Nepal issues passports to third gender under 'O'

On August 10, Manoj Shahi (who likes to be called Monica Shahi) from a small village in the Far-west became the first Nepali to receive passport under "Others" or "O" category. Breaking the tradition only male "M" or female "F" gender categories in the green passports, the state recognized the identity of a third gender. This move is more than incorporation of alphabet "O" in the passport; it offers new hope to members of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender and Intersexual (LGBTI) community.

For the transgender, "O" is an official recognition. But more than that, it is the state honoring its citizens of all hues. It's a breakthrough in the movement of LGBTIs not only in Nepal but also the entire Asian region. Besides Nepal, Australia and New Zealand issue passports for sexual minorities under "X" category, beside male and female categories.

Monica Shahi, 37, received passport from the Department of Passport in the capital. Her happiness knew no bounds. She broke down before journalists who were there to support the achievement of the third gender fraternity. In fact, it was not only Monica's achievement but a victory of her community that is often treated in a condescending manner by society. She recalled multiple experiences of discrimination at the hands of both family members and society. This is the bitter reality of our society which cannot accept different identity of people and imposes its own narrow gender definitions and categories. 
The Supreme Court in 2007 directed the government to amend laws to end discrimination against LGBTI citizens. The government had inducted a third gender category to census and the citizenship card only in 2011. It has been only a few months since the government amended the Passport Regulations to incorporate the "O" category. Till now, altogether 103 people from the LGBTI communities have acquired citizenship under "O" category. Now, all those can apply and acquire separate passports with their identities recognized.

In our society, when someone introduces oneself as a third gender, people treat that person like a criminal. They are mistreated and abused. They are given despicable epithets like 'chhakka' or 'hijada', and their speech, gait and activities mimicked.

Transgender people are socially and economically marginalized. They are mistreated everywhere. As a result, they are deprived of good education. Most of them are school drop-outs owing to discrimination from classmates and teachers. Later on, they are denied access to good jobs. All these discriminations lead to their marginalization. They cannot prove their capability as they are driven by fear of rejection or disapproval.

When Monica Shahi shared that her dream is to scale Mount Everest as the first transgender and enlist in Guinness Book of World Records, I was elated. After all, gender identity is not necessarily biologically determined. It's all about self-identification. Only the society has failed to recognize it as such.

The government has changed Machine Readable Passport (MRP) software just to include "O" category. It's undoubtedly a welcome move. After citizenship and passport, the LGBTI community is now advocating for same-sex marriage, still taken as a big taboo in our traditional society. It may take a long time but nothing is impossible as Nepal has more progressive policies on homosexuality as compared to other nations.

Granting passport to a transgender is a positive start. The society should respect the identity of third gender people and accept transgender as they are. They should be provided with an environment to introduce themselves on the basis of their sexual status and public conduct. They should not be treated with cruelty or pity, but rather as human beings. Only then can they be empowered for greater things.

There is a need to create equal opportunities for them in health services and education, in line with other minority groups. There shouldn't be any bureaucratic hurdles and excuses for denying some people opportunities just because of their sexual identity. Legal recognition is a good thing, but there should be meaningful implementation as well.

Published in Republica English daily, Aug 21 2015

http://myrepublica.com/opinion/story/26784/good-start.html

LGBTI community of Nepal in annual Parade: (Video-story) https://www.facebook.com/249104235215527/videos/vb.249104235215527/735582916567654/?type=2&theater

Nepal takes first step to regain tourists by reopening World Heritage sites

More than fifty days since the massive earthquake struck the region, the Nepalese government reopened areas of its Kathmandu Unesco World Heritage sites and declared the nation reopen to overseas visitors from Monday.

The world heritage sites like Basantapur durbar square, Patan durbar square and Bhaktapur durbar square, Swoyambhunath, Bouddhanath and the Pashupatinath temple, which are the symbols of country's history and culture have been opened and considered safe.

When the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Kripashur Sherpa formally re-opened the heritage sites, announcing "Nepal is open for tourists," the mood of the nation, particularly those in the tourism industry, palpably lifted.

"We want to tell the world that Nepal is safe and we are open for tourists. We want to appeal to people to visit Nepal to see our unity in adversity and the socio-cultural solidarity. Visit us to help us rebuild," Minister Sherpa said at an address in Bhaktapur durbar square.

On the reopening day, the scene of the ancient and historical Bhaktapur looked different with most of the monuments destroyed. There also used to be around 800 foreign tourists every day in Bhaktapur durbar square, located some 12 kilometers east from Kathmandu.

But it is unfortunate for this small Himalayan nation that a single tourist could not be found in the area on the morning of June 15.

These major attractions of the capital were extensively damaged by the April 25 and May 12 disasters. These places were immediately prohibited for tourists and even for the public for a few weeks after the disaster.

A total of 741 ancient sites including temples, sattal, matha, old palaces and the like were destroyed, including complete and partial damage in the quake.

However, at a time when tourist-related businesses are claiming that around 99 percent of hotel bookings have been canceled until September, the opening of these heritage sites has provided a new hope to the revival of their businesses.

Birendra Shrestha, Guest Relation Officer at Patan Museum Cafe located inside the Patan durbar square premise told Xinhua, "The government should promote Nepal saying that it is a safe destination, so that we can get tourists to visit from next season. Otherwise we have to wait for another season with zero business."

The cafe that used to cater to innumerable tourists in recent history served only 7 customers on Sunday, the opening day after the April 25 quake.

The government has been claiming that there are many reasons to visit Nepal as airports are fine, flights are on time, more than 90 percent of hotels are safe, major highways are operational and there are a lot of places for tourists to visit.

But, the number of tourists visiting Nepal for pleasure or adventure continues to be flat. Two Swedish tourists who are employees by Turkish Airlines were found roaming and clicking pictures in Patan durbar square this afternoon.

"We just landed in Kathmandu four hours ago and came straight here. We could not see many differences because people are happy here all the time. We like this part of Nepal and its people,"they shared with Xinhua.

As per the statistics provided by the Immigration Department, there were 69,286 tourists in Nepal in May, 2014 whereas the number lessened to 40,856 in May, 2015.

These foreigners visited Nepal even after the earthquake but only for search, rescue, relief and research purposes.

Tourism is one of the pillars of the economy of Nepal but it is the worst-hit sector with an economic loss of Rs 81.24 billion ( about 790 million U.S. dollars). It is also one of the largest employment generating industries in Nepal which collects a sizable portion of revenue for the government. Mountain climbing and trekking is the most profitable tourism sector.

CN Pandey, a travel and tour operator and owner of the Landmark Hotel told Xinhua, "I am hopeful that it will take around four months for the initial recovery and around a year to bring the full business back on track. But there must be strong marketing plans and promotional strategies to bring the tourists back."

The hotel entrepreneurs are of the view that they also need some assistance from the government like soft loans for rebuilding and operation and lessening of bank interest rates to reduce the financial burden.

According to the government's post disaster needs assessment PDNA) report this sector requires Rs 41.33 billion (400 U.S. dollars)for reconstruction and rebuilding.

The government on Sunday has also formed a high-level national recovery committee to promote tourism activities in the post-quake era under the leadership of the tourism minister.

Published in Xinhua, 2015/6/15

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-06/15/c_134328715.htm

Youths to lead reconstruction of quake-ravaged Nepal

Young Nepalese citizens are now taking an active role in the reconstruction of the Himalayan nation after it was devastated by a massive earthquake on April 25 that has killed some 9,000 people, injured thousands, and damaged infrastructure projects and buildings, including cultural and heritage sites.

The youths, because of their energy and enthusiasm, have been extending assistance to earthquake survivors in remote areas in the country that have not been reached by teams from the government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

The participation of the Nepali youths in the reconstruction and rebuilding of quake-damaged areas in the country has been stressed during the celebration of the International Youth Day here on Wednesday.

During the celebration, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam paid tribute to the country's youths. "We went through a huge loss from the quake but if we could lead the Nepalese youths in the right direction, they can be harnessed in the massive reconstruction efforts and take Nepal into greater heights," Gautam said.

In his address during the celebration, Minister for Youth and Sports Purushottam Poudel also called on the Nepalese youths to help in creating a "healthy and productive manpower" so that Nepal can rise from the devastation and move forward.

The theme of Nepal's International Youth Day celebration was " Participation of Youth in Reconstruction."

Part of the celebration was the presentation by the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the "National Youth Talent Awards" to seven dynamic youths and two youth organizations. The awardees were recognized for their invaluable contribution to the development of the nation, either at home or abroad, including those who have helped in the post-quake reconstruction efforts.

One of the awardees, Susmita Maskey, the first Nepalese woman to conquer seven summits, said that the recognition will " encourage and motivate Nepalese citizens to bring more honor and prestige to the nation."

More than 40 percent of Nepal's population belongs to youth category, mostly in 19 to 40 age bracket.

Statistics show that around 3 million Nepalese youths are now working abroad, mostly in Middle East and Gulf countries.

Another awardee, Dr Rajiv Jha, a young scientist, said: "Today' s Nepalese youths have both will power and capability to face difficult challenges. But what they primarily need is good education, an education that would help them carry out their duty of rebuilding the nation, particularly in the aftermath of the killer earthquake."

Brabim Kumar, president of the Association of Youth Organizations Nepal (AYON), one of the awardees, told Xinhua that youths can play a major role in Nepal's reconstruction since they have the capability to transform the society. "However, the government should be able to inspire and guide them," Kumar said.

Under its "Youth Vision 2025," Nepal is giving priority to five categories where the youths can play a major role: education, employment, health and social security, leadership and sports and entertainment.

Published in Xinhua, 2015/8/13

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-08/13/c_134512399.htm

Differently-abled in Nepal find sports activities as therapeutic

For the past eight years, Yami Magar was unable to walk because of a spinal tumor that paralyzed her body from the waist down.

But lately, with the aid of a wheelchair, she can now move around. And not only that. She has since left her village in the western district of Pyuthan and now lives in Kathmandu where she is taking up Bachelor of Science in Management at Padma Kanya (PK) campus.

Like many persons with disability (PWDs), Yami used to seclude herself because of fears that people would despise or ridicule her. But Yami has overcome all these and is now full of confidence to face other people.

And she is determined to prove that PWDs like her can excel not only in her studies but also in athletics.

"Since I started swimming and playing basketball, I feel that I am just like any normal person. I found out that even without the use of my legs, I can still do a lot of things for as long as I put my mind in these things," Yami told Xinhua.

Along with other wheelchair-bound students in her college, Yami practices basketball every Saturday. The college has two wheelchair-bound basketball teams.

People like Yami Magar are not only empowering themselves but are also motivating other PWDs to move ahead in life despite their disabilities.

On July 29, a new campaign - Coaching4Fun against the Quake - has been launched in Nepal by Engage a non-government organization, to empower those who suffered injuries during the killer earthquake, particularly in helping them engage in sports competitions such as basketball and swimming.

More than 22,000 people have been injured in the massive earthquake that hit Nepal on April 25. Among the injured, more than 5,000 are believed to have suffered long-term disabilities.

Engage plans to train and motivate the injured to live normal lives despite their disabilities through sports.

"Persons who are wheelchair-bound have very limited activities. So, what we are trying to do is to encourage them to get out of their homes and join sports activities so that they can become active not just physically but also psychologically and socially," Simone Galimberti, co-founder of Engage, told Xinhua.

Galimberti said that part of their campaign is to encourage volunteerism and leadership among PWDs. "We tell them that they should have a goal or purpose in life despite their disabilities," she said.

Jaya Karki, a 35-year-old resident of Sindhuli district who has been paralyzed for the last 10 years, has now started to play basketball.

"The game has restored my self-confidence. Now I can look forward to achieving something in life. I want those who suffered disabilities as a result of the earthquake to engage in sports or to continue their studies or work," Karki said.

Today Karki, aside from playing basketball, is also engaged in painting as a hobby.

"Before, life was hard and I almost lost hope. But now because of sports, I have overcome my fears. I am now looking forward to have a government job," Bharat BC, a PWD, said.

The Coaching4Fun against the Quake campaign has been supported by the Asia Pacific University Community Engagement Network- Malaysia (APUCEN). It plans to involve more quake victims to engage in sports activities to help them overcome their trauma and live normal lives.

Experts believe that medicines can heal only the physical wounds and it would need sports activities to overcome mental anguish.

"When a young person has a disability, he or she can be subjected to a lot of stress. It is only through sports that the mind can relax and forget about the emotional stress," Aileen Tan Shau Hwai, executive director of APUCEN, said.

Currently, there are around 50 wheelchair-bound basketball players in the capital under three different teams.

Published in Xinhua, 2018/8/3

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-08/03/c_134476542.htm

Waiting for you ~

Sitting on the bluest sea-side On the other side of this earth Beauty of setting sun Lost in those beautiful thoughts
Flaunting my fairy-tale dress With a crown like of princess A red rose in my hands Poem being ready in my mind

A smile filled with affection
Mumblings of heart to heart Getting lost somewhere in the waves Thinking of our story to create
Touching of that cool breeze Making me crazily desperate Eagerly waiting for YOU To come closer and read my eyes
There, you'll find every answers Dreams of 'you' and 'me', together-ness You will be the King, me your Queen Living our beautiful life happily ever

Travel Diary: 100 days of quake in SIndhupalchowk

It has been exactly 100 days since the massive earthquake ravaged Nepal on April 25 taking the lives of nearly 9000 people and making thousands homeless. Though Kathmandu is getting into normalcy, the situation is not smooth in other quake-affected districts. To find out the real situation, we travelled to Sindhupalchowk district which has the highest death toll of more than 3000. The situation is really chaotic as the landslides have obstructed the roads and buildings are empty with no presence of single person in Tatopani and Liping. 

Jure road-section

Excavators are not by the governemnt, but private

Vehicles lined up to reach Barhabise

Landslides all over the Araniko highway

A risky travel 

Quake and landslide together

Impact on Trade: Rotton apples all over way

Big stones blocking the highway

Newly built but destroyed dry port and bridge

Vehicles hit by April 25 quake

Resting time in between

These tents are police station these days

Bordering village Liping looks like ghost town

Custom office and dry port

Journalism is adventurous and risky, sometimes !!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTkIn9yfoFE (Video-story broadcasted in CNC World TV)

Nepal is still beautiful

After working 24/7 since April 25 earthquake, there was an eager need of BREAK, for which I visited Pokhara for few days in the end of June. Here are some captured moments :)

Beautiful Fewa lake

Monsoon and Nature

Empty boats in Lake side

Water water everywhere

Greenery Accomodation: Fishtail Lodge

View of lake

I dont know its name, but beautiful flower

Live Music @ Oxygen Bar

Green green green 

Lets go on boating

Boats are waiting for tourists

Clouds are ready to burst into rain in evening

A beautiful evening

A night-view of Fishtail

                           

Me in beautiful Pokhara 

The world needs our telling

April 25 was Saturday, but as a journalist I needed to rush to Hotel Shangrila at 10 am to attend an important program. On the way back to office with cameraman Krishna, exactly at the entry-point to Thamel, I noticed a flock of birds making unusual sound in the sky and few motorbikes falling off the road like slipping. 

Captured from mobile at around 12 pm on April 25, 2015

After few seconds in confusion and in vain, I realized it was an earthquake. We immediately got out of the vehicle; the camera was already on record mode till then as reporting comes first for any journalist. I just exchanged few words with people lined up in the middle of a busy street as all seemed terrified with a big shock in their face. Some were crying out of fear and most of all busy in mobile set trying to connect with beloved and near ones. In-between, I tried to contact my family members who were on their way to home but mobile line was already out of network. 

Keeping all family-worries aside, we immediately shot some of the destruction around and rushed to office to disseminate the news and video as early as possible. But our bad luck, before knowing about the magnitude and epicenter of the quake, internet connection was already cut off in the office. After rendering the fresh footage and writing few lines about biggest tragedy in my small but beautiful country, the reporting-journey began with a sort of heavy heart and bewilderment. 
The first spot was nearby our office in Kamalpokhari, where police personnel were trying hard to rescue survivors from two completely collapsed houses. Unfortunately, a dead body of an old woman covered with blood all over was brought out, the first live casualty I saw.

Police personnel trying to rescue survivors in Kamalpokhari

Whose heart doesn’t cry to see the cruel death? But I managed to be strong as I was on my duty, to inform the people of all over the world about disaster in this Himalayan nation. 
It was really horrible to witness such heart throbbing scenes in the nation’s oldest Bir hospital National Trauma Center, which was filled with the fresh injured people in devastated state, some with broken legs, hands, few with head injury and the clothes soaked in blood. Then, to realize that Dharhara, the historical monument was no more and our favorite Basantapur Durbar Square was devastated, where I and my friends used to gather in evenings for local tea and just for roaming pinched me a lot. 

People gathered at Tudikhel seeking safety on April 25

Dharhara at around 3 pm on April 25

                         
Within few seconds, the picture of Kathmandu changed completely and the increasing death tolls from the highly-affected districts shattered our patience. But the reporting did not stop. The team grew stronger with the presence of Chinese colleagues for disaster reporting from Hong Kong, India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Australia and Fiji. 

Xinhua Kathmandu Bureau Team

Behind me is remaining of Dharhara (7th day of quake)

After few days of disaster, I travelled to Kavre and Sindhupalchowk district, which were the two most-hit districts, the latter having the largest number of death tolls. Interviews became tough as the people were not able to come out of what they have gone through, as most of all had their houses damaged and family members lost. The most recalling incident is of Barhabise, Sindhupalchowk where I and my team had set-up a tent, but stayed awake for whole night by chatting with friends in mobile. And the only reason was fear of landslide. Big rocks were ready to scramble us, which had already taken lives of many in the Tatopani and Khasa area. I couldn’t sleep a single night in fear of landslide; I wondered how those locals were managing to stay in the same place. 


Another most recurring incident was Dolakha trip, which was an epicenter of second massive quake. When my team reached Charikot, the district headquarters on the third day of quake, the tall buildings were either collapsed or completely cracked and people were all in streets in fear of aftershocks. We found the live footage of a rescue team recovering two bodies from the five-storey Paradise hotel, which had turned to rubbles. The hotel-owner burst into tears when I asked her about the disaster as her earning of whole life was lost in front of her eyes. 

Helicopters rescuing the injured from Dolakha to Kathmandu

 I could not help her, but shared only few words that ‘House can be rebuilt. Being alive is a greatest boon’. Everywhere we went, there were only devastations, homeless people and their broken hopes. Moreover, their only expectation from the state was a single tarpaulin sheet and something little to fill the hungry stomach, and the wait was long. In many places, people looked us with expecting eyes, but all we could do as a journalist was only to console and motivate them for better tomorrow. 
During reporting of disaster in many places for more than a month, I could not be a good daughter as I was not at home when my parents expected me to be with them in time of crisis. But when I reached home late night after a hectic day of covering tragic scenes, I could proudly whisper to self, “I did justice to my job by bringing out the stories. The world needs to know this”.

Peace and Love

From the early morning rays of sunlight
The journey begins I run, run faster for existence To live a human life, to prove as human
Chasing up dreams Meeting up expectations Setting goals, that are far away, invisible With high hopes and chances of risk

Meet people on the way, in-between Some hellos, some goodbyes I fall being hurt, I get up, I run, run again Difficult path, thrones and mountains
Crossing in a slow pace with patience Without fading and breaking At the end, when all goes dark I recall what is gained or lost
Did I find that I was in search for? Nothing much, no one else, no, nothing What really matters is only a mere feeling Peace in mind and love in heart !!!

Meeting Jackie Chan in Kathmandu

Hollywood Kung Fu superstar Jackie Chan was in Kathmandu on June 9, 2015.  
My excitement had no bounds to reach TIA to have a single glance of him and if possible, to talk with him. We reached before 11 am to welcome him at 11:20. I captured his arrival in mobile set and then moved towards hotel Soaltee Crown Plaza, where was he supposed to rest for few hours. As my phone had only 15 percent battery, I managed to share a single click in the social media 'Twitter'. 

https://twitter.com/KafleShristi

I knew this 61-year-old actor had not slept since last 4 days owing to his busy schedule. And the most surprising thing was even the Ambassador could not compel this actor to meet him. 

He received a warm welcome and love by the people of Kathmandu who were shouting 'Jackie Chan, Jackie Chan' with excitement within two program premises in Jawalakhel and Sanagaun of Lalitpur. They not only greeted the actor with flowers and 'Khaada' but also with a traditional Nepali cap 'Dhaka Topi'. 

Though the news of his visit was kept underground, it could not stop the photographers and fan-following to follow him either in hotel or his visiting route.

I was already anxious in my deep thoughts as I was not sure whether I could talk with him or not. As my boss started the interview in Chinese language, I was thinking several times on how to approach him. 

But lucky me, I requested him for interview in english and he said 'OK'. Hearing that, I blushed as had no control of my happiness and started my work. 

Jackie Chan said, "I felt coming to Nepal is more important than donating money. I want to tell the people of Nepal that you are not alone. Nepal is also my country. We all own this world, this earth." 

During an interview :)

I was so amazed by his sentences that were filled with love and affection towards Nepalese people, who have suffered a lot since last April 25. 

Here is the link of short video-interview: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bt7zxW9V1CQ&feature=share

Felt like he is not only an actor but a kind-hearted personality, who travelled acroas seas just to meet the people personally and motivate them for better tomorrow. Much love to this superstar <3 <3 <3

Autograph :)

My feature story published in Xinhua:

"Kung Fu master Jackie Chan encourages future hope among quake-stripped Nepalese" :

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-06/10/c_134313983.htm

Lastly, after a hectic schedule when I reached office and knew that the photo that I posted on Twitter had went viral and published in most of the online news portals(with credit), my happines was doubled :)

Found few online sites with same photo :

https://www.facebook.com/thevoiceofsikkim/photos/a.392310087528493.93455.392307640862071/868096186616545/?type=1&theater

http://annapurnapost.com/News.aspx/story/13005

http://myrepublica.com/lifestyle/item/22413-hollywood-actor-jackie-chan-in-nepal.html

http://www.nagariknews.com/entertainment/hollywood/story/39450.html

It was Shristi's day, lucky me :)