Mero Sahar Kathmandu

FROM ISSUE # 162 (June 2009) | IN THIS ISSUE
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Living in Kathmandu amidst the dirt, dust and people who have no civic sense has a charm of its own. The narrow alley perfumed with delicious aroma of food and local alcohol pulsates with life and greets one with a smile around every corner. The bright lights of Thamel, the artistic courtyards of Basantapur, the upscale shops of Durbar Marg, the calm of Kirtipur and the bedlam of Ratna Park all makes up this city which has something to offer to each and everyone.

Although Kathmandu is no longer the Shangri-la it once used to be, it is a city that is trying to balance itself between the old traditions and the new amenities. Kathmandu, the city of gods where almost every stone is an idol and every tree an incarnation of some other god knows how to survive against all odds. It has survived 16 hours of load-shedding, days of garbage piled on the streets, water and petrol shortage, religious attacks and numerous amounts of Nepal bandhs. Even now when the future seems bleak, the city seems to have an optimistic outlook with the number of malls, housings and cinema halls being constructed. Personally, the best thing about Kathmandu is it has the best of both worlds, a chaotic city life that is a mere 30 minute drive away from a laid back village. It's easy to escape in Kathmandu, emotionally and physically.

I could go on and on about this Valley because there is no where else in the world I'd rather live than here. This is where my root is, this is where I call home and this is my comfort zone. Now only if the people around realised their civic duty their world, like mine, would be perfect.

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