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A. Definitely wearing the heels I can’t walk in. Lol.

Q. If you could wish for anything…

A. To be able to read any living being’s mind.

Q. What would be your fancy dress costume?

A. Egyptian Queen Cleopatra

Q. How would you describe yourself in a sentence?

A. An ambitious young girl who thrives on challenges, so I always have something to strive towards.

Q. Your makeup (style) icon?

A. Rihanna! Forever and always.

Q. The best advice you’ve been given?

A. This advice came from my mother and it has changed my life: “Your moods are contagious, always share positive energy”

Q. Who inspires you the most?

A. Ellen Degeneres

Q. What are you proud of but never have an excuse to talk about?

A. I’m literally so proud of being an amazing daughter to my mother and taking good care of her.

Q. If you had only one day left to live, what would you do?

    A. I would spend the whole day with my family and my closest friends at home, having mo:mo party and barbeque and getting drunk.

A sculpture or a curio piece, or a fine art masterpiece, makes for a muse­um of art or history. By this logic, you need a real aircraft to build a good aviation museum. For proof, visit the Aviation Museum at Sinamangal in Kath­mandu.The frame of a dead aircraft and its dead engine come to life at this museum, the first of its kind in Nepal. The dead frame of a Turkish Airlines Airbus that skidded off the runway in Kathmandu in 2015 was dismantled, reassembled and fashioned into an aviation museum, right next to the country’s only international airport. When you visit this unique museum, you will feel like being inside a real airplane.

Launched in November 2017, the muse­um was established by Bed Upreti Trust—a non-profit jointly founded by Captain Bed Uprety—and the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal. A pilot and an aviation instructor in Indonesia, Uprety wanted to interest the Nepali youth in the field of aviation, and he reckoned an aviation museum would be the perfect way to do so.

The museum’s exhibits include the air­craft’s original cockpit setting, various aircraft models, and items documenting the history of Nepali aviation.

The Turkish Airlines plane, Airbus 330-300, had flown for about eight months before meeting a mishap at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu in March 2015. It cost Rs 70 million to convert the useless outer-frame into a museum.

The museum has a lot to offer to visitors. It is the perfect place to educate yourself on Nepali aviation or to take your child who is fascinated about flying. The main attraction are probably the miniature air­planes and model helicopters displayed inside. Recently, a fun park for children has been built right outside the museum.

The Airbus has four sections. In the welcome hall, visitors are shown a docu­mentary on the museum’s history. It gives information about airport model, cargo compartment, cabin crew, pilot training, and aviation safety. Then there is an air force hall imitating a fighter plane that served in both the world wars. Next is an airlines hall with models of aircraft operat­ed by Nepal Airlines. Lastly, the manufac­ture and refreshment hall displays plane models developed by students of aircraft engineering.

Ticket prices are reasonable. Nepali cit­izens pay Rs 250, handicapped and older citizens Rs 125, SAARC country nationals Rs 250, and foreigners Rs 500. Entry fee is waived for students of grade 9-12 who car­ry a letter from their schools. All students with valid ID cards get 50 percent off. You may also get photographed as an airhost­ess or a pilot by paying nominal fees.

The museum opens 10 am-5 am, Octo­ber to February, and 9:30 am-6:30 pm, March to September.

The place is popular with school chil­dren these days. “It’s astonishing to wit­ness the excitement of the little children who come here. They have so many ques­tions and I feel happy answering them as it reminds me of my own childhood," says Anisha Neupane, an employee at the museum.

“We want to encourage youngsters to pursue careers in aviation and engineer­ing,” said Uprety, who is also the chief executive officer of the museum.

Despite all the hard work with the muse­um, there is always room for improve­ment. One such area is food prices. A dis­appointed visitor was heard saying: “For a place dedicated to children and students, the restaurant here is quite expensive. The prices need to go down.”

Q. A quote you live by?

A. “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life”.

Q. Something your fans wouldn’t believe about you?

A. My age.

Q. If one of your wishes were to be granted?

A. To always be happy.

Q. What’s the best part of your day?

A. Morning because I make plans for the entire day in the morning.

Q. If you could be anything, what would you be?

A. I am happy the way I am. I would not want to be anything else.

Q. Which place in the world would you like to visit?

A. I would like to go to Paris with my husband.

Q. Who would you like to dance with next?

A. Boogie Woogie 2018 winner Kabita Nepali.

Q. What is one outfit you cannot go wrong with?

A. Bikini.

Q. What is the weirdest thing a fan has ever done for you?

A. There is a guy who came to London to meet me when I was there for an award show. I talked to him and exchanged some messages. But then he started messaging me every day, making a lot of small talk. I like talking to my fans but there is a difference between friends and fans.

Hult Prize winners announced

The Hult Prize organizing committee in Nepal this week announced the winning team, which has advanced to the 11th annual Regional Summit in Vietnam. The “Pop-Pack” from King’s College won with their idea of revolutionizing the packaging industry of daily consumable items such as tooth­paste and shampoo. The winning team of BBA stu­dents includes Sachin Dangi, Rupesh Puri, Samaya Khadka, and Sushat Gaire.

The Regional Summit is happening all around the globe including in countries like Malaysia, Japan, London, the US, Mexico, Jordon, Nigeria, Philip­pines, and Pakistan.

The Hult Prize is a crowdsourcing platform for social good that was named one of the top five ideas changing the world by TIME Magazine. The innova­tive crowdsourcing platform identifies and launches disruptive and catalytic social ventures to solve the planet’s most pressing problems. This year, the Hult Prize’s focus is on ‘Empowering the Earth: Bold Business for a Better Planet’.

Laxmi’s ‘Viber-Stickers’

Laxmi Bank released its 16-set sticker pack on Viber with the objective of making mon­ey-talks more enjoyable in the Viber chat world. This was the first ‘Nepali animated sticker pack’ to be released on Viber.

Stickers are a fun, colorful way to express in Viber and “Greetings from Laxmi” defi­nitely does that, a press release issued by the bank reads. Laxmi Bank offers its valued customers products, services and tips that make a differ­ence in the everyday lives of individuals, families, small businesses or large corporates, the statement adds.

PRACTICE CHAKRA YOGA
IN KATHMANDU

Every Friday at 8 am, HUB, a coffee shop in Thamel, hosts Chakra Yoga classes with LaChelle Amos. LaChelle blends Tibetan singing bowls, crystal and platinum tuning forks, thingsaws, and vocals in her personalized and group sound sessions. Founder of Silence of Sound Yoga, she is also an international conflict resolution specialist. If you are feeling stuck in a rut, you should definitely try this. Each week the class explores a different energy center in human body, learning what each governs and how to keep them balanced through meditation, pranayama, and asana. The hour-and-half class costs Rs 800. Call 9866273244.

DO OFFBEAT SCULPTING
IN POKHARA

Learn about recycling waste for artistic endeavors in this class hosted by Mim Bahadur Magar Rana at the Modern Art Gallery. You will learn how to make your own mini-sculptures from discarded materials. This four-hour class costing Rs 1,900 (17$) is inclusive of all tools and materials. You will gain an insight into the creative mind of Rana as he will walk you through his other creations too. Call 9818421646.

TREK
IN DHAMPUS

If you’re looking for some exciting adventure but are not very fond of steep hills and exhausting treks, Dhampus could be an ideal choice to pacify your “craving for a vacation” soul. Pokhara Tour, Sight-seeing and Adventure activities presents to you a two-day Dhampus trek package at Rs 23,000 (215$). The trek is operated all year round and can be planned to your convenience. The fresh smell of the earthy villages, mesmerizing landscapes, warm hospitality of locals, and the view of the beautiful snowcapped Annapurna… worth it. The sum covers accommodation, food and transport. Call 9802014557.

PRACTICE CHAKRA YOGA
IN KATHMANDU

Every Friday at 8 am, HUB, a coffee shop in Thamel, hosts Chakra Yoga classes with LaChelle Amos. LaChelle blends Tibetan singing bowls, crystal and platinum tuning forks, thingsaws, and vocals in her personalized and group sound sessions. Founder of Silence of Sound Yoga, she is also an international conflict resolution specialist. If you are feeling stuck in a rut, you should definitely try this. Each week the class explores a different energy center in human body, learning what each governs and how to keep them balanced through meditation, pranayama, and asana. The hour-and-half class costs Rs 800. Call 9866273244.

DO OFFBEAT SCULPTING
IN POKHARA

Learn about recycling waste for artistic endeavors in this class hosted by Mim Bahadur Magar Rana at the Modern Art Gallery. You will learn how to make your own mini-sculptures from discarded materials. This four-hour class costing Rs 1,900 (17$) is inclusive of all tools and materials. You will gain an insight into the creative mind of Rana as he will walk you through his other creations too. Call 9818421646.

TREK
IN DHAMPUS

If you’re looking for some exciting adventure but are not very fond of steep hills and exhausting treks, Dhampus could be an ideal choice to pacify your “craving for a vacation” soul. Pokhara Tour, Sight-seeing and Adventure activities presents to you a two-day Dhampus trek package at Rs 23,000 (215$). The trek is operated all year round and can be planned to your convenience. The fresh smell of the earthy villages, mesmerizing landscapes, warm hospitality of locals, and the view of the beautiful snowcapped Annapurna… worth it. The sum covers accommodation, food and transport. Call 9802014557.

Hult Prize at King’s College

King’s College, Kathmandu is hosting its first Hult Prize Finals on December 14. Recognized by ex-US President Bill Clinton and Time Magazine as one of the top five ideas changing the world for the better, the Hult Prize On-Campus Program is led by students for students. 

“We as students franchise global Hult Prize methodology and bring award winning programs to our university campus, including an On-Campus final pitch round which allows the winning team to fast track into a regional round of the $1M flagship startup program,” a release issued by the college reads. The Annapurna Media Network since its establishment has been working to enable social leadership and economic development through responsible media practices. AMN strongly believes that entrepreneurship development is necessary for the country’s economic development, and this in turn is possible only by enabling youths to establish a platform. With this belief, AMN is supporting Hult Prize at King’s College as media partner.

NSE discussion on improvisational dialogue

The Nepal School of Entrepreneurship this week hosted a program titled “Discussion on Improvisational Dialogue and Leadership” at its premises in Gairidhara, Kathmandu. Flemming Toft, an independent consultant, researcher/PhD candidate and musician who specializes in leadership and innovation in complex situations, conducted the session.

A total of 25 participants, ranging from entrepreneurs to musicians to social activists, were present. NSE is an organization committed to promoting and supporting aspiring entrepreneurs in Nepal through various workshops, seminars, discourses, and other programs.

Ganga Devi Gautam from Tatopani in the north-western district of Jumla gave birth to four children, hoping one of them would be a son. Her family was unhappy that Gautam had not had a son—until she finally gave birth to one in her fifth attempt. When that happened, her family and neighbors, accompanied by a band, reached the hospital to celebrate the occasion. They also organized an abir jatra (a colorful procession) and a communal meal. Gautam’s family members started treating her better. 

When word spread that Laxmi Raut from Thantikandh, a rural municipality in Dailekh, gave birth to a son, her family and relatives also went to the health center with a band. They also celebrated the occasion by doing an abir jatra, to the surprise of the health center’s staff. 

These two are representative examples of gender discrimination. In Karnali Province (where both Jumla and Dailekh fall), girls are discriminated against right from the womb. Family and relatives do not celebrate the birth of a girl because of the entrenched belief that while a son takes care of the parents in old age, a daughter leaves home after marriage. 

As a result, most couples face societal pressure to have a son, and women keep producing babies hoping they would finally give birth to a male child. Meanwhile, having so many babies wrecks women’s health. 

Pushe Nepali, 65, from Tila rural municipality in Jumla got married when he was just 14. His wife gave birth to 11 daughters in the hope of having a son. Because of the dire financial situation of the household, it was difficult to raise 11 daughters, three of whom died. Says Pushe, “I wanted a son but ended up with many daughters. I regret it now.”

Because she did not give birth to a son, Jhan Maya Rokaya from Kanakasundari rural municipality in Jumla was thrown out of her house by her husband, who faced family pressure to do so. The Rokayas have six daughters together. Jhan Maya’s case is not atypical; most women in Karnali have to endure domestic violence if they do not give birth to a son. 

Also on the rise in recent years are cases of female feticide, which is common even among educated folks. Latest statistics show that female birth rates have gone down in the provincial capital of Birendranagar. Local and provincial governments have introduced various schemes to check the trend. To encourage couples to have daughters, the provincial government has started opening a bank account in the name of all girls born in Karnali Province and depositing Rs 500 every month in their account for 20 years.

Khandachakra municipality in Kalikot, another district in the province, has started handing over a cash gift to couples who give birth to a daughter. Says municipality chief, Jasi Prasad Pandey, “We are facing the problem of a skewed sex ratio, so we have had to provide incentives for couples to have daughters. Any couple in the municipality giving birth to two daughters at most and undergoing sterilization will be given Rs one lakh in cash.”