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The Kathmandu Valley has now been witnessing light rainfall. Meteorologist Devid Dhakal said that light rainfall would take place the whole day today in the Kathmandu Valley.

The haze that had covered the Kathmandu Valley and most of the parts of the country would also be fizzling out gradually.

According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, there is a possibility of light to moderate rainfall along with thunder and lightning at some places of the hilly region of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces today. 

Similarly, light rainfall and snowfall has been forecast at some places of high-hilly and mountain regions of the country. 

Partly to generally cloudy weather is likely at mountain regions of Bagmati Province while there is a possibility of light snowfall at some places, according to the Division. 

The sky in the hilly region would remain generally cloudy as well as light to moderate rainfall along with thunder and lightning is likely to take place at some places.

Likewise, partly to generally cloudy weather as well as light to moderate rainfall with thunder and lightning has been predicted at one or two places in Tarai region.

Tonight, the weather of the mountain region of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces will be partly to generally cloudy and there is a possibility of light snowfall at some places. 

The Division has forecast light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning at one or two places in hilly region while light to moderate rainfall coupled with lightning, thunder and storm at one or two places in Tarai region.

One quiet day at our local petrol station in Sital Bazar, Dhading, I found myself sipping tea and munching on biscuits with a few locals. Our usual political banter led us to talk about thinkers like Rup Chandra Bista, the philosopher from Daman in Makawanpur district, known for his ‘Thaha’ (meaning ‘to know’) movement—what many today compare to the modern Right to Information. As we chatted, a typical village scene played out in front of us—hens scratching the dirt for food and one rooster, or ‘bhale’ in our local tongue, chasing them relentlessly.

Frustrated by the noisy spectacle, I joked, “Someone should give that rooster a vasectomy!” We all laughed, but that offhand comment suddenly shifted our conversation to a fascinating subject I had never explored before—the famed badhiya or badiya chicken of Lumbini Province, especially from Dang district. Despite being deeply interested in Nepali cuisine, I realized I had never even tasted this dish.

The idea of vasectomy chicken might sound odd at first, but it has deep roots in traditional farming practices. It involves castrating male chickens to improve the quality of the meat. In the past, farmers would perform this painful procedure without anesthesia, often during the scorching summer months, which made recovery difficult for the birds. The goal, however, was to produce a chicken that was fatter, more tender, and more flavorful—qualities that have made badhiya chicken a treasured delicacy.

With time, what began as a rough home practice has become a more structured and humane farming technique. Today, various municipalities and their Agriculture and Livestock Development Departments support local farmers with training and resources. Thanks to modern veterinary care, anesthesia is now used during the procedure, making it safer and more ethical. Additionally, farmers receive government grants of Rs. 100 per bird, making the process not only sustainable but profitable too.

Known as badgiya chicken in some areas, this castrated rooster has become an icon of Nepali culinary pride. In Kathmandu and other urban centers, it’s  no longer just a rural dish—it’s a celebration of heritage. Communities such as the Tharu and Badi have kept the tradition alive through generations, passing down both the techniques of poultry care and the secret family recipes that turn this chicken into a mouthwatering meal.

Cooking badhiya chicken is an art form in itself. Traditionally, it’s slow-cooked with spices and herbs that complement the natural richness of the meat. Some prefer to roast it over an open flame, while others stew it in spicy gravy. Either way, the taste became unforgettable—tender, aromatic, and deeply satisfying. For many in the Tharu community, serving this chicken during festivals or special events is a matter of pride and tradition.

Interestingly, Nepal is not alone in this practice. In France, a similar method is used to produce capon, a castrated rooster that’s considered a gourmet dish, especially during holidays. In Spain, capón is part of the festive table too. These global examples show that the idea of castrating poultry for better flavor is not unique to Nepal—it’s part of a wider culinary story that spans continents.

This brings up an exciting thought: What if badhiya chicken from Dang were served in fine-dining restaurants around the world? What if it found a place on international menus alongside dishes like French duck confit or Japanese wagyu? Our humble dish has all the ingredients to make a global impact—rich taste, cultural significance, and a compelling story.

For many in Nepal’s farming and food sectors, the goal of exporting badhiya chicken is more than just a business idea—it’s a chance to share a piece of Nepal’s soul with the world. But doing that requires careful steps: standardizing the process, maintaining hygiene and quality, and building a strong brand that reflects both tradition and innovation.

Government agencies, agricultural experts, and local communities must work together to scale up this initiative. By embracing both modern techniques and traditional knowledge, Nepal can offer something truly unique to global food lovers. And as we move forward, we must remember that the heart of this story lies with the farmers—the people who have preserved this practice for generations, often with limited resources but unlimited passion.

Ever since I heard about badhiya chicken, I’ve been longing to taste it. As I write this, I imagine myself returning to Nepal, catching a flight to Dang, and finally sitting down to enjoy this delicacy. More than just a meal, it would be a moment of connection—to culture, community, and the creative spirit that makes Nepali cuisine so special.

The author is a London-based R&D chef

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has projected Nepal's economy will grow 4.4 percent this year, up from 3.9 percent in 2024.

The Asian Development Outlook (ADO) April 2025, launched today states that growth in Nepal is expected to accelerate in both 2025 and 2026. It is projected to increase from 3.9 percent in 2024 to 4.4 percent in 2025 and 5.1 percent in 2026. Robust consumption supported by higher remittance inflows, moderate inflation, and increased private and public investments will underpin Nepal's economic activity.

Similarly, Nepal's inflation is estimated to be at 5.2 percent in 2025 and 5 percent in the following year.

Likewise, economies in developing Asia and the Pacific are projected to grow 4.9% in 2025, down from 5.0% last year, according to the report.

Solid domestic demand and strong global appetite for semiconductors driven by the artificial intelligence boom are supporting growth, but tariffs and trade uncertainty will act as a headwind. Regional growth is expected to decline further to 4.7% next year, the ADB said in the. Inflation is projected to moderate to 2.3% this year and 2.2% next year as global food and energy prices continue to decline.

The growth forecasts were finalized prior to the April 2 announcement of new tariffs by the US administration, so the baseline projections only reflect tariffs that were in place previously. However, ADO April 2025 does feature an analysis of how higher tariffs may affect growth in Asia and the Pacific.

The report notes that while economies in the region are resilient, faster and larger-than-expected changes in US trade and economic policies pose risks to the outlook. Along with higher US tariffs, increased policy uncertainty and retaliatory measures could slow trade, investment, and growth.

The region will be challenged by rising trade barriers and significant trade uncertainty, but solid domestic demand and electronics exports will support growth. Regional growth is forecast at 4.9% in 2025 and 4.7% in 2026. Inflation will moderate to 2.3% in 2025 and 2.2% in 2026 as global commodity prices decline further, enabling many regional central banks to ease monetary policy, the report states.

Escalations in conflict and geopolitical tensions could hamper regional prospects, the ADB said. "Although conflict and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have eased, the outlook remains highly fragile. Downside risks for the region could materialize if conflict escalates again, which could lead to supply chain disruptions, higher and more volatile food and energy prices, and elevated global economic uncertainty and risk aversion.

Risks also remain regarding prospects for an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine. While economies in the Caucasus and Central Asia could benefit from greater economic stability and investor confidence, the realization of these gains remains highly uncertain and subject to the terms of any proposed peace deal."

The Nepal Teachers' Federation has continued its protest in Kathmandu on Wednesday as well demanding the School Education Act.

Refusing the government’s offer to sit for talks, the Federation staged a demonstration in Maitighar-Babarmahal area today also.

Teachers from across the country have been stagting protests in the Capital for the past few days demanding the issuance of the School Education Act and implementation of the agreements signed with the government time and again in the past.

Though the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has called the teachers for talks for the second time, the Federation has refused to sit for the dialogue putting forth various demands.

Saying that they did not stage the protest with new demands, the Federation said that there is no meaning in sitting for the talks.

The agitating teachers said that they would not sit for talks until their demands are met.