HELLO NEPAL

For many of our young generation, the attraction of foreign lands signifies a dream of opportunity—a chance to earn money for the livelihoods of their children and families back home. But for those seeking to travel on visit visas, the path has been so difficult with obstacles, corruption, and extortion. Beneath the surface lies a meticulously orchestrated scheme involving immigration officials, middlemen, and travel agencies, exploiting hopeful travelers under the guise of bureaucracy and ‘strict provisions.’ At the heart of the issue is a set of criteria introduced by the Ministry of Home Affairs, ostensibly to curb illegal migration. These provisions include requirements like proof of a high annual taxable income, prior travel history to Gulf countries, and English proficiency. Instead of ensuring legitimate travel, these measures have flourished a black market where travelers pay exorbitant fees—up to Rs. 300,000 for Europe-bound visit visas and Rs. 50,000 for other destination...

Nepal Electricity Authority in deep trouble While most of the state-owned enterprises are struggling to sustain themselves, there was positive news from the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). The state-owned power utility has maintained steady profit for eight consecutive years, significantly reducing leakage to 12.73%. It has stated that it limited electricity theft and technical losses to approximately 12.73 percent in the last fiscal years. However, barely eight years ago, the NEA faced a leakage rate of 25.78 percent. The success of NEA should serve lessons to all other state enterprises to ensure that they not only serve the people, but also stand as a commercially viable entity. The success of NEA is largely attributed to its Managing Director Kulman Ghising, who not only helped end the prolonged load-shedding crisis in the country, but also transformed NEA as an organization, paving the path to even start exporting Nepal’s surplus electricity to India and Bangladesh. One key l...

Nutritional values of walnuts The history of walnuts can be traced back to ancient Persia, where they were once meant for royalty Walnuts have been considered valuable throughout history, but why? Although walnuts are high in calories, they are also extremely nutritious with a variety of health benefits: 1. Heart health Walnuts are a great source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid that is important for reducing inflammation. In fact, it is the only nut significantly high in these omega-3 fatty acids. Their anti-inflammatory compounds may reduce the risk of heart disease. 2. Brain health Studies have shown that the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory polyphenols (compounds) found in walnuts may improve brain function and slow mental decline that occurs with aging. Cognitive functions include your memory and ability to think. 3. Gut health Bacteria and microbes in your intestines and gut are also essential to your health. Research shows walnuts can impr...