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A female Nepali student was found dead in her hostel room at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar on Thursday evening, in what police have described as a suspected case of suicide.

Parents arrived in Bhubaneswar

The grieving parents of the first-year B.Tech student arrived at the mortuary in AIIMS Bhubaneswar following the incident. “We received information (about her demise) at 8:00 PM,” the student’s visibly distraught mother told ANI. Her father said the family had spoken to her just hours before the incident. “On the day of the incident, we had a telephone conversation with her at 3:00 PM. She talked to us nicely,” he added.

What authorities are saying

Bhubaneswar Police Commissioner Suresh Dev Datta Singh stated that preliminary findings suggest it was a case of suicide. “Prima facie, it appears to be a suicide case, as she was found in a hanging position inside a locked room,” Singh told ANI. He added that all necessary evidence had been collected and that the body was sent for a post-mortem at AIIMS.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Jagmohan Meena provided further details, saying the incident came to light during a routine attendance check. “When the hostel warden was taking evening attendance, one student did not respond. On checking, the girl was found hanging inside her room. No note was found,” Meena said.

UGC sets up fact-finding committee

In response to the incident and rising concerns, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has formed a four-member fact-finding committee headed by IGNOU Vice-chancellor Nageshwar Rao. The panel will look into the circumstances surrounding the alleged suicides at KIIT, assess the university’s adherence to student welfare norms, and recommend preventive measures.

Other members of the committee include Shashikala Wanjari (VC, NIEPA), HCS Rathore (former VC, Central University of South Bihar), and Sunita Siwach (Joint Secretary, UGC), who will serve as the committee’s coordination officer.

A worrying pattern?

This is the second such incident involving a Nepali student at KIIT in the last three months. In February, another Nepali student, Prakriti Lamsal, also died by suicide at the university. The latest case has triggered concerns among students, parents, and diplomatic channels, with police confirming they are in touch with the Nepali embassy. Security arrangements have been made around the campus.

The government has announced plans to implement Euro 6 vehicle emission, marking a significant step toward cleaner transportation in Nepal. President Ram Chandra Paudel made the announcement, presenting the government’s policies and programs for the upcoming fiscal year 2025/26 in the joint session of parliament.

The existing Vehicle Emission Standards, 2012 allows imports of motor vehicles complying to Euro 3 or equivalent emission standards. While attempts to revise the standard were made in 2017 and 2021, it stalled on the pressure from automobile importers. However, officials say the government is now committed to enforcing the new norms.

An official at the Ministry of Forests and Environment said the draft of the updated standards has been sent to the Department of Environment (DoE) for feedback. The ministry will finalize the draft within two to three months after incorporating feedback received from the DoE.

As per the draft, the government will adopt Euro 6 standards for passenger vehicles, motorcycles and commercial vehicles, and Euro 4 standards for heavy equipment and construction vehicles.

The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport have already approved the draft, the forest ministry official said. “India enforced Bharat Standard 6 (BS 6) in 2020, and China has Euro 6 equivalent emission standards. It is high time we upgraded our emission standards,” he added.

Since Nepal makes most of its vehicle imports from India and China—countries which are already producing Euro 6-compliant models, automobile dealers say the switch to Euro 6 will not affect supply.

Automobile dealers, however, say that any change in emission standards should come with an advance notice. An official of NADA Automobiles Association said they have recommended a six-month transition period. “We are ready to implement new emission standards. But sudden enforcement could hurt businesses as they would find it difficult to sell off existing orders. There is also a need to train technicians,” the official added. 

Some dealers, however, say the upgrade to Euro 6 would make motor vehicles expensive. “There is no rush to make the switch as we are seeing a healthy growth in electric vehicle imports,” a former office-bearer of NADA said on condition of anonymity.

Ministry officials said the upcoming budget might provide a clear timeline on switching to Euro 6 emission standards.

Nepal is facing a growing crisis of trust in government. Recent protests by teachers demanding reform in education law and doctors calling for enforcement of prior agreements have disrupted essential services. High-profile resignations—including the Education Minister, state minister and the Vice Chancellor of Tribhuvan University—reflect a political culture marred by interference and disillusionment. Statements by former Governor Vijayanath Bhattarai, who criticized the influence of middlemen in public appointments, underline a widening gap between citizens and institutions.

This disillusionment is not exclusive to Nepal. As Chris Eccles explains in his essay Restoring Trust in Government, public confidence in democratic institutions has declined across many countries over the past several decades. His insights are especially timely for Nepal as it navigates its own democratic transition and seeks to restore public legitimacy.

Eccles begins by highlighting how trust in government has eroded steadily since the 1960s, citing surveys in countries like the United States and New Zealand. This decline cannot be attributed to isolated events or leadership failures. It reflects a deeper, structural shift in how citizens perceive and interact with democratic institutions.

In Nepal, trust remains low despite constitutional reforms and federal restructuring. Political institutions are often viewed as self-serving and unresponsive. Eccles argues that declining trust is not just a result of poor performance but of a changing political culture where citizens demand more than material benefits—they seek fairness, dignity, and voice.

For decades, governments believed that delivering roads, schools, and jobs would be enough to earn public support. Eccles refers to this belief as “performance legitimacy.” However, his research shows that service delivery alone is no longer sufficient to maintain trust. Citizens increasingly judge governments by how decisions are made, who is included, and whether processes are fair.

In Nepal, development initiatives often fail to improve legitimacy when implemented without transparency or local participation. Even when services are delivered, communities may feel excluded or manipulated. Eccles’ insight is clear: trust is not just about output, but about justice and accountability.

Eccles draws on Ronald Inglehart’s theory of social modernization to explain how rising education and global exposure have changed citizen behavior. As societies modernize, people expect governments to respect their rights, engage in dialogue, and share decision-making. They no longer accept top-down rules without explanation or consultation.

Nepal is experiencing this shift. Civic protests, youth-led campaigns, and digital activism reflect a political environment where citizens—especially young people—demand transparency, equality, and ethical conduct. Trust must now be earned through relationships and engagement, not merely promised in speeches.

A defining feature of Eccles’ argument is the idea of a new civic culture. Citizens want more than services—they want institutions to act with honesty, competence, and respect. Trust today is not an automatic result of governance; it is a public value that must be cultivated.

Nepal’s participatory frameworks provide an opportunity to build this culture. Local governments hold public hearings and consultations, but these often fail to influence actual decisions. To restore credibility, these mechanisms must go beyond ritual and become meaningful platforms for collaboration.

Eccles notes that repeated political scandals deepen public cynicism. While the media plays a vital role in uncovering wrongdoing, constant negativity without resolution can damage morale and weaken democratic engagement. In Nepal, headlines about corruption, impunity, and political manipulation are common, yet few are followed by accountability.

Citizens begin to believe that change is impossible. Eccles calls for a shift in narrative—one that includes not only critique but also examples of reform, ethical leadership, and citizen participation that rebuild hope and confidence.

Eccles presents several reforms introduced in New South Wales, including a Public Service Commission, a Customer Service Commissioner, and Infrastructure NSW. These bodies aimed to strengthen professionalism, prioritize public needs, and insulate planning from political interference.

Nepal can adopt similar reforms. Independent commissions, long-term planning authorities, and citizen feedback mechanisms can improve integrity and transparency. These changes must be supported by a public service culture that values competence and service over patronage.

To guide institutional behavior, Eccles introduces the ITARI framework: Integrity, Transparency, Accountability, Responsiveness, and Inclusiveness. Each principle addresses a key dimension of democratic trust.

Nepal’s constitution and laws already reference these values, but implementation is inconsistent. Merit is often compromised by political interests. Public data is not always accessible. Marginalized communities are still underrepresented in key decisions. Restoring trust means turning these values from ideals into lived practice at every level of governance.

Eccles outlines an “engagement continuum” with five levels: networking, coordination, cooperation, collaboration, and partnering. Many governments promise partnership but deliver only limited consultation. This gap between promise and practice damages trust.

Nepal’s experience reflects this challenge. Community members may be invited to meetings, but decisions often remain top-down. True engagement requires that citizens help define problems, shape solutions, and share responsibility for implementation. Community forestry and school management models offer practical examples of deeper participation already at work in Nepal.

Eccles critiques overly strict administrative rules—called probity frameworks—that were meant to prevent corruption but often block innovation. In many systems, civil servants become afraid to take initiative, slowing progress and avoiding responsibility.

This is a serious issue in Nepal. Delays and inaction are often driven by fear of audits or political retribution. Eccles proposes a fit-for-purpose approach, where rules are tailored to the size and risk of each project. Such flexibility can encourage problem-solving while maintaining integrity.

A vital solution offered by Eccles is co-production. This means that the government does not act alone but works with citizens to design and deliver public services. Trust grows when people see themselves as contributors, not just recipients.

Nepal has strong traditions of cooperative action, from community-managed forests to disaster response. These approaches show that when citizens are trusted, they help solve complex problems. Expanding co-production can make governance more inclusive and more effective.

Eccles ends his essay with a powerful revision of a common phrase: instead of saying, “I’m from the government and I’m here to help,” public servants should say, “I’m from the government and I need—and want—your help.” This simple change reflects a deeper transformation—one that centers humility, partnership, and mutual respect.

In Nepal, this message is more urgent than ever. Trust cannot be rebuilt with slogans or plans alone. It requires institutional courage, ethical leadership, and daily practices that honor the voice and dignity of every citizen. 

‘I’m not the creative sort’—we have either said this about ourselves or heard someone close to us say it about themselves. It’s the biggest lie ever. Everyone has creative potential. They just need to tap into it. Here’s how you can do it. 

Journal your thoughts and ideas

Writing things down can be a great way to get rid of mental clutter. In recent years, morning pages is something that has been gaining a lot of popularity. The idea is to write down three pages of whatever comes to your mind the moment you wake up. You keep a diary and pen next to your bed and write down your thoughts before you get out of bed. You can also practice it after doing your morning routine. This is a great exercise to get your thoughts and ideas flowing. Alternatively, get into the habit of keeping a pen and notebook with you at all times and write down the random thoughts and ideas that come to your mind as you go about your day. You will find that this simple exercise will train your brain to think more creatively. 

Pick up a paintbrush

We tend to feel intimidated by the thought of painting something. We think we can’t make something nice or replicate a drawing we like. But it doesn’t have to be so complicated. And seasoned artists vouch that painting and drawing aren’t all that difficult if you just give it a try. It’s definitely a skill that can be honed. Get some canvas, some paints, and a few brushes and just have a go at it. You will find it to be quite enjoyable. You can make cards for your loved ones as well. Painting has many benefits and some of them include enhanced creativity and stress relief. It’s a family activity as well. Spread some newspaper on the floor, plop your paints and canvases on it and get painting. 

Take some pictures

We all have smartphones and we all take pictures of everything, from mirror selfies to the food we order at restaurants. But have you ever tried your hand at taking aesthetic photos of the many different things that are around you? Try capturing a lovely sunrise, or take some photos of flowers up close. Photography is an activity that forces you to think creatively. You start observing your surroundings differently and paying attention to the details. It’s also a lifelong learning process. No matter how long you have been taking photos, you can always take better ones. You can learn new techniques, skills, and styles. Learn to shoot in the macro form that allows you to take interesting photos of miniature subjects like ants, bees, and the like. Street photography is another fascinating thing to try. You could also try your hand at styling objects and taking aesthetic photos of them. 

Learn new things

You are never too old to learn a new skill. Learning new things will sharpen your mind and keep you on your toes. Studies have also shown that constant learning can slow down aging and keep you mentally agile. Sign up for an online course. It could be learning a new language, coding, or graphic design. The options are endless. If you prefer, you can even sign up for physical classes. Dance, vocals, or swim lessons can be good options. There are so many workshops and training being held these days that you can just pick something that suits your mood. These aren’t even long sessions so you don’t have to commit much time. Duolingo is a great app for learning new languages. In 10 to 15 minutes a day you can pick up new words and phrases and be quite a pro at any language of your choice in a year or two, if you are consistent with practice. 

Break up your routine

Most of us are creatures of habit and we tend to follow the same routine day in and day out. Without realizing, this makes our days a little mundane and dulls our mind in the long run. While everyone loves rituals and a sense of structure to their days, it’s essential to switch things up every now and then so that we don’t get bored. This allows your mind to think freely and not be constrained by a particular way of thinking. Try taking a different route to work, order takeout from a restaurant that you normally don’t go to, thrift items you need instead of heading to the market to pick something off the shelf or see if you can repurpose something around the house to serve your needs. Breaking up your routine not only allows for more flexibility but it also forces you to think before you do anything.