Navin Shakya

Back in our school days, the Nepali national cricket team was not good. To put it bluntly, we were a disappointing unit. Chasing even the smallest targets felt like an impossible task, and most of us didn’t expect much when Nepal played. But even during those tough times, there was one bright spark: Nepal’s age-group cricket—especially the Under-19 boys’ team. They were something special. I still remember them taking down cricket giants like Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. We regularly featured in the Under-19 Cricket World Cup, and those young boys gave us hope. Their success not only drew mass attention to cricket but also inspired thousands of kids across the country to dream of becoming cricketers. Fast forward to today, and I came home to an incredible sight—highlights of our Nepali Under-19 girls’ team beating Pakistan . Watching those girls bow to the turf in celebration brought tears to my eyes. It was pure joy and pride. This victory can spark something sp...

A couple of days ago, my niece, a ninth grader, broke down in tears—big, bitter tears—and locked herself in her room for two days. Why? Because her dad bought her a phone that wasn’t an iPhone. She didn’t care about the camera quality, gaming features, or anything else an iPhone offers. She just wanted one because all her friends had it . At the core of this behaviour is the human need for social approval, being part of a group was essential for survival.  That’s when it hit me: the pressure to fit in can push people to buy things they don’t even need. It’s not about the product; it’s about being seen as part of the group. The fear of looking “less trendy” or “less well-off” can easily make us swipe our cards for gadgets that serve no real purpose in our lives. And honestly, social media influencers have only made this worse. Think about it—when your favourite influencer casually flaunts their shiny new iPhone, their audience immediately feels that itch to own one too. It’s not abo...

There was a time—not too long ago—when the best sound you could hear in a neighbourhood was kids yelling, “ Batti ayo! ” (The lights are back!). It was a moment of collective celebration because electricity had finally returned after long hours of darkness. For years, power cuts weren’t just an inconvenience—they shaped our entire lives. Cooking schedules, study hours, office work, and even something as simple as charging your phone had to be carefully planned around those precious hours of electricity. Although the days of extended blackouts are behind us, the stories of survival and innovation during the load-shedding era serve as a testament to the country’s resilience.  At its worst, load shedding stretched to over 16 hours a day. Imagine that—more than half the day without power! It was a way of life we had no choice but to adapt to, often in creative and unexpected ways. Homes relied on kerosene lamps, candles, and battery-powered torches for light. City dwellers invested in ...

Flight delays are something we’ve all come to expect in Nepal. Whether it’s unpredictable weather, crowded skies, or poor infrastructure, delays are just part of life here. An hour or two of waiting feels almost normal now, and most of us have adjusted our schedules to accommodate these inevitable disruptions.    For many, air travel is not just a convenience but a necessity. Yes, it’s expensive, but given Nepal’s mountainous terrain and terrible road conditions, flying is often the only realistic option for long-distance travel. On a map, Nepal might not look very big, but once you hit the roads, the rugged landscape and pothole-ridden highways can make even short trips feel like a grueling journey. In that sense, air travel is a lifeline—not just for tourists, but for locals as well.  Flight delays are an all-too-common occurrence in Nepal, but they take on a different gravity when they happen at night due to lack of public buses to reach home Things get more complicate...

Just watched Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) and it totally took me back to the days of Walkmans and mixtapes. I remember the rush of heading to the local music shop after school, hunting for the latest singles from our favorite artists, and the thrill of adding them to my newest mixtape.  Money was tight back then, so we had to be smart about spending since music cassettes weren’t exactly cheap. We could record songs off the radio, but let’s be real—the quality was hit or miss. I can still picture myself sitting by the stereo, just waiting for that one song to come on. The moment it did, I’d slam the record button, praying the radio host wouldn’t talk over the song! Sometimes, I’d be there for hours, especially for the popular songs. If that didn’t work out, we’d just buy some blank cassettes and order the music store to record our own mixes. Each tape was more than just a bunch of songs; it was a handmade gift of time. There was something really special about creating mixtapes bac...

Imagine hiking through a serene valley, surrounded by towering mountains and lush greenery. Suddenly, you come across a stunning, crystal-clear lake that seems almost out of place. This isn't your typical lake formed by glaciers or rivers; it's a reservoir created by a landslide damming a river. Let's dive into this fascinating natural phenomenon! Landslides aren't always just a bummer. Sometimes, they can actually create something pretty cool: a new lake! When a landslide occurs, a massive amount of debris tumbles down a slope, often with incredible force. If this landslide happens to block a river, it can create a natural dam. The water that was once flowing freely gets trapped behind this barrier, gradually forming a reservoir. These reservoirs can vary in size from small ponds to large lakes, depending on the volume of water and the size of the landslide. These reservoirs can be incredibly beautiful, offering new habitats for both terrestrial and aquatic wildlife an...

Khandbari, the district headquarters of Sankhuwasabha, is a cool mix of cultural vibes and modern touches. Tucked away in the beautiful Arun Valley, this hilly town is famous for its lush scenery, traditional charm, and friendly locals.  Sitting at about 1,100 meters up, it’s surrounded by green hills and impressive peaks, including views of the stunning Makalu Range. This peaceful spot makes Khandbari a great place for anyone looking to soak in nature and get a taste of rural life in Nepal. Khandbari is the starting point for stunning treks, and a base for many hydropower projects. The nearby Arun River adds to the charm, making the area even more picturesque. As a key starting point for trekking in the Makalu region, Khandbari attracts adventure lovers and nature fans eager to tackle the Makalu Base Camp trek, known for its rich biodiversity, beautiful forests, and breathtaking Himalayan views. Visitors can enjoy a nice mix of modern comforts and rustic charm, with some good hote...

In recent years, Nepal has faced some serious floods, with the most recent one in this year causing a lot of damage and taking lives. After these events, it's normal for people to start asking, “Why weren’t we better prepared?” or “Why didn’t we act sooner?” While these are valid questions, they often come from a place of hindsight. As the saying goes, hindsight is 20/20. After the disaster, the prime minister made a pretty irresponsible and tone-deaf comment about weather forecasting and disaster readiness. His words really showed how the government operates when people need them most, and naturally, we’re all upset with him. Predicting floods isn’t easy and it’s hard to know just how bad the flooding will be or how much damage it will cause. Looking back on a disaster, it can seem like there were clear warning signs that we ignored. But predicting floods, especially in a mountainous country like Nepal, isn’t easy. Even if weather forecasts warn of heavy rain, it’s hard to know ju...

Back in our school days, FM radio was a huge part of our lives. Having a small, battery-operated radio felt like owning something really special. We’d even make handmade cards and take them to the radio station, hoping they’d play our song requests and dedications for our friends and family. The thrill of hearing our names on air was priceless, and our redial buttons were worn out from trying to connect with our favorite RJs! Radio wasn’t just about music; it introduced us to a whole new world of sound. It introduced many of us to Western music for the first time, sparking a love for artists like Michael Learns to Rock, Nirvana, Metallica, Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, Spice Girls, Boyzone, Backstreet Boys, and the Eagles, among others. We loved them so much that we had posters of them on our bedroom walls. We’d buy cassettes and songbooks and spending hours memorizing the words to our favorite songs.  FM radios played crucial role in shaping the music tastes of our generation. Tele...

The roads remain dusty, and the pavements are torn apart. The river has scarred their businesses. Yet just couple of days after the calamity, business has resumed as usual. They will paint their walls, change their carpets, and fix their cabinets later, but for now, they are focusing on the upcoming festival days. We have remarkable ability to overcome adversity and thrive despite challenges. Despite the enormous challenges, life has moved forward. This experience has left a bitter taste for many, but it has also strengthened their resolve. They have learned that in times of crisis, they can rely on each other and themselves, even when the systems meant to protect them fail. People are rebuilding not because of government intervention, but in spite of its absence. As we continue to recover from the floods, one thing is clear: the government may have been absent, but the people were not. They have taken their future into their own hands, showing that even without the help they deser...