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I hate it when things slip apart, 

When pieces fall from a fragile heart. 

I hate losing what I love the most, 

And fear turns me into a silent ghost. 

I overthink, but not too long, 

Fear makes my feelings feel so wrong. 

So I push away the ones I need, 

Craving space, but planting seeds, 

Of distance, silence hurt, not said, 

Ignoring what I need instead. 

I miss chances made for me, 

Let them pass, too blind to see. 

This habit grows, day by day, 

And I lose myself along the way. 

It’s hard to move, to start again, 

Hard to breathe through quiet pain. 

When things go wrong, I lose my light, 

I dim myself to make things right. 

I ignore the pull of what is true, 

Because at that point.. 

I disappear too. 

Supriya Paudel 

United College, Lalitpur

Art is far too often minimized in Nepal to its post-exam positioning: a recreational hobby, something to be done only if time permits. Art is not something to be done ‘if’ and ‘when’. It’s a way of expressing oneself, resisting, and staying alive. And it’s high time that we start treating it as such.

Nepali artists work without institutional support, earning second and third jobs simply to stay afloat. There are few grants, little visibility, and even less recognition for individuals opting to follow creative careers. This mindset is carried over to children, too. Parents disapprove of sketching, music, or dance the moment examinations come around, calling it ‘distraction’. Schools don’t offer any budget for arts. And society recognizes artists as failures unless they ‘make it big’.

But take a look around you. Everything like advertisement, festivals, architecture, protest rallies, fashion, film, etc. depends on art. It is not just about aesthetics; art influences perspectives; how we see the world and how the world sees us. It builds identity, safeguards cultural memory, and fuels local and global economies. Whether it is ancient paubha paintings from the Kathmandu Valley or a product label from a corner shop, there is no escape from art, a silent force that stitches together value and connection.

Despite its presence, art in Nepal is still treated as luxury, something to appreciate and admire, but it does not demand respect. Students interested in a creative future are told not to pursue art because it is ‘not a real career’. Parents are concerned it won’t lead to a living. Schools undervalue art programs. Art is only celebrated after the artist has fame and never during the journey to find it.

If Nepal is serious about nurturing imagination, safeguarding its diversely rich heritage, and creating jobs in the creative industries of the 21st century, we must stop disparaging art, and treat it like the fundamental thing that it is. We should encourage it in our schools, support it in our communities, and honor it in our discussions. We need to prepare teachers to set ideas free and embrace creativity as a skill rather than a hobby. We need to create public spaces for young people to create, express, and share their art without the fear of being criticized or written off.

Art is not a pastime, it is a pathway, a potent pathway that we should walk proudly, supportively, and purposefully.

Amy Thapa

St Xavier’s College, Maitighar

What do I do if I feel stuck in a job that pays well but drains me emotionally?

Answered by Khushbu Agarwal,  psychologist

The most important thing in this kind of situation is to understand what’s draining you: Is it the nature of the work or the environment, as in is it too monotonous or doesn’t align with your values? It could also be due to a toxic or high pressure work environment, micromanaging boss, difficult colleague or unsupportive coworkers. 

Once you identify the source of the emotional drain, you will know whether it can be adjusted or if a bigger change is needed. Bigger change like leaving immediately could be risky. You could try adjusting your role and responsibilities, as sometimes a shift within the job can help you get some breathing room while you plan. 

Start exploring skills, training, or side projects that align more with who you are and network in fields or communities that energize you. Save money consistently to build a ‘freedom fund’ if you're worried about security. You should also be able to identify what matters to you most and figure out if your current job supports you to achieve it. Most importantly, if money weren’t a factor, what would you want to spend your time doing?

Work-life balance is also crucial as it’s a boundary system that protects your mental health, relationships, and sense of self from being consumed by your job. When you’re emotionally drained by work, restoring balance becomes a necessity, not a luxury. We often confuse it with giving equal time at work and personal life but it simply means balancing where you rest without guilt and have time for relationships, hobbies and health. You shouldn’t feel like your identity is tied only to your job. 

In order to have a healthy balance, you should be able to define your start and stop time and then actually log off and turn off non-urgent notifications after work hours. Cut what you can from the energy drainers and focus on what recharges you, whether it’s reading, walks, music, or quiet time. Prioritizing important over urgent work and giving yourself permission to rest is a form of recovery not laziness.

I would also like to ask you to take one hour a week for something joyful or creative, take 10 mins daily to breathe, stretch, or simply do nothing, and block a full day per month with no plans to reconnect with yourself

Don’t make any impulsive decisions, and discuss your thoughts with a coach, manager, boss or mentor. Express your concerns clearly but respectfully. You might find a fresh perspective or just relief in being heard. Isolation often intensifies the feeling of being ‘stuck.’

Burnout and chronic emotional drain can lead to anxiety, depression, or physical exhaustion. If you’re experiencing numbness, dread, or disconnection, consider talking to a mental health professional. Sometimes the fog clears when your nervous system has space to breathe again.

Raksha Bandhan is a special occasion to celebrate the bond between siblings—particularly the relationship between brothers and sisters. It’s a day that symbolizes love, protection and commitment, not only among biological siblings but also among those who share a deep, familial connection beyond blood. The festival serves as a beautiful reminder of the strength and importance of these cherished relationships. ApEx tried to find out how people felt about this lovely festival. 

Prasuna Khanal, 23

Rakshya Bandhan, to me, is a thread that holds together every childhood laugh, every tear wiped in silence and every unbroken promise of “I’m always here”. It makes me pause and feel grateful for the people who stand by me, no matter what. In this small ritual, I feel the comfort of home and the kind of love that doesn’t need words. 

I celebrate Rakshya Bandhan with my biological siblings and my cousins, who feel just as close to my heart. For me, it's not just about blood relations but about the love, laughter and shared memories that tie us together. Whether by birth or by bond, the day is about cherishing those who stand by me like my own family. When we were children, it was all about doro and kwati and the excitement of rituals. Now, it’s also a special day to celebrate the bond between brothers and sisters, filled with emotion, memories and heartfelt gestures beyond just tradition.

Ashish Bisunke, 31

It’s a bond of love between siblings, a promise to be there for each other in times of need. In childhood, it’s a day to exchange gifts, but as we grow old, it’s a day to recall our childhood days and treasure our relationship. I personally celebrate it with anyone who has a bond of sisterhood with me. I have received many. It means a lot that someone finds the comfort of a family member/guardian in you. I used to prank my sister with a fake gift (a very small one) to watch her disappointment and expression. Later, the change in expression when she got the actual gift would be a precious one. Over time, the gifts and the way of wishing might have changed as we accept new advancements, but the essence has remained the same.

Nagma Kharel, 35 

For me, it’s a bond and love sharing festival between siblings in which we promise to protect one other for a lifetime.  I celebrate the day with my siblings and cousins. The bond  has always been so special as I have an eight year old cousin brother beside my biological brother and I feel so privileged to have their love and affection. My birthday falls on Raksha Bandhan as per lunar calendar, so every Raksha Bandhan is special for me. My sister and brother are abroad and I miss them during this special time but we make time to wish one another and that feels really special. 

A woman died and her husband sustained injuries when a Scorpio jeep they were travelling in met with an accident at Bokse Pahiro in Manthali Municipality-6, Ramechhap on Sunday.

Police identified the deceased as 40-year-old Radha Karki Chauhan. She died on the spot.

Her husband Uttam Chauhan (45), who was driving the four-wheeler, was injured in the accident.

The jeep (Ba 13 Cha 3935) was heading towards Hetauda from Manthali when the incident occurred.

Police Inspector Kaushal Neupane of the District Police Office, Ramechhap said that the injured one has been taken to Kathmandu for further treatment after receiving primary treatment at the Manthali Community Hospital.

Inspector Neupane stated that the vehicle fell some 100 meters down the road and landed on the bank of the Tamakoshi River.

It has been learnt that they were on their way to Hetauda to meet their son.

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

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 199, 200 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 199, 400 per tola on Friday.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 2, 330 per tola.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli called on President Ram Chandra Paudel at Sheetal Niwas on Sunday.

During the meeting, they discussed the government's activities and contemporary political issues, the Prime Minister’s Office informed.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Oli briefed the President about his recent visit to Turkmenistan.

Eight teams have picked a total of 37 players through a competitive player auction held for the second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL)-2025. The selections were made from among 164 shortlisted cricketers.

During the first round of the auction, the teams selected 26 players, while the remaining 11 were picked later from the teams' wish list.

Four players from the Grade ‘A’ category: Dev Khanal, Arjun Saud, Adil Alam, and Pawan Sarraf attracted the highest bids, each fetching a maximum of Rs 1.5 million. Due to multiple franchises bidding for them, their final selection was determined through a lucky draw.

Khanal and Saud will be representing the Chitwan Rhinos, Alam will play for the Kathmandu Gurkhas, while Sarraf has been signed by the Karnali Yaks.

Likewise, Dilip Nath and Sher Malla have been auctioned by the Lumbini Lions; Hemant Dhami by the Sudurpaschim Royals; Surya Tamang by the Biratnagar Kings; Santosh Yadav by the Kathmandu Gurkhas; and Yuvraj Khatri by the Karnali Yaks. They each fetched Rs one million.

Likewise, Mayan Yadav has been auctioned by the Janakpur Bolts at Rs 775,000 while Akash Tripathi has been contracted by the Kathmandu Gurkhas at Rs 700,000.

Narayan Joshi and Sahil Patil have been picked by the Biratnagar Kings, Arjun Kumal by the Pokhara Avengers, Bishal Patel by the Lumbini Lions and Aditya Mehata by the Janakpur Bolts. They each fetched Rs 500,000.

Likewise, Tek Bahadur Rawat and Dipendra Thapa have been contracted by the Sudurpashim Royals, Abhishek Tiwari and Krishna Poudel by the Pokhara Avengers, Sachin Bhattarai by the Janakpur Bolts, Tul Bahadur Thapa by the Kathmandu Gurkhas, and Imran Sheikh and Deepak Dumre by the Karnali Yaks with an offer of Rs 200,000 each.

Originally, 458 players had registered their names for consideration in the auction, according to the Cricket Association of Nepal.