Author name: Anil Pantha

It is still in my memory, one morning my father’s phone rang. I was studying in Grade 5, living in the town where I grew up. ‘Libang’, the headquarters of the Rolpa district, was a little darker. Waiting for the sunlight of early morning to light it up. “Sir, we’ve arrived already!” Someone said to my father on call. It was the month of Falgun, and my father, mother and I were going to ‘Thabang’. ‘Thabang’, the place has a historical significance regarding the decade-long Maoist Insurgency. The group I was going with, had similar political reasons to visit the place as well. I, with my parents, stepped out of my house to join them. They were standing, waiting for us. We had a brief interaction before we went in the jeep. I remember it was a Mahindra – Scorpio. After almost five hours of journey, we reached our destination. As I was taking my first step into the historical land, my thoughts were dedicated to the tourist attractions we saw on the way. We joined the program that we went for. Before the sun was setting, the event ended, and we went to the Homestay we were staying at. Early the next morning, my father, me, the visitors who had arrived with us, and some locals roamed the whole village. The roads were tiled up with beautifully shaped flat stones. Human hands are capable of a high level of development, ‘Thabang’ was an example of this. We visited ‘Mahat,’ Rukum which was nearby. Shortly after, we returned for lunch and started to move toward ‘Jaljala’. This plan was made immediately right there. We were supposed to be returning. We, on the vehicle, reached a higher place from where we had to move on foot. People interested in talking with each other subconsciously formed their respective groups and started moving ahead. I, with a lot of excitement, was walking ahead of all. Amit Uncle, a local from ‘Thabang’, was with us. So, we had no problems regarding directions and all. Although this was my second time going to ‘Thabang’, I had been there through ‘Jelbang’ only. This time we went there through ‘Mirul’ and ‘Thabang’. Roads were different, but the destination was the same. A place with significance in religious, historical, and natural tourism-related aspects, ‘Jaljala’ was enlisted in the top 100 places for Visit Nepal 2020. It was one of the places with the highest altitude in Rolpa. The uphill I ignored them, I had to reach there first of all. Anyhow! And we did it within a few hours. And most importantly, we were lucky to see the snowfall there. ‘Jaljala’ is not any mountain, nor was it a season for snowfalls. But, the snow welcomed us! I enjoy the places I go, not the changes occurring there. But, ‘Jaljala’ was different this time. I was expecting to play with the varieties of vegetation there and see the trees of 9 different species of Rhododendron. But there was no greenery, but everything black. Burned because of wildfire. I was a child, sad because I could not get a photo with green in the background. Regardless of anything, we all gathered there and prepared some snacks to eat. Fortunately, snow fell again. It was a great coincidence, snowfall in Falgun and we were there. It was black a few moments ago, ‘Jaljala’ was now covered in white. This was my first experience with snow. We played with it. And returned, being through the ‘Bhama Odaar’. I used to think that it must be very cold walking in the snow. But it felt like nothing. I kept moving. I still, felt nothing until I did not see any whites. As soon as I stepped on the land with no snow, I realized how cold it was. I have no idea if it was dopamine, functioning like adrenaline, but I felt no cold when I was in the snow. Getting out of it triggered my realization. I started contemplating as we returned to ‘Thabang’ back, and started our journey back to ‘Libang’. Is this experience a part of our life? Being in a hole and not realizing it until you get out of it. Try to think about it in the context of everything. Politics, foreign employment, relationships, facilities, education, law enforcement, and every other thing. The warmth within the snow is only if you haven’t seen an actual warm land. Nobody knows the actual problem if they haven’t seen it being solved somewhere. Yes, the biggest lie I’ve known in my life is the warmth within snow. By: Archit Babu Merciful (Law, M2)

Sustainable development entails utilizing natural resources for present needs while ensuring their preservation for future generations. These resources, including water, minerals, and forest products, are vital for various developmental activities. However, human actions, such as deforestation, have accelerated global warming, necessitating our responsibility to protect the environment for future generations. As stewards of our planet, it’s crucial to reduce the consumption of toxic chemicals and gases, as outlined in the 2030 agenda. Industrial emissions must be filtered, and the transition to electric vehicles can mitigate pollution. Moreover, reliance on excessive technological products should be minimized to curb environmental degradation. Historically, human innovation has led to both progress and environmental harm. We must prioritize the development of eco-friendly solutions to preserve natural resources for all living organisms. Afforestation initiatives and personal choices, like walking instead of driving short distances, can collectively contribute to Earth’s preservation. Educating and involving every individual in sustainable practices is paramount for the future of our planet. Failure to act swiftly will jeopardize Earth’s ability to sustain life. Therefore, it’s imperative to foster a collective understanding of sustainable development among all individuals. By raising awareness and implementing eco-conscious practices, we can prolong Earth’s lifespan and ensure a habitable environment for generations to come. Incorporating sustainable principles into everyday life, such as reducing waste, conserving energy, and supporting renewable resources, can significantly impact the health of our planet. Additionally, advocating for policies that promote environmental protection and investing in green technologies are essential steps toward achieving long-term sustainability. As stewards of Earth, we hold the responsibility to safeguard its natural resources and biodiversity. Through collaborative efforts and commitment to sustainable practices, we can create a brighter future for ourselves and future generations. In conclusion, sustainable development is not just a concept but a call to action for individuals, communities, and governments worldwide. Together, we can strive towards a harmonious relationship with nature and ensure the continued well-being of our planet for generations to come. By: Aaryaa Shrestha (Management, F2)

“I am depressed.” This is a line that we hear a lot, a little too much nowadays, I’m afraid. But this makes me wonder too. Are you depressed? Of course, that isn’t to discredit the feelings that, the person in question is feeling but still, it’s an interesting question that I think about, especially since having been diagnosed with clinical depression at one point in my life, I have a very intimate ex-relationship with this wondrous madness of a disease called depression. But as I got out of this relationship, I started wondering to myself, if these people who called themselves depressed, really were depressed, or really, they were just sulking about their not-so-depressing lives. Then I wonder about the words of our parents. “I’ve given you a house to live in, food to eat, clothes to wear, all the things that you need to feel happy, so why are you depressed?” And that does make sense if you think about it. All of us have a pretty decent life, if we think about it. Even as you walk in or out of the college, you’re able to see that there are tens of people standing right outside the giant buildings, with plastic bags in their hands or in front of them, begging us for money, for their survival. Ironic, how a college that only some of the higher end of the Nepalese population can attend so brazenly has so many beggars and kids who wear patched or dirty clothes with holes in them begging in bright open. Yet, it fills me with an even deeper sense of despair as I walk past these kids, these humans who look only as though shells of their beings, the lights from their eyes having disappeared long ago, only living to receive the free food distributed every Tuesday by visitors wearing expensive and fancy clothing in front of the Ganesh Mandir.  I think about how my life would’ve been if I was born in a situation like this if I was born to someone who couldn’t even afford to send me to the poorest of schools, if I was strung wide out into the streets of Kathmandu to be a drunkard or a beggar who hurls around giant bags of trash on my shoulders, looking at the kids wearing suits, with fancy phones worth tens of thousands, or in some cases, lakhs, and still complaining about how their lives were so depressing. Yet as I walk by the ‘Gallis’ of my city, I witness many sights. Sights of kids wearing dirty old clothes playing with broken pieces of wood and ‘Chungi’, pretending as though they were playing badminton, kids playing cricket with worn down pieces of bat-shaped plastics, with a cheap 10-rupee ball. I witness sights of tens of porters strung around a single worn down phone with cracks all over the screen, with a game of ludo going on the phone, sometimes 5-rupees and 10-rupees being offered in bets over this game. I also witness families of trash collectors and recyclers, the ones who we look down on with contempt and disdain, hand over the books that they bought from the children who finished their final exams and give them to their children, perhaps hoping that they would at least try to learn from the books that they got. Yet something common that I see amongst all of these people is one thing. Happiness. All these children that play with wooden boards and ‘Chungi’, children playing cricket with worn down plastic bats, old porters huddled up around an old phone playing ludo, and the man handing down the worn and torn book to his kid, all seem to be bursting with more laughter and happiness than I have ever seen in the big buildings and complexes of my city. These people who are deemed the bottom feeders of our society seem to be the ones with the most happiness, while we, the ones who seem to be higher up in the food chain seem to be the ones who are the unhappiest, we resign ourselves as being the most unfortunate in our lives, when in the end, these people who evidently, without a doubt do not have as many luxuries as we do, seem to be the happiest. If this man who does not know whether his stomach will have food by the end of a hard day of work, filled with sweat and blood even, can simply become happy with a cup of cheap milk tea and a game of ludo, then what right do I have to be unhappy? Of course, that doesn’t mean that mine or anyone else’s problems aren’t worth anything at all, nono. Perhaps we simply need to realize that the things we fixate our lives and our thoughts over, don’t need to be so complicated, that living life isn’t like solving a parametric derivative or integration by parts (which I perhaps will never understand how to do), that really, we don’t need to be unhappy. Along the lines of something that a certain hero (not an actual hero, but they call themselves hero all the time, so why not call them that too) told me, “The world is what you mirror yourself as you see the world the way you see yourself if you see life as being boring, then it will be boring if you see life as being sad, then it will be sad!” And perhaps that is indeed true. If you see life as a depressing hell, then that is what life will be, a depressing hell. So, instead of going to these fancy cafes and restaurants, where most people, me, really aren’t enjoying their lives, perhaps visit these small tea shops, walk in these galleries that have children who will have never experienced the luxury you have experienced, and watch these men who are strung at the bottom of society laugh over a cheap, diluted cup of tea and perhaps you

As Gen Z (Generation Z) grew in a world more interconnected than ever, they were able to connect and learn various new things, which would have been impossible in the previous generations. But this has proved to be a boon and a curse at the same time as due to globalization and being deeply intertwined with each other, it also poses certain risks as this new generation is more prone to cyber-attacks, cyber-bullying which can impose a greater mental strain on them. People have seemed to call this generation soft or otherwise “Snowflakes”, claiming that they get offended even over the slightest of minor inconveniences. But doing this will not solve any problems instead we must look at this critically and try to find out the root cause of this sensitivity and try to validate their points as things they say are true but are dismissed by the older generation as this “New-gen shenanigans”.  Doing so would not only not solve the problem but can seriously impact their well-being. Older people must try to look at themselves in the mirror and think if what they thought to be true and “the way” can be right or wrong. This current generation that is now growing up is being termed the “Ipad generation”, claiming that all they do is spend time on this device and are inseparable. These practices are sure to bring some dire repercussions in the future but if we talk about Gen Z, they are the “social media” generation who grew up in the growing phase of social media and are now living in the peak time of it. There are various social media such as Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube, Reedit, discord, and many more but the most impacting for the current youth is undoubtedly Instagram. Teen boys and girls are especially prone to the ill effects caused by this app as they get a sense of insecurity and garner low self-esteem and in some severe cases lead to depression. For some, their life is revolved around how many of their followers viewed their story and how many liked their posts sometimes when the number of people who have viewed their story doesn’t match the amount of likes that they are getting, they start to feel bad about themselves and look at other people and make their current predicament even worse. They start to view that their self-worth corresponds to the number of followers that they have and actively spend most of their precious time on Instagram while some spend hours going through reels. But some of them have started to know about this bad practice and got out of it but some left with some serious scars. When asked to define their current mental health or well-being, only 15% of those polled in Generation Z indicated it was outstanding. According to the study, GenZers have reported negative emotions such as tension, anxiety, and loneliness. This is a significant decrease from a decade ago when 52% of millennials in the same age range stated their mental health was outstanding, according to the research. Furthermore, in 2004, 55% of persons aged 18 to 26, including both millennials and Gen X respondents, reported having great mental health. There are also indications that technology helps younger individuals with access to supportive mental health resources. Respondents from Generation Z are more inclined than other generations to use digital wellness applications and mental health initiatives. School shootings (primarily in the United States), student debt, joblessness, and even politics all contribute to Gen Z’s chronic stress.  Technology also has a role. Growing up in a hyper-connected society can elicit deep feelings of isolation and loneliness in certain young people. It can also foster a continual drumbeat of bad news stories, a fear of missing out, and humiliation at falling short of a social media-worthy norm. When it comes to gender and identity issues, Generation Z is more welcoming and inclusive. Discrimination and a lack of acceptance for gender identity or sexual orientation, on the other hand, might still lead to mental health issues. While still in some parts of the world and even in Nepal, people tend to shy away from this topic saying “Hya… Testo Chatake Kura Nagara”, there have also been some healthy and mature discussions related to this. And there is also some need for talk regarding gender identity and sexual orientation and their differences. Finally, as Generation Z grapples with the potential and problems of an interconnected world, it becomes clear that their mental health is inextricably related to the digital ecosystem in which they live. With the advent of social media sites, particularly Instagram came with both connection and potential harm. While some negotiate these settings with grace and understanding, others wear the wounds of a never-ending quest for social approval. By: Nhuja Manandhar (Science, G2)

As I Sit and look at you, All I feel is envy; Pretty house, a pretty garden Living in a world of fantasy. I am jealous of the way you see the world Like its yours You don’t care, you just dream Dream of castle and a while horse. It feels Like life hasn’t done you dirty yet The sudden realization will soon hit you Hit you Like a razing storm and drown you Drown You so so deep. There will be no escape for you You have all these people with you  People you look upto Those you love and admire. But my “people” they left One last dinner with them. In that same old house is my only desire  You don’t have to try to be loved. It’s easy, for them to love you so  As for me? It feels occasional  Like a breeze, touch and go But we have the same eyes. We got the same smile Which makes me realize  Mine don’t shine as bright as the morning sunrise I keep turning the pages of these albums. I look at these photo frames  I can’t turn back time to the good old days And that makes my heart burn in flames I am jealous of you, I accept. Don’t wish grow older I beg  Don’t blow out those candles, little me  Because life is not a fairytale And definitely not your fantasy. So yes, I am jealous of myself Of little me, And I loathe her for wishing to grow older Because her wishes came true Now I am only miserable. By: Aashna Adhikari (Management, A2)

Dear Basketball, The moment I touched you was the best moment of my life, maybe even the luckiest. I instantly fell in love with you since the day we got close. You became my obsession, my love, my happiness, my painkiller, and most importantly my partner. Maybe it was just a coincidence that we came close, maybe it was just luck that we got attached or maybe it was my destiny. The day I loved you was the happiest day of my life, it made me realize how joyful and calm I am when I’m with you. But it wasn’t easy!! From trying to make that first shot, to making buzzer beaters my heart always skips a beat as if I am destined to be there. I never loved anything more than you, you are who you were and you will always be a part of me. Watching those NBA finals at the age of 11 and thinking every day about you regardless of the hard times, challenges, and mental and physical pain was the most beautiful thing that I have ever encountered to date.  I was just a freaking nobody and you were the thing that made me feel alive for the first time in my life. I never enjoyed doing anything other than cuddling with you, holding you in my hands, talking with you, playing with you, and most especially being with you. Just a glimpse of you made my day.  Now I’m in class 11 .7 years since I fell in love with you. And this year it’s going to be the 8th year of us being together. I still don’t know why but I’m really into you more than anything that I have ever encountered. Since childhood, there were obstacles in every phase of our journey. Study, Parents, Friends, Teachers, Priorities, Health issues, Injuries, Time management, Isolation, and that feeling of being underrated. But we won all those battles regardless of how tough it was, hard, painful, and time-consuming it was. All those sacrifices that I made throughout my 7 years to be with you and cherish those moments is all worth it.  I love you more than anything. Even if this world falls apart and turns into pieces I will put every single ounce of my effort just to spend that 1 moment with you. You’re the soul of my lifeline. I can’t even imagine myself and my existence without you. Regardless of the uncertainty that we have and will always have, I bet that there won’t be any freaking universe where we aren’t together. There are moments of separation that tear me apart into pieces. That lack of progress and failure still stabs my heart. But the love I have for you is always going to increase every second of my life till my time finally runs out. You were the only thing that never made me sad, you were the only thing that never made me dissatisfied, you were the only thing that always pushed me to work hard and improve myself. And most importantly you were the only thing that never betrayed me, that never disappointed me, that never compared me with anyone, that never chose someone else over me, that never left me alone and most importantly loved me seeing the love that I had for you. That love that keeps me going, encourages me, motivates me to date.  You are just not an ordinary common game of rubber leather ball for me. You are the thing that gave me the respect and confidence that I have for myself. Made me feel loved, joyful, and happy !!. You are the only thing that can force me to fight the entire world. And even if that happens then I will be out there on the battlefield against the entire world just to be with you and I am not losing whatsoever. You are the most precious and important thing to me, I adore you and love you for that.  Just like how I was and will be breathing, eating, training, sleeping, learning, fighting until I die! I will always be there with you. Even at the age of 100, I will be hooping sitting in a wheelchair. Creating that same moment of imagination and commentary for the 26th million time “1 sec on the clock, the ball in the hands of Presciss Kharel There he goes for the shot BANGGG he hits it to win it all for himself, what a play was that !!” From the age of 10 until I die I will always be that same kid with the love and passion for the game. The day my time runs out, I want you to be there with me. Just like the first time I ever held you, I want us to be together. I want us to reunite on the other side of the world where there will be all the peace, time, and destiny for us to live moments with each other with no one being there to stop us, to impose obstacles, and barriers, and to try to separate us . Spending the rest of eternity together in peace!  I LOVE YOU FOREVER MORE THAN ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING  By: Presciss Kharel (Science, K1)        

Today, when I entered the class, I was quite surprised to see a new face among the ones I was bored of seeing daily.” She seems to be a shy but cheerful kind of person just like me.” I thought, which turns out, I was right. Our teacher started assigning us to our new seats, according to her seat plan, and I ended up sitting right next to this new girl. The first period ended and it had been too awkward due to the silence. I was thinking of introducing myself but, then again, I was too shy.  Then, suddenly, I heard a voice say,” Hi! My name is Lia.” The new girl, right next to me, was smiling at me.” Hey there, Lia! I am Jordan.” I replied.  “You’re rather shy for a boy. Do you know that?” She stated.  I felt so nervous when she said that. With an awkward smile, I said, “Yes, I do know that. But how did you know?”  “I saw the way you were trying to talk to me, so I sort of figured it out” She replied.  “Oh”  “awkward**  This way we started talking. Days became months and months became years. We were seen together in class, the hall, or even at the bus stop. We became best of friends, the type which seemed to last forever. But I was wrong. December 24, 2015  It was prom night the next day. Everyone was supposed to attend it with a date and they weren’t allowed to enter without one. So, I built up the courage, went to Lia, and asked, “Lia, will you go to the prom with me?”  She replied, “Aw, Jordan!! I’m so glad you asked. I will definitely go to the prom with you.”  I was so happy that I started jumping in the corridor.  December 25, 2015  “Today is a big day.” I was thinking to myself as I was getting dressed up. It was already 6 in the afternoon. So, I rushed out of my house and reached Lia’s place at 6.30. When she came to open the door, I thought she was an angel. Everything else disappeared and all I could see was her.  I handed her the bouquet of roses I had bought for her. “Jordan, you are so sweet! Thank you,” she said. I looked at her and smiled.  “Should we go then?” I asked.  “Yes!” was her reply.  We reached there at about 7. Everybody was dancing and so, we too started. As we were dancing, I looked at her eyes with all the courage I had and said, “Lia, you are my everything. You are very important to me. I do not want to lose you, ever.”  Lia, with a surprised face, asked me, “Why are you exactly telling me this right now, Jordan?”  “Because I love you,” I replied.  “Grandpa! What happened then? Did she tell you that she loved you too?” Tony interrupted. “No, son. She just left without answering. I haven’t talked to her since then.”I replied with a sad tone.  “Oh don’t be sad!”  I burst into laughter as soon as he said that. He asked me why I was laughing. “Son, if she hadn’t said that she loves me too, then she wouldn’t be your grandma!” I continued laughing as I saw his expressionless face.  By: Sambat Bhandari (Management, F1)

Youth is the phase of age in which the children come out of the protective shells which is a dependent phase and now they can spread their wings throughout the hope. They are the pillars of our country. They are the hope of light for the development or well-being of the country. Without youth, it is impossible for the expectation of well-being of the country. Youth has many responsibilities and duties to our nation. So, he/she must not be lazy. Youths are the future of our country. The condition of our country depends on the dedication of youths towards the developmental works of the nation. But instead of being dedicated, youths in this generation are heading abroad right after receiving a good education. They are the skilled manpower of our country. But now, they are moving to foreign countries for their career and opportunities.  But, if it is observed on the other hand, youths are not completely to be blamed for this. As it is the fault of the government of our country too. They do not provide opportunities to the right ones and they do not educate every person in the country as well. If the people of rural areas also get opportunities to be educated, they can also take part in the development works of our country. But the government should provide job opportunities along with a deserving amount of salary to the skilled ones. They should also spread education across every corner of the country. Women also be provided with job opportunities. Poverty should be eliminated. Let us take an example of a youth who is doing great for the nation; Balen Shah. He is the current mayor of Kathmandu Metropolis who was elected by every youngster. In a very short time, he has won the hearts of every Nepali. He has decided to provide food for the students in public schools. So, instead of giving opportunities to old and feeble ones, youths should be given priority. Youths are the future of our nation. This should be provided with enough facilities. The work and dedication of youths should not be rejected or neglected at any cost. Youths should be well aware of the future of the nation. They should be aware of the consequences of going abroad. They are the only people who can influence children towards the wellbeing of nations too. By: Samriddhi Timilsina (Science, F2)

The Uniglobe Skill Fest 2081 is not just a week-long event but a golden opportunity specifically designed to cater to the needs of SEE-appeared students. Its main objective is to provide a platform for students to showcase their skills and talents and, more importantly.