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  MANAU SEWA ASHRAM POKHARA Helping the helpless LB Thapa Ever since Manausewa Ashram came into existence in 2012, the Ashram has been doing great work. Now the Ashram has become the home of several men and women who are not capable of fending themselves. Had the Ashram not brought them to its home, they would have been living on the street--- unnoticed and unattended.   Seeing the true dedication of the people behind running this Ashram, now even our government has started helping them with infrastructure development activities. Lately, my wife and I visited one of the branches of Manausewa Ashram located at Chhorepatan, opposite Devi’s Falls. We spent a quality time with the people living in the Ashram. We offered food for them and a little financial help for the construction of a new Ashram building in Hemja. New building of Manausewa Ashram under construction in Hemja.  We have made it mandatory to celebrate our son’s birthday at Old Age Ashrams. We have been doing it for th

Our media is also replete with the news of women beaten up for practicing witchcraft. There are many villages in the country where the light of education has not reached and the people are under the impression of superstition. Image credit: bit.ly/3rWpGio. Paying the price in the name of WITCHES… LB Thapa Nepalese women are still suffering from several discriminatory practices. In fact, the law has guaranteed them equal rights, but such laws are only limited in the book. They are tortured harassed, dragged, raped, and sometimes even beaten to death on various charges one being witchcraft. This is the 21 st century and the world has taken a quantum leap of development. But most unfortunately there are still a lot many people in our country who live with the belief that there live spirits, ghosts, and witches. In fact, modern science does not believe in sorcery. Our media is also replete with the news of women beaten up for practicing witchcraft. There are many villages in the country w

The grim reality is that every year over 10,000 Nepali girls are trafficked to various Indian brothels. Photo credit:feminisminindia.com, Outlook India By LB Thapa Almost a decade ago, I was commissioned by a reputed Kathmandu-based magazine to write an investigative story. The subject was how Nepalese girls are trafficked to Mumbai brothels. Modus oprendi of the agents, girl’s trafficking networking in India and Nepal, and the life of Nepalese sex workers in Kamathipura. The editorial team of the magazine asked me if I was interested in covering the story. I immediately nodded my head in assertion. I had the confidence to accomplish the task successfully because I had the advantage of knowing India a bit. I was born and raised in India and I have already traveled to several parts of India.   Today when I am writing this additional piece of information, the face of old Kamathipura has completely been transformed. Mumbai police took the matter of Kamathipura sex workers seriously. Unde

Forcing a woman to practice Chhaupadi is a crime. The guilty can receive a three-month jail sentence or a 3,000 rupee fine or both. Photo credit: womennepal.org; bianet.org; spotlight Nepal   By LB THAPA The practice of Chhaupadi tradition is rampant in many rural areas of the country. Nepal’s Supreme Court banned Chhaupadi tradition in 2005, describing it as a human rights violation. However, the government has completely failed to stop this tradition in many rural parts of the country.  Forcing a woman to practice Chhaupadi is a crime. The guilty can receive a three-month jail sentence or a 3,000 rupee fine or both. Although Nepal has made so much progress in the last two decades or so, some traditions like Chhaupadi are still rampant in some parts of the country. According to research conducted by a non-government organization, about 67 percent of women from Dailekh and Surkhet districts in Karnali province are found to strictly follow Chhaupadi tradition. The other day the Center f

Nowadays our society has been passing through a critical phase of time. Photo: Tyler Lastovich If young people get proper guidance and encouragement from senior family members then there is no doubt, why our young people cannot succeed. In recent times, we have seen many young boys and girls who, after receiving advanced degrees and diplomas from abroad, finally chose Nepal to begin a career. A decent career is definitely possible in the country.     By NILAN CHHANTYAL Society is dynamic where a change is inevitable. That’s why each culture is different and unique in its own right. It is also true that over the last many years more people have started traveling abroad for different reasons. It is quite noticeable that more people from those poor nations, one like ours, have shown a keen desire to immigrate and follow the western culture and lifestyle. Even many parents encourage their children to leave home to abroad for various reasons.     Many people simply believe that leavin