On Saturday, a panel discussion titled ‘Sambhavnaharuko Desh’ took place at National College in Dhumbarahi. This event focused on the opportunities available to youth in Nepal. It was organised by the Rotaract Club of Kathmandu in partnership with the Rotaract Club of Bhaktapur. The discussion received support from National College, The Film Nepal, Vygotsky (education centre for early childhood studies), and SpeakUp Nepal.

The discussion began with a reflection on the difficulty of youth retention and the need for willingness to engage with uncertain paths. The programme was divided into three segments: personal storytelling, a one-on-one mentorship session, and a concluding rapid-round question session with panellists.

Sagar Shrestha, co-founder of TUSA Nepal, shared how returning from Australia to build something in Nepal was a deliberate decision, ‘‘We researched ethnic cuisines for six years. Coming back wasn’t easy, but we believed our work had to begin here.’’ Ayushi KC, founder of Khalisisi, reflected, ‘‘I consciously chose to stay in Nepal by starting the waste management journey with just Rs50,000 investment.”

In the rapid question round, Gaurav Jung Pande (cofounder of PlantSat), while answering one of the audience’s questions, said, ‘‘Fearing what to do next is part of the process, but that discomfort is a good thing; it means you’re trying something new. Sit with it and prioritise optimism.’’

Niraj Bhusal, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance, remarked, ‘‘Youth may not be in a position to make decisions directly, but you can influence decisions through advisory positions—just like I do in public service.’’

SpeakUp Nepal founder Prince Shah concluded the session by urging young people to “Know the problem first, and then focus on creating solutions.”