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Dashain is the biggest festival for Hindus and it signifies different things for different people. Most people have a favorite memory and lament that things are no longer the same. ApEx spoke to some people to find out what Dashain means to them and how they think it has evolved over the years.

Sumit Kumar Shah, 18

For Nepalis, Dashain is a major holiday that is observed for several days. The celebrations include getting together with friends and family, worshiping the gods, and exchanging good wishes. I enjoy the vibe of this festival but I think that the Dashain that we celebrate now and the one that we used to celebrate a few years ago are two very different things. Traditionally, people would gather and celebrate Dashain. They would make it a point to come home. These days, we can see people celebrating virtually via video calls. There are even provisions to send ‘dakshina’ digitally via money transfers.

Khusbu Nisha, 27

Since everyone in Nepal celebrates Dashain with a lot of aplomb, I think it’s a powerful festival. I’m a Muslim and I don’t celebrate the festival but I have witnessed a lot of my neighbors enjoying the holiday season. I’ve been working in Bhaktapur for ten years, and during that time I’ve seen a lot of changes. A few years ago, Dashain was marked by a significant increase of shoppers out on the streets. There would be sales and huge crowds in the market. But these days, there is much difference between Dashain and other regular times. People have migrated to online shopping and there is that sense of hustle and bustle that marked Dashain.

Dhan Bahadur Tuitui, 80

I have many things to do before Dashain but I’m not working at the moment and I don’t have much money to indulge in the festivities. There was a time when Dashain meant a lot of traditions and rituals. Most of them are limited to memories today. We used to celebrate Dashain by slaughtering goats, ducks, and hens. There used to be a lot of fanfare about it. We don’t do it anymore and I miss those days when Dashain meant being surrounded by my family and friends. I want to be able to do things like we did when I was young, like cooking meat in clay pots, over a traditional stove. Things have changed and not all changes are good.

With more frequent glacial lake outburst floods occurring in Nepal and with the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, launching an SOS from the South Pacific Nation of Tonga asking for nations to “Save our Oceans”, climate action is not an option but an imperative.

We should paraphrase and recontextualize the advice given by Michelle Obama during the recently held Democratic National Convention when she encouraged her fellow democrats in the USA “to do something” to win the elections in November. Indeed, we need to “do something” to stem climate warming and repurpose our industries and societies towards a meaningful and net zero scenario. Pathways must be found to give a voice to youths because without their engagement and advocacy, climate action won’t really happen.

While there are many ways for youths and the general population to be, not only part of the conversation on climate warming but also be truly engaged on it, it is paramount to create platforms where young people can truly express their concerns and provide new ideas and propositions.

I am referring to enabling youths to be involved in the sphere of policy making, by ensuring that their contributions, either in the forms of projects or in terms of innovative approaches for new progressive laws and regulations, do matter and are taken into consideration. With Nepal preparing its 3rd Nationally Determined Contributions or NDC, the document that each signatory party to the Paris Agreement must present with its commitments to reduce greenhouse emissions, having youths firmly involved in climate related decision making, can make a huge difference.

One venue for them to start working at policy level is the Local Conference of Youth or LCOY, a national forum under the umbrella of YOUNGO that is officially recognized as the constituency of young people within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

At the beginning of August, Nepal held its own national version of LCOY over two days of intensive discussions.

It was jointly organized by Youth Action for Sustainable and Eco Nepal (YASEN) and Sustainability Week Kathmandu (SWK) after months of hard work that included a myriad of in person and online interactions with a main national event bringing together 200 young leaders. I approached the organizing team to have a better understanding of the initiative and its significance.

If the federal government in Kathmandu is truly committed to work with young people, then a platform like LCOY can turbocharge innovative ideas and ensure that bold commitments are going to be included in the NDC 3.0.

The Focal Point of LCOY Nepal, Dikshya Subedi who is also the Founder of YASEN shared her reflections. "LCOY Nepal 2024 was a powerful demonstration of youth-led climate action, bringing together diverse voices from across the country to address the pressing issue of climate change”

“I have witnessed firsthand the dedication, passion, and collaboration that made this conference an extraordinary platform for youth engagement and climate action. LCOY Nepal 2024 was more than just a gathering; it was a testament to the power of collective action and the unwavering commitment of young individuals to drive positive change”.

“This year's conference brought together diverse voices from across Nepal, each contributing unique perspectives and innovative solutions to the pressing issue of climate change. Our goal was to create a platform where young people could contribute innovative solutions and be recognized as key stakeholders in global climate discussions”.

Subedi recounted how the overarching preparation was a huge task across multiple interlinked sectors with a real effort to involve youths from all backgrounds as diversity and inclusion are two essential features to ensure climate justice.

“It was intense, requiring immense dedication and collaboration from our team and partners. We discussed critical themes like indigenous knowledge, climate resilience, and sustainable practices, leading to actionable resolutions”.

For Ganesh Paudel, the Technical Lead, LCOY Nepal 2024, the whole experience was “transformative”.

“Our mission was to gather youth from various regions to address climate change issues, pushing back against the false notion that this event was just for certificate seekers. We wanted to empower young people to voice their concerns and take action against the climate crisis. The success of this event is a testament to the dedication of our organizers, volunteers, and partners. I’m proud of the collaboration and impact we’ve achieved, and I’m confident that the discussions and resolutions from LCOY Nepal 2024 will resonate in global forums like COP."

Hemanshu Kafle who, as Design Lead, was in charge of putting together all the sessions in coherent flow, believes that the whole process, not only the two days of final discussions, was a game-changer.

He highlighted to me that an initiative like LCOY” truly enables youths to lead in global climate discussions”.

Indeed, we need both a new process of decision making in the field of climate action centered around empowerment, the dynamics that help young people build and strengthen their agency and ownership.

And yes, we need tons of shared, grounded but at the same time bold, values-based leadership among young people to tackle climate change head on.

Kafle also echoes the win-win approach based on multi-stakeholders’ involvement.

“The event’s success was the result of meticulous planning and support from partners like UNICEF Nepal, ICIMOD, UNDP, Nelis Nepal, WYCJ, SHE CHANGES CLIMATE. We tackled vital themes like indigenous knowledge, climate resilience, and sustainable forestry”.

What about the way forward?

The second day of the LCOY focused on drafting a so-called National Youth Statement, a series of key priorities that should be addressed by the Federal Government while drafting its NDC 3.0.

It is a blueprint centered around the importance of building the capacity of young people while meaningfully allowing them to have a real voice, a voice that should not be discounted, a voice that instead should be taken into account by politicians.

“Moving forward, we aim to translate the energy from LCOY into actionable outcomes, presenting our resolutions at COP events and continuing to strengthen youth networks across Nepal” Kafle shared.

Subedi added, “We are serious at ensuring that the voices of Nepali youth are heard on the global stage”.

For her, the LCOY 2024 “is just the beginning of a broader movement, and we are committed to continuing our work towards a more resilient and equitable future."

Indeed, this is just a start but ideally, we should find ways to institutionalize events like LCOY rather than being a once in a year process. This for me it’s the real challenge that goes at the heart of the current governance system. It is a general problem, not only specific to Nepal but governance at national and local levels should be reformed in a way to truly give a permanent voice to young people.

Consultative processes are good but actually we need a major reform of the entire system, creating a new space to ensure young people’s right to participate and have a role in the decision-making process. Will politicians, in Nepal and elsewhere, realize the urgency of taking bold actions by involving and engaging young people? What should it take for them to really have agency and a seat where decisions are made?

LCOY like events are important because they can help us imagine a different way of doing “politics”. Climate change could become not only the spark of a new wave of civic engagement but a stepstone to rethink democracy in its entirety.

Flying first class has long been considered a symbol of luxury, reserved only for a selected few. I grew up in Nepal, and flying in itself was a rare experience. I never thought that I would fly among those exclusive groups. Growing up in the UK, being from a working-class background, flying first class was a faraway dream and too extravagant for anybody’s reach. Even though the airlines of Nepal have joined the international scene, none has yet offered anything other than standard cabins. As is the case with many others, I always wondered what lay beyond that mysterious curtain separating economy from first class.

Then, one day, the opportunity came along unexpectedly. I was having a chat with one of our senior managers at work and mentioned how much I’d love to fly first class. He laughed first, then said, “Leave it to me.” Well, wouldn’t you be surprised, he set up the possibility of an upgrade on my next long-haul flight. “Dress smartly,” he said, “and if there’s no paying passenger, you just might get upgraded.”

I was very surprised when I got upgraded on a Lufthansa flight. My heart was racing as boarding happened, stepping into a world of luxury I once only fantasized about. It seemed surreal, to finally be tasting those dishes at 39,000 feet which I had helped design for airplane menus.

The first class was almost like going into this little peaceful sanctuary. The wide, plush seats would recline at the touch of a button into fully flat beds. No noise, no rush—just quiet and comfortable. It was just like going into another world.

From the moment I sat down, the care was incredible. One of the cabin crew members came out and greeted me by my last name, offering a glass of champagne in sparkling crystal. This wasn’t just champagne. It was top-shelf, part of the luxury which flying first class is all about.

Probably the most remarkable features of flying first class were the dining experiences. I had worked for airline catering, developing dishes for major airlines, but never on the receiving end. The menu would be presented—just as it would be in a fine-dining restaurant-elegant on high-quality paper, gourmet dishes crafted by world-class chefs.

There was smoked salmon amuse-bouche with caviar on top, followed by a salad course of lobster-avocado with a hint of citrus dressing. Then, the main course turbot fillet was perfectly cooked and served along with truffle mashed purple potatoes and roasted vegetables in white wine caper saffron sauce, garnished with edible flowers.

Finally, for dessert, I had molten chocolate fondant with vanilla bean ice cream. The feast could give any Michelin-starred restaurant a run for its money. The attention to detail was impressive—fine porcelain for each course, with real silverware, linen napkins, and crystal glassware. Finally, the experience concluded with a freshly brewed coffee and a selection of the finest chocolates. Every aspect from bread to butter was thoughtfully curated.

What was unique was not only the food and comfort but personalized service. The cabin crew addressed me by my name, and before I would even ask, they would have already anticipated it. If I mentioned a particular wine that I liked, they would come with a bottle for me to try. It felt like dining in a five-star restaurant where the chef customizes the menu to your taste.

My airplane seat was less of an airplane seat than a private suite. There was a closet for my belongings, adjustable lighting, and a huge entertainment screen. When bedtime came, flight attendants came along to provide turndown service—fresh linens and pajamas. I slept very soundly as though I were in a five-star hotel and not on the airplane.

Another surprising thing to me was just how practical first class was for working professionals, with its high-speed internet, available power outlets, and spacious work area. It’s pretty clear why any business executive would travel first class. The quiet, private environment helped me get a lot of work accomplished in an efficient manner.

We often wonder why would anyone pay ten times the price of an economy ticket for first class? Now, having had the experience, I understand why. It’s not about space or food. It’s about the entire experience of first class. First-class passengers have a certain privacy and comfort. Personal service makes the journey nice rather than just a means of getting somewhere.

From private airport lounges to head-of-the-queue boarding, first-class passengers are catered to from the instant they step into the airport. For the business executive, at least, the opportunity to work in quiet, private surroundings may make first-class a practical necessity. For others, this could be the once-in-a-lifetime pampering.

At first, I felt out of place, overwhelmed by such attention and luxury. I explained this to one of the flight attendants and she kindly gave me the space I needed. I learned that flying first class isn’t just about opulence. Rather, it’s about savoring a different way of traveling. I wasn’t born into it but anyone can appreciate it and enjoy the experience. If you ever get the chance, flying first class is an extraordinary voyage. It makes flying unforgettable.

Baral is a UK-based R&D chef

Yellow-breasted bunting (Emberiza aureola), locally known as “Bagale bagedi” belongs to the family “Emberizidae”. It is one of the winter visitors which arrives in Nepal or stopover here and fly to more south in flocks during end of November to early April. This species is a native to the northern hemisphere, traveling from Russia, Mongolia, China and Siberia to avoid harsh cold. Normally, they reside in the southern part of the northern hemisphere for six months.

This species breeds in the forests of Siberia and northeast Asia during the months of summer, then migrate to south Asia during winter seasons where they can forage and roost. Additionally, return to the northern part to breed again and continue this cycle. This bird species inhabits bogs, meadows, mountain tundra, forest steppe, broadleaf forests, open conifer forests, and abandoned fields close to villages during the breeding seasons. They inhabit lowlands to an altitude of 2,000 meters. This species is classified as critically endangered on both global and national levels.  

This bird species forage insects and feed to their chicks during breeding season and in the non-breeding season they feed on seeds and grains. This insectivore and granivore diet are crucial for egg production, healthy development of their chicks while maintaining necessary nutrients to sustain their energy during the migration period. Hence, the YBB population depends on the accessibility of the grains and insects. 

According to BirdLife International, the species’ population is estimated to have declined by 84.3-94.7 percent between 1980 and 2013. Change in agricultural practices and degradation of natural habitats significantly impacts their survival during breeding and migrating seasons. The use of pesticides and insecticides considerably reduces the number of insects which is an important factor of nutrients during breeding season. Scarcity in the number of insects reduces the production of eggs and the health of chicks. Transformation of wetlands, grassland and agricultural lands to other forms, reduces the seed-bearing plant species. Lack of proper nutritious seeds while migrating decreases the chance of survival in harsh cold. Unfortunately, these are not the only factors for the YBB population to decrease. For decades YBB are hunted mostly during migration for foodstuff. Beside this species, 25 other bird species are trapped and sold as bagedi meat which is a matter of concern. It is consumed as gourmet food in China and some parts of southeast Asia, low land of Nepal and also found in local hotels of Kathmandu. There is a belief that they have medicinal properties, warm up bodies in winter and have aphrodisiac properties. It is assumed that a professional trapper can trap 100 to 130 birds in a day and has a transaction of Rs 7,488,000-8,424,000.

Organizing awareness campaigns, and community participation in bird monitoring, and conservation activities should be called on a regular basis. Promoting perma-agriculture, urban forestry, and other activities that benefit the bird should be promoted. This helps in maintaining its population. Implementing strong regulations to protect from hunting for consumption, restrictions on the sale of its meat and imposing penalty for poaching helps in its conservation. As this is a migratory bird, mapping the migratory routes’ wintering and stopover locations might be the major points in conservation by making a clear and sound environment in its migrating route, locally and internationally. 

Conclusion

The YBB helps in controlling the population of insects and scattering of seeds. Not only that, it also serves the purpose of food for the predator in the wide range of land in the migration route. As a migratory bird it transfers nutrients and energy between different ecosystems. Its conservation promotes ecotourism by attracting bird watchers and helps local communities by economic empowerment. In contrast, if this species is conserved and can increase the population, it can somewhat increase the economic status of trap hunters in livelihood. YBB is one of the good indicator species of the grassland, wetland and agriculture ecosystem. Its decline in populations in past decades indicates something negative has changed in this natural environment.