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“I’m in love with Kathak,” said dancer Subima Shrestha, who began teaching the dance form at Nritya Aangan in 2009. Kathak, rooted in Sanskrit, is derived from the phrase, ‘Katha Kahe so Kathak Kehelawe’ in Hindi, which translates to ‘the one who tells a story is a Kathak.’ It’s one of the simplest forms of storytelling, historically performed by communities like the Banjara in Northern India, who were believed to belong to a caste of storytellers. These performers narrated tales across different regions, embedding cultural and spiritual narratives in their art.

Shrestha explains that Kathak evolved as a medium of devotion, recounting mythological tales of deities like Ram and Sita. Over time, during the Mughal era, it became an expression of aestheticism, with its graceful movements transitioning into a form of courtly entertainment. However, under British rule, Kathak was suppressed and nearly vanished from practice.

After independence, Kathak had a resurgence. Shrestha recalls learning about Kathak’s rich history which, she says, deepened her respect and love for the dance form. “Kathak isn’t just a dance form for me. There’s a love there I can’t describe,” she says.

She was a teenager when she joined a Kathak class at Padma Kanya Campus in Kathmandu, Nepal. Though her memories of her initial experiences are hazy, she vividly remembers meeting her teacher, Guru Honey Shrestha, who became a significant influence. He not only nurtured her talent but also encouraged her to pursue professional dance education in India, which was a turning point in her Kathak journey.

During her early years as a student in India, she also taught Kathak as a private tutor to support herself. Reflecting on her time there, Subima observes a stark difference in the foundational understanding of Kathak between India and Nepal. “The basic level we learn here in Nepal is already inherent knowledge for most students in India,” she says. To illustrate, she offers a culinary analogy: “Just as Nepalis are experts in making diverse varieties of momo, Indians have a deeper understanding of Kathak.”

She also admires the discipline and ideology that she found more prevalent in India, essential traits for mastering Kathak. “The most important aspect is to feel and give your best through your heart and body and to live with it,” she says. This philosophy, she adds, is the cornerstone of not just learning Kathak but embodying it as a way of life.

Recalling her first performance before formally joining a Kathak class, Shrestha shares a cherished memory of dancing on the show ‘Pratibha Ko Dabali’. The program, which aired on Nepal Television in 1989 showcasing a variety of talents, had been a dream platform for her.

She recollects how her parents had signed her up for the performance, celebrating her passion for dance. “They even had my costume ready,” she says, still amazed at how everything fell into place, though she had no idea where the outfit came from. That moment—her debut performance—remains one of her happiest memories. It’s a vivid reminder of the joy and encouragement she received from her family.

Traditionally, Kathak is a storytelling dance form centered on divine tales, but Shrestha had difficulties envisioning the gods while following the steps her guru taught her. Initially, this made it difficult for her to connect deeply with Kathak. But soon she began to reinterpret Kathak in her own unique way, focusing on human stories and real-life issues. “I still find it hard to imagine gods while dancing. I have to force myself to do it where necessary,” she admits.

But Kathak is a competitive space. Your biggest competition is you, says Shrestha. The dance form demands a lot of physical, mental, and emotional involvement. “One thing you should never do, as a dancer and otherwise, is compare yourself and your progress with others.”

Kathak, she says, has reshaped how she thinks of herself and views the world around her. “Engaging in any form of art—whether drawing, singing, or any other creative expression—is essential because art has always been an integral part of our lives. It’s not just a choice but a fundamental right, enriching our existence and fostering self-expression. Everyone should embrace some form of art for a meaningful and fulfilling life,” she says. 

Reflecting on her past, she admits that she feels a sense of sadness and guilt. “If I could go back, I would have practiced more,” she says. She recognizes there is still a lot of room for growth and improvement. Looking ahead, she has a clear vision of where she wants to be and is actively working towards it, though there is a fair bit of worry and doubt of whether she is approaching things the right way. 

Despite having regrets of missed opportunities in the past, she embraces her journey with hope and resolve. With a clear vision for the future, she remains committed to her growth, navigating challenges with determination and an unwavering belief in her potential.

If I see a book of short stories by an author I haven’t read, I will definitely buy it. I won’t even have to read the blurb to decide. I just know I will enjoy it. And I’ve hardly ever been wrong. Even if I don’t like all the stories in a particular collection, I will enjoy a few and that will be enough for me to recommend the book to others. The same goes for my recent read ‘Dead-End Memories’ by Banana Yoshimoto. The book has five stories and I more or less like them all. 

Translated from the Japanese by Asa Yoneda, the writing was refreshing. Perhaps it was because I had never read both the author and the translator before. But I enjoyed every bit of it. The stories were beautiful and nostalgic. I could see me and my friends in the characters. All the stories are about women who, after some painful events in their lives, find comfort in small moments of everyday life. 

I was intrigued by the author’s name and I found out that Banana Yoshimoto is the pen name of the author Mahoko Yoshimoto whose father is a famous poet in Japan. She is the prize winning and internationally bestselling author of many works of fiction like ‘Kitchen’, ‘Asleep’ and ‘The Premonition’. In Dead-End Memories, Yoshimoto delves into the lives of women who are grappling with some sort of a transition in their lives. There’s a melancholic undertone to the stories but there’s a fair bit of drama too to keep things interesting. 

The women in the stories discover their strengths and weaknesses through varied experiences in their lives. A woman’s romantic life is shaped by the ghosts of a couple who live in the house of her lover. A hard-working editor has a near death experience that completely changes the course of her life—She’s poisoned at work and that changes her relationship with work and her co-workers. Though the stories involve romance, they aren’t centered on it. There’s also a recurring theme of food in the stories despite the stories never overlapping. It made me realize how much of our memories are shaped by the smell and taste of what we eat. 

Despite being short, I found myself taking time with the book as the themes are heavy, calling for a lot of reflection. They deal with abuse, rape, betrayals, and the end of a marriage. What I like about storytelling in shorter formats is that it leaves a lot of room for imagination and introspection. You can draw up your own conclusions and get many opportunities to question your own beliefs. Dead-End Memories is controlled storytelling. Yoshimoto doesn’t beat around the bush and gives you just the information you need to think about the story and their possible path or outcomes yourself. Some call her writing simple and superficial but I found it to be relatable and fun. I highly recommend this anthology. Read it, weep, smile, and think about some things and memories you have maybe long forgotten. 

Dead-End Memories

Banana Yoshimoto

Translated by Asa Yoneda

Published: 2024

Publisher: Faber & Faber Ltd.

Pages: 221, Paperback

In a rapidly changing and interconnected world, due diligence has become a vital framework for promoting accountability, managing risks and ensuring ethical practices. Whether addressing workplace safety, cybersecurity, corporate governance or human rights abuses in supply chains, due diligence embodies a commitment to responsible action. However, its effectiveness often depends on the clarity of legal frameworks, the strength of enforcement mechanisms and the willingness of organizations to prioritize transparency. This article explores the importance of due diligence in various sectors, drawing from global principles and highlighting its significance for Nepal.

Workplace safety

Workplace safety is a foundational aspect of due diligence, as demonstrated by a tragic incident in Greater Sudbury, Canada, in 2015. The City of Greater Sudbury delegated construction responsibilities to Interpaving Limited but faced legal scrutiny under the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). The courts assessed whether the city exercised due diligence through adequate control, delegation, compliance checks and monitoring.

The Ontario Superior Court ultimately ruled in favor of the city, emphasizing its proactive measures such as vetting contractors, ensuring safety certifications and conducting inspections. This case underscores the importance of clear legal frameworks and robust oversight in managing workplace risks.

For Nepal, these lessons resonate deeply. Many road construction projects in Nepal remain unfinished, leading to immense public frustration and, at times, fatalities. In Kathmandu and other cities, roads are frequently left in disrepair due to poor coordination among agencies. Roads may be dug up repeatedly for different purposes—water pipelines, electricity cables or telecommunications—without any alignment of timelines or objectives. Even national pride projects suffer from significant delays and cost overruns due to weak enforcement of accountability. Strengthening project oversight, enhancing inter-agency coordination, and establishing clear accountability mechanisms are essential to improve infrastructure development in Nepal.

Addressing vulnerabilities

The rise of digitization has made cybersecurity a critical area where due diligence is often lacking. High-profile cases such as British Airways and Marriott Hotels highlight the consequences of failing to secure sensitive data. British Airways faced a £183m fine under GDPR after a cyberattack exposed customer information, while Marriott incurred £100m in penalties for not identifying vulnerabilities in an acquired system.

For Nepal, the challenges are equally pressing. The country began its digital journey with the adoption of computers in 1971 and the internet in 1998. Article 51(g) of Nepal’s Constitution emphasizes the importance of IT for national development. However, recent cyberattacks have revealed vulnerabilities in Nepal’s digital infrastructure. A 2023 cyber attack disabled 1,500 government websites, disrupting public services and international flights. Earlier breaches exposed sensitive police data and halted passport application services for thousands of citizens.

Nepal’s Electronic Transactions Act, 2006, provides a legal framework for addressing cybercrime, but enforcement is hindered by limited resources and expertise. Strengthening digital infrastructure, fostering international cooperation, and enacting comprehensive due diligence laws specific to cybersecurity are critical for safeguarding Nepal’s digital future.

Combating modern slavery

Modern slavery is an uncomfortable reality embedded in global supply chains. According to the International Labour Organization, nearly 50m people worldwide are victims of modern slavery, including forced labor and forced marriages. Of these, 17.3m work under coercion in private businesses, with nearly 4m subjected to state-imposed labor. Alarmingly, more than 3.3m victims are children.

Global frameworks such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the French Duty of Vigilance Law, and the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive require companies to identify, prevent and address human rights abuses in their operations and supply chains. These laws emphasize transparency, stakeholder engagement and regular reporting as pillars of effective due diligence.

For Nepal, where informal labor is widespread, addressing modern slavery requires strong labor laws, ethical trade agreements and public awareness campaigns. Businesses must adopt rigorous supply chain audits and ethical sourcing practices. Raising consumer awareness about ethical consumption can also play a significant role in combating modern slavery.

Corporate governance

The BarChris Construction case of the 1960s remains a landmark example of due diligence failures in corporate governance. BarChris misrepresented its financial health during a securities registration, leading to investor losses and exposing systemic lapses. Inside directors knowingly falsified data, outside directors failed to verify claims, underwriters conducted cursory reviews and accountants overlooked discrepancies.

The court’s findings highlighted the need for adversarial due diligence, requiring all stakeholders to independently verify information and challenge assumptions. These lessons are highly relevant to Nepal where governance structures in many sectors remain underdeveloped. Strengthening regulatory bodies, promoting professional training, and incentivizing compliance through tax benefits or penalties can improve governance and enhance investor confidence.

Global and local

The importance of due diligence is enshrined in several international frameworks. The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights provide a global standard for preventing and addressing human rights abuses linked to business activity. The French Duty of Vigilance Law mandates large companies to develop vigilance plans to address risks in their supply chains, including environmental and social impacts. Similarly, the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive aims to make human rights and environmental due diligence mandatory for companies operating within the EU.

For Nepal, aligning with these global standards can enhance its economic competitiveness and ensure ethical practices across industries. Legal reforms that incorporate international best practices, combined with local capacity-building initiatives, can create a robust framework for accountability.

Themes and challenges

Across sectors, due diligence emerges as a universal principle requiring proactive engagement, comprehensive documentation, and independent verification. However, systemic challenges—from resource disparities to fragmented enforcement—often hinder its application. In Nepal, these challenges are particularly evident in infrastructure development, digital security, labor practices, and corporate governance.

Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach. Legal reforms must clarify accountability standards, while public-private partnerships can facilitate resource sharing and innovation. Capacity-building initiatives such as training programs for professionals and support for small businesses can empower organizations to meet due diligence requirements effectively.

A sustainable future

The transformative power of due diligence lies in its ability to create a culture of accountability and transparency. Negligence not only invites legal and financial repercussions but also erodes trust—a vital asset in any society or economy. For Nepal, embracing due diligence as a core principle can drive sustainable growth, resilience and global integration.

Whether ensuring the timely completion of roads and bridges, safeguarding sensitive data, eradicating modern slavery or promoting ethical corporate practices, due diligence offers a pathway to a more secure and equitable future. By aligning local practices with global standards and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, Nepal can harness the full potential of due diligence to build a prosperous and inclusive society.

A passenger jeep met with an accident at Jakhauli in Hariharpur Gadhi Rural Municipality-2 of  Sindhuli on Jan 5. The accident resulted in the death of 20-year-old local resident, Kailash Rai, who succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at Chure Hill Hospital in Hetauda. Two other injured passengers are currently receiving treatment.

In another incident, a scooter rider lost his life in a road accident in Sanothimi in Madhyapur Thimi Municipality-2 of Bhaktapur on December 30. Nischal Prakash Rajbhandari (31) of Sanothimi died while undergoing treatment at Norvic Hospital. The accident occurred when Nischal’s scooter skidded while trying to avoid a stray dog on the road. His wife Puja Shrestha (28), who was riding pillion, is currently under treatment.

Two years ago, Madhu Nepal from Palpa suffered severe injuries at Shankar Nagar of Butwal when his motorcycle collided with a pickup van coming from the opposite direction. Nepal, who had just returned after spending 10 years in Korea, was airlifted to Medicity Hospital in Bhaisepati for treatment. Despite spending over Rs 2.8m on multiple surgeries for his head injury, his life has never been the same. “Nothing is like before,” Nepal said. “The impact of accidents is devastating.”

Rising accident rates have claimed lives of people from all age groups, from young children to the elderly. The trauma and pain inflicted on families of accident victims are devastating. Those who survive with serious injuries often face a lifetime of hardship. Many are forced to live with disabilities caused by these accidents.

According to Nepal Police, 1,030 people have lost their lives in road accidents across the country in the first four months of 2024/25. A total of 13,442 road accidents were recorded during the period, resulting in 2,620 serious injuries and approximately 13,000 minor injuries. On average, 63 vehicle accidents occur daily, with 88 people getting injured and 7-10 losing their lives.

Nepal recorded 35,404 road accidents in 2023/24, resulting in 2,369 deaths and 6,160 serious injuries. Similarly, in 2022/23, 29,379 road accidents resulted in 2,883 deaths and 7,282 serious injuries. A total of 6,282 people died in road accidents over the past 28 months, averaging 225 deaths per month.

According to Kathmandu Valley Traffic Office, an average of four deaths occur in the valley every day. In the first five months of 2024/25, the valley witnessed 2,045 vehicle accidents, resulting in 75 deaths, 100 serious injuries and 2,758 minor injuries. Among the deceased, the majority were above 36 years old (41 people), followed by those between 17-35 years (30 people) and under 16 years(four deaths).

DSP Dipak Giri from the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Office told ApEx that most accidents occur during daylight hours. Two-wheelers are most frequently involved in accidents, followed by jeeps, cars, vans, buses, and microbuses, he added.

According to traffic police, overconfidence of drivers is an important factor behind rising numbers of road accidents. High speed, driving under influence, mechanical failures of motor vehicles, overtaking and negligence of pedestrians are the other reasons behind rising cases of road accidents. 

Between 200 to 300 people face penalties for drunk driving and speeding every day, police records show.

“Whether it is the families of those who died in accidents or those who were seriously injured, they face immense hardships. Accidents would naturally decrease if drivers remained vigilant while operating vehicles on the road,” DSP Giri said. “Pedestrians must also stay alert while walking on the roads. For those riding pillion on motorcycles or scooters, wearing helmets can reduce the impact even if an accident occurs.”

According to Nepal Police Spokesperson Bishwa Adhikari, the accident rates are rising in line with increasing vehicle imports and usage. “This trend is not unique to Nepal but is global, corresponding with increasing urbanization,” he said. “Nepal’s diverse geography presents unique challenges. Mountain roads are narrow and inherently risky, while Terai roads often run through settlements where high speeds lead to accidents.” Adhikari added that factors such as weather conditions, road construction quality and vehicle mechanical issues also contribute to accidents.

“There are numerous causes including drunk driving, speeding, and carelessness. The key factor in reducing accidents is the driver themselves,” Adhikari said. “If every person becomes a responsible driver, such incidents would decrease significantly.”