On September 26, China and Nepal issued a joint statement during Nepali Prime Minister (PM) Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda's visit to China, agreeing to pursue high-quality BRI cooperation. Both countries expressed a readiness to deepen practical cooperation in such fields as infrastructure connectivity, trade, tourism, production capacity and investment, and further deepen and solidify Belt and Road cooperation to deliver greater benefits to their peoples. Following the visit of Nepali PM to China, the Global Times reporter Chu Daye (GT) interviewed Chen Song (Chen), Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, discussing the recovery of bilateral trade and economic tie in the post-pandemic period and the highlights of next-stage cooperation.
By NEW SPOTLIGHT ONLINE Oct 05, 2023
Vahid Jahangiri has worked in the cookstove, energy, and water sectors for over 18 years. During this time, he has designed multiple sub-Saharan Africa and Haiti projects, including technologies and manufacturing set up in both rural and urban contexts. He has served as a key advisor and leader for various UN agencies, such as the World Food Program, in introducing innovative energy programs in different countries. Vahid Jahangiri co-authored numerous policy initiatives with local government agencies to develop national energy strategies. He also co-authored the State of the Humanitarian Energy Sector report. Since 2009, he has been implementing carbon programs for cook stoves. In 2023, Jahangiri joined Imperative Global Projects as the Head of Global Projects. He recently spoke to New Spotlight about the Improved Cooking Stoves Program in Nepal. Excerpts from a thirty-minute meeting at SPI-Nepal's office in Kathmandu regarding the current status of the Improved Cookstove Program:
By NEW SPOTLIGHT ONLINE Oct 05, 2023
Renowned for his expertise in representing corporate cases in both domestic and international courts, Senior Advocate Professor Dr. GANDHI PANDIT has firmly established himself as an esteemed legal practitioner in the country. After completing his legal education at Columbia University in the City of New York Professor Dr. Pandit presently serves as the head of Gandhi & Associates, a prestigious corporate law firm located in Nepal. He works closely with a proficient team of corporate and litigation lawyers, including his two accomplished sons Shikhar and Avash who are also law graduate from Cardiff University, UK. Pandit has notably achieved success in litigating on behalf of Nepalese parties in various countries, including Italy, China, and the United Kingdom. Furthermore, Senior Advocate Professor Dr. Gandhi actively engages himself in public interest debates beyond his courtroom advocacy. He played a pivotal role in a discussion that elucidated the essence and significance of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), contributing significantly to create the conducive environment that ultimately led to its ratification by the House of Representatives in 2021. As Nepal approaches its anticipated graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) status by 2026, Professor Dr. Gandhi spoke with NEW SPOTLIGHT about the crucial steps required to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Nepal.
By A Correspondent Sep 30, 2023
As the Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), Nepal's largest public utility, KUL MAN GHISING starts his day early in the morning. With the responsibility of providing electricity to over 98% of the population and managing 15,000 employees, CEO Ghising must remain vigilant and works until late evening. Any power outages lasting even an hour in any part of Nepal put him under immense pressure. Even members of Parliament call his resignation over electricity-related concerns. Although his schedule is tight, MD Ghising met with KESHAB POUDEL at his office to discuss various issues related to Nepal's transition to sustainable energy. Here are some excerpts from conversation:
By Keshab Poudel Sep 07, 2023
DINESH KUMAR GHIMIRE, Secretary, Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, has worked at the Ministry in various capacities for almost three decades. Secretary Ghimire also heads the Ministry of Energy as Nepal embarks on a clean and green energy transition in order to meet the country's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) of zero emissions by 20245. As COP 28 UAE approaches, the discussion of clean energy challenges is taking precedence. Secretary Ghimire, a soft-spoken man with vast understanding of Nepal's energy difficulties, spoke to KESHAB POUDEL about a variety of topics. Excerpts:
By Keshab Poudel Sep 03, 2023
With the low snow melting, Nepal’s largest 456 MW Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower’s generation has been severely affected this year. MOHAN PRASAD GAUTAM, Chief Executive Officer of Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Ltd, with extensive experience in working on hydropower projects, shared his insights on the challenges they are facing in an interview with NEW SPOTLIGHT at his office. Excerpts:
By A Correspondent Aug 04, 2023
BINAYAK SHAH, the President of the Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), is a well-known personality in the tourism industry with extensive experience. Having previously worked at the Nepal German Chamber of Commerce and the Nepal-Europe Chamber of Commerce, Shah brings a wealth of knowledge to his current role. He has also spearheaded the construction of Nepali pavilions at various international expos, further showcasing his expertise in the field. Currently, the hotel business sector in Nepal is gradually recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. Shah provided a New Spotlight with commentary on a range of current problems. Excerpts:
By NEW SPOTLIGHT ONLINE Jul 05, 2023
PASHUPATI SUMSHER RANA, a seasoned politician and a senior leader of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), is the oldest member of the current House of Representatives and has been involved in politics for more than five decades. Rana, who is well-versed in Nepali politics, has previously held the entire important cabinet portfolio. Rana, 82, discussed a variety of current political topics with KESHAB POUDEL, including the recent trip to India by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda. Excerpts:
By Keshab Poudel Jun 11, 2023
Ambassador of Japan to Nepal KIKUTA Yutaka is a carrier diplomat of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Experienced diplomat, Kikuta worked as part of Japanese missions in several countries including Thailand and the Netherlands. Prior to coming to Nepal, he also served as Japanese ambassador for Nigeria. He also served as the deputy chief of mission for Bhutan and India in 2015. New Spotlight reproduced his interview recently published in Look Nepal Magazine. Excerpts:
By NEW SPOTLIGHT ONLINE May 04, 2023
The coalition government led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal appears to be breaking apart in Nepal. On February 25th, a joint meeting of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party central executive committee and lawmakers decided to quit the coalition government and recall all the ministers from the Cabinet. Two days later, the CPN (UML) also withdrew from the government, leaving it without the majority in the House of Representatives it claimed two months ago. This raises the question of whether the government needs to prove its confidence in the House again. So far, Prime Minister Dahal has not made any comment on this matter. To shed light on the constitutional provisions, NEW SPOTLIGHT spoke with Kathmandu University constitutional law Professor Bipin Adhikari. The following are excerpts from the conversation.
By NEW SPOTLIGHT ONLINE Mar 04, 2023
MAHESHWAR DHAKAL, Ph.D., the Director General Of The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DoNPWC), has held a number of posts within the organization and previously oversaw the Climate Change Division. Recent advancements in wildlife conservation, particularly the expansion of tiger and rhino populations, are in part thanks to him. At the COP conferences, he oversaw the Nepalese delegation as well. During Dhakal's tenure as DG, Nepal gained a significant victory with the doubling of the tiger population. Despite its successes in protecting wildlife, Nepal faces a tremendous challenge in managing the growing human-wildlife conflicts. Dhakal and KESHAB POUDEL discussed a number of topics. Excerpts
By Keshab Poudel Feb 01, 2023
DINESH KUMAR GHIMIRE is an electrical engineer who has spent his entire career in the civil service working for various agencies under the Ministry of Energy, Irrigation and Water Resources in Nepal. Ghimire has held various policy-level positions and has participated in bilateral meetings to formulate energy policy. Recently, Nepal has been transitioning from fossil fuels to clean energy sources as part of its commitment to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and Nationally Determined Contributions. To aid in this transition, Ghimire is currently serving as the head of the energy ministry. At the UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) COP 27) in Cairo, Ghimire presented Nepal's energy transition policy and future strategy. Nepal is also exporting surplus hydroelectricity worth over Rs. 11 billion to India and promoting the use of electric cooking and electric vehicles to minimize the use of LPG and petroleum products, respectively. As Nepal is in a crucial phase of its energy transition, Ghimire is well-suited to lead the ministry. In a recent interview, Ghimire discussed various issues related to the energy transition, including the export of energy, expansion of transmission lines, and upgrading of distribution systems to increase domestic consumption. Excerpts:
By Keshab Poudel Jan 09, 2023
As soon as the election processes began Krishna Man Pradhan, General Secretary of General Election Observation Committee (GEOC), has changed his daily routine. Waking up at early 3, and going to sleep late at 11. As he has to interact and hold meetings during the day time, Pradhan completes all his work between 3-11. He also has to handle coordinating work. For almost the last two months, he has not slept well. Out of 44 registered observer groups, eight organizations are together. After observing the elections for the last three decades, Krishna Man Pradhan has already established himself as the most experienced elections observer in Nepal. Having been involved in all level of elections as a national observer from General Elections Observation Committee since 1991, Pradhan, executive director of Nepal Law Society and General Secretary of the General Elections Observation Committee, has also known ins and outs of the elections process. Along with observing the election, Pradhan, who has been established as a credible observer among different stakeholders including political parties, civil society organizations and donor partners, is also a good manager to manage many observers. As the elections are close to being complete, Pradhan is now compiling information to present an observation report to the Elections Commission and the public. He spoke to New Spotlight at his office on various issues related to the elections observations. Excerpts:
By A Correspondent Dec 11, 2022
Having been involved in all level elections as a national observer from General Elections Observation Committee (GEOC) held since 1991, Krishna Man Pradhan, executive director of Nepal Law Society and General Secretary of the General Elections Observation Committee, is now making programs and strategy to observe the elections. He spoke to New Spotlight following disseminating the report on the Pre-Elections Environment of Federal And Provincial Level Elations prepared by GEOC. Excerpts of a brief interview just a day before November 4.
By NEW SPOTLIGHT ONLINE Nov 19, 2022
As soon as she was appointed as a minister of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation 14 months ago, the first declaration of MinisterPAMPHA BHUSAL was to reduce the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), petroleum products encouraging electricity in kitchens and vehicles. She also announced to the provision of free electricity to poor and marginal people. With the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the prices of petroleum products went almost 100 percent higher, and her agenda of electric cooking and electric vehicles took pace. With a big surplus of electricity at hand, electric vehicles and electric cooking have received a high priority and Nepal has even started to export a huge volume of surplus electricity to India, which some Nepalis always describe as a myth and impossible agenda. Minister Bhusal, who has engineering, spoke to KESHAB POUDEL at her residence in Minister Quarter on the issue of energy transition in Nepal. Excerpts of the interview:
By Keshab Poudel Sep 03, 2022
Having been involved in the Dalit moments, DEVRAJ BISHWOKARMA, chairperson of the National Dalit Commission, has his own way to work to uplift the life and Dalits and end all kinds of discrimination against them. Chairperson Bishwokarma, a young and dynamic, talked to KESHAB POUDEL about various activities and the role of the National Dalit Commission. Excerpts:
By Keshab Poudel Aug 28, 2022
At a time when there are growing complains on the apathy of Tharu Commission in dealing with Tharu related issues, Chairman of Tharu Commission Bishnu Prasad Chaudhari spoke to Keshab Poudel on various issues related to Tharu commission and its accountability issues. Excerpts:
By Keshab Poudel May 30, 2022