Blogs

Hope Fades in Fields, Hunger Rises in Homes

When I started my Daayitwa journey, I still remember the day I was assigned my research topic.  At that initial stage of brainstorming ideas and exploring research questions, I hadn’t analyzed the problems of microenterprises from the farmer’s point of view. Even though I have roots in agriculture, I somehow overlooked them. 

A Journey from Silence to Research: Why I Stayed

“Miss, I don’t see any future here.”

“If I get my visa, I’ll leave. If not, maybe I’ll study.” 

Why I Stopped Saying “Nepal Will Never Change”

Every time I walked past a potholed road, watched another friend leave with nothing but a degree and a one-way ticket, or heard the same politician talking about the same 10-year-old promises, my inner self would sink in, and a wave of frustration would wash over me. "Nepal will never change," I'd think, feeling helpless. I’m sure many of you feel the same way. The endless struggles and the constant disappointments make it so easy to fall into the trap of believing that nothing will ever improve. But what if that’s not true? What if the change is already happening, just in ways we haven't fully noticed?

Chiya Guff: The Fellowship I did not know I needed

One thing I really missed while living in the U.S. was chiya guff.

Not coffee meetings scheduled two weeks in advance. Not polite small talk over oat milk lattes. I missed the raw, unfiltered, anytime-anywhere kind of conversation that only a glass of dudh chiya and a shared plate of chop can bring. 

Held Together by Hope

It all started with that morning. On October 7, 2023 the sky did not break, but broke open with fear - in a land far away from home. What appeared to me as a thunder storm initially, were actually missiles crossing the Israeli sky. It had been only a month of my Learn and Earn internship and I was all excited to learn, work and explore. That morning, when sirens echoed, peace silenced. First, the ears sensed the fear, and then, the eyes witnessed the skies. With the missiles shooting up and Iron Dome answering, the sky blazed fireworks not of celebration; but of the cruel beginning of war. The beautiful blue sky that I saw the day before was covered with ugly black smoke mixed with hatred..

The Nepali Way

The other day, I asked someone for directions in Kathmandu and ended up getting not just a route, but a full report on recent road repairs, a shortcut through someone's backyard, and an unsolicited opinion about the location itself. In Kathmandu’s maze of gullies, directions usually arrive like this: “Turn right at the old pipal tree, then ask Shyam dai at the tea shop. And by the way, why do you even want to go there?” Sometimes, by the end of it, three people and a street dog know exactly where I am going and why. Some might call it an invasion of privacy, but to me, it is just another Tuesday. 

Finding My Tribe: Journey of a Policy Rookie

“Yo ek dharni aalu ko kati ho?”, my mother inquired to a local vegetable vendor on the roadside. Against the backdrop of Panchkhal’s reddish mud and sweltering heat, I noticed a small group of children chatting as they carried buckets of water. As they approached closer to our car, tiny beads of sweat dripped down their faces, out of breath yet smiling. In that moment, I felt a sudden pang of guilt as I sat comfortably inside an air-conditioned vehicle, watching them pass by. This sense of guilt lingered with me for several days, particularly because these children appeared to be around my age. At that time, as a 12-year-old, I couldn't fully grasp the broader implic..

The Kulfi-Run

If you walk out of the Daayitwa office, turn left and keep walking straight for some 50 meters, you will reach a small corner shop where it’s written “ यहाँ खुवाको कुल्फी र मिठो दही पाईन्छ।” The shop is small, you’d obviously miss it if you aren’t looking for it, probably miss it even when you are. And that small shop is exactly what we went on a hunt for on our first official day at work.

The kulfi was okay. It wasn’t bad but it sure wasn’t the best I had had either. Or let’s say, it wasn’t the best I felt I could ever have. It..

Cultivating Change: Addressing Inefficiencies in Nepal’s Agriculture Markets

“Farmers forced to destroy produce due to lack of market”- The Himalayan Times, April 4, 2020

“Farmers face getting wiped out for lack of market access”- The Kathmandu Post, June 2, 2021

“Farmers of Chitwan stage protest by throwing vegetables on the road”- My Republica, February 4, 2023

These headlines, appearing periodically in Nepali newspapers, explain the country's dire state of agriculture markets.

Young, gifted and Nepali

If you search the terms “Nepali youth” or “नेपाली युवा” on Google, the narrative becomes clear: dissatisfaction, frustration, and a lack of infrastructural and systemic support. Consequently, many young people see no option but to leave the country in search of better opportunities.

Iron Gate 2.0?

Competing with others for a finite amount of anything is a daunting task. Doing so on the basis of solely merit can overwhelm any determined or skilled individual. So when I decided to toss my hat in the ring and go head-to-head with over 20,000 hungry applicants for a meager three open positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I dreaded what I had gotten myself into. Granted, even though a large share of the applicants were competing for the 273 open positions under the administrative wing of public service, the scale of the challenge was not lost on me.

Nostalgia in Singha Durbar

Never did I expect to feel nostalgic in Singha Durbar—a place that remains
elusive to common Nepalis. My day at Singha Durbar started as it does for most
visitors entering the grand palace - now a mini-city housing various ministries
- waiting in line for the so-called pass that has to be arranged by someone
inside the Durbar. Initially called in for a morning meeting, I was later invited
to another meeting in the afternoon. With three hours to spare, I decided to
venture out and explore the premises.

Cultural Confrontations: From Teacups to Transformations

Born and raised in Kathmandu, a society characterized by an amalgamation of religions, ethnicities, and languages, I hail from a diverse and multicultural setting that has instilled in me a deep sense of empathy and the belief that respect and harmony can flourish amidst diversity and innate differences. As I look back at the years that molded me into who I am, this background combined with a series of anecdotes and personal incidents has helped me find my true calling and now shaped my understanding of leadership in its practical sense.

Singha Durbar's Best Kept Secret for Me

“Do you have a pass?”, the traffic stopped me to ask. “I do”, said I with pride of inexplicable origin. I reached in my pocket and grabbed a small piece of paper with some “important” scribbles on it. The traffic appeared to have understood the scribbles and he let me in. It was my first time visiting Singadurbar. It felt special but I was unusually relaxed. I was meeting a parliamentarian! I had prepared in advance all the ideas I was planning to pitch for my research. 

I was struggling to find the parliamentarian’s office. The sheer expanse of the Singadurbar made me feel it was okay to be lost. “Prabesh ..

Beyond the Paycheck: Acknowledging Women's Unseen Contributions

"Who Cooked Adam Smith's Dinner?" by Katrine Marçal is a book that touched my heart and opened my eyes to the incredible, often overlooked efforts of women in our economy. With profound insight, Marçal challenges the prevailing economic theories that fail to acknowledge the unpaid labor of women and the gender biases deeply ingrained in our understanding of the world. Through her words, Marçal bri..

Embracing the Ever-Evolving Self: Discovering the Meeting Place Within

Name 

The name "Roshan" (रोसन) means "bright," "illuminated," or "shining" in Sanskrit. It signifies a radiant and luminous personality. The surname "Bhatta" (भट्ट) is commonly found among the Brahmin community in Nepal and India. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "Bhatta," which means "priest" or "scholar." In the Nepalese context, the name "Bhatta" is often associated with individuals from the Brahmin caste who traditionally held priestly or learned positions. 

Combining these meanings, the name "Roshan Bhatta"..

Can I be a Leader?

"Pack your bags and leave for home if you cannot solve this issue!" a statement I still remember vividly even after more than eight years of the incident. Back then I was in my undergraduate years and as a student of the seniormost batch was leading a group of students from junior batches on a weeklong practical field trip. The statement was thrown towards me as a leader after some students from my group did partake in an activity that brought our whole team to a negative light. As someone who really believed in our team, and their freedom, and valued their opinions, this felt like a betrayal to me and also made me question if I am good enough to be in a leading role. ..

Wheels, Wings, and Wishes

When I was 16, I wanted wings to fly. 

For the past 10 years, I had spent three hours daily on weekdays commuting from my home in Bhaktapur to my school in Lalitpur. Looking back, I have had fun times during those three hours of my day with peers and seniors. From requesting Driver dai to play the music out loud to occasionally sneaking in junk food to having our version of bus parties. While we had created our world inside the bus, the outside world was an obstruction for us. A 30-minute bus ride would take double the time in the morning, making us get up at the crack of dawn. It was worse in the evening longer time on the bus wore us out before we got ..

A Divided Perception between Grades and Values in Society: A General Perspective

Generally, in many institutions and organizations, grades serve as the primary yardstick for assessing an individual’s capacity to execute assigned tasks and assume corresponding roles and responsibilities (often for recent graduates). Whether it pertains to prospective employers or graduate admissions committees, grades, and competitive scores frequently serve as decisive factors in candidate selection. For example, in the USA, a survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers in 2013, which included responses from over 200 employers, found that 67% of the companies surveyed screened candidates based on their GPA. This statistic highlights the significance th..

Climate Change and Its Implication in Nepal

The recent news title in the national newspaper, The Kathmandu Post read “Soaring temperatures affect life in Namche.” It was widely circulated as a meme on social media. People mocked the news article and questioned how anyone can feel hot at 12 degrees Celsius. However, they forgot that the average temperature in the previous years would be 4 to 5 degrees Celsius. Climate change is a serious threat to Nepal as it is one of the most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change. 

Nepal’s contribution to climate change is negligible. It contributes just 0.1 percent of total global greenhouse gas emissions. However, Nepal falls under the t..

Are You Strong Enough?

Sharmila, are you strong enough? Was a question I used to contemplate frequently. As the eldest daughter in my family, there was an unspoken belief that I had to be strong and resilient. I believed that I had to set an example for my younger siblings and uphold the image of a capable and composed individual. As a result, I never exhibited any fragility. From an early age, I taught myself to conceal my emotions and put on a brave face, even when I was hurt inside. I always thought that being vulnerable was evidence of weakness that could be abused or turned it against us. It became a habit to bury my true feelings and present an image of unwavering strength. I did this for m..

Organic or inorganic, where are we?

The need for profitability incentivizes farmers to go for intensive use of inputs. The concern towards increased production and reduced hunger has been important nowadays. With this situation, producers have to revolutionize their production system.

The concept of sustainability is motivating consumers to go for organic products. The concern towards health and environment has been increasing nowadays. With this scenario, producers ought to rethink their production practices. 

A similar dilemma comes into question on the definition of ‘adulterated food’ given in the Food Act 1967, as pointed below;

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The Plight of Second Class Citizens

Have you ever come across the notion that women in Nepal are considered as second class citizens? If so, have you ever wondered, what exactly does that mean? In this blog, we will try to unveil the discriminatory aspects of our citizenship laws so as to comprehend why women are indeed relegated to the status of second-class citizens in Nepal.

The renowned German-American Psychologist, Erik Erikson opines that "in the social jungle of human existence there is no feeling of being alive without a sense of identity”. However, in the context of Nepal, the Citizenship laws have been designed in a way that completely undermines the identity of a woman. An..

An Evolution of a Feminist

Being a feminist and holding the flag for the longest time, I personally feel that I as a feminist have gone through an evolutionary process. When I say this, I would like to firstly state that these instances may or may not resonate with other feminist identifying personnels and I would like to acknowledge that I am aware of my  privileges and power bestowed upon me by the patriarchal society of Nepal. 

Saying this, my journey started at the earliest age of five. A young girl child of the second wife was always discriminated against by her grandparents, was always dismissed while her grandparents gave away candies and money (to buy candies). A particular mem..

The Wild West of Nepal: Untapped Gem and Land of Unparalleled Heritage

Starting from the geography itself, the Western Frontier of Nepal has always been very unique. Whilst the Eastern regions are more ajar to the steady winds of the Monsoon that come from the Bay of Bengal every summer, which hits the North Eastern Himalayan region first and gradually makes its way towards the Central and Western regions of Nepal. The Western Frontier relatively speaking lies further away from the Oceans in comparison to its Eastern Counterpart and thus gets less precipitation, particularly in remote mountainous regions of Western Nepal, where the rugged mountainous landscapes act as a further barrier for winds to reach the region. These..

Every Cloud has a Silver Lining. Even COVID-19

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism industry in Nepal has been hit the hardest of all industries. Scholars and tourism stakeholders are quick to claim that the tourism industry in Nepal has suffered the steepest drop since the 1960s when Nepal first opened its door to foreign tourists.

Closed borders but continued migration?

"An idea not coupled with action will never get any bigger than the brain cell it occupied."
                                                                                                                                ~ Arnold Glasow

Working on Identifying the trade deficit reduction strategy in fresh vegetables- Experience as Daayitwa Fellow

"The COVID-19 seems to be the biggest challenge for me to smoothly work on research. The Daayitwa Fellowship is running online due to COVID 19. Therefore, there is no supervisor or mentor to answer questions and queries immediately. For that reason, we have to email our mentor and supervisor for our unsolved questions. Sometimes, it is very hard to get a reply from a supervisor, which is one of the disadvantages of working on research from home."

Breaking Down the Culture of Change

Throughout history, change has been difficult. Breaking the shackles of normalcy and going against the well-established norm has always been a continuous struggle. Despite the presence of these antecedent conditions in history, our culture, values, and norms have continuously evolved. We have to agree that change is difficult but it is a process of making things better, not for oneself but for the betterment of the society in itself. In Adam Smith’s words, the progress of society has been made by the ingenuity of philosophers or people of speculation. In other words, change is necessary for the amelioration of human conditions and is often attrib..

My Learnings so far as a Daayitwa Public Policy Fellow

Applying for the fellowship was a journey of self-discovery that led me to deeply reflect on my personal experiences and scientific interests that guided me to pursue a career as a researcher. Daayitwa Nepal Public Policy Fellowship is a growing roster of merit-based professional fellowship opportunities that provide entry into a first job or career change, work experiences, and cultivate emerging leaders and change-makers, and social enterprises. Therefore, I was very concerned about my application. I was having a difficult time putting into words how my personal experiences relate to my academic path and research goals.

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Journey of a Self Proclaimed Advocate for the Himalayas

Inundated with thoughts, my mind wandered around and across dimensions while I forcefully tried to fall asleep. Continuously rolling right and left, exercising breathing techniques I learned from watching youtube, and even trying to count imaginary white sheep with long circular horns failed me. After several failed attempts to fall asleep, I get a notification on my cell phone that is placed strategically upside down next to my pillow. I resisted reaching out for the phone to avert the risk of insomnia. After a whole 13 seconds of irresistible struggle, I checked my phone. The time was 3:39 am and it was an email from Daayitwa Nepal. The title of the ..

Prelude: Beginning a Journey as Daayitwa Public Policy Fellow

Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect. 

–Ralph Waldo Emerson

Living in a world where success is measured in numbers

“Sometimes beautiful paths cannot be discovered without getting lost”

My career and the journey in finding the purpose of my life have been a roller coaster ride. Similar to many of my friends and millions of people, I have switched my career and aspirations multiple times. When we are 15/16, we are expected to know what will be good for us or our life’s purpose. This is hurled on our faces by placing three options in front of us- Science, Commerce, and Humanities. What will a..

Daayitwa Fellowship: A Journey of Self-Acceptance

Hopscotching between the dual identities of an Indian mother and a Nepali father, 7-year-old me never truly felt that I belonged in either of the countries. The Indian-accent laced Nepali that tumbled through my mouth often led my Nepali friends to call me dhoti. As a defense mechanism, I found my solace in English and accepted the identity of always being the ‘other’ in Nepal. The years from seven to seventeen were spent here trying to perform ‘Nepali-ness’ without fully feeling that I was accepted. The undergrad journey rolled in and soon I found myself in the foreign lands of Bangladesh, where being a Nepali was the only iden..

Chaos is Beautiful

The quest to understand life itself seems to be a bit difficult. One tends to often question themself: Why am I here? What is my purpose? Why am I so useless? Am I doing the right thing? Beneath these questions lies the ultimate reality, which is the conflict that each and every one of us is facing in everyday life. Chaos, ambiguity, and conflict seem to be a part of everyone’s life. With chaos, conflict and distress come pain, and with pain comes growth and progress. When I came back from India in 2015 after the earthquake, I was agonized by the unsettling and unnerving situation that prevailed. The historical monuments and artifacts that I used..

COVID, coming home, and crafting our place

I saw it first on Instagram – post after post filled with outrage from people I follow. It was hard to understand what was going on. As I pieced together the news, I felt a succession of emotions: first confusion, then anger, finally settling into a sense of deep sadness. “New rule requiring women under 40 to take approval from family, local ward office to go abroad proposed”. I am under 40 and I live abroad, and I have lived on my own for more than 10 years. Yet, somehow, the government, my government, still only sees my father or my husband as the authority on my movement – not me. How is this still happening? How is this happ..

Breaking Shackles, Building Aspirations

Have you ever experienced a feeling where hearing a piece of single news completely drains you out of energy and makes you think ‘WHY’? I felt that way when I read about this 16-year-old girl who was found hanging on a tree one day after her wedding, just because she had fallen in love with and had married an (also underaged) boy from an ‘upper’ caste. I know this incident isn’t unique and is not even the worst among tragic stories that we find every day in our newspapers, but there was something about this particular news that got me thinking. 

Taking One Step at a Time at Daayitwa

The question about who I am has always bothered me. My life has always been revolving around fulfilling the roles and titles that other people have given me. Perhaps, it is because nobody asked what I wanted, and I complied and did what I was told to do. I thought to be obedient would assure my conformity in society, but the vicious circle of expectation never stopped. I get questioned, get patronized about my choices and dreams. This feeling of being trapped changed something inside me. For the first time, I want to devise social constructs and follow my heart. I wanted to be visible, heard, and be understood.

My Path to Daayitwa Fellowship

Many a time, you are not always certain of what you want to do in life. You just go with the flow and accept whatever life has to bring, without actually making deliberate efforts to push your life towards a certain direction. Although I wouldn’t call this a literal ‘Mantra’, retrospectively thinking, I feel like things happened to me and I complied, rather than me making active choices to push my bandwagon. When you are little and people ask you, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” I always had this ready-made answer, swaying from “Doctor!” to “Chartered Accountant”. These felt like the mos..

Research Journey

"Until my secondary education, I was not familiar with research and exploration. I used to think that research 'Anusandhan' as a field of Natural scientists and it is only a process of invention and discovery."

One Month of Journey as Daayitwa Public Policy Fellow

"I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing."

-Plato (Republic)

Is Peace the Absence of War?

“Everybody wants peace. That's a truism. There is no point in accomplishing through war what you can accomplish through peace.” 

Bidushi Adhikari : Public Policy Fellowship 2019

I have thoroughly enjoyed conducting this research at the Ministry of Industries, Commerce, and Supplies and gaining an opportunity to collaborate closely with my supervisor and other officials involved in the program. There have been some hiccups along the way, including an unverified database, difficulty contacting MEs, and a lack of adequate software, but overall, I hope that I have been able to contribute something concrete towards the understanding of the implementation of the Microenterprise Development Model and some gaps that can be filled. 

Sushant Vaidik : Public Policy Fellowship 2019

"Do you want to work with the government?” a friend of mine asked as we were watching the spring season bring new shades of green by the Thames River in a quiet afternoon.

"Do you mean Lok Sewa or Rajniti?” I immediately asked as those were the only two ways I could see one could associate to working with the government.

Juliana Shrestha : Public Policy Fellowship 2019

" I grew up in a family that kept me protected from a lot of the political and national events of the country."