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We often hear that youth are the future; the next generation of leaders. However, this statement can sometimes ring hollow, reduced to mere tokenism. Yet, many young individuals are making real strides in addressing critical challenges, particularly in climate action and disaster management.

Recently, through LinkedIn, I connected with Prabina Raut, a consultant with Liquid Trees and a passionate climate advocate. Liquid Trees employs an innovative approach to pollution control by cultivating microscopic silica algae (diatoms) in open water bodies. These algae neutralize pollutants like fertilizers, heavy metals, microplastics, and CO2. In short, they work to purify river waters contaminated by agricultural chemicals and wastewater. Raut’s expertise extends beyond this role; she is also an Environment Leadership Fellow with WWF.

Given my interest in breaking down knowledge silos to foster cross-sector solutions, I reached out to Raut to hear her views on the recent disasters caused by incessant rainfall across Nepal. I wanted to explore the intersection between climate action and disaster management.

In an interview conducted via email, Raut shared her insights, based on extensive research and analysis.

First, she identified a key obstacle to progress: Nepal's failure to enforce its Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) policies. “While Nepal has several DRR and DRRM policies, they remain largely unenforced at both the national and local levels,” she explained. “The government often prioritizes short-term development projects over long-term disaster preparedness.”

She emphasized the consequences of this neglect. “Despite having policies and research, the government’s lack of enforcement leaves communities vulnerable. Poor coordination between government agencies and ineffective urban planning regulations have magnified the impact of disasters,” she added.

Raut proposed a series of essential actions. The first is to confront the scientific realities of climate change. “We can no longer afford to ignore scientists’ warnings. Building a resilient future requires immediate action and long-term planning,” she warned.

Another priority is overhauling Nepal’s Early Warning Systems. “We need real accountability and expanded technical and financial support to upgrade these systems across the country,” she urged. Despite advancements, early warning systems are not universally accessible, particularly in rural and marginalized communities. “Public awareness on disaster preparedness is limited, and insufficient planning has led to tragic losses that could have been mitigated.”

Raut also advocated for a stronger role for local governments in disaster management. “We must decentralize disaster risk management, but making it effective will require allocating more resources and decision-making power to local authorities.” Local governments should have the authority to initiate community-based early warning systems and disaster response training, which would enhance local resilience.

She also stressed the importance of integrating climate resilience into national development plans. “We need to prioritize sustainable infrastructure and empower local governments to take a more active role in disaster management,” she said. Urban resilience is another crucial area, particularly in Kathmandu Valley, where unregulated urbanization exacerbates floods and landslides. “Stricter building codes and land-use planning, along with green infrastructure solutions like rainwater harvesting, are urgently needed.”

Raut called for the creation of a National Task Force for DRR Implementation to address the inadequacies of the existing National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA). “A dedicated task force could ensure better coordination across departments, from hydrology to urban planning, and ensure that DRR policies are enforced at all levels,” she said. This task force could act as a stopgap measure while a more permanent, bottom-up approach to policy making is developed.
Such a bottom-up approach should involve experts from diverse fields coming together to discuss the shortcomings of the NDRRMA. These deliberations could form the basis for meaningful policy changes. Raut emphasized that enabling young professionals like herself to be recognized as knowledgeable contributors could make a significant difference. “Young people can offer expertise, ideas, and help raise local awareness.”

Raut also pointed out the lack of public awareness regarding the link between climate change and disasters, particularly in rural areas. “Community engagement is weak, and inadequate knowledge about disaster preparedness leads to higher losses during floods and landslides.” She stressed the importance of connecting local needs with international mechanisms, such as the Loss and Damage Fund approved at COP28. “International support, like the Loss and Damage Fund, will play a pivotal role in helping Nepal recover from recurring disasters.”

Finally, Raut highlighted the importance of ensuring that any international financial aid, such as climate financing, reaches local governments. “Local elected bodies must build expertise to ensure that no international climate financing is wasted,” she said.

In conclusion, Raut reflected: “Addressing the recent monsoon havoc in Nepal requires effective policy implementation, better coordination among government departments, stronger early warning systems, and international financial support. Despite the existence of policies and research, the government must move beyond short-term solutions to build long-term resilience. We cannot afford any further delays.”

I had heard a lot about British author and screenwriter Dolly Alderton. She is a columnist for The Sunday Times and the author of the hugely popular memoir ‘Everything I know About Love’ which won a National Book Awards (United Kingdom) in 2018. Everyone I know seems to have read Everything I Know About Love and they have great things to say about it. I, for some reason, hadn’t picked up her work despite having come across the memoir and her debut fiction novel ‘Ghosts’. I often took them down from the shelves at the bookstore I frequent, randomly read a page, and put them back.

However, when I came across ‘Good Material’ and read the blurb, I wanted to buy and read it straight away. A story about a breakup while trying to come to terms with the fact that life is passing him by, Good Material seemed like a fun and insightful read. I have to say I enjoyed the book (though not as much as I thought I would when I read the blurb). I think Alderton is a good writer. Her writing is easy to read and immersive. But Good Material didn’t make it to my growing list of favorite books and I don’t find myself recommending it to people either.

Good Material is the story of Andy and Jen, or rather the story of their breakup. When Jen leaves Andy, he is devastated. He doesn’t understand why she wanted to end things when they didn’t have any major issues. At 35, Andy goes back to temporarily living with his parents and his friends before finding an affordable place to rent as a single man as he gets his affairs in order. But things aren’t easy and he feels out of place, adrift without a purpose in life. His friends are married and having babies, and he’s struggling with his career and has no idea where his life is headed. Andy wants to figure out why the relationship fizzled out as he thinks solving that will mean Jen finding her way back to him.

The first 200 or so pages of the book is Andy’s side of the story. He comes across as a good guy, with his heart in the right place. But as with most people, he doesn’t seem to be able to put aside his wants and needs for someone else. As he wallows and whines, you feel bad for him while also understanding why Jen would leave him. In the last 100 pages, you get to hear from Jen and that is when things fall into place. Andy’s version of the story makes Jen sound callous, even though he never portrays her in a bad light. But when Jen narrates her story, you realize breakups are never simple. Every relationship is messy and complicated and it takes a lot of work and sacrifice to make it work.

One of the main (and perhaps only) reason why I’m not raving about the book is because I felt Andy’s portion dragged on. Jen’s bit was enthralling and I breezed through the pages. The story felt complete and real. It was a love story without being a cliché love story. The side characters felt like people I knew. They had a real feel to them even though there’s not much character development. I think I would have loved the book had it been slightly shorter. At its current length, the story tends to bog you down.

Good Material

Dolly Alderton

Published: 2023

Publisher: Penguin Random House UK

Pages: 345, Paperback

Newly amended laws in Nepal to tackle crimes committed during its decade-long bitter civil war could instead deprive victims of justice and grant amnesty to those culpable, rights lawyers warned Thursday.

Both government forces and former rebels are accused of carrying out torture, killings, rapes and forced disappearances during Nepal's Maoist insurgency.

The conflict ended in 2006 with a peace deal that brought the rebels into government and promised justice for the victims, whick included more than 16,000 dead and around 1,000 missing.

Nepal's two transitional justice commissions began operating in 2015, but failed to resolve a single case, despite receiving over 60,000 complaints of murders, torture and unexplained disappearances.

In August, parliament passed long-delayed amendments to the transitional justice act aiming to address this.

But a team of international rights lawyers, in a report released Thursday and based on a research mission to Nepal, warned the changes could do the opposite and exclude "swathes of victims" from justice.

The lawyers added that the new law "permits amnesties which would prevent criminal accountability for gross violations of human rights".

The lawyers said that until addressed, the "doors to the regular justice system should not be closed".

The group was supported by rights organisation Peace Brigades International (PBI).

Kishali Pinto-Jayawardena, a constitutional lawyer from Sri Lanka, and part of the team, said effective justice was not possible so long as the law "excludes certain gross violations, opens the door for amnesties and allows for the exclusion of certain victims".

Just two convictions related to crimes committed during the civil war crimes have been handed down in civilian courts. One was linked to the murder of a teenage girl. The other was related to the killing of a journalist.

As Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli completes his first 100 days in office, public reaction to the government’s performance is mixed. Despite unveiling a long list of accomplishments, criticism from both the ruling party and opposition focuses on allegations of corruption and failures in governance.

Oli claims that 70 percent of the government’s targets have been achieved, but this is part of a routine practice where governments present progress reports during their "honeymoon period" that often fail to impress the public. After forming the government, there was a delay in setting priorities, with a shared policy resolution introduced only after 67 days. As a result, beyond routine matters, the government has made little substantive progress.

In July, the Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML formed a coalition government, promising political stability and economic development. They also pledged to amend the Constitution, but there has been little action. After 100 days, there is no visible enthusiasm for the amendments within the ruling parties. NC and UML have yet to initiate discussions within their parties or with others on potential changes, particularly to the electoral system and federalism. Meanwhile, opposition parties, including the CPN (Maoist Center), have started cautioning against regressive changes to the constitution.

Despite the coalition’s promise of government stability, reports of a growing rift between NC and UML have surfaced. Oli has repeatedly reassured the public that his government will last its full term, but there are signs of internal division. Tensions have arisen over issues such as the removal of Kul Man Ghising from Nepal Electricity Authority, changes to party split laws and ambassadorial appointments. Fringe parties have also expressed growing dissatisfaction with the government.

The ruling UML's decision to accept donations from businessman Min Bahadur Gurung for party office construction has also drawn strong criticism, including from within the party. On the external front, the government has made little headway. Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba’s visits and Prime Minister Oli’s meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the UN General Assembly have yielded limited progress. Relations with China have also stagnated.

Meanwhile, tensions between ruling and opposition parties are escalating, with the opposition warning of street protests in the coming months. The arrest of former home minister and Rastriya Swatantra Party Chair Rabi Lamichhane has further strained relations. Opposition leaders, including Pushpa Kamal Dahal of the Maoist Center, claim Lamichhane’s arrest was politically motivated and that the government is targeting opposition figures while neglecting broader governance issues. Dahal has accused the government of selective prosecution in corruption cases.

The Maoist Center is preparing to organize a demonstration in Kathmandu to warn the government against taking any decisions targeting the opposition parties. Dahal is of the view that the government has become too weak in governance and is targeting the opposition parties on the pretext of fighting corruption.

Another contentious issue is Oli’s attempt to introduce an ordinance to lower the threshold for party splits. Under current law, 40 percent of lawmakers are required to split a party, but the proposed ordinance would reduce this to 20 percent, enabling members of CPN (Unified Socialist) to defect to UML. Opposition parties have urged President Ramchandra Paudel to reject the ordinance, warning that it could create a rift between the President and Prime Minister. So far, the President has avoided major controversies.

In its first 100 days, the government has made little progress in addressing the country’s economic challenges, and there have been no visible improvements in governance or service delivery. Dissatisfaction is growing, both within major political parties and among the public, as optimism fades about the government’s ability to deliver meaningful change or stability.