KATHMANDU, March 6: Radio Nagarik 96.5 and Republica daily on Monday successfully organized a special Colorella ~ Holi Carnival 2023 in the capital to mark the festival of colors.

Historically the burden and onus of family planning in centered on women. The burden of using and obtaining contraception has always fallen onto women. Be it the variety of contraceptive methods catering to women, to the state’s family planning initiatives – contraception has seemed to become a woman’s problem. Women have to bear the physical, economical, and mental burden of contraception alone. Men often tend to shrink their responsibility for using contraceptives. But why does this happen and what can be done to create a more equal responsibility for contraception? In this concern, Host Kriti Adhikari and guest, Durga Sapkota National Coordinator of Sangat Nepal, and co-founder of YOSAN talk about the onus of contraception on women. How the responsibility of using a contraceptive is vested on the side of women rather than men.

When it comes to masculinity, society is sending a message that men are acculturated into certain ways of behaving, which can later be toxic for them with unsettling emotions. But the constraint on male behavior that society puts on one male should be bold, should repress emotions, should be dominating, tough, and competitive is simply false. This type of character portrayal of men reinforces harmful stereotypes. In this concern, Episode 5 of Sexploration is all about the discussion on 'Toxic Masculinity', its effects, role of media and social institutions with Satish Karn, President of Yuwa(organization), and Manish Maharjan, Executive Member of Yuwa.

Historically, sex work has been stigmatized and discriminated among most societies. Activists have been advocating for the decriminalization of sex work – the removal of the criminal law and the implementation of a rights-based approach to aspects of sex work claiming that it will make the environment for sex workers safer and also reduce levels of violence and exploitation. In this episode of the podcast 'Sexploration', titled ' Decriminalization of sex work, guest Simran Serchan, a transgender activist of the LGBTIQ community who is a National Program Coordinator at the Federation of Sexual and Gender Minorities-Nepal discusses how would society be if sex work is decriminalized.

Although the practice of Chaupadi has been declared illegal in Nepal since 2005, it is still practiced in many communities. Even today, women and girls have to face restrictions on common modern and educated households. Menstruation is stigmatized and shamed. In episode 3 of sexploration season 2, titled 'Modern Chaupadi', two SRHR youth activists Sijan Gelal and Ashirya Pradhan talk about the origins of restrictions and their impact on a modern day.

There is the conflict between 'pro-life' and 'pro-choice' concerning to abortion rights. This has complicated the reproductive rights discussions with endless contradiction. In this Episode of Sexploration, host Kriti Adhikari and guests Shilpa Lamicchane and Sonam Rai have conversations on opposite sides of a polarizing topic because of circumstantial privilege.Here Shilpa talks on behalf of Pro- Choice and Soman Rai talks about Pro- Life.

Virginity is regarded as taboo in most South Asian countries as well as in the Western parts. Cultural and religious traditions place exceptional value and significance on this state, predominantly towards unmarried females, associated with notions of personal purity, honor, and worth. Like chastity, the concept of virginity has traditionally involved sexual abstinence. In this regard, host Kriti Adhikari and guest Riju Dhakal, President of Yuwa, discuss the concept of virginity. Episode 9 of Sexploration talks about Virginity, the Religious History of Virginity, the Medical significance and concept of Virginity, and the Hypocrisy of Virginity.

The cause of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and its effects are multifold. In many parts of the country, low education, prior exposure to parental partner violence during one's childhood, and husband's alcohol abuse have been shown to be associated with the risk of IPV. Similarly, traditional gender norms reinforce aggression and dominance and increase acceptance of partner violence. Our religious grounds, morality, and social norms around masculinity, femininity, male guardianship, and patriarchy, it has a strong influence on acceptance and normalization in the means of controlling women or correcting the behavior of one's partner. Those thoughts of inferiority and traditional mentality also act as a barrier even to the educated personnel.

In Nepal, there is a number of activism going on to focus on the sexual and reproductive health, rights and education. However, the sexual health knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of people among both educated and uneducated as well as in urban and rural area seems to be narrow. Many people and women do not know that reproductive health rights and education come under their fundamental rights. Nepali society has a deep rooted traditional norms and beliefs relating to sex and sexuality. These issues are rarely discussed within the family environment. Young people who have adequate access/ medium to gather appropriate information and services about sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues do not make effort. Little sex education is offered in schools and SRH are topics not openly discussed in families.

“Hookup culture is one that accepts and encourages casual sex encounters, including one-night stands and other related activities, without necessarily including emotional intimacy, bonding or a committed relationship. There are no expectations of future involvement. It might be casual thing with one encounter or one point for certain amount of time, it includes wide variety of sexual behaviors ranging from kissing to sexual intercourse.” says Nirvana Bhandary, co- founder of F Project Nepal. In Nepal, hookup culture is considered taboo and people do not openly talk about it. There is a conservative notion about it in South Asia as well as in Western and Eastern society, with a lot of hesitation to debate on. In this concern, episode 6 of sexploration hosted by Nishma Choudhary with guest Nirvana Bhandary, co-founder of The F Project Nepal and also a feminist writer, who identify herself as  bisexual, had an  informative discussion on ‘Hookup Culture and how to police youth sexuality.’

Sex is considered an important aspect of every person's life. Therefore, everyone has the right to information about sex and reproduction. Although society is evolving, the issue of sex is still not debated openly. In fact, experts have been saying that if sex is understood correctly, it will bring various benefits such as relieving stress and provide energy to the body. In this concern, episode five of exploration hosted by Nishma Choudhary with guest Anugya Kunwar, a SRHR advocate had a fun and descriptive discussion on Sex, Pleasure Sex and importance of Foreplay for all the genders.

"People do not think that a disabled child/person can also be identified as a queer person and people are not fully aware of the intersectionality between gender and sexuality," said Safal Lama, a non-binary disabled queer person who is a co-member of Queer Youth Group. In the fourth episode of sexploration, the host of the episode Kriti Adhikari had a question answer session with Safal Lama, also an advocate and activist of queer disability rights and Rubina Tamang, President of Cruise Aids Nepal who identifies herself as a transgender woman.

Leaders of gender and sexual minorities have been enforcing upon the removal of the bill which states that citizenship can be obtained with gender identity by changing one's gender, on the condition that the provision of medical report as proof is mandatory. In this issue, the third episode of sexploration explores the importance of gender markers with Bhumika Shrestha, a third gender LGBTIQ rights activist.

“In comparison to the laws against sexual violation globally, Nepal’s law has been considered weak,” said Subin Mulmi, an activist and advocate, in the first episode of a podcast ‘Sexploration’ which was released on May 27, 2022. The topic of episode 1 of the podcast was based on Rape, Statutory Rape, Marital Rape and Consent where Kriti Adhikari hosted the program attended by the guest Subin Mulmi, who is also a human rights lawyer and researcher. Sexploration is a podcast organized by Radio Nagarik 96.5 that aims to explore the issues of sexual and reproductive health  rights.

KATHMANDU, Dec 13: The third edition of Brand Nepal, an initiative of Radio Nagarik to promote Nepali products, is being held at Chhaya Center in Kathmandu on December 18. The event will be held from 11 AM to 5 PM.

KATHMANDU, Dec 29: A huge crowd of visitors thronged the 'Brand Nepal Go Local 2019' – a Nepali brand carnival organized by Radio Nagarik 96.5 MHz – at Chhaya Centre in Thamel on Saturday.

Radio Nagarik 96.5 featured Nabin Giri on the second episode of ‘Spoken Words’, premiered via their official YouTube channel on Tuesday. He recited his poem, ‘Jivan Ko Yatra Ma Timi’ on the show.

Radio Nagarik 96.5 featured Karan Singh Airee on the first episode of ‘Spoken Words’, premiered via their official YouTube channel on Thursday. He recited his poem, ‘Murga’ on the show.

Dear Viewers, Radio Nagarik and Nagarik Network YouTube channels have been hacked since Friday evening. We are closely working with Nepal Police and YouTube to sort out the issues.

“Holidays during Jana Andolan II became an opportunity to learn guitar for me,” says Ishan R Onta, “I was introduced with music at the small age.

Acknowledging his dedication, Radio Nagarik 96.5 featured KP in the first episode of ‘Every Story Matters’.

Radio Nagarik 96.5 game show ‘Game of Drinks’ on Tuesday featured two best friends Dipika Badal and Anusha Maharjan. The show is about asking random questions that are very personal and cheesy which they won't confront, if not being asked for the show

Famous Nepali band ‘Albatross’ created and sang ‘Nischal’ back in 2012. Nepali music lovers still admire the song.

Radio Nagarik, of Nepal Republic Media, is all set to introduce a brand new radio show: ‘Covered’. ‘The show is scheduled to go on air starting Sunday, and will feature cover-version singers who are looking for a break into the Nepali musical fraternity.