The earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on Monday serves as a sobering reminder of the devastating power of the earthquake and the importance of preparedness. As a highly seismic zone, Nepal is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes, and the memory of the 2015 Gorkha earthquake, which killed more than 9,000 people and injured over 25,000 and damaged property worth billions of rupees, is still fresh in the minds of the Nepali people.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is critical for countries to develop in today's world as it provides access to capital, technology, and new markets. FDI helps countries improve their infrastructure, increase their competitiveness and create new jobs, leading to economic growth and improved standards of living for citizens.

The recent outbreak of Bird Flu, also known as Avian Influenza (H5N1) in three places in the Kathmandu Valley serves as a wake-up call for the government, poultry farmers and the general public to take this threat seriously.

It’s been more than seven years and four months since the Constitution of Nepal 2015 was promulgated and the country formally embraced the federal democratic republic. Obviously, Nepal’s latest constitution is different from the past constitutions of the country in several aspects.

Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) on Sunday decided to pull out of the government led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. All minister representing the RSP submitted their resignation to Prime Minister Dahal on Sunday itself. Although the party has decided not to immediately withdraw its support to the government, the decision of the RSP to quit the government barely 41 days in office has raised concerns over the possibility of a fresh round of political instability in the country.

A functioning democracy is built on the foundation of transparency, without which it cannot truly be called a democracy. The people choose democracy as their system of governance because it empowers them with the right to know and understand the actions of their elected representatives.

The Chitwan incident serves as a wake-up call for all stakeholders concerned to take immediate action to ensure fair prices for farmers.This is not only a moral obligation but also a matter of economic and social justice. The government must take the lead in this regard and implement policies and programs that will empower farmers and help them thrive. Consumers also have a role to play and must be conscious of the choices they make in their daily lives. By working together, we can create a brighter future for farmers in Chitwan and beyond.

Mayor Balendra Shah (Balen) of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) positioned himself as a champion of the impoverished during his mayoral campaign for the May 13 local elections last year. ‘Garib ko chameli bolidine kohi chhaina’ (there is no one to speak for the poor!). The remix rap version of this popular song sung by KMC Mayor Shah was widely circulated on social media and in the door to door canvassing. There is no denying that the emotionally-charged song garnered significant support for Shah during the local elections.

Despite having the grand portfolios, the state-owned corporations assume almost no responsibility toward the general public. They should internalize in practice the principle of accountability, independence, integrity, transparency and professionalism by conducting their financial audits on time, if good governance is to be instilled in these public institutions.

The onus also lies on the ordinary citizens to end the corruption. All citizens should demand accountability and transparency from their elected representatives and institutions. Together, we must create a culture of zero tolerance towards corruption, and work towards a more fair and just society. Nepal's future depends on the actions we take today. It's time for the country to move beyond just lip-service and take decisive steps to combat corruption and build a brighter future for all.