Border towns are places where political and cultural geographies are stretched to their limits. They are known for their roughness and raw energy and marred by informal trade and rampant corruption. Having an open border with India, many Nepali cities are considered to be border towns. Among them, three of the most important border towns…
Travel is a great teacher. Encountering new landscapes, people and cultures introduces one to the variety life offers and broadens one’s perspective. On a recent field trip to Sudur Paschim aimed at identifying champions for freshwater policy change and conservation of aquatic biodiversity in the Karnali, Mahakali, and West Rapti river basins, we made Bajhang…
A recent visit to Middle Rapti gave me a different perspective on socio-economic development. It provided an interesting observation on the virtual presence of the government and the consequences of haphazard urbanization. Often, we argue that the construction of infrastructure (especially road infrastructure) is necessary for the development of economies. While there is no denying…
I am always excited at the prospect of traveling to new places. Doing so allows me to transcend the day-to-day and traverse unfamiliar paths. Discovering new places and experiencing new cultures allows me to widen my cultural competence and expand my worldview. As such, I am always on the lookout for my next great adventure…
Growing up in a missionary school in Darjeeling during the 90s provided me with many opportunities to explore different genres of music ranging from Christian gospels to head-banging heavy metal. My school days usually began with the singing of gospel songs, transitioning to the likes of The Beatles, Cat Stevens, John Denver during music classes…
When most Nepalis think of Myanmar, they think of Buddhism, Aung San Suu Kyi and the Rohingya crisis. Very few are aware that there is a sizeable population of Nepali-speaking Burmese living in Myanmar. I had met a few Nepali Burmese in Thailand when I travelled there in 2012, but remained largely ignorant of their…
When I quit my job as Group President of Tara Management and Bhote Koshi Power Company after spending twenty years with the group, I did so to follow my inner call—to establish a management consulting and financial advisory firm that would extend its operations beyond Nepal. The firm was envisioned as a platform that would…
One of the fastest growing economies in East Africa, Rwanda sustained high GDP growth of around 8% per year between 2001 and 2013. When I first visited the country in 2013, I was impressed by its fresh out of school attitude with its high aspirations, ambitions and risk-taking nature. Rwanda was geared to conquer the…