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In 2025, Gen Z in Nepal led the charge of organising an unprecedented democratic experiment where they would vote on the new interim government of their country via an online meeting organised via Discord, the popular communication platform. When Nepal grappled with political upheaval, corruption scandals, and social media bans, this bold use of digital tools signalled a new era of youth-led governance and digital democracy in South Asia. 

Political Unrest and Gen Z Activism

The politics of Nepal took a turn at the beginning of September 2025. The administration of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli experienced tremendous pressure over mass protests following his regime's ban on 26 social media platforms, including Instagram and Facebook. This move sparked massive protests spearheaded by the young citizens aged between 13 and 28- the Gen Z generation- who perceived the ban as the denial of digital freedom and the last in a long lineage of graft and nepotism by the ruling elite.

The demonstrations grew quickly, culminating in bloody clashes with the police and causing the unfortunate deaths of at least 72 demonstrators, as reported by the government and independent sources. Protesters stormed government buildings and homes of past prime ministers and demanded accountability and systemic political reform. 

With this crisis, the Prime Minister Oli resigned on September 9, 2025, leaving a leadership vacuum in a country of more than 30 million people.

The Digital Revolution: electing Nepal's interim leader using Discord

As institutional trust was at an all-time low and traditional political systems broke down, politically awakened Gen Z Nepalese sought out new digital tools. Discord is a free US-based communication chat formerly aimed at the gaming community. Still, it has quickly become a community discussion platform in any field, becoming the place for Gen Z to connect and decide who will be the leader of Nepal. 

The movement was led on Discord by an influential Gen Z activism group called Hami Nepal, with more than 160,000 members. The organisation established a special server platform, Youth Against Corruption, which emerged as the hub of countrywide political discussions that enrolled more than 100,000 individuals, including the representatives of the global Nepali diaspora.

This is in contrast to the traditional elections where the participants were permitted to discuss in real-time, have moderated debates and informal voting polls to shortlist and elect candidates who would hold the interim prime minister office. Participants referred to the move as a mini-election to choose an individual capable of leading Nepal to free and fair elections due in March 2026.

How It Worked: Consensus on Online Debates

The Discord server was a place of lively debates on the most important national topics, including job creation, changes in education, police accountability, and the improvement of healthcare systems. Members, many of whom were new to the political discourse, were educated about the governance processes and asked questions and fact-checked information in special sub-rooms.

Five candidates became leaders in the server:

• Sushila Karki, the former Nepal Chief Justice.
• Mahir Pun is a prominent social innovator.
• Arkaang, a social activist, local mayor,
• Sagar Dhakal, a young politician and cricketer.
• Bochan Timalsina is a YouTube influencer and movement advisor.

Sushila Karki emerged as the winner of the polls after a series of deliberations and several polls. This was later approved by the president of Nepal, Ram Chandra Poudel, and the Army chief, Gen. Ashok Raj Sigdel, which was an indication of military consent essential to any interim rule in the unstable political climate in Nepal.  

Problems of Virtual Democracy: Inclusion, Manipulation, and Verification

Despite the innovative approach, the experiment was not without issues. The server faced challenges, including:

• Trolls and other non-Nepalese elements who tried to influence votes
• The challenge of establishing the identity of voters and having the voices of everyone heard, representing the Nepali population
• Pro-monarchy forces that attempted to penetrate discussions, and
• The possibility of fake news and fanaticism.

The organisers reacted by setting up fact-checking avenues and fact-checking teams to help ensure transparency and order. A Discord moderator and recent graduate, Shaswot Lamichhane, observed that the process was far more egalitarian than in-person forums. However, it had some disadvantages of being manipulated by participants due to the online nature of the platform.

Why does this step of Nepali GenZ matter? 

The Gen Z-driven adoption of Discord in Nepal to choose a government interim leader is a turning point in participative politics and digital democracy. It shows how young movements armed by cheap technology and social media can uproot established political structures and hold politicians accountable in ways that were unheard of a decade ago.

The strategy provides a possible example of other countries facing corruption issues, political stalemate, or social media bans. Online platforms may reduce political participation hurdles, particularly for the younger age group that has been marginalised in decision-making processes in the past.

Nevertheless, it emphasises the thin line between inclusivity and digital governance experiment. The question of legitimacy, prevention of misinformation, and the creation of legal frameworks remain relevant in developing democracies in the digital era.

Preparing for Nepal's March 2026 Elections

Nepal has never had a youth consensus to elect an interim leader, so it is now faced with stabilising its governance and preparing to hold its next general election. With their involvement in this process, generation Z has rejuvenated the hopes of a transparent, meritocratic political future.

As this newfound democracy is cultivated, the government must combat the demonstrations' fundamental cause: corruption, unemployment, and the absence of the rule of law through digital freedoms. In the meantime, the Nepalese experiment shows that with proper design and attention, online platforms can supplement traditional politics and make the process of governing more participatory and responsive.

Sports is no longer just about the game on the field ..its about content, analysis, entertainment and digital storytelling. With IPL, Olympics ,FIFA e-sports and regional leagues growing every year the demand for sports journalists, analysts and storytellers is higher than ever.

For students dreaming of a career in media, sports journalism is one of the most exciting and well paid ever. But what are the top roles? Let’s explore five profiles that not only pay well but also give you a chance to live your passion for sports.

1.Sports Commentator & Broadcaster

What they do: Give live commentary, pre and post match analysis and connect fans with the excitement of the game. 

Skills needed: strong communication, deep understanding of sports, voice modulation, quick analysis.

Why it pays well: big Broadcasters star sports Sony, JioCinema ,ESPN hire commentators with lucrative contacts.

Average Pay: 6-12 lakh per year for fresher’s experienced commentators earn much higher, sometimes in crores per season.

Bonus: Fame, fan following and a chance to travel with teams globally.

2.Sports Reporter & Multimedia Journalist

What they do: Covers matches, write breaking news, report from stadiums and create multimedia content for digital platforms.

Skills needed: Writing, photography, video editing ,social media handling

Why it pays well: Digital media houses Cricbuzz, ESPNcricinfo, Sportskeeda,The Athletic pay handsomely for journalists who can create fast, engaging content.

Average pay: 5-10 lakh per year, international reporters earn higher salaries.

Bonus: Direct access to players, stadiums and behind the scenes coverage.

3.Sports Anchor & Show Host

What they do: Present sports shows, host debates, moderate pre and post match discussions, interview athletes.

Skills needed: Confidence on Camera, voice clarity, presentation skills, ability to handle live shows.

Why it pays well: Anchors are the face of the sports channels, often landing sponsorships and endorsements.

Average Pay: 8-15 lakh per year top anchors earn 50 lakhs annually.

Bonus: Celebrity status, networking with athletes and opportunities to branch into entertaining hosting.

4.Sports Analyst & Data Journalist

What they do: Analyze game statistics, create performance breakdowns ,predict outcomes and present insights through visuals.

Skills needed- Analytical thinking, good writing and good presentation skills

Why it pays well: With sports betting fantasy leagues and AI based prediction booming, analysts are in high demand. 

Average Pay: 7 to 12 lakh per year senior analysts and consultants earn 20 lakh plus.

Bonus: Opportunities with sports channels, fantasy platforms and international sports boards.

5.Digital Content Creator in Sports

What they do: Make reels, Youtube Videos podcasts, memes ,and blogs about sports. Many combine journalism with entertainment.

Skills needed- Video editing, storytelling, social media growth, audience engagement.

Why it pays well: With millions of fans consuming sports on Instagram, Youtube Videos, memes, and blogs about sports. Many combine journalism with entertainment.

Average Pay- 5-20 lakh per year depending on reach top creators earn in crores.

Bonus: Creative freedom, personal branding and the possibility of becoming a global influencer.

Aspiring Sports journalists should start your own sports blog ,YouTube Channel or Podcast. Build strong knowledge of one or two sports deeply, eg. cricket, football, esports. Learn multimedia skills writing, video editing and social media. Intern with sports media houses to gain real experience. Network with players, PR teams and journalists.

Turn Your Passion into Profession -Sports Journalism is not just a career it’s a chance to turn your love for the game into your life’s work. Whether you are behind the mic, infront of the camera, analysing stats or creating viral sports content there is a space for you in the booming industry .If you are a media aspirant in 2026,sports journalism offers excitement, recognition , travel and a well paying career. Your journey could start from your college newsroom today and take you to the World Cup Finals tomorrow.

So, pick the mic, the camera, or the pen. The game is waiting for your story to begin! 

Media is no longer just about newspapers or TV, it’s about AI driven newsrooms, OTT platforms,podcasts,reels,and immersive storytelling. The right college can turn curiosity into creativity and creativity into a career. Choosing the best media college in 2026 is not just about a degree,it’s about your future identity as a communicator,creator and changemaker.

Know Your Dream Before Choosing the College

Do you see yourself as a journalist, filmmaker anchor,content creator ad filmmaker,PR professional or designer?

Write down your dream role before shortlisting colleges,Universities. When you are clear in your mind about choosing streams then look at these certain parameters to select the college university to proceed for the final admission.

•  Look at the curriculum. A good college does not just teach , it updates with time.
•  It must have included AI in media and Journalism. 
• It must include Multimedia Storytelling, Digital Marketing & Branding, OTT & Entertainment Studies, Data Journalism & Analytics, Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality.
• You should compare the curriculum and check if they are future ready. Media education is practical ,not just theoretical.
• You should check that TV studios and newsrooms, radio studios and podcast labs, film production and editing suites, AR/VR labs, media libraries and digital archives are available on campus.
• The strength of the media college lies in its faculty and mentors. Are the professors industry veterans or just academics?
• Check guest lectures, workshops and masterclasses do take place? Good mentors open doors to internships, projects and jobs.
• Media thrives on exposure and networking. Top universities often tie up with media houses, and news channels. Does the college guarantee internships and industry visits?
• Check what Alumni speaks, check the success stories. Alumni networks also help with the job placements and mentorship.
• Does the college support placement?What is the average salary package? Do students get jobs in journalism, film, advertising or corporate communications?
• Check Fees ,scholarships return on investment. Sometimes a slightly costlier college with better placements and exposure is worth it.
• Location shapes opportunities to grow. A college in metro cities may offer more internships, guest lectures and real world exposure.  
• How is the campus culture and student teamwork. Do they have student media clubs ? Do they conduct media fest, cultural fest with media competitions? A vibrant campus builds your portfolio and personality. 
• Media is global. Does the college have student exchange programs? Do they conduct workshops with global journalists or filmmakers? A student who studied one semester abroad gains cross-cultural storytelling skills?
• Don’t just choose, connect with the campus. Can I imagine myself growing here for the next three years? Do I connect with the vibes of the students?

Choosing the right media college is not about finding the biggest name it's about finding the place where your creativity, curiosity and courage can grow. The right campus will not just give you a degree it will give you a stage to perform, a studio to practice and a network to shine.

Remember media is not just a career,it’s your voice to the world. Choose the college that helps you use that voice with power,purpose and passion.

This week, Nepal experienced its most massive youth protest after the government abruptly blocked access to social media platforms including Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram on the grounds that they had not been formally registered to pay tax. When the police discharged bullets, tear gas and water cannons on big student-led crowds in Kathmandu and other cities, more than 19 were killed and over 300 injured. The ban initiated the movement, dubbed the Gen Z Protest, but young people attribute the root causes to years of corruption, the increasing unemployment rate, and the boasting of wealth through social networking platforms, where ordinary youths are fighting to get employment. 

What Happened in Nepal? 

Following the violent protests initiated by the youth in Nepal the political situation shifted rapidly. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli stepped down after anger spread among people due to the death of protesters and the brutal response by the government. Demonstrators in Kathmandu burned several major government offices, the houses of ministers and even the parliament and many leaders including the president fled to safety. Each of the ministers and senior officials resigned and several parties within the ruling coalition have dissociated with the government due to high public pressure. Nepal is currently in a leadership crisis, as there is no apparent successor, which shows how powerful and sudden this youth movement has been.

Key Highlights from the Protests

• More than 19 fatalities, 300+ injured by police crackdown.
• Ban on 26 most popular social media apps.
• Protesters are students tired of corruption and nepotism.
• The PM KP Sharma Oli stepped down 
• The Nepo Kid movement was trending on the internet, with elite privilege against the actual challenges of youth (more than 740,000 Nepalis left the country to work last year)

Why Should Young Indians Pay Attention?

Experts believe that such occurrences are a wakeup call and an encouragement to young people in India. The movement in Nepal has similarities to those in India: dissatisfaction with joblessness, political favouritism and social inequality. The protests in Nepal lacked a leader, and were largely organised online, not a novel idea among Indian students who have previously organised successful digital protests such as #StudentProtests, CAA-NRC or farmers protests.

Facts to Note

• Open borders make the policies in one country to be reflected in the other
• The Nepalese youth diaspora is comparable to the situation in India where many youths leave their homes to find jobs elsewhere, showing a desperate demand for new economic opportunities.
• The example of Nepal and its protest style that is decentralised, digital-first can be studied by Indian youth advocacy and its demand to hold the government accountable.
• There are threats too, as violent crackdowns can be rapidly employed, and digital bans can even be counterproductive as in Nepal. 

What Can Change Next?

Indian youth can insist on more governmental representation and changes, they are confident that their voice and numbers count. Apart from that, social media will continue to be a prime activism tool of the youth, and any attempt to censor or prohibit will spur larger movements. Lastly, it signals the need for more jobs, internships and open dialogue among the policymakers and the educators rather than just authority among the youth.

Why This Matters Now

The Gen Z protest in Nepal is a major reminder that when the young generation sees something wrong and possesses the means to mobilise, they will make history–so quickly. Indian young people are observing, hashtagging and reexamining their part in the system. The cry of transformation is not only viral, but it is tangible-and it may even move across boundaries in the near future. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in every step is emphasizing on building ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. From building tempered glasses to Semiconductor chips and beyond, Narendra Modi is encouraging self-reliance for the greater good of the country. He has raised a call to the young people of India to create localized social media solutions capable of competing with such global platforms as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X), and YouTube- a digital resurgence that will ensure the technological independence of the nation and its next-generation innovation.

Why this Push? 

With a population of more than 806 million internet users (55.3% of the population) and over 491 million active user identities (33.7% of the population), India has one of the largest social media markets in the world, but most interactions are made on foreign owned platforms. This online reliance subjects India to the issue of privacy and security of the nation and economic leakage. This campaign also forms a key pillar of the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) policy, already reflected in triumphs such as the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which facilitates half of all global real-time digital payments.

Example of Last Attempt: Koo App

Koo, a privately owned application that was encouraged by the government, was once in the news as an Indian variant of Twitter, with local languages and regional content. Although early momentum and ministry tie-ups existed, Koo was unsuccessful in maintaining user engagement because of:

Challenges in getting users to abandon existing platforms

• Shortcomings in content renewal and interaction, where Twitter and others still held a more vibrant network of creators and communities.
• Monetization and scale problem: Koo had a small user base and was unable to reach advertisers, which restricted its financial prospects and international growth.
• Over-dependence on marketing and investment without robust organic expansion or a substantial difference-maker.
• Finally, Koo shut down in mid-2024 when it could not find buyers or raise more funds, which demonstrates the difficult ascent of homegrown platforms.

National Identity and Digital Sovereignty

In the case of India, local technology creation is not only an issue of markets, it is a question of digital sovereignty. The leaders are afraid of an encore performance of data colonialism where overseas companies get value out of Indian users without the same value being sent home. India will protect sensitive data, establish its rules and portray its digital image worldwide by developing national champions in the technology field, including social media.

The Future 

Although India is rich in tech talent and start-up success cases, the barriers to producing a Bharat-based Facebook are overwhelming:

1. Implementation and Scalability: Constructing platforms that support an Indian market as varied and large, with its languages, cultures, and levels of digital literacy, is a giant technical and operational challenge.
2. Investment and Business Model: To compete with international leaders, it needs to invest continuously, develop monetization strategies that will be attractive to Indian brands and users, and have a valid growth trajectory.
3. User Trust and Experience:Most of the Indian apps are yet to gain trust in terms of reliability, safety and features relative to the established foreign competitors.

Why Now? 

Its time is especially promising. The development of AI, the emergence of Web3 technologies, and the growing interest in digital trust, combined with the strong digital infrastructure of India (since UPI to Aadhaar), precondition the next generation of social networking innovation. The global regulatory changes, including the increased attention to big tech, increase the chance of new entrants who come with new ideas that represent the values, languages, and social realities of India.

The Voice of Bharat in the World Stage

This call made by PM Modi is not only to imitate, it is to uniquely Indian spaces that embody the diversity and democratic spirit of the nation--spaces with universal ambitions, but local soul. With governmental support through Atmanirbhar Bharat, conducive startup policies and a wave of home grown talents; Indian entrepreneurs have a golden opportunity to redefine social media- not only of India, but the globe.

A smart implementation, long-lasting investment, innovative differentiation and widespread trust of users willing to adopt a genuinely homegrown digital future will determine the success of this vision. Atmanirbhar Bharat is beyond becoming a self-reliant country; it is about showing the world the potential our motherland possesses. Thus, Indian youth must take the cue and build extraordinary things that’ll upgrade the country’s identity.

Delhi University has made its name in the news of the day as a professor sent a heart-touching text to one of their students that became viral and won over the hearts of the entire social media due to its message of care and balance. The straightforward and sympathetic response of Dr. Kavita Kamboj, Assistant Professor, Kirori Mal College, has created a much-needed discourse surrounding the welfare of the student and the involvement of teachers in contemporary education.

The Viral Message

In an empathetic and caring response to a student who submitted his assignment at 3:49 am, Dr. Kavita Kamboj sent a text to the student emphasising that health should be the priority and asked not to  sacrifice sleep to meet deadlines. Her text was a beautiful one, “You have done a wonderful job. Just one request, you don’t need to work long hours. You can always make extra time without giving up your sleep. If you sacrifice your rest for work, it makes no sense. I am always here for any help. Give me a call after having a good sleep and breakfast”.

Reaction of Netizens 

She later posted this text on Linkedin and apparently for all good reasons it went viral. The post attracted the interest of hundreds of people, students, teachers and professionals where everyone praised Dr. Kamboj approach. Appreciations were flooding in, people acknowledged that they often sacrifice their health to work. One comment read, “Empathy has long been missing in our classrooms– teachers like you show what real guidance means”. Most of them admitted to their struggle with burnout and praised the professor who changed the focus toward self-care and balance.

The Message’s Impact

The response of Dr. Kamboj was more than comforting to one student and a bold warning call to other campuses that mental and physical health are more important than hustling to get good grades. Her viral post has stressed that burnout is not a badge of honour and students should only take as much as they can reasonably manage. Students have also shared their side of stories telling that they tend to forget about themselves when it comes to meeting deadlines, submit projects, internships, and work pressure, and that this was a reminder to slow down and breathe reevaluating their priorities. 

In the country where sleepless nights are often seen as a sign of dedication,  the words of Dr. Kamboj through her viral linkedin post reached the right audience and has brought in sight a new perspective to the education system. Her kind reply to the student about how well-being is much more important than deadlines is encouraging both educators and students to adopt healthier and happier learning conditions. With the increasing focus on mental health in the academic circles of India, these examples of teacher-student empathy lead to the creation of a role model that all individuals can imitate.

Delhi University’s professors are surely making a difference in the narrative through little but considerate gestures, which are ensuring that the students feel heard, supported, and valued.