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People expect us Secondary Education Examination (SEE) aspirants to be studious enough to secure A-plus grades. But it doesn’t stop there—we are also expected to be social, supportive of our families and friends, and at the same time take care of our own wellbeing. As the saying goes, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” We, too, need a healthy dose of entertainment and relaxation. But how do we juggle all this and strike the right balance? That’s where the critical question of time management comes in—not just for SEE students, but for every student.

Time is a precious commodity that can be used to our advantage—or wasted to our loss. The SEE, often described as one of the stepping stones toward higher education, plays a seminal role in shaping our future. This leaves us with no alternative but to adopt an effective time management strategy.

These days, making a timetable has almost become fashionable among us. But have we ever stopped to ask ourselves: how much of that timetable do we actually follow? This is where we need a pause for some soul-searching, friends. The mantra of effective time management lies in prioritizing tasks and sticking with them until they are completed. Small daily goals can pave the way. Consistency and focus are the keys, with self-discipline at the heart of it all. Motivation may fade, but discipline can become a way of life—and that ultimately leads to accomplishment.

Distractions are everywhere. Losing motivation or getting sidetracked is normal, but what truly matters is our ability to remember the bigger picture and get back on track quickly. Speaking of the urgency to begin, someone rightly said: “It’s either one day, or day one.” With all my heart, I hope this reflection will help me achieve my goals through effective time management—and perhaps inspire others to do the same.

Prashna Shrestha

Grade: X 

Sanskar Pathshala, Dang

Months passed, and we still didn’t get a chance to investigate the haunted house. We really wanted to go and see if it was real or not. Tom and I kept waiting for the day when we could finally investigate it. One afternoon, when I came back from school, I overheard my mom talking to Tom’s mom on the phone. They were saying they had to go to another city for work, and it would take a few days. They also decided that Tom and I could have a sleepover at my house so we wouldn’t be scared staying alone, since our dads were also leaving.

Excited, I rushed to my room and called Tom to tell him everything I had heard. After that, I did my homework and played some video games. Suddenly, “RRRRIIIICCCHHAAAARRRDDDD!” my mom shouted from downstairs. I thought she was angry at me for playing, so I hurried down—but it turned out she was just calling me for dinner.

After dinner, my dad came home, and once he finished eating, my mom told me again that they would be going to another city for two days and that Tom would come for a sleepover. I already knew this, but I didn’t say anything. Inside, I was thrilled. This was our chance to finally investigate the haunted house.

Asking for some clue  

The next morning, I met Tom on the way to school, and we excitedly talked about the haunted house. I reminded him that this was our big chance. At school, we asked other students if they knew the way. My friend Wolfy said there was a mansion nearby, and from there, we had to take the right path to reach the haunted house. Many other students gave the same answer. Since the majority agreed, we decided to follow Wolfy’s directions.

When I got home, I asked my mom when exactly they were leaving. She said tomorrow morning at 5 am—and that Tom would be arriving then too. I was so happy because it was the weekend, and with them leaving early, we’d have plenty of time for our investigation.

Time for the journey 

At 5 am sharp, my parents left. Right after that, Tom arrived at my house. We packed some food—just in case the journey took longer than expected—and set off together. After walking for an hour, we were exhausted, so we rested for a while before continuing. Soon, we spotted a small, unpainted house in the distance. A faint light glowed from one of its windows. Nervously, we headed toward it. My heart was racing faster than ever.

Suddenly, I realized Tom wasn’t beside me. I looked around—he was nowhere to be seen. Then I heard a loud snore. Panicked, I ran back to our resting spot, and there he was—snoring like a giant! Relieved but a little annoyed, I woke him up, and we continued, this time with me keeping a close eye on him. When we reached the house with the faint light, my heartbeat quickened again. Holding hands tightly, we stepped inside.

Investigation of the house  

Inside, the house was empty. It had four rooms, all dark. We checked one room—nothing. In another, we found a big, fat black cat. I suddenly remembered reading somewhere that witches often keep black cats as pets. I told Tom, and we both screamed.

Then we noticed a candle flickering by the window. That made us scream even louder. Just as we were about to run outside, a voice called, “Boys, why are you here in the woods? Are you lost?” We froze, then turned to see an old woman holding the black cat. Surprisingly, our fear vanished. We asked why she was living in such a small house with no electricity. She explained that she had no family and no home, so she found this abandoned place and had been living there for ten years.

It turned out the house wasn’t haunted at all. We invited her to come with us, and she agreed, carrying her cat. When she asked where we were taking her, we explained we wanted to bring her to an old age home where she would be safe and cared for. She was very happy.

Proving everyone wrong 

We took the old woman to the old age home and explained everything to the caretaker, who thanked us for helping her. As a reward, we received a bravery badge. Later, we went to the children’s park to show our friends the badge. When they asked how we got it, we told them the whole story. Everyone appreciated our bravery.

After that, Tom and I went back to my house and had fun. Two days later, our parents returned. We proudly showed them the badge and told them everything. At first, they scolded us for taking such risks while they were away, but in the end, they also appreciated our courage.

This is the second in a two-part series

Shreyashi Sigdel

Grade VII

Euro School, Chhauni

Growth in the world today is no longer about profits alone. To succeed, we  need to build the bridge between people, planet, and profit, known as the  3Ps. Businesses that believe in sustainability are setting themselves up for  sustainable growth in the future, while also helping to create a healthier,  fairer, and more resilient future. 

For decades, some industries have used the traditional model: extract resources, manufacture  goods, use, and finally, throw away the rest of the product. The “take–make–dispose” cycle in  today’s world is used to cut costs on ecological problems, and business growth. Sustainable  businesses embrace, and focus on the Circular Economy principles [it means to move the economy in  such a way that everything is reused, recycled, or regenerated instead of being thrown away] which  puts an emphasis on treating waste as a resource. 

Reports say one regenerative dairy cooperative, the First Milk, implementing resource-efficient  closed-loop strategies and sustainable practices experienced growth in sales by 38 percent in the year  2023. The change demonstrates how ecological systems can help grow business solutions,  enabling companies to thrive even in resource limitation, or scarcity. 

Going beyond the minimum requirements helps companies protect themselves from risk and  comply with consumers. Research shows that approximately 70 percent of consumers prefer to buy from  brands that are considered environmentally friendly. The growth of global ESG-related assets, projected to be nearly $34trn by 2026 tells you that sustainability is not a cost—but a  growth opportunity. 

This strategic shift is grounded in reality. Businesses are embracing sustainability not just for  reputation, but because climate risks are already reshaping their operations. Industry leaders  emphasize that businesses are embracing sustainability to not just look good but because they  understand that, “The very real impact of floods, fires and storms has direct consequences on  businesses’ bottom line and long-term viability.” 

Sustainability often inspires innovation instead of stifling it. For example, IKEA has managed to  lower emissions by over 30 percent since 2016, all while keeping affordability in mind. As CEO Jesper  Brodin stated, “Sustainability can’t be a luxury; it has to be a choice for everyone.” 

Authenticity is also important. Alex Wright, CEO of Dash Water, warns that loyalty only comes  from legitimate environmental commitment and not just a gimmicky initiative. 

Challenges persist in measurement. Deloitte recently said that almost half of FTSE 100 companies  restated climate and sustainability data, especially related to indirect emissions. Still, this increased  scrutiny can be viewed positively as a movement towards a greater degree of accountability.  

At the same time, sustainability goes beyond the environment to communities. Fair labor, fair  trade, ethical sourcing and social equity move companies away from simply selling a product, to  being a positive agent of change. Research indicates that consumers are even willing to pay a  premium for ethically produced products, which reinforces the social aspect of corporate  responsibility. 

Balance is the essence of sustainability: people, planet, and profit. Academic literature reinforces  the strong correlation between high corporate social impact performance and profitability and  resilience over the long-run. Consumers, investors, and regulators are driving sustainable business practices that are redefining  success. Whether it is generating sales, protecting ecosystems, reducing emissions, or improving  financial performance, sustainability is now a mandate, not a choice. It is the compass leading us  to an equitable, sustainable, and prosperous future.  Profit cannot be the only measure of success; prosperity can only be achieved in harmony with  people and the planet.

Sriansha Bhatta

How can young adults navigate the challenge of asserting their independence while maintaining a respectful and understanding relationship with their parents, especially when parents continue to view them as children out of love, habit, or concern? How can understanding parent’s perspectives open trust and communication between them and their children?

Answered by Rika Rijal, consultant psychiatrist

It’s a common experience: no matter how old you are, parents often find it hard to stop seeing you as their little one. This comes from love, habit, and sometimes worry, but it can feel frustrating when you’re trying to assert your independence.

The first step is to recognize their perspective. For your parents, caring and guiding you has been a lifelong role. Their overprotectiveness is not necessarily a lack of respect—it’s often their way of showing concern. Understanding this can help you approach the situation with patience rather than anger.

Next, practice open communication. Instead of confronting them with, “Stop treating me like a child,” try gentle but firm statements: “I value your advice, but I’d like to make this decision for myself.” Framing it as a request for trust rather than rejection reduces defensiveness.

Equally important is consistency. If you want your parents to see you as an adult, show them through your actions—be responsible with finances, follow through on commitments, and own your choices. Parents are more likely to ease their control when they see maturity in practice.

Lastly, remember that change takes time. Parents often need to adjust gradually to your adulthood, just as you once adjusted to theirs during adolescence. A balance of respect for their feelings and assertion of your independence creates space for a healthier, more equal relationship.

Growing up doesn’t mean cutting ties—it means reshaping them. With patience, dialogue, and responsibility, you can help your parents see you not as a child to be directed, but as an adult to be trusted.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has ordered swift action after a major US immigration raid at a Hyundai battery plant in Georgia led to the arrest of over 300 South Koreans, among about 475 workers detained, Reuters reported.

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said a special task force has been set up and that he may travel to Washington to seek answers. “I feel heavy responsibility for the arrests of our citizens,” he told an emergency meeting.

The mass detention, the largest of its kind in US history, comes amid existing strains in US–South Korea ties over trade and investment. Footage released by US authorities showed workers shackled as they were taken away, adding to public concern in Seoul, according to Reuters.

Police in London arrested dozens of demonstrators on Saturday for showing support for Palestine Action, a pro-Palestinian activist group recently banned by the UK government under terrorism laws. Officers said the arrests were made to prevent public disorder after the group urged people to defy restrictions, Reuters reported.

The government outlawed Palestine Action in July after members broke into a Royal Air Force base and damaged aircraft. The group campaigns against British arms sales to Israel and accuses the UK of complicity in what it calls Israeli war crimes in Gaza. Its supporters dismiss the ban as political repression.

China has denounced the passage of Canadian and Australian naval vessels through the Taiwan Strait, calling it a deliberate provocation that endangers regional security. The People’s Liberation Army said its forces tracked and warned the ships during their transit, according to Reuters.

Taiwan’s defence ministry confirmed it monitored the movement and deployed assets to maintain stability.

Beijing insists the strait falls under its jurisdiction, while Taiwan and its allies, including US., regard it as international waters and stress freedom of navigation.

The incident comes amid growing Chinese military pressure on Taiwan, marked by frequent drills around the island. Ottawa and Canberra have yet to respond to Beijing’s criticism, Reuters reported.

Bheri Hospital in Nepalgunj has announced that it will now provide Alteplase injections free of cost to patients with symptoms of stroke.     

According to Dr Rajan Pandey, Chief Consultant Physician and Head of the Department of Medicine at the hospital, if stroke patients receive the injection within a critical window, their chances of recovery significantly increase.     

“If patients can be brought to the hospital within four and a half hours of the onset of stroke symptoms, this injection can greatly improve their chances of recovery,” he added.     

As a single vial of the injection costs approximately Rs 100,000, it is not easily affordable for many. Therefore, the hospital's decision to offer it free of charge is expected to benefit marginalized and economically disadvantaged families.     

In the first phase, the hospital has received 20 vials of the injection, which will be enough to treat around seven patients, according to Dr Nirajan Subedi, Chief Medical Superintendent of Bheri Hospital.     

Although this injection is already being provided free of cost at other government hospitals such as those in Bharatpur and Kathmandu, it had not been available at Bheri Hospital until now.     

This development follows the recent issuance of new guidelines by the Ministry of Health for the treatment and management of stroke patients. The primary objective of the guidelines is to ensure timely and quality care for stroke patients, while also emphasizing public awareness factor as well. (RSS)