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Nirmala Sharma has been elected as the President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ). Securing 4,282 votes, she became the first woman to lead the media organization. This has revamped the organizations’ profile as well as sparked hope among journalists that the FNJ will work for a prosperous media landscape in Nepal. ApEx talked to three young journalists from different media houses about their concerns and expectations.

Sanskriti Pokharel, 20, The Kathmandu Post

I believe in press freedom and I expect FNJ to focus on engaging with local journalists and communities to address the specific challenges they face in remote and conflict-affected areas. FNJ should also provide safety training to journalists as that can ensure fearless reporting. FNJ could establish mentorship programs pairing experienced journalists with young journalists to foster knowledge sharing. As someone young navigating this field, I also see immense value in FNJ leveraging partnerships with media houses and academic institutions to provide scholarships, internships, and global exposure. I feel that a diverse media landscape leads to richer, more inclusive storytelling. Acknowledging and highlighting the contributions of journalists from diverse backgrounds and age can inspire others and shift perceptions about who can succeed in the field.

Sara Pahari, 22, myRepublica

FNJ should prioritize creating a secure environment for journalists, especially for those reporting from conflict zones or covering sensitive issues. This includes advocating for stronger laws to protect press freedom, journalists’ rights and providing legal support for journalists facing threats. It’s also important to establish crisis response mechanisms to address immediate risks. It can also partner with media houses and international organizations to offer scholarships or fellowships for advanced learning. This would make a difference in enhancing skills and career growth. FNJ needs to be proactive in guiding journalists on adapting to new technologies while addressing issues like misinformation, plagiarism, and ethical dilemmas in digital reporting. I’d love to see FNJ push for more inclusive policies within media organizations, ensuring fair representation of women, young journalists, and those from marginalized communities. Promoting leadership opportunities and recognizing diverse voices can create a more equitable and innovative media sector.

Tenging Dolma Tamang, 24, MakaluKhabar

In Nepal, although there is press freedom, journalists are frequently threatened and assaulted. Many journalists feel unsafe because of the news they report. In most cases involving the safety of journalists, the FNJ seems to merely draw the attention of the concerned individuals or authorities. When no action is taken against those responsible, attacks on journalists continue. So, the FNJ must go beyond just drawing attention and take decisive action to uphold press freedom and protect journalists. I believe there is a lot of nepotism and favoritism, and journalism is often misused. FNJ must look into this and encourage and reward those who genuinely practice good journalism, rather than favoring those aligned with political ideologies. The FNJ should introduce programs aimed at building the capacity of these groups. They should reward journalists who highlight issues concerning youth, women, and marginalized communities.

What defines a human being? Why do we keep building walls when we can build bridges? Zanele Muholi, a South African activist who uses her art to highlight the beauty of black LGBTIQA+ women, once said that “If I wait for someone else to validate my existence, it will mean that I’m shortchanging myself.”

In Nepal, intersex and gender-diverse individuals often experience humiliating names across regions. In the mountains, they are called Fulu fulu, Singaru in the Western hills, and Maugiya or Kothi in the Tarai region. Additionally, terms like Hijada and Chakka seem to be more common, which is beyond inappropriate and hurtful. Why label someone when you can simply honor them as humans? 

From ancient scriptures to modern movements, the acceptance of gender and sexual diversity have deep roots.

LGBTIQA+ in Hindu mythology

Hindu mythology has recognized gender diversity and same-sex love for centuries. For example, Shikhandi, an important character in the Mahabharata, was born a woman but became a man to fulfill a divine purpose and played a key role in the Kurukshetra war. Next, the concept of Ardhanarishvara, a composite form of Shiva and Parvati, symbolizes the unity of masculine and feminine energies, challenging societal gender norms. Similarly, Lord Vishnu’s transformation into Mohini highlights the idea of gender fluidity, including a union with Shiva that birthed Lord Ayyappa. The cultural celebration of such themes is evident in the Koovagam festival in Tamil Nadu, which honors Aravan and is actively embraced by transgender communities.

Greek mythology

One of the tragic love stories of Apollo and Hyacinthus represent prominent figures of same-sex marriage.The god of music and the sun, Apollo is considered the patron of same-sex love. He had many male lovers and was invited to bless homosexual unions. Hyacinthus, the lover of Apollo, was a Spartan youth. Moreover, Plato’s Symposium, a timeless philosophical work resonates deeply with the LGBTIQA+ community and embraces the idea of love and connection beyond gender. The subject of homoeroticism has been discussed where Plato’s characters accept the norms of that time surrounding homosexual love.

Chinese mythology

In Chinese mythology, the Taoist principle of Yin and Yang emphasizes balance and harmony, transcending rigid binaries of gender and sexuality. Taoist practice resolves the “homosexuality & religion” conflict. Taoism teaches: Not every question should have an answer. Moreover, in classical Chinese opera, such as Peking opera, the practice of cross-dressing, where male actors play female roles, is prevalent and can be interpreted as a form of representation for LGBTIQA+ themes. This art instantly promotes Chinese society to legalize same sex marriages.

American mythology

Rainbow Flag, created by Gilbert Baker in 1978, has become a powerful symbol of LGBTIQA+ pride and engulfed into American mythology. Many native American cultures, including the Navajo, Lakota, and Zuni (Native American tribes), have recognized the existence of Two-Spirit individuals, believed to embody both masculine and feminine qualities. Also, although Mulan is a Chinese legend, in the context of American mythology and queer narrative, her story has been reinterpreted as a tale of gender nonconformity and identity fluidity.

African mythology

Esu as a god of communication and trickery in Yoruba mythology, is a figure who often defies gender norms. Esu embodies fluidity, as he can be portrayed in male or female form, challenging traditional understandings of identity and power. He appears in many African American folktales and has been reinterpreted by modern queer theorists to celebrate non-binary identities.

Across cultures, the acceptance of sexual diversity is not new. So, instead of dividing ourselves, why not we become humans and share humanity? After all, don’t we share the same red blood?

Christmas and New Year is one of those times when everyone wants to cozy up and spend time with family and friends. A nice little celebration is just what everyone needs for a fresh new start. But does the thought of hosting people leave you feeling overwhelmed? Have you recently found yourself putting off inviting people because you know it involves a lot of cooking, cleaning and everything in between? 

But house parties are so much fun. It also gives you a great chance to bond and foster intimacy, and you’d be missing out if you didn’t have people over whenever you can. But how can you host a party without wrapping your nicest of carpets in bedsheets (which, we at ApEx believe, is the most tacky thing you can do while hosting and otherwise) and using disposables that are hard to hold let alone drink or eat from? Don’t fret. We have some ingenious solutions.

Hire a cook or a food service

The food has to be good. Your reputation as a host depends on the meal spread. But cooking takes time and effort and you might not want to be in the kitchen, reheating and plating food, when your guests arrive. People tend to order from restaurants but that can be impersonal and expensive too. Hiring a cook to come in for a day and prepare food is one of the most cost effective and easy ways to host a party. It ensures a freshly cooked meal that you can tailor according to your needs and preferences. You can easily hire cooks and help from various catering services. There are many freelance cooks who work on a daily or contract basis as well. The other option if you don’t want to have a busy kitchen is to order from the many homemade food services available these days. Kabita’s Kitchen on Facebook is one of the most efficient services. They cater for small parties and prepare whatever you ask them to, however you ask them to. They even ask you which oil you would prefer for your food and whether you would like it to be cooked in ghee. The price is also reasonable and their food is delicious.

Focus on activities and finger foods

Not all parties require a full-fledged meal like lunch or dinner. You can become pretty full on snacks and finger foods if you plan them right. List some easy recipes that you can make in the air-fryer, oven or microwave that don’t need to be reheated. You can also opt for a cheese or cold-cut platter or an elaborate fruit spread. Whip up different kinds of dips and sauces and serve them with chips, nachos, and other dry snacks. Consider having a picnic in the warm winter sun. This way, you can have an outdoor party that entails less cleaning time. A really fun way to do that would be to play card games or board games. If you are feeling up for it, setting up a barbecue grill in a corner will ensure you have hot food flowing throughout it all. And all the preparation you need is marinating some meat and vegetables beforehand. A game night or a movie night could also be a great way to plan something fun without it requiring a lot of preparation.

Ask for help

The thing with help is that if you ask for it, you often get it. So if you are planning a party and feel anxious about how you are going to manage, don’t hesitate to ask a friend or a cousin for help. You can prepare meals and your home for guests over a glass of wine and while catching up. Chances are that the one you ask for help will feel good about it and you can always return the favor. It will make planning and preparing a lot of fun too. You can also do a potluck style hosting, asking each guest to bring a dish to share. You can assign snacks, main course, and desserts accordingly to avoid repetition. It’s a great way to enjoy different kinds of food and cooking styles as well. The same goes for cleaning up after the party. Get a friend to help with putting away the dishes in the kitchen and tidying up the house, with promises to return the favor when s/he needs it.

Conscious cleaning

Most of us try to clean our homes top to bottom while hosting people. We want to make an impression and also ensure that our guests are comfortable. But what we at ApEx have noticed over the years is people don’t usually notice deep cleaning. They will notice if surfaces look shiny and if things smell off. So, dust the tabletop and counters, clean the bathroom putting out fresh towels, and make sure you sanitize your space to make it smell nice. Baby oil can be used to bring instant shine to wooden surfaces. Just don’t use too much, else it can attract dust even more. Put a drop or two on a soft cloth and buff the tables and consoles. The rest you can do once the guests are gone and you feel like your space needs a good after-party cleaning. Sprinkling baking soda on couches and carpets, letting it settle for a while, and then vacuuming them will get rid of pesky food odors and stains. Vinegar, followed by blotting paper, can be used to get rid of stains, including red wine and oil spills.

Nepal’s ongoing political instability is taking a toll on the country’s youth, leaving them frustrated with the current system. The political infighting, poor governance, and unfulfilled promises are driving up inflation, reducing job opportunities, and pushing young people to leave the country. ApEx talked to three youngsters about emphasizing the need for wise leadership, better youth representation, and the role of social media in Nepal’s politics to address these urgent issues.

Pratik Thapa, 16

I haven’t seen any positive impact of the current political parties in Nepal. The public must choose their leaders wisely. The political instability in Nepal has a direct impact on the youths as it creates an unstable system, driving up inflation. Frequent government changes leave development plans in a limbo. Sometimes it seems we are moving in circles. Social media clouds people’s judgement and even brainwashes them sometimes so I don’t think it has a positive role to play in politics. 

Krishal Maharjan, 17

Nepal’s youth are grappling with some of the nation’s most pressing issues like unemployment and corruption—challenges that are increasingly stalling progress. There is also the negative impact of social media on Nepal’s political landscape, where misinformation and addiction to platforms have distorted public perception, further deepening political divides. Political leaders must pay attention to the problems to solve it and pave a better path for youngsters. 

Nina Malla Thakuri, 26

Nepal’s political parties have largely failed to address youth issues like unemployment and education. Promises are made but they are  limited to words and poor implementation. Lack of youth representation in politics might be one of the reasons for this. Political instability leads to uncertainty, fewer jobs, and forces many to leave the country as well. A stable government with clear plans could fix this. I believe Nepal’s main political problems are corruption and poor governance. To solve them, we need honest leaders who put the nation’s and public’s interest before their own. 

Asmita Dahal, 32

I don’t think any of the current political parties in Nepal are capable of addressing the needs of the youth. The youth are grappling with unemployment, with no opportunities for livelihood in the country. For quality education and healthcare, many have been forced to go abroad. Due to unstable politics, around eight million youths have left the country. I think public anger towards political parties has also intensified because of the random messages and information circulating on social media platforms.