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Recent demolitions of informal settlements across the Kathmandu Valley have left hundreds of families in uncertainty, raising serious questions about the government’s preparedness to handle the aftermath of such large-scale actions.

Led by Kathmandu Metropolitan City in coordination with national security forces, the operation cleared settlements in Manohara, Shantinagar, Thapathali, and Jadibuti. According to official data, 773 families were evicted from the Manohara area in Bhaktapur, 638 families from Shantinagar along the Bagmati River (476 on one side and 162 on the other), 143 families from Thapathali, and 114 families from the Milan Chok area in Jadibuti.

Residents from Manohara opposed the demolition, leading to clashes on April 25 when a police team and media personnel came under attack. Twenty-two security personnel were injured in the incident.

On April 26, authorities escalated the operation, deploying around 2,000 personnel from the Armed Police Force, Nepal Police, and Metropolitan Police, who then entered the settlement and began demolitions.

The settlements flooded every rainy season, and many have acknowledged that this risk has now been removed. But the question remains: was the aftermath of this decision adequately considered?

While the move has been framed as necessary for environmental restoration and city planning, the situation on the ground tells a more complex story. Many residents left homes where they had lived for years, often with little time to prepare. Scenes of families salvaging belongings in the rain, children clutching school materials, and elderly residents struggling in unfamiliar surroundings highlighted the immediate human cost.

Temporary shelters have been arranged in ashrams, training centers, and hotels, but concerns remain about their adequacy. For many, relocation has also meant the loss of livelihoods, as proximity to the city center has provided access to informal work.

The metropolis has arranged free food, shelter, and basic medical services for those who registered. Officials state that mental health support teams, including psychotherapists, have been deployed to address trauma—particularly among children and the elderly.

While the government’s effort to clear unplanned settlements has been acknowledged, critics say the execution lacked comprehensive planning. Housing alone, they argue, does not address the broader needs of displaced families. The apartment complexes built in Nagarjuna during former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai’s tenure were intended as solutions, but fall short of ensuring livelihoods, healthcare access, education, and social stability.

The impact has extended beyond housing. Education has been disrupted for many students, including those preparing for examinations, while teachers face uncertainty about their jobs after schools within the settlements were demolished.

Saraswati Basic School in Manohara, located in Madhyapur Thimi Municipality-1, was demolished on Monday morning, leaving around 280 students without a learning space. The school, which provided education up to grade 8, served both local residents and children from squatter families, who made up roughly half the student population. The futures of its 15 teachers and one office assistant now remain uncertain.

Vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, children, and the elderly, are among those struggling most in temporary arrangements. Beyond human displacement, concerns have also been raised about animals. In a statement shared on social media, Animal Nepal highlighted that forced evictions leave behind “invisible victims,” including pets and strays that are often injured, displaced, or abandoned during demolitions. Groups such as Sneha Care and Community Animal Treatment have been actively involved in feeding, rescuing, and providing medical care to affected animals, addressing a largely overlooked consequence of the eviction drive.

Ranju Darshana, a House of Representatives member from Kathmandu, said that genuine squatters were left in confusion and fear due to short notice and unclear information during the Thapathali settlement removal. She apologized for the panic caused, stressing that affected residents should be given proper options and not treated as a political vote bank.

At the Radhaswami Satsang site in Sundarighat alone, around 161 individuals were being housed as of Wednesday. Authorities say health workers are available around the clock, with special attention given to vulnerable groups.

“The services here are very good. The team has been taking care of us very well,” said an elderly woman at the shelter. “They have provided mosquito nets and are trying to make us feel at home, although the pain of leaving our place still remains.” “We have been providing mental health support services to the displaced families,” said a member of the Council Department of Psychology at Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur. “They appeared more severely affected on the first day but are gradually beginning to adjust. Our team is conducting a needs assessment, with particular focus on pregnant women, children, and elderly individuals.” As of Wednesday, the team had already worked with 43 families.

“The Nepal Electricity Authority is working to restore lighting in the area, and tents were provided from Tuesday,” said a municipal worker. “Food distribution has also improved. On the first day, people were given packed meals, but now we have shifted to a buffet system where they can serve themselves and take as much as they need. We are also trying to meet specific needs—infants are provided lito, elderly people receive appropriate food, and pregnant women are given suitable nutrition.”

A police officer at the Satsang site said, “We have been instructed that journalists will not be allowed to enter on Thursday, as per directions from the Prime Minister’s Office, and our focus is currently on maintaining security.” He noted that the number of families is likely to increase in the coming days, and that arrangements are being made to shift pregnant women and elderly individuals to hotels where they can receive better services.

The demolitions have also exposed deeper structural issues. While authorities acknowledge the presence of  “fake squatters” occupying valuable land, many genuine landless families remain without clear alternatives. Critics argue that while the removal of settlements may have been inevitable, the lack of clear communication, phased planning, and sustainable rehabilitation measures has led to confusion, fear, and resentment among affected communities.

In Hotel Smarika, Mitranagar, 35 individuals from Thapathali and Shantinagar are currently staying. Naramaya Pariyar, 71, had been living in Shantinagar since 2058 BS with her family. She was unaware that her settlement would be demolished that day and was not informed in time. She remains hopeful that the government will make arrangements for them soon. Her granddaughter is staying at a friend’s house and continuing her studies, while her son has been unable to go to work since the relocation.

“The officers who brought us here have assured us that we will be relocated as soon as possible, and that arrangements are being made for our settlement,” she said. According to her, the hotel staff have been treating them well, regularly checking on their needs and allowing them to share their concerns.

Hotel Smarika’s owner, Tarak Sharma Pantha, said he was grateful to host them, noting that officials visit regularly for monitoring and have provided documents for daily movement and registration. He expressed dissatisfaction, however, with the use of the term “vulnerable” in the registration papers.

Pantha said he was informed about their transfer only a day in advance. While he acknowledged that the relocation was eventually expected, he stressed that the government should have ensured proper pre-planning, including arrangements for settlement, food, and consideration of the difficulties residents might face.

Nir Kumar Puri, 53, had been living in the Thapathali settlement for nine years with his family. His wife is currently staying at her parental home, his daughter is married, and his son is staying at a friend's house. He said he has no belongings with him except the clothes he is wearing, and that they were informed about the situation only a day before, leaving them wholly unprepared.

He said he wishes to be provided with proper settlement for his family and noted that, being physically able, he can continue working and earning on his own. But the loss of his home has left him deeply shaken.

“Because of this, we are facing mental problems. My roommate, a young boy, is also suffering. He does not speak much or leave the room often. The police have been supporting us throughout this phase. One person fell sick on Tuesday and was immediately taken to the hospital and brought back by them.”

He added that the situation is especially serious given that elderly people, persons with disabilities, infants, and pregnant women are among those affected, and expressed hope that until a permanent location is arranged, they will be cared for with attention and dignity.

The Kathmandu Valley’s situation is not without international parallel. Dharavi—one of Mumbai’s largest informal settlements, home to nearly a million people—illustrates both the importance and complexity of such communities. While slums often face poor housing, sanitation, and flooding risks, they also support strong local economies and tightly knit communities. Residents of Dharavi run significant informal industries in recycling, tailoring, and pottery. Yet redevelopment plans have raised concerns about displacement and inadequate consultation—reflecting a global tension in which efforts to “improve” slums can threaten the very communities they are meant to help.

Similarly, in Delhi, the demolition of Madrasi Camp—home to around 370 Tamil migrant families who had lived there for decades—was carried out following a court order declaring it an encroachment. Residents were left homeless with limited notice and inadequate rehabilitation. Across Delhi, thousands of slum dwellings have been removed in recent years, often relocating the urban poor far from their workplaces and excluding many through strict eligibility criteria.

In Nepal, the actions taken under Prime Minister Balen Shah reflect attempts to address unmanaged settlements and urban risks. While such steps are often seen as bold and necessary, they equally underscore the importance of careful planning, proper consultation, and humane resettlement to ensure that development does not come at the cost of the communities it claims to serve.

There is a quiet kind of magic that begins long before food reaches the table. It doesn’t start with fire or ingredients. It starts with feeling. A true chef doesn’t simply follow recipes or measure spices. They cook with memory, emotion, and something deeply human that cannot be taught in culinary schools. They mix their soul into every bite, turning ordinary meals into unforgettable experiences.

In today’s fast moving world, food is often treated as a necessity rather than a moment to cherish. People eat quickly, distracted by screens, schedules, and stress. But behind the kitchen doors, there are still chefs who believe that cooking is more than survival. For them, it is a way of speaking without words. It is how they share love, pain, joy, and longing through flavors and aromas.

A dish made by such a chef carries something invisible yet powerful. You may not see it, but you feel it. It is in the warmth of a perfectly cooked meal, in the balance of spices, in the care with which the plate is presented. It is the reason why some food makes you pause, close your eyes, and simply exist in that moment. That is not just taste. That is emotion.

Every true chef has a story. Some grew up watching their parents cook in small kitchens filled with laughter and noise. Others discovered cooking as a way to escape loneliness or hardship. For many, the kitchen became a safe space, a place where they could create something beautiful even when life outside felt chaotic. These experiences shape how they cook. They are not just preparing food. They are expressing who they are.

When a chef cooks with soul, they think about the person who will eat their dish. They imagine their mood, their hunger, their expectations. They try to create something that comforts, excites, or surprises. This connection between chef and guest is silent but powerful. It turns a simple meal into a shared human experience.

The journey of a chef is not easy. It is filled with long hours, physical exhaustion, and constant pressure. Kitchens are hot, fast paced, and demanding. Mistakes are not easily forgiven, and perfection is always expected. Yet true chefs stay committed. They continue to show up every day, not because it is easy, but because it is meaningful.

There are nights when the kitchen finally becomes quiet. The last dish has been served, the last guest has left, and the noise fades into silence. In those moments, a chef does not think about money or fame. They think about the people they served. Did someone smile today because of their food? Did their dish bring comfort to someone who needed it? Did it create a memory that will last beyond that moment.

For a true chef, those answers matter more than anything else.

Cooking with soul requires vulnerability. It means putting a part of yourself into something that others will judge. Not every dish will be perfect. Not every guest will understand the effort behind it. But true chefs accept this risk because authenticity matters more than approval. They are not trying to impress everyone. They are trying to be real.

Food has the power to connect people in ways that words cannot. It can remind someone of home, of childhood, of a person they miss. It can turn strangers into friends and moments into memories. A chef who understands this does not take their role lightly. They know that what they create can affect someone’s day, or even their life, in small but meaningful ways.

Even the simplest dishes can carry deep emotion. A bowl of soup, a plate of rice, or a piece of bread can become extraordinary when prepared with care. It is not about complexity or luxury. It is about intention. It is about the thought and feeling behind every step of the process.

In many ways, the kitchen becomes a place of healing. For some chefs, cooking is a way to deal with stress, loss, or loneliness. The rhythm of chopping, the aroma of spices, the sound of sizzling pans create a sense of comfort. Through cooking, they transform their own emotions into something others can feel and enjoy.

This is why certain meals stay with you long after they are finished. You may forget the exact ingredients, but you remember how it made you feel. You remember the warmth, the satisfaction, the sense of being cared for. That is the mark of a chef who cooks with soul.

In a world where speed and convenience often take priority, the art of soulful cooking stands out more than ever. People are not just hungry for food. They are hungry for connection, for authenticity, for something that feels real. A true chef understands this need and responds to it in the only way they know how, through their cooking.

They remind us to slow down and appreciate the moment. To taste our food instead of rushing through it. To recognize the effort behind every meal. They bring us back to something simple and human that is often forgotten.

The next time you sit down to eat, take a moment to truly look at your food. Think about the hands that prepared it. Think about the time, effort, and emotion that went into creating it. And when you take your first bite, pay attention not just to the flavor, but to the feeling it gives you.

If it makes you feel comfort, joy, or even a quiet sense of peace, then you are experiencing something special. You are tasting more than just food.

You are tasting someone’s soul.

Because a true chef does not just cook. They create, they feel, and they give a part of themselves in every dish they serve.

Nepal government, acting through the Department of Foreign Employment in the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security, has decided to resume the issuance of labor approval for several major destination countries within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and other West Asian states such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman.

In terms of Human Resource Management (HRM) and international labor migration dynamics, this represents an important restoration of the international labor pipeline between Nepal, as a labor-exporting nation, and the GCC, as a labor-importing region. This decision signifies a resumption of normalcy in the overseas labor recruitment process.

The suspension of labor permits disrupted not only the labor migration process to other countries but also the overall ecosystem of foreign employment services. The pause in the issuance of such documents stopped the chain of recruitment processes, from verifying the demand, recruiting the candidates, selecting suitable individuals, sending them to host countries, and processing onboarding in their countries.

This disruption has had two-fold consequences for employment:

• Internationally speaking, many Nepalis looking forward to becoming migrant labor have been deprived of their chances, and thus the opportunity to improve their income status.
• Domestically speaking, the suspension of issuing such documents has practically paralysed the business operations of the country’s recruitment agencies. There are over 1,000 recruitment agencies functioning as intermediaries for international labor hiring; hence, such measures affected their business activities and incomes. This meant that the people working for these organisations (such as HR specialists and others) could not perform their regular duties.

As such, the suspension not only affected foreign employment but also caused a reduction in domestic employment associated with the migration industry, thereby demonstrating its multiplier effect on Nepal’s labor force.

The approval of labor flows will enable Nepal to resume its place in the global workforce supply chain. From the perspective of Nepali nationals, this means an ability to gain entry into the global market and benefit from regulated international employment, especially in labor-intensive industries like construction, hospitality, manufacturing, facilities management, and domestic service.

On the part of the host economy, the availability of manpower will enable the employer in GCC to plan his operations according to manpower needs and production schedules, which will help in avoiding labor shortage and maintaining efficiency in business operations.

As far as Human Resource Management is concerned, this step would ensure a balance between supply and demand for labor in Nepal and GCC economies.

Foreign employment is an important aspect of Nepal’s macroeconomic policy regime. Remittances are a major component of the nation’s GDP and are one of the largest sources of foreign currency earnings. The suspension of the system created disruptions in the economic cycle, since migration and remittances have been delayed. This had impacts at the household level in terms of lowering disposable incomes, restricting consumption, and increasing the level of economic vulnerability for families residing in rural and remittance-oriented areas.

Now that the labor permits have resumed, the remittance flow should start returning to normal levels, thus stabilising household incomes and fostering domestic consumption. Furthermore, the resumption of activities of the recruitment agencies creates economic activity through various commissions and taxes as well as job creation.

With regard to the resumption of mobility, there is a need for governance of the overseas recruitment process. A regulated system of migration is needed to address the issue of unregulated recruitment that poses threats such as overpricing, contract switching, and informal recruitment.

Since recruitment agencies are key intermediaries in human resource management, there is a need to observe ethical standards such as transparency in pricing, employment contracts, and bilateral labor agreements. There is also a need to strengthen pre-departure orientation and skills assessment programs.

Nepal’s GCC economies have always relied on expatriate workers to ensure development and economic diversification. Nepali nationals, with their flexibility and dedication, continue to be a popular choice in various industries. With the relaxation of the ban, GCC-based companies can again have access to a steady supply of talent, allowing them to fulfil their manpower needs with ease. This move will further strengthen the established labor ties between Nepal and GCC economies.

Role of institutions and coordination among stakeholders

The activation of the sector of foreign employment involves the following:

• The government institutions should work toward providing stability, efficiency, and supervision of policies.
• The recruitment agencies should be responsible for their actions, ensuring professionalism and financial soundness.
• The training institutions should focus their programs on meeting international labor market needs.
• The employers in the destination countries should respect workers’ rights and provide a safe working environment.
• Coordination among the above stakeholders will help in developing a strong migration regime.

Toward a sustainable and skill-based approach for migration

In addition, there is another positive move toward shifting away from a quantitative approach to migration toward a more sustainable skill-based approach to migration. This will enable Nepali workers to develop their skills through technical and language learning programs in order to improve their competitiveness at work. From an HRM standpoint, it is important to note that this strategy reflects the changing world trend in which talent mobility becomes a priority. The cancellation of the suspension on labor permits is a fresh start for the international recruitment sector in Nepal. It restores the functioning of the international recruitment market, opens up opportunities for migrant workers and recruitment firms who had their activities hampered due to the suspension.

Most significantly, this policy decision recognises that foreign employment is not a standalone activity but a complete economic system involving the workers, their family members, recruitment agencies, and employers globally. The previous suspension had affected various components of the economic system involving labor migration and employment in the recruitment industry. It is essential to pay attention to the improvement of the management, increase ethical recruitment policies, and train Nepali workers to be more successful in the foreign job market. Taking an all-round perspective will allow Nepal to optimise the benefits associated with migration and support its population. Overall, this policy decision marks a new chapter in foreign labor migration and the operation of the Nepali recruitment industry.

The Development, Economic Affairs and Good Governance Committee under the National Assembly has urged the government to immediately address the problems related to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene in Madhes Province.

At a discussion the committee held on its report on Thursday, its members expressed worry over growing crises of drinking water compounded with poor sanitation and coordination in a short supply. 

Committee member Kamala Panth said the government failed to pay heed in time, resulting in entrenched problems of drinking water and sanitation in southern plains.

"Deep borings are not functioning well for lack of depleting water table, and projects on drinking water are pending for long, thereby posing serious concern for Madhesi people.

Another member Rekha Kumari Jha viewed plans and programs should be forwarded by realizing the plights of the people in Madhes Province.

Wiping out legal hurdles is essential to establish smooth coordination among three layers of government. 

So, public awareness programs should also be launched together, according to Samjhana Devkota.

It was Sabitri Malla underscoring the effectiveness of 'open-defecation free' status in Madhes, to which the forthcoming federal budget could pay attention.

Other members noted the urgency of conducting scientific study on Chure deforestation and depletion of water table, and ending the trend of not enforcing policy and programs.