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Image: ChatGPT/Read 2B Happy. Nepal’s delicate balancing act: Challenges of dealing with China and India By  LB Thapa Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) left all major political parties in Nepal astonished by securing nearly a two-thirds majority in the general election. As a result, Balen Shah, the charismatic former mayor of Kathmandu, has become the country’s next prime minister.  From the very start of his tenure as mayor, Shah impressed the people of Kathmandu with his unique personality and unconventional working style, quickly capturing the attention of the nation’s youth.  What Shah’s rise means for Nepal’s foreign policy   The outcome of this election marks a seismic shift in Nepali politics, and it is expected to have significant implications for Nepal’s relations with its two giant neighbors, India and China. It remains to be seen how Shah’s government will maintain the delicate political equilibrium between New Delhi and Beijing.  Sandwiched be...

  How the US destroys, loots and destabilizes peaceful countries By LB Thapa The American strategy of destabilizing any sovereign nation is a well-thought-out and deadly blueprint, tested over time and executed successfully. It consists of four stages. The first stage involves economic blockade and isolation policies. When any country challenges the US dollar policy, that country is subjected to severe sanctions, trade bans, and asset freezes, crippling its economy.  After this, when the citizens of that country are oppressed by scarcity and inflation, they become angry with their government. At this point, the second stage begins: information warfare and internal rebellion. Under the guise of media and non-governmental organizations, propaganda is spread internationally against that country’s strict political system.   At this time, US intelligence agencies play a double game. On one hand, they work to turn peaceful protests into armed civil war by providing weapons and...

  KNOW THE FACT Has the case of Oli and Lekhak really concluded? By  LB Thapa Former Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, after being released following the Supreme Court’s mandamus, has claimed in a Facebook status that he was freed because no grounds were found to prosecute him. If Oli’s claim is accepted, it would mean this case has ended here. But has the case of Oli and Ramesh Lekhak, who were arrested on the recommendation of the Karki Commission, really concluded?  On March 26, the elected lawmakers took their oaths. Then, on March 27, after Balen Shah took the oath of office as Prime Minister from the president, other ministers also took their oaths the same day. Immediately after the oath, the first cabinet meeting decided to implement the report of the Karki Commission, which was formed to investigate the Gen-Z movement, as it is, except for the security apparatus. Right after that decision, on the night of March 27, the Ministry of Home Affair...

OLD NEPAL, NEW NEPAL, AND BALEN'S NEPAL Get your Legal Certificates at home – Promises Balen's Government By LB Thapa   All previous political leaders spoke of building a New Nepal. The Nepali Congress and various Communist parties came to power promising the creation of a New Nepal. Yet after ruling the country for decades, they left it in a worse state than before.   They treated the nation as a milking cow. Leaders like Sher Bahadur Deuba of the Nepali Congress and KP Oli of the UML exploited the country beyond imagination. These two parties did not merely exploit Nepal — they ravaged it, leaving it bleeding to death. Every sensible citizen of Nepal will never forgive them for the damage they have inflicted upon the country.   For the first time, however, the Nepali people are witnessing a new era of good governance. What is currently unfolding in the country feels more like a Bollywood movie. The government led by Balen is in full action, kindling a flicker of...

Is your money safe in banks? By LB Thapa We deposit money in banks believing it is safe. However, that is not entirely true. Even when your money is in a bank, it is always at risk.   For various reasons, even a bank that appears financially healthy can become bankrupt. In such a situation, the key question is, will depositors get a refund after the bank fails? And who is responsible for protecting public deposits?   To answer these questions, let’s look at the provisions set by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). The NRB, Nepal’s central financial regulatory authority, is only responsible for paying up to Rs. 500,000 per depositor. If a bank goes bankrupt and you have deposited more than five lakh rupees, you are unlikely to receive the remaining amount. This is because banks insure only Rs. 500,000 through the Deposit and Credit Guarantee Fund.   Although the NRB has clearly stated that public deposits are generally safe, that does not mean it guarantees to repay all your mo...

  Education consultancies and foreign colleges evade trillions in taxes under the guise of foreign education By  LB Thapa “Many education consultancies conceal their actual income and avoid paying taxes. In fact, these consultancies charge exorbitant fees and service charges from students, generating enormous profits." According to a report published in Harpan Khabar, numerous education consultancies and foreign colleges are involved in tax evasion amounting to trillions of rupees annually. This is undoubtedly startling news.  It has been revealed that under the pretext of sending students abroad, many consultancies and foreign colleges have allegedly evaded hundreds of billions in government revenue, deceived hundreds of thousands of students, and created a chaotic situation that has shaken the state. In response, the government is now preparing to tighten legal measures to curb the activities of these unscrupulous education consultancies.  Operating under the facad...

  How consumers can be cheated by the sale of half-filled LPG cylinders By LB Thapa The Nepal Oil Corporation deserves praise for maintaining a steady supply of petroleum products—particularly petrol, diesel, and LPG—across the country. A long-term agreement with the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has made this possible.   Even as the Indian government faces challenges in ensuring a steady supply of these fuels within its borders, the Nepali government has managed to sustain distribution nationwide.   However, the prices of many consumer goods have risen due to the ripple effects of the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. Although Nepal does not import crude oil and has not yet experienced a direct impact from the war, a prolonged conflict could change this situation for sure.   Nepal imports its petroleum products under five-year agreements with the IOC, and the current agreement still has one year remaining. While all petroleum products ...

  The rapid decline of consumer rights in Nepal By LB Thapa   In the field of business a customer is always hailed as the king, but in reality the consumers are not treated with respect. They are overpriced, duped, and exploited. At times consumers find themselves abandoned, as no one is there to commiserate with their predicaments. They have been demoted from kings to powerless consumers whose voices go unheard.  In today’s context, consumers are not the king, but the manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers rule the roost.   Maximizing the profit in the competitive market is the essence of modern business, where consumers’ satisfaction is always given prime importance. However, this norm has become less important today. Manufacturers and producers have developed many ways to cheat consumers. Sometimes, their cheating is seen openly, but other times, they cheat consumers in a much more concealed manner. Are general consumers aware of such nefarious practices ...

  An appeal to PM Sushila Karki: Do not tarnish your hard-earned reputation for a moment of Greed By LB Thapa Let us not forget that Gen Z made immense sacrifices, shedding their blood in the fight against favoritism and nepotism. Yet, what Prime Minister Sushila Karki has recently done stands as a glaring example of the very nepotism they opposed.   This is truly deeply unfortunate. Many young people across the country lost their lives in the struggle against corruption and nepotism. Their efforts were not in vain—corrupt politicians were removed from power. It was with immense trust that Gen Z appointed Sushila Karki as Prime Minister, tasking her with conducting free and fair elections in the country.   PM Karki received widespread acclaim for successfully holding elections on schedule. The people of Nepal are deeply indebted to her for delivering on that promise. Now, with only a few days left before she steps down from the office of Prime Minister, her legacy...

  GANDHARVAS Rich tradition on the brink of extinction By  LB Thapa Gandharvas, also referred to as Gaine or Gayak, prefer to be called by the name “Gandharva,” as it carries connotations of respect and dignity. Historically regarded as the traditional musician caste in Nepalese society, they played a vital role in an era before modern entertainment. In those times, Gandharvas would travel from village to village, sharing news, history, and stories through their rich musical and storytelling traditions.  Historical evidence suggests that the Gandharvas migrated from Chittorgarh, India, to Pokhara, Nepal, during the reign of Kulmandan Shah, the first ruler of the Shah dynasty, who governed his kingdom from Kaskikot. The king granted them land in Batulechaur for settlement, where they have resided ever since. Today, Batulechaur remains the largest Gandharva settlement in Nepal.  In the past, the most accomplished Gandharvas were summoned to the royal court to e...