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Winter means there is a certain dryness in the environment which leads to different health issues and problems. The dropping temperatures also makes you more prone to flu, allergies, and various other ailments. While everyone loves basking in the sun in the winter, no one likes being bundled up in layers of clothes and the bunch of issues that the season brings. ApEx spoke to four people to find out what they dislike about winter, how they deal with it, and what they think should be done at policy level to manage some of the environmental issues we face today.

Prasiddha Prajapati, 21

There is definitely more air pollution during the winter as it's the dry season and it’s worsening because of industrialization. There are more vehicles on the roads and what makes it worse is that the roads are dug up randomly and left in semi-constructed states which lead to a lot of debris and dust. Building constructions also add to the pollution. I think it can be minimized by the use of green nets to trap dust but that is seldom the case. If this continues, I fear it will be difficult for us to access clean air and water in the future. We are already being forced to wear masks and double boil and filter our tap water. I hope the government looks into this issue seriously and works on mitigating air pollution.

Rajin Khadka, 30

I think one of the main reasons for pollution in Kathmandu valley is deforestation. It seems to be worse in winter because it’s dry and also because people tend to light fires to keep themselves warm. There is also the issue of people burning waste in urban areas. I believe it will lead to many health issues if not corrected on time. As it is, respiratory problems, allergies, infections etc. are already on the rise. Older people and those with comorbidities are at grave risk and our government seems to be least bothered. It only springs to action when it’s already too late. I think we must take care of ourselves—get proper exercise, eat a balanced diet, and work on improving our immunity—if we want to stay healthy in the long run.  

Abhishek Bista, 37

The air pollution during the dry season makes me nostalgic of the times during my childhood, where there was less pollution and we used to spend our days playing outdoors. Now due to air pollution, it becomes very hard to breathe if you are out for a long time. On certain days, when the air quality is very bad, my eyes start to burn while riding my bike. Breathing polluted air on a regular basis has many negative effects on our bodies. Issues with the lungs and skin being one of them. Wearing masks and sunglasses are some of the ways in which I try to protect myself from air pollution but I fear these little things aren’t enough.

Ram Laxmi Lohala, 62

In winter it’s usually dry as there is little to no rain. And while that might come as a respite to many, in the light of the recent floods that wreaked havoc, it brings with it a different set of problems. Dry weather leaves us more prone to allergies and infections. It’s quite common for people to fall ill during the winter, and especially those who already have health issues face an even bigger risk. I believe drinking warm water, wearing proper clothes, keeping your homes well insulated, and watering the road outside your homes (if it’s dry and dusty) can go a long way in keeping you safe during winter. I’m also a big believer in getting your daily dose of vitamin D by sitting out in the sun—it can help prevent many issues.

In today’s fast-paced world, teenagers face a myriad of challenges as they navigate their sexual development. With rising curiosity and exploration, it’s more important than ever to equip young people with the tools they need to make informed, responsible choices about their bodies and relationships. By addressing the issues surrounding teen sexuality through education, support, and open dialogue, we can help them transition from the shadows of taboo to the light of truth and empowerment.

Importance of comprehensive sex education

One of the most effective ways to empower teens is through comprehensive sex education. These programs provide valuable insights into topics such as consent, emotional health, contraception, and healthy relationships. When teens have access to accurate information, they are less likely to engage in risky behaviors. Research shows that comprehensive sex education can significantly reduce rates of unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). By empowering young people with knowledge, we enable them to make choices that prioritize their health and well-being.

Understanding menstrual health and cultural beliefs

Menstruation is a natural part of growing up, yet it’s often shrouded in stigma, especially in many Eastern cultures. In some communities, girls may be isolated during their menstrual cycles, viewed as ‘unclean’ and restricted from participating in social or religious activities. This cultural perspective can lead to feelings of shame and confusion, preventing open discussions about menstrual health.

Understanding menstruation is vital for girls’ physical and emotional well-being. Education can help break down the myths surrounding menstruation, empowering girls to take charge of their health. By fostering open conversations about menstrual hygiene and health, we can create a more supportive environment that encourages confidence and self-care during this natural phase of life.

Building healthy relationships

Equipping teens with the knowledge of healthy relationships is equally crucial. It’s not just about the mechanics of sex; it’s about understanding respect, communication, and emotional connection. Programs that encourage discussions around these topics help teens recognize what a healthy relationship looks like, allowing them to navigate their interactions more thoughtfully.

Creating safe spaces for teens to express their feelings and experiences can lead to greater emotional maturity. When they feel comfortable discussing their thoughts, they can develop critical thinking skills that guide them in making informed decisions about their relationships.

In today’s fast-paced world, teenagers face a myriad of challenges as they navigate their sexual development. With rising curiosity and exploration, it’s more important than ever to equip young people with the tools they need to make informed, responsible choices about their bodies and relationships. By addressing the issues surrounding teen sexuality through education, support, and open dialogue, we can help them transition from the shadows of taboo to the light of truth and empowerment.

Importance of comprehensive sex education

One of the most effective ways to empower teens is through comprehensive sex education. These programs provide valuable insights into topics such as consent, emotional health, contraception, and healthy relationships. When teens have access to accurate information, they are less likely to engage in risky behaviors. Research shows that comprehensive sex education can significantly reduce rates of unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). By empowering young people with knowledge, we enable them to make choices that prioritize their health and well-being.

Understanding menstrual health and cultural beliefs

Menstruation is a natural part of growing up, yet it’s often shrouded in stigma, especially in many Eastern cultures. In some communities, girls may be isolated during their menstrual cycles, viewed as ‘unclean’ and restricted from participating in social or religious activities. This cultural perspective can lead to feelings of shame and confusion, preventing open discussions about menstrual health.

Understanding menstruation is vital for girls’ physical and emotional well-being. Education can help break down the myths surrounding menstruation, empowering girls to take charge of their health. By fostering open conversations about menstrual hygiene and health, we can create a more supportive environment that encourages confidence and self-care during this natural phase of life.

Building healthy relationships

Equipping teens with the knowledge of healthy relationships is equally crucial. It’s not just about the mechanics of sex; it’s about understanding respect, communication, and emotional connection. Programs that encourage discussions around these topics help teens recognize what a healthy relationship looks like, allowing them to navigate their interactions more thoughtfully.

Creating safe spaces for teens to express their feelings and experiences can lead to greater emotional maturity. When they feel comfortable discussing their thoughts, they can develop critical thinking skills that guide them in making informed decisions about their relationships.

Creating supportive environments

Support systems are essential as teens navigate these formative years. Schools, community centers, and mentorship programs can provide safe havens where young people can talk about their concerns regarding sexuality, relationships, and menstrual health. Access to trusted adults and peers who offer guidance and empathy can make a world of difference in how teens approach these topics.

These support systems also play a vital role in mental health, offering resources for coping with the emotional challenges that come with growing up. When teens feel supported, they are more likely to make positive choices that benefit their overall well-being.

Role of feminism in empowerment

Feminists are key advocates for the rights and well-being of young people. They champion the importance of agency, stressing that teens should have the autonomy to make informed decisions about their bodies. By advocating for access to contraception, healthcare, and comprehensive education, feminists can help create an environment that supports responsible sexual behavior.

Furthermore, promoting conversations between generations—parents, educators, and teens—can bridge the understanding gap. Open dialogue fosters respect and collaboration, ensuring that young people feel heard and valued.

Long-term benefits for future generations

By proactively addressing the challenges surrounding teen sexuality, we can help reduce the need for abortions and the stigma that often accompanies them. When young people are equipped with the tools to make informed choices, the rates of unintended pregnancies decrease, resulting in healthier families and communities. Empowering adolescents through education and support not only benefits them now but also contributes to the overall health of future generations.

Conclusion

Navigating teen sexuality is a collective responsibility that requires collaboration among educators, parents, and advocates. By prioritizing comprehensive sex education, promoting healthy relationships, and fostering supportive environments, we can empower teens to make responsible choices. This approach not only safeguards their health and autonomy but also ensures that issues like abortion are understood within a broader context of reproductive rights and personal agency. As we move forward, let’s commit to fostering a culture of respect, understanding, and empowerment—one that allows our youth to thrive as they journey into adulthood.

Support systems are essential as teens navigate these formative years. Schools, community centers, and mentorship programs can provide safe havens where young people can talk about their concerns regarding sexuality, relationships, and menstrual health. Access to trusted adults and peers who offer guidance and empathy can make a world of difference in how teens approach these topics.

These support systems also play a vital role in mental health, offering resources for coping with the emotional challenges that come with growing up. When teens feel supported, they are more likely to make positive choices that benefit their overall well-being.

Role of feminism in empowerment

Feminists are key advocates for the rights and well-being of young people. They champion the importance of agency, stressing that teens should have the autonomy to make informed decisions about their bodies. By advocating for access to contraception, healthcare, and comprehensive education, feminists can help create an environment that supports responsible sexual behavior.

Furthermore, promoting conversations between generations—parents, educators, and teens—can bridge the understanding gap. Open dialogue fosters respect and collaboration, ensuring that young people feel heard and valued.

Long-term benefits for future generations

By proactively addressing the challenges surrounding teen sexuality, we can help reduce the need for abortions and the stigma that often accompanies them. When young people are equipped with the tools to make informed choices, the rates of unintended pregnancies decrease, resulting in healthier families and communities. Empowering adolescents through education and support not only benefits them now but also contributes to the overall health of future generations.

Conclusion

Navigating teen sexuality is a collective responsibility that requires collaboration among educators, parents, and advocates. By prioritizing comprehensive sex education, promoting healthy relationships, and fostering supportive environments, we can empower teens to make responsible choices. This approach not only safeguards their health and autonomy but also ensures that issues like abortion are understood within a broader context of reproductive rights and personal agency. As we move forward, let’s commit to fostering a culture of respect, understanding, and empowerment—one that allows our youth to thrive as they journey into adulthood.

Your home starts feeling tired and uninspired if you don’t change things up every once in a while. But renovations can be expensive and time-consuming and thus unfeasible when you just want to shake things up a bit. Does that mean you are doomed to living in the same space till you eventually muster up the courage to rent another place for a change of scene or decide to redesign your home? Rest assured you don’t have to invest a lot of time and effort to give your home a fresh new feel. This week, we will show you how you can liven up your space without buying anything new, using what you already have, or with minimal spending.

Move your furniture around  

Have you had the same layout in your living and dining space since you moved in? If yes, consider changing the placements of the pieces to change the look of the space. If you have pushed your sofas against the wall, pull them away from it. This gives your space an open look, making it feel airy and large. There are many apps that help you redesign your space with what you already have. Consider asking a friend for a new perspective on where to put what. If you are feeling experimentative, move furniture pieces from one room to another to serve different purposes than the ones they were being used for earlier.

Create a rotating gallery wall

More often than not, our homes are cluttered with memorabilia from trips, special occasions, and random things we picked up because we thought they were cute or nice to have. Over time, they accumulate and make our spaces look clumsy and unmanaged. We’re not telling you to part away with your prized possessions. But consider displaying only a few items at a time. You can create a rotating gallery of sorts. Simply change the items on display to change the aesthetics of your space.

Organize your books

Books can double as functional décor. But they can make your home look cluttered if they are just lying around in random places. Try to keep your books in a particular place, mixed in with some bookish knick-knacks and plants like the British Ivy or Pothos. You can also arrange your books by the colors of their spines for a more cohesive look. While you are at it, you might want to create a cozy reading nook. Place a few floor cushions and a throw in a corner of the same room your books are in, hang some fairy lights, add an element of style with a small table with speakers or a tray with some candles and vase of flowers and you are good to go.  

Let your space breathe

We are all guilty of overstuffing our homes. We all have far too many things than we require. Who hasn’t had the urge to fill an empty, unused space to make it functional and then ended up neglecting the area once we’ve put something there? The result is we often bang into furniture as we move about or knock jars or frames off the shelves and tabletops while trying to get what we need. Stow away some coffee tables and stools to open up your space. Get rid of visual clutter by stowing away what you don’t need. Let your space breathe by keeping it a little empty and see how you feel about it before deciding to put anything back.

Alma Naidu is emerging as one of the most promising singers on the German as well as global jazz scene. The 25-year-old award-winning singer, composer, and lyricist released a self-titled debut album ‘Alma’ in 2022, winning various prizes and awards. She has appeared in various musicals and opera productions.

Initially she wanted to study film music composition but Naidu found her way into jazz by accident. While exploring different musical genres as part of her studies, she became captivated by jazz’s improvisational freedom and complex harmonies. She realized jazz offered a unique creative space she hadn’t found elsewhere. 

“I have always been playing the piano, singing, and composing music. I went to the University of Music and Theatre Munich to study film music composition. There, I attended a guest study at the jazz department. I didn’t know anything about jazz until then,” she says. “I realized that it’s such a great genre because you can play music and also write music. That is what I loved most about it.” 

Jazz is renowned for its improvisational freedom. Entire sections of the music can be improvised together, with players interweaving their individual contributions into a seamless whole. It represents a kind of musical liberation—allowing performers to push their creative limits, explore new sounds, and interact in ways that are unique to the moment. 

Recognising this, Naidu’s love for the genre grew. She ultimately made the decision to study jazz instead of film music. “It gives you the freedom to express yourself and I can simply combine all of my expressions that come from different genres, like classical music, and even Metallica, which I used to listen to a lot,” she says. “I just combine all of these influences and jazz offers a place for that.”

Jazz, she adds, offers the possibility to make music in the moment, depending on who you’re playing with and what you feel like. The songwriting process in jazz can be both highly structured and incredibly fluid, depending on the subgenre, the individual musician, and the specific project. Naidu’s approach falls on the fluid side, creatively adapting as ideas develop. “Sometimes I start with the music, then add the melody and lyrics. But recently, I’ve been writing the lyrics first and then thinking about the music to go with it,” she says.

Naidu says that usually, once she has an idea, she starts producing pretty early in the writing process—creating demo versions just for herself. She will often add instruments and even draft a music sheet early on. However, she admits it always changes during the process of actually making music.

Being a musician, performing live is one of Naidu’s regular pursuits. For her, live performances aren’t just about sharing music but also about connecting with the audience. “I love playing live. It’s different every time because the audience is different. The audience here in Nepal is very different from European or German ones. That makes musicians also play differently at different live performances,” says Naidu. 

“Live performances also depend on how I, as a performer, am feeling that day. Stages and the surrounding environment contribute to the difference too,” she adds. 

With the rise of AI in songwriting programs, it can be scary for the music industry. Speaking on the matter, Naidu says, “I feel like live music is the only sector AI cannot replicate. There’s no way for it to because it’s based on human interactions. The audience’s energy is the most important part of live performances. I personally love when the audience sings along, and I really enjoy interacting with them afterwards.”

As a female jazz musician, Naidu highlights the challenge that women like herself face in the industry. “Jazz is still a very male dominated genre. It feels like it’s 50 years behind compared to development in terms of equality in other music genres, and broadly, in the world,” she says. When studying jazz, the young singer and songwriter was exposed to jazz bands worldwide, many of which were male dominated. She says there is a lack of female role models for her to look up to as an emerging artist.

“I feel like I have to prove myself because I’m a female artist. In my band, there are both men and women and it’s comfortable for everyone. Even the men in the band say the environment feels pleasant,” she adds. 

Naidu aspires to be a role model for girls who want to pursue music. She says no one should write and play music to prove themselves, especially to other musicians. That is something she notices at a lot of music schools–students often want to show others what they are capable of. That, she says, isn’t the point of music. “Creating music should be about expressing your authentic self without any obligations whatsoever.” 

Naidu stresses the importance of staying authentic to yourself as an artist and not trying to impress everyone. “I feel like it’s obvious when someone is producing music to please others, and not writing what they actually want to. I wish for young artists to forget conforming to randomly set norms.”

Naidu recently performed at Jazzmandu, Nepal’s premier jazz event, celebrated annually since 2002. Over the years, the festival has featured a diverse lineup of international and Nepali artists, fostering cultural exchange and promoting jazz education. In 2024, Jazzmandu celebrated its 20th edition from Oct 24 to 30. “The event was amazing. We had so many fun projects, learnt new things, and had a lot of great interactions. It’s my first time in Nepal and I really really like it here,” she says.