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While teaching communication to master’s students, I often reflect on its deeper  significance—not just in theory but in real-world applications. Communication is  fundamental to human existence. It begins at an interpersonal level, extends to spiritual and societal dimensions, and even governs the biological processes that sustain life. As Dr David Sinclair discusses in Lifespan, cells constantly exchange signals to maintain function. When communication breaks down, whether in the body, society or  governance, disorder follows.

Communication and its challenges 

At its core, communication consists of a messenger (sender), a message, a channel and a  receiver. For effective communication, both the sender and the receiver must have a shared understanding of the message. When this fails, miscommunication occurs, leading  to inefficiency, misalignment or even conflict. 

In class discussions, we often explore why miscommunication happens. Several key  factors contribute to it: the intention behind the message, the clarity of the message itself, the reliability of the communication channel and the receiver’s interpretation of the message. External noise (such as misinformation and disinformation), biases in the media and  differences in perception further complicate the process.

A critical debate in communication studies is how information should be structured.  Should it flow through a centralized system for consistency, or should it be decentralized for flexibility? Both approaches have their strengths and weaknesses. Centralized systems  provide clarity but can be rigid, while decentralized models encourage adaptability but may  lead to fragmentation. 

Jürgen Habermas, in his discussion of the system and the lifeworld, examines how institutionalized structures interact with everyday communication. The system refers to institutionalized structures like government or bureaucracy, while the lifeworld encompasses the everyday communication and experiences of individuals. In Nepali  politics, this tension is evident in the struggle between formal governance structures and  public discourse. Bureaucratic systems and political institutions often dictate the flow of information, shaping narratives that serve political elites rather than fostering genuine civic engagement. This disconnect undermines transparency and weakens public trust, as  political messaging shifts from dialogue to control.

Political communication in Nepal 

Applying this model to Nepali politics reveals significant challenges. Ideally, political communication should create a shared understanding of national interests. However, it  often serves to promote individual or party narratives rather than collective progress.

The challenges begin with the messengers—political leaders—whose messaging is often  influenced by party agendas rather than national priorities. Messages should be  transparent and reflective of reality, yet they are frequently ambiguous, selectively framed or shaped to fit specific political narratives. The media plays a crucial role in message dissemination, but concerns over bias and political affiliations sometimes hinder the  public’s access to objective information. The rapid spread of unverified content on social media further complicates the landscape, making it difficult for citizens to differentiate  between fact and political rhetoric.

Nepali political discourse often lacks coherence due to internal party conflicts, shifting alliances and fragmented messaging. For instance, the ongoing debate between those advocating for the reinstatement of the monarchy and Hindu statehood versus those supporting the current federal democratic republic system has created a highly polarized political environment. Additionally, the controversial dismissal of Kulman Ghising has  sparked widespread debate. Some view his removal as a politically motivated act  influenced by party rivalries, while others believe it reflects the government’s dissatisfaction with his management of the energy sector. Furthermore, the aggressive use of social media by influential figures through posts that stir public sentiment exacerbates  these divisions. These conflicting narratives—both online and offline—contribute to  uncertainty, divert attention from critical governance issues and fuel political instability. The fragmentation of political messaging weakens governance, delays policy  implementation, and erodes public trust.

Feedback is key

One of the critical aspects of Nepali political communication is feedback. Effective  communication should be a two-way process, allowing for dialogue and accountability. While elections provide periodic feedback, they occur infrequently, leaving limited  opportunities for continuous public engagement. Political discussions are often one-sided,  with leaders relying on speeches and rallies rather than meaningful interaction with  citizens. Public dissatisfaction, when expressed through protests or debates, is sometimes  met with defensive responses rather than constructive dialogue. 

To strengthen political communication, there must be a shift toward transparency,  inclusivity and responsiveness. Independent media should be reinforced to ensure that communication channels remain neutral and informative rather than instruments of  political influence. Mechanisms for public engagement should be expanded, providing citizens with opportunities to voice concerns beyond election cycles. Equally important is  public awareness—critical thinking and media literacy can help individuals navigate  political messaging more effectively.

Moving forward 

Scholars in communication studies often note that “perfect communication is a myth.” This  doesn’t imply that communication can’t be improved, but rather that political discourse  must acknowledge its inherent complexity, context and evolving perspectives. For Nepal, this underscores the urgent need for institutional reforms that promote transparency,  foster open dialogue and establish continuous channels for civic engagement.  Strengthening public forums, independent media and participatory governance structures can ensure that political communication serves the broader national interest rather than  partisan agendas. 

While perfect communication remains unattainable, it is essential to recognize that  meaning is shaped by context, perception and interpretation. In Nepali politics, communication has the potential to unite and drive progress. However, when manipulated  as a tool for influence rather than genuine understanding, it leads to polarization and stagnation. In line with Habermas’ theory, “transparent and accountable  communication” is crucial for bridging the gap between the system and the lifeworld. By  improving communication strategies in Nepal, we can align institutional structures more  closely with the public's needs and aspirations, promoting a more inclusive and  democratic society. 

Addressing these challenges requires a shift from rhetoric to meaningful action. Political  institutions must adopt communication strategies that are structured, responsive and foster ongoing dialogue. Transparent, accountable communication will build a stronger foundation for governance and national development. Moving forward, fostering responsible discourse should be a shared priority among political leaders, media and the public. Without this shift, misinformation, mistrust and missed opportunities will continue to undermine progress.

Whether it is a good or bad thing to view politics through the lens of political intermediaries and what they do (example: mediation) is a matter of debate. Intermediaries can be defined as a mixed group of actors (political intermediaries, political parties, interest groups, movements) that act as a bridge between two or more levels, social institutions; while mediation, as a process, includes all the medications that these actors make to keep the political system intact. Intermediaries mediate contests across different spheres and areas. These acts and practices of mediation are diverse, multi-level, multi-form and involved. 

The study of political change through intermediaries reveals the interrelationships of locality, social power and political intermediaries in policy, politics, public distribution and the multiple roles that intermediaries perform at different scales of these processes. It has become public that the government faces a challenge in appointing the 18th Governor by cutting off the interference of business groups. The chief of the central bank (Nepal Rastra Bank) should be selected from among a group of capable and qualified persons. Party and other interests should not be considered in this. However, there is a widespread opinion that business groups and middlemen are now dominating the selection of the governor, and even that this position has been exchanged with the clan. 

Of course, each political party also has its own interests. No one disagrees with the appointment of an independent and capable person as governor because this is a purely technical position and plays the role of an advisor to guide the country. Yes, the country should feel the shift from caste-based and single-caste rule to inclusiveness. When various interest groups lobby for a certain candidate as the governor, this raises questions about the autonomy of the central bank itself. In general, an interest group is any association of individuals or institutions, usually formally organized, that, based on one or more common concerns, attempts to influence public policy in its favor. 

Where a think tank differs is that it goes beyond analysis, observation and lobbying, advocacy, debate, and actively provides insights to influence policies at the global, regional and national levels. The job of a lobbyist is to persuade and communicate key points of information to politicians in order to change their minds, vote a certain way or influence policy change. Many lobbyists are professionals, but ordinary people can lobby with their political representatives on issues they feel strongly about. 

Some organizations may use their communications team to fulfill this role, rather than employing a professional lobbyist. A lobbyist typically performs this role face-to-face. While it is perfectly legitimate to communicate with politicians about key issues, representing or attempting to persuade them of the views of key stakeholders, unethical lobbyists may seek to persuade them either through overt or covert bribery or other means (such as blackmail).
A pressure group is an organization that attempts to influence decisions. This is a group that engages in lobbying a politician or decision-maker. They employ strategies other than lobbying to try to persuade and influence change. For example, they may engage in media relations campaigns, advertisements, protests, and so on. These should not have undue influence. 

Why should one group have more say in policy than others? This may represent a corruption of democracy, in that the government should be in the best interests of the majority of the people. The suspicion is that lobbyists influence policies to the benefit of the few, and that big business gains undue influence as a result of their ability to use such strategies. 

But lobbying can be benign and not always professional. Think tanks produce research that attempts to work in the public interest by convincing politicians that wearing seat belts reduces road deaths and that pressure groups formed by victims’ parents will save lives by changing laws. 

Are think tanks, lobbyists and pressure groups a threat to democracy? The question arises. Let’s start by understanding what these groups are, and then look at how they affect democracy.

There is no clear definition of what a think tank is. It is a group of individuals whose job is to provide ideas, commentary and sometimes research on a key topic. There are many types of think tanks and their work overlaps with that of industry analysts and researchers within higher education institutions such as universities.
Lobbying is the activity of influencing decision-makers (usually politicians). People who do this are called lobbyists. The job of a lobbyist is to persuade and communicate key points of information to politicians in order to change their minds, vote a certain way, or influence policy changes. Many lobbyists are professionals, but ordinary people can lobby their political representatives on issues they feel strongly about. 

Some organizations may use their own communications team to fulfill this role, rather than employing a professional lobbyist. A lobbyist usually performs this role face-to-face. While it is perfectly legitimate to represent or attempt to persuade key stakeholders when talking to politicians about major issues, unethical lobbyists may seek to persuade through either overt or covert bribery or other means (such as blackmail). 

Pressure groups 

A pressure group is an organization that attempts to influence decisions. This is a group that engages in lobbying a politician or decision-maker. They employ strategies other than lobbying to try to persuade and influence change. 

For example, they may engage in media relations campaigns, advertising, protests and so on. These should not be biased in favor or against. Why should one group have more say in policy than others? This can represent a corruption of democracy, which is supposed to serve the interests of the majority of the people.
Indeed, Nepal’s political life is dominated by interest groups that do not communicate with each other. Leaders therefore talk less to each other and to the public than to the media. The political culture of the media, however, is marked by dualism: private media tend to portray the leadership in a very negative light.
Private media, relatively free from government censorship, have fallen into the hands of economic and political tycoons who use them to manipulate public consciousness and provoke leaders to fight each other by exposing illegal practices. It is not a good sign that money is in the hands of middlemen, setting business with politicians. 

Politics, administration and even entrepreneurs have fallen into the setting business in recent days. Policy decisions have started to be made according to the influence of middlemen, ie interest groups. Therefore, now it is not a good sign to come to the social network that says, ‘Where is the money?’ It is not a good sign at all. In fact, a scary situation has started to arise in Nepal, setting before decisions. Who will be promoted? Who will be transferred?  The opinion that interest groups and middlemen have already set it is becoming more and more popular.

In the private sector, the tendency to make money at any cost rather than being reasonable has started to dominate. In recent days, the private sector has been working to inspire politicians in setting, middlemen and policy corruption.

And, there is also a tendency to discredit politicians and employees who are not cooperative with their plans. In particular, let's develop competitive capabilities, demand equal treatment, regulation and environment from the state, but it is not good to go beyond that and become overly ambitious. The topics of debate about international intermediaries, national intermediaries, local civil society and civil movements have already started to appear in Nepal. With the money given by donors, various international NGOs used to work using their own administrative and technical mechanisms. Services and facilities would reach the people directly. 

All this affects those with the most money the most. 

Accountability and transparency

Accountability is not always an issue. The best think tanks and lobbyists are clear about where their money is coming from, and what they stand for; but some do not disclose who is paying for their services. We need to know who is paying the bill because it enables us to detect and explain bias. 

But in Nepal, it has become a matter of great concern and concern among the public that a very bad culture is developing in which people pay money to get their own decisions and appointments made in their favor. The most ethical firms clearly state who is sponsoring their work, and coordinate their work with policy to keep it correct, such as reviewing it, using methods to ensure independence or accuracy. However, the use of cutting-edge technology to influence politicians and voters is also questionable.

Poverty in Nepal remains widespread, especially in rural areas. Many poor people struggle to earn enough to meet their basic needs, relying on small, often unproductive pieces of land. This land doesn’t produce enough crops or generate enough income, making poverty more severe in rural areas compared to urban ones.

In 2010-11, about 25 percent of Nepal’s population lived below the poverty line. By 2023-24, this number had decreased to 20.3 percent, a reduction of 18.8 percent. While this shows some progress, many people still struggle to make ends meet. A 19 percent reduction in poverty over a decade is but a small improvement. Progress has been slow, and many still face difficulties, especially in rural areas. Efforts to fight poverty have not been strong enough to make a significant impact. According to a recent World Bank report, most of the poverty reduction can be attributed to remittances. This suggests that government efforts alone have not been enough to bring significant change.

This highlights the need for more action within Nepal to tackle poverty. There should be more local job opportunities, better access to education and healthcare, and better support for farmers so that people can improve their lives without having to migrate. While remittances help, they are not a long-term solution to poverty. The government and relevant organizations need to address the root causes of poverty and provide local opportunities for growth.

To reduce poverty further, Nepal must improve conditions for rural communities. This includes better access to education, healthcare, and technology, as well as improving farming practices. It’s also important to create more job opportunities outside of farming, so people don't have to rely solely on agriculture for survival.

Meanwhile, inequality in income or spending has decreased. In 2010-11, the Gini coefficient (GC), which measures income distribution, was 0.33. By 2023-24, it dropped to 0.30, a three percent decrease. The Gini coefficient ranges from zero (perfect equality) to one (extreme inequality). A GC of 0.3 shows that while inequality has decreased, it is still at a moderate level, meaning there is still a gap between the rich and the poor in how resources are shared.
Although the reduction in inequality is a positive sign, more work is needed. The three percent decrease suggests that efforts to reduce inequality are moving in the right direction, but there is still a long way to go to ensure fairer distribution of wealth and opportunities across Nepal. The government and organizations must focus on policies that help reduce inequality further. This could include improving access to education, healthcare and job opportunities for everyone, especially those in rural areas or from poorer backgrounds. By creating more equal opportunities, Nepal can continue to reduce inequality and move toward a more balanced society.

In conclusion, while poverty and inequality have decreased in Nepal, the changes are still not enough. Stronger and more effective efforts are necessary, particularly in rural areas. Remittances have played a key role, but they are not a long-term solution. The government needs to create more local opportunities for people to improve their lives and address inequality to ensure a fairer distribution of resources and opportunities across all communities.

Nepal’s first modern highway, Tribhuvan Rajpath (named after King Tribhuvan), is not just a road but also a historical heritage. Famous by the name ‘Bairod Ko Bato,’ this route was the first motorable road connecting Kathmandu with the southern Tarai. Before the construction of this road, the only means of transport in Nepal were foot travel, horse-drawn carts and caravans of pack animals. The development of this Rajpath (Royal Path, later renamed Lokmarg et al to reflect political changes) had a profound impact on Nepal’s economy, trade and the lives of people.

Construction and historical events

Before the 1950s, the Kathmandu Valley was completely isolated from the outside world. Nepal had no paved roads, making the transportation of goods and travel quite difficult. After the end of the Rana rule in 1951, a plan was made to construct the first modern highway in Nepal with Indian assistance. With collaboration between Indian engineers and Nepali workers, the project initiated in 1953 got completed in 1956 and was named Tribhuwan Rajpath in honor of the then King.

When the artery was completed, in 1956, a jeep made its first trip from Birgunj to Kathmandu marking a historic moment when Nepal saw its first motor vehicle travel to the capital. That same year, the first bus service was also introduced in Nepal. People were so eager to see the bus that they would wait for hours to catch a glimpse of it. It was a marvel for everyone, from children to elders. Even today, this road is considered one of the toughest driving routes in Nepal. Sim Bhanjyang (2,483 meters) is the highest point of this route, where the cold climate and sharp turns pose a constant risk of vehicle overturning.

Stories of a hard road

In the past, traveling along the road used to be quite challenging for drivers, especially for those operating buses and trucks. When a new driver took a bus on this route for the first time, experienced drivers would perform a special ritual to ensure the new driver’s safety. One such tradition involved a brake test, where drivers would place stones on the road to check if the vehicle’s brakes were working properly before starting the journey. There were also times when buses or trucks would break down, and drivers and passengers would end up stranded overnight in the cold, surrounded by forests. With no help available in those remote areas, they had to spend the night waiting for assistance, facing the harsh conditions until they could continue their journey.

Center of trade and development

The completion of the road marked the beginning of organized trade in Nepal. Freight trucks started transporting goods from Birgunj to Kathmandu, making it easier to supply goods to shops. Hetaunda became one of Nepal’s major trading hubs, with trade in timber, tea and agricultural products growing. Daman is considered the most beautiful spot along this highway, offering a breathtaking view of the Himalayas, which made it a popular tourist destination. In the 1970s, as the Prithvi Highway and Mahendra Highway were constructed, people began to find easier and safer alternatives, and gradually the use of the old artery decreased. However, it remains a favorite route for bikers, adventure enthusiasts and lovers of history. Many tourists in Nepal still choose this route to experience the journey of the old times.

Full operation necessary

Transportation in Nepal is often disrupted due to monsoon rains, floods and landslides. The Banepa-Bardibas and Kathmandu-Mugling highways suffer heavy damage during the rainy season, disrupting traffic between the Kathmandu Valley and Madhes. Therefore, it is crucial to bring the good ole artery into full operation as an alternative and safe route.

A rugged terrain aside, this historic highway, which connects Kathmandu with Hetaunda and Birgunj, can play a vital role in improving Nepal’s transport safety if it is revived and upgraded. If the narrow bends of the route are widened, the road improved, and safety measures enforced, it can help ensure smooth traffic between Kathmandu and Madhes.

Revival

The history of the Rajpath reveals that it was not just a road, but Nepal’s first step toward modernization. As new highways continue to be developed in the country, it’s essential to modernize this historic route as well. One of the major challenges of this highway is its sharp bends, narrow roads and steep descents. In many areas, the road is so narrow that two vehicles can’t pass each other. To improve safety, it’s necessary to widen these dangerous bends, add safety railings, and place warning signs. Installing solar lights and reflector sign boards along the route would also make night travel much safer.

Over the years, the road has suffered significant damage due to rain and landslides, with potholes and broken surfaces being major contributors to vehicle accidents. To address this, regular maintenance and repairs should be planned, and efforts should be made to widen and pave the road so that even heavy vehicles can travel more easily.

There was a time when this road was the most important trade route in Nepal, connecting towns like Hetaunda, Palung and Daman, which thrived because of it. Today, to boost tourism and business, developing tourism hubs in places like Daman and Hetaunda would be a great idea. These towns could be promoted as part of a historic tourist route, with new markets and eateries created to support local businesses and attract visitors.

Though most people now use the Prithvi Highway and other modern routes, it’s important to recognize that the Rajpath is more than just a road; it is a significant part of Nepal’s heritage. The road should be preserved and developed as a heritage route. The government could declare it an adventure and heritage driving route to encourage more people to use it. Additionally, installing memorials and information boards at key historical sites along the route would help educate visitors and preserve its rich history for future generations.

Conclusion

To restore the lost identity of ‘Bairod Ko Bato,’ it is the right time to modernize and make it safe, reviving Nepal’s pride. This road is more than a road; it is a symbol of Nepal’s historical, cultural and economic transformation. This route not only led Nepal toward modernization but also awakened a new consciousness in Nepali society. Though journeys along ‘Bairod Ko Bato’ may have gone down today, it will always be remembered as Nepal’s first and most historic road. The transportation system in Nepal is frequently disrupted due to monsoon rains, floods and landslides. Particularly, the Banepa-Bardibas and Kathmandu-Mugling highways suffer significant damage during the rainy season, disrupting traffic between the Kathmandu Valley and Madhesh. In such a case, bringing the Rajpath into full operation as an alternative and safe route is extremely essential. This historic highway could prove to be significant for Nepal’s transport security if it is revived and improved. If the narrow bends are widened, the road is better, and safety measures are implemented, it will help ensure uninterrupted traffic between Kathmandu and Madhes. Its operation will not only boost trade, tourism and the local economy, but also act as a reliable alternative route during natural disasters. Hence, the modernization and reactivation of the historic artery is imperative for Nepal’s long-term development.