PUTTING HUMANITY FIRST
Propelled by a deep sense of social justice and empathy for those in need, Ashika Tamang is an example of what can be done when you put your mind to it. Seeing her on various social media calling out injustice and bad behaviour, correcting people on the streets, inside shops, and on government duty, many of her viewers labelled her as an attention seeker, but her consistent actions and her recent endeavours in the Gen Z movement have proved all her detractors wrong. She has converted many into becoming supporters. and fans.
She has been the face of the Gen Z stories, introducing her viewers to the people behind the movement; not the ones who lead it but the ones who took a bullet, those who died, those who carry the scars and injuries into an uncertain future. She cried with them, laughed with them and shared their fears and hopes. She understood that just having free medical treatment or being declared a martyr isn’t enough. She understands the pain of getting by in a world that demands money for every act of relief. She brought to us their living conditions, the need for the future with loss of limbs or sight, a family losing its only breadwinner… the stories are endless. She persists in bringing a measure of real relief and hope to their families that they will not be forgotten.
Ashika recalls herself as a 16-year-old standing at the forefront of another fight, another movement of change that happened years ago. Today, she is not a Gen Z but that fire still burns strong for a building a nation that treats its citizens with equality and works with integrity and accountability for the prosperity of its people, irrespective of class, status or background.
Ashika’s personal life is not without its challenges. Mother to two young daughters and the choice of living in Germany, she has kept returning to her homeland because the tie is too strong, and her relationship with the pain and needs of the people too hard to put behind. People trust her with their money knowing that she will reach it to those who need it the most.
Ashika lives in the present. She is action oriented and focused on the now delivering to the needs of the hour. Her values resonate with the voice of the Gen Z which demands transparency, accountability, equality, justice and good governance. Her message is simple: she will work to wipe the inequality that glaringly exists and makes life hard for the most common man. She understands that this generation lives on technology. She adopted the same tool to deliver her message, her fight. She knows that Singha Durbar does not hear the voices of Jumla, Humla, Rautahat and many, many parts of the country; but she works with the belief that now there is no choice but to listen.
There have been many incidents when they tried to suppress her voice. She has even been imprisoned for it. But truth cannot be suppressed for long. Her voice may not be the chosen voice but it is one that is heard loud and clear. Ashika is an unstoppable force, a change that we all want to see. Her life ahead is tied to the people. Will she run for government, only time will tell. For now, she is embarking on a journey across the nation delivering hope.
‘God has chosen me’ believes this wonderfully open-hearted woman, and what’s not to believe considering the impact she makes wherever she goes.
Do you pray? Whom do you pray to, and what do you ask for?
Yes, I do pray but not with expectations. My prayers are filled with gratitude rather than requests. Every day, I offer my devotion to Lord Shiva, not to ask for anything but to acknowledge and thank the divine for all that is.
What is the one thing that matters the most to you in this world?
Humanity. Above everything else, it’s the one value that holds us together. No matter who we are or where we come from, our humanity defines the way we live, love and lead.
What’s a moment in life that you are truly thankful for?
I am thankful for life itself. Each morning, I wake up and get to see a new day, I remind myself that this – just being alive – is a gift. I never take that for granted.
A person who inspires you.
My late father. His integrity, strength and quiet wisdom continue to guide me every day. Even in his absence, his values shape how I see the world and how I try to raise my own children.
Do you fear anything?
I wouldn’t say I am afraid of anything, but as a mother, my deepest concern is always for my children. I sometimes worry about what would happen to them if I were not around. Having grown up without a mother, I know firsthand how irreplaceable a mother’s love is; it’s a kind of security no one else can give.
What makes Nepal great?
Nepal is the core of my identity; it’s where my roots, my culture and my sense of belonging come from. Wherever I travel, Nepal travels with me. I carry pride in knowing that my country is home to Mount Everest, the birthplace of Buddha, and the sacred temple of Pashupatinath. It’s a land, small in size but immense in spirit.
