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Structural dynamics plays a pivotal role in modern engineering, particularly in earthquake engineering. Base isolation, a groundbreaking innovation, is gaining attention as a critical solution for earthquake-prone regions like Nepal, which ranks 11th in terms of earthquake risk. Situated at the convergence of several active tectonic plates, Nepal lies in a highly vulnerable seismic zone. This makes the study of the dynamic behavior of buildings supported by base isolation systems essential. Understanding the conditions under which isolation systems perform effectively, conducting nonlinear dynamics analyses, performing shaking table tests, and evaluating field installations and performance are all crucial aspects of advancing base isolation technology.

Historically, Nepal has endured numerous devastating earthquakes. The 1934 magnitude 8 earthquake caused significant destruction, and the country continues to experience frequent seismic activity due to its location at the boundary of the Indian and Eurasian plates. The 2015 Gorkha earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.8, was a stark reminder of Nepal's vulnerability, claiming over 8,000 lives and injuring more than 20,000. Given this persistent risk, base isolation emerges as an effective, efficient, and protective method to mitigate earthquake-induced forces on buildings.

Base isolation is a seismic protection mechanism designed to reduce the impact of earthquake forces on structures. By incorporating flexible bearings or isolators between a building's foundation and superstructure, base isolation decouples the structure from ground motion, significantly reducing the transmission of seismic forces. This system not only dissipates energy but also enhances the overall performance of buildings during earthquakes. While the initial cost of base isolation systems may be higher in Nepal, recent advancements have made them more cost-effective and accessible, offering a practical solution to minimize lateral forces during seismic events.

Despite its benefits, base isolation remains underrepresented in Nepal's building codes. There is a pressing need to revise codal provisions to incorporate this modern innovation, ensuring its widespread adoption for new constructions. Public awareness and education about base isolation are equally important, as many are unaware of its potential to safeguard lives and property. A simple analogy to explain base isolation is the use of frictionless rollers: during an earthquake, the ground shakes, and the rollers move freely, while the building above remains stable and protected. In Japan, base isolation, known as "Menshin," is a cornerstone of modern architecture and engineering, contributing to the country's resilience against frequent earthquakes.

Various isolation components have been developed through research, including sliding isolators, lead rubber bearings, elastomeric isolators, low-damping natural or synthetic rubber bearings, and friction pendulum systems. These components are used not only in new constructions but also for retrofitting critical buildings. For instance, low-damping natural rubber bearings consist of steel endplates and thin steel shims interbedded with rubber, providing vertical stiffness while maintaining horizontal flexibility. Similarly, lead-plug rubber bearings, invented in New Zealand in 1975, incorporate a lead core to enhance stiffness and damping, making them highly effective for seismic isolation.

Sliding systems represent another approach to base isolation, offering an economical alternative for smaller structures. These systems reduce floor accelerations by introducing friction between the foundation and superstructure, allowing the building to return to its original position after an earthquake. This unique feature distinguishes sliding systems from other isolation methods.

So, seismic base isolation is a vital technique for protecting buildings in earthquake-prone regions like Nepal. To address the challenges posed by frequent seismic activity, it is imperative to adopt and implement isolation systems tailored to local needs. This requires collaborative efforts from government policymakers, structural engineers, and earthquake-related organizations. By integrating base isolation into building codes and promoting its adoption, Nepal can significantly enhance its resilience against future earthquakes, safeguarding both lives and infrastructure.

Have you ever Googled yourself? If you haven’t, you might be shocked by the results that appear when you type your name into the search bar and hit “enter.” This was the experience of Gonzalez, a Spanish national, who discovered news articles from 1998 about his past debt resurfacing online. Despite resolving the issue long ago, this outdated information continued to haunt him, popping up whenever someone searched for his name on the internet. It was as if this unwanted data had become a permanent tattoo he never consented to. Hence, in a world where digital footprints can linger indefinitely, one might wish for a genie to erase such burdensome pasts. In reality, however, that genie took the form of the ‘Right to be Forgotten,’ a legal concept established by the European Court of Justice which subsequently allowed Gonzalez to have his information erased from Google. 

The right to be forgotten empowers individuals to request the removal of outdated or irrelevant information from the internet search engine, allowing them to reclaim control over their digital image and identity. This right is typically granted when the information concerning the individual is considered inadequate, irrelevant, or no longer relevant. By enabling individuals to control the information about the past, this right allows an individual to erase or delete one’s digital footprint. Consequently, search engines like Google or Bing may be required to remove links to websites containing unwanted personal information from their search results.

The rapid advancement of digital technology has led to an exponential increase in the volume of data circulating on the internet. According to statistics from DataReportal, Nepal had approximately 15.4m internet users at the start of 2024. Likewise, the number of social media users stood at 13.5m, accounting for around 43.5 percent of the total population. As internet penetration continues to rise, more individuals will have their information exposed to the domain of the internet. It is the harsh reality that individuals have limited or no control over the information shared online, and once published, such data often attains a permanent status, making its removal nearly impossible. Moreover, with no restrictions on who can post content online, anonymous individuals can share information about others without their consent that will loom over the internet for ages thereby affecting the privacy rights of individuals in the digital space.

Legal scenario

In the context of Nepal, the individual right to privacy is guaranteed and protected under Article 28 of the Constitution. Building upon this constitutional foundation, the Individual Privacy Act of 2018 provides a comprehensive legal framework for safeguarding personal data and related information. This Act mandates that personal information cannot be collected without the explicit consent of the individual concerned and restricts the use of such data strictly to the purposes for which it was gathered. Additionally, the Muluki Criminal Code includes provisions aimed at protecting individual privacy.

Although the prevailing laws offer robust protections against unauthorized data collection and usage, they fall short of addressing the challenges posed by information already available in the public domain. The right to privacy ensures the confidentiality of personal data but does not extend to the removal or deletion of information that has already been disseminated in the public domain.

This lacuna in law can be addressed via the incorporation of the right to be forgotten which will allow the erasure of information already available in the public domain. Countries such as Spain, Germany, Argentina, South Korea, India, Switzerland, and the UK have already embraced this right, allowing individuals greater control over their digital information. As a result, major online platforms including Google, Yahoo, Bing, and Facebook have received thousands of takedown requests from individuals seeking to reclaim their online privacy.

Not an absolute right

It is crucial to recognize that the right to be forgotten is not an absolute right; it is subject to specific limitations and conditions. The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) provides clear guidelines on when an individual may request the removal of their personal information. Article 17 of the GDPR outlines key circumstances under which this right can be exercised, such as when the data is no longer necessary, when consent is withdrawn, when the data has been unlawfully processed, or when there are no overriding legitimate grounds for retaining the information.

A blanket provision allowing unrestricted use of the right to be forgotten would be neither practical nor desirable. This right must be carefully balanced against freedom of expression and the right to information, as excessive enforcement could be misused to suppress critical discourse or erase public records of legitimate interest. The right to be forgotten, therefore, functions as a double-edged sword, while it safeguards individual privacy, it also has the potential to limit public access to essential information. Hence, striking the right balance is essential. The right to be forgotten should only be upheld in cases where an individual’s privacy rights outweigh the public interest in retaining access to the contested information.

Remedy through courts

In the Nepali context, a writ petition was filed by the authors before the Supreme Court of Nepal, seeking formal recognition of the right to be forgotten. Although the Court ultimately dismissed the petition, it issued a directional order during the final hearing, signaling the need for further legal deliberation on the matter. As the full text of the judgment is yet to be issued, its detailed reasoning and implications on the right to be forgotten remain to be seen; however, the decision is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of digital privacy rights in Nepal.

Snacks are important because they fill you up between meals, nourish you, and give you energy to power through the day. But when you are in a rush, it’s easy to give into having fast food and biscuits when you feel hungry during the afternoons or early evenings. It’s neither healthy nor ideal to always eat out. There are some simple snacks you can whip up in minutes and carry in your bag to munch on throughout the day. If you put your mind to it, the list is endless but we are here to get you started.

Salad and hummus

Cut thin slices or long sticks of cucumber, carrots, beetroot, and celery or choose a couple of the options if not all and put that separately in a container. Then in a blender mix boiled chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, water, garlic, and salt and give it a good blitz. You can use store bought tahini. Transfer the hummus into an air-tight container and store it in the fridge for upto five days. This is a great high protein snack to have on the go.

Cheese and cucumber sandwich

This is the most delicious and easy to assemble sandwich there is in the entire list of all possible sandwiches. Simply spread some mayonnaise or cream cheese on two slices of fresh bread. Layer thinly cut slices of cucumber and top it with thinly cut slices of cheese and it’s done. It’s the most refreshing and filling sandwich you will have. The good thing is you don’t even have to toast the bread.

Paneer and sweet corn salad

This is a high protein and filling snack that will tide you well till dinner time and even replace dinner if you have it late enough. Simple cut paneer into tiny cubes, mix with boiled sweet corn, chopped tomatoes and cucumber before adding some salt, pepper, and lemon juice to it. Give it all a good mix and transfer it into a container to take with you. If you have the time, you can stir-fry the paneer to add a little bit of a crunchy texture to your salad.

Fruit smoothie

If you don’t have a blender, we recommend you invest in a portable one. This one is a game changer. There isn’t any kind of smoothie or juice you can’t make in under two minutes when you have a portable blender at home. Our favorite is mixing thoroughly washed strawberries, chia seeds, and yogurt and blending it into a tasty smoothie. For one person, blend six to seven ripe strawberries with a cup of yogurt and a tablespoon of chia seeds.

Leftover roti pizza

If you have leftover rotis at home, you can easily turn this into a quick pizza in the oven or the microwave. Take a roti and put a layer to ketchup or if you have pasta sauce even that will work. Top it with chopped onions, tomatoes, and any other vegetable you have on hand. Sprinkle some salt and pepper or even red chili powder if you like spicy food and then top with grated cheese. Bake it in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes at 180 degree Celsius or in the microwave for about 20 minutes. 

Bhairab Kunda, located in Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality-1, Sindhupalchowk district, north-east of Kathmandu Valley, is a newly opened trekking destination for domestic and international travelers. Despite being close to Kathmandu Valley, Bhairab Kunda has not gained much attention, mainly due to geographical difficulties. Situated at an altitude of 4,250 meters, the lake offers stunning views of Jugal Himalayan Range and Gaurishankar Himalayan Range.

According to Hindu mythology, Bhairab Kunda, a pilgrimage and spiritual site for both Hindus and Buddhist, is believed to be the place where Lord Shiva created the sacred lake by thrusting his trident into the ground. Known for its breathtaking natural beauty, tranquil atmosphere and religious significance, the Bhairab Kunda trail leads to spellbinding mountain vistas, stunning alpine landscapes and ethnic villages.

A good friend of mine introduced this place to me and told the historical and mythological stories about this place. “Have you ever seen a frozen lake?” my friend asked me. I said no. And she proceeded to tell me that the lake will be frozen in February. The way she described the place piqued my curiosity. Upon reaching home, I started searching for the videos of Bhairab Kunda on YouTube. I was fascinated by the blue lake with mountains surrounding it. I also learned that the trek to Bhairab Kunda can be completed in two days.

The next day, I made a plan to visit Bhairab Kunda with my friend. Another friend also decided to join us on the journey. We bought some essential things needed for the trek. The same week, on Friday, we left Kathmandu for Sindhupalchowk at 11:30 am. We had two routes to go to Sindhupalchowk—one from Dhulikhel and another from Nagarkot. We decided to take the Nagarkot route, as it would be shorter for us to travel from Boudha. We were excited for the journey, as we were taking our motorcycles this time. Fortunately, the weather was on our side; it was a beautiful day and the landscapes en route were mesmerising.

We stopped for lunch by the riverside at Sukute after riding for nearly three hours. The next spot we stopped on that day was the Last Resort. We rested there for a while and had some cold drinks. Before leaving Kathmandu, we had information that the road would be nice and smooth till Daklan and we had to go off-road for around 40 km. The off-road journey was bumpy, slippery and dangerous.

We reached Listi at around 6 pm, and it was getting dark. We had to take extra caution and be careful riding in the dark. The plan was to reach Chokor Mokor, but when we reached Bagam at 7 pm we were knackered. A hotel owner at Bagam suggested that we spend the night at his place, as the road ahead was not good for traveling at night.

But we decided to press on. The road was treacherous. At some sections, we had to push our bikes. Although we were tired, we had a perfect night sky; countless twinkling stars above us.

We reached Chokor Mokor where Pasang dai, the tea house owner, was waiting for us. After keeping all our belongings in our room, we went to the kitchen to warm ourselves by the fire. We met three other people there. We had a chat with them for  some time and had our dinner.

The cold was intense—water turned to ice almost instantly. Pasang dai explained the severe water shortage in the area, mentioning that he had to pay Rs 8,000 for a 500-liter tank of water. The lack of electricity and proper toilets added to the challenges.

That night, one of our fellow travelers suffered from altitude sickness and had to be taken to a lower elevation. Early the next morning, one of our friends also experienced breathing difficulties and began vomiting. After administering medication and ensuring he was stable, we started our hike to Bhairab Kunda at 6 am. The three-hour trek on stone stairs led us to the frozen lake, surrounded by majestic snow-capped peaks. The sight was priceless, and we spent glorious moments there, capturing photos and videos, offering prayers at the temple, and soaking in the serene atmosphere.

On our way back, we learned that a hut we had admired earlier had caught fire. The sight of its ashes was heartbreaking. Pasang dai explained that some travelers had likely left a fire unattended, causing the blaze. The incident served as a stark reminder of the importance of responsibility while trekking, especially in fragile environments.

We returned to Kathmandu with a mix of good and bad memories. One crucial lesson from this journey is the importance of acclimatization—never ascend to high elevations (above 4,000 meters) from low altitudes in a single day. Spending a day below 3,000 meters can help prevent altitude sickness and ensure a safer, more enjoyable trek. Bhairab Kunda is not just a destination; it’s an experience that teaches resilience, responsibility, and the beauty of nature’s untouched wonders.

Photos: Achitra Thieng