Submit your Article

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who is presently on a four-day official visit to the People's Republic of China, beginning Monday, today paid a courtesy call on President of China, Xi Jinping.

During the meeting, the two leaders exchanged views on the issues relating to Nepal-China relations and mutual interests and concerns.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Arzu Rana Deuba, Prime Minister's Chief Political Advisor Bishnu Prasad Rimal and Economic Advisor Yuba Raj Khatiwada, Chief Secretary Eaknaryan Aryal, Acting Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai, Joint Secretary Krishna Prasad Dhakaal and Nepal's Ambassador to China Krishna Prasad Oli accompanied the Prime Minister during the meeting with the Chinese President.

The Prime Minister arrived in China at the friendly invitation of his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang.

Once in a while citizens, accustomed to reading newspapers, find stories about vulnerable groups living in the country. Some of these stories are shockingly dark and depressing.

Through the prism of pain and sorrow experienced by persons who struggle, day in and day out, just to survive, we realize how the quest for equity, equality and social justice looks like an insurmountable climb. Persons living with disabilities are among the most vulnerable, discriminated against and deprived of fair opportunities.

They are often dismissed as losers and taken for granted.

What a mistake, what a pity! It is a mistake and a pity not to acknowledge and recognize persons living with disabilities because, all in all, it’s the whole Nepal that is tremendously missing out.

Missing out on what? The answer couldn’t be simpler.

The nation, by not recognizing, acknowledging and giving visibility to persons with disabilities, is precluding and at the same time, excluding the innate potential and skills of a large group of citizens. These citizens, living with disabilities, are unable to contribute to the national growth of the country.

Nepal is at such a stage of development that it needs the involvement of all its citizenry. Ahead of us, there are big aspirations and goals that have been set by policymakers.

For example, turning the country into a middle economy, a small but dynamic nation that, one day, would be able to attract foreign investments. Rather than having thousands of youths migrating each year to more developed nations, Nepal hopes to retain its best minds and laborious human resources. Yet many groups, among them persons with disabilities, are seen as a burden. They are not recognized for what they could do for the country. This type of status quo, if you think about it, is not just frustrating but also maddening.

If you are a youth living with a disability, you really have less opportunity to shine. Accessibility remains a huge issue, for example. There are plenty of new buildings and constructions but how many of them have ramps? But it is not only about accessibility. The issue is much broader and complex. It is really about a state of mindset that discourages the rise of persons with disabilities or, similarly, citizens belonging to the Dalit community.

But this status quo can change because it can be challenged. And it gets challenges each time that persons with disability are able to showcase their skills, talents and overall capacities.

Fortunately for Nepal, there are also different types of stories about disabilities. Readers of newspapers can also find inspiring reporting about incredible achievements obtained by persons with disabilities.

For example, the recent story written by Ellie Davis for a daily about Nirmala Bhandari, a national adaptive sports athlete but also a strong social inclusion activist, can be inspiring. Without discounting the tragic stories we often read about exclusion and discrimination, there is also another side of the coin.

Today it is important to highlight this different picture, promoting the potential and actual achievements of thousands of citizens, especially the young ones, who live with disabilities. It is important doing so not only because today is a special occasion, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. It is essential doing so because building alliances with persons with disabilities or persons belonging to other vulnerable groups should be seen as a civic duty.

Alliances are paramount to challenge the status quo and change it for better. While many of us have decided to embrace the cause of climate and biodiversity activism and rightly so, we should not forfeit other important responsibilities. Because the struggle for equity, equality and social justice can only be won together. Only when less disadvantaged citizens, only when the middle and upper class members of the society realize that a lot depends on them can change occur.

But let’s be clear: Dalits or persons living with disabilities do not need tutoring or paternalistic, top-down attitudes. They must be able to lead by showing the way and by helping other citizens to implement the required changes step by step, minute by minute. At the end of the day, we need persons with disabilities to showcase their own leadership.

It is a leadership that, like in the case of Nirmala  Bhandari, is developed through a very painful journey.  We are talking of the highest form of leadership because it is built through a continuous effort and it is founded on inner resilience and endless determination. This is not just the case of Nirmala.

Like her, there are many other youth and adults with disabilities who are doing great. The problem is that only few get noticed and recognized. This is a painful truth.

While we certainly need a much stronger implementation of existing laws and regulations in matters of disabilities and social inclusion, a lot will depend on people’s attitudes and behaviors. The hope is that these gems of leadership, as I said, too often hidden, can shine.

This year’s theme of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is focused on amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities. In a recent webinar organized by the South Asia Office of UNICEF, an exemplary group of young disabilities activists from the region shared their own stories. Unsurprisingly there were many instances of discrimination, stories of pain and sorrow. But there was also a kind of different story built out of strengths, grit and determination.

These are examples of hope and leadership that must be greatly amplified. A whole society’s effort is required. In plain terms, it means everyone must do her part to defeat the status quo.

But it also means something else: let’s have a society that by default will unleash the energies, skills, knowledge of persons living with disabilities and the ones of other vulnerable groups.

At the end, let’s also have more citizens who overcame the status quo and got rid of it so that they can write and share more of their successes and achievements not only once in a year. A more inclusive Nepal means a better and richer nation because no talents or skills have been wasted. And it also means that much more real leaders are out there to work for a better society.

Rajani Shrestha, born in 1981 in Jhapa, Nepal, has carved a unique place for herself in the world of bodybuilding. Her journey from a woman with no knowledge of bodybuilding to becoming an inspiration for many is a testament to her resilience, determination, and passion for health and fitness. However, her journey wasn’t an easy one. It was shaped by unexpected challenges, health issues, societal criticism, and a profound love for fitness that transformed her life.

Shrestha was born and raised in Jhapa in eastern Nepal. She lived a normal life, focusing on family, work, and other daily responsibilities. The idea of working out or engaging in any form of physical transformation didn’t cross her mind until much later in life. However, everything changed when she had a health scare at 32.

She developed a series of troubling symptoms, including 25 to 30 knots in her throat, which were later suspected to be signs of cancer. After consulting several doctors in both Nepal and India, the diagnosis didn’t look good. Many doctors feared the worst, and cancer was high on the list of potential diagnoses. It was a terrifying and uncertain time in her life.

Then her husband encouraged her to work out. At first, the idea seemed ludicrous. She was sick, exhausted, and overwhelmed by the uncertainty of her medical condition. But her husband, who has always been her pillar of support, gently persuaded her to go to the gym.

“Even though I was sick and in a bad phase of my life, my husband told me that getting fit physically and working out could help me. He got me enrolled in the gym, and that’s where everything started,” says Shrestha.

Slowly, working out began to have a remarkable effect on her. Not only did she start feeling better physically, but her health also began to improve. After years of consistent exercise and determination, Shrestha’s health improved. The transformation was nothing short of miraculous, both physically and emotionally.

Her newfound passion for fitness didn’t end with recovery. She worked out more and as she saw her body’s structure change, she became interested in the idea of bodybuilding. This was not an easy decision to make, as bodybuilding in Nepal, especially for women, was not widely accepted at the time. She began to explore bodybuilding in 2016, and it quickly became a significant part of her life.

As a female bodybuilder, Shrestha faced intense societal criticism. “When I just started, it was compulsory to wear a two-piece outfit at the gym and for games. My family and relatives were against it,” she says. “But my husband was my biggest supporter. He motivated me and gave me the strength to continue.”

So, she dedicated herself to bodybuilding, working relentlessly to build muscle and strength. “For women, it’s much harder to build muscle mass. People criticize a lot when a woman starts gaining muscle,” she explains. “They say, ‘Is this a girl or a boy?’ or ‘Your body doesn’t suit you. You should be soft and have a small body.’”

But Shrestha understood that people’s criticisms stemmed from a lack of understanding of bodybuilding, especially for women. Over time, she became more confident in her decisions and started pushing back against the norms. “Now, people are more accepting of women in bodybuilding,” she says. “There’s still some criticism, but it’s getting better.”

Her journey was not solitary. Her husband, who had always been her rock, played an instrumental role in her success. He not only supported her emotionally but also went against societal norms to help her pursue her dream. Together, they worked hard to achieve her goals, even opening a shop to sustain their livelihood. They also both went to the gym every day, making fitness a shared experience.

Her family, initially unsupportive, gradually came around. Despite the challenges of managing both her family life and bodybuilding career, she made it a priority to balance her personal life with her commitment to fitness. “I want to make sure I give enough time to my family and not make tournaments my only focus,” she says.

Shrestha follows a simple yet healthy diet to maintain her physique. “I prefer eating home cooked meals and I avoid oily food. We mostly use ghee. I also don’t use a lot of spices. When I’m preparing for a competition, I eat mostly boiled food,” she says. 

Supplements are also very important, she says, adding it must be consumed in moderation. “We need to have different multivitamin and fish oil for ligaments and joints. I usually have glutamine because it helps and supports my muscles and prevents my muscles and joints from hurting,” she says.

She competes in the men’s bodybuilding category, where the focus is on building muscle mass and gaining size. “In bodybuilding, some people focus on physique and shape, while others, like me, aim for muscle mass and strength,” she says. “There are also categories like model physique, where the focus is on a smaller body with no muscle mass.”

Her first major international achievement came in 2019, when she won a competition in Indonesia. “I was so happy to stand there and represent Nepal. I can’t explain how I felt. It was like I was fulfilling my purpose,” she says.

However, her journey has not been without sacrifices. In 2013, Shrestha was unable to participate in a competition in South Korea because she didn’t get a visa. It was a bitter disappointment that still lingers with her.

Bodybuilding is an expensive sport, especially in Nepal, where there is limited government support for athletes. She has borne most of the financial burden herself. “It costs a lot, especially when preparing for international competitions. This time, I spent more than Rs 10,00,000  and we had no help from the government,” she says.

Shrestha hopes that in the future, there will be more support for athletes like her. She envisions a time when the government will provide financial assistance to sportspersons. “I hope that in the coming years, we will receive financial support, just like athletes from other countries,” she says.

Throughout her journey, she has learned the value of patience and perseverance. “In bodybuilding, timing is everything. You can’t just start whenever you want. Everything has to be planned and executed with discipline,” she says.

Her advice to others is simple yet powerful, “There is nothing stopping you from pursuing your passion. If I can continue at 44, anyone can.”

Reflecting on her journey, she wishes she had started earlier. “I regret not starting bodybuilding before I had health issues. But at least I’m here now, and I’ve made a difference in my life,” she says. She encourages everyone to dedicate at least an hour to their fitness and well-being every day. “If you take care of your health and fitness, you won’t fall sick,” she says.

Her journey is a powerful reminder that transformation is possible, even in the face of adversity. Through hard work and passion for bodybuilding, she has become not only a symbol of strength but also a role model for many, proving that age, gender, or society’s expectations should never limit one’s potential.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli began his four-day official visit to Beijing on Monday at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, Premier Li Qiang. This marks Oli’s first bilateral foreign trip since assuming office for the third time in July, signaling a significant step in Nepal-China relations.

During the visit, Oli is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and hold bilateral talks with Premier Li. Discussions will focus on mutual interests, including connectivity, infrastructure development, trade and transit, energy cooperation, tourism, and fostering people-to-people ties, according to Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The two countries are also expected to sign some key agreements. Notably, China will provide a $20mn grant to Nepal, alongside a new bilateral development cooperation framework to be implemented from 2025 to 2029. Projects such as the Tokha-Khahare Tunnel Road, the Special Economic Zone at the Korala border, and the feasibility study for a cross-border railway line are likely to advance, Information and Technology Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung said. Oli has chosen China over India as his initial foreign destination, breaking the longstanding practice of Nepali prime ministers beginning their tenure with a visit to India. 

Oli’s choice to visit China first rather than India is “not unexpected, but rather a reflection of the increasing policy choices of South Asian countries,” Lin Minwang, a deputy director of the Center for South Asian Studies at Fudan University, told the Global Times on Sunday. He further noted after coming to power, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu also chose to visit China first instead of India, and other South Asian countries are actively developing relations with China. “This reflects changes in Nepal's domestic politics and its policy toward China.”

Besides choosing China for his first official trip, Oli’s visit is drawing attention for other reasons as well. One of them is China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). 

A task force from the two parties has revised the draft of the BRI implementation plan initially proposed by the Chinese side in 2020. The document, now titled Framework for Cooperation instead of BRI Implementation Plan, has been sent to the Chinese side for initial negotiations, though it is yet to be finalized.

This trip comes at a time when China is pushing to strengthen BRI cooperation. There are concerns over what sort of agreement will be signed with Beijing on BRI on which India and western countries are cautioning Nepal to maintain transparency and avoid possible debt burden. Domestically, there are also suspicions that the coalition of Nepali Congress and CPN-UML could crack, as two parties have divergent views on how to deal with China. Oli has a history of fostering strategic agreements with China, including the landmark Transit and Transport Treaty of 2016. 

China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Mao Ning, highlighted the importance of Oli’s visit in strengthening bilateral ties. “Despite changing international and regional dynamics, China-Nepal relations have grown steadily over the past 69 years, exemplifying equality and win-win cooperation between countries of different sizes,” she said. Mao emphasized deepening strategic trust, advancing high-quality BRI cooperation, and achieving progress in the China-Nepal partnership.