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The iconic Dharahara at Sundhara in Kathmandu, which collapsed during the April 2015 earthquake, is now in the final stages of its rebuilding. Prime Minister KP Oli has shown special interest in the ‘Historic Dharahara Reconstruction’ project that is being undertaken by the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA). During his first term as prime minister, Oli had in February 2016 announced the Mero Dharahara Ma Banaunchu (‘I will construct my Dharahara’) fundraising campaign. Oli, during his second stint as prime minister, laid the foundation stone for the new Dharahara on 28 December 2019. The project is a rare work of government undertaking making rapid progress. Construction continued even during the lockdown. Previously a nine-story tower built by Bhimsen Thapa in 1832 as a watchtower, the new Dharahara will have 22 stories, but the architectural style will be the same as the old one. The new tower will have a bigger diameter and a height of 72 meters, and have two elevators along with traditional stairs leading to the top. Being built at an estimated Rs 3.48 billion over 2.8 acres, the reconstructed Dharahara will have a garden, a museum, a color fountain, an exhibition hall, a parking lot, and shops inside its premises.

“I realized there were already plenty of private and governmental schools,” says Mahabir Pun, a teacher, researcher, scientist, and social entrepreneur, who once dreamt of establishing an education establishment for the underprivileged of rural Nepal. “So, I thought, why not instead focus on innovation and research centers for the country’s development?”

So it was that Nangi village in Myagdi district, his birthplace, had wireless internet connections by 2003, a time even the country’s major cities were deprived of decent internet facilities. Pun then sourced computers from donors and distributed them to surrounding villages. He also produced electricity from small hydro generators, and assembled handmade wooden-box CPUs.

Pun’s loftiest vision was to arrange vocational training for rural folks so that they could be more employable, both at home and abroad. Alongside, he was keen to help poverty-stricken folks engage in income-generating programs. Thus the computers he got in grant were used in online teaching, in establishing an e-market for local products. The lure of reliable internet also helped bring more trekkers to his village.

“Visions will only be wishes if we don’t share and work on them,” claims Pun, who publicized his primary proposal via the BBC, resulting in the formation of the National Innovation Center (NIC) in 2012. His goal was to boost innovation and invention. It is now registered as a non-profit research organization and is in the process of producing and selling 10 MW electricity, the profit from which will be reinvested in the center.

As of now, coffee roasting machines, solar dryers, and drones are the NIC’s major projects, produced as they are easily marketable. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the center made PPE kits and repaired medical equipment.

A man whose childhood was spent doing household chores and grazing cattle is determined to continue to lead a simple lifestyle. “Your dress and getup don’t establish your brand—your thoughts do,” he says. Moreover, Pun adds, “People, mainly youths, try to mirror the living standards of foreigners these days. They should rather look to borrow the foreigners’ progressive thinking and creativity.”

“During my time, we couldn't even think of studying abroad. Medical and engineering colleges were yet to start in Nepal, and people’s horizons were limited,” Pun recalls. But now things are vastly different, and yet, Pun rues, most of our able-bodied youths want to go abroad.

The 66-years old Pun reckons the new generation is not mature enough to take over the NIC. “I am ready to hand over, but so far I haven’t met a person who can give full time to the center without expecting a penny of profit in return,” he explains. “The center also needs someone capable of making fast, logical decisions.”

The jovial Pun likes to use his social media accounts to show a funny and fun-loving side of himself. (His dances with center colleagues have been smash hits.) More importantly, he uses Facebook and Twitter to publicize donations and expenditures.

The newly-announced ‘Galaxy 4k TV’ has among its lineup a television program, Aabiskar (‘Invention’), featuring Mahabir Pun. As the producers have been tight-lipped about the program, there is a lot of speculation about whether Pun will be a full-time presenter or put in only a guest appearance. Pun’s absence during the program’s announcement had also raised questions.

On being queried about it, Pun explains, “The television program could promote a culture of research. They consulted me too, but I might not have the skill to present a TV program.” He says he will for sure appear occasionally but he adds that it will be impossible for him to spare scheduled time for the show.

What’s something you’d like to talk about but no one asks?

May be about my long-lost hobby, i.e. indoor gardening.

Where would you travel if you knew you would have to stay there for up to a year?

New Zealand. After watching Falling in Love (1984), I am so tempted to experience its rural lifestyle.

In one word, what is the greatest challenge you have faced in your career?

Undermined.

Do you like surprises?

Of course I like surprises but only pleasant ones. Who doesn’t like momentary excitement?

Who would you want to be stranded with on a deserted island?

Obviously with my daughter.

If you could go back in time to change one thing in your life, what would it be?

I won’t. I own all my imperfection and mistakes. They have helped me be a better person.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve done in the name of love?

Giving up sleep...

If you were the ruler of your own country what would be the first law you would make?

Free health care access for every citizen.

What is the favorite part about your career?

Meeting people from diverse walks of life and learning from them.

If you could win an Olympic medal for a sport, real or imaginary, what would it be?

I donno. I can’t think of real games but if there were medals for marathon talking, I can bag at least a bronze.

Chiyawala

Located in Tinkune, Chiyawala was established two years ago. But the outlet’s origin can be traced back to 1956, says Ganesh Dev Pandey, its founder and a famous Nepali film director to boot. That was the year his grandfather started selling tea in Kalikot district. After that, Ganesh’s father earned his living in Butwal bazaar by doing the same business. And now, Ganesh has taken up the family mantle.

Chiyawala employees seven people, including himself. The outlet has around 200-250 daily visitors spending Rs 20,000-25,000 a day, Pandey informs. Himself a tea lover, Pandey got acquainted with various flavors and types of tea while roaming the streets of India.

The best-seller at Chiyawala is ‘Ghanashyam tea’—a semi-sweet strong tea—named after Ganesh’s father. “We have ten different varieties of milk tea, which I created myself, but no coffee at all,” Pandey says. There’s also a tea flavor dedicated to his grandmother—a sour-and-sweet mix. Besides tea, the outlet sells cookies and magic buns, which Pandey borrowed from his mother. “In our childhood, my mother would make a bun by adding milk cream in bread. I have modified the same formula for my business,” he says. Why do people come to his place? “Tea is an addiction,” he replies.

But that is not all. Every equipment, chair and drinking table is made from reusable material. The tea tables are old TV sets and the whole shop was crafted out of a shipping container. Luring customers with creative ideas is Pandey’s business mantra.

Contact: 9801015192

Tandoori ChiyaHolic

Established around 20 days ago, Tandoori ChiyaHolic at Mid Baneshwor hosts around 140 visitors a day, who spent around Rs 10,000. Jeevan Khadka and Govinda Saud, the two founders, work there along with three other family members. After losing their jobs during the lockdown and failing to find new ones, they started looking for new opportunities. “We found the Indian concept of Tandoori Chiya (tea) appealing, and thought of starting something similar,” Khadka informs. 

A typical customer drinks more than a cup of Tandoori tea at a sitting, according to Khadka. At Tandoori ChiyaHolic, people don’t seek options but repeat the same tea. Though the shop offers coffee as well, under a percentage of its customers ask for coffee. People don’t consume tea because they are hungry or thirsty but because they want to spend time gossiping, says Khadka. 

Tandoori tea’s specialty is the clay flavor—clay’s smell and taste. Unlike normal tea, Tandoori tea is made in clay cups. A big clay cup is heated in the oven until red-hot. Then hot tea is poured into the red cup. Finally, the tea is transferred to and served in other smaller clay cups. The piping-hot tea absorbs the flavor of clay to make for a distinct taste.

Contact: 9862818173

Dariwala Chiya

Opened on 19 November 2019 and located at Mid Baneshwor, the small establishment of Dariwala Chiya is famous among youths. The place witnesses a daily average of 100 customers who spend around Rs 4,000, informs Pradeep Rawal, the owner. The Covid-19 pandemic hit the shop hard and forced it to shift to a new and temporary establishment in which they currently run. Before the pandemic, business used to be as high as Rs 10,000 a day. 

The inspiration for the place was Mama’s Tea at Basantapur, where Rawal was a regular visitor. “It was the perfect example of how you could make decent money even with a lowish investment,” he adds. Why Dariwala Chiya? Well, let’s just say Rawal is fond of beards of all kind. Dariwala Chiya does not include coffee options as “coffee can never match tea”. 

You can order hot lemon tea, black tea and milk tea. The focus, says Rawal, has always been on creating a distinct taste for Dariwala Chiya. Tea ingredients thus vary, according to seasons. For example, during the winter, a special mix of cloves, black paper and cardamom maybe added to your cuppa, he informs. Tea is the only item available at his outlet. 

Contact: 9845997285

Chiya Ghar

Chiya Ghar has outlets in Pepsicola, Kumaripati, and Bhimsengola and a franchise in Putalisadak. Chiya Ghar, Bhimsengola was established around four years ago and now has 14 staff, informs Arjun Limbu, the supervisor. “Around 1,000 customers visit a day, contributing to an average income of Rs 40,000-50,000,” says Limbu. 

Most customers come to Chiya Ghar for the Matka tea. Next most popular option is Masala Milk tea, which is spicy, the taste of cardamoms and cloves.

Tea is made by using regular utensils but served in clay cups. The serving in clay cups give the tea a distinct earthy aroma.

Contact: 9801970715

Bamboo Tea at Bamboo Biryani

With a daily visitor-count of 150, most come to Bamboo Biryani, Ratopul for its famous Bamboo Tea. Though the place specializes in biryani, Bamboo Tea is its bestseller. Momos are the other famous offering.

Milan Regmi and Bibash Kafle were running ‘Mati House’ where they sold cooked items in clay utensils. “If we can cook in clay, we thought, why don’t we do so in bamboo?” Regmi says. “Only after a lot of effort and practice have we perfected cooking in bamboo,” Regmi explains. 

There has been no shortage of curious visitors who want to have a sip. Bamboo tea cools fast and so you drink it fast. The tea smells like a young bamboo shoot. The preparation time for bamboo tea is 30 minutes; the tea, you see, has to boil inside the bamboo.

Contact: 9848321880