Blind students in Achham battle distance, poverty and barriers to learning
By Menuka Dhungana Despite Nepal’s inclusive education policy, many children with visual impairment lose years of schooling because poetry, remoteness and lack of accessible facilities keep them away from classrooms.
At 14, she defied her family’s plan to marry her late sister’s husband
By Menuka Dhungana Sushilata Nepali, a teenager from Achham district, resisted her family, her community and an entrenched tradition to stop her own child marriage. Now she leads the campaign to ensure no other child faces the same fate.
Six sentenced to life in Binod Shahi murder case
By Menuka Dhungana Dipayal High Court overturns earlier district court ruling, orders compensation to victim’s family in a case linked to 2022 local election violence.
Child marriage, superstition drive stillbirth crisis in Achham
By Menuka Dhungana Health workers say teenage pregnancy, poor nutrition, and reliance on faith healers keep stillbirth figures stubbornly high.
Mid-Hill Highway new town plan stalls amid policy gaps and budget freezes
By Menuka Dhungana Launched 15 years ago, the initiative aimed to settle at least 100,000 people in each town by 2033 and curb migration from the hills.
Achham palace, rebuilt after Maoist attack, remains unused 14 months after inauguration
By Menuka Dhungana Once the centre of government authority, the reconstructed Achham Durbar now stands empty amid delays, political disputes and uncertainty over its future.
Water scarcity deepens in Achham as springs dry up
By Menuka Dhungana Unplanned road construction, shrinking sources and erratic rainfall are forcing long queues for drinking water and increasing pressure on rural households, especially women.
Finland-based Nepali woman harassed online over name mix-up
By Menuka Dhungana Sangam Bista was linked to a sexual assault case in the US and flooded with abuse on social media.
Balendra Shah renewed curiosity for Badimalika. But will he make it easily accessible?
By Arjun Shah & Menuka Dhungana Badimalika and Ramaroshan drew Balendra Shah’s attention as he toured Nepal’s far-west for election campaign.
Nepali migrant workers face uncertainty as West Asia conflict disrupts jobs
By Prakash Baral, Menuka Dhungana, Ram Prasad Chauhan & Nawaraj Shrestha Flights cancelled, visas delayed as Gulf-bound youths remain stuck amid escalating tensions.
Every update from Gulf makes hearts race in Nepali homes
By Menuka Dhungana & Prakash Baral Parents receive any piece of information nervously as rumours and reports of missile strikes fuel their fears.
First-time voters in Nepal’s poorest districts want results, not empty promises
By Menuka Dhungana As election day approaches, students from remote farwest say survival and opportunity matter more than slogans.
Women serve as election police, men handle home duties
By Menuka Dhungana In Achham, temporary election work has given women both a source of income and a boost in confidence. Traditional gender roles are slowly changing.
Indian youth head to Achham for work as locals continue to leave for India
By Menuka Dhungana Cross-border labour trend grows as Indian workers take up gabion weaving jobs in western Nepal.
Veteran election policeman plans to retire after serving 10 polls
By Menuka Dhungana Tanka Prasad Dhungana, 54, has been on duty at elections ever since the 1991 elections, and he’s back for March 5 polls.