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A 25-year-old woman from Janakpur committed suicide by taking poison after she was repeatedly tortured by her in-laws for more dowry, according to the police. A resident of
Janakpur sub-metropolitan-4 Sarhanchiya Shanti Nagar, Seema Sharma also poisoned her two year-old-daughter Gauri before consuming the poison herself.
According to Govinda Thapalia, Superintendent at District Police Office Dhanusha, Sharma was often harassed by her husband and in-laws. “Preliminary investigation shows that she faced mental and physical torture,” says SP Thapaliya. “Sharma’s 65-year-old father-in-law Shyam Sundar Mishra and 60-year-old mother-in-law Kiran Mishra have been arrested on the charge of forcing someone to commit suicide. Her husband Sameer Mishra is at large.”
Meanwhile, there have been protests in Janakpur demanding stern action against the accused. A torch rally has also been staged to mourn the death of Sharma and her daughter.

"The dowry system is a social scourge that has deep roots in Madhes. Until when will women in this country be beaten and burnt for it?" Gunja Raya, A women’s rights activist from Mahottari

Managing dowry by selling property

Seema’s family, who hail from Loharpatti-7 Bhrampur in Mahottari, gave Rs 1.1 million to the Mishra family in dowry when she got married. Her father Jaya Narayan, who has been working overseas for the past 15 years, managed the dowry his daughter’s in-laws demanded—Rs 800,000 in cash, a Pulsar motorcycle worth Rs 236,000 and two tolas of gold—by selling his land. Seema and Sameer had gotten married on May 12, 2013 in the Maithili tradition.
Seema’s brother Sujit Kumar says her in-laws used to demand more money and jewelry and threatened to kick her out in case their demands were not met. “We managed to give them whatever they asked for, even by taking out loans, in the hope that my
sister could live with them safely and peacefully. Still they continued to demand cash, gold and other valuables just as a condition for her to visit her family.”
On the night of Jan 14, Sharma took a farm pesticide called Salfas to poison her daughter Gauri and herself. Gauri passed away the following day. Seema breathed her last a day later.
When Seema fell sick after consuming the poison, her husband immediately took her to Janaki Health Care and Research Center on his motorcycle. Because the Center did not have an Intensive Care Unit, she was rushed to the Ram Janaki Hospital. She died on the way.
Gunja Raya, a women’s rights activist from Mahottari, says the dowry system is a social scourge that has deep roots in Madhes. “Women are forced to commit suicide when they are unable to fulfill the dowry demands,” she says. “Until when will women in this country continue to be beaten and burnt in the name of dowry?”

Q. A question you wish more people would ask?

A. I wish more people asked me about my profession, whether it’s exciting and about the most memorable event or show I have done.

Q. Your alternate career choice?

A. Either marketing or public relations.

Q. One thing you do to cheer yourself up?

A. Go out with friends.

Q. Most misunderstood thing about you?

A. Some think I am arrogant.

Q. Something people would be surprised to know about you?

A. I cook well and I am a very good dancer.

Q. An outfit you cannot go wrong with?

A. Blazer pants and a nice white shirt.

Q. If you could have coffee with one Nepali celebrity, who would it be?

A. I am a tea person and I would love to have it with Vlogger Sisan Baniya.

Q. Best compliment you have received?

A. Each one has been the best.

Q. An advice you would give to your younger self?

A. Listen to your heart and decide with your mind.

With the World Cancer Day on Feb 4, our sister publication Annapurna Post is organizing its annual ‘Ride for Life’ cycle rally against cancer on Saturday, Feb 2. The rally will have participants from all walks of life: celebrities, business persons, bureaucrats and politicians, who will join hands to raise awareness against cancer and reduce the attendant stigma through education on symptoms and treatments.

Be a part of this Corporate Social Responsibility campaign of the Annapurna Media Network’s flagship Nepali daily Annapurna Post. The free registration event will also give participants an opportunity to win exciting prizes.

For registration:

Call 014481207, 9802742262

Toll free no. 1660 01 70700

Or log into www.annapurnapost.com/ride-for-life

A study published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology in 2016 showed the most inexpen­sive and most popular masks used in Nepal, China, India and South­east Asia are also the least effec­tive. In highly-polluted areas like Kathmandu, the most cost-efficient cloth mask offered between 39 and 65 percent protection against five various sized particles, says the study, while the woven polyester mask was between 78 and 94 per­cent effective. But as most of these masks are ineffective against par­ticulates smaller than 2.5 microns, which are also the most harmful to our health, they are as good as use­less, the study suggested. Unable to find a suitable mask to fight his dust-induced allergies, Tashi Gyalzen Sherpa decided to make them himself. Since 2014, his company, Metro-Mask, the makers of Nepal’s first high-tech anti-pollution masks, has been pro­ducing four different kinds, namely the Moto mask priced at Rs 3,500 per piece, the City and Urban at Rs 1,500 apiece and the Dispo at Rs 200-300 apiece.

 Dr Santosh Singh Thapa suggests masks with carbon filters that can absorb at least some of the PM 2.5 particles

“PM 2.5, the atmospheric sol­id particles present in the air and especially in the smoke emitted by vehicles and brick kilns, is absorbed by the masks’ carbon filter layers, purifying the air you breathe,” he says. “These masks are comfortable, washable and stylish, have replaceable filters and easily last a year.”

Another company which sells masks in Nepal is Venus Masks, a German brand whose major produc­tion takes place in Mumbai. “The Rs 200 Venus mask comes with a triple layer of carbon filter and has been widely accepted in Nepal. It can be used for a month and absorbs up to 96 percent of the PM 2.5 parti­cles,” claims Arjun Haniya, the sole importer and distributor of Venus masks in Nepal.

Dr Santosh Singh Thapa, a senior physician, advises people to wear masks with carbon filters that can absorb at least some of the harm­ful PM 2.5 particles. “Simple cloth masks barely protect you,” he says.

 Is the mask you are wearing protecting you?

 Multiple studies have shown Kathmandu to be one of the most polluted cities in the world. This has caused a mini-panic, and people have started wearing all kinds of masks to protect themselves

When he was elected the may­or of Kathmandu metropol­itan city in May 2017, Bidya Sundar Shakya had committed to making Kathmandu a ‘no-mask’ city. And yet the problem of air pollution in Kathmandu is getting only worse. The National Ambient Air Quality Standard 2012 has set the 24-hour limit of particulate matter PM 2.5, a major pollutant and health haz­ard, at 40 μg/m3, and of PM 10, another pollutant, at 120μg/m3. This is nearly twice the WHO limit, but even so, the valley’s pollution lev­el exceeds both these limits many times. Multiple studies have shown Kathmandu to be one of the most polluted cities in the world. This has caused a mini-panic, and people have started wearing all kinds of masks to protect themselves.

Masks are these days ubiqui­tous on the streets of the valley, and every other person seems to be wearing one—from the easily available disposable surgical masks to washable cloth masks, to the customized anti-pollution ones that come in a wide range of prices and designs.

Ishika Khadka, a first year student at Kathmandu Law School, has to travel all the way from Maitidevi to Bhaktapur for her classes. “It’s not an easy ride to college, with all the dust from road extension and smoke from vehicles. I use the Rs 10 surgi­cal mask. Don’t think it’s of much help. Still, something is better than nothing,” says Khadka.

Many people jog or take brisk walks in the mornings, primarily for health reasons. But doctors and public health experts warn that such activities are not risk free, as air pol­lution level is the highest during the early hours of the day.

False sense of security

Among the worst affected by the valley’s pollution are the traf­fic police. “We were once given a mask costing Rs 3,500, the one with advanced filters. But it only lasted six months and we haven’t been given another one,” says Raja Ram Adhikari, a sub-constable traffic police working in the Lagankhel-Sat­dobato section. “Now I use an easily available cloth mask, which gets spoiled by the day’s end.”

A study published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmen­tal Epidemiology in 2016 suggested that inexpensive cloth masks vary widely in effectiveness and could be giving users a false sense of security, especially in highly polluted areas. The most cost-efficient cloth mask offered between 39 and 65 percent protection against five various sized particles, says the study, while the woven polyester mask was between 78 and 94 percent effective. But as most of these masks are ineffective against particulates smaller than 2.5 microns, the most harmful ones for our health, the 2016 study suggest­ed, they are as good as useless.

The study showed the most inexpensive and most popu­lar masks used in Nepal, China, India and Southeast Asia are also the least effective.

Unable to find a suitable mask to combat dust-induced allergies, Tashi Gyalzen Sherpa decided to make them himself. Since 2014, his company, Metro-Mask, the makers of Nepal’s first high-tech anti-pollution masks, has been pro­ducing four different kinds, namely the Moto mask priced at Rs 3,500 per piece, the City and Urban at Rs 1,500 apiece and the Dispo at Rs 200-300 apiece.

“PM 2.5, the atmospheric solid particles present in the air and espe­cially in the smoke emitted by vehi­cles and brick kilns, is absorbed by the masks’ carbon filter layers, purifying the air you breathe,” he says. “These masks are comfortable, washable and stylish, have replace­able filters and easily last a year.”

Sherpa says his masks are specially designed for places like Kathmandu with high pollution levels. “A yearly investment of Rs 1,500 in the Urban mask is definitely better than having to buy a normal cloth or surgical mask daily,” he adds. “The Urban mask has sold the most in the Nepali market. They are even used by UNESCO and USAID volunteers. And customer reviews have been great.”

Another company whose masks are available in Nepal is Venus Masks, a German brand whose major production takes place in Mumbai. “The Rs 200 Venus mask comes with a triple layer of carbon filter and has been widely accepted in Nepal. It can be used for a month and absorbs up to 96 percent of the PM 2.5 particles,” claims Arjun Hani­ya, the sole importer and distributor of Venus masks in Nepal.

Up to individuals

Says Dr Santosh Singh Thapa, a senior physician, “Air pollution pos­es a serious health hazard, with patients visiting hospitals with com­plaints of persistent cough, dust-in­duced allergies, symptoms of asth­ma and chronic cases of bronchitis and obstructive pulmonary diseas­es”. He advises people wear masks with carbon filters that can absorb at least some of the harmful PM 2.5 particles. “Simple cloth masks barely protect you from such micro particles,” he says.

Some masks are expensive, but they may be worth the invest­ment, particularly if you factor in the long-term adverse effects of extreme air pollution on your health. A tip: When you go to buy a mask, make sure to check if it has been certified. For instance, the US offers ‘N95’ and ‘N99’ certificates, Europe gives ‘FFP2’ or ‘FFP3’ cer­tificates while China has its own ‘KN95’ certificate. (Metro-Mask has ‘KN95’ certificate while Venus has ‘N95’ certificate)

Lack of experience is one reason behind the failure of the Nepali Congress to play the role of an effective opposition. Nepali Con­gress leader Gagan Thapa admitted as much (See Interview). In fact, in over 28 years since the 1990 democratic change, the Congress has been in power for nearly 20, barring brief spells of active monarchy and short-lived CPN-UML-led governments.

Governments in Nepal changed after an average of nine months until the formation of the second Oli gov­ernment in February 2018. Congress or communists, the opposition is just not used to waiting patiently for the government to serve out its five-year term, which is primarily why no post-1990 government could survive for long. No surprise that Congress leaders are getting antsy after less than a year in the opposition’s bench; they have already had enough of the Oli government.

But they have no other option. Yes, they could align with the rightist forces campaigning for the restoration of the Hindu state and possibly even the monarchy, and there is growing pressure for them to do so from the grassroots. In the most unlikely scenario, with the help of these rightist forces, and possible support of one of our two big neighbors, they could conceivably engineer a divide in the ruling Nepal Communist Party. But such short-termism will backfire.

True, the government of KP Sharma Oli has failed to meet public expectation, and some of its actions have betrayed its ambivalence about democratic free­doms. But then, as Gagan Thapa suggested, the Con­gress should also learn to play the role of a responsi­ble opposition. In fact, all its moves appear reactive. After Dr Govinda KC sat down for yet another hunger strike, it wanted the government to fulfil his demands. But couldn’t it have raised a strong voice in the par­liament against tinkering with the Medical Education Bill before Dr KC started his 16th fast-unto-death? The same pattern—initial apathy followed by righ­teous anger—marked its handling of other high-profile national cases like Nirmala Pant and the grand corrup­tion in the national flag-carrier.

For the democratic system to work its major political actors have to be adept at playing the roles of both the government and the opposition. As interna­tional experience shows, if a government can serve out its full term, the one after it is also likely to. Meantime, why doesn’t the Nepali Congress work on strengthen­ing its organization and putting its leadership under greater scrutiny?

Located in the quiet neighborhood of Bansbari (inside the Standard Nursery near British Gur­kha Academy), Around the Corner is a multi-cui­sine restaurant and event venue. With plenty of open spaces and a luscious garden, it is one of the few children-friendly restaurants in Kathmandu. Food at ATC is like any other regular multi-cuisine restaurants with the menu offering the standard appetizers and main courses. What separates it from others is the peaceful ambience it offers and plenty of space to host different types of small events and gatherings. Be it live music or ‘dog socializing week’ or even festive gatherings, ATC hosts it all.

 THE MENU

Chef’s Special:

- Mustang Aalu

- Hot Chicken Wings

- Mozzarella Cheese Stick

Opening hours: 10 am – 9 pm

Location: Bansbari, Ktm

Cards: Accepted

Meal for 2: Rs 2,000

Reservations: 9861631197

Vipassana, which means to see things as they really are, is one of India’s most ancient medita­tion techniques, taught there more than 2,500 years ago as a universal remedy for universal ills, i.e., an Art of Living. The technique is taught at ten-day residential courses during which partici­pants learn the basics of the method, and practice sufficiently to experience its beneficial results.

Contact: Pokhara Vipassana Center, +977-061-691 972, 9846232383

Traffic in Kathmandu has become a menace and driving your four-wheeler anywhere above 40 has become impossible. So why not join your fellow driving enthusiasts for a memorable jour­ney to Chitwan? Meraki Event is organizing The Amazing Motor Rally 2019 from March 1 to 3. The objective of the Kathmandu-Chitwan motor rally is to promote domestic tourism and encourage road-tripping. The rally will follow traffic rules and yet be loaded with fun and frolic. Moreover, there are trophies and other exciting prizes on offer. For inquiries: 015591437