USAID – a major donor in agriculture in Nepal – operates a programme on a wholly different level than the limited organic sector. 25 percent of the vegetables on the urban market in Nepal are imported from abroad, mainly from India, and to achieve greater self-sufficiency, USAID advocates, it is crucial to improve the “value […]
It is estimated that nearly 1600 tons of hybrid seeds are imported to Nepal every year. That’s a sizeable dependency on foreign seed suppliers! So, USAID – in its support for the use of hybrid seeds in the country – has started to promote local hybrid seed production. Watch the video opposite to learn the […]
New to the local politics theme – to local government, local parties, and all the stuff that goes on in and around them? Check out our “Crash Course on Local Politics in Nepal”. It’s based on several years of research and field observations of local politicians in action – surrounded as they are with everything […]
Federalism has been on everybody’s lips for seven-eight years. A federal state structure – based on ethnicity – was indeed a popular idea back in 2008. But what about now? Well, ask the Kathmandu-based Interdisciplinary Analysts (IA), and they’ll say it’s all changed. Merely 26 percent of the population are in favour of federalism; and […]
The prayers at the Chaath festival are full of concentration and spiritual presence. Visit rivers in the Terai in October/November – or more precisely, from the 6th day of the month of Kartik – and you’ll immediately see and feel the ambience. After a short period of fasting and traditional rituals, Hindus travel to their river of worship, just like their forefathers have done for millenia, devoting themselves to full days of prayer. Indeed, no-one knows for sure how long back the Chaath festival goes, but many date it to pre-Vedic ages. Originating in the Janakpur area, it is a tradition of worshipping the Sun – the giver of all life – thanking for health and prosperity and praying for fortune and happiness in the year to come. It’s prayers of deep meaning. Watch it above (click the image).
It has not really mattered who formed the government, or who was prime minister. Since 2002, when local elections were first due – five years after the 1997 election for the country’s DDCs, VDCs and municipalities – local elections have been postponed as persistently as has the finalisation of the constitution. Official reason? Anything from king Gyenendra’s take-over and the Maoist conflict to growing local corruption and a need to adopt the constitution first. The Election Commission has declared itself ready to organise the election many times. But every time, the government has postponed. Want to recount the recent chapters in this “never ending story”? Check out this overview!
