Nepal has seen many ups and downs in its six decades of politics. However, the rise of communist power in the northern border of the world's largest democracy is the latest matter of interest. Nepal's current reality is that it is influenced by the communist politics. From being just an insignificant political force in the 1950s, the communists have turned out to be the major powers in today’s Nepal. Had they stood together, they could easily outmatch the liberal democrats.  In the context of the recent convention of UCPN-Maoist, we have decided to look at the rise of communist forces in Nepal and their contradictions within as the cover story for this issue. Nepal's prolonged political crisis has no immediate solution at all. As ruling and opposition political parties are moving towards more confrontation, the idea of formation of a neutral government under the leadership of incumbent or retired judges is also being floated.  Although many see this is the best option to settle the current political impasse, it is not a sure way out. In case the chief justice of the Supreme Court is appointed to lead the caretaker government, it will have implications on separations of power. This is another political story we have looked into. Besides these, hygiene has also found a place in it.