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It was a typical day of scrolling through my social media feed when a post by the Bagmati Province Youth Council about Youth Summit 2081 caught my eye. Intrigued, I visited their website, looked through pictures and videos of previous events, and felt excited. Without hesitation, I filled out the application form. As someone with less patience, I frequently checked the council’s website for updates on the selected participants. Finally, my persistence paid off, my name was listed. 

On Baisakh 27, full of hope and eager to learn and make new connections, I set off for Hetauda from Chitwan, where the summit was being held. I traveled alone in an electric vehicle, reflecting on the possibilities that lay ahead.

Upon reaching Hetauda and completing my registration, I walked from the hotel to the hall where the orientation session was taking place. Along the way, I had a delightful encounter with Aasta Dimdung, a genuinely nice person. As I entered the hall, I was pleasantly surprised to see familiar faces, Aasis Sapkota and Aashika Ojha, both law undergraduates whom I had met at a previous conference. Their presence eased my nerves, and as each attendee introduced themselves, I was impressed by the diverse backgrounds and shared commitment. It was a fascinating start to an enriching experience.

As the day progressed, the energy of the summit only grew stronger. The march to the venue was just the beginning. The opening ceremony featured a performance by Sindhuli Nach Ghar, and I was overwhelmed to see girls playing panche baja, giving me a sense that girls are truly empowering themselves. Once we were all gathered, the plenary discussions took center stage. These sessions were the heart of the summit, where speakers and attendees alike engaged in deep conversations about important topics.

The plenary discussions at the summit were a convergence of minds and expertise. Tikaram Yatri had a clever way of asking questions that made everyone think, while Sama Thapa wasn’t afraid to ask tough questions that got straight to the point. We talked about everything from politics to starting business in Nepal to how we can invest better in our country. Education was another big topic, we talked about the challenges it faces and how we can make it better. We also talked about the importance of digital skills in today's world and how everyone should have access to them. These sessions were elevated by the presence of distinguished individuals, each an expert in their field. Their insights and experiences were not just shared but integrated into a collective narrative that inspired action and thought. 

During the Bagmati Provincial Youth Summit, I had the pleasure of meeting some truly inspiring individuals. Among them, Shrinkhala Kadel’s presence was memorable; her radiant energy and laughter easily lit up the room. From the jolly Ajay Shah to the silent observer Ashmi Lohani, it was great to connect with attendees whose diverse perspectives enriched the experience. I also met wonderful people like Subarna, Yogesh, and many others, though I must apologize for my habit of not remembering names well.

The heritage walk was another highlight, where we explored Hetauda’s landmarks like the Bhutandevi Temple and Sahid Smarak. Despite a rainy start, the walk turned into a beautiful journey through our history and culture. But it was the cultural night that truly engaged us. As the moon peeked through the clouds, Pradip Rodan’s ghazal melodies filled the air, resonating deeply with everyone. And let’s not forget the dynamic duo, Prasuj Mainali and Bibhusha Basnet, the super-active hosts who brought the evening to life. Their energy was contagious, turning the cultural night into a celebration of unity and creativity.

The sessions with the Chief Minister Hon. Shalikram Jamarkattel were insightful, filled with meaningful discussions about our future. The privilege to directly interact with the Chief Minister was a highlight for many, including myself. The 13-point declaration presented by Executive Vice President of Bagmati Province Youth Council Mr. Santosh Chaulagain to the Chief Minister Hon. Shalikram Jamarkattel and Social Development Minister Hon. Kumari Moktan was a promising step towards progress. As the summit ended and we said our goodbyes, I felt a mix of sadness and hope. The connections made were deep, and the promise to meet again made the farewell a little easier. Returning home, I carried with me not just memories, but a renewed sense of purpose.

The Bagmati Provincial Youth Summit was more than an event. It was a promise, a promise to ourselves and to each other that we would be the change we wish to see in the district, province, country, and world. As I reflect on the past three days, I am filled with gratitude for the experiences shared, the knowledge gained, and the connections made.

Ayush Adhikari

In the depths of my soul lies a darkness,

A chaos that balances the world outside.

The concrete walls absorb the color of my being,

Leaving only black, in and out.

No palette to play with, no colors to paint,

Just the darkness consuming my very being.

Hope and reason seem far away,

As I surrender to the comfort of this void.

But I find solace in the darkness,

For in it, I can weep and be free.

No need to pretend, no need to act,

Just the darkness, the chaos, and me.

Life’s colors may not be mine to hold,

In the darkness, tears wave a tale of silent plight

Longing for the warm love and care that the inner child deserves,

For a touch so kind 

A tired heart seeks solace in the dark.

Pratikshya Aganja

In the quiet of solitude, I ponder alone,

Yearning for company, yet on paths of my own.

Friends beckon, laughter in their call,

But dreams whisper louder, urging me to stand tall.

A friend in need, a friend indeed they say,

But should I forsake my dreams, come what may?

In the dance of life, a delicate sway,

Between camaraderie’s warmth and ambitions fray.

Yet in the midst of this existential ride,

I find solace in dreams that I confide.

For in the pursuit of what my heart deems true,

I discover friendships anew.

So I'll walk this path, both bold and free,

Embracing dreams, wherever they lead me.

With friends by my side, laughter in the air,

I’ll chase my dreams, knowing they’ll be there.

Yusuf Shrestha 

BBM 7th Semester, United College

Dance is the element in my life that makes my mind, body, and soul alive. Dance is my passion, my therapy. It is the language I use to express myself when words can’t.

I am a trained belly dancer; it is the oldest dance form that dates 6,000 years back. It is believed that belly dancing was a fertility ritual. It’s also believed that belly dance relieves menstrual pain and aids in easy childbirth. Hence it was passed on from mother to daughter. Listening to stories of great dancers motivates me to do something magnificent. The Reda Troupe, which was founded by Mahmoud Reda and Farida Fahmy, started with only 12 dancers and 12 musicians and gradually grew, and made history, encouraging me to do something exceptional.

Dance inspires me to go against the grain. Looking up to Mahmoud Reda, whose choreography was inspired by a combination of Traditional Egyptian folk dances and Western-style dances like ballet, urges me to think out of the box and experiment with my choreography. Once I combined cultural Nepali and belly dance steps, draped a sari (Traditional Nepali Outfit) as a skirt, wore a hip scarf, and danced to a Nepali folk song. Dance helps me to be creative. I feel every beat of the music and decide which steps go with which part of the music. When I hear the music, I know what theme to choose and what prop to use. I know what costume and accessories will elevate the beauty of my dance.

Dance is my refreshment, exercise, and meditation. I feel alive when I dance. When I mix Maya, Taqsim, Wahda-wa-nus, Chest pop, Egyptian shimmy, Chest shimmy, Hip rolls, Hip glides, and Grapevine in Traditional Egyptian music, my soul nourishes. Dancing makes exercising fun for me. I don’t even have to push myself to dance since I start grooving as soon as I hear the music.

I don’t limit myself to just moving the body while dancing. I explore the history, cultural, and health significance of my favorite dance form (belly dance), and research inspirational stories like that of the Reda Troupe. I polish skills like creativity, critical thinking, observational skills, analytical thinking, etc. with the help of dancing, and most importantly I nurture my soul while dancing because dancers know, “The soul dances and the body just copies”.

Sarwagya Bhattarai