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First Covid-19 and then dengue followed by a dreary Dashain, thanks to heavy rainfall, Kathmandu residents badly needed a break. Jazzmandu—probably the biggest music festival in Kathmandu—came to our rescue at the right time. Held from Oct 13 to 19, the 18th edition of the event gave us a chance to disconnect from the humdrum of daily life and indulge in some good music. Bringing together jazz performers from Nepal and all over the world, this year’s event, ‘Jazzmandu 2022’ had many performances in different venues. There were a total of seven artists: Jamie Baum Sextet (USA), Catia Werneck (Brazil/France), Yumi Ito (Switzerland), Jin Jim (Germany), Cadenza Collective (Nepal), Jonisha Poudel (Nepal), and Samundra Band (Nepal). At the grand finale of the event, held on Oct 19 at Hotel Yak and Yeti in Durbar Marg, Kathmandu, all the performers came together for a spectacular closing. The fest formally started on Oct 13, with Cadenza Collective jamming with their new and old friends in Kathmandu’s well-known jazz club, Jazz Upstairs. The performance by Cadenza Collective had both a jazzy and traditional vibe and people were grooving to their music. The opening act was indeed a blast for everyone who made it to the show. The second show on Oct 14 had a bit of a personal touch. Held in several locations in Kathmandu, people could visit the place they were most comfortable with or go listen to an artist of their choice. Jamie Baum Sextet performed at Jazz Upstairs in Lazimpat, Jin Jin at Electric Pagoda in Thamel, Catia Werneck at Evoke Café and Bistro in Jhamsikhel, and Yumi Ito at Musicology in Patan. You could very well say there was some jazz in almost every corner of Kathmandu valley. But without a doubt, the third day of the fest, on Oct 15, was the best one of all. Held at Gokarna Forest Resort, visitors got to enjoy live music under the open sky at the resort. The festival kicked off at three in the afternoon and went on till 10:00 pm. This informal, almost picnic-like way of enjoying jazz music in the company of your loved ones, while sipping a glass of wine, has over the years been a popular feature of Jazzmandu. The event had a slightly more formal vibe on Oct 17. Held at Aloft in Thamel, the event featured Catia Werneck and Cadenza Collective. They set just the right mood with their mesmerizing performances. Cadenza Collective opened the show with tunes that were a mixture of jazz with a hint of traditional music. It also included a jazzy version of ‘Tamang Selo’ which was simply amazing. They ended the show with their famous music, none other than the song ‘Momo Funk’, to which the crowd cheered and sang along. Catia Werneck performed next. Her music was all about love. The crowd loved her French music. It was evident by their cheers and claps. Visitors ApEx talked to said they just wanted to stand up and dance to the music. Werneck was enjoying herself. She clearly loved to sing. The vibe caught on. People were captivated by her charm. However, it was quite challenging to make Jazzmandu a successful event this year, mostly because of the dengue epidemic. “We followed the necessary protocols, gave our 100 percent, and hoped for the best,” says Samir Chhetri, media coordinator. Jazzmandu started in 2002 and has always had national and international artists. “But this time we wanted to do something different which is why we held workshops before the actual event,” says Chhetri. This year, Jazzmandu organized music and live sound workshops from Oct 10 to 12 for those interested to participate. They also conducted a music competition, whose winner got to perform during their event at the Gokarna Forest Resort. This time, Jazzmandu also had something to offer jazz enthusiasts—a chance to learn the music they loved. On Oct 18, there was a masterclass for anyone willing to attend. Although seats are limited, entry was free. You could get a basic knowledge of jazz music from well-known experts in the field. The classes were held in two locations: Yala Maya Kendra in Patan, Lalitpur, and The Music Room in Kathmandu. The mentors were Jamie Baum Sextet and Jin Jim, and Catia Werneck and Yumi Ito respectively. There was also a jazz performance at Yala Maya Kendra, in the evening, where the audience got a dose of traditional Nepali music with a touch of jazz. In the past, the audience used to be mostly tourists. Nepalis, Chhetri says, were not that aware or interested in jazz back then. But in the past few years, Nepalis have apparently shown interest in jazz. It was quite evident this year as the majority of the audience were Nepalis, although there were quite a lot of tourists too. “It was really nice to see so many locals enjoying our music,” says Chhetri.

“We just want to rebuild our lives, if not for us then for our children,” says Shaker Muhammud, a Rohingya refugee who is currently residing in a rented space in Kapan. This particular residence holds 218 refugees, and all of them have their own problems and grievances. Many are still searching for lost family members, some have recently been reunited, and every one of them is worried about where their next meal is going to come from. There are aging people who need medical attention, widows who don’t speak the language and thus have no way of asking for help or communicating outside, and children who don’t belong anywhere. Rohingya refugees have been entering Nepal since 2013, with only a card issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in their name. “The card was a hope for us at first, but now it seems like a burden,” says Muhammud. The card clearly states that the Rohingya community will be funded and looked after by the UNHCR, but according to Muhammud, they have not done much to help them lead decent lives. They have had to find their own place to stay. Some have taken small flats around Kapan, while others have leased small plots of land and built temporary roofs over their heads. “When we first came to Nepal, we received some financial help to get us started. But now there’s nothing,” says Muhammud. What’s worse is that they aren’t allowed to work. Currently, they are paying Rs 25,000 per month for the land they have taken on lease. “We have two months left on rent. After that, we have no idea where to go,” he says. The funding they were promised would have gone towards their rent and provided them with at least two square meals a day. But the UNHCR stopped the funding citing budget constraints, leaving the refugees in a quandary. “ Things apparently got worse during the Covid-19 lockdowns, says Muhammud. The UN refugee agency had declared that each of the Rohingya refugees would get Rs 3,000 per month for their daily needs during the lockdown. But according to the refugees, they only received Rs 1,000, and that too only for the first nine months. “It was difficult to make ends meet. It still is, especially since we aren’t allowed to work,” says Arifulla, a Rohingya community member. When asked for clarification, the UNHRC offered to provide a written answer. But their response didn’t state whether the UN body had rescinded financial support to the refugees. Instead, they said they supported Nepal’s Covid-19 response in multiple sectors, such as cash-based interventions, water, sanitation, health, education, livelihoods, and counseling through UNHCR 24/7 hotline services for refugees. Coming back to the Rohingya community, everyone is in contact with other refugees in other countries, and they claim that they are being given the necessary funding to manage their daily expenses. “We don’t understand why refugees in Nepal are the only ones who don’t get help from the refugee agency when the funding must be similar worldwide,” says Arifulla speaking on behalf of those who had formed a little crowd around me during my recent visit to Kapan. The concerns seem fair. So far, the UNHCR has done its best to support Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. In March 2022, the UN launched a response plan to support 1.4bn Rohingya and Bangladeshis, which included over 918,000 Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char, Bangladesh. The community members in Nepal are looking for answers. They demonstrated in front of the UNHCR building one and a half months ago. But, to their dismay, they got no response whatsoever. Seeking help from the government isn’t an option for the refugees. Every time the community members have visited government authorities, they have been given the same answer: “You are being looked after by the UN refugee agency.” They find themselves caught in a trap they see no way out of. With no hope on the horizon, many Rohingya refugees have found work or are looking for odd jobs to earn a little bit of money. They know this is illegal. But they also need to pay rent and buy food. “But there is no guarantee that we will get paid. Since most people know we aren’t allowed to work, the pay is very little. Sometimes they cheat us and don’t give us the promised salary when the job is done,” says Arifulla. Muhammud adds he lost out on Rs 30,000 when people found out he was a refugee. He still feels bad about it because he had worked really hard. That incident has crushed his morale and he doesn’t want to work anymore. “What’s the use when I don’t know if I will be paid or not?” he questions. They have nowhere to go with their complaints. They know the police will be of no help. “We would probably be jailed for working illegally,” says Arifulla. “But sometimes it seems like getting arrested would be a blessing. We would at least get to have two meals a day,” he adds. UNHCR, on the other hand, says that they prioritize self-reliance and income generation for refugees while mainstreaming them into local services. “UNHCR Nepal finances basic and advanced vocational skills training, such as carpentry, beautician, haircutting, web-design, and masonry and so on,” writes the UN body in their email response to ApEx. “UNHCR Nepal guides refugees on market opportunities and linkages to employers and provides top-up support for prominent small businesses with the scope to expand.” Their response did nothing to ease the refugee’s worries. The card the refugees have been given clearly states they are ineligible for employment. They feel the UNHCR is just beating around the bush and plan to do nothing for them. There have been days when everyone here has had to live on one meal. And sometimes even that seems impossible. They are thankful to several organizations for at least trying to help. “Sometimes, we get rations from some organizations, especially during Ramadan. But we can’t always depend on someone else’s mercy for our next meal,” says Arifulla. Tikaram Pokharel, spokesperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), says that the refugees have been living in the worst conditions possible. He mentions that they are deprived of education, health benefits, and even proper sanitation. “They were forced out of their country, which itself is the biggest human rights violation anyone can face,” he says “Their condition now isn’t any better.” Most of the refugees say they have no hope that their lives will get any better but they wish their children can have a place to call home. “We have no state, and we don’t want our children to go through the same,” says Muhammud as those around him nod in agreement. They are disheartened that they could never get an education but educating their children is one of their biggest priorities, they say. They say they don’t want to send their children to public school, having heard many terrible things about it. But then the UNHCR reduced the amount for a single child’s education to a minimum, making it difficult for the parents to pay for their tuition, books, and stationery supplies. “It used to be Rs 18,000, but now it has been reduced to Rs 6,000,” says Arifulla. Also, the aid is only available if the child is studying at a government school. The UNHCR did not respond to this complaint as well. In terms of health benefits, the government provides some medicines for free. If treatment is required, the UNHCR has, in the past, collaborated with the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj, Kathmandu. But then this facility is only for minor issues. The refugees claim that when they have suffered from major health problems, their treatments have been delayed and they have gotten worse. Although they haven’t lost anyone yet, the fear that an illness might claim a loved one’s life because of lack of treatment haunts them day and night. The UNHCR said they support the refugee’s access to essential public services, including access to public health care and public education. But going by the refugee’s testimonies that clearly doesn’t seem to be the case. With so many problems at every turn and their only ‘support system’, the UNHCR, refusing to address their issues, things look bleak for the refugees. They are doing what they can but it’s not enough to ensure a good future for their children and that weighs heavily on their hearts.

Satyamohan Joshi, Nepal’s most respected historian and cultural scholar, has passed away. He was 103. He was famously known as the ‘Man of the Century’. Though Joshi had been suffering from prostate and heart-related health issues for a while now, the cause of death was declared to be dengue. He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at KIST Medical College and Teaching Hospital on Oct 10 and that was where he took his last breath on Oct 16. Born and raised in Lalitpur, Joshi studied at Durbar High School in Kathmandu and then received a bachelor’s degree from Tri Chandra College. But Joshi was a student for life. Even as he was nearing 100, he could be found going through books on history and culture. He was quoted and interviewed in the media when he was well into his 90s. One can only imagine how driven and energetic he must have been as a youth. He firmly believed Nepali culture, art, and language needed to be preserved. He is the only one to have explored Karnali while researching the origination of the Nepali language. He established Rastriya Naach Ghar in Kathmandu, the Archeological Garden in Patan, the Archeological Museum in Taulihawa, and the National Painting Museum in Bhaktapur. They were his ways of preserving the different aspects of the Nepali culture. There was a brief moment in his life, during the 1960 Nepal coup d’état, when he visited China and conducted his research on Nepal’s famous sculpture ‘Arniko’. He came back to Nepal and went on to establish the Araniko White Dagoba Gallery in Kirtipur which showcases the various artifacts related to the great sculpture. With more than 60 writings published in his name, Joshi is one of the biggest contributors in Nepali art and literature scene. He was the only three-time winner of the Madan Puraskar—the highest literary honor in Nepal—and was also given an honorary doctorate in literature for his contribution in art, folk culture, and the history of Karnali. Chiri Babu Maharjan, mayor, Lalitpur Metropolitan City, expressed his condolences on arriving at the hospital following Joshi’s death. “His contribution towards protecting Nepali culture, history, and language, will forever be acknowledged and appreciated,” he said. “In a way, he was the sole protector of our heritage.” Before his demise, Joshi had signed an agreement with KIST Medical College and Teaching Hospital. He wanted to donate his body to be used in medical education. His son Anu Raj Joshi said it was difficult for the family, although his father had already made the call. The family ultimately decided not to cremate the body and donate it as per Joshi’s wishes, after a public viewing. Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba paid his respects and the government declared a one-day holiday to mourn his death. Joshi’s life was an example of a well-lived one. People were in awe of him, not only for his historical and cultural expertise but for the sheer authority he exuded through his voice and presence. Birth: 12 May 1920, Lalitpur Death: 16 Oct 2022, Lalitpur

Nihal Bhandari wants to read Nepali books. He doesn’t have a good grasp of the language and thinks reading novels in Nepali can help him get better at it. But the 21-year-old student couldn’t find books that matched his interests. In English, there is just so much to choose from—horror, fantasy, satire, thrillers, romance, and many more. In Nepali, however, there isn’t much variety, he claims. Bhandari wanted to read books that didn’t require him to think much. But he could only find books on social issues and other heavy topics. He was looking for spy thrillers and light reads that he could breeze through but there weren’t that many interesting ones. The few romance novels that were available felt run of the mill. Other readers ApEx spoke to had similar issues. They wanted to read Nepali books but were disappointed by the little to no variety. Similarly, many people, who were apparently more comfortable reading in Nepali than in English, said the lack of genres greatly limited their reading choices. Suresh Badal, writer and translator, agrees those who prefer Nepali books don’t have much to choose from. It’s either the classics or similar stories based on different social issues. “There aren’t many thrillers, fantasies, or self-help books in Nepal because nobody is telling these kinds of stories,” he says. Madhavi Singh Shah, writer, says most of the Nepali books she has come across deal with different societal constructs and stigmas that are prevalent in Nepal. They might be important works of literature but they alone aren’t enough to promote a reading culture among those whose preferred language is Nepali. One reason why writers tend to prefer writing about social issues, according to Shah, is because they have been inspired by what they have seen around them. Not many writers are able to conjure up entire scenarios in their heads. “Most books, for example, ‘Seto Dharti’ by Amar Neupane, revolve around the issues faced by women in our society—whether it be in the past or the present,” she says. Books like ‘Jhola’ and ‘Chirharan’ follow the same route. These are good books, no doubt, but there’s a déjà vu kind of feeling when you read a couple of them back-to-back. Another reason why there is not much variety in Nepali books is because there aren’t many full-time writers. Most writers have other jobs. Writing is something they do on the side, as a hobby or a passion. Badal says this is because writing isn’t a well-paying career option in Nepal. There isn’t much financial stability in it. “Since you can’t invest all your time in it, you can’t research or read much. This limits ideas and there’s not much to play with while writing a story,” says Badal. A good way to bring more variety into the Nepali book market is to translate English books, adds Badal. He believes the availability of translated works might act as a catalyst to push Nepali authors into exploring other genres. There are a few Nepali self-help books available today that are translated works of famous authors like Dale Carnegie and Napoleon Hill. However, several publishers ApEx spoke to don’t seem to think there’s anything wrong with the kind of Nepali books available in the market today. Arjun Adhikari, publisher, Lipi Books Pvt Ltd, thinks most people don’t look around enough to find the kind of books they want. Our publication industry is definitely not as expansive as English publishing but it’s become better in the past few years. As far as translations are concerned, Adhikari says as a publisher he isn’t very keen on them. There have been instances where the essence of the original works has been lost. “It’s only natural for publication houses to be skeptical of it and not invest in it,” he says. Saijan Maskey, publisher at Nepalaya, says in the past 25 years, they have come out with a wide range of Nepali books. From poetry to children’s literature, they have tried to ensure they cater to different readers. Fiction, she says, is more popular than non-fiction but in the past few years, the demand for non-fiction works has also gone up. Maskey mentions that there was a time when only two to three books would be launched in a month. Now, there are at least three to four new releases every week. She believes the reason there seems to be limited Nepali books in the market is because our book industry isn’t supported by the media and there is very little publicity. Many people, she claims, aren’t simply aware of what new Nepali books are being launched or which new authors have recently been published. “I think we also haven’t been able to utilize social media platforms to inform our readers about new releases or any interesting Nepali books that we might already have,” she says. Marketing is a must but the focus must also be on publishing different stories, says Elizabeth Tiwari, co-owner of Pilgrims Book House. She feels there are a lot of Nepali books being published and marketed these days but the stories, though crucial, shed light on similar issues. There is very little variation where themes are concerned, she says. “If you look at the section in our bookstore where we keep Nepali books, you will see that there isn’t a lot to choose from,” she says. As a bookseller, Tiwari feels Nepali books could definitely do with more variety. She feels there are a lot of talented young writers these days who are just looking for a platform. Our publishing industry could tap into that potential to come up with new kinds of content, she says. “There is a need to explore and give space to new writers who can tell diverse stories.”

Sudip Gautam, the young entrepreneur who revolutionized the Mardi Trekking Route into what it is today, has passed away. An accident took him. The 34-year-old slipped and fell while fixing a water pipe in Mardi High Camp on Sep 30, Friday. The very next day, his body was brought to West Regional Hospital via helicopter for postmortem. Born and raised in Kaski, Gautam showed early signs of wanting to be in the hospitality business. He was fascinated by tourists who visited Kaski, and approached them while carrying bottled water and other drinks as conversation starters. His aim had always been to go to Switzerland to pursue a degree in hospitality. He moved to Pokhara, the provincial capital, after completing his secondary education and continued his studies. He had always been good in school, scoring high marks, but that year he failed his exams for the first time. And that shattered his dream of going to Switzerland. But he persevered and started over. Deciding he wanted to do something by himself, Gautam thought of opening his own teashop, in a barn owned by his father. He saw tourists struggling to spend the night in tents and caves, as the Mardi Trekking Route had not been properly established yet. After the People’s Movement in 2006, Gautam established the tea shop at High Camp. Although a lot of tourists visited Annapurna Base Camp at the time, some came to Mardi, and found a resting spot at his quaint little place. He used to make handwritten signs on the path of the Mardi Trekking Route for the convenience of tourists. But Gautam knew more could be done. He convinced his relatives to invest in houses around the Mardi Trekking Route. Taking loans from relatives and investing money sent by his father from Malaysia, Gautam decided to expand the teashop into an eight-room hotel. Sixteen years later, Mardi Trekking Route is one of the most visited tourist areas of Nepal. It gives a 360 degree view of the mountain and is a relatively safe trail to reach Annapurna Base Camp. Gautam gained fame as a result of his perseverance in turning an abandoned path into a trekking route, which many thought was impossible. Many even call him ‘Mardi Sudip’. “He is the first to identify and promote the Mardi Trekking Route. The name is well deserved,” says Nirmala Kumari Neupane, executive director, International Mountain Museum, Pokhara. According to Nima Nuru Sherpa, president, Nepal Mountaineering Association, Gautam was someone who always wanted to do something different. He made a huge contribution in the tourism sector of Nepal. “I’m saddened by the untimely loss of such a happy, energetic person.”

Birth: 13 Feb 1946, Kathmandu Death: 18 Sept 2022, Lalitpur  Devendra Gautam, a renowned journalist of Nepal, has passed away. He was 77. Although he had largely recovered from Covid-19, Gautam developed respiratory complications that led to pneumonia. He was admitted in the Intensive Care Unit at B&B Hospital in Gwarko, Lalitpur where he was put on the ventilator and where he later breathed his last. Gautam started his career in journalism in 1972. Throughout the duration of it, he was a democrat, even during the panchayat regime. Advocating for democracy and press freedom, he stood against everything the then autocratic governance believed in. But Gautam wasn’t the kind to bow down to pressure. Tackling the many odds against him, he raised his voice for press freedom. His strong stance was evident in all his publications at the time. He was a publisher/editor for 13 newspapers during the time which was ultimately banned by the government as all of his writings were in the favor of democracy.  In 1985, he had published a portion of a speech by Ramraja Prasad Singh, for which he was imprisoned for nine months and 15 days. He utilized this time to write a book called ‘Anusandhan Bhitrako Anusandhan’ (titled ‘Counter Investigation’ in English). “This is something that has never been done in the history of Nepal. My father was a pioneer in that sense,” says his son Kiran Gautam.  He also authored a second book ‘Aakash Patal’, which was published 18 years after the publication of his first. He later on became the president of Editors’ Society Nepal, and the chairman of the Nepal Journalists’ Federation.  At the time of his death, he was the editor and publisher of ‘Naya Current Saptahik’.  His dedication and hard work were extraordinary and exemplary. So much so that he wrote a column two weeks before being admitted at the hospital. “He led a simple life, and all he thought about was journalism,” says his son. “He always said his wish was to reach the aryaghat as a journalist, and his wish was fulfilled.” With five decades of experience in journalism, one could say Gautam dedicated his whole life to his work. Many, who dream of becoming journalists, have followed in his footsteps. “He was like a mentor to me,” says Madav Dulal, journalist. Gautam was a journalist who was not afraid to speak the truth, and that brought him a lot of recognition and respect. “He treated everybody well, regardless of their age or position. He will be missed,” adds Dulal. Gautam is survived by his wife, two sons, and a grandson.

A little less than a month ago, two ninth graders studying at Pathshala Nepal Foundation committed suicide. After school, still dressed in their school uniforms, they jumped from the sixth floor of a building which was under construction in Budhanagar, Kathmandu. A suicide note was found in the bag of one of the students. It said she had made a mistake. This incident has troubled parents and children alike. Sabina Shah Bam, mother of a 10th grader at Pathshala, says she is worried about her son. Muna Uprety, whose son studies in fifth grade in the same school, says her son feels anxious about his sister. According to Nepal Police’s data of the past five fiscal years, the number of suicides among minors has been escalating. There were a total of 255, 459, 661, 764, and 709 suicides among minors in the fiscal years 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21, and 2021/22 respectively. Dan Bahadur Karki, senior police officer and an acting spokesperson of Nepal Police, says that many minor suicides are impuslive decisions. “There are instances where minors have attempted suicide due to petty quarrels with their family,” he says. The triggers are also love affairs, disagreements with friends, and a bad family environment. “Parents tend to compare their children with others their age. The pressure leads to mental health issues,” says Binod Pokharel, anthropologist, Tribhuvan University. He says most children get a sense that they aren’t good enough and that can be extremely discomfiting. “Suicide is not just an individual problem. It’s often fueled by societal pressure,” he says. Psychologist Sita Lama says that suicide is often the last resort for anyone who is suffering from mental health issues. The signs of mental stress are visible from an early age but Lama believes many parents are unable to notice those signals. “What’s worse is that some parents scold their children rather than asking them if they are okay,” she adds. “There are parents and teachers who think that scolding or beating their children is a great way of disciplining them,” says Tashi Gurung, who works as an in-house counseling psychologist at a school. He has also seen children being physically and verbally assaulted by parents and even teachers. Physically or verbally assaulting a child isn’t allowed in schools in the valley, but still, according to Gurung, it’s a fairly regular thing. “One can only imagine what the situation is like outside the valley,” he adds. Parbati Dahal, teacher at Balbalika English Secondary Boarding School, has seen parents abuse their children. Bad grades often elicit severe beating. She adds that students are under a lot of pressure from the school as well as their parents to top their class. This not only causes mental anguish but takes the fun away from learning. Psychologist Krishangi says many parents are still following the orthodox method of parenting that is doing more harm than good. The result is that children feel isolated and unloved. It also creates a distance between the parents and children. Some schools have appointed in-house counselors to monitor children’ mental health status. Sometimes parents are also required to take counseling sessions with or about their children. “But many are not that receptive to the counselor’s suggestions,” says Churamani Pandey, a secondary incharge in Triyog Higher Secondary School. “They argue that it’s the child’s behavior that’s causing the problem.” Mobile phones have also had a significant effect on the mental health status of children, says Dambar Chemjong, anthropologist, Tribhuvan University. “Children are given mobile phones at such an early age these days. They are bound to watch things they shouldn’t be watching,” he says. There is a lot of disturbing information on the internet too, and children don’t have the maturity to handle such information. “It’s important for parents to monitor what their children are doing on the net,” he says. Parents aren’t also allocating enough time to listen to their children and know how their day went and that is widening the distance between the two, argues Krishangi. Children generally fear their parents will get angry or they will get into trouble which is why they tend to hide things. But opening up a communication channel by asking them about their day and being interested in it might make it easier for them to share their thoughts and feelings. “It’s absolutely necessary to be your child’s friend and not just his/her guardian,” says Sujata Adhikari, teacher, Pathshala Nepal Foundation. She adds that until a parent is able to build that bond with their children, it’s unlikely they will share anything. But gaining their trust also requires you to maintain the same trust for a long run. “My son and I play a little game where I become his younger sister, during which he shares every little detail about his day,” says Uprety. “He is able to trust that little sister more than the mother. And I feel it’s my responsibility to maintain that trust.”  Usually, parents tend to take conversations with their children very lightly. Sometimes they tell other people what their children told them in confidence. “Doing so makes the child question the trust s/he put on a parent, and they will eventually refrain from sharing,” says Abhishekh Bariya, counseling psychologist. “Also, it’s necessary for couples to avoid arguments in front of their children,” he adds. “Growing up seeing their parents fight can bring about a lot of insecurities in children, which can result in several mental health issues.” Analyzing many cases with the in-house counselor, Pandey of Triyog has found that a disturbing household environment is responsible for a lot of behavioral and mental health issues. “Students refrain from returning home. In some cases, I have had to request parents to create a friendly environment at home,” he says. A huge part of the problem also lies in the fact that our society is yet not fully aware about the concept of mental health and psychological counseling. Dristy Moktan, psychosocial counselor, says that counseling is not just necessary for children but also for parents. “Taking advice from a professional on better parenting ways can help create a better environment for children to grow up,” she adds. Several schools have started to appoint counselors in order to keep a proper check on the students’ mental health. SK Koirala, principal, Elite Grand School, says that having a counselor at school assures the students that they always have a safe space should they feel the need for it. “Not everyone is able to share everything with their parents or teachers,” he says. Similarly, Triyog has been appointing a counselor for the past 11 year. “Before, parents did not like the idea of their children visiting the counselor. But lately there’s been a positive shift,” says Pandey. The school also provides counseling for parents as and when needed. Anthropologist Chemjong says there must be an approach that helps parents and teachers understand children and respond to signs to distress before it manifests in unfortunate ways such as suicide. Proper parenting guidance for couples, training for teachers, and making counselors compulsory in schools can go a long way. Psychologist Krishangi says the onus is largely on the parents. “Unfortunately, Nepal does not have any physical or online parenting sessions to help out couples,” she says, “but I’m hopeful that in time those sessions will also be introduced.” For better understanding of their childrens’ behavior outside their homes, Sushila Khadka, another teacher from Pathshala Nepal Foundation, suggests parents to be in constant communication with their children’s schools and teachers as well. Number of suicide among minors in the past five fiscal year Source: Nepal Police 

Bijay Raj Ghimire, known as the living martyr of Nepal, has passed away. He was 54. He had been suffering from lung cancer. He was undergoing treatment in India and had returned to Kathmandu just a few weeks ago. Further treatment was being done in Kathmandu and he had been admitted at Medicity Hospital in Lalitpur when he took his last breath on Sept 15. Ghimire got the title of a living martyr in Nepali politics after he nearly lost his life while leading the  anti-panchayat protest in Rampur on 18 February 1990. At the protest, Ghimire was injured during the police firing. His brother Surya Ghimire, on the other hand, was shot dead. Since Ghimire managed to survive that terrible incident, he was called a living martyr. But that wasn’t the only time when Ghimire encountered a near death experience. In 1987, during the reunion of Nepali Congress in Rampur, Ghimire was attacked and supposedly killed by the then ruler. Friends, who later went to collect the body, found him alive and immediately got him the treatment he needed. Ghimire, who joined the anti-panchayat movement at the age of 21, was active in politics for over four decades. Born and raised in Rampur, Palpa, Ghimire was actively involved in Nepali politics from a very young age. He became the secretary of Nepal Student Union of Ram Tulsi High School of Rampur, Palpa at the age of 12 in 1981. He was the district committee member of Nepali Congress, Palpa in 1987, district secretary of Nepal Student Union, Palpa in 1989, secretary of a union in Tribhuvan Multiple Campus, Tansen, and district secretary of Nepali Congress, Palpa from 1991 to 1992. Many might not know this, but he named his son ‘Jai Nepal’—the salute of Nepali Congress—as a tribute to his party. Those who knew him say he was a selfless person. Ghimire never expected anything in return for his contribution to Nepali politics. Himaldatta Shrestha, chairman, Nepali Congress Palpa, says that Ghimire had declined the Rs 500,000 financial help that was allocated for his treatment by the Rampur municipality. “He didn’t take a single rupee from the state,” says Shrestha, adding Ghimire’s only goal was to serve the country, which he did till the end. Chandra Bhandari, a Nepali politician who knew Ghimire from the beginning of his political career in Palpa, says Ghimire was like a brother to him. “He was an extremely curious and talented person. I will miss him.” Nepali Congress’s Vice-Chairman Dhanraj Gurung, Senior Leader Ramchandra Paudel, Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand, Prakash Man Singh, Chandra Bhandari, Bal Bahadur KC, and several other leaders were present at the aryaghat in Pashupati to pay their respects. Before the cremation, the party’s flag was draped over him. Shrestha says Ghimire’s death is a huge loss to the party as well as the nation. He is survived by his mother, wife, two sons and a daughter. Birth: 1968, Palpa Death: 15 September 2022, Lalitpur