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A type of energy source generated from hydrogen gas, hydrogen fuel can be produced through various methods, including electrolysis, steam methane reforming, and gasification. When hydrogen fuel is burned, it releases energy in the form of heat and produces only water as a by-product, making it a clean and environmentally friendly fuel. The electrolysis process involves using electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. This process can be powered by renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power, making it a clean and sustainable way to produce hydrogen. Hydrogen can also be produced from natural gas, coal, or biomass through steam methane reforming. This process involves reacting methane with steam to produce hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide. Though widely used, this method is not clean or sustainable because it generates greenhouse gases. Hydrogen fuel can be used as transportation fuel for vehicles such as cars, buses, and trains. It can also be used to generate electricity in fuel cells, which can be used to power homes and businesses or to provide backup power for critical infrastructure. Hydrogen fuel has several advantages, such as high energy density, ability to produce raw materials of different production methods, and the ability to produce only water when burned, making it a clean and environmentally-friendly fuel. The development of a hydrogen fuel industry in a country will depend on a variety of factors, including the availability of infrastructure for producing, storing, and distributing hydrogen fuel, economic viability, and the presence of regulatory frameworks that support the development and adoption of hydrogen as a fuel source. In Nepal, regulatory frameworks and laws for hydrogen fuel production are lacking. Hydrogen fuel production and distribution infrastructure are still in the early stages of development in many countries, including Nepal. That being said, there is potential for hydrogen to play a role in Nepal's energy mix. Hydrogen has several characteristics that make it an attractive fuel source, including its high energy density, its ability to be produced from a variety of feedstocks using a range of production methods, and the fact that it produces only water when burned, making it a clean and environmentally-friendly fuel. As technology and infrastructure for hydrogen fuel production and distribution continue to develop, we may see the establishment of hydrogen fuel plants in Nepal. However, it is essential to note that the adoption of hydrogen as a fuel source will depend on various factors, including economic viability, regulatory frameworks, and consumer demand. Private sector initiation  Some interest groups in Nepal recently organized the first-ever Nepal Green Hydrogen Summit (NGHS), in association with different entities like MIT Group Foundation, Melbourne Institute of Technology, Kathmandu University, and government ministries, including the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Energy. The summit's purpose included facilitating the development of the legislative setup and framework studies on Nepal's potential for producing and distributing hydrogen energy. Indian plans India has recently been exploring the potential for hydrogen as a fuel source and has taken steps to develop a hydrogen fuel infrastructure. In 2019, the Indian government released a National Hydrogen Energy Roadmap outlining a vision for developing and deploying hydrogen technologies in the country. There are several ongoing hydrogen fuel projects in India, including establishing hydrogen fuel filling stations and developing hydrogen-powered vehicles. In addition, several research and development efforts are focused on improving efficiency and reducing the cost of hydrogen production, storage, and distribution. It is possible that hydrogen could play a role in India's energy mix in the future, particularly as a transportation fuel. However, adopting hydrogen as a fuel source in India will also depend on factors like economic viability, regulatory frameworks, and consumer demand. Current scenario It is difficult to determine which country uses the highest amount of hydrogen fuel. Data on hydrogen fuel consumption can be challenging to compare across countries due to differences in how the data is collected and reported, as this is a new energy source. Some countries with significant hydrogen fuel industries actively promoting hydrogen as an energy source include Japan, South Korea, and Germany. These countries have established hydrogen fuel infrastructure, such as hydrogen fuel filling stations, and have developed hydrogen-powered vehicles, including cars, buses, and trains. Using hydrogen fuel may continue to grow in coming years as technology and infrastructure for producing, storing, and distributing hydrogen fuel improves and the cost of hydrogen fuel production decreases. However, adopting hydrogen as a fuel source will depend on various factors, including economic viability, regulatory frameworks, and consumer demand. Future Hydrogen has the potential to play a significant role in the next generation of clean energy. It has the potential to be a flexible and reliable source of energy. In the transportation sector, hydrogen has the potential to be used as fuel for cars, buses, and other vehicles. Fuel cell vehicles, which use hydrogen to generate electricity, have already been developed and used in some parts of the world. They have the advantage of being quiet, efficient, and emission-free, making them a potentially attractive alternative to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. Overall, the future of hydrogen as a fuel looks promising. While there are still challenges to be addressed, such as the need for infrastructure and the high cost of production, the potential benefits of hydrogen make it an exciting area of research and development. Hydrogen Fuel future in Nepal Nepal can adopt hydrogen as a fuel in the future, but several challenges will need to be addressed. Some of the critical things that need to be done include formulation of appropriate regulations and standards, and frameworks to ensure the safe and responsible use of hydrogen as a fuel:

• Development of a plan and policy: The first step would be to develop a clear plan for how hydrogen could be integrated into Nepal's energy mix. This would involve analyzing the potential benefits and challenges and identifying the most promising applications for hydrogen.
• Robust and reliable infrastructure: To support the use of hydrogen as a fuel, Nepal would need to build the necessary infrastructure, including hydrogen production facilities, fuel stations, and distribution networks.
• Investing in research and development: Investing in research and development would be essential to help advance the technology and improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Public awareness: It will be essential to educate the public about hydrogen and its benefits as a fuel to build support for the technology. Overall, transitioning to hydrogen as a fuel will require significant planning, investment, and effort. However, the potential benefits make it a promising option for Nepal's energy sources for the next generation.

The author has 22 years of experience as a Professional Engineering Geologist with a range of skills and expertise in areas including infrastructure, energy sectors, mining industry throughout Australia

Over a cup of coffee at a roadside café, I proposed to Raju, my cycling mate, a ride to Sailung in Dolakha district. He jumped at the offer. The big day arrived and we left in the morning, our mountain bikes stowed into my car for Mude (148 km), a hill town, on the way to Dolakha. From there on, we intended to ride to Sailung, 28 km southeast. I felt good behind the wheel after a long spell (because of the Covid-19 lockdown) as we sped along the Arniko highway. The beckoning turquoise Sun Koshi kept us company from Dolalghat until Khadi Chaur. We took a turn at Khadi Chaur and got on Jiri road, negotiating past a maze of twists, turns, loops, and hairpins on wooded hills. Small sleepy towns shot by as we made our pit stop at Mude (2,500 m)—a highway settlement flanked by crummy hotels and motley shops. After a hearty dal-bhat and a brief respite, we hopped onto our saddles. The dirt road cut across small towns, hill country, and forested areas. We often stopped for tea and snacks, followed by a spirited chinwag with curious local folks gathered at the tea shops. We stopped by a village town called Dhunge since a biker friend in Kathmandu had advised us to rest there for the night. He explained the last leg to Sailung ran through an uninhabited stretch of forested hills with unrelenting climbs. As we had three hours of daylight, Raju pressed us to push along. I don’t know why I felt foreboding when we hit the track. The towering pine-studded cliff before us appeared strangely ominous. Soon, the climb got harsh, and we had to get down to push. Darkness closed upon us, and we fixed our lights on the handlebars. There seemed to be no break on the incline. Soon, the pitted track with rocks and gravel entered dense woods—no soul or habitation in sight. The hush seemed spooky. We had no clue how long it would take to Khola Kharka, our layover for the night, but we needed to figure it out. The ordeal didn’t end there. We ran out of water and food after devouring the last packet of biscuits. Disoriented, bone-weary, and starved, we plodded on. Then, I freaked out. Tired of hauling the bike uphill, I jumped into the saddle to pedal. Raju led a few paces ahead, shoving his bike. The rear tire of my bicycle struck the edge of a rock and I wobbled and lost my balance. The bicycle veered to my left, and before I could stop, the front tire rolled over the edge. Everything happened in the blink of an eye. Before I could gather my wits, I was sliding down the ridge—still straddled on my bike. I must have blacked out for several seconds. It was pitch dark when I snapped out of it. I heard someone call my name, though it sounded far off. Raju had come looking for me with a flashlight. Little by little, I got my bearings back. I lay on the steep slope on my back amid thick bushes. My bike lay tangled in dense foliage several feet down. Raju sounded anxious when he asked if I was okay. Though uncertain, I nodded. He appeared relieved. I still seemed to be in trauma. My mind cleared as I squatted on my haunches. My right flank and left hand hurt. After several seconds, I rose to my feet and ran my hands all over my body. Contrary to my worst fears, I seemed alright—no broken bones. I nodded yes when Raju asked if I could manage it to the road and Raju lugged my bike up. Later, he told me I’d slid some 30 feet down the road. We pressed on to Khola Kharka. My left hand was throbbing, and my right flank, close to my ribs, hurt a lot. Every step was agonizing. After an hour, we spotted lights on the darkened hill. We had finally made it. I got a big scare when I examined my hand at Chyangba Baje’s homestay. It had swollen to the size of a tennis ball. To nurse our aching bones and my injury, we tried the Chyangba couples’ special jhwainkhatte (a blend of millet homebrew poured into a sizzling pan of rice grain fried in ghee) and got drunk. The ride went horribly wrong. But we made it to Sailung the following day. Miraculously, the swelling in my hand lessened, and I even rode my bike back to Mude. [email protected]

Aman Karna, 31, guitarist and producer for the Nepali band ‘Phosphenes’, got into music at a young age and since then he has been passionate about using his talents to create impactful music. Though he has been a part of the Nepali music industry for over a decade, Karna says he is constantly seeking new ways to connect with his audience. Bollywood music has had the biggest influence on him since his childhood. Born and raised in Bhairahawa, he says that Indian music, especially songs of the 90s, was what he heard everywhere, at home and the stores nearby. He says he was fascinated by the diverse genre, catchy melodies, and emotional lyrics. His musical journey when he was 14 when he first started playing instruments and was a part of his school band. He says he taught himself to make his own sounds using a computer, and preferred performing in front of a live audience. When he was growing up, Karna spent a lot of time working for a production company, before coming  across Phosphenes. He was approached to join the band in 2016, and immediately fell in love with the music they created. “I joined the band because I believed we could accomplish a lot if we worked together,” he says. Rather than vocals, Karna is more into making music. He loves eastern instruments and has always wanted to work with them to create western styled music. Listening to the songs Phosphenes has released so far you can tell it has worked out well. Most of their songs fall under the indie genre. It took a while for the band to gain some recognition, he says, because of the limited resources they had for promotions. “But we slowly started having a full house during our live shows,” he adds. Despite the fact that the band had and has been doing well, Karna wanted to work on his own career on the side. He believes having a successful individual career is equally important. With that thought, Karna produced and launched his first Extended Play (EP)—a record that contains fewer songs than in an album—‘Mixed Bag’ in 2021. But he says that was an experimental work he dabbled in during the Covid-19 lockdown. “I wasn’t satisfied with my first EP. I knew I could do better,” says Karna. But he apparently got a lot of ideas from that EP to get started on the next one called ‘Bollymood’ that was launched in Dec 2022. This one, he adds, largely came from the influence Bollywood music had on him as a child. The songs have elements of the 90s Bollywood music. It even begins with an intro that features a dialogue from a vintage Bollywood film. “I believe that to become a good musician it’s necessary to work on challenging tasks,” he says. So, he constantly pushes himself to do things that seem impossible. For instance, he once challenged himself to write five songs in four days. “It took a lot of hard-work and dedication, but I succeeded. I’m very proud of those songs,” he adds. As an artist, he says, performing live has always been a thrilling experience. “There is nothing better than the energy and excitement I get to witness during a live performance,” he says. One of the best experiences he has had so far is while performing in London, UK. The number of people that came to see him perform was mind blowing. “I never thought I would have such a huge fan following outside Nepal,” he says. Karna believes family support plays a major role when it comes to creating music. “You need someone to have your back,” he says. It was because of his family that he felt motivated to work through the hard times and not give up. “They told me to trust myself and that affirmation was everything I needed to remain calm sometimes,” he says. Besides music, Karna is interested in fashion. He claims he is always looking for new ways to express himself through his appearance. It’s important for him to dress in a way that reflects his personality. Whether it’s dressing up for a special occasion or simply putting together a casual look, he enjoys the process of creating unique and fashionable ensembles. The 31-year-old feels content knowing that indie music has an increasing fan base in South Asia. However, he adds that it’s not so easy for Nepalis to have that level of recognition on an international platform. “I wish to have international recognition for my work, but we lack proper resources for promotions,” he says. “The majority of my audience are Nepalis,” he says, adding that he will be continuing the work he has been doing as a solo artist and as a band member, and hopes that one day he will get the opportunity to collaborate with South Asian artists. “I believe that would be the first step towards getting a larger audience. I know it might be difficult for a Nepali musician to reach that height of success but I will try my best.”

You and your friend are conversing over a cup of coffee during the weekend. Everything’s fine until you have conflicting perspectives on a certain topic. You initially try to listen to your friend say the exact opposite of what you believe, but it eventually becomes difficult. The next thing you know, you can’t stand your friend and say something like, “Oh, what do you know?” (Inside your head, if not out loud.) And now, I’m sure you’ve already pictured some of the plausible worst-case scenarios that might follow. Hurting ourselves vs understanding ourselves You possibly wanted a great time reconnecting with your friend. Soon those intentions go astray. You start arguing, believing that your friend is against you. You then continue small talk, go home and take some time off, or storm off. You feel regretful and angry. You start questioning, “Am I the one incapable of explaining myself?” “Is it that difficult for someone to understand me?” With emotional intelligence, we can save ourselves from hurt. Instead of readily acting upon the emotions that arise, we make efforts to pause and understand what’s going on. Emotional intelligence can give us this reality check. It can help us remind ourselves that others don’t have to agree with us to understand us. To understand ourselves better, we can:

• Keep a log of our thoughts, emotions, and actions; journal daily.
• Ask ourselves what matters to us.
• Practice observing ourselves in the third person, meaning rather than saying, “I did this...” “This happened to me...” we see ourselves like another person and say, “This person earlier was talking to her friends joyfully.” “This person is now trying to do her work, but she is distracted by notifications.” We judge ourselves too often, but practicing third-person observation can open us to knowing ourselves better.
• Look for our recurring patterns and what they might be telling us. Let’s say we check messages but don’t reply until much later. What might it mean? It could either mean that we need time to process what we will say, we may be hesitant to get back, or perhaps we’re forgetful.
• Notice our judgments since they communicate our underlying values. For instance, if we judge our friend for talking over us, we probably value listening or giving each other the space to share thoughts.

Hurting others vs. understanding others How might you go on to hurt your friend in the situation we discussed? You’ll most likely not listen to them or cut them short. You might be rigid about your views. You would rather accuse than understand. In protecting your perspectives from attack, you don’t realize when you begin to attack your friend with blame, criticisms, and judgments. With emotional intelligence, we try to understand even if the people we love don’t think the way we do—it does not mean they’re against us. When we exercise emotional intelligence, we don’t see differences as distance—it just means that we have different needs and values, which we each need to honor without necessarily pulling each other down. Had you tried to put aside your judgments and connect with why your friend disagrees with you, you would have had a better chance to understand them. You would walk out of the conversation gratified rather than holding grudges against each other. To understand people around us better, we can:

• Ask them what their needs are.
• Become curious about their thoughts, recurring emotional states, and what they usually spend their time doing.
• Notice their opinions without judgment to know their values. For instance, if they tell us that gossiping puts them off, they probably value authentic communication and empathy.
• Try to know what they enjoy, what challenges them, and where they need support.
• Understand how our actions impact them and what we can do to make their life easier.

Inviting others to hurt us vs. inviting others to understand us When you didn’t take a moment to understand how you felt, reacted impulsively, and treated your friend harshly, you invited them to be more defensive toward you and understand you less. When you were hurt or angry, you blamed them for your unpleasantness. You didn’t consider how your words and actions contributed to it too. You might have complained your friend didn’t listen while you were mocking their perspectives instead of drawing their interest toward what you believe in and what matters to you. Rather than remaining stuck in assumptions and complaints that others don’t understand us, emotional intelligence helps us hold ourselves accountable to find ways and solutions to invite others to understand us. People aren’t mind readers, so unless we express what matters to us and why, people might not know what we need. To invite others to understand us, we can:

• Take time with our loved ones to communicate what is going well for us, where we’re struggling, and how we need their support or understanding.
• Convey our priorities, needs, and values.
• Communicate about our expectations of them rather than waiting around for them to read our minds.

Without emotional intelligence, there are no efforts to understand. There is only a propensity to hurt ourselves and others. With emotional intelligence, we harbor the resources, skills, and abilities to create opportunities to understand ourselves and others and invite others to understand us. The author is the linchpin at My Emotions Matter, an education initiative that helps individuals and teams learn the mindset and skills of Emotional Intelligence. You can learn more at myemotionsmatter.com