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 :) 

Few hours at Pashupati Bridhashram

At a time when two powerful earthquakes followed by hundreds of aftershocks have terrified everyone in the Himalayan nation, there are also examples of some fearless souls who have no signs of fear to face death.

Among 230 seniors living at the only government's old-age home (Pashupati Briddhashram) located in Kathmandu, maximum looked calm as they are not anxious to face the deadly disaster.

Though the energetic youths leave their hopes at such moments, these people with wrinkle over all faces have accepted 'death as inevitable'.

Most of these personalities were kids when the powerful quake of 8.4 Richter scale occurred in 1934, whereas they have already experienced life till the latest quake.

88 years old Tirtha Maya Rai, originally from eastern region of Nepal, is among one of those fearless who did not run out of her bed located in a cozy and dark room during the quake.

Tirtha Maya Rai

"Everyone should die once in life. Why to get scared? Rather, I enjoyed the tremors as my bed was shaking left and right", Rai with a big smile on her wrinkled face shared at the old-age home on Monday noon.

Talkative and cheerful Rai has been living in the Briddhashram since childhood. She says her life has been beautiful till date though there is no affection or contact of parents or families.

On April 25 when the quake occurred, many of these old people were in the yard queued up with plates for curd and beaten-rice, as favorite of all.

Staffs at the old-age home informed that nobody was injured as nobody tried to run and protect themselves.

Mystery of 'Huey'

Two days have been passed since the discovery of the US military chopper, which went missing in Nepal since May 12 on its way to deliver the humanitarian aid to quake ravaged districts.

There are various speculations at the moment however the exact reason behind the crash of chopper UH-1Y 'Huey' is yet to be ascertained as the experts regard it as a highly sensitive issue.

The Home Ministry refused to talk about reason of the crash citing that the Nepal Army is responsible for the investigation into the matter.

"We don’t have any information. Nepal Army shall probe and come out with the exact details", Spokesperson of Home Ministry Laxmi Prasad Dhakal told on Sunday morning.

Dolakha Diary

On the third day of the powerful quake of May 12 that shattered beautiful Nepal, the situation of Charikot, district headquarters of Dolakha, some 130 kilometers away from the capital was totally depressing and barren.

The small city with tall and bright colored buildings had already turned into rubbles with the terrifying faces of locals, who have been witnessing the aftershocks for several times in a single day.

Exactly at a time when the Prime Minister and Home Minister along with other few leaders had reached the small city, the locals with tears on their eyes were preparing to participate in a funeral procession of 19 years old Anjila Poudel.

She was buried under the rubbles of five-storey Paradise hotel, located in the centre of the city while trying to escape the powerful disaster.

While the whole city was mourning, 39 years old Mingma Sherpa, the owner of Paradise hotel was weeping just behind the debris of her sweet-home, which is no more a home now.

"I and my husband worked very hard for years and constructed this hotel three and half years back with the life-long earning. And in front of our eyes, it has turned to rubbles now. My family members are safe but everything has been finished along with the quake", Sherpa with a heavy voice and tear son her eyes shared.

Tragedy upon Tragedy: Sindhupalchowk

(May 3 2015 )

Sindhupalchowk district had already suffered enough due to landslide in August, 2014 where 156 people were confirmed dead while hundreds of houses had swept away. It has just been few months, people were returning to their normal life forgetting the pain of loss of loved ones and rebuilding their collapsed and swept houses. 

They were trying to smile again gathering the broken and scattered parts.

But once again, the cruel nature snatched their smiles by taking away everything from them. Either its loss of family members or relatives, home, cattle or crops. Their strength, patience and hope, everything has been scattered once again. 

Saturday's earthquake is a doom to all Nepalese, but to the locals of Sindhupalchowk, it’s a bit more.

This district has recorded the highest death toll in the massive earthquake that jolted Nepal on Saturday noon as more than 2500 people have already lost their lives and the number is still in rise. Devastation of Sindhupalchowk can make anyone numb.

When I visited the place two days ago, the situation was quite terrific as people are still struggling to get some packet of biscuits or noodles and tent from the state side. 

It's already been more than a week, but the people are still waiting to have a single presence of the state, whose responsibility is to protect its citizens. 

Yes, we could notice hundreds of vehicles on the way with relief distribution programs written on the banner, but the locals have common plea, "when we will get some relief?" Either it was Sukute, Khaadi Chaur, Barhabise, Saaga Chowk or Chautara, the situation is similar. 

There are thousands of people but only few hundreds of tent so it's no way the relief program has been effective.

Barhabise has something different story, as it has tragedy upon a tragedy. 

Who is SHE?

She stands as mysterious creature

the way she laughs, cries, fights, dances or shops
her every expressions are unique or best at own
spreads happiness around whole universe like a candle

an innocent daughter
who is always expected to be sweet and decent
a beautiful wife
who needs to handle all, standing as symbol of patience
a loveable mother
nothing to gain, just to give for children, family

more the age, more roles, responsibilities
great expectations in every eyes, every steps

with pressure to be best both at home and work
she moves ahead with determination in head
praised as epitome of beauty, love, kindness and endurance
ignored for her strength and intelligence, then or now.

Yes, she is defined as a GIRL/WOMAN.
powerhouse of creation, womanhood, feminine feelings
But she never complains, demands or questions
as she knows her worth and stand
she nearly dies to create a new life
still never leaves a glow in her face

Stepping every ladders with footsteps of men, she moves ahead
in attempt to enjoy an independent existence !!!