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From an early age, Bhumika Shrestha had a fascination with makeup and other traditionally “feminine” pursuits. She likes hanging out with girls and develops crushes on boys. 

For the most part of her adolescent life, she felt confused and guilty for having feminine emotions and the body of a boy. When she was in tenth grade, she was expelled from school for affirming her sexual identity. Though the incident prevented Bhumika from pursuing higher studies, it was a liberating experience. It was then she resolved to dedicate her life to help the queer community. 

Today, Shrestha, 35, is a proud trans woman and a prominent LGBTQIA+ activist. She now works as a project manager for Blue Diamond Society, an organization that works for the gender minority community. Under her leadership, she has improved the conditions of transgender community by advocating for citizenship rights, marriage equality, and job opportunities.

After joining the Blue Diamond Society, she learned about the harrowing experiences of queer  people, including abuse, family abandonment, and humiliation. Their suffering ignited within her a passion to take action on behalf of the trans community.

Bhumika considers herself lucky, as her family always supported her. But she couldn’t escape society’s judgments. “Back then, I used to hide in my room out of fear of how people would perceive me,” she says.

Currently, Bhumika collaborates with various government bodies, policymaking institutions, and law enforcement agencies to improve sexual health, human rights, and the well-being of gender minorities.  In 2007, she competed in a trans beauty pageant, winning the title of ‘Miss Pink.’ This gave her greater opportunities to advocate for the transgender community. 

However, she faced the absurdity of having to identify herself as male in her citizenship document, despite representing herself internationally as a trans woman. Back then, the citizenship certificate bore only two gender categories: male and female. 

“I was dressed up in a woman’s outfit, but I had to change and wear a Dhaka Topi as male for my citizenship photo,” she says. 

This experience urged Bhumika to launch a campaign in 2007 to change the outdated requirements imposed on Nepal’s citizenship law, and the Supreme Court ruled that individuals can be identified as ‘other gender’ on citizenship. 

Bhumika became the first Nepali trans woman to travel internationally with an ‘others’  identity in her citizenship document. Later, she updated her document from ‘others’ to ‘female.’

Nepal has made progress in recognizing non-binary communities and has legalized same-sex marriage, Bhumika is still critical of th gap between policy formulation and implementation.  For instance, the court’s order to register same-sex marriage has not been practically enforced. Then there is a bizarre requirement for medical evidence of identity to obtain citizenship as a transgender. 

“Such outdated expectations are stifling the true emotions and aspirations of LGBTIQA+ persons,” says Bhumika.

She shares  the heart-wrenching realities of her friends who suffered discrimination and abuse during the Covid-19 pandemic, leading some to tragically end their lives. The Blue Diamond Society was their only lifeline at the time. 

“The majority of our funding  comes from international donors such as USAID and UNDP. The government is not concerned at all,” says Bhumika. 

She expects the government to ensure equal opportunities and greater political representation for the queer community.

Over the years, the concept of gender in Nepal has expanded beyond homosexuality, there is still a long way to go when it comes to ensuring the rights of LGBTIQA+ community. Individuals like Bhumika and organizations like the Blue Diamond Society have been working tirelessly to ensure the rights and representation of queer community. 

For her unrelenting activism, Bhumika was honored with the ‘International Women of Courage Award’ by the United States Department of State. She was also listed in the ‘100 Most Influential People in Global Policy’ in 2019, and feted with a national award.

“Being a trans woman has given me courage and strength,” she says. 

For her the most difficult challenge is changing society's perception on how individuals are expected to behave in accordance with their biological gender roles. But she remains optimistic. 

“I really appreciate how the young people of today are more aware of the power of activism and how they are more accepting of gender minority communities,” says Bhumika. 

This shifting awareness and acceptance gives her hope that there is a better future for LGBTIQA+ community in Nepal.

Festive vibes are already in the air that has a tinge of cold to it. The mellow classical Malshree is trying to fill hearts, a tad too sad, with joy. Even the balmy rays of the sun have not been able to pierce through the hearts and bring cheers to a people considered one of the happiest in the world. 

What’s behind this deepening sadness in Nepali hearts? Factors one too many. 

First, the society is not at peace with itself. Social-religious strife is occurring with increasing frequency. Some years ago, parts of the far-western region and the Tarai-Madhes witnessed violence.   

Not so long ago, eastern parts of the country erupted. However, before vested interests could use the faultlines to drive the society further apart, better senses prevailed, making it clear that it is not easy to drive a wedge between peoples, who have been living together for centuries by respecting each other’s cultures, traditions and religious beliefs. 

Recently, Nepalgunj saw a bid to stoke up flames. But the good news is that those with sinister designs failed as the state acted on time and community leaders came together, proving once again that the ties that bind us together as Nepalis remain strong despite sustained efforts to break the bond. 

This does not mean we should lower our guard against the elements trying to tear the society asunder. In fact, repeated bids to stoke up tensions mean we should be more alert than ever against the sinister designs. 

Apart from this strife, there’s one other major factor that’s tormenting the people: Soaring market prices. 

The prices of food and other committees continue to head northwards at a time when major festivals like Dashain, Tihar and Chhath are around the corner. Even at inflated rates, finding things like sugar in the market has become a feat in itself, thanks to artificial shortages, lack of market regulation and also a continued disruption of the global supply chain. 

In view of the festivities, the government has decided to sell food commodities at subsidized rates through several outlets across the country. The subsidies cover a wide array of food commodities from mountain goat to table salt to sugar. 

Perhaps, this move, repeated every festive season in a ritualistic manner, is also meant to undo the damage resulting from a short-lived decision to hike the prices of petroleum products. 

But will around three dozen fair-price shops spread too thin across the length and breadth of the country be enough to provide significant relief to a people reeling under political instability that has exacerbated ills like inflation, joblessness, corruption and unrest, stymied economic growth and pushed the youth in increasing numbers to foreign shores? 

Rather than short-term populist measures, the government should make sustained efforts to revive the economy. It should try to prevent Nepal from becoming a wasteland of sorts by curbing corruption, creating jobs for the youth and boosting farm production through policy interventions that benefit real farmers.  

Chock-a-block traffic has pushed many countries to prioritize the development and operation of mass transit systems, but Nepal is an exception with the metropolis of Kathmandu offering a glaring example.

There’s a great scope for transit systems like underground train, monorail, the cable car and trolley bus/bus rapid transit (BRT) in Kathmandu as they can ease congestion to a great extent.

But developing and operating such a mass transit system in Kathmandu is easier said than done as several rounds of discussions conducted on the topic in the past have shown. 

First and foremost, developing such a system requires a long time and huge investment. The metro and rail systems are not the only alternative, though. Ropeway/cable car can also be used for urban transport at a lower cost compared to other modes of mass transit.  

In reality, BRT has a few fundamental differences compared to the existing system. BRT buses use the existing road facility, but such buses have a higher passenger carrying capacity, use a dedicated lane and have fewer stops. 

In many countries, the public sector operates BRT, which requires huge investments, with subsidies from the government to fulfill social obligations. However, there’s an absence of a public sector entity willing to shoulder this responsibility in Kathmandu, a city of almost 4m people, thanks to an influx of people from hilly and Tarai regions, who come here looking for jobs, for medical treatment and study opportunities. A large number of people move on motorcycles and scooters, while a huge number also shuttles through buses, cars, taxis, three-wheelers and on the recently-introduced BRT system along the Kathmandu-Suryavinayak stretch. 

While the operation of BRT is highly appreciable, it should have less stoppage and the buses in use should be a bit larger with more passengers carrying capacity. As such, 1.74m vehicles (including two-wheelers) in operation along the total road stretch of 247.7 km in and around Kathmandu do not appear to be sufficient to cater to an ever-increasing demand for mobility. 

Kathmandu witnesses massive congestions along its arteries during peak hours: 9-11 am and 5.00-6.30 pm. In the absence of a mass transit system, it is a daily struggle for commuters to report to duty on time and return home on time by getting onboard any means of transport available.  

Also, the availability of soft credit facilities for the purchase of vehicles and absence of long-term import restrictions mean a geometrical surge in the number of vehicles in the city, which only worsens congestion.

There’s no doubt that the existing public transport system does not offer a hassles-free bus/microbus ride to a multitude, especially during peak hours. Traffic Police deserve credit for introducing a relatively good traffic management system by designating stoppages at lay-byes and other suitable sites with necessary segregation.  

In addition, a queuing system in place for potential riders in Ratna Park and other crowded areas of Kathmandu where more than 1,700 buses arrive and depart for different destinations daily has a vital role to play in traffic management. 

Despite its effectiveness, this queuing system is yet to be replicated in several other locations. 

In some cases, the pickup system has been chaotic due to the absence of a specified bus terminal where the bus originates and terminates. 

At present, all buses around some of the important locations, in the absence of designated bus terminals, are starting or terminating their journeys from available lay-byes or other areas. 

In such a chaotic situation, Kathmandu Metropolis has designated Kathmandu Bus Park (terminal) at Gongabu as the origin and destination for all buses to and from Kathmandu. This is a commendable act as it has also helped ease congestion. 

The author is a former Executive Director, Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board. He can be reached at [email protected]

The article is Part I of a two-part series

As a nation with various religions, cultures, ethnicities and languages, Nepal allows every Nepali to practice their religion and culture. This fundamental right is enshrined in our Constitution. 

Despite different religious texts and beliefs, our core values unify us—humanitarianism, peace and respect for diverse religions and cultures. From Nepal, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, a global symbol of peace, we have spread the message of peace, tolerance, harmony and coexistence around the world. It is vital that we preserve this heritage. 

I earnestly ask all religious, cultural and ethnic groups to promote peace, tolerance and coexistence while staying vigilant against divisive actions that threaten national unity and our heritage. I urge the government to swiftly restore law and order by upholding religious, social and cultural unity, tolerance and coexistence. 

I request social media users to refrain from sharing content that could disrupt religious, social and cultural harmony, tolerance and coexistence. 

The author is a lawmaker and secretary general of Nepali Congress