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Sundar Yatayat’s Electric Vehicles (EVs) opened to the public to much fanfare and media attention two months ago. Owner Bhesh Bahadur Thapa had to jump through hoops to get these buses on the valley streets. His goal: to reduce the use of fossil fuel and improve Kathmandu valley’s public transport system.

Sundar’s four electric buses currently in operation all run on the Ring Road, two clockwise and two anti-clockwise. And although they’ve been running for a few months now, they are still a novel sight. The sleek vehicle never fails to draw attention as it silently glides into a station, catching the gaze of curious bystanders. The look of awe and confusion on passengers’ faces as they adjust to the unique face-to-face seating, and lots of standing room, is palpable. Many, if not most, of them have never travelled on electric buses before.

To better understand the public perception of this unfamiliar means of transport, I talk to a few passengers on board one of these electric busses.

Sanjaya Khadgi, a first-time EV passenger, finds the bus more spacious and airier than other public vehicles. With its considerable width, and large windows, the bus does feels more spacious, although it is probably not much larger than other big buses. Khadgi also brings up the issue of energy independence, saying, “We won’t have to worry about blockades or fuel crises if the use of electric buses becomes more widespread.”

Srijana Singh, a nursing student travelling from Dhungedhara to Gopi Krishna Pul (Chabahil), is also a first-timer rider. She also finds it more comfortable and cleaner than others. “The bus made fewer stops and felt faster too,” Singh adds.

Likewise, Suraj Sharma, a chemistry teacher in Capital College and Research Center in Balkumari, has a strong opinion on the prevalence of diesel vehicles in the valley, and argues that the government should take steps to replace them with EVs, starting with the Ring Road route. “All public transport should be electric vehicles, which might be the only way to improve our air quality,” Sharma adds. In his first outing on the EV, he too feels the seating arrangement was unique and more comfortable for passengers.

Trolley’s close cousins

This, however, is not the first time electric vehicles have buzzed around Kathmandu. In 1975 electric powered trolley bus connected the 13-km distance between Tripureshwor and Suryabinayak, with 32 coaches that promised the rapidly urbanizing city a pollution free future. 

Safa Tempos were introduced in the mid-1990s and, at the turn of the century, the city had over 600 zero-emission vehicles. But the run of battery-powered public transport in the valley was brief. Safa Tempo’s homegrown manufacturing unit was shut down in 2000, although some still ply on select routes. And the immensely popular trolley system was discontinued in 2001 after it fell into disrepair amid political and bureaucratic malaise.

But Shanta Basnet had not even heard of the electric bus service, and this is her first time on one. Still she sounds optimistic about its future. “I hope the government can support this innovative trend,” says Basnet. She adds that this bus reminded her of the public transport she took when she was abroad, “but perhaps the seats on this one is a little more uncomfortable”.

Unlike Shanta, Rohit Basnet thinks the seats are perfectly comfortable and unique. The 25-year-old MBA student also takes note of the vehicle’s silent and comfortable movement. “It is the driving and the seating that make the ride so unique,” Rohit adds.

Sarita Rasaili is the only one who had traveled on the bus before, and also the only one who was concerned about the electric vehicles’ longevity on Nepali roads. “I’m not sure if these foreign buses will last on our harsh roads,” Rasaili suspects, even though she too is perfectly satisfied with the new electric vehicles.

Glimpse of the future

Concern about environmental impact is a common concern of many passengers, who talk about the pollution caused by old fuel-guzzling public vehicles. While some like Srijana Singh suggest a transitional approach to reducing the number of diesel-fueled public transport, others like Suraj Sharma and Rohit Basnet reckon a radical approach is essential, such as entirely banning public vehicles that run on fossil fuel.

I see the bus creates excitement in its passengers. People get into it with enthusiasm. Some are bewildered by the unconventional seating, so much so that an aged gentleman refuses to ride on the bus and demands to be let off immediately.

Strangers make small talk, sharing their first impressions. Some discuss the environmental impact of fossil fuel, while others are adamant that electric vehicles will worsen our relations with India. Some even take selfies to commemorate the bus ride.

Two months of operation is nowhere near enough to prove that the buses will pass the test of time, or that they can compete with the existing buses and stay afloat. It would be a shame if this new breed of electric vehicles was to fall apart like the trolley service. For now, Sundar Yatayat offers us a glimpse of the electric future of public transport we desperately need.

Nepal made sweeping regulatory changes in the new ‘National Policy on Regulation and Control of Alcohol 2017’. The Ministry of Health had taken the initiative with the backing of other ministries, child right activists and public health promoters. Ranging from a total ban on alcohol advertisements to more stringent licensing requirements for liquor dispensaries, the goal was to restrict access to alcohol and reduce consumption in the long run. Later, in November 2018, the Home Ministry brought more restrictions and pledged to enforce the existing liquor policy more effectively.

An interesting facet of this policy was the ban on selling liquor by grocery and department stores and the requirement of a specific license to operate liquor shops. This effectively separated the liquor business from general retail shops. But it has created an unexpected scenario, one where the number of liquor stores in some locales has grown exponentially. Pepsicola of Kathmandu (on the way to Bhaktapur) is one such area, where many booze businesses targeting a rapidly increasing population have opened up.

Soni Paudel has run Soni Liquor Store in Pepsicola for over five years. While she is ambivalent about new regulations, she has strong opinion on the opening of new liquor shops. “Many new ones have opened up over the past few years. Five years ago, this area had only two or three. Now they are everywhere,” says Paudel, whose business has slowed down in recent years. She believes this is not because people are drinking less, but are going to the stores closest to them. Paudel has a high number of regulars, so her business hasn’t taken a big hit. But she is certain that not all liquor shop owners have it equally easy.

S.N.G. Dealers is one of the newly-opened stores in the area, just opposite Paudel’s shop. Bishal Khatiwoda started the business three years ago with high expectations, which have not been met. He blames the policy of easy licensing for liquor stores. Says Khatiwoda, “The number of stores has increased—maybe by 50 percent—in the past year, but many have also gone out of business as profit margins have dropped.” Khatiwoda says he currently makes half of what he used to when he opened his store; he believes similar is the case with every other retailer in the area. Business seems to have fallen even though the number of people drinking alcohol has probably increased.

Sun, sin and soakers

Manju Magar has been living in this area for over seven years. She does not mind the increase in the number of liquor stores around her. “I don’t see a problem, maybe because I don’t drink much. This is a pretty affluent area, so you don’t see loafers drinking in the streets and creating a scene,” says Magar. Real-estate prices rose significantly after 2012 when Sun City apartments were built, bringing in well-off families into the previously sparsely inhabited area. As for alcohol-related domestic violence, Magar says she’s unaware of any significant case.

Apart from sales restrictions, Khatiwoda and Paudel, the two retailers, find it difficult to follow some rules. With the minimum drinking age now raised to 21 (from the previous 18), retailers struggle to correctly identify someone’s age without a valid ID card. “It’s not practical to ask for identification if a customer’s age is not clear from their face,” says Paudel. She believes it will hurt her business and will not prevent underage drinking, as people under 21 can easily go to some other shop that does not ask for identification.

Says Khatiwoda, “When those under 21 come here to buy alcohol, you can’t be sure if they’re getting it for their parents or for themselves.” Both he and Paudel think people sending their children to buy liquor is a problem and wish parents were more aware. “Whenever kids come to buy drinks or cigarettes, I always ask them to send their parents,” adds Khatiwoda.

S.N.G. Dealers and Soni Liquor Store fall under the jurisdiction of Inspector Sudhir Rai at the Kadhaghari Police Department. He admits a large number of liquor stores have opened up under his watch in recent years. “Demand for alcohol is rising and liquor stores and bhattis (local bars) are opening up at an alarming pace. Our culture’s perception of alcohol is twisted; we consider it essential for celebrations. But in the past few years, it has become a problem.”

Plethora of problems

Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to disorderly conduct and even societal ills; it is considered one of the main culprits of domestic violence. According to a report by Women and Children Service Center (WCSC) of the Nepal Police, one third of all domestic violence cases reported last year in Kathmandu were alcohol related. “Obviously, crime has increased in line with alcohol consumption. Domestic abuse, child abuse, petty crimes, gang violence and particularly vehicular accidents are increasing and alcohol is often involved,” Rai adds. He believes alcohol’s cultural acceptance makes it a gateway to harder drugs.

Apart from social ills, excessive and regular consumption of alcohol can have adverse health effects. Apart from liver disease, pancreatitis, ulcers and gastrointestinal problems, excessive drinking can even lead to brain damage, especially in people who begin drinking before 24. Dr. Santosh Pokhrel works as a general physician at Saadhak Polyclinic, Pepsicola. He says the number of locals seeking treatment for alcohol-related ailments is rapidly increasing. “I’ve noticed people, mostly those between 25 and 40, increasingly affected by ailments like Alcohol Liver Disease,” says Pokhrel. As if to lend credence to the doctor’s claim, an obviously drunk middle-aged man reeking of local rakshi staggers into the clinic and starts pestering the receptionist to measure his blood sugar level.

Although the government is taking steps to curb excessive drinking, its policies seem short-sighted and have ironically given people even easier access to alcohol. And the rules are also being flouted openly. Though the policy caps the number of liquor stores in a ward at five, there are a lot more in some locales. In a kilometer-long stretch in Suncity, Pepsicola, there are nine liquor stores, six of which opened within the past three years.

In the same stretch, nearly a third of kirana pasals, none of whose owners were willing to be identified, admitted to stocking liquor in low quantities. Says Inspector Rai, “Although there is a cap on the number of liquor stores in an area, we have not been asked to enforce it by higher authorities.” He also blames lack of coordination between the license distributors and the local police for the gap between policy and implementation.

For now, new liquor stores keep sprouting up largely because licenses are easy to get and the government does not enforce its capping policy. How long these businesses can stay afloat amid cut-throat competition is another matter altogether. As far as their impact on the society is concerned, it is subtle but perhaps grievously harmful in the long term.

We’ve all heard tales of Yogis and sages meditating throughout history. While some meditated to gain knowledge, others did so to acquire strengths rivalling those of Gods. But nowadays, meditation is practiced for simpler benefits. Many are turning to it as a way to enhance mindfulness, reduce stress, or to hone their ability to concentrate deeply.

Aspiring musician Nischal Baidya has been practicing Quan Yin meditation since he was 14. At the age of 24 now, he says being introduced to meditation at a young age helped him in his creative endeavors. A student of ethnomusicology, Baidya says regular meditation helps him stay calm and create music. “It has made my skills sharper, and also motivated me to pursue other arts like sketching. It makes me more decisive in my day-to-day activities as well.” He doesn’t ever feel anxious now, he adds. Baidya reckons he even understands people better after he learned to meditate. 

Myriad benefits

People are drawn to meditation for various reasons, including spiritual and health. Over the years, many medical studies—though not all—have shown the usefulness of meditation for people suffering from anxiety, depression and other mental health issues, and for enhanced general well-being. Brain researchers say meditation, combined with proper behavioral therapy, may promote better psychiatric health. Certain forms of meditation are also helpful in fighting addictions. Besides these benefits, meditation has proven beneficial to the elderly suffering from memory loss and dementia.

The work of Marsha Linehan, who developed Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), is one example of the successful integration of mindfulness meditation with psychotherapy for the treatment of character pathology, depression, addictions and eating disorders. DBT has helped legitimize meditation as a credible component of psychiatric treatment. “The efficacy of meditation in psychiatric treatment depends on the disorder; it might work for some but not for others,” says Trishna Bhos Bista, a clinical psychiatrist currently practicing psychiatry at the Manoshastra Counselling & Research Center, Lalitpur. Usually, meditation techniques like Muscle Relaxation Therapy and Abbreviated Relaxation Therapy are used along with DBT to treat various anxiety-related disorders. But Bista also puts in a word of caution: “As a form of treatment though, meditation won’t be effective until the underlying causes of the disorder are properly dealt with.” 

Baidya can attest to meditation’s medicinal benefits; he claims regular meditation helped him alleviate chronic migraine. “I was not meditating in order to cure my migraine, but I noticed that my headaches gradually became few and far between. Earlier I was worried that migraine was a lifelong ailment, but apparently not,” says Baidya. 

Some even claim that meditation has cured serious conditions like cancer, but the veracity of such claims cannot be established. Nor can claims of otherworldly experiences—seeing the spirit of loved ones who are deceased, encountering godly beings, attaining a state of Samadhi, or escaping the Karmic cycle of death and rebirth—be scientifically verified. Yet that has not deterred dedicated meditation practitioners.   

“I meditate daily, as much as I can, in the mornings or evenings. Even when I am busy, I usually find some time for it,” says Ghanashyam Khadka, 39, a senior sub-editor at the Kantipur daily. Khadka has been practicing Vipassana meditation for over a decade now. “Meditation is varied, and its effects largely depend on the practitioner and the type of meditation they pursue. For me, it was mainly about calmness and peace in the beginning, but now I’m moving toward a more spiritually transformative approach to meditation,” he adds. 

To each her own

In the view of Pratikshya Kattel, a teacher at Madan Bhandari Memorial College and a striving writer, there are two types of meditation—passive and active. Passive meditation is when one sits down in a certain posture, usually with closed eyes, and focuses on something, such as one’s breath. Active meditation, on the other hand, is the state of constant mindfulness, in every activity. Kattel outlined the philosophy of mindfulness presented by Thích Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese monk, in his book The Miracle of Mindfulness. “I prefer active meditation, which entails being completely focused, engaged and mindful about one’s actions. That’s much tougher than passive meditation.” She also tried meditating at Osho’s Tapoban, but didn’t enjoy it. “Once you get the hang of active mindfulness, it quickly becomes orgasmic,” claims Kattel.  

Whether and what kind of benefits practitioners derive from meditation is probably subjective, but what is certain is that meditation is steadily gaining in popularity. Both Baidya and Khadka enthusiastically recommend meditation for everyone. “I believe kids should be taught meditation from their school years. It will help them grow wiser and excel in their studies as well as in other interests,” Baidya adds.  

Yuval Noah Harari, an Israeli historian and author of the bestseller Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, has said in a number of interviews that meditation has helped him enormously to concentrate and write. In fact, meditation is one of the lessons for everyone to adopt in his recent book 21 Lessons for the 21st Century. If you are interested, plenty of organizations with various religious leanings teach meditation for free. There is a lot of meditation literature online as well.