What will happen after the March 5 elections? This is a question I find myself constantly reflecting on. Let us imagine the best-case scenario. Voting proceeds smoothly, with only minor incidents of violence. No major security threats emerge, and people are able to exercise their franchise freely and in a positive spirit.
As for the outcome, I am not overly concerned about who wins or about the usual maneuvering that accompanies government formation. Perhaps a new generation of politicians will emerge victorious, and citizens will witness the dawn of a different era in national politics. Maybe one party will secure a clear majority. Or perhaps a coalition of reformed forces will come together around a progressive, transparent, and effective governing agenda.
What truly interests me, however, is what happens next: how people, especially the youth, will act in the weeks and months following the vote? Will young people sustain the political engagement that was ignited after the Sept 2025 uprising? Will citizens discover new ways to follow, shape, and contribute to national conversations as new policies are introduced by the federal government?
A new era in politics cannot rely solely on a more honest and effective class of politicians. Of course, having capable and principled representatives in Parliament would make a tremendous difference, even if it is wise to keep expectations realistic. After all, transforming people’s lives is far easier said than done. That is precisely why sustained public engagement will be so crucial.
Staying informed and consistently following politics requires effort. I have met brilliant young people, members of what society broadly calls Gen Z, who avoided news altogether before the September uprising. But how can one participate in a national rebuilding project while ignoring political developments and issues of national importance?
Reading the news, including thoughtful opinion pieces, is foundational to building a deep attachment to the country’s development. Some may raise eyebrows at the idea of attributing such importance to newspapers, whether online or in print. Yet it is undeniable: being informed and understanding issues is essential for forming meaningful opinions. Taking the time to read carefully, to engage with analysis, can make a real difference.
For me, investing time in these habits is the first step toward building the knowledge and expertise that any young citizen should cultivate if they wish to have a say in how the country is governed.
Is it easy? Is it quick? Certainly not. It takes commitment to build such routines. I sometimes struggle myself, especially as I spend significant time reading international news. But the effort is worthwhile.
Reading, however, is only the beginning. There are many other ways to nurture civic engagement.
Engagement can take more informal forms: open-minded conversations within circles of friends, watching debate programs with genuine curiosity, or attending public discussions. These are important. But if we truly aspire to build a Naya Nepal, we must also think beyond conventional approaches.
Schools and colleges could establish discussion clubs where students gather regularly to deliberate on complex issues with openness and respect. Everyone agrees that politics should be cleaner and less expensive. But what are the practical solutions? What lessons can we draw from other countries? What best practices already exist?
Seeking solutions is not boring. One may not be interested in every issue, but we need a new generation of citizens who consciously decide to develop expertise for the broader benefit of society.
Informal communities of practice focused on specific themes could also play a role. Youth organizations, informal clubs, or civic groups could create spaces where participants commit time and effort to deepen their understanding of public-interest issues.
While many young people have recently joined politics, others have chosen not to take that leap, even if tempted. Some remain indifferent. Others feel disillusioned by events following the September uprising. What matters most is that those who felt a spark after the bloodshed—those who wrote their first op-eds or spoke out publicly for the first time—continue their journey of civic engagement.
The country cannot afford to revert to old patterns, where power is delegated through the ballot box and citizens retreat into indifference, tolerating malpractice with a resigned “ke garne” attitude. Ideally, the nation should embrace a new way of doing politics, one grounded in active and direct participation. A culture where reasoned deliberation at local levels complements the electoral system.
Such transformation will not happen overnight. It will unfold gradually, in phases. What truly matters is the willingness of young people and society at large to remain committed with an open mind.
A new political culture rooted in consistent civic engagement cannot emerge unless we adopt an attitude focused on solving problems rather than competing for power and positions. With openness, those already engaged in public discourse can continue building their knowledge and envision pathways to step forward and contribute more meaningfully.
It is equally important to find ways to bring into the civic space those who have not yet found an outlet for their voice, or who are simply overwhelmed by daily struggles.
