KATHMANDU: Kathmandu University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Achyut Wagle has expressed concern over the erosion of Nepal’s original culture, stating that multinational companies are flourishing at the cost of indigenous traditions.
Speaking at a two-day conference organized by the Religion and Culture Study Association, Nepal, Dr. Wagle pointed to the growing preference for products like Coke, beer, and whisky over traditional foods like mahi (whey) as a clear sign of cultural erosion.
“There was no tradition of dowry in our culture, but it has now been commercialized, boosting multinational trade,” he remarked.
Dr. Wagle further highlighted the homogenization of housing designs, noting that homes in Kathmandu now resemble those in New York and London, indicating a dilution of local architectural identity. He also cited the shift in tea-drinking habits as another example of the drift from cultural roots.
Stressing the need for cultural revival, he urged the promotion of Ayurveda, yoga, and mantra chanting — practices that foster community bonding and cultural continuity.
Sharing an example from his university, Dr. Wagle said Kathmandu University had introduced yoga education but initially failed to attract students, prompting the university to offer it free of charge. He emphasized that cultural preservation demands investment and a shift in public mindset, beyond the conventional focus on professions like medicine, engineering, and aviation.
At the event, Prof. Dr. Prem Kumar Khatri praised the Association’s role in cultural preservation but stressed the urgent need for proper documentation. He also raised alarms over the rapid disappearance of languages such as Surel and Bankariya and criticized the rising popularity of the mehandi tradition in marriage ceremonies, calling for its reconsideration.
Association Chairman Prof. Dr. Som Prasad Khatiwada explained that the Association was established following an international seminar organized by the Central Department of History, Archaeology, and Culture at Tribhuvan University two years ago.
Similarly, Prof. Dr. Peshal Kumar Dahal advocated for mandatory cultural education across all schools and colleges in Nepal, while Madhav Prasad Neupane, Chief of National College, shared that his institution has been offering courses focused on Nepal’s society and culture.
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