The basic objective of this article is to examine the birth and rise of “Generation Z” (henceforth Gen Z) in recent world history and in Nepal, and to explore what this rise may imply for national political systems in Nepal and elsewhere. It is argued here that distinctive and “named” generations such as Gen Z are products not of biological (jaivik) reproduction such as those we evoke when we speak of generations (vansa, pusta, etc.) of parents and those of their children and grandchildren. The distinctiveness of such generations is rooted in distinctive social (i.e. economic, political, cultural) and historical periods they were born into and in distinctive social and historical currents they themselves push forward. In particular, such generations are products of a very rapid flow of history. It is this rapid flow that leads to the regime of named generations in the first place. In addition, it is argued that Gen Z and similar other generations are not the same the world over; it is, instead, necessary to locate sets of Gen Zs within specific regions and countries, i.e. within specific social and historical contexts. The world today is one single historical whole inasmuch as it is intricately integrated across all major dimensions of production and exchange. Yet, the world is highly differentiated, uneven and unequal and it is becoming more so. As such, even as the nature and dynamics of the world today does provide an overall framework for analysis, the specificity of the local and the present must be valorized. It is further argued that the rapid shift in social-historical generations is likely to lead to a move away from the older framework of a durable, ideologically-based, cadre-based, “principled” and ordered political party formation to a formation that is much more populist and, therefore, geared to a shorter time frame, principal-leader-based, less long run and ideologically and programmatically flexible. Populist politics in peripheral countries such as Nepal today is also more “manipulable” at the hands of powerful forces inside and outside the country and, increasingly during the last two decades, along the liminal (mainly cyber-borderland) spaces inhabited mostly by young and Gen Z cyber-denizens of specific but anonymous hues and interests. Finally, and in the context of news reports on initiatives on amendment of the existing constitution, a brief conclusion identifies three key provisions that ought to be honored for a better future.
Material possession and consumption have become prominent features of recent urbanism in Nepal. Urban dwellers tend to associate urban identity with the possession of certain materials, as evidenced in their choices for daily household use, housing design, clothing style, and other lifestyle elements. This paper examines how urban materiality has become ingrained in the daily social and cultural lives of the dwellers of these areas and how they use it to create their distinct space in the neighborhood. It also explores how new dwellers form mental associations with materials associated with urbanity in their homes and neighborhoods, striving to integrate them into their daily lives. It also analyzes how urban dwellers use such materials as signifiers of distinction and identity within the neighborhoods. Based on an analysis of first-hand qualitative data generated through ethnographic fieldwork in popular migrant destinations in Butwal city, such as Devinagar, Shankarnagar, Drivertole, and Manigram, this paper shows that urban residents in these areas prioritize urban material culture in their homes and neighborhoods, integrating it into daily life to shape social status and identity. It further demonstrates how objectively neutral material items become subjective, value-laden entities that contribute to social segregation in the neighborhood. Ultimately, it concludes that urban materiality reinforces family status within neighborhoods, thereby distinguishing and segregating families from one another.
This ethnographic study explores the ritual practices of the academically under-researched area of the Magars of Chaunna Kuriya, Myagdi, Nepal. This study employed conversational interviews, observations, and Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) to determine how these rituals are performed and adopted Barth’s (1969) assertion that ethnic groups are maintained through boundaries rather than cultural content alone. The Chaunna Kuriya Magars’ practices, such as restricting outsiders' presence during rituals, serve as active mechanisms for demarcating and preserving group identity. The key findings include historical traditions of ritual practices; collective assets of ritual practices; linkage of ritual practices with seasons, weather, and natural resources; connection of ritual functions with nature; and the tie of ritual practices with livelihood. As a nodal study of ritual practices, this research aids young scholars, academicians, policymakers, and government authorities in understanding rituals in general, and those of the Magars of Chaunna Kuriya in particular.
E-Governance has emerged as a transformative tool to enhance democratic governance, transparency, accountability, and inclusive service delivery. This paper critically examines the evolution, status, challenges, and opportunities of e-governance in Nepal, drawing on policy documents, academic literature, and reports from bilateral agencies and civil society organizations. The study assesses how digital governance initiatives, such as the e-Government Master Plan 2006, the Digital Nepal Framework 2019, and the 16th Five-Year Plan, have shaped the country’s digital trajectory. While significant progress has been made in digital service adoption and citizen engagement, strengthened by expanding telecom infrastructure and the COVID-19 pandemic, Nepal’s E-Governance landscape remains constrained by inadequate human capital, digital divides, weak political will, poor implementation mechanisms, and infrastructural deficits. This review aims to contribute to ongoing discourse by identifying policy gaps, stakeholder engagement needs, and strategies to mainstream E-Governance into Nepal’s democratic and socio-economic development processes. This study employs a desk review methodology to synthesize diverse secondary sources and examine the existing policy framework on e-governance in Nepal. The findings show significant progress through initiatives such as the e-Government Master Plan, the Digital Nepal Framework, and expanded digital service delivery across the country. However, full implementation remains constrained by digital divides, weak infrastructure, socio-political barriers, limited skilled human resources, and low public awareness. Finally, this article underscores the potential of E-Governance to catalyze inclusive development and democratic deepening in Nepal.
This study explains the structural relationships among service quality, tourist experience, and tourists' satisfaction levels, in turn, with their intention to revisit and recommend the destination. It also examines the mediating role of tourist satisfaction in these relationships, particularly among international tourists visiting Nepal. The study used a quantitative approach and a cross-sectional survey research design, in which the required data were collected from 405 foreign visitors using self-administered, structured questionnaires. The relationships of service quality, tourist experience, tourist satisfaction, and behavioral intentions were analyzed by using PLS-SEM to identify direct and indirect relationships among the study variables. The results indicate that service quality and tourist experience are important determinants of satisfaction. Satisfaction, in turn, positively influences the intention to recommend and revisit the destination. As a mediating effect, the direct influence of tourists' experience on revisit intention was not significant, but its indirect influence via satisfaction was substantial. The analysis establishes the relevance of Planned Behavior and the Expectation-Confirmation theories, while explaining the tourist behaviors. Tourist satisfaction also forms an important mediating factor between perceived service quality, perceived service experience, and behavioral intentions. The key strategies to promote destination loyalty are to deliver high service standards and to create greater experiential value for international tourists. Thus, the strategy that must be given priority by the tourism stakeholders is the process of enhancing the quality of service, memorable moments to boost satisfaction, foster repeated visits, and positive publicity. Finally, this study contributes empirical knowledge regarding the mediating effect of tourist satisfaction in both prominent and emerging tourism destinations. Besides, it has theoretical and practical implications for sustainable tourism transformation and development.
