Submit your Article

The Nepal Bar Association (NBA) is an important force in advancing justice and reshaping the country’s legal system. Founded in 1956, this umbrella organization for all bar units across the country plays a critical role in maintaining judicial independence, strengthening ties between the bar and the bench, and promoting human rights. ​Creating fora for legal professionals to debate and confront urgent legal system challenges is one of NBA’s most important responsibilities. Events like the yearly All-Nepal Lawyers National Conference give attorneys a forum to discuss and suggest changes. The 2024 conference, for example, had themes like ‘Competent Lawyers, Dignified Bar’ and ‘Restructuring of the Judiciary’, demonstrating NBA’s dedication to boosting public trust in the legal profession and promoting judicial independence.​ With the ability to navigate many important areas of influence and responsibility, NBA is well-positioned to play a significant role in Nepal's legal and judicial environment.

Judicial freedom

The NBA has been a vocal supporter of an independent judiciary. To make sure that political influence and corruption do not make inroads into the judicial system, the group frequently participates in discussions and agreements about judicial appointments and reorganization of the judiciary. This involves raising concerns about the Judicial Council’s makeup and the hierarchy of judges, especially in view of the process governing judges’ nominations that has sparked controversies. 

Helping future attorneys

Supporting new generations of attorneys is one of the NBA’s major responsibilities. Many young attorneys struggle to start their practices and feel cut off from more experienced members of the bar. To ease the transition from academic studies to professional practice, NBA is aiming to promote mentoring programs and create a more inclusive atmosphere. This involves offering forums for experienced attorneys and novices to collaborate and share expertise.​

Reforms and public trust

In an effort to boost public trust in the legal system, NBA is actively engaged in more extensive legal changes. This entails promoting legislation that improves judicial efficiency and transparency as well as pressing for constitutional modifications. The association plays a key role in making laws by helping with the formulation of the Integrated Legal Aid Policy, which attempts to increase underprivileged populations’ access to the legal system.​

Political influence and law

Although political affiliations are inevitable for lawyers, NBA works to strike a balance where legal practice takes precedence over political activity. While recognizing that politics has an impact on the legal community, it stresses that legal advocacy, professional competency and judicial accountability should continue to be its key priorities.​

Access to justice

Working together with global partners like the UNDP and the Norwegian government, NBA has been developing initiatives to improve access to justice. The initiatives include the provision of free legal services, with a focus on women and vulnerable groups, and the assistance of local judicial committees in strengthening their ability to administer justice. NBA’s participation in these initiatives demonstrates its dedication to making justice available to all segments of the society.

Prospective courses

Looking ahead, NBA intends to keep up its efforts to preserve the independence and integrity of the judiciary, create opportunities for professional development of its members and implement legal changes. By tackling both internal obstacles within the legal fraternity and more general systemic problems, NBA hopes to fortify Nepal’s legal system and advance equity for everyone.​

A key player in Nepal’s legal system, NBA takes on a variety of roles, including promoting judicial independence, mentoring aspiring attorneys and expanding access to justice via international partnerships and legislative changes. It plays a variety of roles, including advocating for judicial changes, making sure attorneys are represented in judge nominations and offering vital legal services to marginalized groups. The integrity and accessibility of Nepal’s judicial system depend heavily on their ongoing efforts. NBA is a major contributor to maintaining Nepal’s independent, equitable, and open legal system in addition to standing out for the rights and interests of attorneys.​ The integrity and advancement of the legal profession in Nepal are greatly dependent on NBA as it keeps working to enhance the legal profession, the legal education system and the judicial system as a whole. The NBA’s work is essential to guaranteeing that Nepal’s judicial system is impartial, autonomous and competent to preserve democracy and justice. NBA remains a pillar in the fight for a strong and effective legal system in Nepal by attending to the interests of its members and pushing for structural changes.

This article is based on my sole observation of clinical examination of patients of one month till 16 years over the period of one month across both government and private hospitals. The underlying reason to draft this article without further waiting for more data is to substantiate the urgency to bring upon the alarming health situation facing Nepal. For the western world, the industrial revolution was a great success in terms of technological development, but let it not be forgotten that the so-called golden era negatively impacted the environment by polluting the water we drink, the air we breathe and the soil where plants grow. These adverse effects have also spilled into Nepal, thus challenging the pronounced concept of an untainted Shangri-La. 

Clearly, urbanization and industrialization are reaching unprecedented and upsetting proportions worldwide and our country is also in this race. 

Rising air pollution resulting from a slew of factors like wildfires and emissions are exacting a heavy toll on the entire population, including children.  

According to UNICEF, air pollution poses one of the most serious threats to children’s health, and more so an alarming percentage of children live in places where air quality is literally toxic to breathe, consequently risking their chances to grow into healthy adults. Being a pediatrician, who genuinely wants to see improvements in children’s health, it saddens me to observe that the children, the future of this nation, are growing by breathing in unhealthy air. The cost of toxic air is bound to be enormous and long-lasting. 

Data from a study conducted by the Ministry of Health and Populations in 2023 show that air pollution leads to 42,100 deaths every year in Nepal—with under-fives accounting for 19 percent of deaths and those above 70 years of age accounting for about 27 percent of deaths. 

Per the findings, air pollution is responsible for reducing the life expectancy of an average Nepali by 4.1 years. Data on the major causes of deaths in Nepal also show that air pollution is a major contributor to the top five causes of death, namely chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD (66 percent), ischemic heart disease (34 percent), stroke (37 percent), lower respiratory infection
(47 percent) and neonatal deaths (22 percent). 

In the last few months, I have witnessed across the government and private hospitals a soaring number of cases related to air pollution such as respiratory conditions like pneumonia, bronchitis and asthma.  Out of 10, I see seven cases related to diseases associated with air pollution. So, the question is why are children vulnerable? Children have developing lungs and brains, which make them especially susceptible to air pollution. It is an obvious fact that children have weaker immune systems than adults, exposing them to viral, bacterial and other infections. 

Due to other metabolic factors and physiological structuring of lungs, young children breathe faster than adults and take in more air relative to their body weight, often through the mouth, which takes in more pollutants. Habitually, children spend more time closer to the ground, where some pollutants reach peak concentrations. Worst of all, their knowledge on wearing protective devices is limited.

All these factors can exacerbate underlying health conditions and go further in impairing children’s physical and cognitive development. Consequently, air pollution leads to a chain of health effects, thereby affecting the children’s ability to attend and meet educational standards and social functions. 

The effect of air pollution is so far-entrenching that it takes a lay person quite some time to even comprehend the situation. I have clinically examined newborns whose parents complain of the latter experiencing exertion while breathing, coughing, or wheezing, slow development and perinatal disorder, leading me to raise questions about the parents’ past or present occupation and surroundings.

My findings show that almost all of the parents in question started working in hazardous environments. A few of the surveyed parents indicated that they had been experiencing miscarriages and early deliveries, apart from under-weight newborns.  

Medical journals and research have indicated that this is a classic case of air pollution. Fine and ultrafine particulate matter can make it through airways and reach the bloodstream, causing serious illnesses. Through breastfeeding, mothers are likely to pass these pollutants into children. Making lay persons understand all this requires an engaging conversation since many perceive that the effect is short-lived and won’t persist for generations to come. 

These findings are based on the observations I made while operating in a confined space of 100 sq ft for four hours daily for a limited period of time. My write up does not justify the appreciative work of other senior and junior pediatricians. According to the Medical Council of Nepal 2020, there are 690 registered pediatricians in Nepal and presumptions can be made on the volume of outpatients suffering from diseases linked to air pollution. If I am overwhelmed with the cases, then let’s put simple math into work and do the calculation and workload of each pediatrician. 

Add to this grim scenario decades-old data that we still rely on to measure the population’s access to healthcare. Back then, the population’s access to medical intervention within a 30-min walk was 61 percent, which has not improved due to the state’s low funding on healthcare. The data are vague on the percentage/number of the children affected. It will be safe to surmise that the children are not taken into account as they cannot coherently express their illnesses, thus they are likely to be at a disadvantage.

I started thinking about this question after attending the town hall meeting organized on May 24 in honor of Agnès Callamard, the secretary-general of Amnesty International, during his visit to Nepal.

Callamard covered a wide spectrum of issues while answering questions from both the moderator, journalist Dil Bhusan Pathak and from the audience. It was an interesting talk as the Amnesty chief was able to link the inevitable focus on some of the most pressing human rights issues of Nepal with what’s going on globally.

One of the key takeaways was the role of youths. Perhaps encouraged by a large presence of young people in the hall, Callamard underscored the importance of youths playing a leading role to uphold and strengthen human rights.

At the same time, I do wonder if most of the young people do care about them. While I have been working and collaborating with a number of astounding young people who are eager and determined to change the status quo for better, I am not entirely convinced that a vast majority of them really feel that they have a stake in the debate.

Surely there are many pressing issues, of more tangible and practical nature that young people have to think about, especially if they come from vulnerable, and low-income families. Those who struggle the most have to think about more essential things like surviving gruesome urban centers that do offer almost endless opportunities for the better-off but can be nightmares for those who have no privileges nor status.

But what about those young people from middle-class families that do not live a life of luxuries but at the same time are doing quite ok? I believe that involving and engaging this vast “middle” that, according to many statistics, is dwindling because of out-migration to far places like Australia and Canada, is paramount.

Climate change has been so devastating that it has finally become an issue that can grab their attention. And after all, climate activism is a great way of upholding and seeking respect for human rights but what about other issues?

What about caste discrimination about which Amnesty International recently launched a report specifically focused on the deprivations and humiliations that citizens from the Dalit community have to face? What about other issues like freedom of expression, the fight against abuses committed by the state and other powerful entities?

I feel that many youths in Nepal are feeling a bit complacent about what’s going on. Perhaps it is fair enough. After all, as I have already highlighted, it is difficult to think about human rights when there are other issues to deal with. Others, perhaps, are just maximizing their shot at being successful. Amid problems and issues concerning the nation, there are a good number of young people who just try to make it big.

Fair enough, I would say.

Callamard, during her talk, spoke widely about the risks of a breakdown of the international, rules-based order. “If a neighboring country adopts a law against freedoms, there are high risks that such laws will be exported” she told the audience.

Somehow, Nepal has been shielded, insulated from many issues affecting the planet. The country fully internalized that there was a war raging in Ukraine, only when some of its youths were discovered to fight and die in the invading Russian Army.

These days, there has been an uproar about press freedom because the chairman of the biggest private publishing and TV house was jailed. But how much are the youths invested on this issue? With reading habits dropping abysmally, too few of them really know what’s going on. So, the fundamental question is not just asking if young people do care about human rights.

The right question is: How can young people be engaged and recommit to civic and public affairs? Not only those who can afford it in virtue of their family related privileges or those, the active minority, who have some sort of special interest to work at the service of the public good.

We need to engage and involve the silent middle. Schools, both public and private, should play a much bigger role. Resources to enable new programs about civic education and human rights are not a real problem. If alternative Fridays can be conceived, designed and implemented to offer students a more practical type of education, why not also think about “Civic” Thursdays? I am sure that local youth clubs, NGOs could do a lot in this area even with very scarce resources.

A challenge is to make civic education, not the one being already taught, I would say quite ineffectively, much more appealing and interesting. An idea: The major metropolitan governments of the country could launch a competition for schools and not-for-profit organizations and youth groups that, partnering together, would come up with innovative ways to do civic engagement.

We do not only have to find better ways to teach it but also create innovative learning pathways to make students experience and practice it. With civic engagement, I do mean focusing on issues like human rights, education for sustainable development and climate action and public policies as well. If you reflect on it, we need to embed the local curricula, formal and informal, in the classrooms and outside of them, with tons of ethical leadership.

Students, especially those less engaged and less prone to active actions, must be challenged in a positive way because they must understand that they also have a role to play, they have some stakes in the discussion.

Callamard highlighted that youths must get organized and protest but they must do it in a smart way, rather than risking their lives. She is right but I do not think we are nearly close enough to have a majority of youths even ready to play their part in the society.

Good governance is for them the most unappealing and boring thing that they can even conceptualize and imagine. They don’t really have a clue about it, why should they have it considering the state of national politics? Good governance is essential if Nepal wants to reach a higher league of nations.

But such type of governance does not happen just through top-down approaches. Real good governance means inclusive governance where citizens have a voice and agency. In practice, they are not just electing their representatives but they are part of the decision-making. Unfortunately, such a vision is still far, it is still a chimera.

Only by providing cutting-edge curricula and practical opportunities through service and volunteering experiences that elicit their enthusiasm, the vast majority of young people can commit and make the difference and bring that vision on the ground. Human rights do matter because without them Nepal would be a much worse place to live in.

They matter because they are the foundations of the nation’s democracy that, while imperfect, is still the bright and shining story. Youths can stand up and do their best to even improve the state of national affairs but they need some guidance. “Hope is something that we must all build”,  Callamard said in her final remarks. Yes, youths should be the nation’s “Hope Builders” whose contributions are simply indispensable. Can we help them?

The author is the co-founder of ENGAGE and of The Good Leadership

In today’s fast-paced world, mental stress has become an almost inevitable part of life. While occasional stress can be beneficial, pushing us to meet deadlines and complete important tasks, chronic stress can have severe repercussions on our health. This article explores the insidious link between mental stress and physical illness, focusing particularly on how prolonged work-related stress can lead to high blood pressure and other serious health issues.

Stress and physical health

Research has extensively documented the connection between mental stress and physical health problems. When we experience stress, our bodies respond by releasing stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones prepare the body for a ‘fight or flight’ response, increasing heart rate, blood pressure and glucose levels. While this response is useful in short bursts, chronic activation of this stress response can lead to various health issues, including hypertension, heart disease and a weakened immune system.

Stress and its effects

Cardiovascular system: Chronic stress causes prolonged elevation of blood pressure and heart rate. Over time, this can lead to hypertension, heart attacks and strokes. Studies have shown that people with high levels of job stress are at a significantly increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

Immune system: Persistent stress weakens the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections and diseases. The body’s ability to fight off antigens is reduced, and the immune system's response becomes slower.

Gastrointestinal system: Stress can also affect the gastrointestinal system, leading to conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcers and other digestive issues. The brain and gut are connected, and stress can disrupt the normal functioning of the digestive system.

Musculoskeletal system: Stress can lead to muscle tension, particularly in the neck, shoulders and the back. This tension can cause headaches and musculoskeletal pain, which, if left untreated, can develop into chronic pain conditions.

Endocrine system: The stress response affects the endocrine system, leading to imbalances in hormone levels. This can contribute to conditions such as diabetes, thyroid issues, and metabolic syndrome.

Personal experience

A few years ago, I found myself in a highly stressful work environment. I was constantly juggling multiple projects, meeting tight deadlines and managing work under immense pressure. Initially, I thrived on the adrenaline rush, but over time, the constant stress took a toll on my health.

I began to notice symptoms like frequent headaches, difficulty sleeping and a constant feeling of fatigue. Despite these signs, I ignored them, attributing them to the nature of my job. It wasn’t until a routine check-up that I discovered I had developed high blood pressure. My doctor explained that prolonged stress was likely the primary cause.

Stress and hypertension

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition where the force of the blood against the artery walls is too high. Chronic stress is a significant risk factor for hypertension. When under stress, the body produces hormones that increase heart rate and narrow blood vessels, which can lead to elevated blood pressure levels over time.

Coping with hypertension

Upon my diagnosis, my doctor recommended several lifestyle changes and medications to manage my high blood pressure. Here are some strategies that have helped me manage stress and improve my overall health:

Regular exercise: Physical activity is a powerful stress reducer. Exercise helps to lower blood pressure, improve mood, and reduce stress hormone levels. I started incorporating daily walks and Yog into my routine, which significantly improved my stress levels.

Healthy diet: A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains can help control blood pressure. I reduced my intake of caffeine and sugar, which helped in managing my stress and blood pressure.

Mindfulness and relaxation: Practices like meditation, deep breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation can help reduce stress. I began practicing mindfulness meditation, which helped me stay calm and focused.

Time management: Learning to manage time effectively and setting realistic goals can reduce work-related stress. I started prioritizing tasks, delegating when necessary, and setting boundaries to ensure a healthier work-life balance.

Seeking professional help: Sometimes, professional help is necessary to manage stress effectively. I sought therapy, which provided me with tools and strategies to cope with stress in healthier ways.

Conclusion

The link between mental stress and physical illness is well-documented by research. Chronic stress, particularly work-related stress, can lead to serious health issues like high blood pressure. My personal experience with stress-induced hypertension underscores the importance of recognizing and managing stress effectively.

Ignoring the signs of chronic stress can lead to severe health consequences. It is crucial to adopt healthy lifestyle changes, practice stress management techniques and seek professional help when necessary. By taking proactive steps to manage stress, we can protect our physical health and improve our overall well-being.

Remember, your health is invaluable, and taking care of your mental well-being is as important as taking care of your physical health.