In Nepal, where the geographical diversity of mountains, hills and plains adds beauty, the same diversity also increases the risk of natural disasters. Floods, landslides and earthquakes are our frequent fate. But the style of how we deal with those calamities is a deep measure of the country's leadership, structure and citizen-state relations.

In the past, Nepal, which suffered huge losses due to poor preparation and carelessness, has recently presented a new paradigm in disaster management - where not only the state, but also the private sector and civil society stand together.

Remembering the flood of 2081 makes my heart heavy. The government under the leadership of the then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had uttered the sentence that 'there was no expectation that such a big disaster would come'. That sentence revealed the level of preparedness, responsibility and sensitivity of the leadership. Meteorologists' warnings were ignored, notifications were delayed, rescue operations lacked coordination, and over 200 civilians lost their lives as a result. People had to pay with their lives for such delay and irresponsibility of the state.

But now the picture is different. The proactivity and sensitivity shown by the government under the leadership of Sushila Karki in the management of the recent floods has instilled new confidence and hope. Taking the meteorologist's warning seriously, the highway was closed overnight, the Prime Minister's Office issued an immediate alert and the district administration, traffic police and security personnel stepped up miking, inspection and public awareness campaigns. Army, Armed Police and Nepal Police deployed on the front lines with rescue materials. The system of ringing warning messages on mobile calls made information flow more efficient. It showed that even if the resources and structure remain the same, if the approach and style of leadership change, the results will also be different.

is not only this, the private sector has also supported the government's activism. In particular, the Air Service Operators Association has taken an unprecedented humanitarian step by announcing that the helicopter rescue operation in Kathmandu Valley will be completely free. This decision will bring great relief to distressed citizens and is an excellent example of government-private sector collaboration. Such coordination has shown that not only the state, but also the private sector and every part of society can show responsibility and humanity in times of disaster.

Government preparation is not enough during a disaster, people's participation and unity is also important. The sense of solidarity, cooperation and cooperation shown by the Nepali people during this year's disaster was unprecedented. Volunteers stepped forward hand-in-hand in the rescue, businessmen arranged accommodation and food at 75 per cent less and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with civil rescue teams. The tireless efforts of the army and the police and the sincere support of the citizens showed that when the government and the people rise together, then even in the darkness there is a light of hope.

Traditionally in Nepal there is a lot of criticism of the government, but we should also learn to appreciate positive actions. The readiness, coordination and responsibility shown under Sushila Karki's leadership is commendable. Likewise, the humanitarian commitment shown by the free rescue operation launched by the Airline Operators Association is also commendable. Calling the good good and criticizing the weak is the hallmark of a healthy society. Such positive collaboration and sense of responsibility is the foundation of sustainable change.