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Located in the quiet neighborhood of Bansbari (inside the Standard Nursery near British Gur­kha Academy), Around the Corner is a multi-cui­sine restaurant and event venue. With plenty of open spaces and a luscious garden, it is one of the few children-friendly restaurants in Kathmandu. Food at ATC is like any other regular multi-cuisine restaurants with the menu offering the standard appetizers and main courses. What separates it from others is the peaceful ambience it offers and plenty of space to host different types of small events and gatherings. Be it live music or ‘dog socializing week’ or even festive gatherings, ATC hosts it all.

 THE MENU

Chef’s Special:

- Mustang Aalu

- Hot Chicken Wings

- Mozzarella Cheese Stick

Opening hours: 10 am – 9 pm

Location: Bansbari, Ktm

Cards: Accepted

Meal for 2: Rs 2,000

Reservations: 9861631197

Vipassana, which means to see things as they really are, is one of India’s most ancient medita­tion techniques, taught there more than 2,500 years ago as a universal remedy for universal ills, i.e., an Art of Living. The technique is taught at ten-day residential courses during which partici­pants learn the basics of the method, and practice sufficiently to experience its beneficial results.

Contact: Pokhara Vipassana Center, +977-061-691 972, 9846232383

Traffic in Kathmandu has become a menace and driving your four-wheeler anywhere above 40 has become impossible. So why not join your fellow driving enthusiasts for a memorable jour­ney to Chitwan? Meraki Event is organizing The Amazing Motor Rally 2019 from March 1 to 3. The objective of the Kathmandu-Chitwan motor rally is to promote domestic tourism and encourage road-tripping. The rally will follow traffic rules and yet be loaded with fun and frolic. Moreover, there are trophies and other exciting prizes on offer. For inquiries: 015591437

 Since July 2018, the con­struction of the Dhan­gadhi-Dipayal fast track has been abandoned. Dhan­gadhi and Dipayal are the respective headquarters of Kailali and Doti districts. Ear­lier, when Dhangadhi was cho­sen as the provincial capital, the state’s political leaders, including the chief minister, had committed to complete the fast track in two years. According to the initial Detailed Project Report, the fast track covered 84 kilome­ters between Kailali’s Khut­iya to Dipayal. However, after the project came under the purview of the provincial government, the fast track was extended to 105 km to connect Dhangadhi with Dipayal via Khutiya, which is half the length of the Dhan­gadhi-Dadeldhura-Dipayal highway on which the locals now travel.

Far-West province government had listed the Dhangadhi-Dipayal fast track as a top priority

A second Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) for this project had to be carried out. Birendra Bahadur Chand, the engineer in charge of the second EIE, says another EIE was necessary because more trees were being felled. “The second EIE report is now col­lecting dust at the Ministry of Forests and Environment. Construction could not pro­ceed as there were trees on the track,” he says.

Apart from blacktopping, there have already been appli­cations for five other construc­tion works on the fast track. The section from Dhangadhi’s Hasanpur to Khutiya is now 80 percent complete. Except for a maintenance contract worth Rs 7.1 million, all the work on the fast track is in disarray.

"The second Environmental Impact Evaluation report is now collecting dust at the Ministry of Forests and Environment"

Birendra Bahadur Chand, Engineer

Only 40 percent work is complete in the 20-km Muda Bazar-Babena section. This contract was awarded to Ash­ish Nirman Sewa on April 2017 for Rs 230 million and the work was supposed to be completed in 30 months. Chand says the work on six kilometers of this road stalled because there were trees in the section.

The contract for the 4-km section from Ojhena to BP Nagar was given to Shyam Sundar Saud Construction for Rs 29.5 million in June 2017. The contract stipulated that the work was to be completed in 11 months, but even after 18 months, 20 percent work remains incomplete.

Only 20 percent work is complete in the 8-km-long BP Nagar-Kaftadi section. Shyam Sundar Saud Construction had been awarded this contract for Rs 62.5 million a year and a half ago. The completion date was January 9, yet 80 percent of work remains incomplete.

Work on the 50-km section from Kafaltadi to Salena has also been abandoned. The work on this section given to Surya Construction Pvt Ltd for Rs 90 million is only 40 percent complete. Since there are trees hindering the road’s construction and the cabinet has not approved their felling, the work has stopped.

The first cabinet meeting of the Far-West Province government had listed the Dhangadhi-Dipayal fast track as one of its top priorities. The provincial government has allocated only Rs 120 mil­lion for the fast track. “It’s woefully inadequate. When the required budget is Rs 430 million, how one can make do with Rs 120 million?” asks Chand. “If the cabinet approves the tree-felling, the payment of over Rs 300 million has to be sanctioned within this fiscal,” he adds.

Lack of human resources has also been an obstacle to the fast track’s construction. Locals are visibly frustrated by the delay.

After Dr Govinda KC’s fifth fast-onto-death in 2014, the then government had formed a high-level commission under former TU Vice-chancellor Kedar Bhakta Mathema to suggest improvements in medical education. The committee submitted its final report in June 2015. Among its key recommendations were decentralizing medical education away from Kathmandu and capping the number of medical colleges that a university could grant affiliations to. But the version of the Medical Education Bill now in the parliament violates many of the commission’s key recommendations, which is why Dr KC is now on his 16^th fast-onto-death. Biswas Baral and Kamal Dev Bhattarai spoke to Mathema on what he makes of the unfolding scenario.  

Dr KC is on his 16^th fast. Why does he have to do this again and again?  

All parliamentarians know that the earlier version of the Medical Education Bill was prepared on the basis of our report, which aims to ensure the welfare of all citizens. My understanding is that the bill was modified to protect the interest of some private investors.  

Which are the most worrying modifications to the proposals made by the Mathema committee?

We had proposed that one university not be allowed to grant affiliation to more than five medical colleges. Otherwise, medical education will be compromised. TU and KU granted many affiliations but they failed to ensure necessary support and monitor mechanisms for these colleges. That is why there are lots of anomalies in the medical education sector.

What sorts of anomalies?

There are concerns that private colleges are conducting exams with nominal representation from the university they are affiliated with. Tribhuwan University and Kathmandu University have failed to properly supervise colleges under their watch. Each year, they have to conduct two exams but they don’t have adequate staff to do so. KU has provided affiliations to 11 colleges and TU to 10 colleges. We recommended only five affiliations for each. In fact, in the committee level discussions, we held that universities can handle no more than three affiliations.

We are not against opening medical colleges outside Kathmandu valley. There should be medical colleges in strategic locations outside the valley. But we need to develop a support system to assist those institutions. Just opening new medical colleges won’t do any good if our support system is weak.

What other tweaks have been made to the earlier Medical Education Bill?

We are of the view that the intermediate level should be abolished within five years. But the ruling party lawmakers want to continue the intermediate CTEVT program. Likewise, the parliamentary committee overseeing the health and education sectors wants a separate medical university. But how did this concept of a medical university come about? Which experts were consulted?

Many MPs have a direct stake in private medical education. Given such blatant conflict of interest, is there a way to ensure quality education?

I have a lot of respect for the parliament and its members. I also understand the supremacy of parliament. But laws should not be formulated to protect certain investors. Those should be impartially formulated, keeping the interest of the people and the country front and center. People who understand this issue should speak up because we are talking about the health of all Nepalis.  

Why is sustained civic activism on medical education reform missing?

Thomas Jefferson said if you want democracy, you have to be ready to pay the price of eternal vigilance. The vigilance is brought about by writers, the media and civil society. People are busy with their own lives. Civil society could be more vocal about important issues like higher education, deforestation, loss of public lands, growing pollution and medical education.  

How do you suggest the parliament should address these issues?

There are two parts. First, we humbly request the parliament to endorse the bill without distorting the spirit of our report—something that has been widely discussed among parliamentarians. Second, the government has inked a deal with Govinda KC. The government will face a crisis of credibility if agreements with Dr KC are breached. People may stop trusting the government. The agreement was signed in the presence of top ruling party leaders. PM Oli as well as Pushpa Kamal Dahal had thanked me when it was signed. Of course, our report is not carved in stone and, with time, it can be amended. But the government’s commitment should not go in vain.

What in your view should be the role of the private sector in medical education?

I do not want to blame the private sector because they have helped produce much-needed medical manpower. What’s lacking is a support system and monitoring mechanisms. Medical colleges are concentrated in Kathmandu valley, and driven mainly by money-making motives. There is an acute need of medical colleges and hospitals in the far-flung areas of the country. Now, medical education has become something that only the children of the rich can afford. Students who can pay exorbitant fees get seats, but poor ones, even with good marks, often struggle.  

Is there a model for medical education in other countries that we could emulate?

We seek a model appropriate for Nepal, with the government in the driving seat. But there are credible international examples. For example, there are no private medical colleges in Canada. Similarly, there is no private investment in medical education in Scandinavian countries. We are focusing on two major areas: access and quality. Poor students must have access to medical education. And government presence and investment in the medical education sector will ensure quality.  

 Kathmandu’s favorite breakfast joint is back, after a forced hiatus. Moving from its iconic location in Naxal to an obscure lane in Baluwatar, Mike’s Breakfast is now right where you want it—the Lazim­pat road, near Standard Chartered Bank. Apart from the change in its premises, not much has changed about Mike’s. You still get the same wel­coming smell of fresh coffee, fried eggs and bacon and soft pancakes as you enter. Consistency has been the key to Mike’s success since its opening in 1988.

The prices at Mike’s Breakfast have always been a touch above average and they continue to be so. But, again, quality and consistency comes at a cost. Since it’s re-opening in 2018, Mike’s has brought back its lost customers and gained many new ones, all those who are looking to break their fast like royalty. Lunch and dinner are also served.

 THE MENU

Chef’s Special:

- Huevos Rancheros

- Eggs Florentine

- Country Breakfast

Location: Lazimpat road

Cards: Accepted

Meal for 2: Rs 2,000

Reservations: 01-4424303

 Besides marking a new chap­ter in our lives, the start of a new year is important for other reasons too. Often, we find ourselves doing two things: look­ing back at the events that shaped the previous year, and crafting new goals and visions for the year ahead. As such, the start of new year is more than an indicator of time. It is also a moment for reflection, and an opportunity to learn from our mistakes. So was it for Daraz, Nepal’s largest online shopping marketplace, which in 2018 provided Nepali customers with various opportunities to shop for the best prices. APEX talked to Lino Ahlering, the Managing Director of Daraz. Just like many of us, Lino had a lot to say about the previous year and the company’s vision for 2019.

What were key milestones for Daraz in 2018?

The acquisition of Daraz and its integration into the Alibaba ecosys­tem has been a huge milestone for us. Being part of the largest and the most successful ecommerce player in the world makes us proud and allows us to work with and learn from the best in the industry. We have entirely revamped our website and our app, which means a sig­nificant improvement in customer experience.

Besides, our workforce grew sig­nificantly and we celebrated many events with our customers in 2018. In particular, the campaigns we organized in the last quarter for Dashain, Black Friday, 11/11 and 12/12 were very special.

What challenges have you faced in Nepal? How do you plan to overcome them?

The Nepali market is very promis­ing and local consumers have been getting increasingly acquainted with online shopping. We clearly see a lot of curiosity and demand among local shoppers, particularly since Alibaba set its focus on Nepal.

Alibaba would not have chosen Nepal had it not seen the potential here. Nevertheless, we are aware of the need to make more people acquainted with online shopping and to establish customer trust in online shopping.

Another challenge has been logis­tics. Besides our own delivery fleet Daraz Express (DEX), we work with a variety of logistics companies for deliveries and returns, but the mas­sive success of our 11/11 campaign took us close to our limits. Some cus­tomers did not receive their orders as quickly as expected.

We take this very seriously and for 2019, a strong emphasis is on strengthening our own fleet through heavy investment in our logistics infrastructure, as well as improving our collaboration with other logis­tics firms and our sellers for fast and smooth delivery.

How did the Nepali market respond to international sale days such as Black Friday, 11/11, and 12/12?

Black Friday was already a famil­iar name in the local market, but Ali­baba’s 11/11 or 12/12 were completely new, not only for Daraz but also for domestic shoppers. Hence we focused a lot on informing our cus­tomers about our exclusive offers, deals and new features.

During 11/11, we sold more than 70,000 items, including exclusive launches. For 12/12, we focused on a different experience by introducing Collectible Vouchers that are auto­matically applied to your order and on Daraz Mall, a separate section for top brands and sellers that have to fulfil higher standards, giving customers even more assurance and comfort with their shopping experience.

What does the future of Nepal’s e-commerce look like?

Nepal is a super interesting market, and having worked in the ecommerce sector for some time now, I am impressed by the curios­ity among local consumers about e-commerce. The sector has been growing rapidly and it is becom­ing more professional. In 2019, for example, we will introduce digital payments to our marketplace, which will be a huge milestone for us as well as for our customers.

What is important is that regula­tors support developments in the field. Not only Daraz but also our competitors have to engage in closer dialogue with regulatory institutions in order to shape the future market. In general, we are optimistic that the government sees the potential of e-commerce. Local competition will also increase, which I believe is very good. We in Daraz are con­vinced that competition is import­ant. It helps us stay focused and set ambitious goals. Moreover, having strong competitors has a positive impact on the overall ecosystem, as customers get more accustomed to online shopping and gain more trust in digital business models.

What is Daraz’s vision for 2019? What other things can your cus­tomers look forward to?

2019 is going to be very exciting, as we have planned many initia­tives to further enhance customer experience. This will involve several campaigns, with 11/11 as the annual highlight, offering Nepali shoppers top deals across the board. We know that there is still a lot to be done, but we are working hard to pro­vide better value to our shoppers with a wider variety of brands and products. We also intend to fur­ther improve our logistics for faster delivery. 2019 means more features, improved services, wider variety and, most importantly, better deals. We are excited about this year and Nepali shoppers have good reason to be equally excited.

Q. Your New Year resolu­tion?

A. This year it’s all about self care and self love. Nothing else.

Q. Alternate career choice?

A. Stylist.

Q. Most misunderstood thing about you?

A. People often mistake me for a snobby lady full of attitude. After they meet me, they are like “Oh my god! You’re so humble and sweet”.

Q. Your celebrity crush?

A. Shawn Mendes.

Q. You were star struck when you met?

A. Varun Dhawan and Sushmita Sen.

Q. One thing you do to cheer yourself up?

A. Dance like no one is watching.

Q. Something that people would be surprised to know about you?

A. I am very spiritual and have healing abilities.

Q. Your best and worst purchase?

A. Best purchase is my Varsace clutch and worst purchase could be shoes which I bought and have not worn even once.

Q. A question you hate to answer?

A. I answer every question. I am an open book.

Q. A quote you live by?

A. One day at a time.