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The world would be simpler if we were all alike. Yet we live in homes, societies, and a world enriched by diversity—defined by vibrant hues of brightness and strokes of darkness. Many are considered neurotypical, but what about those beyond the typical spectrum? I often find myself deeply empathizing with neurodiverse individuals. Through my work with them, I’ve come to believe the true wonders of life lie in our varied abilities—to see, hear, smell, touch, taste, appreciate movement and balance, and understand the world with unique clarity.

Many neurodiverse individuals are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by challenges in communication, social interaction, and repetitive behaviors. ASD manifests differently across the spectrum, and its greatest challenge often lies in mutual understanding. This is why we must pause... think... understand... and connect—especially with those who need help but may not know how to ask for it. Research shows early intervention and proper support can significantly improve outcomes, but it’s never too late to begin.

Diagnosis and acceptance are crucial. ASD is a lifelong journey, one where burnout is common. Progress is most visible in individuals whose families stand together, persevering with quiet courage. True courage isn’t always a lion’s roar; sometimes, it’s the patient, persistent work of ants. Sadly, the world can be harsh, and hypocrisy runs deep—many claim to support ASD yet fail to deliver meaningful results. While numerous centers offer therapies, their effectiveness varies widely, and costs often place them out of reach for families. Affording therapy shouldn’t depend on luck. Closed-door sessions should be discouraged; I strongly advocate for inclusive therapies where parents are active participants. One-hour sessions alone are never enough.

Effective ASD management requires a multidisciplinary approach. Evidence confirms that early intervention—ideally before age three—yields the best outcomes. Therapies like occupational therapy, behavioral interventions, special education, and developmental programs are used worldwide. Regardless of the approach, the core goal remains the same: to connect with the child. We must build trust, respect their fears, and start where they are—not where we want them to be. With time, the right environment, and guidance, we can help them grow toward independence in daily life. The world is limitless, and so are their possibilities—we must help them believe that. Structured routines (which provide reminders) often work better than rigid rules (which impose consequences), reducing behavioral challenges as the child learns how to navigate their world.

Awareness must start at the grassroots level. Parents, families, and communities need education about ASD’s signs, diagnosis, and management. We must advocate for equal opportunities in education, employment, and public spaces to foster true inclusion. Inclusion isn’t just tolerance—it’s about reshaping social norms to welcome neurodiversity. It requires systemic changes in teaching methods, attitudes, and policies. It’s ironic that neurodiverse individuals are often told how to behave, while neurotypical people rarely learn how to support them. Parents and educators must teach compassion and acceptance. Students who understand diversity need less guidance; it’s those with special needs who deserve our patience and time. Being nonverbal doesn’t mean having nothing to say—it means we must listen more deeply.

ASD isn’t a disability; it’s a different ability. We must focus on strengths, not limitations. Judging a fish by its ability to climb a tree helps no one. In a world of constant demands, staying composed is hard—yet families who persist through challenges become beacons of resilience. Their determination reflects the power of the human spirit. While some parents face obstacles head-on, others struggle under social stigma, self-doubt, or fear of the future. We must support ASD children with clarity, acknowledge their struggles, and celebrate their efforts. Let the world resonate with hope. As we navigate this journey, remember: our strength lies in understanding, collaboration, and growth.

The culture of Mithila is deeply rooted in its sacred rivers. Ancient Mithila is blessed with many silvery rivers, including the Kaushiki (Koshi), Kamala, Dugdhamati, Yamuni, Jibachha, Geruka, Jhim, Bagmati, and Lakshmana (Lakhandei).

Kaushiki or Koshi

A legend in the Valmiki Ramayana tells the story of King Kush, whose son Vishwamitra was a revered sage. Vishwamitra’s daughter, Kaushiki, was deeply devout and married the sage Richik. They had three sons.

Once, King Ambrish performed an Ashwamedha Yagna, but Indra, the king of gods, stole the sacrificial horse. Distressed, the king and sages searched for a human substitute to complete the ritual. Despite offering great wealth, no one came forward. Finally, King Ambrish begged Richik to sacrifice one of his sons. Reluctantly, Richik offered his middle son, Sunahsen.

Kaushiki, overcome with grief, wept ceaselessly until her body dissolved into a river—the Kaushiki. Sunahsen was later saved by Vishwamitra’s grace. Kaushiki became a beloved companion of Janaki (Sita) and now flows as the Koshi, nourishing Mithila with its waters.

Kamala 

Kamala was the daughter of a Brahmin who lived on the Mandarachal Mountain. She came to perform penance in a beautiful cave of the Himalayas, continuing her meditation for a thousand years. At last, a radiant glow burst forth from her mouth. The king of the mountain approached her and asked who she was. Pleased with her devotion, he said, "I am very much pleased with you. Ask for whatever you desire; I will fulfill all your wishes."

Hearing this, Kamala prayed, "If you are truly pleased with my penance, grant that I be as sacred as the Ganges." Himban, the king of the mountain, blessed her, saying, "You are as dear to me as the Ganges herself. All her sacred qualities will reside in you." Kamala was deeply satisfied with this grace.

Thus, the Kamala River became an intimate and playful Sakhi (companion) of Sita. Rivers such as Shree Triyuga, Narayani, Lakshmana, Adhobara, Vanbhosha, Mandana, Yamuni, Ghumra, and Virja are also considered Sita’s companions. They are said to have visited Sita at night to play with her.

The background of the puja is provided by the Kamala Ka Geet (Song of Kamala), which narrates her brave and divine deeds, accompanied by the Dholaka, Mridanga, and Jhala. The song is soothing to the ears, and the performance as a whole is exhilarating. Similarly, the Koshi Puja is celebrated with the Koshi Ka Geet in the same style in parts of Tirhut.

Dugdhamati 

In no other part of the world is there mention of a river of milk, but Mithila, a land rich in mythology and legend, is home to such a river—Dugdhamati. The literal meaning of Dugdhamati is "river of milk." When Janaki, the daughter of King Janak, was born, she began to cry. The earth, regarded as her mother since she emerged from its womb, manifested itself in the form of Kamdhenu—the divine cow—and nursed her with its milk. Thus Janaki was nurtured. It is said that the Dugdhamati River was born from the overflow of milk from Kamdhenu’s countless udders. Even today, its waters are milky, sweet, and tasteful. Many saints and sages meditated on its sacred banks, chanting the name of Lord Rama. Among them were King Sutichhan, Rambaba, Premdas, and Vimala Sharan—renowned saints of their time.

Even today, despite disturbances from thieves and robbers, many saints continue to chant and meditate along the banks of this sacred river. Dugdhamati remains a renowned center of religious and spiritual devotion.

Yamuni

The Yamuni River flows about five miles from Janakpur. It should not be confused with the famous Yamuna of Gokul and Vrindavan, associated with Lord Krishna and the Gopinis. This Yamuni is distinct but equally revered. Today, sisters worship their brothers on its banks during Bhai Tika (the second day of Kartik’s bright fortnight), a day of familial devotion. Traditionally, families also share meals here on this auspicious occasion.

Jibachha 

Located near Kanchanvan (the golden forest), the Jibachha River is believed to bless those who bathe in it with the boon of sons and daughters and a life of happiness and longevity.

Geruka 

The Geruka River flows about four miles west of Janakpur. It is considered as meritorious and spiritually fruitful as Rajgriha in Bihar, where pilgrims seek salvation. Geruka is a famous pilgrimage site in Mithila, and a grand fair is held here during Malmas (an extra month in the Hindu lunar calendar, considered auspicious for religious observances).

In a rapidly developing Nepal, where skyscrapers rise and digital trends dominate, a quiet but powerful movement is underway—led by the youth. From ancient jatras to fading rituals, young Nepalis are reconnecting with their roots, using creativity, curiosity, and technology to preserve and promote their cultural heritage in meaningful ways. ApEx spoke to three people to understand their thought process behind this.

Bidhan Shrestha, 20

As a Newar, I feel deeply connected to my culture and jatras. Growing up in a Newa community, I’ve always participated in rituals, dances, and festivals. Our cultural heritage is not just our identity but also a key driver of tourism, which contributes significantly to Nepal’s economy. In today’s modern world, social media has helped spread awareness of our traditions. Photographers, vloggers, and youth are using these platforms to promote culture and some are even earning from it. Participation among young people is increasing, not because they’re forced, but because they’re genuinely curious and proud of their roots. With technology, learning from our elders, and celebrating our culture, we can carry our legacy forward with pride.

Krish Shakya, 22

Growing up with festivals like Indra Jatra and traditional Newari customs has made me feel connected to my roots. Sadly, I don’t think enough is being done to preserve our architecture, customs, and festivals. Modernization is slowly erasing what makes us unique. However, I believe young people still care. We just need new ways to engage. We should adapt certain practices to modern times while preserving their essence. Youth can play a vital role by learning, sharing, and actively promoting our heritage in creative, digital ways.

Bina Poudel, 24

Nepal’s cultural heritage means a lot to me. It keeps me connected to home and gives me a strong sense of identity. I don’t see the efforts being done to preserve them. As youths, we have the power to protect and promote our heritage through awareness and digital platforms. While some young people still value cultural practices, many are drifting away. I believe we should preserve the essence of our traditions but adapt the way we celebrate them to fit the modern world and keep them alive for future generations. 

The cardinal rule of style is that your clothes must fit you well. A bad fit makes you look sloppy whereas a good fit makes you look appealing. It’s a small thing but the impact is huge. However, just wearing good clothes doesn’t ensure your look is complete. Even designer clothes can actually fall flat and look average if you don’t style it well. Here are some style rules that you must follow to look your best in every outfit.

Pair your outfit with the right shoes

Shoes can often make or break your outfit. Shoes should be practical and comfortable. But they should also match with your clothes, in terms of style and color. Ideally, you should have at least a pair of black heels, ankle length boots in a neutral shade, some ballerina flats, a nice pair of sneakers, and some great open toe sandals in your wardrobe. Dark shoes will kill an outfit if there is nothing dark in the ensemble to balance out its harshness. So pair dark clothes with dark shoes and lighter clothes with lighter shoes. Also, dresses and suits look good with heels while casual clothes work well with kitten heels, flats, or sandals. Shoes with pointy toes give an illusion of length to your legs and look better than those with rounded or flat toes.

Play with jewelry

Most of us wear the same rings or ear studs with every outfit. It seems like such a hassle to keep changing out of our regular ones to match with our clothes. But you are doing yourself a great disservice by not experimenting with jewelry. Dress up your outfit with pretty necklaces, earrings, bracelets, or rings. However, don’t go overboard with it and use many pieces together. Rather, choose to make one or two the highlight of your outfit. There are many brands these days that sell affordable jewelry, both real and imitation. Invest in pieces that make you feel comfortable and you feel good wearing and switch them up. We recommend Maya Handicraft Jewelry for some good quality silver pieces that are timeless and you can wear with pretty much anything. Palmonas, the Indian brand of demi-fine jewelry, owned by the Bollywood actor Shraddha Kapoor, also has some great designs.

Beautiful bags to elevate your look

Are you guilty of carrying the same bag day in and day out and only switching it up when it starts to fall apart or when the season changes and you feel like you need a bag that goes with it? Bags are great statement pieces and can really elevate your look if styled right. Most of us tend to buy black bags thinking it will go with everything but the overall effect tends to be a bit drag. Slouchy bags look good with casual wear while structured ones that hold form are great for office and a more formal look. If you can, don’t carry large bags with dresses and suits and they tend to take the impact away from your clothes. Choose simpler, smaller ones instead. Clutches or crossbody bags also go really well with dresses. There are many styles of bags available—from larger totes and hobos to smaller side bags and crossbodies—that you don’t have to stick to a particular one for all your outfits.

Experiment with your style

Most of us have a particular style of dressing depending on our preferences and we rarely, if ever, switch things up. But unless you experiment with your clothes and dressing sense you will not know what looks good on you and how you can change how you look and feel simply by changing the way you dress. You don’t have to make sudden or drastic changes. Start by making small alterations in the way you dress. If you aren’t a big fan of accessories, try adding a piece or two every now and then. A scarf, hat, or even a funky piece of jewelry that you wouldn’t otherwise wear can change your style. Look for fashion inspiration, online and around you. Try making a mood board of different styles. Once you feel confident with small changes, you can make bigger ones with fabrics, textures, and designs.