This article analyzes combatants’ accounts of their engagement with the Communist Party of Nepal, Maoist—CPN (M). We use Self-Categorization Theory (SCT) as a framework and thematic analysis as a method to examine how social relationships and contextual factors contributed to political party identification during the ten-year-long Maoist insurgency in Nepal. Based on the study of autobiographical narratives written by Nepali Maoist combatants, we demonstrate that a) key social and political experiences cumulatively evoked feeling positively inclined to partisan attachment; b) CPN (M) party ideology, which was presented as a cure-all to socio-political difficulties, actuated the predisposed people’s partisan alignment; c) families were largely unsupportive of their members’ intention to take part in the war; and when they participated, the family responded with antagonism; and d) party ideologues of the CPN (M), who met the partisan-leaning individuals as close friends, accelerated and sustained their friends’ motivation to become involved in the armed conflict. Together the findings culminate in a view that engagement with CPN (M) during the insurgency occurred despite resistance from family and increased exponentially because of societal and political experiences, the strong appeal of party ideology, and social network dynamics.

Introduction. Patient’s knowledge and attitude towards their treatment avert stereotypical misconceptions about the disease and its treatment, as well as aid in attaining optimal adherence. This study investigated the knowledge, attitude, practice, and adherence of antiretroviral therapy (ART) clients in Nepal. Method. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 165 ART clients visiting five ART sites in the far western region and the capital city of Nepal. The convenience sampling method was employed, and the data were collected through interviews with ART clients using a validated questionnaire. Binary logistic regression was used to identify associated factors. Result. Approximately 80.7% had adequate knowledge and 55% had a positive attitude towards ART. Stigmatization was associated with ARV by only 4.2%. Half of the participants (50.3%) revealed that they had surreptitiously stored their ART medication, diverging from the recommended storage guidelines. A significant proportion of respondents (33.3%) chose to repackage the medication as a strategy to prevent unintended disclosure of their HIV status. Many (59.3%) believed that ART does not prolong life. Nevertheless, they advocated the regular use of ART rather than taking it only when the health deteriorates (81.8%). The majority (97.6%) were found to be adherent to their ART. There was a significant association of age with a level of knowledge and attitude ( ). A significant association was also found between knowledge and attitude towards ART ( ). None of the variables had a significant association with adherence ( ). Conclusion. Overall, adequate knowledge was demonstrated, whereas efforts are still needed to improve the attitude of ART clients towards ART. A need for counseling regarding the storage practices of ART is needed. A focus on ensuring the perfect translation of adequate knowledge and a positive attitude to the practice of ART clients is essential. Whether adequate ART knowledge and attitude scores will lead to near-perfect ART adherence needs further investigation.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to disabling condition. In Nepal the nationwide statistics of incidence and prevalence of SCI is still unclear which demands a systematic examination of crucial epidemiological aspects of SCI. An electronic search was conducted on PubMed, Ovid EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar. Clinical studies investigating epidemiology of spinal cord injury were included. A narrative synthesis of the data that comprised 1796 patients was conducted. Males comprised 73%, and the mean age varied from 32 to 47 years. The two leading causes of SCI were falls (60%) and accidents (17%). Most patients had incomplete neurology (AIS grade B, C and D = 42%) followed by AIS A grade (36.3%). Cervical injury (37.4%) was the most common level of injury. Mortality during hospital stay was low (1.98%) whereas after rehabilitation was high (24.32%). The review contributes in understanding epidemiology of SCI in Nepal which is expected to help in planning for prevention and management.

In this paper, I investigate the issue of English mixing in Nepali television commercials. More specifically, based on qualitative data taken from a total of four hours of Nepali TV commercials broadcasted on the major Nepali television stations - Avenues Television and Kantipur Television from 7am to 9am and 7pm to 9pm since 1 July to 1 October 2009, I examine the motivations for English mixing in Nepali TV commercials. For the analysis, primarily I categorize them into two major types, Nepali-only (NO) and English mixed (EM). NO includes commercials aired in Nepali only and EM includes advertisements aired in Nepali in juxtaposition with English. After it, I study the differences between EM and NO as the dichotomous treatment of NO and EM is critical in examining the purpose of English-mixing. The findings suggest that English-mixing in Nepalese TV commercials is a carefully constructed exemplar of the marketing of modernity. DOI: 10.3126/bodhi.v3i1.2812 Bodhi Vol.3(1) 2009 p.53-60

This paper examines Tara Rai’s Chhapamar Yuwatiko Diary [‘A Diary of a Young Guerrilla Girl’] (2010) – a memoir which describes a 15-year-old girl’s experience of first armed encounter, subsequent detainment, and release from the custody towards the end of the Maoist war in Nepal. We analyze the author’s narrative of adversity and distress, using thematic analysis. Three themes, namely, (1) perception of impending death, (2) severe stress reactions, and (3) gradual recovery are found in temporal succession. In a subsequent analysis, we examine using content analysis the personal, group, and socio-political factors linked to these dominant themes to understand the dynamics associated with Rai’s understanding of personal experience, and adjustment to violence. Discussion of the findings orient the readers of this narrative not only to how Rai’s perception of her trauma experience changes but also to how this account can inform the way people negotiate the trauma of war.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are promoted in many countries as a sustainable option to internal combustion vehicles (ICEVs). In Nepal, where such promotion is done through measures such as supportive tax, the uptake of private electric passenger vehicles (PEPVs) is a major concern. This study examines the motivations and challenges related to EVs adoption in a capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu, with the aim of capturing how consumer perceptions and experience shape adoption dynamics. A descriptive phenomenological design was adopted for the study. Five participants, comprising both adopters and potential adopters, were selected through purposive sampling, and structured interviews were conducted. The participants’ responses were transcribed and analyzed using Giorgi’s phenomenological method. Findings highlight financial pragmatism as the dominant driver of adoption, particularly long-term savings on fuel and maintenance. However, these incentives are offset by persistent anxieties about high battery replacement costs, uncertain resale value, and long-term depreciation. Infrastructural gaps, such as unreliable charging networks, reinforce emotional strain and consequently discourage broader use. Policy volatility and weak communication of incentives undermine consumer confidence, while safety perceptions remain ambivalent, balancing recognition of advanced features with concern about malfunctions and fire risks. The study concludes that financial incentives alone are insufficient; sustainable EV adoption requires stable policies, reliable infrastructure, and proactive public engagement to build consumer trust and confidence. Keywords: electric vehicles, EV adoption, consumer perception, financial incentives, battery replacement cost, charging infrastructure, policy volatility