The youth must occupy spaces that actually dictate policy

The future of the Nepali Congress depends on its ability to evolve while staying rooted in its values

At 35, Nishcal Rai carries the weight of a generation that is no longer content with the status quo. Recently elected as the Member of Parliament from Ilam-1, Rai stands as one of the youngest directly elected representatives from the Nepali Congress, a party often criticised for its geriatric leadership. His victory comes at a time when Nepal’s political landscape is shifting beneath the feet of the traditional elite, driven by the Gen Z spirit and a demand for tangible service delivery over abstract ideology.