बौद्धनाथ

A few weeks ago, I stopped in Nepal on my way back from Bhutan to witness and assess earthquake damage at heritage sites like the Boudhanath Stupa. As you can see from the “before” picture propped up against the stupa above, there was significant earthquake damage to the site — which is now being repaired. While I was exploring Kathmandu in the midst of the fuel crisis, my attention was diverted from the structural damage of temples and monasteries to the distressing and dangerous humanitarian crisis caused by the constitutional crisis and Indian blockade. With winter looming in the Himalayas, UNICEF is now sounding the alarm that children will be the most affected by the shortages of daily commodities and life-saving medicines caused by the blockade. I witnessed first-hand how many people in Nepal are suffering as a result of the blockade — and I’m sincerely hoping a resolution can be reached before the cold sets in soon…