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The Global Climate Change Conference, COP28, started on Nov 29 and concluded on Dec 12. With 84,000 registered attendees, this year’s COP proved successful in terms of participation. Throughout COP28, Nepal, chair of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), underscored the pressing need for dialogue concerning mountain and climate change issues. 

The Nepali Pavilion took an active role by hosting a minimum of five sideline events daily. The conference had an estimated 250 Nepali delegates, half of whom were youths, actively engaging in the conference. Pratik Ghimire of ApEx interviewed three such youths to gather insights into their COP28 experiences.

Pratima Khadgi

As a representative of UNDP Nepal, I played diverse roles during the initial phase of COP28. My active involvement in event management bolstered UNDP’s presence and ensured smooth operations. I fervently advocated for youth engagement in climate action at the international pavilion, enhancing Nepal’s global visibility.

Participating in various sessions provided me with an understanding of climate change from different perspectives. Discussions on climate financing complexities underscored its pivotal role in fostering sustainable initiatives. This experience significantly improved my understanding and reinforced my determination to tackle climate challenges.

I engaged wholeheartedly in COP28 discussions, leaving the event enriched with valuable insights and a renewed dedication to champion environmental causes.

Shreya KC

This being my fourth COP, I’m familiar with the decision-making processes and the roles of civil society, youth, and most affected countries. Yet, sitting in the closing plenary, I can’t ignore the doubts about the legitimacy of processes that allow a few countries to overpower many voices, consistently sidelining the most vulnerable. This space repeatedly excludes them.

While I’m inspired by fellow passionate youth, this experience has taken a toll on my mental health and physical well-being. Leading youth engagement in the global stocktake process kept me occupied amid late-night discussions. I was stressed but hopeful for meaningful outcomes.

The final global stocktake result falls short, acknowledging urgency without a clear roadmap. Notably, fossil fuel lobbyists increased significantly, but I found inspiration in Small Island Developing States (SIDs) pushing for more ambitious outcomes.

Prakriti Koirala

This marks my third COP attendance, where I’ve consistently participated as a negotiator under the ‘Party’ badge. In previous COPs, my primary focus was on engaging in loss and damage (L&D) negotiations. But, this time, at the request of the LDCs chair, I took on the responsibility of organizing events in the LDC pavilion. While my previous experiences largely centered on the negotiation process, this new engagement in event organization provided me with a unique and enriching learning experience. 

I had the opportunity to participate as a speaker and panelist in various events as well.

Although there’s room for improvement, I’m pleased with the progress made on our major agendas this year, particularly the establishment of the L&D fund and addressing mountainous agendas.

I’m also thrilled about the increased youth involvement. Their active participation in protests, negotiations, and other events is a promising indication that the younger generation is taking climate change seriously. Additionally, I’ve established valuable networks during this COP, fostering connections that could lead to fruitful collaborations in the future.

About 4,700 kilometers from a war-ravaged Gaza Strip and thousands of kilometers from other war zones around the world, Shyalpa Tenzin Rinpoche, the author of the book titled Living Fully: Finding Joy in Every Breath and president of the Universal Peace Sanctuary, laid the foundation for a universal peace sanctuary to be developed at Lumbini on a beautiful Saturday afternoon (Dec 16) in the presence of a peace-loving crowd.

The crowd had gathered at the birthplace and the sacred land of meditation for Shakyamuni Buddha and several of his previous incarnations for the occasion themed ‘Make peace more fashionable than war’ from far and wide. Droves of people, including dignitaries, laid stones for the construction of the sanctuary dedicated to Mayadevi, the mother of the Buddha and wife of King Shuddodhan.

The sanctuary symbolizes the supreme sacrifice of Mayadevi, who, as prophesied, died after giving birth to Prince Siddartha, who went on to become the Buddha by ultimately renouncing the worldly trappings associated with a prince, and all mothers for giving birth and nurturing life.

Good Bad Girl

Alice Feeney

Thriller | Mystery

Twenty years after a baby is stolen from a stroller, a woman is murdered in a care home. The two crimes are somehow linked, and a good bad girl may be the key to discovering the truth. Edith may have been tricked into a nursing home, but at 80, she’s planning her escape. Patience works there, cleaning messes and bonding with Edith, a kindred spirit. But Patience is lying to Edith about almost everything. Edith’s daughter, Clio, won’t speak to her. And someone new is about to knock on Clio’s door and their intentions aren’t good. With every reason to distrust each other, the women must solve a mystery with three suspects, two murders, and one victim. If they do, they might just find out what happened to the baby who disappeared, the mother who lost her, and the connections that bind them.

Welcome To Paradise

Twinkle Khanna

Short Stories

These are rich narratives that explore the depth of loneliness, heartbreak, and deception. Huma’s divided family – Team Cemetery and Team Crematorium – clash hilariously over matters involving pigs and penises as they decide what to do with Amma’s body. Madhura Desai writes an email to the chief justice of India, urging him to choose a ‘nice cut-off age’ to die, sending shockwaves across the nation. Along the shores of Satpati, Nusrat grapples with the loss of her son, and her voice. Amita tells her husband about her breast implants but not about Bua, Bangalore, and beautiful men. Perfectly observed, shot through with light and shadow and wry humor, Welcome to Paradise confirms Khanna’s reputation as one of India’s most masterful storytellers.

Independence

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Historical Fiction 

Priya: intelligent and idealistic, resolved to follow in her father's footsteps and become a doctor, though society frowns on it. Deepa: the beauty, determined to make a marriage that will bring her family joy and status. Jamini: devout, sharp-eyed, and a talented quiltmaker, with deeper passions than she reveals. Theirs is a home of love and safety, a refuge from the violent events taking shape in the nation. Then their father is killed during a riot, and even their neighbors turn against them, bringing the events of their country closer to home. When the partition of India is officially decided, a drastic—and dangerous—change is in the air. India is now for Hindus, and Pakistan for Muslims. The sisters find themselves separated from one another, each on different paths. They fear for what will happen to not just themselves, but each other.

Thick pants, jackets, and boots might be winter staples but that doesn’t mean your winter style has to be boring. You don’t have to compromise on fashion for warmth and comfort. Invest in some key pieces and learn how to put together some good outfits so that you look sensible and stylish at the same time. We bring to you some ideas to get you started. These are just some tips and suggestions and not rules. The key to looking good is feeling good in what you wear.

Start with thermal basics

It’s getting colder by the day and the trick to staying warm is wearing good quality thermals underneath your clothes. No one looks good when they are cold and shivering, no matter how nice their clothes are. This tip might sound basic but it’s easy to overlook. Buy a pair of thermal or wool tights that you can wear under your jeans and a nice cotton camisole to wear under your top (this will give you a layer of warmth without the bulkiness) and you’ve got the basics of winter style sorted. If you opt for a thin thermal layer underneath your outfit, you can get away with wearing what you usually would without worrying about being cold. 

Invest in some important pieces

A long coat, a warm jacket, and a couple of sweaters in neutral colors like brown, beige, or white and you have laid the foundation of winter dressing. A trench coat is one of the most iconic and timeless pieces of clothing. You can wear it as a dress, with high boots. Or pair it with tapered denim or even bell bottoms. It’s also good to have at least one denim jacket and a puffer jacket in your winter wardrobe arsenal. Denim jackets work well with woolen cardigans as well as lighter inner layers. Puffer jackets are perfect for freezing winter when you don’t want the cold to get you. Plus, it looks stylish and works well with all kinds of clothes. 

Layer your clothes

Layering can make you look put together while giving you the option to put on or take off clothes according to how cold or hot you feel. But it doesn’t just serve a purpose, it can make quite a statement too. You need a base layer, a middle layer, and an outer layer. What’s important is to plan your look from the base to the outmost layer so that each layer works on its own too. Find some lightweight options to use this technique with during winter. A cotton shirt with a cropped sweater on top and a long coat to finish with can make for a great look. Purposeful layering allows you to play with a mixture of patterns or textures and curate different looks every single time. You can also play around with the length of your layers like wearing a shorter jacket over a longer top. 

Don’t forget footwear

It’s easy to overlook footwear and slide into that pair of comfortable boots or running shoes when you have to go out. But put in some effort to match footwear to your ensemble.

For an edgy look, go for some chunky heeled ankle boots and thick wool socks. Long boots work well with skin-tight jeans or skirts. Sometimes just switching your footwear can make a huge difference in your outfit. Some styles to include in your wardrobe for this season would be chunky soles and lace-ups. In terms of color, red and brown are also great choices instead of the regular black. Shoes need to be practical but there’s no harm in having at least one fun pair of boots in your wardrobe. 

Pick the right accessories

A great winter jacket or trench coat might be the foundation of your winter outfit but accessories are what complete your look. With the right accessories, you can express your personality and create a more polished look. Gloves, hats, scarves, and belts among others can elevate your look and take it to a whole new level. Buy your accessories in neutral colors so that they can be paired with most of the outfits. You can go for bright-colored scarves and hats to add a bit of cheer to your neutral ensemble. A scarf can be a beautiful accent piece. Think soft cashmere, chunky knit pieces, or neck wraps. Belts can do a lot more than just hold your pants in place. Accentuate your look by using a great belt to cinch your long coat at the waist.