Tag: How To

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Finding NotebookLM

One of the articles published in early 2025 on MySansar had an AI-generated audio summary. The tone and the words it used amazed me. I tried to find out how it was created, but did not get answer. I asked ChatGPT what AI software could be used to get an audio podcast. It led me to applications like ElevenLabs, but I was not satisfied. One day, almost by an accident, I found an AI-generated English audio overview on YouTube. The comments led me to NotebookLM, a research assistant powered by Google Gemini. I added one of my stories and the first feature I used was Audio Overview.

NotebookLM user interface as of August 12, 2025.
NotebookLM user interface as of December 23, 2025.

Early Experiments

Unlike ChatGPT, which immediately starts answering on getting questions (prompts), NotebookLM is source-based. It allows uploading PDF, text file, Markdown, and audio file. In addition to these, it also allows files directly from Google Docs and Slides via a Google Drive link. You can also embed links to websites and YouTube videos as long as they are not behind paywalls. You can also type in or paste any text you want.

The first evening I discovered NotebookLM, I first uploaded my story Swatantrata Sangram via my phone and generated an audio overview. The story, as you know is in Nepali and NotebookLM generated an audio overview in Nepali. The way the tool interpreted the story was impressive, but it killed the mystery by presenting the summary in chronological order.

To generate another overview, I had to delete the first one. The second time I asked it to present the story as it appears, to analyse nuances, and to add Sandeept as the author. The summary it produced was even more impressive. I could not believe how accurately it analysed the meanings behind each scene. I downloaded the audio, which came as a WAV file. I changed the language to English and generated an audio once again. NotebookLM translated the text and presented another excellent audio summary.

I also looked up other features like summary and briefs during the time Audio Overview generated.

Studying Laws Using NotebookLM

Having seen what NotebookLM is capable of, an idea struck my mind, What if I uploaded a law or related laws, make it connect dots, and understand laws better?

I uploaded through the computer, Nepal’s Procurement Act and Regulation, which had been troubling me for long. As soon as it read the source material, I saw the Mind Map icon for the first time, and immediately clicked on it. The interactive Mind Map was something I was struggling to get while studying the Constitution on ChatGPT. One click on the branches gave the answers I needed. I also created summaries and briefs. And of course, the Audio Overview.

The audio summary helped me not only link the Act and the Regulation but also understand the procurement process in a concise manner. I could prepare a simplified 20-page note on A5 size paper, which I had been struggling for the last three years.

Also read:

10 Genius Ways to Use ChatGPT for Better Studying in 2025

Studying Plans and Policies

When I began preparing for PSC exams, 15th Plan was in effect. Given its volume and my inadequate time, I had never been able to study it fully. Since last year, 16th Plan is being implemented. Going through the Plan was still difficult due to my job and family responsibilities. I generated an audio summary using NotebookLM. It was good but inadequate.

So, I came up with a new idea. I prompted NotebookLM to generate audios for each chapter. To generate fourteen audios for fourteen chapters took some time. I used to generate one overview, download and delete it and begin another. The 15 to 22 minute-audio files, however, were rich with analyses and interpretations of text and data from the 16th Plan.

I also studied the Foreign Policy and the New Population Policy using the NotebookLM, although uploading one file was enough. NotebookLM also began producing longer audio overviews, which included detailed information on the given source.

The downloaded audio files and notes help me prepare well for my PSC exams, and I could write more confidently citing relevant plans and policies, although I think it was still not enough.

New Studio Features

After I wrote this blog, NotebookLM introduced Flashcards and Quiz, and recently, it added beta versions of Infographic and Slide Deck. Audio and Video overviews have also become more powerful. All of these can be modified according to your need.

Flashcards

You can use Flashcards focusing just on Part 3 (Fundamental rights) of the Constitution of Nepal to generate Q/A flashcards.

Infographics

You can generate infographics focusing on a specific topic.

An infographic about Nepal's current constitutional crisis

Slide Deck

Slide deck can be used to produce PowerPoint slides based on the sources you have and topic you want to present. You can download the slides as a PDF.

Audio Overview

Audio Overview now has different customization options. Along with Deep Dive (the oldest feature), there are Brief, Critique and Debate. You can also choose the language and length you want.

16th Plan – An Audio overview

Video Overview

Video Overview comes as Explainer or Brief. You can choose your language and visual style.

Long-lasting Chats

Chats in NotebookLM used to be ephemeral and got removed when refreshed or opened the next day. Now they stay unless you delete them. You can’t delete individual chats, so be cautious.

Some Caution

NotebookLM, like ChatGPT, comes with a warning that it can make mistakes. It now has ability to generate and keep more than one audio, video, infographics, and so on. The app has evolved since I used it for the first time about three months ago, and I am enjoying it even more. I hope I will be able to catch up with even more complicated concepts, books, and research using it.

How To Speak in an Oppressive Political Environment

By Sandeept

On July 15, 2025

In How To, Politics

“You may speak, but can you speak wisely?”
“You may protest, but can you do so without giving them an excuse to silence you?”

Article 17 of the Constitution of Nepal guarantees Freedom of Expression. It also introduces reasonable restrictions, which of course, can be misused. About two weeks ago, a popular YouTube channel, In-Depth Story (IDS) had to close its merchandise store IDS Wears for selling T-shirts with the slogan Kera Ganatantra (Banana Republic) for “disturbing the sovereignty, national unity, and dignity of the country, and so on.” The slogan was provocative and somewhat double meaning. But did it have to be banned? I don’t think so.

Around a month back, Rama Basnet from Khotang was arrested for expressing her frustration towards politicians in few TikTok videos. The words she chose mocked a politician’s disability. However, she got support from the opposition party because of the way she was arrested.

These examples speak volumes about the awareness of the constitution and laws we have as citizen. We know we can speak, but we often don’t know how to speak. We’ve heard of rights, but rarely do we hear about the restrictions that come along with them. And that’s when we trip over.

How to speak in an oppressive political environment?

Let’s get straight to it. Here are a few principles that might save our voice and case, while upholding the law.

1. Say Less. Mean More.

Power doesn’t like being called out, but artists and writers use often use metaphors, satire, and symbolism to mock it.

George Orwell’s Animal Farm is truly metaphoric and symbolic. Using pigs, horses, and other farm animals, Orwell mocks Soviet Communism and warns how an ideal can become exploitative.

Another symbolism I vividly remember is that of a new politician in Sanjeev Upreti’s Ghanachakkar. When there is an announcement that a flawless leader has arrived in Kathmandu, the narrator goes to see him. However, in no time, the leader turns into an onion. The multi-layered towering onion is a metaphor for secrecy, corruption, and inflated ego of politicians in Nepal.

So, our best bet is to be poetic and ambiguous. Let the reader add two and two.

But can satire backfire?

Did you notice the word “bet”? Actually, I am reminded of Krishna Lal Adhikari’s story. He was a Nayab Subba during the rule of Chandra Shamsher. His duties in the field of agriculture gave him a lot of knowledge on maize plantation and published a scientific book titled, “Makai ko Kheti.” Some sycophants, however, saw it as a mockery against Chandra Shamsher and his generals. Although Adhikari never meant to satire, he was tried and imprisoned for nine years until he died of tuberculosis.

So, yeah. We still need to be careful while using symbols and metaphors.

2. Displace the Target

We don’t talk about today’s leaders directly. Talking about a character or an imaginary village or a tyrannical ruler from history will work. Readers will connect the dots. Not everything needs to be spelled out.

But we still need to remember Krishna Lal Adhikari and be cautious.

3. Borrow Their Language

The safest thing we can do is use the Constitution, parliamentary and other recorded speeches. We can quote government slogans back at them. When the system tries to silence you, reply with its own words. Just like the leaders and stooges owned the insult of Jhole as a treasure, we should own up the laws and use them to our advantage. It’s hard to arrest someone for saying what’s written or in accordance with the law.

We should use your rights and stand tall before the law. But power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. We should be careful not to assume the state will honour them fairly.

4. Protest Creatively, Not Predictably

Instead of shouting in front of microphones, we can try standing silently with a placard. Ujjwal Thapa and his party did it successfully. We can also post an ironic meme or writing a children’s story (like Orwell) that says what the editorial can’t.

From Occupy Baluwatar to Jayatu Sanskritam, peaceful creativity has always been harder to crush than violent slogans.

5. Build a Chorus

One person speaking is a complaint. Ten thousand people speaking is a movement. If you’re afraid of being targeted, amplify others—and let them amplify you. Even whisper campaigns can be effective when they echo.

But It’s Still Dangerous

Today, we can be investigated for a Facebook post, dragged into court over a short story, and even labelled a traitor for asking questions. I’ve felt the chill myself while writing. I wonder at times: Is this going too far? Will this get me in trouble?

This Isn’t Fair!

Yes, nobody should have to think this hard before speaking. But when expression is policed, speech must become strategy.

This isn’t a call for cowardice. It’s a call for craft.
This isn’t about avoiding the truth. It’s about delivering it smartly enough to survive.

Speak. Silence protects no one. But speak like you know someone powerful is listening. And looking for an excuse to catch you.

And yet, here I am.

Because what’s the alternative? Silence? Cynicism? That’s not living. That’s waiting.

To Speak Is to Build Justice

The truth is: oppression isn’t just about silencing people. It’s about systemic injustice. It’s about making them believe that speech doesn’t matter. That it won’t change anything. But it does. It always has.

Change begins with someone saying, This is wrong.
It grows when someone else says, I agree.
And it becomes unstoppable when people say it together even if they just have to whisper.

Experiences of a common man!