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Light to moderate rain with thundershowers is likely to take place in some places across the country today. According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, there is a possibility of light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning at some places in the hilly areas of the country. Furthermore, light to moderate rain is likely in Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces and partial to normal showers in other provinces. During the night today, there is a chance of light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning at few places in Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces and at one or two places in the rest of the province. The minimum temperature of Kathmandu valley today is 19.6 degrees and the maximum temperature is 30.3 degrees Celsius.

The Children’s Act 2018 is unique: it has made Nepal the first South Asian coun­try to criminalize corporal punishment against children. Sec­tion 66 (d) of the Act criminaliz­es physical and mental torture or degrading treatment of chil­dren at home, at school or at any other place. The Act lists 18 acts as ‘violence’ and 11 acts as ‘sexu­al offense’ against children. Those guilty of the aforementioned crimes will be slapped with a fine not exceeding Rs. 50,000 and jail-time of up to a year.

Anybody can lodge a complaint against guardians, teachers, parents or persons committing or planning violence or a sex offense against chil­dren. “After a complaint is lodged, the related authority conducts an investigation. Depending on the result of the investigation, a case can be filed in the children court of the respective District Court,” explains Rewat Prasad Kharel, an advocate and professor of anthropology. “As per court orders, the victim can then be compensated and the guilty party penalized.”

Corporal punishment is still thought of as an effective way of enforcing discipline in many families and even in teaching circles of Nepal. “A majority of the parents who use or support cor­poral punishment think of it as a trivial matter whereby they do no more than show their discontent or disapproval,” says Bijaya Bijuk­achhe, a psychologist and psycho­therapist. “But for the children it goes much deeper.”

She says many parents use corporal punishment as they were themselves at the receiving end of it during their childhood. “But one has to keep in mind that children are unaware of this and may interpret corporal punishment as stemming from a lack of love.”

Bringing them in line

Still, the notion that fear of physical or mental punishment can help guide the children on the right path is ingrained in the minds of many parents and teachers. “You have to punish your child,” says Parbati Thapa, 25, who grew up in a family where corporal pun­ishment was the norm. “I do not condone anything extreme but a slap here and there is necessary. What else can you do with an undis­ciplined child?”

Bijukachhe answers Thapa’s question by suggesting alterna­tive forms of punishment. “You can discipline a child without harming him or her physically or emotionally. Alternative forms of punishment include time-outs and taking away privileges. Let them know about the punishment beforehand so that they are aware of the consequences.”

Make rules and make sure they are followed, Bijukachhe adds. For instance, if you child has homework to do and wants to play instead, do not let him or her play without completing the homework. Instead of causing pain for breaching rules, direct them to follow the rules. “But most importantly,” she stresses, “know that every child is different and reacts differently to each kind of punishment.”

But many parents are still uncon­vinced. “They say spanking is bad but what do I do if all else fails? Their behavior at times compels you to raise a hand and it usually works,” says Kumari Gurung, 37, a mother of a teenage boy.

Interestingly, to justify capital punishment, Pooja (who declined to give her last name), a primary school teacher in Janakpur, cites Chanakya Neeti. “It is said that children under the age of five need love and endearment, for the next five years they need discipline and control and, finally, for the five years following that, they need a mixture of both.” Seen this way, enforcement of discipline is essential to building a child’s character, she adds.

 A law curbing corporal punishment where slaps and spanks have been an integral part of raising children was bound to be contentious

Lasting effects

Yet things are not so straight­forward. According to research­ers at the University of Toronto, children in schools that use corporal punishment perform significantly worse in tasks involving “executive functioning”—psycho­logical processes such as planning, abstract thinking, and delaying gratification—compared to those studying in schools relying on mild­er disciplinary measures such as time-outs. Those who get corporal punishment when they are children may also develop mental health issues later.

Psychologist Bijukachhe says chil­dren tend to hold on to the bitter experiences, which may find release later in their lives. Problems like aggressive parenting, low self-es­teem, anxiety disorder, and per­sonality disorders are all associated with physical abuse during child­hood. “I have adult clients who have what you may consider successful careers. But with a history of phys­ically and mentally degrading treat­ment in their childhood, they also have many emotional problems,” she adds.

Again, the introduction of a law curbing corporal punish­ment in a society where slaps and spanks have traditionally been an integral part of raising children was bound to be contentious. “We have copied a law that was being applied in the western society. But do we have the kind of monitoring sys­tem they have? And has there been enough homework to ensure that the society will accept it?” Bijuk­achhe asks.

In the opinion of Lal Babu Karn, an assistant professor at TU who has taught at various schools and colleges for over 25 years, “What you need is awareness among primary stakeholders, i.e., the children, guardians and teach­ers, and a mechanism to implement corporal punishment.”

Karn welcomes the new law but he also thinks more awareness is needed for its effective implementa­tion. “You first have to publicize the penalties. Then you promote alter­nate forms of punishments and even positive reinforcements in dealing with kids.”

Given the manifest lack of interest seen in pushing such pro­gressive policies among our bureau­crats and elected officials, Kharel, the advocate, isn’t optimistic about the new law either. “It may well end up being another bit of fancy legislation enacted just to please our donors and international friends,” he says.

Delicious food, good drinks and great company are the trifecta that make for the perfect holiday celebration.

To help you capture the Christmas spirit in a glass, with not a little Dutch courage, we sat down with Tika Waiba, senior barman at New Orleans Cafe at Thamel. Here are three drinks of his choice to zin up your Christmas.

Mulled wine

As Jamie Oliver put it, “Come the festive season, there’s nothing better than a spiced, warming glass of mulled wine”. Mulled wine is a beverage usually made with red wine and spices, and served warm. It is a traditional Christmas drink with a smooth texture with a balanced hint of spices, says Waiba.

For a serving of 10

• Citrus fruits (2 oranges, 1 sweet lemon, 1 lime)
• Spices (6 cloves, 6 cardamom, 1 cinnamon stick, nutmeg)
• Red wine (2 bottles of Shiraz, Chianti or your preferred bottle of red wine)
• Orange juice or sugar

Directions:

• Cut the oranges, lime and sweet lemon into thin slices and put them in a saucepan.
• Add in orange juice or sugar, if you like it sweet, and put the saucepan on medium heat.
• Add the spices, and the bottles of red wine and gently heat the wine for five minutes.
• When it is warm, pour into a heatproof glass and enjoy.

Sangria

As they say, ‘describing what sangria tastes like is difficult, because the right one tastes like how you want it to taste.’ This chilled fruity and boozy drink can be enjoyed in both summer and winter. But in time Sangria, which started in Spain, has become a global Christmas drink.

For a serving of 1

• Fruits (pineapple, orange, apple)
• 120ml white wine
• 30 ml brandy
• Orange juice as desired
• Two ice cubes
• Sweetener (Cane sugar or brown sugar)

Directions:

• Put the chopped rind-on oranges, skin-on apples and peeled cubed pineapples into a glass.
• Add ice cubes and pour orange juice and brandy into the glass and stir for 30 seconds.
• Add wine and stir again to thoroughly mix.
• Taste and adjust the flavors as needed: brandy to make it boozy, apples and oranges for more fruity taste and sugar to indulge your sweet craving.

(A home hack: Use an espresso cup for measurement; an average espresso cup holds 60 ml of liquid. A typical shot glass holds 30ml.)

Irish coffee

“A perfect harmony of coffee and whiskey that the lovers of each brew can relish,” as Waiba calls it. This easy recipe with simple ingredients is sure to warm your festive hearts.

For a serving of 1

• 60 ml Irish whiskey
• 1 cup of hot black coffee (A double espresso with a small measure of hot water to fill the glass; instant coffee with hot water works too, but should be strong enough to combat the tastes of alcohol, sugar and cream)
• Double cream, slightly whipped for topping
• Sugar as desired

Directions:

• In a glass with a stem, add black coffee and sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
• Add 30ml Irish whiskey to the cup and stir.
• Pour the slightly whipped double cream over the coffee until you reach the rim of the glass. DO NOT STIR.   

 Nepali students who want to be employed as baristas in Australia need a high level of craftsmanship. To qualify, they pay between Rs 20,000 and Rs 30,000 for training back in Nepal

The growing coffee culture is great news for aspiring baristas. For one, there are now proper barista training schools for them.

Baristas are responsible for all kinds of behind-the-bar coffee duties, from making basic espresso shots to engaging in dainty latte art.

While it seems a fairly easy job, it requires a particular set of skills in using espresso machines, in understanding the nuances of dif­ferent varieties of coffee, as well as a crash-course in tastes and customer service.

“Everything we do in the coffee business is an art,” says Gagan Prad­han, the owner of Himalayan Java. “Extraction of espresso is an art. Foaming, frothing, and steaming milk is an art. Anyone who is not an expert in this art cannot make a good cup of coffee.”

It was Pradhan who started the first coffee school in Nepal. Pradhan, himself a graduate of an Australian university, says that the motiva­tion came when, during a holiday Down Under in 2010, he saw many unskilled Nepali students there struggling to get jobs. It was then that he decided to open a coffee school in Nepal, so that his students would not have a hard time getting employed in the competitive job market of Aus­tralia. Since then many other coffee schools have opened up in Nepal.

In fact, most trainees at barista schools are prospective students to Australia. “It’s a job as dignified as that of a chef,” says Ramesh Shres­tha, director of Coffee Pasal, Durbar­marg, which also runs a barista train­ing program. “People also prefer working as baristas because it is less labor intensive and better paid compared to other jobs available to Nepali students in Australia.”

Coffee-making is huge in Austra­lia, which has a coffee culture so advanced and rich that even the coffee giant Starbucks could not get a toehold in this market. Nepali stu­dents who want to be employed as baristas in Australia thus need a high level of craftsmanship. To qualify, students pay between Rs 20,000 and Rs 30,000 for 10-15 days of training back in Nepal.

“A good barista needs to train in making good coffee, good customer service as well as in creating a good atmosphere,” adds Pradhan. To impart these skills Himalayan Java and the ‘Italian Espresso Academy Nepal, Coffee and Barista School’ in Putalisadak also offer extended internships.

 Not all trainees want to go to Australia. Some want to be a part of an expanding coffee culture in Nepal

Not all trainees want to go to Aus­tralia. Some want to be a part of an expanding coffee culture in Nepal, to open their own coffee shop or to work in one. “There are mothers who want to open a coffee shop to support their children, and then there are coffee enthusiasts,” says Shrestha of Coffee Pasal.

One such coffee enthusiast is Sid­dhi Hang Rai, a high school graduate and trainee at the Italian Espresso Academy. Rai says he took up the course not because he wanted to go somewhere but simply because he was interested in learning more about coffee. On the other hand, Nischal Karki, another trainee, says he is only thinking of landing a good job in Australia.

The global coffee industry is huge, and it will keep growing, says Prad­han of Himalayan Java. “Coffee is a social beverage and people go to coffee shops to enjoy the overall experience rather than only to sip on a cup of good coffee. It is the responsibility of baristas to offer this enriching experience”.

At any given time, there are an estimated 40,000-50,000 cancer patients in Nepal. According to the World Health Organization, cancers of cervix, lung, breast, ovary and stomach are common among Nepali women, while, among Nepali men, lung, mouth and oropharynx, stomach, and blood cancers are more common.

Dr Murari Man Shrestha, a medical epidemiologist and the Head of Department of Preventive Oncology at Nepal Cancer Hospital and Research Center, Harisiddhi, says that at the outset there might be non-specific and generic symptoms like loss of appetite, decrease in immunity resulting in frequent infections, and indigestion. As the tumor grows, symptoms in affected areas are more common.

For women diagnosed early, the over-five year survival rate for breast cancer is up to 100 percent

“Diagnosing whether a disease is cancer is challenging,” says Dr Hari Dhakal, senior consultant pathologist and Head of Department of Pathology at the same hospital. “One approach is finding out if the disease has progressed up to the stage where symptoms show up. If a patient is asymptomatic, then there are screening tests for different parts of the body for most common types of cancers.”

More than nine out of 10 colorectal cancer patients live for over five years if they get early treatment. For women diagnosed at the earliest stage of breast cancer, the over-five year survival rate is up to 100 percent, whereas for women diagnosed at advanced stages, the same survival rate plummets to 22 percent.

“It is imperative to promote cancer screening,” says Dr Dhakal. “We need to make people aware that early detection of cancer is actually a good thing, as it is mostly curable.”

Video: Why you may want to get screened for cancer?

Dev Narayan Chaudhary, 53, of Udaypur in Province 1, was diagnosed with stage-three colorectal cancer over three years ago. Twelve cycles of chemotherapy and two surgeries later, he says that had he been diagnosed earlier, his treatment would have been much easier. “For long I took medicines for gastritis. I had no clue it was cancer.”

Cancer is not just one ailment, it is rather a cluster of diseases. Caused by uncontrollable division of cells that results in abnormal tissue growth and tumor-formation—with the exception of blood cancer—it can affect any part of the body other than hair and teeth. Not all cancers are malignant. The ones that are innocuous are called benign, and they do not require immediate medical attention.

One approach of diagnosis is finding out if the disease has progressed up to the stage where symptoms show up

There are over 100 known malignant tumors, each with its own symptoms, degree of severity and treatment options. But in the initial stage there are no observable symptoms.

Dr Murari Man Shrestha, a medical epidemiologist and the Head of Department of Preventive Oncology at Nepal Cancer Hospital and Research Center, Harisiddhi, says that at the outset there might be non-specific and generic symptoms like loss of appetite, decrease in immunity resulting in frequent infections, and indigestion. As the tumor grows, symptoms in affected areas are more common.

“Diagnosing whether a disease is cancer is challenging,” says Dr Hari Dhakal, senior consultant pathologist and Head of Department of Pathology at the same hospital. “One approach of diagnosis is finding out if the disease has progressed up to the stage where symptoms show up. If a patient is asymptomatic, then there are screening tests for different parts of the body for most common types of cancers.”

Worldwide, Asia accounts for nearly half of the new cancer cases and more than half the cancer-related deaths. In Nepal, as mentioned in the World Health Organization Cancer Country Profile, cancers of cervix, lung, breast, ovary and stomach are common among women, while, among Nepali men, lung, mouth and oropharynx, stomach, and blood cancers are more common. Dr Shrestha estimates that at any given time there are 40,000-50,000 cancer patients in Nepal.

According to WHO, screening refers to the use of tests in a healthy population to identify individuals who have disease but do not yet have symptoms. These are tests specific to parts of body affected by cancer. Examples include mammograms for breast cancers, the ‘pap test’ for cervical cancer, and low-dose computed tomography (CT) for lung cancer.

Dr Shrestha classifies cancer screening as a secondary prevention method. The primary method is to prevent cancer in cancer-free population, for instance through the promotion of a healthy lifestyle. Likewise, the tertiary method involves treatment of patients diagnosed with cancer. Detection of the disease when the tumor is not large and has not spread is vital as it vastly increases the chances of successful treatment.

More than nine out of 10 colorectal cancer patients live for over five years if they get early treatment. For women diagnosed at the earliest stage of breast cancer, the over-five year survival rate is up to 100 percent, whereas for women diagnosed at advanced stages, the same survival rate plummets to 22 percent. Early detection also implies less treatment and less recovery. “So it is imperative to promote cancer screening,” says Dr Dhakal. “We need to make people aware that early detection of cancer is actually a good thing, as it is mostly curable.”

You can choose to add cancer screening to your general examination. As the incidence of cancer is increasing even among the relatively young, Dr Shrestha advises that all those above 40 and those in high-risk groups undergo regular screening. About 10 percent malignant cancers are genetically inherited. Non-genetic risk factors include tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, obesity, and pollution.

The cost of screening depends on its type and quality, and not everyone may be able to afford one. “This is why it is imperative that the government make it accessible to everyone,” says Dr. Shrestha. 

This is also why WHO recommends that screening programs be undertaken “only when their effectiveness has been demonstrated, when resources (personnel, equipment, etc.) are sufficient to cover nearly all of the target group, when facilities exist for confirming diagnoses and for treatment and follow-up of those with abnormal results, and when prevalence of the disease is high enough to justify the effort and costs of screening.”

The bottom line? If you are in high-risk group and can afford screening, go get it done. “Some people are skeptical about the tests,” adds Dr Dhakal. “But it makes perfect sense if they think about it logically for a while.”

The cancer prevention triangle

While the media often reports on foods that “prevent cancer” and we would love to be told that eating one particular food will prevent cancer, it is unlikely that such a food exists. It is more likely that a combination of good foods may have a preventive effect. Studies over the years have looked at our diets and what foods, if any, will lead to a lower risk of cancer. Fruits and vegetables, whole grains and unprocessed foods have all been promoted as reducing cancer risk. Unfortunately, studies have not consistently proven this to be true. Expert panels state that a diet high in fruits and vegetables “probably” reduces cancer risk, but we just don't know for sure.

However, a healthy diet plays an important role in a sort of “triangle” of cancer prevention. A healthy diet, combined with regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight make up this triangle that has been shown to reduce cancer risk. This triangle is thought to be the second most important step, after not smoking, to preventing cancer. An estimated 20-30 percent of cancers could be prevented if people incorporated the triangle into their lifestyle!

But how much physical activity is enough? Experts feel that somewhere between 30 and 60 minutes per day of “moderate to vigorous” activity is needed to impact cancer risk. A moderate activity is the equivalent of a brisk walk, whereas vigorous activities increase heart and breathing rates.

Also, you may exercise a few times a week, but spend many hours sitting at a computer or watching TV. Your risk of many cancers may be higher because of this. Try taking a walk every hour, using a standing desk, taking the stairs to your lunch break, etc. Any way you can lessen the sedentary time and get some activity in is helpful.

Wonder how to get started with an exercise regimen? Make it fun and set reasonable goals. Find a friend to be a walking partner—you can motivate each other and make the walk more enjoyable.

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With their dirt-stained clothes and sweaty hands, young boys aged seven to nine hang from monkey bars and try to repli­cate the moves that Sukadev Karki and his team just com­pleted on the same equip­ment. “Some of them can do it just as well as we do,” says Karki. “This is how we are trying to create an impact in the community.” Karki, a fitness coach at Gymkhana Muay Thai at Maharajgunj, is also the founder of Nepali Youth Fitness and Calisthenics (NYFC), an organization that promotes ‘calisthenics and street workout’ by pro­viding free calisthenics and bar classes to local youths at Shanti Park, Boudha.

Calisthenics is a set of exercises done using only a person’s own bodyweight as the body mass itself provides resistance against gravity. It comprises of exercises like pull-ups, push-ups, mus­cle-ups, jump squats, dips, back lever and similar exer­cises that can be done without advanced equipment.

Setting up an outdoor calisthenics park is fairly cheap

The calisthenics routine is a compound exercise that engages more than one mus­cle at a time and, most impor­tantly, engages your core. While one can go to the gym and work on a particular mus­cle and bodybuilding, calis­thenics strengthens the body as well as improves flexibility, endurance and mobility. Also, calisthenics is the foundation workout for many sports.

At the moment, Shanti Park at Partitar is the only outdoor calisthenics park in Kathmandu that makes calis­thenics accessible and afford­able to all. Anyone, from any age group, can come to the park and get started without paying any money. “All you need to bring along is moti­vation,” says Karki. Young­sters between 16 and 19 are the most engaged age group in this park. “It has taught them discipline and engaged them so that they stay away from social problems,” adds Karki.

Karki, who himself started this form of exercise in a cal­isthenics park in the United Kingdom, says he sees a pros­pect for more calisthenics parks in Kathmandu. “Con­ventionally, people see gym as synonymous with fitness but with calisthenics parks people can get better results than gym, and for free. Unlike gyms, calisthenics are suitable for people of all age groups.”

Setting up an outdoor calis­thenics park is fairly inexpen­sive. As it only requires steel beams and bar, the park can be set up in an area of 15-20 square meters with invest­ment of as little as Rs 100,000.

Shanti Park at Partitar is the only outdoor calisthenics park in Kathmandu

This kind of a park has had a salubrious impact in the whole community, says Karki, who is also a resident of the Partitar community in Boudha. “You see the kids as young as 20 months come with their par­ents to exercise. The elderly of the community use the park for morning walk and light exercise. It has created a positive notion of fitness and improved people’s perception of staying healthy.”

“It is a series of things,” says Karki when asked about how it has helped improve people’s health. “When they get into calisthenics they automatically become con­scious about their eating hab­its and inculcate a discipline. Thus they also stay away for social problems.”

Karki is working to set up more calisthenics park but says getting approval from the authorities has been a major hindrance. “We wanted to set up one at Narayan Chaur but getting an approval has been a hindrance. It seems that they do not see the health benefits or that they refuse to see the benefits of calisthenics pro­motion in our city.”

Karki says NYFC is open to any kind of help and support to promote calisthenics in Kathmandu.

Sampada Malla is an estab­lished name in Nepali media and entertainment industry. She is the creator of “Drishyansha” nationwide mobile filmmaking competi­tion, as well as a journalist, writer, filmmaker and a board member of Sarwanam The­ater. She is as well known in India as she is in Nepal. Most notably, she wrote the screen­play for the popular Hindi tv serial ‘Ishq Ka Rang Safed’ that was broadcast in Colors TV. Malla was recently honored by Navaratna Award, given by the International Nepali Literary Society (INLS). Sabhyata Jha of APEX caught up with Malla this week for some insight into her life and work. How did your journey into the world of theater and films begin?

I grew up in an artistically stimulating environment. From a very young age, I would accompany my father to various events and I started doing radio shows and adver­tisements when I was in grade two and three. I started writ­ing when I was in grade five and have never looked back. I found my niche in writing and as I grew up, this pas­sion has taken different forms, spanning from journalism to writing screenplay. All of my seemingly scattered achieve­ments fall under the broad canopy of writing.

Would you say writing is your calling then?

Everybody in this world is born for something, is born with a purpose. When you discover your purpose your work becomes your motivation. I would like to think that I was born to write. Writing is like meditation to me. It is cathartic, as well as my passion.

You have worked on many Hindi soap operas. As someone who writes screenplays for them, don’t you think they are rather formulaic?

It happens due to extreme commercialization of the entertainment industry. Indian television shows cater to a specific audience and it produces what this section of population wants to see. At times, trying to be differ­ent goes against these mar­ket interests. Also, the sto­ryline tends to be similar to match the huge demand. As the operas are telecast every day, writers are under great pressure to constantly come up with new material. All of these take creativity out of the task but because of the sheer amount of money involved, this is what you will continue to get. It is very difficult to find your voice as a writer when you are bound by so many limitations. This is also one reason I left this work and returned to Nepal.

Having worked in enter­tainment industries of both India and Nepal, how would you evaluate Nepali entertainment industry?

After my return to Nepal, I have realized the potential of Nepali entertainment indus­try—TV, music and movie alike. We have the capability to be as good as, if not better than, the Indian entertainment media. We are now seeing the audience embrace Nepali movies and songs. We have multiplexes showing Nepali movies and Nepali songs get­ting over seventy million hits on YouTube. So I am positive about the prospect of Nepali entertainment industry and I believe that this, the present, is its golden age.

How is the entertainment industry in Nepal different to its Indian counterpart?

It is the diverse stories that we have and we can have. People want to hear these sto­ries and since we have started exploring these unique sto­ries, the market of Nepali movies has increased. So, we need to delve deeper into these stories.

Any suggestions for those who want to follow on your footsteps into the entertainment business?

I have said it before and I will say it again: everyone has a passion, something that you love to do. If you cannot fathom retirement from a task, pursue it. Find your pas­sion, make it your profession and be the best in whatever you do.

What’s next for Sampada Malla? What are you work­ing on right now?

Currently I am working on a Nepali horror feature film “Eka Deshma” starring Gauri Malla, Mithila Sharma, and Karma. I am the writer as well as the executive producer of this movie. It is going to be directed by Bhimshen Lama. I have other projects lined up as well but this is my primary focus right now.