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Shaming of students by teachers in Nepal is prevalent from kindergarten to higher education. The oldest memories of school shaming that I have is of our English teacher in kindergarten making us cover our faces with our palms while our female classmates lifted their skirts for not putting on underwear! I remember my English teacher in grade five pasting ‘donkey’ on my friend’s back and making him walk around the school for not memorizing tense structures correctly; I was trembling with the fear of shaming in case I could not regurgitate it accurately. Twenty-eight years later, my friend—bedridden due to some sickness—contemplates dropping an MPhil course instead of submitting an assignment dreading that his course teacher might shame him among his colleagues for work not done well, like in an earlier instance. The forms and intensity of shaming might have changed, but shaming within classrooms has been ongoing in educational institutions in our country. In this brief piece, I look at this practice of shaming within academic institutions and its ill impacts. Shaming within academic institutions comes in different forms; examples include keeping the students outside of the class; scolding a student in front of the class; announcing students’ grades publicly and congratulating the higher scorers while denouncing the ‘low achievers’; scapegoating; rusticating; suspending; mocking and ridiculing. Teasing students because they cannot speak fluent or ‘correct’ Nepali is widespread in Nepali academic institutions; most students with a first language other than Nepali are victims of such shaming. Ranking students’ academic performance and public announcement of ranks and grades are such normalized practices in Nepal’s educational institutions that we seldom reflect on their negative psychological impacts. We should consider that rewarding a few students for their academic performance could disempower many students. Another common but overlooked shaming practice within academic institutions in Nepal is categorizing students based on their grades; this is particularly prevalent in schools with multiple sections at the same grade level. Students are assigned to a particular section depending on their grades. Furthermore, students are moved from one section to another, depending on their academic performance. This ‘upgrading’ or ‘downgrading’ profoundly impacts student performance; a notable phenomenon might be the bullying of a downgraded student by their classmates. This ‘downgrading’ might instigate a negative downward spiral in the student involving absenteeism from school, withdrawal from classroom engagement, self-isolation and detachment from peers, and loss of self-confidence, among others. Furthermore, shaming could cultivate pessimistic mindsets in students regarding the possibility of their success and the belief that failure is inevitable, causing them to give up before they begin (Bayers and Camfield, 2018). Shaming and corporal punishment were normalized everyday experiences of students, who went to school two decades ago. Whereas corporal punishment is shunned in schools today, shaming is persistent. Both shaming and punishing are based on the idea that they can effectively change students for the better. A colleague recently shared with me that his four-year-old repeatedly said she would keep her parents in the ‘naughty chair’ for not paying attention to her or not attending to her demands. Intrigued, he went to her daughter’s Montessori school to find out that students, who ‘misbehaved’ in the classroom were temporarily put in the naughty chair. Kindergartens, where a few facilitators deal with many students, generally come up with some form of ‘othering’ a ‘difficult child’ to ‘manage’ the classroom. Since this was a treatment that he was unfamiliar with and worked well  (according to the school administrators), he was unsure how to respond. The ‘naughty chair’ used in this instance represents negative reinforcement by labeling, marking, or branding. The student in the naughty chair was used as an example or symbol of who not to be and therefore separated from the others in the classroom. Shaming is the worst method of teaching because it manipulates kids’ fear of alienation and stigma; it involves giving up on teaching students and leaves them with only those lessons that can be learned from adult-sanctioned ridicule and mockery (Perry, 2019). Schools are sensitive spaces since children spend the formative years of their lives there; instances of shaming, particularly during the formative years, can have long-lasting negative impacts. Hence, schools must be careful of their methods to encourage or discourage student behavior, including shaming. Brene Brown, a shame and vulnerability researcher, contends that shame is an intensely painful feeling or experience of believing one is flawed and therefore unworthy of love. This feeling of unworthiness can be detrimental for children and adults alike. Furthermore, Brown flags that shame does not have prosocial effects, and researchers do not show shame to have any positive outcomes. Brown’s findings indicate that shaming does not work the way schools think it does. Concluding this piece, I contend that shaming within academic institutions must stop. The author is a faculty of social work at Thames International College, Kathmandu. [email protected]

Along a path strewn with rocks, let's take a walk, dear readers. Let’s begin with two huge pieces of Himalayan rocks that once adorned Thulo Pahiro, Kaligandaki rural municipality-6 in Myagdi district. For local people, the two rocks lodged on a ravine above a stretch of the sacred Kaligandaki river were a familiar sight. But the eyes searching for the two giants will no longer be able to find them in their birthplace. (Why on Earth would anyone worry over two giant rocks? You see, the Nepalis are a peculiar being, actually. These ‘savages’ worship trees, mountains, rivers, boulders and what not!) As per government orders, the two quartzite and calcite rocks have marched on, initially for Janakpur, the birthplace of Sita Maiya (Goddess Sita) and the capital of King Janak, from where they will be transferred to Ayodhya with Nepal also footing the shipping cost of the precious gift, most probably. Per a report in the state-owned The Rising Nepal daily, the Gandaki Province and the federal government had decided to send this gift in response to a correspondence  from India. The initial plan was to carve the rocks into larger-than-life-size statues of Ram Lalla (lovely, cuddly Lord Ram in his childhood avatar) and Sita Maiya, and install them at a Ram Temple whose construction is going on in full swing. The plan is to complete the works and inaugurate the temple well before the 2024 elections that may not exactly be a cakewalk for the ruling Bharatiya Janta Party. With the economy not in the pink of health, the Indian National Congress resurging along with a formidable Aam Aadmi Party and a ghost from the past haunting it somewhat, Hindu votes will be crucial than ever before for the ruling party. Much to the inconvenience of the rocks bound for Ayodhya (now, who cares about the inconvenience of rocks?), there seems to be a little change of plan (Plan B if you will), though. Contrary to earlier reports, The Hindu reports (‘Nepal temple prepares to gift 350-tonne stones to build Ram statue in Ayodhya’, 17 Jan) that it’s unclear if the rocks will be used to carve out the statues. Also, there’s incongruity about the weight of the rocks. While earlier reports in the Nepali and Indian media outlets suggested that the rocks weighed around 18 and 16 tonnes, the daily states that the rocks have a combined weight of 350 tonnes! Is this because of confusion about metric tonne and tonne? Or have these humble Himalayan rocks suddenly started possessing the divine power to change their shape and form, like Lord Hanuman, who could transform into an insect at Ashok Batika, a giant at the court of Ravan and anything in between, as his role demanded? Interestingly, the government decision to give away the rocks comes amid its increased restrictions on the mining and extraction industry thriving on rampant exploitation of natural resources. The decision coincides with the anniversary of Dilip Mahato (24), who was killed deliberately three years ago for protesting against rampant extraction of riverine materials in Dhanusha. Images of a group of apologists from Nepal—government officials, priests, experts and politicians—performing kshmapuja on the banks of the Kaligandanki on the very day of a huge national tragedy (the Yeti Airlines plane crash that ended up killing all 72 on board) are now frozen in time. A mute spectator to the daylight robbery and rampant cross-border smuggling of the Shaligrams, which bear the imprints of some of the most ancient sea creatures, a woebetide Kaligandaki keeps flowing. What else can she do if our all-powerful federal, provincial and local governments keep mum? She cannot shout out loud and declare that the Shaligrams and all other treasures on the riverbed belong to the very cradle of the earliest forms of life, or can she? Under the human scheme of things, all that the mighty river can do is tremble at the possibility of further exploitation of riverine resources in the context of great geopolitical games for regional and global supremacy. The images featuring a crop of apologists on the banks of the Kaligandaki hark back to the times when Nepal’s rulers chose to sell the country down the river for their petty gains, despite protests from the people, only to repent later. In modern times, acts of high treason have been continuing unabated since the Treaty of Sugauli (1816) with Nepal forced to part with pounds of flesh after each wave of political change through unjust and unequal legal instruments like the Nepal-India Peace and Friendship Treaty (1950), the Gandak Agreement (1959), the Koshi Agreement (1966) and the much-controversial Mahakali Treaty (1996) with the successor of the British empire emerging as Nepal’s neo-colonial master. Recent days have seen a federal secular democratic republic of Nepal lose more of her lifelines. Without control over these resources, how will the center, the provinces, the towns and the villages survive, let alone prosper? Thanks to these instruments that are also the result of great geostrategic and geopolitical games for global and regional supremacy, Nepal, a non-aligned country used to minding her own business and charting her destiny on her own, has been living a neocolonial nightmare. As India celebrates her 74th Republic Day marking her transition to a republic after the end of the British rule brought about by an untiring and inspiring struggle against colonialism and imperialism , her rulers would do well to opt for some serious soul-searching vis-a-vis her relations with Nepal. This is because very often after their fights against oppression and injustice, the champions of higher ideals like human rights and democracy end up becoming the forces that they detested so much. While describing our bilateral ties, there’s a tendency to invoke the past, which is a contested territory anyway, and forget the present. While invoking divinities in the relations, there’s a tendency to forget humanity. There’s a tendency to forget that we are two fully sovereign countries, regardless of our respective size and importance in the comity of nations. While stressing the need to take them to new heights, there’s a tendency, deliberate or otherwise, to forget ground realities and Nepal’s sensibilities. Very often in bilateral fora, ordinary Nepalis feel that on both sides of the negotiating table are people representing the powerful neighbor’s interest at the expense of Nepal. At every such forum, fears of another sellout grip Nepal. As India takes immense pride in calling herself the world’s largest democracy, the onus is on her to do some soul-searching and create an environment of trust and add more elements of democracy in our bilateral relations. Let great celebrations of independence also offer us an opportunity to make way for more equal, just and humane ties.

Pokhara International Airport was recently inaugurated with fanfare.  There was a large turnout of locals and stakeholders. The event included a morning rally participated in by over 100 schools, community groups, women's groups, and other social organizations. Approximately 10,000 local people took part in the inauguration. The inauguration of the international airport was a significant event for the local community, as many residents shared pictures of the ceremony on social media. The event led to an increase in discussions and conversations in public places, as people hoped for new opportunities in tourism and overall development. People were optimistic that an inflow of more tourism will improve Pokhara’s economy. However, the joy was short-lived as a tragic plane crash near the airport caused a significant loss of lives. This incident raised many questions about the safety and utilization of air travel in Pokhara, turning the celebration into mourning. Earlier this week, an ATR 72-500 of Yeti Airlines crashed at Seti Gorge in Pokhara-15 while attempting to land. While the cause of the crash is still under investigation, it has led to local residents expressing their concerns about the safety and sustainability of the airport. Grief and sorrow have spread among the community as they come to terms with the tragic event. Geographically, Pokhara is a place with many gorges carved by the Seti River and it has been identified as a risk area for the cryosphere due to the effects of climate change. Additionally, recent years have seen an increase in business and urbanization in the area. Pokhara is also known for its high-income residents, such as the Sherpa, Thakali, and Lahure communities. Furthermore, Nepal Tourism Board reports that nearly 40% of all tourists in Nepal visit Pokhara every year, making air travel a popular choice among locals. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), Pokhara airport is the second busiest in the country after Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. The crash site is a place of mourning, as relatives of the victims search for the remains of their loved ones. The hospital where post-mortem examinations are being conducted is also a place of sorrow, as families from faraway districts wait for days to see and claim the bodies of their loved ones. The community is also in mourning as locals express their condolences on social media and take part in condolence rallies. About a quarter of the victims have been identified so far. DNA testing is underway at the hospital and relatives are waiting anxiously for news, keeping watch at the entry gate of the hospital ignoring their own needs for food and shelter. Many stakeholders have taken various decisions in response to the tragedy. Social organizations in Pokhara have published formal and informal condolences. Rupa Rural Municipality of Kaski, which is the hometown of the late Captain Kamal KC, has decided to construct a memorial park with a statue of the pilot. The municipality has also lit up its wards in memory of the victims and to express their condolences. "Maybe I will not travel by air until complete security is ensured," said Santosh Poudel, a resident of Pokhara-11, Fulbari, as he sat with friends discussing the recent plane crash. His sentiment was echoed by his friends, who also expressed doubts about the suitability of the aircraft for Pokhara.  Similarly, Shree Ram Kandel, a resident of Pokhara-31, shared that he had decided to choose to travel by tourist bus, even in case of emergencies. Laxmi Dhakal of Pokhara-10, Budhha Chowk shared that she never expected the joy of the airport's inauguration to turn into such a tragic event so quickly. Jamuna Sharma of Pokhara-6, Lakeside, expressed her worries about how she will manage her busy schedule as a social worker who frequently travels to different districts. She said that people have no other options but to travel by air as people are getting increasingly busy. "I am just praying that such accidents do not happen again," she said. Similarly, Sushil Bastola of Pokhara-30, Sishuwa, shared that he had abandoned his plans to go abroad after feeling excited about the international airport as a major path to development in Pokhara. He expressed his concerns about how the airport will handle such problems in the future. Local residents also speculate that the accident may have been caused by birds flying on the runway. Hemanta Dhakal, a resident of Pokhara-14, Chauthe, said that if the problem of the birds' habitat and the garbage dump near the airport is resolved completely, it could prevent such accidents from happening in the future. Tourism stakeholders in the lake city underline the need to change the public perception and make flying safe but are still unsure about what mechanisms need to be put in place. However, they are hopeful that people will soon forget this tragic crash. "Accidents happen not only in air travel, so it should not be an issue. Instead, collective efforts to solve the problems are needed," Pom Narayan Shrestha, Chairperson of the Pokhara Tourism Council, said.

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.