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 !!!

Promise to self

Today, I vow to self, again

like yesterday, as last time 

when I had fallen several times
when I had felt low

screamed in midnight, cried for long
emotionally barren, perhaps

when I saw no rays of hopes
till the end of horizons

when I couldn't gather confidence
surrendered self to the lord

fought with fate, in anger
when I found life meaningless

no ways ahead to walk or run
no holding hands, no moral support

neither a goal to grab
aim to fulfill, game to win

when everything was falling apart
leaving me alone in the world

I decided to stand, fight with life
As similar I do today, a promise to self

Come around

When I will be in distance
will your heart go fonder
as mine? I always wondered.

When I will be falling down
scattered, torn, in pain
will your hands hold me or not ?

Helpess, I stand alone
waiting to see your shadow around
rays of love, close to me

Heart goes hovering
as taylor swift says in white horse,
"Why don't you come around?"

Painful Goodbyes

Everything was all set, wonderful 

life had been more beautiful

love was there, just perfect
you, me and beautiful dreams

until you walked away

with no goodbye, forgetting our way
broken was hope, my heart
scattered into numerous pieces

words forgotton, promises gone
blind trust turned blur, then dark
life became empty, all meaningless
you left, memories were honest, all stayed

faith, belief, affection disappeared
sweet moments turned bitter
lost were compassion and emotions
puzzles and doubts, sense of terror

love for me became a 'game' for you
world was mine, rule became yours
'loyalty' remained as only a mere word
fake, lie, cheat, betrayal all over

love turned to hatred, joys to pain

mornings and nights, eyes turned wet
tiring wait, weeks and months
new you, changed you, no more same you

no more love dramas, but wound inside

deep, painful, cureless, life-long
empty life, incomplete wishes, broken heart
I gifted love, you took everything in return

yet, no regrets or complains, no hatred
love was eternal, its yet unconditional
pure, powerful, selfless, divine, true
nothing to gain, only to suffer

tears for me, wishes, prayers for you
barren me, paradise is just for you
you will realize my love someday as
"whatever you give, comes around"