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As Tihar approaches, vendors across Nepal face the challenges of rising costs and shifting consumer habits. This has led to economic uncertainty during this festive season. Shreya Shrestha of ApEx talked to three shop owners regarding their views on the present economic status.

Sonu Tamang, 28

I’ve been selling these flowers for two years, and it’s tough to care for them because they wither quickly. I’m a street vendor and I don’t have any equipment to keep them fresh so I have to get them from the dealer every day. There are many flowers in the market and the prices are considerably low yet customers continue to bargain, which can be disheartening. I normally sell flowers till the end of the Tihar because everyone needs them as they are needed in many rituals. These days people also grow their own flowers which means fewer customers.

Sandeep Khaitu, 39

We have been running a family business for nearly three years. There is no fixed number of sweets that we sell every year. It varies. People have different tastes and want different things. So its hard for us to decide what to focus on. The most popular sweets are rasbari, lal mohan, barfi, and laddu. But the ingredients required to make these sweets are becoming increasingly expensive, making it harder to sell them at prices that consumers might consider reasonable.

Nhiche Bahadur Prajapati, 72

My wife and I have been making things with clay for quite some time. We make diyo (traditional oil lamps) and many other household items out of clay. We are planning on making more diyos for Tihar because people use them during Laxmi Puja and Mha Puja. The raw material is quite expensive because we have to buy it from different vendors. Mud was once found locally but with so much construction going around, it’s difficult to source it these days. We have to raise the cost of our products accordingly and so now they are quite pricey. 

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.

Dashain is here and there’s a festive feel in the air. But people ApEx spoke to confessed that it’s not the same anymore. We asked three people how things have changed and what they miss the most and here’s what they had to say. 

Shristika Prajapati, 19

Dashain has always been my favorite festival and getting to spend time with my family is the best part. I miss my brother as he is abroad and he won’t be coming home. I believe Dashain isn’t what it used to be several years ago. It’s changed and people have tweaked the rituals to fit their schedules. I miss the traditional feel of the festival. Many people don’t go to temples and conduct elaborate pujas anymore. Rather, it’s become an excuse to party and have fun without partaking in rituals that actually matter. 

Kusum Rimal, 57

I’m a religious person who enjoys performing puja and spending time with my family. During Dashain, I miss my family even more. My daughters live away from home and they won’t be able to come back and join in on the festivities. Dashain has lost its charm because it’s not about being with your family and friends anymore. Many youngsters these days don’t know why we celebrate Dashain. The older generation must ensure we pass on our traditions and stories so that they aren’t lost over time. 

Bhim Bahadur Tamang, 79

Dashain isn’t about pujas and rituals as it once used to be. It’s more about food and parties and meeting relatives. I guess that is okay too. But I wish we gave more importance to traditions and didn’t let them fade away. I fear that in the future, people won’t even go to put tika and take blessings from their relatives as they will be too preoccupied with their lives. Since most families are scattered around the world, the tradition is already on the decline.

Case 1

A year ago, Binu Thapa collapsed in the middle of the road. Living with cerebral palsy (CP), she struggles to control her body. In the past, she had always been thankful for the kindness of strangers who helped her during such moments. However, on this particular day, she was filled with anxiety when two boys rushed to her aid, their hands gripping her chest, making her deeply uncomfortable.

Case 2

Krishna Prashad Bhandari, who has a spinal cord injury, runs a hostel for children with disabilities. The issue he raises is not personal, but concerns the children in his care. One month ago, a student from his dormitory, who uses a wheelchair, missed her exam because no bus would stop for her. Bus conductors often urge drivers to speed past when they see passengers with disabilities.

Case 3

Suresh Rajbhandari, who was born visually impaired, uses a white cane to navigate. A few days ago, while riding a bus, the conductor began to argue with him because someone else had taken the seat designated for disabled passengers.

These cases illustrate the everyday struggles disabled people face in Nepal. Discussions around disability rarely inspire action, but organizations like the National Association of the Physically Disabled-Nepal (NAPD), the Bhaktapur Association for the Deaf (BHAD) and Nepal Association of the Blind (NAB) have long been advocating for the disabled community. Most of these organizations are nonprofits dedicated to supporting disabled people without hesitation.

Since its inception, NAPD has organized awareness programs, friendly initiatives, and extracurricular activities for disabled individuals, along with providing essential infrastructure. However, despite Article 18 of the 2072 Constitution, which states, "All citizens shall be equal before the law. No person shall be denied the equal protection of law,” implementation remains lacking.

Binita Regmi, chairperson of NAPD, said, “Being physically disabled myself, I understand the daily challenges. One of the biggest struggles is using public transportation. NAPD distributes stickers for buses, primarily on Nepal Yatayat, but we’ve seen no improvement in how we are treated.”

Jayaram Pakka Newar, chairperson of BHAD, communicated through sign language, “Many deaf people face issues when obtaining driving licenses and with the lack of proper training. Unfortunately, I’m often left out of such discussions because no one makes the effort to teach me.”

Kiran Shilpakar, former president of NAPD, highlighted the positive changes in Lalitpur, where a van has been adapted to assist those with physical disabilities. “I’ve used it multiple times, and it’s been a relief to travel comfortably, knowing I can call for it whenever needed.” But such services are rare. Many buses in Nepal have high entrances, and drivers and conductors often treat disabled passengers rudely. Regmi added, “They stop the bus in inconvenient spots, forcing us to get off quickly. This can lead to falls and further injuries.”

Binu Thapa, a member of the Bhaktapur Social Development Branch, echoed these frustrations. “People use harsh, abusive language towards us when we travel by bus. Even after buying our own four-wheeled scooters, we’re criticized because they take up extra space.”

Thapa added, “We’re also frequently denied to have driving licenses, even though many of us can drive safely. This leaves us vulnerable in accidents, and we’re scolded when we use scooters designed for disabled because they take up space on the road.”

Suresh Neupane, a member of NAB, proposed a practical solution. “Buses should be painted primarily white and green, as these colors are more visible to those with low vision. It would also help if buses had a voice system announcing stops, so we know where we are.”

Ram Krishna Shrestha, from the Sano Thimi traffic police, said, “We are trained to help and respect others in need. While there are systems in place to verify licenses, we are taught not to check the licenses of individuals with disabilities under certain circumstances. We’ll make sure to assist disabled people more attentively.”

Suresh Rajbhandari, former president of Voice Bhaktapur, pointed out another issue: “Consistency in seating arrangements for disabled passengers is important. It’s confusing when every bus places these seats in different locations.”

Shilpakar also discussed various policies aimed at supporting disabled people and urged, “We want this information to be widely known.”

The 1993 Vehicle and Transport Management Act prohibits people with certain conditions—such as epilepsy, dementia, or severe visual impairments—from obtaining driving licenses. However, the government of Nepal, along with local authorities, is required to make public transportation, bus parks, ticket counters, and boarding areas accessible to all disabled individuals, including wheelchair and white cane users. These provisions are outlined in the 2012 Accessible Physical Structures and Communication Services Guide for Persons with Disabilities.

Section 15 of the 2017 Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act guarantees access to education, housing, workplaces, transportation, and electronic services for people with disabilities. The act also states that disabled individuals have the right to move freely with the assistance of aides or devices of their choosing.

Section 12 of the 2020 Regulations on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities mandates a 50 percent discount on public transport fares for people with disabilities, and that specific seats be reserved for them. The National Policy on Persons with Disabilities, 2023, further emphasizes that transportation must be accessible and disabled-friendly.

Additionally, the government has provisions for grants or concessional loans to disabled individuals for agriculture and self-employment, and offers reduced fares on public transportation. There are also tax exemptions for aids, equipment, and vehicles used by people with disabilities.

But despite all these laws in place, persons with disabilities continue to struggle, be it while traveling in public transport, visiting government offices, or accessing various services, barring them from leading a dignified life.

Dashain is the biggest festival for Hindus and it signifies different things for different people. Most people have a favorite memory and lament that things are no longer the same. ApEx spoke to some people to find out what Dashain means to them and how they think it has evolved over the years.

Sumit Kumar Shah, 18

For Nepalis, Dashain is a major holiday that is observed for several days. The celebrations include getting together with friends and family, worshiping the gods, and exchanging good wishes. I enjoy the vibe of this festival but I think that the Dashain that we celebrate now and the one that we used to celebrate a few years ago are two very different things. Traditionally, people would gather and celebrate Dashain. They would make it a point to come home. These days, we can see people celebrating virtually via video calls. There are even provisions to send ‘dakshina’ digitally via money transfers.

Khusbu Nisha, 27

Since everyone in Nepal celebrates Dashain with a lot of aplomb, I think it’s a powerful festival. I’m a Muslim and I don’t celebrate the festival but I have witnessed a lot of my neighbors enjoying the holiday season. I’ve been working in Bhaktapur for ten years, and during that time I’ve seen a lot of changes. A few years ago, Dashain was marked by a significant increase of shoppers out on the streets. There would be sales and huge crowds in the market. But these days, there is much difference between Dashain and other regular times. People have migrated to online shopping and there is that sense of hustle and bustle that marked Dashain.

Dhan Bahadur Tuitui, 80

I have many things to do before Dashain but I’m not working at the moment and I don’t have much money to indulge in the festivities. There was a time when Dashain meant a lot of traditions and rituals. Most of them are limited to memories today. We used to celebrate Dashain by slaughtering goats, ducks, and hens. There used to be a lot of fanfare about it. We don’t do it anymore and I miss those days when Dashain meant being surrounded by my family and friends. I want to be able to do things like we did when I was young, like cooking meat in clay pots, over a traditional stove. Things have changed and not all changes are good.

Street vendors are an integral part of city life. People have easy access to most household goods at cheap prices. The vendors, on the other hand, are able to earn a living without having to worry about overhead costs like exorbitant rent and utilities. But it’s no easy job, say vendors ApEx spoke to. There are many challenges because of which they are always troubled. Here they share their worries and hopes.

Binuta Magar, 17

As a college student, I work as a vendor in hopes of earning some money to support my studies and also get some pocket money. I have to work as my family’s financial situation isn’t that great. I actually wanted to go abroad to study but I’m unable to do so.  I wish the government would do something to help the poor—perhaps give them some work opportunities or if not, at least look into how they can make the environment better for them to do their own thing with dignity. The inflation is so high that vendors like me have to make do with the bare minimum.   

Prakash Subedi, 35

My source of income comes from selling vegetables from a cart. I’ve been doing that for the past two years. I make enough money from this to support my family but it’s just the basics. There isn’t much left for anything else. It’s not easy. As vendors, we have to brave the weather and don’t have the luxury to say we won’t go out to work today because it’s raining or it’s too hot. Worse, the local authorities and the police often chase us away, hampering our business. I live in constant threat that the police will take my cart away and I won’t be able to earn a living.

Amar Raj Bista, 51

I have been working in the Pepsicola area since 2022. I was working in Kalanki before this. Right now, the financial situation is so dire. I can’t afford to rent a space. The best I could do was build a little shed to sell garments. I have to pay the landowner and something I don’t have enough money left. I feel trapped and I’m unable to change things. My family suffers too because we have to make do with what we have. I hope the government wakes up and decides to do something to make work easy and respectful for us.

The British Embassy in Kathmandu organized a pre-departure event on Tuesday at the residence of UK Ambassador Rob Fenn for this year’s cohort of Chevening Scholars. Thirteen Nepali students will be heading to the UK to pursue one-year master’s degrees under the prestigious Chevening Scholarship program.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Fenn expressed his admiration for the scholars, stating, “Chevening Scholars represent some of Nepal’s finest, and the UK is proud to support them in building important links, acting as ambassadors between our countries. It is also a delight to see so many of our alumni, who all return to Nepal, driving change here with the skills, knowledge, and friendships built from their time at British Universities.”

The scholars will be pursuing a wide range of subjects, including International Human Rights Law, Aviation Digital Technology, Global Health Policy, and Children, Youth & International Development.

First introduced in Nepal in 1983, the Chevening program has since supported 262 Nepali scholars, including this year’s batch. Notable alumni from the program have made significant contributions in fields such as politics, academia, diplomacy, and business. This year’s group will continue this legacy, adding to the global network of over 50,000 Chevening alumni.

The Chevening Scholarship, named after the British Foreign Secretary’s official residence, enables students from around the world to study for one year in the UK before returning to contribute to their home countries.

As ‘Children’s Day’ is around the corner, we thought we would ask some parents about navigating the challenges of raising children, their concerns, and how they are ensuring their child grows up in the best possible environment.

Aayush Shakya, 29

As a first-time parent, I must admit that I’m a little lost. With my knowledge of child psychology, I try to understand him when he throws tantrums. But I worry about him all the time. I don’t know what he is going through or what he wants. I don’t know if he’s feeling unwell or if he wants food. I’m pretty clueless most of the time.  

It’s true that a child’s upbringing has an impact on his/her mental health as well. S/he will grow up to be a good person if s/he is raised in a happy, understanding, and positive environment. I guess that’s a lot of pressure on the parents. I want to make sure my child gets a lot of love, care, and emotional support so that he becomes a well-grounded person in the future.

Usha Tamang, 38

Children are affected by their environment so every parent must make sure it’s conducive for a child’s growth. It’s the parent’s responsibility to ensure the child grows up well. Since I don’t know much about child psychology, I make it a point to be careful about how I deal with him. I’m concerned about his mental health since there can be so many triggers. Sometimes, we mistakenly raise our voices and my child feels bad. I fear this might have a negative impact in the long term though he doesn’t seem to be affected by it at the moment. However, I’m mindful of the fact that I must be cautious about my words and actions around him.   

Harsha Bahadur Shrestha, 60

Parents are responsible for their children and, I feel, it’s a lifelong responsibility. We must guide them in a way that promotes critical thinking, social adaptability, and self-awareness. I think children learn a lot by looking at their peers, more so now than ever before so every parent must monitor their children’s circle when they are growing up. As for myself, I think I have done a fairly decent job in raising my children and teaching them good values. I think I have managed to steer them in the right direction, emphasizing on the need to make good decisions when picking friends and careers, as well as being professional without ever harming others.