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In 2013, Kaori Fujino was awarded the Akutagawa Prize, Japan’s most prominent literary prize, for ‘Nails and Eyes’. Fujino, who holds an MA in aesthetics and art theory from Doshisha University, is best known for fiction that reimagines tropes of horror, urban legends, fairy tales, and science fiction. She was in residence at the University of Iowa’s prestigious International Writing Program in 2017. The English translation of her stories have also appeared in various publications.

Nails and Eyes is a slim book but you won’t be able to breeze through it because of its dark and dreary undertone. There are two additional stories of unsettled minds with eerie settings in the volume that I got. The three stories can all be slotted as horror but all of them deal with real people and the many problems in their lives. I especially liked the third story called ‘Minute Fears’ that revolves around the complexities of motherhood. The other two are equally good but I’m pretty sure everyone who reads this volume will have a favorite—perhaps one they will resonate with.

The main story is about a young girl who loses her mother and her father invites his lover to stay with them. He wants to marry her but they want to figure out whether they will work as a family before taking the leap. The woman tries to create a life for the three of them. She’s secretly relieved there’s a child in the picture and that she won’t have to get pregnant for a baby. It’s convenient that someone else has given birth to the three-year-old. But she’s unable to be comfortable around the girl and vice-versa. They have an amicable relationship at best. But the girl is watching the woman, tracking her every move, and there’s malice. The latter only realizes that when it’s too late.

 ‘What Shoko Forgets’ is set in a rehabilitation home. Shoko suffered a stroke and her memories are hazy. She’s being cared for by her oldest daughter and a disinterested granddaughter. She wants to go home and live comfortably on her couch. She feels she deserves that much at least now that her body is tiring and shutting down. But her daughter won’t listen and there’s someone who visits Shoko every night though everyone seems to be oblivious to it. Her memories of this disappear every morning and that’s concerning. Is it real or is she imagining the whole thing? You can never tell and the story stays in your mind long after you’ve read it.

Nails and Eyes is an interesting piece of literature, one that draws your attention to important themes like parenthood, aging, and isolation among others in a way that makes you think about them from different perspectives. It’s, hands down, unlike any other book I have ever read, in terms of how chilling it was. Fujino’s writing reminds me of Yoko Ogawa, another Japanese writer who has won almost every major literary prize in Japan including the Akutagawa Prize.

Fiction

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/66092863-nails-and-eyes 

Nails and Eyes

Kaori Fujino

Translated by Kendall Heitzman

Published: 2023 (Original text: 2013)

Publisher: Pushkin Press

Pages: 138, Paperback

Greetings from Kathmandu!

Last Friday, we launched this weekly column to provide you with a concise analytical roundup of key events. My goal is to offer fresh perspectives on both national and international affairs. We hope these insights will be useful in your personal and professional life.

Visits from China

This week, high-level officials from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and senior members of China’s judiciary visited Kathmandu. We have already published a story on these visits and are working on another report. Notably, after an 18-year hiatus, the two countries held a Joint Expert Group meeting. Future meetings, including a foreign secretary-level meeting, are also planned.

Border regulation

Lawmakers from CPN-UML have called for regulating the Nepal-India border, with some suggesting a visa system. UML lawmaker Raghuji Panta raised this issue in Parliament, with Saraswoti Subba supporting the introduction of identity cards along the border. Although stricter border controls have been advocated before, detailed plans or reasons have not been provided.

(Un)diplomatic recalls

Last week, the government recalled ambassadors from 11 countries, most of whom were appointed by the previous government under the Nepali Congress (NC) quota. The competition for these positions has begun, but the timing of new appointments remains unclear. While recalling ambassadors mid-term is not unprecedented, it may not send a positive message to the host countries.

Prez calls for release of Nepali captives in Ukraine

President Ram Chandra Poudel has returned from his visit to Switzerland and Germany. During the visit, he sought European leaders' support to secure the release of four Nepalis held captive in Ukraine. The President also requested assistance in lifting the ban on Nepal Airlines entering European airspace.

House debate on budget

This week, Parliament witnessed a heated debate over the budget presented by Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun. Lawmakers from both opposition and ruling parties criticized the budget, particularly the high allocations to the electoral constituencies of top leaders. This practice has been common for a long time.

Meanwhile, former prime minister and UML chairman, KP Sharma Oli, also criticized the fiscal policy, stating his party joined the government to contribute to the country’s development and would not be satisfied if these goals are unmet. His remarks have fueled speculation about potential instability or the collapse of the current coalition. This raises the question: Are the NC and UML coming together? We have been covering this topic extensively and will continue to monitor it closely.

Uncertain coalition dynamics

UML leader Oli sent a clear message to Prime Minister Dahal this week, stating that his party cannot continue supporting the government if it fails to deliver results. Sports Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) also echoed this sentiment, suggesting the need to review their support for the government. Fearful that his government could fall into minority anytime soon, Prime Minister Dahal is trying to save his seat. This week he tried to expand his Cabinet by bringing the Janamat Party led by CK Raut but was unsuccessful.

IGP caught in tussle

This week saw a tussle between Prime Minister Dahal and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane, who is allegedly preparing to remove Nepal Police chief Basanta Bahadur Kunwar. Amid this rumor, Dahal said in Chitwan that he had assured the heads of security agencies they would not be removed. Lamichhane, who is also the chairman of RSP, has faced criticism for allegedly misusing police power to target his political opponents and the media. It is not uncommon in Nepal for politicians to attempt to replace police chiefs when they feel their interests are harmed or unmet.

Mayor Balen vs major parties 

Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah continued to dominate headlines with his distinctive working style. Ever since being elected the mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) as an independent candidate, Shah, a former rap artist, has acquired the reputation of a maverick. While the young mayor seems to enjoy a strong support from the residents of Kathmandu, he seems to have rubbed the major political parties the wrong way. This became apparent when the elected representatives from two major political parties, UML and Nepali Congress, walked out of the municipal council meeting. 

Monsoon disaster preparedness

With the arrival of monsoon, eastern Nepal, particularly Taplejung district, has already suffered a deadly landslide. Monsoon-related disasters are likely to increase in the days to come. While the federal government has assured that it is prepared for adverse weather events and disasters, the same cannot be said about the provincial and local governments. With the onset of the rainy season, dengue cases are also on the rise. Government data indicate that most cases are concentrated in Kathmandu. 

Sidhakura case in the dock

The Supreme Court has decided to forward the Sidhakura online case to a full bench, which may set a new precedent in freedom of speech and expression. The online news portal is accused of publishing a fake audio recording with the intent of defaming, among others, the publishers of two major media houses, including this one, and Supreme Court justice Ananda Mohan Bhattarai, who has retired following widespread media coverage questioning his integrity. 

That was the week that was. 

Have a great weekend!

Kamal Dev Bhattarai, 

Editor 

Following my thrilling cycling escapades to Kalinchok, Sailung, Tarke Ghyang, and Chitlang, my 13-day trek to Upper Mustang in 2018 was the absolute humdinger. The rugged terrain, the breathtaking views, and the camaraderie with fellow trekkers and cyclists, who became more like a family, made it an unforgettable experience.

I then set my sights on the iconic Annapurna Circuit for 2020, the prize trail coveted by international and domestic trekkers and cyclists. Spring (March-May) and autumn (mid-Sept to mid-Oct) are the shoulder seasons for trekking the Annapurna Circuit.

The Circuit offers a feast for the eyes, with breathtaking views of the Himalayas. The majestic Annapurna massif, Annapurna I to IV, stands tall, followed by a whole shebang:  Dhaulagiri (8167m), Manaslu (8156m), Nilgiri (7061m), Machhapuchhre (6993m), Hiunchuli (6443m), Lamjung Himal (6983m), Tukuche peak (6920m), and Tilicho peak (7134m), among others (43 peaks overall).

Deemed as demanding, the trail/dirt road rises from as low an elevation as 760m to a soaring 5,416m (Thorang La pass). The Circuit, which encompasses 230 km, gets underway from Beshisahar, Lamjung, traverses Manang across to Mustang, and culminates at Beni, Myagdi.

The Annapurna Circuit also distinguishes itself for Yak Attack, touted as the highest and most challenging mountain bike race on earth with extremes of temperature and the harshest terrains.

The global pandemic, a force beyond our control, abruptly halted our plans for 2020, including the Annapurna Circuit. In early 2020, Covid-19 hit Nepal hard, followed by frequent blanket lockdowns, and life seemed to come to a grinding halt. Given the Covid-19 fallout, Mustang and Manang officially drew the curtain for visitors, and uncertainty loomed over the future of adventure travel.

Raju, my trusted cycling companion, and I meticulously planned our 13-day tour itinerary of the Annapurna Circuit. After the government lifted all Covid-19-related restrictions in the first week of March 2022, we began our preparations in earnest. We studied the weather patterns, mapped the route, and prepared our gear. After much brainstorming, we finally set out our trip following the Dashain holidays, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Both Manang and Mustang had opened their doors to visitors, and Kathmandu gradually saw the influx of foreign tourists, but uncertainty and doubts still hung in the air. “Something could go wrong any time,” said Raju.

However, our journey was not without its share of unexpected challenges. Just before Dashain, a sudden bout of precipitation caught the country off guard. It persisted throughout the festival, triggering a series of landslides and flooding on the road from Beshisahar to Manang, bringing all traffic to a standstill.

We had no choice but to hold back with a snowball’s chance in hell for the roads to open shortly. And the Tihar festival was around the corner into the bargain. But we didn’t give up. Thankfully, the fogs cleared—the rains ceased, and the roadway opened. And we scheduled our delayed expedition after the Tihar festival in the second week of November—our fingers crossed.

The big day arrived for our epic ride, and we shuttled our bikes to the Gongabu bus terminal. We planned to take a bus, but the hassle and chaos at the bus station made us change our minds, and we opted instead for a public Hiace van with our bikes adequately loaded on the roof.

“Finally, we did it; nothing can stop us now—until the kingdom comes,” Raju exclaimed with a mix of relief and excitement as the van started moving, Besisahar-bound—the kick-off point for our thrilling cycling adventure.

After four hours of a bone-jarring ride on the Prithivi Highway to Dumre, the once-paved road to Beshisahar was challenging. It was reduced to anything but pits and potholes, causing us to pitch and toss as the van lurched along almost the entire journey. 

What bothered us most was the plight of our bikes on the van’s roof. We ensured they were well-secured each time the van pulled up for lunch or tea breaks.

Phew! After almost four hours of a bone-jarring ride, to our great relief, we finally arrived in the late afternoon at Beshisahar, 178km away from Kathmandu. Beshisahar, day one on our itinerary, was our stopover for the night and the onset of our cycling to Manang. We checked into a nearby hotel.

Contrary to our expectations, Beshisahar, the district headquarters of Lamjung, turned out to be a large city with fancy houses, trendy shops, and a score of eateries, including in-vogue fast-food joints and diners. The Bazar area bustled and crawled with people; hawkers peddled their wares, and the traffic flow remained steady.

Less than 800m from the sea level, the weather of Beshisahar, even in mid-November, appeared balmy and rather pleasant. The urban sprawl extended to the banks of the Marshyangdi River. The bluish-chalky river kept us company without a break throughout our ride from the town of Dumre.

After a brief stroll across the town center, we returned to the hotel to check our gear and make the last-minute preparations. The thought that we would spin off the next day made us so thrilled we could die!

I, for one, had a mix of excitement and nervousness.

As I gazed at the rugged landscape and the daunting hills ahead, I couldn't help but wonder: Was I pushing past my limits, no longer a spring chicken at age 70? But the thrill of the adventure and the unwavering camaraderie with Raju made me all the more stubborn and dead set.

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The number of dengue infections is rising across Nepal. According to the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) report published on June 18, a total of 1,241 people have contracted the mosquito-borne disease since January this year. Dengue has been detected in 72 districts, with Mustang, Dolpa, Mugu, Humla, and Jumla being the only districts free of reported cases. Despite this, the threat of the disease spreading further looms large.

Health experts have warned that the current situation is a pre-outbreak phase, posing a high risk of a nationwide dengue outbreak. The EDCD data highlights the prevalence of cases across various districts: 141 in Kathmandu, 112 in Jhapa, 75 in Chitwan, 59 in Makwanpur, 47 in Doti, 46 in Tanahu, 44 in Sindhupalchok, 41 in Okhaldhunga, 28 in Rupandehi, 27 in Bhaktapur, and 18 in Lalitpur. Bagmati province has reported the highest number of cases, with 428 infections so far this year.

Historically, August, September, and October see the highest number of dengue cases in Nepal. With infections already on the rise, we can expect a significant increase in the coming months. This underscores the urgent need for the government to implement a comprehensive action plan to combat the dengue epidemic.

The government must immediately launch a "search and destroy" campaign along with other preventive measures to control the spread of dengue. Effective coordination among the three tiers of government is crucial to curb the infection. Since there is no specific medicine to cure dengue, prevention remains the best strategy. Wearing long-sleeved clothes and maintaining cleanliness are essential preventive measures.

Local governments, responsible for controlling communicable diseases and raising awareness in their communities, must act swiftly to eliminate conditions conducive to the rapid growth of mosquitoes and larvae. The only recommended treatment for dengue-related high fever and headaches is paracetamol. Given Nepal's past issues with paracetamol shortages, the government must ensure an adequate supply of this essential medication.

An uncontrolled dengue outbreak could overwhelm Nepal's already fragile health infrastructure and potentially claim hundreds of lives. Immediate and decisive action is needed to prevent this looming public health crisis. The time to act is now.