Academia Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences
Academia Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences is a peer-reviewed, open access journal and indexed in NepJOL. The journal publishes research papers on topics related to humanities and social sciences. There are no charges to submit and publish a paper. Interested scholars may submit their papers to editors at academia@myagdicampus.edu.np. Published annually by Myagdi Multiple Campus (affiliated to Tribhuvan University, Nepal), the journal appears both in print and online. The published issues are also available here (http://journal.myagdicampus.edu.np/).
China’s Foreign Policy towards Sri Lanka: An Economic Approach to Sustainable Development
China's expanding investment, trade, and assistance linkages are widely seen as a powerful tool of statecraft, creating significant security externalities. However, there is a scarcity of research establishing the specific processes that relate economic links between "sender" and "target" states to a genuine security influence. Sri Lanka's relations with India are hampered by weak infrastructure design and implementation, local politics and regional competitors, and emerging powers, with the ability to transform Beijing's vast economic resources into Sri Lanka strategically. Many potential areas of cooperation could prosper together if both friendly countries utilize them. This paper identified several possible areas of cooperation and argued that to attain sustainable development, Sino-Sri Lanka relations need to be strengthened more and more. This study explored the potential areas through various channels for greater interest, friendship, and opening up a new era in bilateral issues. This study examines and investigates the difficulties and prospects for enhancing economic relations between China and Sri Lanka. This study included both primary and secondary sources. This study based on the secondary sources of information and data, including academic journals, scholarly texts, research papers, articles, investigative papers, books, and other relevant materials are examples of secondary sources. Primary data was used in the trade data. Although the qualitative and quantitative methodologies were employed in the analysis, the quantitative approach was frequently used to make the study more transparent. At the end of this paper, some policy suggestions or recommendations are provided for the economic relationship between China and Sri Lanka. The study recommends a wide range of factors including bilateral treaties, free economic zones, joint ventures, improving microeconomic policy, reducing bureaucracy, and corruption, pursuing competitive advantage policy and working jointly to solve regional and global problems to promote Sino-Sri Lanka trade relations. This study is necessary, timely and significant for a better understanding of Chinese foreign policy towards Sri Lanka.
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Mixed-Media Directing Technique and the Salvation of Theatre-Going Culture: The Aesthetics of Contemporary Theatre in Nigeria
The theatre has witnessed several technological modifications, which include the incorporation of mixed-media elements into the live performance, but despite this innovation, the Nigerian theatre-going culture pitiably continues to fall. This is traced to the slow response of directors to the surge in the audiences’ aesthetic taste and the delivery of the contemporary live show. However, some directors, such as Bolanle Austen-Peters and Tayo Isijola in “Wakaa the Musical” and Julie Okoh’s The Trials respectively, have experimented with and prophesied the inclusion of mixed-media elements as a sustainable technique for contemporary theatre directing. This study engages Hans-Thies Lehmann’s post-dramatic theatre and Oreofe Williams’ ‘Artotech’, which emphasises the necessary connection of the theatre with the changing media of the current century as a theoretical framework. The descriptive study recommends the mixed-media technique engaged in the performances under study as a viable technique to increase audience participation and sustain theatre-going in Nigeria.
Challenges Faced by Bangladeshi Migrant Workers in Gulf Countries: An Analysis of Discrimination, Harassment and Safety Concerns
This study examines the experiences of Bangladeshi migrant workers in Gulf countries. The study focuses on discrimination, safety, support, healthcare, wages, and working conditions. Data were collected from 50 respondents via survey questionnaires. This revealed significant challenges that included widespread discrimination and inadequate living conditions, alongside variations in workplace security and legal assistance. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests, confirm significant differences in safety concerns across countries. Differences in discrimination and harassment were not statistically significant. The findings highlight the need for improved labor protections for migrant workers in the host countries.
Sino-Indian Rivalry and Security of Small States: The Case of Bangladesh
Bangladesh faces significant geopolitical challenges in maintaining strategic relationships with both China and India. The study deals with three pertinent questions: What is the nature of the relationship between India and China? Which underlying factors are most likely to escalate the rivalry in the near future? How does Bangladesh navigate this rivalry? The research analyses how the rivalry affects Bangladesh’s foreign policy and security strategy employing secondary sources of data. Employing Blainey’s model of the causes of war, it identifies seven factors that could fuel future conflict between China and India, using Moniruzzaman’s framework on the security of small states to assess Bangladesh’s strategic options. The paper concludes that Bangladesh’s best option for safeguarding its security is non-alignment, avoiding direct involvement in the rivalry while preserving its national interests. Bangladesh should pursue a non-aligned foreign policy to maintain its security and influence in the region, given the potential risks of involvement in the India-China rivalry.
The 1997 Peace Accord and the Re-Emergence of Militancy in the Chittagong Hill Tracts: A Multidimensional Approach
The peace accord between the Government of Bangladesh, and the Parbatya Chattogram Jana Sanghati Samiti (PCJSS) was signed on 2 December 1997, after a decade-long insurgency in the Chittagong hill tracts areas. These conflicts go back to the inception of the independent Bangladesh; as the majority of the population is Bengali, and therefore the other ethnic communities and tribes have always felt threatened by Bengali majorities, the government, its forces, and their policies upon them. Despite signing of the peace accord, the conflict between different ethnic communities and the security forces hasn’t made any progress of a total de-escalation of armed insurgency even after 27 years, as the peace treaty was signed by a few major ethnic communities, i.e. the Chakma, Marma, and Tripura and the Government of Bangladesh. It eventually made other small tribes marginalized in different aspects of life, and often resulted in direct armed conflicts. There are several questions and counter-questions to address this issue: How this hilly mountainous region became so prone to conflicts for fifty long years, why there are so many ethnic group fragmentations and what's their motive? Why does fighting break out so frequently with ethnic groups and security forces? How does reformation and implementing of peace accord can actually improve the scenario? How the Government of Bangladesh can achieve national integration along with national security? This paper addresses these questions with the brief description of ethnic diversity of different cultures, historical backgrounds of Chittagong Hill Tracts, critically evaluates the problems and drawbacks of 1997 peace accord along with implementation, and the hostile ethnopolitics, ethnic group fragmentation for political representation, military presence and dominance in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. It also proposes a multidimensional approach to resolve this fifty years long multifaceted crisis, encouraging a national integration.
The Dynamics and Implications of the Myanmar Civil War: A Conceptual Analysis
Myanmar has been struggling with political instability, ethnic tensions, and military rule since its independence in 1948, which culminated in a multidimensional civil war exacerbated by the 2021 coup and public uprisings such as the Spring Revolution. The paper addresses the ethnic tensions, militarisation and mobilisation as the forces behind the conflict and its regional effects. The conceptual framework of Michael E. Brown has been adopted in the paper to analyse the structural, political, economic, and cultural aspects of the discussion using the literature-oriented qualitative technique. The results indicate that the civil war in Myanmar is caused by longstanding ethnic exclusion and concentrated military power, which in turn are compounded by failed democratisation and weak international responses; while suggesting that the functioning of this conflict can hardly be solved without integrative federal reformations, the observance of minority rights and harmonisation of the governing of the regions. This study also explores the spillover impact on the neighbouring states such as Bangladesh, India, China, and Thailand, and explores possible grounds to foster peaceful solutions. By dissecting the conflict in multidimensional terms, the paper aims to contribute to the wider debates of the concept of internal war, ethnic politics, and regional security.
Mitigating Polarization in Ethiopia's Political System: An Adversarial Collaboration Framework
Ethiopia's political landscape, shaped by ethnic-based federalism since 1991, has experienced escalating polarization and conflict, notably the Tigray War (2020–2022) and post-Hachalu Hundessa violence. This study examines the roles of government, the private sector, and social media in stabilizing peace and narrowing the political divides. Therefore, the major objective of this paper is to assess their contributions and propose a collaborative model for peacebuilding. A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating quantitative data analysis from 150 stakeholders with qualitative insights from 20 interviews and three focus group discussions (FGDs). The findings revealed the government's leading impact (0.60) on peace stabilization, followed by the private sector (0.40) and social media (0.30), with polarization reducing from 0.74 to near 0.0 over five years (see Figures 5 and 6). Strong correlations (r = 0.74) between ideological distance and ethnic tension underscored ethnic federalism's role. The findings of the study conclude that a multi-stakeholder approach, leveraging structured dialogue and institutional reforms, can effectively mitigate polarization and foster stability. Recommendations include government-led reforms, private-sector investments in infrastructure, social media regulation to counter misinformation, and a coordinated platform for monitoring progress. These findings offer a replicable framework for Ethiopia and similar polarized contexts.
Academic Performance Assessment of Students in Higher Education Institution in Nepal: Perspectives of Faculty Members and Students
This paper aims to explore the challenges of assessing student performance from the perspectives of faculty members and students. Student performance is evaluated through formative, summative, and diagnostic assessments during the academic session. A phenomenological research design was employed, using survey questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions with non-teaching staff, faculty members, and students of Bachelor Level and Master Level at Myagdi Multiple Campus (MMC), Beni Bazaar, Nepal. The study is grounded in Bloom's taxonomy, which helps educators specify learning outcomes and evaluate student learning at various cognitive levels. The findings of the study suggest that dual-language testing can be a valuable strategy to enhance student performance and academic outcomes. This study offers insights for educators and policymakers to improve assessment practices and support student success in higher education. Finally, the study concludes that using a dual-language test format enables students to grasp questions more easily, resulting in more accurate answers and improved exam results.
Managing Kano Zoo for Sustainable Tourism in Nigeria: Implications on Wildlife Conservation
The zoological gardens are set up to enlighten the public on the importance of conservation, but it is still not clear how successful their operations are in Nigeria. Thus, a study on the management of Kano Zoo for sustainable tourism in northwest Nigeria was conducted with the goal of evaluating the facilities within the zoo for the sustainable use of wildlife resources and management implications on conservation. Data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire and direct observation. A total of 174 questionnaires were used, of which 100 were given to the visitors and 74 to the zoo employees. The findings of the study suggest that a significant association exists between visitors’ satisfaction and animal variety in the zoo (χ2=53.07a), facilities and satisfaction (χ2=37.28a), cleanliness of the area and satisfaction (χ2=28.23a), clear signage and satisfaction (χ2=49.33a). The results further revealed that 50% of the visitors prefer the use of guided tour strategy during environmental education. The staff-visitor relationship was rated high by the majority (67.4%) of the visitors. Most (73%) of the staff-visitor conflicts were attributed to the disregard for rules by the visitors. Teasing of animals and littering of the environment were the most common (56.7%) reported offenses. Finally, it is imperative that the tourists should be made aware of the importance of conservation.
Subverting Patriarchy as Gender Politics: A Feminist Perspective on the Narrative of Women’s Performativity
This paper explores the perspective of gender subversion for the liberation and the independence of women. The issue concerning constructed gender trouble and identity is discussed and analyzed, using the insights of Judith Butler whose performativity has been considered the theoretical lens that gender is not an inherent identity and can be subverted. To discuss this issue, Caryl Churchill’s play Top Girls has been undertaken as a primary source of information for textual analysis. The play is performed by all female cast where female characters play multiple roles to contrast and show the transition in gender roles. The objective of this paper is to portray the subversive character of women who have undergone repression, suffering, sacrifice, and compromise in a capitalist and individualist society. Their resistance to patriarchal norms has made them independent rather than obeying the supremacy of males. For instance, the celebration organized by Marlene with historical and legendary women reflects both the challenges faced by women and their success as career and independent women. As a qualitative approach of study, it reviews some articles and books concerning Churchill and her play as secondary sources of information. The play as a primary source has provided data and information how the gender roles are challenged and independence of female characters is reflected. The findings of this study indicate that the play attempts to subvert the traditional gender role by reflecting Marlene as a successful and independent female character.
Improving Student Retention in Higher Education Institutions: Evidences from Community Campuses of Nepal
This study examines and analyzes the various factors affecting student retention at Myagdi Multiple Campus (MMC), a semi-urban higher education institution in Nepal. Prior research on student retention has been predominantly focused on urban settings and developed countries. However, this study aims to fill this gap by exploring the factors influencing student retention in higher education institutions in the rural setting. A structured questionnaire was distributed to students through convenience sampling. The study is based on responses from 104 participants of MMC. Descriptive research design was used as the research method for quantitative analysis, and positivism was employed as the research paradigm. The theory of student engagement has been employed to highlight the crucial role of student involvement in academic and extracurricular activities in determining retention and success in higher education institutions. Statistical methods like correlation, regression, Cronbach’s alpha, Mean and SD were used to analyze the data and draw conclusions. The results indicate that quality education is the most significant factor of student retention. The findings of this study can be beneficial for researchers, policymakers, and educators in higher education institutions in the rural and semi-urban settings, providing valuable insights to improve student retention and ensure the sustainability of higher education in higher education institutions of rural areas of Nepal.
Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Quality Culture in Higher Education Institutions in Nepal: Experiences and Perceptions of Students, Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff
Most educationists believe that fostering a culture of quality within higher education institutions (HEIs) is essential for overall development of HEIs. This statement is relevant to higher education institutions in Nepal. Thus, the objective of this paper is to examine the quality culture practices at Myagdi Multiple Campus (MMC), Beni Bazaar, Nepal. The study primarily utilized a quantitative research approach, employing a descriptive research design and organizational culture theory to examine the shared values, beliefs, and behaviors within the HEIs. A sampling survey method was used gathering responses from 69 respondents, including students, teaching and non-teaching staff, through online survey such as collecting data through Google forms. This method involved a thorough exploration of individual experiences and perspectives concerning the current quality culture practices in the campus. The study concluded that while certain aspects of the quality culture were well established, there was a need for continuous improvement in the areas such as open and transparent communication, careful planning, and stakeholder engagement. These areas received mixed or lower ratings, indicating that the respondents identified them as needing further development. Hence, the campus should focus on increasing recognition of its programs, strengthening faculty development, and addressing areas that received mixed feedback.
Emotional Intelligence and Academic Performance of Students: Exploring Sustainable Higher Education
Emotional Intelligence (EI) has emerged as a critical factor influencing professional success and personal development. In the case of this study, the paper studies the relationship between EI and academic performance among students from three colleges in Pokhara: Informatics College Pokhara (ICP), LA Grandee International College, and Pokhara College of Management (PCM). Using the Schutte Self-Report EI Test (SSEIT) to evaluate EI across the variables like self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, and empathy, the study categorizes students into high EI, average EI, and needs improvement. Academic performance is assessed through self-reported GPA/marks in their last semester. The findings of the study revealed a positive relation between EI and academic outcomes, suggesting that integrating EI development into academic curriculum can significantly enhances students' academic success and overall well-being. Additionally, the study highlights that students with higher EI scores not only perform better academically but also exhibit superior stress management and interpersonal skills. By focusing on self-regulation and motivation, which emerged as the key indicators of academic performance, the study underscores the transformative potential of EI in the educational contexts. These findings align with the global research trends, emphasizing the need for the comprehensive EI-based interventions to address the academic and emotional challenges faced by students in Nepal. The study also highlights the importance of fostering EI in the younger generations, preparing them for both academic and professional challenges. It offers the practical insights into integrating the EI frameworks into the education system, aiming to bridge the gap between academic potential and emotional competence for a holistic student success, contributing to sustainable higher education in Nepal. Additionally, this study applies a developmental perspective, highlighting how EI evolves over time due to age.
Integrating ICT and Generative AI in Classrooms for Sustainable Development: The Case of Schools in Nepal
This study aims to explore how ICT and AI are integrated into the classroom, emphasizing their impacts on teaching and learning. At a time when global education is extensively using digital tools, this study intends to discover how ICT and AI enhance better learning and teaching, ensuring digital literacy and reducing learning inequalities. ICT and AI provide quality education with personalized learning experiences enabling the real time assessment of students and empowering the marginalized communities to get an access to the mainstream education system. Additionally, the integration of ICT and AI helps reduce the use of papers in the classrooms and replace them with the digital learning materials. This increases energy-efficient, environmentally friendly school management ensuring sustainable development. The research design encompasses a mixed-methods approach, where the data have been collected through the questionnaires and interviews with the participation of selected teachers, students, and administrators from different schools in Pokhara Metropolitan City in Nepal. The preliminary findings showed that despite a high degree of interest in the adoption of ICT and AI, a bottleneck exists due to the inadequate infrastructural capacity, lack of teacher training for such technologies, and limited availability of advanced technology. The schools that have integrated the ICT tools such as interactive whiteboards and online learning platforms into the classrooms demonstrated improved engagement and academic outcomes among students. AI applications, like the personalized learning systems, would offer the customized learning experiences, especially in mathematics and languages. The study also demonstrated that these technologies need a policy enabling a framework, along with a cooperation among the government, educational institutions, and the private sector, which can surmount the barriers for an effective integration. The study will, therefore, be of great use to educators, policymakers, and other stakeholders with recommendations on how best the schools can make use of technology and at the same time advance equal opportunities for quality education. Further research is recommended to explore the long-term impact of these technologies on the student learning outcomes.
The Use of Artificial Intelligence among University Students: A Narrative Inquiry
Students in higher education institutions are now more frequently using artificial intelligence (AI) in their writing assignments. This paper investigates the main purposes of university students, using AI tools while writing their assignments. The study employs narrative inquiry as a qualitative research method through interviews. The interviews were conducted with five students of Master's Level at Myagdi Multiple Campus (MMC), Beni Bazaar, Nepal. The thematic analysis method was used to identify the patterns and trends of using AI tools. The utilization of AI in writing assignments serves ten prime purposes which include a better understanding of difficult terminology, idea generation and refinement, literature exploration, production of video and slides, improvement in academic writing followed by visualization of big data, accessing resources, and the conduction of research. This study highlighted that AI proves beneficial for speedily understanding complex questions and capability to reach multiple academic resources. It demonstrates that AI enables university students to execute various tasks throughout their academic assignments. The study demonstrated that students use AI to boost their learning performance as well as to optimize their work efficiency throughout their assignment stages. The findings of the study concluded that educational institutions should incorporate AI tools partially into their framework, embracing ethical practices that develop the analytical abilities of students.
Spatial Patterns of Origins and Destinations of Labor Emigrants: A Case Study of Bangladesh
Bangladesh is a densely populated country with limited natural resources and severe socio-economic disparities resulting in underemployment and unemployment. Consequently, many Bangladeshis seek overseas employment to improve their living standards. This study aims to identify the spatial patterns of labor emigrants' origins and destinations, providing insights into how the benefits of migration are distributed across the country. The research employs a quantitative methodology, analyzing data from 500 emigrants. The findings reveal that the benefits of labor migration are concentrated in a few districts, such as Comilla, Chittagong, Tangail, Chandpur, Dhaka, and Sylhet, while the majority of the country—especially the western regions—receives minimal benefit from remittances. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the top destination for Bangladeshi workers, followed by Oman and Saudi Arabia. On the other hand, the study also highlights that significant proportions of females migrated to the UAE (27%), Jordan (27%), Lebanon (20%), and Saudi Arabia (11%) between 2004 and 2016. The findings suggest a need for policies that distribute the benefits of labor migration more equitably and diversify labor markets beyond traditional destinations.
The Representation and Participation of Marginalized Voices in the Provincial Parliament in Nepal: Exploring Sustainable Development Strategies
This paper examines the current practices of representation and participation of women and marginalized groups in the parliamentary processes of Gandaki Province Assembly, Nepal, relating to inclusive democracy, intersectionality theories, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of United Nations (UN). The study used the explanatory sequential mixed methods, using the parliament members as respondents who are elected from the female and marginalized groups. The primary and secondary data collected are analyzed to explore the findings of the study. The findings demonstrated that systemic inequities, with overrepresentation of privileged groups such as Khas-Arya, limited participation of marginalized groups in leadership roles, and biases in committee assignments and decision-making processes. The barriers such as cultural norms, language, and procedural challenges further limit a meaningful participation of women and marginalized groups. Although the proportional representation system has increased women's presence, dependence on this system emphasizes the inadequacies of the first past the post-system in fostering diversity. Further, the study highlights the perception difference due to intersecting identities of gender and marginalized groups in the assembly. Finally, the paper recommends the structural reforms, leadership training, financial support, and research-based interventions to enhance equitable representation and participation.
Sustainability of Homestay Tourism in Poverty Alleviation Programs in Nepal
Homestay tourism has emerged as a significant strategy for rural development and poverty alleviation in Nepal. Unlike traditional tourism, it provides a sustainable model by allowing tourists to stay with local families, promoting cultural exchange while directly contributing to the livelihoods of host communities. This model is particularly beneficial for rural areas, where tourism can foster economic, social, and cultural growth. The objective of this paper is to explore the potential of homestay tourism to reduce poverty in the rural areas of Nepal. It seeks to assess the economic, social, and cultural benefits of this tourism model while identifying its challenges and examining how it contributes to the rural development. This study adopts an explanatory sequential mixed-method approach. The primary data were collected through in-depth interviews, surveys, focus group discussions (FGDs), and field observations. The secondary data were gathered from the existing reports and case studies. The purposive and convenience sampling methods were used to ensure the representative insights into the impacts and challenges faced by the homestay tourism operators. The findings of the study suggest that homestay tourism plays a significant role in empowering the marginalized communities, preserving cultural heritage, and promoting inclusive development. It creates jobs, improves living conditions, and reduces poverty by encouraging community participation, fair resource distribution, and sustainable policies. However, the challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, lack of training, and insufficient government support hinder its potential. Other issues include seasonal fluctuations, gender and social inequalities, and infrastructure limitations. Homestay tourism has the potential to be a powerful tool for rural development and poverty alleviation in Nepal. To maximize its benefits, targeted interventions are needed, including improved policies, infrastructure development, and capacity-building efforts. The paper underscores the importance of community participation and sustainable practices to ensure a long-term success of homestay tourism and equitable distribution of benefits.
Socio-Cultural and Economic Challenges of Remarriage for Elderly Widows and Widowers in Nepal
Elderly widows and widowers in Nepal are often advised to refrain from remarrying due to social stigma and financial hardships caused by cultural beliefs and financial reliance. These barriers limit their freedom, which affect their general well-being and social inclusion. In these regards, this study aimed to explore the barriers to remarriage among elderly widows and widowers in Nepal, focusing on cultural, economic, emotional, and family factors together with examining the societal attitudes toward the elderly people’s remarriage and analyzing the perceptions of older adults on this issue. This study has employed an explanatory sequential mixed-method approach. Similarly, the quantitative data were used to explore the perception of them and the qualitative data were used to study in depth through the open ended questionnaire to support the quantitative findings. Sample was selected through the purposive and snowball sampling method. Data were statistically analyzed by using cross tabulation, frequency distribution, and descriptive statistics. Case studies were analyzed to find their alignment with the qualitative data findings. The findings of the study highlighted the significant barriers to remarriage, including social stigma, financial instability, lack of family support, and emotional attachment to the late spouse's family. A fear of societal criticism appeared as the leading societal discouragement factor. Further, widows, in particular, faced cultural and family challenges, contrasts to widowers who encountered fewer barriers. Although remarriage can improve emotional health and lessen loneliness, older persons are discouraged from doing so by family restriction, financial concerns, and social stigma. Cultural changes and awareness-raising initiatives are crucial to improving the quality of life for elderly widows and widowers in Nepal and normalizing remarriage.
Sustainable Development of Healthcare System in Nepal through Social Determinants of Health
The rural populations of Nepal face geographic and economic barriers while marginalized groups encounter discrimination in healthcare. The objective of this study was to survey the healthcare associated individuals to understand the factors affecting access and development of healthcare facilities. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with the healthcare receivers and providers using a questionnaire. This study surveyed 291 individuals, including 200 patients and 91 healthcare providers. Among them, 66.5% of providers worked in private hospitals, 53% of respondents were female, and 58% of patients were from urban areas, with significantly higher private hospital utilization. Financial constraints were the primary patient barrier (48.5%), followed by lack of information (28.5%). No significant differences were found between hospitals regarding these barriers. However, female patients reported significantly higher financial constraints. In total, 44.5% of patients used government insurance, 28% private, 27% out-of-pocket, and 55.5% reported good health status. Patients perceived significantly better quality of care in private hospitals and higher rates of misbehavior from providers in government hospitals. In conclusion, the survey revealed significant disparities in healthcare access in Nepal, with financial constraints and information gaps posing major barriers, especially for women. Urban patients perceived better care in private hospitals, while reporting more misbehavior in government facilities. Therefore, addressing financial constraints through targeted findings and improving information spreading, particularly for rural populations and women, are critical steps toward equitable healthcare access.
Investing in Physical Assets and Economic Development: Perspectives on Sustainability
This paper examines the investment practices in Nepal, focusing on the prevalent trend of investing in physical assets such as land and houses, and its implications for economic development. The study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining exploratory and descriptive research designs. The primary data were collected through the semi-structured questionnaires from 18 households in Adarshabasti Tole Bikash Sanstha, Pokhara Metropolitan City-18, Kaski District. The findings of the study reveal that most households prefer investing in physical property due to the factors such as potential price appreciation, social pressures, and cultural influences. However, the barriers such as market uncertainty, political instability, limited financing options, and high property costs hinder investment in more productive sectors like business and trade. While there is a strong preference for business investment across the different caste groups, the concerns about government support and financial risks deter an active involvement in the entrepreneurial ventures. The study highlights a complex relationship between the property markets and business investment. The paper concludes that addressing the barriers to business investment and reducing the market uncertainties can encourage more diversified investment practices, leading to the sustainable economic growth. This study contributes to the field of development studies by examining how the traditional investment practices in physical assets impact a long-term economic development in Nepal.
The Procurement Process of World Bank Funded Projects and Government Funded Projects in Nepal: Exploring Sustainability through Procurement
In the Nepali construction industry, selecting the contractors based solely on the lowest bid is a common practice. While the low bids may initially appear cost-effective, they often lead to the long-term consequences that can have a negative impact on the project quality, sustainability, and timely completion. In response to the bids from the clients, the contractors often submit the abnormally lower bids, which do not align with the preliminary estimates of an engineer. This paper aims to identify the problems associated with the low bidding. Due to the low bidding practices, the contractors have to work with invariably low profit margins. As a result, they accept the low quality products, low quality goods, lack of utilization of skilled manpower, and low-quality constructions. The sub-contractors are also not benefited from this practice. Furthermore, there are various issues such as the front-loading effects associated with the low bid practices. However, the World Bank funded projects are not completely driven by the low bidding amount only. Unlike the Nepal Government funded projects, the World Bank funded projects analyze different constraints such as the uncertainty factors and cost overruns. This paper seeks to investigate a comparative study of a bidding processes of the Nepal Government funded projects and the World Bank funded projects. The study is exploratory in nature. The data have been collected from the secondary sources and key informant interviews (KIIs). Moreover, this study concludes that the concerned authorities need to rethink the procurement evaluation practices. Various strategic methods such as the “identify, clarify, analyze, and decide” method could be adopted for the best bid selection. There is an utmost need to understand that sustainable and qualitative works comes only at some cost by the stakeholders and the authority.
Traffic Accidents on the Hetauda-Narayangarh Road: Promoting Safer Roads for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This study investigates the causes of traffic accidents along the Hetauda-Narayangarh route in Nepal from the drivers' perspectives. The study emphasizes that addressing driver-related errors and enhancing infrastructure, education, and community collaboration are essential for ensuring road safety and supporting sustainable development in Nepal. The key findings indicate that driver-related errors, such as reckless driving and speeding, account for approximately 80% of accidents, with distractions—particularly the mobile phone use and fatigue—playing a critical role in the diminished driving performance. The study utilized a structured questionnaire distributed to 100 drivers, yielding 80 valid responses that were analyzed using SPSS version 27. The results suggested that adverse weather conditions, especially light rain and fog, exacerbate accident risks, making road signage, and driver education imperative. While most respondents reported the regular vehicle maintenance, there remains a notable lack of formal driver training, with 95% indicating prior untraining; this points to a crucial need for educational initiatives. In conclusion, enhancing road safety along the Hetauda-Narayangarh corridor necessitates improved infrastructure, consistent vehicle checks, and strategic driver education efforts, fostering collaboration among the government, community stakeholders, and the driving population to minimize accidents. The study sets a foundation for future research aimed at improving transportation safety in the similar contexts.
James Joyce, Irishness and the Exile Aesthetics: A Nationalistic Perspective
This paper delves into the construction of nationality within the literary corpus of renowned Irish author James Joyce, examining it through the lens of exilic aesthetics. The study aims to elucidate the mechanisms by which he articulates the concept of Irishness. Through the meticulous textual analysis and critical discourse, the paper ascertains that he dismantles the colonially entrenched Irishness by challenging and resisting the colonial narrative of Ireland, and subsequently reconfigures this notion through an exilic sense of belonging, informed by an international modernist geographical imagination. This inquiry facilitates a reappraisal of the construct of "Irishness" within his oeuvre and its implications for Irish historical and cultural contexts. Furthermore, it incites contemplation on the role of intellectuals during the colonial epoch in shaping national identities and their engagement in both colonial defiance and the pursuit of national emancipation.
The Dynamics of Resistance: Redefining Identity in Kiran Desai’s The Inheritance of Loss
Kiran Desai's The Inheritance of Loss intricately explores the complexities of cultural identity both as a tool of domination and a form of resistance within the context of postcolonial India and the global diaspora. The novel delves into the lives of characters grappling with the legacies of colonialism, globalization, and displacement, revealing how the power dynamics and historical forces shape cultural identity. Through the experiences of characters like Sai, Biju, and the judge, Desai illustrates how dominant cultures impose hierarchies and erasure while marginalized individuals and communities reclaim and redefine their identities as acts of resistance. The novel critiques the ways in which cultural identity is commodified and manipulated in a globalized world while also celebrating its potential to foster resilience and solidarity. Desai’s novel underscores the dual nature of cultural identity as a site of struggle and empowerment, reflecting the broader tensions of belonging and alienation in a rapidly changing world. Ethnic identity matters a lot when a certain group of people is forced to live under different forms of domination, such as demographic, economic, cultural, and political. The cultural concept of ‘ethnie’ or ethnicity has been used to discuss the literary products. The paper argues that Desai’s work offers a nuanced critique of the legacies of colonialism and the ongoing realities of cultural domination over the people who do not belong to one’s culture and language-speaking group. The main argument of this paper is that the minority or dominated group has to develop enough power to defy undue subjugation exercised by the majority or dominant group.
The Use of Rustic and Colloquial Language in Pashupati Sharma’s “Dohori” [Folk] Songs
This paper investigates the use of the rustic and colloquial words or expression in the Nepali “Dohori” [folk] songs sung by Nepali “Dohori” singer Pashupati Sharma. It further explores the major causes for using such language. To address these issues, the study employs a qualitative based descriptive approach along with the casual interview as the tools for data collection. In the study, nine “Dohori” songs of the chosen singer who used rustic and colloquial language are used for analysis. They include “Kyarna Maya Maricheu Mayale” [Why have you forgotten me, my love?], “Duita Hatti” [Two Elephants], “Roila Dohori [Roila folk], Cycle Kinna Jam” [Lets go to buy a bicycle], “Lauri Haraayo” [Stick got lost], “Jantai Jaamla Bhaterai Khaamla” [Will go to wedding ceremony and have the feast], “Maaya Laako ho Bhana” [Say, love is there], “Pani Puri” [A type of food] and “Chatta Lokal Kukhura” [Yes, Local Chicken]. The songs for analysis are taken from the official YouTube channel of Sharma. The singer himself, a Nepali Language teacher and two fans of Pashupati Sharma were interviewed to find out the reasons for the use of colloquial language in Nepali folk songs. The result shows that most of the listeners of the folk songs are from rural area who basically prefer to enjoy the use of colloquial Nepali language of their area in the songs. Nepali folk songs have played an important role to protect the folk culture in the country but sometimes in the name of attracting the listeners by the use of rustic and colloquial expressions in the songs, there is a fear that formal Nepali language is likely to be overshadowed.