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On a fine Sunday morning, as I sat braiding the hair of my five-year-old sister, she looked up at me with big, hopeful eyes and asked if I could give her a makeover to make her look as beautiful as Cinderella. I asked: Why? Still a cute little baby, she said: “So that I could find a prince who will make me a queen.”

This seemingly witty response of my sister made me ponder upon how these fairy tales have been shaping highly flawed and toxic gender norms and standards for beauty even in today’s society. That a woman’s goal is only to be “accepted” by a man, as someone who cannot ever stand on her own. She is in a perpetual struggle for the mercy of a man—somebody must take control of her. In fact, she has been learning so much before she would start her formal education, which hardly enables young brains like hers to question any such conventional norms.

As a child, anyone would be captivated by the story of a young Cinderella who overcomes difficulty and finds her prince and lives happily ever after. Every child, even in today’s modern society, does yearn for his or her own fairytale ending, just like Cinderella’s. But as one grows up and gains a deeper understanding of the surrounding, one starts questioning the underlying messages embedded within Cinderella’s story — only if the education system develops in them a faculty for critical thinking. The realization that Cinderella is a narrative that conserves the notion that a woman’s identity is shaped solely by societal expectations and the acceptance of a man. It fails to embrace the concept of female independence and empowerment.

For real empowerment, there is a need for instilling a thought in our young generation to discern the inconsistencies that exist within Cinderella’s story. Why did Cinderella feel the need to adapt and change herself to fit into those stunning glass slippers? Why was her worth so closely tied to a prince’s recognition and validation? These questions should also be naturally popped up among growing young minds, in order to prompt a deep introspection and a desire to challenge the limiting beliefs imposed upon women.

One aspect that troubles child psychologists is Cinderella’s physical transformation, which plays a key role in her story. It emphasizes the significance placed on external beauty and continues to nurture the harmful notion that a woman’s worth is determined solely by her physical appearance. This narrative supports society’s pressures to adhere to narrow beauty standards, hindering the worth of a woman’s inherent value beyond her looks. It is high time we beat these restrictions and let both boys and girls embrace their true identities.

Cinderella’s story propagated the belief that a woman’s happiness and fulfillment revolve solely around finding a prince to save her. However, authentic relationships are built on mutual respect, equality, and the acceptance of one another’s true selves. Let a free mind of the 21st century, of whatever sex or gender, seek partnerships that celebrate their individuality, cherishing themselves for who they are rather than who they are expected to be. The flawed fairy tales should be deconstructed to let our new generation no longer wait for someone to hand them the key to their dreams. Instead, we should take charge of our own destiny. True empowerment originates from within—it comes from believing in our own abilities and trusting our intuition.

We, as women, are the authors of our own stories. We possess the capability to achieve greatness and create our own happily ever after on our own terms. So, let us free ourselves from the confines of Cinderella’s story and rewrite our own narratives that celebrate our strength, resilience and unwavering independence.

Among the busy crowd of bustling Kathmandu, I corner my scooter aside to the pavement and check my phone for calls. A pedestrian prances along and asks ‘Pathao ho?’—I deny. Just minutes later the same question was asked. I retorted, “I am not a Pathao driver.”

It sure becomes infuriating when I am a college student waiting for my future to clear out like the Kathmandu road but am nagged with people when I come to a halt. Their only assumption of me being a Pathao driver is the arachnoid mobile holder—I don’t have it, and yet again the question is presented.

I take off my helmet to act cool and nonchalant but people can be brave and reluctant with hurried questions. They are more disgusted by me not being the driver much more than I am pretending to not be one. The questionnaires are used to being asked by the drivers in a larger monopolistic way to take anyone from anywhere to everywhere.

Are people not phased with the threats that come with offline usage? The rampant entrusting of your security is whittled to a stranger. According to some customers, platform-based ridesharing fills an important void in the poorly provided and poorly functioning public transport sector of Kathmandu (Pg-21) yet the trust is frayed. You can only rely on the Nepali hospitality and humility. It is widespread now, for walkers to save money and go off the record with the vacant pillion seats as much of the fares demanded are lessened offline.

Section 8 (2) of the Vehicle and Transport Management Act 1993 states that no private motor vehicle shall be used for the transport service.  Section 12 (1) of the Act also states vehicles registered for one purpose cannot be used for another. So, I can’t be malevolent, can I?

The website Pathao clearly mentions that the riders are ‘not the employees of Pathao’ and are based on a freelancing model and only the concerned individual parties shall be solely responsible for the claims, judgements and liabilities that result from any accident, loss or damage, and not the company or Pathao. 

Another famed app InDrive, mentions on its General Terms of Use that any decision to offer or accept the Services is an ‘independent decision’ made in each user’s sole discretion at the user’s own risk. InDrive has a plus point as passengers offer the price and the drivers counteroffer seemingly as a colloquial Nepali style of bargaining. Less fares yet the company is not responsible for any damages or losses incurred. The initial fare, as should be determined based on a minimum distance of three kilometers. 

Some of these drivers are incautious and unwary of the traffic around, as they swerve across lanes without giving a side light increasing the risk to not just the passenger but to other common drivers and pedestrians. I know this because I have ridden on one.

The ride-sharing companies do give ample employment but the malice and greed of the drivers to earn a little bit more ruins everything. Even mixing in the honest working class.

Wonder if I could charge the galling people with my expensive petrol money… or play the bargain game which I am bound to lose. But unfortunately, I am not a Pathao driver.

The author is a student of Journalism and Mass Communication at St Xavier’s College, Maitighar

Honorable Finance Minister,

You might not be an economist, but as an experienced political leader, I am very hopeful about the upcoming budget of fiscal year 2081/082 BS. There isn’t any special formula for achieving prosperity, for it requires courage and competence in equal measure. In your second term as finance minister, you being a leader who has repeatedly won elections, are a close witness to our nation’s poverty. Hence, I am even more enthusiastic; will you this time introduce new measures for prosperity.

The budget is not just the financial exercise of the nation; it’s an outline and strategy document for solving the most complex issues of the nation, where the management of resources must be done with justice and wisdom. I find our national budget comprising remnants of the past goods, incomplete, inadequate present, and plan-less future.

So I want to ask you this Honorable Finance Minister: Why does the budget always seem so stale? Why can’t the budget makers become allies of public enthusiasm? Isn't this a beautiful opportunity to awaken the common people? Why can't budget makers become engineers of national transformation?

I lack any formal education in economics. However, as an entrepreneur and a citizen of Nepal, I could not help but offer my two cents worth of suggestions for the upcoming budget. And, I have presented some suggestions. I feel, we are in various circumstances, and these diverse suggestions will indeed be helpful.

Communicate hope

Social despair is more detrimental than economic despair. Please manifest hope and enthusiasm in your programs. In every allocation of your budget, ask yourself, ‘What energy does this bring?’

Address the youth

There is a significant gap between youth and national budget programs. Present programs for high-level youth development that can yield results in two years. Introduce ideas and schemes to control human capital flight. Correct the past tendency of discouraging youths and upstart entrepreneurs. 

Be courageous

The position of finance minister is very important. It's a place to showcase one's leadership and brilliance. Corruption in national resources distribution due to excessive politicization has created many problems in the past. To break this trend, it's necessary to show courage. Do something new, even if it seems impossibly ambitious. Do not allow budgetary programs to be mere election slogans.

Show empathy toward entrepreneurs

Business is not just about making money; it’s about growth. Nurture and promote entrepreneurship. The business sector is affected by incursions from various bodies of the state. It is in the grip of an economic recession. Seek various means of national revenue. Taxation is one face of the coin; the other is subsidies and facilities.

Don’t intimidate entrepreneurs in the name of taxes. Rather, motivate them to earn and contribute more. 

Invest in education

Provide opportunities for existing educational institutions to transform themselves. Prioritize educational governance. Invest in programs that create a better future rather than long-term productivity programs. We have omitted many things in education, which could be the sole significant medium for national prosperity.

Digital transformation

Digitalization is a weapon against corruption—use it. Be ambitious. Aim to become influential. Dare to reach your goal. Invite global information technology companies and donors for nation-building. However small contribution there may be, it will sow the seeds of prosperity.

Become a guardian

Save Nepal. Be a guardian to all of us. Listen to interest groups but verify from independent analysts. Make the budget inclusive and participatory. Analyze the potential decisions in favor and against. Be bold and be ready to address every concern of stakeholders.

My eighth suggestion, please spend at least one day studying and analyzing the trends, weaknesses, strengths, and obstacles of programs of the last two decades at the international level, along with their impacts. You will find more guiding principles from there than your economic advisors. Time provides an opportunity for a person to do something great. That time is now for you. Don’t miss the opportunity to become the ‘architect’ of a prosperous Nepal.

The newly-formed five-party coalition has outlined its policy priorities across various critical areas such as the economy, service delivery, federalism implementation, job creation, transitional justice and foreign policy. The document known as common resolution has aptly highlighted the growing pessimism among the youth who are increasingly becoming more belligerent toward the government and political parties.  However, past experience suggests that governments struggle to translate such lofty ideals and visions into tangible outcomes. Over the past year, little progress has been made in areas such as service delivery and improving the country’s economic landscape. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s decision to change coalition partners under the pretext of overcoming obstacles posed by the Nepali Congress does not align with ground reality. Dahal has paid little attention or no attention to the pressing issues facing the nation. He has dedicated his time to attending public events, like book launches and inauguration of infrastructure projects, rather than focusing on governance.

Soon after assuming office after forming a new coalition, Dahal issued extensive directives. Interestingly, his tenure has been marked by frequent transfers within the bureaucratic ranks. He consistently said that he would reshuffle the cabinet to improve service delivery, but ended up changing the coalition. There has been a glaring lack of seriousness in addressing the grievances of victims of loan sharks and microfinance institutions, as well as in addressing the challenges facing provincial governments.  During this period, dissent against the prevailing political system has gained traction, yet the Prime Minister has taken no substantive measures to defend it. Instead, some of these measures have boosted the activities of political forces who want to overthrow the current political system.

Admittedly, Prime Minister Dahal appears to have acknowledged the existence of serious challenges that demand attention. His inclusion of the CPN-UML, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and Janata Samajbadi Party in the government reflects a desire for improvement. While Dahal may not be able to bring the desired changes, we should give him the benefit of the doubt and wait for a few months. Dahal may have counted his ability to lead the government, juggling between NC and UML, despite being the third-largest party with just 32 seats in Parliament. But his true success now lies in delivering tangible outcomes. Dahal knows that his ministers cannot deliver. That is why he is now banking on the performance of RSP ministers who are smart enough to brainwash the people even if they cannot offer much substance.

Rising out-migration of youth is becoming a big concern for Nepal. Youths are seeking opportunities abroad, whether through student visas or work permits. While government statistics and economists indicate that Nepal is in a position to benefit from a demographic dividend over the next 15-20 years, the ongoing mass exodus of youth paints a contrasting picture. Nepal is gradually losing this opportunity. The concerning reality of 2,000 youths leaving the country daily should serve as a wake-up call for political parties. However, it appears that this critical issue has yet to resonate with our politicians. Therefore, the first and foremost priority of the government should be to bring a long-term plan aimed at creating employment and other opportunities for the youth population.

Not only the youths, everyone, from ordinary citizens to prominent businessmen and politicians, are grappling with mounting pressures. Common individuals, including farmers and employees, are finding it difficult to make ends meet and support their families. Similarly, businesses, whether small or large, are facing challenges in operating smoothly and meeting their financial obligations including bank loans. While some prominent businessmen may have engaged in tax evasion or other misconduct, the government's response seems disproportionate. There have been complaints of politically-motivated systematic attack on a certain group of businesspersons, which has led to increased capital flight from the country.

Youth politicians from major political parties are particularly feeling the strain due to the increasing unpopularity of their parties and leaders. They recognize that public dissatisfaction, including within their own ranks, has reached a critical juncture. The plight of victims of loan sharks and cooperatives underscores the broader societal discontent. These people embarked on a long march to Kathmandu, demanding justice. But the government is cheating them by pledging to form a commission or something else. Their demands are not getting addressed. The only difference is that some parties are resorting to deceitful tactics, while others are exhibiting a harsher behavior.

The excessive politicization of governmental functions from the central to local levels has facilitated widespread corruption and exploitation of local resources. This exploitation has fostered a perception among the populace that the political system primarily serves the interests of a select few. At the same time, certain regressive elements are trying to capitalize on public sentiment against the current political system. If the existing system fails to demonstrate improvement, it will not only jeopardize its own stability but also undermine the very foundation of democracy itself.

Politicians cannot evade this reality by attributing it to the actions of certain political forces trying to sow pessimism and anarchism in society. This situation did not arise overnight but is rather the result of a cumulative effect stemming from the poor governance of major political parties that have held power since 1990. Instead of shifting blame onto others, political parties must engage in introspection and undertake necessary reforms. PM Dahal, who has successfully navigated between the NC and UML to maintain his hold on power, does not have much time to revel in this situation. Since UML has given him a free-hand in running government as well as key ministries, he will have no other parties to serve as scapegoats, as he previously did with the NC, should he fail.