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I’m a 16-year-old high school student, and I feel frustrated at home. My parents constantly compare my grades to my elder brother’s achievements, making me feel inadequate. Despite efforts to explain how their words affect me, my parents argue that they only want the best for me. How can I request my parents to encourage me to succeed without creating feelings of resentment or comparison?

Answered by Dr Rika Rijal, consultant psychiatrist

It sounds like you’re dealing with a really tough situation, and I want to acknowledge how frustrating and disheartening that can be. But at the same time, I really appreciate that you are opening up about your issue.

It’s a difficult situation when parents, knowingly or unknowingly, make comparisons that leave you feeling inadequate. It’s totally understandable that you want support and encouragement, not pressure and competition. First and foremost, you should try talking to your parents about how you feel. Choose the right time and approach. Instead of talking in the heat of frustration, find a calm and relaxed moment to express your feelings. Try using ‘I’ statements to avoid making them defensive. For example, “I feel discouraged when my efforts are compared to my brother’s, and it makes it hard for me to stay motivated.” 

It’s important that you emphasize your unique strengths. Gently remind them that everyone has different skills, interests, and learning styles. Let them know you are trying your best and would feel more encouraged with support from them rather than comparisons.

Also show that you understand their intentions. Parents usually want the best for their children. So, acknowledge that you know they want the best for you. You might say, “I appreciate that you want me to succeed, and I do too. But I think I would do even better if I felt supported in my own journey rather than compared to someone else.”

You can also offer a solution. You can suggest alternatives that would motivate you more. Ask for positive reinforcement, like recognizing improvements or efforts rather than just grades. For example, “It really helps when you notice my hard work, even if my grades aren’t perfect. I want you to accept me for the person that I am.”

If these don’t work for you then learn to set boundaries and stay patient. If comparisons continue, try setting emotional boundaries by reminding yourself that their words don’t define your worth. Change takes time—your parents may need multiple reminders before they adjust their approach. You can take help from a trusted family member or a psychiatrist or therapist if you feel too overwhelmed doing all this and more on your own. 

The fire that broke out in Timang forest of Chame Rural Municipality-1 in Manang district has not been brought under control even after 10 days. The forest fire had started in the evening of January 31.

The District Administration Office said they have not been able to douse the fire due to the difficult topography of the area.

Chief District Officer Matrika Acharya said that all the security agencies in the district have been mobilized to contain the wildfire.

"All the security agencies of the district have been mobilized to control the fire. Locals are also actively engaged in this task. However, we have not been able to bring the fire under control yet,” CDO Acharya said.

He said that the grazing areas of sheep, goats, yaks and cattle in the forest have been destroyed as the fire could not be brought under control on time.

"The fire has started in a difficult location far away from the settlement. There is also the risk of spread of forest fire as the place is also windy," CDO Acharya said, adding that the inferno has so far destroyed the habitat of the national bird, the lophophorous, and the young rhododendron plants in the forest. 

According to him, the security personnel and locals are trying their best to contain the fire wherever possible.

Chief District Officer Acharya shared that they were facing problems containing the wildfire as it is raging in a patch of forest on a cliff which is inaccessible.

He said there was no risk of fire in the settlement, adding necessary measures are being adopted so that the fire does not spread elsewhere.

Chief of Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Area Office, Dhak Bahadur Bhujel, said that the fire could not be brought under control due to excessive dryness of the area since there was not much snowfall this winter.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 100 per tola in the domestic market on Sunday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 168, 200 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 168, 100 per tola on Friday.

The price of silver, however, has decreased by Rs 15 and is being traded at Rs 1, 960 per tola today.

Three motorable bridges have been constructed along the Kaligandaki Corridor, a national pride project connecting China and India, on the Benighat–Jomsom–Korala road in Mustang.

The Benighat–Jomsom–Korala Road Project Office, Mustang, has built motorable bridges over the Marphakhola in ward 2 of the Gharapjhong Rural Municipality, Nursingkhola in Baragung Muktikshetra Rural Municipality-6, and over the Charangkhol in the Damaodar Kunda Rural Municipality, at a cost of Rs 310.78 million.

Project Chief Dhruba Kumar Jha informed that the construction of the three bridges and access roads has been completed, allowing vehicles to operate. According to him, a contract worth Rs 210.6 million was signed six years ago with Himadung&Thokar Immortal Construction for the construction of a 120-meter-long motorable bridge over the Marphakhola.

After the permanent bridge was brought into operation, the problem of having to cross the river using a temporary wooden bridge and risking safety has been resolved, said Lomshang Chomphel Bista (Raju), Chairman of the Lhoghekar-Damodarkund Rural Municipality.

Bista further shared that the road extension and bridge construction bids were underway along the road sections.

The government has decided to deploy tourist police for the security of domestic and foreign tourists visiting the Rara area.

The Department of Tourism and Chhayanath Rara Municipality have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to deploy tourist police in Rara for the safety of tourists visiting Nepal's largest and deepest lake, Rara.

Director of the Department of Tourism Liladhar Awasthi and Chief Administrative Officer of the municipality Pashupati Shahi signed the MoU on Friday.

As per the MoU, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, The Department of Tourism will manage the human resources, the number of positions and police posts of tourist police and will deploy the tourist police in collaboration and coordination with the municipality.

Similarly, Chhayanath Rara Municipality shall manage necessary infrastructure including houses, drinking water and electricity, and create a suitable environment for the tourist police in Rara.

Besides the lake, there are religious places, mountains and caves in the Rara area. Tourists, who come here to see around these places in the middle of the forest, are afraid to visit alone. It is believed that after the mobilization of tourist police in the area, tourists will feel safe and visit these tourist places independently and the stay of tourists in Rara will also be extended.

Shahi, the acting chief administrative officer of the municipality, said, "The economic condition of the local people will also improve as soon as the stay of tourists is extended.”

Mayor Bishnu Kumar Bham said that they are working to deploy tourist police in Rara soon by selecting the place to accommodate the tourist police, arranging barracks, drinking water, electricity and other necessary infrastructures.

Newly arrived Ambassador of Japan to Nepal Maeda Toru hosted a National Day Reception at his official Residence in Tahachal today to celebrate 65th auspicious birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan.

About 350 guests, including Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Vice President, as the Chief Guest, Prakash Man Singh, DPM and Minister for Urban Development, Teju Lal Chaudhary, Minister for Youth and Sports, Bimala Ghimire, Vice Chairman of National Assembly,  Indira Rana, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, former prime ministers, former ministers, members of the Federal Parliament, Ambassadors, Heads of International Organizations in Nepal, government officials and many friends of Japan attended the reception.

On the occasion, Ambassador Maeda, in his speech, highlighted the long-term relations between Japan and Nepal, referring to the historical exchanges started in the 19^th century, high-level visits including His Majesty the Emperor’s visit to Nepal in 1987 and the development cooperation between Japan and Nepal for more than half a century, reads a statement issued by the Embassy of Japan in Nepal.

He also looks forward to the 70th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Nepal in 2026, as an excellent opportunity to further promote the friendship between the two countries.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has urged people to remain alert as the number of fire incidents is increasing with the onset of the dry season and this trend could increase further.

NDRRMA spokesperson Dr Dijan Bhattarai stressed that since most of the fires are man-made, everyone should be alert on time to prevent it.

Meanwhile, the District Police Range, Kathmandu, has issued a notice making it public that 34 fire incidents have occurred since mid-December in Kathmandu alone.

A public notice issued by the Range requests one and all to keep flammable materials such as matches and lighters out of the reach of children, to install a smoke detector, and to practice mock drill on how to stop and escape from a fire.

Similarly, in the event of a fire, the Range requests all to inform the people around (by sounding the alarm or shouting) and to get out as soon as possible.

"Never try to hide inside the house, after leaving the house, make sure that all the family has come out safely. As soon as you are informed of a fire, inform the police control 100, the fire service 101 and the local police. If you have to go out through a smoke-filled place, crawl with your head down, which will make it easier for you to breathe," the Range said in the notice.

It also suggests people not to run if your clothes are on fire. Stop and extinguish the fire before running, as the fire will spread even faster if you run with your clothes on fire.

If you are consuming the right kind of content, social media has a lot of good things for you. From turning someone who can’t make an omelet to a passionate cook to making a painter out of someone who thought she couldn’t hold a brush, it’s a treasure trove of skill-based learning opportunities and finding inspiration to do the things you always wished you could do. Instagram, especially, has a vast range of bite-sized content that you can pursue at leisure to pick up a skill, learn something interesting, get book recommendations or recipes and be inspired to live your best life. Here are some of our favorites to get you started.

Food by Maria

Maria Koutsogiannis is a Greek food blogger who has over 2.4 followers on Instagram. She creates delicious recipes inspired by her Greek heritage and Mediterranean roots. She initially started the blog Food by Maria as a way to create a healthy relationship with food as she was battling an eating disorder back in 2014. It was a hobby and she was shooting and editing on her phone. Soon, people took notice and it became an award-winning idea filled with recipes for delicious, comforting meals. Follow her on Instagram to get your daily dose of food inspiration. The recipes are easy to follow and the end result looks like gourmet cuisine.

Nona Uppal

Nona Uppal is 20-something-year-old who is the author of the book ‘Fool Me Twice’ published by Penguin Random House India in 2024. We, at ApEx, haven’t read her book but we are quite inclined to get a copy, as on Instagram she comes across as fun, smart, and honest. If she writes as well as she speaks, then we might be in for a treat. She has over 1000 posts on Instagram and most of them are book recommendations or reviews of books she has read. What we especially like and appreciate about her is the fact that in most of her posts she speaks into her headphone’s microphone, showing an unpretentious side of her. Her voice is also soothing and she speaks with such enthusiasm and a sparkle in her eyes that you can’t help but take her seriously.

Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju

She is an actor, doctor, and trans rights activist whose page on Instagram will inspire you to embrace yourself and be true to who you are. She came into the limelight with her role in the Amazon Prime Original Series ‘Made in Heaven’ and has since then has been a part of various other series and documentaries as well. She’s unapologetically herself and to find someone who speaks their mind and calls out problematic things in life with reckless abandon is absolutely wonderful and uplifting. Apart from documenting her transition journey (she’s a trans woman), her page is filled with aesthetic decor posts, notes where she writes down lessons she’s learnt, conversations on skincare, and many other things that will have you scrolling for hours on end.

Her Happy Face

A positive person through and through, Ridhi Arora is the face behind the page Her Happy Face on Instagram and a YouTube channel by the same name. She documents her exercise journey on Instagram and there are also a day in my life blogs. As a plus sized person, she’s honest about her struggles with weight loss. But Ridhi is someone who celebrates life and that shines through in her posts. But she keeps track of her food habits by consistently posting ‘what I eat in a day’ videos. They are fun to watch and give you some idea about what to eat if you want to lose weight or incorporate more protein in your diet. The posts give a glimpse of life with all its ups and down. Ridhi has also been brave enough to share stories of her pregnancy losses, giving voice to women who choose to suffer in silence.

Fries to Fit

Deepsikha Jain has a MSc in Global Public Health Nutrition and uses her Instagram account to educate people about food and the right way to eat. She has over 900 posts on Instagram and they all deal with nutrition and healthy eating. She doesn’t tell you to make difficult lifestyle changes but rather motivates you to make simple sustainable swaps. By following her posts, you will understand your body better, know when is a good time to workout, learn how to drink water, what foods you must have daily to improve your health, and how to store food properly among many other things. There are many nutritionists and food experts on Instagram but Jain makes complicated information accessible.