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When you find yourself in a microbus where discriminatory and gender-biased opinions become a source of amusement and laughter and activities to exchange misogynistic thoughts become normal and commonplace, even traveling from Kirtipur to Kathmandu becomes an interminable journey. When I once traveled in a microbus from Kirtipur to Kathmandu, I became a victim of this discussion. 

In the microbus, there were two elderly passengers, four to five young people who could have been between 20 and 24 years old, and five to six mid-aged uncles and aunties. The micro was entirely occupied. For the first few minutes after I entered the microbus, the driver and the mid-aged uncle and aunties were engaged in somewhat typical Nepali conversation about life and daily chores in life. However, shortly after those few minutes had passed, when we stopped at a particular bus station and a young girl asked to hold the vehicle for a few more seconds while she collected her bags (she was seen traveling alone and had several heavy bags with her), She didn’t seek assistance from anybody around, but the driver casually and unhesitatingly made a remark about how ‘Lazy’ women are. And he claimed, “Women should constantly be active and should appear smart because they are born as creatures who are destined to move into other people's homes when they reach a certain age”. Additionally, not just for women, Driver had a theory about men as well: “Men can be lazy as long as they live in their own house.”

After a little pause, the driver again presented his version of events by making a sexist remark to a passenger who also happened to be his neighbor. He questioned the passenger aunty saying, “Why are you traveling in a vehicle to merely travel for 2 kilometers? Have you not got legs? Are you not terrified of your husband? It must be so much joy for you to spend every penny your husband works so hard to earn. And in defense, the aunty, who was in her mid-to-late-thirties, said that she was traveling because she lacked helping hands and was carrying a full gas cylinder. Concerningly, she responded as if she had made some sort of mistake. She also noted that she still had to pick up her child from school, but even in that circumstance, she considered explaining it to a patriarchal man who lacked common sense. 

After she exits the car, an uncle in the rear speaks out without being asked and offers his viewpoint. He said that, in comparison to the past, when women were extremely engaged in supporting their husbands’ families and committed to their husbands’ lives and jobs, they are now sluggish spenders of their husbands’ hard-earned money. As was to be expected, the driver supported the prospective opinion, and the aunties in attendance likewise applauded it while joking about how funny the uncles were. Despite the fact that I and the other youngsters present tried our hardest to correct them about many aspects throughout the discussion, the people grew increasingly stiff and condescending. 

The majority of people in Nepal, including women as well as men, think that giving women shelter and food should be sufficient for them. They believe that women should be subservient to men and that they should fear men. To demonstrate their masculinity to society, men in Nepal always try to show that they are the ones who support women and that women should owe them their lives and freedom. But because women are constantly pressured by society to be inferior to men and because they are raised in such a brainwashing environment, they (women) never have the chance to think and act on their confidence or abilities. Lastly, women also start to develop misogynistic opinions. Do we want this, though? Why can’t we simply support someone, regardless of gender, to accomplish a certain objective that’s consistent with their capacities in life? Why shouldn’t each and every one of us be skilled and competent in what we do and the fields we are in? And in order for this to take place initially, there must be a significant shift in Nepali society’s nurturing system. This culture has to cease pressuring people into having children, getting married, and engaging in many other ancillary activities. 

There are many things in life, and now that we are living in the 21st century, the world has advanced significantly. Just a few weeks ago, a rocket from our neighboring nation traveled to the moon for research reasons, and many men and women collaborated to make that mission a success. But when we look at Nepal, we still can’t get over our prejudice and discriminatory thoughts, and the funny part is that we still want to transform Nepal into Switzerland.

Dikshya Adhikari 

Ist Year, BALLB

Kathmandu School of Law

The 'Teej' festival, also known as the 'Haritalika', is being observed by Nepali Hindu women throughout the country on Monday.

Women fast and wish for a prosperous life for their spouse on this festival which falls on the third dark day of the lunar month according to Nepali month Bhadra. Women rejoice with various delicious dishes known as 'Dar' a day before 'Teej' and fast on the next day as per the tradition.

The three-day festivity begins with 'Dar' on the second day of the fortnight in the month of Bhadra and is marked with fasting and cultural programs the next day.

Women on this day take ritual baths in the morning and offer worship while in the evening. They pay homage to Lord Shiva, light lamps and spend the night awake.

The festivity comes to an end on the fifth day of fortnight after worshiping the legendary 'Saptarishi' (seven sages).

This unique festival of Nepali women is also a celebration of sisterhood as sisters gather at their natal home and indulge in jubilant dancing and singing.

The legend has it that Parbati, the daughter of Himalayas, was on her maiden fast, wishing for the health and the wellbeing of her spouse, Lord Shiva.  Since then the same day has been recognized as the Haritalika Teej.

Married women put on bangles, ‘Pote’ (a necklace made of glass beads), ‘Tilahari’ and ‘Sindur’ (crimson powder) considered the symbols of good luck and dress themselves up in red saris or other red outfits and adorn themselves with different kinds of ornaments.

Both married and unmarried women perform various ‘pujas’ (worships) and observe fasting, praying for fulfillment of their wish for a happy and prosperous conjugal life.

The Pashupatinath Temple in the capital sees an overwhelming number of women devotees this day.

Art can feel intimidating, especially if you feel like you don’t know the context of what you are looking at. Sometimes, you might feel like you lack the vocabulary to understand and discuss visual arts. It could be because you aren’t aware of the different mediums or techniques used. Or you feel you don’t have the knowledge about the different cultures and backdrops that inspire art. It’s not unusual for people to be intimidated by museums and art galleries, thinking it’s a place reserved for professors, gallery owners, and artists. But you needn’t have taken up a course on art appreciation in college to be able to view and enjoy art. Some simple techniques can help you view art with a more critical eye.

First up, take your time

At an art gallery or museum, don’t rush from one piece to the next. Take your time to properly look at an artwork. According to studies, a person spends roughly 15 to 30 seconds looking at a piece of art. This isn’t enough for you to be able to grasp the concept of the art. Read the wall text that accompanies the art and think it over. It helps if you do a little research before visiting an exhibition. You will know the artist and his/her style and be able to make an informed opinion. Don’t overthink it. Let your thoughts flow. How does the work of art make you feel? Does it calm your anxious mind or do you feel overwhelmed? What might be going on in the artist’s mind when working on the piece? These are some things you can reflect on as you look at art.

Focus on the shape and color

Artists often use the flow of shapes to show you what’s important in their pieces. If something catches your eye, it’s possible that this is where the artist wants to draw your attention. So, look for possible shapes and lines and figure out what it’s trying to convey. Different colors evoke different feelings. Try to look at the colors used by the artist. Are they bold or are they subtle? What emotion does it stir in you? Do you feel there is a color there shouldn’t be in the subject matter? Are there any hues that stand out from the other colors in the piece? Notice the play of light as well. Do some colors appear darker or paler than others? The use of colors is often an artist’s way of delivering certain messages.

Don’t be shy to voice your opinion

Art is all about perspective. What appeals to you might not have the same effect on your friend. It’s always a good idea to go to exhibitions alone or at least move about alone so that someone else’s opinion doesn’t cloud yours. Then, when something strikes you or you feel a certain emotion while looking at a painting, don’t be afraid to let that thought come. Don’t try to think or feel a certain way because you know the artist’s history and feel obliged to like the work. You can like or dislike a certain work without having to justify why. But it helps if you have some knowledge about artists so you can be more critical in your judgment.

In my early years, a solitary cherry tree graced the backyard of our Pokhara family home. Each year, we witnessed the splendid transformation from delicate blossoms to verdant fruit. As children, we frolicked with these mysterious cherries, discovering that they concealed twin seeds within. As they ripened into crimson orbs and tumbled to the earth, curiosity piqued, but none dared to taste the enigmatic fruit.

In 1990, a guest came home. As my mother prepared a meal for him, he explored our surroundings, and his gaze fell upon that tree. “Bhauju,” he exclaimed, “you have a coffee tree!” His excitement was palpable, and he promised to return during the harvest season to instruct us in the coffee-making process.

This marked my introduction to the word ‘coffee,’ a beverage that likely found its way to Nepal from Gulmi, where Hira Giri had, in 1938, imported coffee seeds from the Sindu Province of Burma, my maternal family’s place of origin. He nurtured these seeds in the Aapchaur area of Gulmi. While the seeds made their way to Nepal, the knowledge and technology needed to cultivate coffee remained elusive for many hillside homes, cultivating an air of curiosity.

What intrigued me was the timeline of coffee’s arrival in Nepal. While it had been introduced in India in the late 17th century, it took nearly 270 years for coffee to find its roots in Nepal. Baba Budan, an Indian pilgrim returning from Mecca in 1670, clandestinely transported seven coffee beans from Yemen to India, planting them in Karnataka’s Chandragiri hills. At the same time, some coffee experts posit that Gurkha soldiers and Nepali laborers employed in South Indian coffee plantations may have brought coffee seeds back to Nepal, envisioning the prospect of cultivating coffee locally upon their return.

Amidst Nepal’s new coffee generation, we tend to forget the coffee shop that first introduced coffee culture to Kathmandu: Bangalore Coffee House. After struggling to survive in New Road, its proprietors tried their luck opposite Tindhara Pathsala, renaming it the Mangalore Coffee House before vanishing from the coffee scene. This is a chapter of my Kathmandu upbringing that warrants exploration by coffee historians. Nepalis traditionally favored tea over coffee, and it took time for this preference to shift, resulting in limited local demand. Himalayan Java Coffee, a noted coffee outlet, blazed a trail by opening the first specialty coffee shop in Nepal around 1999-2000 when coffee culture was still in its infancy. The gradual growth of tourism after 1990 also played a pivotal role in shaping coffee habits.

Official records reveal that in the late 1970s, the Nepali government began distributing coffee seeds imported from India to farmers in potential districts through the Agriculture Development Bank, marking coffee’s first recognition as a potential cash crop. Interestingly, coffee plantations were also employed as a means to combat soil erosion. The Tinau Watershed Project in 1982 promoted coffee plantation on terrace risers, and not far from this watershed, in Manigram, Rupandehi, coffee processing commenced in 1983 with the establishment of Nepal Coffee Company (NeCCo), which processed dry cherries collected from local farmers.

In 1993, a formal institutional structure, the National Tea and Coffee Development Board (NTCDB), was established, poised to lead initiatives for the coffee sector’s development. Farmers from the mid-hill region began to recognize coffee as a highly lucrative crop due to rising exports and domestic consumption. The first coffee policy in Nepal emerged in 2004 as a result of these developments, followed by the commencement of organic certification a year later. In 2010, the Department of Industry registered the ‘Nepal Coffee’ logo, symbolizing the nation’s coffee identity.

In recent years, Nepal has borne witness to a coffee revolution, driven by the younger generation. Their love for coffee transcends its role as a mere morning pick-me-up; it has evolved into a cultural phenomenon. Coffee shops provide inviting spaces for socializing, studying, or working, blending aesthetics with the alluring aroma of freshly brewed coffee to create an atmosphere that resonates with the youth.

These coffeehouses offer an extensive menu, catering to diverse tastes and preferences, from classic brews to intricate espresso concoctions. Whether it’s a caramel macchiato, cold brew, or pumpkin spice latte, coffee shops satisfy the young generation’s desire for choice and customization.

In urban Nepal, coffee serves as a means of social connectivity. Young adults congregate at coffeehouses to catch up with friends, network, and meet new acquaintances. The act of sharing a coffee has evolved into a social ritual, fostering connections and strengthening relationships. For many young adults, coffee is also a source of productivity, providing an energy boost and heightened focus during late-night study sessions or work deadlines.

In my perspective, the bottleneck hindering the coffee enterprise’s growth lies in the lack of adequate research, knowledge, and technology. Overcoming these obstacles could lead to a success story, one that lauds the contributions of figures like Hira Giri, NeCCo, NTCDB, Himalayan Java, and the Nepal Coffee Producers Association.

However, I believe the true heroes of Nepal’s coffee story are the farmers who invested their time, money, and effort to make coffee a success. Their struggle is reflected in every coffee bean, making each cup a unique narrative. The significant disparity between Nepal’s coffee exports (almost 70,000 kgs) and imports (around 270,000 kgs) is a thought that never fails to weigh heavily on my mind. But Nepali coffee has indeed gained popularity in countries like the UK, America, Australia, and Japan, often leveraging branding associated with the Himalayas, Buddha, Everest, ‘Top of the World,’ Sherpa, and Gurkha heritage. Despite its current presence on a smaller scale, there is significant potential for growth in the Nepali coffee industry.