The parents of the deceased students are in mourning, and Bipin Joshi's family is appealing to human rights organizations for his release. Yet, none of these leaders have offered any words of support or solidarity.
By Keshab Poudel Dec 11, 2024
Following a thorough inspection of the reconstruction efforts at the site, Kul Man Ghising, Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority, convened an intensive meeting with Mohan Prasad Gautam, CEO of Upper Tamakoshi, along with the Board of Directors, officials, consultants, and contractors. He has provided clear directives to ensure the resumption of power generation from Upper Tamakoshi by December 25.
By Keshab Poudel Dec 09, 2024
Supported by the Asian Development Bank and executed by Sana Kisan Bikas Laghubitta Bittiyasanstha Ltd. (SKBBL) in collaboration with Small Farmer Agriculture Cooperatives (SKFL), the Rural Enterprises Financing Project (REFP) is a $50 million intermediary loan initiative also facilitating the reintegration of returnee migrants into society and promoting agribusiness ventures and productivity
By Keshab Poudel Dec 02, 2024
ELBERT KRASNIQUI, the Minister of Local Government and Administration for the Republic of Kosovo, is presently in Kathmandu at the helm of a delegation aimed at exchanging insights and gaining knowledge about local governance while engaging with community leaders. Despite being a small Balkan nation with a population of 1.7 million, Kosovo has made significant advancements in local governance since achieving independence in 2008. During his visit, Minister Krasniqui took a moment from his demanding schedule to express his views on Nepal and Kosovo in a podcast hosted by Helvetas Nepal, featuring Dr. Prabin Manandhar, the Country Director of Helvetas Nepal. The following are excerpts from their discussion, compiled by Keshab Poudel:
By Keshab Poudel Nov 29, 2024
The Rural Enterprise Financing Project (REFP), funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), has illustrated how access to financial resources and capacity-building initiatives for local cooperatives and women managers can empower impoverished and marginalized women farmers, facilitating their transition from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture in remote regions of Nepal
By Keshab Poudel Nov 28, 2024
After many years of endeavor, Nepal has commenced the export of 40 MW of electricity to Bangladesh via the transmission line from India. This development follows a tripartite agreement involving Nepal, Bangladesh, and India. Although the electricity export lasted for only one day, it marks a significant historical achievement for Nepal. Under the leadership of Kulman Ghising, who has served as the Managing Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) for just over seven years, this export to Bangladesh represents yet another notable milestone.
By Keshab Poudel Nov 21, 2024
Funded by the European Union as part of the Switch Asia Program, the Building Energy Efficiency in Nepal (BEEN) had held an event to honor 12 municipalities for their contributions. These municipalities were acknowledged for their efforts in creating bylaws and policies that facilitate the development of energy-efficient buildings.
By Keshab Poudel Oct 22, 2024
Although envoys frequently rotate, certain diplomats leave an indelible mark on their host countries. Ambassador Kikuta Yutaka of Japan, who began his tenure in Nepal in March 2021 during the height of the COVID-19 crisis, made substantial contributions to help Nepal address the challenges posed by the pandemic. He also worked tirelessly to strengthen the ties of friendship between the citizens and governments of both nations.
By Keshab Poudel Sep 25, 2024
The political landscape in Nepal is currently marked by intense rivalry, particularly between the CPN-UML leader KP Sharma Oli and Maoist Center leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, who was ousted from power in a sudden manner. Prachanda is now pursuing a strategy aimed at political retribution. In response, Prime Minister Oli and the CPN-UML have adopted a more aggressive stance, accusing Prachanda of engaging in corrupt practices. This visible conflict between the two dominant communist factions is likely to lead Nepal's political environment into a state of uncertainty. Prachanda has issued warnings regarding the potential for political unrest reminiscent of the turmoil seen in Bangladesh.
By Keshab Poudel Sep 13, 2024
Amidst the economic downturn, rising unemployment, and the migration of youth to other countries, Nepal is in dire need of support and goodwill from India. Nevertheless, the coalition government under Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is focusing on emotionally charged matters such as the issuance of new currency featuring a disputed map and the EPG report, both of which are contentious topics, as a supposed solution to the nation’s challenges. Nepal must engage in comprehensive negotiations to identify amicable resolutions for all unresolved matters. To achieve this, a conducive environment is essential. While Prime Minister Oli's recent actions may appear to be nationalist, they are likely to yield counterproductive outcomes by hindering negotiations with India.By
By Keshab Poudel Sep 11, 2024
Faced with the challenge of managing approximately 1100 MW of surplus electricity and mitigating potential losses during a five-month interim period, Kul Man Ghising, Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), expressed relief following India's approval to import electricity from Nepal at a rate of Rs 8.72 per unit. Indian Foreign Secretary Dr. S. Jaishankar described the agreement to export 1000 MW of electricity to India as a significant achievement.
By Keshab Poudel Aug 27, 2024
Through skillful management and careful articulation of the prevailing issues between Nepal and India, Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba successfully completed her inaugural mid-term official visit to India, a close neighbor of Nepal. This visit was particularly timely, coinciding with significant unrest in Bangladesh that led to the ousting of a secular prime minister, alongside rising mob violence against minority Hindus and temples, which posed security concerns for both Nepal and India and raised the potential for a large-scale refugee crisis. India's decision to permit the export of 251 MW of electricity from Nepal reflects a positive gesture in response to Dr. Rana's visit.
By Keshab Poudel Aug 25, 2024
For seven years, Kul Man Ghising has served as the Managing Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), during which he has significantly revitalized Nepal's electricity sector, ensuring that electricity is both affordable and reliable. Under his leadership, the NEA has successfully eliminated long-standing load shedding issues and has made substantial advancements in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity across the nation over the past eight years. One of his most notable accomplishments is transforming Nepal from a net importer of electricity to a net exporter, achieving an annual profit of Rs. 12 billion. Despite facing provocations, character attacks, and pressures from both known and unknown adversaries, MD Ghising has consistently demonstrated composure and professionalism. In a recent press conference attended by 300 journalists and broadcast live with over 200 cameras, he exemplified humility and respect, expressing gratitude to Prime Ministers, Ministers, senior officials, and his entire NEA team for their collective achievements. As the NEA commemorates its 39th anniversary on August 17, MD Ghising, who has turned a loss of Rs. 34.61 billion into a cumulative profit of Rs. 47.41 billion last year, continues to embody the qualities of a distinguished leader in a challenging environment
By Keshab Poudel Aug 17, 2024
Felicity Volk, the Australian ambassador to Nepal, commenced her tenure three years ago with little known person. Through her gentle demeanor, sociable character, and community-focused initiatives, Ambassador Volk has effectively demonstrated the significance of Australian support for Nepal, thereby earning the admiration and trust of the Nepali people.
By Keshab Poudel Aug 11, 2024
Helvetas-Nepal's Riverbed Farming Project (RbF) has shown that involving various stakeholders including local level and provincial level governments in a partnership significantly enhances the project's sustainability.
By Keshab Poudel Aug 07, 2024
Nepal has successfully transitioned from being a net importer of electricity to a net exporter, with a value of Rs. 17 billion. Kul Man Ghising, the Managing Director of Nepal Electricity NEA has effectively dispelled the long-standing narrative that exporting electricity to India was merely a myth.
By Keshab Poudel Jul 29, 2024
With extensive experience in the hotel and tourism industry, BINAYAK SHAH, President of Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), possesses in-depth knowledge of Nepal's tourism sector. While industrialists and bankers celebrate the announcement of monetary policy 2081, the tourism sector expresses disappointment and frustration. Shah discussed various issues concerning the tourism sector and the newly released monetary policy with KESHAB POUDEL. Here are the highlights of their conversation
By Keshab Poudel Jul 29, 2024
The introduction of riverbed farming (RBF) in eastern Nepal has not only brought financial stability, but also significantly reduced the number of people seeking work abroad in Jhapa and Morang districts of Koshi province.
By Keshab Poudel Jul 26, 2024
Renowned for his populist rhetoric, K.P. Sharma Oli, the leader of the Communist Party of Nepal - United Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), is embarking on his fourth term as prime minister, leading a cabinet of 21 members from a coalition of four political parties. Positioned between the two major regional powers of Asia, India and China, Oli faces a challenging task in navigating the diplomatic relations with his neighboring countries. Similarly, he is confronted with a complex situation in managing the Nepali Congress, his competitive party and coalition partner, which presents a daunting and intricate situation. His initial visible challenge is to establish trust with India, particularly its southern neighbor, and with the Nepali Congress, his new ally and longstanding rival. Regardless of political claims, the countdown to the start of this government has already begun, as all previous governments in Nepal have.
By Keshab Poudel Jul 21, 2024