PODS by PEI

#Ep.045 मिडिया जनतालाई विश्वसनीय सुचना दिएर शुसुचित बनाउने माध्यम हो | तर आजको दिनमा नेपाली मिडियाको विश्वसनीयता माथि नै प्रश्न उठेका छन् | मिडिया हाउसहरु आफुलाई व्यवसायिक भन्छन् । तर व्यावसायिक रुपमा संगठित हुने नाममा त्यहाँ काम गर्ने पत्रकारहरुले राजनीतिक पार्टीका भ्रातृ संघठनका च्याप्टर खोलेका छन् , र त्यस अन्तर्गत चुनाव समेत लड्दछन् । यस्तो अवस्थामा ति मिडियाले प्रकाशित/प्रसारित गर्ने समाचारमा कुनै पार्टी/आस्था प्रति आग्रह/पूर्वाग्रह हुदैन भनेर जनताले विश्वास गर्ने आधार हराउँदै गएको छ | कतिपय नयाँ/पुराना नेता/पार्टीहरुले स्थापित मिडियाको विश्वसनीयता नरहेको भन्दै आफ्ना कुरा राख्न, प्रचार गर्न सामाजिक संजाल लगायत बैकल्पिक तरिकाहरु पनि अपनाएको देखिन्छ । स्थापित मिडिया प्रायोजित/ पुर्वाग्राहित भयो भनेर आरोप लाग्दैगर्दा, सामाजीक संजाल लगायत बैकल्पिक भनिएका माध्यमबाट पनि गलत, तथ्यहीन र पुर्वाग्रहपूर्ण समाचार/सामाग्री आउने गरेका छन् | यसले गर्दा हाम्रो सार्वजनिक बहसलाई कस्तो असर परेको छ त ? के स्थापित मिडियाको एजेन्डा सेटिंङ्ग रोल अब सामाजिक संजालले खोसेको हो? अतः मिडियाको बिज्ञापन लिन सरकार/व्यवसायिक घरानाहरु प्रतिको निर्भरता र तिनै बाट पुरस्कारहरु समेत पाउने चलनले, मिडियाले तिनै संस्थाहरु लाई प्रश्न गर्ने र तिनको अनियमितता लाई उदाङ्गो पार्ने क्षमता माथि प्रश्न उठेको छ| अरु लाई ‘स्वार्थ बाझिने’ काम गरेकोमा औला उठाउने मिडियाको चैं यसो गर्दा स्वार्थ बाझिदैंन? यिनै बिषयहरुलाई समेट्दै, आजको भागमा पी. ई. आई. का जनक पोख्रेल, पत्रकार केपी ढुंगानासँग उनको गत वैशाख ७ गते, उकेरा डटकममा “साँच्चै 'हामी' किन यति धेरै अविश्वसनीय भयौँ ?” नामक शिर्षकमा लेखिएको लेखको अन्तरङ्गमा रहेर संवादमा बस्दैछन् | ढुंगानाले मिडिया पनि समय र अवस्था/व्यवस्था अनुरुप परिवर्तन हुनुपर्ने र बिज्ञापन लिनका लागी सरकार/व्यवसायिक घरानाहरु प्रतिको निर्भरतालाई तोड्नुपर्ने आवस्यकता रहेको कुरालाई उठान र विश्लेषण गर्नुभएको छ | केपी ढुंगाना, पेशाले एउटा पत्रकार हुनुहुन्छ। उहाँले त्रिभुवन विश्वविद्यालयबाट स्नातक गर्नुभएको छ र पछिल्लो १७-१८ वर्ष देखि पत्रकारिता पेशामा संलग्न हुनुहुन्छ | नेपाललाइभ डटकमको सम्पादकको रुपमा काम गरिसक्नुभएको उहाँ अहिले उकेरा डटकमसंग प्रधान सम्पादकको रुपमा आवद्ध हुनुहुन्छ। यो भन्दा अगाडी उहाँले राजधानी दैनिक, नयाँ पत्रिका, नागरिक, कान्तिपुर आदिमा पनि काम गरिसक्नु भएको छ। उहाँ विशेषगरी खोज पत्रकारितामा सक्रिय हुनुहुन्छ र सुरक्षा सम्बन्धि बिषयमा रिर्पोटिङ गर्न खास रुचि र दक्षता राख्नुहुन्छ | उहाँले अन्तरदेशीय संगठित अपराध सम्बन्धि पुस्तक - “ओपन सेक्रेट” पनि लेख्नुभएको छ | Patreon मा हामीलाई समर्थन गर्न यहाँ क्लिक गर्नुहोस् !!

#Ep.044 Due to its novelty, Cyberspace is an obscure topic for most people. While individual ignorance of cyberspace and its threats might be a considerable vulnerability, the stakes are significantly higher when the same ignorance is seen among States. Yet, most Governments still do not pay attention to building up their cybersecurity, and the situation is worse for developing countries like Nepal which already have their hands full with reaching basic development goals. In this episode, PEI Colleague, Hridesh Sapkota, sits with Rajib Subba to discuss Nepal’s Cybersecurity Landscape. The two begin by demystifying the realms of cyberspace. They then explore how the Nepali State has maintained its cybersecurity, discussing recent failures and successes and if the Nepali State is doing enough given the growing contemporary threats in the cyber sphere. Rajib is former DIG and served as the Director of Communication Directorate in the Nepal Police. He did his Ph.D. in Communication and Information Sciences from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and brings more than twenty-five years of professional experience in communication, information technology, and crisis management. In addition, Rajib serves in various professional associations and community organizations, including the Computer Association of Nepal. Click here to support us on Patreon!!

Explore Nepal's push for electric cooking solutions as a way to reach net zero emissions by 2045. Learn about the challenges and opportunities in the electricity sector, demand side management strategies, and the positive impact of electric cooking on climate change. Discover the importance of public-private collaboration in promoting and implementing electric cooking solutions.

Energy expert Ben Cahill discusses the changing global energy landscape, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, climate change, and the transition to renewable energy sources. They explore challenges in the oil and gas industry, the geopolitics of energy, impacts on developing countries, and the role of hydrogen in decarbonization. The podcast highlights the need for energy diversification and investments in greener energy.

#Ep.041 In this enlightening episode of the PEI podcast, we delve into the intricate dynamics of international labor migration. Join our host, Anuj Tiwari, as he engages in a riveting conversation with Rebekah Smith, a renowned expert in labor mobility and public policy. They unpack the multi-layered economic and social impacts of labor migration on the host nations, migrant workers, and countries of origin. Explore how labor migration policies necessitate careful balancing, addressing the often conflicting consequences for all involved parties. We delve into the tough decisions that inform the design of labor immigration policies, highlighting the integral role of ethics and values beyond mere facts. Drawing on Rebekah's extensive experience and scholarly publications, we discuss effective migration systems, the global effects of migration on stakeholders, and optimal responses to these challenges. Rebekah, the executive director of Labor Mobility Partnerships, boasts a wealth of experience in addressing market and regulatory challenges obstructing safe and effective labor mobility. Your support on Patreon allows us to bring these crucial global issues to the forefront. Click here to support us!

Ep#040 नागरिकता विधेयक (पहिलो संशोधन) २०७२ ले वैवाहिक अंगिकृत महिला र जन्मको आधारमा नागरिकता लिएका सन्तानहरुलाई वंशजको आधारमा नागरिकता दिने प्रावधान पारित गरेको छ । तर एकसमुहमा रहेका कतिपय राजनीतिक दलहरुले नेपालमा वैवाहिक अंगिकृत महिलालाई सात वर्ष पछि नागरिकता दिनुपर्ने र यसअघि वितरण भएको जन्मसिद्ध नागरिकता छानबिन नभएसम्म उनीहरूका सन्तानलाई वंशजको नागरिकता दिन नहुने तर्क गर्छन। त्यस्तै दोस्रो समुहमा रहेका राजनीतिक दल, आफ्नै नागरिकलाई अनागरिक बनाउने र लैङ्गिक असमानता प्रवर्धन गर्ने व्यवस्था हटाउन यो विधेयक सहायक रहेको तर्क गर्छन । नेपालको संसदमा केही वर्षदेखि नागरिकता विधेयकमाथि छलफल भइरहेको भए पनि हाल पारित भएका प्रावधानहरु सिफारिसमा नभएकोले राजनीतिक दलहरु ध्रुवीकृत हुदै आएका छन् । नेपालमा सांसद र आमजनताबीच यो बहसको विषय बन्दै आएको छ । पोड्स बाई पि.ई.आई.को आजको भागमा पी. ई. आई.का अविनाश कर्ण तराई–मधेश लोकतान्त्रिक पार्टीका अध्यक्ष बृषेशचन्द्र लालसंग गत चैत्र २० गते कान्तिपुर दैनिकमा प्रकाशित उहाँको लेख “नागरिकता विधेयकमा अनुचित अलमल” को सेरोफेरोमा रहेर संवाद गर्नेछन्  ! यस लेखमा अध्यक्ष लालले संविधानका शर्त पूरा गरी पारित भएको नेपाल नागरिकता (पहिलो संशोधन) विधेयक–२०७९ लाई कानुन बनिसकेको घोषणा गर्नुपर्ने र लोकतन्त्रवादी भनाउने राजनीतिक दलहरू, र समुहहरुले वर्षौंदेखि नागरिकतालाई राजनीतिक मुद्दाका रूपमा प्रयोग गर्दै सत्ता समीकरण बनाउने र नेतृत्वमा बसिरहन बिनाआधारको सिटबन्धन मात्र तिनका निमित्त पहिलो चासोको विषय रहेको भन्ने विचार र नागरिकता संग सम्बन्धित अन्तरवस्तुमा रहेर कुराकानी गर्नेछौ  । नेपाल विद्यार्थी संघबाट राजनीति शुरु गर्नु भएका बृषेशचन्द्र लाल बिक्रम सम्बत् २०२९ सालमा ने.वि.संघ, धनुषा जिल्ला अध्यक्ष हुदै लोकतान्त्रिक आन्दोलनको क्रममा अग्रणी भूमिका निर्वाह गर्दा पटक-पटकको गिरफदारिमा ८ वर्ष जति कारावास जीवन विताउनु भएको छ ! बि.पि. कोइराला संग नजिक भएर काम गरेका उनी २०४४ सालमा नेपाली कांग्रेस समर्थित उम्मेदवारको रुपमा स्थानीय निर्वाचनबाट उप-प्रधानपंचमा निर्वाचित भएर पछि ने.का.को रणनीति अनुसार सार्वजनिक रुपमा पंचायती व्यवस्थाको बिरोध गर्दा खारेजीमा परेका लाल पुनः २०४८ सालमा जनकपुरधाम नगरपालिकामा स्वतन्त्र उम्मेदवारको रुपमा नगर प्रमुखमा निर्वाचित हुनु भएको थियो ! लोकतान्त्रिक आन्दोलन, मधेश आन्दोलन संगै विभिन्न अधिकारमुखी आन्दोलनमा अग्रणी भूमिका निर्वाह गर्दै आउनु भएका लाल २०६३ सालमा स्थापित तराई मधेश लोकतान्त्रिक पार्टीका संस्थापक सदस्य हुनुहुन्छ ! राष्ट्रिय सभाका पुर्व सदस्य र विधायण समितिका पुर्व सदस्य समेत रहनु भएका उहाँ त्रि.वि.वि.बाट अर्थशास्त्रमा स्नातकोत्तर गर्नुका साथसाथै इजरायलबाट विकास, सहकारी र श्रम विषयमा डिप्लोमा गर्नु भएको छ ! कानूनको अध्ययनमा रुची राख्ने लाल समसामयिक विषयमा पनि कलम चलाउने लालका विभिन्न लिखतहरु पनि प्रकाशित छन् ! हाल उहाँ पुनर्स्थापित तराई मधेश लोकतान्त्रिक पार्टीको केन्द्रिय अध्यक्ष हुनुहुन्छ ! Patreon मा हामीलाई समर्थन गर्न यहाँ क्लिक (https://patreon.com/podsbypei) गर्नुहोस् !!

The podcast discusses the recently concluded Power Summit 2023 in Nepal, focusing on broadening green energy markets, increasing electricity demand, attracting foreign investment, and addressing challenges in Nepal's energy discourse.

#Ep.038 More than 15 years have passed since the end of the armed conflict between the Maoists and the Government of Nepal with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Accord. While the country has done a remarkable job not recoiling back into the violent conflict with which it grappled for a decade, the years after have been slow and painful for the thousands of survivors who keep waiting for a justice that just won't show.  In this episode, PEI colleague Khushi sits with Jaya Luintel to highlight the harrowing stories of thousands of Nepali women who survived war atrocities and are still struggling to find justice and reparation for their losses. Recounting women's experiences during and after the conflict, the two explore gendered aspects of war and how the Nepali State has failed to cater to its female survivors.   Jaya is the co-founder of The Story Kitchen, where she works with women nationwide to empower them to share their stories by providing them with the skills and platforms to vocalize their issues and experiences to seek social justice. She has over two decades of working as a journalist and a development practitioner. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Applied Conflict Transformation Studies. The episode also features testimonies from some survivors themselves, which were retrieved from the archives of The Story Kicthen’s radio broadcasts.

#Ep.037 Adopted in 2015, the Paris Agreement was hailed as a leap for humankind to achieve climate change mitigation, adaptation, and establish effective mechanisms for climate finance. The agreement set the long-term temperature goal to keep the rise in mean global temperature to well below 2 °C (3.6 °F) above pre-industrial levels, and preferably limit the increase to 1.5 °C (2.7 °F), recognizing that this would substantially reduce the effects of climate change. Building on this, the final synthesis report of the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report, published recently in March 2023, unequivocally states that climate change has been caused by greenhouse gases emitted through anthropogenic activities. Climate change has created substantial damages and increasingly so, irreversible changes to the planet. The recently published report is unequivocal about climate change arising from anthropogenic carbon emissions, and that it is indeed high time that the world starts to cut down its emissions, reduce the dependency on fossil fuels, and adopt carbon-neutral technologies for energy generation, industry, and transport. PEI’s Saurab and Bimal discuss the recently published synthesis report of the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report, some of the key takeaways from the report and climate change through a Nepali lens. Bimal is a climate resilience and natural resource management expert with more than 23 years of experience supporting national and local climate change adaptation priorities in Nepal. He has experience supporting the Government of Nepal (GON) in risk reduction, natural systems sustainability, and biodiversity conservation, and has made significant contributions to the development of Nepal’s Climate Change Policy and institutional reform. He holds a PhD in Climate Change from Flinders University, Australia. Click here to support us on Patreon!!

#Ep.036 Kathmandu has evolved drastically in the past few decades. A bird’s eye view of the valley would find aggregates of concrete where the lush canopy once domineered. While Kathmandu’s urbanization gave way to socio-economic development, its native wildlife has been increasingly marginalized. This has been reflected, among other things, in the sharp decline of migratory birds visiting Kathmandu in the past 20 years.  In this episode, PEI’s Dheeraj and Hem Sagar Baral talk about the Beauty of Birds and Bird Watching. They begin with exploring the art of bird watching and the immense opportunity for it in Nepal. The two then fondly recount their experience as avid bird watchers and observe the changes they have observed especially the population decline. They discuss urbanization and climate change as main deterrents and consider what can be done to mitigate their effects to restore avian life and diversity. Hem Sagar Baral is an ornithologist with a Ph.D. in Bird Ecology from the University of Amsterdam and has been involved in wildlife conservation for nearly three decades popularizing public engagement and appreciation. He is the Country Director of the Zoological Society of London, Nepal where he leads multiple wildlife conservation projects, charities, and research.  Click here https://patreon.com/podsbypei to support us on Patreon!!