Young protesters who spearheaded the protests are upbeat about future, though uncertainty looms

The whiteboard listing the names of patients at a hospital in central Kathmandu tells the story of a protest gone badly wrong. Beside each name is written their ages; 18, 22, 20, 18, 23. The list goes on, ‘The Guardian’ reported.

By Wednesday morning there were still scores of Nepal’s young being treated for gunshot wounds and injuries sustained when police opened fire on protesters in Kathmandu on Monday. These are the so-called Gen Z protesters.

From his hospital bed, Saurav (name changed), an 18-year-old college student, said he had been excited to join the protest. “When it comes to the nation, there is no need for motivation. The politicians are just selling our country for their own greed. That’s not supposed to happen,” he said.

“This is a revolution. This is the end of the corruption. It’s our turn now,” said Sujan Dahal, a young Nepali celebrating the downfall of the government. “The government was so corrupt. They used that money to improve their own lives, but there has been no change in the lives of normal people.”

By the end of the day, the scale of destruction had shocked many Nepalis, amid a sense that the movement has been sabotaged by groups seemingly bent on retribution and violence. “I’m feeling bad. This is not good for us,” said a young man, who did not want to give his name.

By Wednesday morning, the administrative heart of Kathmandu looked like the aftermath of a missile attack. Burnt-out buildings stood smouldering in the light rain. Plumes of dark smoke still rose over the city.

The city is in a state of complete lockdown, with soldiers stationed at major junctions enforcing a strict curfew. It is unclear what shape a future government might take.

But, like many, Saurav remains optimistic. “If the power is in the right hands, of course Nepal will develop,” he said. “Our young generation are very capable. We don’t seek for our own greed. We think about the good of the nation.”