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Nabina Khadka, 41, is a rare female taxi driver in Kathmandu. She has met a few other woman taxi drivers but most of them have either already dropped out of the profession or gone back to their village. Before being a cab driver, Khadka, who has been driv­ing for the past one and a half years, ran a liquor-cum-conve­nience store in Baluwatar. She still manages the store when she is not driving.

Born and raised in a village in Dolakha district, she came to Kathmandu to pursue an intermediate-level degree in 1996, when she was in her mid-20s. After getting the degree, she started her store in Baluwatar. Struggling to make her ends meet, it was in 2014 that she gave her first trial for a driving license, but failed. She passed on her second try in the same year. Nabina complains that because of male-bias at the Department of Transport, her licensing took “a lot longer than it would have taken my male counterparts”. Her hus­band, also a taxi driver, sup­ported her decision to drive a cab. Now Nabina supports her family via the income from her store, the taxi and some rooms she rents out.

Despite getting a driving license in 2014 it took her three more years to buy a cab and start driving. “In the beginning, some of my rela­tives objected, but my parents were supportive.” But what motivated her to take up this traditionally male-dominated profession to start with?

“I was inspired by the women of the Tarai who have been earning their livelihood by ferrying passengers in their electronic rickshaws,” explains Nabina. “I also love meeting people from various walks of life”.

She feels saddened by the paucity of women in her profession. Nabina believes women of the 21st century should prove they are as strong, hard-working and conscientious as their male counterparts, if not better than them. She thinks women should break free from their traditional role of home-maker. “Women can definitely do much better if they are given adequate opportunity and freedom,” says Nabina.

Perhaps because she is con­fident in her driving Nabina says her passengers have no qualms being driven around by a woman.

Don’t things sometimes get scary when she unknowingly admits unruly passengers? “I drive night and day. At night, I feel a little afraid of drunkards and criminal-minded passen­gers. But I am picky whom I let in and I avoid going to places I know little about.”

Emphasizing the need to bring taxi fares in line with the increased prices of commodities, she hopes the government creates an environment where “taxi driv­ers can viably support their families in an expensive city like Kathmandu”.

You might know Gokarna Forest Resort as a beautiful 100-room hotel situated within a forest and having its own golf course. Somewhere at the end of a dusty road, passing Boudha Stupa on the way. What you might not know is the Gokarna Protected Forest has been preserved as a kings’ hunting ground for around 500 years. Still home to monkeys and deer, the forest has ancient trees which go back even further than that. Some of these trees appeared (as on location around ancient Lumbini) in Bernardo Bertolucci’s 1994 film Little Buddha, with scenes of Siddhartha’s childhood. And it’s this forest that has always been the appeal for guests, even before there was a resort.

The 6,755 yard par 72 golf course, designed by Gleneagles Golf Developments, Scotland (noteworthy!) was officially opened in 1999. Long before there was a hotel, golfers were attracted to this international standard course.

I first visited Gokarna in 2002 when Jazzmandu held an event in what is now the main courtyard, in those days a grassy area between the trees and the half constructed hotel. Accommodation at that time was provided in what they now term ‘the cottages’ but is actually a two storey building situated a little away from today’s main hotel. Next to it was the Hunters Lodge, once an actual lodge for hunters, but in those early days, the hotel reception and restaurant. Next came the fabulous swimming pool and spa in 2003. Followed by the opening of the main wing of the hotel in 2005.

I know these things, not because I have a great memory, but because while visiting the resort recently I realized there were only two or three familiar faces left. One being Deepak Acharya, Gokarna’s golf pro. He has been overseeing the running of the golf club since its conception and remains one of Nepal’s foremost golfers. And has the memory of an elephant! He went on to explain to me that the current owner, Yeti World Nepal, (aka Yeti Airlines) only took over the lease of the resort in 2010.

Another ‘old timer’ of 20 years, Janak Ghimire, Outlet Manager, and I sat overlooking the golf course to reminisce about the time before Yeti owned the property. I had completely forgotten the hotel was once part of the Le Meridien Group. But I do remember when it was part of the Starwood Group as I was the ‘secret guest’ then. By complete chance I was asked to become someone who would appear to be just another guest to the staff but who in fact was reporting back on their efficiency, friendliness, and making recommendations as to what could be improved in the facilities and service. That was a job I loved! Meantime, Ghimire was always a friendly face, based mainly in the Golf Club, my favorite location then, and now.

Over time there has been many changes at Gokarna. The 2015 earthquake took the Hunters Lodge; the hotel grew from its original 16 to 100 rooms, losing some of its feeling of a getaway resort, and sadly, the grass in the main courtyard has been replaced with paving stones, and access to those ‘famous’ trees has been somewhat blocked off. But many things remain constant. The swimming pool and spa is still an oasis (never busy during the week); the forest, deer, and extremely cheeky monkeys remain the same. Having a whole, untouched piece of chocolate cake swiped by an agile primate is a reality!

For those looking for a short break not far from the city, or for those who enjoy golf, Gokarna cannot be recommended highly enough. Yes, it has become more service oriented and less ‘rustic’ over the years, but there are still a few smiling faces like those of Janak Ghimire and Deepak Acharya to remind you of simpler times.

The Embassy of Japan and Japan Founda­tion, in cooperation with the Japanese Language Teachers’ Association Nepal ( JALTAN), are organizing a Japanese Film Festival in Pokhara and Kathmandu this March. The festival will be held at the Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industries premises on March 15-16. In Kath­mandu, the movies will be shown at the Tribhuvan Army officer’s Club, Tundikhel on March 22-23.

“It is hoped that the film fes­tival will contribute to greater understanding of Japanese culture among the Nepali people, and in turn lead to the continued expansion of our ever-friendly and coop­erative relations,” a press release from the Embassy of Japan reads.

Nine Japanese films includ­ing animated movies with English subtitles will be screened. Among the notable movies being screened are ‘Survival Family’, ‘Ninja Kids’, ‘Pop in Q’ and ‘Hana no Ato’.

Entry in Pokhara is open to all for free on first-come-first-serve basis, while entry passes are mandatory for Kathmandu shows, which are available for free at the Embassy of Japan, Panipokhari and the JALTAN Office, Bishwo Bhasa Campus, Exhibition Road, also on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Dockyard Restaurant at New Baneshwor is conve­niently located inside the PC Complex (50 meters towards the Everest Hotel from the New Banesh­wor bus stand). A multi-cuisine restaurant, Dockyard offers a variety of sea food, something difficult to find in the area.

The warm lighting and cozy ambience provides cus­tomers a relief from the busy and bustling New Baneswor. Dockyard has exquisitely lavish interiors with a variety of seating options and is available for group parties and private events as well. The full-fledged bar is packed with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks while the coffee section is also fully equipped.

Open from breakfast time till dinner time, Dockyard is the perfect place for singles, dating couples, corporate lunches, family dinner parties and social gatherings.

 THE MENU

Chef’s Special:

- Honey Glazed Chicken

- Grilled Tiger Prawns

- Grilled Fish with Mashed Potatoes

Opening hours: 8 am-9:30 pm

Location: New Baneshwor

Cards: Accepted

Meal for 2: Rs 2200

Reservations: 9849093538