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Just as life ends when breath ceases, relationships crumble when trust is lost. Trust is the highest form of inspiration one can receive in life. It is an inseparable pillar of happiness and meaningful connections. Whether in personal bonds or professional ties, trust holds immense significance. The very fabric of the world and creation rests on the foundation of trust and faith. To be trusted is to be relied upon.

Yet, one-sided trust lacks stability and can swiftly turn into disappointment. Trust, which takes years to build, can shatter in an instant. At times, repairing broken trust may require a lifetime. True trust finds its meaning in mutuality. Like the two wheels of a chariot, mutual and selfless respect strengthens trust, making it enduring and effective. 

Where trust exists, hope thrives, and confidence is nurtured. Without trust, there is neither hope nor belief. Trust is akin to a mirror—it never lies. Just as a mirror reflects what is placed before it, trust reveals the truth of a relationship. It has no fixed shape, color, or structure; it resides in feelings and confidence. The moment reasons are sought to justify trust, doubt begins to creep in. When trust is shaken, confidence wavers and suspicion enters, creating cracks that eventually break relationships apart. 

Human nature and cultural upbringing influence the weight we assign to trust and the distance we place in reliability. Trust should not be granted simply because someone confides in us. The same person who shares secrets with us may also betray ours. Trust is shaped by tendencies and possibilities. It is the foundation of relationships, which are intertwined with life's many facets—joy, sorrow, happiness, pain, hatred, greed, attachment and selfishness. As life unfolds, so does the expansion of trust and relationships. 

Trust is the fruit that grows on the tree of relationship. Its sweetness stems from the qualities of reliability. Hope and despair determine the quality of trust and faith, which in turn shape the longevity and depth of relationships. Intentions also play a crucial role in sustaining trust. It is often said that in love, war, and politics, anything is acceptable. Thus, the formation and dissolution of relationships are often dictated by circumstances. Trust and faith without principles are fragile. A healthy relationship should be like hands and eyes—when the hand is hurt, the eyes weep, and when the eyes tear up, the hands wipe them away. 

Trust and faith are deeply intertwined with emotional connections. Trust built on lies and illusions is destined to collapse, while relationships grounded in truth and trust endure. Trust is also a reflection of one’s nature. A trustworthy environment fosters morale and positivity. The thread of trust and faith can be incredibly strong or perilously fragile, depending on the circumstances. Faith in trust is like nectar, nourishing relationships, while doubt is poison, eroding goodwill and love. Self-centered trust and deceptive faith can irreparably destroy relationships. 

The wound of broken trust strikes directly at the heart. It shatters emotions and transforms sweet relationships into bitterness. The invisible scars left by broken trust are among life’s most damaging. Countless tragic stories have been written in the ink of suspicion—families have been torn apart, relationships have crumbled and social values have been disrupted. Professional and familial ties have been irreparably damaged. 

A relationship without trust is like life without oxygen. Even if a broken staff of trust is mended, it can never regain its original strength. Failing to place trust and faith wisely leads to suffering. Life is a blend of happiness and sorrow, light and darkness. Blind trust and faith can be perilous. Trusting everyone indiscriminately or trusting no one at all—both are signs of failure. Suspicion is always an inherent possibility in trust and faith, but the issue lies not in suspicion itself, but in how it is perceived. If left unresolved, suspicion can turn golden moments into ashes, weakening individuals and preventing them from reaching the pinnacle of success. 

Where does trust reside? On bright days or dark nights? The comfort of deep sleep often eludes us during the day. Eyelids that close in anticipation of dreams cannot rest in daylight, nor do they favor the light. Emotional wounds disrupt sleep, leaving one tossing and turning, a wet pillow alternating between warmth and cold. It is said that even fire can burn in water, and those who understand time can freeze fire with ice. Rather than relying on fate, those who place trust in their actions seldom remain unhappy. Those who transform tears of pain into strength move through life with resilience and grace.

The story of unaddressed silent screams repeats once again. This time, it was of a young teenager, far from home, chasing her dreams pushed to the brink by relentless psychological, sexual, and alleged physical harassment. While the investigation continues, one thing is clear: Prakriti Lamsal was a victim of severe abuse and her tragic fate exposes the systemic failures—both socially and institutionally—that allow such injustices to persist.. 

In the aftermath, we witnessed students protesting, a university scrambling to react, cross-border tensions rising, and social media engulfed by #JusticeforPrakriti. Diplomatic interventions and heated debates about educational politicization, national accountability, and institutional reforms followed. The tragic incident at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) has sent shockwaves both nationally and internationally, exposing a multitude of issues.

Yet, amidst that trending noise, the core issue remains unanswered. Why do every now and then we keep on hearing these horrendous news of abuse, violence, and harassment against women? Are we truly failing to address them? 

The data paints a grim picture. The critical factors like the unequal position of women in relationships and society, cultural stigmatization on these sensitive topics, and the normative acceptance of abuse, violence as a conflict resolution method. Importantly, the deep flaws within the ‘victim support’ or ‘victim report’ processes heightens the problem even more. 

Let’s be honest: what actually happens to the woman who speaks out against harassment? How do our society and institutions, the very entities meant to protect us, truly respond when a woman complains? And most importantly, how effective is our system in addressing the issue and supporting the survivors? 

In Lamsal’s case, her repeated complaints were ignored. The responsible institutional inaction emboldened the perpetrator further deterring the situation. Even in the wake of her death, the first instinct from her educational officials was to scrutinize her choices—not the failures of the institution, not the abuser’s actions, not the system that failed her. Even in the trending hashtags #JusticeForPrakriti, the public discourse quickly turned to character assassination.

It already takes a lot of courage to speak out in our society for a victim who has endured the trauma of molestation, abuse, or harassment. Common questions like “Why didn’t you speak up sooner?” or “Are you sure you didn’t provoke them?” further exacerbate their pain. These questions perpetuate victim-blaming, which can lead to victims being shamed and judged by their communities. This often results in social ostracism, where victims are isolated and excluded from social circles, further deepening their trauma. For any woman, regardless of education or background, this is a worst-case nightmare.

The inefficiency of legal enforcement significantly contributes to this issue. Be it in the phase of investigation or prosecution, it is a clear testament to the failure of proper implementation and enforcement of even existing laws. Within these tedious processes of getting justice, the continuous victim-blaming followed by social ostracism remains a powerful silencing tool.

Amid political maneuvering and fleeting social media trends, the real question remains: What does genuine justice for Lamsal look like? Will the accused, reportedly shielded by political connections, face real consequences? Will this tragedy spur lasting reforms, or will it fade into another forgotten case? Can we break the cycle of institutional silence and impunity?

The staircase is usually the most neglected space in our homes. It serves a functional purpose without having much aesthetic appeal. But it’s located in a prime spot and is used quite a lot as well. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could deck up this space, in whatever simple way possible? Though slightly tricky, it’s actually not that difficult to turn this overlooked area of the house into a neat focal point. Here are three ways to bring a little cheer into an otherwise mundane space. These inexpensive ideas can transform your stairwell into a space you love, much like the other rooms in your home.

Add mirror tiles along the length of the staircase

A really regal yet simple way to glam up your space without spending a lot and needing a lot of construction or preparation is to use mirror tiles along the walls of the staircase. Mirror tiles are available in different shapes and sizes and the design can be customized according to your preference. You can also get the mirror etched if you want to take things up a notch. The mirrors will add texture to a simple wall as well as reflect light and make a narrow space seem wider. If you are feeling especially adventurous, you can even do up an entire wall with mirror tiles to give the space a larger-than-life appeal. 

Choose an accent color

More often than not, the color of the staircase area matches the rest of the house. Try to choose a bright color to paint the walls in the space. This will give it a burst of color and an eye-catching appeal. Green, peach, yellow, works well as staircases are generally narrow and these can give it an illusion of space. You can also choose to paint the wall on the landing area a different color and keep the adjacent walls a plain white or beige to match the rest of your house. Additionally, if you have wooden or metal railings along the staircase, you can also give these a fresh coat of paint to make the space come alive. 

Create a cozy nook

We need a cozy nook in our homes, to lounge undisturbed with a nice cup of coffee and a good book. The staircase area can make for an ideal place to create a nook that’s not in your way and functional as well. This can also be your drop zone for things that need to be shuffled up and down like bags, scarves, and coats. Have a small two-seater installed along the length of the landing, top with cushion and a throw and it’s all set. You can also install a few floating shelves on the walls above it to display some interesting knick-knacks and books.

Former King Gyanendra Shah returned to Kathmandu from western Nepal recently amid rousing cheers and chants from thousands of supporters. This mass gathering at the airport and the subsequent rally in which thousands of people participated wasn’t just nostalgia for the bygone monarchy; it was a reflection of public frustration. A deep, simmering frustration of the unemployed youth who see no future in their own country, of parents left alone as their children work under the scorching heat in foreign lands, of spouses living apart, yearning for the family life they once dreamed of. It was a frustration of citizens who wake up every day to yet another news of corruption, scandals, and abuse of power, frustration of hardworking individuals whose opportunities are overtaken by the privileged few politicians, their families, and their inner circles.

For some, this support for monarchy comes from an experience; they lived under it and now compare it to what democracy has offered. For others, it was fueled by the sense of uncertainty; they never experienced monarchy but now wonder what if there was a monarchy in place? What if governance was about service rather than power? What if corruption was actually punished? What if the nation prioritized merit over political connections? What if development wasn’t just an election-time slogan? What if Nepalis didn’t have to celebrate something as basic as a newly paved road in the 21st century?

The frustration isn’t new. It has been brewing for years. The transition to democracy was supposed to bring change, but for many, it has brought only disappointment. Political instability has been a defining feature of Nepal’s governance for decades, with governments collapsing and forming at an alarming rate. Leaders rise to power promising reforms, only to repeat the same cycle of inefficiency and self-interest. Citizens are left watching as political infighting takes priority over national progress.

Nepal’s economy, once hoped to flourish under democratic rule, has struggled to provide for its people. The job market is stagnant, pushing millions of young Nepalis to seek employment abroad. The remittance economy sustains the country, but at a great emotional and social cost. Families are torn apart, children grow up without parents, and entire generations are raised with the mindset that their future lies outside Nepal, not within it.

Education is another area of disillusionment. Young people work hard to earn degrees, only to find that merit does not guarantee opportunities. Instead, it is nepotism, political connections, and bribery that open doors. Many educated individuals either leave for better prospects or settle for underemployment, their talents wasted in a system that does not value them.

The corruption that plagues Nepal is perhaps the most infuriating aspect of all. Scandals involving billions of rupees make headlines regularly, yet those responsible rarely face any real consequences. Politicians and bureaucrats enrich themselves while basic services crumble. Hospitals lack equipment, schools lack resources, and infrastructure projects remain unfinished for years, draining public funds while achieving little progress.

Infrastructure development moves at a snail’s pace. Roads, bridges, and essential facilities are often promised but rarely completed on time or with quality workmanship. When projects do finish, they are celebrated as major achievements—even though they are the bare minimum a functioning government should provide. Meanwhile, in other parts of the world, cities are being built from scratch in mere months, and technological advancements are reshaping economies.

The justice system, too, fails to inspire confidence. Laws exist on paper but are not enforced equally. The wealthy and powerful navigate the system with ease, while ordinary citizens struggle for even the most basic legal protection. Cases drag on for years without resolution, leaving victims with little hope for justice.

It is in this climate of frustration that the question of monarchy resurfaces—not necessarily as a solution, but as an alternative to the current mess. The sight of Former King Gyanendra being welcomed back in Kathmandu was not just about nostalgia; it was a loud and clear message that people are desperate for something different. They are not necessarily advocating for a return to absolute monarchy, but they are asking whether the current system has truly served them well.

As someone who was a child when Nepal was still a monarchy, I cannot claim firsthand knowledge of whether it was better or worse. But I see the frustration around me, and I, too, find myself asking: What if? Not because I believe monarchy is the perfect solution, but because I know that democracy, as it stands, is failing its people. It has become a tool for a handful of elites to consolidate wealth and power while millions struggle to get by.

This isn’t about choosing between democracy and monarchy, it is about demanding a system that works. A system that prioritizes governance, accountability, and opportunity. A system where politicians are held accountable, where corruption is punished, and where leadership is driven by service rather than self-interest.

So where do we go from here? The What ifs are questions that demand answers, not silence. Whether it is democracy or monarchy, the real concern should be about governance, accountability, and the future of Nepal. Because, at the end of the day, Nepalese are not demanding luxury; they are merely asking for dignity, fairness, and a chance to build a better future in their own homeland.