Navin Shakya

Annoying strikes

Look, we get it—in the democratic world you can speak up when you’re fed up. People have the right to protest, go on strike, and tell the government they’re not happy. It’s…
In love with Lucknow

Lucknow is a city that enchants you with its charm but also challenges your patience with its scorching heat, chaotic traffic, and occasional lack of cleanliness. It’s a fascinating mix of modern…
When a recommendation goes wrong

Ever recommended a product, film, or restaurant you loved, only to have your friend come back disappointed—or worse, annoyed? Maybe they even said, “Why did you tell me to try that? It…
Feeling like Walter Mitty

Sometimes, in the middle of an ordinary day—while reading emails or sitting in a meeting—I find my mind drifting far away. One second I’m focused on work, the next I’m trekking through…
25 April

A decade. It feels like yesterday the earth ripped open, forever changing Nepal. The 2015 Gorkha Earthquake wasn’t just about collapsing buildings; it tore into our society’s core, exposing deep fractures that…
Trolley speaker man

Almost every week, sometimes even twice, someone with a trolley speaker arrives in my neighbourhood, asking for donations to help a kidney or cancer patient—or similarly devastating illness. At first, I felt…
Sports, passion, unity

A few thousand kilometers away, Manchester United played a match at Old Trafford against Bournemouth. They lost, and honestly, it stung. For those of us living here, whether they win or lose…
Brilliant effort, girls!

Back in our school days, the Nepali national cricket team was not good. To put it bluntly, we were a disappointing unit. Chasing even the smallest targets felt like an impossible task,…
Social validation

A couple of days ago, my niece, a ninth grader, broke down in tears—big, bitter tears—and locked herself in her room for two days. Why? Because her dad bought her a phone…
Load shedding days

There was a time—not too long ago—when the best sound you could hear in a neighbourhood was kids yelling, “Batti ayo!” (The lights are back!). It was a moment of collective celebration…