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The new government, soon to be inaugurated, must seize the opportunity to revive declining agriculture, marked by years of neglect, mismanagement, and corruption, and prioritize its development to guard national food security.

Despite 65 percent of Nepal’s population being engaged in farming, food production has stagnated for years, with rising food imports reaching 1.7m–2m tons per year. These problems are mainly attributed to irregular and limited supplies of key agricultural inputs, climate threats, inadequate irrigation, lack of technical know-how, rising acreage of fallow lands, among others, and inadequate proactive government responses. 

Nepal’s neighbours, both India and China, have made remarkable progress in agricultural development and food production, with multifold increases in productivity and acreage to improve food self-reliance. India is now producing 330m tons of cereals, compared to 50–60m tons some 65–70 years ago, along with 120m tons of reserve stocks and 40 percent global market share of rice, as well as the provision of food rations to 800m people at a subsidized rate.

Our experience in farming in Nawalpur for the last three years has shed some light on the multiple troubling experiences faced by farmers. There are climate threats, difficulties in obtaining improved varieties of seeds, high costs of production, and forced selling of produce at below production costs. Mechanisms to access government support are too complicated for an ordinary farmer. Agricultural cooperatives in the neighbourhood play some positive role in supplying fertilizer, seeds, and tools. But what is missing is proper guidance for higher productivity and maximizing returns with the right variety of crops to make agriculture a profitable enterprise.

Over the years, Nepal has made good progress in addressing malnutrition, and people are consuming more nutritious food, mainly because of increased remittances supporting families through migration and foreign employment. Yet, an estimated 25 percent of children under five face chronic malnutrition (stunting), with significantly higher levels (including micronutrient deficiencies) in the Far West and Tarai regions; and moderate to chronic food insecurity affects 4m–5m people in the country.

As part of its international commitments, Nepal signed on to the agenda for the Sustainable Development Goals, with a promise for improvements in 17 goals related to poverty, education, health, good governance, and the environment, including Zero Hunger by 2030. It is likely that most of the goals will not be achieved. In the context of the goal, Zero Hunger, the country must make efforts towards:

• Ending hunger and ensuring access to safe, nutritious food for all, particularly the poor, all year round;
• Ending all forms of malnutrition, including internationally agreed targets of stunting and wasting in children under five, and addressing the nutritional needs of girls, pregnant women, and the elderly;
• Doubling the agricultural productivity of small-scale food producers and family farmers, and giving them access to market opportunities, value addition, and non-farm employment; and
• Improving resilient agricultural practices to adapt to climate change (extreme weather, drought, and flooding) to increase production.

Unfortunately, none of the issues listed here have received significant attention, and these targets will not be met by 2030.

Transforming agriculture will contribute to achieving self-reliance, ensuring national security, generating employment, and helping improve the country’s economy. For a country like Nepal, agricultural programs could differ based on climate zones to include cereal crops, horticulture, vegetables, and others, as well as focus on animal husbandry, poultry, and fishery. Such diversification will help adapt to diverse climate conditions and create new opportunities for youth employment in the country. The Government should be able to generate adequate regional and international support to take this agenda forward.

In conclusion, going forward, here is a five-point agenda for action:

• Engage people with strong, proven leadership, expertise, experience, and vision in agricultural development to lead the agricultural sector.
• Take stock and review the challenges facing the agricultural sector and develop new strategies, policies, programs, and action plans with adequate financial support.
• Establish a logistics system and supply chain mechanism to provide access to improved varieties of seeds, fertilizer, and other inputs, as well as access to markets, and ensure minimum prices and guaranteed procurement of cereals.
• Create incentives for youth engagement in the agricultural sector by establishing mechanisms for access to land, finance, irrigation water, and modern agricultural practices. Also establish mechanisms for the involvement of agricultural cooperatives, agricultural universities, and the private sector, and the use of digital technology in supporting agriculture.
• Support vulnerable communities with specific food and nutrition programs and promote nutrition-oriented farming to address malnutrition and achieve zero hunger.

The author is former UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative and WFP Representative, with four decades of experience within the UN system in development and humanitarian leadership roles in several countries and WFP HQ, Italy

Nepal’s banking system is once again at an inflection point. As Nepal Rastra Bank signals a possible relaxation of blacklisting provisions, a broader debate has quietly emerged within the financial sector. The issue is not merely about easing rules or providing relief to borrowers. It is about preserving the delicate balance between credit discipline and financial stability at a time when both are under strain.

Recent data from the Credit Information Bureau paints a stark picture. Over the past seven fiscal years, the number of blacklisted individuals has surged dramatically, reaching nearly 170,000 by FY 2024-25. The increase has been particularly sharp in the last three years, reflecting deeper structural stress in the economy. Check bounce cases account for a significant portion of this rise, while loan defaults have also accelerated, especially in retail segments such as credit cards, phone loans, and personal borrowing.

This trend cannot be dismissed as a mere statistical anomaly. It reflects underlying vulnerabilities in household finances, business cash flows, and credit underwriting practices. The post-pandemic recovery has been uneven, and many borrowers continue to operate in a constrained economic environment. At the same time, credit expansion in earlier years, particularly in unsecured and consumption-driven lending, is now translating into higher defaults.

Against this backdrop, the central bank’s concern is understandable. A rapidly expanding blacklist can limit access to formal finance and potentially shrink the pool of eligible borrowers. In an economy that relies heavily on small and medium enterprises, such exclusion can have broader implications for growth and employment. The question of whether the current system is overly restrictive is therefore a legitimate one.

However, the issue becomes more complex when viewed from the perspective of financial stability.

Blacklisting in Nepal has evolved into more than just a regulatory mechanism. It serves as a critical tool for enforcing credit discipline. The reputational cost associated with being blacklisted has historically played a significant role in encouraging timely repayment. In a system where formal enforcement mechanisms can be slow and costly, such behavioral incentives are particularly important.

Any move to dilute this signal must therefore be approached with caution.

One of the key concerns raised by the banking sector relates to the composition of blacklisted cases. Not all entries in the blacklist represent the same type of risk. Check bounce cases, for instance, are fundamentally transactional issues between private parties. They do not necessarily reflect systemic credit risk in the banking system whereas loan defaults directly involve public deposits and the integrity of financial intermediation.

Treating these categories uniformly can lead to policy distortions. It risks overestimating the extent of genuine credit stress while underestimating the importance of maintaining discipline in bank lending. A more nuanced approach is needed, one that distinguishes between different types of defaults and tailors regulatory responses accordingly.

Another important dimension is the recent removal of the threshold that previously exempted small borrowers from blacklisting. While this change may have been intended to standardize the framework, it has also contributed to a surge in the number of blacklisted individuals. Defaults on relatively small amounts, including credit card dues and short-term consumer loans, are now being captured alongside larger and more complex cases.

This raises questions about proportionality. A system that imposes identical consequences for vastly different levels of default may end up being both inefficient and inequitable. It can discourage risk-taking among small entrepreneurs while doing little to address larger structural risks.

At the same time, there is a genuine concern within banks that any relaxation of blacklisting provisions could encourage a culture of non-payment. Credit discipline, once weakened, is difficult to restore. Even a perception that enforcement is becoming lenient can alter borrower behavior. This is particularly relevant in the current environment, where recovery efforts are already challenging and non-performing loans remain a concern. The policy challenge, therefore, is not whether to relax or maintain the current system in its entirety. It is about how to recalibrate the framework in a way that preserves its core strengths while addressing emerging weaknesses.

A starting point would be to introduce greater differentiation within the blacklisting system. Separating transactional defaults, such as check bounce cases, from credit-related defaults would improve clarity and allow for more targeted policy interventions. This would ensure that measures aimed at easing business constraints do not inadvertently weaken the enforcement of loan repayment.

Another important step would be the introduction of a structured rehabilitation mechanism. Instead of treating blacklisting as a binary status, the system could allow for graduated re-entry based on demonstrated improvement in repayment behavior. Borrowers who make partial repayments, comply with restructuring agreements, or show consistent financial discipline over time could be moved to a monitored category. This would create incentives for recovery without compromising accountability. The suggestion from the banking sector to allow limited account operations for blacklisted individuals also merits consideration. Maintaining restricted access to banking services would enable better tracking of financial transactions and improve the prospects of loan recovery. At the same time, it would allow businesses to continue basic operations, reducing the likelihood of complete financial exclusion.

Revisiting thresholds and proportionality is equally important. Reintroducing differentiated treatment for small-value defaults could help prevent over-penalization while maintaining strict enforcement for larger exposures. Such an approach would align regulatory outcomes more closely with the scale of risk involved.

Beyond regulatory adjustments, there is also a need to strengthen credit information systems. More granular and real-time data on borrower behavior would enhance risk assessment and reduce reliance on blunt instruments such as blacklisting. A more sophisticated information ecosystem would allow both banks and regulators to identify emerging risks earlier and respond more effectively. The timing of these discussions adds another layer of significance. With key leadership positions at the central bank currently vacant and a new government in the process of formation, the policy direction adopted in the coming months will have lasting implications. This is a period that calls for careful calibration rather than abrupt shifts.

Ultimately, the objective must remain clear. The stability of the financial system depends on a delicate balance. Depositors must have confidence that their savings are secured. Banks must be able to extend credit with reasonable assurance of repayment. The regulator must ensure that this relationship is maintained through credible and consistent policies.

At the same time, the system must remain responsive to changing economic realities. Excessive rigidity can be as damaging as excessive leniency. The goal is not to choose between the two, but to find a balance that supports both discipline and inclusion. A rising number of blacklisted individuals should be seen as an early warning signal. It highlights underlying stress in the economy and points to areas where policy refinement is needed. Addressing this challenge requires a measured approach, one that combines regulatory clarity with practical flexibility.

Nepal’s financial system has made significant progress in recent years in strengthening governance, improving supervision, and enhancing transparency. Preserving these gains is essential. Any reforms in the blacklisting framework must build on this foundation, not undermine it. In the end, the question is not whether the system should be strict or lenient. The question is whether the system is effective. A well-calibrated framework can enforce discipline, support recovery, and promote inclusion at the same time. Achieving this balance will be key to safeguarding financial stability in the years ahead.

The opinions expressed here are personal views

Hospitality is not about beds made or menus served. It is not about ratings, awards, or luxury. Hospitality lives in people whose days begin before the sun rises, whose nights end long after the world sleeps, and whose hands, hearts, and lives are quietly carrying the comfort of strangers.

Before a guest ever steps through the doors of a hotel or lodge, someone has already given pieces of themselves to ensure that their stay will feel seamless. Housekeepers wake up with aching muscles to scrub floors and polish rooms. Servers rise with sore backs to carry trays and balance countless needs at once. Cooks, chefs stand for hours over stoves, blending precision with care, pouring their energy into meals for people they have never met. Maintenance staff move silently through corridors, repairing, adjusting, and fixing problems so that no guest ever notices. Night teams stay alert when the world rests, ensuring safety and calm.

Every uniform hides a story that is seldom told. The receptionist who smiles brightly while registering a guest may have stayed up all night with a sick family member. The server delivering a meal may have skipped breakfast to save money for a sibling’s education. The housekeeper who carefully arranges a room may have carried grief, loss, or exhaustion in silence. The  bellboy lifting luggage may be carrying dreams, responsibilities, and hopes heavier than the bags themselves.

These people work tirelessly, not because someone watches, not because recognition comes, but because they have chosen humanity over convenience. They have chosen to give care, even when the world asks little in return.

Hospitality is not just physical labor, it is emotional endurance. Staff absorb frustration, anger, sadness, and exhaustion from guests without complaint. They remain patient when treated unfairly, calm when faced with unreasonable demands, and kind when their own lives are burdened. Their labor is unseen yet indispensable. A guest may leave feeling comforted, relaxed, and at home but the staff carry the weight of that comfort silently, without acknowledgment.

Consider the housekeeper who bends and stretches hundreds of times a day, arranging every corner perfectly, noticing details no one else would. Consider the cook who prepares hundreds of meals with care, precision, and pride, knowing that food is more than sustenance; it is memory, culture, and love. Consider the night staff who remain awake, vigilant, and alert, ensuring guests sleep safely while they themselves go without rest.

These acts are ordinary only in appearance. They are extraordinary in meaning. Every gesture carries resilience. Every silent effort carries sacrifice. Every patient smile carries courage.

The people behind hospitality carry burdens that go unseen. Festivals pass by unnoticed. Family events are missed. Celebrations are postponed. Life continues for others, while these individuals dedicate their energy to the comfort of strangers. They absorb the world’s fatigue so that guests can rest. They carry emotional weight so that others can feel light.

They endure, not for glory, not for fame, not for recognition. They endure because caring is who they are, even when it costs them dearly.

Guests rarely remember checklists or luxury details. They remember how someone made them feel. They remember the quiet attentiveness of a server who noticed exhaustion. They remember the gentle words of a receptionist who recognized anxiety. They remember the room prepared by hands that cared more than anyone could see. These small acts, invisible to many, leave imprints on the heart that no luxury can replicate.

Hospitality demands strength hidden behind softness. Staff smile when their bodies ache. They speak kindly when their hearts are heavy. They guide with patience when the world is impatient. They offer calm in storms that they themselves are weathering. This is the silent heroism of the industry, the courage to give of oneself endlessly, invisibly, yet meaningfully.

In an era dominated by technology, hospitality reminds us that care cannot be programmed. Systems can manage bookings. Machines can unlock doors. But only humans can sense the subtle weight of a weary guest. Only humans can offer reassurance when words fail. Only humans can create warmth, safety, and dignity.

To truly witness hospitality, one must look beneath the surface. Observe the staff, not the spaces. Watch the hands that clean, the eyes that listen, the hearts that endure. Stand beside them for a moment and feel the exhaustion, the sacrifice, and the unwavering commitment. See the person who left a child at home to support a family, the server who skipped meals to feed others, the housekeeper who worked through illness so that every guest’s experience is perfect. These are the people who make hospitality real.

Their work is the quiet poetry of care. Their labor is the heartbeat of every hotel, resort, and restaurant. Without them, the industry is just bricks and lights, menus and sheets. With them, even the simplest stay becomes unforgettable, even the ordinary becomes extraordinary.

Hospitality is not luxury. It is not perfect. It is endurance wrapped in kindness. It is sacrifice, resilience, and empathy poured into every gesture, every smile, every task. It is invisible labor given freely. It is people choosing humanity over ease, care over indifference, and presence over neglect.

Behind every smooth check-in, every warm meal, every comfortable stay, there is someone who carries more than their job. Someone who gave pieces of their day, their energy, their patience, their heart without expecting anything in return. Someone who stayed strong so that others could feel safe. Someone who worked in silence so that others could rest.

The next time you step into a hotel, a resort, a restaurant, pause. Look beyond the polished floors, the soft beds, and the impeccable service. See the people. See the ones who endured, sacrificed, and gave of themselves so that your experience could be seamless. Honor them silently, appreciate them loudly, and carry their humanity in your memory.

Because hospitality is not a product. It is a human connection. And it lives in people always in the people who choose to care, no matter what they carry in their own hearts.

In Nepal, addiction is still spoken about in hushed tones. A man who drinks too much is said to lack self-control. A teenager glued to a phone is blamed for poor discipline. Someone who uses drugs is often seen as irresponsible, immoral, or beyond help. These explanations feel familiar because they are deeply cultural. But neuroscience tells us they are wrong. Addiction is not a failure of character. It is a disorder of the brain.

This is not a matter of opinion. Over the past several decades, research in neuroscience and public health has shown that addiction changes how the brain functions. It alters neural circuits responsible for reward, motivation, stress, learning, and self-control. When this science is ignored, society responds with shame instead of treatment. People suffer longer. They relapse more often. Many die quietly, without support or care. Nepal is now facing a growing addiction crisis that demands a science-based response.

The scale of addiction in Nepal

Government data show that substance use is not a marginal issue. The Nepal Drug Users Survey conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs estimated more than 130,000 current drug users nationwide, with the number increasing each year. Most users are young, and the vast majority are men. This is not a hidden subculture. It is a public health challenge affecting families, workplaces, and entire communities.

Alcohol use is even more widespread. According to Nepal’s STEP wise Survey on Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factors, conducted with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly one in four adults reported consuming alcohol in the past year. Rates were far higher among men. Tobacco use remains similarly common across the population.

Since alcohol and tobacco are legal and socially accepted, their harm is often underestimated. Yet research conducted within Nepal tells a more troubling story. A large study from central Nepal, published in an international mental health journal, found that nearly one in four male drinkers screened positive for alcohol use disorder. Harmful drinking was closely associated with depression, suicidal thoughts, reduced ability to function at work and home, and intense feelings of shame. The researchers did not describe alcohol misuse as a lifestyle choice. They described it as a condition deeply intertwined with mental health and stigma.

Drug use injections add another layer of risk. Studies published in journals such as PLOS ONE have documented high vulnerability to HIV and hepatitis C among people who inject drugs in Nepal. These studies also highlight how fear, discrimination, and criminalization discourage people from seeking healthcare until serious illness develops. When addiction goes untreated, it becomes a driver of infectious disease, disability, and premature death.

A new and growing addiction among Nepal’s youth

While Nepal continues to debate drugs and alcohol, another form of addiction is growing rapidly, especially among adolescents. Problematic internet and smartphone use is now widely reported among Nepali school and college students. A 2024 study of urban school adolescents found that excessive internet use was strongly associated with poor sleep, depression, and emotional distress. Another study published in PLOS ONE the same year reported that a substantial proportion of adolescents met criteria for internet addiction, and that physical inactivity and disrupted sleep patterns were common.

These findings matter because behavioral addictions are not less real than substance addictions. The brain does not distinguish between dopamine released by alcohol, gambling, or endless social media scrolling. What matters is repetition, intensity, and how powerfully a behavior trains the brain’s reward system.

Nepal’s youth are growing up in a digital environment that rewards constant engagement and rapid stimulation. Their brains are still developing, particularly the regions responsible for impulse control and decision-making. Neuroscience shows that early and excessive exposure to addictive patterns, whether chemical or digital, can shape brain development in ways that persist in adulthood.

What neuroscience tells us about addiction

Modern neuroscience has transformed how addiction is understood. Addictive substances and behaviors repeatedly overstimulate the brain’s reward system. Over time, the brain adapts. Everyday pleasures feel less satisfying. Stress and irritability increase. Cravings become automatic. The systems responsible for self-control struggle to regulate behavior. This is how addiction shifts from choice to compulsion.

WHO has consistently emphasized that addiction is a chronic brain disorder, not a moral failing. This is also why relapses are common. When someone returns to substance use, it does not mean treatment failed or that the person lacked willpower. It means the brain remains vulnerable and requires continued support. WHO’s recognition of gaming disorder in its international disease classification further reinforces this understanding. Compulsive behaviors that disrupt daily functioning are legitimate health conditions, not personal flaws.

A response shaped by stigma

Despite this growing body of evidence, Nepal’s response to addiction remains limited and fragmented. Addiction is often treated as a social nuisance rather than a health condition. Families hide the problem until it becomes severe. Individuals delay seeking help because they fear judgment. When treatment is accessed, it often relies heavily on institutional rehabilitation, with limited long-term follow-up or integration with mental health care.

Research conducted in Nepal shows that stigma itself worsens outcomes. People with alcohol use disorders frequently internalize shame, which is associated with poorer mental health and a lower likelihood of seeking help. Shame does not cure addiction. It fuels it. At the same time, Nepal’s mental health system is overstretched. The country has a limited number of trained addiction specialists, most of them concentrated in urban areas. Community level prevention and early intervention remain rare.

A global warning Nepal should not ignore

Globally, addiction is rising. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reports that more than 300 million people worldwide used drugs in the past year, the highest number ever recorded. WHO estimates that alcohol alone contributes to more than two million deaths each year.

These are not failures of morality. They are failures of health systems that do not act early or compassionately enough. Countries that have adopted neuroscience informed approaches, including early screening, integrated mental health care, harm reduction, medication assisted treatment, and long-term support, have seen better outcomes. Those that rely on punishment and stigma do not.

What Nepal must do now

Nepal must recognize addiction as a health condition rooted in brain biology. This shift would change how families respond, how clinicians treat patients, and how policymakers allocate resources. Care for people with addiction must be integrated into primary healthcare. Screening for alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and problematic internet use should become routine. Training in addiction medicine and mental health must be expanded. Treatment should address depression, trauma, and anxiety alongside substance use, not as separate problems.

Harm reduction services for people who inject drugs must be strengthened, not stigmatized. Evidence from Nepal itself shows that community-based outreach saves lives and reduces disease transmission. Prevention must begin early. Schools should teach how the brain forms habits and how sleep, stress, substances, and screens affect mental health. Parents cannot fight addictive digital platforms alone.

A choice Nepal can no longer avoid

If addiction could be solved through shame, Nepal would have solved it generations ago. Addiction persists because it is not a moral problem. It is a brain problem shaped by biology, stress, trauma, and the environment. Neuroscience also shows that the brain can recover, but only when treatment replaces judgment, and understanding replaces silence. Nepal has begun to speak more openly about mental health. Addiction must be part of that conversation. Treating addiction as a brain disorder is not an excuse. It is the first step toward effective, compassionate, and evidence-based care. Silence has failed. Stigma has failed. Science has not.

The author is a PhD candidate in the Department of Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders at the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences