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Nepal’s future depends on its youth rising as ethical, capable leaders committed to creating positive change. Their greatest responsibility is to uplift communities, defend democracy, and build local opportunities. ApEx talked to three people to find out how they think youths can bring about change in Nepal.

Ankiit Darnal, 25

When youth look beyond personal benefits and when they try to lead a life that can inspire others, they will certainly become stronger leaders and drive positive change in the country. Youths should put in conscious efforts to become better, inspire others and make positive changes in and around themselves. That will in turn create a better future. The biggest responsibility of today’s Nepali youths is to get involved in things that can bring changes in the society and country. To create real impact, we can empower the youths by checking the basics of becoming stronger academically, physically, technically, mentally, socially, psychologically and financially. The thing that youth should keep in mind is that there are plenty of opportunities here in Nepal for those who are willing to work hard. Nothing can replace hard work.

Menuka Shrestha, 29

Nepali youth can become strong leaders by gaining knowledge with practical experience through education, mentorship, and community involvement. Youth also need to take part in the decision-making process, advocate for transparency, and challenge the outdated system that blocks progress as well. Youth have to be innovators, problem solvers, and change makers who can bring in new ideas to address social, economic, or environmental challenges. Youth must also take responsibility for sustainable development, along with promoting equality and justice. By providing quality education, skill development opportunities, and access to modern technology, we can empower the youth of Nepal to create a real impact. Encouraging entrepreneurship, mentorship, and equal opportunity will give them a voice, and that will motivate the youths to take action. Nepali youths must be able to adapt to change, stay persistent, and be innovative in turning challenges into possibilities to create opportunities. They must have a long-term and strong vision to contribute to Nepal’s growth with patience and integrity.

Nirmal Dhakal, 41

Education and developing skills are key to becoming a strong leader. They should lead by example. They should actively participate in community activities, volunteer for social causes, and engage in political processes at a local level. In the 21st century, Nepal’s youth should play a multifaceted role in building a better future by being a force for innovation, social responsibility, and accountability. They can drive economic growth by starting new businesses and using technology to solve local problems. Youths have the potential to become engaged citizens who speak out against injustice, vote sensibly, and strive for harmony and advancement. But for that we must provide quality education, mentorship, job/business opportunities, and platforms for youth voices to be heard. It’s important for young people who want to stay in Nepal to remember that success and fulfillment can be found at home. They should focus on developing skills that are in high demand locally, such as in technology, agriculture, or tourism. 

Raksha Bandhan is a special occasion to celebrate the bond between siblings—particularly the relationship between brothers and sisters. It’s a day that symbolizes love, protection and commitment, not only among biological siblings but also among those who share a deep, familial connection beyond blood. The festival serves as a beautiful reminder of the strength and importance of these cherished relationships. ApEx tried to find out how people felt about this lovely festival. 

Prasuna Khanal, 23

Rakshya Bandhan, to me, is a thread that holds together every childhood laugh, every tear wiped in silence and every unbroken promise of “I’m always here”. It makes me pause and feel grateful for the people who stand by me, no matter what. In this small ritual, I feel the comfort of home and the kind of love that doesn’t need words. 

I celebrate Rakshya Bandhan with my biological siblings and my cousins, who feel just as close to my heart. For me, it's not just about blood relations but about the love, laughter and shared memories that tie us together. Whether by birth or by bond, the day is about cherishing those who stand by me like my own family. When we were children, it was all about doro and kwati and the excitement of rituals. Now, it’s also a special day to celebrate the bond between brothers and sisters, filled with emotion, memories and heartfelt gestures beyond just tradition.

Ashish Bisunke, 31

It’s a bond of love between siblings, a promise to be there for each other in times of need. In childhood, it’s a day to exchange gifts, but as we grow old, it’s a day to recall our childhood days and treasure our relationship. I personally celebrate it with anyone who has a bond of sisterhood with me. I have received many. It means a lot that someone finds the comfort of a family member/guardian in you. I used to prank my sister with a fake gift (a very small one) to watch her disappointment and expression. Later, the change in expression when she got the actual gift would be a precious one. Over time, the gifts and the way of wishing might have changed as we accept new advancements, but the essence has remained the same.

Nagma Kharel, 35 

For me, it’s a bond and love sharing festival between siblings in which we promise to protect one other for a lifetime.  I celebrate the day with my siblings and cousins. The bond  has always been so special as I have an eight year old cousin brother beside my biological brother and I feel so privileged to have their love and affection. My birthday falls on Raksha Bandhan as per lunar calendar, so every Raksha Bandhan is special for me. My sister and brother are abroad and I miss them during this special time but we make time to wish one another and that feels really special. 

The concept of the zebra crossing is generally credited to British Member of Parliament James Callaghan, who later became Prime Minister. The first official zebra crossing was introduced in Slough, United Kingdom, on 31 Oct 1951. Following this, the British government adopted the design for pedestrian crossings nationwide.

A safe walking environment not only ensures protection for pedestrians but also promotes a sense of comfort and friendliness. It encourages social and physical activities such as walking, running, and cycling. Pedestrian crossings are marked by different textures, surfaces, or colors to make them easily visible to both drivers and pedestrians. Roads also carry various signs for safety, including speed limits, school zones, hospital areas, no horn zones, humps, turns, and other necessary traffic control devices. Additionally, traffic FM radios regularly announce safety tips and traffic updates.

Zebra crossings are pedestrian facilities used worldwide, including in Nepal. They are designated as safe zones for pedestrians to cross and help alert drivers to reduce their speed. The horizontal line before the zebra crossing marks where vehicles must stop and wait until pedestrians have fully crossed. However, studies suggest that many pedestrian casualties occur at unsignalized zebra crossings.

In my observation, traffic police often focus more on managing vehicles than on protecting pedestrians. Even in major traffic junctions, pedestrians are frequently overlooked. Some traffic lights are non-functional, forcing people to cross without signals. Occasionally, volunteers or police are seen helping pedestrians cross, but this is not consistent. Many pedestrians, especially those new to the city, are unfamiliar with zebra crossings or the meanings of green, yellow, and red lights. Although schools and awareness programs may teach road safety, these lessons are often not practiced.

Road safety is further compromised by noisy motorcyclists and reckless drivers who merge onto main roads without slowing down, forcing others to brake suddenly. While the speed limit in city areas ranges from 25 to 50 km/h, many drivers treat public roads like racetracks. It’s common to see young riders, especially those with a passenger behind, recklessly weaving across lanes. The roar of their modified exhausts is not only disturbing but terrifying.

Stray dogs also pose a serious risk, often chasing motorcyclists and cyclists, leading to accidents. Municipalities have shown little concern for managing stray animals. Public buses and microbuses routinely stop in the middle of the road instead of designated stops, and drivers aggressively overtake using the wrong lanes to pick up more passengers. Ambulances struggle to navigate traffic during emergencies, with other drivers showing little urgency to give way.

While drivers are expected to pass a licensing test, their on-road behavior often shows a lack of responsibility. Though violators are fined and required to attend traffic awareness classes, these measures don’t seem to be effectively implemented. Even educated drivers, including those in private vehicles, government cars, diplomatic vehicles with blue CD plates, and INGOs, frequently ignore basic rules—such as stopping for pedestrians at zebra crossings.

Drivers often follow the rules only when traffic police are visibly present. Otherwise, chaos prevails. Honking is constant, even in sensitive zones like schools and hospitals. Parents, senior citizens, and people with disabilities are left terrified while trying to cross. Some pedestrians move slowly, either out of fear or carelessness, even when physically capable. Others cross outside designated zones, further increasing risks. Ironically, in Nepal, it’s often the pedestrian who must wait for vehicles to pass before daring to cross the zebra.

Today, many pedestrians and drivers are distracted by phones, smoking, eating, or listening to music while crossing or driving, putting themselves and others in danger.

According to Nepal Police Headquarters, in fiscal year 2024/25, there were 28,692 road accidents and 2,377 fatalities nationwide. Kathmandu Valley alone reported 7,164 accidents and 186 deaths. Additionally, 216 road incidents involved four-footed animals, with 172 dying and 44 injured.

Pedestrian crossings should be installed in areas with high foot traffic such as schools, hospitals, offices, markets, and city centers. They should be equipped with pedestrian signals, audible beeping for the visually impaired, and clear lighting. Some pedestrians have multiple disabilities, and drivers must be patient and compassionate. At times, bending the rules for humane reasons is justified.

This is not to say nothing has been done. Traffic police are trying their best. However, unsignalized crossings remain prone to crashes, and pedestrian behavior significantly influences outcomes. Drivers must learn to anticipate how pedestrians behave when crossing.

I’ve seen parents carrying newborns and up to five children on a motorbike, without helmets. This is dangerous and should be strictly prohibited. Like in Western countries, children should not sit in the front seat of a car; they should have proper child seats and seat belts.

I drive both a scooter and a bicycle, depending on the need. I love cycling to the market or office, but I’ve stopped recently because cycling in Kathmandu feels unsafe. There’s no dedicated bike lane, and other drivers behave as though cyclists don’t belong on the road.

Can education alone make pedestrians safer? In Nepal, that’s an open question. The problem lies in the mindset. Drivers often forget that they, too, are pedestrians when they’re not behind the wheel. Many follow rules abroad but revert to chaos once back in Nepal. Why?

Traffic education and awareness programs seem ineffective. What's missing is consciousness, empathy, and accountability. Traffic police cannot be stationed at every zebra crossing. Drivers must be self-aware, patient, and compassionate, not just rule-followers, but responsible road users. Let’s strive for compassion and care on the road. That’s the only way a society becomes truly civilized.

We all use our phones way too much than we would like to admit. And as much as we try to minimize its use, there’s no denying that we invariably end up reaching for it—to make a call, text someone, or simply scroll through social media or watch some funny videos on YouTube. One of our readers confessed that she constantly turns on her phone to check the time since she doesn’t wear a watch and that inevitably has her checking her messages or social media accounts even when she doesn’t really need to. 

A digital detox is a time when you intentionally reduce the use of your devices to promote well-being and take care of your mental health. It’s believed to improve focus and sleep and reduce stress. It’s a well known fact that disconnecting from screens before bed can improve your sleep quality and that staying away from social media can help you forge better real-life connections. But as well meaning as our intentions might be, the allure of a smartphone or tablet is more often than not all too great. 

There are, however, small steps you can take to spend some time tech-free and become more in control of your life. The first and foremost thing you can do to stop letting tech control your life is set a clear goal on how much screen-time you are allowed. You can set a time for device use, schedule tech-free time, or declare the bedroom as a no-phone or tablet area. 

Next up, consider deleting social media apps from your phone. One of the people ApEx spoke to says his screen time went down significantly once he uninstalled Facebook and Instagram from his android phone. This, he says, was because he became less inclined to open the sites through browsers as that was a long process. Social media wasn’t just a tap away and that inaccessibility acted as a deterrent. 

Another thing that can help you disconnect from digital devices is to find hobbies that you can engage in. Whether it’s gardening, reading, or crocheting, hobbies can help reduce the time you spend scrolling on your phone. After all, we are more likely to curl up on the couch with our phones when we are bored and find ourselves with nothing better to do. Engaging in mindful activities that bring you joy can change how and when you use tech. 

And finally, consider switching off your phone and tablets during specific times of the day or for a day every week to start with. If that sounds like a bit much, then at least put your devices on silent mode. You will definitely use them less when you aren’t constantly distracted by message pings and notifications. 

A study has found that heavy technology use on a daily basis is associated with an increased risk of mental health problems among young adults. It was also linked to increased symptoms of ADHD and decreased well-being. A digital detox, thus, can be a good way to help you focus on your mental and physical well-being and not let technology rule your life.