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2020 New Year’s Eve

2 pm, December 31-Jan 1

Park Village Resort

Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu

Fun, food, music and more. This New Year’s Eve is going to be a memorable one with the Park Village Resort. Make some wonderful memories with your loved ones.

Overnight Stay: Rs 10,999 net (single), Rs 15,999 (double)

Dinner only: Rs 5,999 net (single), Rs 10,999 (dou­ble)

The Ultimate Countdown 2020

7:30 pm, Tuesday, December 31

Gokarna Forest Resort

Thali, Kathmandu

Hosted across Gokarna Forest Resort’s astonishing venue at The Courtyard, the event promises to be the ultimate New Year’s Eve celebrations all over again! Live music by Symphony Band and DJ Aman to burn the dance floor, accompanied by Bollywood dance performances and other enter­tainment along with delicious food.

Single: Rs 7,500 net

Double: Rs 13,000 net

Child: Rs 5,000 net

Serendipity 2020

6 pm, Tuesday, December 31

Radisson Hotel Kathmandu

Lazimpat, Kathmandu

Celebrate the New Year at Radisson Hotel Kath­mandu with live performance by Sabin Rai & the Pharaoh band, dance acts from Daughters Ma Fear, Thailand and a live DJ session along with lavish buffet, free flow of imported drinks, and exciting food counters.

Singles: Rs 9,999 net

Privilege club members: Rs 8,999 net

New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner

7:30 pm, Tuesday, December 31

Fairfield by Marriott, Kathmandu

Thamel, Kathmandu

Fairfield by Marriott invites you to join the New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner with good music, food, and great company.

Rs 3,000 net for New Year Special buffet with non-alcoholic beverages

Rs 4,000 net for New Year Special buffet with alcoholic beverages

HIKE TO BEGNASKOT
IN POKHARA

Drive from Pokhara to Begnas Lake, the start point of the Begnaskot hiking trail. Then hike towards Sundari Danda to Begnaskot. En route, witness day to day life of Nepali villagers. On the top of Begnaskot hill, there is a Begnaskot temple. From the Begnaskot view point, see the magnifi­cent lakes Begnas and Rupa, as well as the beauti­ful Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalayan ranges. Forests cover the entire hill. The two-hour hike to Begnaskot, at an elevation of about 1,100 meters, could be just about your perfect getaway.

SKY-DIVE
IN KHUMJUNG

Skydiving is a thrilling adventure you can experience in Nepal with Everest Skydive. The dive is over the spectacular Khumbu region, next to Mount Everest. Divers can see moun­tains alongside Everest, along with beautiful Sherpa villages as they free-fall. Skydivers can choose to land in Syangboche Airport or at the base camp of one of the most iconic mountains in the Khumbu, Ama Dablam. No prior experience needed. Call 9801222163.

DO BEAT CYCLING
IN KATHMANDU

This is an indoor cycling class that focuses on building strength and endurance. The exercise involves using a special stationary bicycle with a weighted flywheel in a group class setting. It is fun working out this way as you cycle to the beat of the music, in what is Nepal’s first and only beat cycling class run by certified instructors. If you join for a year, you pay Rs 7,000 a month. The sum’s inclusive of steam, Jacuzzi, sauna and fresh towels. Call 01-4371438.

Q. What’s an opinion you hold that most people would disagree with?
A. Money can actually buy happiness.

Q. What are you proud of but never have an excuse to talk about?
A. My ideology.

Q. A Nepali singer you would like to collaborate with?
A. Jagdish Samal.

Q. Which country would you like to go for a concert tour?
A. Japan.

Q. If you could pick a day to relive, which day would it be?
A. The day I stepped on stage for the first time. I was 8-year-old then.

Q. You were star-struck when you met?
A. Hari Bamsha Acharya. He is my idol.

Q. What’s one superpower you would not want?
A. Superpower that King Midas possessed of turning everything he touched into gold.

Q. How would you like to be remembered?
A. As a person with a golden heart and a golden voice.

Q. Your favorite venue to perform in?
A. Anywhere with an audience who listen to me keenly.

Q. Your favorite genre of music?
A. Eastern classical and Jazz.

How has the issue of Kalapani affected Nepal-India relations?

It has had a huge impact. Available bilateral mechanisms are the only way to settle border disputes. There really is no other way. Bilateral talks are the only means. There cannot be third-party mediation, nor have other countries that kind of leverage. Despite some ups and downs, Nepal-India relations have always been cordial. Now, Kalapani is undoubtedly a major agenda. Nepal’s domestic forces raked up the issue to serve their interests instead of opting for an appropriate diplomatic solution. Nor is this a new issue. In my understanding, both our government and India are making little effort to resolve it. If it is an issue, India should also seek a solution at the earliest. Similarly, our Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not trying enough. There are several issues between the two countries and we have various instruments as well. Issues could be resolved if only there were regular meetings of existing mechanisms.

Aren’t border issues by their very nature hard to resolve?

There are some mechanisms exclusively dedicated to border issues. For example, there is a foreign-secretary level meeting but seldom has this been held. If this meeting cannot take place, we can give such rights to our ambassador in New Delhi. He can hold regular meetings with Indian officials unless it is settled. But Nepal seems to be seeking a solution that is not diplomatic. India prefers diplomatic channels. It is a responsibility of both the countries to create the right atmosphere for talks. The environment here gives the impression that we are preparing for war. Effigies have been burnt, and there are protests in front of the Indian Embassy. All political parties and even the government is involved. But what will we get from the street? Our only option is activating bilateral mechanisms. If some issues cannot be settled at the diplomatic level, we can take them to the top political level. Even for this, we first need to build confidence. Now there is no confidence.

You say this is not a new issue. But protests erupted only after India came up with a new political map.

We are saying that it is a new map but it is not. India comes up with a new map every time it restructures its internal boundaries. Now they have imposed central rule in Jammu and Kashmir and come out with a new political map. In 1995-97, this issue was prominently raised in Nepal. In subsequent years, it was not a priority of our political parties. Now it has resurfaced again.  Why was this issue not resolved in the past? It suggests a mishandling of our foreign policy.

In your view, how does India view recent developments in Nepal?

India has officially said that it is ready for talks on Kalpani. Two former Indian ambassadors to Nepal, Shyam Sharan and Ranjit Rae, say Nepal was never serious on this issue. Other intellectuals are saying the same. India has proposed diplomatic channels to resolve Kalapani. Nepal has not said that it cannot be resolved through such channels. If Nepal says so, it could be moved to political level. Two of our former foreign secretaries have said that Kalapani cannot be resolved at the diplomatic level. Yet former Indian ambassadors are saying that as India has resolved border disputes with Bangladesh, issues with Nepal can also be resolved. India believes the situation in Nepal should be normal for meaningful talks. Street protests and negotiation cannot go hand in hand.

There also seems to be a belief in some quarters of India that other external elements are involved in the anti-India protests in Nepal.

Since 1950 Nepali political parties have always used Nepal-India bilateral relations to serve their vested interests. They negotiated with India with the same intent. There is competition among political parties to become nationalists. Earlier, PM Oli used this border issue for political marketing, now Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba is resorting to the same tactic. Your nationalism is tested based on the negotiations you conduct when you are in power. How best did you serve national interest? The prime ministers of the two countries used to talk over the phone on day to day issues but now they have not spoken. At the least, Nepal government should have appealed to people not to protest in the street, assuring them that Kalapani would be resolved through diplomatic channels.

Are you suggesting that Oli government is using the nationalist card to cover up its domestic failures?

The federal government’s performance has been dismal in the nearly two years since its formation. The PM’s image is sinking and he knows it. He is not capable of defending himself in parliament. Corruption is rife. When the government feels a sense of crisis, nationalism resurfaces. This is not a first time. In 2015, after the promulgation of new constitution, our leaders talked with India about constitution amendment but they did not talk with Madhes-based parties.

Do you think there will come a time when India says enough is enough about the anti-India protests in Nepal?

I don’t think Indians take the ongoing protests seriously. I have not heard of serious discussions in India about them. The Indian establishment clearly understands our capacity. They are of the view that such protests frequently happen in Nepal. I see a diplomatic failure on our side. We decided to send Madhav Kumar Nepal as a special envoy to India. Actually, he cannot resolve the problems, and which level was he to engage? Such anti-Indian protests would impact other negotiations on trade and transit. We may face difficulties in those areas. For example, take the onion crisis. This is not the first time India has faced an onion crisis. In the past, India used to send certain amount of onions even while it faced a shortage but this time they completed stopped delivery.

You fault our foreign ministry. But it has already dispatched a letter to New Delhi asking for high-level talks. It is India that has not responded.

Nepal is yet to clearly mention that it wants a foreign secretary-level meeting. In the meeting of Joint Commission held in September, the two countries had agreed on a foreign secretary-level meeting on border issues in January 2020 in Dehradun. There are many informal channels between Nepal and India which need to be utilized before proposing a formal meeting. First, Nepal will have to say that it wants dialogue at the political level. On our part, preparation is lacking. We have not updated our maps for over 40 years. We are in a state of confusion.

What is your take on India’s refusal to accept the final report of the joint Nepal-India Eminent Persons Group (EPG)?

Let me say few things on the EPG. First, it was formed in 2016 when bilateral relations were at a low.  Second, see the background of the EPG members. They all were giving statements against India before the EPG was formed. How could they have been expected to normalize relations? Third, Madhes-based parties spoke against the EPG in the parliament, rejecting the final report. It means the report is contested within Nepal. We cannot say that reservation of Madhes-based parties is a domestic issue. India is closely watching the dissatisfaction inside the country.

More seriously, the Nepali side leaked important portions of the report. We also decided to submit the final report to the two prime ministers. This is a report prepared by experts and there is no need to submit it to the prime ministers. Similarly, there was wrong understanding about the report. Nepal government spokesperson publicly said that India should receive and implement the report. He missed the point that the report is not mandatory.

But is it not dishonest on India’s part to reject the EPG report formed through consensus between two countries?

You are correct. I am not satisfied with Indian position of not receiving this report. India should do so. Unfortunately, we also created a hostile environment here. Except Bhek Bahadur Thapa, other EPG members spoke about the report before it was submitted and they projected it as a cure-all for bilateral ills. The EPG report should not be projected as bible.

In a separate context, how does India view growing Chinese influence in Nepal?

It is natural for foreign powers to seek their space. Chinese influence in Nepal has increased in all areas including politics and government. In the past, such space was exclusively reserved for India and the US. There is no doubt that there is a huge Chinese influence in ruling parties. India is obviously concerned. But they have not taken any policy measures. China’s aggressive diplomacy in Kathmandu, particularly in domestic politics, is a major concern for India. If India becomes active in East Asian countries like Vietnam, Philippines, it is a matter of concerns for China as well. China’s influence in domestic politics particularly in unification of two communist parties and government formation are matters of grave concerns for India as well as for us in Nepal.

How do you see the growing competition between US, India and China play out in Nepal? 

Our political and diplomatic leadership do not have the capacity to manage the growing competition among three powers. We agree to everything with everyone. We may face a difficult situation if this continues.  We have to develop a capacity of managing growing interests. There is already a worrying conflict between the Indo-Pacific Strategy and the BRI.

Q. What do you like to do in your spare time?
A. Netflix and sleep.

Q. If you had only one day left to live, what would you do on that day?
A. Spend it with my loved ones and eat a lot of food.
 

Q. Which Nepali celebrity do you most admire and why?
A. Malvika Subba and Swastima Khadka. Malvika as she is always very vocal about things that need attention. As a VJ, she is my inspiration. Swastima because she is honest and down to earth. I think as an actress, she is breaking stereotypes.
 

Q. Your pet peeve?
A. Someone who lies or makes a lot of small talk. I want people to get to the point.
 

Q. Your favorite travel destination?
A. I love going to Pokhara. Places with beaches and lakes are my favorites.
 

Q. Your alternate career choice?
A. I think even if I take an alternate career path, I would still be in the media industry.
 

Q. The best advice you’ve been given?
A. “Never be the brightest person in the room; then you can’t learn anything.”
 

Q. What would you change your name to, if you had the choice?
A. I love my name so I would not change it. It is very unique.

APEX CELEB QUIZ #18

Q. Who is Sagarika Shrestha's favorite show host??
a) Suraj Singh Thakuri                     b) Rabi Lamichhane
Send us your answer on our Facebook page. One winner selected by lucky draw will get a Rs 2,000 coupon from Dallé.

Trek
In Sikles

This trek takes you to the pristine hillside settlement of Sikles, an indigenous Gurung village in Kaski district in the lap of giant peaks. In this five-day trek, you walk through the lush rhododendron forests and serene landscapes. Then join Rodhi Ghar (late night singing and dancing) during your stay at Sikles. Or try local handicrafts, and explore the region’s rich biodiversity. Not only do you get to witness the majestic Annapurna range from here. You also experience the rich culture and lifestyle of the largest Gurung village in Nepal. The best time to visit is between September and May.

Take a hot-air balloon 
In Pokhara

Hot air ballooning is an adventure activity which makes you feel like a flying bird. Currently the balloon is permitted to fly five times a day, so you can pick a time. The balloon will fly 500 meters above the Pokhara city providing a spectacular view of the Annapurna range, the Fishtail (Machhapuchhre), Dhaulagiri, Hiunchuli, Lamjung Himal, lakes, forests, and the entire Pokhara valley. On a clear day, the scenery is even more breathtaking. The balloon lands in the bank of Mardi River. The best time for this adventure from September to May. Contact Frolic Adventures at 9851043624.

Learn contemporary dance 
In Lalitpur

Under the guidance of DJ Tamu, Y-Stand Dance School in Pulchowk is starting contemporary dance classes with a new choreography. There are two class options. You can choose those on Mondays and Wednesdays between 5 pm and 6 pm. Or those from 7:30 am to 8:30 am on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. This is open to even beginners. Call 9801024048. 

A perennial problem for Nepal is its trade deficit, which has steadily inched up year after year. Now comes a welcome break. In the first four months of this fiscal, the deficit shrunk by nearly 9 percent (to Rs 414 billion) compared with the corresponding period last year (from Rs 452 billion). Nepal exported more (up 24 percent) and imported less (down 7 percent) in the same period. After years of struggle with hefty deficits, this seems unadulterated good news. But it is not. The new trade numbers are as slippery as the palm oil that has helped Nepal increase its export volume.

Oil from palm tree, which is not found in Nepal, accounted for nearly a quarter of the exports in the review period. Nepali traders import crude palm oil from Indonesia and Malaysia, two of its biggest producers, and sell the refined version in India. After India levied an additional 40 percent duty on the import of palm oil from the big producers, palm oil refined in Nepal costs less in India than the refined oil imported from these producers. Nepal’s refined palm oil export, and the export growth it sustains, will collapse the moment India revises its trade policy.

The lower deficit also owes to less import, which again is not all good news. Nepal may be importing less building materials like cement and steel as economic activities in the country have slowed down. Also, lower imports will hit the government hard as it relies on import duties for up to 40 percent of its revenues. That said, Nepal has also made some improvements in its business climate, for instance, in electricity generation, which has reduced diesel import; political stability has helped push GDP growth to a decent 7 percent.

The problem is that the country is once again relying on a single product (refined palm oil), and a product it does not produce itself, to maintain a healthy trade balance. The drivers of sustainable economic growth are still out of whack. Big infrastructure projects are stuck, and the national pride projects have been delayed. And it will take more than steady power supply and political stability to revive Nepal’s struggling industries. For one, successfully negotiating the removal of the non-tariff barriers to Nepali products in India and China would translate into billions more in export earnings for Nepal.

Photos Anil Ranjit and Mahendra Khadka

The iconic Ghantaghar near Ratnapark. (2:00 am)
 

An elderly man takes a nap on his rickshaw at Ason Chowk. (2:43 am)

A rickshaw driver peddles towards his destination at Ason Chowk. (2:41 am)

A Friday night celebration at a local bar in Thamel. Both locals and tourists seem to enjoy the music and fun that Thamel offers. (2:00 am)

A local restaurant serves mo:mo on the streets in Thamel. (2:11 am)

Revelers line up in New Road on early Saturday morning to enter the Sankata Temple. (2:53 am)

A group of young people enjoy a night out in the streets of Thamel. (2:30 am)

A Thamel street sees a massive traffic jam at wee hours because of haphazard parking and a huge number of visitors. (2:24 am)

Empty Sundhara. (2:21am)

An overhead bridge view of the Ratnapark-Bhadrakali road which is usually full of pedestrians and vehicles in the day. (2:03 am)

A flock of birds rest near the Foreign Affairs Ministry building, Kantipath. (2:41 am)

The waiting section of the emergency ward at the Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj. (We were not allowed to photograph the patients.) (2:10 am)
 

The waiting section of the emergency ward at the Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj. (We were not allowed to photograph the patients.) (2:10 am)

A deserted look of the otherwise jam-packed New Road gate. (2:28 am)