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Prashant Aryal is a prominent journalist and editor who has worked with various media houses in Nepal. Currently, the 54-year-old is not affiliated with any news organization. Instead, he’s exercising his journalistic instincts as a freelancer. Try as he might, Aryal confesses he cannot stay away from journalism, a career he fell in love with in 1988 as an intern reporter for Suruchi Saptahik, a weekly tabloid where he served for two years as employee. As a young man with no idea where his career was headed, Aryal says, this opportunity became a driving force for him to become a journalist. In his active news reporting days, he worked on political and anti-corruption stories. “I have always been a person who likes to take up new challenges,” he says. After his internship with Saptahik, Aryal joined Mahanagar, an evening daily that came out at 3:00 pm at the time. Reporting during those days, Aryal says, was a struggle. He remembers reporting anecdotes of the 1994 World Cup that took place in the US while working at the daily paper. “I used to stay up all night watching the matches, and then I’d have to write and send the articles to the newspaper in the morning,” he says. Even though it was a tedious job, he says, he enjoyed every bit of it. In 1996, he became a reporter for Kantipur Daily. “My interests have always leaned toward politics,” he says. He worked on political stories before becoming the sub-editor for the daily. He worked at Kantipur for four years before joining Space Time Dainik, a Nepali daily broadsheet at the time. After a brief stint there, he went on to join Himal Khabar, where he worked for a year. After years of working as a journalist, Aryal took a break and became a media communication analyst for an NGO. But he couldn’t stay away from the newsroom for long. He returned to his calling by joining the Nepal magazine published by Kantipur Media Group. “I like to keep changing my workplace,” says Aryal. He says that working the same job for years can be mundane, which in turn might affect one’s drive and future. He further adds that he is committed to seeking different opportunities that give him diverse experiences as well as help him in advancing his career. Despite that, he was one of the longest-serving editors of the Nepal Magazine (he was there for 10 years), which unfortunately shut down due to financial turmoil during the Covid-19 pandemic. Aryal joined Kantipur TV as the chief editor, where he worked for three and a hlaf years and joined Galaxy 4K, where he worked for a years before becoming a freelance journalist. In his career as a journalist, he has spent more time editing than reporting. But, he says, a person cannot truly become a journalist without reporting. Although he mostly edited, Aryal mentions that he spent a fair share of his time reporting, which helped him understand where the media’s involvement stands in Nepal. He says his coverage of the impeachment motion filed against Nepal’s first woman Chief Justice Sushila Karki was one of his best works so far. Having reported on politics for a long time, Aryal says that political reporting is risky because politics itself is highly ambiguous and uncertain. According to him, one of the biggest obstacles in media is the possibility of misinformation, disinformation, and lack of clarity. Accuracy is a major concern that must be addressed during fact-checking and verification. “However, in rare circumstances, it cannot be ensured. Asking for forgiveness is the only option during times like these,” he says. He says Nepali journalism still lags in many aspects. “It lacks consistency and not every news article is trustworthy,” he says. Also, he adds that journalism and media outlets in Nepal are more focused on covering news related to celebrity, politicians, and advertisements, while the concerns of vulnerable groups are largely ignored, despite digital media making diverse storytelling possible. But he says he isn’t much concerned about the shrinking influence of traditional media with the proliferation and popularity of digital and social media. “I’m sure that journalism will thrive in different forms. It will evolve, progress, and exist forever.”

Donuts are my escape. It’s a comfort food I crave on a bad day, which is how I ended up at Donut Drool in Pulchowk, Lalitpur. They serve some of the best donuts with a wide range of flavors. Their other outlet is in Dhapasi, Kathmandu, where you can only get takeaways. But rather than bringing a box of donuts home, I like to enjoy them at the shop itself. For me, something about takeaways doesn’t feel right. So I prefer the one in Pulchowk since they have a dining facility, as well as some great options for drinks.  I was a bit worried that the place would be noisy and polluted, since it’s located on a main street. Luckily, I was wrong. The place is calm, clean, and cozy. And you don’t need to worry about parking. The place has enough space for both two and four-wheelers. When I entered, I noticed that the place had minimalist designs. Everything in the room compliments one another, from furniture to potted plants placed in the corners of the restaurant. Also, their leather couch-like armchairs looked comfortable and elegant. The bakery has a self-service system. So, a customer needs to order their donuts at the counter. As I stood there, I was overwhelmed by the variety of donuts that were on display. I realized that no matter who visits the restaurant, they will find something they like.  For my order, I asked one of the staff members to recommend some of their best selling treats. Their first recommendation was the Custard Donut. It’s a fluffy and crispy baked dough that is filled with custard. The moment I took a bite, I could taste the creamy and milky richness of the custard, which went perfectly with the crispy texture of the donut. It’s definitely one of the best custard donuts I have had so far.   Their next suggestion was the Dora Cake. I believe this is the best option for anyone who enjoys chocolate. It’s a chocolate glazed donut filled with melted chocolate that has a hint of coffee for some extra flavor. Usually, I’m a bit skeptical when it comes to chocolate donuts. I don’t like it when the chocolate becomes overpowering. But Dora Cake was perfect. The bitterness of the coffee balanced the sweetness of the chocolate.  Since I wanted to try something with berries, I placed an order for a Strawberry Creamy Donut. This donut is served with a strawberry cream cheese filling inside, with fresh strawberries and strawberry glaze  on top. The best thing about this donut is that you won’t be dissatisfied with either its appearance or its flavor. There are also several other options like blueberries and raspberries that you can enjoy.  Besides flavors, the quality of their donuts is what makes them so special. From appearance to texture, everything is immaculate. With every bite, one can taste how fluffy yet crispy these donuts are. Also, they’re perfect for vegetarians, or anyone who avoids eggs since all of their products are eggless.  For beverages, they have some unique options. The one I tried was Hibiscus Tea. It’s a tea that’s brewed by extracting juice from hibiscus flowers. Its slightly sour taste goes well with the sweet treats. The other drink I enjoyed was Iced Matcha Latte. Even if you aren’t a big fan of matcha, you can go for the safest drink there on the menu: Chocolate Mocha. One should definitely visit Donut Drool if you are looking forward to enjoying some of the best donuts with different flavors. And the place is not that expensive. You will definitely find something that is under your budget. Price depends on the ingredients that are used. For instance, the ones with blueberries will cost you a little more than others since the ingredient itself is expensive. But no matter what you order, you are in for a treat.  Their specials:

• Custard Donut

• Dora Cake

• Strawberry Creamy Donut

A sophisticated dining experience is more than just about food. Good service and a peaceful environment are equally important. That’s exactly what we got on our visit to Paradise Garden Restaurant and Event. This charming eatery in Gairidhara, Kathmandu, has both good food and a lovely ambience. Most of their seating areas are outdoors but they also have private rooms for large groups. The restaurant is lush with plants, the furnishings are cozy, and the warm lighting creates a pleasant atmosphere.  We recommend you start your meal with Momo Platter which is their signature dish. The platter includes a mix of 20 beautifully presented chaat, kothey, crispy fried kurkurey, gravy, tandoori, sadeko, steamed, and jhol momo. And it comes with three dips on the side. Every bite of the momo is satisfying. The filling is juicy and has a spicy and tangy flavor. It’s best to share this dish with a friend as the portion is quite big. It’s a bit expensive for 20 pieces but it’s worth the money.  Don’t miss out on trying Handi Biryani if you want to spice up your meal. I was excited by the dish’s presentation and the taste was equally good. In every spoonful, I could feel the burst of the spices they used. None of the flavors were overpowering though and the heat was well-balanced. It’s available in three options: mutton, chicken, and veg. I guarantee that when the biryani pot is empty, you will be left wanting more.  Achari Mushroom Tikka is a good option for vegetarians. Mushroom is marinated with a blend of spices, which is then grilled, giving a smokey taste. It’s tender, juicy, and flavorful. If you’re not a big fan of mushrooms, this probably isn’t the best option for you. However, for me, this dish turned out to be my guilty pleasure, despite not liking mushrooms. Also, it’s the best dish to order if you have some alcoholic beverage on the side. It’s that kind of snack.  Also try Veg Tongue Twister. The idea for this dish comes from the recipe of cheesy nachos. But the restaurant has replaced nachos with steamed savory potatoes which is equally good. The dish is spiced up with cheese toppings, and garnishes like spring onions, and lemon slices covered in melting sour cream, with salsa on the side. I did feel that the dish would have been even better had the potatoes been fried, but the version they served wasn’t bad either. They also have a bar that offers a wide range of drinks. My favorite was the Pink Fruit Punch. It’s refreshing, sweet, and has a hint of citrus. You can also try the Blue Lagoon Cocktail which is tangy and invigorating.  Anyone who has a thing for Indian, Mexican, and Nepali food should definitely visit this restaurant. The service is impeccable and the atmosphere is delightful. It’s a great option for any type of special celebration, whether it be a family gathering or a catch-up session with friends. Their specials:

• Handi Biryani 

• Momo Platter

• Veg Tongue Twister 

Sagar Ghimire is a 29-year-old emerging actor whose debut movie, Blue Flower, recently received a nomination at the Nepal International Film Festival (NIFF), a premier film and cultural event that celebrates diverse storytelling and narratives worldwide. Ghimire began his career as a model and, since then, has appeared in various Nepali music videos. In the movie, he plays the role of Tikal, who identifies himself as gay and belongs to a rural household in Nepal. Born and raised in Biratnagar, Ghimire says most of his childhood was spent doing mimicry. The allure of the Nepali film industry, he says, was one of the many reasons for him to get into acting. “I’m a huge fan of Dilip Rayamajhi and I grew up watching his films. His work has inspired me a lot,” he says. Although he started off with mimicry, his journey led him to modeling and music videos. “I have gone through many auditions, faced several rejections, and the process was tougher than I had ever imagined,” he says. Getting a call from Sunil Babu Pant, the director of Blue Flower, was a shocker. “I wasn’t expecting any of that but then I got a call to give an audition,” he says. Ghimire says that initially, he was skeptical about taking on this opportunity. He wasn’t sure if he was ready to be in front of the big screen. Knowing that Pant was offering a workshop in acting for the cast encouraged him to sign up for playing the role of Tilak. “Once I read the script, I had no doubt about how much I wanted to play the role I was offered,” says Ghimire. The movie wasn’t a mainstream one and he was blown away by the fact that his debut as an actor would be in a movie that highlights hidden identities, ignored emotions, and the gender stereotypes that the Nepali society still holds. “I could connect with my character on a personal level. At times, Tilak touched my heart, and we are both optimists,” he says. He credits the actors, storyline, and plots of the movie for its success, although he is still shocked to see people praising and appreciating his role in the movie. “In the process, I got the opportunity to capture the priceless panorama of the acting industry,” he says. Having versatility in acting, he mentions, is equivalent to possessing a precious asset. If given the further opportunity to attend workshops, he says he is willing to take on any role. “It was daunting for a novice like me at first, but the workshops and training allowed me to hone my skills,” he says. After receiving his first nomination for Blue Flower, Ghimire has been occupied with promotions and charitable events. He hopes that the NIFF nomination will present him with other great opportunities in the future. When compared to music videos, Ghimire claims that being in a movie is much more difficult. “You have an easy chance to appear in music videos if you can dance and put up expressions. But, for movies, it’s different. There are a lot of elements for an actor to keep in mind,” he says. “There are a lot of incredible Nepali actors I’m hoping to get a chance to work with in the future,” says Ghimire, especially with ones whose work has inspired him the most. In the Nepali cinema industry, besides Dilip Rayamajhi, he says his favorite actors are Bipin Karki, Dayahang Rai, Khagendra Lamichhane, Niruta Singh, Surakshya Panta, Swastima Khadka, and Namrata Shrestha. “It would be an honor to get a chance to work with them,” he says. Despite the success he has seen early on in his career, Ghimire is quite concerned about the future of new and emerging actors. “The acting industry is evolving and has become more demanding than it was a few decades ago,” he says, adding that it will be more difficult for him to succeed in the media and entertainment industry because he has no prior connections or much experience in the field. “But I’m not deterred,” he adds. Ghimire has only started his journey and he says he is ready to transform into whomever he aspires to be. “There might be many obstacles and challenges along the way but what I need to do is maintain consistency, dedication, and have faith,” he says.

I had a lot going on in my life and wanted a quick break. A cup of tea and a good conversation with my friend were exactly what I needed. That’s when I tried Chiya Ghar. If you’re looking for a space where you can relax, and have a good conversation, with a hot cup of tea on the side, this place might be just right for you. And the good thing is, you will find their outlets in Old Baneshwor, Kumaripati, Putalisadak, and Pepsicola. My friend and I went to the tea house right on the roadside at Old Baneshwor. At this location, parking is always a problem but not in the case of Chiya Ghar. Although the parking space is a two-minute walk from the tea shop, it’s better than being forced to park on the roadside.  What caught my attention as soon as I entered was how airy and fresh the space felt. Most of the tables were occupied. The place was a little dusty but I couldn’t fault them since they are located right next to a busy street.  Generally, Chiya Ghar has tea and bakery items. But the day we visited the place, they were just serving tea. Unfortunately, we couldn’t taste their bakery products. But we were fine with that because we wanted tea and amazing tea was what we got.  The first thing we ordered was Matka Chiya. It is apparently one of the most popular drinks on the menu. It comes in two sizes but we decided to get the small one. The tea was good. They used the right amount of tea leaves and the spices they used tied the drink together. I liked the fact that they placed dried and grated coconut on top that I could taste in every sip I took. However, I wasn’t happy with the portion they served. The size of the cup was too small. So, for your visit, I suggest you order a large one to actually enjoy your tea.  Another one of Chiya Ghar’s specialties is Creamy Milk Iced Tea. Although the look of it was quite appealing, I wasn’t a big fan of this drink. It wasn’t exactly how I anticipated it to be. The texture was too rough for me, even though the flavors were well-balanced. It tasted somewhat like the ‘Panchamrit’, a drink typically served during poojas in a Hindu household. It was also slightly on the pricey side.  When we asked for some of their specials, the staff suggested we try the Lemon Iced Tea. I didn’t really like it. The drink was too sour for my taste although the aroma was good. All the flavors were imbalanced, and the actual flavor of the tea was completely missing. If only they had used a little less lemon, the drink would have been better. I wouldn’t suggest it to anyone. But for anyone looking to try new things, maybe it’s worth a shot.  This place is both good and bad. It depends on what you are looking for in a cafe because, despite everything, the place was totally packed. I believe this place is well-suited for students who are looking to have an affordable cup of tea with friends. There is no internet so you won’t be distracted by social media. A really good thing about Chiya Ghar, one that I really appreciated, was that their service was superb. Even during their busiest hours, the staff was kind and assisted us in picking the house specials.  Their specials:

• Matka Tea
• Creamy Milk Iced Tea
• Lemon Iced tea

Ang Tashi Sherpa is a rescue specialist who has been working for Simrik Airlines for the past 12 years. He has a number of successful rescue operations under his belt, including at Everest camp 2, Ama Dablam Camp 2, 3 Island Peak High Camp, and Manaslu. “Joining Simrik Air has been my right choice,” he says. “Here, I discovered my true calling, which is rescuing lives.”  Sherpa worked for a number of airlines before joining Simrik, which was founded in 2001 by a group of experienced aviation professionals. It was at Simrik that Sherpa met Nepal’s rotary-wing veterans and aviation rescue specialists like Capt. Rameshwar Thapa, Capt Siddartha Jang Gurung, Capt. Surendra Paudel, and Tshering Pande Bhote. With a solid track record and trustworthy services, Simrik Airlines has made a name for itself as one of the leading airlines. Sherpa says he is proud to be a part of one of the top helicopter service and rescue providers in Nepal.   “We have highly qualified and exceptional engineers and management team that is capable of not just providing safe and reliable transport and cargo delivery service, but also carrying out high altitude search and rescue missions, and medical evacuation,” says Sherpa. Born in the highlands of Solukhumbu, home to Mt Everest, Sherpa grew up in the laps of the Himalayas. He feels he has a special relationship with the mountains and its people.   In a way, Sherpa was destined to become a rescue specialist, which is not a job for the faint-hearted. Besides being brave, one also needs to be skilled in various disciplines and a great team worker to become a successful rescue specialist. The job requires courage, skill and team play in equal measures. “Courage and skill can only take you so far,” says Sherpa. “No rescue operation can be successful if you do not have a great ground staff and flight crew.”  In addition, he adds, training and maintenance of aircraft is also a critical aspect of a successful rescue mission. “You get all these at Simrik. We have highly professional staff members and top-notch resources.” Simrik Air collaborates internationally with Air Zermatt, a Swiss airline that routinely instructs rescuers in new procedures and techniques.  Sherpa recalls that as the rescue team had fewer members earlier, they had to travel to Switzerland for training.  “But now we have more rescuers, and Swiss trainers travel to Nepal to enhance our rescue operation capability,” he says.  Simrik makes sure to regularly orient its crew, employees, medical team, and rescue team in order to assure the customer’s safety and well-being. The company keeps its workers up to date on new tools and equipment by involving them in practical training exercises like Sling Operation and Long-line Operation Medical Evacuation, and many other flight services.  Besides exceptional and well-trained team members, Simrik Airlines also has high-performing helicopters like AS350B3E and BELL 407GXP, one of the newest models utilized in Nepal, which performs well even in high winds. “You don’t get this level of professionalism and service outside Simrik,” says Sherpa. “For example, Bambi bucket, which is an aerial fighting service was introduced and is solely with Simrik in Nepal.” Bambi bucket training sessions are frequently led by Simrik captains to give participants first-hand experience with the specialized tools used in water-based fire fighting operations.  Sherpa says Simrik holds the pioneer position in Nepal for holding great rescue operation equipment, cutting-edge aircrafts, vital operations like long line, sling lifting, and other flights with highly qualified and competent crew working in many sectors. Sherpa feels Simrik has prepared him and instilled the confidence to carry out rescue operations in any part of the country. But all rescue works are not alike. Sometimes, people lose their lives while waiting to be rescued, because rescuers cannot reach the site on time due to bad weather, or delayed paperwork from the government authorities.   Sherpa feels the government can do better when it comes to modernizing its system to issue permits for emergency rescue works. He says it is difficult to get the paperwork finalized for emergency rescue operations on restricted areas like Lomanthang and Nangbala.  “We do not get swift permission from the government to carry out an emergency rescue operation sometimes, which is tragic because this delay could be a matter of life and death,” says Sherpa.  “At Simrik, we do not consider hauling up lifeless bodies a successful mission.”  Sherpa and his colleagues at Simrik are in the business of saving and connecting lives. They wish the government to be equally invested.   

Raising kids. Educating them. Looking after family members, including elders. Attending other chores 24/7 with scant regard for personal health, well-being and career advancements, all for the family.  More than a juggling act, isn’t it? Homemakers do it every day. Isn’t it a supreme sacrifice?   By and large, though, their immense contributions are remembered, that too ritualistically, only once a year:The International Women’s Day. Is it fair? Babita Shrestha from ApEx talked with some homemakers to know the challenges, complexities and the bliss that come their way every day. ‘We deserve better’ Harimaya Shrestha, 49 In a way, I was trained to be a good homemaker at the age of learning letters. My elder sister and I got married the same day! I was not given a chance to educate myself  by in-laws and had to live my life by following strict rules. As for learning the letters, I learned them while teaching my four kids!  Now that all of my children are grown up and making money, I feel quite content as a stay-at-home mom. Children are taking over my duties, so I don’t have to do much of the chores. I feel that homemakers’ hard work is undervalued in the Nepali society. This should change. I don’t know much about Women’s Day, about the outside world. But I think the Nepali women are not getting the exposure and the opportunities they deserve.  ‘Supremacy of homemakers’ Purna Shova Lama, 49 For me, Women’s Day is like any other day: cook, clean and chill. I have coined this concept called “Hominism”. This concept shows the supremacy of housewives, which shows women’s supreme efficiency to balance between home and outside work. I was unable to continue education after marriage, but homemaking is my choice and I am proud of my caliber. This is a way to play my role in the family and the society. A housewife has to deal with every issue in the household, a great responsibility in itself. I feel like a warrior at a war. Only homemakers know the suffering of housewives. As for Women’s Day, it is an important event. But given the status of women in society, the hypocritical freedom of women and the so-called rights that are not at all practiced, I don't feel a strong affinity toward the day. ‘Women should be seen and heard’ Devu Rana, 53 When I see my children grown up and home in order, I feel extremely satisfied. Raising two kids without the help of their father was the hardest hardship for me. I had to be present everywhere. It used to be so stressful. Being able to give my children a healthy diet, a clean home and a good education, I feel satisfied. There were times when I lacked the energy to do my duties. The society should recognize the contribution of housewives for the betterment of the society. There are voices that utter about feminism, but none there who makes women visible or heard.  ‘Every day is a Women’s Day’ Poonam Mishra, 51 Even after obtaining a bachelor’s degree, I chose to become a homemaker. My conscience told me to do so, and I obliged. Though satisfied with this decision, I feel quite frequently that I could have become someone a lot greater. I lost a lot of chances during the transition from my life in India to a married life in Nepal. But I am content with my role as a stay-at-home mom. Raising all four kids and watching them doing well makes me proud. I have something to say about this societal misconception that ‘homemakers never work’. This is wrong and needs to change. In fact, both working women and stay-at-home mothers are hard workers. Much still needs to be done on the women’s rights front, though there has been some progress. On Women's Day, I urge women and men to celebrate the Day every day, not just on a particular day. It would be more meaningful that way. ‘Put women’s rights on the front-burner’ Apsara KC, 48 Togetherness in the family is what I cherish being a homemaker. After obtaining an IA degree, I had to get married. This meant inability to pursue higher education. After having two kids, I had to put them first. Society expects a homemaker to work 24/7 and still finds time to point out: she does not work. Regarding daughter and daughter-in-law as equals can make a significant impact.  Every family member deserves love and care, that is what matters the most in a family. Positive inclusiveness is valued by positive intuition. Women’s rights need far more urgent attention than superficial celebrations. As for the Women’s Day plans, I plan to spend the day at home, cooking delicious cuisines and serving them to my loved ones.