Communication in Nepal

Communication means passing messages and ideas from one person to another. It is one of the important infrastructures of development. It is this means through which we are acquainted with the events occurring in our own and other countries, new scientific inventions, social customs and ways of living and economic development of different places. That is why our constitution gives us the Right to Information. Normally no newspapers, magazines or other means of communication can be banned. The major means of communication are post office, radio, telephone, fax, e-mail and internet service, television and newspapers.

Condition of Communication in Nepal

Nepal has developed its communication system a lot in the recent past. We have several means of communication here. Postal services were started in 1880 AD. Letters parcels, money orders are sent through the post office. We can also open an account in the post office. But delivery of letters, parcels, etc. is very slow. Express delivery service is also available. It is faster and more reliable.

Another important means of communication is radio. It is not very expensive now. Radio Nepal was established in 2007 BS. It is giving service to about 90% of our people. Medium-wave radio broadcast centres have been established in each of the five development regions. Our radio stations broadcast news in several languages such as Nepali, English, Sanskrit, Maithili, Bhojpuri, Newari, Hindi and Urdu. F. M. radio service is gaining wide popularity throughout the country.

Television is a very effective means of communication. It is an audio-visual device because we can watch and listen to the television. Although it is more expensive than radio and requires electricity, it is very popular. It telecasts news, views, advertisements, songs and dances, films, agriculture programmes, programmes for children and women, etc.

Television service was introduced in Neespal| in 1985 AD. Nepal Television has its transmission station at Singhdurbar, Kathmandu. Besides transmission centres have been established at Dhankuta, Pokhara, Kohalpur (Banke) and Dipayal. NTV runs the programmes 24 hours a day. In addition to NTV, Kantipur, Himalayan, Terai, Nepal 1, Image Channel, Avenues TVs, etc. are also operative.

Newspapers and magazines are also very important means of communication. They publish news, views, opinions,
weather reports, articles on current topics, bank exchange rate, cinema news, advertisements, stories, poems, literary articles, articles for children and women, business news, etc. They are very popular among different kinds of people. Some of the important papers and magazines are as follows:

Daily :

Gorkhapatra, The Rising Nepal, Kantipur, The Kathmandu Post, Nepal Samacharpatra, The Himalayan Times, NayaPatrika, Rajdhani, Annapurna Post, Nagarik, The Republica, etc.

Weekly :

Deshantar, Saptahik Vimarsha, Chhalphal, Drishti, Sanghu, Ghatana Ra Vichar, Budhawar, Tarun, Samakalin, Janadesh, Jana Aawaj, etc.

Fortnightly :

Himal, Nepal, etc.

Monthly magazine:

International Forum, Navayuva, Madhupark, Kamana, Nari, Yovamancha, Mulyankan, etc.

Most towns in our country publish local papers and magazines as well. Apart from these means of communications, telephone is also very effective means of communication. Almost every village in the country has got telephone services. Companies such as Nepal Telecom, Ncell and UTL are operative now. Now internet service is also reaching more and more ordinary people. It is providing invaluable services to both individuals and organizations.

Article Writer: Hari Krishna Sapkota