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I dusted off an old memory,

Tried to relive, but life grants only one glory.

I looked across a quiet shelf,

And saw the sum of my living self.

Some pages hold the silent tears,

The quiet hopes, the hidden fears.

Times of darkness and of light,

They live within us, undefined. 

Across many and many books,

I flipped through pages of my childhood,

My veiled depths were then revealed,

And for a long time, life seemed fulfilled.

I came across some empty books,

Ones I could still create,

Someplace shelves held no books,

Life wasn’t for too long, my fate.

I could tear apart the stories told,

Or close the cover and simply go.

But every book, both new and old,

Whispers the truth I’ve come to know.

Uma Regmi

Grade: X

Shree Bal Uddhar Secondary School

Budhanilkantha Municipality-10, Kapan

Over 700,000 Nepali youths migrate to foreign countries for foreign employment and education every year. Brain drain has become a big problem in our country’s context. Attractive facilities, infrastructure and opportunities to earn good money are considered some of the major causes for brain drain. But is that really it? Nepal still is a patriarchal society. People hold religious views and have traditional concepts. Modern forms of parenting have not been well accepted in society. The relationship between parents and their children aren’t on good terms exactly. If a child chooses science as the stream to further his/her studies after the clearance of the SEE examinations, he/she is talented but anything else except that is simply a disappointment; in most cases. “You live under my roof hence, you have to do what I want you to do” is a common mentality that most of the Nepali parents develop and impose on their children. 

Most of the Nepali parents believe that expressing one’s opinion about something is the equivalent to talking back. It is a sign of disrespect. Similarly, speaking when the others, especially the elders are talking is considered an interruption . These practices not only trouble the mental state of the children, but also hinder their physical ability to speak up for themselves and even create obstacles in learning a simple skill of socializing with other people. Children are taught that their opinions do not matter at all from a very early age. Because in Nepal, children who are quiet and obedient are considered well mannered. Mischief  and curiosity come to children naturally. It is in their nature to jump, play, shout and ask many questions. Putting a stop to these activities only brings trouble for them later in life. It is harder for girls than boys. Girls are required to speak in a certain manner, laugh in a certain manner, sit in a certain manner, eat in a certain manner, and many more. A girl skateboarding is considered shocking. An act as simple as a girl playing with a skateboard is difficult for society to accept. Scooters are considered more feminine than motorbikes and “suit” a lady better than the latter. This is the ultimate reality of the Nepali society.

If a child tries to speak with his/her parents frankly and share his/her problems, the parents tend to see their child as the sole problem and reprimanded them for being so. All their lives, children bottle up their feelings, unable to speak to anyone about it. This causes a sudden and dramatic explosion of emotions. With nosy neighbours and strict parents, all a child is able to do is to cry silently in his/her room. This system in which parents are unable to understand the psychology of their child has come to such a point that the only thing the children of this generation seek is freedom. Freedom from their familial pressure, freedom to speak their mind, freedom to be selfish and think of themselves once in a while rather than what the society or their parents think of themselves and the freedom to live as who they actually are. Why are the suicide rates increasing every single day? Why is today’s youth a victim to depression? Why are the youth leaving their countries and families and going abroad? When thought carefully and in depth, the answer is quite simple: it is because of the fragile bond between parents and children.

Although not mature, children are humans too. They also need someone to hear them rather than suppress them. Brain drain is a simple solution to all their problems. They get to get away from their families, they find a glint of their freedom that they so longed for and discover a sense of independence and in a way, themselves as well. They delve so deep into their newfound freedom that they forget to come back home at all. The people may be changing along with time but it is quite true that not many things about the system of raising children has changed. It is very rigid and has become a cause for generational trauma. Capturing people in this loop of never ending and ever repeating process of hurting each other. Parents hurt their children with words of negativity . Meanwhile, children hurt their parents by not respecting them and their wishes. 

The fact about being children is that all the various phases of their childhood is a phase for development. Every action a guardian takes and every word he/she speaks to the child is etched deep into their minds forming their personality and ideals. Hence, parents and guardians should be mindful about what they say and do in front of their children. To escape from the matrix, the current and the upcoming generation are required to shield their younguns from negativity and let them cherish their childhood days. A safe space to express themselves and a safe space to call home. Home is considered the first school of children. A child’s development in their family helps shape their future in the society. 

Dristi Rajak

St Mary’s Secondary School, Jawalakhel

Bunking has always felt like a terrifying act during school days. The thought of getting caught was enough to send shivers down your spine. But as we step into college life, bunking transforms into something else entirely—an experience that, in my opinion, everyone should go through at least once. There’s a certain thrill in sneaking out with friends, trying not to get noticed by teachers. It’s a rollercoaster of excitement, nerves, and laughter—a unique kind of fun.

Bunking doesn’t always deserve the negative reputation it gets. Sometimes it’s less about skipping responsibilities and more about taking a break—making time to simply live, laugh, and bond with the people who make your college life unforgettable.

My friends and I have bunked a few times, but one day was something special. We decided to visit Rani Jhula in Nagarkot, and just like every other time, it turned out to be the perfect escape.

We all left our houses at usual time, as if we were heading to college. We met at Kamalbinayak, grabbed some snacks like momo (yes, momo—not momos, please!), sausages, shaphale, cupcakes, instant noodles, and chips. One of our friends had a scooter, but since we were five, three hopped on the scooter, while another friend and I took an inDrive.

When we arrived, we unexpectedly got separated—two of us ended up on one side of the bridge, and the other three on the opposite end. But once we reunited, hunger haunted us. We searched for a spot to settle down and finally found a beautiful place a bit far from the bridge. That’s where we laid out our food and had our mini picnic early in the morning.

With a guitar in hand, we sang songs, clicked tons of pictures, and just soaked in the moment. It was peaceful, carefree, and full of laughter—everything a morning escape should be. Despite all of us being working students, we had to reach our respective offices right on time. As the rain began to drizzle and then poured heavily while heading back, we found ourselves walking through what felt different. Just picture it: surrounded by serene greenery, your closest friends beside you, a gentle rain falling all around and a small waterfall on the way. It was peaceful, cinematic—almost surreal. We didn’t complain; instead, we embraced the moment. We laughed, played, and lived in that moment. And when the skies finally cleared, we did what we always do—took tons of photos. The kind that never leave your gallery, because they’ve taken root in your heart.

We started walking back after realizing there was no InDrive service available in the area. What was supposed to be a quick ride turned into an unexpected, hour-long journey on foot. But somehow, with the rain, the scenery, and the company—even that detour felt perfect. While returning, things didn’t go as smoothly. And yet, despite the long walk, the rain, and the unexpected detour, we somehow made it to our offices right on time. Tired? Maybe. But our hearts were full, and our spirits couldn’t have been higher. Every bit of it was worth it. That morning wasn’t just about bunking class—it was about making memories we’ll carry with us for a lifetime. It’s really just a matter of safety, if we travel smart and bunk responsibly, everything becomes possible. The fun doesn’t have to come at the cost of caution.

Shreya Shrestha

BA II Year

Bagiswori College, Bhaktapur

Once, the sound of laughter echoed through playgrounds. Now it’s the screen lighting up young faces. Not long ago, the sound of children playing  guccha, flying kites, or chasing each other around the galli was a common scene in  neighborhoods. From climbing trees to clicking apps, childhood has taken a sharp  digital turn—and it’s time we asked: are we gaining innovation or losing innocence? 

Today’s youth are more connected than ever, yet increasingly detached from their  surroundings. Social media, mobile games, and YouTube have become modern  playgrounds. While technology offers incredible opportunities, access to information,  global communication, creative platforms; it’s also quietly stealing something precious:  presence. We see the signs everywhere. Attention spans are shrinking. Face-to-face  conversations feel awkward. The joy of outdoor play is replaced by the dopamine hit of  a ‘like’. Even family dinners are interrupted by notification pings. The shift is  subtle, yet serious.  

According to a 2023 report by the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA), over 72 percent of Nepal’s population has access to the internet, with a majority of young users  spending more than four hours a day online. A study by UNICEF Nepal found that 60 percent of adolescents prefer screen-based entertainment over outdoor games, citing boredom  and peer influence as key reasons. Globally, research published in the Journal of the  American Medical Association (JAMA) suggests that high digital media use is linked to  increased rates of anxiety, sleep issues, and reduced attention span in adolescents. 

Yet, this is not a call to ban screens. Rather, it’s a call to restore balance. Let’s create  spaces where our youth can embrace both tradition and technology. Let’s encourage  digital literacy alongside cultural literacy. Families can start small tech-free meals,  storytelling nights, or weekend hikes in the hills. Schools can incorporate local games,  festivals, and community projects to keep traditions alive in young hearts. 

From swings to screens, the world has changed. But maybe, just maybe, we can help  our youth find their way back—without taking the screens away, but by giving them  something even more powerful: perspective. 

Ayushma Budhathoki 

St Xavier’s College, Maitighar