“I learnt it from a very young age that human beings are very selfish. Some of us are more selfish than others. We are very calculated. I saw a lot of that after my parents passed away. Everyone was flocking when things were going well. No one really knew what struggles we had. I saw my mom and dad work really hard and I also saw the motives of people who wanted to associate with them – when things were going well and when things were not. I realised that I have to be independent and that as cliched as it may sound, everyone is born alone and they die alone. It is a fact for everyone. And because of that realisation, I have always tried to be happy. I have to trust myself and move forward in life. Today, I don’t have time to listen to people nonsense and criticisms. It does not matter. They don’t feed me. They don’t house me. What’s the point? But I also, understand the values of a selfless community which I think comes from being a Nepali and I respect people’s individuality that is celebrated so much, especially here in New York. For me, I am trying to find a balance. It’s not there, yet.” (Arpana Rayamajhi, Manhattan, New York)#SONinUSA