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Recent events in Russia have brought the Wagner Group, a controversial private military company, into the spotlight. With concerns about the fate of its fighters and leader, the group’s future hangs in the balance. Reports indicate that the leader of the group has sought refuge in Belarus, while Russian President Vladimir Putin has presented the soldiers with three options: Join the Russian military, return to their families, or seek refuge in Belarus. As uncertainty looms, the group continues to expand its operations and attract new members, including young individuals from Nepal.

Nepalis possess renowned combatant qualities as the enlistment of the Gorkhas, acknowledged globally as an exceptionally fierce warrior, in the Indian Army and the British Army since 1815 shows. Gorkha regiments raised by the British exhibited remarkable valor in various military campaigns. “This is a troubling circumstance. The Nepal government lacks the capacity to intervene as these individuals have taken action independently,” EurAsian Times quoted Nepali Army’s Major General Binoj Basnyat (retd) in reference to the Nepali youths’ involvement in the Ukraine war.

“If Nepali citizens are serving in the armed forces of a sovereign nation, it should align with the government's foreign policy, or there ought to be (an) MoU or a treaty with the respective country. However, such mechanisms are absent in this instance,” he remarked, stressing the need for the government of Nepal to address the matter promptly. Numerous videos have emerged on social media platforms over recent weeks (some of them self-captured), showcasing Nepali youths enlisting in the Russian Army, exhibiting their training sessions or their arrival at training facilities. 

In one particular case, the video shows a young individual from the Koshi region, a Russian university student, pointing out that he had two choices with the expiration of his visa: Either return to Nepal and face unemployment or secure a position in the Russian Army.

An attractive incentive

President Vladimir Putin has offered Russian citizenship to individuals willing to commit to one year of military service. This game-changing move seems to have further attracted the Nepali youths to the group along with the relaxing of some of the requirements, including language proficiency.

Historically, Nepal has sent its youths to serve only a number of armies and police forces, including the British and Indian armies. However, India’s new recruitment scheme—Agnipath—has strained Nepal-India relations, prompting Nepali youths to explore alternative opportunities.

Uncertainties surrounding Wagner

While Wagner prospects may appear enticing due to its financial rewards and promise of modern warfare experience, it is crucial to keep in mind that the group is not an official army and that its operations have frequently sparked controversies. The group faces an uncertain future, raising legitimate concerns about the long-term viability of the Nepali youths’ decision to join their ranks.

The recent mutiny and the Wagner leader seeking refuge in Belarus have added another layer of uncertainty surrounding the group, raising questions over the fate of the fighters concerned. It is essential for individuals considering joining the group to carefully evaluate the potential risks and associated challenges.

In conclusion, young Nepali individuals joining the group has raised eyebrows and prompted deeper analysis. Putin’s decree offering Russian citizenship to those, who commit to military service, has fueled the recruitment drive further. While the future of the group remains uncertain, it is crucial for potential recruits to carefully consider the risks associated with joining a private military company by looking beyond the benefits like offer of citizenship, attractive salaries, health and life insurance benefits, performance-based bonuses, and the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with modern weapons.

When ‘samosas’, the beloved snack of South Asia, first made their way onto our ancestors’ plates remains a mystery. However, one thing is certain—they didn’t simply fly directly to Kathmandu or Pokhara. Instead, they gradually crossed the Indo-Nepal border and gained popularity as ‘Singada’ in the Madhes region. This delectable treat was referred to as ‘Shingaras’ or ‘Singada’ in the Indian states of Bihar, Bengal, Assam, Odisha, and Jharkhand, due to its resemblance to the shape of the local water chestnut known as ‘Sighara.’ Interestingly, when ‘Singada’ reached the hills of Nepal, it transformed into its original name samosa.

The tradition of inviting skilled craftsmen, known as ‘mistris,’ from India to learn new crafts still exists in Nepal. It’s likely that the sweetshops in Kathmandu invited ‘samosa mistris’ directly from Delhi. As a result, the snack became known as samosa in Kathmandu.

The culinary history in our region is complex and undocumented. It primarily relies on oral tradition, where knowledge is passed down from fathers to sons or through the hands-on experience gained by assisting fathers and uncles in the culinary craft. One prominent figure in this realm is ‘Ghadsiramji,’ also known as ‘Maharaj-ji,’ who introduced the art of cooking Indian dishes to Kathmandu. His renowned establishment, Amrit Bhandar, located in Chokhachhe Galli, Indra Chowk in Kathmandu, was established in 1878 and gained popularity for its delectable offerings like ‘aaludam,’ ‘furandana,’ ‘jalebi,’ and ‘halwa.’ Interestingly, there is no mention of samosas in the oral history, even by his son, the legendary BL Sharma.

Nepal’s open border policy with India has allowed a rich exchange of ideas, culture, and cuisine. Samosa represents the harmonious coexistence of different cultures and has won the hearts of both Nepalis and Indians. It has become a symbol of unity, transcending political boundaries and fostering a shared appreciation for culinary arts.

As Nepal became a popular destination for pilgrims seeking solace at sacred sites like the Pashupatinath Temple and Gautam Buddha’s birthplace in Lumbini, the samosa played an unexpected role in their journeys. Pilgrims from distant lands embarked on challenging treks, and the samosa became a convenient and portable source of sustenance for them. Some believe that the samosa arrived in Nepal with these pilgrims or skilled workers.

Today, when you stroll through the lively streets of Kathmandu, explore the enchanting landscapes of Pokhara, or visit any tiny eatery in Shaphebar or near the tea estate of Ilam, you’ll be greeted by the enticing aroma of freshly fried samosas. These delicious snacks have become popular street food in Nepal and can be found in local eateries, tea shops, and food stalls. They are often served with ‘chutney’ or ‘chhole’ and enjoyed as a snack or part of a meal.

Whether eaten as a quick bite or as part of a traditional feast, the samosa continues to evoke nostalgia, reminding Nepalis of their rich heritage and their nation’s intertwined history. Despite having worked in the UK for nearly 20 years and having traveled extensively, experiencing cuisines from around the globe, I have never encountered the level of satisfaction I experienced while dining at the ASCOL (Amrit Science Campus) canteen. Although they never served piping hot samosas, the taste still lingers in my mouth.

In a land shaped by spirituality, migration, and cultural exchange, the journey of the samosa exemplifies the power of food in bringing people together. As Nepal embraces its diverse heritage, the samosa remains an integral part of its culinary story—a story that transcends borders, unites communities, and celebrates the shared love for delicious food.

Interestingly, despite popular belief, the humble Indian samosa actually originates from Central Asia. Early medieval texts from Persia mention similar snacks called ‘sanbosag’ and ‘samsa,’ which are considered early relatives of the samosas we know today. There are also accounts of small, triangular mince-filled snacks eaten by travelers under names like ‘sanbusak,’ ‘sanbusaj,’ and ‘sanbusaq.’ During the Delhi Sultanate rule, Middle Eastern chefs migrated to India in search of work and brought the samosa with them. Over time, the snack gained favor with Indian royalty and gradually became synonymous with Indian culture and cuisine.

When British colonizers arrived in India, they developed a fondness for the samosa and brought it with them on their travels. As a result, various versions of the samosa emerged, depending on the region and country where it was prepared. For example, Middle Eastern samosas are semi-circular and filled with cheese, onions, minced meat, and spices, while Israeli samosas often feature chickpeas and pine nuts.

In India, the country most commonly associated with the samosa, the snack is often served with chutney, shaped into a triangle, and enjoyed when it is crispy and lightly golden. The most common fillings for Indian samosas include boiled potatoes, peas, green chilies, and a blend of spices. One thing is certain, the samosa represents adaptability, tolerance, and invention. Even after centuries of interpretation, it remains one of the most beloved street snacks in India today.

Although traditional variations are typically triangular, there are countless ways to create a samosa. Many skilled chefs combine the snack with other dishes to create exciting new fillings, such as the ‘samosa chaat.’ Today, in the category of vegetarian snacks, samosas are arguably the second most popular option after vegetable momos.

During our younger years, there were numerous sweetshops situated between Ratna Park and Rani Pokhari in Kathmandu. These sweetshops had large metal plates placed above the burning stove near the cash counter. Samosas were prepared in the enclosed kitchen and placed on these plates. They were never served hot, but the accompanying semi-liquid vegetable curry was served hot. However, everything changed when a samosa shop opened in a narrow, dimly lit alley opposite Bishal Bazaar on New Road.

Surendra Sharma, a migrant from Burma, initially went to Rajasthan in India to seek his fortune. Perhaps facing setbacks there, he eventually arrived in Kathmandu and opened a tea shop. In the 1980s, approximately 40 years ago, Surendra ventured into the samosa business and began frying them in an open kitchen. The response was instant and overwhelming as people got hot, spicy, and fresh samosa cooked in front of them. 

It’s difficult to put into words the sheer pleasure of dipping a piping hot samosa into a delightful sweet and sour sauce on a chilly day in Kathmandu. The shop had no official name, but it was located adjacent to a store called Tip Top Tailors. Consequently, people started referring to the samosas as ‘Tip Top ko samosa’ (Samosa from Tip Top). Although the owners named it Sauwgat Sweets, for us it will forever be Tip Top ko samosa.

The history of these triangular-shaped samosas holds many angles that require exploration through systematic research. From my perspective, it’s an endeavor that young culinary students should undertake. As for individuals like me who are of a certain age, our role lies in simply savoring the delightful crunch and taste of samosas.

The author is a UK-based R&D chef

The diminution of and deliberation on the Nepali Army is neither contemporary nor should it be a distressing aspect but it emanates as misinforming and inaccurate to the statecraft and to the broader audience. 

In particular, the field of defense is one of the essentials like economy, governance and diplomacy to the country. None of these fields are thriving at present. 

As an instrument of national power of Nepal, the army is the only unswerving and consistent institution in diplomacy, with national and international credibility in addition to remaining as a uniting establishment of the Nepalis.

Reading between the lines

While floating expenditure reduction measures in the federal parliament, Bimala Rai Paudyal, one of the three candidates that the then then President Bidya Devi Bhandari had appointed to the National Assembly in Feb 2018 and Swarim Wagle, a lawmaker elected under the first-past-the-post system, proposed downsizing the Nepali Army, among other measures, to reduce national expenditure. 

Paudyal underlined the lack of strategic coordination and cooperation amongst the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Finance and Defense, which is essential for border security. She added that the army had failed in its primary role—protecting the borders, pointing at repeated instances of border encroachment. 

“There’s no war going on within the country and there’s no possibility of either of the neighbors waging a war against the country. In the event of a war with either of the neighbors, there’s no possibility of us withstanding it,” Paudyal said, reasoning that there’s no need to keep a (roughly) 90000-strong army that cannot protect the country.  

Such remarks coming from a lawmaker have tremendously hurt the sentiments and self-esteem of servicemen and women, veterans as well as the citizenry. Soldiers and citizens fight with morale and self-confidence that wells up from their training, education and love for their respective countries. This is something that cannot be measured in monetary terms. 

There are many international examples about vested interests playing a major role in triggering wars. South Asia, for one, witnessed such wars during the 1970s. The recent Russian invasion of Ukraine followed challenges to the Kremlin’s sphere of influence. 

Nepal can face similar consequences, given its geopolitical and geostrategic location. Nepal’s vote as one of the 141 nations in the UN in March 2022 against the Russian aggression is also a visualization of a similar state of affairs along its own borders. 

Lawmaker Paudyal should keep in mind that border security comes under the Ministry of Home Affairs during peacetime and not under the Ministry Defence. So, border violations are the result of a lack of coordination between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs. 

The national budget for the coming fiscal 2023/24 (totaling 1.751trn) has allocated 14 percent to the security sector—for the defense ministry and the home ministry. 

On its part, the Nepali Army reimburses more than Rs1.7bn as tax to the government from its Welfare Fund apart from bringing in about $22m (Rs 25bn) to the country, which is approximately two percent of the national foreign income of $9.1bn (approx). The national army itself provides another five billion rupees for its educational, medical and welfare programs, which is borne by respective governments in almost all the countries. 

The government budget for the defense ministry appears paltry in comparison to the budget that the Nepali Army deserves for enhancing Nepal’s international prestige by helping maintain world peace through non-aggression and peaceful settlement of disputes as envisioned in the United Nations Charter.

Strategic interpretations

Nepal faces enormous challenges because it lies in the midst of three competing nations— China, India and the US—and one more bloc, the European Union.

History says that no government, no economic system, no currency, no empire lasts forever, yet almost everyone is surprised and ruined when they fall.

Given our physical location, we as a relatively small nation are likely to face serious challenges, contrary to the expectations of many of our political leaders. 

Marked by different political orders, security, economy and digital systems, the world is moving amid confrontations in the South Asian subcontinent and beyond. Cold War 2.0 is ongoing and the competition is palpable along Nepal’s borders unlike in a different continent with dissimilar technological capabilities during the Cold War. 

In this context, the Nepali Army can stand as a stimulating force for geostrategic balance of power in South Asia and beyond. 

Standing power

The Nepali Army is one of the instruments of national power that needs solidification with modernization, strengthening of its capabilities and digitalization, also in view of the fact that the Global Firepower Index 2023 has ranked Nepal 129th out of 145 countries.

The recent comments from political leaders have come without understanding of the unfolding geopolitical environment that may push small nations like Nepal toward deepening political uncertainty. 

In this context, a handful of political leaders making unsavory comments should not forget the role of the national army in upholding national honor and dignity. 

Deduction

At a time when Nepal’s dire prerequisite is to have a united strategic approach toward national interest, foreign policy and national security strategy, hollow comments from parliamentarians are most unwelcome. The Defense Minister has rightly expressed concern over such remarks, which show the lack of awareness on the part of the speakers on the importance of instruments of national power. 

It’s time state instruments like intelligence agencies paid attention to increasing geo-political influence. 

If you ask commoners questions about the role of the political parties and the Nepali Army, they will most definitely reply that the army has been acting as a far more responsible actor in service of the country and the people than the parties. 

National security and prestige cannot be compared with monetary value. Important individuals should bear in mind that impromptu remarks on sensitive topics at wrong places and wrong time do the country a great disservice. 

Downsizing the military is not a wise way to deal with national monetary challenges. 

A number of measures can be taken to manage the budget for national development. Doing away with a costly federal system can be an option. Downsizing the number of elected representatives, reducing the number of ministries and establishing strategic structures for addressing issues of national importance can help at a time of rampant corruption, political instability and loss of national credibility. These measures will bring in enough resources required for national development. 

All concerned must bear in mind that long transition adds up to challenges for national prosperity and stability. 

The author is a Strategic Analyst, Major General (Retd) of the Nepali Army, and is associated with Rangsit University, Thailand

We are two women working in the science sector in Nepal. We have many things in common, both professionally and personally—we like creativity and innovation, we are overjoyed when our articles get published in scientific journals and newspapers, and we love momo, tea, and some good desserts. There aren’t many things that we dislike—but hey! The overpowering effects of patriarchy in our personal and professional lives is something we wish we could change.

From daily household lives to professional settings, gender norms have been influencing the functioning of our society. Although it can seem like patriarchy favors men in many ways, it has been disadvantageous to all genders. We see women in every sector balancing their personal and professional commitments. We also see men struggling with the mental stress of having to be the main breadwinner of the family and showing a stronger front to society, regardless of the level of stress. Every society develops better with gender equity, which benefits both men and women. In this article, we write about the common, but less discussed unjust disparities experienced by women who are developing their careers or working professionals in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and present our viewpoints on how we can empower women and create opportunities to become responsive to the needs and aspire to achieve gender equity in Nepal. 

In Nepal, STEM is relatively a younger discipline and approximately 20 percent of students at the university level belong to STEM. Among them, only one-third are female. One of the reasons for the underrepresentation in education is the perceived gender-based roles at home in our society. Our gendered society has also forced many men and women to take up educational streams that do not necessarily align with their interests and consequently resulted in the acceptance of conventions of gender in many professional sectors. Men are stimulated to take up engineering, mathematics, or other science subjects that are seen as ‘more suitable’ for men, whereas women are encouraged to take up training such as nursing, caretaking, or hospitality, which are traditionally seen as ‘feminine’ roles. The societal dynamics provide men opportunities to formalize their careers in STEM, women to take lower-paying jobs and limited skill development opportunities. Therefore, to break this status quo, we as women and society need to rethink gender norms, provide motivation, including finances, and create the opportunity for everyone to choose the subjects which align with their unique interests and skills.

The consequences of men overwhelming women in STEM can prevent women from contributing their skills to society. Until a few decades ago, only a few women could enter the STEM sector and many significant achievements by female scientists were ignored, or credit was attributed to male colleagues. One such example is that of Rosalind Franklin who provided the key to cracking the double helix structure of Nucleic Acid using X-ray crystallography images. But the discovery was attributed to her male colleagues James Watson and Francis Crick, who not only won the Nobel prize in 1953 but also the model became popularly known as the Watson and Crick model. She was not acknowledged in the fanfare around the discovery. To our surprise, there are many similar incidents and these continue to happen. The broader scientific society then often did not trust the scientific results provided by a woman, and women still face profound challenges to be recognized as competent in the field. 

Today, along with our progressing society, the demand for STEM and the interest in the topic are on the rise, both among women and men. Therefore, it is imperative to create gender-friendly conducive working environments. Many working women in STEM share that despite having similar years of working experience and credibility as their male counterparts, they are often labeled as incapable or under-experienced and become victims of financial partisanship. When and if they achieve promotion, it is common for women to have inadequate decision-making positions within organizations. Women often experience intolerable family and workplace coercion and mental and sexual harassment. When these incidents become consistent without any punitive actions, women become demoralized, feel powerless, develop self-doubts, and are unable to claim their rights and advocate for their development. Therefore, if we want to live in a transformative society and promote social and professional positions for women, we need to have a more gender-inclusive team within STEM. To achieve this, we must ensure the correct implementation of gender-friendly working policies and actions. Inclusive, safe and decent working conditions in STEM will lead to sharing of perspectives from all gender angles, which foster true innovation and the emergence of newer ideas.

To develop leadership and address the inequality in power in STEM, women should challenge and change the perceived docile role of women in society. We have recognized that there are some implicit biases among people and internalized biases among women themselves regarding women’s capabilities and commitment to STEM. This often makes them ‘invisible’ and raises questions about the value of their accomplishments. Therefore, this implicit bias must be challenged by equal and respectful inclusion of women in STEM. This requires support from all concerned. Both women and especially men can be advocates for women. Women can play a crucial role in changing social dynamics, by supporting each other to break conventional gender norms. Women leaders and activists, for example, are now more vocal about challenging the perceived gender roles in society and the workplace and creating growth opportunities for themselves and others like them. Male colleagues are consequently more aware of the challenges faced by women forging a career in STEM and becoming allies. When women and men challenge and demand their rightful positions at the workplace, it can create a more gender-friendly environment for all. In addition, to develop and strengthen the capacity of women at all levels, mentoring and guidance from a range of male and female mentors can be a game changer. Women mentors can provide a personal lived experience to guide other women through the unique obstacles that women tend to face while male mentors can often provide an impartial view of the issues, and support women to challenge gender bias. 

Different perspectives can help us to reframe our approach and identify the correct actions to achieve our own version of success in our careers. Young women should take pride in their work, develop their agency to communicate, negotiate, and advocate for themselves and demand their rights to progress successfully in their careers. All in all, amidst the impediments along the life course of women, strong family support can provide the willpower to persevere and achieve successful careers for women in STEM.

Bravo! Many women globally and in Nepal have fought sociocultural and physical hurdles and crossed the status quo to accomplish their career goals in STEM. Some of such women leaders in STEM in Nepal are Dr Madhu Dixit Devkota, Executive Director of Upendra Devkota Memorial National Institute of Neurological and Allied Sciences; Dr Abhilasha Karkey, Director of Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU Nepal); Dr Prativa Pandey, Founder and CEO of Catalyst Technologies and Herveda Botanicals; Pratikshya Pandey, Engineer and CEO of Smart Cheli; and Ms Sonika Manandhar, Co-founder/Chief Technology Officer, Aloi Technologies. They have earned accolades in their fields and these achievements provide vital role models for younger women and stimulate recognition of women’s roles and contributions to STEM.

Along with the many existing challenges, the world also has a lot more opportunities and freedom of expression for women than it had before. Now is the time to build multi-sectoral support along the journey of women’s careers in STEM. The question for us now is about sustainability and the enhancement of the progress made so far. How can we develop our society to take up shared responsibilities and boost the passion of women interested in taking their career path to a higher level? Every year, on Feb 11, the world celebrates the International day of Women and Girls in Science.  Let us commit to fully recognizing the achievements of women in science and society throughout the year, not just on a single day. 

Dixit, a public health researcher, is passionate about developing evidence that informs people-centric healthcare models. She leads the Birat Nepal Medical Trust research unit and is a PhD student at Karolinska Institutet, Sweden

Shrestha is a public health professional. Her areas of interest are infectious and non-infectious diseases, sexual and reproductive health and social determinants of health