No Laughing Matter
August 2017
Nepal in the Throes of Indian GST
After years of exercise, India finally implemented the goods and services tax (GST) from July 1, this year. That too by amending its constitution in the middle of the night! Those who think that the . . . Read more »
July 2017
Who Says Nepal is not Progressing?
People say that most politicians, bureaucrats and cops take bribes in Nepal, and the rich sip imported beer while the poor don't have even enough bread to eat. When you ask them why this is you’re . . . Read more »
June 2017
Elections and Blessings
On a Tuesday before the recently held first phase local elections, the roads were choked with traffic jams everywhere in the valley. After an enquiry, it was revealed that the jams were caused by the . . . Read more »
May 2017
Well Then, Congratulations!
According to the World Happiness Report 2017, Nepalis' happiness has increased, compared to last year. The report says – Nepal has jumped from last year's 107th place to 99th place this year on the . . . Read more »
April 2017
Democracy Getting Stronger
There are some telltale signs that democracy in Nepal is getting stronger. Just a few weeks ago, for example, two political outfits showed their democratic behaviour near Saptari's Rajbiraj, and the . . . Read more »
March 2017
Top-Down Democracy
Some people have started trying to stir up a storm in a teacup, claiming that Nepal's democracy is in danger. Sounds quite alarming. But don't worry! Nepal's democracy is not in danger- it's just . . . Read more »
Feb 2017
While You Rule the Roost…
When the issue of who should be appointed the new chairman of the Insurance Board (IB) cropped up in a Cabinet meeting a few weeks ago, the Finance Minister took out a name-list from one of the . . . Read more »
Jan 2017
The Rudderless Boat of Federalism
Flames of the federalism debate are once again flaming high, reaching as far as Kailali in the far west, passing through Birgunj, Butwal and Surkhet. What began in Gaur and ended in Tikapur comes . . . Read more »
December 2016
Needed: Trump or Modi
It’s strange but true. The victory of Donald Trump in the recently-held US elections raised a big ruckus in Nepal. This could be perhaps because we Nepalis are more concerned about what happens in . . . Read more »
November 2016
Development from Destruction
The government had back in May declared that Nepal will achieve an economic growth rate of 6.5 per cent this year. Everyone said it was not possible. It would be great if the growth rate which was . . . Read more »
October 2016
The Mystery of Missing Files
Instead of losing a file or two, let’s lose all the files that exist in the country. Let’s forget all the old files. We will get nowhere by clinging to the past. This should be why even Gangamaya . . . Read more »
September 2016
Who says Nepalis are Poor?
Everybody says that Nepal is a poor country and Nepalis are poor people. Social scientists and development experts cite various data and statistics to prove that. The stories of Nepalis’ poverty . . . Read more »
August 2016
Parkinson’s Law and Nepal
Come mid-June and there is suddenly a dramatic upsurge in development activities in Nepal. The government becomes generous with its spending. Then the so-called intellectuals start protesting. Yes, . . . Read more »
July 2016
‘…Baburam’s Butterfly’
After abandoning Pranchandapath, Dr Baburam Bhattarai kept on mentioning a phrase –Naya Shakti (New Force). Those who were wondering as to what this ‘New Force’ was saw him launch a new . . . Read more »
June 2016
What a Proactive Government!
In Nepal, the government is becoming more and more active over the past few years. Needless to say, such proactiveness becomes more intense when there is a government of the leftists. Government . . . Read more »
May 2016
Happy New Year
First of all, may you get to drink as much whiskey, vodka and beer as you want throughout this year! Going by the advertisements seen these days in the Nepali newspapers and the bottles of various . . . Read more »
April 2016
In Favour of Agentocracy
Time is ever changing. And with the changing times, the economic models of countries have also been changing. There was a time when we saw Hitler’s nationalistic capitalism. Then came Stalin’s . . . Read more »
March 2016
The Secret Behind Rebuilding Dharahara
Rumour has it that Kathmandu’s name is going to change. The word Kathmandu was originally derived from Kasthamandap, a Hindu style temple in the city that was destroyed by last year’s earthquake. . . . Read more »
February 2016
The Best in Nepal
Nepal and Nepalis have been bagging “the best” titles, one after another, in recent times. Only a few months ago, Nepal’s name came under the global spotlight for writing “the world’s best . . . Read more »
January 2016
The Developing Development Dilemma
Some might think that nothing has happened in Nepal or that Nepalis have seen no progress. But, the reality is not like that. Nepalis have been continuously treading the path of progress. Like in the . . . Read more »
December 2015
Blockade Blues
Finally, the Nepalis have got something they were longing for over the past seven decades – a constitution written by their representatives. Similarly, they have got republicanism and federalism. . . . Read more »
November 2015
For a Self-reliant Nepali Economy
Like every dark cloud has a silver lining, India’s blockade against Nepal, too, has a bright side. It has several benefits. One of the several good things that it has brought about is the grand . . . Read more »
October 2015
Doing Things Differently
Whatever anyone may say, we Nepalis are unique and different from the rest of the world. We love to do things differently. Currently, we are even agitating to prove just this. We are doing what . . . Read more »
September 2015
My God,Eight Billion!
Nepali banks were doing alright. But the new governor had to start his job with a bang and so he did – a Big Bang. He announced: "Within the next two years, all banks are required to raise their . . . Read more »
August 2015
Mahat’s Munificence
It had to come and so it did, gladdening some and saddening others. Those who got something from it were happy. Those who didn’t were not. The budget for many remained a pie in the sky. . . . Read more »
July 2015
Thank You, Dear Earthquake!
For many years now, the wild seeds of discontent sown by the Europeans flourished in our country. The risk of communal tension raising its ugly head was increasing. But O Dear Earthquake, Exalted Thou Art that you suddenly eased the communal tensions, bringing all our different communities under the same . . . Read more »
June 2015
The Fight between Man and Nature
There is an unannounced war being waged by humankind against nature. In fact, the history of human civilization is the history of humans constantly triumphing over nature. But the bad part is that nature is not always tolerant. If she feels that enough is enough, she reacts with vengeance and we have natural calamities. . . . Read more »
May 2015
Zoo Model of Economy
Despite the efforts of seven decades to catch the bus of development, Nepal has not been able to do so. What may be the reasons? Before 1951, Nepal’s economy stood on a single leg only. As a result, the country’s development would limp on the Chandra Shumsher-path or Tribhuvan-path as and when the Palace so wished. . . . Read more »
April 2015
Corporate Conspiracy Inc.
Nepali audience has become quite used to, to hear about incessant political conspiracy that has thrived as a very lucrative industry here for last couple of decades now. It in fact undermines the inherent capacity of the corporate world to conspire at least at par to their political peers. . . . Read more »
March 2015
The Lunatic Identity
A way above from commons, Nepali leaders can in fact represent a classic inter-connectedness between love and madness. To the great amusement of Nepali people, the highest ranked leaders of the country exchange pleasantries claiming that every other leader has lost the balance of his mental frame. . . . Read more »
February 2015
Government’s Milking Tricks
Nepal Government knows well how to milk the people. Whenever it wants to extract more from them, it raises the price of the commodities like milk. As you may know, the milk pouches in Nepali market are not as easily available as do the liquor bottles. . . . Read more »
January 2015
Hundred Percent City-dwellers
Nepal indeed has become a developed country with more city- dwellers than village-dwellers. This miraculous transformation, virtually overnight, became possible by Nepal's original mantra of development innovated by the Panchayat regime decades ago. Bikasko mool futaune . . . Read more »
December 2014
Rule of Dogs
I have no intention of passing any derogatory remark on this faithful, trustworthy, friendly and beautiful animal called dog. With due apology to it, allow me to uncover some of present day Nepal's great eco-political mysteries with the help of this metaphor. . . . Read more »
November 2014
Fundamental Right to Corruption
It is a common understanding in Nepal that everyone in the country is corrupt. Be that bureaucrat or businessman, politician or physician, lawyer or lawmaker, academician or architect, judge or journalist, or any profession or person you name it, is corrupt on . . . Read more »
October 2014
Sexy Settings
What is most popular these days in Nepal? You may say, it is betting or netting and dating. You may be right to some extent, but I say the most practiced thing is the setting. Let’s look it into more . . . Read more »
Nepal in the Throes of Indian GST
By Madan Lamsal
