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Have you ever wondered how children would develop if all their physical needs like food, clothing, and shelter were fully met but not an ounce of emotional component were offered. Imagine a child growing up with no love, no cuddling, no emotional response, no affectionate touch, and no playful interaction. By the time this child turns 10, what kind of world would exist inside her/him?

And I’m not writing this article based on mere psychological prediction and imagination. It happened in real life, ‘The case of Genie’ was a girl in California who was locked in a room alone for nearly 13 years, with almost no human interaction. She was fed and physically kept alive but was never spoken to, played with, or emotionally nurtured. What happened to her was she never learned the language and learning at the age of 13 is almost impossible as the right time for our cognition to catch and learn the neural path of language has gone a long time ago. She didn’t know how to form a relationship with other people along with herself. She was physically underdeveloped despite adequate nutrition. She was suffering from extreme social anxiety along with an inability to understand normal human behavior. As she moved forward in life, she struggled to meet the demands of adulthood, and the problem affected nearly every aspect of her life. Many studies with similar experiences have shown that individuals in such situations face a significantly higher risk of premature death. These cases often become hopeless and helpless, as both medical and psychological interventions typically have limited effectiveness in such situations.

It’s clear that simply providing the basic necessities for survival is not enough for children to develop into a healthy adult. Children absorb essential life skills and values from their parents, who teach the very ‘language of life’ through their actions, words and ways the parents relate with them. Now, let's explore what children acquire, how they absorb it, and from whom. Specifically, let's examine what a child derives from their mother and what they expect from their father in order to nurture their optimal developmental needs.

Mother

There are two literal meanings of the word ‘mother’. The first refers to the biological female parent who gives birth, while the second refers to the person who nurtures. While in the womb, a child is not a separate entity but rather a part of their mother’s body. Although it takes nine months for the child to physically differentiate from the mother, it takes much longer for the child to truly realize that they are distinct from her. For around 20 days, the child recognizes the mother by her scent. It’s only after this period that they could identify her through physical sensation.  There exists very strong bonding between mother and children as we all can observe at the time of discomfort, the mother’s hug and warmth can be incredibly soothing to the child.

A mother, with an instinctive grace, senses the unspoken tides of her child’s emotions and discomfort, offering solace even when words are yet to take form. This allows the child to believe they are in safe hands, in a world where they can trust that their needs will be met with care. This responsiveness not only builds trust with the mother but also shapes the child’s perception of the world, extending that trust to aspects of other environmental entities. So the language of love, attachment, emotional security and concept of compassion is derived from a mother’s attitude toward her children. This emotional warmth, attunement and unconditional acceptance and love is internalized by the child, which further helps to develop the right brain of the children. And one of the major functions of the right brain is to process emotion and regulate emotional experiences particularly in recognizing, experiencing and expressing emotions, along with nonverbal communication and understanding the ‘how’ of emotional messages. This will teach children to process, experience, manage, and regulate both the wanted and unwanted experiences in life.

Now, let’s explore what happens when a mother’s love is imperfect or fails to reach its fullest warmth. If a child fails to internalize the love and warmth of mother, a fracture emerges, making both the giving and receiving of love a delicate struggle. It’ll be difficult for them to experience, communicate and express the emotion that they encounter in life. The rupture of this bond hinders their ability to forge deep, meaningful connections—both with themselves and with others which may further lead to social and emotional isolation. And if a child couldn’t internalize the love and emotional warmth, they may come to believe that love is something they are unworthy of. This deepens the cycle of self-criticism, reinforcing their doubts and insecurities. Even when they connect with emotionally healthy individuals capable of offering warmth and attachment, they struggle to fully trust, accept and reciprocate the same in return. An unconscious inner dialogue may arise: ‘How can other people offer the same warmth that my own mother was incapable of ?’

Father

Though a child can sense and recognize the mother, the father remains a stranger. It is the mother who introduces the father to them. Just like mother, the word father also has two distinct meanings. First in the male parents and second is linked to protection, guidance, and boundary-setting. The major role of mother is to foster the inner world i.e., love and emotional development whereas the role of father is to foster the outer world i.e., facing the world, people and navigating various challenges that life offers. Children are very tiny, immensely inadequate to face the world independently, it’s the father who not just teaches them to navigate but also supports them in the process. Whenever he faces a challenge too vast for his small hands to grasp, he seeks the comfort of his parents (especially father), finding in their presence the reassurance that he is not alone in his struggle. This embrace of support becomes his shield, offering both protection and a profound sense of security. This support empowers them to develop their own way of dealing with life’s challenges as they step into adulthood.

Now, let’s explore what happens when a father’s love is imperfect or fails to reach its fullest comfort. Let’s understand this from one example. A boy of 11 has started to become a victim of bullying in his school from his classmates. Although he somehow communicated this abuse with his parents, his father, not realizing the extent of what was happening, advised him to be more social and to avoid initiating conflicts with his classmates. He emphasised the importance of adapting to the situation, he framed teasing as a common and harmless aspect of friendship. However, this dismissal of his feelings left the child feeling unheard, gradually convincing him that he was overreacting and that his distress was unwarranted. In any way he wasn’t seeking the advice rather he declined the support or the protection we needed. Now do you think he would be able to defend and deal with the bullies the other day in school? Of course he can’t, because he doesn’t have enough support needed to deal with those situations. There’s only one viable option left—to tolerate all the mistreatment from his classmates. Nothing more than that. Fathering serves as a profound support system, much like the wings of a bird—providing stability while navigating the vast expanse of life. It becomes the unshakable backbone, a force that grounds yet propels forward, ensuring balance, strength, and the confidence to soar and deal with challenges that life presents. On the contrary, imagine if the father had truly acknowledged his concerns, responding with the same depth of understanding as the child experienced them. What if that protection would have been provided to him? The child would have learned to defend himself. He would not have internalized the bullying but instead recognized it as mistreatment, allowing him to reject such behavior in the future allowing him to navigate similar situations with resilience and assertiveness.

The fractured support from father may hamper development of a strong sense of security. One may find themselves ill-equipped to navigate life's uncertainties leading to experience anxiety. If severely deprived, one may develop a deep sense of helplessness and hopelessness, perceiving life’s challenges not as obstacles to overcome but as burdens to be endured. Rather than actively engaging with difficulties, adapting and finding solutions, they may come to believe that their only option is to tolerate suffering in silence—trapped in a passive existence where resilience feels unattainable and change seems impossible. This may further manifest in their inability to stand up for themselves and have deep fear of confrontation.

Ethyl alcohol, also known as ethanol, is a biofuel obtained primarily from biomass materials, including sugarcane and maize and starch-bearing agricultural products. It is a volatile colorless liquid that serves as an environmentally-friendly fossil fuel substitute since it releases fewer pollutants during use. The mixture of bioethanol and gasoline produces biofuel that both lowers greenhouse gas emissions and decreases national dependence on petroleum products. It is used in varying proportions in different countries, such as E10 (10 percent ethanol, 90 percent gasoline) and E20 (20 percent ethanol, 80 percent gasoline). Moreover, ethanol serves as a vital component in manufacturing alcoholic drinks and pharmaceutical medicines, as well as industrial solvents, sanitisers and disinfectants. The demand for ethanol is increasing globally as countries transition toward sustainable energy solutions. With Nepal’s reliance on imported fuels and its agricultural potential, ethanol production presents an opportunity for economic growth and energy security.

Historical background

The idea of blending bioethanol in petroleum products started in 2003 when the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MoICS) ordered the mixing of bioethanol in gasoline. Even blending equipment was installed at the Nepal Oil Corporation's Amlekhgunj depot. However, the initiative stalled because there was no pricing mechanism or purchase agreement in place. In the meantime, plans to extract bioethanol from jatropha largely failed despite the fiscal year 2009-10 budget seeking to promote jatropha farming for biodiesel production. 

While the 13th plan (2013-14 to 2015-16) pledged to formulate necessary policies for biofuel production, the Rural Energy Policy of 2006 strongly emphasised identifying possible biofuel production locations. Initiatives to incorporate bioethanol into petroleum products were announced in the Policy and Programs for the 2014-15 fiscal year, and the following year, private sector involvement was encouraged. Despite these legislative frameworks, no noticeable advancements have been achieved.

Recent initiatives

In 2024, a new wave of momentum appeared for the local production of bioethanol in Nepal. Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supply, Damodar Bhandari, made a significant announcement on the bioethanol blending strategy on 9 Sept 2024. The rules governing the blending of bioethanol and petroleum products are already in place and this action is anticipated to generate domestic jobs and significantly cut daily petroleum usage. Setting purchase prices from producers is one of the tactics that the NOC has been entrusted with creating for bioethanol production and marketing. One major bottleneck has been the delay in setting these prices, although new guidelines are meant to speed up the procedure.

Advantages galore

It is estimated that Nepal has the potential to produce 100 kiloliters of bioethanol every day. The country produces around 3m tons of sugarcane annually and other relevant biomass resources, such as maize, in large quantities for bioethanol production. Hence, the establishment of bioethanol plants would allow for the stabilization of sugarcane prices, minimization of post-harvest losses with more sustainable marketing strategies, thereby providing relief to farmers. Local bioethanol production would accrue economic advantages in the long run. The production of bioethanol in Nepal would, therefore, reduce the dependence on imports, saving millions of rupees each year. 

Bioethanol production would also generate thousands of jobs in rural sectors, thus fostering economic development and curbing migration to urban centers. Costs of bioethanol could be reduced to Rs 80–90 per litre if produced in Nepal, therefore relieving consumers with cheaper fuel. It will also contribute toward Nepal’s commitment to curbing climate change by erasing CO2 emissions and paving the way for cleaner energy alternatives. 

Besides, there is a reasonably good prospect for Nepal to export ethanol to neighbouring countries, especially India, where the bioethanol market is now booming, and an increasing number of states are announcing purchase prices for bioethanol for blending with gasoline. The establishment of ethanol plants does entail investment in infrastructure, research and policy formation, but these gains outweigh the costs by far in the long run.

Nepal relies heavily on petroleum products from abroad to meet its energy requirements. According to the Department of Customs, approximately 306,229 kiloliters of petrol worth Rs 26.45bn was imported during the first half of the fiscal year 2023-2024, compared to 281,970 kiloliters worth Rs 28.55bn in the same period this fiscal year. This growing dependence on petrol significantly strains Nepal’s foreign exchange reserves and increases trade deficits. Bioethanol blending in petroleum products will help Nepal save billions of rupees by reducing petrol imports. If the nation uses a 10 percent ethanol blend (E10) in petrol, Nepal can reduce the import of gasoline by 10 percent, resulting in enormous economic gains. With 306,229 kiloliters of existing imports, blending the ethanol would save around 30,622 kiloliters of petrol, amounting to a financial saving of around Rs 2.64bn.

Blending bioethanol with petrol in Nepal can significantly reduce CO₂ emissions and fuel imports and bring economic gains. One liter of petrol generates 2.3 kg of CO₂ approximately, and thus Nepal's annual consumption of 306,229 kiloliters of petrol generates approximately 704,326 metric tons of CO₂ emissions. 

With a 10 percent ethanol blend (E10), petrol imports can be reduced by 30,622 kiloliters, reducing CO₂ emissions by 70,432 metric tons annually. This transition would also enhance air quality, reduce fossil fuel reliance and assist in meeting Nepal’s climate goals. Moving to domestic ethanol production aligns with a circular economy using sugarcane, maize and agricultural waste and creating value-added byproducts like animal feed and organic fertilizers. Further, this industry would create thousands of jobs in agriculture, ethanol manufacturing, transport and research, assisting rural farmers and enhancing Nepal’s economy. With ethanol blending policies, Nepal can save billions of dollars in fuel import costs, reduce pollution and develop a green, self-reliant energy sector.

Global trends in blending

Bioethanol blending policies vary significantly across countries, reflecting each nation's goals for energy security, environmental sustainability and agricultural development. The government adopted an aggressive blending policy in Brazil, a world leader in bioethanol production. The Proálcool Program that began during the 1970s formed the foundation for the E100 (pure bioethanol) flex-fuel cars widely utilized today. E27 is already mandated in gasoline today with the intention of increasing this even more. Success in Brazil is partly due to its massive sugarcane output, which is highly well-adapted for bioethanol manufacturing. In the US, bioethanol blending is regulated by the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which mandates increasing bioethanol blending into gasoline over time. The most commonly available blend is E10, with E15 and E85 available for flexible-fuel vehicles. The US has a highly developed corn bioethanol sector, though controversy remains about environmental effects and food versus fuel. In the EU, Germany and France, for example, employ various ratios of bioethanol blending that prefer to range between E5 and E10 to meet climatic aspirations and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

The European Union Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) seeks to promote renewable energy consumption in biofuels with specific requirements for using bioethanol in the transport sector. Moreover, India has set the ambitious target of blending 20 percent bioethanol (E20) by 2025, mainly founded on utilizing its resource-intensive sugarcane sector. The government has supported bioethanol production through better procurement prices for sugar mills, incentivizing the addition of bioethanol plants. These different bioethanol blending policies put the growing global acceptance of bioethanol as a core solution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting energy independence and encouraging local economies through agricultural and industrial growth.

Challenges and the path ahead

Although there are obvious merits, there are still no specialized bioethanol production plants in Nepal. Uncertain government policies and incentives toward bioethanol production are not a good motivator for private investments. Also, a steady supply of raw materials is needed for bioethanol production to initiate. At the same time, the agricultural sector of Nepal faces challenges such as varied crop yields, the absence of irrigation facilities and dependence on imported chemical fertilizers. These factors create uncertainty when considering bioethanol production investments.

One of the most important factors is that a blending policy is mandatory for bioethanol. The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has been testing the blending of bioethanol later into fuel, but large-scale implementation has thus far not happened due to physical constraints, policy hurdles and the unwillingness of fuel dealers to accept blended fuels. The most important fuel source in Nepal's distribution network comes from India, which already has a blending policy. Without encouraging policy enforcement and significant investments in infrastructure capabilities for bioethanol distribution, Nepal will continue to depend on imported bioethanol instead of promoting its domestic production. Furthermore, there is no dedicated infrastructure in Nepal for the storage and transport of bioethanol. Unlike fossil fuels, bioethanol is very combustible and quickly absorbs moisture, indicating the need for dedicated storage tanks and pipelines. Therefore, blending bioethanol in Nepal is a grand but not yet completed plan.

To reap the benefits of bioethanol production, the government should consider initiatives to attract investment, build infrastructure and implement policies for bioethanol blending. The government should extend support for bioethanol production projects by providing subsidies and tax incentives to ensure investors a reasonable return. Working with the private sector, farmers and research institutions would help develop a sustainable bioethanol production ecosystem. If Nepal were to set up production facilities for bioethanol successfully, it could ultimately gain the benefits of lowering its fuel import bill, providing jobs, increasing farmers' incomes and providing energy security. Furthermore, the production of bioethanol is also in line with Nepal's commitment to carbon emission reductions and promoting cleaner forms of energy. Therefore, with strong policy support, it seems feasible for Nepal to establish a flourishing bioethanol sector that will be environmentally sustainable and drive economic growth.

As the Nepal Bar Association gears up for its central working committee election on April 5, the legal fraternity finds itself at a crossroads. The practice of forming ideological panels, such as the BPLA and DLA groups, has been ongoing since the 1990 movement. However, this election cycle has brought an alarming shift—party politics has permeated the selection process like never before.

The DLA group, which typically forms a committee to select candidates, has instead seen nominations dictated by political parties and their top leaders. This direct intervention has left many advocates disillusioned, as it compromises the independence of the Bar. A politically-entangled Bar cannot function freely; it will remain under constant pressure, unable to uphold professional ethics or safeguard the rights of advocates. More worryingly, such a Bar threatens the integrity of the judiciary, given its integral role within the judiciary.

Beyond political interference, another troubling trend looms over Nepal’s legal profession. Increasingly, individuals who have spent their careers in government, academia or other fields secure advocate licenses and quickly ascend to the title of ‘senior lawyer.’ Many of these individuals, having already ensured their financial security elsewhere, lack the commitment to legal ethics and instead drag politics into professional spaces. This dilutes the purity of the profession and weakens the moral fiber of the Bar. Those who have worked their entire lives in different careers, without having any substantial contribution to the legal field, now enter the profession late and demand to be treated as senior advocates without earning the respect and credibility that should come with experience and dedication. 

The legal field is also under persistent assault from political parties, leaders and even members of the judiciary, eroding professionalism. Today, only a few lawyers remain independent; many are aligned with political factions or other interest groups. The profession is plagued by party-affiliated lawyers, judicial middlemen, brokers of smugglers, foreign-backed lawyers and those with entrenched corporate ties. These forces have made it increasingly difficult for fresh, independent advocates to sustain themselves, further compromising the profession’s ethical foundations. The number of truly independent lawyers has diminished, and those who try to work ethically often struggle to establish themselves financially. The legal profession, once a noble pursuit of justice, has now become a field where many enter for power, influence and financial gain rather than for the service of the people and in pursuit of justice. 

Regardless of who wins the upcoming election, all candidates have contested under the influence of political parties. This means the eventual victor will likely follow party directives rather than prioritizing professional integrity. This is a stark contrast to the Nepal Bar Association of 1990, which once wielded the power to influence political transformation, shape legislation and uphold constitutional principles. In various democratic movements, the Bar played a crucial role in safeguarding the rule of law.
However, since the early 2000s, the Bar’s stature has significantly eroded. Though it still holds responsibilities, it has struggled to fulfill them effectively. The Bar Association once had the capacity to influence governance, advocate for necessary legal reforms, and hold the government accountable. But now, it has become just another platform for political maneuvering, with little regard for the professional values that should define the legal community.

To reclaim the lost credibility of the legal profession, advocates must distinguish between true professionals and political middlemen. Holding a law degree or an advocate’s license does not automatically make one a professional. A true advocate builds a career through courtroom debates, rigorous legal research, and dedication to justice. Seniority should not be granted based on the date of acquiring a license but should be earned through experience, respect from the full court, and significant contributions to legal jurisprudence. The legal profession should be led by those who dedicate their lives to it, not by those who see it as an easy way to gain influence after retiring from other careers.

One of the major problems with the current Bar Association is the lack of strict criteria for recognizing seniority. Today, those who have spent most of their lives in other professions—government service, academia, business—can enter the legal field, take an advocate’s license and immediately demand the privileges of seniority. This practice devalues the profession and undermines those who have spent their entire careers advocating in courtrooms, engaging in legal research and upholding the rule of law. 

The judiciary is a pillar of democracy, and if those at its core—lawyers and advocates—are politically influenced, then the entire judicial system is at risk. 

The next leadership of the Nepal Bar Association has an immense responsibility—to restore professionalism, protect constitutional principles and rectify past mistakes. It must ensure that ethical standards are upheld, even holding judges accountable when necessary. The upcoming election is not just about electing new office bearers; it is about setting a precedent for the future of Nepal’s legal profession. It is imperative that the Bar reclaims its independence, ensuring that it remains a pillar of justice rather than a puppet of political influence.
If Nepal’s legal profession is to survive with dignity, its professionals must demand accountability, transparency and independence. The next generation of legal practitioners must work toward rebuilding the credibility of the Bar Association. A law profession tainted by politics, greed and favoritism cannot serve justice. Nepal’s judiciary and legal fraternity must urgently address these issues before it is too late. The Bar Association should not just be an institution for lawyers—it should be a beacon of justice, ethics and integrity in Nepal’s legal landscape.

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

Frogs are amphibian species that have essential ecological characteristics to balance the ecosystem. The species is considered as an indicator species of the ecosystem as even minor changes in the environment can affect them. Increasing anthropogenic influences to the species’ habitat can accelerate the population’s decline and push them toward extinction. The family Amolops genus consists of six different species, including Amolops mahabharatensis (a recent discovery of Nepal), it is also called as Mahabharat Torrent frog of the mountain region. The species consists of genetically and morphologically different features than previously known Amolops species.

The habitat 

In Nepal, the habitat of Amolops mahabharatensis lies in 214-1,800 meters elevation range. As for specific sites, the species’ habitats include Sabha khola and Dobhan o(Sankhuwasabha district), Barahakshetra (Sunsari), Hattibang (Chitwan), Pokhara (Kaski) and Latinath (Darchula). Beyond the borders, the Sikkim region of India is also its habitat. The species are found on subtropical mixed forest riversides where the mature individuals are found on boulders of rapid river zones whereas the tadpoles stick to the rocks of the rivers. 

Status of the species

This species features in the vulnerable category of the IUCN red list, pointing toward population declination across its habitat. The amphibian species are considered very sensitive toward their surroundings. Even minor changes in the environment can pose a serious threat to their survival. The Amolops mahabharatensis is facing tremendous pressure from anthropogenic activities and overexploitation. Throughout the mountainous region of Nepal, Paha hunting is a famous recreational activity with food value and medicinal purpose based on their indigenous knowledge. 

Due to the species' considerable ethnozoological value to the nearby indigenous communities, the latter hunt the species extensively. For several ethnic communities of the mountainous region, the species are primarily a delicacy having medicinal properties.

Threats

Harvesting of mature species before their breeding period is a major cause behind species declination. Overexploitation of natural resources from the forest (wood, grasses, fodder) creates an edge effect on the species. On top of it, the introduction of invasive species—both plants and animals like fish—on the aquatic ecosystem can degrade aquatic health, where those species can alter the ambient temperature and ultraviolet radiation that directly affect sensitive amphibian species like Amolops mahabharatensis. Furthermore, the use of herbicides and insecticides on agricultural land can adversely affect river health.

Conservation action

Educating young generations and local communities about the importance of the species in the ecosystem is an effective way of ensuring species conservation. For example, Environment Protection and Study Center (ENPROSC) is implementing a project named ‘Promoting eco-clubs and field survey to initiate conservation of threatened Mahabharat Torrent Frog in central Nepal’ at Hattibang, Chitwan with support from Stiftung Artenschutz, Germany. The main objective of the project is to educate future generations in amphibian conservation. 

But only those site specific projects seem insufficient to protect overall amphibian species among the whole country. 

Regulation of unsustainable harvest practices is highly necessary to prevent local extinction of the species. For that, the harvesting season can be shifted after its breeding period so that the reproduction of the species can maintain the population and reduce the possibility of population declination. The direct runoff from the agricultural land should be diverted by identifying sensitive species habitats at the river system.

Direct introduction of the invasive species—either plant or aquatic animal species—should be avoided to curb competition for resources in the environment. 

Focus on alternative food resources rather than those threatened species of the aquatic ecosystem. 

The herpetofaunal species like Amolops mahabharatensis are the least prioritized species in terms of conservation, though they are as threatened as common leopards. Apparently, being a non-charismatic species is tantamount to facing extinction. The stakeholders’ biases against conservation activities for the species is also the reason behind a rapid decline of the species across its habitat.

Every year, March 20 is celebrated as the Frog Day worldwide but frog conservation activities seem insufficient. Very few organizations are considering herpetofauna conservation and execution of the prepared plans is often hindered due to the lack of funds.  What’s more, anthropogenic influence is affecting the species’ habitats. To reduce these threats, the local community should be more aware about the status and importance of the species in the environment. Involving future generations in conservation activities and drawing the attention of stakeholders toward this issue are essential to conserve the habitats of herpetofaunal species, not on paper but on the ground.