Submit your Article

Digital Rights Nepal (DRN) has released an in-depth analysis paper on the government’s proposed ‘Social Media (Usage and Regulation) Bill 2080’. The paper, which critiques and provides recommendations based on Nepal’s constitution, international human rights laws, and expert consultations, was formally presented on Oct 6 to the Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, by Santosh Sigdel, the Executive Director of Digital Rights Nepal.

During the handover ceremony, Secretary of the Ministry, Radhika Aryal, expressed that the analysis paper will be instrumental in finalizing the bill. The bill, organized into eight chapters and 64 sections, outlines provisions for establishing a Social Media Management Council and Center, registering platforms, and enforcing penalties for prohibited activities.

The analysis specifically scrutinizes vague prohibitive clauses on social media content, criminal defamation provisions, mandatory platform registration, and regulations on content removal. Additionally, it raises concerns about the criminalization of anonymous or pseudonymous identities, stressing the need to protect freedom of expression and other fundamental rights.

Sigdel emphasized that the Supreme Court recently instructed the government to draft laws on social media regulation, and the analysis paper offers valuable insights for developing rights-based and effective legislation. The full text of the analysis is available on the Digital Rights Nepal website.

Novelist Suman Barsha’s story collection ‘Abhyantar’ was launched on Thursday at a program held at the Parijat Hall of the Nepal Academy. The event featured prominent guests including chief guest Abhi Subedi, Gyanu Pandey, Nayanraj Pandey, Jagat Timilsina, Binod Chandra Pant, and Pushpraj Poudel.

Chief guest Subedi discussed Barsha’s storytelling, highlighting its uniqueness and her commendable efforts to introduce new themes. While Barsha, who teaches English, has stories that may seem simple at first glance, they exhibit influences from Western storytelling. Subedi noted that her collection stands out due to its inclusion of social issues, science fiction, environmental themes, and robotic tales, and added that Barsha has written some stories from different perspectives and styles, demonstrating a high degree of authorial freedom.

Similarly, in her remarks, Pandey pointed out that Barsha’s stories portray the realities of society by addressing various societal issues. She mentioned that Barsha’s collection provides a good depiction of society, stating, “Writers are the psychotherapists of society. They expose the inner wounds of society through literature and show paths for healing.”

Another speaker, Pandey, shared his reading reflections on Barsha’s collection, mentioning that some of her stories present diverse themes and styles. He described her as a courageous storyteller who effortlessly depicts various subjects and narratives in her works.

Other guests, including Jagat Timilsina, Binod Chandra Pant, and Somika Basnet, also shared their thoughts. Barsha, in her authorial remarks, discussed the inspirations and influences behind the stories in her collection. The two-hour program was chaired by Pushpraj Poudel, the Founder of Shikha Books, and was conducted by writer Ranjana Niroula.

Previously, Shikha Books had published Barsha’s novel ‘Antatah Yantrana’.

In honor of World Cleanup Day on Sept 20 and World River Day on Sept 21, communities across Nepal participated in a week-long River Cleanup Campaign. This initiative, aimed at tackling river pollution, saw local residents, youth groups, and prominent figures come together to promote environmental awareness. Major cleanup efforts took place in areas including Lalitpur, Hetauda, Bharatpur, Ichchakamana, and Gajuri.

The campaign came at a critical time as recent floods caused by the overflowing Bagmati River on Sept 28 and 29 left behind significant debris and plastic waste along the riverbanks. The floodwaters, which also resulted in the tragic loss of over 236 lives, including 40 fatalities in Lalitpur, exposed the growing issue of plastic pollution in Nepal's rivers. Similar scenes were observed in Saptakoshi, where plastic bottles clogged the dam.

Throughout the cleanup campaign, over 1,500 kg of waste was collected. Lalitpur led the efforts with 900 kg removed by 74 volunteers, while other cities, including Hetauda, Bharatpur, and Gajuri, also contributed significantly to the campaign. The involvement of local leaders, such as Lalitpur's Deputy Mayor, Manjali Shakya Bajracharya, highlighted the importance of community participation in these efforts.

The initiative also focused on youth empowerment through the VFC (Volunteer for Change) Youth Cohort program, a project by CREASION that promotes plastic waste collection and recycling. Twelve young leaders were selected from 187 applicants to spearhead local advocacy efforts, with grants supporting their activities to create lasting environmental change.

The Russian House in Kathmandu and the Museum of Modern Nepalese Art (MoNA) jointly hosted an art exhibition titled Tales of Two Worlds: Myths and Legends of Russia and Nepal, in honor of the 150th anniversary of Russian painter Nikolay Roerich. The event, which took place on October 2, also saw the signing of an Agreement on Intent to Promote Russian Culture in Nepal, further solidifying cultural ties between the two nations.

The exhibition showcases a diverse collection of reproductions from renowned Russian painters and graphic designers, including Andrei Rublev, Victor and Appolinari Vasnetsov, Ilya Repin, Mikhail Nesterov, Vasily Surikov, and Nikolay Roerich, among others. Representing Nepal, the works of celebrated artists such as Manik Mann Chitrakar, Tej Bahadur Chitrakar, Gyankar Badrachary, Rajan Panta, and Seema Sharma Shah were on display.

Through these reproduced masterpieces, the exhibition delves into the myths, legends, and folklore that have influenced the civilizations and contemporary societies of both Russia and Nepal. The collection aims to familiarize visitors with the artistic heritage and cultural narratives that have shaped both countries over centuries. This event is considered a significant step toward enhancing cultural cooperation between Nepal and Russia.