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An Air India flight to London crashed shortly after take-off at the Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon, India Today reported.

The flight, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carried 242 passengers. Visuals from the area showed thick black smoke in the air as more details about the accident were awaited.

Emergency services rushed to the spot following the crash, including seven fire engines, according to India Today.

Photo: S Paul Kapur, who has been picked by the Donald Trump administration for the key post of Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs

It has been nearly six months since Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States. Since then, he has issued dozens of executive orders that have significantly impacted America’s relationship with the rest of the world.

The Trump administration’s decision to shut down the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has had major repercussions in Nepal, leading to the cancellation of dozens of projects. Similarly, two projects under the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) in Nepal remain in limbo as the new administration has yet to make a final decision.

Engagement between the two countries has been minimal, particularly after the retirement of Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Donald Lu just before Trump’s inauguration—a position that remains unfilled.

Now, the Trump administration has nominated S Paul Kapur, who is currently undergoing a congressional hearing and is expected to soon take charge of South Asian affairs. A close examination of speeches by senior US officials, including the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense, as well as Kapur’s statements before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, suggests that the “China factor” will heavily influence Trump’s South Asia policy—including toward Nepal. 

In fact, countering China has emerged as the Trump administration’s primary focus across Asia. Born in New Delhi to an Indian father and an American mother, Kapur is regarded as a South Asia expert. He has authored several books on the region’s security dynamics and US policy. From 2020-2021, Kapur served on the State Department’s Policy Planning Staff, working on issues related to South and Central Asia, Indo-Pacific strategy, and US-India relations. Previously, he taught at Claremont McKenna College, and was a visiting professor at Stanford University.

During his hearing, he stated: “The United States’ relationships with the countries of South and Central Asia hold great promise. With effective policy, they can flourish and enable us to achieve Secretary Rubio’s goal of making the United States safer, stronger, and more prosperous.”

He emphasized shared US-India interests, including ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific not dominated by China, expanding bilateral trade, fostering technology sharing, and securing energy access. He also highlighted the strategic importance of Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the Maldives and Bhutan for regional stability, noting Sri Lanka and the Maldives’ critical locations along major trade routes and Bangladesh’s economic significance. “If confirmed, I will advocate for enhanced US cooperation with these nations to bolster security, counterbalance China’s influence, and expand trade,” he said.

In a striking statement at last week’s Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signaled a more confrontational stance toward Beijing, unsettling many Asian capitals. “As our allies share the burden, we can increase our focus on the Indo-Pacific: our priority theater,” he declared, stressing that America’s security and prosperity are intertwined with those of its allies. “We share your vision of peace and stability, of prosperity and security, and we are here to stay,” he added.

Since the new administration took office, there have been no high-level US visits to Nepal. While some senior officials have traveled to Kathmandu, these trips were kept low-key. However, military collaboration between the Nepali Army and the US Army continues on a regular basis.

Meanwhile,  Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered US embassies around the world on Tuesday to move ahead with a directive to fire all remaining staffers with the US Agency for International Development. He said the State Department will take over USAID’s foreign assistance programs by Monday, according to the AP news agency. 

The termination of all remaining USAID staffers abroad is one of the last steps in the destruction of the US aid agency and the firing of its more than 10,000 staffers and contractors by the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, according to AP.  They had made USAID one of their first targets for elimination.

Sima Poudel, a college student, relies on public transportation to reach her college. For her, it is the most exhausting part of her day.

“You rarely find a bus on time, and even if you do, it is overcrowded,” she says.

Poudel’s personal struggle with public transport represents the reality faced by most public transport commuters in Kathmandu.

According to findings of the Asian Transport Outlook (ATO), 2023, Scoping Urban Transport in Kathmandu, high access to bus stops does not necessarily translate into high transit mode share. While 56 percent of the Kathmandu population lives within walking distance of public transportation, only  28 percent actually use public or informal transit. This mismatch can be attributed to several factors, including poor service, overcrowding, safety and comfort. Limited investment in public transport has hindered the much-needed improvements, leaving the system inefficient and frustrating for passengers.

This extends beyond discomfort. For many women, public transports are a space of vulnerability.
Anjila Pokharel recalls the long-lasting effect of harassment on the bus, which affected her daily work life. While travelling from her home to Sundhara, she experienced inappropriate behaviour from a middle-aged man that triggered fear and long-term anxiety.

“That incident had a lasting impact on my mental health,” she shares. “I used  to feel terrified afterwards, and the memory of that haunted me for a long period.”

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), sexual harassment can result in severe mental health consequences, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and trauma. This all can significantly alter how survivors engage with public life. 

Although the International Association of Public Transport, a worldwide association representing all local public transport stakeholders, states that public transport offers equal opportunities to all citizens, regardless of their social standing, the reality in Nepal tells a different story. While buses and microbuses may physically connect people, they often fail to ensure a safe and equitable environment for everyone.

Sabina Rai witnessed a conductor yelling at an old passenger who was confused about the bus route. “It was upsetting to watch the conductor telling off a person double his age,”Rai recalls. When another person tried to intervene, the conductor continued his rude behavior. The incident shows that public transport operators and their staff are not concerned with the safety and comfort of passengers. 

Public transports are supposed to be accessible and affordable, but the reality is entirely different in Nepal. Even the elderly and disabled are not accorded the respect and care they deserve. Designated seats for seniors and disabled are often ignored.

Bivek Limbu, who lost one of his legs in a motorcycle accident, says a lack of disabled-friendly transport has made his traveling experience very difficult.
“I travel daily from Bhaktapur to Chabahil, but it's difficult getting into and off a bus,” he says. According to the Nepal Census 2021, 2.2 percent of the Nepali population lives with some form of disability, and for them, navigating public transport is often exclusionary. Limbu’s experience showcases daily struggles faced by people with disabilities who are forced to adopt a system that was never built for them

Another pressing but under-discussed issue is the lack of proper CCTV surveillance in public vehicles. 

This absence makes theft, assault, and misconduct go unchecked. Reema BK once left her purse on a bus. While she was able to find the bus with the help of traffic police,  her belongings were never recovered. “While it is the responsibility of passengers to take care of their items, sometimes the level of security and accountability must also be ensured,” BK says.

While Nepal struggles with poorly regulated public transport, its neighbouring country India has made notable progress in the past years. In order to reduce harassment cases, Delhi Metro has introduced CCTV surveillance, panic buttons, and safety protocols that make commuting safer. Additionally, many buses are equipped with digital payment systems and a tracking app to ensure reliability. 

While in Nepal, only a small number of buses have adopted these practices. These successful initiatives from South-Asian countries can serve as a model for Nepal to reduce problematic concerns over public transport efficiency and safety.

The public transport problem not only affects the passengers, but also its staff members. Shyam Kumar Shrestha says that his brother has been working as a nighttime driver along the Butwal–Kathmandu route. “Despite working long, grueling hours, his wages are often delayed,” he says. Exploitation of drivers, conductors and maintenance workers by transport operators ultimately affects service quality and passenger safety.
While discussing the problems of public transport, concerned authorities focus on the surface-level issues, such as overcrowded buses or traffic congestion. But improving public transport also requires inclusive planning that prioritises both individual needs and the collective welfare of people.

The story of Prince Mahasattva is one of the most profound narratives in the Jataka tales, which recount the past lives of the Buddha. In this moving account, the young prince encounters a starving tigress and her cubs on the brink of death. Overcome by deep compassion, he selflessly offers his own body to save them, embodying unconditional love and the ultimate act of sacrifice to relieve suffering.

For centuries, Bhadawan Danda in Panauti has been a sacred site where Buddhist folklore, local legends, and ancient rituals—such as worship, meditation, and festivals—have honored the birthplace of Na:Ma Buddha, the selfless prince who gave his life for the tigress and her cubs. Around 6,000 years ago, this region was part of the ancient city of Panchal Nagari, ruled by King Maharath, a descendant of Dirgharat. His majestic palace stood at Bhagawan Danda in Toukhal, northwest of present-day Panauti in Kavre district. King Maharath and Queen Satyavati had three sons: Mahadev, Mahapranava, and Mahasattva.

Over time, earthquakes, epidemics, and climate changes reduced the once-glorious Panchal Palace to ruins. By the 12th century, during the reign of King Anand Dev of the Malla dynasty, the settlement had shifted near Triveni and became known as Pala:ti (later Panauti). The abandoned ruins gradually transformed into fertile farmland, while the palace site remained a place of reverence. As debris accumulated, a sacred mound formed, later called Bhagawan Danda.

Devotees visiting the holy burial site of Na:Ma Buddha on Hiranya Gandhaman Mountain also pay homage at Bhagawan Danda, offering ghee lamps and incense during festivals and ancestral anniversaries. During the Malla period, the Na:Ma Buddha festival was institutionalized, with the establishment of Na:Ma Buddha Dho:Chhen (Goddess House) at Nhu Baha in Panauti. The tradition of lighting lamps at Bhagawan Danda, marking the birthplace of Prince Mahasattva, also began in this era.

For decades, pilgrims from across Nepal and beyond gathered here to offer lamps. However, due to declining local engagement, lack of promotion, and the disruptions of armed conflict, these sacred practices waned. As spiritual connections faded, Panauti Municipality encroached on the land, constructing an office building. Within its grounds, a small stupa was later erected—either in memory of Prince Mahasattva or as a tribute to Buddhahood.

Na:Ma Buddha remains a site of immense spiritual significance, akin to Mecca for Muslims or Jerusalem for Christians. Locals frequent it for personal rituals, while Buddhists worldwide journey here to honor their ancestors. Historically, pilgrims from Tibet, China, Mongolia, Taiwan, and India have visited, drawn by the site’s sacred legacy—a tradition that continues to grow as awareness spreads.

Reviving the cherished practice of lighting lamps at Bhagawan Danda not only honors Prince Mahasattva’s sacrifice but also perpetuates the spirit of Avayadan (selfless giving). By reshaping Panauti Municipality’s architecture with imagery of Panchal Durbar, we can rekindle local pride and share the profound legacy of Na:Ma Buddha. In doing so, we uphold the values of peace and harmony, inspiring future generations and fostering global unity.