- Thursday, 26 March 2026
SUSHMA MAHARJAN
True respect for martyrs lies in meaningful reforms
Martyrs’ Day is marked across the country every year on Magh 16, paying tribute to the brave men and women who laid down their lives in the struggle against the autocratic Rana regime and other democratic movements. Among the earliest martyrs, Lakhan Thapa of Gorkha is remembered as a pioneering freedom fighter who boldly challenged Rana rule. He emerged as a courageous leader demanding political reforms, restoration of royal authority, and basic rights for the people.
Nepal’s exhibition infrastructure insufficient and outdated
Exhibitions are globally recognised as powerful platforms for trade promotion, innovation, business networking and tourism. However, in Nepal, the absence of well-equipped exhibition and convention centres has emerged as a major structural bottleneck, limiting not only business growth but also the country’s potential in Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism. Despite the growing number of trade fairs, product expos and international forums organised by the private sector, the country still relies almost entirely on a single, government-owned venue, the Bhrikuti Mandap Exhibition Hall, whose deteriorating condition and limited capacity have become a major obstacle to exhibitions, conventions and MICE tourism.
