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Raj Karan Mahato | Janakpur

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law, the Ministry of Social Development and the Secretariat of Provincial Assembly do not have sec­retaries. New bureaucrats have not replaced the ones who have been transferred elsewhere, posing a serious problem. Of the 48 positions in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Planning, 23 are vacant. Mukti Acharya, Secretary at the ministry, is taking man­datory retirement, but his replacement Prem Kumar Shrestha has not arrived yet. Similarly, Jagdish Regmi, Sec­retary at the Ministry of Inter­nal Affairs and Law, retired on April 10.

Deputy Secretary Rohit Dahal and Arjun Lama were transferred seven months ago but no one has replaced them. Deputy secretary Arun Jha has been appointed acting chief secretary. On top of that, bureaucrats in this ministry have not received their sal­ary for the past one and half months.

On March 13, the federal council of ministers decided to send five secretaries to Province 2. However only the secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Pushkar Ghimire, has joined office. The fed­eral government has recently signed off on the appointment of two secretaries—Shankar Subedi and Sushil Dhakal—but they are yet to arrive.

 "Monsoon is fast approaching, but we have not been able to make a disaster management action plan"

Hem Bahadur Karki, a section officer in the disaster management unit

Saroj Singh, the provincial Minister of Internal Affairs and Law, has accused the federal government of sending only those bureaucrats who are on the verge of retirement. “They come here as if they are on a vacation,” he says.

The budget allocated for the current fiscal is Rs 29.78 billion. The size of the cap­ital budget is over Rs 14.96 billion. However, the pace of development expenditure is slow, making a budget freeze increasingly likely. The gov­ernment has not been able to spend on areas other than transport and office manage­ment. Even though good poli­cies and programs have been introduced, there are prob­lems in implementation.

Hem Bahadur Karki, a sec­tion officer in the disaster management unit at the pro­vincial Internal Affairs and Law Ministry, says that proj­ects cannot be implemented due to a lack of manpower. “Monsoon is fast approaching, but we have not been able to make a disaster management action plan.”

A public housing project to be implemented by the pro­vincial Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport is also stuck in limbo for lack of human resources. As many as 18 positions in this ministry remain vacant.

The government has not been able to keep its prom­ise of providing housing for the poor. Jitendra Sonal, the provincial Minister of Phys­ical Infrastructure, says Rs 1 billion has been allocated for this project. But although the money is there, work is stagnant.

There are 163 offices under the jurisdiction of the Prov­ince 2 government, which has requested a total of 4,937 bureaucrats. But the federal government has approved only 3,208 positions.

Q. If you had just one day to live, how would you spend that day?

A. I would acknowledge everyone who helped me grow and then I would sleep in my mother’s lap till the end of my time here.

Q. When you are down, what keeps you going?

A. When I am down, I look back at how far I have come and how strong I have become and that feeling keeps me going.

Q. What is an opinion you hold that most people would disagree with?

A. Apologizing to people even when you are not at fault, just to make them feel better, is okay.

Q. What does your perfect day consist of?

A. As it is said “the morning shows the day”, an early morning stroll to a local market like Asan, a proper workout and a good breakfast.

Q. What would be your superpower?

A. Being able to travel anywhere in this world at any time.

Q. What is an issue you feel deeply about and wish to highlight?

A. The plastic solution.

Q. What comes to your mind when you hear the word ‘fame’?

A. It gives us a voice to reach out to a lot of people without much effort, which we can use to address many issues.

Q. One Nepali celebrity you absolutely admire and why?

A. Not one but the duo Madan Krishna Shrestha and Hari Bamsha Acharya are my absolute favorite! I admire them for their down-to-earth nature, sense of humor and friendship.

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After six weeks of pitched battles all over India, the Indian Premier League—the biggest and the most-lucrative cricket franchise in the world—is coming to an end. The May 12 final is slated for Hyderabad, even as one finalist is yet to be decided. With a win in the ‘Qualifier’ on May 8, Mumbai Indians have made it straight into the final while Chhenai Super Kings, despite their loss to MI, get to play Delhi Capitals on May 10 for a place in the Hyderabad final. Our editorial team at APEX couldn’t talk enough about IPL in our lunch breaks and coffee times and we assumed our readers would be interested in taking the rollercoaster IPL ride too. So we asked a few of our readers their favorite teams and their best IPL moment, ever. Here’s what we got.

Niraj Thapa

Chennai Super Kings

I am a huge admirer of Mahindra Singh Dhoni, the CSK skipper. The way he handles pressure situations as well as his teammates, and the way he builds confidence in players and even fans, are just outstanding. Have always been a huge CSK fan. For me, their return to the IPL in 2018 after a two-year hiatus was an overwhelming moment.

Madhu Karki

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Our own spinner Sandeep Lamichhane’s IPL debut is my favorite moment so far. Sandeep debuted for the Delhi Daredevils in a match against Kings XI Punjab in 2018 and managed to get 2 wickets in the third over. Amazing stuff!

Binita Gurung

Royal Challengers Bangalore

The match between RCB and Kings XI Punjab this year where AB De Villiers scored a 44 ball 82 to decimate KXIP. ABD rightly won the man of the match.

 Dipendra Khadka

Delhi Capitals

The match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals on March 30 this season. KKR chased and when the match was tied at 185 in 20 overs, it went into a super-over. DC managed to win the match when its strike bowler Kagiso Rabada managed to bowl out the in-form Andre Russel with a perfect yorker.

Krishna Thapa

Chennai Super Kings

The second match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals this year when Kagiso Rabada, in an excellent display of pace bowling, managed to get the dangerous Robin Uthappa and Dinesh Karthik to help his team to victory against KKR for the second time this season.

Binod Neupane

Royal Challengers Bangalore

The 2016 record-breaking stand between Virat Kohli and AB De Villiers where they scored a total of 229 runs between them to give opponents Gujarat Lions a target of 249. Each scored a century and in return RCB managed to bowl out GL for 104 runs, which marked the highest margin of defeat in IPL—144.

Gokul Atreya

Royal Challengers Bangalore

The 2016 season when RCB reached the finals after producing one of the best comebacks in sports history. Having won only two of the first seven matches, they were almost knocked out from the league. Then they went to win six of the next seven and qualified for the finals, which they lost by a narrow margin to Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Abhishek Mishra

Delhi Capitals

I never forget David Warner’s scintillating form as a T20 batsman in the 2014-2015 series. Always felt like he would make a big impact in the future. Over 800 runs and an average of 60 is no joke in an IPL season!

Raju Khadka

Kings XI Punjab

The match between KXIP and Delhi Capitals this year when KXIP’s IPL debutant for the season Sam Curran struck three times in a row to claim this season’s first hat-trick. His over also turned the table for KXIP who were on the verge of losing the match.
 

The Nepali horror feature film entitled ‘Kathaputali’ is slated for a 2019-end release. Kathaputali is a periodic horror feature film entirely based on terrifying Nepali horror myths and rituals. According to writer and executive producer of Kathaputali, Sampada Malla, “The story revolves around a fantasy kingdom where the rulers are tyrant dictators who sexually assault innocent women for pleasure and kill them.” These dead women in turn create an interesting plot of revenge against their perpetrators, resulting into terrifying horror elements. Kathaputali’s Producer Prithvi Rana Magar says, “I wanted to produce a film that would leave a lasting impression in the audience’s mind. It is something that we have heard of, but never seen in any Nepali horror film.” Kathaputali stars big names in the film industry like Gauri Malla, Mithila Sharma, Karma Shakya, Shilpa Maskey, Usha Rajak and Subarna Thapa.

Café Mocha at Budhanilkantha (yes, you read that right) is a proper, posh coffee shop that has opened its doors in an area where finding freshly ground filter coffee was impossible until now. Located on Budhanilkantha Road (opposite Big Mart), the café serves freshly-brewed coffee along with a variety of other non-alcoholic drinks including but not limited to mint lemonades, flavored lassis, milkshakes and mocktails. A limited option of alcohol is available too.

The tourists visiting the hills of Shivapuri and locals alike had long needed a change in their palates from regular restaurants selling instant coffee and momos. Café Mocha comes as the much-needed upgrade to dining in the Narayanthan/Budhanilkantha area. The regular crowd at Café Mocha all day long proves that.

THE MENU

Chef’s Special:

- Smashed avocado toast

- Sausage

croissants

- Cheesecake

Opening hours: 7 am to 8 pm

Location: Budhanilkantha

Cards: Not accepted

Meal for 2: Rs 1,200

Reservations: 981-2709797

 Q. What do you like the most about your fans?

A. My fans are my mood-boosters. Their warm messages, love, respect and support keep me going even when I am having a hard time.

Q. If you had only one day left to live, what would you do?

A. Spend the entire day with my family and loved ones.

Q. An advice that has stuck with you?

A. “It is not about what happens to you but about how you react to it”. This has taught me to be mindful of my actions.

Q. Your alternate career choice?

A. Since I belong to a business-oriented family, I am involved in business and see myself becoming one of the top businessmen 10 years down the line.

Q. Did you always want to be an actor?

A. No, I never thought of becoming an actor. It just happened!

Q. Your best and worst purchases?

A. Best purchase is my car. I can’t think of anything I regret buying.

Q. What would you like to say to aspiring actors?

A. Make sure that the script you select has good content. Be mentally and physically prepared to take what it requires to be in the film industry.

Q. Are you someone who likes to live in a happening city or its quiet outskirts?

A. I prefer quiet outskirts because I am someone who is constantly looking for my own space. I always seek for a more peaceful environment.

Astrek Wall Climbing in Kathmandu

Located at the heart of Kathmandu, Thamel, Astrek boasts of Nepal’s tallest climbing wall of 50 feet. Open every day including on holidays, there are 20 different routes for all experience levels. For those who enjoy a full bodied climb, you will love the two bouldering walls that this place has. The walls are also sheltered from sun and rain, and there is a backup generator in case of power cuts. While there, you can enjoy some food and a fully stocked bar in the Club House. If you thought it could not get better, you also get free Wifi and access to a music system. On weekdays, you can climb for Rs 700 and on weekends, for Rs 800, which includes climbing, shoes and harness rentals. Call 014419265 for more information.

Pasang Lhamu Sports Climbing Center in Kathmandu

This gym/physical center at the Shankha Park in Dhumbarahi also has an amazing wall climbing gym. At just Rs 400 for males and Rs 350 for females, you get rope, helmet, harness, delay device and shoes. If you love wall climbing, taking a membership would be wise; monthly membership costs Rs 4,500. Since 2002, the center has been promoting rock climbing in Nepal and even training aspiring Nepali mountaineers on advanced techniques. So if you are looking for something fun and adventurous to do without going away from Kathmandu, this is just for you! For more information, call 014015515

Psycho Block Wall Climbing in Pokhara

Located in Kahare Chowk in Pokhara, this place might be small but it is very well built and built with many levels and routes. Opened by Guillaume, who is French, you can also learn techniques of rock climbing for Rs 1,500 (inclusive of climbing gears). Every Wednesday evening, they host a climbing game night that you can enter for Rs 500. Open from 9 am to 7 pm, the hourly rate for wall climbing here is Rs 350. Call 980-8100679 for details.

By Keshar Rokka/ Ganga Khadka | Gulmi

 Small shacks with thatched roofs that can’t stop rain water from seeping in. There are 10 of them on the sides of the Madan Bhandari Lokmarg. Each shack is home to about a dozen people. As many as 50 squatters belong to the same extended fam­ily that lost their houses and belongings to a flood about a decade ago. Their neighbors, who have well-built houses, get run­ning water and electricity. The neighborhood, which is about a 15-minute walk from Simaltari Bazaar, Gulmi, has a joyous vibe during festivals.

However, in the squatter set­tlement of Malika rural munic­ipality, access to electricity is a distant dream. The residents, all of whom are Dalits, cook, eat and sleep before sunset. Many eke out a living by doing manual labor. Children are not able to study properly. Girls get married (and pregnant) at an early age.

Between 1999 and 2017, the residents of this settlement have voted four times to elect their representatives. Right before elections, politicians visit the settlement and make lofty promises of bringing water and electricity. But once elected, they forget their promises. The squatters say that many political leaders have pledged to resettle them in a better place and even provide them with land cer­tificates, but they have been empty promises.

Right before elections, politicians come to our settlement and even spend the night here. But all these years, our problems have fallen on deaf ears

Pom Bahadur BK, 46

“During elections, the can­didates come to our shacks and even spend a night here. But all these years, our prob­lems have fallen on deaf ears,” complains Pom Bahadur BK, 46. He laments that he has to go to a nearby river to quench his thirst. Although there is more than enough water in the neighborhood, residents of this settlement do not have access to it just because they are squatters.

Gothi BK, 63, says that peo­ple in her settlement face many challenges, especially during festivals or when they fall sick. “My husband passed away over 25 years ago. I have four kids. Because I get a wid­ow’s allowance from the gov­ernment, I manage to make ends meet,” she says. She rec­ollects the times when she was sick but could not go to the hospital because she had no money.

Local youths here have been unable to find a reliable source of income. They express regret that nobody in the vil­lage trusts them with a loan that they can invest.

Rit Bahadur Thapa, Chair­person of the rural municipal­ity, says public land is being steadily encroached upon. “Not all residents of the settle­ment are landless squatters, only some. After data collec­tion and verification, we will shift them to an integrated settlement,” says Thapa.

He adds that although there are no specific programs in the current fiscal, policies to improve the lives of the squatters will be introduced in the coming year. “As we have plans to resettle them, we cannot build additional infrastructure in the settle­ment,” says Thapa.