First of all, congratulations to Ashu. I would also like to let Sajha friends know that Ashu is now a valued member of Nepal Democracy Forum (nepaldemocracy Google group) too and he has been receiving congratulatory notes from it’s members (I have yet to congratulate, but that’s because I never congratulate anybody at the forum. Mind that the majority of the messages in the forums happen to be mutual congratulatory notes and I have been trying to oppose that trend for greater good of the forum.)

So I take this opportunity to congratulate Ashu. Two words: I envy.

While I am at it, I’d like to share my musing regarding the kind of challenge I see for this media house ahead.

I think, until now, Himal group has been catering to the need of a section of domestic and international elites who were wary, skeptic and generally opposed to the socio-political revolution Nepal was, really was, going through all these years.

In contrast, Kantipur, while keeping it’s fleet of elites intact, understood the commercial value of “populism” before it was too late and exploited it in full. Result: we all can see.

So the challenge, rather choices, for Himal media ahead is whether it continues to cater to the intellectual need of the same class or do something like what Kantipur did or even more aggressive things in order to be ahead of others.

It won’t be easier from the ideological point (the conservative tilt of Himal media). However, pure corporate interests in increasingly competitive market of Nepal, which Ashu is very familiar with, just might do that.

In any case, I wish Ashu all the successes and despite my displeasure regarding largely conservative position the big media and the elites of Nepal took all these years, I recognize their contribution to establish the free, diverse and vibrant press Nepal enjoys now.

Nepe