Word It Out

Pragya talks about "Privilege, Perception, and Breaking Assumptions, One Earned Step at a Time" Yes, I am a second-generation lawyer. And yes, I am someone’s daughter. That is a fact. It does come with certain privileges—doors open faster, networks build more easily, and I often don’t have to start from ground zero. I acknowledge that completely. But what people often don’t see is what comes with that privilege—the weight of constantly being judged. My achievements are casually dismissed with, “Well, of course, she knows that she’s grown up around it.” But when I fail? That failure is celebrated—“Even with all that support, she couldn’t do this.” First of all, let me make one thing clear—we don’t sit around the dinner table discussing legal codes and courtroom strategies. My parents never raised me with legal books on the dining table. We talk like any other family does. We share stories about our day, we laugh, we listen, and sometimes, sure, something from work slips in...

  World Suicide Prevention Day A recent  Instagram post from WHO  reveals that “Every 40 seconds, someone dies by suicide, this results the stats that close to 800,000 people die by suicide every year. Suicide is the  second  leading cause of death among 15–29 years old.” Global Health Observatory (GHO)  data states that “ The global Male:Female ratio of age-standardized suicide rates was 1.8 in 2016, meaning there were more male suicides than female suicides” per 100,000 population. The report of  World Population Review  2020 shows that the eastern European country of Lithuania ranks first with highest toll of death by suicides that is 31.9 suicides per 100,000 population while Antigua and Barbuda ranks the last i.e the 183rd position with 0.5 suicides per 100,000 population. Nepal rests at rank 81 with 8.8 suicides per 100,000 population. In Nepal, the male suicide rate is 9.7 and the female suicide rate is 7.9 per 100,000 population that resul...

No they aren't Romeo and Juliet.  She likes to eat junk, his lifestyle is rather focused on fitness. She likes the privacy of their relationship, he'd rather want her to confess.. No, they aren't alike. But don't they say that the opposites attract? She likes to cuddle and sleep, he wants a peck of kiss. She likes to read novels, he loves to watch movies. No, they aren't the perfect couple. But don't they say that the perfects distract? She likes to talk and dance and sing and eat, he looks at her, all imperfections he sees. She likes to take pictures abstract, he prefers portraits as he strikes a pose on his seat. No, they don't just express love for each other always. But didn't you say love fades as you adapt?  They are like Tom and Jerry. They are like "Hum" and  "Tum. They are like rainbows and rain. Crying together but smiling at the end as they forget the pain. Oh yes! They have one thing is common, they both like to dance and both ...

 Here I sit today.. Soaking up the sunshine.. With my eyes closed.. The sun making my cheeks red like that of tinted rose.. As I wonder looking at these clouds.. What am I doing with my life.. Thinking if the purpose of my life yet have I found? As I think about the sun that stays there.. As the clouds wover around.. I find myself surrounded my people like these, but to them am I that profound? For I never had problem with them coming to me when in need.. But being walked upon, being bullied, being used and being deceived, it has definitely planted a seed.. A seed that now makes me hard to trust people.. A seed that now reaps endless questions with no answers coming from anywhere.. A seed that is growing leaves that make me hustle and rustle and question everything about you.. Yet my little heart doesn’t hate them and nor seeks revenge.. For maybe this is what makes me “Me”.. Me as I look myself in the mirror today, I see someone’s who rose from the ashes.. Who has managed to smile...

Wow! So the Government of Nepal proposed that women under the age of 40 and are unmarried can't travel out of the country unless we get permission from parents and the ward office. But she doesn't need any permission once she is married? Why? 1. Because most of the girls travel without the permission of the parents and her husband 2. Because there's no security of women employment and other facilities abroad 3. Because of girls trafficking 4. Because of several other reasons? Or 5. Because policies are made by misogynist MEN aged 50 or above who are the maniacs of the patriarchal society that we live in. Does getting approval solve all these problems? Well, at least I don't think so. Why don't these people at policy making level think rationally? Don't they understand that it lies in the mentality of a man to chose the way they behave with a woman. why don't they make their rescue policies better? Why don't they make a policy where the consultancies an...

Disclaimer: This post is not created with the intent to hurt anyone's sentiments. Every word that is penned down is just a perception. I extend my sincere apology to anyone who is hurt through the post. I am not a Newar, but I've lived most of my life in Patan. I've lived in the Newar community and have many friends who are the Newars. Yes, I've been to the Bhojs and Nakthyas. More than anything I respect the sentiments and their thrive to save every little part of their culture. I've seen the Jatras and also understand the sentiments attached to it. I saw several posts that flooded on my social media feed, numerous memes that were made, and read several Newar and other communities blame game, the hatred people spill out on each other's ethnicity, culture and tradition. Hey you! Yes, you! I heard that you were craving to go to Lahana ever since the lockdown begun to satisfy your cravings for the delicious chhoila and chyang! Oh, not to mention your love for the ...

In a nation where the Goddesses are worshiped and the women are severely assaulted or killed or raped or harassed or eve-teased or are effectively acid-attacked, nobody, I believe, not even me, I accept have ever been liberated from provocation,harasment or eve-teasing.  From the very beginning we are educated to hold ourselves, to be careful and aware about individuals around us, to get back home before the sun sets and "dress cautiously". It isn't so much that our folks don't confide enough on us, they do, yet they don't trust the society we live in. Just few days back, I saw a post by my friend when her parents politely asked her to not go for a morning walk because of the newspaper and magazine reads that have been filled out with rape and the acid-attack cases. While a girl’s parent are constantly worried about the safe being of their little girls, are the parents of the young men similarly concerned?  Today, let’s take a look at what the men of a society lik...

 Disclaimer: Through this post, I do not intend to hurt any cultural or personal belief. The post simply highlights my perception about the Rishi Panchami Puja. No, I've never performed a Rishi Panchami Puja. Nor did my mother ever made me do it. And specially ever since, I've learnt of what it embarks, it has made my conscience clear of not performing a Rishi Panchami Puja. Rishi panchami puja, this very day is performed   to please the  सप्तऋषि along with the eighty eight thousand सौनकादी ऋषिहरु and the other ज्ञात अज्ञात ऋषि, condemning of any "mistake" or गल्ति, that a woman has done during her menstrual cycle or while she was on her periods- रजस्वाला! Well, रजस्वाला is a physiological or let's say a biological process which marks that a woman is blessed to conceive a life within her or is able to give birth to new life. Previously, the "untouchability" during रजस्वाला did not exist. Woman were given a time off to take rest because of the pain that s...

 धर्ती यो हरियो थियो, सगरका तारा उज्याला थिए मेरै प्रीति दुहाइ कान्तिपुरका सन्झ्याल अग्ला थिए छाया आज पर्‍यो, छिप्यो छवि कहाँ, के देख्नु मैले पर्‍यो आँसुमा अब चिप्लियो कलम यो, के लेख्नु मैले पर्‍यो! - राष्ट्रकवि माधवप्रसाद घिमिरे उहाँलाई ‌३ पटक भेट्ने सुवर्ण अवसर पाएकी थिएँ मैले। मेरो आँखा सामु अझै‌ प्रष्टसँग आउदछन ती पल, हातको त्यो कम्पनले पनी कलम चलाउन नरोकि उहाँले मेरो नाममा  आशिर्वाद दिइ गर्नु भएको त्यो हस्ताक्षर, झलझली नाच्दैछन् ती चित्र, गुन्जिरहेका छन् ‌उहाँका ती आत्मवृत्तान्तका कथाहरू.. सधै प्रसन्न मुद्रामा देखिएका उहाँले सानो स्वरले आफ्नो विचार व्यक्त गर्दै जाँदा, हौँसिदै जोसिँदै घन्टौँसम्म सुनाउनु हुन्थ्यो आफ्ना अनुभवहरू.. यी सबै मौका जुराउनु भएको थियो मेरो कान्छो मामाले, जसले आफ्नो पहिलो खण्ड काव्य राष्ट्रकविलाई समर्पित गरी "राष्ट्रकवि"  नाममा प्रकाशन गर्नुभएको छ! त्यसैबाट साभार यो हरफ महाप्रस्थानमा‌ हिड्नुभएका  कविवरका नाम: फर्की आऊ कविवर यहाँ भन्छ होला हिमाल ऊर्ध्वारोही बन अझ तिमी ‌भन्छ होला पहाड  खोज्दै छाया विगत दिनका सम्झिदेऊ रसाई  भन्लान् त...

As the government lifted up the 120 days long lockdown since midnight, it has also instructed the schools, colleges and universities to resume. While there is no doubt that education sector has been adversely affected in both ways- financially and academically, we also can't deny that now is not the time. While the public schools have already asked the parents to get their child enrolled, what about the students of the government school. Are we not discriminating the students? While the students of the private students will now be studying in the classes, the government schools that have been used as the quarantine homes are no safe either. People have been constantly travelling in and out and now as the foreign returns can directly go home without having to move to the government's quarantine- oh sorry, the government has advised them to directly go home and quarant themselves at home and only then get the PCR test done within a week, itself explains how wise of a decision i...

It's very true that people have been starving as the source of their income has been lost and the economy will struggle for so long. The schools and colleges will finally get to charge their students, but I'm happy that the teachers who have been working so hard to keep students like us engaged in studies with such dedication will finally be rewarded. But do we have enough equipment and test kits to keep our doctors safe, to get ourselves tested? I was extremely awed at the sudden decision of the Government to start the lockdown days ago. But ending it in such haphazard manner is going to bring disastrous situation. While soooooo many people across the border will finally come home, without bending their ways, we all are in verse of getting infected as we lack proper quarantine and isolation facilities, and needless to say about the condition of the health care system of the country. People have already started walking along without wearing any masks and taking any other p...

It is for that pregnant elephant that was brutally killed. It is for the those animals that died through the wildfire. It is for the millions of people that are dying because of the pandemic despite their color, despite their race. It's for that lover who was killed and for the girl that was raped. It is for the boy that was bullied and the kid that was harassed.It is about the mother that was left and the child that was abandoned. It is about life. It is about getting to live. Live life with their heads held high. Live life freely and peacefully. It is about HUMANITY . Because LIFE DOES MATTER. -Pragya Gyawali

Dear 2075, Thank you for being soo amazing. This year has turned my tables in a good ground. From completing my undergraduate studies to joining in Master's. From visiting lots of new places to meeting lots of new people.  Learning new things and taking part in various activities, I have been able to upgrade myself in every better way possible. Thanking every person I met, thank you for being there always. Thank you for all the constant in this changing world. Dear 2075, this last day, dedicating this post to you, I would like to thank you for everything. You gave a lot of rain but many beautiful rainbows after that. I thank you for being so wonderful, for being my year. I will miss you a lot 2075.  Forever grateful. -Pragya Gyawali (Picture credit:  https://www.incimages.com/uploaded_files/image/1920x1080/getty_469566889_105923.jpg )

 Whilst the government is taking no active preventive measures, a step taken by Lalitpur Metropolitan of preparing sanitizer is a step ahead and commendable. But is lack of sanitizers the prime reason for the raipd spread of #Covid19? While the most developed countries in the America and Europe, have locked down the schools, colleges, industries, corporate organizations to self quarantine and isolate themselves, we are busy today preparing for examinations-the iron gate they call it, the SEE examinations. Even now, there are number of people even inside the valley who are completely unaware about the #CoronavirusOutbreak. They don't know what it is and might not have been able to get themselves a test. So we can imagine the situation in those remote vilages in the country. The negative results yet so far is a matter of happiness but based on few results can we draw a generalisation that Nepal is not in a panic situation during a worldwide #pandemic? God forbid if it spreads here, w...

 A new year, a new decade. As I look forward to making the most of my horizons ahead by being open to possibilities, by saying yes to opportunity more than no, nurturing wanderlust, embracing travel and its transformative magic. I'm grateful to this decade in so many ways: I am so grateful that I have an amazing family- not only blood but also my group of friends, teachers, some strangers who I met and they have changed my life forever, by showering me with all the love and happiness, I'm grateful to each and every one of you- the friends from my school to the university today. I am extremely grateful to my school, college and university, because they aren't just institutions, they have blessed me with a beautiful family who I can run upto any day, any moment. With the accident that happended three years back, I'm grateful that I wasn't hurt much, I am able and good health is what I am grateful for. As I look back I'm so proud of long way I've come across. F...

Dear Kanchan, It truly takes a strong person to stick by someone, no matter how broken that person is or is the biggest hit. It's a great feeling to know that someone is always there, always there to catch you when you're falling apart, to collect all the broken piece so that together they can perfectly fit the puzzle. Maybe I'm the reason that you have the tiniest bit of hope that season will turn around, but to me you're the only reason that I feel things will heal, everything will fall in place and it's the best that has been waiting. Together we've made memories, build love and most importantly we've been daughters to each other's parents. That one person whom our parents trust everything with, it is you. From being innocent, listening to me, observing me, pointing at my shortcomings and appreciating for all the little good I have in me, you've helped me be a person that I am today. In my highest highs and my lowest lows, it's you that I want...

Dear Kanchan, You're the purest soul who's been with me all through the highest highs and the lowest lows. Without complaining anything, you've stood by me when the world was against me. Being my critic, you've always inspired and motivated me to become better each day. Time's running and we're not able to meet daily or even call or check on each other but we know deep down we're there always, just a phone call away. You're a blessing in my life. I love you. Thank you so much for everything you are!

Look at this, the very cute pic of ours You remember the doll?? She used to sing our chorus.. Early in the morning, after we got up We started our games and gave others a lot of trouble.. From the very childhood, till the last day of teens We never really fought and the deep bond of friendship we've seen.. Funny where those days when we went to their farm and peeped And then on the top of their terrace self-made songs we did sing.. With those songs we used to dance our own dances To be mischievous and trouble the people with our nuisances we did not miss any chances.. Be it my first day in school or the last day of college, you've seen it all We also fought with the teachers but never had a fall... Spent vacations together, did lots of creepy things Most memorable the gobar attack, I wish if I had those reels.. We've seen each other not only at our best Even at the worst of us, we forgot all the rest.. Cherishing those day a lot, remembering the rejoice We are still togeth...

Raavana- The Man of my Dreams Tall and handsome,the noble man with morale and ethics, one who would shower me with all love of the universe. One, who would make me feel butterflies every time I see him. One who would make me go head over heels, protect me and save me from every danger possible. One who would fight for me and stand by me no matter what. The one who would respect me and not let others disrespect me. The one who would trust me and have faith in me, listen to me and not care about what the world will say. The man of my dreams and the man of all other girls dreams. Being a Hindu and being brought up here. Living in a culturally and traditionally rich society, we're often told stories about the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, the Bhagwat Geeta-- about how the people bless the newly wed couple and compliment them like they seem so much in love like "Radha-Krishna", may they be forever together in all good times and in bad like "Sita-Ram" did. We ce...

 Dearest best friend, Life is a journey. We will meet a lot of temporary people. But we will meet a person who will be with us till the end of the journey. You're that person who entered as a guest in my journey and in between have always been with me till date sharing all ups and downs in this journey of life. You are such person who I met by chance but who invited "US" to live again and the memories we've shared will keep hope alive for ever. People say make you "Hi story" more powerful than the history. Same is the case for us. From meetings random to the night outs, from entering college together to graduating together with our bond growing stronger each passing day,you're one of the very few people I can blindly bestow my trust and faith upon. I thank you for landing in this world. I thank you for entering my life. I thank you for always being there. I thank you for bearing with me. I thank you for your kindness and support while I was rude and vuln...