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Kathmandu gets a new place to rev up. The Ultimate Hima­layan Motorland promises to be the breeding ground for the country’s motor-adventurists and an adrenalin-filled addition to the ‘Things to do’ list of visiting tourists to Nepal. The property sprawling over 4.4 acres has both tarmac and off-road race tracks, in the two firsts for Nepal. With motorsports as its theme, Ultimate Himalayan Motor­land offers adventure sports as well as training. At the venue, one can participate in various recreational activities and get expert training. The Chairman for Ultimate Himalayan Motorland is Anil K. Baral and Diprash Shakya is the Managing Director.

The venue is open to individuals, groups and even corporate houses. The services available at the Motor­land are venue hire, track hire, rec­reational Go-Karting, recreational racing and more. The property is also open for concerts, TV Shows, camping, bikers/car meets, exhibi­tions and auto shows.

An advocate of road safety and responsible driving, the Motorland offers various training programs such as racing training, marshal training, pit-crew training and road-safety training. The driving lessons range from beginners to advanced levels.

For the upcoming year, the company, which is affiliated to the National Sports Council, has already announced a list of races, including Racemandu, Crossman­du, Race Nari, Youth Karts Cham­pionship, Auto Gymkhana and other corporate and school-level competitions. 

More information: https:// ultimatehimalayanmotorland.com

MD Diprash Shakya and Chairman Anil K. Baral

Making chaku (molasses) is my family business. Even my great-grandfather was in it. I grew up working in family business with my father and grandfather during my childhood and teenage years. I don’t remember the exact date but when my grandfather died around 1965, we stopped the business and moved to Kalimati. Our family started some other business.

But in 2004, I began to have second thoughts. Why don’t I continue my family’s legacy of chaku-making in Tokha, I questioned myself? I then convinced myself to restart the business under a new name. Now I make chaku throughout the year. Everyone knows my com­pany as ‘Bhai Lal Chaku’ and my chaku is famous as far afield as Banepa.

Annually, we purchase around five tons of brown sugar, the raw material. The brown sugar costs us around Rs 70 a kilo while we sell our chaku to whole­salers at Rs 140 a kilo. The Nepali month of Magh ( Jan­uary-February) is important for us. Each season, we make around Rs 100,000 in net profit. Chaku produc­tion for Magh starts three months earlier. Right now, I have 14 people working in my factory. 

Bhai Lal Shrestha (67), owner of Tokha Bhai Lal Chaku Utpadan Kendra

What movie made you laugh the hardest in 2020? 

“Jatrai Jatra”, “Holidate”, and “Enola Holmes”.

What business idea do you think would be super-profitable but you would never want to pursue?

I would never be a land-broker.

Would you rather be a tiger or a hummingbird?

I would rather be a hummingbird for the freedom it enjoys. 

If you could change something about the way you were raised, what would it be?

I wish I would have been taught about body shaming and misconceptions on mensuration. I would have led a more confident and comfortable life. 

A zombie apocalypse is coming. Who are the three people you want on your team?

OMG! I actually felt the zombie-like situation during the pandemic. So the names… Anuprathsa Thapa (Nephew), Prabha Thapa (Sister) and Monica GC (Best Friend).

You have your own late-night talk show. Who do you invite as your first guest?

It would be none other than Hollywood filmmaker Christopher Nolan.

What was the worst job you ever had?

I think I haven't done anything that would fall in this category.

You can have an unlimited supply of one thing for the rest of your life. What would it be?

Certainly an internet connection. I can't do without it. 

Would you rather be the funniest or the smartest person in the room?

I would rather be the smartest person because the smartest person would always know when or where to be funny. 

What is the last TV show that you binge-watched?

“Just Add Magic”.

Started as Rana Prime Minister Juddha Samsher’s private zoo in 1932, Jawal­akhel’s Central Zoo has stood the test of time. The zoo came under government ownership after the 1950 political change and its management was overseen by many government departments before it was handed over to the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) in December 1995. The trust management celebrated its silver jubilee this week.

The zoo, spread over six hectares, is now home to over 1,000 animals of 110 different species, including rare and endangered animals. The Central Zoo closed down in March as the Covid-19 lockdown kicked in. It was almost nine months before the zoo reopened to public on December 10. With the reopening and introduction of safety measures, zoo management says they regularly get 800+ visitors on weekdays and 2,700+ visitors on weekends. This is a considerable drop from over 5,000 week­end visitors before the pandemic. With the picnic area and boating closed, the zoo has lost other attractions besides the animals.

The pandemic also took a toll on the zoo management as the 75-strong staff was cut to 56 to reduce expenses.

Current ticket prices are Rs 150 per per­son for adults, Rs 90 for students and Rs 50 for children aged 4-12. For those from SAARC countries, prices are Rs 350 for adults and Rs 150 for children. For visitors from other countries, it is Rs 750 for adults and Rs 350 for children. Children below four and disabled people do not have to buy tickets.