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How can parents strike a balance between setting expectations and giving their children the freedom to explore their own interests and career paths?

Answered by Kapil Sharma, counseling psychiatrist

Parenting is a delicate balancing act that involves guiding children toward success while giving them the freedom to explore their passions. Many parents set high expectations out of love, believing that structure and discipline will pave the way for a secure future. 

The challenges parents face in setting expectations often stem from deeper psychological reasons. One common factor is the fear of uncertainty. Parents worry that their child will make poor choices or struggle in life, leading them to impose strict rules and goals in an attempt to secure their child’s future. This fear, while well-intentioned, can result in excessive control, stifling a child’s ability to grow independently.

Another factor is unresolved personal aspirations. Some parents unconsciously push their children toward careers or paths they themselves wished to pursue, projecting their own unfulfilled dreams onto their children This can create tension if the child’s interests don’t align with their parents’ expectations.

Additionally, the need for social approval plays a significant role. Societal and cultural pressures often make parents feel responsible for their child’s success, leading them to set rigid goals that might not align with the child’s strengths or passions. This can create a disconnect between what the child wants and what the parent expects. 

Encouraging open communication through regular, judgment-free conversations with your child about their dreams, strengths, and challenges can help build trust. Instead of saying, “You must become a doctor,” try asking, “What excites you about your future?” This approach allows children to express themselves without feeling pressured.

It’s also good to recognize individual strengths. Every child is unique, with their own talents and abilities. Instead of comparing them to others, focus on helping them build on their strengths. If they struggle in academics but excel in creative fields, support their natural abilities while encouraging well-rounded development.

You can also teach responsibility and not take to controlling your child. Rather than enforcing strict career choices, teach your child how to make informed decisions. Encourage internships, volunteer work, and exposure to different fields so they can explore various paths with a sense of responsibility.

And lastly, be a support system and not a dictator. Children thrive in environments where they feel supported rather than controlled. When they know you trust them, they are more likely to seek your guidance instead of rebelling against it.

Parenting is not about control. It’s about guidance. Ultimately, the goal is to raise confident, independent individuals who feel empowered to pursue their dreams while knowing they have a strong support system to fall back on should they need it. 

Surendra Tuladhar of Panipokhari, Kathmandu has become the first fortnight winner of the annual subscription campaign, “Jasle Padchha, Awasya Parchha” launched by Annapurna Media Network across the country.

In the weekly lucky draw held at the Tinkune-based headquarters of Annapurna Media Network on Friday, Surendra Tuladhar of Panipokhari with receipt number 1319-81 became the winner.

Samita Budhathoki, International Business Manager of Annapurna Media Network America, had picked Tuladhar’s name from the lucky draw.

After being the winner, he will get a one year full 100 Mbps internet package from Dishhome Internet as a gift.

Readers renewing their subscription or becoming new annual subscribers to Annapurna Post and The Annapurna Express will receive guaranteed gifts upon subscribing.

The annual subscription fee for both newspapers is set at Rs 3,400 each.

Annual subscribers will receive a voucher worth Rs 1,500 for Wonderland, where they can enjoy thrilling games, as well as a movie voucher from INI Cinemas.

Alternatively, subscribers can opt for scratch cards offering cash discounts ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 3,400, along with INI Cinemas movie vouchers and tickets for Annapurna Cable Car.

 The campaign also offers exciting weekly and monthly prizes. Weekly lucky draw winners will receive OPPO mobile phones and Rs 5,000 vouchers for Tranquility Spa.

 Monthly winners will be rewarded with washing machines and Rs 5,000 Tranquility Spa vouchers. The campaign, which is valid nationwide, will run for four months.

The upgrade work has begun on the Palpa Ramdi Ranimahal road section of the Kaligandaki Corridor, which remained idle for 10 years. Upon completion, this section will contribute to the development of the corridor, connecting the Korala border crossing in China to Maldhunga and Gaindakot in eastern Nawalparasi. The project had stalled due to delays in opening the track on the 17-kilometer stretch of the Palpa Ramdi Ranimahal road section.

Although the track was eventually opened under the previous contract, the contract for the Ramdi Ranimahal road upgrade could not be awarded for years due to budget constraints. The Ministry of Finance only confirmed the necessary budget for the fiscal year 2024/25, allowing the office to issue a notice, select a new contractor, and commence work in the Ramdi Ranimahal area. Since work began, daily monitoring has been conducted by the office chief, engineers, technicians, and public representatives. Witnessing the rapid progress, local resident Dolraj Adhikari expressed optimism that the road would finally be completed.

With significant progress already made, locals believe that once the corridor road is fully paved, transportation will become easier, and agricultural products will reach markets more efficiently. Narendra Raj Pachbhaiya, a local resident, emphasized that the completed road is expected to increase the movement of religious tourists from China and India.

“Locals are pleased that the contractors have divided the work into sections. Many never imagined that a motorway would extend from Ramdi to the Kaligandaki banks in the Ranimahal area. Once paved, this corridor will facilitate the sale of agricultural produce, improve access to healthcare, and create new employment opportunities,” said Prem Narayan Panthi of Baganaskali Mandran.

The Ramdi Ranimahal road section is being closely monitored by the office, public representatives, and social leaders to ensure timely completion. Former Industry Minister Som Prasad Pandey is also advocating for the completion of this long-pending section of the Kaligandaki Corridor Road.

Following the opening of the track, the Nepal Government allocated Rs 1.48 billion through the Ministry of Finance, expediting the project. The construction contractor, Him Sagarmatha JV, is executing the road upgrade with a budget of Rs 850 million, aiming to complete the work within three years.

The contractors are working on expanding and widening the road, cutting hillsides, and constructing support walls and drainage systems. Of the 17-kilometer stretch, three kilometers—two in Ramdi and one in Mandran—will require blasting. Blasting work is currently in progress in the hills of the Ramdi area, according to Arun Kumar Khatri, an engineer from the Kaligandaki Corridor Gaindakot-Ramdi-Maldhunga Road Project Palpa Office.

“The contractors have demonstrated satisfactory progress on the Ramdi Ranimahal road section so far. Regular monitoring and inspection are being conducted by the office. If work continues at this pace and the budget remains secure, the project will be completed within the stipulated time frame, ensuring the overall completion of the Kaligandaki Corridor Maldhunga-Gaindakot section,” said Kalpana Adhikari Subedi, Division Chief of the Road Project Palpa Office.

The 132-kilometer road from Gaindakot to Ramdi has already been paved, with regular traffic operation for the past two years. Additionally, the road from Ranimahal to Argali Ridi has been blacktopped, facilitating smooth transportation. The segment from Gulmi Ridi to Arbeni has also been blacktopped. Meanwhile, the road upgrade from Arbeni in Gulmi to Balewa Airport in Baglung is in its final blacktopping stage. Apart from the Ramdi Ranimahal section, traffic is operating smoothly across the Gaindakot-Ramdi-Maldhunga road section, which falls under the supervision of the Road Project Office Palpa.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 2, 200 per tola in the domestic market on Friday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 168, 100 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 170, 300 per tola on Thursday.

Similarly, the price of silver has dropped by Rs 30 and is being traded at Rs 1, 915 per tola today.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has extended greetings to all those celebrating the festival of Gyalpo Lhosar.

"The Sherpa community residing in Nepal's high hills observe Gyalpo Lhosar today as their main festival. Even the Bhote community in Sikkim and Bhutan celebrate Gyalpo Lhosar. Greetings to all on the occasion of Gyalpo Lhosar," the PM stated in his social media post.

"Happy Lhosar to all," PM Oli greeted by sharing a Facebook post.

One of the four Uzbek nationals recently arrested with about four kilograms of gold had visited Nepal 11 times, according to preliminary police investigations. The suspect, identified as 41-year-old Sardar Tursunov, has been found to have multiple connections in Nepal, prompting further investigation, police said.

According to immigration sources, Tursunov had entered Nepal on 11 previous occasions. This time, he reportedly used three Uzbek women to smuggle gold. The arrested women—49-year-old Saodat Faiziva Israilovna, 48-year-old Umida Akhmedov Ghulamovna, and 54-year-old Dilfuza Marifalib Akhmadjanovna—claimed in their statements to police that the gold did not belong to them and that they were merely following Tursunov’s instructions. Sources indicate they were lured by financial incentives and the opportunity to visit Nepal.

Tursunov escorted the women to Kathmandu, and upon arrival via FlyDubai flight FZ 575, they proceeded directly to the immigration arrival hall. After obtaining immigration clearance, they were directed to the security screening area where police conduct thorough checks on luggage, shoes, and bodies of passengers. They passed through security checks without suspicion and were allowed to exit.

However, as they reached the terminal gate, authorities noticed suspicious behavior and took them into custody. Further investigation led to the discovery of the concealed gold. It remains unclear whether security personnel had any prior indication of the gold or if it was an oversight.

Sources said that after passing through security, the suspects proceeded to collect their luggage. Customs officials also conducted checks but found nothing. However, as the group was about to leave the airport, their unusual behavior raised further suspicion, leading to their arrest.

Upon conducting a body search, police recovered 3.745 kg of gold concealed in their rectums. The gold had been melted and shaped into small round pellets, which were then smuggled from Dubai to Kathmandu. A total of 24 such pellets were found on the four suspects. Authorities suspect that the gold was intended for a third country, using India as a transit point. SSP Somendra Singh Rathore of the Airport Security Office confirmed the seizure, stating, “We are investigating the case further. The suspects have been handed over to the Customs Office for further legal action.”

Following repeated gold seizures at the Tribhuvan International Airport, the government had assigned security responsibilities at customs to the Armed Police Force (APF). However, this large-scale smuggling attempt has once again raised questions about the effectiveness of airport security measures.

Three persons were injured when the students affiliated to Nepal Students Union (NSU), student wing of ruling Nepali Congress, clashed at Mahendra Morang Adharsha Multiple Campus in Biratnagar on Thursday.

NSU central member Puja Bishwas, Morang District President Saroj Pokharel and Secretary Guddu Sah were injured in the clash.

Students supporting the establishment faction led by Sher Bahadur Deuba and the rival faction led by Shekhar Koirala clashed at around 10 am today.

All the injured are from the rival faction led by Koirala. The health condition of Bishwash and Sah is normal.

Pokharel, however, has been taken to the Biratnagar-based Noble Teaching Hospital after he felt uncomfortable, central member Bishwash said.

According to her, a group led by Jaswant Paudel, President of Free Students Union of Mahendra Morang Campus, attacked them.

In the video released after the incident, Pokharel and others are seen being attacked.

“First of all, they threw punches on us and later attacked with an axe,” Bishwash said, adding, “Some problems were seen in the health of the district president. We two are in normal condition.”

The district president and the secretary were attacked when they had come to the campus to inquire about the situation ahead of the FSU election, she said.

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has said the post-quake reconstruction efforts have been intensified.

In the 29th meeting of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Executive Committee held in Singha Durbar today, the Minister said the post-quake reconstruction efforts in Jajarkot, Doti and Bajhang have been accelerated following the assessment of losses.

Similarly, preparations are on to open an implementation unit of the Reconstruction and Restoration Project in these three districts.

Doti was hit by the November 9, 2022 quake, Bajhang by the October 3, 2023 tremor and Jajarkot was affected by the November 3, 2023 quake.

The past six months were spent in assessing the details of losses comprehensively, formulating criteria for the reconstruction of private houses, drafting regulations and for the budget management, according to the Minister.   

It is said the Ministry has come up with an action plan to implement the reconstruction efforts effectively.