Reading is becoming a luxury we can’t afford
There was a time when reading was simply a hobby to me. I believed it was something people who loved stories did on rainy afternoons or quiet weekends. It solely belonged to those who preferred libraries over shopping malls and sweet handwritten notes over text messages. Never had I imagined that one day I would look at a person peacefully reading a book and think, what a privilege that must be. After experiencing a book slump for a few years, I recently found my way back to reading almost by accident and I haven’t been this happy before.
Yet the rediscovery came with an unsettling realization. Reading had not become difficult because books had lost their magic. It had become difficult because the world around us had completely changed. Today, uninterrupted time, sustained attention, and mental stillness have become luxuries we can rarely afford. In today’s world, reading can no longer be taken as a competition with television or other books but with an entire digitally built economy built to monetize every spare second of our attention. The greatest irony of our time must be this: never have we had easier access to books, and never has it felt harder to truly read them. A few years ago, acquiring a book usually meant either visiting a bookstore or borrowing one from the public library. However, today, thousands of classics and contemporary works are widely available within a single click. With the increasing number of digital libraries, e-books, and audiobooks, literature has become more accessible than ever. Information has become abundant.
Attention, however, has become scarce. We are living in an age where every application competes just for our gaze. Every notification demands urgency. Every scroll reveals something newer, better and appealing than the last. We have been consuming hundreds of headlines without even attempting to read the articles beneath them. We skim opinions without examining arguments. We often end up mistaking familiarity with understanding because we have seen a topic repeatedly on our screens.
On the contrary, reading asks us to do something radically different. It demands patience in an impatient world. It asks us to sit with uncertainty, makes us uncomfortable and forces us to follow complex ideas, to imagine lives different from our own, and to resist the temptation of instant gratification. In hundreds of ways, reading has become an act of quiet rebellion. Because this is not merely about literature. It is about the kind of minds we are cultivating as individuals and as a society.
Someone who enjoys Fiction is often dismissed as an entertainment seeker, yet it quietly performs one of democracy’s most essential functions: it expands empathy. A novel allows us to feel the fears of a refugee, experience the loneliness of an elderly widow, the ambition of a young woman challenging social expectations, or the moral conflict of someone whose circumstances differ entirely from ours. Statistics can tell us how many people suffer while reading helps us understand what suffering feels like. We live in an increasingly polarized world where empathy should no more be considered a sentimental virtue but a civic necessity.
Unfortunately, our educational systems fail to nurture such understanding among young students. Too often, reading becomes associated with examinations rather than exploration. Our universities often compel students to memorize summaries instead of engaging with complete texts. Books have become instruments for grades rather than companions for life. Once examinations come to an end, many stop reading altogether because they have never experienced the practice of reading as pleasure or discovery.
The problem however extends beyond schools. Adults are found trapped in a culture that glorifies constant productivity and constant gratification. We proudly announce how busy we are. We measure success by the number of hours worked rather than the quality of our thinking. Leisure increasingly requires justification. Reading for enjoyment is dismissed as laziness by so many only because it does not produce any economic value. Instead of debating thoughtfully, we respond instantly. Outrage is rewarded more than nuance by algorithms because outrage keeps the viewers engaged. Books reward the opposite. They teach us to take a pause before concluding. They allow us to examine multiple perspectives, and to appreciate complexity.
On any ordinary day, we wake up to notifications buzzing on our mobile phones. We commute to work through traffic while checking emails. We work under constant interruptions and a never-ending cycle of pressures. And during short breaks, we scroll through social media because our attention has already been trained to seek quick rewards. When a book finally finds its way into our hands in the evening, our mind becomes too exhausted to follow even a few pages without drifting elsewhere. This is not a failure of willpower alone. It is the result of living in an economy that profits from distraction. Here technology itself should never be seen as the sole enemy.
The fact is that digital platforms have introduced millions of people to literature and art, enabled independent authors to reach readers through various online platforms, and made countless books available at a minimum or no cost. The issue is not that we use technology; it is that many digital platforms are intentionally designed to maximize engagement rather than understanding.
Countries in the world map that consistently perform well in education and development are rarely seen treating reading as an afterthought. Libraries are woven into community life. Little children grow up seeing adults read. Schools never fail to prioritize discussion over memorization. Authors are celebrated not only as entertainers but as contributors to public thought. Reading is embedded deeply into the rhythm of everyday life. In the context of Nepal, we have definitely made significant progress in improving literacy rates over the decades. More children attend school today than ever before and the retention rates are improving. Universities have expanded, and access to education has improved considerably. While these are achievements worth celebrating, literacy should not be confused with a reading culture. Being able to read and choosing to read are fundamentally different.
Families also have a significant role to play since children imitate what they observe more than what they are instructed to do. A child raised in a home where books occupy shelves grow into more grounded and empathetic adults. A culture that values thoughtful learning ultimately benefits workplaces by producing employees capable of sustained concentration and creative problem-solving. Perhaps the greatest misconception about reading has to be that it is an escape from reality. Because when reading becomes a luxury, thoughtful citizenship becomes one too. And no society can afford that price.
Right to be forgotten in the digital era
In this digital world most of people’s data and information are being shared, stored, posted, downloaded, forwarded and published on digital spaces that has raised a big concern of privacy and dignity. New forms of Human Rights are emerging every time. One of them is Right to be Forgotten (RTBF). The Right to be Forgotten refers to an individual's right to request the removal, deletion, or de-indexing of personal information from online platforms, search engines, or digital databases when the information is no longer necessary, is inaccurate, outdated, unlawfully processed, or disproportionately infringes upon the person's privacy and reputation. This right is associated with internet privacy. RTBF is derived from the broader category of the right to privacy.
This right has gained limelight after the case of Google Spain SL, Google Inc v Agencia Española de Protección de Datos, Mario Costeja González (2014), in which the CJEU held for the first time that EU citizens have a right to be forgotten. Costeja objected to the data that was being processed and displayed by the tech giant Google when his name was entered on their search engine on the ground that it is irrelevant in contemporary times and is harming his reputation in the society. The CJEU held that search engine operators must remove links to webpages displayed following the search of an individual’s name that are inadequate, irrelevant, or no longer relevant, or excessive in relation to the purposes of the processing, thereby ruling in favor of recognizing a right to be forgotten. Another instance is on May 29, the Delhi High Court ruled in a batch of over 30 consolidated petitions, led by Laksh Vir Singh Yadav v Union of India. The core issue was whether informational privacy could justify the de-indexing or masking of judicial records in a system committed to open justice. The court held that the right to be forgotten flows from Article 21’s guarantees of dignity and informational privacy.
For the first time, RTBF is codified and to be found in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in addition to the right to erasure. The GDPR provides statutory recognition to the right to be forgotten in the form of the right to erasure under Article 17, Recitals 65 and 66. The individual or “data subject”, as is defined under Article 2 of the GDPR, is granted the right to ask the “controller” to erase the private data without undue delay. Many countries in Europe such as Germany, Sweden, France, Denmark, Norway, Luxembourg, Portugal, Austria, and Spain have developed notable legal provisions regarding the right to be forgotten in their domestic legislation.
Exploration of the scope of the right to be forgotten and its implications for internet search engine providers is critically important. In the digital age, personal information can remain accessible on the internet indefinitely through search engines, social media, news archives, and online databases. The right to be forgotten seeks to balance the individual’s rights to privacy, dignity, reputation, and data protection against competing interests such as freedom of expression, the public’s right to information, and the public interest. It does not provide an absolute right to erase all online information; rather, each request is assessed based on factors such as the nature of the information, its accuracy, the public interest, and the individual’s role in public life.
In the context of Nepal, the laws dealing about the protection of individual privacy such as the Privacy Act, 2075 (2018), Electronic Transactions Act 2063 (ETA) and The National Penal (Code) Act, 2074, does not incorporate the provision regarding the RTBF. Fundamental rights under the constitution of Nepal recognizes the legal basis of the right to be forgotten. Article 16 (1) provides that every person shall have the right to live with dignity. The right to be forgotten is an integral part of the right to life with dignity. To live a respectful and dignified life in this digital era erasing, deleting, or de-indexing personal information that are irrelevant, outdated, unlawfully processed, damaging individual reputation and career is one of the most fundamental aspects.
Further, article 17 (2) states that every citizen shall have freedom of opinion and expression and the right to information that at times negates RTBF, for example, when media coverage opposes an individual's dignity-that needs balancing between personal privacy and freedom of the press. Generally, both the CJEU and scholars agree that balance is needed between the right to be forgotten and the freedom of expression. What is undecided is how much weight one right should carry in relation to the other, and who should conduct the balancing.
Most important Article 28 of The Constitution of Nepal guarantees the right to privacy that states “the privacy of any person, his or her residence, property, document, data, correspondence and matters relating to his or her character shall, except in accordance with law, be inviolable.” This article does not expressly recognize the right to be forgotten. However, it provides a strong constitutional foundation from which such a right can be derived, particularly in the context of the digital age. For instance, the inclusion of “data” and “matters relating to his or her character” is particularly significant. A person is arrested and prosecuted for a criminal offence. newspapers and online news portals publish reports identifying the individual. Several years later, the person is acquitted by the court, but search engines continue to display the earlier news reports whenever the person’s name is searched. The continued online availability of those reports may damage the person’s reputation, employment opportunities, and social standing.
Based on Article 28, the individual could argue that the continued accessibility of outdated and prejudicial information infringes the privacy of matters relating to his or her character.
The new government which is in discussion of various legal amendments on existing laws must make explicit legal provisions regarding RTBF. Nepal needs to enact proper law for implementation of this right. Any future recognition of the Right to Be Forgotten in Nepal should not be absolute. It should be balanced against public interest, including freedom of expression, freedom of the press, the public’s right to information, and the principle of open justice. For example, information concerning public officials, corruption, serious crimes, or matters of significant public interest should ordinarily remain accessible unless exceptional circumstances justify otherwise.
A new chapter in Himalayan connectivity
The Himalayas, stretching across the heart of Asia, are not only a magnificent natural barrier but also an enduring bridge connecting the peoples of China and Nepal. For centuries, trade, religious exchanges, and people-to-people interactions have crossed these mountains, fostering mutual understanding and cultural ties between the two civilizations. Today, in the digital age, emerging technologies—including the Internet, big data, and artificial intelligence—are injecting fresh momentum into traditional tourism cooperation, enabling China and Nepal to move from simply meeting face to face to becoming digitally connected.
Nepal is home to some of the world’s most iconic tourist destinations, including Mount Everest, the Annapurna region, the sacred Buddhist site of Lumbini, and the Kathmandu Valley, renowned for its rich cultural heritage. China, meanwhile, is both one of the world’s largest sources of outbound tourists and a global leader in the digital economy. It has accumulated extensive experience in smart tourism, digital service platforms, multilingual public services, and mobile payment systems. By integrating digital technologies with the tourism industry, China and Nepal can develop a more convenient, efficient, environmentally friendly, and sustainable model of Himalayan tourism cooperation, opening a new chapter in bilateral exchanges.
Smart tourism platforms
Digital technologies are transforming the way travelers discover destinations, plan their journeys, and experience local cultures. In the past, visitors to Nepal relied primarily on traditional travel guidebooks and offline services. Today, digital platforms, online maps, intelligent tour guides, and AI-powered travel services have become the new gateways to tourism experiences.
China has developed extensive expertise in smart tourism. Through integrated tourism information platforms, online booking systems, digital destination management, and intelligent service terminals, travelers can conveniently access information on attractions, transportation, cultural heritage, and safety advisories. These experiences provide valuable insights for Nepal as it seeks to accelerate the digital transformation of its tourism sector.
For Nepal, developing smart tourism is not merely about adopting new technologies; more importantly, it is about strengthening tourism governance and service quality through digital innovation. For example, Nepal could establish multilingual tourism information platforms tailored to international visitors, integrating information on attractions, itinerary planning, accommodation, transportation, and other travel services into a single digital ecosystem. Big data analytics could be used to better understand visitor preferences and optimize tourism products, while digital technologies could also support the preservation of cultural heritage, ensuring that tourism development goes hand in hand with the protection of history and tradition.
Looking ahead, as China–Nepal digital cooperation continues to deepen, travelers will be able to explore the Himalayas and experience Nepal in increasingly intelligent and immersive ways. Digital technologies will allow visitors to appreciate the grandeur of snow-capped mountains and the richness of Nepal's cultural heritage even before they begin their journeys, creating a seamless connection between the virtual and physical travel experience.
Digital payment innovation
Tourism cooperation is not only about the movement of people but also about the connectivity of service systems. As digital payments become increasingly widespread, payment convenience has emerged as a key factor shaping international travelers’ experiences. In recent years, mobile payments have become deeply integrated into daily life in China. QR code payments and digital financial services are now widely used across transportation, dining, shopping, and tourism, significantly improving travel convenience. For Nepal, exploring cooperation in digital payments presents an opportunity to further optimize the tourism consumption environment and enhance the efficiency of tourism-related services.
Against the backdrop of expanding China–Nepal tourism exchanges, strengthening the interoperability of payment systems and promoting the digitalization of tourism consumption scenarios would reduce travelers’ reliance on cash, lower transaction costs, and improve the overall visitor experience. At the same time, the development of digital payment systems could help more of Nepal's small and medium-sized tourism businesses gain access to modern financial services, enabling local hotels, restaurants, handicraft vendors, and community-based tourism projects to benefit more fully from tourism growth. Digital finance is not merely a payment method—it is also a critical piece of infrastructure that facilitates people-to-people exchanges and supports sustainable economic development.
Deepening civilizational exchange
Nepal is home to an extraordinary wealth of cultural heritage, including historic architecture, religious traditions, and rich artistic legacies. Preserving these invaluable cultural assets while promoting tourism remains one of the country’s key development challenges. Digital technologies are opening new possibilities for cultural heritage conservation. Through 3D scanning, digital modeling, virtual exhibitions, and online dissemination, priceless cultural treasures can be transformed into digital assets, allowing people around the world to gain a deeper understanding of Nepal’s history and civilization.
In recent years, China has accumulated extensive experience in the digital preservation of cultural heritage, including the use of digital technologies to document historic buildings, establish online cultural exhibition platforms, and promote innovative ways of presenting traditional culture. These experiences can be combined with Nepal’s specific needs to jointly explore digital heritage conservation models suited to mountainous countries. For example, around important heritage sites such as Lumbini, the two countries could strengthen cooperation in digital exhibitions, smart visitor guidance, and international digital communication. Such efforts would enable visitors not only to “see the sites,” but also to develop a deeper appreciation of their historical significance and cultural value.
Green smart tourism
Nepal’s tourism industry is deeply rooted in its unique natural environment. World-renowned destinations such as Sagarmatha and the Annapurna region are not only key drivers of tourism development but also ecologically sensitive areas that require careful protection. Digital technologies can help promote greener and more sustainable tourism in mountainous regions. Intelligent monitoring systems can strengthen the management of ecosystems, visitor flows, and environmental carrying capacity. Digital services can reduce resource waste associated with traditional tourism models, while online promotion can bring greater international visibility to eco-tourism initiatives and community-based conservation projects.
In recent years, China has actively promoted the integration of the digital economy with green development, accumulating valuable experience in smart cities, smart tourist destinations, and the digitalization of ecological conservation. China and Nepal can expand cooperation in areas such as mountain eco-tourism, protected area management, and green tourism services, jointly exploring development models that promote harmony between people and nature.
Connecting the future digitally
Tourism has long served as an important bridge connecting the hearts and minds of people. As neighboring countries linked by mountains, history, and cultural exchanges, China and Nepal have consistently regarded tourism cooperation as a cornerstone of their bilateral friendship. The digital age has opened up new opportunities for this partnership, transforming traditional journeys of mountain exploration and cultural discovery into digital journeys of connection and mutual understanding.
Looking ahead, China and Nepal can further strengthen cooperation in digital tourism infrastructure, smart tourism talent development, tourism platform integration, and digital cultural communication. Such collaboration will support the modernization and upgrading of the tourism industry while enabling more Chinese visitors to discover Nepal and more Nepalis to better understand China’s development opportunities.
What now crosses the Himalayas is not only roads and air routes, but also the flows of information, culture, and people-to-people connectivity. Digital tourism cooperation is poised to become a new pillar of China–Nepal friendship in the new era, injecting fresh momentum into the building of an even closer China–Nepal community with a shared future.
The author is Director of the Institute of South Asian Studies, Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences, China
The quiet fight: Media guidelines and mental health crises
Across various media platforms, reports regarding suicide have been rampant in Nepal. The contributing factors include family conflicts, economic distress, illness, and other related issues. The relentless barrage of sensationalized suicide coverage across media platforms creates a dangerous ripple effect, acting as a psychological trigger for vulnerable minds. By repeatedly spotlighting these tragedies, the media inadvertently normalizes despair, transforming individual pain into a destructive chain reaction that can push those suffering in silence from ideation to action. Breaking this cycle requires a collective shift toward stories of resilience, ensuring our digital spaces offer pathways to healing rather than portals to deeper darkness.
Understanding the root causes is the first step towards developing an effective strategy for its management.
Preventive measures and media role
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning to news outlets and reminded them of ethical reporting guidelines. The organization argues that responsible reporting prevents copycat suicides and protects the public from further distress. News outlets and media organizations should refrain from providing elaborate descriptions of suicide attempts as this could exacerbate the situation for those facing similar challenges. When a news story highlights a positive turn of events, it is usually an uplifting experience for those facing similar circumstances. The media should promote positive role models as most suicide attempts are reported by individuals close to the affected person, including friends and family members. Sensationalizing the issue does not necessarily offer a long-term solution to the problem. The public needs a different angle to deal with suicide, which entails a better approach towards the overall management strategy.
Suicide risk factors and impact
In most cases, suicide is never an option but a consequence brought about by mental disorders resulting from environmental factors. Some of the leading causes include; extreme stress, clinical depression, personal trauma, family-related problems, academic or work-related stress, and social isolation, among others. The impacts of suicide are both short-term and long-term, including; immediate distress and loss of a loved one. Family members facing such challenges often experience depression and related mental disorders.
Deep-rooted problems such as family conflicts, economic distress, trauma, and isolation often require comprehensive mitigation strategies and approaches to address their complex impacts effectively.
There is a need to develop a more comprehensive strategy that involves families and communities in the prevention process. Some of the key strategies include:
Educational programs: These should be established in institutions, including; schools and companies, to deal with stress management and provide counseling services.
Localization: This requires a lower-level approach to providing mental health services and psychological support. It would be prudent to provide adequate resources at the local levels, including employing psychologists.
Systemic investment: Public and private institutions should invest in promoting comprehensive behavioral studies and relevant epidemiological research to help develop suitable options for managing mental illnesses.
Living life is an amazing opportunity that everyone should appreciate since no one can repeat it. Talking to people and seeking help when things do not seem okay reminds us that every human has a unique purpose. Internal and external conflicts are part of life, but it is our determination that determines our destiny.
In the quiet act of seeking support, we remember that no life is without meaning. We are reminded that while hardships will always test us, these conflicts do not define us; it is our inner strength and the courage to choose life that carves our path forward.
We are beautifully reminded by the Bhagavad Gita (2.14) that the emotional storms and conflicts we experience are merely temporary phases that come and go like changing seasons. Ultimately, our hardships do not define us; it is our unyielding determination to conquer our inner conflicts that reshapes our minds from our worst enemy into our greatest friend, charting a new path toward our true destiny.
