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I vividly remember reading ‘Seto Dharti’ by Amar Neupane during my school days. The heartbreaking story of Tara, a child widow moved me to tears with its emotional depth. The tale of love, loss, and hope was unforgettable. Beyond the narrative, another detail that caught my attention was the abstract book cover and the distinctive circular emblem on the middle left that read “Madan Puraskar Bijeta” (Winner of the Madan Puraskar). 

Over time, I came across other books with the same stamp. Curious, I searched for Madan Puraskar on Google and clicked on the first link, which was for Wikipedia. There, I learned that the award is Nepal’s most prestigious literary honor, established by Queen Jagadamba Kumari Devi in memory of her late husband, General Madan Shumsher JBR. At that time, this was the extent of my knowledge about the award, but I began to associate the stamp with literary excellence. Every time I visited a bookstore afterward, I instinctively sought out books bearing that emblem. 

In an article published on The Kathmandu Post dated 24 Sept 2021, Madan Puraskar was referred to as the ‘brainchild of Kamal Mani Dixit’. While I was familiar with the name, I wasn’t fully aware of the breadth of his work or his significant contributions. This piqued my interest in understanding Dixit’s role in the award’s history. Further research revealed that the late Dixit was a towering figure in Nepali literature, whose efforts were crucial in preserving and promoting the literary heritage of Nepal. Indeed, the Madan Puraskar Guthi was conceived as Dixit’s vision and legacy. 

In the few videos I watched of Kamal Mani Dixit on YouTube, he appeared as a warm and content elderly man. His white hair, glasses, and traditional Dhaka topi gave him a dignified and wise appearance.In the only interview available online, published in his memory on YouTube, Kamal Mani Dixit, when asked by the interviewer, “Then who is Kamal Mani Dixit?” responded hastily, saying he was “just an essayist and a nobody.” 

Pratyush Onta’s article, ‘Re-reading Kamal Dixit-the essayist’, explores Dixit’s significant contributions to the Nepali literary landscape, particularly in the field of essays, categorizing his essays into four types: rigorous research essays, mixed essays blending research with personal insights, memoirs reflecting on family and life during the Rana era, and various other miscellaneous collections of essays. However, Dixit’s contributions extend far beyond his essays . 

Ashutosh Tiwari’s obituary captures his extensive contributions, with a prolific output of over 70 books. He collaborated with writers, poets, and historians, editing and publishing 22 works on poetry, epics, dramas, and stories, helping lesser-known Nepali authors gain recognition. Tiwari highlights Dixit's dedication as a teacher, sharing his knowledge of poetry well into his 80s at Rato Bangala School, along with his work in writing children’s books.

Kamal Mani Dixit’s family had strong ties with the Ranas. In his memoir ‘Birseko Samjeko’ (Forgotten Recollection), Dixit writes about his frequent visits to Shree Durbar and his relationship with Madan Shumsher, the youngest son of Chandra Shumsher. He reminisces how as a toddler, the 14-year-old Madan Shumsher, having just recovered from a two-month illness, treated young Dixit like a walking, talking doll to pass the time. This early connection marked the beginning of his close ties with Madan Shumsher and the Rana family. 

Dixit also recalls in his memoir a time during school when he couldn’t afford to buy a book by Bhim Nidhi Tiwari. This inspired him to save his tiffin money and start collecting books. As his collection grew, he began referring to it as ‘Kamalko Nepali Sangraha’ (Kamal’s Nepali Collection). 

In 1955, following the death of Madan Shumsher, Dixit, who was working at a printing press in Banaras, was recalled by his father to serve Queen Jagadamba. Wanting to contribute to Nepali literature, Dixit persuaded the queen to support the collection and preservation of literary works. In 1956, Queen Jagadamba Kumari Devi endowed the collection in memory of her late husband, establishing the Madan Puraskar Guthi. His personal collection ‘Kamalko Nepali Sangraha’, which he started as a student in the 1940s, became the foundation of the Madan Puraskar Pustakalaya (Madan Puraskar Library). 

The Guthi was established to collect, preserve, catalog, and disseminate valuable information for researchers and scholars. It also introduced the Madan Puraskar award to honor works that made significant contributions in the fields literature, philosophy, science, and social sciences. Initially, the prize was set at Rs. 4,000 per category. The award was first announced in 1955 and officially distributed in 1956, making it Nepal’s first literary prize.

What began as Kamal Mani Dixit’s personal passion for collecting books has grown into an institution dedicated to preserving and promoting Nepali literature. While the Madan Puraskar has faced its share of criticism, its importance in the Nepali literary landscape is unquestionable. This article focuses on the award’s inception, but its criticisms and broader impact warrant a separate discussion.

Instagram is a treasure trove of recipes. Bollywood celebrity Janhvi Kapoor, in an interview, swore by healthy recipes that she had stumbled upon on Instagram. This week we bring to you three Instagram accounts that can inspire you to cook healthy meals at home, pay attention to what you are eating, try and incorporate all the required nutrients in your diet.

The Classy Foodophile

Pavitra Kaur is the digital content creator behind this amazing account that has over 200 healthy recipes. The voice over is soothing and makes you want to keep scrolling through her page. Kaur is currently pregnant so she also shares ‘What I Eat in a Day’ videos that are extremely helpful if you want to eat clean and get more protein in your diet. The account is a good one to follow if you want to whip up quick and easy meals at home. There are plenty of breakfast and lunch recipes that we are sure everyone will love. She also has a website if you would like to get your hands on the many cutesy products she uses in her reels.

Flavoromas

Banker turned blogger Zaha S’s page is a delight. She shares easy recipes and lunch plate ideas that inspire you to create your own ‘perfect’ meals. The content creator is all about finding balance in life through cooking and organizing and uses her account to share that with her followers. You will also find quite a lot of lifestyle inspiration in the posts. We love how aesthetic everything looks. There are great ASMR feels in many of the posts that you will want to watch them on repeat. There aren’t many recipes but you get a sense of what food goes well together as well as many ideas for your own innovative meals by watching the reels.  

The Modern Desi.co

A software engineer by day in Australia, Bhavna Kalra would apparently turn to desi food whenever she felt homesick. This eventually led to her becoming an avid food blogger. Her Instagram page has lots of recipes that look like modern, contemporary food but is actually a traditional meal at heart. The point of modern desi is to connect people and cultures with the shared love of food. Every recipe is accompanied by a personal story that makes it all the more enticing. If the Instagram account doesn’t satiate your hunger for food content, we recommend heading over to the website that is filled with a lot of inspiration and posts to get you thinking creatively about food.

The international airport has become overwhelmed with a surge of students. In recent years, youth migration has emerged as one of the country’s major issues. While every government claims to be drafting policies and programs aimed at retaining young people within the country, these efforts appear ineffective. Reports indicate that over 2,500 youths depart from Tribhuvan International Airport daily. 

Although many attribute this exodus to employment opportunities abroad, a large number of students are also leaving for educational purposes. As more young students pursue studies overseas, the number of students enrolling in Nepali universities and colleges has decreased significantly . Particularly in bachelor’s and master’s programs, enrollment has dropped far below the allocated seat numbers. On one hand, universities and affiliated educational institutions face a drought of students; while on the other hand, the international airport is struggling to manage the overwhelming crowds of outbound students.

In the fiscal year 2023/24, a total of 112,593 individuals obtained no objection certificates (NOC) from the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology to study abroad. According to data from the ministry’s Foreign Study Permission Branch, the number was 110,217 in the previous fiscal year. Although the number dropped to 27,900 in the fiscal year 2020/21 and to 34,096 in the fiscal year 2019/20 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the trend has since been on the rise. In the fiscal year 2018/19, the number was 63,295. Currently, about 500 students seek NOCs daily. Based on this data, it is estimated that over 100,000 students leave Nepal annually for abroad studies.

Education is often considered the foundation of a country’s economic and social development. However, many argue that Nepal’s education system has not yet found its rhythm. The government’s lack of vision and the dysfunction in educational institutions have left students disillusioned with the domestic education system, driving them towards foreign institutions as an alternative.

In the past decade, the number of students seeking NOC to study abroad has increased nearly tenfold. On average, the number of students going abroad for education has grown by 43.9 percent annually over this period. Nepali universities have failed to attract students due to rising institutional dysfunction and political interference, which has hampered the development of a modern education system and the production of skilled human resources.

Political instability, corrupt leadership, frequent government changes, and power struggles have led youths to conclude that their futures are not secure in Nepal. Universities play a crucial role in developing the human resources needed for national development. They must produce graduates with the skills to analyze, argue, present, and find solutions to problems. However, if the foundation is weak, the resulting development will not be sustainable. Graduates from Nepali universities often lack the expertise required to secure jobs, which further diminishes the appeal of these institutions. As a result, many students opt for foreign education.

In the last fiscal year, the most popular study destinations for Nepali students were Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Australia, and Canada. During this period, 34,731 students obtained NOCs for Japan, 15,982 for Canada, 14,372 for Australia, 13,339 for the UK, and 11,261 for the US. Similarly, 6,889 students obtained NOCs for South Korea, 1,754 for Denmark, 1,535 for Finland, 1,489 for France, 2,389 for India, 1,446 for New Zealand, and 2,147 for the UAE. A significant number of students also sought approval for studying in Bangladesh, China, Bahrain, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Hungary, Malaysia, Malta, the Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Spain, Sweden, and Thailand.

Not long ago, attending a university in Nepal was a source of pride. Graduating from these institutions was seen as a guarantee of a secure future, and parents took pride in their children’s education. But today, this is no longer the case. Many parents are now reluctant to enroll their children in domestic universities due to the rampant dysfunction. Most universities are plagued by strikes, shutdowns, and political interference, preventing them from adhering to academic calendars. As a result, regular classes, annual exams, and other academic activities have become irregular. It takes almost seven years to complete a four-year bachelor's degree, and errors in results and exam papers have eroded public trust in these institutions.

Human resources are the most important asset for increasing production and productivity. As the daily exodus of young, skilled individuals continues, the country’s political leadership bears the greatest responsibility. A nation’s future is often determined by its political leadership, as they are the ones steering the country’s direction. The hopes for a nation’s economic and social prosperity lie in having political leaders who are honest, capable, and visionary.

If the political leadership is honest, it can positively impact the country’s economic, social, and educational sectors. Only then can the belief that a secure future is possible within the country take root. However, looking at Nepal’s political history over the past three decades, it seems that promising political leadership has yet to emerge. Political instability, corrupt leaders, frequent government changes, and power struggles have led today’s youth to conclude that their futures are not secure in Nepal. Hence, they are in a hurry to leave.

It is natural for the youth to want to secure both their present and future. They are concerned not only about themselves but also about the future of their children. As physically and mentally capable individuals continue to leave the country, the impact on the nation’s economy, society, and politics is becoming increasingly apparent. While remittances may support the economy for now, they are not a long-term solution. Without growth in internal production and productivity, economic prosperity is unachievable.

The most important asset for increasing production and productivity is human resources. If we continue to lose our human capital, even the best policies and plans won’t matter. To ensure the economic, social, and political development of the country, the growing trend of youth migration must be curtailed. This requires the creation of domestic employment opportunities, skills-based education, a stable political environment, strong leadership, and good governance.

The fight for LGBTIQA+ rights has taken root globally. A number of countries have witnessed major public movements for marriage equality and legal recognition of the queer community. While same-sex marriage and homosexuality still remain illegal in many nations, there is increasing pressure on governments to acknowledge the issues faced by LGBTIQA+ individuals. 

Nepal has set itself apart in providing legal recognition to the community, thanks to progressive court rulings that have upheld the rights of queer individuals. While this has earned the country international recognition, the community still has a long way ahead of itself. As these challenges persist, new perspectives are emerging on how LGBTIQA+ rights are viewed. Queer rights are generally associated with human rights, but with increasing data on the economic impacts of LGBTIQA+ inclusion, there is a growing case for businesses to embrace inclusivity and reap the benefits it offers. 

Monetary gains

Corporations around the world have supported the cause for LGBTIQA+ rights (excluding countries where homosexuality is illegal). In the West, small businesses and multinational companies have embraced the rainbow and have emerged as important advocates for the community. The fight for justice and equality has driven corporations to join this movement and build pressure on their respective governments. But beyond the ideals of social justice, there are tangible economic benefits that businesses stand to gain from inclusive policies in the workplace. 

Research shows that LGBTIQA+ inclusive policies lead to enhanced productivity, higher innovation, and better financial performance of businesses. More inclusive firms report up to 35 percent higher profits compared to their non-inclusive counterparts. Inclusive workplaces also attract the top talents in the market given the increasing preference of workers for safer and diverse workplaces. 

Zooming out to a macro level, LGBTIQA+ inclusion delivers benefits across the economic landscape. Inclusive policies not only boost economic growth and productivity levels but also positively impact human development indicators. The resulting benefits on human capital outcomes drive profitability for firms, as they can take advantage of better labor market conditions and attract diverse talents. 

Performance gains

Besides monetary gains, firms also benefit in broader organizational metrics like employee engagement, motivation, and retention. When employees feel valued and respected, they are better able to deliver on their work. Feeling confident about one’s identity naturally increases the productivity and motivation levels of workers, allowing them to connect better with fellow colleagues. 

It is no surprise that an inclusive workplace attracts the best talent and witnesses lower turnover rates. Everyone prefers a workplace where they can bring their full selves to work and don’t have to worry about their looks, preferences, and backgrounds. Fostering an inclusive workplace also has the advantage of the reduced legal burden of dealing with complaints of discrimination and harassment. 

Research from McKinsey shows that companies embracing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are 21 percent more likely to outperform on profitability and face fewer legal issues related to discrimination. Hence, beyond the monetary gains that LGBTIQA+ inclusion offers, businesses stand to benefit from the wider impacts inclusive policies have on their organizational functioning.  

Opportunities for businesses

The global corporate world has actively embraced queer inclusivity but Nepali businesses are yet to show the same level of enthusiasm. Nepal has a relatively strong legal recognition of the queer community, which puts domestic businesses in an advantageous position to leverage the talents of queer workers and bring fresh perspectives to their organization. They have the opportunity of hiring queer folks and bringing vibrancy to their firms, while also significantly increasing their problem-solving and innovative capacity. All of these potential benefits are supported by solid research. LGBTIQA+ inclusion, and by extension, all forms of inclusion, will be the competitive advantage that organizations can bank on for their future success. 

Though Nepal’s corporate ecosystem is still in its infancy, the existing large businesses need to lead the way in prioritizing DEI and leveraging the benefits it offers. The banking industry can play an especially important role in this area given its impressive performance with female labor employment in the sector. Extending this achievement to other gender identities and sexual orientations can give the industry a further boost in its performance and profitability, not to mention the international recognition that will come with it. 

With the legal rights of the queer community increasingly being recognized in Nepal, large domestic firms can take the lead in writing the next chapter of LGBTIQA+ equality. Beyond serving their own interests, LGBTIQA+ inclusion can change the lives of thousands of Nepalis, while also significantly contributing to the country’s economic and social development. Inclusion in the workplace is a win-win situation—for firms, for employees, and for the country—and it’s time the stakeholders gave the issue its due attention.