New Spotlight Magazine

New Spotlight Magazine is a national fortnightly news magazine that discusses the political, economic, social, cultural and ecological issues of Nepal.

History

Founded in 1991 as a Spotlight Monthly by former diplomat Madhav Prasad Rimal, the publication increased to fortnightly in 1991. Political scientist and civil society activist Ananda Aditya served as the executive editor for about three years together with Dev Raj Dahal and Madan Dahal as contributors. Ram Babu Shah also worked as associate editor.

In June 1993, the magazine weekly and journalist Sushil Sharma worked as executive editor, staying until 1996. During 1993–1995, journalist Binod Bhattarai also worked as a senior editor. Ashutosh Tiwari served as a copy editor. Manjushree Thapa was also a columnist. Journalist Mohan Mainali, Bhagirath Yogi, Navin Singh Khadka, Sanjaya Dhakal and Thakur Amagai also contributed in different periods. Founder Rimal ended publication in 2008. From 1996 until the end, Keshab Poudel remained as managing editor.

After shutting down in 2008, New Spotlight was registered as a fortnightly magazine, with Poudel as both editor and publisher. With support from a group of professional journalists, New Spotlight has been published as an independent magazine with an alternative perspective.

Political Context

Nepali politics went through major upheavals during the period. The change first ushered in a multi-party parliamentary democracy in a constitutional monarchy, in 1990. After a brief period of direct royal rule in the early 2000s, the 240-year-old kingdom turned into a republic. These changes made little difference to average Nepalis. Politics pushed the development agenda aside. Violence used to push political agendas pushed the country to the brink. Geo-political realities went largely ignored – in a country sandwiched between rising, rival and nuclear powers, each with a billion-plus people.

Contributors

Columnists include water resources expert and political commentator Dipak Gyawali, former governor of central bank Dr. Tilak Rawal, former finance minister Madhukar Sumsher Rana, former vice chairman of National Planning Commission Dr. Dinesh Chandra Devkota, constitutional expert Dr. Surya Dhungel, Dr. Bipin Adhikari, Dr. Kishore Uprety, Associate professor Ganesh Dutta Bhatta Medical doctor Dr. Buddha Basnyat, environmentalists Batu Krishna Upreti and Dr. Aruna Uprety, Development activist Mohan Das Manandhar, senior journalists Dhruba Hari Adhikary, Yubaraj Ghimire and Sushil Sharma. Water resource expert Dr. Ananda Bahadur Thapa is a regular contributor and S. B. Pun contributes to New Spotlight.

Journalists Bhagirath Yogi, Navin Singh Khadka regularly contribute. Political commentators Professor Dr. Lok Raj Baral, Dev Raj Dahal occasionally contribute. Similarly, Jeev Raj Budhathoki, who is Joint secretary to Constituent Assembly Secretariat, contributes on parliamentary affairs.

Recently Abijit Sharma, who has been writing on foreign affairs and political issue, joined New Spotlight as Associate Editor. Shardha Gyawali, Debesh Adhikari and Aditi Aryal also write on various social and other issues.

References