Ideas Journal

This is my ideas journal!

I've put lots of time and effort into thinking through them. Feel free to steal them if you wish. I'd like it if you gave me the credit, and reached out to me for collaboration. I can be reached at innovation@shirish.me.

Feb 2025 Note: I created a mess a year ago by assuming genAI would be a useful assistant in writing these essays and expanding my ideas. I was terribly wrong. Even the worst piece of my writing is better than the trite, boring, repetitive slop that LLM's generate. I'm not linking them here for the moment. This feature WILL be back soon.

Oct 2025 Note: I undid all the AI slop, summarized them all, and changed the title of this section from "Steal this Ideas / Ideas Blog" to Ideas Journal. It'll be a living document, where I'll keep moving things around, keep adding the ideas as them come in!

Encouraging and Enabling Electric Tuk-Tuks in Kathmandu as smart public transport means

Problem Kathmandu’s air quality, noise level and traffic are worsened by fossil‑fuel public transport. Electric three‑wheelers (tuk‑tuks) are a small but growing option that could...

Reducing Littering in Nepal's National Parks Through Behavioral Incentives and Community Engagement

Project to Reduce Littering in Nepal’s National Parks (Shivapuri, Nagarjun, and other parks) 1. Background Litter in national parks harms wildlife, degrades visitor experience, and...

Consolidating Kathmandu's school bus system to save fuel, student commute, and fix traffic

Problem Kathmandu’s private schools operate independent bus fleets that cause: Heavy traffic congestion from many similar routes Redundant routes and under‑used vehicles Long commutes that...

Leveraging Budhanilkantha School's Unique Assets for an Innovation Edge

BNKS Innovation Roadmap Vision Transform BNKS into a hub of creativity and social impact, giving students future‑ready skills and a global outlook. Phase 1 – Immediate...

Black Soldierfly for a novel municipal household waste management mechanism in Kathmandu Valley

Proposal: Using Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) for Kathmandu’s Organic Waste Problem Kathmandu produces large amounts of organic waste that are currently landfilled. Landfills are...

Caps of Nepal: A business idea to celebrate Nepal's cultural diversity

Caps of Nepal – Business Summary Idea Offer curated collections of high‑quality, handcrafted traditional caps from across Nepal. Each set showcases multiple ethnic styles and...

Taking Nepal's traditional rice drink Chhyang to the next level by modernizing production, marketing and sales of Chhyang

How to Start a ChhangFriend Business Learn the Tradition • Spend time with local brewers and communities to understand chhyang’s history, cultural role, and brewing...

Upskilling Nepali migrant workers for increased wages and improved workplace leverage

Summary of the Low‑Skilled Nepali Migrant Upskilling Program Problem Statement • Over 500,000 Nepalis travel abroad each year for low‑wage jobs in construction, agriculture, and...

A radical proposal: market-funded reconstruction of old/dying heritage houses for shared profits, shared culture

Overview A proposal to preserve traditional houses in Kathmandu and Lalitpur by rebuilding them, adding new floors, and leasing the added space to investors. Rental...

Exploring the Wonders of Nepali Marcha through collection of samples from across Nepal

Why I care: Study Nepal’s traditional fermented rice drink chhyang by documenting and recreating the microbial starter culture known as marcha, then analyse its scientific and cultural significance....

Woodcarving for the masses: Preserving and Expanding Nepali Woodcarving Traditions through Digital Fabrication

Digital Fabrication of Nepali Woodcarving Purpose Use 3D scanning, printing, and CNC machining to preserve, reproduce, and broaden access to traditional Nepali woodcarvings. Key Problems...

Using Nepal's municipal websites as a proxy for transparency: strengthening local government accountability data-driven efforts

Goal Create a non‑profit that automates collection of local‑government data in Nepal, measures its availability and quality, and publishes performance reports. Problem Data required by...

Establishing high-tech research labs in Kathmandu to outsource research and innovation from foreign Universities

Objective: Establish laboratories in Kathmandu that build on the Phutung Labs model to create a vibrant, internationally connected research hub. Why Kathmandu? Lower operating costs →...

Riverfront Renewal in Kathmandu and Lalitpur

Current Problems • Rivers are polluted with untreated sewage, industrial waste and plastic. • Infrastructure is weak – no sanitation, poor drainage, eroding banks. •...

Turning abandoned houses in rural Nepal into bed‑and‑breakfasts

Problem – Many remote villages have empty homes because residents leave for jobs elsewhere. The villages lose income, culture, and a sense of community. Idea – Restore...

Using student driven awareness and cleanliness campaigns to improving public hygeine and sanitation in Kathmandu valley

Main Issue 1600 tons of waste are generated each day in Kathmandu and Lalitpur, but only about 70 % reach proper disposal facilities. Litter is common, especially...

Upscaling Nepali tourism

Upscaling Nepali tourism – core ideas Thought: How can we raise tourism revenue, improve infrastructure and living standards by turning Nepal into a premium destination....

Organizing ward-level festivals in Kathmandu and Lalitpur to strengthen the Spirit of the historic cities

Idea is inspired by Hadigaun festival, bhaktapur/thimi festivals. Festivals can be held at the ward level in Kathmandu and Lalitpur four times a year, each...

Shirish Pokharel