Submit your Article

When the old businessman sat at the table overlooking the streets, Regmi ji, without glancing at the clock hung in the far corner, knew it was 6:05 am. His timing was so precise that Regmi ji could bet his life on it. By the time the old gentleman arrived, Regmi ji’s kitchen sink would be filled with tea cups—some with a mouthful of tea left, others untouched because of phone calls stating urgency. Once the sunlight dispersed on the dew-drenched grass and joggers started returning from the nearby park, all the tables would be occupied, and more stools were brought in from the rooms at the back of the hotel—the same rooms where Regmi ji’s family of three ate and slept every night.

While Regmi ji poured tea into cups each morning, his wife would be in the back room, peeling potatoes. She was rarely seen at the hotel in the mornings, and if she was called to serve tea, it meant there were too many customers for Regmi ji to handle alone. In the other room, their daughter, a bright student, would underline her law books with red and pink markers. An eloquent speaker of English, she walked with an air of confidence. She didn’t play a big part in the small business of her parents, but Regmi ji wasn’t bothered a bit by her indifference. Deep inside, he knew that his daughter wasn’t someone who could sit behind the gas stove, smiling or feigning a friendly demeanor just to sell some cups of tea. 

And then there was Kanchhi with her broad face betraying no emotions whatsoever. She wore an expression so blank that it was impossible to tell whether she was delighted or downcast. Thanks to her, Regmi ji wouldn’t have sold as much tea if she hadn’t shown up every morning to do the dishes. Kanchhi, who had come from the hills of Parbat, mostly kept to herself, communicating through gestures. She was just the kind of worker Regmi ji appreciated—no big talk, always focused on her task.

When the clock ticked past 10, as every tea-lover headed home for their meal, the business would slow down a bit. And just after noon, workers, students, and those who couldn’t afford the luxury of Lakeside would enter the hotel, ordering samosas, cigarettes, and other cheap snacks.

When the tables inside the hotel were crammed, it was on the wide pavement outside that people would gather in circles, sitting on stools, changing topics of discussion with every round of tea. A sip of tea and ideas rushed out in a flurry. Over the years, Regmi ji had served tea to countless people, from politicians to beggars, thieves to saints—and, in a way, to the entire neighborhood of Lakeside.

On a Sunday morning, just like every other day, the old businessman came and sat at the table overlooking the desolate streets. Presently, Regmi ji began to prepare the special tea for his loyal customer. For Regmi ji, this routine affair induced a sense of calmness within him. It reminded him of the normalcy of the life he was leading. After all, it only takes a little for a man to feel content: a family of his own, a roof over his head, and a society that respects him. Regmi ji took pride in knowing the amount of sugar his regular customers preferred in their tea. For the businessman, it was half a spoon of sugar along with two seeds of cardamom. Ashok Sharma, who showed up in the afternoon, liked his tea bitter, with a strong smell of clove.

This morning, just when Regmi ji was pouring tea into the cup for the businessman, he heard a loud choke coming from inside the room. Was it his wife? No, it was the sound of someone young, so it must be the daughter. Even without delivering tea to the businessman, Regmi ji advanced toward the back end of the hotel, to the room where his daughter locked herself studying for hours. The businessman glanced at the door in amazement, and when he cleared his throat, Kanchhi mechanically gave up the dishes and fetched tea for him. There were no other customers to deal with, so Kanchhi, curiously, walked into the back room to figure out what the matter was. It was unusual for Regmi ji to not let Kanchhi enter their family confines. Kanchhi had no idea when Regmi ji and his family had drawn a boundary for her, a line that she was prohibited to cross. Had it been a sharper woman in place of Kanchhi, she would have understood that there was a reason why Regmi ji didn’t allow her inside. Of course, there was something fishy. The businessman drank his tea and left. He would come back and pay the next day. A wounded Kanchhi returned to her chore, and with the passing of time, more customers streamed in for a warm cup of tea. Inside the dingy room of the daughter, the father and the mother kept looking at each other, the words seemingly stuck in their throats, while the daughter kept pressing her neck as if some sharp object would materialize by her action and then things would be the way they were before.

“Can you ask her who it is that she has been going out with?” Regmi ji didn’t even look at his wife as he posed the question.

The wife, a scowl on her lips, looked down at where the daughter was sitting, her hands still pressed to her neck. When the daughter had thrown up and the mother had seen the thin, watery liquid, she had suspected outright that it was not a cold or sickness, and that there was more to it. She could keep her father in the dark, but with her mother, it was impossible to keep things hidden, especially when the case was so sensitive and required urgent attention. Had she not choked so loudly, Regmi ji might never have known that his daughter was pregnant.

Now, when the wife seemed reluctant to answer Regmi ji’s concern, he nimbly raced toward his daughter, placed his palms on the contours of her face, and slapped her so loudly that she nearly lost her balance. He had never felt so humiliated, not even when he used to work as a dishwasher at someone’s hotel when he was young. The slapping continued until his fingers throbbed. The wife had never witnessed this infuriated side of Regmi ji in their 25 years of marriage. She could have interrupted between the father and the daughter, but given the situation, her efforts would have been futile. Though she was a strict mother, she had never laid her hands on her daughter—it was the same with Regmi ji. At this point, the mother wanted to slap her, torture her, and maybe throw her out of the house. The parents knew that their daughter had her bold ways, and they always thought her exposure to the outer world in the form of books had made her so. They were privy to so many secrets that Nistha, their daughter, had kept to herself. But then, one was not supposed to tell that she smoked cigarettes every morning outside her college in a hotel identical to her parents’. There was no way Nistha could tell her parents that when she went out making the excuse of her friends’ birthday parties, she would spend the night in a hotel room at Lakeside, some 500 meters away, before dancing her heart out with strangers. The irony was that Nistha didn’t even know who had caused her belly to swell.

Regmi ji, after an angry episode that involved both physical and verbal attacks, went outside his room to face the world. A few regulars were already seated in their usual places and, by the looks on their faces, Regmi ji could tell that they had been listening to the family matters all along. He cursed himself, regretting his angry reactions. Couldn’t he have dealt with the matter in a different way? After weighing the situation, all the customers decided not to stay for tea in his tea shop, leaving him and his family to sort out the issue. As soon as the customers left, Regmi ji pulled down the metal shutters. There would be no tea today in his hotel. Meanwhile, the other hotels nearby would see a surge in customers, and this time around, there would be no talks about the coalition, the corrupt leaders, and the misguided media. People would pass this morning talking about the pregnant daughter of Regmi ji. Thinking of his ruined dignity, Regmi ji went to his daughter’s room, where the daughter, wiping her tears, was contemplating—drafting a plan to escape to some city where no soul would know her and the other being growing inside her.

There are so many décor trends that it’s hard to keep up. The problem with trends is also that it comes and goes and you will constantly have to update your home (and spend a fortune doing so). Décor items also don’t come cheap and you run the risk of buying something that will soon become commonplace as the item becomes popular, thanks to relentless marketing by stores and influencers on Tiktok and Instagram. A trick to making your space timeless is by curating one that is uniquely you. It should make you happy and be visually appealing as well. Here are five ways to do just that.

Go local

Hit the local market. Basantapur in Kathmandu and Mangal Bazaar in Lalitpur are great places if you want to pick up some local handicraft. We recommend brass and bronze statues and flower vases. Bronze ones are actually easier to clean than brass ones and there are many interesting ones available, including but not limited to religious idols. These add a touch of regality to your living space and since most items are handcrafted you won’t find two identical pieces, making yours truly unique.

Invest in a good painting

A painting can elevate the look of your space and make it look interesting. It can also be a great conversation starter for when you have guests at home. However, a rule of thumb while buying a painting is to get one that speaks to you. It has to be something you will enjoy looking at as well as match your décor. Don’t buy something on a whim. Think about it, take your time, and then decide. Scour the Boudha area for some great Tibetan and Buddhist paintings that are vibrant and alluring. You can also commission an artist to make one for your space.

Bring nature in

One of the easiest ways to make your space ooze elegance is by bringing in some greenery. A bunch of houseplants is all your need to bring some cheer into your space. Look for low maintenance ones like the Peace Lily or the Snake plant. These are easy to care for and thrive in low light conditions as well. You can also cut some stems of plants and place them strategically in random corners of your home. These will have to be replaced time and again but it will also give you the option to change things up when you feel like it.

Get your hands on an heirloom

An old clock, a black and white enlarged photo of your ancestors, or a turntable—heirlooms are important pieces of your life story. Not only will it connect and remind you of your family, adding a touch of nostalgia to your life, it will also look and feel great in any setting. Ask your grandparents or parents for anything they might have that they are willing to part with. It could be an old stool that you can use as a nightstand or a low bed that you can fashion into a seating arrangement. Look for old photos that you use to create a gallery wall.

Flowers and candles

We underestimate the power of lighting when decorating our homes. While overhead lighting is important and there are a great many types of sconces and chandeliers available to brighten up your space, candles, in long stands and small bowls, add a lot of charm to your home. Place a few on your coffee table or dining area. Light one at night to give your home a cozy feel. Flowers beautifully compliment candles. The good thing is they last longer during winter so you won’t have to replace them frequently. Get a bunch and put them in large vases in places you can see them easily, along with candlesticks and stands, and watch your space come alive.

Nearly two-thirds of Nepal’s population is involved in agriculture. Yet, the agricultural sector is experiencing economic, social and technological factors. Most farmers depend on food imports, outmoded techniques of cultivation, and poor access to innovative technology to enhance yields. In this regard, only an agricultural revolution in and through the country can make Nepal a ‘developed’, ‘reliant’, ‘competitive’, and ‘progressive’ nation in the world.

That is why it is said that humanity needs an agricultural revolution.

Ultimately, the primary area of the economy of Nepal is in agriculture. All the same, the sector has not shown expected productivity and capacity even in its potential. They have poor structures, rely on culturally based practices, and lack technology advancement to support their agricultural sector and instead became reliant on agricultural inputs and outputs, affecting economic growth and social development in Nepal.

Nepal imported agricultural products worth Rs 250bn in 10 months in 2024. Nepal has to import even food items to the tune of billions of rupees every year. These imports can be replaced by a self-sufficient agricultural base that would keep the money within the boundary. Increasing domestic production would of course save foreign exchange hence helping to reinforce the domestic economy.


Many youths travel abroad for employment. With new techniques and technologies, agriculture can be developed to offer new employment situations, which makes farming a stable form of employment, and greatly reduces the number of young Nepali people going abroad for employment.


An agricultural revolution is, therefore, capable of uplifting the standards of living of a rural society, and even pull such a society out of the jaws of poverty. Effective agriculture can bring about economic independence thereby changing the proportion of education, health and other facilities in the villages.


The ability to expand agricultural production into a commercial business can extend the exportation. There is demand for medicinal herbs, Vetiver oil and cardamom among other products locally meaning that they could greatly attract foreign exchange if embraced.


An agricultural revolution would make Nepal self-sufficient, competitive and socially liberal. To this end, there is a need to combine best practice with current technologies and innovations.

This young generation technology now offers a solution to make Nepali agriculture efficient, transparent, and sustainable. Sophisticated technologies such as IoT (Internet of Things), data science, and the use of the blockchain in reshaping production processes can help eliminate those shortcomings and improve effectiveness.

IoT

IoT has the potential to revolutionize agricultural management:

Smart Irrigation: IoT sensors measure the level of moisture within the soils and regulate watering based on its findings hence the efficient use of water and the associated cost.

Data-driven decisions: It provides real time weather and pest information to assist farmers and make right decisions.

Livestock and storage management: Iot makes it simpler to monitor animal health while at the same time boosting storage logistics.

Data science


Data science revolutionizes agriculture into an agricultural production system that will improve the chain flow process.

Predicting yields: By understanding the market demographics and the extent of supply and demand then efficient crop production can be anticipated.

Supply chain optimization: In turn, data science fosters timely, efficient and visibly effective farm to market value addition channels.

Blockchain technology


The application of blockchain system in the agricultural supply chain provides the solution of enhancing transparency and security.

Traceability: B2C consumers can obtain a degree of information about the origin and quality and prices of the agricultural products.

Digital contracts: This way blockchain helps farmers to reach an agreement with intermediaries or buyers without the risk of being fraud and with less chance of arising delays.

Applying these modern technologies in the agricultural sector can be helpful to raise yield, decrease cost, bring better living standards for farmers and enhance the national economy.

Domestic manufacture and international market

The local products of Nepal have a huge market prospect in the international market. With appropriate branding, certification as well as making these goods more e-commerce friendly they could easily become export worthy.

Vetiver system


One of the most effective plants that can be utilised for environmental management is Vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) because it is used in management of erosion and water conservation.

Vetiver oil production: Today, with a global price of about $275 per litre, Vetiver oil is an economically attractive crop for farmers. Its cultivation also creates employment and export.

Herbal and medicinal products: Many herbs found locally include Ashwagandha, Tulsi, and cardamom have a ready market in the international markets for Ayurvedic products and are a huge export prospect.

Leveraging digital platforms

E-commerce: Currently, there are opportunities and many platforms like Daraz, hatiya and many more, for a better market opportunity.

Branding and certification: This cuts the credibility and reliability of products in the market by reducing the number of certified products or services.

As this paper has established, Nepal can reach international markets and accrue huge economic efficiency gains provided that it adopts the right strategies.

Sustainable Energy and Innovation recruitment enables the selection of the best talents for such positions through competitive events that test their creativity, innovation and problem solving skills in tackling sustainable energy issues.

Energy and technology are essential assets for improving agriculture and developing it as an environmentally friendly sector.

Renewable energy sources

Solar pumps: Water supply for un-electrified regions through the provision of affordable gadgets of irrigation.

Biogas: Use of livestock waste in the production of energy as well as organic fertilizers..

Wind energy: Powering the rural farming societies.

Innovative farming techniques

Drones: Applied in crop spraying, pest control, and even crop reviewing, thus leads to extended cycles of time and money legalized.

Hydroponics and aeroponics: Techniques that enable farming without soil while focusing on high productivity in limited space, this is particularly good for the expanding metropolitan centers.

Whenever integrating renewable energy systems to various means, the cost is cut, productivity enhanced, and the effects on environment ameliorated.

Policy support and opportunity

Policy support and opportunity are important for the development of a school health program.

Thus, there is a clear need for going through the process of forecasting for policy makers as well as developing effective policy frameworks and arrangements for public and private partnerships that will take agriculture to greater heights.

Government subsidies:
Availability of cheap credit facilities, subsidies for fertilizers and affordable farm implements can help to shift the cost structure of farmers in the right direction as productivity is affected by expenditure incurred.


Education and training:
Organizations from universities, government, and private sectors must be in a position to teach farmers better ways of farming in current world.


Partnerships between public and private entities (PPE):
Successful application of large scale agriculture transformation involves government incentives and private capital investment. For instance, the use of PPP when promoting Vetiver products in the international market will positively impact both the farming fraternity and the economy.

For the Nepalis as well as the entire nation, an agricultural revolution in Nepal is no longer an option but is imminent and inevitable. Integrating the best of both the old and the new world technology, adopting locally available resources, spurring innovation can and indeed make agriculture sustainable, profitable, and competitive anywhere in the world. To provide the foundation for a global sustainable agriculture system, Nepal can help Vetiver and medicinal herbs with IoT and blockchain services.

This vision can only be attained through collective efforts of the policy makers, industrialization of agriculture and the farming community of the country so as to empower suicidal Agricultural sector leading the economic social and technological progress of Nepal.

The potential of Nepal is in fields—enabling them will enable the country.

In observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, ApEx explores the societal misconceptions and challenges faced by people with disabilities. Sadikshya Khadka spoke to some people who shared their personal experiences of overcoming societal prejudices and advocating for inclusion. Their stories highlight the need for systemic reforms, accessible infrastructure, and a collective shift in attitudes to create a society where people with disabilities can live independently and equitably.

Bhoj Raj Shrestha

The way society views people with disabilities is often shaped by pervasive misconceptions. A common belief is that individuals with disabilities are entirely dependent on others for support. This flawed thinking has restricted their ability to live independently and fully participate in society. Unfortunately, hearing such narratives repeatedly can lead people with disabilities to internalize the notion that they are incapable of being independent. 

In reality, most people with disabilities are capable of caring for themselves and living independently. However, the societal perception that they are helpless fosters a negative mindset. Even when individuals possess skills, creativity, and knowledge, these qualities are often overshadowed by their disability, which is unfair.

It’s crucial for governments to implement better policies that guarantee accessibility and equity across all areas. A stronger system is needed—not only to improve physical access but also to challenge societal attitudes. Changing these perceptions requires collective effort from families, communities, society, and the government. 

The constitution of Nepal and international organizations advocating for disability rights must ensure that laws designed to uplift people with disabilities are effectively enforced. Additionally, the allowances currently provided are insufficient to meet basic needs. 

Savitree Shrestha  

One deeply hurtful misconception about people with disabilities is that we are told to be repaying the sins of our previous birth. People don’t understand disability. They aren’t aware of the proper terminology used to address people with disabilities and the way they treat us is often not appropriate. To overcome these challenges, I try to talk about disability so people can become well-aware and adopt appropriate behavior. Ensuring access and support in all areas, such as employment, education, and public spaces, is crucial for the overall development and empowerment of people with disabilities.

Rama Dhakal

Misconceptions about people with disabilities are widespread, often starting within families. Many families foster a negative mindset, pitying us and believing we are incapable of accomplishing anything independently. Some even make deeply hurtful remarks. They say people with disabilities should not have been born. When such attitudes exist within families, they deprive people with disabilities of the support system that should be their foundation.

People with disabilities are often perceived as being completely incapable of contributing to society. As a result, we are excluded from participation in societal activities and groups, such as children’s clubs, mothers’ clubs, or women’s organizations. It leads to isolation.

Education is one of the most critical areas where change is needed. Early childhood development takes place in schools and classrooms, making these environments essential for fostering inclusion. When children with disabilities are included in all school activities from an early age, it promotes equality.

The private sector also has a significant role in promoting inclusion. Encouraging the employment and representation of people with disabilities across all sectors, particularly in decision-making positions, is essential. This is especially important in lawmaking and policy formulation. Representation and inclusion are not just about addressing misconceptions—they are about creating a society that values and respects everyone’s contributions, ensuring equity and opportunities for all.