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An important corruption case that has been under investigation in Nepal for a number of years is the Lalita Niwas land-grab. The scam involves the unauthorized sale of public land in Baluwatar, Kathmandu to private parties.

The official residence of Nepal's Prime Minister, the main office of the Nepal Rastra Bank, and several other VVIP addresses are located close by. The probe has gotten more serious in recent months with many people detained in connection with the scam, including Min Bahadur Gurung, the proprietor of Bhatbhateni Supermarket, and former election commissioner Sudhir Shah. In response to a recent writ petition, the Supreme Court had ordered that the top decision-makers involved in the land ownership transfer process should also be brought under the purview of the investigation, not just those involved in paperwork. 

That order gave an impetus to the ongoing police probe into the scam.  

This probe under Nepal Police’s Central Investigation Bureau is testing the resolve of the Nepali state against corruption, policy corruption in particular. 

In the course of the probe, CIB has gotten hold of a cache of fraudulent documents, phony government stamps, and land ownership records. The CIB inquiry has shown that the Lalita Niwas land grab fraud was a well-organized scheme in which the defendants transferred government land to private individuals by abusing their authority.

After the apex court order, CIB recently questioned former prime ministers Madhav Kumar Nepal and Baburam Bhattarai in connection with decisions pertaining to the Lalita Niwas land transfer made during their premiership (25 May 2009-6 Feb 2011 and 29 Aug 2011-14 March 2013). But rumors that a CIB official visited the ex-PMs’ residences for questioning has made people wonder if this is a proper and credible way of conducting a probe. 

It should be noted that the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority, while probing the Lalita Niwas scam earlier, had exempted Nepal and Bhattarai stating that the Cabinet’s policy decisions were beyond the purview of its investigation, citing Section 4 of the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority Act. The court order and the CIB investigation have given the public fed up with endemic corruption and political instability a glimmer of hope. 

The Nepali public has every right to know the whole truth vis-a-vis the scam, including the guilty parties.

A free, fair and credible probe and the prosecution of those proven guilty will send a clear message that corruption is not tolerable in this country. It will also increase the public's trust toward the government. 

If political meddling botches the probe, it will deal a huge blow to Nepal's fight against corruption.

For several years, physical infrastructure development has moved to Nepal’s policy agenda due to its higher economic and social multiplier effect in addressing development challenges. Globally, the development of transport, electricity, and telecommunications infrastructure is found to have a significant positive impact on Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Intriguingly, growth impacts are higher in developing countries compared to developed countries. However, infrastructure development in Nepal has primarily remained a political rhetoric, and poor infrastructure governance sharply contrasts with the country’s target to achieve middle-income status by 2030. This juxtaposition between aspiration and infrastructure deficit calls for a paradigm shift—where infrastructure development is intrinsically intertwined with evidence-based growth policies for economic takeoff.

Development backlog

Nepal remains one of the world’s least urbanized yet rapidly urbanizing countries, which means an ever-increasing demand for road, energy, and ICT infrastructure. According to the World Bank, Nepal must invest 10-15 percent of its annual GDP until 2030 to maintain present GDP growth. But statistics present a glaring disparity in road density, ICT, energy reliability, and consumption infrastructure.

From 2011 till 2018, Nepal’s strategic road network increased from 11,636 kilometers to 13,447 km, a mere increase of 2000 km in six years. Notably, the 15th periodic plan has set an ambitious target to expand national highways above two lanes to 3,000 km by 2043/44. Presently, road connectivity is poor, and it has significantly discouraged international trade and FDI, inflated transportation costs, and limited economic and public services access. Studies also indicate a bi-directional causality between road infrastructure and economic growth, complementing each other.

Also, we are confronted with a paradox when we assess Nepal’s ICT infrastructure. On the one hand, mobile phone penetration has surged to an impressive 130 percent, painting a picture of connectivity on the rise. On the other, Nepal’s position in the Network Readiness Index is 112 out of 131 economies, signaling a shortfall in digital connectivity, technology access, and overall readiness of the economy and society to benefit from digital advancement. 

Despite initiatives like the Digital Nepal Framework, the development and use of ICT infrastructure in easing and economizing business and public service delivery remains far from satisfactory. A vast digital divide persists in terms of availability, accessibility, and reliability, given the current state of digital infrastructure.

Unlike road and ICT, the energy landscape has improved with electricity access to 89.9 percent of the population after development of new hydropower projects. But poor distribution networks remain a bottleneck resulting in intermittent power outages and energy shortages. Furthermore, World Bank statistics reveal Nepal’s energy consumption is meager 144 kWh per capita, which is significantly lower even by the South Asian benchmark of 694 kWh per capita. As a result, only 35 percent of the total population has access to clean fuels and technology for cooking. A juggernaut task, therefore, is twin-sided, i.e., not just enhancing distribution infrastructure but also ensuring higher consumption driven by increased access to clean technologies for household use.  

Developmental challenges

Nepal’s policy discussions have often centered around the availability of financial resources for infrastructure projects. While it’s a fact that Nepal faces a financial shortage when it comes to executing massive projects, the crux of the infrastructure deficit lies in the nation's poor infrastructure governance. Over time, Nepal’s projects have been subject to political influence, often bypassing rigorous and systematic approaches during the ideation and preparation phases. The lack of due diligence and institutional capacity raises concerns about a project’s credibility, leaving investors skeptical about its bankability and potential return on investment. Numerous projects have eventually transformed into ‘white elephants’ or encountered time and cost overruns, including prominent projects like the airports in Pokhara and Bhairahawa, along with the Kathmandu-Tarai Fast Track.

Additionally, Nepal’s rugged terrain is compounding these challenges, which demands substantial financial and technical resources for developing large-scale infrastructure projects—resources that Nepal currently lacks. Collaborations with neighboring countries for project development also face additional challenges on geopolitical fronts, further complicated by political dynamics. In the face of such hurdles, a resource-constrained economy like Nepal’s finds the realization of projects increasingly daunting, and poor infrastructure development remains a constant reminder of these barriers.

An engine for growth

The impact of infrastructure remains different given a country’s level of development and economic structure. Due to the multiplier effect, developing physical infrastructure in African countries was associated with 1.3 percent higher economic growth than in Southeast Asian countries. Although Nepal lacks adequate research on the economic impact of infrastructure, its impact has been witnessed in terms of improved living standards after access to such infrastructure. For instance, despite poor digital infrastructure, the ICT sector generated more than 66, 000 jobs, contributed 1.4 percent to GDP, and 5.5 percent in foreign earnings. Given Nepal’s poor development indicators, such a high multiplier effect is certain through road and energy infrastructure. 

Furthermore, Nepal must refer to striking economic differences between Latin America and Southeast Asia, where the unavailability/inadequacy of physical infrastructure slowed growth by 1-3 percent in the long run. Furthermore, it led to a noticeable one-third disparity in output per worker compared to their Southeast Asian counterparts. Such insights remain vital for Nepal to enhance business competitiveness and bolster economic growth. The tangible impacts are more evident as infrastructure leads to positive spillover on local market creation, increased employment opportunities, and improved peoples’ livelihoods.

Aspiration to transformation

With increasing growth aspirations, Nepal's demand for infrastructure shall mount, creating an uneasy situation for policy stakeholders. But the central question is how the government will ensure sound infrastructure governance and strategically interlink with economic growth and development. Findings from the McKinsey report estimate 15-35 percent of the project cost can be reduced with improvement in infrastructure governance. In Nepal’s context, it is essential that the government distance itself from investing in ambiguous projects failing to demonstrate long-term socio-economic benefits. Secondly, sufficient investment should be made in project identification, preparation, and structuring to streamline service delivery. 

Lastly, policy should equally focus on extracting maximum benefit from existing infrastructure through upgradation to break Nepal’s poor infrastructure-economic backwardness trap. In a nutshell, neglecting the development of power, transport and telecommunications infrastructure at this critical juncture risks putting Nepal on an irreversible path of regression by taking a toll on GDP.  

The author is currently a public policy candidate at Willy Brandt School in Germany. He has served as a research officer at the Investment Board Nepal

Agriculture has long been the backbone of Nepal’s economy and a source of livelihood for a majority of its population. We have grown up knowing, studying, writing about Nepal and agriculture in Nepal, described in textbooks as an “agricultural country”. But looking at the uncultivated paddy fields and barren lands, I wonder where the agriculture sector and future of farmers is going. With the advent of agriculture 2.0, a revolutionary paradigm shift is taking place, transforming traditional farming practices into modern, technology-driven approaches. This evolution not only promises to enhance productivity and sustainability but also holds the potential to uplift rural communities, ensuring food security and economic growth for the whole nation. In the context of Nepal, Agriculture 2.0 is poised to bring about a new era of prosperity for its farmers and the agriculture sector as a whole.

Agriculture 2.0, often referred to as “smart farming” or precision agriculture, integrates advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IOT), artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics and automation into traditional agricultural practices. This approach allows for real-time monitoring, data-driven decision making, and the optimization of resources like water, fertilizers, and pesticides. In the context of Nepal, where smallholder farmers dominate, adopting Agriculture 2.0 practices can significantly enhance their productivity while also conserving resources.

Nepal faces several challenges in its agriculture sector, including fragmented land holdings, limited access to modern agriculture techniques, unpredictable weather patterns, and the ongoing effects of climate change. These challenges have hampered productivity, leading to low income levels among farmers and contributing to rural-urban migration. Agriculture 2.0 offers innovative solutions that can address these issues by enabling farmers to make informed decisions, mitigate risks, and achieve better yields.

It’s already the end of Shrawan, but some farmers haven’t planted paddy still due to a late entry of monsoon and their dependence on rainfed farming and lack of year-round irrigation facilities. Monsoon normally enters Nepal on June 10 and its withdrawal occurs on September 23. Due to climate change, every year the temperature rises by 0.06 C in Nepal and the monsoon gets delayed. Monsoon enters from eastern Nepal and progresses slowly toward western parts. It reaches Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces very late. Delayed planting of paddy is one of the reasons for low productivity of rice. Late plantation and harvesting also affects the plantation of subsequent crops, mostly wheat. Delayed wheat planting then declines the yield of wheat. In this way, the whole annual cycle of cropping is affected due to late paddy plantation. 

Nepal has a food deficit problem that is most acute in the mountain and hill districts with annual food shortage for six months or more. The situation could become worse unless agricultural productivity and rural economies are transformed. Adoption of intensive farming throughout the country along with appropriate technological innovation offers promise for such a transformation. It's high time we adopted climate-smart agriculture practices. Some practices that should be adopted are listed below:

Replacing puddled transplanted rice with DSR( direct seeded rice) so that farmers don’t have to wait until monsoon to start planting. DSR can enable farmers of western Nepal to early plant and harvest paddy and increase national rice yield if weed management can be done effectively during the early growing period.

• Rather than expending time, energy, and money on land preparation after rice harvest for wheat plantation, it’s time to guide farmers for the adoption of surface seeding of wheat. It ensures early planting and thus increases wheat production.
• Agroforestry i.e. incorporating multi-use trees with compatible crops like cardamom under uttis, tea under siris, amriso under uttis, ginger and banana under terraces.
• Intercropping and mixed cropping with legumes (soyabean, blackgram, horsegram, pea) and nitrogen-fixing crops (clover and legumes) i.e. maize + soyabean and barley in upland irrigated mid-Hills of Nepal.
• Use of bio fertilizers like Azospirulum (A. lipoferum for Rice and Maize),  Rhizobium, Azolla , Blue green algae
• Use of green manuring crops like dhaincha, sun hemp, cowpea, berseem, siris, titepati, asuro and khirro. It increases the soil organic matter and cuts the fertilizer amount to some extent.
• Use of machinery like zero-till drill, seed cum fertilizer drill, multiple nozzle boom, turbo happy seeder, laser land leveler, conary and rotary weeder. Farmers can own subsidized machinery through farmers’ groups or cooperatives.

Agriculture 2.0 has the potential to revolutionize Nepal’s agriculture landscape, ushering in a new era of productivity, sustainability, and prosperity for its farming communities. Relevant government and non-government agencies should focus on climate-smart agriculture and provide trainings, build infrastructure, establish agriculture service centers and work on capacity building of farmers in improved, climate-resilient agriculture technologies in order to uplift the livelihood of farmers, ensure food security, strengthen the national economy, ultimately leading to a brighter and more resilient future for Nepal’s agricultural sector.

In a world where cultural diversity is increasingly celebrated, Nepali arts and music have emerged as powerful ambassadors of our rich heritage. Over the years, these artistic expressions have played a significant role in promoting Nepali culture internationally, captivating audiences with their unique blend of tradition, innovation, and a deep connection to our roots. Among the various genres, classical Nepali music has stood out as a major contributor enhancing cultural diplomacy, fostering cross-cultural understanding, and leaving an indelible mark on the global stage.

With origins deeply rooted in its own ancient traditions as well as influences from the neighborhood, classical Nepali music has evolved into a distinct art form that reflects the diverse cultural tapestry of our nation. Its melodic richness, intricate rhythms, and soul-stirring compositions have transcended boundaries, resonating with audiences worldwide. Classical Nepali music’s ability to transport listeners to the serene landscapes of Nepal and evoke a profound sense of emotion is what sets it apart. Its compositions, known as ‘ragas’, are meticulously crafted to evoke specific moods and sentiments, ranging from tranquility to exhilaration, from longing to joy. This art form encapsulates the essence of Nepali culture, drawing upon the spirituality, folklore, and history that define our nation’s identity. As a result, classical Nepali music has been instrumental in fostering cultural diplomacy, bridging gaps between nations and bringing people together through the shared language of music.

One remarkable group that has exemplified the power of Nepali music in promoting peace and harmony is Sur Sudha. Founded by the passionate musician Surendra Shrestha, Sur Sudha has dedicated over three decades to spreading the message of peace and promoting Nepal and its people through captivating melodies. Despite his advanced education in Eastern classical music, Surendra was driven to create boundless music that would touch the hearts of people from all walks of life around the globe. His commitment to peace and harmony shines through in Sur Sudha’s music, which effortlessly blends traditional Nepali music with contemporary elements, creating a fusion that resonates universally.

Surendra’s commitment toward the cause of peace is evident in his music, which blends traditional Nepali music with modern elements to create a unique fusion that appeals to audiences worldwide. Sur Sudha’s music is not just entertaining but also has a deeper meaning, inspiring listeners to embrace inner peace and spread positivity in the world. His dedication to the cause of peace has made him a respected figure in the Nepali music industry, and his contribution to the promotion of peace through Sur Sudha’s music is immeasurable. Sur Sudha is not just a musical group; it is a philosophy that embodies the essence of Nepali culture, tradition and spirituality. Formed in 1989 by Surendra, Sur Sudha was not intended to be just a band, but a thought, an idea, and a feeling that music is an essential part of our lives. The band was not formed with an idea of depending solely on any particular musician.

Surendra’s philosophy while forming the band was based on the belief that music should represent the diversity and unity of Nepali culture. Sur Sudha’s music is not just about entertainment, but it is also about promoting peace, unity, and harmony among people from different backgrounds. Sur Sudha’s musical philosophy emphasizes quality and creativity. One of the unique aspects of Sur Sudha’s music is that it represents all genres of Nepali music, from classical to folk to fusion. 

The name Sur Sudha was given by the late Bhairav Nath Rimal, and the group has evolved over the years. Sur Sudha’s contributing members to date include Tara Bir Singh Tuladhar,  Prem Rana Autari, Bijay Baidhya, Stayendra Tuladhar, Rajeev Shrestha and Bharat Shrestha. The band also created history by recording Nepal’s first CD. The band started as a musical group, but its experience has been more like a rollercoaster ride. Over the years, the group has seen several changes in its lineup, but its core philosophy remains the same—to create high-quality music that represents the best of Nepali culture. Today, the band comprises its founder Surendra Shrestha on tabla, Raman Maharjan on flute, and Bikash Sunar on guitar. Saraswati Khatri is the lead singer of the group.

The band’s aim is to present the best of Nepali classical music to the public, including classical, traditional, and Rag-Ragini music. Sur Sudha’s musical repertoire ranges from the plains of the Tarai to the highest mountains in the world, representing all genres of Nepali music. The group’s performances include cultural festivals of Nepal with folk music, as well as fusion and chanting music. The group’s recent foray into spiritual and chanting music includes collaboration with the famous Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala on the "Mahamrityunjaya Mantra". The group is also soon going to release Ganesh Stotram Mantra as part of their musical offerings by including well-reputed international musical talents .Sur Sudha’s music is not just about preserving the past, but it is also about creating new music that reflects the current social and cultural trends. Its members have changed over the years, but the group’s core philosophy remains the same. The group is not about any individual member, but it is about the collective effort of all members. The aim is to produce the best quality music that represents the rich diversity of Nepali culture.

Sur Sudha’s music is also not limited to any particular religion or culture, but it embodies both Buddhism and Hinduism, bringing people from all walks of life together. Sur Sudha is not just a musical group; it is a movement, representing the diversity and unity of Nepali culture. The group has performed in various countries, including the United States, Canada, Japan, Morocco, Tunisia, China and several European nations multiple times. Their performances have been praised for their ability to transport listeners to the serene landscapes of Nepal, evoking images of the country’s snow-capped mountains, lush green forests, and flowing rivers.

Apart from live performances, Sur Sudha has also released several albums that have been well-received by music lovers around the world, including the first ever CD in Nepal. These albums showcase the group’s versatility, with each track featuring a different instrument or style of Nepali classical music. Sur Sudha’s role in cultural diplomacy cannot be understated. In an era where cultural exchanges have become increasingly important, the group has played a key role in promoting cross-cultural understanding and dialogue. By showcasing Nepali classical music, they have been able to break down cultural barriers and build bridges between different communities. Their music has been used in various cultural events, including the UNESCO World Heritage Sites inauguration ceremony in Nepal, where they performed for several foreign dignitaries. The group has also been involved in various philanthropic activities, including providing assistance to the victims of the devastating earthquake that struck Nepal in 2015. Through their music, they have been able to raise awareness on the plight of the Nepali people and the need for continued support.

Sur Sudha has been a vital force in promoting Nepali classical music and culture to the world. Through their music, they have been able to break down cultural barriers, promote cross-cultural understanding and dialogue, and raise awareness about social and environmental issues. Their music is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Nepal and serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and promoting cultural diversity. Sur Sudha’s legacy is not just in the music they create but also in the way they create it. They are an inspiration to aspiring musicians and music lovers alike, and their goal is to continue to create music that is timeless and speaks to the heart of Nepali culture for generations to come.

The author is President, Lumbini World Peace Forum and a Cultural Diplomacy Advocate