When the email about the foresight workshop landed in my inbox, I was pleasantly surprised. I had just joined the CLAPs project last year, taking over from my friend and colleague Kabir, who had left Gram Vikas to pursue higher studies. I was not expecting such an opportunity to present itself so soon, and in Nepal, no less. The land wrapped in mystique, familiar by name but foreign in every other way. My excitement reached a crescent when Liby asked if I could attend. I didn’t think twice. I said yes on the spot.

In the weeks that followed, as other work picked up, I picked up readings about the foresight process, scenario planning and ICIMOD, the organiser of the workshop. Before I knew it, I was on a flight to Nepal. It was an eventful journey: I nearly missed my flight, caught a glimpse of the Himalayas from above, and landed in Kathmandu, which resembled any Indian city, minus the skyscrapers.