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This yearly signature event of the Photojournalist Club, this year titled “Literacy and Multilingualism photo contest,” received 636 submissions from 182 photographers. If you go to Nepal Art Council, Babarmahal you will see the best 54 photographs that highlight the essence of learning and teaching experiences in the multilingual settings of Nepal. On September 8, three best photographs and two honorary mentions were given cash prizes.

Pankaj Shrestha bagged the first prize. His photo “Help begins with understanding” shows a teacher helping an autism affected boy learn in classroom. Sunita Dangol got the second prize with her photo of the living goddess Kumari getting private lessons at home. The photo of Anish Regmi, which won the third prize, shows deaf students communicate in sign language. 

Photo Mahendra Khadaka

Bhanu Roshan Rajbhandari, an advocate, who had come to see the exhibit, says the photos give him mixed feelings. “As beautiful as the photos are, they also hide much pain,” he says. He adds that these photos make it clear how far our education system still has to go. Till now, students have to sit on mats or beside rivers to study. “These photos make me question where all the investment in education is going,” he says.

Photo Mahendra Khadaka

The exhibition is aimed at promoting social cohesion and providing a platform to bring better understanding of effective learning in our diverse environment. Anyone interested in photography or in the state of education in Nepal should consider visiting the exhibition which runs till September 14. 

Traditionally, a bass player has always had the least glamorous role in a band. Even though they are the foundation of the rhythm section of any band with drums and guitars, players of the modern electric bass find themselves hiding in the shadows of the front-men. But the situation has been changing in recent years. Bass players around the world have been getting more and more recognized and with the introduction of ‘Bass Day’—an event where bass players of different genres meet to perform together and share knowledge—the bass community is only getting stronger.

Starting 2016, Nepal has had its own version of the ‘Bass Day,’ which is usually organized in the third week of September. This year, the fourth edition of Bass Day Nepal is happening at Shisha Bar, Thamel on September 21 in association with Sangeet Pathshala. Seventeen bass players—aspiring and professionals from 18 to 50—will be gathering to display their skills as well as learn from each other in this event that celebrates true musicianship.

“There’s a small misconception among local musicians that this is a competition,” shares Deepak Shakya, the man behind the event. “This is not the intent. We just want bass players to collaborate and take this as an opportunity to share their skills.” Shakya is himself a well-recognized bass player who started his career in 1999 and has played with different artists across various genres.

The idea of organizing a day dedicated to the low-enders had come to Shakya earlier than 2016. But the problem was finding like-minded people to invest their time and resources on a not-for-profit event. Failing to find much support at the time, he ventured out on his own. The first Bass Day Nepal in 2016 saw its humble beginnings at the House of Music, Thamel. The event, although small, was well received by musicians and paved an easier way for future ventures.

“With time, the magnitude of the event has only grown and last year we saw a full house with more audience reaching out to us,” Shakya says. “This year we have participants not only from Kathmandu but also from Pokhara, Dharan, and other cities.” Shakya says he also wanted to get international musicians to perform at the event. “But I was advised otherwise by a few sponsors and well-wishers,” he says. “We want to keep it organic and local for maybe a few more years.”

Aloft Hotels are open in space and spirit. Fresh, purposeful environments and vibrant spaces that bring people together... the next generation of hotels, using technology and design to enhance experiences and move at the pace of next gen guest. Or so they state on their website. But is Kathmandu ready for the next gen of hotels? 

Aloft in Kathmandu is situated in the heart of Thamel. Attached to the new Chhaya Center. A unique combo of mall and hotel, a first for Nepal, in an area not surrounded by other high rise buildings. This facilitates views of Swayambhunath from the WXYZ bar and some of the sleeping rooms. If, as it is said, location is everything, then Aloft has it all! Yet, Aloft Kathmandu Thamel also has the familiar appearance and vibrant style which their regular global, young and hip customers will recognize. Such as a 24/7 one-stop shop for snacks.

Having just opened in July this year, the rooms are priced very reasonably (put your trendy guests here folks). But I want to know more about what’s on offer for those of us who live in Kathmandu. I’m excited to know ‘Live at Aloft’ will be coming on-stream soon, a live music event in the bar area. I took a look at the Splash swimming pool. Here is something a bit different. An indoor infinity pool. Huge glass windows give it that infinity outlook without the danger of sailing over the edge!  A huge plus in my book. 

The area around the pool is spacious with large sofas, and a bar. Opened only at the beginning of this month, for September there are some nice offers. Every Saturday and Sunday, enjoy a Splash & Nook a.k.a swim and buffet lunch at the Nook restaurant. And I can confirm the Nook serves excellent food! Or every day (until 15 September, so act fast) is Splash & Akua. Swim and enjoy a snack platter at the poolside. Since that latter offer runs until 7 pm, we can watch the lights come on over the city. 

Better still, once the Nilgiri Sky Lounge and restaurant comes on-line in early November it will be possible to take in the lights of the city for the whole evening. According to the blurb, this (indoor) rooftop bar will capture the essence of Kathmandu without losing the international vibe. Focus is on creating a cocktail culture in Kathmandu. Like the sound of that! For those with upcoming conferences, seminars, or weddings, there are three large comfortable event halls.

Aloft around the world is renowned for its technology: unlock your room with your phone or Apple watch or be served by a robot. Kathmandu is not quite ready for the bots but if you are a Marriott Bonvoy (loyalty card) member, you can use your mobile to unlock your door. In addition, Aloft Kathmandu Thamel has the fastest internet speed in town. 

Aiming at keeping their footprint low, Aloft is on its way to eliminate single use plastics such as shower toiletries. Currently they are working with Soap for Hope—an organization that collects leftover soap for recycling, and use Ma-Paani water throughout the hotel. Ma-Paani is the only bottled water brand in Nepal that is HACCP certified. I’m reliably told they are also sourcing organic vegetables and working with homestay owners as part of their socially conscious program. Aside from the fact this no doubt is ‘company policy’, the GM Vikram Singh has a true passion for Nepal, having worked here in the 2000s in Gokarna Forest Resort.  He says Aloft is a “casual 5 star with a Nepali soul”.

And long story short, yes, Kathmandu is ready for the next gen of hotels! Don’t believe me? Go see for yourself!

For further information and upcoming offers, please see their FaceBook or Instagram: Aloft Kathmandu Thamel. 

Over coffee this afternoon I and a few friends were having a laugh about the various Facebook groups that we are in. And those we have left because they just got too judgmental. One friend recalled a global yoga group. Discussion in this group devolved into a ‘shouting’ match between those in the East who said they were the originators of yoga and professed to belonging to a ‘pure’ form of the practice, and those in the West who thought their way of incorporating yoga into their busy lives, complete with designer yoga pants, was correct. As tempers rose and friction developed my friend realized that both East and West were dismissing with their rants the philosophy and five basic principles of yoga, which include relaxation and mediation.  

Another friend questioned the purpose of one of the local groups we are all in and which often sparks great debate over a whole range of subjects from animal rights, to where to buy the best organic vegetables. We recalled that the group is very entertaining; with one or two regular ‘contributors’ always having something to say about everyone’s post. And not necessarily positive.  At a time long ago the group moved far from its aim of providing information for those wishing to buy and sell around town. 

We also recalled another group where information is often sought from those visiting or newly arrived in Nepal. Questions of a legal nature often arise. To which most of us will give the correct and, as far as we know, legal response. But still the person posting the question will keep on eliciting responses until they get the one they want. Even if the majority insist that that response is incorrect. They just won’t listen to those with more experience.

Sitting at the table with us was a friend who is a psychologist and deals with young people who are so addicted to social media they barely live outside of their phones. For them these arguments on Facebook may seem innocuous, and a source factual information. And to some extent they are right. It is my opinion that the arguments and information on Facebook are a miniature reflection of what is going on in the world at the moment.

It seems the world is becoming like the yoga group. Instead of embracing our differences, countries seem to be becoming more insular and fail to recognize others’ point of view. Just like that local Facebook group. A few people around the world are loudly making their views heard and have something to say on every topic, regardless as to what it is. Then there are those who supply an abundance of ‘fake news’. And, my goodness, people believe this nonsense even when others, usually more qualified to explain the situation, say differently. It would appear people only want to believe their own truths and are unwilling to accept something they do not want to hear. 

Are we all like those teenagers sitting in front of a tiny screen, isolating ourselves from the rest of humanity? Are we convinced our beliefs are right and those of others are wrong? Do we all propagate ‘fake news’ either intentionally or because we have lost the ability to think for ourselves?

I was stunned this week to learn that Greta Thunberg, 16, who is my personal climate emergency hero, is subject to much hate—even from those who are in positions of authority and should know better. How far have we sunk when we raise up the chauvinistic and narrow-minded and caste dispersion on those (particularly young women) who should be celebrated?

I pray Greta is right when she says, “When haters go after your looks and differences, it means they have nowhere left to go. And then you know you’re winning!” Because the world needs a win right now.