READ 2B HAPPY

  A good piece of news for Indian travelers in Nepal By LB Thapa In a recent development, it has now become possible for Indian travelers in Nepal to scan and pay directly from their mobile phones . This facility will definitely encourage Indian travelers to visit Nepal in greater numbers in the future. However, Nepalese travelers have to wait some more time to get the same facility in India.  Nepalese entrepreneurs related to the tourism sector look euphoric at the new developments initiated by the Nepal and Indian governments. This facility has enabled Indian travelers to shop in Nepal and pay the bills on their mobile phones.   Indian bike riders from left, Ajay Tiwari, Bhopal, Jasbinder Singh, Amritsar and Karan Sodhi, Dehradun, India. “This is absolutely a good move by the government. You will see that this very move will have a positive impact on the Nepalese tourism sector. Now it has become much easier for Indian travelers to make their payments in Nepal. They don’t have to e

Photo credit: Harka Gurung Foundation, Pokhara, Nepal Dr. HARKA GURUNG A life dedicated to mountain tourism, conservation of wildlife, and environment By  LBTHAPA Dr. Harka Gurung, a proud name of the country, was a committed nature conservationist. He was considered a leading ecologist and geographer of note. He was born in Bhulbhule, Lamjung, on January 5, 1939. His enormous service to the nation in different capacities has duly put him on the highest pedestal. Dr. Gurung's vast erudition in geography and environment is unsurpassable. The magnitude of the work he undertook during his lifetime will remain in the memory of millions of Nepalese. Dr. Gurung, a scholar of multidimensional facets, remained devoted to the service of nature conservation until he breathed his last.   He received his school and college education in Kathmandu and Patna University, India. His thirst for knowledge took him as far as the U.K., where he studied geography and finally earned a doctorate from E

Photo credit: myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com   THE NEPAL POLICE Dedication, Service, and Responsibility By Chhabi Subedi ‘Bijayee’ Our dedicated teachers always work hard to impart a better education to our students. So that they can become aware of their responsibilities toward their motherland and society. In general, parents are always worried about their children's future. Most parents spend most of their time thinking about how they can make their children’s future safe and secure.   According to a Sanskrit verse, students should be as clever as a crow, concentrate like a crane, sleep less like dogs, eat less, and go away from homes for higher education. These words stand true for all students in the world.   Ever since I came to my senses, I understood that a nation can become stronger and more developed if our students are well educated. If students are well educated, only then will they be able to render their services to society in different capacities.   The gover

Photo credit: Sunil Pandey DHORPATAN HUNTING RESERVE Hunter’s Paradise By LB THAPA When we think of a unique place on earth, we may have a few names at our fingertips. But those who have ever been to Dhorpatan will never have second thoughts about naming Dhorpatan the best place in the world. This is not an exaggeration, but a fact. Dhorpatan is replete with pristine, natural beauty, which is abundant in Dhorpatan but may be rare to be found elsewhere. Both the flora and fauna found in this region are of a special kind. The vast land of Dhorpatan has been enriched with such plants as fir, pine, birch, rhododendron, hemlock, oak, juniper, spruce, etc. Dhorpatan is also the home of a wide range of wild animals, which are found and thrive in Dhorpatan alone. As a whole, Dhorpatan is a must-visit place, where adventure in game hunting and breathtaking panoramic views are guaranteed. In brief, if someone loves nature and wildlife, then Dhorpatan must be their first choice.   (All photos by

Photo: LB Thapa DONATE BLOOD AND SAVE LIVES By LB Thapa "If cycling is my passion, then blood donation is my religion," says Tirtha Raj Awashti, founding president of the Nepal Voluntary Blood Donors' Society, Kaski (NVBDS) and currently the secretary of the NVBDS central committee, in Kathmandu, Nepal. To date, he has already donated his blood for 75 times. His entire life revolves around blood donation. He is always on his toes. He visits various organizations, including private offices and schools, and encourages them to donate blood. He always tells the youth to celebrate their 18th birthday by donating blood.  Photo: Read 2B Happy. "Whenever I get a little time off from my pharmacy, I waste no time and immediately mount on my mountain bike to find potential blood donors. I make a list of private and government organizations and visit them regularly. I try my best to convince them about blood donation, and most of the time I succeed. Many times it happened w

  STOP KILLING COWS LB Thapa Cows have a special place in the Hindu religion. They are sacred and revered in all respects. Even cow's dung and urine are used to purify the altar. Thus, a Hindu puja can't be consummated without a cow's dung and urine. This animal is so revered in Hindu culture that she is called Gau Mata (the cow mother). Devout Hindus always touch cows with reverence and expect blessings.  The cow is regarded as a very special animal in many parts of the world. More especially, in India and Burma, cows are respected and treated humanely. But in Nepal, the cow is not only important from a religious point of view; she is our national animal as well. This is the reason why cows are protected by the law, and they can't be hurt, let alone slaughtered.  Well, whatever is said about the cows, it sounds very satisfactory and understandable indeed! However, Nepali law is the victim of poor implementation. Unfortunately, our law itself creates a contradicti