Madhesh Manthan: Dialogue with the Youth of Madhesh

Madhesh remains a region where stories of past movements still breathe, and where the aspiration for change continues to be just as strong today. In the weeks following the national unrest of Bhadra 23 and 24, the country witnessed rapid political shifts — especially in Kathmandu, where leadership debates and power transitions dominated public discourse.
Amid these national conversations, an important question emerged for us: What are the youths of Madhesh thinking during this moment of transition? What do they hope for? How do they perceive leadership, and what kind of future are they imagining?
With these questions in mind, our team traveled across Madhesh to engage directly with its young voices. Throughout the journey, we met a wide spectrum of young individuals — students, youth working at the grassroots for good governance, those who participated directly or indirectly in the recent youth-led movements, politically curious youths and those deliberately distant from politics, young journalists, and many who are beginning to see themselves as future leaders.
Each conversation carried a distinct sense of energy. There is something truly special about meeting the youths of Madhesh — a blend of hope, urgency, and responsibility that feels both grounded and forward-looking.
Listening to them, one thing became clear: this generation carries a remarkable depth of awareness. Their reflections on social and political issues, their curiosity about change, and their desire to engage meaningfully were genuinely moving.
They no longer want to wait passively for transformation. Many are already taking initiative — monitoring local governance practices, raising issues within their communities, advocating for fairness, and spreading awareness in ways that are honest and impactful. Seeing such clarity and commitment at this age affirmed a simple truth: the new generation’s leadership is already emerging from within these everyday actions.
Their engagement with society, politics, and community concerns — the sharpness of their analysis and the sincerity of their intent — has become a source of inspiration.
For more than a decade, Tanneri Chaso has worked to listen to young voices, create spaces for dialog, and walk alongside them. Yet every new encounter teaches us something fresh: “Change begins from the eyes and experiences of the youth.”
During this journey we visited seven districts of Madhesh — Bara, Parsa, Mahottari, Dhanusha, Siraha, Rautahat, and Sarlahi — meeting young people who are building ideas, driving local initiatives, and leading in ways that often go unnoticed but matter deeply.
This dialogue became a thoughtful and grounding experience — a reminder of the concerns they carry, the clarity they hold, and the quiet determination with which they continue shaping their communities. We returned with renewed understanding, and with a piece of the hope they shared with us.