It is highly concerning to learn that Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has stopped Foreign Minister Bimala Rai Paudyal from attending the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) meeting in Geneva, and has instead sent his advisor Gobinda Bandi, whose appointment was not publicized before, to represent Nepal in the international forum. This move raises serious questions about the government's commitment to human rights and the rule of law. This also shows how our diplomacy is heavily politicized in Nepal.

The full text of the Special Court’s verdict on the case filed by the CIAA claiming corruption and financial irregularities leading to substandard work in the Sikta Irrigation Project is bizarre, incredibly disappointing, and appears to be a gross miscarriage of justice. In what can only be described as a shocking turn of events, the court has deemed the dissoluble soil in the project area responsible for the failure of the project!

Only by moving away from the glorification of violence can Nepal build a peaceful and prosperous future for all its citizens. The prime minister's current actions suggest that his priorities are misplaced.

Despite the political parties coming to a consensus on their respective presidential candidates and registering their candidacies, there is a palpable lack of enthusiasm and interest surrounding these candidates. They have failed to inspire a sense of hope or excitement in the people, and their names are not associated with any particular sense of love or respect beyond their immediate party factions.

Friday marks the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a tragic event that has had a profound impact not just on Ukraine and its people but also on the international community. As a nation that believes in the rule-based international order, Nepal has consistently stood against any form of aggression towards sovereign countries.

The popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) in Nepal has been on the rise and the country’s efforts to transition toward EVs are becoming increasingly visible. According to the Department of Customs, a total of 1,807 EVs were imported in the country in the last fiscal year 2021/22, which is a significant increase from a mere 249 units in the previous year 2020/21.

Dr Sanduk Ruit has brought immense pride and recognition to Nepal through his exceptional work in providing cost-effective cataract surgery to millions of people worldwide. The Isa Award for Services to Humanity that he has been honored with amidst a royal event in Bahrain on Tuesday is a testament to his dedication, hard work, and compassion towards the poor and underprivileged.

The decision by the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to discontinue financial subsidies to Nepali farmers is a catastrophic mistake that will undoubtedly further cripple the country's agricultural production. Despite the government's allocation of Rs 8.5 billion for agricultural self-sufficiency programs, the MoF has withheld Rs 8.457 billion of this amount, leaving Nepali farmers to bear the brunt of its imprudence.

Energy is a critical resource necessary for a country's economic development. Despite this, many nations struggle to generate enough energy to meet their economic goals. Nepal, on the other hand, faces a unique challenge: although it produces abundant green energy in the form of hydroelectricity, at least in the wet season, it struggles with its proper utilization.

As the second peak season in the tourism sector kicks off, entrepreneurs in the Pokhara region of Nepal are feeling discouraged by lower-than-expected bookings. According to them, this year the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the pace of tourist arrivals, resulting in weaker numbers compared to previous years. The advance bookings for hotels in the area are currently less than 50 percent, which is much lower than the 70 percent that is typical at this time of year. The current occupancy rate of hotels in Pokhara is only 20 percent, which is much lower than the typical rate of 50 percent. The slow pace of advance bookings has been ongoing since the pandemic began, and it is causing concern among tourism entrepreneurs.