A group of diplomats based in Kathmandu and some journalists from international organisations as well as leading Nepali media houses had an unforgettable experience last week.

What started out as a weekend familiarisation trip expected to be filled with adventure and fun turned out to be three days of unanticipated irritations for them with almost everyone wishing a quick end. Read more

The arrest of Syed Liyaqat Shah, an alleged Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militant, has started a volley of claims and counter-claims in India on whether he was planning a terror attack in Delhi or was on his way to Jammu and Kashmir as part of a rehabilitation plan. Read more

The present political crisis in Nepal seems to have become somewhat like the never-ending soap operas on Hindi television channels. Even if you return to view them after a long break you would find that nothing much has changed in the past months. Read more

Another year has passed and a new one has begun. By New Year I meant the Gregorian one – as some of your may be aware, our new year, i.e. Bikram Sambat 2070, will begin only in mid-April.

But since most across the world are celebrating and wishing for good things in the coming 12 months, I too would like to make some wishes for myself, my fellow countrymen and my country Nepal. Read more

Good news is a rare commodity in Nepal. But on Monday morning almost every Nepali heart was filled with pride and a smile lit up their faces when news of an event that happened thousands of miles away filtered in through television channels and radio bulletins. Read more

No news maybe good news for some, but for journalists no news is definitely bad news. This is especially true these days for foreign news media in Nepal where nothing significant is happening post dissolution of the Constituent Assembly in May without a constitution. Read more

Nepal’s capital Kathmandu is the most sought after city in the country. Along with Bhaktapur and Lalitpur, the three cities located in Kathmandu Valley account for nearly 10% of the nation’s population. Read more

Weekends are not the same these days for lovers of Hindi movies in Nepal. The ban on screening of ‘vulgar’ Hindi films by a Maoist party has robbed them of their weekly dose of entertainment. Read more

It’s no easy job being a politician in India and also in Nepal. Besides the perks sometimes one has to face the wrath of disgruntled citizens, opponents and even party colleagues. Read more

The US embassy in Kathmandu is buzzing with activity these days. Not that it remains quiet usually, but seven mails in my inbox from the embassy in six days indicate things are busier than routine. Read more