Nepal’s tragedy raises questions that are social, political, economic, diplomatic and, most importantly, environmental. A look at the difficult road ahead as a shattered nation begins to rebuild.

“Difficult is a far cry from impossible. The distance between these two lies hope. Hope and fear cannot occupy the same space at the same time. Invite one to stay.”—Maya Angelou

Weeks after a heart-wrenching tragedy destroyed thousands of families and homes, if you were left searching for your loved ones with no clear answers forthcoming, would you fear the worst—or still cling to a straw of hope?

In Nepal, this painful dilemma is a lived reality for many today. The pain is also shared by many foreign nationals, including Indians, who are affected by the mammoth tragedy in Nepal’s bustling trade corridor with China. Incidentally, this region saw a significant push for infrastructure following the Indian government’s economic blockade of its neighbour in 2015 and the deadly earthquake that year, which claimed at least 9,000 lives.