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From the remote village of Mukli in Solukhumbu, Machchhe Devi Gurung rose to become far more than an individual success story. She became a symbol of resilience for countless women fighting to be heard. As a little girl, she was enchanted by the voices on the radio, never imagining that one day it would become her most powerful weapon for change. Through this medium, she found her own voice and carried with it the hopes and struggles of thousands of women, echoing their concerns on national and global stages. Her journey shines as an inspiring example of courage, perseverance, and an unshakable devotion to social justice.

The village’s natural beauty brightened her childhood, yet beneath this beauty lay the harsh realities of social inequality and gender discrimination, which left a deep impression on her. From an early age, she witnessed how women were denied opportunities, subjected to discrimination, and endured violence. Although her family valued education, their modest means made it difficult for her to pursue her dreams with ease. The radio became her window to the world. Every time it played in the village, she would wonder in awe: “How can people enter this small box and speak?” That innocent curiosity gradually opened the door to a new universe of stories, information, and ideas. Determined to continue her studies, she made the bold decision to move to Kathmandu—her first major step toward a new life, though arriving in the capital was not just a physical relocation; it marked the beginning of a new chapter in her journey.

A campaign to amplify women’s voices

Recognising media as the most effective medium to amplify women’s voices, she enrolled in a ten-month journalism training program at the Nepal Press Institute, which laid the foundation of her career. Following the training, she undertook internships at Kantipur National Daily and Antenna Foundation, where she acquired essential journalistic skills and developed a clearer understanding of the media’s role in society. Her professional journey reached a turning point when she joined Radio Sagarmatha. For her, it was more than just a workplace—it became a platform to advance her vision and advocacy. At the station, she produced and hosted programs focusing on women’s rights, education, health, employment, gender-based violence, and equal participation in state structures. Over nearly 5 years, she produced and presented more than 400 episodes, significantly increasing the visibility of women’s issues and strengthening public discourse around them.

Machchhe Devi understood early on that women’s issues are not uniform. The challenges faced by Indigenous communities, Dalits, Madhesis, Muslims, women with disabilities, and single women are distinct. Through her radio platform, she amplified these diverse voices and brought their concerns to the national stage. Her program Saha Astitwa (Coexistence) became a driving force in pressing for 33 percent women’s representation in the Constituent Assembly. Her initiative inspired women across villages to speak up for their rights. She raised her voice through a Radio program for voiceless, marginalised, and disadvantaged women. 

Machchhe Devi tirelessly advocated for the implementation of the Domestic Violence (Crime and Punishment) Act introduced by the government. Critics labelled her a “feminist,” but she never took it as an insult; instead, she strengthened her campaign further. Her determination earned her recognition from various organizations. The Federation of Nepalese Indigenous Nationalities Journalists (FONIJ) honoured her with the FONIJ National Journalism Diaspora Award 2082 on its 26th anniversary. Likewise, the Federation of Indigenous Peoples of Nepal in America (FIPNA) acknowledged her contribution with a certificate of honour on the 31st International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. She also gained opportunities to work on women’s issues through non-governmental organizations.

A new chapter in the diaspora

Currently, Machchhe Devi is in New York, where she is amplifying the voice of the Nepali diaspora through community journalism. She runs an online portal called NYC Nepal News, serving as its editor. Through this platform, she highlights issues related to the Nepali community’s language, culture, and rights. Additionally, she manages the Community Quest interview series and the NYC Nepal Podcast.

While in the United States, she has held various responsibilities in the Nepal America Journalists’ Association (NEAJA). In 2021, during NEAJA’s 7th General Convention, she was elected as vice president with the highest number of votes. During her tenure, she advocated for institutional transparency, women’s participation, and strengthening the journalism profession. She has also worked as a guest editor for Everest Times Online, where she emphasized community journalism to empower the community.

Recognition and inspiration

Machchhe Devi’s contributions have been recognized by various organizations. During Gurung (Tamu) Lhochhar 2023, the Public Advocate of New York City honored her. The Tamang Society of America acknowledged her contributions during the Dumphu Sannjh in 2018. Similarly, in 2012, she was honored for empowering women and combating domestic violence through Radio Journalism by the British Embassy to Nepal and the National Network of Women Human Rights Defenders, and Women Rehabilitation Center WOREC Nepal. In 2023, Nepalism.com recognized her as a change maker acknowledging her contribution to the community through journalism.

She presented a working paper on gender equality in the media sector at the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. She also served as an election commissioner at the 8th national convention of the Federation of Indigenous Nationalities of Nepal in America (FIPNA). Additionally, she took on the roles of judge and media coordinator at the Nepal Indigenous Film Festival and NIFF Awards 2018. Machchhe Devi took the role as one of the judges for selecting the NRNA Journalism Award provided by the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) National Coordination Council - USA and NEAJA in 2025. 

Her journey in journalism began 19 years ago as a trainee at Kantipur Daily, and it continues today with the same energy and passion. She has consistently raised her voice for social justice, equality, and the rule of law. Gurung firmly believes that social change cannot be institutionalised until there is a shift in individual mindsets. Her life story traces a path from a small village to the global stage. What began as a journey through radio has transformed thousands of women’s lives. Gurung’s determination, dedication, and sense of social responsibility have established her as a powerful voice in Nepal and beyond. Her tireless advocacy for women’s rights, inclusion, and respect for diversity inspires a new generation both within Nepal and across the diaspora. Gurung’s story is not merely her own; it represents the collective narrative of countless women striving to make their voices heard on the world stage.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 500 per tola in the domestic market on Friday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 249, 700 per tola today.  It was traded at Rs 250, 200 per tola on Thursday.

Similarly, the price of silver has dropped by Rs 60 and is being traded at Rs 3, 285 per tola.

TikTok has unveiled a set of tools to help families ensure their teens are using the app safely, launching a ‘family pairing’ feature, which focuses on family safety and privacy.

With the feature, parents can set time limits for their teens using screen-time management tools. They can also control settings such as direct messaging, comments on videos, whether or not accounts can be searched, and who can download videos.

According to the feature, direct messaging will automatically be turned off on accounts for users aged 16 and under, and push notifications will also be muted at night.

TikTok says it has set a feed that only shows age-appropriate content. The system selectively removes content deemed inappropriate for teens and uses technology to ensure that users are in the right age group.

The app makes sure to notify the parents if their child posts a public video. As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting user well-being, TikTok launched a new in-app feature called Guided Meditation earlier this year, which aims to make mindfulness practices easily accessible to people of all ages.

Those who have national identity cards don’t have to go to the election office to register for a voting card. The arrangements have been made to fill the form online for those who have their national identity card.

According to Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari, the process of collecting the voter list online has been made easier by taking the biometrics from the National ID card of those who are collecting the voter list. He informed that the commission made such arrangements after discussions with the GenZ representatives. For this, the commission had to go through technical work on Wednesday night.

The government has set a deadline of Nov 16 for voter registration. It is believed that the arrangements were done after a long line of people seeking voter ID cards was seen in front of the commission.

PhotoKTM, Nepal’s pioneering international photography festival, has announced its 6th edition, marking ten years of fearless, uncensored visual storytelling.

The festival continues to provide a vital platform for hundreds of photographers and visual artists to explore the political lives of images and examine their role in shaping both our histories and our futures.

The program will take place from November 14 to December 14, 2025 across Kathmandu Valley, featuring 18 exhibitions, slideshow projections, workshops, artist talks, panel discussions, portfolio reviews, and film screenings.

Nepal Art Council, Kathmandu will serve as the anchor venue for the festival throughout the month, while the festival will also travel to Mangahiti & Chyasal in Patan; Tribhuvan University in Kirtipur; Nandi Keshar Bagaincha in Naxal; and Nigu Pukhu in Madhyapur Thimi.

This year’s edition will present a dynamic program shaped around the curatorial theme of Global South solidarities.

PhotoKTM highlights histories of resistance and solidarity from the Third World project, showing how they have shaped contemporary processes to reclaim sovereignty in regions battered by centuries of colonialism, exploitation, and violence.

“We hope this year’s coming together will deepen cultural understanding among artists and cultural communities across the Third World, strengthen reciprocal transnational solidarities through the sharing of our histories, stories, struggles and hopes, and open up pathways for more south-south collaborations and exchange across geographies.” said NayanTara Gurung Kakshapati, the co-founder and festival director.

“PhotoKTM6 turns to the spirit of Global South Solidarity and Third World internationalism. From anti-colonial struggles to the Bandung Conference, to the non-alignment movement and revolutionary cultural exchanges, these histories continue to shape how countries like Nepal imagine their place in the world. Today as global powers test our moral fiber and our sovereign will, we hope to direct our creative energies toward renewing the spirit of solidarity, imagination, and collective future,” said Diwas Raja Kc who is part of the festival’s curatorial team.

This year PhotoKTM is working closely with Yasmine Eid-Sabbagh, as the invited interlocutor, to shape the intentions and programs of this edition of the festival.

“I think it is particularly relevant that these spaces are created and maintained because it is only if people meet and continue to do this important work, in which they think collectively, they work collectively, and they hold up certain values, that they will be capable of contributing to what I would call a ‘free world’.” said Yasmine Eid-Sabbagh.

This year, the festival spotlights the work and curatorial voices of artists from the Global South, featuring over 40 artists from Santiago to Lubumbashi and Quito to Dakar, alongside Nepali photographers and filmmakers. PhotoKTM is proud to present eight Nepali artists from the 2025 cohort of the photo.circle fellowship program, whose works explore the questions, challenges, and contradictions surrounding the notions of ‘development' and 'progress' in contemporary Nepal.

After the Sept 8-9 youths-led nationwide protests that left behind a massive trail of deaths and devastation, Nepal Police, the primary government agency responsible for the maintenance of law and order within the national jurisdiction, is in a difficult situation.

The casualty list of that protest is rather long and includes police personnel, who were brutally killed on duty along with protesters.

In the violent incidents that followed the use of force during the Sept 8 protest that killed several protesters, the law enforcement bereft of morale saw with utter helplessness, apart from the brutal killing of police officers, destruction of its vital infrastructure, from road dividers to traffic islands to police beats, posts and offices, and looting of weapons and police uniform, marking an unprecedented breakdown of law and order and the rule of anarchy.  

The then inspector general of police (IGP), Chandra Kuber Khapung, is under the purview of an investigation in connection with the use of force during the protests while the political leadership at the helm of affairs during that crisis has tried to wash its hands of the entire affair by not even cooperating with the probe. This is in keeping with the ‘well-established’ national practice of going only after low-hanging fruits and sparing the political bosses in every scam, every abuse/misuse of authority and an envious level of impunity that the political brass has been enjoying in Nepal for long. 

Dan Bahadur Karki takes charge as the 33th IGP of Nepal Police at a time when police morale is quite low and the sense of insecurity runs deep in the Nepali society.

Amid all this, the resilience of the Nepali society makes us quite optimistic about the future, even as fears of another cycle of violence lurk.  

Scenes like police personnel back on duty from our roads to beats, people joining hands to rebuild damaged/destroyed infrastructure and resumption of businesses are some of the living proof of our resilience, our never-say-die attitude. Hopefully, this attitude will get us through this crisis too. 

At this juncture, the onus is on the government and the police leadership to boost the morale of the police force and instill in a shaken people a sense of security. If the government fails to shoulder this responsibility, it will lose whatever moral authority it has to rule, forget conducting the national elections slated for March 5 next year. 

Let action speak louder than words.

World Diabetes Day is being observed today by organizing numerous awareness programs in Nepal and across the globe.

This day aims to enhance understanding of the risks, prevention, and treatment options for diabetes.

Since 2007, it has been recognized following a United Nations initiative. The UN has urged all member nations to develop national strategies aligned with their healthcare systems to combat diabetes.

The World Health Organization reported that in 2014, 422 million adults globally were living with diabetes, a significant increase from 108 million in 1980. The rise in diabetes cases is attributed to factors such as obesity, poor lifestyle choices, and insufficient physical activity. Preventive measures include maintaining a healthy diet, engaging in regular exercise, and steering clear of smoking and alcohol.

The global organization has stressed the importance of prioritizing long-term health policies, raising public awareness, and fostering a lifestyle-friendly environment to address the escalating diabetes crisis.

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has stated that there is currently no major weather system affecting the country.

This afternoon, the department anticipates partly cloudy conditions in the hilly regions of Koshi and Gandaki Provinces, while the rest of the country will have mostly clear weather.

Additionally, tonight, the forecast suggests that most areas will remain generally clear, although some locations may see partly cloudy skies.