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Showing posts from January, 2022

AFRICA: THE HUNGRY COW THAT PRODUCES ENOUGH MILK TO FEED THE WORLD

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The author blames the developed countries for exploiting Africa for their vested interests...this way Africa can never make a real economic development. Photo: News Nigeria.   By ANIEKPENO EKONG Well, I have picked up this very article from Nigeria News. The article is written by Aniekpneno Ekong. In fact, the author has written this article in the context of Nigeria, but if you read this article then you will find that every word the author has written for Nigeria is equally relevant to Nepal and its battered economy. Thus, I found this article is a good read for the esteemed readers of READ 2B HAPPY.  This hungry cow is not hungry because she has no food within her yard; neither is she hungry because she is incapable of generating enough food on her table. The simple truth is that this cow is hungry because an iron lock has been placed on her head to cover her mouth. At the same time, her children are threatened against their lives to accept what they obviously know to be unacceptabl

NAGA SADHUS, KUMBH MELA AND A LESSON OF LIFE

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Many people at home and abroad are much curious about Naga Sadhus for various reasons. Photo: dailymail.com   By LBTHAPA The world of Naga Sadhus is enigmatic and mysterious. Naga Sadhus or Naked Yogis are the staunch followers of Lord Shiva. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva is one of the most powerful gods in the universe. Naga yogis believe in Lord Shiva. Naga Yogis discard all material things, including clothes to become a complete Naga Yogi. Living naked is evidence that they have no attachment to the material world.     The tradition of becoming a Naga Yogi is quite systematic and difficult. The entire process is strictly monitored by the senior Naga gurus (masters). Unless and until the Naga guru is convinced, the young yogi cannot be made a Naga Yogi. The Naga Yogi must renounce worldly pleasures including sensual gratifications. They should willingly give up their family and friends to become Naga Yogis. After passing through several stages of intense penance, meditatio

23-YEAR OLD MANPREET IS TRAPPED IN THE BODY OF A 1-YEAR OLD BABY

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All the activities of Manpreet are those of a 1-year old child, but the fact is Manpreet is now 23-year old and he needs all the care like a 1-year old baby. Photo: Provided by Manpreet's family.  By LB THAPA , lately in Punjab, India Today yours truly is going to write about a man who is 23-year old, but he looks like a 1-year old baby. How this is possible! To know all this and many more you should read the whole story.     People find it uncomfortable to call him a baby or a man. If you look at him, he is just a year old baby, not more than that. The child weighs only 4.98 kg. However, by age, the baby is now 23-year old. So, is he a baby or a man? I leave it to you to decide. Well, let me tell you that the name of the baby is Manpreet Sigh and he is from Manar, Punjab, India.   Manpreet Singh was born in a small village in Punjab, India in 1995. The parents’ happiness knew no bounds when they held the baby in their arms for the first time. The baby looked very healthy, charming

A HOTEL WITH A UNIQUE CONCEPT

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This is the hotel Buddha Palace in Pokhara where food and beverages are served by small cable cars. Photo- LB Thapa By LB THAPA At a time when the Covid-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on the world economy, the Nepali economy is no exception. The effect of the virus has brought the national economy to a screeching halt in general and the hotel business in particular. According to the Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN), owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, hotels in the country are daily losing a whopping amount of Rs.1.80 billion.    Pokhara is considered the second most important tourist hub in the country only after Kathmandu. But due to the impact of Covid-19, the lake city bears a deserted look. Many tourism-related businesspersons have shut their businesses for an indefinite time, and several others have already quit the business.   In such a situation when the tourism business has been reeling under the shadow of uncertainty, Til Bahadur Karki, the owner of Hotel Buddha Palace, Lakesi

A DAY WITH MUSTANG KIDS

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This scribe had a wonderful time with these lovely kids from Mustang. Photo: LB Thapa By LB THAPA Life at a high altitude is not difficult; it is very difficult. The climate in these areas is harsh and it turns bad to worse during winter when the temperature dips from -20 0 C to -25 0 C. Even daytime the average temperature is not enthusiastic…It ranges from 0 0 C to 5 0 C. One can imagine how difficult is life there.  Constantly plummeting temperature takes a toll on school-going kids’ health. They are forced to remain in their houses. Skin biting cold brings life to a standstill around the high Himalayas and schools are shut for at least four months. However, the good news is that even when schools are shut in Mustang, the local administration has made it possible to run classes until schools are reopened.  By the effort of Mustang Gaon Palika, all the students of six schools of Mustang Charang Basic School, Manang Basic School, Dhatmar Basic School, Ghara Basic School, Yara Basi

FINDING A WAY TO SURVIVE WITH RUDRAKSHA

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Phanindra Bhatta displays crowns of Rudraksha which he made from the Rudraksha seeds grown in his own land. Photo:LB Thapa   By LB THAPA   The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has already hit the world economy very hard. In consequence, many industries and companies both small and big have come to a screeching halt. According to the Federation of Nepalese Cottage and Small Scale Industries (SMEs) about 25 percent of the micro, cottage, small, and medium enterprises have already been shut down in the country---leaving about 50 percent workforce to become jobless.   Contribution of small business Nepal, being an agro-based economy, small and medium-sized businesses do always play a pivotal role in the all round economic development of the national economy. According to the latest data provided by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), SMEs contribute around 22 percent of the GDP and it creates around 17 lakh businesses in the country. Now it is understood very well how important role these small busine