Submit your Article

 “Why isn’t Thamel, which is at the heart of Nepali tourism, open 24 hours a day?” The questioner was visibly angry at the government’s inability to do so. The event was a public hearing in Thamel of top cops and administrators of Kathmandu district on a recent Friday evening. The incoming chief of Nepal Police, Sarbendra Khanal, who was instrumental in making Thamel a no-vehicle zone, must have heard this question many times. It is just a sliver of the immense challenge he will face.

Khanal takes over as the Inspector General of Nepal Police as the country is making a difficult transition to a federal structure. Nepal Police, which is still highly centralized, is struggling with this drastic change. The number of crimes this fiscal is up, by eight percent from the previous year, with murders and rapes accounting for most of the increase. There are now an average of over three rapes in Nepal every day. It falls on Khanal to enhance public trust in his institution, to sincerely implement the slogan of “Police My Friend”. A trusted police force is also an effective one.

You wouldn’t bet against Khanal. After all, he has had a stellar career. His investigative skills were amply demonstrated when he looked into and led the suc­cessful prosecution of national footballers enmeshed in match-fixing. Besides his investigative skills, Khanal was as noted for his tough line against notorious dons. Khanal, who had received top marks in the internal evaluation of Nepal Police to choose the new police chief, is one of the rare Inspector Generals whose appointment was based largely on merit. This will, hopefully, set a strong precedent.

It would have been better still had Khanal been first appointed the Assistant Inspector General (AIG), the second highest rank, and promoted to Inspector Gen­eral after some time. But as all serving AIGs had retired at the same time, the government had no option but to choose from among the third-highest ranking Depu­ty Inspector Generals (DIGs), Khanal among them. To ensure that there is no such void in the future, and that the next police chief is well trained as an administrator, the provision of compulsory retirement after 30 years of service has to be modified. The sooner the better.

The good news is that merit has prevailed over poli­ticking in the appointment of the Nepal Police chief, as well as the new chief of the Armed Police Force, which is now led by Shailendra Khanal, another competent hand. This bodes well in these uncertain times.

Weekly Editorial Cartoon

Tarang Entertainment in association with Live&Loud events pre­sented Pandora’s Jukebox show on April 30. In its second edition, the event showcased different bands from diverse genres of music—rock, heavy rock, funk and metal. Five bands—featuring Tumbleweed Inc. with special guest ASM, Deplore, Kramasha Nepal and The Mellow Malady—ignited the stage promoting only ‘original music’. “It is a platform, and also an appreciation for those involved in making original music,” Suyash Rajbhandari, the coordinator of the event told APEX. “The purpose here is to promote Nepali artists making their own composi­tions.”

Music enthusiasts gathered to witness the talented bands performing in the crowded venue at Club 25 Hrs. The Mellow Malady, a band, per­forming on stage for the very first time, set the mood for the evening. Performances from Deplore, ASM, Krama­sha Nepal and Tumbleweed Inc. followed. All the artists performed their original com­positions, from their albums as well as singles to an awe­struck audience.

The turnout was big. The atmosphere outside the venue was cold and breezy. But the people who entered with their jackets and hoodies on, were soon throwing their clothes away as the event progressed. There were plenty of head-bangers and ad lib artists among the audience. “I know my neck will ache for a couple of days” said Binod Chhetri, a music-lover attending the event. “But, it’s worth it, these bands are just superb.”

The first edition of Pando­ra’s Jukebox was held in Pur­ple Haze last year. In recent times, musicians and artists making original music have been overshadowed by cover singers who garner popular­ity by singing old songs that are already popular. With restaurants, bars, clubs and YouTube taken over by cover musicians, Pandora’s Jukebox is an event created to support young Nepali musicians who compose, record and perform their own songs, thus greatly contributing to the Nepali music industry. APEX BUREAU

Helicopter is the only vehicle for emergency rescues in Nepal’s mountains, as rough terrains and lack of road access make build­ing airports for airplanes impossible there. Nepal’s mountains have thus been dependent on helicopters for conveyance as well as rescue opera­tions, medical evaluation and relief flights. On March 31, Simrik Air, a recog­nized name in high-altitude flying and rescue/evacuations, helped a couple of Czech nationals who had gone missing while on a trek in the Dhaulagiri region (Marpha). Capt. Surendra Paudel and Rescue Spe­cialists Tsering Pande Bhote and Sonam Chhiring Lama successfully airlifted them to Kathmandu in a Simrik Air helicopter.

Kamil Moravec and Jiri Kalabis were suspected to have fallen off a cliff and trapped in a dangerous gorge 3,500 meters above sea level, where Kamil was severely injured and had his left leg broken. The area they were trapped in is inaccessible by road, making rescue difficult. Enter Simrik Air’s ‘high-altitude long line rescue team’.

Simrik Air, established in 2001, is a leading helicopter company in Nepal with a solid track record in high-altitude rescue with experi­enced pilots and rescue specialists trained in the US and Switzerland.

Greasy Laundry, a Nepali clothing line of handcrafted designer clothes and acces­sories, started operation this week inside the premises of Tangalwood, Gahanapokhari, Kathmandu. Designed and owned by Bikrant Shrestha and Rajeeb Sayami—both musicians, biking enthusiasts and entrepreneurs—the ‘passionately handcrafted’ Greasy Laundry offers denim pants, jackets and other accessories for both men and women.

With plans to start its own produc­tion in the near future, the clothing line is now collaborating with Indo­nesian brands NBDN (NOBRAND­EDON) for the denim range and Kana Goods for other wears and accessories.

“The idea is to collaborate with different international brands to bring customized clothing to Nepal,” Shrestha says. “We have started with two Indonesians clothing compa­nies and will soon introduce more brands in the Nepali market.”

NBDN is a denim brand focused on ‘heritage work-street concept,’ making handwoven and hand-dyed denims that represent their “human made” and “human taste” taglines. Likewise, Kana Goods is an Indone­sian fashion brand which specializes in production of natural materials using indigo dyes.

Aimed at the fashion-conscious youth of Nepal, the price ranges for Greasy Laundry products are slightly on the higher side. “Of course when we start our own pro­duction, the prices will decrease,” says Bikrant.

“But they will still be for the niche market as we do not want to go into mass production. Our focus is mainly carefully-crafted boutique denims”.

World renowned brand TCL has launched its “Feri aayo haatma haat offer” for the upcoming Nepali New year. In the scheme, customers purchasing TCL LED TVs can get up to Rs 27,000 cash back. Also, with every washing machine, there is a CG Spray Iron as gift and all Air Conditioners get free installation. EOL Pvt Ltd is the authorized distributor of TCL brand in Nepal.

On the occasion of the Mother’s Day this month, Hyatt Regency Kathmandu has launched special offers for the “most important women in our lives.”

Hyatt’s Pastry Chef Deepak has created a special Mother’s Day Cake—a sweet chocolate treat with a mixture of chocolate sponge, cointreau cream and mir­ror glaze at only Rs 900 (+taxes) a pound. The cake can be ordered eggless too.

Club Oasis spa at Hyatt also has a Mother’s Day Spa special pack­age which includes 45-minute manicure, 60-minute aroma ther­apy massage, 60-minute facial, plus use of steam, sauna and whirlpool at Rs 7,500 (+taxes).

The offers are valid from April 01-April 30.

Ncell Pvt Ltd has introduced ‘Pahilo SIM’ for the students who appeared in this year’s SEE (Secondary Education Exam).

Under this scheme, students can subscribe Ncell pre-paid SIM card at just Re 1, which can be loaded with exciting offers of iflix video streaming and My5 service on first recharge.

The Pahilo SIM users can also enjoy exclusively designed and more affordable data packs and bonuses on every top-up. The scheme that will remain in place for 90 days came into effect on March 2.

All SEE appeared students of 2018 can get Ncell pre-paid SIM card from nearest Ncell Centers on sub­mitting copies of their examination admit card and citizenship of their parents/guardian.