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The year 2024 marked a significant electoral season across major nations, including the UK, the USA, Russia and India. However, global attention was particularly focused on the US presidential election.

Republican Party candidate Donald Trump made a stunning comeback to the White House, defeating Democratic candidate and incumbent Vice-president Kamala Harris. Trump, who lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden after serving his first term (2017-2021), began his 2024 campaign the day his defeat was confirmed. With years of preparation and relentless effort, his strategy paid off.  

Trump secured 312 electoral votes and 50 percent of the popular vote, surpassing the required 270 electoral votes to win leaving Harris with 226 electoral votes and 48.3 percent of the popular vote.

This election was of global importance also because it occurred amid significant global conflicts, notably the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, with Iran and Lebanon's involvement, and the Russia-Ukraine war surpassing 1,000 days. The United States played a pivotal role in these conflicts, both directly and indirectly.

These wars have had profound global repercussions, including soaring inflation rates, environmental degradation and widespread human suffering. The Democratic Party and President Joe Biden's strategies in addressing these crises have come under scrutiny, raising concerns among the American populace.

The American intelligence community, including the Central Intelligence Agency

(CIA), may have made miscalculations in assessing certain global situations. Amid these crises, the United States found itself in a precarious position, facing internal and external challenges. The repercussions of these failures were not only felt domestically but also reverberated across the globe, highlighting America’s struggles on the international stage. And these things did not go unnoticed among the Americans regardless of their political affiliations.

The American people not only elected Trump as president but also gave the Republican Party a majority in both the Senate and the House. This shift in power may reflect a desire among Americans for the US to step back from its involvement in ongoing wars. With Trump now in office, the world watches closely, hoping his first move will be to bring an end to these conflicts and restore peace.

During his election campaign, Trump clarified that he was not against immigrants but opposed illegal immigration, a stance that resonated with many. He also criticized the Democratic Party’s inability to control inflation, which had negatively impacted everyday Americans. Trump promised to tackle inflation by keeping production costs low, including pledging not to raise taxes on industrialists. Additionally, he vowed to restore America to a ‘golden age’ of prosperity. These appealing proposals during his campaign struck a chord with the American public, contributing to his victory.

It was clear that removing America from the ongoing wars would be a difficult task without Republican leadership, and even many Democratic supporters likely recognized this reality.  

Another challenge for the US comes from BRICS, the alliance of global leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. With new members continuing to join, there are growing discussions about creating a potentially gold-backed currency to compete with the US dollar. This proposed BRICS currency could help these nations assert their economic independence and challenge the dominance of the dollar, which currently accounts for about 90 percent of global currency trade. This emerging shift poses a significant headache for the US, and many speculate that Trump may take steps to counter BRICS’ growing influence.

Harris faced significant challenges in her campaign, particularly due to the limited time between her announcement for presidency and the election day. This short window left her with little opportunity to build momentum for her campaign by reaching out to the voters. Additionally, her light personality did not seem to convey the strong leadership needed to tackle the pressing global challenges. However, after her defeat, Harris delivered an extraordinary speech that showcased her grace and respect as a leader. Her acceptance of defeat, alongside her heartfelt congratulations to Trump, demonstrated her integrity. She also reaffirmed her commitment to the US citizens, the Constitution and the promises she made during her campaign, further solidifying her stature as a respected figure in American politics.

The elite class in the US played a significant role in helping Trump win the election, but there is hope that his administration will not solely represent the interests of the wealthy. People around the world, who view the US as a global guardian, hope that this perception will not be lost. Rhetorics aside, Trump may continue America’s support for the United Nations’ agencies and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as this is something the world desires as well.  

As a Nepali citizen, I extend my congratulations to Trump and hope that he will continue to uphold the hopes of people around the world.

The author is a member of the Supreme Court Bar and has been practicing corporate law for around three decades

On Nov 15, Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Balendra Shah’s Facebook post laid bare the frustrations of managing Kathmandu’s waste crisis. “We talked a lot about Kathmandu’s garbage before the election. We told you about our plan,” he wrote, detailing the exhaustive search for solutions. His words resonated with a city drowning in its own waste, searching for a sustainable path forward.

The scale of this crisis is staggering. Every day, Kathmandu generates over 1,200 metric tons of waste, with the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) alone contributing about 500 metric tons. Even more concerning, approximately 15 percent of this waste remains uncollected, littering our streets and waterways. Our rivers—once sacred lifelines of the valley—have become convenient dumping grounds. The Bagmati, Bishnumati, and Tukucha bear silent testimony to our collective failure.

Kathmandu’s Landfill Crisis

The situation at our landfill sites tells a story of poor planning and mounting challenges. The Sisdol landfill, operational since 2005, was meant to be a temporary solution but has been overburdened for 17 years. Its successor, the Banchare Danda landfill, opened in Sept 2021 with a capacity of holding three million cubic meters of waste, but already faces significant challenges. Designed to handle only residual waste (25-30 percent), it currently receives around 60-65 percent of total municipal solid waste due to inadequate treatment and recycling facilities.

Meanwhile, residents near these landfills bear the brunt of our negligence, their ‘paradise turned into hell’ by our waste. They’ve repeatedly protested, demanding promised amenities like a 50-bed hospital, free ambulance services, and job opportunities. Their struggle highlights the human cost of Kathmandu’s waste crisis.

The Indore model

Amidst this crisis, the Indore model emerges as a beacon of hope. This central Indian city’s transformation offers more than inspiration—it provides a practical blueprint for urban waste management. With a population of approximately 2.5m and daily waste generation of 1,115 metric tons (remarkably similar to Kathmandu’s figures), Indore achieved what many deemed impossible. Through systematic implementation of a six-category waste segregation system, the city now processes 100 percent of its waste with zero landfill dependency.

The cornerstone of Indore’s success lies in its comprehensive approach to infrastructure development. The city deployed 850 GPS-equipped waste collection vehicles, each designed with segregated compartments to maintain waste separation from source to processing. Strategic transfer stations were established across the city, ensuring efficient waste movement from collection points to processing facilities. Most importantly, these facilities were fully operational before the city began enforcing strict segregation rules, ensuring a smooth transition to the new system.

Enforcement and incentives formed the second pillar of Indore’s transformation. The city implemented a strict non-collection policy for unsegregated waste, coupled with modest fines starting from just Rs 100 for non-compliance. However, the focus wasn’t just on punishment—neighborhoods achieving 100 percent segregation received public recognition and priority for development projects, creating a positive competitive spirit among communities.

Perhaps most crucial was the cultural transformation driven by the ‘Swachhata Didis’ (cleanliness sisters) program. These trained waste workers became community educators, conducting door-to-door visits to demonstrate proper segregation techniques and explain the environmental impact of mixed waste. Through regular community meetings, school programs, and extensive social media engagement, waste management became a matter of civic pride rather than a mere obligation. This shift in mindset was perhaps the most important aspect that made it all possible.

The economic benefits of this transformation have been remarkable. Today, Indore powers 15 city buses daily with biogas generated from waste. Plastic waste finds new life in road construction, while composting operations generate revenue and create employment opportunities. What was once a financial burden has become a source of sustainable income for the city.

Adapting the model for Kathmandu

While Indore’s success inspires, implementing their model in Kathmandu requires careful adaptation to our unique context. Our city’s topography poses challenges for waste collection logistics, while coordination among multiple municipalities adds administrative complexity. The need for sustainable funding mechanisms and integration of the existing informal waste sector presents additional hurdles.

Yet these challenges aren’t insurmountable. The path forward begins with pilot projects in select wards where good access and strong community engagement provide fertile ground for success. Ward committees can be transformed into waste management cells, while waste workers can be elevated to the status of community educators, following Indore’s successful model.

The path forward

This is where the #FohorAbaMero movement becomes crucial. It should represent more than a social media campaign—it should be a fundamental shift in how we view our relationship with waste. Every household in Kathmandu must embrace waste segregation and take responsibility for their waste generation. Bringing the Indore model to Kathmandu does not mean setting up expensive factories or GPS-based trucks, but a shift—a crucial one—in our mindset. The Indore model’s success is derived from the ideology it holds. When we see illegal dumping, we must speak up. When our community organizes a cleanup, we must participate. When our neighbors seek guidance on waste segregation, we must become their teachers

The transformation of Kathmandu begins with individual action but succeeds through collective impact. Each piece of waste we generate is our responsibility. Mayor Shah’s vision can succeed, but only if we, the residents of Kathmandu, decide to change. Every small action contributes to the larger goal of a cleaner, healthier city.

A call to action

The choice before us is clear. Will we continue to be part of the problem, or will we join a movement of responsible citizens saying #FohorAbaMero? Kathmandu’s future hangs in the balance, and our next action could tip the scales.

Let’s make ‘FohorAbaMero’ our way of life. Because ultimately, the transformation of Kathmandu doesn’t depend on Mayor Shah, the federal government, or private companies. It depends on each of us accepting that every piece of waste we generate is our responsibility. Together, we can turn the tide. Together, we can make Kathmandu clean again.

As Nepal’s media landscape undergoes a digital revolution, citizen journalism has emerged as an undeniable force, empowering ordinary people to take the reins in reporting news and sharing stories. With smartphones and social media at their fingertips, citizens are no longer passive consumers of information rather they are active contributors, reshaping how news is produced and consumed. But this shift has also raised critical questions: How is this new wave of journalism impacting traditional media? And what does it mean for public discourse and the accuracy of information?

Giving a voice to the marginalized

Citizen journalism is helping bring the stories of Nepal’s underrepresented communities into the public eye. Through platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, citizens have become storytellers for indigenous groups, linguistic minorities, and those in remote regions. It has become a voice that might have been overlooked by mainstream media. This access to the media and journalistic tools is changing the face of Nepali media, putting the power of information into the hands of those who, until recently, were considered mere viewers.

If we take into account and try to figure out when it all started then the 2015 Gorkha earthquake was a turning point. As the disaster struck, traditional media outlets were overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the disaster, limiting their reach to affected areas. Citizen journalists quickly filled this gap by sharing firsthand accounts, photos, and videos from the affected regions via social media. This real-time reporting not only provided critical information to aid organizations and government agencies but also galvanized public support and mobilized resources for relief efforts. Additionally, the citizen-led narrative shaped public opinion on disaster preparedness, pushing for stronger government response and policy reforms related to disaster management. Their updates provided vital information for rescue operations and connected people to help. This grassroots coverage filled critical gaps, delivering on-the-ground updates to a world eager to help. From that moment onwards, citizen journalism was not just a novelty but has become a lifeline.

Challenges to traditional media

The rise of citizen journalism has put traditional news outlets in a challenging position. With audiences now turning to social media for faster, more personal updates, legacy media outlets are facing a decline in readers and revenue. Some have even integrated user-generated content into their platforms to stay relevant, recognizing that these local news collectors who are just interested in filling their feeds are no longer competition but allies in a world that values immediacy.

But the shift is not without its risks. One of the biggest concerns is accuracy. Without the rigorous editorial checks and balances of traditional media, there’s always a chance that misinformation can spread unchecked. News isn’t just news anymore—it’s personal and, at times, unverified, leading to blurred lines between fact and opinion. If left unchecked, this misinformation can shape public opinion and discourse in troubling ways. Even with all the fact-checking and gatekeeping by many platforms misinformation finds its way towards the public who are more prone to the misinformation rather than the actual factual news.

Ethical questions and the need for guidelines

Citizen journalists also face unique ethical questions. Reporting live from the ground, especially during disasters or conflicts, can sometimes infringe on individuals’ privacy or unintentionally cause harm. The absence of training and clear ethical guidelines can mean that citizen journalists sometimes violate standards unknowingly, further complicating the situation. Being untrained but hungry for views and likes on social media platforms has raised more questions in citizen journalism, the viral videos have helped the mainstream media for news but more than that they have raised questions about the untrained and unprofessional news collection and dissemination methods. 

Furthermore, there’s the financial side. While social media makes it possible to reach vast audiences without the costs of traditional journalism, finding sustainable revenue streams remains difficult. Independent citizen journalists lack the advertising revenues that keep traditional media afloat, limiting their ability to pursue stories in depth or over the long term.

A new era for public discourse?

Despite the challenges, citizen journalism in Nepal has undoubtedly brought diversity and democratization to the nation’s media. From holding government officials accountable to giving voice to grassroots movements, citizen journalists have shown that they are willing and able to shape the news themselves.

For citizen journalism to thrive responsibly in Nepal, developing ethical guidelines and providing training in media literacy is essential. A strong foundation can help these citizen journalists cover stories with the integrity and professionalism that audiences deserve. Funding models, too, need innovation—partnerships, crowdfunding, or nonprofit support could ensure that citizen journalism doesn’t fizzle out due to a lack of resources.

As citizen journalism continues to grow, it’s clear that both the challenges and the promise it holds are immense. But at its heart, it signals an exciting new direction for Nepali media: one where every individual has the potential to tell the stories that matter most to them, redefining not only who tells the news but what news truly is. In this evolving media ecosystem, it is the responsibility of both traditional and citizen journalists to work together to build a well-informed, engaged society that values truth, diversity, and inclusivity.

It went sliding roughly, across that pitched highway 

The floor perfectly painted,

The painting of devotion and connection in red

When my eyes closed, all I felt was the shared sense of adventure, and grips of the throttle.

When they opened, I see the white bedsheets and the cannolis in my hand

When I move, a sharp pain rises in my arm, 

Covered in bandages and gauges.

Too much pain to move, too little energy to speak, yet my eyes did not shed a single tear.

But when I saw, my dearest, my bike

My heart shattered, in a way it never did before

My eyes couldn’t stop it’s tears 

The broken pieces of its handlebars hurt more than my broken bones.

The scratch in its body burns so much more than the scratch in my legs.

With every wound I encounter, my heart gets a deeper pain

With its headlights broken, I feel myself blind.

With the puncture in the tire, I feel the fracture.

With its number plate getting scratched, I feel my name disgraced.

With every parts breaking, my eyes sheds

Sheds harder and louder, screaming in pain 

As if I am the one feeling every broken parts

Screaming the loss of beloved

Of course, of course I will cry.

Of course you won’t know.

You won’t feel the attachment I have with my bike.

You won’t know how many times, my bike collected me, when I was in pieces 

The times, when my helmet wiped my tears 

The times, when my throttle understood my anger

You won’t know who heard me singing happy songs, after my first date.

Who held me when I got into a fight with my family.

When I see him lying on floor, totally injured

Bleeding the petrol all over the concrete,

With all the scratch over his body

I heart weeped in misery.

When I see him like that, all I wished 

May all his wounds transfer to me.

It doesn’t matter how many injuries I get, 

but I just want him safe

Because, I CAN HEAL, IT CAN'T.

Shristika Prajapati

BA Ist Year

Lalitkala Campus, Bhotahity