receive a share of royalties based on their contribution to royalty collection. This means that localities with thriving local tourism—especially those benefiting from rivers and forests—often receive a smaller share due to their lower contribution to royalties.

Local levels lack updated data on plastic waste, hindering systematic solutions

Take Sailung, located 3,146 meters above sea level in Dolakha district, as an example. It has recently become a popular hiking destination for domestic tourists, but the sight of scattered plastic waste detracts from its natural beauty. This issue is not confined to Sailung; it is prevalent across many tourist destinations and hiking trails in the country, including popular spots like Shivapuri, Jamacho, and Phulchowki, as well as along rivers in tourist areas.

What happens to the plastic waste? Often, it is either left behind or burned—both of which contribute to environmental degradation and climate change. Burning plastic releases harmful toxins, severely affecting air quality. Environmental expert Ujjwal Upadhyay, project team leader for the Collaborative Approach for Preventing Plastic Leakages in Rivers of Nepal (CAP), warns that burning plastic is a dangerous practice, as it directly harms the air and public health, even increasing the risk of cancer.

Nepal, famous for its majestic mountains and cultural heritage, now faces a hidden menace: plastic pollution. Despite existing laws aimed at reducing plastic use, single-use plastics continue to accumulate along the nation’s rivers and trails, burdening local communities and tourism. The question remains: what is the true cost of plastic pollution?

Kalapani, located in Sailung Rural Municipality-8, serves as the gateway for visitors heading to Sailung. The area is home to several hotels catering to tourists, but it is also burdened with significant plastic waste.

The ‘Tourism Master Plan of Kalapani and Sailung Area (2022-2032)’, prepared by Sailung Rural Municipality, highlights the importance of agriculture as the primary occupation of local villagers. The report notes that 38 percent of the total land area in Sailung is arable, though it is increasingly affected by changing climate patterns.

As noted by Bishnu Maya Shrestha, a local resident of Kalapani, snowfall—once reliable from mid-October—is now sparse, occurring only around February. This shift has a detrimental impact on local agriculture, with crops like cauliflower, corn, wheat, and potatoes showing decreasing yields.

Yet, the same report does not address one of the most immediate challenges: plastic waste generated by tourism. The lack of waste management initiatives exacerbates the problem.

Rimal Babu Shrestha, chair of Sailung Rural Municipality, acknowledges the issue but says they have not yet considered waste management for Sailung. “We sometimes collect plastic waste from the area and burn it,” he told ApEx. “Banning plastic is not an option, as implementation would be difficult,” he added. 

According to Shrestha, the rural municipality has no data on waste production, nor are there dustbins for tourists along the hiking trail. This lack of infrastructure highlights the broader challenge faced by local governments: a lack of resources, awareness, and effective policies to address plastic pollution.

Similarly, Khadichaur, located in Balephi Rural Municipality-7 of Sindhupalchowk district, is another popular spot for local tourists, where visitors enjoy the Sunkoshi River and local fish. However, like many other areas, the riverbanks are littered with plastic waste. Hotels along the riverbank dispose of their plastic waste directly into the river. When this journalist asked one hotel owner why they were discarding waste into the river, he simply replied, “Everyone does it.”

A similar situation exists in Balephi Rural Municipality. The local body does not collect waste. Ganga Bahadur Tamang, chairperson of Balephi Rural Municipality, explains that they lack a landfill site, which is why waste collection is not feasible. “We’ve asked hotel owners not to dump waste in the river, as the area is a tourist site, but they don’t listen,” he says. “We also don’t have a policy to impose fines.”

While tourism has undoubtedly contributed to Nepal’s economy, it has also exacerbated plastic consumption and waste. This growing problem not only threatens the environment but also tarnishes Nepal’s reputation as a pristine tourist destination. In fact, reports and social media posts from tourists reflect concerns over the visible plastic waste, a negative image that could impact Nepal's tourism industry.

Beyond tourism, plastic pollution imposes hidden costs on local communities. Local governments near popular tourist trails and urban areas face the burden of waste management, yet they lack the resources and infrastructure to cope with the volume of waste. Consequently, waste is often dumped in rivers or open spaces, exacerbating the problem.

Madhav Karki, an environmentalist and chief advisor to the Minister for Forests and Environment, highlights the additional dangers of plastic waste, such as its ability to block river flows and drainage systems, which can lead to floods. “Plastic waste also infiltrates agricultural fields, harming soil quality and crop yields,” he adds. “Communities that rely on local rivers for irrigation and drinking water face the risk of contamination as plastic waste degrades and releases toxins.”

In addition, inadequate waste disposal methods mean that plastic litter is often burned in open pits, releasing harmful toxins that pollute the air and threaten public health. Local residents near trekking routes are particularly vulnerable to the health and economic impacts of plastic pollution.

In many municipalities across Nepal, waste is disposed of improperly, with some even using forest land for disposal. Even cities like Bhaktapur and Kirtipur dump waste on riverbanks and in public areas. A 2020 study by the UNDP Accelerator Lab Nepal revealed that urban areas generate over 350 tons of plastic waste daily, with nearly a third of this waste ending up in rivers.

Upadhyay explains that the presence of plastics in rivers ultimately impacts human health. Microplastics from contaminated river water enter the food chain, affecting crops and aquatic animals, which humans then consume. A study reported by ‘The Guardian’ in Aug 2024 found that brain samples collected earlier that year contained, on average, approximately 0.5 percent plastic by weight. This discovery raises concerns about the potential health implications of microplastics accumulating in human tissues. Previous research has shown that microplastics can enter the human body through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact, potentially leading to inflammation, oxidative stress, and other adverse health effects.

This issue extends to wildlife as well. A recent study found that rhinos in Chitwan National Park ingest plastic items of various sizes and shapes, posing serious risks to their health and survival. Published in the journal ‘Global Ecology and Conservation’, the study analyzed 258 dung samples from the park, revealing that 10.1 percent contained visible plastic.

In response to the crisis, the government has implemented the Solid Waste Management Act (2011) and Solid Waste Management Rules (2013), though enforcement remains weak. One major challenge is the lack of waste segregation at the source, which complicates recycling efforts.

The Intergovernmental Fiscal Management Act (2017) unevenly allocates royalties, leaving domestic tourist hubs like Sailung underfunded for waste management. Despite the Local Government Operation Act (2015) mandate, local governments face critical shortages in budgets, resources, and essential infrastructure like landfills and garbage trucks

Nepal has a long history of attempts to ban plastic bags. The first initiative came in 1998 when Hetauda Municipality introduced a ban, though its effectiveness gradually faded over time. By 2010, other municipalities began implementing similar restrictions. In 2013, Kathmandu Metropolitan City took a significant step by enforcing its own ban on plastic bags. On 1 April 2015, the Nepal government introduced the ban on plastic bags, for the first time, following a directive from the Parliament Environment Committee. However, due to the massive earthquake, the ban could not be enforced properly.

In May 2022, the government introduced the ‘Action Plan for the Ban on Plastic Bags’, which included four key strategies: preventing the import of plastic bags thinner than 40 microns, banning single-use plastic bags thinner than 40 microns, providing grants to businesses for eco-friendly bag production, and encouraging individuals to use reusable bags while shopping.

In July 2023, the government introduced the ban on plastic bags and products that are less than 40 microns thick. This includes the production, import, sale, distribution, and use of these products.

In Oct 2024, the Department of Tourism announced a ban on the use of plastic bottles in four-star, five-star, and luxury hotels as part of a broader push toward environmental sustainability. This directive requires these establishments to use glass bottles or metal vessels for serving drinking water in hotel rooms and restaurants.

However, despite these legal reforms, enforcement remains weak.

“Political will is necessary for the strict implementation of these rules,” says Karki. “All three tiers of government, along with other agencies like the security forces, should unite and coordinate to enforce these rules.” He also adds that having similar rules nationwide would make implementation easier.

According to Upadhyay, reducing plastic use requires not only legal reforms but also a shift in people’s behavior. He also points out that Nepal lacks adequate research and data on this issue. 

Nepal’s iconic trekking trails and rivers, such as the Annapurna Circuit and Everest Base Camp, are increasingly burdened by plastic waste left behind by trekkers. Meanwhile, popular rivers like the Bagmati, Koshi, and Gandaki are heavily polluted by discarded plastic.

In response, the government launched the Sagarmatha Clean-Up Campaign in 2019 to raise awareness about plastic pollution in the mountains. Through the campaign, the Nepali Army has since collected around 119 tons of waste, with most of it being plastic.

Ang Babu Sherpa, leader of the Sherpa team for the ‘Mountain Clean-Up Campaign’, stated that up to 40-50 tons of garbage may still remain at South Col, the final camp before climbers attempts the summit, according to the Associated Press. “The waste there consists mainly of old tents, food packaging, gas canisters, oxygen bottles, tent packs, and climbing ropes,” he explained, noting that the garbage is layered and frozen at the 8,000-meter altitude of the South Col camp.

In recent years, a government mandate requiring climbers to return their trash or forfeit their deposits, combined with increased environmental awareness among climbers, has greatly reduced the amount of waste left behind. However, this was not the case in past decades.

According to Nepali Army spokesperson Brigadier General Gaurav Kumar KC, the Army’s role in national parks is limited to providing security, not collecting waste from hiking and trekking trails. He stresses the need for collaboration among the national park office, the Army, and other relevant departments and government agencies for effective waste control and management. “There should be strict rules and awareness initiatives for visitors at checkpoints. However, these rules won’t be practical if we don’t have sufficient dustbins in the area,” he explains. “Frequent signage indicating dustbin locations is also necessary to encourage proper waste disposal.”

Since waste collection falls outside the Nepali Army’s responsibilities, they do not have data on it. ApEx reached out to the information officer of Chitwan National Park for data on waste collection in the area, but they also lack any related records.

A survey conducted in 58 municipalities of Nepal in 2012 found that the average municipal solid waste generation was 317 grams per capita per day, amounting to 1,435 tons daily or 524,000 tons annually. 

A 2019/20 baseline survey by the CBS of 271 municipalities revealed that only 12 (4.4 percent) used transfer stations for waste processing.

Additionally, 99 municipalities (36.5 percent) had waste management plans, while 57.2 percent did not. Among the surveyed municipalities, 114 (42.1 percent) used landfill sites, 117 (43.2 percent) did not, and 14.8 percent did not report about their landfill site status.

And this is the latest data CBS has.

“Plastic waste management is not only Nepal’s problem, but a global crisis. However, many other nations and cities have banned it and enforced rules to properly address this issue,” Karki says, emphasizing that it is not an impossible task. “We should learn from international practices and implement them here as well.”

While international examples like Bhutan’s ban on plastic and Kenya’s policy against plastic bags offer hope, Nepal’s success in tackling plastic waste will depend on effective local solutions, such as waste segregation at source, recycling programs, and raising awareness about plastic’s environmental impact.

“Many countries have started producing electricity, bricks, cement, bitumen, and other products from plastic waste,” says Karki. “We should follow the 3Rs—reduce, reuse, and recycle,” he suggests.

This story has been produced with the support of the Internews Earth Journalism Network through the Media for Inclusive Green Growth project

Nov 20

Mid Baneshwor, Kathmandu

Newspaper readership might be declining, but in Kathmandu’s tea shops, the headlines are still the spark for lively gossip. I’ve been noticing this ever since I started writing this column. That’s why tea shop owners make sure there’s at least one fresh newspaper on hand every morning—it’s as essential as the tea itself.

The other day, I stepped into a small tea shop in Mid-Baneshwor. It was quiet, just two people sipping tea. When one of them left, I worried the shop might be too empty to gather a decent story. But the man sitting next to me saved the day. He grabbed a copy of Naya Patrika and blurted out: “This is what happens in Nepal all the time. It’s unfair!”

The headline he was reacting to reported political meddling in the investigation of cooperative fraud. Apparently, only opposition leaders were being targeted, while ruling party leaders were conveniently off the hook. He was especially riled up about the arrest of Rabi Lamichhane, the chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, calling it a politically motivated move.

Soon, another patron chimed in, steering the conversation toward corruption during the Panchayat era. He claimed the final years of the regime were riddled with shady deals, especially as the country transitioned to a multi-party democracy in 1990. According to him, revenue offices became cash cows for politicians, with prime ministers cutting deals to place senior officials there in exchange for a slice of the earnings.

Just then, three regulars strolled in, greeting the owner as they made themselves comfortable. The focus shifted to Durga Prasai’s recent arrest. Opinions were flying in all directions. Some defended the government’s move, while others speculated it was an attempt to suppress a rally Prasai had planned. One man brought up Prasai’s claims about Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli having stakes in a Cambodian telecom company. While some dismissed it as nonsense, others argued that Oli’s past visits to Cambodia and the involvement of Nepali businesspeople made it worth investigating.

At this point, someone brought up how easy it is to fake documents and media nowadays. “Deepfakes,” I interjected. That word caught their attention, and I explained what I knew about the technology. Then I slipped back into listening mode as the debate continued.

The conversation took a personal turn when an older man joined us and ordered tea without sugar. He shared how diabetes had been a constant battle for him over the past decade. “It’s tough being alone,” he said. His wife had passed away five years ago, and his children were settled abroad in Canada and Australia. His son was in town for Dashain, mainly to get some dental work done because healthcare is so expensive overseas.

This opened the floodgates to a discussion on medical tourism. One man remarked how even wealthy Nepalis return home for affordable treatment. The conversation turned to lifestyle changes, with some advocating dietary adjustments over exercise. The tea shop owner joined in, admitting he also had diabetes but relied solely on medication.

Talk of health gave way to real estate woes. The older man mentioned trying to sell land in the far-western region but lamented the sluggish market. “Nobody’s buying unless it’s for building a house,” he said. A man from Kavre added that the recent floods and landslides had made things worse. Showing photos on his phone, he pointed out how risky it was to invest in flood-prone areas now. For once, everyone agreed.

The tea shop owner eventually joined the chat, venting about the government declaring a public holiday to mourn a former speaker’s death—after office hours had already started. “What’s the point?” he grumbled. The topic fizzled out quickly, though, with most patrons uninterested.

Finally, the discussion turned to politics, as it always does. The ruling CPN-UML’s decision to hold street protests on November 22 came under fire. “Why is a ruling party blocking roads?” one man asked. Another accused the UML of giving Durga Prasai too much attention. As they debated the party’s stance on China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), my time ran out. I had to leave for a meeting, but the conversation was still going strong when I stepped out.

Once again, the tea shop had delivered—a microcosm of Kathmandu’s concerns, debates, and daily life, all over a cup of tea.