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When I was growing up in Kathmandu, science often felt distant and confined to textbooks. We memorized the contents for exams and conducted experiments in the labs with limited resources. We rarely talk about how we apply science in our daily lives, and the significance of scientific research in the advancement of the nation.

Today, as a PhD student in the United States, I see that gap more clearly than ever. A few months ago, I got an opportunity to visit the US Capitol in Washington, DC, to meet with the lawmakers as part of the science advocacy effort. During the visit, I talked about the necessity of investing in scientific research and how that is connected to better health and stronger societies. It was a surreal moment for someone who began an academic journey in Nepal. But more importantly, it made me understand how much Nepal can gain if we start valuing scientific research as part of our national development plan.

As I shared my journey as an international student from Nepal to the United States and my research on gut microbiota and high blood pressure with the staff of the lawmakers at Capitol Hill, they were all ears. I basically emphasized how investment in science can create not only opportunities for students like me, but it fuels discoveries that benefit people worldwide by finding solutions to problems that affect global health. What struck me the most was how the staff members listened attentively and promised to brief the lawmakers on our conversation regarding the inevitability of sustained investment in scientific research.  

So why does this matter in the context of Nepal?

It is because the challenges Nepal is facing are directly connected to science.

Take health, for example. Hypertension or high blood pressure and diabetes are common pressing issues that affect almost every household in Nepal. Thousands of people lose their lives to these conditions every year. It is not only shortening the lives of people but also burdening the family. Research can help us understand why these conditions are rising in Nepal and give us an idea to develop affordable and effective treatment strategies and prevent future incidence.

Or consider climate change. Nepal is on the frontline of its impacts. Floods and landslides are increasing, and air pollution in the major cities always exceeds the safe limits. These conditions affect our livelihood, economy, food and health systems, so they demand scientific solutions. We cannot be fully prepared to face these challenges by relying on foreign studies, which may not fully reflect Nepal’s geography and social structure. We need to have a culture of supporting scientific ideas and promoting national research.

This is where advocacy comes into play. Advocacy is not always about meeting with the members of parliament or government officials. It is about communicating science, which is understandable to everyone, and making the science visible. It could also mean explaining and communicating scientific ideas via articles, blog posts, podcasts or through videos in a layman’s language to the public, students and leaders. All these actions should reflect the importance of scientific research. Advocacy also includes visiting schools and colleges to inspire young minds, organizing science fairs or festivals and events. It could also mean urging the policymakers to stop seeing scientific research investment as an expense but a crucial requirement in the development of health, education and the national economy. The more openly we talk about science, research, and policy, the better prepared we become in addressing challenges that hold back scientific progress. 

On the bus ride back from Capitol Hill, I realized that scientific progress is often undervalued in Nepal. We still depend upon neighboring countries to import basic kits for research activities. We need to support national entrepreneurs to invest in developing research tools in their home country, so the budding scientists do not have to wait for months to get access to the research tools.

Our universities and schools are full of talented students and researchers, but without sufficient resources, funding, advocacy and support, meaning their talent hardly reaches the public or policymakers. We must value scientific research by supporting young scientists, funding local research projects and ensuring that scientific research outcomes are regularly discussed with the public and policymakers.

Through my own journey, I have come to believe that speaking up for science is as important as doing science. Through the American Physiological Society’s Early-career Advocacy Fellowship, I have been committed to strengthening my advocacy efforts, designing advocacy tools and writing for the public to become a long-term advocate for scientific research. Beyond this fellowship, I am writing science blog articles, visiting high schools to demonstrate science experiments and serving as a science fair judge. These experiences have deepened my belief that science belongs to all, not just to those who wear lab coats.

Science is not distant. It is in the medicines that save lives, the clean water that keeps us healthy and the policies that protect us from floods and pollution. Whether in the halls of the US Capitol or the classrooms of Kathmandu, the message is the same: science matters. If we are to meet the challenges of tomorrow as a nation, we must start advocating for and investing in research today.

Embossed number plates will be mandatory for all vehicles starting Sept 17, the Department of Transport Management (DoTM) announced on Aug 19. The department said that services such as vehicle registration, ownership transfer, and renewal will only be provided after the installation of embossed number plates. It also stated that technical and regulatory preparations are being carried out in coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Traffic Police.

However, the Central Federation of Public Transport Nepal has issued a public statement urging citizens not to install embossed number plates. In a statement released on Monday, the federation called on all stakeholders to refrain from installing the plates until the existing practical issues are properly addressed.

“We sincerely request everyone—from the general public, tourism and transport sectors, to private vehicle owners—not to install embossed number plates without revising and resolving the practical problems raised during discussions and dialogues with the government,” the statement read. The federation mentioned that if attempts are made to forcibly implement the installation, the agencies under the Ministry of Transport will be held accountable for any resulting protests and resistance activities.

The federation criticized the government’s decision, arguing that it could lead to the disappearance of the Devanagari script used in Nepali license plates, place an economic burden on citizens and the transport industry, and allow foreign entities to control sensitive data of Nepali citizens. They believe this would ultimately weaken national sovereignty.

An embossed number plate features camera-readable digits and is embedded with an RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) microchip. In Nepal, vehicle license plates follow a color-coded system to distinguish between different types of ownership. Public and tourist vehicles use yellow plates with black lettering, while private vehicles have white plates with black letters. Government-owned vehicles are marked with white plates and red letters, and foreign or diplomatic vehicles display white plates with blue letters. These plates are made with reflective materials to enhance visibility at night and are integrated into a digital database, streamlining processes such as ownership transfers and registration renewals. Although the plan was originally included in the Three-Year Interim Plan (2007–2010), it was only introduced in the fiscal year 2015-16. In May 2016, the contract for the project was awarded to Decatur-Tiger IT, a Bangladesh–US joint venture, with the goal of installing plates on 2.5m vehicles by 2021.

However, the project faced controversy. In 2019, the World Bank blacklisted Tiger IT Bangladesh and its CEO, Ziaur Rahman, for a period of 10 years, citing “collusive, corrupt, and disruptive” practices during a bidding process for one of its projects in Bangladesh. Despite the blacklisting, the Nepali government proceeded to renew its contract with Tiger Decatur.

The project later faced multiple setbacks due to legal disputes, administrative delays, and allegations of irregularities. One of the most contentious issues was the use of English text instead of Nepali on the number plates, which drew significant public criticism. Concerns over inflated pricing, substandard quality, fueled opposition and controversy surrounding the initiative.

Petitions were filed with both the Supreme Court and the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA). After nearly two and a half years of hearings, the Supreme Court ruled that the use of English text—similar to that used in passports and driving licenses—did not violate the Constitution. Following this judicial clearance and no objection from the anti-graft body, the government moved forward with resuming the project’s implementation.

The issue was also raised in Parliament, where Gagan Thapa, General Secretary of the Nepali Congress, criticized the government’s directive, stating that it had caused unnecessary inconvenience to citizens.

On 3 June 2022, the Department of Transport Management, under the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, issued a notice mandating the installation of embossed number plates for all vehicles operating in Bagmati and Gandaki provinces by 17 July 2022. The notice warned that vehicles failing to comply would be penalized under the Motor Vehicles and Transport Management Act, 1993. While embossed number plates are mandated across all provinces, Province 1 was initially excluded due to delays in finalizing its official name.

Under the contract, the cost of embossed number plates is set at Rs 2,500 for motorcycles, Rs 2,900 for three-wheelers, Rs 3,200 for four-wheelers, and Rs 3,600 for larger vehicles—a lot more expensive than conventional plates. This steep pricing has drawn strong criticism from lawmakers, consumer rights groups, and transport entrepreneurs. However, government officials have defended the rates, citing the inclusion of advanced security features such as RFID chips and camera-readable text. They also argue that the cost is significantly lower than in many other countries, where similar plates can cost up to Rs 10,000. The fee is split evenly between the contractor and the government. In comparison to India’s High Security Registration Plate (HSRP) system, which costs between Rs 400 and Rs 1,100, Nepal’s pricing is considerably more expensive.

Ganeshman Singh Rai, the Information Officer at the DoTM, said that the urgency to complete the project stems from the impending expiration of the agreement with the contractor. “The vendor’s term for the long-running program is nearing its end,” he explained. Rai explained, from a security standpoint, several investigation and thematic committees have highlighted the importance of implementing embossed number plates. In response, the department has initiated preparations in line with a ministerial decision.

He added that multiple discussions and agreements have taken place between the ministry, the department, and the provinces to move the project forward. “The vendor is ready, and we are all on board,” he said, emphasizing that the department is providing the necessary budget and human resources for implementation.

According to the department, the introduction of the new embossed number plate system brings several key benefits, particularly in terms of security and efficiency. Unlike the old hand-painted plates, which were easy to tamper with and contributed to vehicle theft, the new plates are embedded with a microchip and GPS, making them difficult to replace or misuse. The system also addresses the long-standing issue of duplicate number plates by ensuring each vehicle has a unique identity.

Additionally, the reflective design enhances visibility at night, aiding both drivers and law enforcement in identifying vehicles, especially in cases of accidents or illegal activity. Uniform fonts and sizes make the plates easier to read, promoting better recognition and reducing confusion. All vehicle and ownership information is stored in a central digital database, providing a reliable source for tracking, verification, and analysis, which could prove valuable in preventing fraud and theft.

DoTM has also unveiled plans to enhance vehicle monitoring by installing RFID gates at 10 strategic locations across the country. Currently, two gates are already operational—one in Nagdhunga and another at the Nagarjun (Bhimdhunga and Dhading border point). Construction is underway at additional sites, including Pharping near Danshinkali and Pathlaiya. As part of the broader initiative, the contractor has pledged to install a total of 100 RFID gates, provide handheld tracking devices, and produce 2.5m embossed number plates to support the implementation of this system.

Recently, it is estimated that 6m vehicles registered the embossed number plate. At present, around 800,000 embossed plates have been produced, but approximately 450,000 of them remain unused in storage. Meanwhile, offices such as the one in Ekantakuna openly acknowledge that they can only process about 100 plates per day. Given this pace, it’s clear that reaching the target of outfitting millions of vehicles before the date given is virtually impossible.

In the first phase of the embossed number plate rollout, DoTM held consultations with four provinces: Gandaki, Bagmati, Madhes, and Koshi. One notable improvement under the new system is that if either the front or rear plate is damaged, only the affected plate needs to be replaced. Under the previous system, both plates had to be replaced even if only one was damaged. The DoTM introduced this change to minimize unnecessary costs and reduce the burden on vehicle owners.

A significant number of young Nepalis live and work abroad, making it challenging for them to be physically present for the installation of embossed number plates. Under the previous system, vehicle owners were required to be present during registration and ownership transfer. However, the current directive addresses this issue. According to the new guideline, Nepali citizens living overseas can authorize close family members—such as parents or siblings—to complete the installation process on their behalf.

Indeed, it does make a world of difference. We all fall prey to bad body posture at one time or another. But how often do we think about it? Rarely, right? Most likely, you might be hunching over while reading this very article—a habit that has become almost second nature. But what if I told you that your posture could affect your health more than you realize?  

Did you know that maintaining a good posture can do more than make you look intelligent and alert? It can also bring a myriad of health benefits, which you should be aware of. Imagine feeling more energetic, less stressed, and even more confident just by improving your posture. These are the rewards that await you when you make the conscious effort to correct your posture. It’s not just about how you look but how you feel and function daily. The potential for a healthier, more vibrant life is within your reach, inspiring you to take action.

These are the dividends that await you when you make the conscious effort to correct your posture. It’s not just about how you look but how you feel and function daily. The potential for a healthier, more vibrant life is within your reach, inspiring you to take action. Remember, posture correction is not an unattainable goal, but a journey that is achievable and beneficial. 

Let’s check out what is considered bad posture.

• If you’re slouching with your shoulders hunched forward or slumping.
• You have a rounded shoulder and tend to lean or crane your head forward more than the natural angle.
• Your knees are bent while walking or standing.
• Or, odds are your prolonged habit has made your natural curve of the lower back (lumbar) area, called lordosis, to extreme curves, causing your potbelly to stick out like a sore thumb.

If you work most of the day at a desk for long hours, paying extra attention to your body posture is all the more critical. The sketch furnished here speaks volumes.

Poor posture can have adverse health effects, including stiffness and pain in the neck, shoulder, and back, sore muscles, spinal dysfunction, and rapid joint degeneration. It can also negatively affect breathing, digestion, and headaches. Furthermore, prolonged bad posture can lead to more severe conditions such as herniated discs, sciatica, and even cardiovascular issues. It’s crucial to consult healthcare professionals to ensure you're well-informed and on the right track to correcting your posture. Their guidance and support will be invaluable on your journey to better posture.

There is more: Did you know that sticking to the wrong posture may also lead to premature aging? It can also interfere with your skin health, inducing premature wrinkling and sagging. That said, maintaining poor body posture can accelerate your aging process and make you appear older.  Would you prefer to look like a slouchy older man at the prime age of 40? Would you? No way!

So, the knotty question is: What is the best posture?

The ticket to good posture is the position of your spine. Your spine has three natural curves—neck, mid-back, and lower back. So, to maintain flawless body posture, you have to sustain these curves and not stretch them beyond their limits. Your head should be above your shoulders, and the top of your shoulders should be over your hips, whether you are sitting, standing, or lying down.

In short, a ‘good’ posture reflects: head up, looking straight ahead, back straight, shoulders thrown back but relaxed, chin in, weight balanced on both feet, knees straight, and your tummy tucked in.

Good posture offers a neutral spine with muscles, joints, and supporting ligaments so aligned that they provide minimum stress, allow more body flexibility, reduce fatigue, and help sustain body balance. While taking a stroll, our eyes latch onto some people who look physically attractive and symmetrical in appearance. That’s what defines a healthy man with a good posture. To add more, postural symmetry and good health go hand in glove. 

Good posture promises a bright, slim look, robustness, and flexibility, all essential to keeping you fit as a fiddle. Poor posture leads to musculoskeletal distortion in the neck and back as the spine gets stretched into an unnatural position for an extended period.

Some vivid examples include sitting before your desktop, hunched over your cell phone, slouching on your couch, watching TV, and so on. Bad postures are not to be taken for granted. If left unaddressed, these conditions can lead to musculoskeletal distortion in the neck and back as the spine gets stretched into an unnatural position for an extended period, leading to stiffness and pain in the neck, shoulder, and back, sore muscles, spinal dysfunction, and rapid joint degeneration.

Furthermore, prolonged bad posture can lead to more severe conditions such as herniated discs, sciatica, and even cardiovascular issues. It’s crucial to understand the potential risks of bad posture and take steps to correct it.

So, what’s the remedy for bad body posture? Is Bad Posture Permanent? Nope! There is nothing to get overly alarmed about. The good news is that yoga, stretching, and exercise can restore or rectify your body posture over time. You can regain strength, flexibility, and body balance with time and consistency in your workouts.

The sheer number of exercises can be overwhelming when searching online for the right workouts to correct bad body posture. For your convenience and time, here are three simple exercises that can help you achieve excellent body posture. These straightforward exercises, designed to be easily incorporated into your daily routine, give you the confidence to correct your posture quickly. You don’t need a gym membership or fancy equipment, just a little time and dedication. With these exercises, improving your posture is simpler than you might think, reassuring you that you can do it.

Before you start

• Give yourself a little warm-up
• Lie flat on the ground facing upwards for three to five minutes without the support of a cushion or pillow.
• Relax and let your body get accustomed to its natural position.
• Breathe naturally.
• Do this pre-workout before going into the three significant exercises below.

Here are the three exercises that can work wonders to correct faulty body postures. 

Cat cow pose

This workout aims to stretch your spine, shifting it from a rounded to an arched position, performed while exhaling and inhaling. This stretching helps relieve tension from the torso, shoulders, and neck, and enhances blood circulation. Repeat the workout at least 10 times. (Watch the video with instructions:   https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/multimedia/cat-cow-pose/vid-20453581).

Reverse plank bridge 

This potent workout is the most effective exercise for reinforcing your lower back and correcting your hunched shoulders. It involves mobilizing different muscle groups, including the erector spinae, the mid trapezius, the hip flexors, the hip adductors, the hip abductors, and the lumbar spine. Watch the guided video with instructions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDGnHn8ppcc. Repeat at least 10 times

High plank

The high plank stance aids in relieving extra tautness of the muscles and alleviates body pain. There is more; this workout fortifies your shoulders and glutes, enhances your body balance, and reinforces your core, i.e., the group of muscles within your midsection that stabilize your spine and pelvis, vital for maintaining good posture. Repeat at least 10 times (with brief breaks). Watch the guided video with instructions:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKZfeoVuPbE.

The bottom line is that bad postures are reversible. By incorporating the above three workouts into your daily regimen, you can enjoy your daily life full of energy and vitality. Imagine walking the streets feeling tall, confident, and with greater self-esteem and a better mood—no more body aches and pains to dampen your spirits, promising a bright future.  

Regarding postural correction, some might even recommend using devices that claim to help correct wrong body postures. Such gadgets include shoulder straps, analog braces, and back supports, which work as ‘structural assistive devices’.

However, these devices are shrouded in speculation and differing opinions. For some, discomfort aside, wearing those braces all day long may lead to weakened muscles since you rely entirely on those braces to maintain a good posture, rather than relying on your strength and muscles.

Some health sites claim various posture correctors work differently. Some resemble a wearable harness that gently tugs the muscles into the proper position. In contrast, others are electronic devices that work like a wake-up timer to put you on alert to correct your posture by vibrating or beeping. Some call them electronic gizmos.

“Overall, the evidence is thin.” “Generally, we think of those as gimmicks,” says Scott Beadnell, a physical therapist with Oregon Health and Science University. Some individuals may find the devices help in some way or enjoy using them.

If you are too short on time and cannot spare time for those postural exercises, you may go for the postural corrector devices. Still, before using them, it’s best to consult an accredited physiotherapist, chiropractor, or orthopedic, who can serve as your best guide. For your convenience, I’ve cited a website that can help you select the best fit. Here you go: https://www.verywellhealth.com/best-posture-correctors-4171981.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the above text are solely research-based, not medical advice; the author solicits reader discretion and cross-references or consulting a healthcare practitioner, an authorized physiotherapist, or an orthopedic doctor for further consultation. 

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It has been nearly six decades since the UN General Assembly adopted the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights popularly known as ICCPR. Article 19 of ICCPR states: “Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in form of art, or through any other media of his choice.”

In Nepal’s case, the 1990 constitution, for the first time, recognized citizens’ right to demand information held by public agencies on matters of public importance. Actually, Nepal was ahead of other South Asian countries when it came to providing constitutional guarantee to Right to Information. Now, other South Asian countries are making a huge progress on RTI but Nepal is lagging behind. In Nepal, progressive constitutional provision remained largely unimplemented in the absence of a supportive law. Successive governments after 1990 did not pay any attention to formulate such legislation due to a lack of awareness about its importance for the effective functioning of the democracy.

The 2015 constitution further strengthened this right, stating that every citizen shall have the right to demand and receive information on any matter of personal and public interest, with exception of information legally designated as confidential. To support these constitutional guarantees, the Right to Information Act was enacted on 21 July 21 followed by the National Information Commission in 2009. Nepal now has both legal and institutional frameworks to protect people’s right to information. Yet, in practice, progress has been limited.

Government and non-governmental agencies, particularly the National Information Commission, have been active in raising awareness about the importance of RTI for democracy. Numerous training and seminars have been conducted, mainly targeting government officials. While these efforts have raised some awareness, they are often repetitive and ineffective. Nonetheless, journalists and activists have increasingly used RTI as a tool to expose corruption, which is a positive development.

The tendency to seek information from government bodies has grown, but it remains largely confined to activists and has yet to spread widely among ordinary citizens. Serious challenges continue to hinder effective implementation of the law. The most fundamental issue is the persistent failure to instill in political leaders and government officials that people have a right, not a privilege, to access information of public importance.  Political leaders rarely encourage transparency; instead, they often side with bureaucrats in suppressing information. In many cases, leaders have even instructed agencies to withhold information rather than disclose it.

There still is a mindset among the politicians and bureaucracy that granting or denying access to information is at their discretion. In reality, the law has clearly stated what type of information may be withheld. This includes information that jeopardizes sovereignty, integrity, national security, public peace and stability, or that interferes with criminal investigation, inquiry and prosecution, or sensitive economic, trade and monetary matters. Beyond these exceptions, government agencies are obligated to provide information without restrictions. Instead of adhering to the law, many government agencies impose unnecessary conditions with the deliberate intent of suppressing information. Politicians and officials alike fear that if full disclosure were made, their corruption and irregularities would be exposed.

As per the law, every public office should appoint an information officer. While such officers do exist in government offices, they are rarely empowered. Most lack access to the information they are meant to provide, leaving people empty-handed when they make requests. On paper, government agencies appear to comply with proactive disclosure requirements by publishing reports every three months. In reality, these documents do not reveal anything about actual activities. They are often little more than recycled introductions and lists of duties and responsibilities; reprinted again and again to create the illusion of transparency.

The National Information Commission cannot remain satisfied with this surface-level compliance. Its focus must go beyond repetitive training seasons for government officials. Instead, it should actively monitor the information that government agencies are making public and investigate misleading practices and demand that agencies change their current approach to proactive disclosure. The priority in earlier years was to ensure that agencies appointed information officers and began publishing regular reports. That phase has passed. Now, the challenge is to push for meaningful disclosure of substantive information. The government offices should stop reprinting empty profiles again and again, taking both the public and the Commission for granted.

Another vital component is that people are not aware about the importance of their rights and responsibilities of the government agencies. While publicity campaigns have informed people that an RTI law exists, very few people understand its details and how to use it effectively. Knowledge remains confined to a small circle of political leaders, activists and professionals working in the field. Even students do not have comprehensive knowledge about RTI even though RTI has been incorporated in the school and university curricula. Students know about the RTI only from a narrow examination perspective, with little understanding of its practical application.

The National Information Commission, which is tasked with ensuring implementation of this law, should change its working style. Going beyond its routine seminar and lectures, it should identify bottlenecks and directly confront agencies that are misleading the public by publishing background information while concealing what truly matters. As a journalist, I often visit the websites of government agencies to read their proactive disclosure documents to find new information about works accomplished by them. But they always disappoint me. The format provided by the National Information Commission for the proactive disclosure, which is focused on background and general information rather than the substantive information, itself is problematic. Similarly, it should explain why government agencies are not empowering the information officers to provide the information. Similarly, it should find out why two decades of awareness campaigns have failed to build genuine public understanding. It should study new ways to disseminate the information in the ever-changing information ecosystem.

In conclusion, politicians and government agencies have yet to internalize that the right to information is a cornerstone of democracy. Now, we have to move on to phase two of the implementation of RTI—one that ensures not just the existence of laws and institutions but their effective use as well. Most importantly, people must be able to seek information without fear.

At present, many hesitate to approach officials for information, worried that they might be targeted if they do so. With corruption at unprecedented levels, especially at the local level where political leaders and bureaucrats are often complicit, the culture of opacity still persists. Breaking this cycle will require stronger enforcement, fearless oversight and a genuine political commitment.