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A Shocking Afternoon in Bangkok Yesterday, a powerful earthquake struck Myanmar near Mandalay, sending tremors across the region. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a magnitude of 7.7, though some media outlets cited it as 8.2. The quake, with a depth of 10 km, was impacted as far as Bangkok, Thailand. The destruction in Myanmar was catastrophic. Reports indicated at least 1,002 deaths, with over 2,376 injured. Authorities feared the toll could surpass 10,000. In Bangkok, city officials confirmed six deaths, 26 injuries, and 47 missing persons. The under-construction 30-story skyscraper, located near Chatuchak Market, collapsed, with most casualties from the construction site. My Personal Experience: Confusion and Realization At the time of the earthquake, I was traveling to the Kronos Building for official work. While on the highway, I initially didn’t feel the tremor. Suddenly, I noticed hundreds of people gathering on the streets. My first thought was that a VIP or ...
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The Development Sector at a Crossroads: Crisis or Evolution?

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The development sector is facing an unprecedented crisis. Recent global developments indicate a drastic reduction in funding, leading to potential job losses, project closures, and uncertainty about the future of humanitarian aid. The situation is further exacerbated by the fact that millions of students are currently pursuing degrees in development studies, anticipating careers in this sector. Having spent over a decade in the development field, I have always been aware of the inherent risks and uncertainties. From the very beginning of my career, I understood that while we teach farmers and entrepreneurs about resilience and risk anticipation, we, too, must be prepared for a sector that may not offer long-term job security. However, if development work is truly a passion, survival will be possible, albeit through the principle of 'survival of the fittest.' The USAID Fund Crisis and Global Aid Cuts : The recent decision by the U.S. government to impose a 90-day pause on al...
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A Village on the Brink of Collapse: A Silent Death Trap in the Hills of Lalitpur Nepal

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Pic. 1: Landslide-prone area, high-risk village, and continuous excavation.    While traveling from Simara to Kathmandu, an unsettling sight caught my attention. As I observed out of the window, a particular village came into view that left me both shocked and thinking more about it. It seemed as though the people living there were waiting for their fate to be sealed, their existence hanging by a fragile land. At the same time, others were unknowingly digging their way into disaster, oblivious to the looming catastrophe. Curious to know more, I tried to capture a clear image of the place. However, due to the distance, the quality of my camera, and the rough road conditions, I couldn’t get the perfect photo. But what I did capture was meaningful to get the reality of that village. Later, upon checking the location, I found that it lies in Godawari Municipality-7, Devichaur, Babiyagaun, Lalitpur, Nepal . The village lies on a landscape that shows all the signs of near-future c...
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Why Relocation Abroad Offers Growth and Global Exposure

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Moving abroad offers exposure and learning on all counts, beyond the constriction of staying in familiar surroundings with the same walls and environment. In today's globalized world, it is not only our mindset that gets to change when we explore beyond borders, but also about embracing the opportunities and challenges brought about by globalization. The youth are more attracted to the freedom and possibilities awaiting them in other countries, where they can grow without the limitations they often face at home. Freedom Beyond Living and Speaking Freedom is not only being able to speak one's mind or to live unmolested. It means living securely in life—having jobs, health care, and insurance. These are the fundamentals of a system in which laws and regulations work equitably and impartially. This is how systems allow people to flourish, not in some constrained opportunity or unrealized potential. And it is little wonder, if our own country lacks these foundations, that the youth...
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Machapuchare’s Silent Cry: A Reflection on Beauty and Loss

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Today, I came across a recent photo of the majestic Machhapuchhre Mountain in Nepal, standing tall at an elevation of 6,993 meters (22,943 feet) . Commonly known as "Fishtail" for its unique peak, this mountain is one of Nepal's most iconic and breathtaking landmarks. Nestled in the Annapurna massif of the Gandaki region, Machhapuchhre remains unclimbed, protected by Nepal’s government, which has never granted a permit to ascend its sacred summit. While climbing the peak is prohibited, visitors can trek to Machhapuchhre Base Camp at 3,700 meters, where they can immerse themselves in the awe-inspiring beauty of the Annapurna Sanctuary. But as I reflect on this, my heart grows heavy with the realization that this beauty is fading. In recent years, due to a combination of factors including global warming and climate change, the snow and water reserves on our mountains have been vanishing at an alarming rate. The once pristine, snowcapped peaks are turning barren, their shimm...
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Will Our Melting Mountains Ever Return to Their Former Glory

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Nepal's iconic glaciers and snow-capped peaks, symbols of natural beauty and vital sources of water, are disappearing at an alarming rate due to climate change. The recent compensation announcement at COP29 raises a critical question: can this funding genuinely restore fragile ecosystems, or is it merely a temporary measure to address visible impacts while neglecting deeper, systemic issues? Melting mountains in pakistan (Photo : social media)  At COP29 in Baku, global leaders committed $300 billion to climate action—an unprecedented pledge but far less than the $1.3 trillion demanded by developing nations. This disparity has fueled doubts about wealthier nations’ commitment to tackling the root causes of climate degradation. Critics argue that without a clear and actionable implementation plan, the promised funds risk being no more than a superficial band-aid for a profound crisis. For vulnerable nations like Nepal, this compensation feels more like a compromise than a victory. Th...
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From Flowing Rivers to Dry Ravines

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  A River Transformed in Two Months Just two months ago, in September, during the rainfall, I stood before a river full of life, its waters stretching from one bank to the other. Today, that very place resembles a rubble storage site—bare, sandy, and devoid of water. How could this river change so drastically in such a short time?  This stark transformation is not an isolated case. Traveling along the 100 km highway stretch from Pathalaiya (Bara District) to Bardibas (Mahottari District), I have observed over 20 such rivers. During the monsoon, they are raging torrents, but for the rest of the year, they appear lifeless—just expanses of white sand and gravel. These sights leave one questioning: What is happening to our rivers and landscapes?  A Wake-Up Call: The 2024 September Floods The urgency of this issue was underscored during the catastrophic floods of September 27-28, 2024. Relentless rains caused devastating flooding, landslides, and lightning strikes across Nepal...
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