Reaching out to Dhadkharka

I had little idea that I could be so wrong to take a sigh of relief when all the preparations like collection, sorting and packing of the relief materials for Dhadkharka was over. It had been a tiring busy week with all the required preparations. But the fact was that, the real challenge has only begun.
 

Reaching Dhadkharka, a neglected village of Nuwakot district was a challenge in itself. We saw devastation throughout the way, at a few places whole settlements has collapsed and we had to  move right above the rubbles of the homes on the side of the roads. The road was steep and slippery – made worse by constant showers. The journey made us fear for our lives. One team of volunteers had already left on Friday (8 May 2015) in a pickup van and tractor full of supplies. They had to face a series of trouble as both the vehicles broke down and they had to walk a long way to reach the village.

The eight of us who moved out a day after, on Saturday had to face a different set of challenges. The village of Dhadkharka is actually not that far from Kathmandu, approximately 90 kilometres away. The last stretch of about 10 kilometres was the road out of some fear factor reality show. We had gone in motorbikes, but the pillion rider had to get off every now and then and the bike had to be pushed to get it uphill. Only when one deadly stretch would pass, another would arrive in no time. One of my friend’s bike fell down causing minor injuries to both riders. Thankfully, no serious harm was caused to anyone. We were dead tired and drained of energy when we reached a stop about an hour from our destination, after some four hours of ride (and walking and pushing). We were tired and hungry. I was about take out waiwai and some biscuits from my bag, I was informed that the community people have already prepared lunch for us. Really? I was surprised; all of their houses and belongings were under rubble. “We don’t even have homes to invite you inside, please do sit here”. They gave us mats and requested us to sit on the road itself. But despite all their loss, I was so humbled to see that they had offered us the very best of what they had. They had prepared the lunch in a temporary shelter near a cowshed. They provided us with huge potions of rice, dal, bhatmas (soyabean) and even chicken. I was wondering how someone can have so little and yet share whatever one has! The plate of that dal-bhat was the most fulfilling thing that I ever ate. 

“You all have come from so far away to help us, this is the least we can do for you,” said the ‘dai’ who was filling out plates.

The truck with all of the goods had broken down at that place, so we had to wait for it to get fixed. We rested there for some time and went ahead to the community without the relief materials (while the vehicle was being fixed).

As we reached the distribution site (with more steep and slippery road), the people from four wards (5, 7, 8, 9) of the Samundratar VDC that we had planned to support had already gathered there.

Even after two weeks of the first quake, we were the first group of people outside the community to reach there with relief. People there were simple and humble. I could see the pain of waiting and desperation in their eyes. But they didn’t ask us anything, instead offered us water. The truck still showed no sign of arriving. 

The Dhadkharka Primary School that Colors of Nepal had been supporting (that was the real reason we came to the place) was at about 45 minutes’ walk distance from the relief distribution site. We chose to walk up to the school because that felt way safer than riding the bike. It was heart-breaking to see the school building damaged completely. The inner walls had collapsed filling the classrooms with stones. Thankfully, the quake didn’t take place while the school was running. (Three of the student lost their lives due to the earthquake.)

We walked back to the relief distribution site, but the truck with supplies had not arrived yet. We had planned to get to Dhadkharka by 12 pm and leave the place by 3. We had not planned on staying the night there. But the truck had not arrived even at 4:30 in the afternoon. We waited and waited along with the people from the community. Around 5pm, I heard a bunch of children shouting excitedly “Aayo! Aayo!” The truck had finally arrived.

We unloaded the truck and started the distribution process. I knew how desperately the people were waiting, so everyone started crowding towards the truck. The name list of the people for distribution had already been prepared by the community leaders (one name from each household) and the distribution was started from ward number 8. People were calm and everything went on in a very organised way.

Apart from food and other supplies, we had a team of medical experts and medical supplies with us. We had two doctors and a dentist, all of whom became very busy with a long queue of people waiting to receive treatment. 

Apart from other things, we had also taken with us small shoes for children below three. The children and their mothers were so happy to get the shoes. Many of the children were wearing a shoe for the first time in their lives. Sadly, we didn’t have it for older children who came to have a try out and had to go back disappointed when the shoes didn’t fit them. I wished we had taken more of bigger sizes. I saw that they mostly ran bare feet amidst the rubbles and broken homes.  

We also had sanitary pads with us for the women who always suffer more (along with the children) during such crisis. I along with my friend Smita, and a local bahini Saraswati sat a bit apart from the main distribution place so that women and girls would feel comfortable to come to us. We sat there with boxes of sanitary pads, women gathered around us with shy smiles but no one dared to actually come to get the stuff. I had previous experience of working in the sector of SRHR (Sexual and Reproductive health and Rights) in rural context so, I went to a few younger girls and tried to ease them, then they finally came up to get the sanitary pads. The younger bunch started coming one after another and also shared how difficult it was for them to stay outdoors in tents and makeshift homes during their menstrual periods. Many older women had never seen and used such sanitary pads, we explained to them how to use and dispose it properly after use. Gradually, more and more women started coming in and went back happily. 

It was already dark when the relief distribution was coming to an end, one little boy came to me and asked for a handiplast. I asked him what has happened? He replied that he has a cut in his hand. I thought it must be a small wound and had a look at his hand with the help of a torch light. I screamed with horror when I saw his wound and called the doctor immediately.  He had got injured during the quake and his cut was infected and swollen with pus as he had not received any treatment since the last two weeks. There were many such cases of wounds infected due to lack of very basic medical care.

It was 1 pm when we got to the school (one of the few standing structures in the area, not the one I mentioned earlier,  was about an hour downhill from the distribution site) where we sheltered for the rest of the night. I would have to write two more pages, if I start writing about the night and our stay there, so I would stop here.

It was very little that we could do for those people but, the relief and happiness in their faces, was more worth than all the efforts that we made. Life after the quake is very hard for this already poor Tamang community. They were still confused about what had happened had little idea about how they are going to build back. I didn’t find a trace of any government or non-government organisation’s support there, people were basically on their own. But it was good to see that people were not hopeless or too pessimistic. Probably, they have already been thorough a lot in their lives, and they the quake as just another blow. But it is certain that they will not be able to do it all alone by themselves – they will need some supporting hands from us !

Please donate at https://www.gofundme.com/dandhakharkha to help re-build the school at Dhadkharka.

(Team Rotaract Club of Baneshwor Royal and Colors of Nepal would like to thank Vishal Group Foundation, Spreading Smiles and other individuals for their support, without whom the trip would not have been possible. I would personally like to thank Rashik Maharjan (Founder, Colors of Nepal) for introducing us and guiding us to Dhadkharka and its people, and you haven’t yet answered how did you find this place in the first place !!!) 

Places and People

Places are just like people. 

With some, it’s the love at first sight. You fall in love with some places as soon as you reach there (or at times even before ever being there). You get mesmerised by the place easily and feel at home at once.  

Some places are like the first love, it may not be the best of the place that you have been to and you may have gone to many other better places. But no matter what; you will always have a soft spot for that special place. It seems like the feeling that place gave you can never be replaced by any other. The thought of that place brings a smile on your face. 

And some places are like your childhood best friends, no matter how many times you go there and how much time you spend; you will never get bored of it. You always come back longing to go there again and again. You somehow end up constantly going back to that same place instead of exploring new places – and yet you love it more each and every time. 

Yet again, some places are like those passing crushes.  You like it in the beginning – you just assume that there must be so much to that place. But more time you spend there more you feel like leaving and if possible never coming back again. 

While some places are like those unattainable love. You are so attracted to it. You know almost everything about it. You day dream about it – fantasise it. But you have never actually been there – it is out of your reach (currently) and there are slim chances that you would be able to go there in this lifetime. 

And some places; like some people take time to make a space in your heart. You will not be impressed at first or it may not stand up to your expectation. But after visiting a number of times and spending some time there, you will slowly see the real beauty of it. You start knowing its weakness and strengths. You start accepting it flaws and start discovering its hidden beauty. And fall in love gradually and slowly. 

And of course, there are some places which are like the lost love which makes you nostalgic and makes your heart ache. The place just brings back long forgotten memories and makes you want to write poetry. You think that you should avoid that place, but deep down you want to go there again and again.

Meanwhile, there are some places which are like the love of your life - your soul mate. You love the place no matter what. You know its each nook and corner, the best views and the dirtiest lanes – and yet you love it with all your heart – unconditionally. You look past its flaws and shortcomings – and celebrate its beauty. You miss it no matter how ever amazing place you go and always feel happy being back there. 

If you think about it, places aren’t that different from people at all. They inspire us, provide us with opportunities and give us memories. I can think of the places which are like a best friend, or a love at first site, or a soul mate to me. Do you too relate to places in the same way?

Ten books that no one should miss

There is this ‘challenge’ going on in social media to list out the ten books that has influenced one the most. One of my friend ‘challenged’ me for it. And it did feel like a real challenge. I found it extremely difficult to list 10 of the most inspiring books. A few were obvious favourites but just ten seemed difficult to narrow down. Nonetheless, I made my list after much thought and revision. Hope the books that I threw out of the list won’t hold a grudge against me. 

My love affair with books dates back to childhood. I have my parents who are both avid readers as well as my school to thank for it. My parents always encouraged me to read and not just the course books. I didn’t have to go far to look for books as our home itself has probably more books than many of the libraries (in Nepal). Early on, I remember reading fairy tales but one book that I vividly remember and which brought me into the world of novels was “The adventures of Tom Sawyer”. That was in grade five; I borrowed the book from the school library and loved it so much that I made a photocopy of it which I still treasure. I was a voracious reader- I would bring 3 to 4 books from the library each week and read them all. By the time I was out of high school, I had read almost all of the Mark Twain, Enid Blyton, and Charles Dickens. 

My reading habit has declined in the recent time (thanks to internet) but of course nothing else is comparable to the love of books.  Coming up with TEN books among the all I have read was an extremely difficult job. There was a time when I used to maintain a diary where I would write about the books I have read with a brief review and a few quotes (but that was a long time ago). I did went through that diary to complete this list. These ten books may not be the 10 best ones that I have read but they are the ones which are close to my heart, which have captivated and influenced me- many even shaping my way of thinking. So, here's my list: 

1) The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (of course) by Mark Twain

This may not be the best thing that I have read, but it was the first best thing that I read. This interesting book lead me to reading many more by Mark Twain like “The adventures of Huckleberry Finn”, “The Prince and the Pauper” and many more. They are simple, fascinating and full of wit. Till date, I have not found any other writer with better sense of humour and wit than Mark Twain; he remains my favourite forever - just like Tom and Huck!

  

2) The Motorcycle Diaries by Che Guevara

This is the story of Che Guevara before he became Che. One of the books that I can go over and over again. It ignited the love of travelling in me- it is about adventures, about taking risks, about being uncertain and just doing what you really want to do. (PS: If you want to read the Nepali version, I translated it into Nepali- probably you still can find the book in market.)

3) Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

At some point of time this book was my Bible. It does take a bit of a patience to finish up the whole book (it’s a long story and some parts get dragged). It is a story of a man from the West who lives in the slums of India and it’s based on a true story. The best thing about “Shantaram” is it’s quotes – any situation you get into this book has a best ever quote about it. 

 

4) Things fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

This is one of the most amazing books of all times. It is different from all the western books that we usually read - this is the one that got me into reading serious stuffs. Achebe tells the story of Africa from the African perspective. This book made such an impact on me and lead me to read many other African and non-western literature.

5) The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

Definitely the best ‘page-turner’ book ever (apart from Dan Brown’s other books). This book got me hooked and made me ache to go to the places described in the book. Loved it for its captivating story, the setting and the vast knowledge. It is a kind of a book that makes you want to learn so much more.

6) Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi

This book is not really that popular - not at least as much as it deserves to be. It shows exactly how great books are - how literature can make an impact in our lives and empower us even in the most adverse of the conditions.

7) A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

You cannot remain the same person after reading this book. It gives you such an amazing insight into the life in Afghanistan (and countries alike). It made me thankful about the freedom that we have - something that we take for granted. Definitely one of the best reads ever!

8) Radha by Krishna Dharabasi

I haven’t read much of Nepali literature. I loved all the novels by Parijat but couldn’t become a big fan of popular ones like “Soch” or “Palpasa Café”. But “Radha” is a world class literature. It is so knowledgeable, entrancing and “well-researched” (a quality that most Nepali writing lacks). The ideas it presents are fresh and revolutionary – this should be translated and shared with the rest of the world.

 

9) Leaving Microsoft to Change the World by John Wood

This book touched me to the core- brought tears to my eyes a few of times- may not create a same effect for everyone but I found it truly inspirational probably because it is a true story which takes place in Nepal. John Wood leaves his job at Microsoft (yes, THE Microsoft) to start-up libraries in Nepal- just how cool is that!

10) Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder

No other book can teach you more about the world than this one. It starts from the ancient Greek period and ends at a contemporary time. Everything that you should know about the world’s philosophical history is there and presented in an interesting way. I can read it over and over again (certain parts at a time- definitely a recommendation).

I think I would not have been the same if I had missed out on any one of these ten books. This is my list - go make yours !

The most exciting 10 seconds

I wanted to do bungee, ever since I first heard of it. It was back when I was in school - I still remember having learnt about it the very first time. A high bridge above Bhotekoshi and you jump off it with a rope tied to your ankles – I knew it was something I HAD to do !

That was a long way back, life has changed a lot since then but bungee was still always on my wish list. I could see that there were a lot of people doing it. And thanks to the social networking sites you can let the whole wide world know how courageous you have been right after you have done it. I am sure people would take bungee selfies if that was allowed or possible. Probably, a lot of people did it only for the sake of putting the pictures in Facebook. And though I always wanted to do it, I never initiate a plan to actually go there and do it. I think it was Fear that took better hold of my desire. I am not very fond of heights, or of freefalls. So, I told myself that I will try on all the other adventurous things (like rafting, paragliding, zip-fly, cannoning and others) and try bungee at last. 

But things always doesn’t go as we plan- does it ?

So, as it happened, a bunch of my friends from work were planning to go somewhere for a weekend. We were exploring a few places, somewhere, where we could hike, or just relax and have fun. There were lots of discussions, opinions, disagreements and then we finally decided to go to the last resort. The last resort, about 4 hours ride away from Kathmandu  is at Sindhupalchowk district, near the Khasha (Chinese) border offers a wide range of adventure activities including bungee of course. I realised, it was time.  

The place is a relaxing gateway with a tropical feel and adventurous environment with improvised tents to stay at night. There were 14 of us on the trip and five of us had planned to jump. We stayed there for a night and the jump was due for the next day. As we relaxed during the evening, there was so much of contemplation about the bungee…every pros and cons of the jump was evaluated. Every worst case scenario was analysed- I had to constantly shout at my friends to NOT talk about it so much. What if the rope breaks, what if it gets entangled, what if we get so scared during the jump that we faint…what if we hit the cliff on the sides- oh too many what-ifs were analysed and over-analysed. Even those who had planned to jump were now in doubt. I was scared too- but never for a moment, I considered not jumping. I had visualised the jump many times in my head and I knew it was scary, but it was something I was meant to do. 

Finally the day for the jump arrived. I couldn’t just sleep properly- got up early in the morning- went out for an amazing hike around the last resort- had butterflies in my stomach throughout.

As we were having breakfast, we were informed that it was Time. I couldn’t finish my breakfast properly. There was an orientation session before the jump. A friendly guy briefed us about the safety measures. There were about 15 people to bungee in that group – foreigners were in majority. 

They took our weight as the serial of jump is arranged on the basis of one’s weight - and to my dismay, I was the last one to jump. No, not at all that I am thin. The other jumpers in the group were mostly foreigners and males- so I was actually the last one to jump, which meant I had to stay at the bridge- waiting for my turn to come and watching everyone else jump. When, I was at the bridge initially, I avoided looking down. I just kept looking around and above- at the surrounding hills but not below at all. But as I sat there, waiting for my turn to come…I just became accustomed to the height, and in no time I was watching below at the river- watching others jump- and enjoying it. 

And finally after quite sometime of waiting- my turn came. Everyone else was down- two of my friends were waiting for me down the bridge, as they had already jumped. I had this wide smile on my face- I don’t know why but I was smiling like anything. I realised that I smile when nervous (I knew I laugh when drunk). One thing that I realised while sitting at the bridge was that, it was not actually as scary as I had anticipated. I had always thought that sitting there at the bridge and waiting for one’s turn will be the worst thing of all. But actually, as I think of it now- it was actually a good thing - I am glad that I was the last in the group. 

So, I was all geared up. The jump master told me to move to the edge and suggested me not to hesitate at the edge and jump off as soon as he does the countdown. So, I moved to the edge slowly- - I waved at my friends (the ones not jumping, and who were there at the side watching me), looked down - WOW – that was the moment of pure adrenaline  rush – I didn’t take a lot of time and just jumped. The instant freefall that you feel right after the jump is LIKE mind blowing – a moment that your head gets clear of everything. You start enjoying as you descend below gradually getting accustomed to falling. 

The bungee rope is a rubber rope elastic in nature- you bounce back upwards at least three times after the jump. I enjoyed each bounce - and the bouncing stops after the third one. And unlike, a few people who told me that you don’t really comprehend anything and remain at the state of blankness during the whole experience, I was very alert and conscious. I was consciously feeling everything that was happening. It is a matter of a few seconds, and it gets over before you know it. Once the bounce stops, the rope is lowered down slowly- and for a few seconds you just sit there hanging up side down, with Bhotekoshi raging wildly just a few meters below. It was this part which I wanted to get over soon. The person at the ground passes on a bamboo stick- I could see the stick below me- it was just a few seconds but I could not wait to hold the stick. Finally I got hold of it, they pulled me down. And when I looked above from there; it was another worthy moment - OH WOW- the bridge that I had jumped off seemed so far above. 

The jump was over. I had done it ! And it was definitely the most exciting 10 seconds of my life. It felt like an accomplishment; one of the huge thing from my bucket list was ticked off. Oh yes, I conquered my fear- I feel stronger and accomplished. (Oh life, bring it on- come what may- I am ready to face it head on.)