In the past two months, Nepal’s political space had been marred by upheavals and doubts over the future of the ruling alliance between the Nepali Congress, Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Center)/Maoist Party, and Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Socialist) [CPN-US], over ratification of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) which is USD 500 million grant offered by the United States (US) to Nepal for a period of five years. The MCC agreement had been awaiting its ratification by the Parliament of Nepal since 2017. Finally, it was ratified on February 27, 2022.

On 21st February 2022 Vivekananda International Foundation organised a virtual book discussion on “The Janajatis of Nepal” authored by Professor Hari Bansh Jha. The welcome address was delivered Dr. Arvind Gupta, Director, Vivekananda International Foundation. The speakers included Mr. Rajendra Mahato, Former Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of Loktantrik Samajbadi Party, Nepal, Professor Hari Bansh Jha, Executive Director, Centre for Economic and Technical Studies, Kathmandu, Nepal.

The Vivekananda International Foundation organised a book discussion on “Kathmandu Dilemma: Resetting India-Nepal Ties”on November 05, 2021. The event was chaired by Dr. Arvind Gupta, Director, VIF. Author of the book Ambassador Ranjit Rae delivered a talk on the book followed by a discussion of the book by Prof. Sangeeta Thapliyal, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and Lt Gen Shokin Chauhan (Ret.), 11th Gorkha Rifles, Indian Army.

As one completes the immigration and security checks at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) and passes through the boarding gates, one gets amused on why is there another set of security checks, just next to the runway, before boarding an Air India flight to Delhi? The two feet tall ladder is fixed to a wheeled iron chamber where one gets their hand/cabin bags checked. The practice had begun after Indian Airline flight IC 814 enroute from TIA Kathmandu to IGIA, New Delhi was hijacked by Pakistan backed terrorists.