Living in Nepal isn't easy; it has never been – neither for outsides nor for its own citizens. We may seem celebratory and full of life to the world outside, but only we know how suffocatingly uptight we are in our mindset. Here are 5 things we Nepali really need to relax about!
1. Public Display Of Affection
© BCCL
We Nepalese want to keep everything under wraps. Most of us were brought up in a way that we feel ashamed about expressing our love to people. It is ironical how it is perfectly okay for people to hurl abuses and broadcast acts of violence in broad daylight – out on the roads, in public transport, and everywhere else, but totally unethical and uncultured to hug or kiss someone you love.
2. Inter-Caste Marriages
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As preachy as it may sound, we're people before we are Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Sudra. It takes compatibility and understanding for a marriage to work, not common religious grounds. The practices and rituals may be different, but the heart is all the same. If you were to think of it, no religion would support discriminating against those with different beliefs. And no, supporting an inter-caste marriage doesn't mean we're bringing upon shame to our own religion.
3. Homosexuality
© BCCL
It is appalling to see something as personal as sexual orientation and preference being everybody's business in our country. Most of us have been brought up being told that homosexuality is against nature, and is an unforgivable sin. Supporting homosexuality may be a far-fetched dream, but let's at least start by seeing them as normal people. Homosexuality is not a disease. No, supporting it won't make you gay too. Homosexuality is not a ‘western trend' (contrary to what most Nepalese think) that is up to us to follow or not. It's a reality that we need to start accepting, and moreover, start respecting. In simpler words, being gay is as natural as being straight and there can be no justification to opposing it.
4. Premarital Sex And Virginity
© Thinkstock Photos/Getty images
Creating an issue out of a girl's virginity before marriage only proves to show that we consider a woman's dignity and respect to reside in her genitals. Is that all a woman is – her vagina? Why is sex such a big taboo in Nepal? And the problem doesn't even end there. It's much deeper rooted. One of the main reasons why rape victims feel outcaste is because they are constantly made to feel as if they have been robbed off their dignity and they're no longer worthy of any respect.
5. Career Choices
© Google Images
Like they say, in Nepal, you either do big in your country or go seeking job abroad. Nepal's obsession with Foreign nation is simply unfathomable, so much so that any other choice seems like a wrong choice. Why is it that other professions are always looked down upon and considered not worthy of our time and efforts? We should really start embracing our uniqueness as individuals and do what we really want to, instead of conforming to conventions all our lives.
Source: BCCL, Mensxp, Google Images