Opinion | The unyielding architecture of amnesia
Summary
Nepal’s recurring disasters, weak institutions, and flawed development model expose how little the country has learned from 9/11, the Madhesh shootings, the Gorkha earthquakes, Covid-19, and recent floods. The piece argues that amnesia, impunity, and unrealistic expectations continue to shape Nepal’s politics and public life.
Key Points
- The essay reflects on repeated state violence, natural disasters, and institutional failures in Nepal, arguing that little has been learned from past crises.
- It links the Gorkha earthquakes, Kathmandu Valley floods, Covid-19 mismanagement, and Madhesh shootings to a broader culture of impunity and poor planning.
- The author criticizes Nepal’s development model as poorly suited to its geography and climate, and urges more realistic priorities and coping strategies.
- It also questions the role of international aid and the symbolism of Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s first foreign trip to the UN General Assembly.
