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The moment I entered the first-class cabin, one of the flight attendants greeted me by name and handed me a glass of champagne. And this was not just any champagne, but one of the premium brands in a sparkling crystal glass. This set the tone for the rest of the journey, a taste of the luxury that lay ahead.

Having had personal experience in airline catering and menu development for major airlines, I was eager to see and get a feel for what first-class dining would look and feel like. The meal service didn’t disappoint. First, the menu presentation at the tableside was just like one would have in a fine dining restaurant, with gourmet dishes crafted by well-known chefs.

There was smoked salmon and caviar followed by a delicate lobster salad with avocado and citrus dressing. The main course was a turbot filet with truffle mashed purple potatoes, roasted vegetables, and white wine caper sauce. The presentation was faultless and the food was bursting with flavor. I thought I was having a Michelin-star meal in the sky. For dessert, I had molten chocolate fondant with homemade vanilla bean ice cream. The freshness in ingredients and richness in flavors perfectly ended the meal.

What really made it special was the personalized attention. The cabin crew was attentive, calling me by name, seeing to my every need without being intrusive. When I mentioned a wine that I enjoyed, they quickly brought along a bottle to try. It felt like a fancy restaurant where the wait staff does everything possible to make the evening an unforgettable one.

Each meal was served on fine China (porcelain pots) with real silverware, linen napkins, and crystal glassware. Every detail was well thought out, even down to how the presentation of the bread and the serving of the butter were laid out. It was an exclusive experience that was tailored to suit my liking.

The first-class seat felt more like a private suite than a standard airplane seat. There was everything I needed to feel comfortable—a personal closet, a huge screen for entertainment, and adjustable lights. When it was time to sleep, the flight attendants transformed my seat into a fully flat bed-complete with a thick mattress, soft pillows, and a warm duvet. Pajamas and slippers were also provided.

The bed linen was such that I slept for several hours and woke up refreshed to continue the further leg of my journey. Quite frankly, it felt much more like being in a five-star hotel than on a plane. One thing that did surprise me was how functional the first class was for working professionals: high-speed internet, power outlets, and spacious tables to work on. I could see why most business executives fly first class. The quiet, private environment had me working as if I were in my office.

Having these facilities in the air was a game-changer for people who had to remain industrious during long plane flights. First class is not all about luxuries; sometimes it is actually a necessity if one is a professional who needs to work without any disturbance.

Now that I have flown first class, I can understand why people pay for it. It’s not just space and gourmet food. It’s the experience. First-class flying passengers enjoy privacy, comfort, and personal services that can never be provided in economy or even business class.

It all begins when one arrives at the airport. The journey becomes smoother and more pleasant. Exclusive access to airport lounges, priority boarding, and private check-in enhance this experience even further. The spacious and quiet setting onboard is an excellent opportunity to relax comfortably, work, or sleep. For the business traveler, at least, the productivity could well be worth the cost. For others, it’s that once-in-a-lifetime extravagance that makes a long-haul flight an unforgettable experience.

However, I found all the attention to be a little tiring. It was unlike anything I was used to so it felt strange to be pampered to this degree. I told this to one of the stewardesses and asked her if I could just be left alone for some time. And in that moment of silence, I truly appreciated the first class services. It wasn’t luxury but it was a different way of travel. Not many people can travel first class, but if the opportunity presents itself, make sure you savor every single moment.

The author is a UK-based R&D chef

In 2017, Sajan Shrestha was working as a driver. By 2018, he had ventured into the world of stand-up comedy. A friend suggested he watch Kshitiz KC’s comedy and that opened his eyes to a new world, where jokes could change how you view things and even make someone’s day. “The idea of comedy, and its ability to resonate with people, fascinated me,” he says.

But stepping into the world of stand-up wasn’t as simple as it seemed. “I was really scared of crowds,” he says. “I almost decided not to do it but then I decided to give it a shot. That first show was amazing.”

His debut performance was a memorable one—a comedic exploration of the quirks of a ‘typical mom’. “Looking back at those early days, I’m a little embarrassed,” he says. “We didn’t know much about jokes or timing. We just went up there and cracked jokes about whatever came to mind.”

What started as a fear of crowds evolved into a love for the energy they bring. “I didn’t know it then, but those early shows were some of the best moments of my life. Now, I can’t imagine being anywhere else—there’s something powerful about connecting with an audience, sharing a laugh, and feeling their energy.”

A major turning point in Shrestha’s career came when he found himself torn between his passion for comedy and the reality of having to eke out a living. “Most comedians at the time were struggling with their finances,” he says, adding after a year of pursuing comedy, he started feeling guilty. There was no financial growth, and he was newly married. He began to question his decision and even considered going back to his old driving job. But despite the financial challenges, comedy still had a strong pull.

His breakthrough came when he started participating in Comedy Champion, which helped him gain recognition. Just when things seemed to be turning around, the pandemic lockdown happened. “I was completely hopeless,” he says. “With just Rs 20,000 in my account, I was feeling frustrated and lost.”

Then, he decided to start his own YouTube channel, a move that would eventually become a lifeline during the lockdown. He started creating reaction videos on the reality show ‘Blind Date’. It was something his wife suggested. This allowed him to build a solid online presence.

Determined to make his YouTube channel work, he started researching the equipment he would need to produce quality videos. He quickly learned about cameras, lights, and microphones—but the reality was that he had none of these. His only tool was an old mobile phone, one that was slow and struggled to capture clear footage.

Undeterred, he got creative and transformed a small room into a makeshift studio, using the window as his primary light source and a bent laptop as a tripod. For lighting, he dug into DIY tutorials and made a lamp using a cardboard box and a CFL bulb.

“The mobile was so old that I had to edit the videos by listening to the audio, because the video wouldn’t even play properly on that phone,” he says. Despite the limitations, Shrestha pushed forward, determined to make it work. Things began to look up when a friend gifted him a microphone on his birthday. “I was really happy and excited to finally have a proper mic. It felt like my setup was starting to come together,” he says.

One of the major challenges Shrestha faced early in his career was navigating the complex landscape of censorship. The freedom to express humor in Nepal was limited, and comedians often found themselves toeing a fine line. “Comedians were put in jail simply because of the type of comedy they performed,” he says. This environment created a sense of fear and caution, as comedians not only had to avoid offending people. They even received threats from those who took jokes too personally.

What was worse was that Shrestha and his fellow comedians had no mentors to guide them. They were forced to learn the ropes on their own, seeking inspiration from foreign and Indian comedians to understand what worked in the comedy scene. “The comedy that was popular in Nepal at the time wasn’t youth-centric. It was more politically driven,” he says. Watching international comedians gave them a broader perspective, and they began to carve out a new style—one that resonated with younger audiences and moved away from the heavy political satire that dominated the scene

His love for performing in front of a crowd grew with time. Stand-up is unique. It offers immediate audience feedback. Comedians face the pressure of eliciting laughter or risk having their jokes fall flat. The primary goal is to entertain and connect with the audience through humor. However, this dynamic can be tricky. “You never know how a joke will land. What makes one person laugh might offend someone else,” he says.

Stand-up performances are fleeting moments, meant to be experienced live, yet in today’s digital age, audience members often film and share these performances online. This creates an added layer of pressure, making it harder for comedians to experiment with new material. “I just wish everyone would be considerate and refrain from recording our sets,” he says, highlighting the need for a supportive atmosphere that allows comedians to explore their craft without the fear of permanent judgment.

He also started a podcast channel where he talks to people from the entertainment industry. This way, he has had the opportunity to connect with many people, and he’s begun to gain recognition in the community. He also launched a segment called ‘Bear the Dare’ where he visits different locations, poses tricky questions to strangers, and offers them a chance to win money. “It started as a backup plan, just in case the podcast didn’t work,” he says.

Shrestha admits he has a spontaneous approach to life. “I’m not someone who likes to plan. I believe not everything goes as planned, and that can be disappointing. Instead, I let life unfold naturally.” His journey is testament to the fact that stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to unexpected and rewarding transformations.

Rights group Amnesty International on Monday published a report that accused the Saudi Arabian franchise of French supermarket giant Carrefour of exploiting migrant workers. Carrefour told AFP that an internal probe had not confirmed most allegations but was planning on conducting an external review.

Amnesty said it found migrant workers for Carrefour’s Saudi Arabian franchisee were deceived by recruitment agents, forced to work excessive hours, denied days off, cheated of their earnings and made to live in squalid accommodations. 

“Workers thought they were opening the door to a better life but instead many were subjected to appalling exploitation and abuse,” said Marta Schaaf, who heads Amnesty International's corporate accountability program. “Carrefour’s inaction meant it failed to prevent this suffering, which for some contracted workers likely amounts to forced labor including human trafficking,” she added.

Amnesty based its report on interviews with 17 people recruited from India, Nepal and Pakistan to work in Carrefour stores in Saudi Arabia, which have been operated by the French retailer’s Middle East franchisee Majid Al Futtaim (MAF).

Amnesty said Carrefour has responsibility to ensure labor abuses do not occur throughout its operations, including in franchises, and called on it and MAF to remedy the situation and “ensure that workers in their operations are never harmed again.”

Carrefour said that it had discussions with Amnesty earlier this year on labor conditions in Saudi Arabia and that it had asked MAF to investigate.

“These preliminary investigations did not confirm the elements signaled by Amnesty’s alert but did reveal other problems: housing, training and accounting of work hours for which corrective actions were taken,” Carrefour told AFP on Friday.

It added that it had appointed an outside expert to review the human rights situation and the assessment methodology was being determined. Saudi Arabia’s human resources ministry said the government had a zero-tolerance policy for worker abuse.

“Any form of labor abuse or exploitation is unacceptable, and allegations of this nature are comprehensively investigated by the relevant authorities,” the ministry said in a written statement in response to questions from AFP. The ministry also said it works closely with the governments of migrant workers’ home countries to combat abusive recruitment practices.

The statement did not specifically address Amnesty’s allegations against Carrefour. Dubai-based MAF manages nearly 500 Carrefour stores in 30 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, with Saudi Arabia its second largest market behind the United Arab Emirates. The company earned a net profit of around $735m last year on revenues of $9.4bn.

AFP

A Nepali social activist Urmila Chaudhary has been honored with the 'Global Anti Racism Championship Award' in the USA.

US Foreign Secretary Antony Blinken conferred the Award on Chaudhary amidst a programme on Monday.

Chaudhary is a former kamalari, a bonded labor. The bonded labor since the age of six, she was rescued at 17 and provided schooling.

Currently, she is championing the voice of the voiceless after studying law. She is involved in social service for women empowerment through 30 cooperative groups.

The State Department of the USA informed that Chaudhary was feted with the Award for her contribution to the marginalized and minority community, thereby helping to end exploitation. She played a brave leading role for human rights protection.

The programme organized by the State Department was attended by Nepal's Charge D'affaires to USA, Kumar Raj Kharel.

Last year, the Award was handed over to Saraswati Nepali.