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Be inspired
Beyond Stage
Whisper Saugat Malla
The VC of KU Dr. Suresh Raj Sharma
Exclusive Photo-spread: San Miguel Navyaata’s Fashion Party
Retail Therapy: Buying To Feel Better
Youth Vibe: Studying
The Celebrity Way
Abroad
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Editor’s note
NAVYAATA
Editor’s note
President CEO Editor in Chief Editor Creative Head Director
Our Oct-Nov issue will find you deep in a festive mood or, if you don’t celebrate Dashain, high in the holiday spirits. Dashain is equally enjoyed by people of all ages. As kids we used to wait with bated breath for the festival that brought us not only long vacation but also new clothes and a trip to mamaghar, from where we’d return richer. As grownups, we enjoy the break the festival provides from our routine life. But one of the main purposes of celebrating Dashain is to seek blessings from elders who pour their heart out unrestrained and call on the gods to keep us safe, healthy and on the path to glory. Our elders, however, get carried away sometimes and bestow us blessings that can baffle us. For this issue, we asked some celebrities the most memorable blessing they’ve got till date. Some of them have quite a story! My most memorable blessing—apart from the one about getting “a wife who is beautiful, disciplined and in a well earning job” (ahem!)—has been, to put in my grandfather’s word, “May you become the Prime Minister of Japan.” “JAPAN!” I vividly remember blurting out in shock. “What,” my grandfather said, “You don’t like Japan? Shall I name some other foreign country?” To my grandpa, Nepal never occurred as a country worth prime-ministering. If only he were alive to see the cut-throat battle the political leaders are waging against each another to claim the hot-seat… Most people who don’t celebrate Dashain visit places they like or explore the ones they’ve never been before. If you’ve never been to Muktinath, read “A Trek to Muktinath” by our staff writers to find if it’s worth the visit this holiday. And guess what, Travel and Tour experts say this is the best time of a year to visit the place.
Happy holidays! Amendra Pokhrel Editor editor@navyaata.com
Dolly Gurung Himal Karmacharya Sudan Bista Amendra Pokhrel Hem Kumar Limbu Sharmila Thapa
Reporters Tsering Dolker Gurung Sumati Maharjan Tamding Sherpa Akash Rajbhandari Shreeja Karki Ashish Baiju Photographers Usha Pun Junu Gurung Marketing Associates Tara Lama (Tamang) Shanti Gurung Niru Shrestha Fashion Coordinator Sharmila Model Manager Hrishant Bipashwa Rai Intern Monika Gurung Anosh Giri Sunwar Bartika Rai Navyaata Magazine is a lifestyle magazine published every month on the 1st of the Nepali month. All rights reserved in respect to articles, illustrations, photographs, etc. published in Navyaata Magazine. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form without the written consent of the publisher. The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher and the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions.
Kathmandu CDO Reg. No. 104/066/067
Corrigendum The make-up for the Make Over in the Ashwin 2010 issue of Navyaata was not done by IsaDora. We regret the misprint and any damage it could have caused to the reputation of our esteemed partner. ROSARINI was printed on the image as ROSALINI. We regret the misprint and any damage it could have caused to the reputation of our esteemed partner.
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Happy Vijaya D ashami
Published by: Navyaata Media Pvt. Ltd. Tel/Fax: 4001036, info@navyaata.com Printing: Jagdamba Press Pvt. Ltd., Tel: 52500179 Color Separation: CTP Nepal Pvt. Ltd., Tel: 5250468 Mail us at: Navyaata Magazine, North Gate, Lainchaur, P.O. Box 10053, Kathmandu, Nepal For editorial queries, write to us at editorial@navyaata.com For marketing queries, write to us at sales@navyaata.com Go to our fan page (Navyaata Magazine) at facebook for exclusive pictures, updates and events of the magazine.
ON OUR COVER
Navya Girls
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nd there we have it guys, the long awaited holiday season is finally here! Time sure flies, doesn’t it? It feels that it was just yesterday when Navyaata began its journey, and here we are rolling out our 7th issue. And what better to do than feature all the ramri ladies from different walks of life, who have been with us ever since the beginning. From an established artist, to a pageant winner, to an aspiring model, to teenagers with aplomb, Navyaata’s had it all. But what connects them all, besides they being Navya Girls, is that they are all people set to change the definition of “Nepalese Gals” of today. Do not forget to leaf through this issue’s Fashion Feature to see just how our previous cover girls, Ayusha Karki, Tenzing Dawa Shakya, Pravina Gurung, Sanna Gurung, Namrata Shrestha and Barsha Thapa handled the quirky photo shoot and what exactly they had to say about it. Our best wishes to all these lovely ladies. To our readers, a very Happy Holiday Season! Photograph: Kishor Kayastha Post Production: Vidhan Rajbhandari Stylist: Sharmila & Akash Rajbhandari
Letter to the Editor Amazing! I saw Navyaata’s September issue a few weeks back. The layout and pictures are too good. I especially like the magazine’s ‘Make a Wish’ section. I think you should make it a bit longer. All in all, I think the magazine is here to say. All the best!
Sanya Joshi,
The article about Parcha Productions in your Ashwin issue was very inspiring. I appreciate the Parcha trio’s level-headedness and courage. It is very rare to have a vision at that age. More incredible is their guts to actually go all the way to accomplish their goals while balancing their time between their colleges and jobs. Well done guys! Keep at it! Mayank Subedi, Maharajgunj
Kaushaltar Namrata Shrestha in her new avatar on the cover of your July issue looked really hot and beautiful. You guys did a great job by keeping her on the cover page. This is one of the most memorable cover page I have come across in any of the magazines of recent times.
Nishant Rai, Pokhara
I think the articles on fashion and styles are quite different than the ones we have been seeing in other magazines. Apart from impressive presentation and superb photographs, I have personally found that the tips on clothing and styles are often times quite helpful. I am sure there are other Navyaata readers who agree with me. Robin KC, Dharan
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CONTENTS
12-14 The VC of KU
Born in a remote village, all that Dr Suresh Raj Sharma could learn as a young boy was to read and write in Nepali and recite hymns in Sanskrit. But that didn’t deter him from establishing a world class university.
16-18 Beyond Stage Whispers
Saugat Malla’s parents never approved of acting as a career. His uncle in Kathmandu wanted him to take computer lessons. While everybody doubted his decision, Saugat stood the ground and made it big in films and theater.
20-21 The Power of Two
Sudin and Rashmi met for the first time on Facebook. Then they saw each other face to face, and before long they were married. What exactly transpired in between that transformed a virtual friendship into a real relationship?
22-23 How to Wear Sweater Vests
With the onset of winter most of us have already started to revamp our closets with warm clothes. One of the most popular garments for winters are the sweater vests. Check out our How To section to find out ways to pair and mix sweater vests to sport that Guy Next Door look.
40-45 Fashion Feature Beauty Queens versus Mannequins
46-47 Profile: Richa Thapa Magar
52-54 Dealing with Dreams and Dilemmas of Studying Abroad
56-57 Dashain, the Celebrity Way
Fashion Feature
Beauty Queens versus Mannequins
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Happy Vijaya D ashami
58-60 Retail Therapy: Buying To Feel Better
Does a wild bout of shopping give a positive boost to your mood when you are feeling low? Psychologists say yes, and so do some mall hoppers we interviewed. Retail therapy may bring about relief, but you cannot afford to ignore the risks.
CONTENTS
94-95 San Miguel NAVYAATA’S
Fashion Night Out
“Hat’s off!”, “Kudos!” and “Rocking!” are the words of congratulations we’re still getting from those who were present at Navyaata’s Fashion Party last month. If you couldn’t make it to the event, check out the photo spread in our Events section to get the feel.
62 A Night Out On A Rock 64-65 My Story
Many love stories with tragic endings have interesting account of the events that lead up to the heartbreak. In our My Story section read tales of failed love, the reason for which range from infatuation, miscalculation and unexpressed feelings to betrayal and unrealistic dreams.
66-67 Four Fridays
Turn to this section to find out how Ayusha Karki, Bhavin Pradhan, Parash Shakya and Umes Shrestha wind down on Fridays.
68-70 Navya Music/Food
76-77 Make a Wish
When we decided to feature Urmila and her daughter Pooja in our Make a Wish section we knew that the mother-daughter duo lived in dismal conditions. Our reporters who visited Urmila’s home discovered worse. We did our best to alleviate their plight.
78-79 A Trek to Muktinath
The trek might remind you of the saying: When going gets tough, tough gets going. However, our staff writers, who endured bumpy bus rides, hikes that left them short-winded and wind that nearly blew them off the road on the way, say the trek is worth the sweat.
84-85 Navya Wellness
24 &26 MUST HAVES
The front-man of The Edge band, Jeevan Gurung, is on the roll, literally! He just released an album called “Mero Prayas” and rolled out a new restaurant in Pokhara. Now, you wouldn’t think we are merely punning if we tell you this rolling man’s favorite food is Chicken Roll, would you?
74-75 Speeches
Larry Page, the co-founder of Google, in a speech full of anecdotes and charged with his personal feelings, tells why it is important to never lose a dream and love one’s friends and family.
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Be inspired/ Dr. Suresh Raj Sharma
The VC of KU Dr. Suresh Raj Sharma By Tsering Dolker Gurung Photograph by Usha Pun
Dr. Suresh Raj Sharma is the man behind the establishment of Kathmandu University that is rated as the country’s top university.
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Be inspired/ Dr. Suresh Raj Sharma
“Kathmandu University was established with the aim of providing an alternative to the tardiness and slipshod ways of the government universities.”
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orn in Khurukut, a village in Sindhuli district that didn’t have a road until a few years ago, the Vice Chancellor of Kathmandu University has come a long way. The village didn’t have a single school when Dr. Sharma was a young boy. The little he learnt was merely to read and write in Nepali and recite hymns in Sanskrit. Learning English seemed a fanciful dream as there wasn’t anyone in Khurukut who knew the language. Dr. Sharma was able to learn the new language only after one Kamala School opened in the nearby Janak Sindhuli, when he was eleven years old.
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fter completing his middle school, going to India for high school seemed like the best option. So, young Suresh set out for Sonparsa in India. Back then, students had to choose their field of study from the school level itself. Dr. Sharma opted for arts as his base in science wasn’t very strong. “But my parents were unhappy with my decision and kept pushing me to change the subject,” says Sharma. Eventually, he had to bow to his parents’ wishes and quit the subject and the school in India. After that, Sharma, along with his brother and a friend, was admitted to a school in Janakpur. But destiny wasn’t in their favor. “Within a few months, all three of us caught malaria,” says Sharma. “While my friend, Navraj Subedi, and I were lucky enough to survive, my elder brother succumbed to the killer disease.” They landed back in Sindhuli where they completed their S.L.C. Following his successful result in S.L.C, Sharma packed his bags and went to Kathmandu and enrolled in the I. Sc. program at Public Science College (now, Amrit Science Campus).
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undreds of colleges vie for students these days, but the only college that Sharma could apply to was Tri Chandra College. “After completing B. Sc. from Tri Chandra, I was again face to face with a dilemma—none of the colleges in Nepal offered M. Sc. program,” he says. Going abroad was the only option. Sharma applied for scholarship under the Colombo Plan, a program that reserved seats for Nepali students to study in India. The program offered only five seats in medicine. Though Sharma didn’t fall among the top five students, he was selected to enroll in chemistry. He completed his M. Sc. from Karnataka, India, in 1964.
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he very next year, Tribhuwan University started its master’s program. Since there was a lack of teachers with a Ph. D, Sharma and others who performed well in their master’s were hired as lecturers to teach the students of the same level. After ten years of teaching, he was promoted to the rank of an associate professor. Subsequently, he went to London to get a Ph. D in Medicinal Plants. After completing his Ph. D, Dr. Suresh Raj Sharma became a full tenured Professor.
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hat same year, the government appointed him as the member secretary of the National Education Committee. In his nine years stint with the committee, Dr Sharma rates the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT) program as one of the most successful. The program trains rural youths with skills in agriculture, health and construction that not only fosters rural development but also helps in employment generation. While he was heading the council, Dr. Sharma was also busy as a professor at the Tribhuwan University. At that time, students and teachers were deeply embroiled in politics. “Instead of education, the university was becoming a hotbed for political activities,” says Dr. Sharma recounting the grim situation of Tribhuwan University during the Panchayat regime. With uncertainties looming over the education system of TU, students had begun leaving for foreign countries in droves. Students wanting to study technical subjects were already in the beeline for foreign shores. “The only medical college in the country admitted 30 students a year when there were hundreds with their eyes set to get into the program,” says Sharma. “It was the same with engineering. While universities in other countries already excelled in teaching all sorts of engineering program like Computer, Electronic, Mechanical, etc., the only degree that our university offered was Civil Engineering.” The government, in Dr. Sharma’s view, was taking very slow steps to develop the education sector. “I felt the wait for the government to do something would be endless,” says Sharma. And that’s when he and a group of enthusiasts felt the only way out was to grab the bull by its horn.
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herefore, with the aim of providing an alternative to the tardiness and slipshod ways of the government universities, the group decided to establish Kathmandu University.
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ith only partial support from the government, the problems were endless. Collecting resources and building up a strong faculty were the two main challenges, but this didn’t lower the spirit of the team. Their determination and sheer hard work gradually brought things along the set course. Instead of turning to the government for help, they mobilized and sought support from the Dhulikhel community that was more than happy to be a part of the endeavor. The municipality provided the land where the university’s School of Engineering is located. In 1992, Kathmandu University was finally established in Tangal. Two years later, the School of Engineering was established in the university’s new grounds at Dhulikhel. The university in its short term of establishment has earned respect from students, teachers and parents alike. With introduction of new programs every year, Kathmandu University has heralded a new dimension in the education sector in Nepal. Whether in the field of arts, science or commerce, the university offers students a host of alternatives to choose from.
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Be inspired/ Dr. Suresh Raj Sharma
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t a time when politics and political unions have penetrated most of the respectable educational institutions, Kathmandu University has managed to keep the problem at bay. There are no student unions within the university. “We don’t want our students to be a part of politics as we believe a student’s primary duty is to study,” says the Vice Chancellor.
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ore than politics, Dr. Sharma believes, external forces are trying to destroy Nepal’s education sector. “Why do you think there is always some disturbance in the country during the admission and examination periods? It is created not by Nepalese but foreign forces who intend to convince the Nepali students that going abroad for studies is the safest bet for them. They know if the Nepali education system starts working smoothly, the students would stay here rather than go abroad for studies,” reveals Dr. Sharma.
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he admission time is quite irksome for the VC. Apart from the external problems that hinder the whole process, there are endless requests from high ranking officials who want their sons, daughters and relatives admitted, regardless of their qualifications. When he refuses such unethical favors, he is threatened with ‘likely troubles’. “Last year, a foreign professor coming to KU as a visiting faculty applied for an employee visa, but was denied as one of the officials had a grudge against our university,” reveals Dr. Sharma.
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n its eighteen years of operation, Kathmandu University has never changed its academic calendar even once, which is a great feat in itself. “Due to bandhs, students miss classes but we do our best to compensate them. If we have two months break, we reduce it to one so that exams can be held on time and the next semester can be conducted on time. The faculty has been really supportive in this regard,” says Dr. Sharma.
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ven though as a child he didn’t get the best of education, Dr. Sharma went on to create a world class institution. The soft spoken professor will retire soon. Until then, he will continue to head the university he envisioned and established as its Vice Chancellor.
“The admission time is quite irksome for the VC. There are endless requests from high ranking officials who want their sons, daughters and relatives admitted, regardless of their qualifications. “
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ighteen years as the VC of KU has taught Sharma ways to deal with such problems. “During such times, I don’t stay in Kathmandu. I enjoy trekking and just beat it during admissions.” Langtang, Mustang, Annapurna Base Camp are some of the places this seventy something professor has trekked to. Although not a voracious reader, he enjoys writing. Kathmandu Bishwabidhyalay, Kathin Yatra ka Pailaharu, a book about his journey penned by Dr. Sharma himself was published last year.
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Beyond Stage navyaata/people
Whispers
Saugat Malla Text by Ashish Baiju Photograph by Usha Pun
He starts his day from his home, “the stage” 16 N AV YA ATA • K A RT I K 2 0 6 7
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navyaata/people
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The discussion with the board in a meeting that takes place at random times during a day.
Saugat Malla, 29, was already a familiar face in the Nepali theater scene when his popularity took another fillip after his debut lead role in “Kagbeni.”
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Mr. Bachchan’s movies, he became a great fan of the legendary actor. fter he finished his school, he came to Kathmandu for his intermediate studies and joined the Ratna Rajya campus. But studies didn’t interest him a wee bit, and he kept looking for other things to do. A close brother of his introduced him to the director Akash Adhikari, under whom he took a six month acting course. His uncle who supported Saugat through this precarious phase provided him the money, but felt that he had rather invest the money in something useful like on computer lessons! (Imagine Saugat the hacker, instead of an actor. Tut-tut.) Somehow, Saugat convinced his uncle that using the money for his acting career would pay off.
efore Kathmandu’s theater-buffs noticed Saugat and much before the critics of Nepali films appreciated his acting, an entirely different set of audience had predicted that he was destined for a bigger stage. The people of his village in Parsa District, who saw young Saugat perform various roles of mythical characters in Ram Lila staged during the Dashain, knew that he would be a famous person someday. Of course, with two critically acclaimed films and hundreds of theater performances, many in lead roles, under his belt, Saugat has come a long way. He always felt at home when on stage, and found school a strange place. “It made me feel like I was in a jail. I used to feel so happy after the school was over that I’d forget that I’d have to come back again the next day,” he says. “There can’t be any other place where I’d feel freer than the stage.” His parents never gave full consent to the path he chose. They wanted him to take his studies seriously and follow a conventional course like in medicine or engineering. Incidentally, Saugat credits his maid at home for fueling his interest in films. His parents hardly ever let him watch the television, but Rengwa, the maid, would go around the village at night to watch movies on television and tell Saugat all about it. “I began to like Amitabh Bachchan solely by hearing about his movies from Rengwa,” says Saugat. Later when he saw
In a class, teaching the young artists a technique of acting. As fate would have it, during his final exams at the RR Campus, he had to leave for Moscow abruptly. “But I have no regrets for that because I went to the Russian capital as a part of a playgroup to perform a play titled “Fire in the Monastery”,” says Saugat. “We also travelled to Denmark to showcase the same play.” When he returned from the tour, he met his first ‘guru’ Birendra Hamal at his studio the M Art Theatre. After he spent some time at the M Art. Theatre fine tuning his acting skills, his guru introduced him to Sunil Pokhrel the founder, director of Aarohan, the mother organization to Gurukul. Saugat says an opportunity to work with Sunil as a student was a huge achievement for him. When he is on the stage he gets all the attention. Off-stage he maintains a low-key but distinctive style that can
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be construed as ‘demure flamboyance’. Demure because you’ll never find him giving in to the ostentations stars normally think necessary to impress people, and flamboyant because even in his sedate appearance you feel the pleasure and thrill you experience in the presence of an accomplished actor.
Saugat, no doubt, believes in substance rather than show.
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augat Malla, 29, was already a familiar face in the Nepali theatre scene, when his popularity took another fillip after his debut lead role in “Kagbeni.” Saugat realized very early that you need not be a handsome hunk or a superstar to establish yourself as an actor. “You can take Naseerudin Shah and Om Puri as examples,” he says to bring the point home. “They do not have a face that would prompt directors to make films just for them. But their acting skills have set such strong impressions that all directors know there are certain roles only they can do.”
His personality and character reflect the image of a selfmade man who had to put through a lot of hard work and struggle to accomplish his goals in life.
He spends time at the library alley whenever he gets a chance.
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navyaata/people
Exercising at the gym for a fit body to keep him going
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is personality and character reflect the image of a self-made man who had to put through a lot of hard work and struggle to accomplish his goals in life.
A cup of coffee at a small restaurant around the Gurukul entrance.
Saugat Malla’s first appearance in a movie was in Akash Adhikari’s “Ranabhumi”. “The role is so short that you can miss me in a blink of an eye,” says Saugat. After that, he did several short roles in feature films until his big break in “Kagbeni.” “I never thought I would ever act in lead role in a film so big. Now I think one should never give up on anything,” says Saugat, tad wiser after the success of Kagbeni. His fifth film, “Dasdhunga” received rave reviews. Currently he is shooting for his next film “Saurya.” Lately Saugat has also been trying his hands at different things. He is the casting director for “Acharya,” a film by director Prashant Rasaili that was shot in Sikkim and is set to release in about a month. He is also working as a casting director for Bhusan Dahal’s soap “Hamro Team,” which will be featured on Kantipur Television.
Acting, however, will always remain his passion. He wants people to remember him for his roles. “I’d prefer people go to the movies or theater to watch my character rather than to see Saugat Malla. The person that plays the character is never important,” he concludes.game, he says, combines thrill, horror and suspense at the same time. 18 N AV YA ATA • K A RT I K 2 0 6 7 Happy Vijaya D ashami Goes to a nearby gym to keep fit and takes
“I’d prefer people go to the
movies or theater to watch my character rather than to see Saugat Malla. The person that plays the character is never important.” What you didn’t know about Saugat Malla: Liked collecting comics, novels and story books as a young boy. Still has a sizable collection at his home in Nawalparasi. Likes to splurge on lots of fiction books. An avid reader, he goes to the Gurukul library whenever he is free to read the work of his favorite authors. Loves photography. Likes collecting insects and animals. Tried to play the guitar but failed. Sports never really interested him. Takes “wushu” and “karate” lessons only as a training for the action sequences in movies. Likes “hide and seek” and says playing the game with kids refreshes him. The game, he says, combines thrill, horror and suspense at the same time. Goes to a nearby gym to stay fit and takes yoga classes to relax.
the POWER of TWO Talk about rap and Sudin Pokhrel aka DA 69 flashes in your mind immediately. Sudin is one of those personalities who stand out by the sheer panache they bring into their profession. As a rapper, he can make you tap and swing, and as a sports news presenter he can astound you with on and off field analysis of sport events and players. One of the most recognizable faces on the Nepalese television, Sudin was in the news for an entirely different reason lately—a hasty marriage to Rashmi Rijal. Well, ‘hasty’ may not be the right way to put it for someone who has already had nearly 10 years of experience in the media scenario, but there is something about the way he met and eventually married Rashmi. The marriage took place last month amidst a small ceremony in the presence of a close circle of friends.
Rashmi, a graduate in Business Studies, worked in Nabil Bank’s Biratnagar branch before the marriage. A full time home maker at present, Rashmi knows what she wants in life and is eager to get back on her career track. Life was on a normal course until she met her would-be husband through an intervention that is more technological than divine. Read on to find out more about the couple: By Sumati Maharjan How did you meet? Sudin: The great Facebook! We met virtually before we saw each other in person. We started as friends; love just happened. Rashmi: A friend of mine is a great fan of Sudin’s and
he is in her friends’ list on Facebook. She insisted that I add him. He accepted my request and that’s how we knew each other.
Was it love at first sight? Sudin: It wasn’t exactly love at first sight. When I saw
her picture for the first time on Facebook, I found her pretty and wanted to know more about her. I admire her simplicity and the fact that despite great ambitions, she takes life with ease.
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Happy Vijaya D ashami
Rashmi: From the very beginning, after we became friends, his respect for my opinions and his thoughts really impressed me. Gradually, I started liking him. More than his looks or fame, I fell in love with him for the person he is. What did you expect your husband/wife to be like before your marriage? Sudin: To spend a lifetime together, a couple must have
tremendous respect for each other. I always wanted someone who would be simple, career-oriented and respectful, which my wife is. Rashmi: I never gave it a serious thought before our marriage. But now I think, more than anything else, every woman expects to be loved by her husband. I’ve been very lucky in that regard.
She’s a very good dancer, well trained in Bharat Natyam and other dance forms. But so far she has always turned down my requests to dance in front of me. Can you name a film that would best suit the two of you in lead roles? Sudin: Notting Hill for sure. Me as Hugh Grant and
her as Julia Roberts! I just love that movie. There are moments in the film that remind me of the times we were seeing each other. Rashmi: I can’t decide at the moment. Maybe some romantic love story! Which one song would define your love story? Sudin: That one song would be Pahilo Maya,
written and sung by myself. It goes like this: “Suru ma masakka musukka suna na bhana na yasari nai bhayo suruwat...” That’s how we actually started. Rashmi: I am yet to hear such a song. Maybe he’ll come up with one in the future. You’ve been married for more than a month now. How has your life changed? Sudin: I am the kind of person who tends to keep
to himself. As most of my friends work in media, they are usually busy and I always felt the need of someone by my side. For me it is a matter of great pleasure and happiness to have someone as wonderful as her in my life. Besides, I have in her a fan who is not only my biggest admirer but also my biggest critic. So marriage has brought many positive changes in my life. Rashmi: My life has changed in many ways. With new family members and relatives after marriage, I have learnt to become more responsible. I also feel I have finally entered into womanhood. Earlier, I always thought in terms of me and myself, but now everything is about ‘us’. I simply love this change. What is the one thing that you like most about each other? Sudin: Smile! A million-dollar-worth smile. Rashmi: I like everything about him. What is the one thing that you dislike about each other? Sudin: She’s a very good dancer, well trained in
Bharat Natyam and other dance forms. But so far she has always turned down my requests to dance in front of me. Otherwise, she is just prefect. Rashmi: There’s nothing I dislike about him.
One thing you wish you knew before marriage? Sudin: I had promised my friends that I would dance
on my wedding day, but I couldn’t keep my words as I am a terrible dancer. I wish I knew how to dance well before my marriage. Rashmi: I had known all I had wanted to know, and I am very happy the way things are going on in our life. One thing you wish s/he did just for you? Sudin: I wish she would dance for me someday. I
know she’s really good at it.
Rashmi: I wish he would sing for me all the time. You like him/her most in? Sudin: Salwar Kurtha, I guess. Rashmi: Formals.
From the very beginning, after we became friends, his respect for my opinions and his thoughts really impressed me.
How To Wear... Sweater Vests Style By Akash Rajbhandari & Sharmila
Call it a staple for fine dressing or a favorite among all Golfers, after more than four decades, Sweater Vests are back in vogue and they’re here to stay. Gone are the days of sweater vests being just a protective garment. Combining it in everyday outfits is the new mantra. Here’s Navyaata’s guide to sporting this all-time Ralph Lauren favorite.
Style 1 Layer the Sweater Vest using the must-have Trench and dark Denims to beat the harsh winter this fall, all with the perfect edge and class.
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Style 2 To give a formal edge, wear the Sweater Vest neat with a formal shirt and the seamless Cardigan. Other essentials: a Formal Trouser and smart pair of Vans.
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Style 3 Mix with a cool hairstyle and just the right shade of Jeans for a casual take on the Sweater Vest.
Style 4 Pair the Sweater Vest with a shirt and a pair of Corduroy Pants for an evening out in the town
Sweater Vests by Gap, DS Collections, Sherpa Mall White Tee by Replay, White Formal Shirt by Esprit, Trousers by Quiksilver, Wrinkled Jeans by L.O.G.G. H&M and Corduroy Pants by Esprit, Joop!, UWTC, Tripureshwor Trench by Jack & Jones, Cardigan by H&M, Converse, Vans and Flip Flops, Model’s own.
Photographs – Usha Pun
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Model – Rischal Thapa Magar
How To Wear... Sweater Vests
HOW TO WEAR
K A RT I K 2 0 6 7 • N AV YA ATA 23
Bag Price on request Sphinx, City Center
SPHINX... City Center, Kamalpokhari, Ktm, Nepal Shop No: T_30, Third Floor,
L V Bag Price on request Sphinx, City Center
Printed Black Dress, Price on request Sphinx, City Center
T-St Pric rap He Sph e on req el inx, u City est Cen ter
eels ed H udd e St uest er White on reqity Cent Pric inx, C Sph
Oxford Price on request Sphinx, City Center
24 N AV YA ATA • K A RT I K 2 0 6 7
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All products price on request
Cocktail
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WARDROBE
FIX Style: Sharmila & Akash Rajbhandari Photographs: Usha Pun
Sudikshya Dangol
SEVEN DAYS
And finally, the Dashain holidays begin! You know what that means people! With all those sales promotions, the abundant money you receive as daskshina and the perfect warm weather, it can only mean one thing, Aye Aye Shopping! And being the kind of people that we are, Navyaata has come up with a set of “Do It Right during Dashain” attire, just for you lovely gals out there.
All set to visit the nearby Mandirs. *The above featured articles are available at DS Collections, Sherpa Mall* Pink Wedges, Red Platforms, Pink Clutch, Black Heels, Model’s own. 28 N AV YA ATA • K A RT I K 2 0 6 7
Happy Vijaya D ashami
Perfectly attired to receive her Dakshinas.
Comfy wedges to roam the city with her friends.
All dressed for a Dashain social cause.
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A pair of relaxed jeans and a big clutch full of money! That’s all you need for the nonstop card play sessions.
Setting herself apart for the hippest Dashain party. K A RT I K 2 0 6 7 • N AV YA ATA 29
MODEL Sudikshya Dangol
Last Minute Shopping!!!
navyaata/FASHIONreport
Jeans Forever Reigns By Tamding Wangmo Sherpa
But take heed of the jeans too, my friends. In some parts of Africa, putting on denim jeans automatically makes one a, ahem, prostitute! Whereas in some part of East Asia, wearing jeans means breaking traditional laws that automatically incur a jail sentence. A recent law passed by the Louisiana state government in the USA has made it clear that anybody caught in sagging jeans will have to spend a day in prison. And there is more, it has been proven that constant use of skinny jeans causes serious damage to the wearer’s nervous system. Despite all, the world is obsessed with denim and it is one of the most manufactured items in the world. With jeans companies like Levi’s sales going up to $7.1 billion a year (Whoa!), should the garment’s popularity come as a surprise? 30 N AV YA ATA • K A RT I K 2 0 6 7
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Open anybody’s closet—yes, I mean anybody’s, and you will inevitably come across some pairs of jeans in it. It is a universally accepted fact that jeans are everybody’s ‘must haves’. Levi Straus and Jacob Davis had very little idea what would follow when they invented the blue trousers. Little did they know that the once only-worn-byworkers trousers would take over the entire world and be the symbol of growth and expansion of the American culture. Jeans represented the symbol of rebellion during the 50’s (thanks to the iconic James Dean) and eventually, it became a worldwide phenomenon with the enormous pop appeal making it one of most popular casual wear ever. Jeans is to garment, what English is to language. You can connect to the outer world with that one, single item. It is not restricted to a single culture, nor is it confined to one age group. One of the things that has contributed to its popularity is that jeans come in all shapes and sizes and, therefore, everybody has the liberty to put it on! In Nepal, jeans practically reign over any other pieces, and not just any piece, but the denim pants we wear. Yes, those jeans! We have seen a cornucopia of jeans hit Kathmandu that has influenced and totally changed our clothing styles. From belly-bottoms, caprice and skinnys, to widelegged, ripped-off, embellished and distressed; jeans have fascinated us in all its avatars. And yes, we have tried it all. We’ve been lured with different shapes, prints and colors, but we have always stuck with the comfortable, irresistible and for-all-occasion blue denims. Looking for a perfect pair of jeans is like searching a needle in the haystack, but despite that we still have piles of them in our closets. Admit it people, we all are suckers for jeans! I am sure that most of you’d love to try out every single style that the jeans come in. I, for one, have tried dying, cutting, and doing everything that was “IN” with the jeans, which of course invited my mom’s occasional scolding. The flipside of it was that whenever my experiments failed or the style changed, I’d have to buy a new pair, inviting more severe scolding. Guys, staying updated comes with a price that goes beyond money.
navyaata/STYLe l0l
STYLe l0l
Uttar Dhoka,Lazimpat
Uttar Dhoka,Lazimpat
Nanglo, Durbar Marg
Durbar Marg
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Photograph Junu Gurung
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Durbar Marg
DS Collections, Durbar Marg
Timepieces:
A Timeless Investment Akash Rajbhandari
For the Millionaires: Luxury timepieces are made from the most precious metals and sometimes embedded with the rarest of stones. These watches are preferred mostly by the rich who use them as a symbol of authority and status. Most luxury brands offer a number of watches that are often studded with diamonds or made out of gold. Some of the luxury watches popular in Nepal include Rolex, Cartier, Chopard and Omega.
A must have for every man, a timepiece is one of the best investment you can make this festive season. It’s absolutely necessary that a man chooses wisely when he invests on such a noble invention, as a watch is no longer just a device that tells time but also a symbol of his individuality and status!
For the Sportsmen:
Cartier Santos, Price on Request, Regency Watch, Annapurna
Sports watches are ideal for athletes and individuals who prefer outdoor activities. The main features of a sports watch are durability and resistance to all kinds of impacts. Also sports watches are equipped with a number of functions such as pulse rate reader, stopwatch, and calorie count which cater to the needs of different athletes. Swiss watch brands such as Tissot and Tag Heuer and the Japanese watchmaker Seiko create some of the best sports watches in today’s world.
Arcade, Durbar Marg. Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Submariner, Visit www.rolex.com for further details.
Tissot T-Touch Expert, Price on Request, Selected stores
around the city.
Tag Heuer Men’s Link Stainless Steel Watch, Price on
Request, Selected stores around the city.
Some tips that’ll keep your watch ticking: Avoid purchasing a Replica or a Knock Off. Rather than wasting all that money on fake and replica watches, invest on reasonable watches that are genuine. To name a few in the market, there are Timex, Casio, Fossil and DKNY.
For the Fashionistas: A stylish watch makes for the perfect fashion accessory. With stylish watches, a guy can not only flaunt his image around but also match them with the different styles of clothing he wears, making the most of his appearance. Numerous fashion labels around the world produce trendy watches but the ones most popular in K Town have to be by Fossil, Emporio Armani, DKNY and the true American classic, Tommy Hilfiger. Fossil Twist Function Dial Watch, Price on Request, Baleno, Durbar Marg. Fossil Stella Black Watch, Price on Request, The Blue Bird Mall, Tripureshwor. 34 N AV YA ATA • K A RT I K 2 0 6 7
Happy Vijaya D ashami
Never set the time anticlockwise or you may just end up damaging the watch cycle. Never shake your automatic watches to make it start. It is always better to hand wind it. Never change the date between 10 pm and 2 am, as the date counter starts moving at 10 pm and the cycle completes by 2 am, causing the biggest manual watch complaints.
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K A RT I K 2 0 6 7 • N AV YA ATA 35
navyaata/RUNWAY
RUNWAY THE NAVYAATA WAY Style By Sharmila & Akash Rajbhandari
Time to rewind back to the days of Michael Jackson, Gals! Amongst the many fashion trends which are hitting the K Town this fall, there is a strong feel about sharp, military-inspired jackets, with their gold braiding and double-breasted brass buttons. Pair with the perfect pair of shiny pants or leggings and either way, accessorise with you attitude. If the King of Pop could do it, so can you.
Military Inspired Jacket, DS Collections, Sherpa Mall Black Leggings, DS Collections, Sherpa Mall Black Platforms, DS Collections, Sherpa Mall
Photographer: Usha Pun 36 N AV YA ATA • K A RT I K 2 0 6 7
Model:atNoyo Rai send us your feedback editor@nav yaata.com
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K A RT I K 2 0 6 7 • N AV YA ATA 37
Navyaata/MAKE-OVER
THE CHIC PARTY LOOK
How do you carry yourself when you party with a close circle of friends? Try out the bold ‘chic party look’ that’ll let you to experiment with exciting new styles and colors. Our hair stylist, Santosh Kr. Sharma, along with his make-up assistants, brings out the vivacity on our model Priya Lama.
TIPS:
Never run a brush through curled hair as it will only result in frizzier hair. While ironing, apply a heat protecting serum. Always spray a mist of hairspray after you set a new hair style.
HAIR Items needed: Comb, Hair Curling Irons, Straightening Iron, Clips and Hair Mousse Comb your hair and part it into sections according to the length and thickness. Then apply the hair mousse on your strands taking little sections at a time. After that, set the curler to your hair and leave it for about 15 seconds. Do the same to other sections leaving the front part untouched. Comb the front section of your hair over your eyes and cut it in straight alignment right above your eyes. Straighten the front section of your hair. Spray a hair holding spray so that your hair will set for a longer period. You’ll have fabulous curls at the back with a pretty eye-grazing fringe.
MAKE-UP
What our model has to say: I definitely look different and bold. Thank you so much Navyaata for the make-over!
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Apply a foundation one tone lighter than your skin tone. Dust over loose powder all over your face and neck. Apply dark purple eye shadow on and above your eyelids creating a dramatic effect. To define your eyes, apply black kohl pencil and smudge it with a tissue paper to give a smoky effect. Apply black mascara on your lashes. For effects, lightly brush over the dark purple eye-shadow on your cheekbones. Finally, layer your lips with a nude lipstick and apply clear gloss over it.
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Photograph: Usha Pun Model: Priya Lama Make-up & Hair Style: Santosh Kr Sharma, Headmaster, Thamel
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K A RT I K 2 0 6 7 • N AV YA ATA 39
Fashion Feature
Beauty queen vs Mannequin 40 N AV YA ATA • K A RT I K 2 0 6 7
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Imagine how drastically your life would change if you were transformed into a mannequin? Flip through our Fashion Feature pages to know how our Navya Girls reacted to such a thought and a shoot that turned them from beauty queens to mannequins!
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K A RT I K 2 0 6 7 • N AV YA ATA 41
Now that’s one pretty Mannequin! We wonder who she is. Well, that’s no other than the lovely Ayusha Karki, who’s been with us ever since Navyaata began. Ayusha really wouldn’t mind spending a day becoming a mannequin as it’d let her perceive the world in a way like no other. And with the dressing sense like hers, the mannequin would certainly be an edgy one, ready to stand out from the crowd. Dress, Studded Jacket, Black Platforms, Accessories, Ayusha’s own. Photographs by
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Kishor Kayastha
“It immediately reminds me of Medusa, a much frightened figure back from the Greek History classes in middle school,” said Pravina, a face familiar to all of us from our 3rd issue. Dressed in a chic maxi dress, Pravina, in no way, wants to even imagine turning into a stagnant figure and is just about ready to battle any such possibilities. Black Maxi Pravina’s own.
Photographs by
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Dress,
Kishor Kayastha
K A RT I K 2 0 6 7 • N AV YA ATA 43
Now, you don’t really need an answer to figure out what exactly our recent cover girl, Barsha Thapa’s expression constitutes. “It’d be a shocking experience for sure. But again, I wouldn’t mind being one if it were to get displayed over all the fabulous stores in Madison Avenue,” laughs the trendy gal. Striped Top, Harem Pants, Black Platforms, Barsha’s own.
Photographs by
44 N AV YA ATA • K A RT I K 2 0 6 7
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Kishor Kayastha
“I’ll miss munching on good homely food and not to forget, my lovely family and friends the most,” says Dawa, a cheerful gal brought that breath of fresh air to our 2nd issue. With a pairing of tailored trousers, well-fitted top and classy heels, Dawa undoubtedly knows how to define “Sophistication.” White Top, Tailored Trousers, Vintage Belt, Heels by Charles & Keith, Bag by Louis Vuitton, Dawa’s own.
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K A RT Iby K 2Kishor 0 6 7 • N AV YA ATA 45 Photographs Kayastha
RICHA THAPA MAGAR
PROFILE
GREAT STYLE’S
ALL ABOUT COMFORT,
ORIGINALITY &
CONFIDENCE
Miss Nepal 2009 first runner up, Richa Thapa, is an awesome embodiment of beauty and brilliance. She won VOW’s Most Outstanding Student Award in 2007. She has also won numerous competitions ever since she was a young student. Smart, suave and gorgeous, Miss Richa Thapa wows us with her witty answers. PHOTOGRAPH BY KISHOR KAYASTHA
Name:
Richa Thapa Magar
Nickname: Age:
Hrichu
yourself
24
Current Status:
A portrayal of how you see
Pushpa Kamal Dahal or Dr. Baburam Bhattarai:
Accentuates the best features & conceals the rest
The third option…
Make Up:
Working
Brands Officer— Family & Health Brands, Unilever Nepal Ltd.
Profession:
My discipline, confidence, dreams and the love I get from my near and dear ones Strength:
I can be stubborn and a bit short tempered—that gets ahead of me sometimes
Weakness:
Fetish:
Define the following in one line.
Fashion:
High heels (Definitely!)
1. One thing that you don’t have but wish you did?
The superpower to fight against inhumanity
2. When you need advice, you first turn to?
My family
A significant half of the human species Men:
Women:An Sex: An
bond
important cog in a system
act of intimacy and a special
One night stand:
A Big NO!
Your choice:
are spicy!
A man with sense of humor or sex appeal:
Both
Kingsway
Dream holiday getaway:
Happiness accompanied by money
5. In bed, there is no such thing as to...
Traditional or Western wear:
Depends upon time and place – a balanced mix of both is healthy
I love both
A wild night or Dinner at home:
home
Current ring tone: iPhone’s Favorite shopping spot:
Diet or Work out: Have a very sweet tooth—So, WORK OUT!
Happy Vijaya D ashami
My ride—my
default “Strum”
They
4. Great style is all about...
46 N AV YA ATA • K A RT I K 2 0 6 7
Biggest splurge:
Flip flops or High heels: High heels Books or Magazines: Magazines…
Comfort, originality and confidence
Hairstyles
My mom
I20
Natural beauty or Cosmetics:
7. While I was growing up, I always got teased about my...
Mark Dacascos, a martial artist and Hollywood actor
First crush:
Movies or Restaurants: Movies (Any day!)
When I see a group of girls in school uniform fighting over a menu in a restaurant
Sleeping like a child
Most embarrassing moment:
Puked at a restaurant after a heavy bout of laughter with friends…eewwww
First kiss:
Money or Happiness:
3. You feel sixteen when...
Your
Dinner at
Hawaii, Switzerland, Las Vegas, Turkey (the list can go on….)
Your fashion icon: Jennifer
Aniston for her sensational, streamlined choices
Favorite brand:
Gucci
Magazines you flip through:
Femina, Cosmopolitan, Times, Navyaata, VOW, ECS Living, Naari
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K A RT I K 2 0 6 7 • N AV YA ATA 47
...to try out many clothes in a store and buy nothing
...to pose for a picture in public places
...to wear shades indoors
...to speak out loud on your mobile phone when ...you’re in a crowd ...to go for a movie with your partner knowing full well that the theater is goingto be almost empty
...for guys to go shopping with their mom ...to have lunch at low-cost eateries
I bought it in America
...to get intimate in public places
...to abuse your pet
...to play songs on your mobile’s speaker in public places ...to spit out from the window of a vehicle ...to drive irresponsibly and splash people with slosh ...to watch porn in your classroom ...to threaten your teacher 48 N AV YA ATA • K A RT I K 2 0 6 7
Happy Vijaya D ashami
NOT
...to buy a fake product and flaunt as a genuine one
really???
F I N E ...to plagiarize for your assignments
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K A RT I K 2 0 6 7 • N AV YA ATA 49
Biddingg og oo o Bidding d db b y y e e ! !
Cher, Boo and I were hoping you’d have an affair with someone at either of the transits like in movies when you leave a line of affairs behind you as you’re on a road trip. Paris would do nice for this but too bad for you, no Paris. And I mean the city, not Miss Hilton. So where did Frankfurt turn out to be in? I didn’t google it because I was busy google-mapping my own house. Lame, I know. By the way, I did my share of physics homework and I am counting on the rest to do theirs so that we can plagiarize each other’s work. That’s what I call productivity. Hehe. When we went back from the airport, the police people stared at us as if we just stepped out of UFOs. I could but just stop Boo from manhandling them. I knew the police guy was getting back at us for not listening to him when we entered, otherwise he wasn’t even checking the others’ passports. The cheek of him to demand to see each and every document of ours just because he thought we “disobeyed” him! We weren’t even in the hearing distance. He brought us all the way back just because we didn’t listen to him. I so hope the tax we pay land in anybody’s pocket but his. If two hyped luggage-carrying teens passing through the airport gate bothers him so much, he should stand guard at the GATE and not yell from some little nook where he has his chya-nashta. But! The lot of them didn’t seem that bad you know, especially, when they smiled, waved and let in some giggly “indecently dressed” girls without looking at either their tickets or passports. They had drool on their uniforms. Literally. I realized that I have been walking in the sun for so long that Boo is already getting used to Zambia without her even going there. She’s leaving soon too. Sunscreen is my best friend now. Oh and my pimple’s grown up and has made me a proud momma. I call it the scarlet pimpernel. I don’t have an idea what a pimpernel is but I can place my bet on the scarlet part. Cher, mail me about the colleges there, alright? Whole lotta love, Cherie.
50 N AV YA ATA • K A RT I K 2 0 6 7
Happy Vijaya D ashami
*Happy Dashain*
advertisement
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K A RT I K 2 0 6 7 • N AV YA ATA 51
Dealing with Dreams and Dilemmas of Studying Abroad By Sumati Maharjan
When planes soar up in the sky, tearing through mysterious clouds, a thousand young eyes on the ground look up eagerly. They all hope to be in one of them someday, on their way to the land of their dreams.
To get there is difficult, but things can get harder once you are there. Money, independence, self-study, parties and cool dresses, all sound very pleasing to any of us aspiring to study abroad. But what is the truth? Can you have a clear picture of the life abroad just by looking at the pictures of your friends and relatives as seen on some social networking sites? Perhaps not! We interacted with five young and ambitious Nepali students abroad to get the insight about what their life, far away from home, is like. Participants: Aditi Acharya, 21 (India), Resha Bajracharya, 22 (Australia), Nischal Shrestha, 25, (USA), Sanju Silpakar, 22 (USA), Dinesh Gahataraj, 24 (Germany) 52 52NNAV AVYA YAATA ATA ••KKAART RTI K I K 22006677
In Nepal, the education pattern hasn’t changed for years. We have been studying the same books our brothers—in some cases our send us your feedback at editor@nav yaata.com fathers—riffed through.
family and the value of money. Sanju: Here, we have to learn how to survive on our own. Often when you are in trouble there is no one you can look up for help or shoulders to cry on. Also, one thing that we Nepalese might find difficult is working according to a preplanned schedule. Dinesh: Learning a new language and culture, living far away from home and working hard to pay one’s fees.
Navyaata: Why did you choose to study abroad? Aditi: Because none of the few universities in Nepal offered courses I wanted to study.
Resha: I always wanted to experience life
abroad, which is independent, fast and surrounded by exciting technologies. I also wanted to have the experience of studying under a foreign education system. Nischal: I chose to study abroad because I believe it is better for my future. Also I think international exposure has become a basic requirement to compete in today’s globalized world. Sanju: My parents couldn’t complete their higher education which deprived them of so many opportunities. I came abroad to fulfill their dream of getting a better degree and, eventually, a better job, so that I can take care of them afterwards. Dinesh: For quality education and better opportunities.
Navyaata: It has been said a lot of students go abroad to earn and settle down than to actually study. Do you agree? Aditi: I think that’s true for students who go to European and American countries. As for me, I don’t have to work and I don’t have any plans to settle where I am studying. Resha: If someone gets a good opportunity—well paid and better
Navyaata: What is your view about Nepal’s education system? Aditi: Well, education system of Nepal isn’t bad. But the institutes and universities in Nepal don’t offer many choices to students who are then compelled to scour colleges abroad that offer the subjects of their choices. Nischal: Nepalese education is more about reading books and less of field works. That kind of education becomes a handicap for anybody who wishes to compete at international level where he/she has to face people armed with practical knowledge. Sanju: In Nepal, the education pattern hasn’t changed for years. We have been studying the same books our brothers—in some cases our fathers—riffed through. Navyaata: How is the education system abroad different from the one in Nepal? Aditi: The system of education here in India
is better as compared to that of Nepal; the courses here focus more on the need of the present. Resha: Only after coming to Australia did I realize the vast difference between education system back home and in foreign countries. In Nepal, in want of practical methods, students focus on studying whatever notes and handouts teachers give them. Here it is more practical. Sanju: Nepalese students study the same old study materials whereas the courses here in US evolve with time. For example, we have
In Nepal, in want of practical methods, students focus on studying whatever notes and handouts teachers give them. Here it is more practical. been studying about the recent Gulf Oil Spill in our college and writing essays about their impact. We are asked to propose solutions to stop it from happening in future. Dinesh: Education system is managed really well here (Germany), whereas in Nepal it is marred by degrading political situation.
Navyaata: What are the difficulties you face as a foreign student? Resha: Living far away from your family and
friends in itself is a difficult thing. Apart from that, you have to be really careful about managing your accommodation, transportation, food, etc. And then there are issues of unemployment, language barrier, racist behavior, etc., to deal with. Nischal: I believe everyone who wishes to broaden his/her thinking and be independent should go abroad for studies. It will give an early experience on how it feels like when there is no one to support you and you have to work hard for each penny. It will teach the importance of your send us your feedback at editor@nav yaata.com
job, good accommodation—then I think it is all right to settle down in a foreign country rather than go back home where there are fewer opportunities. Nischal: Well, I absolutely agree with it. I don’t think there is even one person in this entire world who doesn’t want to live a better life. Many people just work and forget their studies, yet others try to finish their studies before getting serious about work. It is all about how you can make your and your family’s life easy. Sanju: I don’t agree with this statement. I came to the US for a degree that’d give me freedom to work in any part of the world. Money can be earned anywhere if you have a good degree and experience. I think those who go abroad to study but spend more time in earning money don’t take their life seriously. K A RT I K 2 0 6 7 • N AV YA ATA 53
I have met so many students who consider going abroad a matter of pride and others who follow the trend blindly. I feel sorry for their families.
Navyaata: With so many bright students going abroad, isn’t Nepal already facing a serious brain drain problem? Aditi: The productive youth flocking to a foreign land
will surely create a problem in the long run. But brain drain can be minimized by creating an environment in Nepal that’d encourage ‘reverse brain drain’. Resha: Yes, brain drain could be a problem. However, we must not ignore the positive side of the story, that is, the youths going abroad, working hard and sending money back home which, as we know, has been a great support for the dwindling Nepalese economy. Nischal: Just because they are going abroad to study doesn’t mean that the youths won’t work for their country. If someone is willing, he or she can contribute to the progress of the homeland from any part of the world. Sanju: If the political and economic situation improves, the youths will happily come back to Nepal and contribute towards its growth.
Navyaata: Would you return to Nepal if you get better opportunities abroad? Aditi: I would say, yes. Even if I get a good opportunity
abroad, I’d prefer to come back to Nepal and create one there myself. Sanju: If I get a better opportunity abroad, I will grab it with both hands. Luck doesn’t strike twice, you know. I have to look for my future as well. But if my country needs me, I will definitely come back and help my motherland. Dinesh: I am not sure. Personally, I’d like to come back, but I think it all really depends on the situation of Nepal in the coming years. 54 N AV YA ATA • K A RT I K 2 0 6 7
Navyaata: People sell properties and take loans from bank to send their kids abroad… Aditi: I am against such practices. Some people do so with the hope of paying back the loans once they start working after finishing the studies. But in many cases students fail to complete their studies and some people don’t earn enough to pay back the hefty loans. Nischal: I think parents want their children to have a better and brighter future. So, if the student in question completes his/her studies and earns enough to pay back later, the whole monetary investment is worth it. Dinesh: I think it is really risky.
Navyaata: Has going abroad for studies become a matter of prestige? Aditi: To some extent, I guess. I have met so many students who consider going abroad a matter of pride and others who follow the trend blindly. I feel sorry for their families. Nischal: I’d say it is a trend, definitely. You shouldn’t forget that a student is taking chances with his/her entire life when s/he decides to go abroad for studies. It is not as easy as it seems; one has to work hard and struggle to accomplish his/her dreams.
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Navyaata: Do you think a degree from a foreign university is an advantage and a sure privilege for landing in a better job? Resha: I think it holds true in the case of
Nepalese job market, because a Nepali organization will give preference to those with foreign degrees rather than to the ones with local degrees. Nischal: I think a lot depends on the job criteria too. For example, if a job requires international exposure and skills, then it is natural that the organization would give priority to somebody with a foreign degree. Dinesh: I think it depends on the hiring policies that differ from organization to organization. But in the end, it is more about one’s talent and skills. Studying abroad has become a trend and a gateway to a better future something Nepalese youth believe they can’t find in Nepal. In the globalized context, it is good that our youths are going abroad whether for studies or jobs to acquire knowledge and skills that wouldn’t confine them to a regional boundary. All we at home can hope for is them to come back and work here someday and use their skills and experience to make this country a better place to live in.
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navyaata/DASHAIN SPECIAL
Dashain, the Celebrity Way Dashain is a festival everybody enjoys with family and friends in a fun-filled atmosphere having delicious foods. Playing cards, flying kites, drinking or just visiting family members, read on to find out how the celebrities we interviewed enjoy the festival.
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Prasan Syangden Senior Program Producer, Radio Kantipur Prasan Syangden views Dashain as a time when one can spend a few days of quiet and pollution free Kathmandu. But Yes, it is also a wonderful occasion to share fun times with family and friends. “Drinking during the festivities is an integral part of my culture, but it is better to leave the matter as an individual choice,” he says. Unlike most people, Prasan is not really crazy
Dashain does not feel like Dashain without kites. The kite flying culture should be encouraged among the younger generation to preserve it about playing cards. “Not because I think it’s wrong, I just don’t enjoy it as much,” he is quick to add. Kite flying has now become a ritual of sorts for Prasan because every year he takes part in the ‘Changa Chait’ event with his Radio Kantipur team, whom he calls his second family. “Apart from flying kites from the ‘chhatt’ of our office, the event is a great deal of fun because we also eat, drink and party,” he says. “Dashain does not feel like Dashain without kites.” Prasan feels that kite flying culture should be encouraged among the younger generation to preserve it. As a child growing up abroad Prasan used to hear amazing stories about how people celebrated Dashain in Nepal. Now, he is enjoying every bit of it.
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Celebrations apart, I utilize the vacation to experiment and practice new techniques in photography. Raj Bhai Suwal Managing Director, Creative Photo Session Studio Raj Bhai Suwal is famous for his top of the line commercial and glamour photography. He recently won the Crity Award for the Best Photographer of the year. “As I am a Kathmandu resident, I don’t have to go outside the city to celebrate Dashain like many other people,” says Raj Bhai. He celebrates the festival with his family in a simple newari style by performing traditional puja and rituals that last three to four days and end with tika. “I also utilize the vacation to experiment and practice new techniques in photography,” he says. “Above all, one thing I always enjoy during Dashain is flying kites.” He doesn’t entertain phone calls when he is in the middle of festivities. “Particularly, when I am enjoying bhoj with my family,” he says. “I quit eating meat a long time back, so the bhoj for me is all vegetarian dishes and a little drink, as newars consider liquor a shagun,” says Raj Bhai. “I’d like to wish happy and colorful Dashain to everybody and urge all Nepalese to pray to Goddess Durga for the prosperity of our nation.”
navyaata/Dashain Special
Though Dashain is the time for people to meet their family members, I don’t like it when people take it as an obligation and scamper around to visit every one of their relatives in just a couple of days.
It is the best time to catch up with friends and family members as everybody is happy and in a festive mood that foster love and togetherness.
Sitashma Chand Miss Nepal 2007
Rachana Gurung Sharma Choreographer
For former Miss Nepal, Sitashma Chand, Dashain this year might be in the air! A crew member of Emirates Airlines, Sitashma will spend most part of her vacation in-flight. “Nevertheless, If I can manage a day or two off, I will visit my cousins and celebrate Dashain with them,” she says. Though Sitashma believes Dashain is the time for people to meet their family members, she doesn’t like it when people take it as an obligation and scamper around to visit every one of their relatives in just a couple of days. Sitashma doesn’t find the festival as exciting as she used to when she was young. “As a kid I used to get amused on seeing everyone decked up in their new clothes and gobbling delicious food,” she says. For Sitashma, every blessing is special in its own way. “When an elder says, ‘May God shower on you all the happiness’ that sums it all,” says Sitashma. “At the end of the day, all we want is happiness.
Rachana is the official Choreographer and Chief Trainer for Miss Nepal since the beginning. “Dashain to me,” says Rachana, “is all about receiving and giving blessings and spending time with loved ones away from the busy routines.” It is, she says, the best time to catch up with friends and family members as everybody is happy and in a festive mood that foster love and togetherness. “It is so funny and at the same time pleasing to look at the smiling faces of kids who gleefully sport their new clothes and look forward to getting money rather than blessings from their elders,” says Rachana. When she thinks of Dashain, one thing that comes to her mind is the bright and clear sky streaked with vibrant and colorful kites. “Also, I love Dashain as we can indulge in varieties of delicious food unabashedly,” she says. “I’d like to wish everybody a happy and prosperous Dashain: “Hardik Mangalmaya Shubhakamana to all!”
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The festival allows me to break away from my work and bond with family. Malvika Subba Sales & Marketing Manager, Shangrila Housing Malvika Subba hit the spotlight after she was crowned Miss Nepal in 2002. Malvika looks forward to the festival as it allows her to break away from her work and bond her with family. She celebrates Dashain either inside or outside of the valley, but always with her loved ones. “As kids we used Dashain as a pretext to pester our parents off demanding new clothes and extort money from elders in the name of dakshina,” says Malvika with a mischievous smile. “We used to have a lot of fun doing that.” But now, it is all about being close to family members and relatives, some of whom we hardly see the rest of the year. “When I was a child the blessings I mostly got was ‘You’re going to earn a lot of fame in the future’ which has come to be true!” she says. “Now that I am a grownup, I know they’ll heap on me blessings like ‘May you get married soon!’ or ‘May you find a wonderful partner!’.” I wish a Happy Vijaya Dashami to all youngsters and urge them not to drink and drive. Be safe and have a wonderful festival!
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Retail Therapy:
Buying To Feel Better By Shreeja Karki
appointment of retail therapy!
Retail therapy is basically shopping with the primary purpose of uplifting the buyer’s mood.
Retail therapy is basically shopping with the primary purpose of uplifting the buyer’s mood. What do you do to overcome stress or to lighten up when you feel gloomy? All of us have our own peculiar ways of dealing with stress. Some people tend to eat more when they feel strained, while others prefer to sleep the nuisances over. Yet, there are also people who go out on a shopping mania to get over the feelings of distress. These people are resorting to what psychologists call “retail therapy.” Many of us are unfamiliar with the term retail therapy. Knowingly or unknowingly, however, most of us might have been practicing this stress-buster since a long time. The shopaholics and fashionistas need a constant dose of this therapy, but even normal shoppers succumb to the thrill of shopping and go on a buying frenzy once in a while. As life in metropolises become more and more stressful, people seem to be catching on with retail therapy in the major cities of Nepal. These days it is common to see shoppers at marts carting trolleys so full that the items keep spilling on the floor or to find people coming out of shopping malls clutching more bags than their hands can hold. Well, they just had an 58 58 N N AV AV YA YA ATA ATA • •K KA A RT RT II K K2 20 06 6 77
Some people find an escape in shopping when they are caught in a conflicting situation or if they had to suffer a bad luck. Shopping in times like these feeds our ego and soothes our frayed nerves by providing high doses of ephemeral well-being. And so the goods bought during these times are also termed as “comfort buys”. Throwing ourselves into the furnace of fling-shopping, however, can reach to dangerous heights as researchers at the Melbourne University have classified this obsessive behavior as a disorder called oniomania (compulsive shopping disorder). Tammy Feye Mesner, an American entrepreneur, evangelist and author, once said, “I always say shopping is cheaper than a psychiatrist.” But retail therapy can prove to be very expensive too.. In a new study conducted by the Journal Psychological Science, it was found that a person spends more on an item when he’s feeling down--up to 300 percent more! When we are feeling blue, we tend to throw around cash more freely and shop more extravagantly. While we could easily vent our tension with productive activities like yoga, a walk in the neighborhood or by sharing our feelings with near ones, the habit of intensive shopping for no particular reason can often send our budget topsyturvy or push us to hysterical borrowing. Now, that’s a bargain even sworn shopaholics must stay away from. The point is, to avoid such deals that might give us a headache bigger than what we had sought to cure, we must be careful about how we want to use the retail therapy.
Navyaata met a few shopaholics at Sherpa Mall and City Center. Here’s what they had to say about their shopping habits:
Riya Malla and Lisa Thakali confess shopping at times when they are bored, when they flunk exams or when they need a morale boost up. Best friends for life, they are also each other’s favourite shopping companion because they rely on each other’s advice for clothes and shoes. “Lisa just showed me a studded pair of heels and asked to check out a nice sassy clutch,” said Riya, trying the heels on. “They look perfect,” said Lisa as Riya stood and walked around a
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K A RT I K 2 0 6 7 • N AV YA ATA 59
The shopaholics and fashionistas need a constant dose of this therapy, but even normal shoppers succumb to the thrill of shopping and go on a buying frenzy once in a while. few steps. Their favourite shopping stops include Cocktail, Sphinx, Envy, Charles and Keith and DS Collections. These two young Malpi graduates prefer shopping in the stores located at City Centre and Sherpa Mall. Asmee Shrestha and Akash Shrestha are two hip youngsters who think style and attitudes are inseparable from ones personality. They admit that shopping keeps them in good mood and fuels their attitude! They normally shop when their pockets are flush with cash, but necessarily when they feel dispirited. “Shopping when I am feeling low revives my mood immediately,” said Asmee. Both of them prefer to shop at popular places like Nike, Fabulous, DS Collections and Urban.
“Shopping when I am feeling low revives my mood immediately.” At Sherpa Mall, we ran into a group of fashionably dressed teens—Arlene Gurung, Suchindra Gurung, Riwas Rai and Sagar Gurung. These guys, who love to shop at Durbarmarg, usually Zara and DS, and at Pashupati Plaza in New Road, said that handbags, shoes and tees are their obsession. While the guys said they usually shop to update themselves with the latest trends, Arlene confessed she often spends money
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profusely when she’s had a bad time with friends or family. Preetika Rokka loves colourful tops, Elinor Gurung spends heftily on shoes and bags and Spriha Shrestha, a timid girl, enjoys accompanying her friends on window shopping. These young girls from Lincoln School also enjoy hunting for vintage and summer dresses. All of them rely on retail therapy to get going after they flunk exams. “Shopping is a great way to release stress,” they admit. These girls usually shop at DS Collections and Taxxi. Trishna Thakali and Nuriya Thakali are two sassy ladies who shop till they drop. Splurging usually at places like DS Collections, Warehouse, Wardrobe, Sphinx and Glitterbox, they would definitely go for a retail therapy if a gloomy situation arises. Nuriya once bought an expensive dress shortly before a photo shoot to bust the growing nervousness that was affecting her whole composure. “I never wore the dress after that shoot,” she said, “because I actually ended up disliking it.”
Many a times, we connect materialistic goods with our sense of self and status. Yes shopping is fun and allows us a chance to update ourselves with the latest trends, but should we let it burn a hole in your pockets? There definitely is a stack of clothes in some dark corner of our closet which we’ve bought out of sheer fancy but now we swear that we’ll never wear them. How about exchanging those clothes with close friends who are facing the same dilemma? We might chance upon a new cloth (maybe not in terms of age!) but in terms of accessories and style! Our unwanted stuff could be someone else’s treasure! On the other hand, splurging unnecessarily may put us in sticky situations. Remember the age old maxim: “Excess of anything is bad!”
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on a Rock by Najra Singh
A
fter two wrong turns in the forest, we were lost. Maybe because we were so near to Kathmandu, in the Godavari forest, we were confident of easily finding our way. So, instead of retracing our steps to the main road, we decided to go down through the forest, believing that the road was directly below us. After sliding uncontrollably for over fifty meters, we came to a halt near a ravine. I proposed following the stream flowing through the ravine hoping that it would take us down to the Godavari village. There were six of us, all entertaining the thoughts of getting home. Two – Mohit and Sushil – were my friends with whom I had hiked to the Phoolchowki peak; the other three – Santosh, Raj Kumar, and Amrit – had joined us on the way down. Raj Kumar was wearing a suit and leather shoes, quite unfit for hiking in the woods. We had been walking along the stream for a few minutes when we came to a waterfall. “We can go down from there,” suggested Santosh, pointing to a rocky wall near the thirty-foot waterfall. “Are you crazy? That wall is too steep,” replied Amrit. Sushil, Mohit, and I sided with Amrit. “What should we do then? We can’t stay here all night,” said Raj Kumar, who was supporting Santosh’s idea. “We can climb up and move along that hill,” I said, pointing to the ravine’s north face. “Do what you want, we’re going down from here,” declared Santosh and walked toward the rock wall, with Raj Kumar following. The rest of us turned around and went uphill. We got no replies when we called their names after a while. “They’ve surely found the trail. Probably they’re down in Godavari by now,” said Amrit, regret discernible in his voice. Then, suddenly, we heard shouts. “It’s Santosh and Raj Kumar! They’ve found the trail!” cried Amrit. We descended in the direction of the voices, and found our intrepid friends waiting beside the stream. They hadn’t found the trail but we were relieved to see them. In a file we began following the stream again. Some fifty meters on, where the stream fell about forty feet, I finally gave up hope of a meal and a soft bed. But the two fellows who had climbed down the first waterfall hadn’t. “Let’s cut some vines to climb down on,” proposed Santosh. I quickly laid out the hazards of such a plan. “It’s too dark to do anything. Besides this fall is way higher than the last one,” I countered. “What will we say to your families if something happens to you?” Rationalism dawned on them with the mention of family; they dropped their outrageous plan. We decided to go back upstream to the boulder, and spend the night on it. After gathering damp firewood, we climbed onto the boulder, and kindled a fire. But because the wood was damp, the fire only smoldered, barely producing heat. After midnight, the fire began burning stronger, and the extra warmth made it possible to sleep for a few minutes at a time. We were running out of wood. It was a discomforting prospect, but so was leaving our seats, which had taken hours to warm. The path we took next morning was so narrow and precarious in some places that we had to proceed at times on all fours. But our bestial maneuverings paid off. Half-an-hour later we found the trail we had lost the day before. Ecstatic, we ran until we reached the temple where the forest trail to Phoolchowki diverged from the paved road downhill to Godavari. As we washed ourselves in the cold water from the temple’s stone conduits, the cuts and scratches on our arms and faces came alive as mild stings. Blood had congealed in these lacerations, adding color to Nature’s needlework. The cuts have healed and turned into tiny scars, and each time I see them the thrill and chill of our small wilderness experience is rekindled. I’m reminded of the magical quality of friendship that turns the miserable into the memorable. 62 N AV YA ATA • K A RT I K 2 0 6 7 62 N AV YA ATA • K A RT I K 2 0 6 7
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Slice of Life/Personal Essay
Slice of Life/Personal Essay
Night
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Miscalculation
Four years ago, after finishing my A level exams, I enrolled into a public speaking course offered by the British Council. On the first day, everyone made it to the class in time, except one girl. When she entered the room, everyone’s eyes, including mine, were on her. She was fair, slim and tall; to my smitten eyes, she looked almost like an angel. From the very first sight, I fell for her. After the class was over, I mustered up enough courage and went to talk to her. I found her a bit reserved and shy, but she opened up slowly. We sat close to one another in the class and went for lunch together. The class ran only for three weeks and we had already become good friends. I had made up my mind to propose her on the last day of the class. I bought a few chocolates and a card to gift her. I took her to a nearby restaurant and after both of us were seated comfortably, I proposed. At first, she thought I was joking, but when I gave her the chocolates and the card, she stood up and yelled at me “How can you do this to me? I thought of you just as a friend and nothing more. For your kind information, I am already engaged.”
MY S Anish Poudyal, 21
Dream Ride
I met her in a bus to Kathmandu. We were both travelling from Dharan. I was glad that she was in the adjoining seat, right next to me. She had long silky hair and a face that glowed even in the scanty light that filtered through the bus windows. I glanced at her and smiled, which she ignored. To lure her into talking I asked her if she wanted the window seat that I was occupying. For me that was a great sacrifice because whenever I am travelling long distance, I make sure that I have the window seat. She accepted the offer and said, “Thank you,” timidly. That was all I needed to get started. I told her why I always preferred a window seat, and how I let others who needed it more than myself—which clearly was not the case here—have it. I, quite smartly, hid the fact that I rarely asked anyone if they needed the seat in the first place. As the bus moved we adjusted ourselves in our seats comfortably. She tried to stay as apart from me as possible but whenever the bus jerked or took a sharp turn she leaned on me for support. Once the bus made a slight jump and she grabbed my hand to save herself from being thrown off her seat. She smiled at me and that really melted the ice between us. From then on, the journey was a dream ride. Each moment my heart grew fonder and fonder of her as I observed her talk and chuckle shyly. We chatted all along the way and I wished the ride just went on. But finally we reached Kathmandu and it was time to part our ways. I asked for her number and email which she happily gave and I gave her mine too. Two days after that I tried her number several times but the phone was always switched off, and all the emails I sent her came back with a failed delivery notice. I concluded that the number and email she gave me were fake, but the ones I gave were genuine and I still hope she will contact me someday.
The Lass on FB
There was this pretty girl on Facebook whom I’d been stalking for months. My sister was a mutual friend and I pleaded her to tell the girl my feelings towards her. Luckily, she showed some interest and reciprocated my gestures! We chatted a lot over the week, and even exchanged numbers. I was hooked to the phone all day long. My SLC examination was coming near but I’d be restless if I didn’t hear her voice even for a few hours. A grade younger than me, she passed her finals in flying colors. Despite spending the nights before my exams trying to mug up everything, I scored very poor. To add to my woes her relationship status on fb flashed “in a relationship with….” some guy. I was completely heart-broken.
Utsav Rai, 23 64 N AV YA ATA • K A RT I K 2 0 6 7 64 N AV YA ATA • K A RT I K 2 0 6 7
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Piyush, 19
MY STORY
STORY Infatuation
I had just joined a new school for my intermediate studies after SLC. My best friend and I decided to study science with a major in biology. The science stream was divided into three sections. The classes were arranged in an L-shape which made it possible for the students on the window side to see the students in another section at the far end. It was because of this that I started noticing him. He sat by the window of another section and smiled at me and my friend. His cute dimples and cool attitude made him a favorite among half of the school. I think I had a crush on him too. Whenever he passed by, I felt butterflies in my stomach. I realized he was also trying to talk and get friendly with me. Soon, the innocent flirting started. One day a friend insisted that our entire group go for a movie. I was so excited that day; I spent more than two hours getting dressed. But sadly, he didn’t turn up. I learnt from a friend that he was in a serious relationship with another girl of our school. Nevertheless, the feelings remained. When our final year results were out, I was in Manang. A friend called me to tell the results and from her I learned that he was planning to go abroad soon. I thought I would make it back to Kathmandu, before he left. Unfortunately, my flight was cancelled due to bad weather and the hope of seeing him one last time died down with that announcement.
Pratistha Gurung, 21
Unexpressed Love
I came to know this guy through my cousin. He was my cousin’s boyfriend’s best friend. To be honest, he was not that good looking, but his attitude and behavior drew me towards him. Four of us—me, my cousin, her boyfriend and his friend, used to hang out together a lot. This guy and I became good friends as we chatted online and talked on the phone for hours. Though I was aware he’d be going to the US for an undergraduate course, I couldn’t stop myself from falling in love with him. I never had the courage to tell him the truth as I feared that a rejection would not only mean a heartbreak to me but also the end of our friendship. Finally he got the visa and flew to the US, never knowing how much I loved him. As I think about it now, I regret not having expressed my love. But now it is too late. He is already engaged to some other girl.
Lonely Girl, 22 send us your feedback at editor@nav yaata.com
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navyaata
4
FRI DAYS
FOUR FRIDAYS:
A
yusha Karki: Miss Teen Ayusha Karki is a style icon quite popular among the fashionable crowd in Kathmandu. The stardom, as we know, seldom comes without hectic schedules. So we asked Ayusha if she takes a night off on Fridays. Here’s what she had to say:
By Rhea Gurung
I like to hang out at Vesper Café, Jawalakhel. Navyaata: What is your idea of a Friday night? Ayusha: It is not a routine for me to go out on Friday
nights. I hang out sometimes, but not on a regular basis. Navyaata: Any wild Friday night yet? Ayusha: It was probably a long time back because I
don’t remember. Navyaata: What’s your favorite drink? Ayusha: Apple martini. Navyaata: Where do you like to hang out? Ayusha: Vesper Café, Jawalakhel.
Ayusha Karki
photograph K2
S
tairs of Cirith is a progressive rock band that was formed in 2008. Considered one of the most talented uprising bands in Nepal, the band has been appreciated by listeners and critics alike. Bhavin Pradhan, who does guitars for the band, shares how he spends his Fridays.
During concerts, we usually go to places depending on how much our pocket allows. Bhavin Pradhan Navyaata: What is your idea of a Friday night? Bhavin: My Friday nights are usually quiet. I’m
Navyaata: Your wildest Friday night ever? Bhavin: I don’t remember the wildest Friday because I
busy at college till 2. After that I usually meet my friends and just hangout about anywhere. During concerts, we usually go to places depending on how much our pocket allows. I usually have family gatherings on Fridays, so I juggle between friends and family.
was probably too drunk that night...haha. Navyaata: What is your favorite drink? Bhavin: Real juice...guava flavor. hehe. Navyaata: Where do you usually hangout? Bhavin: I usually hang out around New Road because
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four/fridays
T
he fifth album of the band ‘Antim Grahan’ is due for release soon. The front-man Parash Shakya, also an entrepreneur by profession, is one of the most talked about individuals in the Nepalese metal music scene today. After his recent marriage to Megha Chaudhary, the role of a husband has added to the multiple others tying him down for a demanding week. How exactly does he relax to gear up for another round of hyperactive workdays?
My favorite hangout is usually our band’s practice room! Navyaata: What do you do on Friday nights? Parash: Usually it’s a good night rest at home or a
movie with family. Navyaata: Your wildest night ever? Parash: Hmmm... I’m a very boring person. So I don’t
really have very wild nights. Navyaata: What is your favorite drink? Parash: I’m up for iced coffee with whipped cream
anytime. Navyaata: Where do you like to hang out? Parash: My favorite hangout is usually our band’s
Parash Shakya
Parash Shakya
practice room!
B
esides being a photographer, Umes Shrestha is an Image FM news staff and has been managing the ktmRocks label for quite some time now. That is a mouthful indeed and we are sure that is a handful too. So, Friday should be quite a day for him. Contrary to our expectations, Umes has a very different story about how he spends his Fridays:
No specific hangouts— anywhere with dear ones. Navyaata: What is your idea of a Friday night? Umes: I am neither a party freak nor a bar hopper. No
specific plans, I mostly stay at home and watch movies. Navyaata: Your wildest Friday night ever? Umes: Wildest Friday night, umm… ought to be when I had
‘ghotta’ during one Holi festival and was hallucinating the whole night. Navyaata: What is your favorite drink? Umes: Whiskey Sour - a cocktail I can make at home. I like
navyaata
drinking it whenever I catch cold. Navyaata : Where do you like to hang out? Umes: No specific hangouts—anywhere with dear ones.
Umes Shrestha
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4
FRI DAYS
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n a v y a a t a / music
Jeevan Gurung By Tsering Dolker Gurung Photograph by Prem Tshering Sherpa
The band’s original line up would spend hours hanging out at the shore of the Gandaki river. This haunt of theirs gave them the idea for the band’s name, The Edge
Jeevan Gurung, the charming front-man of The Edge band is in a buoyant mood. His latest release “Mero prayas” is out in the market and the opening day of his new restaurant in Pokhara saw a good turnout. Jeevan gives Navyaata an inside tour of his life on the roll.
Jeevan Gurung is excited. He is performing after a long gap at Oxygen Lounge in Pokhara, the hip and swanky joint owned by the singer. The place is packed with his fans, many of whom have made the special trip to the lake city just to hear their beloved crooner. “The turnout is great. Now, I am nervous,” reveals Jeevan before heading on to the stage. Thunderous claps and cheers fill the room as soon as he hits the stand.
Jeevan’s fans never get enough of him. All of them have one request—they want him to sing “Thaha Chhaina”. The chart buster track from The Edge’s second album “Vibes” is till date one of their most loved songs. And the sport that he is, Jeevan Gurung doesn’t disappoint his fans and sings it in the way only he can.
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n a v y a a t a / music
“Those two years were the toughest time for our band. We started doubting our own abilities. We were almost on the verge of collapse” Jeevan Gurung enjoys composing music and creating original numbers. Though the success of The Edge band gave his music career a definite push, his ardor for singing dates back to his school days. At the age of twelve, he was a regular performer at school events and by the time he was fourteen, he had taught himself to play the guitar—his accompaniment. When he was sixteen he composed his first song. Now, even at twenty seven, his passion for music tops everything else. “I am doing what I love the most and I will continue doing so till I live,” says Jeevan. His inspirations? International artists like AC/DC, Guns N Roses and Deep Purple. “Lots of musicians have inspired me, but those are some of the legends that have left their mark on me.” Before The Edge, he was a part of another group which disbanded quickly due to the misunderstanding between the members. “
When he was sixteen he composed his first song. Now, even at twenty seven, his passion for music tops everything else “The story behind Thaha chhaina is pretty weird,” he reveals after the performance. “It took three days to complete the song and the band wasn’t sure whether listeners would appreciate the final product. The name Thaha chhaina, therefore, carries the weight of our doubt.” Although the track topped the charts after it was played nationwide, the band faced a lot of problems before and after the release of their second album. As the promoters weren’t enthusiastic, it took almost two years for the album to get noticed. “Those two years were the toughest time for our band. We started doubting our own abilities. We were almost on the verge of collapsing,” confides Jeevan. The band survived the tumultuous phase, and lives on, thankfully, to sing the songs. The album was a huge success, earning the band a nomination in the best Rock Vocal Performance category at the 9th Annual Tuborg Image Awards. The song “Dhukkha diyera” from the same album bagged the award for the Best Lyrics at the Pokhara Music Awards. After five years of hiatus, Jeevan is back with Mero Prayas, his solo album. Comprising of ten songs—all ballads that speak of love—the album features the band’s typical music, albeit without the other members this time. “My personal flavor is simple love songs with a little bit of edginess which is reflected in all my songs,” says Jeevan.
After meeting a few talented musicians with the same taste in music, Jeevan formed the Edge. The band’s original line up would spend hours hanging out at the shore of the Gandaki river. This haunt of theirs gave them the idea for the band’s name, the Edge. The band was formed in 1998 and entered the Nepali music industry with an album entitled with the band’s name in 2000. ‘Mero aasu’ the first single release from the album was an instant success that gave the band a much needed footing into the mainstream music. Unfortunately, with other priorities of the members weighing against their interest in music, the band ultimately split in 2003. This however didn’t stop the front-man from continuing with his passion. The new Edge soon came into being with four talented musicians who rejuvenated the band with fresh energy. The new line up consists of Jeevan Gurung Gon vocals, Rocky on bass guitar, Som and Sanjeep on guitars and Basanta on drums. They have been together for the last seven years. The Edge has given some truly rocking performances, be it at open air concerts or closed bars. Much loved for his raw, romantic voice, Jeevan Gurung is one of the few artists whose live singing matches the flawlessness in voice and timing of playbacks. Also one of Pokhara’s beloved music artists, he is currently busy promoting his latest album ‘Mero Prayas’. I hope people will like the album because I have put in a lot of work into making this album.” These days The Edge can be heard playing at Oxygen Lounge where Jeevan spends most of his time. After a decade in the profession, lately Jeevan has switched his priorities. “Earlier I used to sing for the audience. Now, I sing for myself,” he says. But that doesn’t mean his devotion to music is taking a backseat. “Music is my life, it defines who I am,” shares Jeevan. As we are about to conclude the interview, a bunch of fans approach Jeevan for photographs. Many of them are from Kathmandu. “My fans amaze me. Their love and support is what keeps us going. I want to thank them all,” says the amusing singer from Pokhara. n a v y a a t a / music
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Jeevan Gurung
3rd Floor Annapurna Arcade, Durbarmarg, Kathmandu, Nepal Phone 9721415802, 014223482 email:beatification@gmail.com www.barsinternational.com.np send us your feedback at editor@nav yaata.com
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navyaata\food
Dining with Jeevan When Jeevan is in Kathmandu, one of the few things that he never misses is having egg-chicken rolls at Bawarchi. “I am a simple man and I love simple food,” admits the singer. Besides rolls, Jeevan likes momos and pizza. Navyaata unfolds the secret behind Bawarchi’s perfect egg-chicken rolls.
PREPARATION TIME: 15 minutes
FOR FILLING: 1. 2 cups celery (chopped) 2. 1 large onion (chopped) 3. 2 cups butter 4. Chopped and cooked chicken 5. 1 egg 6. 1 large capsicum (chopped) 7. 4 cups softened cream cheese 8. 2 spoon chat masala 9. Salt and pepper to taste
FOR DOUGH: 1. 2 tbsp active dry yeast 2. 2 cups warm milk 3. 4 eggs 4. 3/4 cups sugar 5. 1 tbsp salt 6. 4 cups all-purpose flour 7. Melted butter 8. Dry bread crumbs
PREPRATION METHOD:
Heat a pan with butter. Add celery and onion in butter and sauté until tender. 3. Add the chicken, eggs, cream cheese, capsicum, salt and pepper in it. 4. Mix well and refrigerate. 5. In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in milk. 6. Add eggs, sugar, salt and 1 cup flour; beat until smooth. 7. Add flour to form firm dough. 8. Roll out on a floured surface. 9. Place on greased baking sheets and let rise in a warm place for 15 minutes. 10. Place the chicken mixture in the center. 11. Fold up edges to the center; pinch tightly to seal in filling. 12. Dip in butter; roll in crumbs. 13. Place on greased baking sheets; let rise for 20 minutes. 14. Bake at 350 degree for 10 minutes. 15. Serve with tomato ketchup or chutney. 1. 2.
THE RECEIPT
Egg- Chicken Roll: Rs. 110
PREPARED BY :
Chef Indra Thapa BAWARCHI, LAZIMPAT 72 N AV YA ATA • K A RT I K 2 0 6 7 72 N AV YA ATA • K A RT I K 2 0 6 7
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navyaata\speeches
Work Hard on Something Uncomfortably
Exciting!
- Larry Page
Larry Page is the co-founder of the largest internet search engine Google. The search engine that he developed along with Sergey Brin was their research project at Stanford University. They called the search engine Google after the mathematical term “Googol,” which is a 1 followed by 100 zeros, to reflect their mission to organize the immense amount of information available on the Web. The company was launched in 1998 after the duo collected $1 million from family, friends and other investors. Google has since become the world’s most popular search engine, receiving more than 200 million queries each day. Headquartered in the heart of California’s Silicon Valley, Google held its initial public offering in August 2004, making Page and Brin billionaires. The idea of a search engine hit Larry in his dream from which he woke up and started jotting down the details in the middle of the night. In a speech given at University of Michigan, Larry says that it is important to dream, but more important is to wake up and grab the dream before you lose it.
Class of 2009! First I’d like you to get up, wave and cheer your
supportive family and friends! Show your love! It is a great honor for me to be here today. Now wait a second. I know: that’s such a cliché. You’re thinking: every graduation speaker says that — It’s a great honor. But, in my case, it really is so deeply true — being here is more special and more personal for me than most of you know. I’d like to tell you why. A long time ago, in the cold September of 1962, there was a Steven’s co-op at this very university. That co-op had a kitchen with a ceiling that had been cleaned by student volunteers every decade or so. Picture a college girl named Gloria, climbing up high on a ladder, struggling to clean that filthy ceiling. Standing on the floor, a young boarder named Carl was admiring the view. And that’s how they met. They were my parents, so I suppose you could say I’m a direct result of that kitchen chemistry experiment, right here at Michigan. My Mom is here with us today, and we should probably go find the spot and put a plaque up on the ceiling that says: “Thanks Mom and Dad!” Everyone in my family went to school here at Michigan: me, my brother, my Mom and Dad — all of us. My Dad actually got the quantity discount: all three and a half of his degrees are from here. His Ph.D. was in Communication Science because they thought Computers were just a passing fad. He earned it 44 years ago. He and Mom made a big sacrifice for that. They argued at times over pennies, while raising my newborn brother. Mom typed my Dad’s dissertation by hand. This velvet hood I’m wearing, this was my Dad’s. And this diploma, just like the one you are about to get, that was my Dad’s. And my underwear, that was... oh never mind. My father’s father worked in the Chevy plant in Flint, Michigan. He was an assembly line worker. He drove his two children here to Ann Arbor, and told them: That is where you’re going to go to college. Both his kids did graduate from Michigan. That was the American dream. His daughter, Beverly, is with us today. My Grandpa used to carry an “Alley Oop” hammer — a heavy iron pipe with a hunk of lead melted on the end. The workers made them during the sit-down strikes to protect themselves. When I was growing up, we used that hammer whenever we needed to pound a stake or something into the ground. It is wonderful that most people don’t need to carry a heavy blunt object for protection anymore. But just in case, I have it here.
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My Dad became a professor at uh... Michigan State, and I was an incredibly lucky boy. A professor’s life is pretty flexible, and he was able to spend oodles of time raising me. Could there be a better upbringing than university brat? What I’m trying to tell you is that this is WAY more than just a homecoming for me. It’s not easy for me to express how proud I am to be here, with my Mom, my brother and my wife Lucy, and with all of you, at this amazing institution that is responsible for my very existence. I am thrilled for all of you, and I’m thrilled for your families and friends, as all of us join the great, big Michigan family I feel I’ve been a part of all of my life. What I’m also trying to tell you is that I know exactly what it feels like to be sitting in your seat, listening to some old gasbag give a long-winded commencement speech. Don’t worry. I’ll be brief.
Never Lose a Dream I have a story about following dreams. Or maybe more accurately, it’s a
story about finding a path to make those dreams real. You know what it’s like to wake up in the middle of the night with a vivid dream? And you know how, if you don’t have a pencil and pad by the bed to write it down, it will be completely gone the next morning? Well, I had one of those dreams when I was 23. When I suddenly woke up, I was thinking: what if we could download the whole web, and just keep the links and... I grabbed a pen and started writing! Sometimes it is important to wake up and stop dreaming. I spent the middle of that night scribbling out the details and convincing myself it would work. Soon after, I told my advisor, Terry Winograd, it would take a couple of weeks to download the web — he nodded knowingly, fully aware it would take much longer but wise enough to not tell me. The optimism of youth is often underrated! Amazingly, I had no thought of building a search engine. The idea wasn’t even on the radar. But, much later we happened upon a better way of ranking web pages to make a really great search engine, and Google was born. When a really great dream shows up, grab it!
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Love Your Friends & Family So here’s my final story: On a day like today, you might feel exhilarated — like you’ve just been shot out of a cannon at the circus -- and even invincible. Don’t ever forget that incredible feeling. But also: always remember that the moments we have with friends and family, the chances we have to do things that might make a big difference in the world, or even to make a small difference to someone you love — all those wonderful chances that life gives us, life also takes away. It can happen fast, and a whole lot sooner than you think. In late March 1996, soon after I had moved to Stanford for grad school, my Dad had difficulty breathing and drove to the hospital. Two months later, he died. And that was it. I was completely devastated. Many years later, after a startup, after falling in love, and after so many of life’s adventures, I found myself thinking about my Dad. Lucy and I were far away in a steaming hot village walking through narrow streets. There were wonderful friendly people everywhere, but it was a desperately poor place -- people used the bathroom inside and it flowed out into the open gutter and straight into the river. We touched a boy with a limp leg, the result of paralysis from polio. Lucy and I were in rural India — one of the few places where polio still exists. Polio is transmitted fecal to oral,
navyaata\speeches
It is actually a great time in your life to get a little crazy, follow your curiosity, and be ambitious about it. Don’t give up on your dreams. usually through filthy water. Well, my Dad had polio. He went on a trip to Tennessee in the first grade and caught it. He was hospitalized for two months and had to be transported by military DC-3 back home — his first flight. My Dad wrote, “Then, I had to stay in bed for over a year, before I started back to school”. That is actually a quote from his fifth grade autobiography. My Dad had difficulty breathing his whole life, and the complications of Polio are what took him from us too soon. He would have been very upset that Polio still persists even though we have a vaccine. He would have been equally upset that back in India we had polio virus on our shoes from walking through the contaminated gutters that spread the disease. We were spreading the virus with every footstep, right under beautiful kids playing everywhere. The world is on the verge of eliminating polio, with 328 people infected so far this year. Let’s get it done soon. Perhaps one of you will do that. My Dad was valedictorian of Flint Mandeville High School 1956 class of about 90 kids. I happened across his graduating speech recently, and it blew me away. 53 years ago at his graduation my Dad said: “...we are entering a changing world, one of automation and employment change where education is an economic necessity. We will have increased periods of time to do as we wish, as our work week and retirement age continue to decline. ... We shall take part in, or witness, developments in science, medicine, and industry that we can not dream of today. ... It is said that the future of any nation can be determined by the care and preparation given to its youth. If all the youths of America were as fortunate in securing an education as we have been, then the future of the United States would be even more bright than it is today.” If my Dad was alive today, the thing I think he would be most happy about is that Lucy and I have a baby in the hopper. I think he would have been annoyed that I hadn’t gotten my Ph.D. yet (thanks, Michigan!). Dad was so full of insights, of excitement about new things, that to this day, I often wonder what he would think about some new development. If he were here today — well, it would be one of the best days of his life. He’d be like a kid in a candy store. For a day, he’d be young again. Many of us are fortunate enough to be here with family. Some of us have dear friends and family to go home to. And who knows, perhaps some of you, like Lucy and I, are dreaming about future families of your own. Just like me, your families brought you here, and you brought them here. Please keep them close and remember: they are what really matters in life.
The chances we have to do things that might make a big difference in the world, or even to make a small difference to someone you love — all those wonderful chances that life gives us, life also takes away.
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navyaata\speeches
When I was here at Michigan, I had actually been taught how to make dreams real! I know it sounds funny, but that is what I learned in a summer camp converted into a training program called Leadershape. Their slogan is to have a “healthy disregard for the impossible”. That program encouraged me to pursue a crazy idea at the time: I wanted to build a personal rapid transit system on campus to replace the buses. It was a futuristic way of solving our transportation problem. I still think a lot about transportation -- you never lose a dream, it just incubates as a hobby. Many things that people labor hard to do now, like cooking, cleaning, and driving will require much less human time in the future. That is, if we “have a healthy disregard for the impossible” and actually we build new solutions. I think it is often easier to make progress on mega-ambitious dreams. I know that sounds completely nuts. But, since no one else is crazy enough to do it, you have little competition. There are so few people this crazy that I feel like I know them all by first name. They all travel as if they are a pack dogs and stick to each other like glue. The best people want to work the big challenges. That is what happened with Google. Our mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. How can that not get you excited? But we almost didn’t start Google because my co-founder Sergey and I were too worried about dropping out of our Ph.D. program. You are probably on the right track if you feel like a sidewalk worm during a rainstorm! That is about how we felt after we maxed out three credit cards buying hard disks off the back of a truck. That was the first hardware for Google. Parents and friends: more credit cards always help. What is the one sentence summary of how you change the world? Always work hard on something uncomfortably exciting! As a Ph.D. student, I actually had three projects I wanted to work on. Thank goodness my advisor said, “Why don’t you work on the web for a while?” He gave me some seriously good advice because the web was really growing with people and activity, even in 1995! Technology and especially the internet can really help you be lazy. Lazy? What I mean is a group of three people can write software that millions can use and enjoy. Can three people answer the phone a million times a day? Find the leverage in the world, so you can be more lazy! Overall, I know it seems like the world is crumbling out there, but it is actually a great time in your life to get a little crazy, follow your curiosity, and be ambitious about it. Don’t give up on your dreams. The world needs you all!
navyaata
By Shreeja Karki Photograph by Junu Gurung
Her ‘home’ was like a dungeon, a dark narrow chamber we reached skirting a series of mazy alleys in a poor neighborhood in Kalopool.
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er fragile frame betrays her poor health, but her rough, worn out hands hint at her sturdiness. She appears shy and reserved, but when she speaks, her clear, outspoken words dismiss her naiveté. Her coarse manners reveal her poor upbringing, but her efforts to maintain her dignity, speak volumes about her enduring spirit. When we first saw Urmila Koirala, 32, she was hauling bricks and mixing the concrete for the ongoing construction of a building in New Road. We introduced ourselves and explained her about Navyaata’s Maka a Wish initiative. When she learnt that we were willing to lessen her plight, even if just by a fraction, she invited us to her home.
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navyaata\Make A Wish
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er ‘home’ was like a dungeon, a dark narrow chamber we reached skirting a series of mazy alleys in a poor neighborhood in Kalopool. The floor inside was damp and a stench of something rotten greeted us right outside the door. A paltry light filtered through a tiny window. Bundles of stuff were piled against the wall and a small strip of plywood acted as a bed. Everything in the room, except the clothes she and her daughter were wearing, was owned by the landlord. Urmila and her three year old daughter, Pooja, have been living in dismal conditions for more than three years. Urmila, along with her sister and mother, fled her village near Butwal when she was 22. They found it impossible to tolerate the abuse from her alcoholic father. They came to Kathmandu hoping that the city would give them a better chance to build a good future. But the capital provided no solace. She got married, but her husband left her soon after Pooja, her only daughter, was born. Unskilled and left to fend for herself, she had no option but to sit and beg. She couldn’t take up a job as there was no one to look after her baby. She heard about Orchid Garden Nepal, a daycare and primary school for the underprivileged, and got Pooja enrolled at the center. That ensured free education, childcare and nutrition for her daughter. She got married for the second time but she was left alone again. In order to sustain herself, she has been working as a laborer at different places around the city. The odd jobs she does fetch a mere two hundred a day after an 8 hours’ toil. When we asked what we could do for her, Urmila simply wished for a mattress and a blanket as winter was approaching. The ones she had were in a bad shape, not fit enough to shield the biting cold. We bought a comfortable mattress and a blanket. We also bought insulation foam she could use to spread the mattress on to prevent the cold from the wet floor below seeping in to their bed. Pooja started to cry and we assumed that the mother and daughter were hungry, so we went to a nearby restaurant. She humbly requested only for a cup of tea but on our insisting, agreed to have momos and thukpa. Then we purchased some food materials like chiura, bhujiya, biscuits, cheese balls and chocolates for the baby. We dropped her new belongings in her house and streamed our way through the heavy traffic to Durbarmarg. At DS Collections, Urmila picked out a pretty pink outfit for Pooja. After that, we accompanied Urmila to drop Pooja back to school and bade them farewell. The thought of the mother and the daughter sleeping that night snuggling close to one another in their new comfortable bed delighted us.
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1 Buying a quilt and a blanket. 2 Purchasing insulation foam
to lay on the floor. 3 Dropping off the newly
bought belongings at her home. 4
Having a hearty meal of momos and thukpa.
5 On our way to shopping at DS
Collections. 6 Pooja trying out clothes. 7 The elated mother and daughter. 8 Pooja in her new cute outfit.
Urmila, along with her sister and mother, fled her village near Butwal when she was 22. They found it impossible to tolerate the abuse from her alcoholic father.
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navyaata\TRAVEL
A Trek to Muktinath By Sumati Maharjan and Tsering Dolker Gurung
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aving never trekked before, we spent a considerable time ruminating on the subject of going on a trek to Muktinath with some friends. The ‘go-for-it’ spirit prevailed only after several rounds of rethinking. The lure of seeing the Dhaulagiri range up-close while walking alongside the fierce Kaligandaki River got the better of the maiden trek fear. Moreover, catching the glimpses of the Kagbeni village, brought to fame by a 2008 movie with the same title, seemed like a rewarding enticement. With a digital camera in hand, a backpack full of clothes, tons of sunscreens and high heels (thinking we’d party in Pokhara on our way back), we set out for our trek. After a lengthy eight hours bus ride, we reached Pokhara. We got off the bus at Prithvi Chowk, but had to run right away to catch another one headed for Beni. The ride from Pokhara to Beni was anything but comfortable. The narrow, bumpy road made the bus jerk at every turn. We screamed and howled all the way. At Beni, we found a hotel where we slept like logs. Our plan was to start trekking from Beni the very next day. But planning is one thing and sticking to the plan quite another.
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Day 1: Beni to Ghasa
Feeling a bit drained from the previous day’s journey, we didn’t feel prepared to walk. We decided to take a bus from Beni to Tatopani. It took us four hours to reach Tatopani, where we had dal-bhat for lunch. People who aren’t big fans of the traditional meal should take along packaged foods with them as most eateries on the route offer only dal-bhat. But before having lunch, don’t forget to take a dip into Tatopani pool. The pool as the name suggests is very hot and people believe a dip into the pool relieves body aches. Since we weren’t carrying our bathing suits, we took the plunge into the pool in our Pjs and T-shirts. We enjoyed swimming in the pool that was less than two feet deep and created a great hoo-ha that annoyed some foreigners who were there to meditate. We had lunch and after we took some photographs, we were on our way again. The walk uphill was challenging and the scorching sun and windy weather made things worse for us. After endless pit-stops and cursing our friends all along the way for choosing such a difficult trek, we managed to reach Ghasa in 6 hours. It was already dark and the two of us were the last ones to reach the resting place. Our friends had already booked rooms for us. The Eagle Nest Hotel, like many others in Ghasa, was easy on the pockets, costing only 200 rupees a night. The rooms, however, don’t offer much privacy as they are separated only by thin planks of wood. But privacy should be the last thing to bother you when you are surrounded by people who are so dog-tired, they can barely open their eyes.
A stunning view from Ghasa send us your feedback at editor@nav yaata.com
The uphill trek on the way to Ghasa
Day 2: Ghasa to Marpha
It was really cold when we woke up the next morning. Filling our stomachs with heavy breakfast that consisted of tea, eggs and thick Tibetan bread with curry, we bade good-bye to Ghasa. The wind was still strong when we started walking. We covered our heads with a shawl and carried a stick for support. We were sure we resembled a bunch of old ladies, but who cared about that while traversing a sparsely inhabited remote land away from mainstream society. The second day of trekking took us through more hills. The wind got stronger and we were scared that it would blow us up in the air. But as the wind subsided in strength, so did our fears. It started to drizzle when we were about to reach Marpha. The rain forced us to stop at a tea shop. Hungry, as if we’d gone without food for several days, we ransacked the shop. But all we could get in the end were plain rotis. Soon it stopped raining and we continued our journey towards Marpha. Luckily, the hotel where we stayed in Marpha had a T.V. and a hot shower facility. After a refreshing shower, with a glass of Marpha in our hand, we watched Sandra Bullock accept the Oscar for the best female actor. We were in bed till late in the morning, thanks to the deep sleep induced by the Marpha drink. Our friends had to bang the door to wake us up.
We decided to take a jeep rather than walk to Muktinath. The jeeps are the only means of commute here. After waiting for hours, we finally got into one. Our driver turned out to be a big fan of the Indian singer Himesh Reshamiya, and his nasal voice. Apart from that, we enjoyed every moment of the jeep ride as picturesque views unfolded one after another. When we requested the driver to stop the jeep so that we could take pictures, he frowned. According to him it was risky as the wind had blown people away in the past. We thought it was an exaggeration, but held on to our seats just to be on the safer side. As we reached closer to Muktinath, we saw cliffs and mountains flaked with melting snow from the past winter. Most of us had never seen snow before. Some of us were so excited, we wanted to touch it. The waving flags and the stone houses signaled that we had reached Muktinath. It was late in the afternoon. People had warned us that staying in Muktinath would be an expensive affair. Fortunately, we got rooms at reasonable prices. We had delicious Thakali food for dinner. Right after that, we went off to sleep, dreaming of a visit to the Muktinath Temple the next morning.
INFORMATION
navyaata\TRAVEL
Day 4: Kagbeni to Muktinath
WHERE: Trek to Muktinath, Mustang District, Dhaulagiri Zone (en route Pokhara, Beni, Tatopani, Ghasa, Marpha, Jomsom, Kagbeni)
TRANSPORT:
If the trek gets difficult, there are other means available. By road Take a bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara. (You will need to change the bus here.) Buses and jeeps are available from Beni to Jomsom. Only jeeps go to Muktinath from Jomsom. By air You can fly to Pokhara and take another flight to Jomsom from there. You can trek or take a jeep to Muktinath from Jomsom.
EXPENSES:
Rs.1000 per day MUST CARRY: Sunglasses, sunscreen, a cap and a windproof jacket.
Day 3: Marpha to Kagbeni
The route from Marpha to Jomsom was the easiest of all, albeit the most deserted one. At some points only the rocky mountains and Kaligandaki river kept our company. After walking continuously for two hours, we reached Jomsom. A beautiful town, Jomsom reminded me of a popular song Jomsomai bazaar ma from the 90s. The wind does blow powerfully in the afternoon, as it goes in the song. The oh-so-cute bakeries on either side of the road had us in awe. After a quick lunch, we began to march again. Four hours of walk, that included brief stops for sightseeing at various spots, finally brought us to Kagbeni. Old monasteries decorated with paintings and sculptures that had been gracing them for hundreds of years captivated us. Then we visited the bridge from where the actor Nima Rumba commits suicide in the film Kagbeni. For anybody who has seen the film, the visit is definitely worth it.
Early morning view of the Dhaulagiri Range from Muktinath temple
Day 5: A Day in Muktinath
Maybe it was the excitement to see the god’s altar or the desire to return home as soon as possible, we woke up at 5 in the morning. Taking plates filled with worshipping items, we climbed the stairs that led to the temple of Muktinath. From the top, the view was simply breathtaking. We offered prayers to Muktinath and felt close to the abode of gods. We bathed under each of the 108 holy (but icy!) water spouts and returned to the hotel with prashad for our family and friends.
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HAIR
Santosh Kumar Sharma, a hair specialist, is the owner of Headmaster. He started his career in Chandigarh, India, at Matrix Company (a hair company) which is one of its kind in America. His ability to play with hair and create unique, personal styles has earned him an enviable reputation. You can contact Santosh at 9803203106.
I have heard that oil massage for more than two hours weakens the roots of the hair and thus leading to hair fall. Is that true? Can you please tell me what should be the appropriate time frame from the oil massage to the hair wash? Era Khatri, 22, New Road
Hello! I have a fair skin and straight, jet-black hair. My hair style and color look boring, so I want to do something that’d make it look interesting and stylish. Can you please suggest me what kind of hair color and hair cut should I go for? Rupsa Gurung, 18, Dharan
It is good to know that you are concerned with your hair. Hair styles and hair color totally depend on your skin color and what kind of body structure you have. Contact a hair stylist to find what suits you best. I am a 26 year old woman. I want to get that sleek look when I straighten my hair; my hair reaches below my waist when I straighten it. The bottom, however, gets wispy and the hair doesn’t stay together. Is this because of the split ends, or is my hair loss problem getting rid of too much hair? Astha Ghale, Nakhipot
Getting a sleek straightened look for a long hair is not a big problem. But before you take any step, you must consult a hair stylist to check split ends and hair loss. Good luck Astha!
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It is so not true Era. In fact use of hair oil helps to prevent hair fall. At the same time, it depends on the quality of oil you are using. So, choose the best one. Good luck! I have a naturally black and straight hair. My hair is thick and dry. I don’t know what to use to soften it and have those curly look I want so much. Do you have any advices? Bina Shrestha, 24, Baneshwor
Massaging your hair with coconut oil is very helpful. And when you want the smoothness, all you have to do is take the steam heat and do hair treatment. I am a 26 year old mother of a girl. My daughter will turn 3 next month and I really don’t know how to take care of her hair. It’s very thick with tight curls and after I comb it, the hair looks messier and unmanageable? Besides, after I finish combing my daughter is left in tears, thanks to those tangles and locks in her hair. Tina Budha, Basundhara
Hello Tina! It will be wise to use a good Baby Shampoo for your little heart. Don’t use comb for your baby’s hair. Instead you can use a brush that you can easily get in any departmental store. Take care of your baby’s hair Tina!!
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FASHION
Tenzing Tseten Bhutia is an experienced fashion designer who has demonstrated his ability to design any sort of creative garment ranging from men’s wear, women’s wear to kid’s. He is currently the designer for Himalayan Couture. You can contact him at kellytenzin@ rediffmail.com
I have been having this problem for quite some time now. I have just started dating and when I am out with my date, I feel I end up looking over dressed or too casual. Can you suggest some ideas? Ritu Bhandari, 19
Manisha Nepal, 28
Hello Ritu, you must have heard the saying “Fashion might fade away but style never dies”. The point is, whatever you wear, you should carry it off well. Overdressed or underdressed, if you can pull it off then there is nothing like particular dress for a particular occasion. Just be yourself. As you haven’t mentioned what kind of style you adopt so let’s focus on 2010 trend: boyish and military look are very much in fashion. Jumpsuits, split dresses, harem pants and knee length legging or socks are very much in vogue as well. Make your own style and be stylish always.
Hey Manisha, I really don’t understand why do you think having muscular shoulders is a problem? Designers like Alexander McQueen have actually used loads of shoulder pad to accentuate the shoulder line for their early 90’s collection. But if you really want your shoulders to look narrower try raglan sleeve that’ll defocus your shoulder line while accentuating other parts of the body.
I bought this really cool rompers and I want to wear it for a night out with friends. What shoes should I team it up? Sonam Yankey, 21
Sonam, I really like the idea of wearing rompers during the night out. I am sure you will stand out if you are tall and have long well toned legs to flaunt. Rompers go very well with flat slippers with straps for a casual look and stilettos for a dressier look. 82 N AV YA ATA • K A RT I K 2 0 6 7
Hi Tseten, I really like this column a lot and read it every month. My problem is that I have muscular shoulders and every time I wear something to cover them up, they look bigger. What should I wear to make my shoulders look proportionate?
Happy Vijaya D ashami
I am curvy and not very tall. What kind of bags would go best with my frame? Dikshya KC, 21
Hi Dikshya, whenever I hear the word bag, Louis Vuitton or Burberry appears in my mind. I absolutely adore their collection. As you have mentioned that you are short, please avoid bulky bags which tend to make you look even smaller. Stick to clutch and small hand carry. The whole idea in your case is to work with the size of the bag.
BEAUTY
Make-up Enthusiast: Yoshay Lama Lindblom
Whether it’s for a party, a get-together or just going to the office, I take a lot of time to make-up. My problem, however, is that the make-up doesn’t last long and, at the end of the day, I return home with all the shine and glow gone from my face. Arityaa Singh, 23, Patan Dhoka
Arityaa, for a facial make-up to last longer, it is important that you use a good foundation base that is partly water-proof. Oil based foundations are water-proof and ensure that the make-up pigments you use on top of the foundation last longer. Don’t forget to use the same foundation as an eye shadow base and lip base as well. I am a 19 year old girl and a first year undergraduate student. I am slightly overweight and eager to know how a makeup on face can make me look slimmer. I’ve been trying hard to lose weight, but all in vain. So I was thinking, at least I can try to make my face look thin. Parima K.C., Balaju
Parima, to make a fuller face appear slimmer, you will need the help of a professional make-up artist because such make-up trick requires deft hands. For your face to appear thinner, you will need to give a lift to the cheek bones creating a shallow look around the cheek and your jaw-line has to be enhanced so that it appears sharper as well. But, like I said, you will need to go to a professional make-up artist for that. Hi! I have been reading Beauty Q & A regularly. Coming to the point, there are all kinds of foundation creams available in the market. My skin is really sensitive and I get rashes whenever I use one. So, I am always in a dilemma when it comes to choosing a foundation cream that suits my skin. Can you please suggest any? Neera Pudasaini, 18, Baneshwor
Neera, all Isadora cosmetics are clinically tested, fragrance free products, which means it is created to avoid allergic reactions and good for sensitive skin like yours. If you get rashes when you use foundation, then you must use a light weight semi-transparent foundation that lets your skin breathe even when its covered.We recommend
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our Hydralight foundation and high performance foundation range for you. I recently got these two beautiful and elegant party dresses from a friend of mine from the USA. One is red in color while the other is purple. I can’t work out a combination of make-up and clothes that go well together. I was wondering what color lipstick would go well with the color of the dresses?
Niharika, matching the color of a lipstick with your dress depends on the tone of your skin. If you have a dark complexion and the dress is of a brighter shade of red, then you can tone it down by using a lipstick that is a shade darker than your dress. But if you have a lighter skin tone then you can match the shade exactly with a red lipstick so that you don’t look pale against the red color of your dress. Same goes for the purple dress; for a darker skin tone, choose a mauve colored lipstick of a darker shade, and a bright purple colored lipstick for a lighter one.
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Saffron for HEALTHY and
beautiful skin
Keshar – Saffron (Crocus sativus) has been associated with a healthy & beautiful skin from ancient times. In the olden days, only the royals and the aristocrats had the privilege to use saffron because it was rare and therefore very expensive. These days, though still relatively expensive, it is available to the larger populace. Saffron’s esthetic and medicinal values are mentioned in the oldest Ayurvedic texts Charaka Samhita & Sushruta Samhita (approx. 500 B.C). Termed as Varnya herb, the books describe its use to prevent and cure skin problems, its cleansing properties, and its general use for healthy and beautiful skin. Saffron-extracts and saffron oil contain antioxidants that prevent premature aging of the skin; anti-bacterial properties that are useful in treating skin disorders; and anti allergen properties that are useful in protecting the skin from sunburn. As such, saffron-extract is an important ingredient in Ayurvedic cosmetics and skin care products. Keshar is considered the ideal Tridoshhara: that means it is useful in pacifying all three doshas (Vata, Pitta and Kapha). There are many ways we can use saffron at home that will help us achieve beautiful skin. It can be used both externally or internally; however, be cautious when using it internally. Saffron is a potent herb so should not be used in excess. Do not use more than 5 strands at a time.
Below are some do-it-yourself tips: Note: Do not use saffron directly while making face packs or cleansers; you need to extract that yellow-golden color first. Soak 5 strands of saffron in two tablespoon of warm water or warm milk for about thirty minutes then stir it. The mixture should have a beautiful golden yellow color. This mixture energizes the dermal blood vessels, which helps in growth of healthy and glowing skin. 1. Mix saffron with heavy cream and use as facemask. It helps to moisturize dry skin. Mix 2-3 drops of saffron milk mixture in your night cream and put it on your face and give yourself a 5 minutes face massage before bed. 2. Make face pack by mixing saffron, sandalwood powder and yellow mustard powder with water, milk or heavy cream. This helps in cleaning the acne. 3. The decoction of saffron makes a very good cooling eye wash. Soak saffron with distilled rose water for 30 minutes. Boil the mixture with 5 cups of water until half the water evaporates. Let it cool overnight. Use it as eyewash every morning. This decoction can be stored up to 5 days in a refrigerator. 5. Use same decoction as facial mist. All you need is a little spray bottle. You can carry the mixture with you and spray on your face every 4-5 hours. It totally refreshes the skin. 84 N AV YA ATA • K A RT I K 2 0 6 7 84 N AV YA ATA • K A RT I K 2 0 6 7
Happy Vijaya D ashami
Some recipes that use saffron satisfy your taste buds and your skin as well. Simple Dessert: Strained Yogurt with Saffron
Breakfast Porridge Serves: 2 Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 2 Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients: 5-8 strands saffron 1 cup of semolina (sooji) 3 cups of hot water 1 cup of boiled milk 4-6 coarsely crushed almonds ¼ cup of raisins 1 tbsp of organic brown sugar or jaggery ½ tsp of ghee
Ingredients: 2 cups of yogurt 1 tbsp of saffron milk mixture. 2 tbsp of sugar ¼ tsp of cardamom and cinnamon powder ¼ tsp black pepper powder
Mix saffron with 2 tbsp of milk and set aside Mix water with milk and let it boil In a skillet, add ghee. Sautee raisins, semolina and crushed almonds for about 2 minutes then add sugar, water and milk; let it cook for 5 minutes. Add the saffron and stir well. This porridge is healthy, hearty and most of all your skin will love it. Apart from saffron, Milk and almonds are also very good for skin. During mango season garnish the porridge with slices of Mangoes… yum-yum…
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Strain the water out of the yoghurt using a muslin cloth. Pour the yogurt in a bowl and whisk until it looks creamy. Add sugar, cardamom and cinnamon powder and black pepper and mix well. Add the saffron at the end and stir. Delicious dessert is ready to be served Note: According to Ayurveda, yogurt should not be taken at night because it is too heavy to digest. So enjoy it in the afternoon for better results.
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w e i v e R Movie navyaata
Movie Review
with Manoj Pandit
It is hard to grasp whether controversy follows Manoj Pandit or he goes out looking for it. But before you conclude that he does it just for the sake of popularity, you must consider that he has been jailed, batoned and threatened with dire consequences. He was caught by the Indian Border Security Force while filming “Greater Nepal” and his latest docu-film “Dashdhunga” had to face serious backlashes from the Censor Board. Manoj is a filmmaker on a crusade. He believes his role as a filmmaker is to inform people. He is currently busy with his next venture, a film tentatively titled “The Snow is White,” and his much awaited release “Greater Nepal 2—Struggle for Existence.” The brave director reviews three of his favorite movies for Navyaata.
Masoom (1983)
The film that marked Shekhar Kapoor’s entry into direction is one of the most beautiful movies I have ever watched. Broadly based on Man, Woman and Child by Erich Segal, Masoom revolves around three characters: DK (Naseerudin Shah), Indu ( Shabana Azmi) and Rahul (Jugal Hansraj). DK and Indu have a happy marriage until one day Indu learns about Rahul, DK’s child from an affair before their marriage. Things immediately change for the couple and the rest of the film is about how a wife deals with her husband’s illegitimate child. The way in which the story shifts from a father’s perspective to a mother’s is commendable. A story close to real life, I feel lumps in my throat whenever I watch the film. Its simplicity is what attracted me. From editing to cinematography, the director has kept every aspect of the film simple yet detailed. A lesson about song utilization can be learnt from Kapoor. “Tujhse Naraz Nahin,” sung by Lata Mangeshkar complements the storyline so well. I have watched this movie twelve times, but can’t get enough.
Bandit Queen (1994)
Another masterpiece by Shekhar Kapoor, Bandit Queen is one of the most powerful movies I have seen. Although, I couldn’t watch this movie more than once because of its disturbing impact, it remains one of my favorites. Seema Biswas as Phoolan Devi gives one of the best performance by any actors of Indian cinema. Bandit Queen depicts the pitiable condition of women during the sixties when they were treated merely as subservient sexual commodities. This movie through its lead character tells a story so strong that its impact is immediately felt. The cinematography is excellent to the point that one actually feels like s/he is in a village in Uttar Pradesh, India. While there are plenty of light hearted cinemas, Bandit Queen is one of the few movies that represent the darker side of life.
Gandhi (1982)
Gandhi, one of the most researched movies has taught me a lot as a filmmaker. Richard Attenborough, the director, has done a splendid job with the transformation of Gandhi’s real life into screen. The story covers his life in South Africa, his pivotal role in the Indian independence movement and finally his death. As a person I admire Gandhi a lot. Although we’ll never be able to see Gandhi in flesh and blood again, this movie brings his thoughts and principles alive. Sir Ben Kingsley’s portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi is so convincing that you cannot fully appreciate the film without praising his performance. The director has presented an honest story and I as a filmmaker strive to do just that.
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navyaata\book review
Three books of my preference:
si Krishna Dharaba
MADHAVI
Author: MADAN MANI DIXIT The book studies the cultural aspects of the post Vedic society that existed in the Indian subcontinent. The book written by Madan Mani Dixit received Madan Puraskar in the year 2040 B,.S. In my view, one should read the book for the marvelous information it provides than for entertainment. It is a must read for anybody who wishes to get acquainted with our ancient society. Though an average reader might find the book a little cumbersome because of the use of words, the messages it carries have become a great source of knowledge for all times. I think Madhavi is unequalled by any other novel in Nepal’s literary history.
SUMNIMA
Author: BISHWESHWOR PRASAD KOIRALA
K
rishna Dharabasi won the Madan Puraskar for his novel Radha, his other books, like Saranarthi, Adha Bato and Tundal, were highly praised by critics and loved by Nepali readers. Dharabasi has enriched Nepali literature with some 18 books and publications till date, and we can hope many more will follow in the future. Here, Dharabasi shares his views on three of his favorite books.
The book written by Bishweshwor Prasad Koirala gives an in-depth review of the primitiveness that existed in the Nepali society. The book describes the relevant class distinction and portrays our society as quite different from any other in the world. Sumnima is a beautiful book that studies the inseparable connection that existed between Khas and Kirat people based on their culture and livelihood.
I
developed the habit of reading from my childhood. I understood early on that out of all the activities, reading was the most important. Since 1973, I have read countless Nepalese and Hindi books but only a few English books. Many books have impressed me, but when I think of the best ones, those that immediately come to my mind are Confucius by Russo, Shesh Prashna by Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyaya, The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck, Sumnima by B. P. Koirala and Madhavi by Madan Mani Dixit. Among these books, I’d like to discuss The Good Earth, Sumnima and Madhavi.
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Happy Vijaya D ashami
THE GOOD EARTH Author: PEARL S BUCK
The book received the Nobel Prize in literature in the year 1938. Though the writer is an American by birth, she grew up in China and she depicts a beautiful picture of the Chinese society. Not a single book I have read till date has portrayed the revolt against poverty, perversion, exploitation and suppression in such a compelling manner. In fact, the revolution that established Socialism in China broke out in the year 1949. The writer was able to discern from the disorder that existed in the Chinese society that a great revolution was about to take place. I think the book is a masterpiece considering the opinions expressed and the artistic presentation.
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navyaata\MUSIC REVIEW
Navyaata’s 6 Songs Most of our readers are already familiar with the array of tracks I have presented in this issue. These must-haves grab the top spots on my playlists and some of them, I am sure, have found a place in yours too. From dark-rock to power ballads, these tracks give a rejuvenating feel to your soul and thoughtful light to your minds as they’ve proved from all the accolades they’ve won. By Ashish Baiju Viva La Vida by Coldplay
Bring Me To Life by Evanescence
The confident majesty of the music belies how Coldplay has invigorated their rock-lite reign. This single with its sturdy melodies and universal themes is meant to connect with the masses. Triumphant strings, flashes of twinkling electronics, a toe-tapping tom-tom beat and all sorts of references from the Holy Bible in the track remind everyone that something important is being talked about here which is why a hear is a must to celebrate music’s presence in making people aware of important things like the world.
Backed up by one of the world’s dominant lady vocalists, Amy Lee, “Bring Me To Life” is a track that’ll definitely get you interested on other projects of Evanescence. It is an ear catcher which was broadcasted on TV for a commendable amount of time after its production. You sure will scream into the lyrics and will want more of Amy and her creations with more depth, emotion and haunting sounds of the dark-rock genre.
Secrets by One Republic
Iris by The Goo Goo Dolls
It amazes me when songs of One Republic can be simultaneously funky and symphonic, inspirational, and achieve a depth that no one would ever find on the vast majority of pop albums today. “Secrets” is one of those classic power ballads that’ll get stuck in your head but you will never get tired of listening for all times.
Shine On by Jet
The title track of the album, Shine On is a song about Nic’s and Chris’s (members of the band) dad and his lost battle with cancer. It is a track with immense feelings to it and it also has a meaning that many of us will understand, particularly those who have witnessed such situations. This is an emotionally heavy song that will open up your inner soul and make you miss someone beloved.
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Having come a long way from their punk rock roots, The Goo Goo Dolls brought about an evolution in the midnineties and they’ve always been the hot subject of the music community. Today, most fans know them as the crooning, lovable pop band that wreaked havoc on the world with their single “Iris,” a must-be on your playlist.
Naïve by The Kooks
This classic is unmistakably the sound of The Kooks, from the quirky guitars to the distinct vocals of Luke Pritchard. Even though it is not the biggest hit amongst their tracks like “You don’t love me” and “Seaside,” it is sure to catch your ears and give you a naive feel and make you want to listen to it at gray times.
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navyaata\EVENTS
KU Youth Solidarity Festival 2010
Around 15000 visitors, mostly youngsters, attended the Kathmandu University’s Youth Solidarity Festival 2010 held at the university’s premises from 24th to 26th September. The three-day fund-raising event was inaugurated by President, Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, who, addressing the youth present, stressed on the fact that the nation’s future depended on them. The festival schedule was packed with various participatory activities and programs like Youth Conference, Project Exhibition, Photo Competition, Inter-college Music Competition, Dance Competition, Cycle Race, Music Concerts, Short-films Shows and Competition, Painting Exhibition, Food Stalls and Fun Games. Special efforts were being made to promote locally manufactured products under the theme of ‘Made in Nepal.’ While live performances by Sugam Pokharel, Abhaya Subba &Steam Injuns were the major highlights of the opening day of the festival, the rocking performances by Anuprastha, Robin and New Revolution proved to be the crowd-puller on the second day. The festival’s spirit was kept alive by equally energetic performances by the Equals, Jindabad, Youth Unity and Garuda on the third and concluding day of the festival.
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FASHION NIGHT OUT
San Miguel NAVYAATA MAGAZINE’S
Young and beautiful
San Miguel NAVYAATA MAGAZINE’S
FASHIONNIGHTOUT
“How To” model Siddhartha (right) with friends
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FASHION NIGHT OUT
San Miguel NAVYAATA MAGAZINE’S
One of our showstoppers, Pragati Gurung, looked ravishing in a red tube dress
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The ever gorgeous Malvika kept the crowd in a jocular mood
*WINNERS*
FASHION NIGHT OUT
San Miguel NAVYAATA MAGAZINE’S
San Miguel Navyaata’s Fashion Night Out Chic crowd, psychedelic setup, smart clothes and coolest after-party, San Miguel Navyaata’s Fashion Night Out had more than what you would expect at any lavish fashion event. Fourteen fresh faces showing the latest assortment of the DS Collections kept the excitement level soaring all through. From Chanel inspired sailor dresses to Michael Jackson inspired rock collection, the show was a huge hit among the stylish crowd of Kathmandu. The show kicked off with trendy jumpsuits and rompers, and rounds of applauses that could be heard from every nook as the models walked the ramp. The second round turned the crowd on with some glamorous and sexy lacey dresses. One could feel the heat rising even though the show was held outdoors! Miss Teen Nepal Ayusha Karki was the show stopper. She looked stunning in the red one-shoulder gown. Another notable outfit, perceived by many as a must have this season, was a black mini dress with cropped blazer and colorful stockings worn over booties. DJ Sudan, who choreographed the show, rolled out music that set the perfect mood for the show. The after-party got the crowd swaying and swinging, thanks to Sudan’s impeccable scores. Emcee for the night, former Miss Nepal, Malvika Subba, entertained the audience with her wit and humor. She announced the ten lucky winners who would be featured in Navyaata, but as most of them didn’t show up, Malvika randomly invited a few people on stage who were more than happy to walk the ramp for the crowd. All in all, Navyaata’s Fashion Party was a fun-filled event. The Fashion Party, organized by Party Nepal and OMG Theme Events in collaboration with Navyaata at 1905, was truly one of its kind.
FASHION NIGHT OUT
San Miguel NAVYAATA MAGAZINE’S
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Party Pix
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Party Pix
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navyaata CHILLING ZONE
THE PLACE TO BE
1905 Restaurant & Bar
Location: Kantipath Specialty: Smoked Salmon, Roquefort, Trout Ratatouille Calm your nerves at the beautiful garden even in the midst of the chaotic City. Or just bring your family to enjoy any course of meal, as it serves Breakfast, Lunch, and even Dinner. And with its spacious surrounding, live music concerts are frequently organized. Opening Hours: 9am to 10pm Contact: 4225272, 4215068 Website: www.1905restaurant.com
Attic Bar
Location: Tej Bhawan, Uttar Dhoka Speciality: Attic Platter- Rs.300/- Royal Aloo( Mashed Potato wrap with cheese filling) Rs.110/- Veg Bubble Queak- Rs.95/Durbariya Bandel Sandheko- Rs.250/Live music every Monday by Blues Rusty Nails, Friday- Houseband Open mic night on Wednesdays Don’t miss Sabin Rai’s performance on August 7:30 pm onwards Attic Bar is an ideal place for those who want to enjoy their drinks and snacks with friends or company in nicely renovated loft of the past. Contact: 4442615
Bhumi Restro Lounge
Location: Lazimpat Speciality: Newari appetizers: Samay Baji, Choyala , Sekuwa and Momo are the most popular dishes here. Bhumi boasts of having over 200 drinks on their menu. Long Island Ice Tea and Screw driver are not to be missed when you are dining at Bhumi. Ample of parking space, mouth watering Newari dishes and outlandish drinks makes Bhumi a must visit this season Tel: 4412193
Cafereena
Location: Durbarmarg, Sherpa Mall Cafereena is the ultimate joint for hot and delicious Belle Momos. The big beer garden and live music every Friday has made it popular among people who want to enjoy cool and relaxed weekends. Opening hour: 11am – 10pm Contact: 4231313, 4231258
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FOR MORE INFO
facebook: Electric Pagoda Group
Chopstix Restaurant and Tangerine Bar and Lounge Location: Kumaripati Speciality: Indo- Chinese cuisines: Chicken sweet corn soup, Szechwan Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken, exotic drinks Unambiguous demarcated lounge and restaurant areas Opening hours: 1300 - 2200, 7 days a week Contact: 5551118
Coffee Beans
Location: Kupondole Speciality: Cappucino, Café Latte and Cold Mocha. Cheese cake tastes superbly delicious and if you do not visit it early you are bound to miss it as it sells really fast. Coffee Beans provide freshly grounded coffee. With a motive of promoting Nepali coffee, the coffee here is sourced mainly from plantations from Kavre and Kaski districts Reasonable price and a warm ambience Contact: 5011713
Coffee Express
Location: Sherpa Mall, Ground Floor Specialty: A wide selection of cold and hot coffees is at your service, while you enjoy the bustling scene of Durbar Marg. And with pastries to die for, especially the eclairs, it is a place no one can resist. Now hurry, as it is one of the crowdiest coffee stops.
Café Kaldi
Location: Thamel Café Kaldi serves a wide range of excellent hot and cold coffee with variety of choice. Speciality: Cakes, Snacks Free Wifi Soothing ambience, Free Wifi area
Open from 7 am till late Speciality: Nepali, Mexican, Continental Every Satuarday BBQ
Courtyard Restaurant
Location: Kamaladi Specialty: Continental and Italian. Serving exquisite Italian dishes, Courtyard is famous for delicious pasta. Take your family out, while you enjoy the bar. Opening Hours: 11:30am to 9:30pm Bar closes @ 10 Contact: 4253056
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Cube Bar
Location: Kamaladi This chic and trendy bar (adjoining the sports bar) is the perfect place to grab a drink and chill out in the comfy couches-be it weekdays or the weekends. Whatever your Poison, be it cocktails or hard liquor, you will undoubtedly find it here. Dance party on every Friday. Tel: 4438017 Website: www.cubetheclub.com
Dhokaima Cafe
Dhokaima Cafe offers light snacks at very reasonable prices. The restaurant has a nice garden and a bar – Manny’s Rukhmuni Lounge and Bar—set under a sprawling walnut tree. Mojito and ‘Liquid Viagra’ are the specialties of the bar. A pleasant café next to Patan Dhoka, it’s a place to be for a light snacks after exploring Patan’s backstreets. You can visit Dhokaima for the excellent Sunday brunch (10:00 to 15:00). The café is a part of the Yala Maya Kendra, a Rana-era storehouse that is used for occasional cultural events. Contact: 5553767
navyaata
Electric Pagoda
Lalit Mandap Hardik Club
Location: Satghumti, Thamel Specialty: Mexican and Continental dishes
The club boasts of world class facility for those who want to keep fit and stay healthy. Lalit Mandap Hardik Club is a well appointed fitness center with top of the line equipments and infrastructure for Gym, Aerobics, Swimming and Cardio Section that has elliptical Cross trainer and Treadmill. The club also has facilities for a sauna and steam bath. The club’s garden has a badminton court and visitors can also enjoy the free WiFi. Opening Hours: 6am - 8pm Contact: 5522068, 5548888
Relish the mouth-watering Mexican and Continental food in the restaurant’s spacious and lovely indoor or outdoor settings. Visit Electric Pagoda on Wednesdays to enjoy classical season night and on Saturdays for free market barbeque and live music. Opening Hours: 7am-12pm Contact: 4700123
Hankook Sarang
Location: Thamel Speciality: Sam-Gyeop-Sal (Pork- Slice pork for self roast) Rs.350/Thinly cut pork slices roast yourself on your table. It comes with rice and soup and side dishes. It’s often eaten by wrapping rice and piece of meat in lettuce. Kimbab- Rs.200/Mixture of rice and vegetables rolled with seaweed One of the oldest Korean restaurant, running under Nepalese – Korean management for the past six years Contact: 4256615
Le- Bistro
Irish Pub
Lobsters
Location: Thamel It is a Nepalese Terrace restaurant located in the heart of Thamel, Kathmandu offering many delicious foods from different countries with beautiful terrace and a typical bar. Speciality: Tandoori Platter, Chef’s salad, Minestrone Soup Lunch and Dinner served from 12:00 noon to 10:30 P.M Contact: 4701170 Email: info@le-bistro.com.np
Location: Ananda Bhawan, Lazimpat Speciality: Irish Chicken Stew with Guinness, Guinness Burger, Fish & Chips, Irish coffee Live music on Fridays An Irish vibe, brilliantly done décor and friendly waiters keep coming you back for more to Irish Pub. Contact: 4416027 Email: info@irishpubnepal.com
Jatra Café
Location: Thamel Speciality: Sukuti Ko Achar Rs.110, Jatra Special Pizza (Sukuti Pizza), Special Homemade Aila Live Performance by Dharmendra Sewan, Nepali Tara from 7 pm onwards Every Wednesday – Ladies Night: 1 cocktail/ mocktail free Serene Environment, comfortable sitting area, free wifi Contact: 4256622
La Dolce Vita
Location: Thamel Life is indeed sweet at Thamel’s best Italian bistro offering excellent food with the right atmosphere. Speciality: Chocolate torte, Parmesan gnocchi, antipasti, goat’s cheese, spinach, walnut ravioli and wines by the glass. Rooptop Garden, yummy smelling espresso bar
Location: Sherpa Mall, Top Floor Specialty: Sea foods A perfect place to enjoy exquisite seafood in this land locked country. With a multicuisine menu, spacious surrounding and exclusive service, it is definitely a no-miss. Also it will very soon be introducing PDR’s exclusive service. So definitely be there! www.Lobstersktm.com For Reservation: 4231437
Metro
Amidst the buzz of Thamel, Metro is an eatery which is quickly gaining popularity for its delicious Indian cuisine. The beautifully designed wooden ambience, a well stocked bar and Live Music on Wednesdays and Saturdays make it a perfect place for a family outing, gettogethers with friends or meeting someone special. Location: Thamel Speciality: Indian cuisine: Tandoori(full)- Rs. 670/-, Chicken Tikka Masala (with naan/ rice)- Rs. 345/-, Sabji Baharka- Rs. 300/Contact: 4700215
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New Orleans Café
Location: Thamel The café has a good variety of well-made food including pasta and salads. Hidden down an alley near the Brezel Bakery, New Orleans boasts an intimate candlelit vibe. It is popular spot for a drink but the menu also ranges far and wide. Speciality: Thai Curries, Creole Jambalaya. Great selection of Music, often live, Free Wife acess. Contact: 4700736
Northfield Café
Location: Thamel Northfield is more of a place for foreigners and Americans. The menu offers continental, Nepali, Indian and Mexican. Speciality: The Mexican and Indian tandoori dinner dishes are excellent. The sunny garden is a real plus in winter. Contact: 4700884
Red Dingo Restaurant Location: Jawalakhel (behind standard chartered bank) Special Cuisine: Australian, Italian and Continental Free wifi The specialties range from Red Dingo Steak , Stuffed Chicken Breast, King Fish and Chicken Meat Pie for the non-veg. to Assorted Pastas and Assorted Fresh Salads for the veg. Red Dingo has in-house bar with rooms separated for the smokers and the non-smokers. Opening Hours: 7am – 10pm (last order 9.30pm) Contact: 01-6914960, 5550349 Web: www.reddingo.com.np
Royal Saino
Location: Durbar Marg Serves an array of South Asian cuisines such as Tibetan, Chinese, Indian, Nepali and Continental dishes. The restaurant has interesting set of rooms featuring different cuisines such as the Chinese room, the Tibetan styled Room, the Rooftop, and the Garden adds fun to the dining experience. Live music with “on the field” barbeque on Fridays. Opening hours: 9am –10pm Contact: 4230890
Seoul Arirang
Location: Chamunda Marg, Naxal Speciality: Bulgogi (beef and ginger) Bibimbap (rice with beef, vegetables and hot sauce). This excellent korean place has a pleasant rooftop area and serves dishes barbecued at your table as well as korean classics. There is a picture menu for your convenience. Tel: 4429052 E-mail: sarangsan@parn.com
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list GLOSSARY
DS Collections
I See it first
Durbarmarg,Sherpa Mall Tel:4228917
Durbarmarg,Sherpa Mall Tel:4215220 Kamalpokhari,City Centre Tel:4011629
Adidas Durbarmarg,Kathmandu Tel:4226432
Attitude Sundhara,Kathmandu Mall Tel:4150116
Abhinandan Kamalpokhari,City Centre Tel:4011567
Karuna Clothes and Accessories Durbarmarg Tel:016913975
Klass Room Durbarmarg,Kathmandu Tel:4232394
Reebok Showroom Durbarmarg Tel:4224707 Blubird Mall Tel:4228833
Rosarini Tripureshwor,UWTC Tel:4117147
Sphinx Kamalpokhari,City Centre Tel:4011755
Temptation
Kupondole Annapurna Arcade,Durbarmarg Tel:5546386,5546387 Tel:9721415802,014223482
Tripureshwor,UWTC Tel: 4117081 Mahendra Pool,Chipledhunga Tel:9756000928
Bentley
Taxxi
Beatification Boutique
Durbarmarg,Kathmandu Tel:4239686
Chocolate Royal Singey,Durbarmarg Tel: 4425975 Mahendrapool,Pokhara Tel:061229506
Cocktail Kamalpokhari,City Centre Tel:4011707
Envy Tindhara Pathsala Complex Tel:4224241
Kunal Furnishing
Labels
Durbarmarg,Sherpa Mall Tel:4241802
Laxmee Hair and Beauty Studio cum Academy Bhatbhateni Super Market, Narayan gopal chowk Tel:4016099 Kundalini Club, Chandol, Maharajgung Tel:2080148
Mammon Clothings Boudha, Kahmandu Tel:9721430189
Marque
Naxal,Nagpokhari Tel:4426024
The Pink Woodland Complex,Durbarmarg Kathmandu Tel:9841190023
The Stupa Fancy Boudha Tel:2140729 Sohrakhutte,Nayabazzar Tel:2171510
Urban Fashion World
Durbarmarg,Sherpa Mall Tel:4231483
Khichapokhari,Pashupati Plaza Tel:4222246
Tripureswor,UWTC Tel:4117299 Kathmandu Mall Tel:4150105
Mesuca
View Beauty Care and Training Institute
Flaunt Boutique Binamarg,Durbarmarg Tel:4233155
Durbarmarg,Kathmandu Tel:4221451 Tel:4227511
Glitter Box
Orange
Kamalpokhari,City Centre Tel:4011522
Jawalakhel, Lalitpur Tel:5521018
Fabulous
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of shopping malls and stores
Kamlpokhari,City Centre Tel:4011533
Nike
Isa Dora
Plum
Tindhara Pathsala Complex Tel:4243475
Durbarmarg,Sherpa Mall Tel:4228917
Intimate Delight
PUMA Store
Bhatbhateni Tel:4429288
Kamalpokhari,City Centre Tel:4011818
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Maharajgung, Narayan gopal chowk Tel:9849365761/9803798286
Vision First Kamalpokhari,City Centre Tel:4011507
Vouge Tripureshwor,UWTC Tel:4117124
Ware House Durbarmarg,Kathmandu Tel:4246483
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OUR THAI FOOD the best kept secret in town
Metro Kathmandu, Thamel Contact: 4700215
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