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The Akshaya Tritiya festival, which is celebrated every year on the day of Baisakh Shukla Tritiya, is being celebrated today by donating and consuming Satu and Sarbat. 

According to the classical law, one gets up early this morning, covers one's house, takes a bath, and prepares the goods used while worshiping. 

Diyo, Kalash, and Ganesh are worshiped and a copper plate with Ashta Dal inscription is placed on the Kalash, and Lord Vishnu is worshiped with sixteen ingredients. There is a Vedic tradition of offering pure water in a copper plate or juice in an earthenware vessel made up of cinnamon, cloves, sweet melons, cardamom, honey, sugar, Sakhar, and crystal sugar (Misri) as well as donate Barley Flour (Satu) to the priest.

It is described in various religious texts that the good deeds done on this day including a bath, giving alms or donation, meditation and prayers will never be destroyed. 

Since barley flour and juice are similar to Amrit (elixir) in the summer of Baishakh, there is a tradition from the Vedic times to give alms and also consume it by oneself.

It is also said that it helps to boost the body's immune system, as Satu and Sarbat increase the immunity of the human body. 

Even a small amount of donation on the day of Baishakh Shukla Tritiya (the third day of the waxing moon of the month of Baishakh according to the lunar calendar) will bring prosperity and fortune, it is believed. 

The Ghada donated today is also called the Dharmaghatadi donation. Today, it is customary to donate umbrellas, sticks, and cloth shoes to the elderly and cows, land, grain, and gold are also donated to the deserving Brahmins as well as to the helpless and destitute.

It is believed that Lord Mahadev and Parvati, the daughter of the Himalayas, got married on this day in the Satya Yug. 

That is why there is a belief that you don't have to look for an auspicious moment (Sait) for a marriage today. According to the ancient scriptures, there is also a belief that the Treta Yug began today. 

This date is called Akshaya Tritiya as the good deeds done on this day bring inexhaustible prosperity to the doer.

The new Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) government, led by Balendra Shah, has initiated a series of legal reforms aimed at improving the country’s business environment. Although it is too early to assess their full impact, initial signs suggest the government is moving in the positive direction as early signs of renewed confidence among domestic and foreign investors are being observed.

Government officials say the reforms are aimed at making Nepal a more predictable and business-friendly destination. Measures taken include scrapping outdated laws, easing foreign investment procedures, and expanding the automatic approval route for selected sectors. Likewise, the government has also taken a tough stance against intermediaries accused of exploiting regulatory loopholes. Business leaders say this has helped restore trust in the system and encouraged genuine investors to step forward.

Investment pledges worth over Rs 30bn have been announced in just the past month. Many see this as an early vote of confidence in the new government. Among the most prominent announcements is a major hospitality project by the Chaudhary Group. The group, one of the largest business conglomerates in the country, has begun work on a luxury hotel in Thamel with an estimated investment of around Rs 15bn. The project will be managed by the globally renowned Ritz-Carlton under the umbrella of Marriott International. Led by billionaire industrialist Binod Chaudhary, the initiative is seen as a strategic move to position Kathmandu on the global luxury tourism map.

It, however, will be misleading to suggest that the project was conceived overnight following the formation of the new government. The promoters had been planning it for a long time but were reluctant to commit funds due to policy uncertainty and a lack of stability. The formation of a government with a strong majority instilled confidence in them by providing policy clarity and stability.

“The launch of The Ritz-Carlton in Kathmandu underscores Chaudhary Group’s commitment to elevating Nepal’s tourism sector to a world-class standard. It reflects our confidence in the new government under Prime Minister Balen Shah and our ambition to contribute to job creation, high-quality tourism, and broader economic growth,” Rahul Chaudhary of Chaudhary Group said at the ground-breaking ceremony. 

The project is being developed by CG Hospitality Global, the hospitality wing of Chaudhary Group, alongside a consortium of local investors: Rabindra Bhakta Shrestha of IJ Group, Saurav Sharma of Sharma & Company, and entrepreneurs Amrit Shakya and Sanchit Shrestha.

Industry people say the project goes beyond hospitality. They say it signals a shift toward high-value tourism as the property targets premium international visitors and increasing per capita spending.

Chaudhary Group has also begun work on the Summit Heritage Hotel project in Gorkha. With an investment of over Rs 5bn, the hotel is designed to cater to high-end travelers, with room rates expected to reach up to $500 per night.

Earlier this week, Danish brewing giant Carlsberg Group expressed its intent to invest around Rs 10bn in Nepal. Officials of the group met Minister for Finance Dr Swarnim Wagle last week and said they remain committed to Nepal.

Carlsberg Group holds a majority stake in Gorkha Brewery, the bottlers of Carlsberg products in Nepal. The group has reportedly acquired Raj Brewery from Jawalakhel Group and sold 15 percent of its stakes in Gorkha Brewery to Jawalakhel Group.

The government outlined its vision for economic development in the draft of the National Commitment document unveiled this week. It sets an ambitious target of transforming Nepal into a $100bn economy within the next five years. Central to this goal is improving the business environment. The government has pledged to eliminate rent-seeking, policy manipulation, cartel practices, and artificial shortages in the market. It also aims to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and fair competition. 

Officials say these steps will help create a more dynamic private sector and attract long-term investment. The policy framework emphasizes a liberal economic approach while ensuring equitable distribution of national income. Investments in public services such as education, health, transport, housing, and social security are also part of the strategy, as per the National Commitment document.

The government has identified the private sector as the main driver of economic growth. Likewise, it plans to strengthen investor protection and ensure a predictable and risk-free investment climate, while also encouraging public-private partnerships, particularly in innovation and infrastructure development. It also aims to expand the productive sectors to support inclusive economic growth and generate employment.

As part of its effort to reduce bureaucratic hurdles, the government has unveiled plans to digitize all business-related processes—from company registration to renewal. A paperless system is expected to improve efficiency and reduce delays. Similarly, efforts are underway to gradually formalize the informal economy by improving access to information, services, and financial systems.

The government has said that foreign direct investment (FDI) will be linked more closely with production, technology transfer, and job creation, and that new investment-friendly laws are being prepared to build investor confidence.

Whether these measures translate into sustained investment and long-term growth remains to be seen. Similar reform drives were seen in the past as well. That said, early signals suggest a shift in mood this time. The government needs to build on this to convert initial optimism into lasting economic momentum.

Two weeks have passed since Balendra Shah became a powerful prime minister in Nepal’s recent political history. His rise to power follows the landslide victory of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) in the March 5 elections. His swearing-in marked a major generational shift in Nepal’s power politics, as the political parties and leaders who had long dominated national politics were sidelined.

The new and strong government under Balen has signaled an assertive and unconventional governing style. Marked by a strong anti-corruption stance and institutional interventions, the administration appears intent on reshaping political norms. However, questions remain about its economic priorities, particularly its limited response to rising energy costs and inflation. Here is a preliminary analysis of Balen’s two weeks in office.

Implementation of probe panel

On the very first day in office, the Balen administration promptly decided to implement the report submitted by a probe panel formed to investigate the violence and killings that occurred on Sept 8–9 last year. The next day, former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak were arrested, sending a strong political message.

The arrests drew criticism on the grounds that due process was not followed, as they were carried out during odd hours and on a holiday. In response, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) launched street protests, while the position of the Nepali Congress remained unclear and ambiguous.

Although both leaders were later released by the court, the move underscored the government’s willingness to challenge powerful figures. Despite their release following a Supreme Court order, police have continued investigations against them and plan to file cases in court.

Similarly, the government briefly arrested the then Chief District Officer of Kathmandu, but he was immediately released following pressure from the bureaucracy. The commission has also recommended action against high-profile individuals from the bureaucracy, Nepali Army, and Nepal Police. The government has decided to conduct further studies before taking action against individuals from these agencies.

Improving governance service delivery

Governance reform remains the top priority of the Balen-led administration. Shah has instructed government secretaries to avoid delays and expedite their work. In a strong message, he reportedly told government staff to either perform or step down.

At the same time, he has instructed that government services should not be interrupted even during lunchtime, with appropriate staff management. The administration has also begun dismantling entrenched bureaucratic practices, notably by removing intermediaries from land and transport offices—sectors long criticized for inefficiency and corruption.

On the governance front, the cabinet has moved to streamline the state apparatus by reducing the number of ministries from 24 to 17. The government has also taken proactive steps to deploy bureaucrats at the local level in an effort to improve service delivery. It is closely monitoring key government offices responsible for providing prompt services to citizens.

However, under the current federal structure, the federal prime minister cannot dictate the functioning of provincial and local governments. Some chief ministers and local government leaders have already objected to the instructions of Prime Minister Shah.

Corruption control

The Balen-led government has prioritized tackling money laundering and corruption. As Nepal faces pressure to take tangible steps to be removed from the Financial Action Task Force gray list, the new government has initiated investigations into money laundering cases.

Authorities have arrested a notorious middleman, Deepak Bhatta, on money laundering charges. Similarly, Nepal Police has issued an arrest warrant against former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his family members in connection with such cases. Police have also arrested former minister Deepak Bhatta on similar charges.

The government has emphasized corruption control. The first cabinet meeting decided to establish a commission to investigate the wealth of public officials dating back to the 1990s. In the first phase, the cabinet formed a commission to investigate the properties of public service holders from 2006 to 2026. 

While the government cannot interfere with the functioning of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority, an autonomous constitutional body, it is coordinating with the CIAA to expedite corruption investigations. At the same time, the arrest of some businessmen has created fear in the private sector, and it is feared that it could spoil the investment climate.

Constitutional amendment

The Balen-led administration has placed strong emphasis on constitutional amendment, a key pledge made by the RSP during the election campaign. Balen Shah has formed a committee led by his political advisor, Ashim Shah, to work with political parties to prepare a base document for nationwide deliberations on constitutional amendments.

However, major political parties have not fully cooperated with the government. The Nepali Congress, for instance, has yet to send its representative to the task force. Although constitutional amendment remains a common priority among political parties, there are significant differences regarding its content.

Despite the government’s efforts, progress on constitutional amendment is unlikely in the near future due to the lack of cooperation from traditional political parties. However, the ruling RSP can initiate amendment proposals independently, as it holds a two-thirds majority in Parliament. Support from the Shram Sanskriti Party, led by Harka Sampang, is sufficient to pass amendments. Key issues include the form of governance and the electoral system.

Investigation into Sept 9 violence

Following the Sept 8–9 GenZ movement, a high-level commission led by Gauri Bahadur Karki was formed to investigate the violence. However, the Karki-led panel focused only on the events of Sept 8, drawing criticism from political parties and civil society for its selective approach.

To address this concern, the Balen-led government decided to form a separate commission to investigate the Sept 9 violence. On that day, protests targeted vital state institutions such as Singha Durbar, the Supreme Court, the President’s Office, and various business establishments. However, even after two weeks in office, the government has yet to form this commission.

Rare public speech by PM

After becoming prime minister, Balendra Shah has not delivered a public speech. It was expected that the prime minister would address the nation through television after assuming office, but he did not. Similarly, there is a tradition of the prime minister speaking in Parliament, which he has avoided.

There are reports that the prime minister addressed a function organized by the Nepali Army. He also briefly addressed the international community regarding the foreign policy priorities of the new government. Prime Minister Balen is under scrutiny for bypassing Parliament. In the past, political leaders used to engage with the media and address Parliament regularly. However, the prime minister is consulting with ministers and lawmakers.

Conflict of interest: a key priority

For traditional political parties, conflict of interest was not a priority issue. However, for the Balen-led cabinet, it is a serious concern. Rastriya Swatantra Party Chairperson Rabi Lamichhane has issued a strong warning to ministers and lawmakers not to appoint their family members and relatives to government offices or their secretariats.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah removed Minister for Labor, Employment and Social Security, Deepak Kumar Sah, for misusing his office to appoint family members. The minister was sacked just 13 days into office. In the past, politicians and ministers faced criticism for appointing their relatives to government positions.

Recovering the economy: A herculean task

Economic recovery remains a key challenge for the Balen-led administration. The Asian Development Bank has projected that economic growth will slow significantly to 2.7 percent in fiscal year 2026, amid prolonged political uncertainty following civil unrest in early September and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

While a stable government could contribute to economic growth, the Middle East conflict poses risks through higher oil prices, reduced tourist arrivals, and potential disruptions in remittance flows. If the conflict continues, it could also affect fertilizer supplies, thereby impacting agricultural output.

According to the ADB, agricultural growth is projected to slow from 3.3 percent in 2025 to 2.7 percent in 2026, as paddy output is expected to decline by 4.2 percent due to delayed monsoon rains and the Oct 2025 floods. The conflict in the Middle East may also negatively affect the tourism industry, including the spring mountain season.

No major departure in foreign policy

The Balen administration has signaled that there will be no major shift in foreign policy. While addressing the 9th Indian Ocean Conference, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal stated that Nepal’s foreign policy remains firmly grounded in the UN Charter, the principles of Panchasheel, and non-alignment.

Two weeks after the formation of the government, Prime Minister Balen briefed the diplomatic community in Kathmandu about the administration’s priorities. The government has indicated that it will focus more on internal issues than foreign policy, emphasizing engagement with major powers primarily on economic terms. This approach may help Nepal avoid being drawn into great-power rivalries.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah has received an invitation from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a bilateral visit. Both sides have tentatively agreed to conduct the high-level visit after the necessary preparations.

The US has intercepted an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf as part of its naval blockade, Donald Trump has said, BBC reported. 

The US president wrote on his Truth Social platform that the Touska was seized by the US Navy after failing to respond to a warning to stop. Iran said it was a violation of the ceasefire and it would retaliate soon for the "act of armed piracy". 

The announcement came after the White House confirmed US Vice-President JD Vance would lead another delegation for a second round of talks on ending the war with Iran in Pakistan.