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Leapfrog Technology Inc recently hosted the fourth edition of its flagship design event, Design Disco, at Supper Club in Thamel, Kathmandu. The event, powered by AWS, drew over 150 attendees and featured speakers including Abhash Bikram Thapa, Director of Design at Leapfrog Technology Inc.; Jayasri Nagrale, Senior Product Designer at Microsoft; Deepshikha Yadav, Founder of World We Desire; and Bidhan Rajbhandari, Governor at Ad Club of Nepal.

This year’s theme, “The Digital Me,” focused on personalization, context-aware experiences, spatial design, and invisible interfaces, highlighting how technology is shaping user interactions. Discussions emphasized creating the Agentic Experience, where AI acts as an extension of the user, and explored ways designers can undertake complex projects without extensive coding knowledge.

Abhash Bikram Thapa, keynote speaker and event lead, said, “Design has evolved beyond screens to include experiential engagement, particularly with AI. We are pleased with this year’s attendance and the collaborative environment the event fostered.”

A different atmosphere can be felt at the Nepal Police Club premises in Bhrikutimandap, where the Nepal Vegetarian Association is hosting the “Ahimsa Festival Nepal.” The three-day event, which began yesterday and continues until tomorrow, brings together ideas of vegetarianism, vegan lifestyle, and compassionate living. At the entrance, visitors are handed a leaflet that reads “Awareness Campaign Against Animal Sacrifice and Slaughter.” It sets the tone of the festival, emphasizing the message of embracing non-violence and compassion in everyday life.

The festival features a range of stalls and exhibitions. From natural cleaning solutions and meditation practice sessions to animal rights and rescue campaigns, book sales, eco-art exhibitions, and vegan food tasting corners, there is something for everyone. Despite the variety, the underlying theme remains the same—non-violent living is possible and can be a collective choice. Walking through the grounds, it is clear the festival is more than just a marketplace of products and cuisines. It is an exhibition of consciousness, lifestyle, and values. Organizers hope to remind people that animals, too, have rights, and to inspire harmonious coexistence with nature.

By prioritizing compassion and coexistence over consumption, the initiative by the Nepal Vegetarian Association offers a meaningful alternative for living. While the festival concludes tomorrow, its message is expected to resonate much longer in the lives of its participants.

TechX has inaugurated the first session of its “DigiGyan – Digital Yugaka Lagi” digital literacy program at Uttar Bahini Boarding School, targeting students from Grades 7 to 9. The session covered topics including cybersecurity, safe internet use, scam and phishing awareness, and digital responsibility. According to TechX, the initiative aims to equip students with skills needed to navigate the digital landscape.

The program comes at a time when policymakers in Nepal are working to integrate digital literacy into the school curriculum. Education experts have also stressed the importance of incorporating EdTech to improve teaching quality and enhance student learning outcomes. The interactive session received positive responses from students and teachers, and the school administration presented TechX with a Certificate of Appreciation.

Additional sessions under the DigiGyan program are planned in other schools to further promote digital awareness among students.

Lawmakers and human rights advocates have called for the urgent passage of the first amendment to the Human Trafficking and Smuggling (Control) Act, 2064, 2081, which has been pending in Parliament for years. The call came during programs marking the 19th National Day against Human Trafficking, organized by Shakti Samuha and the Alliance against Trafficking in Women and Children Nepal (ATWIN).

Participants, including members of the National Assembly and House of Representatives, stressed the need for Parliament to act promptly, given the grave nature of human trafficking. They highlighted the importance of legal reforms, effective rescue procedures, border security, and civil society involvement to prevent trafficking and protect victims.

ATWIN and Shakti Samuha officials presented proposals for amendments, while victims emphasized the need for timely compensation, confidentiality, and follow-up support after rescue. Media representatives urged responsible reporting to raise awareness while safeguarding victims’ privacy.

Despite existing laws, participants noted that trafficking persists in new forms, including exploitation under the guise of visit visas, underscoring the urgency of strengthening legal mechanisms and ensuring their effective implementation.