He's only the chairman of Cabinet... If you were looking for the PM he is in the high-level political committee!

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चन्दा आतंकविरुद्ध यौटा कारेक्रम गर्न ला ! यस्सो अलि आर्थिक सहयोग चाहियो !

Welcome to Trekking in Nepal

Namaste!! welcome to Trekking and tour in  Nepal. Mountain Air Guided Adventures(p.) ltd. , responsibel guide own trekking agency in Nepal. After experienced the Himalaya moutain, we  open agency to give direct service for the customer and friends.  we help to design  and  tailor  your  itinerary according to your time. Nepal holidays trek package organized the trekking in Nepal, Everest trek, dolpo, Kanchenjunga trek, Manaslu trekking, upper mustang etc.You are heartly welcome Mountian Air Guided Adventures(p.)Ltd., government registered agency located in Himalaya Nepal Kathmandu for your Nepal holidays and choiceable  adventure activities.Trekking in Nepal recognized  the popular trekking and hiking tours destination in the world.How many times you visit, like to more travel in Nepal due to the diversity and uniqueness.you can get great oppourtanity home stay in Nepal due to the recent facility to promote the rural tourism in the diffrent mountain side in Nepal.For the city tour, sightseeing in Nepal and overland tour we offer you also the car rental in Nepal.

Mountain Air Guided Adventures(p.) ltd. one of the leading trekking and adventure company in Nepal based on Thamel touristic hub Kathmandu. we specialized trekking in Nepal, tour, hiking, safari, rafting.Due to the beautiful himalayan scenery, sunrise view point,Mountain Air Guided Adventures(p.) ltd. one of the leading trekking and adventure company in Nepal based on Thamel touristic hub Kathmandu. we specialized trekking in Nepal, tour, hiking, safari, rafting.Due to the beautiful himalayan scenery, sunrise view point, thrilling lakes , Beautiful river rafting river in Nepal honeymoon in Nepal is very worthful spot in the world.

Mountain flight, Peak climbing, Expedition are another major service offer per your demand and intrests. we are expereinced many restrication area Nepal trekking such as Kanchenjunga, upper mustang, Manaslu etc. we can customized the Trekking and tour itineraryBeside these, helicopter tour, Hotel booking, Car rental, Tibet tour, Bhutan tour, India tour are  also additional focusing for the travellers.we desings and operates individualized programs for small groups.This means that we talk with you sometimes extensively, and arrive at a proposal that meets your intrests and expectations for comfort and amenities and of course, fits your budget. we will take your party wherever you want to go, on whatever dates are most convenient.That said , some routes just aren't practical for solo trekking and some solo travellers when in Nepal perfer a small group. we are always willing to mach up small parties, itineraies are usually quite flexible according to inquiry and  answers every question. Since 1996, experience  mountain trekking in Nepal.

tourism in nepal

The southern belt of Nepal is known as the Terai. It is a lowland covered with dense subtropical forest. Here you will find some of National Parks in Nepal. The national parks and game reserves of the Terai offer some of the finest Wildlife experiences in Asia, and it definitely is the ultimate in sub-tropical adventure.
Endangered species such as one-horned rhinos, Bengal tigers, and Gharial crocodiles abound on the ground, while uncountable species of birds and butterflies dominate the air. The indigenous Tharu ethnic group lives in the lowland Terai areas around the parks areas, and provide a surprising cultural contrast to the mountain peoples of the north. Nepal's parks and reserves offer incredible Wildlife viewing opportunities just choose the best one to suit your time and interests. You will be going into deep jungle on elephant back or four-wheel drive to view wild animals in their natural habitat. The activity of Nepal Jungle Safari includes canoeing, nature walks, bird watching, excursions, and visit to an ethnic Tharu village in the Jungle Safari Park. There are 14 national parks and wildlife reserves in the Kingdom. Royal Chitwan National Park, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, and Royal Bardiya National Park are most famous and popular.The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) is a national organization established by an act of Parliament in the form of partnership between His Majesty`s Government and the private sector tourism industry of Nepal. NTB is responsible for the marketing activities aimed at promoting Nepal as a premier destination. Although the initial phase of the functioning of the Board was focused on marketing and promotion, the ultimate aim of the NTB is to take over regulatory and product development activities as well. The functioning of NTB has the commitment and the support of the government as well as the dynamism of the private sector. The Board is an autonomous institution consisting of 11 board members (the Secretary at the MOCTCA as Chairman and 4 ex-officio members from government ministries and 6 from among the private sector representatives including the Chief Executive Officer). The Board has been created to provide a vision drawn leadership, continuity of promotional efforts, good management and guidance to Nepal`s tourism industry. The funds for NTB is collected from the entire tourism related businesses in the form of tourist service fee, thereby keeping it financially independent. The Board is working toward repositioning the image of the country so as to market and promote Nepal aggressively and extensively both domestically and internationally. This is crucial as Nepal, though small in size, has immense cultural and natural diversity and is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. The friendliness and hospitality of the people of Nepal, where guests are treated as Gods and the variety of exciting adventure activities combined with culture that epitomizes peace and harmony, make a visit to Nepal a memorable experience. We feel proud and honored to welcome you to Nepal.

तस्बिरको दुरुपयोग हुनसक्छ

विभिन्न व्यक्तिगत तस्बिर पोर्न साइटहरूले दुरुपयोग गर्ने प्रवृत्ति बढ्दै गएको छ। पछिल्लो एक अध्ययनले के देखाएको छ भने नग्नताको मात्रा  अलि बढी छ भने अश्लील वेबसाइटहरूले ती तस्बिरलाई चोरेर आफ्नो साइटमा राख्ने गरेका छन्। गार्डियन पत्रिकामा प्रकाशित एक  समाचारअनुसार, इन्टरनेट वाच फाउन्डेसनले गरेको एक अध्ययनले उक्त कुरा पुष्टि गरेको छ। सामान्यतः सोसल नेटवर्किङ साइटहरूमा नग्न  तस्बिर तथा भिडियोहरू पोस्ट गरिन्छ र त्यस्ता तस्बिर तथा भिडियोहरू आफ्नै साथीका यौनजन्य क्रियाकलाप हुन्छन्। यस्ता क्रियाकलापह रूमध्ये ८८ प्रतिशत तस्बिर तथा भिडियोलाई पोर्न साइटहरूले चोरेर आफ्नो साइटमा हाल्ने गरेका छन्। चार साता लगाएर गरिएको उक्त  अध्ययनमा १२ हजार २ सय २४ वटा तस्बिर तथा भिडियोको विश्लेषण गरिएको थियो। अध्ययनले के देखायो भने, ती सबै तस्बिर तथा  भिडियोहरू मूल वेबसाइटबाट चोरेर त्यहाँ राखिएका थिए। पोर्न साइटहरूले सामान्य व्यक्तिहरूको भिडियो तथा तस्बिरलाई महत्वका साथ  राख्छन् भन्ने तथ्य पनि यही अध्ययनले खुलासा गरेको छ।

महानायककी प्रेमिका भन्छिन्-राजेश हमाललाई प्रेम गर्न आउँदैन

तीन वर्षदेखि आफू प्रेममा परेको र चाँडै विवाह गर्न लागेको खबर दिँदै आएका राजेश हमालले आफ्नी प्रेमिकालाई सार्वजनिक गर्न सकेका  छैनन्। प्रेम भएको सार्वजनिक चर्चा हुनु तर उनकी प्रेमिकालाई भने कसैले फेला पार्न नसक्ने अवस्था सिर्जना भएपछि कतिपयले उनको  नियतमै शंका गर्न थाले। उमेरका कारण कम चलचित्र हात पर्न थालेपछि आफ्नो क्रेज कायम राख्न उनले प्रेम र विवाहको कुरा बाहिर  ल्याएको आरोप लगाउनेहरूको पनि कमी भएन।



साप्ताहिकमै पटक-पटक आफ्नो प्रेम भएको र चाँडै विवाहको खबर सुनाउने दाबा गर्दै आएका हमालले २०६९ सालसम्ममा विवाह गर्ने  बताएका थिए। यो वर्ष सकिन लाग्दा पनि प्रेमिका सार्वजनिक नभएपछि साप्ताहिकलाई पनि उनकी प्रेमिका नै नभएको शंका लाग्न थाल्यो।  हमाललाई पटक-पटक प्रेमिका सार्वजनिक गर्न आग्रह गर्दा उनी भन्थे, 'म पो सेलिब्रेटी हुँ र बाहिर आउनुपर्ने बाध्यता छ, उनी चाहन्नन्, म  के गरूँ?' अरूले दिएको समाचारमा सधैं शंका गर्नु भन्ने पत्रकारको बानीअनुसार केही समयदेखि साप्ताहिकले राजेश हमालको प्रेमिका छन्  कि छैनन् भन्ने विषयमा विभिन्न रूपले परीक्षण गर्‍यो। केही प्रश्न पठाएर त्यसको उत्तर लिने प्रयास भयो। हमाल पनि के कम ? अति भएपछि  उनले आफ्नी प्रेमिकालाई प्रकट हुन राजी गराएरै छाडे।

भ्यालेन्टाइन डेको दिनदेखि लगातार प्रयास गरेपछि दरबारमार्गस्थित एउटा रेस्टुराँमा महानायक राजेश हमालकी प्रेमिकासँग अनौपचारिक भे टघाट र कुराकानी भयो। हमालले जसलाई प्रेमिका भनी परिचय गराए, उनी आमपाठकले कल्पना गरेभन्दा फरक थिइन्। ५० पुगेका राजेश  हमालको छेउमा करिब आधा उमेरझैं लाग्ने उनकी प्रेमिका अकस्मात् भेटिँदा अप्ठयारो महसुस गरिरहेकी थिइन्। हँसिलो मुद्राकी राजेश  हमालकी भ्यालेन्टाइन सकेसम्म कम तर चुस्त भाषा प्रयोग गरिरहेकी थिइन्। धेरै प्रश्न सोधेपछि बल्ल उनको बोलीबाट थोरै शब्द चुहिन्थ्यो।  यस्तो लाग्थ्यो, उनी बाध्यताका कारण मात्र बोलिरहेकी छिन्।

उनको अप्ठयारो महसुस गर्दै सकेसम्म सावधानीका साथ साप्ताहिकले कुरा सुरु गर्‍यो। कुराकानीकै क्रममा उनी भन्दै थिइन्, 'प्लिज तस्बिरचाहिँ नखिच्नुहोला।

छतका टावर जोखिमका कारक

कास्कीको लेखनाथमा सल्लाह नगरी नेपाल टेलिकमको बेस ट्रान्सिभर स्टेसन (बीटीएस) टावर जडान गरेको विषयलाई लिएर घरधनी र भाडामा बस्दै आएका एक विदेशी पर्यटकबीच विवाद भएपछि ती पर्यटकले भाडा सम्झौता नै रद्द गरे। टावरका कारण आफ्नो शारीरकि र मानसिक स्वास्थ्यमा प्रतिकूल प्रभाव पर्ने उनको भनाइ रह्यो।

त्यो त एक वर्षअघिको कुरा थियो। भर्खरै मात्र काठमाडौँको गोठाटारका एक घरधनीले आफ्नो घरमा एनसेलको टावर राख्न आएको प्रस्ताव स्वीकारेनन्। पेसाले इन्जिनियर उनले स्वास्थ्यमा पर्न सक्ने प्रतिकूल प्रभावलाई ध्यानमा राखेर उक्त निर्णय लिएका हुन्।

नेपालमा ताररहित प्रविधि विशेष गरी मोबाइल सञ्चार सेवाको विस्तारसँगै सर्वसाधारणले देखाएको चासो र सतहमा आएका विवादका प्रतिनिधि घटना हुन् यी। पछिल्लो समय नेपाल सरकारको आंशिक स्वामित्व रहेको नेपाल टेलिकम, निजी क्षेत्रका एनसेल, यूटीएल, एसटीएनलगायतका करबि आधा दर्जन कम्पनीबीच दूरसञ्चार सेवा विस्तारको होडबाजी नै चलेको छ। प्रतिस्पर्धाकै कारण आफ्नो सेवाको पहुँच विस्तार गर्न र प्रभावकारी बनाउन यी कम्पनीले बीटीएस टावरको संख्या थपिरहेका छन्।

सहर-बजारमा घरको छतको खासै उपयोग पनि नहुने र राम्रै भाडा पाइने भएपछि कतिपय घरधनीले त्यसको असरप्रति विचारै नगरी त्यस्ता टावर ठड्याउन सहजै अनुमति दिने गरेका छन्। तर घरघरका छानामा छ्यापछ्याप्ती जडान गरिएका बीटीएस टावरलगायत उपकरणमार्फत प्रवाह हुने इलेक्ट्रो म्याग्नेटिक किरणहरूले मानव स्वास्थ्यमा प्रतिकूल प्रभाव पार्न सक्छ। मोबाइल सेवा प्रदायक कम्पनी (एमएसपी), इन्टरनेट सेवा प्रदायक (आईएसपी), डीटीएच, वायरलेस इन्टरनेट सेवा बिक्री गर्ने मात्र होइन, सामान्य घरायसी विद्युतीय उपकरण विक्रेताहरूसमेत यसतर्फ खासै चासो राख्दैनन्।

विदेशमा भएका विभिन्न प्रारम्भिक अनुसन्धानले मोबाइल फोनलगायत उपकरणका कारण क्यान्सर रोगको जोखिम बढेको देखाएका छन्। यसले मानसिक समस्यामा पनि वृद्धि भएको अनुसन्धानहरूको निष्कर्ष छ। नेपाल स्वास्थ्य अनुसन्धान परिषदका डा एन्जल मगर भन्छन्, "सहरियाहरूमा एङ्जाइटी, तनावलगायत मानसिक रोगको समस्या बढी देखिने गरेको छ। त्यसलाई ठोकुवा गर्न थप अनुसन्धानको खाँचो छ।"

सेवा प्रदायक कम्पनीबीच चलेको प्रतिस्पर्धाकै कारण छोटो समयमै नेपालमा मोबाइल सेवा अभूतपूर्व रूपमा विस्तार भएको छ। मोबाइल फोन सेवामा थ्रीजी, फोरजीजस्ता आधुनिक प्रविधिको प्रवेशले इलेक्ट्रो म्याग्नेटिक रेडिएसन (ईएमआर) सघनता बढी भएका उपकरणसमेत भित्रिने क्रममा छन्। कुल जनसंख्या करबि पौने तीन करोड रहेको मुलुकमा मोबाइलका ग्राहक नै डेढ करोड नाघिसकेका छन्। केही महिनाभित्रै यो आँकडाले दुई करोड नाघ्ने प्रक्षेपण गरिएको छ।

सेवा विस्तारसँगै पहुँचलाई प्रभावकारी बनाउन सेवा प्रदायकहरूले बढीभन्दा बढी टावर ठड्याउनु र तिनमा उच्च क्षमताका उपकरण जडान गर्नु अस्वाभाविक होइन। तर, नेपाल दूरसञ्चार प्राधिकरणले तिनमा जडान गरिएका उपकरणमा प्रवाह हुने तरंग 'ईएमआर'को सघनतासम्बन्धी निश्चित मापदण्ड तोकेको छैन। नियमित रूपमा त्यस्ता उपकरणको सम्पर्कमा आउने व्यक्तिको स्वास्थ्यमा प्रतिकूल असर पर्न सक्ने विश्वका विभिन्न शैक्षिक तथा अनुसन्धान केन्द्रमा भएका शोध र अनुसन्धानले औँल्याइसकेका छन्। त्यस्ता अनुसन्धानले ईएमआरसँग लामो समयसम्म सम्पर्कमा रहने व्यक्तिमा क्यान्सरलगायत समस्या देखा पर्न सक्ने औँल्याएका छन्।

इलेक्ट्रो म्याग्नेटिक विकिरणका स्रोतमध्ये रेडियो तथा टीभी प्रसारण टावर, माइक्रोवेभ लिंक्स, स्याटलाइट कम्युनिकेसन, बीटीएस र मोबाइल सेट चलनचल्तीका हुन्। यस्ता टावरबाट फालिने विकिरणले मानव शरीरका तन्तुहरूलाई माइक्रो वेभले खानालाई पकाएजसरी नै नष्ट गर्दै जाने जोखिम हुन्छ। अनुसन्धानले एक व्यक्तिले दिनको २५ पटकभन्दा बढी मोबाइल फोनको प्रयोग गर्नु स्वास्थ्यका हिसाबले प्रतिकूल हुने देखाएका छन्। जर्मनीमा गरिएको एक अध्ययनले त्यस्ता टावरहरूको चार सय मिटरसम्मको परििधमा रहने व्यक्तिमा अन्य व्यक्तिको तुलनामा स्तन, कलेजो, छाला र रक्त क्यान्सरको जोखिम तीन गुणाले बढी हुने देखाएको थियो।

यिनै जोखिमलाई ध्यानमा राख्दै ईएमआरका सम्बन्धमा इन्टरनेसनल कमिसन अफ नन आयोनाइजिङ् रेडिएसन प्रोटेक्सन

(आईसीएनआईआरपी), फेडरल कम्युनिकेसन कमिसन (एफसीसी), इन्स्टिच्युट अफ इलेक्टि्रकल एन्ड इलेक्ट्रोनिक्स इन्जिनियरङि् (आईईई) लगायत संस्थाले मापदण्ड तोकेका छन्। यो मापदण्डलाई विभिन्न मुलुकहरूले परिमार्जन गर्दै लागू पनि गरेका छन्।

नेपालमा ६ वटा टेलिकम सेवा प्रदायकबाहेक ३० भन्दा बढी इन्टरनेट सेवा प्रदायक -आईएसपी), ३ सय २० भन्दा बढी एफएम स्टेसन, ३५ भन्दा बढी टीभी च्यानल र एउटा एफएम रेडियो सञ्चालनमा छन्। प्राधिकरणले गरेको एक अनुसन्धानमा काठमाडौँ र ललितपुरमा सञ्चालनमा रहेका नेपाल टेलिकमका जीएसएम र सीडीएमए तथा एनसेलको जीसीएम प्रणालीबाट प्रवाह भइरहेका इलेक्ट्रो म्याग्नेटिक रेडिएसनको नमुना परीक्षण गरएिको थियो। उक्त अनुसन्धानमा जावलाखेल, माइतीघर र सुन्धारालगायत क्षेत्रमा मोबाइल नेटवर्कको उच्च सघनताका कारण त्यस्तो विकिरण बढी रहेको पाइएको थियो।

त्यसबाहेक अरू खासै अध्ययन नभए पनि टावर र विकिरणका कारण मानव स्वास्थ्यमा प्रतिकूल प्रभाव पररिहेको अनुभवचाहिँ जनस्तरमा भइरहेको छ। त्यसको प्रमाण हो, दुई वर्षअघि नै कीर्तिपुर ट्याङ्लाफाँट र भक्तपुरका स्थानीयद्वारा बीटीएस टावरकै कारण आफ्नो स्वास्थ्यमा प्रतिकूल असर परेको भन्दै प्राधिकरणसमक्ष गरेको उजुरी। बीटीएस टावरका कारण स्वास्थ्यलगायत अन्य समस्या परेको जनाउँदै दूरसञ्चार प्राधिकरणसमक्ष अहिलेसम्म करबि आधा दर्जन उजुरी परेका छन्।

हाल देशभर करबि चार हजारभन्दा बढी मोबाइल टेलिफोनका बीटीएस टावर सञ्चालनमा छन्। तीमध्ये एनसेलको ८० वाट क्षमताका र नेपाल टेलिकमको जीएसएम सेवाका लागि ८० वाटसम्मका र सीडीएमएका लागि ३० वाटसम्म क्षमताका टावर सञ्चालनमा छन्। तीनमा घरका छानामा ठड्याइएका टावर तीन देखि १५ मिटर र भुइँमै खडा गरएिका टावर १५ देखि ५० मिटर उचाइको हुन्छ।

मोबाइल कम्पनीपिच्छे बीटीएस टावर राख्नुभन्दा नीतिगत व्यवस्था गरेरै भए पनि साझा बीटीएस टावरको अवधारणा अघि बढाउने सोच रहेको प्राधिकरणको प्रवक्ता कैलाश न्यौपाने बताउँछन्। तर, टावरजस्ता पूर्वाधारको साझा प्रयोग आर्थिक र सञ्चालन हिसाबले अनुकूल भए पनि टावरमा जडान गरएिका धेरै एन्टेनाको दिशा एउटै हुँदा उनीहरूले प्रवाह गर्ने रेडियो पि|mक्वेन्सीको प्रवाह र इलेक्ट्रो म्याग्नेटिक विकिरण मापदण्डभन्दा बढी हुन गई मानव स्वास्थ्यमै प्रतिकूल प्रभाव पर्न सक्छ।

छिमेकी भारतमा भने त्यहाँको सरकारले यससम्बन्धमा कडा नीति अख्तियार गरेको छ। त्यहाँ सरकारले पाँच महिनाअघि देशभरका साढे चार लाख बीटीएस टावरको विकिरण प्रवाह घटाउन निर्देशन दिएको थियो। त्यसैगरी करबि २२ हजार ५ सय टावरलाई अन्यत्र सार्न भनेको छ। नयाँ निर्देशन अनुसार दुईवटा एन्टेना भएको टावर र आवासीय घरबीचको दूरी कम्तीमा पनि ३५ मिटर हुनुपर्नेछ। त्यसैगरी तीन महिनाअघि मात्र राजस्थान राज्यको उच्च अदालतले विद्यार्थी र बिरामीको स्वास्थ्यमा प्रतिकूल असर पर्ने जनाउँदै देशभरका मोबाइल सेवा प्रदायक कम्पनीहरूलाई विद्यालय, अस्पताल, खेल मैदान र कलेज क्षेत्रमा रहेका टावर हटाउन निर्देशन दिएको थियो। त्यसैगरी कारागारभन्दा पाँच सय मिटर, ऐतिहासिक स्मारक र सम्पदाभन्दा एक सय मिटरभन्दा बढीको दूरीमा मात्र टावर ठड्याउन पनि निर्देश गरेको छ।

नेपालमा भने स्कुल, सम्पदा र अस्पतालवरपरसमेत त्यस्ता टावर बगे्रल्ती देख्न सकिन्छन्। जनस्वास्थ्यमा प्रतिकूल असर पार्ने बहस चलिरहँदा हावाहूरी, आँधीजस्ता प्राकृतिक विपत्तिका बेला तिनले निम्त्याउन सक्ने जोखिम झन् भयावह हुन सक्छ। प्राधिकरणले आयातकर्ताहरूलाई लक्षित गर्दै मोबाइल सेटहरूलाई बजारमा ल्याउनुअघि नै टाइप अप्रुभल ल्याउनुपर्ने निर्देशन जारी गरेको थियो। तर, त्यो निर्देशन जारी भएको एक वर्ष बित्न लाग्दा पनि नाम चलेका आईफोन, सोनी, एचटीसीजस्ता अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय ब्रान्डका मोबाइल सेटसमेत त्यस्तो अनुमति नलिई बिक्री भइरहेका छन्। टाइप अप्रुभल नलिईकन बजारमा ल्याइएका मोबाइल सेटहरूबाट अर्बौंको राजस्वसमेत चुहावट भइरहेको छ। गोल्छा समूहको नियोटेरकिका प्रबन्ध निर्देशक सञ्जय गोल्छा नियामक निकायले मापदण्ड र निर्देशन जारी गर्ने मात्र नभई त्यसको प्रभावकारी कार्यान्वयनको समेत अनुगमन गर्नुपर्ने बताउँछन्।

त्यसो त प्राधिकरणले टावर सञ्चालन गर्दा सर्वसाधारण तथा रेडियो पि|mक्वेन्सीसम्बन्धी पेसाकर्मीको स्वास्थ्यमा प्रभाव नपरोस् भन्नका लागि रेडियो पि|mक्वेन्सी प्रयोग गर्दा सेवा प्रदायकले पालना गर्नुपर्ने सर्त एवं मापदण्डसहितको 'गाइडलाइन अन हेल्थ हजार्ड ड्यु टू वायरलेस कम्युनिकेसन' नामक निर्देशिका बनाउन सरोकारवाला निकाय, संघसंस्था, विज्ञ तथा सर्वसाधारणको सुझाव, सल्लाह र प्रतिक्रियाका लागि सार्वजनिक आह्वान गरसिकेको छ। त्यसमा आएका सल्लाह-सुझावकै आधारमा उक्त मापदण्डलाई अन्तिम रूप दिइने प्राधिकरणका प्रवक्ता न्यौपानेको भनाइ छ।

ga jaba 6 baa

ल ल ल किन खोल्या ?... उनी’रुको बन्द पो सक्या ! हाम्रो शुरु भैगो नि !

No more flip-flopping now.... I will stick to the line: Consensus tomorrow!

Nepali Radio in New York

Nurturing Nepaliness

No matter where you go, you are always a Nepali. Delicacies of New York restaurants can hardly kill your lingering
taste for momos—Nepali version of dumplings. You may still long for a strong cup of tea and yearn for gundruk
—fermented vegetable leaves. Eight thousand miles away from your homeland, here in this city too, there is no
dearth of Nepali restaurants to serve you.
Things were different when Kamal Pathak, a medical doctor, came to the US in the 1970s to further his study on
Ear, Nose and Throat. He had left home with his wife Jyoti just a week after they tied the knot. America was a
promised land for the couple to start their life anew.
He joined the George Washington University for a five year long training. "It was totally a different place with no
acquaintance around," says Jyoti, who now lives in Ithaca, New York. "We were homesick," she adds. But relishing
dal, bhat and tarkari—at least once a day—gave them the feeling of being at home.
The first day she decided to cook at her apartment, Jyoti
remembers, she visited a grocery in the neighborhood.
She filled up shopping carts with chicken, potatoes,
onions, tomatoes, vegetables and fruits. She was
however not a good cook. The Pathaks had to gratify
themselves with chicken soup and rice only. Months
passed by. Though they met a few Nepali families, they
could not find a Nepali cook book.
Jyoti knew almost nothing about Nepali cuisine four
decades ago. But to an utter surprise of her relatives and
friends in Nepal “Taste of Nepal”—a book on Nepali
cuisine—hit the bookstores six months ago. It is an
attempt to fill the dearth of information on Nepali food.
The book published by Hippocrene Books hashes out 350
Nepali recipes. It won the 2008 "Best Foreign Cuisine
Book" of Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. "People are
surprised at the diverse culinary heritage of a small
country like ours," says a jolly Jyoti.
Earlier, Mike Frame, a former Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal, had written "Cooking in Nepal and Then Some".
Mike, who owned Mike's Breakfast at Naxal in the Nepali capital, passed away three months ago. Born to a
peasant's family in Minnesota in the US, he knew Nepali life in Dhankuta, developed liking to local cuisine and
came up with the cook book.
Jyoti followed Mike's footsteps. She would ask what condiments and ingredients were used in the food served in
several Nepali social gatherings in the US. She would jot down the details. The note-taking culminated in the book
about Nepali cuisine. It took her seven years to complete the book. So far, three thousand copies of the book have
been sold, mainly in the US. She is elated by the positive feedbacks she is from the readers.
But she is bemused by the commonly held belief about Nepali food in the
West. The belief is based on the narration from tourists visiting Nepal.
"They complain of it as ‘dull dal-bhat' but Nepali food is more than that,"
she says. She wants to prove that Nepali food can satiate people with
catholic taste also. In her opinion it is a balanced diet. “Taste of Nepal”
showcases the diversity in Nepali food. "A foodie would very much relish
our food," she says.
Nepali restaurants have cropped up in American cities, though some
identify themselves as Indians to make the clients understand.
It was a pleasant surprise for Jyoti to find a couple of Nepali restaurants in
Baltimore, Maryland when she was there to attend an annual convention of
the Association of Nepalese in America. "Nepali cuisine is well-liked by
Europeans and Americans who love to travel far and wide," says Jyoti.
Despite the fact that Dal-bhat-tarkari is the daily staple for most Nepalis in
the US, many people in Nepal hold the belief that only burger and pizza are
available in Western countries. "Almost everything people eat in Nepal is
available here," says she, "The only difference is that vegetables are kept
frozen here whereas you can buy fresh ones in Nepal". The condiments and
ingredients for Nepali cuisine are available in Indian groceries.

Afghan army trains women for special forces

KABUL, FEB 15 - The Afghan army is training female special forces to take part in night raids against insurgents, breaking new ground in an ultraconservative society and filling a vacuum left by departing international forces.

"If men can carry out this duty why not women?" asks Lena Abdali, a 23-year-old Afghan soldier who was one of the first women to join one of the special units in 2011.

Night raids have long been a divisive issue between Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who doesn't want foreign troops entering Afghan homes, and the U.S.-led coalition that says the raids are essential to capturing Taliban commanders.

Many Afghans, however, have complained that the house raids are culturally offensive. Having male troops search Afghan females is taboo. So is touching a family's Quran, the Muslim holy book, or entering a home without being invited. Another focus of anger has been the disregard for privacy and Afghan culture because women and children are usually home during the raids.

The raids now are conducted jointly by U.S. and Afghan forces, but the female Afghan special forces soldiers play an important role. Their job: Round up women and children and get them to safety while guarding against the potential dangers of female suicide bombers or militants disguised in women's clothes.

The missions have taken on increasing importance and the Afghan government and the U.S.-led coalition have stepped up training of the Afghan special forces as international troops prepare to end their combat mission in 23 months.
President Barack Obama announced earlier this week that he will withdraw about half of the 66,000 U.S. troops now in Afghanistan within a year. He did not spell out what U.S. military presence would remain after 2014.

Afghan women have been part of their nation's security forces for years, but they didn't start being recruited for the special forces until 2011. Defense Ministry spokesman Gen. Mohammad Zahir Azimi said more than 1,000 women were in the army — a small fraction of the total force of 195,000.

The role of female soldiers also has come under debate in the United States after the Pentagon decided last month to open up front-line combat jobs to women.

Col. Jalaluddin Yaftaly, the commander of the joint Special Unit of the Afghan National Army, said villagers don't like foreign forces to carry out operations in their homes, but they have welcomed the Afghan special forces units and cooperated with them in many operations.

"We were faced with so many problems when we didn't have female special forces in our units," Yaftaly said. "Female special forces are quite useful."
On a recent frigid winter morning, an Afghan special forces unit, comprising 30 men and women soldiers, drilled at a training center in Kabul.
As part of the exercise, the unit was told that an insurgent leader was hiding in a house and women and children were inside with him.
The men on the team prepared to raid the house and arrest or kill the target. Abdali and two other female colleagues were tasked with making sure no women or children were harmed during the operation.
The most dangerous part of their assignment was the possibility that the main target was hiding among the women — perhaps in disguise — so Abdali and her colleagues had to stay alert to make sure they themselves were not attacked while getting innocent women and children out of harm's way.

The military advantages to having Afghan female special forces soldiers, however, have not yet offset the social issues women like Abdali face in doing their jobs.

A woman conducting night raids with male soldiers in a conservative country like Afghanistan is still not socially acceptable. Before she starts to fight the enemy in military operations she has to struggle with her family, relatives and others who might disapprove.
Abdali said that while she hides her occupation from many family members because of security concerns, she is proud to fulfill a duty she feels is important to her homeland.
"If I will not come and put my life in danger for the women and culture in Afghanistan, then who will do this?" she asked.
Abdali wears a traditional Afghan headscarf under her helmet, but otherwise she is clad in an army uniform and heavy flak jacket just like the men. Her weapon and equipment is heavy, but she runs with it along the peaks of snow-covered mountains, unpaved roads under the hot summer sun and on rugged paths in remote areas of the country.
"Women must show their bravery and power by carrying out this duty as men do," Abdali said as she loaded her weapon to take part in the drill.
"Move to your vehicles!" the unit commander shouted.
The unit ran from their formations to six armored vehicles and started toward the target. Along the way, the commander repeated a description of the house where the Taliban leader was believed to be hiding and instructed the unit on how to surround it and arrest the suspect.
The special forces soldiers crawled on the snow-covered ground up to the house.
"You have no place to hide. Please surrender yourself," one soldier shouted.
When the target didn't respond, he repeated his command. Again, the target did not respond.
"Attack," the commander shouted.
After a gun battle, four or five special forces soldiers entered the house and secured the area. The female soldiers then went in and escorted the women and children outside.
Abdali questioned two ladies and three small boys after they were shepherded to safety. She was trying to collect information to help her team while keeping them busy and distracting them from the violence.
The men in her unit see the benefits of having the female special forces at their side.
Agha Sharin Noori, an Afghan special forces soldier who has served in the unit for two and half years, said, "In a military operation, we need our sisters as much as we need our brothers."