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Rajani Shrestha, born in 1981 in Jhapa, Nepal, has carved a unique place for herself in the world of bodybuilding. Her journey from a woman with no knowledge of bodybuilding to becoming an inspiration for many is a testament to her resilience, determination, and passion for health and fitness. However, her journey wasn’t an easy one. It was shaped by unexpected challenges, health issues, societal criticism, and a profound love for fitness that transformed her life.

Shrestha was born and raised in Jhapa in eastern Nepal. She lived a normal life, focusing on family, work, and other daily responsibilities. The idea of working out or engaging in any form of physical transformation didn’t cross her mind until much later in life. However, everything changed when she had a health scare at 32.

She developed a series of troubling symptoms, including 25 to 30 knots in her throat, which were later suspected to be signs of cancer. After consulting several doctors in both Nepal and India, the diagnosis didn’t look good. Many doctors feared the worst, and cancer was high on the list of potential diagnoses. It was a terrifying and uncertain time in her life.

Then her husband encouraged her to work out. At first, the idea seemed ludicrous. She was sick, exhausted, and overwhelmed by the uncertainty of her medical condition. But her husband, who has always been her pillar of support, gently persuaded her to go to the gym.

“Even though I was sick and in a bad phase of my life, my husband told me that getting fit physically and working out could help me. He got me enrolled in the gym, and that’s where everything started,” says Shrestha.

Slowly, working out began to have a remarkable effect on her. Not only did she start feeling better physically, but her health also began to improve. After years of consistent exercise and determination, Shrestha’s health improved. The transformation was nothing short of miraculous, both physically and emotionally.

Her newfound passion for fitness didn’t end with recovery. She worked out more and as she saw her body’s structure change, she became interested in the idea of bodybuilding. This was not an easy decision to make, as bodybuilding in Nepal, especially for women, was not widely accepted at the time. She began to explore bodybuilding in 2016, and it quickly became a significant part of her life.

As a female bodybuilder, Shrestha faced intense societal criticism. “When I just started, it was compulsory to wear a two-piece outfit at the gym and for games. My family and relatives were against it,” she says. “But my husband was my biggest supporter. He motivated me and gave me the strength to continue.”

So, she dedicated herself to bodybuilding, working relentlessly to build muscle and strength. “For women, it’s much harder to build muscle mass. People criticize a lot when a woman starts gaining muscle,” she explains. “They say, ‘Is this a girl or a boy?’ or ‘Your body doesn’t suit you. You should be soft and have a small body.’”

But Shrestha understood that people’s criticisms stemmed from a lack of understanding of bodybuilding, especially for women. Over time, she became more confident in her decisions and started pushing back against the norms. “Now, people are more accepting of women in bodybuilding,” she says. “There’s still some criticism, but it’s getting better.”

Her journey was not solitary. Her husband, who had always been her rock, played an instrumental role in her success. He not only supported her emotionally but also went against societal norms to help her pursue her dream. Together, they worked hard to achieve her goals, even opening a shop to sustain their livelihood. They also both went to the gym every day, making fitness a shared experience.

Her family, initially unsupportive, gradually came around. Despite the challenges of managing both her family life and bodybuilding career, she made it a priority to balance her personal life with her commitment to fitness. “I want to make sure I give enough time to my family and not make tournaments my only focus,” she says.

Shrestha follows a simple yet healthy diet to maintain her physique. “I prefer eating home cooked meals and I avoid oily food. We mostly use ghee. I also don’t use a lot of spices. When I’m preparing for a competition, I eat mostly boiled food,” she says. 

Supplements are also very important, she says, adding it must be consumed in moderation. “We need to have different multivitamin and fish oil for ligaments and joints. I usually have glutamine because it helps and supports my muscles and prevents my muscles and joints from hurting,” she says.

She competes in the men’s bodybuilding category, where the focus is on building muscle mass and gaining size. “In bodybuilding, some people focus on physique and shape, while others, like me, aim for muscle mass and strength,” she says. “There are also categories like model physique, where the focus is on a smaller body with no muscle mass.”

Her first major international achievement came in 2019, when she won a competition in Indonesia. “I was so happy to stand there and represent Nepal. I can’t explain how I felt. It was like I was fulfilling my purpose,” she says.

However, her journey has not been without sacrifices. In 2013, Shrestha was unable to participate in a competition in South Korea because she didn’t get a visa. It was a bitter disappointment that still lingers with her.

Bodybuilding is an expensive sport, especially in Nepal, where there is limited government support for athletes. She has borne most of the financial burden herself. “It costs a lot, especially when preparing for international competitions. This time, I spent more than Rs 10,00,000  and we had no help from the government,” she says.

Shrestha hopes that in the future, there will be more support for athletes like her. She envisions a time when the government will provide financial assistance to sportspersons. “I hope that in the coming years, we will receive financial support, just like athletes from other countries,” she says.

Throughout her journey, she has learned the value of patience and perseverance. “In bodybuilding, timing is everything. You can’t just start whenever you want. Everything has to be planned and executed with discipline,” she says.

Her advice to others is simple yet powerful, “There is nothing stopping you from pursuing your passion. If I can continue at 44, anyone can.”

Reflecting on her journey, she wishes she had started earlier. “I regret not starting bodybuilding before I had health issues. But at least I’m here now, and I’ve made a difference in my life,” she says. She encourages everyone to dedicate at least an hour to their fitness and well-being every day. “If you take care of your health and fitness, you won’t fall sick,” she says.

Her journey is a powerful reminder that transformation is possible, even in the face of adversity. Through hard work and passion for bodybuilding, she has become not only a symbol of strength but also a role model for many, proving that age, gender, or society’s expectations should never limit one’s potential.

A prominent global advocate for media rights and Chairperson of Media Action Nepal, Laxman Datt Pant, has urged authorities to uphold independent journalism and critical voices in Nepal, emphasizing that dissent should not be stifled under the pretext of combating misinformation or disinformation.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Digital Rights Conference organized by the Digital Freedom Coalition in Kathmandu, Pant highlighted the need for respect for both online and offline criticism, urging the government to address governance shortcomings instead of silencing independent media or netizens.

Pant called on lawmakers to ensure that reforms in laws governing digital spaces and media are grounded in Nepal’s constitutional guarantees of fundamental rights and its commitments to international human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

“Suppressing free expression in digital spaces without assessing actual harm contradicts the principles of a democratic state,” Pant remarked. He stressed the dual importance of producing factual information while respecting criticism aimed at enhancing governance and strengthening democratic checks and balances.

Pant further reminded that Nepal’s constitution prohibits pre-censorship of journalistic content, warning that any demands for journalists to take down news before publication violate fundamental rights. Pant's comments come amid growing concerns over increasing restrictions on digital space in Nepal.

It has been a century since child rights were recognized as distinct human rights. This landmark movement began with the Geneva Declaration in 1924, the first international document dedicated to the rights of children. Prior to this, children were largely viewed as future citizens, rather than individuals entitled to specific rights. Authored by Eglantyne Jebb, founder of Save the Children, the Geneva Declaration marked the beginning of global recognition for child rights. Established in 1919, Save the Children has become a leading independent organization championing the rights of children worldwide.  

In Nepal, Save the Children has been active since 1976, focusing on areas such as health, nutrition, and education. The organization works in collaboration with children, communities, governments, and civil society to ensure the rights of children, including those with disabilities, from disadvantaged backgrounds, and from gender and sexual minorities. As of 2023, Save the Children has reached 1.06 million children in Nepal, supporting 42,954 in child protection, 306,444 in education, 122,299 in health and nutrition, 63,242 in humanitarian efforts, 47,310 in child rights governance, and 74,644 in livelihoods.  

To commemorate a century of global child rights advocacy and over four decades of work in Nepal, Save the Children recently organized an event in Kathmandu. The gathering brought together children, government representatives, development partners, civil society organizations, and child rights advocates. Presentations highlighted the organization’s achievements, ongoing challenges, and future strategies. Tara Chettry, Country Director of Save the Children Nepal and Bhutan, emphasized the significant progress made through decades of collective efforts while highlighting emerging challenges. She called for sustained collaboration with children and coordination among federal, provincial, and local governments to ensure child rights remain central to Nepal’s development.  

At the event, a study report titled ‘Child Rights Campaign in Nepal: Opportunities and Future Roadmap’ was launched. The report highlights the importance of strategic investment in children and fostering a new generation of child activists to sustain the achievements of Nepal’s child rights movement. Speaking at the event, Minister for Women, Children, and Senior Citizens Nawal Kishor Sah Sudi reiterated the government’s commitment to prioritizing child rights, especially for children requiring special protection, and including their voices in policymaking. European Union Ambassador to Nepal Veronique Lorenzo also expressed the EU’s dedication to collaborating with Save the Children, the government, and other partners to improve the lives of children.  

The event featured campaigns led by children and youth on issues such as climate and gender justice, with participation from activist groups like Kayapalat, Shift, Nepalese Youth for Climate Action, and Queer Care. These initiatives underscored the importance of youth-led advocacy in shaping a more inclusive and just society for children.  

Save the Children UK began operations in Nepal in 1976. The country ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1990, which led to the enactment of the Children Act, 2048 in 1992. Since then, Nepal has implemented various child-focused plans and legislation, including the Eighth Five-Year Plan (1992–1997), the first 10-Year Plan for Children (1992–2001), and the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 2056 in 2000. The 2015 Constitution of Nepal enshrined child rights, and the National Policy on Children was introduced in 2023. Most recently, in 2024, civil society and children led a report on Nepal’s progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from a child’s perspective, which was submitted to the National Planning Commission.

Save the Children’s decades-long commitment to child rights advocacy underscores its dedication to ensuring that the voices of Nepal’s children are heard and prioritized in the country’s development journey. The organization continues to address emerging challenges, foster meaningful participation by children, and collaborate with stakeholders to build a brighter future for all children in Nepal. 

In the past eleven months of 2024, the country registered the arrivals of over one million foreign tourists via flights.

According to the Nepal Tourism Board, one million 55, 533 tourists from outside the country visited Nepal between January and November 2024.

They arrived by flight. The data shows that it has been challenging to meet the target of welcoming 1,315,000 tourists this year.

The NTB expects that around 70,000 foreigners will arrive in Nepal in the remaining one month as tourists and the number will be around 111,5000.

However, in November alone, 114,000 tourists arrived in Nepal, and this figure is 5.40 percent more than the corresponding year in 2023.

NTB Director Maniraj Lamichhane said the analysis of the data so far suggests that the tourist arrivals this year compared to the previous year are likely to go by around 10 percent.

In 2023, 1014,871 tourists visited Nepal. Earlier, the NTB hoped to witness the arrival of the highest number of tourists since 2019, the year before COVID-19 hit the tourism industry.

In 2029, the arrivals were tallied at 1,197,191. However, Nepal's tourism is above the recovery line than in the Asia Pacific sector.

According to the data of the past six months of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, Nepal's tourism industry recovered 96 percent globally.

However, the target for tourist arrivals as projected in 2024 seems to be challenging to meet due to various reasons, he added.