I used to be an avid Nepali film lover. In the early and mid of 2010s, Nepali films had upgraded in storytelling, acting, music and technology. The quality of theatres and film watching experience had vastly improved at that time. People flocked to watch their favourite Nepali films in the theatres. Even I didn’t miss at least 1 film in a month. Loot, Talakjung vs Tulke, Jatra, Kabbadi, Saanghuro, they came like in a series that wowed us. Nepali actors had their unique fan following back then. Gradually, they were spoiled by their stardom. They stopped putting efforts in their work. They took people like me for granted. I watched series of trash films, Phateko Jutta, Shatru Gate, Chhakka Panja 2, Kohalpur Express, and some of them were produced by the acclaimed artists. I watched one horror film, Sunkesari, in which crowd in the hall laughed whenever the ghost character was shown in the frame. That was the worst film experience ever, and after that, I was done with Nepali films. I have stopped watching Nepali films not only in theatres but overall. Occasionally, I used to go to theatres for Hollywood films but that had also stopped after covid pandemic. More than often, there are news that Nepali films do not last even for 3 days in the multiplex theatres due to lack of audiences. Friends are planning to watch newly released yet another series of Chhakka Panja but I know it will be disappointing. I probably missed some of the critically acclaimed films like Ainaa Jhyal Ko Putali in this time but never wanted to back in the theatres to watch Nepali films again.
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7-0
The score was an outlier. While difficult to swallow, let’s not overreact. This match was down to a rampant Liverpool, and the ending scoreline as the result of sleepwalking. Casemiro and Rashford have been superb for United this season and I think that’s glossed over some weaknesses that have been exposed last night. A good wakeup call for ten Hag, he’s only at the start of his rebuild, he’s made good progress but there’s an awful long way to go.
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Pokhara Crash
Yeti Airlines ATR-72 crash in the middle of the city, in a clear day with aircraft of such a spotless safety record is bemusing and having chills go down in my spine. I am one of the frequent flyers and have to depend on these aircraft and airlines for my work. Aerial disasters are not new in this country, and these are generally attributed to difficult terrain, unpredictable weather, poor infrastructures, untrained human resources and ageing aircrafts. Probe committee has been immediately formed by the government, and I think it is obvious what would be the conclusion of the report. Difficult terrain cannot be blamed as Pokhara is not even close to represent difficult topography that this country has. Weather and poor infrastructure cannot be blamed as this crashed happened in such good sunny day near the newest international airport that was inaugurated just a week ago. There is news that airline that operate this ill-fated plane belongs to some powerful people, and hence, it is less likely that the probe team will put blame to this company or the ageing and ill-maintained aircraft despite the fact that this carrier have questionable safety records with several crashes in the past decade. Remaining is pilots (or ATC) to blame, and I worry that this will be the conclusion in this case as well. All previous probe reports usually point their finger only to “human errors”.
I hope the team do some serious investigation and come out with their report that gives new direction to the way of air travelling. Safe and reliable air travelling is such an important aspect of tourism for this country without which the economy cannot thrive and boom. I hope that the news agencies and influencers keep on digging the irregularities that are going on with the regulators and airlines for the future of this industry. I hope that voices are not suppressed by their ad moneys.
I’d like to extend my heartiest condolence and sending healing prayers and comfort to friends and families of the victims during this tough time.
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Not Voting! Sorry
Something’s not right in Nepali political scenario. Parties with ideologies and principles that are poles apart are contesting together in the coming general election. They could have made coalition after the results but the politicians are so power-hungry that they are only thinking about poll results keeping aside their political agenda. This sounds so unhealthy, this looks so disgusting. Now we need to stop talking about any changes! Whoever you elect from your constituency, it will not matter at all. Even if you strike your head against the wall, you cannot not probably stop Mr. Deuba, or Mr. Dahal, or even Mr. Oli from becoming next prime minster of Nepal. I still believe in parliamentary multiparty democracy adopted by the country but they are making mockery of this system. Hence, I decided not to go for voting this time. Congratulations in advance Mr. Deuba, or Mr. Dahal, or Mr. Oli for becoming prime minter of Nepal.
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Sunken Structures
When you roam around this city of temples, you encounter so many idols that look dropped from their surrounding ground level. I am always intrigued by such sunken structures but I am yet to get proper answers why they have been like that. Some say that these idols are cursed; that is why whey subsided underneath and they will rise again when their retribution period is over. We grew up hearing such stories in which even mighty gods are punished for their wrongdoings. Or there is the other side. Installing idols in and around the temples requires very complicated and delicate procedures to be followed in which, sometimes, the alignment with cosmic elements is sought. Maybe when they are installed, they require some specific elevation to be maintained to serve their purpose. I, however, refuse to believe that they have been subsided due to earthquake or any similar disasters.
Let me know if you know!
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Derby Disaster!
City are good, very good. But that was an absolute spanking. Another reminder of the gulf between the two Manchester clubs.
Manchester United as a club is still a complete mess, with nothing to recommend it but revenue streams and a glorious recent history, becoming less recent with each passing season. You can’t argue that the players aren’t fit enough – United have a collection of magnificent athletes, some of whom boast the best physical statistics in the league.
United haven’t had good enough managers. It’s very hard to find the right manager. It took Liverpool a very long time. How long did it take Spurs before they got Pochettino? Arsenal are still trying. This is not a unique United problem. Most of the appointments made sense given the alternatives available. But they didn’t work out. Now the whole football world knows United are looking for a new manager, so we will hopefully have a bigger field to choose from this summer. Either of the top two names currently being mentioned (Pochettino, ten Hag) would be much better than any of United’s previous post-Ferguson managers, in my opinion.
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Ole Out!
I’ve always been Ole In but I really am starting to think that a change is now needed. United aren’t where they should be with the players they have. The United team is set up to attack but conversely is not set up to prevent counter attacks against them. The midfield is a problem as none of them are specialist holding or defensive minded players and do not offer any protection whilst they are concentrating on foraging forward. Leicester have been awful this season but they were the better side today.
United have also been knocked out the League Cup by West Ham, lost at home to Villa, couldn’t beat Everton and lost to Young Boys, it’s all very depressing.
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Displeasing Dashain Dinner
Achar Ghar, located in Pulchowk, Lalitpur, is one of my favourite place for Thakali Khana for their unique servings of different variety of achar (pickles). So, I decided to take my wife there for dinner just a day before the holidays of Dashain start. I went there, everything was normal, ordered the usual Thakali set but when the food arrived the waiter informed us that many varieties of pickles are unavailable because they were closing for the festival. That was the worst thing you could hear before you eat – I was more than just furious. They could have told us before we ordered that dish. But no! They charged us full price, and they denied us the items for which we went there.
It is perfectly understandable that the restaurants are operated in reduced capacity before and after the long vacation because there are less number of working staffs. But that has to be clearly mentioned in the menu, or inform us by any other means. We go to restaurants for good time with family and friends but such moments ruin everything. I’m not going back to that place again for sure.
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Travelling Hitch
Num is barely 40 km away from Khandbari, the district headquarters of Sankhuwasabha. However, traversing this distance along the Koshi Highway during this particular season takes over 5 hours due to worsening road condition. This situation is causing considerable hardship to both the locals and the vehicles operating in the area. Moreover, the time that could otherwise be used productively is being adversely affected. The condition of the road is progressively deteriorating with each passing day, and though there are many factors contributing to this, the unfortunate reality is that we are compelled to undertake journeys under such unfavorable circumstances.
Imagining the possibility of a medical emergency under these circumstances is a source of great concern. The present conditions don’t allow for the luxury of falling ill in this region. Despite the intended purpose of this highway being the enhancement of the local standard of living and the establishment of a crucial trade link between China and India, the reality is that the highway remains untapped in terms of its potential. It is a situation where the promise of progress and connectivity is yet to be realised.
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City floods
We have ample time to discuss on whether the river naturally reached the human settlements or if we moved into the floodplain – a discussion that deserves attention. However, the present moment is not suitable for making light of the disaster, the losses incurred, or the hardships endured by individuals. Instead, this is a period to unite, extend assistance to one another, and offer prayers for the collective welfare of all.