In Kathmandu there is a continuous flow of buses. Some of them are packed to full capacity while most of the buses are over crowded. People are stuffed in these buses like sardines. The way the old, infirm and specially the ladies are treated in theses buses are pitiful. The condition becomes even more miserable when there is a strike. Some people even travel in these buses sitting on the roof while some are seen always arguing with the conductor.

Around two months ago all the students in our school were quite busy preparing for Teachers’ Day. As I am the treasurer of the Namgyal Students Council, I had the responsibility of buying all the necessary items and gifts for teachers. So, I rushed from the school to catch a bus. I had to wait for nearly half-an-hour before one came along. But it was quite difficult to board it as it was already packed.

After a while, the bus started to move and it seemed it would be impossible to get out of it now. I felt as if I was going to fall down and get injured. The bus was moving quite fast. One passenger got off and I gave that empty seat to an old lady who was standing beside me.

The bus was filled with noise, some people were gossiping while some were discussing the current political affairs. When I turned to the right, I saw a couple acting in a strange manner, which made me feel quite embarrassed. So, I turned left and saw a mother breast-feeding her child, which was another awkward situation.

That was not all, a man standing behind me started smoking. Almost all the passengers had covered their noses. I humbly requested him to stop smoking, but he just pushed me aside. I was ready to fight with him but the other passengers requested me not to.

Eventually, after an hour I reached the city. And just when I was ready to leave the bus and pay me bus fare I realised that someone had stolen my purse. I had doubts that it must have been the man who had pushed me who stole my purse, but he was nowhere to be seen. But it was my good fortune, when I got out of the bus I heard someone calling by name. He was Ngawang, my classmate, he helped me buy all the necessary things for Teachers’ Day.

— Karma Wangyal Thakuri, Class XII, Namgyal Higher Secondary School