The J-Bar

I would have liked to have a nip at the ‘Slippery Nipple’ but Gagan Pradhan, owner of the newest and trendiest spot in town, the J-Bar, had already ordered a ‘Cabalibra’ for me. The vodka-based cocktail, one among a hundred other concoctions with a hundred exotic names, was as good a drink as I have had in a long time.

Raj Kumar of Calcutta and Videsh Rana of Mumbai, bartenders specially brought in from India, are responsible for conjuring up tantalizing ‘shooters’, ‘mocktails’ and ‘cocktails’ at the J-Bar. Their alma mater is in Mohali, Punjab, and is quite appropriately named ‘The Intoxication Bar Training School’. The dexterous bartenders are in their element behind the long J shaped bar, spinning bottles and whirling glasses as they perform their magic.

Gagan himself completed hotel management training from Sydney in 1999. ‘ After coming back, I joined a five star hotel, ‘ he says, ‘ I left the job after five days.’ Seems he wasn’t very happy with the management, or maybe it was just that Gagan preferred to be his own master. Whatever the reason, it was a fortunate turn of events for coffee lovers of Kathmandu because Gagan’s next step was to open the now well established Himalayan Java Coffee Bar in Thamel. That was three years ago.

This year, on the 7^th of August to be precise, a select list of guests was invited to the opening of the J-Bar, another brainchild of the young entrepreneur who this time was supported by an able partner, Anand Gurung. Their labor of love is located next to the Himalayan Java and is such a bar as to rival the best in the world. The J-Bar has tasteful décor that is decidedly soothing and one doesn’t need to down a few ‘shooters’ to feel relaxed and comfortable while lounging on one of the white sofas.

Of course one will have to be among the select few to be able to partake of the J-Bar’s gracious hospitality for entrance is by membership. ‘We will probably have around five hundred members by the end of this year,’ says Anand. Entrance is restricted to those below twenty-one. Membership is usually through references, but of course visitors from out of town don’t need to be members.

‘We already have a diverse group of patrons,’ says Gagan, ‘Shiva Shrestha, actor, Asutosh Tiwari, economist, and industrialist Vijay Dugar as well as Joy Dewan and Bhola Thapa of the travel trade are already members.’ According to him, the famous painter Asmita Ranjit and the charismatic ‘Boss’ Shalini Wadhwa, as well as Ambica Das Shrestha and Sangita Shrestha Einhaus of the famous Dwarika’s Hotel along with a host of other celebrities will soon be enhancing the membership list. Oh yes, in the near future it seems more than likely that the J-Bar will be the place to be seen in.

And what a place to be seen in! Sonia Gupta, an accomplished interior designer from Delhi, was responsible for the creation of this fabulous establishment, and no stones were left unturned by the partners, Gagan and Anand, to see to it that only the best materials were used. ‘ Almost ninety percent of the material, including furnishings were imported,’ informs Gagan, ‘ The lighting equipment was brought in from London.’

‘Minimalist design and intelligent lighting is what we were aiming for,’ adds Anand, ‘ And I think we have succeeded in achieving that.’ Unlike most such establishments, one notices a striking lack of clutter behind the bar and no ostentatious frills either. Subdued colors, mostly pastel shades, have been used and variations in color schemes are actually due to the use of creative lighting. The bar seems to be relatively J shaped and the barstools are striking in appearance and seemingly of chrome.

The bar has cozy seating arrangements for about seventy guests at a time but can accommodate upto 120 if required. As expected, the music system is excellent and DJ Ravi keeps a constant ear out to make sure that it is as loud as needed or conversely, as subdued as is appropriate.

However, all said and done, it is the contents of the beautifully designed menu that is the soul of J-Bar. Among the eleven listed ‘Shooters’ (one shot drinks costing Rs.300 a shot) ‘Kamakazi’, a concoction of vodka, cointreau and limejuice, ‘B52’ (Kalhua, Baileys and Cointreau) and ‘ Slippery Nipple’ (Baileys and Schmbuch cream) are the more popular. For people like Gagan Pradhan, that is, for tetotallers, ten varieties of ‘mocktails’ priced at Rs. 175 each are currently mentioned. They include ‘Shirley’s Temple’ (orange juice, apple juice and strawberry syrup), ‘Cindrella’ (orange juice, pineapple juice, Vanilla Ice Cream and Grenadieu) as well as Blue Angel and Mickey Mouse besides others.

‘Electric Iced Tea’ (Rum, Vodka, Gin, Peach Schnappes, Sweet and Sour, 7 Up), ’77 Sunstrip Tea’ and ‘Bone Cracking Iced Tea’, are some of the varieties listed under ‘Ice Tea’ that costs Rs. 300 per glass. ‘Although these come under the general heading of ‘Cocktails’, we have tried to create a new fad called ‘Iced Tea’,’ says Gagan, ‘ And the novelty is that these are served in tall glasses.’

The main body of the menu is of course devoted to ‘Cocktails’ priced at Rs. 300 per 60 ml and even if there are quite a few mentioned right now, the bar has plans to further increase the variety by leaps and bounds in the coming days. Currently featured are ‘ Mojito’ (Bacardi, Fresh Mint Leaves, Lemon Chunks, 7 Up), ‘Daiquiri’ (Bacardi, Lime Juice, Sugar), ‘Between The Sheets’, ‘Poison Arrow’, ‘Bloody Mary’, ‘Margarita’ and the ‘French Kiss’ (Vodka, Pineapple Juice), besides many others with equally enticing names.

The menu also has beer based potions like ‘Beer Buster’ (Beer, Vodka, Tabasco, Lime), ‘ Red Eye’ (Beer, Tomato Juice, Tabasco, Salt Pepper, Lime Juice). The wine section has most of the well-known Red and White Wines of the Australian and French varieties, the prices of which vary from Rs. 750 to Rs. 2100 for a bottle. Sparkling Wines cost from Rs. 750 to Rs. 1850. For those who prefer to down their drinks straight from the hip there are the usual Spirits such as Gin, Vodka and Rum available in most international brands and priced at Rs. 175 for 30 ml.

Fine scotch is priced at Rs. 200 for 30 ml while premium scotch like a 12 year-old Chivas Regal costs Rs. 250. An 18 year-old Chivas costs Rs. 450, Royal Salute Rs. 800, and Johnny Walker Blue Label can be relished for Rs. 1000. Brandy such as VSOP and Napoleon is priced at Rs. 175, Cognac like Remy Martin at Rs. 350 and Bourbon like Jack Daniels at Rs. 300. Fine liquer such as Baileys Fresh Cream and Crème de Menthe cost Rs. 200 per 30 ml. And for those whose palates yearn for domestic brands, most of the local brews are obtainable too, the spirits costing Rs. 100 per 30 ml.

Lest all that fine drinking works up a hearty appetite, you can depend on the young chef Mohit Rana to satisfy your hunger pangs with ‘Beef Roast and Roast Potatoes with Glazed Carrots’ (Rs.350), ‘Braised Chicken with Green Olives, Rice and Seasonal Vegetables’ (Rs. 300) or ‘Grilled Haddock with Sauteed Asparagus and New Potatoes’ (Rs. 400). In keeping with the tenor of the jaunty bar, Mohit too is as trendy a chef as you will find anywhere. He has trained in the fine art of swanky cuisine in London and is surprisingly young.

In addition to the succulent main dishes he also offers you appetizing starters like ‘Tomato and Basil salad’ (Rs. 75), ‘Smoked Chicken with Citrus Salad’ (Rs. 150) and ‘Prawn Cocktail’ (Rs. 250). ‘Strawberry Chocolate with Cherry Cocktail’ (Rs.250) is one of the more delicious desserts on the menu.

Reading all this might already have you salivating, but hold on, the menu changes every month, so just in case you don’t want to miss all the above, it would be a good idea to plan an evening at the J-Bar immediately. And just so you know, another innovation of the J-Bar is that it is open only on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 7 P.M. onwards. The rest of the week the J-Bar encourages clients to make use of their fabulous facilities to throw exclusive parties.

‘We would like to make the J-Bar a ‘must see place’ for all,’ enthuses Gagan, ‘ And a place not to be missed while in Nepal.’

Free Spirit

The pretty kindergarten teacher said in a loud voice, ‘Children, please be quiet.’

She brushed away long strands of silky black hair from her forehead with a well- manicured hand. The noise in the small classroom remained at the same level as before. It wasn’t easy to keep a room full of kids quiet. She herself didn’t believe in too much of discipline, being a free spirit herself.

At least that’s what Robby, her l’amour, said she was, ‘Ash, I swear it’s difficult to know what you are thinking or what you’ll do at any given moment. Okay, I don’t have too many complaints about that.  I’ll take you as you are. But you better know this, I think you’re a free spirit.’

Thinking of her handsome paramour lifted the pall of frustration she was feeling at losing control in her classroom. It wasn’t that she wasn’t happy being a kindergarten teacher. She liked it in fact, but sometimes, especially towards the end of the week, the burden was a little too much to bear.

As she sat down, Jimmy, the smallest kid in the class, got up from his seat and suddenly started to cry.

‘Hush!’ she admonished softly, rising and going up to him, ‘ Why are you crying?’

‘ I want to go home to Mommy,’ wailed the sandy haired boy wiping his eyes with two little fists.

‘Soon, soon,’ Ash mumbled, ‘ We’ll all be going home soon.’

This didn’t seem to give him much comfort and the wailing continued. Mercifully the bell rang just then and Ash breathed a long sigh of relief.

As she walked to the bus stand, she could see Mr. Gomes, the sports teacher, leer at her in his frank and open way. She was never offended by his leer, he was just that type of man and she didn’t blame him either, dressed as she was in a figure-hugging outfit, the hem of which rode two inches over her knees. She rode the bus with the kids as usual and dropped down near her one bedroom apartment. As she opened the door her eyes fell automatically on the large clock on the wall.

‘God, its already six,’ she thought, throwing her file and bag on the leather sofa. Quickly taking off her clothes she rushed into the shower. She knew she would be late today and this irked her no end.

‘ Ash, this is not good,’ that’s what Robby would say, ‘ You are a teacher and should know the value of punctuality.’

Ash stood naked before the life size mirror and started to brush her silken mane. Her reflection gave her a feeling of satisfaction. She was just twenty-three yet her body had already ripened and matured fully. She was tall, almost five six, and her legs were long and shapely.

She glanced at the clock again. It was six thirty now and she knew there was no way she would be able to reach Robbie’s home by seven as promised.

‘ Ash you know how important it is to me that you make a good impression on Mom,’ Robbie had said the day before, ‘ Please dress suitably and be on time, okay?’

She didn’t know exactly what he meant by saying ‘dress suitably’. Did he want her to be soberly dressed? Covered from top to toe? Well, in that case she didn’t have anything suitable. Her wardrobe contained clothes that knew no winter. She liked to wear sleeveless tops and short skirts most of the time. A warm cashmere shawl was all that was needed in the coldest of winter days to keep her as warm as she needed to be.

It was half past seven when she rang the bell of Robbie’s house.

‘At last!’ was Robbie’s first remark on opening the door, ‘ God, Ash, you are late.’

‘Sorry Robbie, couldn’t help it,’ she answered, waiting now for him to comment on her dress.

He didn’t disappoint her, ‘ Didn’t you have a more sober kind of dress? You know, like full sleeves and all?’

She laughed. He was, in spite of all his numerous faults, as naïve as a ten year old. And sounded like one too!

‘That’s why I love you so much Robbie,’ she said, linking her arms in his, ‘ You sound just like a small boy although you are twenty eight years old.’

‘Mom, this is Ash,’ Robbie introduced her to his mother.

For a moment Ash was at a loss for words. Robbie’s mother didn’t fit in with what she had expected. No siree, not one tinny minny bit.

‘Hello Ash,’ she greeted in a husky sort of voice, ‘ Welcome to our home.’

Ash could see that she was as tall as herself and in pretty good shape for a, (what could it be?) fifty? sixty? year old woman. She had translucent skin and big brown eyes, carefully made up. Dressed as she was in what could be only a Givenchy gown, she looked beautiful and as radiant as a bride.

‘Oh, how do you do?’ Ash replied at last, ‘ You are beautiful.’

‘Why, thank you darling,’ she accepted the compliment gracefully, ‘ You look beautiful too.’

Robbie brought them drinks as they made themselves comfortable on the quilted sofas. He sat down next to his mother.

‘Robbie tells me you teach,’ the tone was faintly accusatory it seemed to Ash.

‘Yes,’ she replied, 'I am a kindergarten teacher.’

‘That’s nice, isn’t it Rob?’ the lady said, turning her well coiffed head slightly towards her son.

‘'Course it is Mom,’ Rob agreed quickly.

The way Rob seemed to agree so quickly with his mother didn't jell well with Ash. In fact, even the way he sat in his mother's presence was a bit too lamb like for her liking.

'So, Ash, how do you like teaching?' asked Rob's mother.

'It's satisfying work,' Ash replied shortly. Somehow she wasn't enjoying herself anymore.

Rob's mother went on, ' It must be a strain on the nerves keeping a bunch of noisy kids in line.'

'Well, yes and no,' Ash said. 'I do have some difficulty maintaining discipline. As Rob says I'm too much of a free spirit myself to want to discipline others.'

All the while she was noticing that Rob stayed quiet and seemed to be waiting for his Mom's que to speak.  'Oh, oh, I'm sure learning something today,' the thought passed through her mind.

'Rob, fill up our glasses will you?' commanded his mother and Rob got up immediately and went over to the kitchen. 'Sure knows how to follow commands too,' thought Ash.

As soon as he was gone his mother spoke softly to Ash, ' Look after him well dear. He takes after his father.'

Ash couldn't help asking, ' And how is that?'

'Well, you know, his father was a good man but quite unambitious.  Didn't have the urge to get ahead at all.'

'And Rob's like that?' asked Ash.

' He is no different, not even a little bit. In fact, even more so if you want the truth.'

Back in her home that night Ash had a hard time falling asleep. No matter how much she tried to be fair, the thought just wouldn't leave her mind that Rob wasn't really what she would have liked him to be.

The next day she called him up and asked him to meet her at the local deli.

'Rob, your mom is beautiful,' she commented.

He looked pleased. ' Yes, isn't she just?'

'Doesn't she have a boyfriend?' Ash carried on. Rob gave her with a surprised look.

'Not that I'm aware of,' he said curtly. It was clear that he didn't like the question. 'Anyway, why are you so interested Ash?'

Ignoring his curtness Ash ploughed on, ' I mean the way she maintains herself, surely she must have a boyfriend, if not a lover.'

'No, she hasn't, I am sure,' Rob replied, his face flushing. Ash could see that now he was well and truly upset.

'Then we should help her get one.' Ash was determined to see it through. She just had to know what mettle Rob was made out of. Provocation would open the door and help her decide for herself. 'Anyway, what have I to lose?' she thought.

'Drop the subject please Ash, I don't want to talk about it.' Even his voice sounded plaintive.

'Okay Rob, if you say so,' she agreed. ' But tell me, did your parents have a happy married life?'

'Sure they did. Why? Do you doubt it?' his tone was challenging.

'No, I just wanted to know,' replied Ash. She wasn't really interested anyway. It was only a dud question. She had already learnt all she wanted to know.

She didn’t answer his calls for the next two weeks. Then, one day, as she was coming out of the school, she saw him waiting at the gate.

'Ash, why are you doing this to me?' Rob demanded.

'I think it's best we don't see each other Rob,' Ash replied tersely. 'If you really want to know, I don't think I love you anymore.' She didn't believe in doing things half-heartedly.

'But why Ash? Why? What have I done?' Rob cried.

'You and I don't jell Rob,' she answered. ' I'm too much of a free spirit to be comfortable with one who isn't at all. I think it's best we don't see each other anymore.'

Rob didn't seem to have any more words left to say as she boarded the school bus. At the next block she asked the driver to stop. She got down and walked over to the park.

'Hello,' she said to the man sitting on a bench beneath a big tree. Mr. Gomes, the sports teacher got up and gave her a hug.

'It's over now for good?' he asked, his eyes searching her face anxiously.

'Yes. It's over,' Ash replied.

' You know, I just can't understand how we didn't get together earlier,' said Mr. Gomes.  'You and I are so much alike.'

'Yes, aren't we just? ' Ash agreed. 'I think I always liked your leery look.'

'And I, your couldn't care less ways,' smiled Mr. Gomes.

They walked away hand in hand, two free spirits made for each other, now together.

An elegantly dressed  lady watched them from a distance. She had a satisfied smile on her face. 'Now I don't think Rob will fall for anyone ever again. What would I do without him?' she thought to herself. She was glad that she had been smart enough to bring about the outcome to her liking.

'Free spirit indeed!' the thought went through her mind. All it had needed were a few well-chosen words. 'Well, I know how to tackle one.'

Kirti's Quest into the Unknown

You and I, Arjuna

Have lived many lives.

I remember them all

You do not remember...

Krishna in Bhagvad Gita

For Dr Kirti Swaroop Rawat, born Jan 7^th 1936, the above is a divine truth. He also believes firmly the ancient saying as recorded in the Rig Veda (10.6.35):‘When after death all the five elements dissolve among themselves, the ‘Jivatma’ (individual soul) remains and this Jivatma takes to itself a new body’.

In other words, Dr. Rawat believes in reincarnation.

All his life he has been pursuing the subject and although there are some who do not have the slightest belief in reincarnation, this has not deterred Dr. Rawat in his efforts to substantiate his beliefs through extensive scientific evidence. He is only one of a few qualified persons to do so. Dr. Rawat did his Masters in Philosophy in 1959, Masters in Sociology in 1961 and Ph.D. in Reincarnation in 1987. He is also only one among two or three people in India who have done their Doctorate on this intriguing subject.

When an eminently qualified man like Dr. Rawat talks about reincarnation as a truth of life, one cannot dismiss the subject out of hand, for his words are based on extensive research and compelling facts. As he says, “ I do not accept anything unless I am thoroughly convinced about the evidence.” Till date he has researched and documented more than 200 cases of reincarnation. He insists, “ I am a researcher and a scientist.”

At the same time he admits, " Of course one cannot be hundred percent sure about such things but there is enough evidence to take reincarnation seriously and justifies the need to now explore other subjects related to it. In fact I am now in the process of starting a branch of study to explore the relationship between astrology and reincarnation."

How was he drawn to this fascinating subject is a question that he comes across frequently. His interest was aroused early in life after hearing stories about the psychic abilities of his paternal grandfather, " My earliest childhood recollections are of hearing about my paternal grandfather's (Ganesh Ram Rawat's) psychic abilities. I learnt that when he was only 11 years old, once during a visit to a Sadhu ('Khaki Baba'), whom he often visited, the Sadhu told him that he would change his 'chola' (body) after three days. He also said that he would reappear after 12 years as a king and that my grandfather would be his 'Dewan'."

" After 11-12 years a council of ministers was formed in the Maharajah of Dungarpur's court to overlook affairs of state since the king was still not of age. My grandfather was appointed a 'Dewan', that is, council chief."

Dr. Rawat also remembers stories about how when once his 28 year old uncle was on the verge of death with double pneumonia, his grandfather had cured him just by putting his palm on the uncle's forehead. The uncle went on to outlive all his five brothers. Ganesh Ram Rawat was also said to have chosen his time of death. Four days before he died he had confided to Dr. Rawat's aunt that he would like to die on the fourth day which was an auspicious day.

These and other similar stories of his grandfather's psychic abilities had a great influence on young Kirti but it was not until 16^th March 1967 that he really began his journey into the world of the paranormal and the occult. After brief stints as a lecturer of sociology in various colleges he was posted in a new college in Neemkathana, Rajasthan, where he was made editor of the college magazine. His search for a good press led him to Jaipur where he was introduced to Dr. H. N. Banerjee, Director of Parapsychology at the Rajasthan University. "Yes, Dr. Banerjee can be said to be my mentor. He invited me to his college where he gave me a slim book called, 'What is Parapsychology'. You can say from then on my life took its destined course."

It was not that Dr. Rawat's interest was something new, "In fact I had started thinking deeply on things like rebirth, karma, destiny and such things when I was 17 years old. That was the time my father, a staunch realist himself, wanted me to be a doctor. But after one year of study of science, I switched over to arts, with philosophy as my major subject." 

At a lecturer in Neemkathana, with time on his hands, " I only had a few lectures", and the added support in the form of Dr. Banerjee, Dr. Rawat started in earnest to do serious research in Parapsychology including reincarnation. It is now 37 years since he started his study of the paranormal and he says, " My wife Vidya has been my co-worker, inspiration and living force. We got married on 15^th January 1963. You know I believe that a man can consider himself to be very lucky if he has a good wife." He categorizes a man as 20% lucky if his parents are nice, 40% lucky if he has a job to his liking, 60% lucky if he has good friends, 80% lucky if he has a good wife and 100% lucky if he gets a 'paplu' in cards!

Dr Rawat also considers himself somewhat of an authority in palmistry and numerology. "My number is 7 and this number gets along well with other 7's as well as with 2's. As luck would have it, my father, elder brother, wife and son (Dr. Bharat Rawat) are 2's while my other brother and daughter are 7's." His other son Jai Rawat is in California working as a software engineer. His daughter is named Bharati, "You know, Jai, Bharat Bharati!"

About astrology, he says, " Although there have been many cases where astrological predictions have been amazingly accurate, there also have been times when astrology has failed miserably." As an example he remembers the day Indira Gandhi was assassinated, " Although there are some astrologers in India who make predictions of famous people on a day to day basis, none could predict her death."

Dr. Kirti Swaroop Rawat resides in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, and divides his time between Indore, Nepal, America and any place where his investigations takes him. He is fond of saying, "As a drunkard goes to his bottle, so do I go to my cases." He further adds, " I consider myself to be fearless and am willing to travel anywhere in the world to pursue my research."

He is at present the Director of International Center for Reincarnation and Survival Researches that is based in Indore and has addressed several international conferences all over the world as an authority on the subject. He has worked alongside many international researchers including the famous Dr. Ian Stevenson of Virginia University who is considered a leading authority on the study of Parapsychology. Dr. Rawat has researched and documented more than 200 cases and claims not to accept anything unless convinced with the evidence.

Dr. Rawat believes that 'work is worship' and thinks that there are many things in religion that is pure baloney. At the same time he does not think that his being of a particular religion has influenced him in the matter. Even Dr Stevenson has declared, “…everyone outside the range of orthodox Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Science…the last being a secular religion for many persons… believes in reincarnation.”

He is a music lover and informs, "I have a collection of 400 CDs and listen to everything from K.L.Saigal to Baba Saigal!" He himself plays the flute and likes to paint but is especially fond of writing. He has written three books, "Paramano Vigyan' (1984), 'Alaukik Kahaniya' (1987) and 'Punarjanam' in 2002.

" Dr. Dhruba Chandra Gautam is translating 'Punarjanam' into Nepali. I am also writing another book, ' Reincarnation-how strong is the scientific evidence?' which is co-authored by my Dutch associate at the International Center, Drs. Titus Rivas." Dr. Rawat has also written more than 200 articles on his subject as well as some poems.

He believes himself to be independent, generous, and tolerant and says, " I'm incapable of even thinking of harming anybody." His first visit to Nepal was in 1988 and since then he has been visiting Nepal almost two times a year. He says, " Nepal is a beautiful country and I have found Nepalese people to be polite, helpful and courteous. I have yet to come across a Nepalese who behaves aggressively." He is planning to set up a branch of his Center in Nepal in the near future and reveals, " I have started research by recently interviewing a 3 year old boy of Gyaneswar." Dr. Rawat adds that even though extensive research into reincarnation is being done by investigators in places like Burma and Sri Lanka, Nepal has up to now not been included in their field of research.

It is interesting to know that the earliest case known of a child recalling his past life, in which some investigation was done, occurred 300 years ago. The incident is described in the book, ‘ Khulasa Tarikh’, written by Munshi Subhan Rai in 1753 wherein, a village headman, Rawat Sukha, dies due to injuries on the back and at the root of the ear. A few months later his son in law has a son born with similar injury marks and the whole village believes that Rawat Sukha has been reincarnated.  The boy, when older, starts declaring that he is Rawat Sukha and gives details that further substantiate the villagers’ belief.

Perhaps it is only a coincidence that Dr. Kirti Swaroop is also a 'Rawat' as is the name of the earliest recorded person to have undergone reincarnation, 'Rawat' Sukha.

Perhaps not?

The Rosiest Paled

When you are dying

And a lot of people

Feel like crying

You know you got it made

You be proud you lived

A life not in vain

Be happy you succeeded

In making less of

Others’ pain

When it’s time to go

And people don’t want you to

Know and rejoice

You have truly lived

A full and satisfying life

Such as one craved for

By even saints like

Buddha and Jesus Christ

Yes, rejoice. Rejoice.

Tell us sinners too

As well as stupid men

How we can also die

Yet make many cry

Oh, so you told no lie?

Oh, so you gave aid

Where you could?

Oh, so you always lived

Each minute at a time?

Is that all you did

To live a life so revered?

Is that all you did?

Did you not also feed

Those hungry and forsaken men?

Did you also not heed

Teachings of saintly men?

Did you also not weep

At others’ misery and grief?

Small wonder then

Even the strongest shed a tear

Beside your funeral pyre

No wonder then

Even the bravest man wailed

And rosiest of woman paled

When time stopped

To allow your tireless heart

Take its deserved rest.

Nepal's Housing Scenrio Homes, Homes and Yet More Homes

Shakespeare has said that a man becomes a real man only after his father dies. In the same vein, our forefathers were of the opinion that a man becomes one only after he has built an abode for himself. How far Shakespeare’s statement holds true is for the more enlightened to discuss and debate but there can be no doubt that our forefathers’ oft-repeated adage has to be taken with a pinch of salt nowadays. Without question, the building of a home is a most tedious affair, and certainly was more so in the days gone by. And so, fittingly, our forefathers were right, for the process does test the strongest of men. However, in today’s world, the test is not about building houses, but rather, about the purchasing of the same. And in the present times, with the plethora of housing companies embroiled in an all out contest to build larger and better housing projects, the times have indeed become quite testing for prospective home owners. It is not easy to choose and pick among so many when making what will be, in most cases, the largest investment of one’s life.

At the same time, one can rest assured that choices have never been wider, and housing projects, more attractive. Therefore, one must give appreciation where it is due, that is, to the brave and visionary housing developers who, in spite of trying times, are gamely (and optimistically) forging ahead with bigger and grander ventures. Some of these brave souls have been impressively successful in their efforts and, especially in the capital, the results of their visionary labor are conspicuously on view throughout the valley. One such organization is The Comfort Housing Pvt. Ltd. (TCH) whose completed projects include 76 stand-alone houses in Sitapaila, 42 of the same in Budhanilkantha, 76 more in Ichhangu and the more recently completed 44-unit TCH Tower II in Lazimpat. (prices from Rs. 49 to Rs. 75 lakhs per unit). Other projects include a 54-unit project in Thaiba (Rs. 46 lakhs to Rs. 62 lakhs per house) as well as the 51-unit TCH Tower III in Panipokahari (Rs. 59 to Rs.93 lakhs) and the TCH Tower IV in Sitapaila (67 units: Rs. 48 to Rs. 80 lakhs each).

TCH CEO Om Rajbhandary, is probably still basking in the afterglow after recently being  awarded the International Quality Summit Award, 2008, by Business Initiative Direction (BID) at the Quality Summit in New York for excelling in most criteria required, as defined by BID, towards the making of a ‘most excellent business’ organization.. TCH’s success in a short period of time (it was established in 2001) owes much to its CEO’s drive and marketing acumen shored up by projects that have been able to deliver as promised. Rajbhandary, a firm propagator of the benefits of community living is, however, not happy about the progress of the latter. He has been quoted as saying, “I would estimate that only 30% of the homes developers are selling are being bought to be lived in.” Such a tendency, that of buying houses as a means of investment only, does not help towards the making of a community, and in fact, dilutes greatly the whole concept of ‘community living’. This is one troubling aspect that could hinder the making of new and vibrant townships. Additionally, because the houses bought as investment are naturally priced much higher for re-sale, it is likely that they will be out of reach for many new buyers, thus leaving unoccupied houses, vacant for a long time.

It would be logical to think that apartments would fare much better in this regard as they would be less expensive and attract buyers who are really in need of an address. However, going by quoted prices for many new projects, it does seem possible that a similar situation can arise since the prices are still quite high. Nevertheless, high prices notwithstanding, there is a lot of attraction in buying readymade homes, be they houses or apartments. For one, security, one of the main concerns today, is an important provision that comes with living in such places. Secondly, and as importantly, basic necessities like water and electricity are, one could say, almost guaranteed by the promoters. Moreover, factors like a landscaped environment and various other facilities that make living easier, and healthier, are also built into the system. No wonder there are so many prospective homeowners with the fervent desire to be a part of it. It is thus natural to expect a booming market in housing development. It is then, no wonder, to see the number of developers and projects growing in leaps and bounds and the field has become too crowded now to be able to enumerate each and every developer and his project. Nevertheless, a few examples should suffice to get a general idea about the whole scenario as it stands today. 

Developers have left no stones unturned to come up with newer and more modern designs as far as future projects are concerned. Although, according to K.C.Parikh of Ambe Housing and Developers Pvt. Ltd., many of the offers on hand appear to be limited to paper at the moment. Additionally, most of the glossy brochures have a small clause that states, more or less, ‘All designs and specifications are subject to change as decided by the architects or by the builder’. Perhaps that is why he and the company’s marketing executive, Ritika Silwal, make it a point to inform that five floors of their eight-floor project, Metro Apartments (58 units: Rs.60 lakhs and above) near Kuleshwor, have been completed.  Likewise, its other venture, the 72 units, eight-storied Ambe Residency at Chabhil (Rs.55 to Rs. 59 lakhs), is also supposedly half complete. At the recent Real Estate Expo in Kathmandu, one could discern special efforts to score a point by those with finished or about to be finished projects through photographs of ongoing construction and half finished buildings.

Along the same lines, Laxmi Khadka of Seng Yoan Housing emphasizes that her company’s 30 row houses (Rs. 1 crore and above) at Naya Bazar, is 50% complete. Similarly, Prestige Apartments at Chandole (Rs. 88 lakhs to Rs. 2. 6 crores) also claims to have completed half of its civil works. One of the bigger developers, Guna Group, will be handing over the 160 unit Stupa Apartments in Sinamangal to owners this September, sold at prices ranging from Rs. 40 to Rs. 49 lakhs each. The company has as its ongoing projects, the 48 flats LLP Apartment and the 50 flats LP Apartment, both in Lazimpat; as well as Reliable Colony in Bhainsepati (110 bungalows). Likewise, Roadshow Real Estate, having already completed four projects (Budhanilkantha Phase I, Narayan Bhawan, Lalitpur, Phase III and Maharajgunj Phase I and II) is now offering Naya Bazar, Bhatbhateni and Chetrapati Apartments in the near future.

Leaving aside some, most developers’ projects appear to be ventures that will only be completed two or three years down the line. And, one would think, this should be a matter of some concern to potential buyers. Buyers are required to pay from 10 to 15% at the time of booking, and to pay an additional 10 to 15% within 30 to 45 days. Keeping in mind that the number of builders has grown substantially, with even foreign investment involved (Chinese, Korean and Indian), it can be presupposed that buyers will be a bit wary of coughing up significant amounts of cash to ensure a home or an apartment in projects that will be completed a few years later. Actually, this was a sore marketing point when TCH started its venture in 2001 and its market savvy CEO decided that all future projects should first have model houses built before going to the market. “Seeing is believing,” was his opinion.

Many companies also have another disclaimer on their brochures stating that the cost of the units are based on current market value and so are subject to change. One can only guess where land values will go in a few years time and how the inflationary graph will progress, so it does become a bit of a gamble for buyers. And going by what the developers say about there being only a 10 to 15% margin in their projects, it looks like it’s a bigger gamble for them, especially with the entrant of many new members in the field driving up competition to attract what one can only assume, a limited client base. Limited, because, in an economy in shambles, it is hard to see how the client base will increase in proportion to the growth in housing projects.  Although, strangely enough, some housing projects seem to sell even as the ink on the announcements have not dried. For example, in Sitapaila (a hot spot of housing development) Prem Gurung’s Sita Homes, a project of about 100 stand-alone units on around thirty ropanis of land, are apparently all sold out even though only around eight houses have been presently constructed. The price? Rs. 1 crore and above. The success of Comfort Housing has also been much talked about, and there have been tales of people queuing up from early morning with requisite advances in hand, to book their choice in just announced projects. Such success stories must surely have encouraged growth of numerous new developers.

Quite a few architectural and engineering firms are integral parts of some promoters’ boards. Civil Homes, another success story, has the byline, ‘promoted by bankers and engineers’ as its USP. Top honcho Engineer Ichha Man Tamang states with justifiable pride, “Others build large numbers of apartments, we build a greater number of stand alone homes.” Doubtless, Civil Homes is the biggest as far as units built is concerned, with the numbers reaching almost a thousand. . Their Civil Homes Phase III in Sunakothi is about 200 units strong and is said to be one of the largest housing undertakings in the country. Now, according to Tamang, a bigger one is on the anvil, this time in Khumaltar. Built on land area varying from 5 annas to a ropani, the Phase III undertaking has six types of houses ranging from 1175.82 sq. ft. built up area to 2540 sq. ft. with additional areas for car porch.

Architectural Consultants Astra Development Network are involved in quite a few projects according to its Chief Architect, Bipin Chitrakar. These include the already concluded Signature Apartments in Teku, Lifestyle Housing in Tahachal (under construction) and another planned up-scale project in Dhapasi. However, as far as professional groups are concerned, Engineer Bijay Rajbhanday’s CE Construction Pvt. Ltd. is amongst the front-runners in the business in many ways. Having parented Comfort Housing since its establishment, it has recently separated from promotional involvement with the same and has itself become an unit of the CE Group which, besides CE Construction, also has CE Developers and CD Developers in its fold as well as several other entities including CE Services. The different entities are at the moment busy with some important ongoing projects such as Dhapasi Cluster II (6 residential buildings as an extension of its Cluster I), Veena’s Residency (60 houses on 35 ropanis of land), the 11 storied, 29 units Retreat Apartments at Bijeshwori (around 1000 sq. ft. per unit), Rio Apartments, and the grandest of all, Grande Towers in Dhapasi. The Grande Towers is certainly a creative project going by the conceptualized pictures in the brochures. Planned to be constructed on 54 ropanis, with eleven towers holding 42 to 62 apartments each (a grand total of 500 apartments), the central one will be called the Sun Tower and those surrounding will be also named after different planets. It’s a grand visionary project; there is no doubt about that.

No less grandiose are proposed projects of other developers, such as the Silver City Apartments in Kalikasthan (a venture of Dipak Malhotra’s Silver Valley Developers) that visualizes a truly modern design; Sun City in Gothatar, promoted by Prakash Bajracharya’s Shangrila Housing; Clean Energy Development Bank’s Central Park in Bishalnagar.and Choudhary Group’s Cityscape Apartment Homes in Hattiban. Silver City Apartment prices range from about Rs. 1 crore to Rs. 2.4 crores for units that vary from 3 bed-roomed 1855 sq. ft. apartments to 4 bed-roomed duplex ones of 2810 sq. ft.  Sun City is publicized as the country’s first Global Township and envisages ten towers with around one thousand apartments in total. Prices range from approximately Rs. 32 lakhs to Rs. 52 lakhs for each apartment. The Central Park project is promoted as ‘a professional, international team on its way to creating an energy efficient residential development of green buildings.’ The fact that renowned landscapist M. Paul Friedberg as well as ARCOP Associates, New Delhi, will be bringing the project to life, could well be validation of the claim. Clean Park apartments will cost from about Rs. 79 lakhs to Rs.1.4 crores each.

Cityscape assures amenities like twenty-four hours security, separate swimming pools for seniors and toddlers and a jogging track, features that are actually now a given standard in most housing schemes (in addition to the usual shopping outlet and a 30:70 ratio in living and open spaces). But, in addition, Cityscape also promises a pergola over the driveway and water features besides things like a reflexology path, a meditation court, a sculpture court, play pens, etc… It goes without saying that almost all developers guarantee power back up and regular treated water supply in their projects. While on this subject, it must also be mentioned that as far as interiors are concerned, most of the developers appear to take care that high standard fittings and furnishing are used because they know that interiors matter as much as exteriors do, if not more so. And some go to great lengths to ensure that the interiors do not disappoint. For example, according to Sanjib Parajuli of Kitchen Concepts, all 52 houses of Sitapaila Housing have branded modular kitchens fitted by his firm.  Most definitely, excellent interiors are something one can expect to get when purchasing one of the units of housing companies, be it an apartment, a row house or a stand-alone house. This certainly is not a worry.

More worrisome is that, although, as stated by Ms. Prarthna Baidya (B.Arch) of TCH, there are probably only around 35 registered housing developers, according to Civil Homes’ Ichha Man Tamang, also chairman of Nepal Land and Housing Developers’ Association, 125 housing and real estate developers are registered with the association. Taking into account those unregistered, he believes there to be some 200 firms involved in this business. Certainly a high number, and one that could prove to be the undoing of this sector. As they say, ‘Too many cooks spoil the broth’. And, while developers would certainly like to be optimistic, there are some who are signaling caution as is evident from varying statements made in a leading daily recently. While there are those like Min Man Shrestha of Downtown Housing who claim with certainty that only 10% of the business’s potential has been tapped, there are others like pioneer Sumit Kumar Agrawal of Sunrise Apartments who think that due to a bad economy and global recession, the future doesn’t look good for residential units He wants to now focus on business complexes and has two projects, Sunrise Biz Park and Sunrise Complex, on the horizon. Downtown Housing, meanwhile, is going full steam ahead with its Downtown Apartments (200 plus units) in Khumaltar with the attractive proposal of prices starting from only about Rs. 25 lakhs for its studio/2/3 bedroom apartments.

Sunrise, of course, has been in the business longer, having built Sunrise Homes in Balkumari a long time ago, later projects being the 13 storied Sunrise Towers in Dhobhighat (priced in the Rs. 50 lakhs range) and the 17 storied Sunrise Apartments in Nakkhu (from about Rs. 40 to Rs.73 lakhs), besides Sunrise Cityhomes in the Banehwor area that pledges boutique apartments and designer penthouses starting at around Rs. 92 lakhs and going up to Rs. 1.74 crores for an apartment. Now, he says he is planning a 25-storied building. Here, perhaps there could be some debate on the wisdom of having too high buildings in a city like Kathmandu, which, according to experts, is in an earthquake prone zone. Especially since most envisaged apartments by developers are all tall affairs. 

However, leaving this to the experts, and in spite of everything: the weak economic scenario, the escalating prices and the unpredictable political situation, it is still a boom time for builders because of various factors, not least being the rapid population growth in the capital, brought about by uncertainty and chaos in other parts of the country. There are many, for whom, the first priority is to own a dwelling in the capital. And, so, in tune with the times, there are many builders in the fray. Doubtless, developers have been a boon for the city and have contributed substantially to the nation’s economic health besides significantly improving the urban landscape. In conclusion, for those who can afford them, beautiful houses and apartments are now on offer when and where one wants and with the assurance of many amenities that make living a more pleasurable experience. It is indeed something to be thankful for.

Note: This article was written some years ago and needs to be updated. 

Mammon Rules

Here's a great way to attain nirvana. This method is guaranteed to liberate you from ordinary mortality and take into higher realms of being. Okay this is what you do. First take out a hundred-rupee note from your pocket. Next, take a lighter and burn your hundred-rupee note. Do it now!

What? You can't do it? Not even if nirvana is guaranteed? Well I guess you are only mortal and will forever remain one. It's not a bad thing really because besides stopping people from thinking you're crazy, you'll probably also be saved from being jailed, as burning legal tender is supposed to be a crime. Of course this is all secondary, the main point of the story is that it's not easy to destroy money. Money has just too much value to be wasted away like that.

A hundred-rupee banknote in your hands gives you the power to attain a variety of materialistic things. Burning it might give you only a first hand realization of man's power to sacrifice. As Buddha did. Of course it is now well and truly proven that this world can have but one Buddha. The rest of humanity are mere mortals and as such are slaves in the hands of Mammon. Yes, money rules. Yes, money is man's master.

So, if such is truth then let us accept that money is if not the most important, then at least as important as the next most important thing in our lives. If so, along with the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness, man's other eternal quest will always be the pursuit of money. Has always been. Will always be. Is. So let us talk about money. If we were to define money we would have to say that it is anything that is widely used for making payments and accounting for debts and credits.

Rare Coins and More

The earliest coins recorded in Nepal are the 'punch marked' coins (6th-5^th BC.) and 'kushan', 'kaniksha' and 'havisha' coins (1^st AD) found during excavations in Tilaurkot during the period 1967-1976. Lichhavi coins originated during King Mandeva's rule in 5^th AD. During the Malla period, coins were issued in denominations of 2 mohur (equivalent to one rupee), 1 mohur (50 paisa), one and a half sukka (36 paisa), sukka (25 paisa), sukki, or 'tinnani', (12 paisa), anni (6 paisa), adhani (3 paisa), paisa (1 paisa), and dam (1/4 paisa).

Indrasinga Deva, King of Dolakha, is credited with minting the first silver coins in 1545 AD, and the rupee coin weighed 11.6 gms (1 tola). Within the valley, the first silver coins were minted during Mahendra Malla's rule and each 1 tola coin was called a Mahendra Malli. During Jayaprakash Malla's reign (last Malla king of Kantipur), the 'windblown type' silver coin called 'Fukadam' ('Chundam' in Newari), is reportedly listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's smallest coin.

Coins of the Shah dynasty started during Prithivi Narayan's time in 1754 with the use of silver 'mohur' coins from Nuwakot. Noble and base metals like gold, silver, copper, nickel, brass and aluminum were used to make coins but during Mathasingh's brief reign, (the Khasiya king from western Nepal who attacked the valley in 1328 AD), clay coins were also issued. These had no face value and were given as tokens to lowly paid laborers who having collected a certain number, could then exchange them for real coins having monetary value. Similarly, at a certain period in Nepal's history leather coins were also used. These too had no monetary value and it was rumored that 'Sarki' kings could have been responsible for their circulation.

During the 1640's, Nepali coins were accepted in Tibet as legal tender and one such coin was known as '15 karma'. Such a coin would be fragmented so as to get smaller denominations called 'chotangs'. Since the coins had a design of eight petals, fragmentation was based on number of petals. Thus, 5 petals equaled ten karma, 4 petals, seven and a half karma and 3 petals, five karma.

From the Lichhavi period to until 1945 AD, only coins were used, and denominations and rates were fixed on weight of the metal used. An interesting aside about Nepalese coins is that, during Prime Minister Mohan Shamsher's rule when the child Prince Gyanendra was crowned King after the flight of King Tribhuvan to India, one rupee and one mohur (1/2 rupee) coins were hurriedly minted to give legitimacy and authority to the regime. While the one rupee coins were produced in abundant quantities, only 27 pieces of the one-mohur coins were minted, making this particular coin, one of the rarest in the country's history.

Paper money was introduced in Nepal on October 14/15, 1945, when Rs.5, Rs.10 and Rs.100 bank notes were issued. For comparison's sake, in the United States, the first paper money issued was on March 10, 1862 in denominations of $5, $10 and $20. In China the issue of paper money became common from about 960 AD onwards, making it perhaps the first country to do so. (Perhaps this was only natural as China is credited with inventing paper). However, by 1020 AD there was acute inflation due to over production. This was followed by constant bouts of hyperinflation in the following centuries and around 1455 AD, after about 500 years of using paper money, China abandoned its use.

Coming back to paper money, bank-notes were known not as Rupees but as 'Mohru' until 1956. "I promise to pay the bearer on demand the sum of five pounds" and below that it carries the signature of the chief cashier of the Bank of England. This is a reminder that originally banknotes were regarded in Nepal, and in many other countries, as a substitute for money and only later did they come to be accepted as the real thing.

Well, so much for the history of money in Nepal. Perhaps we should also dwell on some other factors concerning money. Banks are the guardians of money and with their ever-increasing number in the country, we can rest assured that our money is indeed well guarded. Well, guarded yes, but unfortunately, such safe money doesn't add much value to itself as the years go by.  In life as in love, man does try to take a chance in the hope that his life will be bettered, and what better way to do so than by doubling his money in as short a time as possible?

So then, we come to the question of investing money. Sadly, at present times, there are precious few ways to do so. Even at the best of times, it's not an easy task, but many do persevere, and in doing so, succeed in making their money manifold. No doubt all cannot so persevere, and maybe such people will be trying out their luck somewhere else this Tihar. There are certain places where money can be doubled, tripled or even made thirty five fold. These places are the abodes of gamblers, and yes, you guessed it, are called casinos.

Houses of Chance-Casinos

Just as banks are there to keep your money safe, similarly casinos are there to make you take great risks with your money. Custom requires that you take your chances during Tihar, and although there are many ways of giving Lady Luck a go, let's talk about the exotic houses of chance, i.e. casinos. However, there's a small problem. Casinos have been instructed to put up signboards reading, 'Nepalese not allowed'.

Reminds me of this Bruce Lee film where he comes across a restaurant in some town in Japanese occupied China that reads, ' Chinese and dogs not allowed'. Bruce Lee was after all Bruce Lee, so what does he do? His face contorts in fury and with a blood-curdling yell he jumps and smashes the signboard with a terrific kick. That is exactly how I would like to destroy similar signboards put up in Nepal. So maybe I shouldn't go near any casinos then, right? But really, why cannot Nepalese visit casinos?

In gambling you need money, and for serious gambling you need serious money. Most of us don't have that so even if one were to try out one's luck once in a while, the stakes would be severely limited to what one can afford. For most, it’s a few hours of fun, nothing more. Having got that out of my system, let us see what casinos are all about.

Around the globe, Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Reno and Lake Tahoe in the USA, Macao in China, the Principality of Monaco, etc… are renowned for their super luxury casinos. Las Vegas with its numerous multibillion-dollar casinos undoubtedly is in a class by itself, having over 120,000 hotel rooms (more than all of India) that boast 95% occupancy throughout the year. In South Asia, Nepal's casinos too are no less famous. There are seven casinos in the country: Casino Nepal, Casino Anna, Casino Royale, Casino Everest, Casino RAD and Casino Tara in the capital. The seventh is in Fulbari Resort in Pokhara.

All casinos are lavishly designed and furnished. Personable guest relation officers hover around as inconspicuously as practicable trying to be helpful without intruding. Although casinos are open twenty-four hours, much of the action starts after midnight. Rows of brightly-lit slot machines are the first things that attract one's attention. Further infield are the green felt-topped gaming tables with snappily dressed croupiers manning their particular little empires (pits). Casino Anna has 200 slot machines. For comparison's sake, American casinos like Foxwood and Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, have 5600 and 3000 slot machines respectively.

The slot machines are simple to play. All you do is drop either one or three coins into the machine and jerk, sorry, pull, the handle. As the reels begin to spin you watch, either with narrowed eyes if you're praying, or with wide open eyes if your mind's blank. Payoffs range from Rs.10 to Rs. 10000.

For some real gambling off you go to the 'Roulette' table. Casinos here use American Roulette version with 36 numbered pockets and one marked single zero. You'll have to be careful that you've understood rules regarding bets because it's quite complicated. For instance your winning bet on 0 or any single number gets 35 to 1 and if you've bet on two numbers or split, then 17 to 1.  Bets on three numbers across, eg. 13, 14, 15 pays 11 to 1 and on four joining numbers like 22, 23, 25, 26 pays 8 to 1. There are other combinations as well.

Anyway, now that the bets are placed, the croupier spins the wheel anticlockwise and the ball, clockwise. You watch mesmerized and feel like you're in a James Bond movie, especially if there are some blondes around (unlikely, most of the time), the wheel slows down and the ball with a few hiccups comes to a halt. If you won, you cash the chips right there at the table. Exciting game what?

No less adrenaline pumping is 'Baccarat', a card game in which six decks are shuffled. You can bet on banker, player or tie. Two cards each are dealt to player and banker. All cards are worth their face value except picture cards and ten that are counted as zero. Last digit of total is counted, eg. 7+6=13 is counted as 3. If player or banker gets 8 or 9 it’s a natural, and bets are settled immediately. If not then you can either stand or draw another card, the higher of the two hands wins. If there's a tie, then you win if you have betted on tie, otherwise the bets may be withdrawn. If the banker wins with 6 and you have betted on the banker, you get only half the original bet plus your stake. Tie bets pay 8 to 1 but odds are dead against you.

Blackjack is the most popular table game in casinos. Cards 2 to 9 are worth face value, 10, jack, queen and king are worth 10. Ace can be valued either as 1 or 11. The dealer stands on 17 or more but draws to all hands of 16 or less. One card is first dealt to each player including the dealer followed by another round. A Blackjack is an ace and a 10 that equals 21, the highest total for a win. You can draw as many cards as you wish but if your total goes over 21 you go bust. You can double the bet on any two cards in which case you get only one more card. If your hand has a pair, you can split the two, by placing another bet equal to the first hand on the split card.

Other card games like flush, paplu and marriage really need not be explained, as surely, they're played very commonly everywhere. Most games have from $ 1 to $ 500 betting limits. There's extra entertainment, (as if that's needed!), in the form of dance and music shows and plenty of complimentary refreshments for gamblers. Well, yes, those entering casinos have to be called gamblers, what else? Only keep in mind that there's a big difference between a gambler and a great gambler. The latter mostly exists in the minds of movie moghuls; the former is the ordinary Ram, Shyam and Rita who are out to have a good time while at the same time testing their luck.

However, it must be mentioned that some pretty heavy gambling takes place quite frequently in the casinos and there are instances of some gamblers continuing at a stretch for 72 hours or more at the same table. Locals are well advised not to get carried away by the excitement for it must be remembered that the odds are always, but always, in favor of casinos.

Anyway, coming back to whatever has been mentioned before about Nepalese not being allowed in casinos, must be taken with a big pinch of salt because, according to inside information, " no casino can survive without local gamblers." A visit to any casino anytime of day or night will leave no doubt that yes, Ram, Shyam and Rita are most welcome to play no matter what the law dictates.

Well then, shall we say, 'best of luck, Ram, Shyam and Rita?'

While we wish them luck let us also put aside a thought for the Haris, Laxmans and Gitas in shores far from home, working day in and day out, earning precious foreign currency that they send home regularly. Without this sizeable remittance from abroad, this nation would have been in the doldrums by now. It is quite possible that many here will be celebrating Tihar more cheerfully due to such remittances from family members working abroad.

Manna from Foreign Shores-Remittances

Remittance has emerged as the largest contributor to the country’s forex earnings. With more and more people seeking foreign employment, statistics are expected to rise every year. A study, "Foreign Labor Migration and the Remittance Economy of Nepal," conducted by David Seddon in 1997, found that Nepalese working abroad were sending home nearly Rs 69 billion every year. There are 3.5 million people in the cities searching for a better life and you may find that every third home has his/her uncle aunt, brother, sister, wife or husband seeking fortunes in foreign lands. Our daju-bhais from the villages may be fleeing their land of birth for many reasons but rest assured, one of the prime reasons is to earn money.

At the same time, with the onset of the festive season, people are searching half-empty wallets with probing hands. Many hopes are kept alight with expectations that loved ones abroad will fatten purses at home. A hundred-dollar bill sent by an uncle to his nephew would be very handy especially when the shops are offering heavy discounts.

With such expectations alive in many hearts, it would be interesting to know how money is sent home from these lands of fortune. Time has long gone when people used to carry money in back packs and sail for months on ships or travel over rough trails on horseback. Nowadays anyone who needs to send or receive money can do so within 10 minutes through banks and remittance service providers.

Generally, the sender initiates the transaction by completing a "To Send Money" form and pays the agent cash to cover the transfer amount plus the applicable fee. The agent immediately processes the transaction through a sophisticated worldwide computer network. To collect the money, the receiver completes a "To Receive Money" form at the appropriate agency location and provides the proper identification or answers a test question. On fulfillment of formalities, the agent pays the transfer amount to the receiver.

There are many financial institutions that provide transfer service. According to Nepal Rastra Bank, 40 licensed companies are currently in operation, and 30 more have applied for permission. Western Union Money Transfer, International Money Exchange, Krishi Premura and Money Gram have agents all over the country. According to a Western Union employee, “we expect to receive Rs. 25 million within a one month period”. Usually, amounts ranging from Rs. 5000 to Rs. 300000 are sent at a time.

Since more Nepalese are working in gulf countries, service providers have given special care to that particular area. People can send up to Rs. 2,00,000 by just paying $10 as transfer charge. Others have established regional offices specially to take care of transfers in the particular regions. For example, IME has opened its branch in Malaysia. In addition, they charge just 1% of the principal amount as fee.

The business is so attractive that even corporate giants have entered the fray. Western Union has four agents in Nepal: Chaudhary Group, Annapurna Travels, Sita Travels and Nabil Bank.  Chaudhary Group alone has over 100 transfer outlets all over the country. Banks also provide remittance services, but according to Nepal Investment Bank (NIBL) authorities, the transfer procedure is a little different. Money transfer is based on SWIFT account system (Society of Worldwide Inter Bank Financial Telecommunication). Money can be sent through any bank through out the world by providing the SWIFT account of the bank they want to send the money to. The receiver needs to present the proper documents at the bank counter to collect the money. According to authorities at NIBL, the receiver need not have a bank account but the bank charges a commission of $5 per remittance.

The country's failing economy and the search for a respectful life is forcing hundreds to leave the country every day. Human resources leaving the country may be a sad story but the greener side is that it has become the only consistent means of income for the country, the amount crossing billions.

And Finally

Well whatever the case may be, money is as money does. So whether you want to keep whatever money you have safe and sound, then there's no problem at all. There are enough banks in the country to fulfil your wish. For those who want to double their money quickly, sorry, there's no quick way in today's scenario. Not legally at least. Gambling is a choice one makes at one's discretion, and although they say fortune favors the brave, it's always wise to know when the odds are against you. As for remittances, one would think that keeping it as a foreign currency account would be the best kind of investment keeping in mind the leaps and bounds by which foreign currency has jumped viz a viz our own. This would definitely assure good dividends for all the hard work and sacrifice endured by those who go to foreign lands to seek their fortunes. 

Children of a Lesser God

A few years ago a leader of a major political party stated that he knew about 70 small children who had been taken to the Gulf region to be made into camel jockeys, a popular sport among Arabs that required riders to be of light weight. It did not matter that the children were very small. Obviously they would have been very scared to ride on the racing camels, clinging on for dear life. The political leader also revealed a shocking fact. After the kids had grown too heavy to be camel jockeys, they would be used as forced kidney donors for rich Arabs who needed transplants. If what the leader says has even an iota of truth in it then one must ask, is anybody protecting children's rights in this country?

CWIN's (Child Workers in Nepal Concerned Center) National Bi Annual Report (January to June 2004) reported 6919 cases including 54 deaths and 6689 abductions due to armed conflict. It also recorded 3328 child right violations not related to armed conflict. CWIN's 1997 annual report had recorded just 587 such cases in the whole year. Is it that more cases are being recorded now than before? Or is it that poor governance and poverty has contributed to such a massive increase in child right violations? It could be a bit of both, but whatever the case may be, it is a truth of the times that children in Nepal are receiving a raw deal.

Witness how schools have become playgrounds for terrorist acts to settle political vendettas. People have surely lost count of the number of days schools have been closed this year and have become almost used to the bombings and vandalizing of school premises for doubtful political gains. The number of schools that have closed down in many parts of the country, depriving thousands of children of their basic right to education, has become routine news in the media.

According to a recent newspaper report there are about 21000 children working as domestic servants in Kathmandu alone. Out of about 12000 women trafficked to India every year many are children. Informed estimates show that out of about 2,00,000 women working in Indian brothels, at least 20% had been sold when they were below 14 years of age. Out of around 5000 sex workers in Nepal about 1000 is reported to be below 16 years of age. Oh yes, if statistics are anything to go by, then the deprivation of child rights in this country is on the increase.

This, in spite of the government's Child Development Policy stating, " The objective of the HMG will be to carry out physical, mental and educational development of the children with the view to preparing active, disciplined and responsible citizens…and protecting and promoting their rights and interests."

This, in spite of the fact that Nepal was among the first 20 nations to sign the 'UN Convention on the Rights of the Child' in 1990 after the UN had adopted the same on November 20^th 1989. The 'Children's Act' that guarantees a child's basic rights as well as the right to education and survival, prohibits child labor, and covers juvenile delinquency and rehabilitation of children at risk, was passed by parliament in 1992. The Civil Code Act of 1963 outlawed child marriage. The Labor Act 1992 strictly prohibits child labor in factories and risk areas. Out of the 150 registered NGOs and INGOs about 37 claim to be working for the rights of children. With so many laws and with so many organizations working to protect children one would think that the plight of children in this country would be lessened.

Yet, what do the statistics for the past year show? 2.6 million children are engaged in different forms of child labor. 27000 die due to diarrhea every year. Out of 100 children, 40 belong to extremely poor families, 47 are malnourished, 80 are admitted to school but only 51 complete primary level. There is only one national level children's hospital and one child specialist for every 1,04,066 children. Annually 12000 women are trafficked to India, many of them children. At least 40,000 children are bonded laborers and 5000 children live and work on the streets. The infant mortality rate is 72 per 1000 live births and under-5 mortality rate is 100 per thousand. 34 % of marriage involves children below 15 years.

These are statistics. Apart from that, who is not aware of the prevailing conditions in schools today? Conditions that affect millions of children. An air of uncertainty surrounds the education sector. One can never predict when schools will again be forced to close down. Is it that the government is failing in its duty to clearly define rules and regulate the same in a responsible manner that has lead to this state of affairs? Or is it that political parties have found schools an ideal playground to settle their political vendettas? Whatever the case may be, forcing schools to close down on any pretext is not tolerable. Likewise, there must not be undue pressure on schools to bow down before politically motivated diktats. Parents are the best judges as to what is best for their children and the choice of the right school for their wards is best left to them. If parents feel that their children deserve better education and some schools seem to be providing the same, then obviously cost doesn't become the major factor. Free choice is what lies at the crux of the matter.

November 19^th is observed as the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse and November 20t^h as International Children's Day. According to the Convention on Rights of Children (CRC) adopted on November 20^th 1989, every human being under the age of 18 is a child, unless majority is attained earlier under national law. One of the guiding principles of the CRC is that the "best interests of the child" should be a primary consideration in all decisions or procedures related to the child.

The United Nations expects governments to ensure that all children enjoy their rights. No child should suffer discrimination. The rights of the CRC apply, "regardless of race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status". The essential message is equality of opportunity. Girls should be given the same opportunities as boys. Poor children, disabled children, refugee children, children of indigenous or minority groups should have the same rights as all others, the same opportunities to learn, to grow, to enjoy an adequate standard of living. The rights contained in the CRC fall into four broad categories:

subsistence rights, including the rights to food, shelter and health care; development rights, which allow children to reach their fullest potential, including education and freedom of thought, conscience and religion; protection rights, such as the right to life, and to protection from abuse, neglect or exploitation; participation rights, which allow children to take an active role in community and political life.

Statistics do not lie and the situation is far from ideal for children in this country. Perhaps it is time for the government to stop making pompous statements such as " children are the future of our country", and instead buckle up and get down to putting into practice what it preaches. Similarly, it is high time the large number of INGOs and NGOs that claim to be working for children's welfare justify their existence by really showing significant results so that next year's reports on the state of the state's children is not as dismal as it is today.