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  GANDHARVAS Rich tradition on the brink of extinction By  LB Thapa Gandharvas, also referred to as Gaine or Gayak, prefer to be called by the name “Gandharva,” as it carries connotations of respect and dignity. Historically regarded as the traditional musician caste in Nepalese society, they played a vital role in an era before modern entertainment. In those times, Gandharvas would travel from village to village, sharing news, history, and stories through their rich musical and storytelling traditions.  Historical evidence suggests that the Gandharvas migrated from Chittorgarh, India, to Pokhara, Nepal, during the reign of Kulmandan Shah, the first ruler of the Shah dynasty, who governed his kingdom from Kaskikot. The king granted them land in Batulechaur for settlement, where they have resided ever since. Today, Batulechaur remains the largest Gandharva settlement in Nepal.  In the past, the most accomplished Gandharvas were summoned to the royal court to e...

PARKING ATTENDANT BEATS TWO WOMEN AT MAHENDRAPOOL Many local commuters complain about the misbehavior of parking attendants By LB Thapa   Local commuters have long complained about the misbehavior of parking attendants. Often behaving more like bullies than public servants, these attendants frequently resort to aggression when collecting parking fees. If commuters are unable to pay—sometimes simply because they have forgotten their wallets—they are met with hostility rather than understanding. Regardless of the situation, attendants often refuse to let anyone leave without paying, leading to frequent confrontations. Widespread complaints of rude behavior Many commuters have reported incidents of rude and aggressive behavior by parking attendants. Numerous individuals have fallen victim to such conduct. It is worth noting that most parking attendants—both men and women—are deaf and mute, which makes communication with them challenging for those who do not know sign language. ...

  Man arrested for insulting elected MP Mahabir Pun By LB Thapa He came fully prepared—wearing a black helmet and a large surgical mask—to harass Mahabir Pun, an elected Member of Parliament widely known for his simplicity and integrity.  The man approached Pun and demanded that he stop selling books, claiming that people had not voted him into office for such work.  The Man in the frame is Bikash Gurung He could have expressed his views in a different tone and language, which would have changed the entire situation. Instead, he was aggressive and at one point appeared to physically confront Pun. Fortunately, a bystander intervened and stood between the attacker and Pun, preventing further escalation.  Under Nepali law, selling books on the street is not prohibited unless it obstructs pedestrians or creates a public nuisance.  The man got into a furious argument with Pun, spat on him, and triumphantly left, thinking he would remain anonymous. However, ...

I sell books so I can pay my staff. I do not have corrupt money like those political leaders do:  Mahabir Pun File a defamation case against the man who insulted Mahabir Pun, an elected MP By LB Thapa The man seen in the video allegedly insulting Mahabir Pun, an elected Member of Parliament, appeared well-prepared for the act. He seemed fully aware that once the incident occurred, the police would undoubtedly come looking for him. That is why he took care to cover his face and kept his helmet on until he fled the scene. WHO SENT THIS MAN TO HUMILIATE MAHABIR PUN? The level of premeditation displayed by the individual strongly suggests that he was sent by rival political parties resentful of Pun's success. Having won the election by a significant margin—leaving his opponents embarrassed and defeated—they were merely waiting for an opportunity to vent their anger and frustration. That opportunity arose when Mahabir Pun was selling his autobiography on the streets of Pokhara. IS S...

The man's condition is critical after being hit by a scooter Please identify the person to find his family By LB Thapa Nowadays, you may have noticed how young boys recklessly ride their motorbikes. By riding in such a frantic manner, they not only endanger their own lives but also pose a serious threat to pedestrians and other riders.   Many would agree that strict action should be taken against these careless bikers. Unfortunately, there seems to be a gap between what the police claim and what actually happens on the ground. Authorities often pledge to crack down on such reckless riders, but the reality tells a different story.   “From dawn to dusk, several young boys pass through the main road near my house on their modified motorbikes, including Enfield Bullets, riding as if there’s no tomorrow. I’ve witnessed several accidents near my home, most of them involving these modified bikes,” said Mitra Gurung, a local resident of Ranipauwa, Pokhara.   In a recent inc...

My plea for JUSTICE By Chhabi Subedi 'Bijayee' There is a well-known adage: "Justice delayed is justice denied." In my case, however, justice has been both delayed and denied. I possess all the evidence to prove my legitimate claim to my property, yet my plea for justice has been repeatedly turned down.   I have learned a costly lesson for placing my trust in someone. Yes, I made a mistake by trusting the youngest daughter of my Guru, Khimlal, who initiated me by bestowing the sacred Gayatri mantra. I always respected my Guru with complete devotion. Out of that deep respect for my Guru, I trusted his youngest daughter, Parvati—a trust that ultimately cost me my land, currently worth approximately 100 million rupees.   To help my readers understand the matter clearly, let me explain briefly. A few years ago, I wished to sell my land to meet growing expenses. A gentleman offered me 47.5 million rupees for the property, but after discussions with my family, we decide...

Dangling Death Trap: Loose Cables Put Public at Risk By LB Thapa It has become a ubiquitous and hazardous sight in Pokhara: thick bundles of internet and television cables drooping precariously from poles and building corners, hanging just above the heads of pedestrians and commuters. This growing problem is a direct consequence of the city's rapid urbanization. As Pokhara's population has swelled, so has the demand for connectivity, leading to a chaotic scramble among the city's approximately 14 different internet and TV cable service providers, all vying for customers with little regard for order or safety.  A huge collection of cable wires lay at the gate of the Pokhara Sub-Metropolitan City office building. Photo: LB Thapa  A Culture of Carelessness   The root of the issue lies with the very workers installing these lines. A general lack of discipline and a careless attitude prevail. It is a common experience for residents to ask workers to clear away the excess cab...

Nepal Water Supply Corporation, Pokhara, has failed to solve the drinking water supply in Pokhara.   Why Does Nepal Water Supply Corporation, Pokhara, Ignore Widespread Illegal Motor Pumping? By LB Thapa Residents of Pokhara have long been grappling with an acute shortage of drinking water. The problem recurs year-round, causing persistent hardship for households across the city. Meanwhile, the Nepal Water Supply Corporation (NWSC), Pokhara, continues to offer varying explanations that critics say mask its inefficiency. As a result of the corporation’s lackluster performance, many residents are compelled to rely on private water tankers to meet their daily needs.  Almost every year, officials of the Nepal Water Supply Corporation (NWSC) attribute the drinking water shortage to inadequate rainfall, claiming that major water sources have either dried up or significantly diminished. However, even last year—when Nepal experienced above-average rainfall—the corporation failed to ...

All passengers are warmly welcome to KP Railway Station, Pokhara My train journey from Pokhara to Kathmandu By LB Thapa I have long been an ardent admirer of KP Oli, and I remain so to this day. There are many distinctive qualities in his personality that set him apart and make him a compelling figure of public interest. His life has been so eventful and adventurous that no single book could adequately capture it; it would require several volumes to do justice to his journey.   Telling the truth, I see an impression of Rajesh Khanna, the first Bollywood superstar, in KP Ba’s personality. There was a time when Indian youths would go crazy for Rajesh Khanna. Catching a glimpse of Rajesh Khanna would be like a dream come true for many youths. It is said that no Bollywood star could ever attain that stardom.   Our KP Ba is also the Rajesh Khanna of Nepali politics. KP Ba did achieve the same stardom that Rajesh Khanna once had attained. And the charm of his stardom is still on...

All photos by LB Thapa Welcome to Pokhara—tons of garbage await your arrival! By LB Thapa Set aside the flowery adjectives once used to eulogize the pristine beauty of Pokhara. Today, the city presents a starkly altered face. The new Pokhara appears to offer little beyond mounting piles of garbage. Heaps of waste litter every nook and cranny, while the pervasive stench makes it difficult for residents to breathe freely or walk the streets without covering their faces. Adding to the distress, the city’s mayor has issued a directive requiring households to keep their garbage indoors, regardless of the odor it produces.  Now it is going to be two months that all people have kept garbage at their homes. At present the situation has turned much worse.  The stinky smell has begun coming out of the bags of garbage. It is confirmed that soon the city will experience the outbreak of all kinds of diseases.  Small kids and elderly people have already started showing early signs ...