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Ayo AI

<figure><img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/2022111410110/637203c99c7e80680e0b2827jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="906" height="819"/><figcaption>Photo: UMA THAPA MAGAR</figcaption></figure>Nepal created a <a href="https://mocit.gov.np/application/resources/admin/uploads/source/EConsultation/EN%20Digital%20Nepal%20Framework%20V8.4%2015%20July%20%202019.pdf">Digital Nepal Framework</a> a few years ago, sparking conversations about the digitisation of services.Investments in digital businesses, such as fintech, by startups and <a href="https://www.nepalitelecom.com/2021/12/worldlink-invests-in-khalti-to-take-financial-services-to-rural-areas.html">established businesses</a> has accelerated inline with the <a href="https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IT.NET.USER.ZS?locations=NP">massive increase in connectivity and internet penetration</a> over the last decade. In the social sector, NGOs are also working to integrate digital technologies into their existing programs.This drive to digitise must, however, occur alongside concerted efforts to think about and shape digital transformation, this is the social consequences of digital technologies. This is the job of practitioners and thought-makers including journalists, policy makers, social actors, researchers, and civil society organisations.Researcher and futurist Roy Amara writes: ‘We tend to overestimate the effect of a technology in the short run and underestimate the effect in the long run.’ The is perhaps most visible when historians often organise the distant human past around dominant technological tools of the epoch -- the stone age, the iron age, the bronze age.Closer to our time, we forget that the widespread adoption of electricity <a href="https://www.washington.edu/news/2015/06/19/access-to-electricity-is-linked-to-reduced-sleep/">changed our sleep</a> and socialisation patterns. The availability of affordable household appliances impacted household power dynamics and brought <a href="https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/how-appliance-boom-moved-more-women-workforce">women into the workforce</a>.Even before Tinder, anthropologist Laura Ahern’s work on Nepal shows that adoption of the technology of literacy and letter writing <a href="http://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=9675">shifted courtship and marriage patterns</a>.Yet, telling the story of technology and society in this way suggests that technology is always the driving force, overwhelming social institutions. Instead, there is <a href="https://blogs.uww.edu/kugleram18/2018/02/15/making-new-media-make-sense-summary/">ample evidence</a> that economics, politics, law, and cultural norms have a significant bearing on the development and adoption of technologies.Consider the case of electric vehicles in Nepal. There was a <a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/latest/nepal-takes-3-steps-back-on-e-cars/">massive slowdown</a> in the rate of EV adoption a few years ago, but in the last year, the <a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/latest/nepal-reduces-tax-on-electric-cars/">rate has accelerated dramatically</a>. Both slowdown and acceleration were direct consequences of tax laws rather than any technological factor.As with previous technologically powered disruptions, digital transformations are likely to leave some better off and leave some behind. The manner in which we implement digitisation (both how we set up the technology and how we design the laws, practises and cultures that govern them) will at least influence, if not determine, these consequences.How do we assess the possible consequences of our choices? What ethical and moral system do we use to guide our debates and decisions? These are questions philosophers will debate over lifetimes. Practitioners should take inspiration from the old saying that ‘perfect is the enemy of good’ and find a ‘good enough’ system.A human rights based approach is a good enough solution that will make a positive impact in the shortest possible time for three reasons. First, governments and other powerful institutions in the developing world are familiar with and notionally bought into the framework of human rights. Human Rights, while not always realised in practice, do carry both moral and legal weight in negotiations with the powers-that-be.Second, there are a large number of civil society organisations and activists who have long advocated for their causes through a human-rights based framework. Adding digital transformation as one element of their work will be quicker, cheaper and more effective than seeking new frameworks and new advocates.Third, the various international human rights treaties to which governments are parties can be used as both legal and moral leverage. These legal instruments provide a framework for multiple actions including public interest litigation, public advocacy and the production of model policies.A good enough approach to digital transformation would also prioritise securing existing rights in light of the digital rather than emphasising the creation of new rights. Seeking to respect, protect, and fulfil existing rights, such as that to a free and compulsory basic education, is sufficient to undertake critical debates about digital transformation.Take for example the ongoing debates, in public and in closed forums, between educators in response to extended school closures during the pandemic. Pointing to the GoN’s constitutional and international commitment to free basic education, some have argued that state-driven digital learning initiatives are  inherently problematic in a society where digital access is limited.Pointing to the same commitments, others, including me, specifically critique the poor design and inaccessibility of digital learning platforms that result in the exclusion of those at the digital margins - people with some internet access but limited digital literacy.This debate demonstrates that new rights, such as that to internet access, are already implicitly captured within the existing framework of an obligation to respect, protect and fulfil extant rights.The digital education debates triggered by the pandemic also illustrated a major gap in human-rights based approaches. In Nepal, most of the rights-based arguments emanate from organisations funded by bilateral and multilateral development agencies who push ideas representing the consensus reached by the global development industry.This industry primarily funds work on closing the equality gap within countries. This funding limits Nepali thought-makers and practitioners compelling them to tackle in-country issues such as the differences in internet access between Kathmandu and Kalikot. An exclusive focus in-country marginalisation obscures us from the increasing divergence in power, wealth and digital infrastructure between countries and societies.That digital infrastructure, such as technological platforms, are instruments of power is evident in that the Trump Administration chose to apply pressure on China specifically through Huawei to curtail its dominance of the platforms enabling a new generation of telecommunications technologies.Superior digital engineering abilities and facilitative investment policies have allowed the Global North and China to design digital platforms that capture disproportionate amounts of wealth and power from the global economy. Even in more mundane digital services, for example the ability to deploy cloud computing applications at scale, the average 'privileged' engineering student in Kathmandu faces a meaningful digital disadvantage in comparison to their peers in Oslo, Helsinki, or London. This divide has significant economic and social implications.Yet, these forms of divergence and inequity at the global scale get very little space in the national discourse in Nepal. Practitioners and thought-makers taking a right-based approach to influence digital transformation should be aware of this glaring gap in the worldview of their funding agencies. Undoubtedly, specific interventions and structural policy changes are needed to close the in-country differences in access to basic services.Undoubtedly, these matter immediately and in the long term. But without changes to Nepal’s position in the global economy, the best we can hope for is to bring people up to some ‘basic’ level. The experiences of South Korea, Taiwan, and China demonstrate that investing in closing the gap between nations can, and perhaps must, run in parallel with ensuring access to health, education and economic opportunities for all citizens.Sakar Pudasaini, Founder at Karkhana, explores innovation, technology, education, and their social consequences in Makeshift, a new monthly column in the Nepali Times.

Sakar Pudasaini

Addressing Nepal's digital divide

<figure><img width="1125" height="844" src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221110141124/636cfc5c9c7e80680e0a0b85jpeg.jpg" alt=""/><figcaption>All photos: SAJANA BARAL</figcaption></figure>Lucrative financial rewards and the expansion of Internet services  are driving a ‘bug-hunting’  bonanza among Nepali youth who  have time in their hands during the pandemic lockdowns.  Once the exclusive domain of IT whizes , coders and programmers, bug - hunting has now become an open field for talented Nepali students who offer their services to find potential security gaps in computer systems  or websites of companies like Facebook, Google, and Amazon .“Bug solving is logical and can be done without much technical background, needing only a knowledge of companies’ guidelines and how sites work,” says Ashok Chapagain, 22, a bug-hunter himself. “Senior expert coders handle advanced-level bug hunting, while we  find simpler problems and report them .”Bug-hunting is a form of ‘white hat’ ethical hacking in which researchers can be hired to look for and report bugs on company websites and applications. The trend began in 2002 when NetScape offered rewards for researchers, and  it gained popularity as companies found it cheaper and more effective to crowd-source  finding vulnerabilities to third parties.Many companies across the world offer rewards to those who find security risks or programming mistakes, sometimes running into many thousands of dollars. This has made bug-hunting a full-time profession for many Nepalis.<a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/opinion/privacy-is-power/">Privacy is power</a>, Saniaa Shah <img width="1125" height="844" src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221110141124/636cfc5f9c7e80680e0a0b86jpeg.jpg" alt="">“Social media networks have spread the appeal of bug-hunting among youngsters, many of whom have time on their hands during lockdowns,” says cyber security expert Bijay Limbu. Social media giants such as Facebook and Twitter and large websites have sections that are too vast and difficult for employees to keep  track of, so the task is outsourced to independent researchers. Bug - hunters look into the sites, produce reports with video evidence, and send them to the companies.  After deciding whether the report is valid, ‘duplicate’  (already reported before ) , or ‘informative’  ( harmless but helpful  reports ) , the company rewards the bug-hunter appropriately via bounty platforms like <a href="https://www.bugcrowd.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.bugcrowd.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1628556555290000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGDeKEVdoXa5wSemFXkGDCbn4TM6w">Bugcrowd</a> and HackerOne. These companies act as brokers between researchers and the companies.  Facebook’s own bug bounty platform <a href="https://www.facebook.com/whitehat" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/whitehat&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1628556555290000&amp;usg=AFQjCNFjptvjqvWDDNij7V9dkLfP27u0dw">WhiteHat</a> is the most popular among Nepali hunters, swelling in ranks especially after 2020 and the lockdowns. Names such as Sudip Sah, Ajay Gautam, Shantabahadur Gharti Magar, Prajwal Dhungana, Nirmal Thapa, Aayush Pokharel and Eliza Gautam have featured on WhiteHat’s list of External Security Researchers. Nepali bug hunters are also active in screening Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Apple and even Oxford University’s websites for glitches.  Despite differing in magnitude, all bugs have the potential to create privacy breaches and data leaks for companies. As a result, bug hunters are rewarded handsomely for finding faults, with Facebook’s minimum reward starting at $500 and Apple awarding anywhere up to $1 million.  In 2020 alone, $1.98 billion was handed out to researchers from 50 nations for finding bugs across various sites and apps. Many Nepali bug hunters have struck gold digging for bugs, with one of the researcher earning over $100,000 in cash rewards for finding various bugs across one-and-half years of intense research.  Saugat Pokharel recently earned his 16th and largest payment , pocketing $13,125 when he reported a bug that violated privacy policies and erroneously displayed Instagram users’ dates of birth and email addresses.  Pokharel and another bug-hunter Naresh Lamgade have now joined forces to launch <a href="https://bugv.io/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bugv.io/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1628556555290000&amp;usg=AFQjCNHE4p5CakYtZ0kUY7tqO_Wt7rPgGw">bugv.io</a>, their own vulnerability coordination and bug bounty platform.  <img width="1125" height="844" src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221110141128/636cfc629c7e80680e0a0b87jpeg.jpg" alt=""><img width="1125" height="844" src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221110141128/636cfc659c7e80680e0a0b88jpeg.jpg" alt="">“The bank suspected I was laundering money when I received the large cash sum through SWIFT Money Transfer,” says Pokharel. “It was only once I reached out to Facebook and they wrote a letter verifying the source of funds that I could claim the money.” Inspired by Pokharel’s bounties, management student 24-year-old Prabha Basnet, has also decided to become a bug hunter. “Initially, I had many reports rejected, but then two bugs I reported were accepted together, and I earned $3,000,” she says. “This motivated me to report bugs in Instagram and Facebook stories clashing, and potentially revealing sensitive information about users.”Aside from the monetary rewards, bug hunting has also changed the landscape of cybersecurity. Increased vigilance from a growing army of spotters means potential bugs causing privacy or security breaches can be caught before they cause major damage. Nepal’s patchy <a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/banner/crossborder-cybercrime-and-punishment/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">cybersecurity</a> state is particularly boosted by this external research boom, as thousands of government sites often go down for hours. Private sites like <a href="https://foodmandu.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://foodmandu.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1628556555290000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGkG9zFzZ5u00aNX781Ud0Z2zUYsQ">Foodmandu,</a> <a href="https://www.vianet.com.np/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.vianet.com.np/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1628556555290000&amp;usg=AFQjCNHkU94CchkFpCsMx5yOyFG8ED0lvA">Vianet </a>and <a href="https://www.prabhubank.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.prabhubank.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1628556555290000&amp;usg=AFQjCNFXH92-teVKGhvcN0xOKQUWsMyd9Q">Prabhu Bank </a>were also <a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/latest/thank-you-satan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">recently hacked</a>. In response, some young Nepali bug hunters have developed a local bounty reward program to find breaches and fight hackers. Bug hunting and ethical hacking can also be a firewall against ‘black hat’ illegal hacking. Earlier, hackers with malicious intent would steal, leak or sell data obtained via bugs, explains Pokharel. “Black hat hackers would undermine the work of white hat researchers,” he says. “But with bug - hunting, even those previously black hat work have switched to just as lucrative legal white hacking.”Bug-hunting has its natural downside. The monetary rewards mean it sometimes becomes a competitive cyber-stampede, placing considerable strain on the mental health of researchers. The desire to earn more pushes some bug-hunters to their limits, often with undesirable consequences.  Santosh Bhandari was an accomplished bug-hunter, featuring regularly on Facebook’s list of External Security Researchers and even finishing 15th out of 404 worldwide participants in a live hacking tournament organised by Google and Facebook. However, he switched tracks and pursued other cybersecurity activities after suffering mental trauma from the competition and stress. He says: “Bug bounty and mental health are connected. You compile a bug report with so much of your effort and your time and wait so many days for a reply. If the report is accepted, it is all good, but if not your hard work and time are completely wasted and that can disturb you.” Prakash Pant from Chitwan has also featured on Facebook’s list, after finding three bugs at once on Facebook in February. Before that, however, he had more than 50 reports rejected as ‘duplicates' or ‘informatives’. Prabha Basnet also reports  suffering anxiety after her painstakingly written reports were rejected in the past. She says, “I had 15-16 reports rejected when I started, pushing me to the verge of quitting.”  Bijay Limbu also warns that the competitive nature of bug-hunting may make youngsters money minded, and some are tempted to demand ransom for bugs they have uncovered. In any case, arbitrarily searching websites and apps for bugs without company invitation could spell legal trouble.Translated by Kaustubh Dhital from the Nepali original in <a href="https://www.himalkhabar.com/news/122334" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Himal Khabar</a>.

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Nepalis go bug-hunting on the web

<figure><img width="1454" height="889" src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221109121152/636b950a9c7e80680e06f235jpeg.jpg" alt=""/><figcaption></figcaption></figure>About 250 years ago when King Prithivi Narayan Shah made Kathmandu the capital of unified Nepal, he realised that the city had great potential as a business centre, complementing its role as a trading hub. He allowed in businessmen from Rajasthan in India to set up shop and allow entrepreneurship to ferment, a move expanded later by Prime Minister Chandra Shamshere Rana. One reason entrepreneurship did not have deep roots in Nepal was the concept of जागिर, a 10-5 salaried position with job security. That is why the start-up culture took so long to start up and morph in Nepal. The proliferation of, and exposure to the Internet and the recent advent of international private equity firms, accelerators and incubators have paid a pivotal role in making this happen.Since 2017, successive government budgets have mentioned start-ups and allocated money for their establishment, but without clarity and development. This year’s budget was no different: it also set aside Rs1 billion towards building a start-up ecosystem, including concessional loans.  What the previous governments had missed out on, this one seems to have acknowledged: start with defining a start-up. A voluminous document is doing its rounds through the corridors of our bureaucracy for comments from experts. Until they come up with a definition, let us say a start-up is an innovative idea that uses technology to address unmet demand in the market.In the United States, the start-up sector is a $3 trillion business. In South Asia, India leads the pack with over 20,000 Start-ups in operation, of which 100 are unicorns with a combined market cap of $240 billion. Bangladesh, Pakistan and even Afghanistan have understood the importance of this sector to the economy.  Internationally, some 90% of start-ups fail to take off. Nepal has invested in 400 start-ups, all in Kathmandu, and the risk appetite for new investments is limited partly because of the absence of an enabling environment. The cost factor for starting a tech business in Nepal is lower than anywhere else with a constant flow of <a href="https://archive.nepalitimes.com/article/Nepali-Times-Buzz/outdated-laws-limited-ecommerce-hold-back-tech-industry%20,3547" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">eligible young graduates well versed in English</a> who are relatively computer literate. The bandwidth for connectivity is getting better. It is an untapped market, an imitation of international successes for local markets can be implemented, and the population is young, and growing.There are challenges with the lack of legal and policy environment posing the greatest risk. Ideas are the premise of any start-up. Intellectual Property Right (IPR) is the most important legal recourse for safeguarding those ideas, which in Nepal remains a draft and has been in discussion for quite some time.The current law was formulated in 1964, and does not address developments that have occurred worldwide since then. A lawyer recently remarked that when he tried to register a trademark for poultry feed, the application was denied because a tobacco company had already registered it. Thankfully, the Supreme Court gave a verdict on the Kansai Nerolac case a few years ago, which protected trademarks. Still, laws need to reflect international best practices for this sector to operate. Financing start-ups is also a great hurdle. Banks are reluctant and risk averse to lend without collateral. If a loan is secured it is not nearly enough to meet the requirement and equity is difficult to come by. The ones who have demonstrated that they have the ability to serve a niche market and can show potential to scale up have been successful to secure equity financing.  The start-up industry is evolving despite the lack of an enabling environment.  The resilience shown by these entrepreneurs has steadily improved, and the appetite to invest in them is gaining traction. Examples are <a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/here-now/three-toots-for-tootle/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ride sharing apps</a> that made the government change its policy, <a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/banner/nepals-budding-e-commerce-ecosystem/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">e-commerce platforms</a> that have engaged with the government to facilitate the sector, and companies that realigned business plans to accommodate government policies. A cloud service provider had to create a hybrid model because government officials could not comprehend what it was, and that data could be secure. They needed to see actual physical infrastructure.  But <a href="https://archive.nepalitimes.com/regular-columns/Cross-Cutting/Start-ups-need-staying-power,439" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">start-ups are resilient</a>, and they will continue to compel the authorities to accommodate them as they continue to grow. They have adapted to the situation and have introduced internal safeguards to secure their ideas in a lax IPR environment.  Some are ensuring strict non-disclosure agreements, developing in-house products knowing that there will be disrupters in the market six months down the road and, focussing on networks as much as focussing on products. The government’s new regulations will hopefully put it in a facilitating role to create a platform for ideation to grow with the help of mentors from academia and the private sector. Nepal’s start-ups are to stay, and with the right legal and regulatory framework in place, will thrive. One day there will be a Nepali unicorn in the making.<a style="font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.01em;" href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/opinion/also-keeping-financially-healthy-in-a-lockdown/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Siddhant Pandey</a> is Chairman and CEO of <a style="font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.01em;" href="https://bo2.com.np" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Business Oxygen Pvt Ltd (BO2).</a><img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221109121152/636b950d9c7e80680e06f236jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="90" height="109">

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Giving start-ups a head start

<img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221109111144/636b849f9c7e80680e0677a5jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="288" height="512"/>Last year, panic shopping during the pandemic became an Internet meme with everyone stocking up extra on toilet paper, toothpaste and tuna cans.This year, with the highly infectious second wave of the Coronavirus and a third lockdown, things are much worse. Every trip out to buy vegetables is a possible risk of exposure, that you could carry home to your family members.By this logic, buying more at once makes sense, to reduce the frequency of trips to the market and the chances of bumping into strangers at small local shops. However, a more failsafe, future-focused way of shopping would be online, without dealing with the worries of lack of social distancing, exchanging currency notes and a lot of touching goods and surfaces.The government has extended grocery runs from 6 to 10AM every morning in Kathmandu Valley, with police patrolling the streets to make sure that people are not hanging around, while also looking out for shopkeepers flouting rules by keeping their shutters open beyond the time window.<img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221109111144/636b84a09c7e80680e0677a6jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="486">The government has also allowed online shopping sites to deliver ‘essentials only’. These stores are allowed to sell food items, cleaning supplies, toiletries and Covid-related products such as masks, sanitisers, handwash, disinfectants, face shields, oxygen cans and even steam machines.The same online sites would otherwise have also delivered products of other categories, now deemed ‘non-essential’: such as books, clothes and footwear, gadgets and electronic appliances, accessories, home decor and furniture, toys, baby products, sports gear, alcoholic beverages as well as unique, innovative items that make life easier.There is no obvious reason why products of these categories must not be delivered during the lockdown. With a few rules regarding delivery timings (mornings and evenings only), PPE gear for delivery staff and proper sanitisation of vans, and perhaps even a special permit that e-businesses could procure to prove official permission to deliver as well as their legitimacy, all shops could home-deliver any and all goods safely. This would be beneficial for the customers as well as traders, and the e-commerce economy.<img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221109111144/636b84a39c7e80680e0677a7jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="335">Besides, a lot of physical stores would find the incentive to launch online and explore home delivery, something that stores abroad have been doing since March 2020 to survive the pandemic. The garment industry, bookstores, and nursery shops, for example, have all seen the future of shopping: a hybrid user behaviour where some people (usually busy, working millennials) prefer saving time and shopping online, while others enjoy spending time physically visiting stores to browse at a leisurely pace and personally pick out items for assurance before making a buying decision.If the government made accommodations for e-commerce to work smoothly during the lockdown, business would not have to take a sharp toll like now, and it looks like the restrictions will be extended until the latest surge is under control -- going by the severity of the situation in hospitals.E-commerce in US, UK, China and India have all taken off with an online shopping boom during lockdowns, and witnessed an unprecedented spike in orders and revenue. Despite a worrying increase in numbers of Covid cases and fear due to rising mortality rates, their governments have not restricted delivery to ‘essentials only’.They allow businesses to get creative, focus on their website and app UX/UI improvements and offer prompt, professional home delivery services that cash in on people’s boredom of being stuck at home and desires in picking up new interests and upgrading their gadgets to suit remote work life. People are buying everything from board games to face masks, cake pans to dumbbells, Bluetooth speakers to juice blenders (with batteries as an add-on, of course) online.There is no reason why Nepal cannot do the same. The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Ministry of Finance and related government agencies should delve deep into this unique opportunity for Nepal’s digital economy to register an exponential rise.Clearly, Covid-19 is here to stay and needs utmost attention, but ignoring the economy, not empowering the online shopping industry, and letting business face the brunt of this dark period in time is not optimum action either.<img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221109111144/636b84a59c7e80680e0677a8jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="500">For the time being, we, as citizens, can decrease risk of contracting or spreading the virus by a) staying home and refraining from visiting shops outside b) setting up our mobile banking, e-banking and app wallets for online payments and c) shopping online or through Whatsapp/Viber using the efficient e-commerce grocery options we have at our fingertips.These include e-commerce bigwigs <a href="https://www.daraz.com.np/">Daraz</a> and <a href="https://www.sastodeal.com/">Sastodeal</a>, that have websites as well as apps, food delivery startups like <a href="https://www.bhojdeals.com/">Bhoj</a> (download app to order from various food marts and vendors, such as KK Mart and SabjiLand), online supermarket options like <a href="https://www.merokirana.com/#/">Mero Kirana</a> (only taking app orders due to large demand) and Mero Groceries (functioning smartly by taking Whatsapp and Viber orders), and a variety of online food startups like <a href="https://khetifood.com/">Kheti Food</a>, <a href="https://khetibazaar.com/">Kheti Bazaar</a> and <a href="https://golyangroup.com/our-businesses/mato-2/">Maato</a>.Kheti Food, developed by tech company DV Excellus, is quickly becoming a crowd favourite for the quality of vegetables, both organic and regular, as well as the focus on directly benefitting farmers of Nepal. Its most innovative offering is the fruit and vegetable subscription box that customers can order repeatedly at regular intervals to routinely and conveniently stock up the pantry without scrolling through individual items.<img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221109111144/636b84a79c7e80680e0677a9jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="336">Kheti Foods has a great website, app and email newsletter, and it has seen immense success between 2020 and 2021 across age groups and demographics. Kheti Bazaar, founded by Subechhya Basnet, specialises in high quality, organic vegetables, rice, lentils, oils, dairy products, spices and exotic healthy grains and seeds.It is an older startup that relies heavily on its strong but small loyal customer base. It has its own family farm outside the Valley and sells physically from a store set up at Bhojan Griha, Dilli Bazar.Mato, a Golyan Group agro product, is committed to serving local organic produce, packaged and distributed professionally by a business group that is experienced in scaling up and building a brand by listening to the audience’s needs. During the first lockdown, Mato took the revolutionary move of selling vegetables via a mobile van that travelled across neighbourhoods and parked at a spot for 15 minutes to cater to the residents of the area.Not only was it a clever business strategy but also worked as a marketing move. Since then, Mato has opened a physical store, and continues to do great business through Facebook and Instagram. Looking forward to seeing what happens if it launches a website or mobile app next.Saniaa Shah writes this fortnightly column, Tech Away for Nepali Times, and runs Studio Aakar, a film production studio.

Saniaa Shah

Dear Sarkar: Why can’t we shop online and stay safe?

<figure><img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221110121156/636ce7549c7e80680e0967b9jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1200"/><figcaption>(clockwise) Acer's Spin 7 laptops, Apple's Macbook Air, and the Asus VivoBook 14.</figcaption></figure>In 2020 the acronym WFH (Work from Home) entered the vocabulary. Since then, our second-best lockdown buddy has been our trusty laptop. Can you guess what is your first? Hint: it fits in your palm.School children, college students and office-going grown-ups all need laptops to stay connected, attend class or meetings, and spend time learning or working on something all day.Before searching for the perfect laptop model, you might want to focus on what is more important: understanding your options and making an informed buying choice. Let me hit ‘Enter’:Lenovo – The Ambitious One The Chinese Lenovo beat reputed names like HP to become the leading PC brand in India. It has a reputation for making a solid device that delivers good performance. There are various lines of Lenovo laptops available in Nepal, each one appropriate for a slightly different audience. The Ideapad series is affordable, decent without superior specs and good for those who need it for heavy web browsing, writing, using some software applications and watching video content. The Ideapad S145 is a great example of a budget laptop that checks all the boxes.The Lenovo Flex series is defined by its two-in-one style of working as both a laptop and a tablet. Slim yet strong, these are great for artistic types looking to draw on their device screen. The popular Yoga series is the most flexible with 360-degree hinges, a touch screen and a Halo keyboard that makes the laptop efficient as well as something of an arm candy. For a fast, good-looking yet quality investment, consider the Lenovo Yoga C940 which will survive into the post-pandemic era as well.<figure><img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221110121156/636ce7579c7e80680e0967bapng.png" alt="" width="830" height="625"><figcaption> </figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221110121156/636ce75a9c7e80680e0967bbpng.png" alt="" width="725" height="515"><figcaption> </figcaption></figure>For business people looking for a less-talk-more-work machine, the ThinkPad series is your go-to partner. With T series (for the typical worker bee who is also the boss), X series (PC-level performance with portability) and E series (for agile and free-wheeling startup founders) within the ThinkPad range, Lenovo’s got something for every kind of business user.The X1 Carbon Gen 8 is a great flagship business laptop that prioritises function over design. If you are looking to upgrade to a durable device for work, and most of your work happens from your computer, it is worth saving up for.<a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/opinion/right-gizmos-at-the-right-time/"> Right gizmos at the right time</a>, Saniaa ShahAsus – The Creative Type Asus is a Taiwanese company that has quickly risen to become the fifth-largest PC vendor worldwide.Moving past its gaming series, the Asus VivoBook collection is the best choice if you are looking to buy a budget business laptop (try the VivoBook X409JA). It is commute-friendly, which may not be the priority right now given the pandemic, but since it is light for the arms as well as on the wallet, it is a practical purchase for the budget-conscious Nepali.<figure><img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221110121156/636ce75d9c7e80680e0967bcpng.png" alt="" width="800" height="800"><figcaption> </figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221110121156/636ce7609c7e80680e0967bdpng.png" alt="" width="800" height="800"><figcaption> </figcaption></figure>For double the budget, consider the ZenBook series, a great Ultrabook for everyday use. The Asus ZenBook 14 is a world record-breaking super-slim laptop with excellent battery life, awesome graphics cards, an aluminium chassis and an innovative lifted keyboard for higher efficiency typing.Acer – The Budget BeastAcer is a veteran manufacturer that impressively ranks third in global laptop sales. Aggressively priced and often armed with just enough features to grab the buyer’s attention, Acer’s prime audience is students of all ages, sponsored by their parents who want to buy them a sturdy laptop packed with all the necessities, no bells and whistles required. The Acer Aspire series understands its target group well, hitting a balance between technical strength and competitive price.The Acer Spin series is the dark horse of this make: an all-rounder affordable laptop that is best suited to students and teachers who log into Zoom for classes on weekdays and enjoy watching movies on their small screen on weekends. An Intel Core processor, touchscreen display with full HD, a 2-in-1 stylish foldable body, a quality webcam and ample storage space together make it an underrated performer for sure.<figure><img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221110121156/636ce7649c7e80680e0967bejpeg.jpg" alt="" width="1440" height="800"><figcaption> </figcaption></figure>The Acer Swift series (the Swift 3 is a popular choice) is another range made for MS-suite and Internet users, but with a less than par battery, a heavier device and no touchscreen. The only upside to the Swift series laptops is the considerably better, comfortable keyboard and smooth, precise touchpad.However, users have complained about keyboard issues, chipset quality and small repairs that suggest below-average parts. That said, durability is a question that can only be solved with time, and even the most reputed brands come with hardware hiccups.<a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/opinion/home-work-during-the-lockdown/">Home work during the lockdown</a>, Saniaa ShahDell – The Classic ChoiceAn American company that has major market control in Asia, Dell is the most widely distributed laptop in Nepal for sure, with most corporates buying it from the authorised seller Neoteric Nepal, which also offers a warranty that leans on its robust after-sales service in Kathmandu. Dell has never been for a trendy audience that cares about looks and colours more than performance and durability. The practical, professional manufacturer makes this clear with the budget-friendly Dell Vostro series and the constantly updated, vast range of models in the Inspiron series.Both these collections sport a bright display quality, easy keyboard, excellent trackpad and solid internals (powered by Intel and with plenty of RAM and HDD). Inspiron models (look up Inspiron 7391) even come with a 4K display and an impressive 10th gen Intel core.<figure><img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221110121156/636ce7669c7e80680e0967bfjpeg.jpg" alt="" width="578" height="402"><figcaption> </figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221110121156/636ce76a9c7e80680e0967c0jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="3334" height="2017"><figcaption> </figcaption></figure>Test Dell’s superior power, sleekness and design with the Dell XPS series--a premium range that flaunts some of the best Ultrabooks around. The XPS gives the Apple Macbook a run for its money, with its competitive specs, powerful processor and desirable looks - making it the ultimate beauty with brains (exhibit A: Dell XPS 13 9300).Good for indoors, outdoors, desk-based as well as on the move: you can safely close your eyes and pick any Dell XPS - you won’t go wrong with this series. That said, the pricing of this best-in-class series is not for the fainthearted, at times costing more than an Apple. Still, Dell is like that old friend who, year after year, sticks around and supports you.Apple – The Queen of HeartsThe showstopper of this laptop list is obviously the Apple MacBook, a line of laptops that is unlike any other when it comes to beauty, efficiency and simplicity. Apple has earned its position at the top, past Microsoft, HP and other computer giants, all because of its consistent efforts in research, design and innovation in the product development process.<figure><img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221110121156/636ce76d9c7e80680e0967c1jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="816" height="459"><figcaption> </figcaption></figure>The MacBook Air wins on all fronts: ultra-slim, featherlight body, amazing display quality, impressive battery life and strong security systems. Naturally, a MacBook does require saving up beforehand, but it will last you for years, saving you time and money you may otherwise end up spend repairing bugs or replacing parts on a Microsoft-based device. The 13.3-inch Retina display of a MacBook Air is worth the downgrade from a larger 15.5 inches offered by any other brand, thanks to True Tone technology and great screen resolution.MacBook Pro is for working professionals who can maximise productivity and save time with the Magic keyboard, massive storage upgrade (bye-bye, external hard disk) and Touch Bar with quick shortcuts that can help you achieve more, saving valuable time for fun stuff like Netflix and FaceTime with friends and family.Stay safe, stay remote and stay savvy!Read also: <a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/opinion/privacy-is-power/">Privacy is power</a>, Saniaa Shah

Laptops for lockdowns

<figure><img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221110111148/636cd7a99c7e80680e092df5jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="1500" height="1000"/><figcaption></figcaption></figure>Between 9-5 jobs, grocery shopping, socialising with friends and family, running errands before and after work, managing the household, keeping up with children’s needs, and more – most women are stretched for time and struggle to watch out for their own health and wellness.Technology can offer what no partner or caring family member can: watching out for you 24/7 and reporting back every day with accurate, thoughtful information that makes you feel informed, confident and supported.FITNESS TRACKERSWomen do not necessarily want to wear a clunky, square fitness tracker that was not made with the female body and nuanced behavioural and lifestyle patterns in mind. Wearable technology like fitness tracking bands, bracelets or watches can be as much of a tech-powered tool as a style statement, so naturally, this category of gadgets has seen a boom of new products and brands in the last few years.<img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221110111148/636cd7ac9c7e80680e092df6jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="640">Some ladies are happy with a no-fuss device that counts their steps and monitors their heart rate, but others want more. Smart functions offered in these new innovative products targeted at women include: measuring the body’s energy levels, monitoring sleep stages and blood oxygen saturation, a heart rate tracker, checking stress levels, and text message-reading capabilities. These gadgets come with full-featured activity trackers that come in slim, stylishly designed bands with up to 7 days of battery. Some of them are even swim-friendly and weather both rain and shine with no glitches or heating issues. All this, with band colour options like rose gold and pretty pastels!The <a href="https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-watch/apple-watch" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple Watch Series 5 and 6</a> are the high-end, premium models of this category of devices, with their versatile features and beautiful design. From an ECG app to a Breathe app, this watch comes with all kinds of cool built-in capabilities. The best part is, it looks equally good in the gym as it does at a dinner party.The <a href="https://www.fitbit.com/global/us/home" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Fitbit</a> is a more affordable, almost equally reputable brand, making its name as a leading fitness tracker with a wide product portfolio. The Fitbit Charge 4, Fitbit Zip, Fitbit Versa 3 and Fitbit Inspire 3 are all extremely advanced yet simple to use tools. While the Versa series is a health and fitness smartwatch with Alexa (virtual assistant) built into it, the Inspire 2 is just a nice fitness tracker that looks fancy but is easy on the wallet. The Zip is a wireless clip-on model that suits older women. Fitbit products are synced with the Fitbit app that monitors everything from workouts and nutrition to stress and sleep. They come in colours like rose pink and cement white.Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.garmin.com/en-US/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Garmin</a>, an American multinational technology company that specialises in GPS technology, offers 10 different series of products, including the likes of Forerunner (best for running), Vivoactive (for fitness fanatics), Vivosmart (for casual, stylish everyday use) and Venu (Apple watch rival) among others. They even have Vivofit Jr models especially created for children.Lesser known but undoubtedly attractive wearables like the <a href="https://www.polar.com/en/vantage/m" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Polar Vantage M</a>, score high in the women-oriented category with a wide range of customisation options and over 130 sports to choose from for accurate feedback. Then there’s <a href="https://ouraring.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Oura ring</a>, an innovative fitness tracking finger ring designed for comfort and convenience, keeping your wrists free for bangles, regular watches and such accessories.PERIOD TRACKERS<img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221110111148/636cd7b09c7e80680e092df7jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="516"><img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221110111148/636cd7b29c7e80680e092df8jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="586">Unlike fitness bands and watches, period trackers do not do the work by themselves. You need to assist their Artificial Intelligence by entering personal information regularly to improve prediction and analyses. For women with irregular cycles, a period tracking mobile app proves especially useful because intuitive data-driven technology can help predict your next period, the ovulatory window, high fertility days, and even mood swings and PMS (premenstrual syndrome). For those with regular cycles, planning special holidays or trekking trips and pregnancy becomes extremely easy and precise.<img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221110111148/636cd7b59c7e80680e092df9jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="640">In 2021, period tracking is as quick and easy as remembering to use a sunscreen and moisturising cream. At first, logging in symptoms and marking period days on the app calendar feels like extra work, but after a point, you get into the habit of it and also reap the rewards with automatic notifications and information personalised to your body’s patterns.<img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221110111148/636cd7b79c7e80680e092dfajpeg.jpg" alt="" width="197" height="256">Clue, <a href="https://flo.health/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Flo</a>, Apple Health, MagicGirl, Period Tracker, Glow and <a href="https://apps.apple.com/lc/app/period-tracker-eve/id1002275138" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Eve by Glow</a> make the list of apps that you can download without having to contemplate, carefully study or read reviews before installing them on your phone. While apps like <a href="https://helloclue.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Clue</a> and Flo share knowledge and teach you about your body, <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.period.tracker.lite&amp;hl=en&amp;gl=US" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Period Tracker</a> and <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hwgg.mfsn&amp;hl=en&amp;gl=US" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">MagicGirl</a> are perfect for teens and beginners who are trying to get a hold of the whole mess-free and stress-free management of period cycles. <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.glow.android&amp;hl=en&amp;gl=US" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Glow app</a> is a fertility tracking app with high ratings, and Eve by Glow is its sister app that zooms in only on the period, sex life and fitness tracking. For iOS users, there is always something special in store (pun intended), and thus, <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiFxfjgvJnvAhXfzTgGHb7oDxIQFjAAegQIAxAD&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apple.com%2Fios%2Fhealth%2F&amp;usg=AOvVaw0ygn-8s1za4kjwi9x4Qc9S" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple Health</a>, an app that covers the basics, is entirely free, and comes pre-installed in every iPhone under a pink heart icon. Who said technology can’t be cute, anyway?

Gadgets and apps for the new age women

<figure><img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/2022111011114/636ccd0f9c7e80680e08bc56jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="1500" height="845"/><figcaption></figcaption></figure>If we learned anything from 2020, it is that nothing is more important than keeping fit and addressing health issues to avoid compromising one’s immune system. Due to the lockdown and the pandemic, many people with health issues big and small did not or could not visit the doctor without the fear of getting infected. This gave rise to health and medical support apps that consolidate, modernise and disrupt the Nepali medical industry, all at once. Helping connect the public to doctors and hospitals via just a few screen taps, these apps are a boon to those who cannot travel easily or struggle to make time for their family’s or their own health. Here are a few of the many digital assisting apps that help us stay healthy and worry-free:Hamro Doctor<a style="font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.01em;" href="https://www.hamrodoctor.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hamro Doctor</a> is a super handy app that offers all kinds of medical support and informative services. These online consultations are quick, convenient and half the price you pay to visit doctors physically. They offer information, including but not limited to an index of doctors according to field of medicine, a detailed menu of health checkup packages offered by private hospitals and ambulance service contact listing. There are also blog articles posted by doctors and live chat forums where users can ask specific health questions to doctors.Dividing relevant health services into digital departments such as Coronavirus, Skin and Sex, Sugar, Thyroid and Heart, ENT, Cancer, and Women’s Health and Pregnancy, makes it convenient for users to search for immediate help in the concerned department of health. All this, without the hassle of waiting rooms, standing in queues, wasting time filling paperwork and at the billing counter, etc. Additionally, a health feed with news and updates, blood donation information services and a feature that allows uploading of medical reports are also available on the app.Not only does Hamro Doctor democratise and make expert medical support widely available for all Nepalis, it also makes socially awkward zones such as mental health problems and sex or genital related issues easier to address, thanks to the privacy and one-on-one direct nature of online consultation.Jeevee<a style="font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.01em;" href="https://jeevee.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jeevee</a> is a professional, attractively designed one-stop health app that offers a range of health support services. The app offers online appointments and the option to upload your prescription to smoothly order medicines. A database of over 1000 doctors offers 100% online consultations. Jeeve also has a convenient e-commerce section with over 20,000 products such as medical devices, baby care products, personal care items, ayurvedic medicine, orthopedic accessories and dental care.In case the user has difficulty finding the concerned category, they can also use the search bar on top to find the product they’re looking for. Positive customer reviews confirm that Jeevee does not charge delivery fees, allows ordering from different vendors in the shopping cart and also offers competitive prices that are often cheaper than the nearest drug store.The Namaste Doctor feature has both free and pro (paid) models for patients to choose from, allowing them to consult with a doctor digitally without visiting them at their clinic. The pro version includes not 1 but 2 consultation sessions, 15 minutes of video calling, priority access, as well as lab and medical reports to make the consultation experience fully satisfying for the patient. Another useful feature of the app is the user’s ability to create profiles of themselves as well as their family members, and have access to their medical records and history all in one place.Cura Health<a style="font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.01em;" href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.curahealth&amp;hl=en&amp;gl=US" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cura Health</a> was built to make sure that people can seek medical help without losing out on valuable time, digitally via this app. The app is designed to bridge the gap between patients and medical professionals. Unlike other health and medical apps, users cannot enter the home page without registering or signing in, and providing all their vital statistics (height, weight, blood type, disease history, etc.), as well as an emergency contact number, a thoughtful touch that physical forms at hospitals make mandatory but other apps seem to have skipped.With no bugs and a smooth interface, this app is the epitome of simplicity. However, without an extensive main menu and comprehensive search bar, it leaves the user wanting. With time, after building a larger database of doctors and medical practitioners, this app has the potential to go a long way. Until then, Cura enjoys customer loyalty and appreciation with satisfying booking services that help patients skip lines at hospitals, thus helping save time every time they make a trip to the doctor’s.NepMeds<a style="font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.01em;" href="https://www.nepmeds.com.np" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NepMeds</a> is a digital healthcare provider that is available on both web and mobile, offering medical shopping services and connecting users to doctors, laboratories, vaccination services, digital health record storage facilities, and tips on staying fit and happy. Currently, NepMeds operates in Kathmandu and Chitwan but aims to soon expand to other major cities of Nepal. NepMeds puts a focus on secure payment (128-bit SSL encryption) for e-shopping as well as affordable prices offered by reliable professional parties, to ensure customer satisfaction. The Health Library is a blog section that is filled with articles that bust myths, clear doubts, share benefits of certain foods - plus, keep the audience informed with knowledge on Coronavirus, dengue, fever and such super relevant health problems.In order to increase its number of users, NepMeds has a referral and rewards system that helps users earn wallet balance when they introduce others to the app. The app keeps updating its home feed with quick health tips, and also promises additional unique features that will get introduced soon, such as a medicine reminder, BMI measurement tool, and medicine refill hints to make sure users don’t miss a single day of regular medication.Drugs Nepal<a style="font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.01em;" href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.theanilpaudel.drugsnepal&amp;hl=ne&amp;gl=US" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Drugs Nepal</a> is a brilliant simple single-purpose app that offers free, detailed information about thousands of drugs available in Nepal. Its main advantage is that it is available for offline use after the first time of loading the app, by storing all the information locally. The user needs to simply open up the app when connected to WiFi or mobile data and the updated information gets automatically synced for offline use again.This digital medicine directory allows users to search either by generic name or brand name of the drug. The directory looks appealing at first scroll, but the lack of information in the drug detail pages, like missing info or the word ‘NULL’ in certain categories, is admittedly disappointing. With improvement on the data entry side and minimum front-end tweaks, this purely informative app can be a less used but lightweight, to keep handy at all times. Because this app does not require two-way communication between parties and user inputs or information uploads yet, it is one-dimensional and uncomplicated.Hamro SwasthyaThe Ministry of Health and Population officially launched this app in April 2020 as a quick response measure to the global Coronavirus pandemic. It requests enabling of the Bluetooth feature to help improve contact tracing and track people who might accidentally spread Covid-19. It also offers a warning feature when the user is in close proximity to a device (individual), who is in the red zone.It has received criticism for only doing the base minimum of Coronavirus tracking, updating the app with daily new cases, offering a few mobile numbers and hotline number for emergency Covid-19 support, a Covid-19 self-assessment online automated test, and a plasma donation form section that allows both donors and requesters to fill necessary information to donate or receive. Many users have complained online that it is not a complete, comprehensive, efficient app that asks the right questions to ensure that users feed information that will prove useful and accurate.While the app is named <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=np.com.naxa.covid19&amp;hl=ne&amp;gl=US" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hamro Swasthya</a>, it is essentially only a Coronavirus tracking and information sharing app, which is rather misleading. Aside from this minor concern, the Hamro Swasthya app has potential to turn into a handy resource that offers online appointment booking at government hospitals and free digital services. The assumption that government-led initiatives are not as modern, efficient and professional as the private sector could be challenged by improving on the product to create a super health app that benefits the average Nepali in a way that private sector apps cannot.

Nepal’s health-tech industry is here to stay

The pandemic may have set back the year in many ways, but the gears of the tech-verse have been moving ahead quietly, with gadgets taking up more and more space in the daily life of urban Nepalis.All it takes is the right gizmo at the right time for us to forget that we ever lived with tiny inconveniences and administered most tasks manually.From fancy disinfectants to air filters, gadgets become a way to improve health and quality of life, and these items are all available in Nepal. Investing in a WiFi range extender makes life easier, while gadgets like the ring light and pocket printers are not just trendy, but a bang for the rupee.Godrej Viroshield 4.0Living in a time where health precaution is a priority, there could not be a more relevant device: Godrej Viroshield 4.0 is a disinfecting device that claims to destroy 99% viruses in 2 to 6 minutes through UV-C rays.An Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) lab tested and certified product, its 4 UV bulbs carry out UVC sterilisation—a widely used method of dry killing pathogens—on products ranging from masks and gloves to groceries, parcels, toys, and documents. Medicines, batteries and power banks cannot be de-germed.With a capacity of up to 30 litres, Viroshield can be used to disinfect multiple items at once, saving time and energy, and is perfect inside home entrances, in the lobby, or the first room that you enter when you get home.Price: NPR 21,790 18,790Where to buy: <a href="http://www.cgdigital.com.np/">www.cgdigital.com.np</a><img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221110111120/636cd1099c7e80680e08f88djpeg.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="454"/><img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221110111120/636cd10b9c7e80680e08f88ejpeg.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="640">Bbluv HEPA Air PurifierIf you are asthmatic or allergic to dust, pollen, pet dander, smoke, mould, mites, or bacteria, this air scrubber is your ally. If you are also extra sensitive to odours from pets or smoke, this may prove to be a smart purchase. The Bbluv 3-in-1 HEPA Air Purifier uses triple air purification with activated carbon and ionising technology to remove 99.7% of harmful allergens and pollutants. The device sits on a table and works quietly by itself, making it easy to leave in the kids’ bedroom or play room, so it does not disturb them while they sleep or study.With a simple intuitive touch control panel with 2 speeds of air purifying intensity and a coloured LED indicator, its levels can be adjusted to accommodate your need. The HEPA Purifier filters all particles larger than 0.3 microns, and comes with an air filter that lasts 12 months. It is quick and easy to install and replace. You can order a new air filter from multiple e-commerce websites in Nepal.Price: NPR 7,090Where to buy: <a href="http://www.gajabko.com/">www.gajabko.com</a>Portable Rechargeable Selfie Ring LightFor those who do not want to experiment and spend a couple thousand rupees on a 2m tall ring light with a tripod, here is a mini-version. During the lockdown we realised that camera ring lights are not just for onscreen celebrities, but could come in handy when shooting a new TikTok video, or during online office presentations. They up your image quality and make you look that much better.The tiny gadget comes with 1 selfie light and a USB cord to connect to your phone for a recharge. The clamping thickness of up to 15mm allows the ring light to be easily attached to most cell phone models. With 1.5 hours of charge time, it gives 2 hours of usage. The LED is bright enough for your selfie needs and has three levels of brightness, adjustable to different lighting conditions. This one is for the Tik-Tokers, the Instagram artists and selfie-savvy Gen Z or millennial consumers.Price: NPR 799 449Where to buy: <a href="http://www.bestdealsnepal.com.np/">www.bestdealsnepal.com.np</a><img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221110111120/636cd10d9c7e80680e08f88fjpeg.jpg" alt="" width="1367" height="1500"><img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221110111120/636cd1109c7e80680e08f890jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="350">Netgear WiFi Range Extender EX6120A WiFi range extender, does exactly what its names suggests: It extends the range of your Internet connectivity at home so that you can access your favourite streams from any corner of your home or join a Zoom call without having to move around, trying to get better reception. Netgear WiFi Range Extender EX6120 does just this alongside offering outstanding features and efficiency.The AC dual band WiFi device covers a range of 111m2 and lets 20 devices to be connected at one time. It can repeat up to 1200 Mbps Internet speed and its FastLane technology makes it an optimum choice for users who stream HD content and play video games online.The compact form factor hardly takes up space and plugs in neatly in a wall socket. It works with any wireless router, gateway or cable modem, of any brand, as well as any up-to-date Internet browser (Safari, Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer, MS Edge). Netgear also offers 1 fast Ethernet port for maximum speed in wired devices such as a computer, video game console or a smart TV.Price: NPR 10,900 6,200Where to buy: <a href="http://www.sastodeal.com/">www.sastodeal.com</a>Huawei Portable Photo Printer (Pocket Printer)While the sharing of digital images via social media platforms is all the rage, nothing beats the feel of there being a printed image that captures a cherished memory. The Huawei Portable Photo Printer enables you to bring to life your smartphone photographs through beautiful 50x76mm prints. The printer conveniently slips into your pocket and all you need to do is take it out, connect it to your smart device via Bluetooth and press print to turn your images into mementos.<img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221110111120/636cd1119c7e80680e08f891jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="338" height="336">Lightweight and compact, this brilliant little gadget uses inkless printing technology with a resolution of 313x490dpi, print speed of about 1 minute and comes with 10 sticky photo papers that you can keep replenishing. Whether you are traveling, getting together with friends and family or simply wish to gift someone a beautiful photograph, the Huawei Portable Photo Printer is just the thing to carry around and spread joy.Price: NPR 19,999 9,989Where to buy: <a href="http://www.daraz.com.np/">www.daraz.com.np</a>

Right gizmos at the right time

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDzDf8n-eSYKarvika Thapa was living the American dream in Boston with a promising career in the Information Technology sector. But after 14 years she decided to head back home to Nepal with her husband and two young daughters.During the three years since, she has worked hard to establish a successful international software company, Kimbu Tech, one of the very few women-led IT startups in Nepal.“At first, it was nerve-wracking, but I was excited to give back what I owed to my country where I grew up,” says the 40-year-old Karvika. “I also wanted my daughters to learn Nepali culture.”Starting a company was not at the top of her mind when she returned to Kathmandu, but when she found that there were so few women in Nepal’s IT sector, Karvika decided to take the risk and work to create quality jobs, especially for women in a male-dominated industry.Read also: <a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/opinion/staying-in-nepal-to-create-jobs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Staying in Nepal to create jobs</a>, Naresh NewarKarvika had been one of the handful of female students in the first year of Kathmandu College of Management’s bachelor’s program in information systems. She then went to the US for her MBA and stayed on to work, over the course of her years there, in IT solutions, data management, database marketing and campaigns in education, healthcare, and retail.Today, she leads a quality team of Nepali women and men who provide software development and maintenance for companies in Israel and the US. Karvika hopes that their work will help create a home for qualified and talented programmers in Nepal and that that in turn will build recognition globally for Nepali programmers.There are a few other companies working in IT and Artificial Intelligence in Nepal, and the sector has great potential as an employment generator. But Nepal’s talent pool of skilled programmers is still a well-kept secret in the IT world.<figure><img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221109101116/636b70b29c7e80680e060090jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="1500" height="1188"/><figcaption>Photo : NARESH NEWAR</figcaption></figure>Read also: Migrant worker finds farming in Nepal more rewarding, Naresh Newar“We have very professional young Nepalis working on some of the world’s most innovative animation and block chain projects. They have also worked on Disney movies while still based in Nepal, so there is no shortage of talent here” said Karvika.Although Karvika got her degree and worked abroad, she has learnt from experience that it is not necessary to have an IT degree to get into programming or coding. Students can enter the tech business with an arts or any other degree, and neither do Nepalis have to go abroad to find such jobs. Karvika’s company has been providing software and programming training in order to create more programmers and has been working with the Robotics Association of Nepal to provide scholarships to encourage young women.Read also: Rupesh's epic journey, Naresh Newar“My dream is to see women not just become IT experts and programmers but also take a leadership role in this field,” said Karvika, who wants also to change the mindsets of parents, who are so keen on sending their children abroad for better education and jobs. She says times have changed, and it is possible to do as well right here in Nepal, especially in the tech sector.There is high demand for programmers globally and Nepal should prepare itself to ride this wave. There are many international companies trying to set up shop here and build our IT industry, but for this to happen the government needs to step in and take advantage of the opportunity, explains Karvika. She gives the example of Bangladesh, which until a few years ago was not known for tech, but where the industry is now booming.Asked about her most rewarding experience after returning to Nepal, Karvika says it was when her company signed a contract with an international client. She said: “We had worked hard to get the project, and when we got it we realised we had put Nepal on the global map. It was amazing not just for our company but also for the country, for being internationally recognised.”Read also:<a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/opinion/lighting-up-her-darkness/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Lighting up her darkness</a>, Naresh Newar

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